A Senate committee approves legislation that would prohibit abortions in Louisiana after 15 weeks from conception, but there are concerns the legislation could bring upon unintended consequences. Kaplan Senator Jonathan Perry urged the bill’s author to work on the language of the bill with an attorney, before bringing it up to the Senate floor…
cut 7 (11) “…it can hurt”
During discussion, an attorney said if “Roe versus Wade” is overturned, this legislation could actually weaken Louisiana’s pro-life laws.

The leaders at LSU’s medical schools urged legislators on the Senate Finance committee not to pass a proposed budget they say would devastate healthcare in Louisiana. LSU Health New Orleans Chancellor Larry Hollier sats a budget moving to the House Floor would result in a mass exodus of medical professionals.
Cut 11 (07) “in workforce.”
Hollier pleaded with legislators to go into a special session, so they can pass tax bills to fund a more responsible budget.

Sports betting is off the books for the foreseeable future in Louisiana. Don Molino has the story.
Voicer 1 (28) “I’m Don Molino.”

Efforts to change the state’s gun laws died in the House Criminal Justice Committee. A proposal to ban bump stocks, which was used by the Las Vegas gunman, was shot down by the panel. A measure to enact a 10-day waiting period before purchasing a gun was also voted down and so was a measure to ban assaul weapons and high capacity magazines.

A House committee killed Baton Rouge Representative Patricia Smith’s proposal to ban bump stocks on guns. Authorities say a bump stock was used to kill more than 50 people in Las Vegas last October by allowing semi-automatic guns to shoot rapid-fire. Smith says something like that can happen here too.
Cut 6 (11) “are gathered”
But the opponents to the legislation said the language in the bill was too broad and the measure was defeated in a 11-7 vote.

The chancellors of two LSU medical schools delivered impassioned testimonies in front of the Senate Finance Committee, calling on legislators not to pass the proposed budget approved by the House Appropriations Committee that they say would devastate healthcare. Shreveport Chancellor G.E. Ghalli says the proposed cuts are impossible to make.
Cut 9 (10) “to cut”
The budget will be discussed on the House floor Thursday.

The campaign for St. Landry Parish Congressman Clay Higgins reports the freshman U-S Representative has raised 218-thousand dollars in campaign finance dollars during the first quarter of the year and has 211-thousand dollars on hand. UL Lafayette Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says Higgins will need to raise a lot more….
cut 13 (11) “…try anything”
Republican attorney Josh Guillory and Democrat Phillip Conner, a physician from Lake Charles, are two candidates raising money to challenge Higgins this fall.

The leaders at LSU’s medical schools railed against a proposed budget that’s heading to the House floor. Matt Doyle has more.
Cut 2 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

It doesn’t look like sports betting will be legal in Louisiana anytime soon. A measure that would have allowed voters in parishes with riverboat and land-based casinos to decide whether sports bets should legally be taken in their parish, was rejected on a six-to-three vote in Senate Finance. Opponents are concerned about expanding gambling.

The House Criminal Justice committee shot down legislation today that attempted to limit sales of assault weapons and prohibit bump stocks. National Rifle Association spokesperson Erin Luper says they oppose the state ban on bump stocks, because there is legislation pending in D-C to ban them nationwide…
cut 8 (06) “…look like”
The committee agreed and voted down the bill on an 11-7 vote.

Congressman Clay Higgins’ re-election campaign reports the former law enforcement officer now has 211-thousand dollars in camapaign cash on hand for his re-election bid. UL Lafayette Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says Higgins didn’t raise a lot of money when he was elected in 2016, but he’ll need more cash this time around…
cut 14 (11) “….this time”

The House Criminal Justice Committee has voted down legislation that would ban bump stocks. Supporters of the legislation pointed to the Las Vegas shooting as to why the legislature should pass this bill. But Kyle Galotta, who opposes the measure, says the Las Vegas shooting should not mean the end of Bump Stocks.
Cut 7 (10) “bad precedent”
The legsiatlion failed on an 11-7 vote.

Chancellors of two LSU Health Sciences Centers delivered impassioned testimonies in front of the Senate Finance committee, calling on legislators not to pass a proposed budget they say would devastate healthcare in Louisiana. New Orleans Chancellor Larry Hollier sats the budget moving to the House Floor would result in a mass exodus of medical professionals.
Cut 11 (07) “in workforce.”
Hollier pleaded with legislators to go into a special session, so they can pass tax bills to fund a more responsible budget.

