The House has given final legislative passage to a bill that bans abortions when the heartbeat of a fetus is detected, which is usually around six weeks into a pregnancy. Baton Rouge Representative Ted James proposed an amendment that would provide an exception in cases of rape and incest…
cut 14 (11) “…do that”
The amendment failed to pass and Governor Edwards says he’ll sign the bill.

There’s a week to go in the legislative session and it seems likely teachers will get a pay raise, but it remains unclear how much. The House supports a 12-hundred dollar pay raise, but the Senate is pushing for a one-thousand dollar raise. Louisiana Federation of Teachers President Larry Carter…
cut 6 (06) “…plan’
Teacher pay will come up when the House Education committee meets at 11 AM.

After months of high-water and swollen waterways, St. Martin Parish is getting ready for even higher river levels once the Morganza Spillway opens Sunday.
Cut 1 (28) “I’m Matt Doyle”

Two people are dead from two separate home fires in south Louisiana. The State Fire Marshal’s office says one person died in a residential fire in Bogalusa and the Baton Rouge Fire Department says a three-year-old girl died in a house fire and her father was injured. Also an East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s deputy has died in a single vehicle wreck near Zachary.

Governor John Bel Edwards says he will sign a bill that bans abortions when a fetal heartbeat is detected. It received final legislative approval on the House floor after an emotional debate. An amendment to add an exception in cases of rape and incest was rejected, despite this argument from Baton Rouge Representative Patricia Smith…
cut 16 (12) “…of them”
But proponents of the fetal heartbeat bill say a fetus should not be punished for the sins of a relative or rapist.

Also passing the House floor yesterday was a bill that bans drivers from using a handheld cellphone while behind the wheel. New Orleans Representative Gary Carter says the proposed law could create unintended consequences….
cut 11 (07) “…objectionable”
The measure still needs to get through the Senate and there’s a week to go in the session.

Governor Edwards will travel to Morgan City this afternoon to inspect the barge sinking operation in Bayou Chene. This will help prevent backwater flooding when water from the Mississippi River flows down the Atchafalaya River after the Morganza Spillway is opened on Sunday. St. Martin Parish President Chester Cedars…
cut 9(07) “…down south”
President Donald Trump has approved the state’s request for a federal disaster declaration.

With a week to go, it remains to be seen if teachers will receive a pay raise. Governor Edwards is pushing lawmakers to approve a one-thousand dollar salary hike, which Louisiana Federation of Teachers president Larry Carter says will get the state closer to the Southern Regional Average….
cut 5 (10) “….than that”
Edwards has said if re-elected, he’ll look to increase teacher salaries even more.

Legislation to legalize sports betting has stalled at the State Capitol despite the efforts from Gretna Representative Joe Marino, who says the revenue generated by the activity would benefit families seeking to send their children for pre-K education…
cut 12 (12) “…it”
The proposal has been bogged down by amendments and conservative lawmakers who look at sports betting as an expansion of gambling. The session ends next Thursday.

The Morganza Spillway in Pointe Coupee Parish will open Sunday and that will flood thousands of acres in the Atchafalaya Basin. Atchafalaya Basin Keeper Executive Director Dean Wilson says it will force wildlife to look for higher ground…
cut 9 (12) “…them alone”

LSU Coach Will Wade says he regrets getting lawyers involved in the college basketball recruiting scandal that lead to his extended suspension…
Cut 1 (31) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

A new arrest warrant has been issued for the man accused of breaking into the governor’s mansion last month. Authorities say they found 34-year-old Reynard Green sleeping on a couch in the mansion on April 17th. The new arrest warrant says Green also allegedly tried to enter a house near the mansion earlier that night.

Proponents to legalize sports betting are disappointed as it appears legislation to bring the gaming activity to Louisiana’s casinos and racetracks will not pass before the session ends June 6th. Wade Duty is the executive director of the Louisiana Casino Association…
cut 11 (10) “…direction”
So many amendments have been added to the sports betting bill that the casino association has dropped its support for the legislation.

A bill that sets the minimum age to get married in Louisiana to 16 is moving closer to final legislative passage. Current law does not set a minimum age and executive director of the Louisiana Partnership for Children and Families Susan Nelson says the current law perpetuates a cycle…
cut 16 (09) “…finishes here education”

Ecologists say the opening of the Morganza Spillway Sunday threatens wildlife in the Atchafalaya Basin. Matt Doyle has the story.
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

The St. Tammany Parish coroner rules the death of a three-month old as a homicide and the child’s parents have been charged with second-degree murder. Doctor Charles Preston says Kristian Scott died of complications from an untreated arm fracture and malnutrition. Kevin Scott and Samantha Hotard originally faced cruelty to juveniles charges.

The odds of a sports betting bill passing this year look slim after multiple failures in the House yesterday. Matt Doyle has more…
Voicer 3 (30) “..Matt Doyle”

Will we see a spirited debate this afternoon in the House over a Senate approved bill that would ban abortions once a fetal heartbeat is detected, which is normally six weeks into pregnancy. And Legalizing recreational marijuana will be discussed in the House Criminal Justice this morning.

A Senate approved bill that would set the minimum age at 16-years-old for a couple to get married has advanced to the House floor after receiving approval from the House Civil Law committee. Executive Director of the Louisiana Partnership for Children and Families Susan Nelson explains why teenagers should be allowed to get married…
cut 14 (11) “….otherwise have”
Current law does not set a minimum age on marriage so long as the marriage receives the approval of the parents of the minors.

LSU basketball Coach Will Wade dodged questions about the reported strong offer that was made to sign Tigers guard Javonte Smart. Wade took questions from reporters for the first time yesterday…
cut 6 (09) “…place right now”
Wade says those allegations were thoroughly discussed with LSU and NCAA officials during a meeting last month.

Sports gambling legalization is on life support at the State Capitol after House Appropriations voted 14 to six against the activity and efforts to move the bill out of Appropriations failed. So many amendments were added to the legislation that even the Louisiana Casino Association dropped its support. Executive Director Wade Duty.
Cut 10 (12) “…model.”
The legislative session ends Thursday and it could be another two years before lawmakers can legalize sports betting.

Tigers basketball coach Will Wade spoke for the first time yesterday since he was suspended for failing to address allegations of illegal payments to recruits with LSU officials. Wade dodged questions about the reported strong offer made to Javonte Smart, but he did address the allegation of a 300-thousand dollar offer for Naz Reid…
cut 4 (07) “….did not happen”

The Morganza Spillway is set to open Sunday to relieve pressure on Mississippi River levees downstream, but ecologists say it comes at a steep cost for Atchafalaya Basin wildlife. Atchafalaya Basin Keeper Executive Director Dean Wilson says there’s nothing that can be done to save thousands of at-risk animals.
Cut 7 (12) “…basin.”
Experts also warn opening the Basin will likely wipe out most of the crawfish and oyster crop in the area as well.

Northwest Louisiana is under a marginal risk for severe weather today.