The U-S Supreme Court hears oral arguments today on whether a 2014 Louisiana law that requires doctors who perform abortions to have admitting privileges at a nearby hospital is constitutional. It’s the first abortion case heard by a new conservative-leaning court. If the law is upheld, it would leave only one doctor in Louisiana able to perform abortions. Louisiana Attorney General spokesperson Deanna Wallace….
cut 6 (10) “…competent care”
But Centers for Reproductive Rights Senior Counsel TJ Tu says the admitting privileges law is an assault on women’s rights…
cut 7 (11) “….clinics
A ruling is expected by late June. There are currently three abortion clinics operating in Louisiana.

LSU and Tulane researchers are among those working on a coronavirus vaccine. Most vaccines take years to develop, but Pathological Sciences Department head at the LSU School of Veterinary Medicine, Doctor Gus Kousoulas, says due to the pressing nature of the novel coronavirus outbreak, they may get authorization to speed up the process….
cut 13 (12) “…quickly”
But the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases says it’s unlikely a deployable vaccine can be developed and tested in a year.

The storm system that spawned several tornadoes killing at least 24 in Nashville and other parts of Tennessee has made its way to Louisiana today which is why central and south Louisiana are under a slight risk for severe weather. Alexandria, Natchitoches and Monroe are under a severe thunderstorm watch until noon.

Should college athletes be able to cash in on their name and likeness? Marrero Republican Patrick Connick thinks so. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart.”

In an Ascension Parish courtroom today, a Dutchtown High School Teacher pleaded not guilty to one count of indecent behavior with juveniles. Thirty-two-year-old Mark Ebarb is accused of sending inappropriate messages and photographs to underage students. He’s a former Ascension Parish teacher of the year.

Today is Super Tuesday as voters in 14 states go to the polls to select who they want on the ballot in November for president. Louisiana usually holds its primary the weekend after Super Tuesday, LSU-Shreveport political science professor Jeff Sadow says they could not do that for this election cycle…
cut 13 (09) “…essentially”
Sadow says for the other items on the ballot, any run-offs would have to take place Easter weekend, if the primary election was this Saturday.

Twenty-one people have applied to be the state’s next education superintendent. Council for a Better Louisiana President Barry Erwin says he’s surprised to see that many people interested in replacing John White as the state’s public schools’ leader…
cut 11 (07) “…outside of the state”
BESE will meet next month to vote on a new superintendent.

The state legislature will soon consider a bill that prohibits transgender athletes who were assigned as a male at birth to play on women’s sports teams. Franklinton Senator Beth Mizell says female sports are a women’s rights issue and should be for biological women only.
Cut 13 (09) “…for women.”
Louisiana Trans Advocates President Dylan Waguespack says women’s equality organizations have signed an open letter denouncing the legislation.

Governor John Bel Edwards says he’s supporting a series of bills by Alexandria Senator Jay Leneau that would prohibit insurance companies from determining rates based on factors like credit score, gender, marital status and whether you served overseas….
cut 9 (10) “….to do”
Republicans say tort reform is needed to lower auto insurance rates.

Today is Super Tuesday, but Louisiana’s Presidential Primary is not until April 4th. Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin says early voting will begin March 21st and run through March 28th…
cut 5 (06) “…6 PM”
Ardoin says to vote in the Democratic or Republican Presidential Primary you must be registered with one of the parties. The deadline to register online is March 14th and in person at your local registrar of voters’ office by tomorrow.

53-year-old Phillip DeWoody is expected to be charged in murder for the death of Joyce Thomas of Ville Platte. The 72-year-old’s body was found Monday along Interstate-49. State Trooper Thomas Gossen says a surveillance photo from her apartment complex shows that Dewoody was the last person with her…
cut 10 (11) “…was his photo”
Dewoody is also facing a second-degree kidnapping charge from a separate case and the Department of Corrections records show he was paroled in June.

Deadlines to register to vote in the upcoming Presidential Primary in Louisiana are fast approaching. Brooke Thorington spoke with Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin.
Cut 1 (31) “I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Caddo Parish authorities are investigating a fatal-deputy involved shooting that happened yesterday afternoon in Keithville. Sheriff Steve Prator believes the incident may have been suicide by cop.

Hundreds of bills have been filed ahead of the start of the 2020 regular session one of the measures is called the “Save Women’s Sports Act.” It would prohibit trans gender girls from playing in female sports. Louisiana Trans Advocate President Dylan Waguespack calls the measure discriminatory…
cut 16 (11) “…can’t
But Franklinton Senator Beth Mizell says women’s sports should only be for biological females.

53-year-old Phillip DeWoody’s criminal charges are expected to be upgraded today now that 72-year-old Joyce Thomas of Ville Platte’s body was found Monday along a stretch of I-49. DeWoody was arrested Friday and authorities believe he’s responsible for Thomas’s death. State Trooper Thomas Gossen says DeWoody has been in prison before…
cut 12 (10) “…with his background”
Department of Corrections records show DeWoody was paroled in June. He had been in prison on armed robbery and prison escape convictions.

The state legislature will soon consider a bill that prohibits transgender athletes who were assigned as a male at birth to play on women’s sports teams. Franklinton Senator Beth Mizell says female sports are a women’s rights issue and should be for biological women only.
Cut 13 (09) “…for women.”
Louisiana Trans Advocates President Dylan Waguespack opposes the bill and says a similar ban already exists at the high school level, but this would target all Louisiana trans students.
Cut 15 (12) “…with”
The regular session begins Monday and this could be one of the hot button issues of the session.

Governor Edwards will once again push the state legislature to raise the minimum wage. Edwards also supports a bill by Baton Rouge Representative Barbara Carpenter that would prohibit employers from retaliating against employees who discuss their salaries with co-workers. He also wants to see laws passed to reduce the pay gap between men and women
cut 8 (09) “…employer”
Similar bills have failed to pass in the Republican-controlled legislature.

Today is Super Tuesday and if you want to vote in the April 4th Louisiana Presidential Primary, you need to be registered Democrat or Republican. Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin…
cut 6 (11) “….for Republicans”
Ardoin says the deadline to register in person is tomorrow, but you have until March 14th to register online at geaux-vote-dot-com.

Governor Edwards names his three non-budgetary legislative priorities for the year. Matt Doyle has the story…
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle.”

Legislation has been filed for the upcoming session that would ban transgender girls from playing on organized female sports teams. Franklinton Senator Beth Mizell says there are cases where transgender girls are outperforming biological females…
cut 14 (08) “…against that”

Voter registration deadlines for the April 4th Presidential primary are fast approaching. Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin says only registered Democrats can vote in the Democratic Presidential Primary and only Republicans in the GOP Primary. Ardoin says the deadline for in person or by mail registration for the primary is tomorrow and…
Cut 4 (09)_ “…registration.”
Early voting begins March 21st.

The search for a missing deaf and mute elderly Ville Platte woman has had a sad conclusion.
cut 11 (07) “…remoted”
The 72-year-old’s body was along a stretch of Interstate 49 between Sunset and Opelousas. She had been missing since Wednesday. 53-year-old Phillip DeWoody of Opelousas was arrested Friday on kidnapping charges and authorities are expected to now charge him with murder.