The Louisiana House approves a bill to prohibit organizations that perform abortions, like Planned Parenthood, from receiving public funding. West Monroe Representative Frank Hoffman is author of the legislation….
cut 13 (10) “….other purposes”
The measure heads to the Senate after it passed on an 85-7 vote, despite concerns this legislation is not constitutional.

A bill that would require cursive to be taught in public schools was unanimously approved by the Louisiana Senate. Bossier City Senator Ryan Gatti spoke in favor of the measure, because many historic documents were written in cursive. He says our children need to be able to read and write in script, not just from their iPads or iPhones…
cut 10 (05) “…to paper”
The measure heads to the House floor for more discussion.

Access to medical marijuana has been a big topic in this legislative session. Michelle Hall of Vernon Parish urged a House committee to make the drug accessible for her daughter, who has epilepsy…
cut 8 (06) “….my family”
Hall says they’ve moved to Colorado so her daughter can use medical cannabis and it’s improved her life. It’s unclear if the Louisiana House will go along with a proposal that would make medical marijuana available for more illnesses.

A preliminary court hearing takes place today for Cardell Hayes, the accused killer of former Saints defensive captain Will Smith. The hearing will determine if there’s enough evidence to hold a defendant until a trial. A grand jury has reportedly met on the case, if they indict Hayes, than today’s hearing will be cancelled.

A House approved bill is heading to the Senate floor that would extend the wait time for a woman seeking an abortion from 24 hours to 72. Michelle Southern has more….
voicer 1 (26) “….I’m Michelle Southern”

And the full House supports legislation that would prohibit the state from allocating Medicaid dollars to any organiziation that performs abortions. This bill would impact Planned Parenthood, who has indicated they plan on performing abortions at its new facility in New Orleans.

The House Criminal Justice Committee shot down a proposal to require movie theaters to install metal dectectors. Prairieville Representative Tony Bacala voted against it…
cut 8 (07) “….do anything”
The author of the legislation, Shreveport Representative Barbara Norton, was not happy after the vote came down.
cut 7 (07) “…our children”
Last summer a gunman walked into a Lafayette movie theater and killed two people and injured several more.

A bill to require cursive to be taught in public elementary schools passes through the full Senate. Bossier City Sen. Ryan Gatti spoke in favor of the legislation and says many historic documents were written in cursive. He says our children need to be able to read and write in script, not just from their iPads or iPhones.
Cut 30 (05) “to paper”
The vote was 37 to nothingand it heads to the House for more discussion.

A state Senate Committee approves a bill to extend the waiting period for an abortion from 24 to 72 hours. Michelle Southern has more…
voicer 1 (26) “…I’m Michelle Southern”

The House Criminal Justice Committee shot down a proposal to require movie theaters to install metal dectectors. Prairieville Representative Tony Bacala voted against it…
cut 8 (07) “….do anything”
Last summer a gunman walked into a Lafayette movie theater and killed two people and injured several more.

The FBI is once again investigating the disappearance of a two-year-old boy from his East Feliciana Parish home 15 years ago. Billboards featuring what Wesley Morgan might look like today are popping up . Former WAFB reporter Avery Davidson covered Wesley’s disapearance 15 years ago…
cut 14 (08) “….Wesley Dale”
The FBI is offering up to a 10-thousand dollar reward for information that leads to Wesley’s location.

Louisiana Humane Society Executive Director Jeff Dorson says they have evidence that a dog was beaten and then burned in a fire pit at New Orleans City Park. . He says they are also asking the public to keep the memory of the City Park Dog in their hearts….
cut 5 (07) “…short life”
Dorson says they’ve issued a city-wide animal abuse alert, as they look those responsible.

The House Criminal Justice Committee is hearing legislation this morning that would require movie theathers to install metal detectors. Last summer a gunman walked into a Lafayette movie theater and killed two people and injured nine. Shreveport Representative Barbara Norton says nothing changes until you put something in place….
cut 5 (10) “….an effort”

A national report says Louisiana is not ready to handle a major health crisis. State Department of Health and Hospitals spokesperson Bob Johannessen says the report is a bit misleading. He says for instance, Louisiana gets penalized for using state agencies to man emergency shelters, while other states hire private contractors….
cut 9 (10) “….of work”

State Police have arrested an Amite man after he allegedly struck a bicyclist near Hammond and then fled the scene. The man on the bicycle ended up dying. Trooper Dustin Dwight says 32-year-old Brandon Fowler was taken into custody yesterday afternoon and he says Fowler’s Chevy pick-up has damage on the passenger side as the head light is busted out…
cut 16 (11) “…a bicycle”
The victim is 30-years-old and from Hammond.

State Police have issued a Level II Endangered Missing Child Advisory seeking 12-year-old Jalon Bradley who they say was taken from Mamou High School by his non-custodial mother and is believed to be in imminent danger. The woman is 34-year-old Elaine Freeman, a black female possibly driving a white SUV.

A severe thunderstorm watch is up until 3 PM for much of the southern half of the state and parishes along the Mississippi delta.

A pro-voucher group is attacking John Bel Edwards in a new TV ad as they are criticizing the first year governor for cutting six million dollars from the state’s voucher program. Louisiana Federation for Children president Ann Duplessiss says 71-hundred students receive vouchers, but not all of them will get one next year, if the governor has his way….
cut 13 (09) “….school year’
Governor Edwards says the ad is blatantly false.

There’s a handful of bills in this session that attempt to regulate drone use. Baton Rouge Senator Dan Claitor has a couple of measures, one of them will make it illegal to fly a drone over someone’s property without their permission…
cut 5 (08) “…the government”
So far, the drone regulation bills have received very little opposition.

Legislation is moving to the Senate floor that deals with police body camera video. New Orleans Senator JP Morrell says it causes a lot of financial strain on police departments to save these body cam videos for three years, which is required by law…
cut 16 (07) “….really comprehend”
The legislation also addresses what video connected to a crime should be available to the public

An Alexandria teen is facing several charges including terrorizing after he allegedy made threats on social media about a potential incident that would occur at Alexanderia Senior High’s prom. Rapides Parish Sheriff’s office spokesperson, Lt. Tommy Carnline…
cut 6 (10) “….of justice”
The prom was Saturday night and the teen is held on a 21-thousand dollar bond.