The Louisiana House has approved legislation that would allow concealed handgun permit holders to bring a weapon into a public school or university if they are a visitor. Many spoke out against the legislation, saying the proposed law would create a distraction in our schools as educators would be forced to check every visitor for a gun and if they have concealed handgun permit. The bill’s author, Erath Representative Blake Miguez, pushed back against that argument…
cut 15 (10) “…citizens do”
The measure heads to the Senate for more discussion.

The top aide to Secretary of State Tom Schedler denies knowing about sexual harassment allegations against his boss until a lawsuit detailing the accusations was made public. Kyle Ardoin says the accuser never came to him with any problems. Ardoin is set to take over the office when Schedler’s resignation takes effect Tuesday.

Two bills that would expand access to medical marijuana are close to being put into law after moving through the full House, and now getting approval from a Senate committee. One bill would allow some children with autism, if prescribed, access to the treatment. The bill’s sponsor, Harvey Representative Rodney Lyons, says he was moved by an appeal from his constituents.
Cut 7 (11) “help them”
The other legislation would give patients who suffer from Parkinson’s, intractable pain and P-T-S-D a chance at getting a prescription for the medical pot.

And 50-year-old Chaffie Brown has been arrested after authorities disovered he was married to two different women at the same time. East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s office spokesperson Casey Rayborn Hicks says Brown had wives in Baton Rouge and LaPlace and told the wife in LaPlace he needed a home in Baton Rouge, because he often worked long hours there…
cut 11 (04) “…secodn wife”
Court records show he’s been married to both women since 2013.

The Louisiana House approves legislation that would allow visitors with a concealed handgun permit to bring a gun into K-12 schools and university campuses. The bill’s author, Erath Representative Blake Miguez, says concealed carry permit holders have been tested and found reliable enough to be allowed to bring guns into schools…
cut 16 (06) “…our society”
Miguez says teachers and students would not be allowed to possess guns under his proposed legislation. The measure passed on a 59-36 vote. Westwego Representative Robert Billiot voted against it. He says the proposal adds more responsiblities for educators…
cut 14 (11) “…be checked”
The legislation heads to the Senate for more debate.

Legislation that would allow students to bring bulletproof backpacks into schools is one step away from final approval. Isidore Newman High Student Pierce Nelson testified in the House Education committee that a bulletproof backpack would give him a greater peace of mind…
cut 6 (07) “….my life”
The measure heads to the full House where it’s expected to be approved and sent to the governor’s desk for his signature.

The East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s office has arrested a 50-year-old man on bigamy charges. Spokesperson Casey Rayborn Hicks says Chaffie Brown had a wife in Baton Rouge and in LaPlace, who he married in 1993. Hicks says Brown married another woman in 2013
Cut 10 (10) “second wife”

A concealed carry on campus bill passed the House. The bill allows school visitors with a concealed carry permit to possess a firearm while on campus, but does not allow school officials or students with a permit to carry. Baton Rouge Representative Denise Marcelle says allowing concealed handguns on campus would be a distraction…
Cut 13 (13) “on campus”
The measure heads to the Senate.

And two bills that would expand the number of patients who could be eligible for medical marijuana treatment is closing in on final legislative passage. Baton Rouge Representative Ted James says medicinal pot could help those suffering from Parkinson’s, intractable pain or PTSD…
cut 9 (08) “…of marijuana”

A bill that would allow bullet proof backpacks in public schools is one step away from the governor’s desk after clearing committee….
Voicer 1 (30) “I’m Don Molino”

Today is a National Day of Prayer. Governor Edwards will participate in a prayer session at noon inside the Senate Chamber at the State Capitol.

The House Criminal Justice Committee approved Senator John Milkovich’s 15 week abortion ban bill 9-8, after it passed with little opposition in the Senate. The bill mirrors an effort in Mississippi that’s been halted in federal court that would make it illegal to provide an abortion after 15 weeks. The Shreveport Democrat says fetuses are alive, and deserve a chance at life.
Cut 6 (09) “protect them”
The measure heads to the House floor for final passage.

The Senate has approved legislation that puts policies in place for state government to follow in sexual harassment cases. New Orleans Senator Karen Peterson says the measure is timely with Secretary of State Tom Schedler’s resignation…
cut 4 (11) “…agency head”
The measure heads back to the House to see if they agree on Senate changes.

