Governor Edwards vetoes legislation that would have blocked transgender athletes from participating in girl’s and women’s sports teams in Louisiana K-12 and post-secondary schools. In his veto statement, Edwards said discrimination is not a Louisiana value. Edwards says he concerned about the mental health impact the bill would have on trans youth.

Cut 13 (11) “…do it.”

The question remains will a veto session be called? Political consultant Lionel Rainey says House Speaker Clay Schexnayder supports a veto session.

Cut 3 (10) big sign,

The legislature has never held a veto override session. Lawmakers will receive ballots in the mail during the first week of July asking whether they want a veto session. If one chamber votes against it, the session is off.

Registration is underway for the Shot at a Million, the state’s vaccine lottery program. Assistant Secretary for the Louisiana Department of Health Kim Hood says you don’t have to upload a photo of your vaccine card, however, if your name is picked, they will verify your vaccine status.

Cut 6 (12) “…good news.”

To register go to ShotAtAMillion.com or call 877-356-1511.

The odds to legally place your bets on sports in Louisiana have improved immensely now that the Governor has signed legislation creating the framework for sports wagering. The question that remains to be answered is just how much revenue legalized sports betting will generate. Port Allen Senator Rick Ward says he has a reasonable guess on just how much it would produce.

Cut 8 (05) “…annually.”

Governor John Bel Edwards has vetoed Senate Bill 156, the bill to prevent transgender athletes from competing on girls’ sports teams in schools. Governor Edwards says the bill was a “solution in search of a problem that simply does not exist in Louisiana.” He added that discrimination is not a Louisiana value. No word yet if the legislature will hold a session to override the veto.

However, Governor Edwards has signed legislation that should help prevent employment discrimination against those who were charged but never convicted of a crime. New Orleans Representative Matthew Willard says under his bill a business cannot request a background check for an applicant if it did not lead to a conviction.

Cut 9 (09) “…ignore that”

Willard says his bill is a step towards “banning the box” for private-sector employers.

The CDC reports a higher-than-expected number of cases of myocarditis in people who received their second dose of mRNA covid vaccines. LSU Health Shreveport infectious disease professor Dr. John Vanchire says the risks involved with getting covid versus getting myocarditis isn’t comparable…

Cut 14 (10) “…are safe.” 

The vaccines that fall under this category include Pfizer and Moderna.

Aduhelm (Add-u-helm) the newest drug to treat Alzheimer’s comes with a hefty price tag of $56,000 annually per patient, Chair of Neurology at Tulane School of Medicine Dr. Demetrius Maraganore (Mare-ah-gah-nor-ay)…

Cut 7 (11) “…treatment.”

He’s advising his patients to look at participating in a study to forgo the cost.

Governor Edwards signs legislation to help prevent employment discrimination against those who were charged but never convicted of a crime. New Orleans Representative Matthew Willard says the new law attempts to help out convicted felons who are out of jail and seeking a job.

Cut 10 (09) “…writing”

Catholic High School in Baton Rouge has vacated its 2017 and 2020 state football championships after the LHSAA determined they violated rules that occurred in 2017. WBRZ-TV sports reporter Matt Trent says while this punishment stems from numerous recruiting violations, more violations could have occurred.

Cut 4 (12) “…and play.”

Neither the association nor the school has provided details on the violations.

The CDC reports a higher-than-expected number of cases of myocarditis in people who received their second dose of mRNA covid vaccines. LSU Health Shreveport infectious disease professor Dr. John Vanchire says cases have been the highest amongst men under the age of 18 and the heart inflammation symptoms include shortness of breath, fatigue, and chest pains.

Cut 12 (11) “…have recovered”

The newest drug to treat Alzheimer’s comes with a hefty price tag of $56,000 annually per patient, Chair of Neurology at Tulane School of Medicine Dr. Demetrius Maraganore says he’s recommending that his patients look at participating in a study.

Cut 8 (11) “…this point.”

