After all the recent sightings, Brooke Thorington talks to a wildlife expert to find out if an alligator might crash your next beach trip.

Cut 1 (30)  “I’m Brooke Thorington.”

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A bill to lower the number of voter signatures needed to recall a public official wins passage in the House. Kevin Gallagher reports…:

Cut 2 (32)  “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

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Governor John Bel Edwards has expanded the criteria for the Restore Louisiana Program where thousands of additional households could be eligible for disaster assistance. Teiko Foxx has more.

Cut 3 (32)  “…I’m Teiko Foxx.”

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Recent sightings of alligators sunning on the coast in nearby states or taking a dip in the pool have many wondering if they’ll be sharing their vacation with a reptile. Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Alligator Program Manager Jeb Linscombe says gators are just like every other species of wild animals…

Cut 4 (12)  “…like a beach.”

But he says they do eventually return to their usual habitat. Alligators nest in freshwater.

This is the time of year when you see lots of movement among alligators. Linscombe says because the air temperature is higher than the water is one reason you’ll see them on land, to warm up because they are cold-blooded animals.

Cut 5 (11)   “…time of the year.”

So, before you put your beach chairs out you might want to look around to check that an alligator isn’t sunning nearby. And if you come across one, Linscombe says to make sure you, children, the elderly, and pets are taken out of harm’s way.

Cut 6 (06)  “…the animal.”

And never feed an alligator, because Linscombe says they’ll continue to approach humans expecting a snack.

If it’s an urban area where you encounter a gator, Linscombe says contact wildlife agents so they can remove the reptile.

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LSU Pennington Biomedical Research Center has been selected as a research site by the National Institute of Health for the largest research effort to eliminate the one size fits all diet. Associate Executive Director for Clinical Science Dr. Eric Razussin says the goal is to personalize diets that address health disparities.

Cut 7 (11) “…fits all.”

The study will engage 1,500 participants from diverse backgrounds to predict responses to dietary patterns in three components. Participants from all three components will participate in meal challenge tests that measure biological changes after they consume a meal or drink. Razussin says they will look at a range of factors that affect diets including genes, and lifestyle.

Cut 8 (11) “…such diets.”

Participants will be given diets selected by researchers and some will reside at home, while others will reside in the center. Razussin says the results may help to offer personalized guidance to improve overall health.

Cut 9 (12)  “…you live.”

LSU Health Sciences New Orleans will also participate in the Nutrition for Precision Health study. The study will last approximately 2 weeks and participants will be compensated $300. Learn more about enrolling at www.joinallofus.org.

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The Louisiana House has passed a bill that would lower the threshold of signatures required in order to trigger a recall election. Bill sponsor and Covington Representative Paul Hollis took questions from Baton Rouge Rep. Denise Marcelle about the numbers of registered voters that would be required to sign a recall petition, based on city, parish, or district population

Cut 10 (09) “…25 and 20.” 

Hollis’s bill heading to the Senate would require signatures from 50 percent of the number of people who voted in the election for that office. He says, under current law, just about ANY recall of a public figure is virtually impossible because of the huge number of verified signatures required….:

Cut 11 (08)  “…smaller districts.”

A recent effort to recall New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell fell far short of the required signatures needed to get a ballot. Hollis says other states have passed similar legislation so that citizens can feel they have more control when they grow dissatisfied with elected leaders…:

Cut 12 (06)    “…on board this year.” 

By a vote of 71-to-29, the bill clears the House and will move to the Senate for committee review.

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Governor John Bel Edwards announced the Restore Louisiana Homeowner Assistance Program is expanding the criteria for homeowners that sustained damage from hurricanes in 2020 and 2021 to qualify for assistance. The FEMA-determined damage threshold has been lowered from $5,000 to $3,000. Executive Director for the LA Office of Community Development Pat Forbes says this opens up the program to serve more homeowners in need of assistance.

Cut 13 (11) “…people eligible.” 

Restore LA is also raising the allowable maximum of insurance received from $25 thousand to $50 thousand. The program offers various types of assistance, including licensed contractors to manage repairs and reconstruction, homeowner-managed construction, reimbursement for repairs already completed, and manufactured home unit repair and/or replacement. Forbes says HUD has allocated funding and monies are available.

Cut 14 (13)  “…is eligible.”

Forbes says homeowners can also be compensated if they have rebuilt their homes or completed repairs on their homes.

Cut 15 (12)  “…hurricane damage.”

To complete a brief survey visit restore.la.gov or call 866-735-2001.

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The LSU Baseball team will begin its final regular season series against Georgia tonight. The Tigers dropped to 5th in the nation after last weekend’s collapse against Mississippi State as questions surround the Tiger bullpen. The Tigers hired MLB pitching coach Wes Johnson and utilize a state-of-the-art pitching lab, but former LSU pitcher Rick Greene says you can’t overcomplicate the game…

Cut  16 (20)  “…the adjustment.” 

Starting Pitcher Paul Skenes has been dominant all season going 10-1 with a 1.69 ERA, but the Tigers have struggled to find consistency outside of their Friday night starter. With as talented a bullpen as LSU has, Greene credited much of the pitching struggles to a mental issue, and he believes that the Tiger outfield could be key to solving some of their struggles on the mound…

Cut 17 (18) “…benefit from.”

