The Fairness in Women’s Sports Act bill will return to the Senate after passing through the House on a 72 to 21 vote with a minor amendment that will require Senate approval. This was the same legislation that was responsible for the historic veto session last year. Metairie Representative Laurie Schlegel presented the bill in the House that prohibits transgender females from competing in women’s sports.

Cut 13 (09) “…sports.”

She then referred to the transgender female swimmer that won an NCAA championship.

Shreveport Representative Sam Jenkins spoke in opposition to the bill, saying the bill is a solution to a problem that doesn’t exist in Louisiana. Jenkins says the bill is an attack on vulnerable transgender children.

Cut 14 (12)  “…an attack.”

The Louisiana Association of Educators and the Louisiana Federation of Teachers joined forces at the state capitol to convey their disappointment with the proposed education pay increase for next year’s budget. The budget approved by Senate Finance sets aside $1,500 raises for teachers, instead of the original request of $2,000 by the governor. LFT President Larry Carter…

Cut 4 (09)  “…now.”

Cleco’s CARE program for low-income families is still accepting applicants through May 30, and now the energy provider has introduced the Watt Matters campaign says spokesperson Fran Phoenix says the campaign teaches customers how to keep energy from escaping their homes through weatherization.

Cut 8 (12)  “…energy efficient.”

The Fairness in Women’s Sports Act bill will return to the Senate after passing through the House on a 72 to 21 vote with a minor amendment that will require Senate approval. This was the same legislation that was responsible for the historic veto session last year. Metairie Representative Laurie Schlegel presented the bill in the House.

Cut 13 (10) “…sports.”

She then referred to the transgender female swimmer that won an NCAA championship.

Shreveport Representative Sam Jenkins spoke in opposition to the bill, saying the bill is a solution to a problem that doesn’t exist in Louisiana. Jenkins says the bill is an attack on vulnerable transgender children.

Cut 14 (12)  “…an attack.”

The bill was amended to remove intramural sports from the legislation.

The Louisiana Association of Educators and the Louisiana Federation of Teachers joined forces at the state capitol in an effort to convey their disappointment with the proposed education pay increase for next year’s budget. The budget approved by Senate Finance sets aside $1,500 raises for teachers, instead of the original request of $2,000, LFT President Larry Carter…

Cut 4 (09)  “…now.”

The full House advances a bill that would prohibit giving COVID shots at public schools unless parents give explicit permission. Terrebonne Parish Representative Beryl Amedee (BEAR-il AH-muh-day) says her bill would require schools obtain written permission to administer a shot, then follow that up with a verbal verification…:

Cut 10 (07) “…parental permission..”

The bill passed by a 65-to-31 vote, and now moves forward to the Senate.

A bill to block teaching Critical Race Theory in Louisiana schools fails to pass the House Education. Bill author, St. Bernard Parish Representative Ray Garafalo  says there is indoctrination going on in our schools. But Homer Representative Patrick Jefferson says “prove that is so…”

PM Cut 12 (12) “…to me”  

Others felt it would be un-enforceable as law. The committee voted to defer Garafalo’s bill.

The Louisiana Association of Educators and the Louisiana Federation of Teachers joined forces at the state capitol in an effort to convey their disappointment with the proposed education pay increase for next year’s budget. The budget approved by Senate Finance sets aside $1,500 raises for teachers, instead of the original request of $2,000, LFT President Larry Carter…

AM Cut 4 (09)  “…now.”

Support staff is set to receive a $750 pay raise instead of the requested $1,000 increase.

The full House advances a bill that would prohibit giving COVID shots at public schools, unless parents give explicit permission. Terrebonne Parish Representative Beryl Amedee (BEAR-il AH-muh-day) says her bill would require schools obtain written permission to administer a shot, then follow that up with a verbal verification…:

AM Cut 10 (07) “…parental permission..”

The bill passed by a 65-to-31 vote, and now moves forward to the Senate.

The Louisiana House approves legislation requiring electric and hybrid owners paying an annual road usage fee. Baton Rouge Representative Barbara Freiberg says the state’s 20-cent per gallon gasoline tax pays for highway upkeep and improvement and she wants to make sure E-V and hybrid vehicle owners pay their fair share…

Cut 3 (07) “….that privilege”

Freiberg’s bill would charge EV owners 110-dollars annually and hybrid owners 60-dollars annually.