Authorities have made an arrest in the shooting death of 18-year-old Michael Sherman, the former Richwood High football player in Monroe that was killed Friday night. 21-year old Malech Rucks was booked at the Ouachita Parish Correctional Facility on one count of second-degree murder.

Under a bill signed by Governor Edwards, those who have a criminal history but were never convicted of a crime can’t be discriminated against by employers. Matt Doyle has more.

Cut 2 (30) …I’m Matt Doyle.”  

The newest drug to treat Alzheimer’s comes with a hefty price tag of $56,000 annually per patient, annually per patient, Chair of Neurology at Tulane School of Medicine Dr. Demetrius Maraganore says

Cut 7 (11) “…treatment.”

Catholic High School in Baton Rouge has vacated its 2017 and 2020 state football championships after the LHSAA determined they violated rules that occurred in 2017 as a result of an investigation that began in March. WBRZ-TV sports reporter Matt Trent says he’s learned that inappropriate contact occurred with athletes.

Cut 3 (14) “…open house.”

Neither the school nor the association has not provided details on the violations that occurred.

Lumber prices are down over 40 percent from May, a historic drop off after the commodity hit historic highs earlier last month. Matt Doyle has more.

Cut 1 (29) “…I’m Matt Doyle.”

More than 250 thousand so far have registered at Shot At a Million dot com, the state’s COVID Vaccine incentive lottery. The website opened Monday at noon for participants. In addition to a grand prize of a million dollars, weekly prizes and scholarships are also being given away.

Compensation to those who have been wrongfully convicted and served time will increase from $25,000 to $40,000 annually. Sponsor of the legislation Gretna Representative Joe Marino says you are not automatically entitled to the funds once you are exonerated. He says you must have a second hearing.

Cut 8 (09) “…compensation.”

The father of an LSU baseball pitcher died in a water accident on Father’s Day in Livingston Parish. Shortly after what started as a family outing tubing on the Amite River, Livingston Parish Sheriff Jason Ard says it was near the Watson area that 53-year-old Keith Hillard went under the water and never came up.

Cut 13 (11) “…able to.”

Hilliard was the father of senior baseball player Ma’Khail Hillard.

Lumber prices are down over 40 percent from May, a historic drop off after the commodity hit historic highs earlier last month. Matt Doyle has more.

Cut 1 (29) “…I’m Matt Doyle.”

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Beginning in July of 2022, wrongfully convicted individuals who are exonerated will be eligible for more money, to compensate them for each year they spent behind bars. Brooke Thorington has more

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

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Senate Education Chairman Cleo Fields will be visiting a few schools across the state today and tomorrow to explain his recently signed legislation mandating kindergarten att3endance for five-year-olds. Matt Doyle has more.

Cut 3 (29)  “…I’m Matt Doyle.”

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The price of lumber has dropped precipitously after hitting a record high early last month.

President of the Louisiana Homebuilders Association Tommy Pinion says the price is down about 45 percent in just over a month, great news for first-time homebuyers.

Cut 4 (09) “…country”

Lumber peaked at 1,686 per thousand feet.

Despite that drop in lumber prices, Pinion does not expect the historically hot housing market to cool off too much in the near future.

Cut 5  (08) “…down.”

Pinion says one thing is clear, there is a real housing bubble building and he isn’t sure what will happen when it pops.

Cut 6 (09) “…here.”

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Compensation to those who have been wrongfully convicted and faced jail time in Louisiana will increase beginning July of next year. Gretna Representative Joe Marino’s bill boosting the annual amount from $25,000 to $40,000 received near-unanimous support.

Cut 7 (11) “…away from them.”

Marino says the hurdle he encountered during the session was explaining to lawmakers that you are not automatically entitled to the funds once you are exonerated. He says you must have a second hearing.

Cut 8 (09) “…compensation.”

