Louisiana could soon become the first state to classify two drugs used to induce an abortion as controlled substances. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (36)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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Amended legislation to remove the required 20-minute break for minors who work five or more hours passes in the Senate. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 2 (30)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

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The Louisiana House has approved legislation making it a crime to possess two abortion-inducing drugs without a prescription. But doctors are concerned reclassifying mifepristone and misoprostol as controlled dangerous substances could delay reproductive care. New Orleans Representative Aimee Freeman expressed her frustration…

Cut 3 (10) “…in everything.” 

Louisiana would be the first state to classify these abortion inducing pills as controlled dangerous substances. Carrencro Representative Julie Emerson explains why it’s necessary..

Cut 4 (10) “…cause death.” 

More than 200 doctors have expressed their opposition to the bill because they say the drugs are needed to treat miscarriages or stop hemorrhaging after childbirth. Freeman accused supporters of putting the interests of the anti-abortion group Louisiana Right to Life over medical experts. 

Cut 5 (11)  “…of this state.”

But the bill’s author, Shreveport Senator Thomas Pressly, says the drugs are still available, but a prescription will now be required to use them for legitimate medical uses, except for abortions.

Emerson made that point during debate on the House floor…

Cut 6  (09) “…elected abortions. ” 

The bill was filed because Pressly’s former brother-in-law in Texas received a light sentence when he was convicted for trying to end his sister’s pregnancy by slipping the abortion inducing drugs into her drinks.

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Legislation to remove the required 20-minute break for minors who work five or more hours passed in the Senate after it was amended and it heads back to the House. Lafayette Republican Senator Jean-Paul Coussan’s amendment changed the bill to keep the required break for fourteen- and fifteen-year-olds.

Cut 7 (13) “…my vote.”  

New Orleans Democrat Senator Gary Carter asked Coussan to clarify that the amendment would change the bill to only repeal required breaks for teens sixteen and older.

Cut 8 (08)  “…thank you.” 

Many Republican Senator Alan Seabaugh, who supports the bill, objected to the amendment and says it will only deter employers from hiring those who are 15-year-olds and younger.

Cut 9 (14) “…do object.” 

The amendment passed on a 25 to 11 vote.

Monroe Democrat Senator Katrina Jackson-Andrews says the minors she sees working in her district are using their break to study or finish homework. After hearing proponents say ‘kids want to work’ she felt moved to speak against the bill.

Cut 10 (12) “…the bill.” 

House Bill 156, in its amended form, passed on a 26 to 11 vote in the Senate and it now returns to the House for a vote.

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Governor Landry and State Superintendent of Education Cade Brumley unveiled recommendations today to support public school teachers and students. The “Let Teachers, teach” workgroup focused on identifying classroom disruptions and ways to unburden teachers with unrealistic expectations, and putting practical solutions in place to allow teachers to focus on teaching. Governor Landry…

Cut 11 (06) ” …not what to think.”

Landry says classrooms should be learning environments not babysitting environmnet.
Brumley says help is on the way to restore common sense policies, protect teachers time and bring law and order back to school campuses. Brumley shared a few recommendations, from removing cell phones from the classroom and students who misbehave

Cut 12 (11) “…from learning.” 

Brumley says they also want to support student mental health challenges through trained professionals…

Cut 13 (08) “…mental health professionals” 

A state Department of Education spokesperson says some recommendations will require state action others can be addressed at the school or school system level.

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Congressman Garret Graves says U-S Supreme Court was lazy with its decision on ordering the state to use the Congressional map with two majority Black districts for this year’s federal elections. Graves still believes the political boundaries for this map are racially gerry mandered…

Cut  14 (12) “…figure it out later.” 

Graves will seek another term in Congress, but may not run in his sixth district, which has been redrawn to represent areas in Baton Rouge, Alexandria and Shreveport. He says there are another districts he could represent…

Cut 15 (13) “…South Louisiana.”

Two species of Cicadas are emerging together for the first time since 1803. But one species might not make an appearance. Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

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Legislation requiring all public school buses to have heating and air conditioning by 2032 fails to receive the support of the Louisiana House. Brooke Thorington has the story…

Cut 2 (34)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

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LSU Tigers improved its NCAA Tournament resume with a solid nine-to-one win over Georgia in the opening game of the SEC Tournament. Colleen Crain has the story…

Cut 3 (35) “…I’m Colleen Crain.” 

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For the first time since 1803 two species of cicadas are emerging at the same time. One species every 17 years and another called, the Great Brood every 13 years. The problem is in 2011 there were no sightings for the Great Southern Brood in Louisiana. LSU Ag Center Insect Diagnostician, Christopher Carlton says that could be due to a few reasons from migration to extinction in the area.

