A proposed constitutional amendment advances to the House floor that would ask voters should the state constitution be amended to say the state does not protect abortion rights. Pro-choice advocates oppose the proposal. Steffani Bangel is with the New Orleans Abortion Fund…
cut 15 (13) “…pregnancy”
If the measure receives two-thirds support in the legislature, the question would appear on the October ballot.

Another round of severe weather is approaching Louisiana. Storms will arrive in northwest Louisiana tonight and then tomorrow much of the state is under an enhanced risk for severe weather. That includes the Mississippi Delta, Lafayette, Baton Rouge and all of southeast Louisiana. Much of north Louisiana is under flash flood watch through Thursday morning.

Legislation that would require drug testing of drivers at fault in wrecks that result in serious bodily injury heads to the Senate floor after emotional testimony from a Bossier Parish mother, who lost her four-year-old child in a car wreck…
cut 12 (08) “….moment of impact’
Morgan Grantham says the driver that caused the wreck that killed her daughter was not drug tested, because her daughter initially survived.

Where to Retire Magazine highlights Bossier City as a Veteran-Friendly city to retire.
Voicer 1 (30) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

A clear majority of Louisianans support the 2016 criminal justice reforms according to the latest installment of the Louisiana Survey. Matt Doyle has more…
Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

Donations on Go Fund Me for the three St. Landry Parish churches that were burned down in what prosecutors call a hate crime have now surpassed one-million dollars. The goal is to raise one-point-eight million.

Former Governor Kathleen Blanco, who is battling cancer, has been placed in hospice care. The New Iberia native is 76-years-old.

A proposed constitutional amendment heads to the House floor that would ask voters to put into the constitution that it’s not a right in Louisiana to have an abortion. Pro choice advocates are concerned this measure would lay the groundwork to ban abortions in Louisiana and Steffani Bangel with the New Orleans Abortion Fund says that would not be good…
cut 16 (12) “…assaulted’
Supporters of the measure say the amendment could become important if Roe Versus Wade is ever overturned.

Bossier City is among eight cities in Louisiana for best places to retire. That’s according to Where to Retire Magazine. The Where to Retire Editor says Bossier City is attractive to military personnel and Bossier City Chief Administrative Officer, Pam Gloriso says the area also contributes to the state’s reputation as a Soprtsman’s Paradise….
cut 6 (08) “…here doing that”

Former Louisiana governor Kathleen Blanco, who is battling cancer, is under hospice care. When state lawmakers gathered yesterday they paused to pray for the former state legislator, public service commissioner and governor. In December 2018, Blanco publicly said there’s no escape from the incurable cancer that has spread through her body.

A Monroe lawmaker wants to make it clear in the state constitution that an abortion is not a protected right. Matt Doyle has more on this proposed constitutional amendment..
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The 2019 Louisiana Survey shows 70 percent of Louisianans support the criminal justice reforms championed by Governor Edwards and approved in 2016….
Cut 7 (07) “independents”
That’s LSU Public Policy Research Lab director, Doctor Michael Henderson. The reforms were aimed at reducing the prison population by reducing sentences and providing non-prison alternatives for non-violent offenders.

Bossier City has been selected as a top retirement destination by Where to Retire magazine. Bossier City will be highlighted in a feature titled “Eight Veteran-Friendly Cities” in the May-June issue. Bossier City is the home of Barksdale Air Force Base and Bossier City Chief Administrative Officer Pam Glorioso says many of those who work on the base return to the area to retire as the area has much to offer for vets.
Cut 5 (09) “…host in Bossier.”

A constitutional amendment is on its way to the House floor that would let Louisiana voters decide whether or not the state constitution protects abortion rights. Governor Edwards backs the measure and his executive counsel Matthew Block says the governor wants to send a strong pro-life message.
Cut 13 (08) “clearly.”
The proposal would need two thirds support in both chambers, and over 50 percent of the vote on the October ballot.

The Louisiana Survey out of LSU shows that 70-percent of Louisiana voters approve of the state’s criminal justice reforms passed in 2016. That’s up 61-percent from last year and director of LSU’s public policy research lab, Doctor Michael Henderson, says growth among Republicans is especially strong…
cut 8 (09) “…ago”

A Bossier Parish wreck that claimed the life of four-year-old Katie Grantham in November 2017 has inspired legislation that would require toxicology tests on drivers at fault for vehicle collisions that cause serious injury. The child’s mother, Morgan Grantham, testified for the bill in a Senate committee and says the driver that caused her daughter’s death was not drug tested and had a history of bad decisions.
Cut 10 (10) “…tricky like that.”
Grantham says the driver was not drug tested at the time, because her daughter was still alive, but she passed away a few days later. The measure heads to the Senate floor for more discussion.

The House Transportation Committee voted 14-3 to turn back an effort to prevent new highway billboards in Louisiana. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
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The Rapides Parish Sheriff’s office has charged 71-year-old Harvey Joseph Fountain of Pineville with 100 counts of first-degree rape as he is accused of criminal sexual conduct involving minors. Deputies say the allegations against Fountain date back to the early 1970s. A tip into the sheriff’s office on April 1st sparked the investigation.

Legislation is heading to the House floor that supporters of the bill say will help reduce auto insurance rates, because it would make changes to the state’s legal climate when it comes to crash payments and litgation. The House Civil Law committee approved the legislation on a five to two vote. Shreveport Representative Sam Jenkins voted against it, because he believes insurance companies can do more on their own to lower rates…
Cut 5 (10) “…that side”

And heading to the Senate floor is a bill that would require “truth in labeling” for food products like Almond “milk”, “riced” cauliflower, and “sugar” substitutes. Ag Commissioner Mike Strain says it’s the government’s job to keep advertisers honest and prevent products from tricking customers.
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The Senate ag committee approved legislation that would require truth in labeling for food products. It goes after products that label themselves as Soy milk or Almond milk, which is not really milk. Cauliflower rice is also getting more popular, but Louisiana Rice Industry representative Scott Franklin says it’s not rice…
cut 11 (12) “…here”
The legislation heads to the Senate floor for more discussion.

Heading to the House floor is legislation that brings back sales tax holidays for back to school shopping, hurricane preparedness supplies and hunting gear. Haughton Representative Dodie Horton says it’s something the public wants…
cut 8 (10) “…school uniforms”
The House Transportation committee slammed the breaks on a resolution pushed by Jonesboro Rep. Jack McFarland aimed at reducing the number of billboards on Louisiana roadways. Louisiana’s trucking industry backed the effort, because McFarland says ads for crash attorneys are impacting the cost of doing business for truckers.
Cut 12 (11) “…as we drive”
Supporters also say the number of billboards are distracting and take away from Louisiana’s scenery. But Shreveport Representative Barbara Norton says placing a moratorium on billboards is the wrong way to address clutter…
cut 14 (13) “…not doing that”
The legislation was killed on a 14-to-3 vote.