For example, if you were wrongfully incarcerated for three years you’d receive $120,00. The maximum one can receive is $400-thousand spread across 10 years or a lump sum of $250,000.

Cut 9 (09) “…prior to this.”

Marino says the Innocence Project who advocates on behalf of wrongly convicted individuals, asked him to increase the compensation. He says Innocence Project attorneys, who help exonerate individuals do so free of charge.

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Baton Rouge Senator Cleo Fields will be speaking at a few schools across the state Tuesday and Wednesday about his recently signed bill mandating Kindergarten for five-year-olds.

Fields wants to explain the new law to parents. He says the concept is pretty simple; if your kid turns five by September 30^th next year they must be enrolled in kindergarten.

Cut 10 (13) “…first year.”

The law will kick in for the start of the 2022-2023 school year next fall.

Fields says he expects to get quite a few questions from parents who’d rather homeschool their five-year-olds. He says they’ll have two options for homeschooling…

Cut 11 (09)”….curriculum”

Fields says following the state curriculum will make your child TOPS eligible.

Fields says he’s excited to have the state become the 13^th in the nation to adopt this requirement that five-year-olds go to kindergarten.

Cut 12 (08) “…education.”

Fields will visit Capitol Elementary in Baton Rouge and JB Nachman Elementary in Alexandria Tuesday, and Shreve Island Elementary in Shreveport Wednesday.

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The father of an LSU baseball pitcher died in a water accident on Father’s Day in Livingston Parish. Shortly after what started as a family outing tubing on the Amite River, Livingston Parish Sheriff Jason Ard says it was near the Watson area that 53-year-old Keith Hillard went under the water and never came up.

Cut 13 (11) “…able to.”

Hilliard was the father of senior baseball player Ma’Khail Hillard. Ard says boaters nearby were able to pull his body from the river.

The Upper Amite River as Ard says it’s known, is unpredictable and he cautions anyone in the water to pay attention and always wear protective life gear.

Cut 14 (07) “…unforgiving river.”

Ard extended his thoughts and prayers to the Hillard family and says while any drowning is tragic, the timing of this one is especially difficult to lose a father on Father’s Day.

Cut 15 (03)“…weekend”

A routine autopsy will be performed but Ard believes the cause of death will be ruled an accidental drowning.

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The search for LSU’s next head baseball coach continues as reports have surfaced that Ole Miss head coach Mike Bianco has removed his name as a possible candidate and signed an extension with Ole Miss.  LSU beat reporter with the USA Today Network Glen Guilbeau says could not wait around for an offer.

Cut 16 (11) “…Ole Miss.”

With Bianco no longer a candidate, Guilbeau says LSU has now shifted its focus to three coaches in the College World Series.

Cut 17 (16) …keep Vitello.” 

It certainly seems like LSU is swinging for the fences but Guilbeau believes Corbin could be tough to get.

Cut  18 (16)”..situation there.”

A bit over a million dollars in state and federal unemployment benefits were paid out to 374 dead Louisianans since March of 2020 according to a Legislative Auditor’s report. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 2 (30) …I’m Matt Doyle.”  

It’s the first day when individuals vaccinated for COIVD can sign up for the Shot at a Million Lottery in Louisiana. Registration kicked off at noon and state officials say they received an average of 500 registrations per minute at ShotAtAMillion.com

Monroe Police continue to investigate Friday night’s fatal shooting of former Richwood High starting quarterback Michael Sherman. After learning of Sherman’s death Football Coach Marcus Yanez held a team meeting, with players, coaches, students, and the community. But says less than an hour after that meeting two more of his former players were shot in a drive-by shooting…

Cut 10 (10) “…doing ok”

Sherman had just graduated last month.

The 2021 KIDS COUNT report from the Annie E. Casey Foundation shows Louisiana’s rankings are towards the bottom. President and CEO Lisa Hamilton says the 2019 data shows the state at 49^th poverty-wise, but the American Rescue Act which allows families to receive an extra $300 a month through the child tax credit should help break the cycle of poverty.

