A bill that would prohibit students’ use of cell phones in the classroom passed unanimously out of the Senate on Monday. Teiko Foxx has more…

Cut 1 (32)  “…I’m Teiko Foxx.”

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Legislation to expand the school voucher program passes in the House after explosive testimony from a surprise ally. Brooke Thorington has more.

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

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In a bid to curb classroom distractions, legislation aimed at restricting student cellphone usage or any electronic device during school hours unanimously passed the Senate. Franklinton Senator Beth Mizell says cellphones in the classroom are a big distraction for students.

Cut 3 (10) “…continual distraction.”  

The bill bans students from carrying cellphones “on his person” while in the classroom. Mizell says her bill would require students to put their cellphones in designated places during school hours.     

Cut 4 (13) “…or not.” 

Mizell says school leaders have the authority to have their own policy of no cellphones in the classroom, but they do not. She was questioned on the Senate floor about students not having a phone in the the event of an emergency, such as a school shooter…

Cut 5 (13)  “…of directions.”

The bill heads to the House for more discussion.

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There was emotional testimony in the House over expanding the school voucher program. House Bill 745 will eventually allow all families to apply for state grants for private school tuition regardless of financial need. New Orleans Democrat Jason Hughes surprised Republican lawmakers with his support of the bill.

Cut 6  (12) “…hardly read.” 

Alexandria Democrat Representative Ed Larvadain spoke against the bill saying it would jeopardize funding for public schools, which are already having problems recruiting and retaining teachers.

Cut 7 (10) “…public education.”  

Hughes acknowledged that his stance for the bill could cost him his seat but says he came to the legislature to make tough decisions and those who know him, heart know his heart for children.

Cut 8 (09) “…(clapping).” 

Larvadain says moving education money around increases the possibility of fraud and abuse. He worries local superintendents will be faced with closing schools and he’s very concerned about the closures of elementary schools forcing young students to be bused even farther from home.

Cut 9 (10) “…they’re tired.” 

The House passed the bill 71-32. It was not along party lines either, six Republican lawmakers voted against it, and some Democrats voted in favor.

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New Orleans Congressman Troy Carter commends the Environmental Protection Agency for implementing a final rule aimed at reducing cancer causing air pollution released by 51 plants and refineries in Louisiana. The rule significantly reduces the amount of chloroprene, ethylene oxide among others. Carter says this is a step towards environmental justice.

Cut 10 (10) “…air pollutants. “

EPA says the rule will reduce both EtO and cholorprene emissions by nearly 80 percent and reduce nearby cancer rates by 96 percent. Carter says many of these plants are located near low-income communities with people who suffer with elevated health risks. The rule slashes more than six thousand tons of toxic air pollution by requiring facilities to conduct fenceline monitoring and lowering emissions.

Cut 11 (12) “…be safe.”

The EPA action targets Denka Performance Elastomers facility in LaPlace which is the largest source of toxic emissions in the U-S. Carter says this rule addresses public health risks in local communities and protects future generations.

Cut 12 (13) “…in families.” 

Denka plans to challenge the rule in court. The Louisiana Chemical Association argues that EPA used flawed data in determining this new regulation. The LCA plans to meet with it’s members to decide who to respond to this new EPA regulation.

The House Civil Law Committee approves legislation that would prohibit a transgender individual from using a public bathroom that aligns with their gender identity. Jeff Palermo has the story…

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Legislation to repeal vehicle inspection stickers hits a road bump. Brooke Thorington explains…

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The Ragin Cajuns baseball team is in the national rankings for the first time since 2017. Brooke Thorington has more…

Cut 3 (33) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

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38-year-old Rodney Guillote Jr. of Pineville faces first-degree murder after he allegedly physically abused his infant daughter resulting in multiple injuries and bleeding on the brain. Rapides Parish Sheriff’s spokesperson Tommy Carnline says detectives began their investigation after receiving a call from a local hospital about an infant with extensive bruising.

Cut 4 (08) “…two weeks.”

The 5-month-old child was airlifted to Children’s Hospital in New Orleans with injuries to her torso, head, and lower body. Guillote also assaulted 27-year-old Elisha Mazerolle, the mother of the young girl.

Carnline says Mazerolle was arrested for principal to first-degree murder.

Cut 5 (10) “…law enforcement.” 

Carnline says the heartbreaking case prompts a call to safeguard the most innocent and vulnerable among us. He says programs and agencies statewide are on standby to help parents struggling with infant situations.

Cut 6 (06) “…was senseless.”

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The House Civil Law Committee approves legislation that would prohibit transgender individuals from using a public bathroom that’s in line with their gender identity. Denham Springs Representative Roger Wilder says he’s trying to prevent a biological woman from having to share a bathroom with a transgender female

 Cut 7 (08) “…situations of assault”

Wilder says this legislation is in response to a biological male who identifies as a woman, demanding access to a female changing room at a facility in his district. The proposal covers bathrooms in schools, prisons and domestic violence shelters.

An advocate for domestic violence victims, Morgan Lamandre, argued this legislation puts federal funding for domestic violence shelters at risk because Louisiana’s shelters would be in violation of federal rules

Cut 8 (10) “…what they receive.” 

Trans advocate Britain Forsyth urges members of the House Civil Law Committee not to force transgender children to use a bathroom that aligns with their biological sex

Cut 9 (11)  “…very scared.”

Despite the concerns raised, Baton Rouge Representative Emily Chenevert looks at this legislation as a common-sense bill…

Cut 10 (07) “…clarity.”

The measure heads to the House floor for more discussion.