It isn’t the $500-million that Governor John Bel Edwards wanted, but the budget bill headed to the Senate floor this week includes $300-million in seed money for a new Mississippi River Bridge in Baton Rouge. State Transportation Secretary Shawn Wilson says the money will be used to draw down federal money….

Cut 10 (09) “…more dollars.”

An effort to phase out a temporary sales tax, set to expire in 2025, is dead for the legislative session. Prairieville Representative Tony Bacala’s bill proposed to begin reducing the temporary sales tax next year. Norco Senator Gary Smith is concerned it will produce budget deficits for the 2024 administration.

Cut 9 (12)  “…are tied.”

The .45-percent sales tax generates about 400-million dollars annually.

House Civil Law approves legislation to make it illegal to discriminate against a person based on certain hairstyles. The measure passed on an eight to six vote as two Republicans joined Democrats voting in favor. Abita Springs Republican Larry Frieman says the bill leaves it open-ended on what hairstyles would be protected under this proposed law.

Cut 15 (12)  “…about yet.”

An effort to begin phasing out a temporary sales tax that is set to expire in 2025 is dead for the legislative session. The .45-percent sales generates about 400-million dollars in tax revenue for the state and Alexandria Senator Jay Luneau says the state can use that money on major projects…

Cut 7 (12) “…make sense.”

The consumer price index for the month of April rose to 8.3-percent, another forty-year high. Economist Loren Scott says however it’s not all doom and gloom, he says predictions from Well Fargo Economics Department and USA Consensus Forecast indicate things should improve.

Cut 6 (09)  “…next year.”

The budget headed to the Senate floor for approval Thursday includes $300-million for a new Mississippi River Bridge in Baton Rouge. State Transportation Secretary Shawn Wilson says the dedication makes getting additional dollars from private sources a real possibility, which could speed up both the financing and completion of bridges.

Cut  11 (12)  “…a traditional environment.”  

The House Civil Law Committee approves legislation that would make it illegal to discriminate against a person based on certain hairstyles. That would include afros, dreadlocks, braids and other styles of cultural significance. New Orleans Representative Candace Newell is the author of the bill

Cut 13 (11) “…the hair”

The House Transportation Committee voted Monday for Senate-approved legislation that would result in the installation of speed cameras on the I-10 Atchafalaya Basin Bridge. Transportation Secretary Shawn Wilson says the cameras will track vehicles as they go across the 18-mile bridge and if they arrive in less than 18 minutes the driver was likely speeding.

Cut 6  (04) “…60-mile per hour limit.” 

Supporters of the legislation say cameras would be a better way to catch speeders than actual police officers because the narrow shoulders on the bridge make it unsafe for officers. Rosepine Representative Charles Owen agrees…

Cut 8 (10) “…crazy bridge” 

An effort to begin phasing out a temporary sales tax that is set to expire in 2025 is dead for the legislative session. The .45-percent sales tax generates about 400-million dollars in tax revenue for the state and Alexandria Senator Jay Luneau says the state can use that money on major projects…

Cut 7 (12) “…make sense.”

The Senate Revenue and Fiscal Affairs Committee rejected the House-approved bill.

It isn’t the $500-million that Governor John Bel Edwards wanted, but the budget bill headed to the Senate floor for approval on Thursday does include $300-million of seed money for a new Mississippi River Bridge in Baton Rouge. State Transportation Secretary Shawn Wilson is thankful for the unprecedented commitment of funds for a project of this size.

Cut 10 (09) “…more dollars.”

A single-car crash in Washington Parish claims two lives. Trooper William Huggins says the driver 31-year-old Pamela Brown and 16-year-old Jaquan Brown of Kentwood were both killed when their Hyundai veered off the road shortly after 11 pm Saturday.

Cut 3 (09) “….two trees.”

Huggins says both were pronounced dead on the scene. Three unrestrained juveniles in the back seat of the car were taken to a local hospital. Impairment is suspected.

The House Transportation Committee voted today for Senate-approved legislation that would result in the installation of speed cameras on the I-10 Atchafalaya Basin Bridge. Rosepine Representative Charles Owen…

Cut 8 (10) “…crazy bridge” 

Dan Wallis takes over as Chief of the State Fire Marshal’s Office. Wallis, who served as Zachery Fire Chief for 28 years has been with Fire Marshal’s Office since 2008. He says he plans to expand on the values already set by his predecessor, Butch Browning.

