Legislation to remove the required 30-minute meal period for minors who work five or more hours advances from House Labor Committee. Shreveport Representative Tammy Phelps questioned bill author, Denham Springs Representative Roger Wilder if he considers a 16 or 17-year-old a young adult. He countered that the emancipation age is 16, and you’re allowed to marry at age 16.

Cut 7 (13) “…a minor.”  

Haughton Representative Dodie Horton supports the bill because she wants to ensure the state allows private businesses to operate as they see fit.

Cut 8 (12) “…all over.” 

The bill passed on a 10 to 2 vote and advances to the House.

Waiting for a hearing in the House Criminal Justice Committee is a bill that would allow administrators and certified teachers to possess a gun inside a school. Greenwell Representative Lauren Ventrella says armed teachers would be required to have a concealed carry permit and take active shooter and de-escalation courses.

Cut 10 (07) “…the weapon”

Opponents, which include teacher unions, are also concerned about allowing guns in a firearm free zone. But Ventrella says gun free zones do not matter to someone who wants to kill multiple people…

Cut 12 (13) “…when called.” 

There have been attempts in the past to arm teachers, but previous state legislative bodies have voted against those proposals.

A Senate Committee approves major changes to the state’s public record laws, despite objections from good government groups and journalists. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 3 (31) “…I’m Jeff Palermo” 

And after one season with the Lady Tigers, Hailey Van Lith is heading to TCU. The guard entered the transfer portal after the Tigers lost to Iowa in the Elite Eight. She’s finishing up her last semester in Baton Rouge and will graduate next month with one more year of eligibility.

Legislation to create a Gun Free Zone in New Orleans’ entertainment district was voluntarily deferred in House Criminal Justice. Bill author Representative Alonzo Knox urged committee members to ask local law enforcement in their districts what they think about the law that goes into effect July 4^th allowing for concealed carry without a permit.

Cut 4 (08) “…a crisis.”

Knox told committee members he was pulling the bill and will discuss points brought up with Senator Kirk Talbot who’s proposed similar legislation.

The LSU gymnastics squad will compete in the semifinals of the NCAA Championships today in Fort Worth as the Tigers are in search of the program’s first national championship. This is LSU’s 33rd appearance in the NCAA Championships and Coach Jay Clark might have the school’s most talented team.

Cut 14 (08)  “…love to have.”

A proposal to expand gun-free zones in New Orleans did not get out of House Criminal Justice Committee. Opponents to the legislation say adding another gun-free zone infringes on a person’s Second Amendment rights. New Orleans metro councilwoman Helena Moreno says there’s also a bill on the Senate side, so the issue is not dead for this session…

Cut 6 (13) “…better shape.”
The second-ranked LSU gymnastics squad competes in the semifinal round of the NCAA Championships today at 3:30 in Fort Worth, Texas. Coach Jay Clark has told the team to keep their same mindset…

Cut 15 (06)  “…be successful”
LSU will compete against Cal, Arkansas, and Stanford today.

Members of the news media and good-government groups strongly oppose a bill supported by Governor Jeff Landry to prevent journalists and the public from obtaining records that can now be accessed through public records requests. New Orleans investigative TV reporter Lee Zurik says public record requests he obtained helped shine a light on what led to the collapse of the New Orleans Hard Rock Hotel in 2019…

Cut 11 (12) “…this law.”
Governor Jeff Landry says current public records law stifles deliberative speech.

Bill author Turkey Creek Senator Heather Cloud says she’ll work to address some of the concerns of the opponents and will make changes to the bill before the full Senate takes a vote on it…

Cut 13 (05)  “…what they need.”

Senate Governmental Affairs approves legislation that critics say will gut the state’s public records law at every level. It would prohibit the public from obtaining any government documents involved in decision making. Bill author, Turkey Creek Senator Heather Cloud, says they are trying to prevent unfinalized information from becoming public…

Cut 10 (11 ) “…catastrophic”

Fox 8 New Orleans Investigative reporter Lee Zurik spoke in opposition. He says public records requests helped shine a light on what led to the collapse of the New Orleans Hard Rock hotel in 2019.

