A study shows that Louisiana’s civil court system is significantly harming the state’s economy.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

Louisiana Catholics are excited over the selection U-S born Robert Prevost as the first pope from America. Prevost a Chicago native, who has family roots from Louisiana. Records show his grandparents lived in New Orleans’ Seventh Ward. New Orleans Archbishop Gregory Aymond says Leo the 14^th is not known as a conservative or a liberal, so he sees both sides of the issue and he’s deeply rooted in the teachings of the church.

The investigation continues in northwest Louisiana into the death of former Webster Parish Registrar of Voters Melanie Smith and her husband Kenny. They were found dead in their home outside of Minden. Webster Parish Sheriff Justin Parker says the community mourns the loss of the couple, who were well-known and respected.

Cut 12 (06) “…to the family.”

Their bodies were sent to Little Rock for an autopsy to be conducted on their bodies.

On this Mother’s Day, make a special effort to check on the mental health of the women who are near and dear to you. Research has shown that one in five women experience a mental health crisis at some point in their lives. Louisiana Healthcare Connections Dr. Dana Lawson says mental health is a big issue among women.

Cut 13 (12)  “…so many burdens.”

The House has passed a bill that would ban the use of handheld cell phones while driving, except in emergencies. The vote was 71-to-28 in favor. Jason Hughes of New Orleans voted for it

Cut 16 (09)  “…they were distracted.”

Last year, a similar bill failed by almost the exact same margin, 71-to-22. The bill now moves to the Senate.

The House Education Committee approves a bill that would allow students to provide contact information of a parent or guardian to universities and colleges so the school can call that contact if the student is going through a mental health crisis. New Orleans Representative Delisha Boyd says there’s a need for this measure, citing a recent suicide at Xavier University…

Cut 5 (07) “….a different way”

The bill moves to the House for more consideration.

The House Education Committee approves a resolution that urges the SEC not to schedule any LSU home football games before 6 PM in September. Harahan Representative John Ilg authored the measure in response to last September’s LSU-UCLA game, which featured a gametime temperature of 90-degrees, plus high humidity, which made it difficult for fans to watch the Tigers 34-17 win over the Bruins…

Cut 8 (06) “….it to halftime”

ESPN has control of the game times and they have that control because of a three-billion dollar TV contract with the SEC.

If you use your driver’s license as your main form of identification to board a commercial flight, it now has to be REAL ID compliant. But if you haven’t gotten your REAL ID yet, there’s no need to worry. Matt Boudreaux with the Office of Motor Vehicles says you have alternatives at the TSA checkpoint.

Cut 13 (13)  “…REAL ID compliant.”

A proposal to prohibit credit scores from factoring into the cost of a driver’s auto insurance failed to get out of the House Insurance Committee, because the vote ended in a nine-nine tie. House Insurance Chairman Gabe Firment raised concerns that by reducing the insurance premiums for drivers with low credit scores, it will raise premiums for drivers with a high credit rating…

Cut 11 (14) “…make that projection”

Firment asked that question to Peter Robins-Brown, the executive director of  Louisiana Progress.

REAL ID is now the preferred form of identification to fly domestically in the United States, so does that mean your driver’s license without the gold star in the upper right-hand corner is invalid? No says Matt Boudreaux with the Office of Motor Vehicles…

Cut 14 (06) “…changes on that”

The House Education Committee advances a resolution discouraging LSU home football games in September before six p-m. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

President Donald Trump is starting up a commission on college sports and former Alabama and LSU head football coach Nick Saban is expected to be named the co-chair. Saban has been a vocal critic of NIL’s impact on college sports and Saban has reportedly urged Trump to get involved in the reforming of NIL.

A proposal to prohibit insurance companies from using a person’s credit score to determine their auto insurance rate fails to get out of the House Insurance Committee. Andrew Greenstein has more.

Cut 3 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Gas prices are down 12 cents from a month ago to a statewide average of $2.70 a gallon. That’s according to Triple-A. And the price at the pump is down 50-cents from a year ago. Louisiana has the second lowest gas prices in the country, trailing only Mississippi.

The House Education Committee started its meeting yesterday by passing a resolution that asks the Southeastern Conference not to schedule any LSU home football games in September before 6 PM. It’s in response to last September’s UCLA game, which started at 2:30 and it was 90-degrees. Harahan Representative John Illg believes all of Louisiana’s college football teams should play their games at night in September…

Cut 9 (10) “….month of September”

But ESPN is the one who schedules game times for LSU and they have that authority because of the three-billion-dollar television deal they signed with the SEC.

The House Education Committee also approved a measure that would give Louisiana college students the opportunity to provide their school with the phone number of a parent or guardian and that person can be contacted if the student is experiencing a mental health crisis. The bill’s author is New Orleans Representative Delisha Boyd

Cut 6 (12) “…too late”

The measure heads to the House floor for another vote.

The House Education Committee passes a bill that would require universities to offer a privacy waiver to students that would allow schools to contact their parents during a mental health crisis. Sean Richardson has testimony from the bill’s author, New Orleans Democrat Delisha Boyd.

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

May is Mental Health Awareness Month and Louisiana Healthcare Connections says research shows one in five women experience a mental health condition and many go untreated due to stigma, lack of time or difficulty accessing care. Louisiana Healthcare Connections encourages moms to take breaks and practice self-care and there are telehealth services available for convenient, private mental health support.

A bill that would prohibit insurance companies from using credit score as a factor in determining insurance rates fails to get out of the House Insurance Committee by one vote. In Louisiana, drivers who have poor or fair credit scores pay higher premiums than drivers with very good or excellent credit scores. Baton Rouge Representative Edmond Jordan says a credit score doesn’t determine a person’s driving ability…

Cut 10 (07) “…bad credit.”

The vote on Jordan’s bill was nine to nine, which means it does not advance to the House floor, unless another vote is taken, which is unlikely.

If you use your driver’s license as your main form of identification to board a commercial flight, it now has to be REAL ID compliant. But if you haven’t gotten your REAL ID yet, there’s no need to worry. Matt Boudreaux with the Office of Motor Vehicles says you have alternatives at the TSA checkpoint.

Cut 13 (13)  “…REAL ID compliant.”