Cut 12 (10) “…fifty years.”  

Former Saints quarterback Drew Brees was let go from his contract with NBC Sports after just one season, setting off a storm of speculation about his future with Brees even alluding to a possible return to football. Coach Dennis Allen doesn’t see a reason to take talk of a comeback seriously.

Cut 9 (07) “…that regard.”

Meanwhile, former Saints head coach Sean Payton has been hired by Fox for the upcoming NFL season.

Legislation that would result in cameras to catch speeders on the I-10 Atachalfalya Basin Bridge between Baton Rouge and Lafayette continues to cruise through the legislative process. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

The three juveniles who escaped from the Ware Youth Center near Coushatta, with the help of a security guard have been captured. Authorities say 21-year-old Victoria Tune drove the three from the detention facility early Saturday. All four were located Sunday morning at a hotel in Houston.

A single-car crash in Washington Parish kills the driver 31-year-old Pamela Brown and passenger 16-year-old Jaquan Brown of Kentwood. Trooper Williams Huggins says the vehicle veered off the road and then hit two trees Saturday. And while they were both wearing seatbelts three juveniles in the back seat were not.

Cut 4  (05) “…hospitals.”

Impairment is suspected and they are awaiting toxicology results.

A new era at the State Fire Marshal’s Office is underway as Chief Daniel Wallis takes the helm and former Chief Butch Browning becomes the next executive director of the National Association of State Fire Marshals. Wallis says while it’s an exciting time it’s also bittersweet to say goodbye to his friend Browning of more than thirty years.

Cut 11 (11)  “…forward.” 

Wallis, who served as Zachery Fire Chief for 28 years has been with the State Fire Marshal’s Office since 2008.

A single-car crash in Washington Parish claims two lives. Trooper William Huggins says the driver 31-year-old Pamela Brown and 16-year-old Jaquan Brown of Kentwood were both killed when a Hyundai veered off the road shortly after 11 pm Saturday.

Cut 3 (09) “….two trees.”

Huggins says both were pronounced dead on the scene. Three unrestrained juveniles in the back seat of the car were taken to a local hospital. Impairment is suspected.

Former Saints quarterback Drew Brees was let go from his contract with NBC Sports after just one season, setting off a storm of speculation about his future with Brees even alluding to a possible return to football. Saints coach Dennis Allen doesn’t see a reason to take it seriously.

Cut 9 (07) “…that regard.”

The Senate Finance Committee approved a proposed budget for the next fiscal year that does not match Governor Edwards’ wish list. For example, Edward’s wanted two-thousand dollar pay raises for teachers, and only $15-hundred has been approved. Senate President Page Cortez says a lot of one-time money investments will go toward higher education needs.

Cut  11 (09)  “…expansion”  

The full Senate is expected to vote on the budget Thursday.

A changing of the guard, or more accurately the chiefs is underway as Butch Browning, the state’s longest-serving fire marshal, hands the baton to Daniel Wallis – his former right-hand man – after 14 years of leadership. Spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue…:

Cut 13 (11) “…state for decades.”

Browning moves on to the position of executive director of the National Association of State Fire Marshalls.

The state supreme court rules in favor of a Baton Rouge pastor who refused to stop church services during COVID lockdown orders. So, does the ruling mean future emergency orders might lack enforcement? Does the ruling mean Pastor Spell can now sue the Governor and/or the state for damages? Loyola Law Professor Dane Ciolino.

Cut 6 (13)  “…First Amendment rights.”

There’s been a slight bump in COVID cases, but Governor Edwards says for the most part things are a stable. And as in previous surges, it’s expected that case counts will increase along with the high temperatures.

Cut 9 (10)  “…things happen.”

On Friday the state reported 730 news cases, the total does not included home tests.

The Senate Finance Committee approved the Senate’s version of a spending plan for the fiscal year that begins in July. The budget proposal contains a 15-hundred dollar raise for teachers and committee members also heard from parents to make sure eight million dollars is appropriated to install cameras in special ed classrooms…

Cut 12 (11) “…the bill” 

It’s State Fire Marshal Butch Browning’s last day at the helm today. Browning will be the executive director of the National Association of State Fire Marshalls. Spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue says Browning is excited about the new challenge and opportunity to improve safety on a national scale, as well as the future of the agency he leaves behind.

Cut 15 (13)  “…national impact.”