The Louisiana House passes a bill that would decriminalize possession of marijuana. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (30) “ …I’m Jeff Palermo” 

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Ochsner Health says they are ready to begin vaccinating teens ages 12-15 with the Pfizer vaccine once state health gives the go-ahead following the CDC’s approval today. Brooke Thorington has more

Cut 2 (31) …I’m Brooke Thorington.”  

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A person would no longer face jail time if convicted of possessing 14 grams or less of marijuana as a result of a bill approved by the Louisiana House. Shreveport Representative Cedric Glover says the possession of a small amount of marijuana should no longer result in two things

Cut 3 (10)  “…to prison” 

Currently, a person who possesses 14 grams or less of marijuana could face up to 15 days in jail and up to six months if convicted a second time. Glover’s bill removes the possibility of jail time and would make a 100-fine the maximum penalty. Baton Rouge Representative Denise Marcelle voted in support…

Cut 4 (06) “…of marijuana” 

The measure passed on a 67-35 vote. Even one of the most conservative members of the House voted for it, Shreveport Representative Alan Seabaugh,…

Cut 5  (10)  “…incarcerate em.”

Shreveport, Baton Rouge, and New Orleans have already passed local ordinances that decriminalized convictions for small marijuana possessions. The legislation heads to the Senate for more discussion.

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The Louisiana House has unanimously passed a bill extending the period in which victims of child sexual abuse can pursue legal actions against their abusers from 10 to 35 years. Lead sponsor and New Orleans representative Jason Hughes says the extension is necessary since most victims delay their disclosure into adulthood.

Cut 6 (10) “…at 52 years old”

The bill provides a list of what qualifies as a “crime against the child” including assault, kidnapping, and criminal neglect. Abita Springs representative Larry Frieman asked Hughes why not eliminate the prescriptive period.

Cut 7 (10) “…governers desk.”

Hughes gave an emotional closing statement on the House floor, telling lawmakers this legislation is on behalf of every victim and survivor of child sexual abuse

Cut 8 (8) “…them closure”

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A CDC advisory approved the emergency use of the Pfizer COVID vaccine for ages 12 to 15 today. Ochsner Health Pediatrician Dr. William Lennarz says data for this age group is extremely encouraging with the Pfizer vaccine.

Cut 9 (08) “…safe”

The American Academy of Pediatrics has already issued a statement in favor of 12- to 15-year-olds receiving the vaccine. Dr. Lennarz says while yes children are less likely to become extremely ill COVID compared to adults however they are not completely immune to the virus.

Cut 10 (11) “…syndrome 

Due to the cold storage required for the Pfizer vaccine Ochsner Health says the vaccine will not be available at their pediatric clinics, however, Dr. Lennarz says there are convenient locations for all ages to be vaccinated.

Cut 11 (05) “…vaccine”

Officials with Ochsner Health say they are ready to begin vaccinating the new age group within 24 hours of the Louisiana Department of Health guidance.

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The House votes 53-42 in favor of legislation that would partially limit qualified immunity for police officers in some cases.

Baton Rouge Representative Edmond Jordan says his bill blocks officers from utilizing qualified immunity in a wrongful death or injury suit if a judge deems their conduct to be “unreasonable”.

Cut 12 (11)   “…immunity” 

The bill passed by one vote and heads to the Senate.

House Republican Caucus Chairman Blake Miguez opposes the bill. He says passage would make it more difficult to recruit law enforcement officers.

Cut 13 (12)“…good actors”

The legislation is the result of a police reform task force that was formed after last year’s George Floyd Protests. The task force included community, legislative, and law enforcement leaders.

Baton Rouge Representative Ted James took issue with some of his colleagues’ accusations that this bill would lead to frivolous lawsuits against officers.

Cut 14 (09) “..it is” 

The bill was amended to include language requiring anyone who loses a qualified immunity lawsuit against an office to pay all court costs and attorney fees. Bill supporters call it a poison pill and will attempt to remove it in the Senate.

Wine consumers in Louisiana could soon have their favorite beverage shipped directly from the manufacture. Brooke Thorington explains

Cut 1 (31) “ …I’m Brooke Thorington” 

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A cyber-attack against one of the nation’s largest pipelines threatens to increase gas prices locally and potentially result in fuel shortages elsewhere in the country. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 2 (30) …I’m Matt Doyle.”  

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A bill to allow Louisiana consumers to have their favorite wine shipped directly from the manufacturer passes in the House.  Current law prohibits manufacturers from sending vino directly to a connoisseur in Louisiana. Larose Representative Joseph Orgeron says 44 other states allow this but in Louisiana, a wholesale agreement with distributors hinders the sale.

Cut 3 (12)  “…stipulation.” 

Opponents like Baton Rouge Representative Denise Marcelle say it could hurt wine wholesalers and retailers in the state.

Cut 4 (09) “…consumers.” 

Orgeron says due to the current law wineries do not file appropriate paperwork to ship directly to consumers in the state because the agreement with wholesalers and retailers hinders them from shipping most of their product.

Cut 5  (11)  “…ship to Louisiana.”

House bill 393 passed 53-40 and now heads to the Senate.

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Gas prices look likely to rise nationwide after a cyber-attack shut down the Colonial Pipeline, one of the nation’s largest fuel veins.

AAA Fuel Analyst Don Redman says Louisiana likely won’t be as impacted as other states due to our local production, but to the east of us…

Cut 6 (11) “…gallon.”

The pipeline carries fuel from Texas up to the East Coast.

The average cost of a gallon of gas in Louisiana sits at two dollars and 66 cents, but Redman says nationally that number is just under three dollars and expected to rise quickly…

Cut 7 (07) “…2014.”

The price is up a dollar and six cents from this time last year when the futures price of a barrel of oil dropped below zero.

Redman says this attack comes at a particularly bad time given the fact that prices were already beginning their slow summer march upward…

Cut 8 (09) “…lockdowns”

According to the FBI, the ransomware attack came from a Russian hacking collective that was attempting to extort money from the pipeline’s operators.

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The Louisiana House has passed legislation that puts in place the fee and tax structure for sports betting, which has been approved in 55 of the state’s 64 parishes. Crowley Representative John Stefanski’s bill also allows the Louisiana Lottery to oversee sports betting at bars and restaurants, where alcohol is served

Cut 9 (10) “…kiosk”

The legislation calls for a ten-percent tax on the net proceeds of an operator for on-premise sports wagering and an 18-percent tax on net proceeds from mobile betting. Stefanski says most of the tax money from bets placed at kiosks run by the Louisiana Lottery will go towards education…

Cut 10 (09) “.in children 

Stefanski says a Senate bill allows for sports betting to also take place at the state’s riverboat casinos, Harrah’s in New Orleans, and the five-horse racing tracks. That bill also allows for full mobile sports betting on your phone. He says his legislation sets up the kiosks at restaurants and bars

Cut 11 (12) “…the lottery”

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New Orleans Democrat Troy Carter was sworn in as Louisiana’s newest U-S House member today, replacing Cedric Richmond who represented the second district until taking a job with the Biden administration. The former New Orleans City Councilman and state lawmaker understands the importance of public service.

Cut 12 (09)   “…the people” 

Carter will represent New Orleans in the U-S House, along with portions of the River Parishes and the Baton Rouge area. He says his district has a lot of needs…COVID recovery, economic development, infrastructure investment, criminal justice reform, education, and environmental justice

Cut 13 (10)“…being addressed”

Carter defeated New Orleans Senator Karen Carter Peterson in a special election. The 57-year-old says he’s honored to be given this opportunity to serve…

Cut 14 (11) “..great country”