A bill that would have barred ANYONE under 21 from entering a bar moves forward, but with significant changes. Kevin Gallagher has more…

Cut 1 (45)  “I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

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A bill that would raise taxes on vapor products and electronic cigarettes and use the first $22 million raised every year for State Police pay hikes was approved by the House Ways and Means Committee. Teiko Foxx has more.

Cut 2 (31)  “…I’m Teiko Foxx.”

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A bill to prohibit the instruction or discussion of sexual orientation and gender identity in public schools passed in the House. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 3 (31)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

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Former State Representative and current First Secretary of State, Nancy Landry, announces her candidacy for Secretary of State. Landry says her legislative experience and legal background make her the best candidate for the position.

Cut 4 (10)  “…accurate elections.”

The Heritage Foundation ranks Louisiana ranks 6^th in the nation for election integrity, and Landry says she wants to take the state to the top of the list. Current Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin announced last month that he will not seek re-election.

Landry says replacing outdated voting machines is key to improving the state’s ranking and it’s best if new machines have a paper component in addition to electronic.

Cut 5 (09)   “…right now.”

The Lafayette native attended LSU and LSU Law School and represented House District 31 from 2008 – 2019. Landry says it’s important with a Presidential election in 2024, that the next Secretary of State has election experience.

Cut 6 (13)  “…and the experience.”

Speaker of the House Clay Schexnayder, south Louisiana businessman Brandon Trosclair, and PSC Commissioner Mike Francis have also announced their intentions to run for Secretary of State.

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A bill that would have barred ANYONE under 21 from entering a bar moves forward but with significant changes. In its current form, bar owners would be accountable for bad acts done to or committed by underage patrons to whom they serve alcohol. Speaking to a senate committee in support of Franklinton Senator Beth Mizell’s bill was Lauren LeBlanc, godmother of 19-year-old Madison Brooks, the LSU student who died after an excessive night of drinking at a Tigerland bar. She asks members to pass the legislation…:

Cut 7 (11) “…consume alcohol.”

Brooks was with four men – three of them underage – at a Tigerland bar, where investigators say she was served at least 20 drinks. Reggie’s Bar has a reputation for serving persons under 21 and recently lost their liquor license permanently over the Brooks case. Ms. LeBlanc says it’s time for lawmakers to crack down on bar owners…:

Cut 8 (09) “…done for profit.”

Mizell’s original bill sought to bar ANYONE under 21 from being served, from entering a bar at all, and from working in bars. She voluntarily amended the bill to make bar owners who serve (or over-serve) minors accountable for deaths, injuries, and damage done by intoxicated underage customers. Mizell says fines for offenses would start at $5000 and go as high as $15-thousand for subsequent offenses. It would also grant survivors the right to civil action…:

Cut 9 (10)  “…do it illegally.”

Under Mizell’s amended bill, persons 18 to 20 could still enter bars and even work at a bar. She says, however, bar owners are not required to permit either of those things…:

Cut 10 (09) “…choice they make.” 

The bill passes the Senate Judiciary B Committee and moves to the Senate floor.

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The House Ways and Means Committee approves legislation to increase taxes on vapor products and electronic cigarettes and dedicates the first $22 million raised annually for State Police pay raises. Covington Representative Paul Hollis is honored to carry this bill through the legislature.

Cut 11 (12)  “…this tax.”

The state imposed an excise tax at a rate of $0.05 per milliliter on consumable vapor products in 2015 but the new bill changes the rate to 15% of the retail selling price of vape products. State Police Superintendent Lamar Davis says is growing problems due to pay disparity.

Cut 12 (10)    “…we pay.” 

The average salary for a State Trooper after their first year is nearly $51,000. With an increase in mass shootings and crime across the nation, Davis urged lawmakers to consider the sacrifices officers make on a daily basis.

Cut 13 (07) “…them enough.” 

The bill heads to the House.

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A bill to prohibit the instruction or discussion of sexual orientation and gender identity in public schools passed in the House after an hour-long debate. Critics refer to the legislation as the “Don’t Say, Gay Bill.” Bill author Houghton Representative Dodie Horton…

Cut 14 (12)  “…this is.”

A former teacher and New Orleans Representative Candace Newell spoke in opposition to the bill. She says merely prohibiting the discussion tells trans and gay students they don’t matter.

Cut 15 (10)  “…against them.”

Chalmette Representative Ray Garofalo supported the bill and says teachers should only be teaching the basics, reading, writing, and arithmetic.

Cut  16 (12)  “…the students.” 

The bill passed in the House 67 to 28 and advances to the upper chamber.

