A bill to protect IVF clinics so what happened in Alabama doesn’t happen in Louisiana advances to the House. Brooke Thorington explains.

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

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The Federal Trade Commission says no more noncompete agreements that prevent employees from leaving their jobs for other companies or starting businesses of their own. Colleen Crain has more…

Cut 2 (33)  “I’m Colleen Crain.” 

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Governor Jeff Landry’s former campaign manager, Cory Dennis, has been appointed as the new executive director of the Louisiana Republican Party. Jeff Palermo has more…

Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.” 

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Legislation to provide protections for in vitro fertilization clinics in Louisiana advances favorably from House Civil Law and will go before the full House next week. Bill author, Baton Rouge Representative Paula Davis says after a Supreme Court ruling in Alabama caused IVF clinics to close, she wanted to keep that from happening here.

Cut 4 (11) “…not liable.”

The Alabama Supreme Court ruled that a frozen embryo is considered a child and if the embryo is destroyed its wrongful death. To avoid criminal charges, IVF clinics closed.

Davis says her bill only affects IVF and does not impact the state’s abortion ban.

Cut 5 (12) “…statutes are.” 

Because IVF laws in Louisiana were written in 1986, Davis says her legislation also updates previous regulations to the medical practice.

Cut 6 (09) “…liability portion of it.”

Davis refers to House Bill 833 as the IVF Modernization Bill.

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Companies will no longer be able to tell employees that they cannot go to work for a competitor as the Federal Trade Commission votes to ban noncompete agreements on Tuesday.  UNO Business Professor Mark Rosa says on one hand, it’s appropriate for the free market to figure it out but there could be unintended consequences…

Cut 7 (10) “…that employer.”

Some business groups fear the ruling may leave their proprietary information and intellectual property vulnerable, but the ruling does not ban agreements that would protect that information. Still business groups are expected to take legal action. Rosa says banning noncompete agreements would benefit clients who want to keep working with their choice of providers when they leave a company but there may need to be limits.

Cut 8 (08) “…carve out.” 

The Rule will go into effect 120 days after it’s published in the Federal Register and with a few exceptions for senior executives, even existing non-compete agreements will be thrown out. Rosa says this ruling not only empowers former employees but also customers who have relationships they want to keep…

Cut 9 (08)  “…not be penalized.”

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Louisiana public school teachers would receive a cut in pay and early childhood education would see a reduction in state funding under the budget proposal approved by House Appropriations. But Baton Rouge Representative Barbara Freiberg does not want to see teachers’ pay go down

Cut 10 (07) “…salary.”

The spending plan approved by House appropriations would reduce a two-thousand-dollar stipend that teachers receive on top of their regular salary, down to 13-hundred dollars. New Orleans Representative Jason Hughes says there’s time during the budget process to find money so the stipend is two-thousand dollars…

Cut 11 (12) “…through the process.”

House Appropriations Chairman Jack McFarland says they had to reduce proposed teacher stipends and cut 24-million from early childhood education to fully fund the K-through-12 public school funding formula BESE submitted to the legislature.

Baton Rouge Representative Denise Marcelle says a 24-million dollar cut to pre-k, means an estimated two-thousand fewer children taking part in pre education …

Cut 12 (10) “…with funding.” 

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A graduate of the U-S Naval Academy and the former campaign manager for Jeff Landry’s gubernatorial campaign is the new executive director of the Louisiana Republican Party. Maryland native Cory Dennis is excited to be appointed to the G-O-P leadership position…

Cut 13 (12)  “…second home to me.”

Dennis’ appointments comes weeks after Derek Babcock was elected as the chairman of the Louisiana Republican Party. Republicans are in control of Louisiana as they hold all of the elected statewide positions and enjoy a super majority over the Democrats in the Legislature. Dennis says the goal is to build on their recent successes…

Cut 14 (05)  “…growing.”

Dennis is a Black Republican but says race didn’t land him in this position…

Cut 15 (13)  “…those endeavors.”

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The Saints have the 14th overall pick in the first round of Thursday night’s NFL draft. According to Mike Triplett of New Orleans-football…the Saints have traded up 26 straight times in the NFL draft. General Manager Mickey Loomis says every team is looking at their situation and trying to see if there’s a trade partner to move up in the draft or slide back…

Cut 16 (20)  “…go back”  

The Saints have an obvious need to draft an offensive tackle, but they could also take a wide receiver. Loomis says the belief is that more offensive players will go in the first round than defensive players…

Cut 17 (14) “…see that.”

There are rumors that the Saints are looking to trade veteran cornerback Marshon Lattimore. But Loomis says he doesn’t like dealing established starters…

Cut 18 (15)  “….we got”

A 54-year-old Springfield man has been sentenced to 50 years and physical castration for the rape of a 14-year-old girl. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (29)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

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Louisiana has received 156 million dollars in federal grant money that will lead to the installation of more solar energy panels. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (32)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo” 

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54-year-old Glenn Sullivan of Springfield has been sentenced to 50 years and physical castration for raping and impregnating a 14-year-old. Livingston Parish Assistant DA Brad Cascio is pleased with the sentencing after Sullivan plead guilty to four counts of second-degree rape.

Cut 3 (11) “…her life.” 

A DNA test confirmed he was the father.

Cascio says because sentencing laws can change, prosecutors are pleased that physical castration is part of his punishment.

