Among the bills filed for the upcoming session is one requiring convicted sex offenders to have vasectomies. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

_______________________________________________

 Two Louisiana cities have been named to the list of the Best Cities on the Rise 2024 by Southern Living. Colleen Crain has more.

Cut 2 (32)  “…I’m Colleen Crain”

____________________________________________

Early voting begins Saturday for the Louisiana Presidential Primary, even though the party nominations have already been decided. Teiko Foxx has more…

Cut 3 (28) “…I’m Teiko Foxx”

______________________________________________

LSU Climatologist Barry Keim says much of the state is under a slight risk of severe weather today and into early tomorrow morning. The greatest chance for severe weather is north of the I-10-12 corridor.

Cut 4 (10) “…flash flood.”

Northeast Louisiana is under a flash flood watch through late tonight.

Once the line starts to develop, it should move out of the Bayou State by early tomorrow morning. Keim says we’ll see cooler temperatures this weekend.

Cut 5 (11) “…around 70.” 

Keim says it could still be a bumpy ride for some parts of the state today. He says projected rainfall totals could produce some flash flooding in northeast Louisiana, the rest of the could see less than an inch.

Cut 6 (08) “…any stretch.”

__________________________________________

A bill requiring convicted sex offenders to have a vasectomy has been filed for the regular session. New Orleans Representative Delisha Boyd says because Louisiana’s abortion ban does not allow exceptions for rape or incest, she feels the vasectomy requirement is needed.

Cut 7 (04) “…protecting women.”

A vasectomy is a medical procedure that cuts the supply of sperm to semen and acts as a form of birth control. When asked why she opted for a vasectomy versus castration which is the complete removal of the testicles….

Cut 8 (10) “…be reversed.” 

The Democrat says House Bill 166 is simple and gets straight to the point.

Cut 9 (09)  “…supposed to.”

The regular legislative session begins Monday. Boyd’s bill is among the more than 1,000 bills filed for the session.

________________________________________________________

Southern Living has named two Louisiana towns in their list of Best Cities on the Rise 2024. After facing devastating storms and difficulties, the recovery and renaissance of Lake Charles is inspiring says Mayor Nic Hunter and he is proud to be number 22 on this list…

Cut 10 (09) “…and inspiring.”

The readers of Southern Living selected the cities for their quaint downtown districts, food scenes, arts communities and natural beauty. Hogan says the citizens and businesses of Lake Charles put in much hard work to reach this level of success and they continue to better the city…

Cut 11 (11) “…our lakefront.” 

Hogan says he is honored to be recognized and he expressed gratitude for the inspirational work done in his city. He also thanked everyone across the state and extended an invitation…

Cut 12 (10) “…visit Lake Charles.” 

Covington, called North Shore’s Renaissance was also honored as number 11 on the list.

_______________________________________________________

Early voting begins tomorrow for the March 23rd Louisiana presidential primary. The race has already been decided as former President Donald Trump will be the Republican Party presidential nominee and current President Joe Biden is the Democrat’s nominee. LSU Political Science Professor Robert Hogan…

Cut 13 (07)  “…process”

Nikki Haley’s decision to suspend her campaign following Super Tuesday locked up the Republican nomination for Mr. Trump. Hogan says each state decides on when to hold a presidential primary and Louisiana decided to hold it in late March..

Cut 14 (14) “…the state”

Hogan says even if Haley remained in the race, it’s likely Trump would still be a big winner in the Louisiana Republican Presidential Primary. He also expects Trump to win big in Louisiana in the November general election, so do not expect any campaign stops from the candidates in the Bayou State, unless it’s too raise money

Cut 15 (10) “…usuaully.”

____________________________________________________________________

Saints receiver Michael Thomas is expected to become an unrestricted free agent at the start of the new league year. Thomas is one of the most decorated receivers in Saints history, but Locked on Saints Podcast Host Ross Jackson says Thomas’s availability and relationship with the team deteriorated after suffering an avoidable injury early in the 2020 season…

Cut 16 (17) “…strange situation.” 

Thomas has only appeared in 20 games the last four seasons.

New Orleans will be left with top targets Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed to lead the receiver room. Olave has cemented himself as one of the best young wideouts in the NFL and Shaheed a top return man and deep threat. The next top returning target-getter will be sophomore A.T. Perry who showed flashes his rookie year garnering 4 touchdowns on only 12 receptions. Jackson says adding depth at the position is a priority this offseason…

Cut 17 (20) “…or in the draft.” 

