An effort to add exceptions for rape and incest which would soften the state’s abortion ban is dead for this legislative session. Governor John Bel Edwards says victims in those cases shouldn’t be forced to carry a child for both their physical and mental health…
cut 12 (07) “…..exceptions”
Sarah Zagorski with the Louisiana Right to Life disagrees and says legislators are merely reflecting the belief of their constituents that life begins at conception no matter how a child is conceived.
Cut 13 (06) “…hard situation.”
Bills to reduce penalties for doctors who perform abortions and exempt women who have a miscarriage or an ectopic pregnancy from the abortion ban were pulled from consideration after exceptions for rape and incest bill was rejected by the House Criminal Justice Committee.

An effort by Democratic lawmakers to raise the state’s minimum wage is not done for this session.
Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Teiko Foxx.”

The Senate Revenue and Fiscal Affairs Committee approved a bill to extend the state’s film tax credit program from 2025 to 2030. Monroe Senator Jay Morris is not a fan of the tax program, because he says it doesn’t benefit northeast Louisiana…
cut 5 (07) “….issue with it”
But supporters say the program has created hundreds of jobs.

The state department of transportation says I-10 eastbound at the Atchafalya Basin Bridge has been re-opened after a vehicle fire on the bridge had the bridge shutdown for most of the night. There are reports of a fatality.

An effort by Democratic lawmakers to raise the state’s minimum wage is not done for this session. Teiko Foxx has more…:
Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Teiko Foxx.”

The NFL schedule came out last night, the Saints kick-off the regular season at home against Tennessee on September 10th.

A House bill to extend Louisiana’s film & TV tax incentives program is approved by Senate Revenue and Fiscal Affairs, but not without some changes. The bill originally sought to extend the movie tax credit program to 2035. It was amended to make the end date 2030. Supporting the bill is producer and studio owner Trey Burvant, who says the credits mean productions will come, which means hundreds of millions in revenue changing hands…:
cut 4 (12) “….through schools”
Several lawmakers are skeptical that the film tax credit program produces for the state.

The U-S Preventive Services Task Force is urging women to begin their annual breast cancer screenings at age 40, instead of 50. LSU Health New Orleans Surgical Oncologist Doctor Shawn McKinney….
cut 15 (11) “…at least 40”

A Denham Springs police officer is fighting for his life after he was shot multiple times during a shootout in the parking lot of a strip mall yesterday afternoon. Corporal Shawn Kelly is in critical condition. The man, who shot the officer, Justin Roberts of Denham Springs, is dead. He was shot by Livingston Parish Sheriff Deputies. Officers encountered Roberts as they investigated a report of a man and woman arguing.

During a press conference on the fourth floor of the state capitol, Governor Edwards conveyed his displeasure with the legislature for not adding exceptions to the state’s abortion ban.
cut 3 (31) “…..I’m Brooke Thorington”

A bill that seeks to set the state’s minimum wage at 10-dollars an hour next year and raise the wage to 14-dollars by 2028 was approved by the Senate Labor committee on a three to two vote. Louisiana Association of Business and Industry’s Lauren Hadden argues a higher minimum wage would hurt businesses financially…
cut 9 (10) “….consumers”
It’s still a long shot that the bill makes it to the governor’s desk. The House Labor committee voted down the House version of this bill.

The U-S Preventive Services Task Force is now recommending women should begin annual mammograms at age 40 instead of 50. LSU Health New Orleans Surgical Oncologist Doctor Shawn McKinney says if your family has a history of breast cancer, you should get screened earlier…
cut 16 (11) “….at 35”
McKinney says if finances are an issue in being screened annually for breast cancer, there are programs available to help pay for services.

An effort to raise the state’s minimum wage is still alive at the state capitol as the Senate Labor Committee approved a bill to raise the minimum wage to 10-dollars an hour next year, 12-dollars in 2026 and 14-dollars in 2028. Louisiana AFL-CIO’s Matt Wood spoke on behalf of the bill…
cut 7 (09) “…minimum wage”
Raising the minimum wage in Governor Edwards’ last year in office remains a longshot. A similar bill was defeated in the House Labor Committee.

An effort to add exceptions for rape and incest which would soften the state’s abortion ban is dead for this legislative session. Edwards says victims in those cases shouldn’t be forced to carry a child for both their physical and mental health…
cut 12 (07) “…..exceptions”
During committee debate, Heather Hobbs told lawmakers her daughter was conceived in a rape and says she’s not a child of a rapist, but a child of rape survivor.

A House-approved bill to extend the state’s $150-million annual film tax credit program clears a Senate committee, but with a big change.
Cut 1 (34) “I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

The House Education Committee approves legislation that would require schools to establish safety policies for carpool and bus lines for K-through- 5th graders. Slidell Representative Robert Owen authored the bill in response to last year’s death of a six-year-old girl fatally struck by a truck in a school parking lot in Slidell.
Cut 7 (10) “…too many.”
Under Owen’s bill, students under the age of 10 must be accompanied by a school employee while walking to and from a vehicle.

The Louisiana House approves a bill that reduces the maximum number of weeks, 26 to 20, a person can receive unemployment benefits during a 12 month period. New Orleans Representative Wilford Carter says this legislation hurts the unemployed worker and the state
cut 13 (05) “….receiving benefits”
Supporters say this bill could result in the unemployed finding a job faster.

A new survey finds labor quality surpasses inflation as the number one problem facing small business owners. NFIB state director Dawn McVea says many small business owners are willing to pay higher wages to get better workers…
cut 26 (07) “….few months”

Mother’s Day is Sunday and it’s one of the most popular days for restaurants. Louisiana Restaurant Association spokesperson Wendy Waren says about 80 million people will take their mom’s out to eat for their special day in the US. And if you’re looking to avoid the crowds, she has some suggestions…
Cut 9 (10) “…a Sunday.”
And while the restaurant industry was among the hardest hit during the pandemic, Waren says they’ve adapted to changes and most are well prepared to make Mom’s Day special this year.