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LSU men’s basketball coach Matt McMahon has been busy in the transfer portal as he tries to bring a winning product to Baton Rouge. He’s officially signed four transfers, three of them are Louisiana natives from the Baton Rouge area, Jordan Wright, Jalen Cook and Carlos Stewart. After going 2-and-16 in the SEC last season, McMahon knew he needed some veteran players to jump start the program…

Cut 17 (22) “.this spring”

LSU struggled to score last season. McMahon says the four transfer players he’s brought in are guys who can score…

Cut 18 (24) “..this past season”

LSU is also expected to add six-foot-ten center Hunter Dean from Mandeville. Dean averaged nine points and six rebounds a game for George Washington last season.

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former Ragin Cajuns cornerback and New Iberia native Trey Amos has committed to Alabama. LSU targeted Amos who is considered one of the better players in the transfer portal. Wilson Alexander covers LSU football for the Advocate and he says Amos would have been a nice addition…

Cut 19 (24) “…might have helped.“

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Parents would have to sign a consent form in order for a school official to use corporal punishment on their child under a bill approved by the House. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (30)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo”

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Louisiana fentanyl overdoses were up by 41.6% last year compared to 2019 so, the Louisiana Department of Health has launched a campaign to raise awareness about the alarming rates of overdoses in the state. Teiko Foxx has more.

Cut 2 (32)  “….I’m Teiko Foxx” 

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A parent would have to sign a consent form allowing school officials to use corporal punishment on their child under a bill approved by the Louisiana House. This is Metairie Representative Stephanie Hilferty’s third attempt in trying to pass such legislation…

Cut 3 (13) “….consent to it.”

A report from last school year shows 19 school systems still allow paddling in schools. Hilferty’s bill heads to the Senate after it passed the lower chamber on a 74-21 vote.

New Iberia Representative Blake Miguez believes the legislation should allow parents to opt out of corporal punishment instead of opt in…

Cut 4 (08)  “…consequence” 

Corporal punishment was widely used in public schools in the 19th and 20th centuries, but Amite Representative Robbie Carter says this method of discipline is outdated

Cut 5 (10) “…don’t you agree”

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Legislation that would require the national motto “In God We Trust” to be displayed in every school classroom in public schools across the state was approved by the House in a 98-4 vote. Haughton Representative Dodie Horton says it’s not pushing religion on anyone.

Cut 6 (08)  “…my goal.” 

Legislation was passed in 2018 by Senator Regina Barrow requiring the motto to be placed at every public school. An opponent of the bill, Gretna Representative Joe Marino says the bill could be seen as promoting a particular religious belief.

Cut 7 (09)  “…every book.” 

The bill does not require public funds to be spent on purchasing the displays. Instead, public school governing authorities, management boards, and institutions may spend their funds or accept donated displays. Horton says there are no penalties and no burdens on taxpayers.

Cut 8 (08)  “…donated it.” 

The bill now heads to the Senate.

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The Louisiana Department of Health has launched a statewide campaign to raise awareness of the dangers of the powerful opioid fentanyl and actions everyone can take to save lives. Governor John Bel Edwards has proclaimed today as Fentanyl Awareness Day in Louisiana. State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter says Louisiana overdose rates are well ahead of national averages.

Cut 9 (12) “….highly lethal.”

The number of fatal fentanyl overdoses in Louisiana has increased sharply since 2019. In 2022, 64.9% of suspected drug-related fatalities in Louisiana involved fentanyl – that was up from 41.6% of fatalities in 2019. Kanter says just 2 milligrams can trigger a lethal overdose.

Cut 10 (10) “…of fentanyl” 

Slidell Senator Sharon Hewitt proposed a bill that would increase penalties for individuals convicted of producing drugs containing fentanyl with a first conviction of 10-to-40 years in prison, with at least ten years without parole and up to a $50,000 fine.

The miracle drug Naloxone (Narcan) helps save lives by reversing an overdose. Kanter says knowing the signs can help save lives.

Cut 11 (09)  “… weak breathing.”

In support of Fentanyl Awareness Day, LDH has partnered with Louisiana Radio Network to air public service announcements educating about the dangers of fentanyl and the availability of Naloxone. Visit opiodhelpla.org for information about fentanyl and resources.

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Legislation to make burglary of an inhabited dwelling a crime of violence advances from Senate Judiciary C. The bill already cleared the House 73 to 28. Bill author Jefferson Parish Representative Debbie Villio says single women with children are the most popular victims of this crime and guns are usually what’s stolen.

Cut 12 (12) “…life-long.” 

Baton Rouge Senator Regina Barrow says while she applauds the intent of the bill, she worries it could lead to a slippery slope because of the bias in some courtrooms.

Cut 13 (10) “…young and dumb.” 

Some lawmakers argue burglary of an inhabited dwelling isn’t a crime of violence if the victim is never impacted physically. Villio believes otherwise.

Cut 14 (12)  “…of violence.”

The bill advances from the committee to the Senate on a 4 to 2 vote.