Cut 4 (12) “…this again. ” 

Judges are given discretion in rape cases to order chemical castration as a punishment and Cascio says because of the horrific nature of Sullivan’s case, physical castration was ordered, which he believes is a first for the 21^st district.

Cascio says he admires the bravery it took for the victim to come forward despite being threatened not to.

Cut 5 (11)  “…the end.”

Cascio says sadly so many of these types of cases go unreported.

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The state Department of Energy and Natural Resources announces Louisiana is recipient of a 156-million dollar federal grant to initiate a statewide program called “Solar for Y’all.” D-N-R spokesperson Patrick Courreges says the federal dollars should expand solar panel installations, especially for those who can not afford them

Cut 6  (05) “..build solar energy.” 

Louisiana is one of 60 government bodies that received the money which comes from the federal Inflation Reduction Act. Courreges says the state will benefit from this federal investment, with so much of the population at risk of losing power for several days because of devastating storms

Cut 7 (07) “…power lines”  

Courreges says they still have to get approval from the federal government on how they plan to spend the money, but they are looking to provide dollars to pay for upgrades on single-family and multi-family homes to prepare them for solar energy equipment and they are also looking at creating solar hubs…

Cut 8 (12) “..get it going” 

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Legislation to require public colleges and universities in the state to accept cash at sporting events passes in the House on a 70 to 24 vote. Chalmette Representative Michael Bayham questioned bill author Rosepine Representative Charles Owen about the purpose of his bill.

Cut 9 (12) “…and water” 

Bayham recalled the Auburn-LSU football game, which was extremely hot, and some fans suffered heat exhaustion.

Cut 10 (13) “…bill up.”

In a fiscal note, LSU reported the bill could lead to a $75,000 annual loss for third-party vendors and slow concession lines.

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Legislation to remove nitrogen hypoxia as a means of execution passes in the Senate after two votes. Monroe Representative Katrina Jackson-Andrews says members of the Jewish community asked her to sponsor the bill because of its tragic history with the Holocaust.

Cut 11 (12) “…by mistake.”

The first vote was 19-19 and Jackson asked for a suspension of the rules because she believed some members mistakenly voted against the bill. She reminded Senate members the bill does not repeal the death penalty, only the use of gas for execution.

Cut 12 (12) “…State of Louisiana.” 

The bill passed on a 22-16 vote and advances to the House.

A bill to ban touching your cell phone while driving advances from House Transportation. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (34)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

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In it’s 50th year as a program, the LSU gymnastics team can finally call itself national champs. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (32)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo” 

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Testimony for and against legislation to ban the use of touching your cell phone while driving in House Transportation was emotional this morning. Port Allen motorcyclist Anthony Summers supports the bill after being the victim of an accident caused by a distracted driver on their phone. He says the losses from the incident total more than $80 thousand.

Cut 3 (12) “…safe manner.” 

Kenner resident Connie Zimmerman opposes the bill for several reasons and told committee members it violates one’s liberties.

Cut 4 (11) “…a police state. ” 

Touching your cell phone while driving would be a secondary offense, meaning you could only be charged if you were first pulled over for another violation, as speeding. It would be considered a primary offense in school and construction zones.

Chris Alexander with Louisiana Citizen Advocacy Group also spoke against the bill. He says in testimony from previous legislative attempts the bill’s author has said the ultimate goal is to get rid of phones in vehicles altogether.

Cut 5 (07)  “…will occur.”

The bill passed in committee without objection. The bill has already received Senate approval.

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The U-S House has sent to the Senate a 95-billion dollar foreign aid package that includes aid for Ukraine. Speaker Mike Johnson of Benton needed help from Democrats to pass the aid bill for Ukraine and that puts his job as speaker in jeopardy..

Cut 6  (12) “..where they may.” 

Georgia Republican Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene leads a group of hard-right Republicans who believe Johnson should be fired as Speaker because the House approved billions in foreign aid over new border security and immigration policies. Johnson believes the House did the right thing…

Cut 7 (03) “…judge it well”  

Ukraine President Volodymer Zelensky says help from the United States is desperately needed as country continues to try to stave of a Russian invasion. Johnson says the 60-billion dollars heading to Ukraine is coming at a good time

Cut 8 (07) “…our troops.” 

Ukraine President Volodymer Zelensky says help from the United States is desperately needed as country continues to try to stave of a Russian invasion. Johnson says the 60-billion dollars heading to Ukraine is coming at a good time.

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Former LSU gymnastics Coach DD Breaux is beaming with pride today as the program she built can finally say they are national champions.. The LSU gymnastics team won its first championship in dramatic fashion rallying from behind to win during the final rotation. Breaux was watching from the stands in Fort Worth, Texas…

Cut 9 (05) “…the mountain” 

Breaux led the LSU gymnastics team for 43 years before retiring in 2020. She led the Tigers to 31 top-ten finished in 43 seasons, including three runner-up titles. The Donaldsonville native is so happy to see the program grow under head coach Jay Clark…

Cut 10 (16) “…on Saturday.”

Breaux hired current head coach Jay Clark in 2012 after he resigned as the head coach at Georgia. Breaux named Clark Associate Head Coach and she knew he could lead the LSU gym program to great things…

Cut 11 (06) “…incredible feat.”

LSU will hold a parade for the national champion gym team at 6:30 on Wednesday night.