Cut 4 (09) “…as adults.”

Several hundred homeowners in the eastern half of Slidell are cleaning up after Tropical Storm Claudette dumped over ten inches of rain. Mayor Greg Cromer says between 40 and 50 high water vehicle rescues took place Friday night, including a pregnant woman…

Cut 15 (11) “…the hospital” 

Residents who sustained damage should report it to damage-dot-la-dot-gov.

A side-by-side crash in Webster Parish Sunday claims the life of an 11-year-old boy and injuries to the 14-year-old girl who was driving a UTV. State Trooper Jonathan Odom says the 11-year-old has been identified as Morris Naron of Plain Dealing. The 14-year-old was taken to a nearby hospital and treated for minor injuries. Neither of the two children was wearing a seatbelt.

Cut 13 (07) “…seatbelts”

It is not currently known whether the 14-year-old will face charges as a result of the crash.

Monroe Police continue to investigate Friday night’s fatal shooting of former Richwood High starting quarterback Michael Sherman. Football Coach Marcus Yanez says he met with students and coaches after learning of the fatal shooting and an hour later two of his former players were shot in a drive by shooting. Yanez is joining other leaders calling for the violence to stop…

Cut  11 (11) “…of my kids” 

The Louisiana Legislative Auditor finds just over a million dollars in unemployment benefits were paid out to 374 dead individuals since March of 2020. Data Analytics Manager Chris Magee says the Louisiana Workforce Commission does have a process to weed out dead applicants and managed to catch roughly 8,000 with their current system…

Cut 6 (12) “..deceased.”

Over 100 homeowners in the eastern half of Slidell are cleaning up after Tropical Storm Claudette dumped over ten inches of rain in a short amount of time, producing street flooding that got into people’s homes. Mayor Greg Cromer…

Cut 14 (12) “…of feet ” 

Cromer says between 40 and 50 high water vehicle rescues took place early Saturday morning, including a pregnant woman who went into labor.

The Louisiana Legislative Auditor finds just over a million dollars in unemployment benefits were paid out to 374 dead people since March of 2020. Data Analytics Manager Chris Magee says nothing could have been done to stop about half of that money from being paid out, but 123,000 dollars could have been prevented it with weekly reviews.

Cut 7 (08) “…quickly.”

Monroe Police continue to investigate Friday night’s fatal shooting of former Richwood High starting quarterback Michael Sherman. After learning of Sherman’s death Football Coach Marcus Yanez held a team meeting, with players, coaches, students, and the community. But says less than an hour after that meeting two more of his former players were shot in a drive-by shooting…

Cut 10 (10) “…doing ok”

Sherman had just graduated last month.

According to the 2021 KIDS COUNT report from the Annie E. Casey Foundation Louisiana ranks 49^th in Economic Well-Being and Family and Community and 48^th in Health and Education. President and CEO Lisa Hamilton says they look at 16 indicators among the four main topics and it isn’t all bad.

Cut 5  (08) “…the course.” 

The 2021 KIDS COUNT report from the Annie E. Casey Foundation shows Louisiana’s rankings are towards the bottom. President and CEO Lisa Hamilton says the 2019 data shows the state at 49^th poverty-wise, but the American Rescue Act which allows families to receive an extra $300 a month through the child tax credit should help break the cycle of poverty.

Cut 4 (09) “…as adults.”

Monroe Police continue to investigate Friday night’s fatal shooting of former Richwood High starting quarterback Michael Sherman. Detectives say Sherman was gunned down after an argument involving two females. Richwood High Football Coach Marcus Yanez says Sherman was a great person to be around

Cut 9 (11) “…the state”

Sherman graduated in May and no arrests have been made.

A bit over a million dollars in state and federal unemployment benefits were paid out to 374 dead Louisianans since March of 2020 according to a Legislative Auditor’s report. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 2 (30) …I’m Matt Doyle.”