The Tigers lead the SEC in batting average and are 38-1 when they hold opponents to 7 runs or fewer, but Greene says it’ll take more than just the bats to reach Omaha. He says if the bullpen can make some changes, the sky’s the limit for this LSU team…

Cut 18 (19) “…very successful.”

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The UL-Lafayette baseball team will face Sun Belt-leading Southern Miss in the final series of the season starting tonight in Hattiesburg. The 35-15 Golden Eagles feature a veteran lineup returning from last year’s team who sent the Tigers home in the Hattiesburg regional. Cajuns Coach Matt Deggs says the preseason conference favorites have only gotten better as the season’s gone on…

Cut 19 (17) “….ball game.” 

The 35-18 Cajuns sit just three games behind the league leader after last weekend’s sweep of Texas State. They’ll face a hostile environment visiting Southern Miss as they hope to close out the regular season strong, but Deggs says his team isn’t phased playing on the road…

Cut 20 (19)  “…what happens.”  

The Louisiana House approves legislation to ban gender affirming medical care for minors. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (31)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo”

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The House Criminal Justice Committee sends a bill to the House floor that would allow adults over 18 without a criminal background to conceal carry a firearm without a permit or training. Teiko Foxx has more….

Cut 2 (30)  “….I’m Teiko Foxx” 

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The Republican controlled House approved a bill that would prohibit doctors from performing gender transition procedures on minors. Pollock Representative Gabe Firment says several surrounding states have passed similar bans and several European countries also restrict gender-affirming care…

Cut 3 (12) “…surgeries”

But the American Academy of Pediatrics supports gender-affirming healthcare. New Orleans Representative Mandie Landry made the point that this point of care can be life saving for an individuals with gender dysphoria…

Cut 4 (06)  “…did you know that.” 

Gender transition procedures include hormone treatments, gender reassignment surgery or puberty blockers. Firment says these type of treatments can lead to sterilization and loss of sexual function…

Cut 5 (07) “…experimental procedures.”

But Gretna Representative Joe Marino says this legislation actually harms transgender youth…

Cut 6 (12)  “…they are loved” 

Firment’s “Stop Harming Our Kids Act” was approved on 71-24 vote mainly along party lines. It’s one of four major anti-LGBTQ bills moving through the Legislature.

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The House Criminal Justice Committee approves a bill by an 8-1 vote that would expand gun right, so non-felons 18 and older can conceal carry a gun without a permit or the training currently required to get a permit. Oil City Republican Representative Danny McCormick says the Second Amendment gives law-abiding citizens the right to do so.

Cut 7 (13)  “…same age.” 

The “constitutional carry” bill is based on the position that the U.S. Constitution allows a firearm to be carried without a permit. The legislation would also bypass background check requirements to carry a concealed weapon in Louisiana. Louisiana Association of Chiefs of Police Fabian Blache believes this will escalate the already existing problem of illegal gun violence.

Cut 8 (07)  “…officer safety.” 

Louisiana is an “open carry” state which means adults 18 and older can carry a firearm if it is visible to the public with no permit or training. LA Municipal Association Karen White raised concern that the aftermath of such a bill if approved is already proven.

Cut 9 (13) “…nine percent.”

25 states have enacted similar concealed carry expansion laws, including Arkansas, Texas, and Mississippi. McCormick says he doesn’t object to training but the type of training.

Cut 10 (10) “…to carry.”

Lawmakers passed a concealed carry bill in 2021 that was nearly identical to McCormick’s legislation, but Gov. John Bel Edwards vetoed the measure.

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A bill aimed at giving women who are imprisoned for murdering their alleged abuser a chance to be released was heavily amended in the Senate. Baton Rouge Senator Regina Barrow says the bill provides a justification defense for victims who end up killing their abuser, either through domestic violence, sexual abuse, or trafficking.

Cut 11 (11)  “…to a judge.”

The amended bill removes the possibility of retroactive relief for those who are serving a prison sentence.

Louisiana ranks among the top five states for domestic violence.

Baton Rouge Senator Franklin Foil authored an amendment to the bill after opposition from the Louisiana District Attorneys Association. The amendment removed the possibility of retroactive relief for those who are serving a prison sentence. Foil says the legislation for example would allow for a prisoner to say they were abused as a child…

Cut 12 (08) “…overturned.” 

Barrow opposed the amendment and she reiterated to lawmakers that the bill would not suddenly allow abuse survivors to suddenly walk free.

Cut 13 (09) “…this point.” 

Proponents were hoping to create a law that would allow prison sentences of abuse victims to be re-evaluated.

The bill passed unopposed and heads to the House.

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The House Governmental Affairs Committee rejected a proposal that would set up process for citizens to put an issue on the ballot for a statewide vote. Baton rouge Representative Barry Ivey voted against it over concerns of putting an issue before voters that is not vetted by state lawmakers…

Cut 14 (12)  “…certain decision.”

New Orleans Representative Mandie Landry authored the legislation. Landry believes her ballot imitative process would give voters an opportunity to put important issues up for a referendum vote…

Cut 15 (06) “…on the ballot”

Landry says with the Legislature controlled by Republicans, it’s difficult for some issues, like raising the minimum wage, to get through the legislative process. She believes there should be another option, but Ivey is concerned about making laws without elected officials input…

Cut  16 (11)  “…should maintain.”