Cut 4 (07) “…reliable emergence.”

The Ag Center is asking for help to document the emergence of individual cicadas but also to see if there are any chorusing activities in the trees.

Cut 5 (11) “…in the field.” 

Carlton says, “Once they are gone they never recover.” And with peak emergence passed there’s still time to get out and help.

Cut 6 (14) “…all be gone.”

Emergence areas can be as small as acre or less.” says Carlton.

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Members of the Jewish community were stunned after House Governmental Affairs voted against a bill to remove gassing as a form of execution in Louisiana. Jacquelyn Stern with Jews Against Gassing says it was as if the committee ignored their testimony altogether.

Cut 7 (13) “…and listening.”

The bill passed in the Senate and Stern was hopeful House members would have also been allowed to hear the legislation but in a 22-16 vote the committee failed to advance the bill.

Committee testimony against the bill included John Sinquefield (Sink-field) with the State Attorney General’s Office who said the use of nitrogen hypoxia is not comparable to the poisonous gas used during the Holocaust. Stern says he completely missed the point…

Cut 8 (12) “…as Jews.” 

During the crime session, Governor Jeff Landry championed adding different methods to carry out executions that included nitrogen hypoxia.

Stern says she and other members of Jews Against Gassing plan to continue to fight for their cause even though requests to meet with the governor have been ignored.

Cut 9 (11)  “…our testimony.”

In addition to Louisiana, Alabama, Oklahoma, and Mississippi have approved the use of nitrogen hypoxia for executions.

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The Louisiana House has put the brakes on a bill requiring all public school buses to have heating and air conditioning by 2032. The proposal would also mandate all buses bought after August 1st would be equipped with heat and air. Amite Representative Robby Carter doesn’t see how anyone would vote against a safety measure…

Cut 10 (10) “…in the afternoon.”

But Republicans fought against the bill over concerns that it’s an unfunded mandate for local school systems. Pollock Representative Gabe Firment…

Cut 11 (11) “…thank you.”

The bill failed on a 57-42 vote. Pineville Representative Mike Johnson was one of the no “votes…”

Cut 12 (06) “…local school.” 

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Today starts the Southland Conference Baseball Tournament, hosted on the Southeastern University campus in Hammond.   Athletic Director, Jay Artigues says going from a four-team tournament in 2021 to an eight-team will bring not just a good time but a huge economic impact as well.

Cut 13 (14)  “…Hammond America.”

Artigues says that the Southland Conference sees what Southeastern has been able to create and it’s not just hosting baseball, it’s creating an event where visiting teams and fans want to come out.

Cut 14 (10)  “…for the fans.”

Also starting today is the Conference USA Tournament, which Louisiana Tech is hosting for the first time since 2021. Director of Marketing and Communications for Experience Ruston, Tori Davis, says it’s great for local businesses as seven visiting teams along with families and fans are in the town for the tournament. The Bulldogs are also the top seed so that means a surge in local fans.

Cut 15 (09)  “…here in Rust0n.”

While the past has shown that when the temperature gets hotter going into the summer months, tourism can start to slow, but Davis said that hasn’t been the case.

That is because of other events going on in Ruston. From travel ball to festivals starting June 1st.

Cut 16 (10) “…Louisiana Peach Festival.” 

The Bulldogs open against MTSU today at 4 pm.

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LSU’s nine to one win over Georgia in the first game of the SEC Tournament possibly locked up an invite to the NCAA Tournament. The Tigers entered the league tourney, winners of four of their last five SEC series. D-1 Baseball’s Kendall Rogers says LSU’s solid play of late has been impressive…

Cut 17 (12) “…realizes that.”

Louisiana Tech begins postseason as the top seed in the Conference USA Tournament in Ruston. The Bulldogs will face Middle Tennessee in their first game today. Rogers says Tech is a dangerous team in the postseason, because of their experienced hitters

Cut 18 (12)  “…La Tech.”

The Ragin Cajuns will begin play in the Sun Belt Tournament as the top seed. Rogers says Cajuns have been strong on the mound all year, and now their bats are cooking…

Cut 19 (20) “…as well.” 

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LSU baseball opened the SEC Tournament yesterday morning with an impressive nine-to-one win over Georgia. The Tigers began today on the bubble for receiving an NCAA Tournament bid, but Coach Jay Johnson says he knew a win over Georgia would solidify their chances of making a Regional

Cut 20 (13) “….else does that.”