Cut 11 (12) “…this law.”

Cloud says she’ll work to address the concerns of opponents and make changes before the full Senate votes.

Legislation to create a Gun Free Zone in New Orleans’ entertainment district was voluntarily deferred in House Criminal Justice. Bill author Representative Alonzo Knox urged committee members to ask local law enforcement in their districts what they think about the law that goes into effect July 4^th allowing for concealed carry without a permit.

Cut 4 (12) “…a crisis.”

Knox amended the bill to allow gun owners with a permit to conceal carry in the New Orleans entertainment district so it would not infringe upon one’s rights. But that too was met with opposition. Firearm Professionals of Louisiana political director Chris Patron…

Cut 5 (12) “…need is enforcement.” 

Knox says he plans to meet with Republican Senator Kirk Talbot who’s proposed similar legislation and work on points made in committee.

Republican Kentucky Congressman Thomas Massie joins Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene’s motion to vacate Mike Johnson as Speaker of the House. Jeff Palermo reports Johnson has no plans to leave…

Cut 2 (30)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo” 

In the state legislature, a bill to create a gun-free zone in New Orleans’ entertainment district is voluntarily deferred after debate in House Governmental Affairs. Bill author Rep Alonzo Knox pulled the bill and told committee members he planned to address points made in debate and present the bill at a later time.

The Louisiana Senate approves a bill to prohibit public school teachers from teaching critical race theory. Denham Springs Senator Valerie Hodges says her legislation will not prevent educators from teaching history lessons…

Cut 5 (09)  “…America.”

The bill passed on a 28-11 vote and heads to the House for more discussion.

And the House approves legislation that critics have labeled as the “Don’t Say Gay Bill.” It prohibits K-12 teachers from discussing gender identity and sexual orientation during class time, extracurricular and school athletic events. New Orleans Representative Mandie Landry spoke in opposition…

Cut 12 (12) “…sits in” 

The proposal was approved on a 69-28 vote and heads to the Senate.

A bill to require parental approval for a teacher to identify a student by their preferred name or a pronoun that does not match their biological sex passes in the full House. The legislation is also referred to as one of the “Don’t Say Gay Bills.” Bill author, Bossier City Representative Raymond Crews says teachers could still object for religious reasons…

Cut 9 (13) “…that classroom” 

Baton Rouge Representative Denise Marcelle spoke in opposition and says this type of legislation makes it harder on transgender children…

Cut 10 (12) “…in any manner”

The House approved the bill on a 68- to-30 vote and the bill now heads to Senate Education.

The Pelicans will not have Zion Williamson for their do-or-die matchup against the Sacramento Kings. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (30)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo”

According to the Louisiana Department of Health, the Bayou State ranks number in the country for cases of chlamydia. The 2022 data indicates the state moved from the number three spot in 2021 to number one. Chlamydia was also the most common sexually transmitted infection in 2022.

11:30 KFNV

U-S House Speaker Mike Johnson is adamant he is not resigning despite calls from House Republicans who are not happy with his proposals to provide aid to Israel and Ukraine. Georgia Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene filed a motion for Johnson to vacate the office. He says this does not help House Republicans advance their agenda…

Cut 7 (07) “…very thing”  

Suspended LSU running back Trey Holly pleaded not guilty on Tuesday to a felony gun charge he faces from a shooting that wounded two people in Farmerville on February 15th. Holly’s attorney Mike Small expects his client will be cleared of all charges.

Cut 10 (09) “…about that.”

LSU Coach Brian Kelly expressed optimism earlier this month that Holly’s legal issues could be wrapped up soon. But Holly’s next court date is not until July 3rd.

State lawmakers laid out their concerns over holding a constitutional convention that would begin on May 20th, two weeks before the regular session is scheduled to end. Chalmette Representative Michael Bayham is worried his bills in the regular session will not receive final passage.