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A first amendment rights group is concerned about Governor Landry’s push that colleges mandate all student-athletes be present during the national anthem. Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression Director Alex Morey says Landry’s request ties students to support his beliefs and views.

Cut 14 (09)  “…the flag.”

The first amendment in the U-S constitution protects students from being required to pledge allegiance or salute the U-S flag in public schools.

Morey says what’s more concerning is that LSU may possibly comply with Landry’s request. She says students are free to choose how or whether they want to demonstrate patriotism.

Cut 15 (13)  “…expressive rights.”

Morey says there is nothing less patriotic than government actors forcing their personal views on citizens.

Cut 16 (11)  “…American system.” 

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The Ragin Cajuns baseball team is ranked in the major polls for the first time since 2017 as U-L Lafayette has the nation’s longest winning streak at 15 games. Coach Matt Deggs is proud of his team…

Cut 17 (12) “…these boys

The Cajuns are coming off a sweep over in-state foe ULM. U-L Lafayette is 24-8 overall, 11-1 in the Sun Belt. They are ranked as high as 19th in the D-1 baseball poll. Deggs says heading into the season, he wanted to see attendance increase at Tigue Moore Field and he wanted to see the Cajuns back in the national rankings…

Cut 18 (13)  “…work to do.”  

U-L Lafayette will host Prairie View A-and-M tonight, Louisiana Tech tomorrow and then they’ll host Marshall for a weekend series starting on Friday. Deggs says he wants to make sure the streak doesn’t become a burden…

Cut 19 (17) “…play the game.”   

Legendary Peabody boys basketball coach Charles Smith joins basketball greatest names as he’s an inductee into  the Naismith basketball Hall of Fame. Teiko Foxx has more…

Cut 1 (29)  “…I’m Teiko Foxx.”

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Three federal judges in Shreveport are hearing a suit filed by Republicans against the most recent congressional map passed by the legislature. Brooke Thorington explains.

Cut 2 (31)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

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Legendary boys’ basketball Coach Charles Smith of Peabody High School in Alexandria will be inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. Smith is one of a handful of high school coaches to join the ranks. Smith says it is an honor to join the elite group.

Cut 3 (12) “…professional coaches.”  

Smith won 9 state championships with the Warhorses and has coached Peabody since 1979. The Basketball Hall of Famer is Louisiana’s all-time winningest head coach with 1, 208 wins.

Cut 4 (13) “…for me.” 

During his tenure with the Warhorses, Smith has helped facilitate over 70 players in securing scholarships to pursue collegiate basketball opportunities. He says one of the greatest fulfillment in his coaching career…

Cut 5 (12)  “…of work.”

Smith is one of 13 inductees of the 2024 class. The ceremony is scheduled to take place on August 17 in Springfield, Massachusetts.

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LSU running back Trey Holly no longer faces an attempted murder charge as a result of a shooting that occurred in Farmerville on February 15th that injured two people. A Union Parish Grand Jury has rejected the charge. LSU football Coach Brian Kelly says they felt good about Holly’s chances of avoiding serious charges…

Cut 6  (05) “…don’t know” 

The 19-year-old still faces one felony gun charge. His attorney, Michael Small, says Holly intends to plead not guilty to the charge. Kelly does not expect the criminal case against Holly to drag on…

Cut 7 (12) “…reinstatement”  

Holly said in a social media post on February 17th that he was 100-percent innocent and had been falsely identified, accused and arrested. He was suspended from the team when he was arrested. But Kelly says they will look at reinstating him once his case is resolved.

Cut 8 (04) “…welcome him back.” 

Holly appeared in three games as a freshman last season, but is expected to see significant playing time this sophomore season. He’s the all-time leading rusher in Louisiana High School football history at 10,523 yards.

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A federal court in Shreveport is hearing arguments in a suit filed by Republicans over the state’s congressional map which added a second majority-black district. Loyola University law professor Dane Ciolino says the plaintiffs claim the equal protection clause of the 14th Amendment and the map is racial gerrymandering.

Cut 9 (10) “…only factor.” 

In recent affirmative action decisions, Ciolino says the United States Supreme Court has been critical of states treating race differently. He says if race was the predominant factor for drawing the maps…

Cut 10 (07) “…protection clause. “

Ciolino says the state will argue there was a compelling state interest to satisfy the Voting Rights Act of 1965 in passing the current map. He believes it will be difficult for the state to contend because…

Cut 11 (09) “…only factor.”

A May deadline has been set for a decision so candidates will know the districts they’ll be running for in the November 5^th election.

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April 30^th is the deadline for those still in travel trailers as part of the Ida Sheltering program. Jacques Thibodeaux, who became director of GOSHEP in January says the deadline for those living in about 540 units, has been extended numerous times by FEMA and the state, but with a state fiscal cliff looming…

Cut 12 (12) “…the state.” 

Thibodeaux says those still in the program have been notified of the deadline and are working with their caseworkers on future housing options. He says GOSHEP is also awaiting a State Attorney General’s opinion on donating travel trailers.

Among the reasons those still in the program have been unable to rebuild, Thibodeaux says is the ongoing insurance crisis that has forced many to lose or drop coverage.

Cut 13 (10) “…piece of it.”

Thibodeaux says among the options are for the affected parishes to apply for federal assistance and continue the sheltering program which he says none have yet or impacted individuals can apply for a rapid house voucher which would move them into an apartment.

Cut  14 (09) “…in that.” 

The deadline for the Hurricanes Laura, Delta, and Zeta sheltering programs, Thibodeaux says is set to expire in August.