A Senate bill that would allow riverboat casinos to move onto land was approved by a House committee today despite objections by the Louisiana Family Forum, who say the legislation is expansion of gaming, because it would allow these floating casinos to have more machines. Mills says when the legislature approved gaming over 20 years ago, they put tight regulations on the industry for a reason…
cut 13 (10) “…those industries”
Despite the opposition, The measure is heading to the House for final passage.

The Mayor of Cotton Valley, Joseph Alexander, has been arrested by State Police and charged with Felony Abuse of Power related to two undisclosed incidents in 2017 involving the alleged mishandling of town funds. State Police Trooper Glenn Younger says the charge is similar to misappropriation of funds and malfeasance.
Cut 14 (08) “fit it”
The arrest took place after Webster Parish Sheriff deputies informed the LSP about the incidents.

A bill allowing riverboat casinos to build on land from their current water bound facilities cleared a House committee 10-4, one of the few gaming related bills to gain traction this session. The bill has come under fire from gambling critics for being a de facto expansion of casino services, but bill sponsor Lake Charles Senator Ronnie Johns says that’s not the case.
Cut 10 (07) “so ever”
But opponents disagree that the bill is not an expansion of gaming. Louisiana Family Forum President Gene Mills says taking the casinos off the water will make it easier for casinos to bring in bigger crowds.
Cut 12 (06) “go bigger”
The legislation heads to the House floor for more consideration and if it passes, it would head to the governor’s desk. John Bel Edwards has said he supports the bill.

The House Criminal Justice committee approved a measure that would prohibit abortions 15 weeks after conception. Pro-choice attorney Ellie Schilling warned legislators that this abortion restriction law would lead to more legal costs as it will surely be challenged in the federal court system…
cut 9 (12) “…like these”
This measure would not go into effect unless the federal courts rule favorable on the challenge to Mississippi’s 15 week abortion ban.

The full Senate approved a measure to enact a statewide policy against sexual misconduct in government. The bill passed the same day Secretary of State Tom Shedler announced he was stepping down following allegations of sexual misconduct. New Orleans Senator Karen Carter Peterson is a co-author
Cut 3 (12) “those ways”
The measure heads back to the House for final passage.

Louisiana is moving closer to having the most restrictive anti-abortion law in the country as a House-committee approved a bill that would ban abortions after 15 weeks. Shreveport Senator John Millkovich says terminating a pregnancy 15 weeks after conception is bad for the fetus and mother….
cut 7 (11) “….significant injuries”
The Senate-approved bill passed on a 9-8 vote and heads to the House for final legislative passage. It will only go into law if the federal courts uphold Mississippi’s 15-week abortion ban law.

In Webster Parish, the mayor of Cotton Valley, Joseph Alexander, has been charged with Felony Abuse of Power after he allegedly misused town funds on two occasions last year. State Police Trooper Glen Younger says the investigation remains active as Alexander has bonded out of jail…
cut 15 (06) “…dollar bond”
No other information was provided by State Police.

The state legislature is close to allowing riverboat casinos to expand gaming activity on land. Matt Doyle reports a House committee approved the Senate-passed measure today.
Voicer 2 (30) I’m Matt Doyle”

The Senate has approved legislation that puts policies in place for state government to follow in sexual harassment cases. New Orleans Senator Karen Peterson says the measure is timely with Secretary of State Tom Schedler’s resignation…
cut 4 (11) “…agency head”

Legislation that would give riverboat casinos the opportunity to move gaming operations on land cleared the House Criminal Justice committee and it’s just a House floor vote away from final passage. Lake Charles Senator Ronnie Johns says his legislation will help an industry that provides the state over 900-million dollars in tax revenues…
cut 11 (09) “…enormous casinos”
The state’s 15 riverboat casinos have not left the dock in 17 years. Louisiana Family Forum Executive Director Gene Mills reminded the committee on why the legislature approved riverboat gaming to only be conducted over water…
cut 13 (10) “….those industries”
Despite the opposition the bill passed on a 10-4 vote.

A proposed 15 week abortion ban moves closer to final legislative passage after a House committee approved the measure on a 9-8 vote…
Cut 1 (33) “I’m Jim Shannon”

And the state legislature is close to passing legislation that creates a policy for state government to follow when it comes allegations involving sexual misconduct. New Orleans Senator Karen Carter Peterson…
cut 5 (12) “…in appropriate”