Cut 13 (10)  “…out of time.”

New Orleans Representative Delisha Boyd is unclear on what changes to the constitution could be made…

Cut 15 (09)  “…coming from.”

Supporters of a revised constitution want voters to vote in November on the changes made during the convention. More discussion is expected today in House Governmental Affairs.

U-S House Speaker Mike Johnson is adamant he is not resigning despite calls from House Republicans who are not happy with his proposals to provide aid to Israel and Ukraine. The Republican from Bossier Parish says efforts to remove him from office are not helpful.

Cut 6  (06) “…do our job.” 

Georgia Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene filed a motion for him to vacate the office.

Today marks Governor Jeff Landry’s 100^th day in office and from a policy perspective, La-Politics.com Publisher Jeremy Alford says the governor for the most part has gotten everything he’s asked for…

Cut 5 (09) “…the agenda.” 

Alford says is Landry now facing his biggest test, trying to convince lawmakers to hold a constitutional convention.

State lawmakers have begun discussions on holding a constitutional convention next month. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 3 (36) “…I’m Jeff Palermo” 

The first person to sign the recall petition to remove the St. Tammany Parish Coroner Christopher Tape, is Jean Cefalu a sexual abuse survivor. Tape was accused of child sexual abuse in New Mexico but was never tried due to a technicality. Organizers must obtain more than 35-thousand signatures in 6 months.

Wednesday marks Governor Jeff Landry’s 100^th day in office and La-Politics.com Published Jeremy Alford says politically this milestone signals a new power structure in the state’s executive branch…

Cut 4 (11) “…the legislature.”

A bill to ban gassing, also known as nitrogen hypoxia as a method to carry out the death penalty advances out of Senate Judiciary C. Senator Katrina Jackson-Andrews filed the bill on behalf of the Jewish community because it’s triggering for Jewish people…

Cut 7 (12) “…death penalty.”

The bill heads to the Senate floor.

State lawmakers laid out their concerns over holding a constitutional convention on May 20th, two weeks before the regular legislative session is scheduled to end. Chalmette Representative Michael Bayham is worried the bills that he has going through the process during the regular session will not receive final passage.

Cut 13 (10)  “..out of time”

Supporters of the convention want to remove items out of the constitution and put them into state law to give legislators more financial flexibility.

Former state lawmaker Neil Abramson told legislators during budget deficits, health care and higher education take the deep cuts.

Cut 14 (14)  “…those decisions.”

More discussion is expected Wednesday in House Governmental Affairs.

A bizarre break-in at Jennings High School, on Monday caused classes to be cancelled. Jennings Police Chief Danny Semmes says 37-year-old Dillion Champagne is in custody, but Semmes says he can’t imagine the fear that the two employees experienced when Champagne confronted them with a gun and stole the keys to one of the employees’ cars.

Cut 7 (09) “…the best.”  

A recall petition has been officially filed to remove St. Tammany Parish Coroner Christopher Tape on the grounds he’s unfit for office. Dillard University Political Science Professor Robert Collins says obtaining enough voter signatures, in this case it’s 35,000, is an expensive undertaking and challenging.

Cut 10 (08) “…her job.”

Tape was charged with six counts of child sexual assault in New Mexico but was never tried on a technicality.

LSU star Angel Reese is now a member of the Chicago Sky. Chicago selected Reese as the seventh overall pick in the WNBA draft. Reese led LSU to its first national championship in women’s basketball in 2023 and this past season she was named the SEC Player of the Year. The All-American could have returned to LSU for one more season, but Reese says she’s ready for a new challenge…
Cut 4 (12) “…be a sponge”
The W-N-B-A begins its season next month.

And former ULLM head football coach Terry Bowden is headed to Delhi Charter School. He’s accepted an assistant coach and teacher position. 67-year-old Bowden was let go from ULM in November after three seasons and a 10-26 overall record.