_________________________________________________________

The early days of spring practice are underway as LSU football explores life after Jayden Daniels. Co-Offensive Coordinators Joe Sloan and Cortez Hankton will look to find new playmakers after losing Daniels and top threats of the nation’s number one offense Malik Nabers and Brian Thomas to the draft. Head Coach Brian Kelly says the coaching staff will continue to get the ball in the best players’ hands…

Cut 18 (19)  “…some changes.” 

In addition to college football’s number one passer, the Tigers will also be losing their leading rusher in Daniels. Many fans expect to see a return to a more traditional run-heavy offense with LSU’s stacked running back room. Kelly, however, says it’s the versatility of the offensive line which will be key to improving the run game…

Cut 19 (16) “…wider front.”

Linebacker Harold Perkins made headlines last offseason as the team planned to move him from his original edge rusher spot back to inside linebacker. The experiment lasted only one game in the regular season but Kelly and new Defensive Coordinator Blake Baker are looking to try again. Kelly, Baker, and Perkins agree a new defensive structure and coaches will be the difference this year…

Cut 20 (19) “…will linebacker.”

Starting next year, high school seniors will not have to apply for FAFSA to graduate. Teiko Foxx has more…

Cut 1 (33)  “…I’m Teiko Foxx.”

______________________________________

A bill to require health insurers to provide mental health coverage for victims of rape has been filed for the upcoming session. Brooke Thorington explains.

Cut 2 (32)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

______________________________________

BESE has removed the requirement for high school seniors to complete FAFSA in order to graduate. The new policy goes into effect next school year. The board believes requiring a student to apply for federal aid for college is an unnecessary burden on parents. And BESE President Ronnie Morris says some families do not want to give out their tax and income information.

Cut 3 (12) “…for everybody.”  

Students are required to complete the FAFSA to determine college financial aid. But Morris says some students can sign a waiver approved by the state to receive a diploma. He says points out the form is simply not necessary to graduate.

Cut 4 (09) “…line somewhere.” 

Louisiana claims top ranking for the highest number of high school seniors who’ve completed FAFSA. And Morris says schools will continue to assist student and families in applying for federal grants and scholarships.

Cut 5 (12) “…for graduation.”

____________________________________________

Should there be term limits on all statewide elected offices? Marrero Representative Kyle Green has filed legislation seeking to change the state’s constitution so that lieutenant governor, secretary of state, attorney general, state treasurer, ag and insurance commissioner are all limited to two terms.

Cut 6  (09) “…term limit.” 

When it comes to statewide offices, only the governor is limited to two consecutive terms.  Green says he wants to level the playing field.

Cut 7 (11) “…elected officials.”  

The legislation will be heard in the regular session. Since it’s a proposed a constitutional amendment, it will needs two-thirds approval from the legislature and a majority of voters will also have to approve.

__________________________________________________________________

AAA is rolling out new technology that sends alerts to drivers they are approaching a stranded motorist on the side of the road. Spokesperson Don Redman says motorists who use Waze or Apple Maps will receive the alerts when AAA member requests assistance

Cut 8 (11) “…roadway assistance.” 

The alert will automatically update motorists when the tow truck arrives at the location to help the stranded driver. Redman says this give motorists more time to slow down or move over. And provides a safeguard for those responding to provide assistance to stranded motorists.

Cut 9 (12) “…so dangerous.” 

Redman says this is the first time the alerts will be used in the field to protect disabled motorists and technicians who service them.

Cut 10 (11) “…safe speed.”

________________________________________________________________

New Orleans Representative Delisha Boyd wants health insurers to provide mental health coverage for victims of rape. The legislation is personal for Boyd because her mother was raped at the age of 15.  Boyd says her mother had psychological issues.

Cut 11 (10) “…was 30.”

The bill also requires coverage for at least one year of postpartum psychosis screenings for victims of rape who conceived and birth a child as a result.

Boyd says victims of rape, no matter their age, deserve mental health services and when the perpetrator is someone, they trust it’s another layer of difficulty.

Cut 12 (09)  “…the family.”  

Boyd says if someone had only intervened and helped her mother deal with the trauma of being raped and post-partum psychosis, she might be alive today.

Cut 13 (06) “…had me.”  

According to the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network, one in six women and 1 in 33 men are victims, of rape or an attempted rape in their lifetime. House Bill 302 is pending to be heard in the House Insurance Committee.