The campaign for Congressman Clay Higgins reports the former law enforcement officer has raised 218-thousand dollars during the first quarter of this fundraising year and has 211-thousand dollars on hand. Higgins had just 50-thousand dollars in the bank at the end of 2017. UL Lafayette Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says Higgins finally has his campaign fundraising operation going….
cut 12 (10) “…to win”
Republican attorney Josh Guillory and Democrat Phillip Conner, a physician from Lake Charles, are two candidates raising money to challenge Higgins this fall.

Many families deal with children who are picky eaters. Ochsner Pediatrician Doctor Myriam Ortiz says if your child isn’t eating, there could be a bigger underlying problem…
cut 5 (11) “…with them”
Ortiz says its important not to become frustrated with your child if they are not eating.

A House committee killed Baton Rouge Representative Patricia Smith’s proposal to ban bump stocks on guns. Authorities say a bump stock was used to kill more than 50 people in Las Vegas last October by allowing semi-automatic guns to shoot rapid-fire . Smith says something like that can happen here too.
Cut 6 (11) “are gathered”
Despite Smith’s plea, the measure failed on an 11-7 vote.

A bill that would allow civil court judges to decide whether juries should know whether a crash victim was wearing a seat belt will be heard in a Senate committee today. Slidell Senator Sharon Hewitt says crashes involving people not wearing seat belts lead to heftier settlements.
Cut 10 (11) “of us”
The measure has the support of Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon.

An LSU survey says Louisianans have a pretty favorable view of their local media. 78 percent of those polled said they trust their local media’s information a lot, or some. Public Policy Research Lab Director Mike Henderson says local media also got high marks in getting the facts right.
Cut 13 (06) “their reporting”

If you are a parent, you may find it hard to feed your child if they are a picky eater. About one in four kids develop an eating problem. Most quickly outgrow the fast-food and junk food only phase, but a few need professional assistance. Oschner Pediatrician Dr. Myriam Ortiz says don’t force them to eat what they don’t want to. It could be due to other issues…
Cut 3 (:06) “appetite slump”
Ortiz says it’s important not to become frustrated with your child.

The Pelicans can take a commanding two games to none series lead tonight when New Orleans faces Portland in Game 2 of their best of seven playoff series. Head Coach Alvin Gentry says its great to win Saturday, but the immediate goal is to advance to the Western Conference semifinals

Cut 16 (14) “…basketball team”

Gentry is expecting a better shooting performance from Portland’s backcourt of Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum. They combined to shoot 13 of 41 from the field. New Orleans is also hoping for another great performance from point guard Rajon Rondo, who had 17 assists. Tip off is at 9:30.

Wide receiver Willie Snead is reportedly working out with the Saints, even though he’s yet to sign a contract with New Orleans. Just eight catches for Snead in 2017.

_______________________________________________________________________________________

The LSU baseball team has moved up four spots to number 19 in the latest D-1-Baseball Top 25. Also, Tigers senior Austin Bain has been named SEC Co-Player of the week. He was 8-for-15 at the plate with eight runs driven in. He also recorded one save as well. LSU is at Tulane tomorrow night.

Tonight, 14^th ranked Southern Miss is at Southeastern Louisiana. The Lions are coming off a series loss to Northwestern State. The Demons will host Lamar. ULM is at Grambling. McNeese, who swept UNO this past weekend, will host Houston Baptist, while the Privateers are at Jackson State.

In college football, a new rule has been approved that says if the returning team calls for a fair catch inside the 25-yard line on a kick-off, the ball will be placed at the 25 yard-line. It’s an effort to end the strategy of the kick-off team using sky kicks to pin the opponent deep in its own end. College football, just like the NFL is trying to reduce injuries on kick-offs.

The House Appropriations Committee has sent a bill to the House floor that makes cuts to higher education and health care, but fully funds TOPS and Go Grants…
voicer 1 (25) “…I’m Jim Shannon”

Governor John Bel Edwards was quick to express his opposition to the proposed spending plan. Edwards says TOPS should be fully funded, but so should public colleges, health care for seniors and the disabled and public-private hospitals. He says this budget document is not worth the paper it’s printed on and and it’s another reason why a special session is needed to replace expiring revenue.

Louisiana has some of the highest insurance rates in the country. Experts say one reason why is large settlements that are paid out in civil cases. Slidell Senator Sharon Hewitt has a bill that will be heard in Senate Committee on Tuesday afternoon that would give judges the authority to let juries know if a crash victim was not buckled up…..
cut 30 (11) “….that information”
Hewitt says it’s less likely a crash victim will receive a large settlement if it’s known their injuries could have been reduced if they were buckled up.

And the full House takes up a bill on Tuesday that would prohibit you from holding your cell phone while driving. Jennifer Smith, the C-E-O of Stop-distractions-dot-org is pushing for this legislation…
cut 7 (12) “…no cost”
The House convenes at 2 PM.