Third-grade students in Louisiana may be required to take literacy screenings in order to be promoted to the fourth grade if the bill is passed on the House Floor.

Cut 1 (33)  “I’m Teiko Foxx.”

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A bill to give cops the right to tell you “stay back” while they do their jobs advances out of a House Committee. More from Kevin Gallagher…:

Cut 2 (30)  “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

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A bill to prohibit transgender procedures on minors advances from the House Health and Welfare Committee. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 3 (33)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

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A proposed bill that prohibits the promotion of third-graders who can not read proficiently was approved by House Education with a 7 – 3 vote. Sponsor of the bill – Mandeville Representative Richard Nelson says Louisiana is among the top ten states with the lowest literacy performance.

Cut 4 (11)  “…at it.”

Statewide more than 15,000 third graders failed below reading on grade level based on a literacy screener administered last year. 75% of fourth graders in Louisiana can not read based on national test results. Nelson birthed the bill when he realized his child had a reading impediment. Addressing the committee, Nelson’s wife, Ashley says imaging this bill in any other concept would be:…

Cut 5 (11)   “…the water.”

Nelson says his bill mirrors a Mississippi legislation that was passed in 2013. If the screening determines the child has a reading deficiency, the student would have three attempts to determine promotion to fourth grade. Shreveport Representative Tammy Phelps expressed concern over the present law and the proposed bill.

Cut 6 (12)  “…we have.”

The bill heads to the House floor.

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The House Criminal Justice Committee advances a bill that would give police the right to say “stay back” while they do their job and establish a 25-foot safe zone between them. Pineville Rep. Mike Johnson is the bill sponsor. He tells committee members his bill is a safety measure and allows cops to take preventive steps for his or her own safety and the safety of an approaching citizen…:

Cut 7 (12) “…of a misdemeanor.”

Johnson says people have been hurt for walking up on a cop doing his job, who didn’t know that person’s intentions and cops have been hurt and even killed in similar encounters. Opponents of the bill worried it will prevent people from being able to video police. Citizen and attorney Allison McCrery says the bill’s 25-foot buffer zone means witnesses will have limited sight, and oversight, of police actions…:

Cut 8 (05) “…that far away.”

Johnson says the bill would apply only IF the officer asked or instructed you to stay back, and would not totally prevent approaching an officer – say to ask for help. Johnson says the bill’s language does not mention videotaping officers the 25-foot buffer zone is still plenty close for cell phone video…:

Cut 9 (07)  “…not accurate.”

Violators could get fines and possible jail time. By a vote of 8-to-1, the bill moves to the House floor for debate.

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Legislation to prohibit transgender procedures on minors advances from the House Health and Welfare Committee. Pollock Representative Gabe Firment’s bill is entitled the Save Adolescents from Experimentation Act. The Republican says several European nations that pioneered gender reassignment surgery have reversed course.

Cut 10 (09) “… and surgeries.” 

New Orleans Pediatric Psychologist Clifton Mixon testified before committee members in opposition to the bill. He says healthcare professionals try every alternative possible before performing such procedures and prohibiting them will have dire consequences.

Cut 11 (10)  “…your hands.”

Firment says surrounding states and other conservative southern states have passed similar laws and Louisiana should also.

Cut 12 (10)    “…our kids.” 

Proponents of the bill say physicians are grooming children to have the costly procedures merely for greed and social media is what’s causing children to be trans. Olivia Gowan, a transgender woman, refuted the argument and told committee members she was a transgender child in the 90s long before social media.

Cut 13 (11) “…time’s up.” 

Committee Chair Larry Bagley, who lost his wife to suicide, quickly dismissed Gowan. The bill passed in committee on a 14 to 3 vote and advances to the full House.

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Legislation to make it legal to bury your pet’s cremated remains in the owner’s coffin passes in the House. After receiving pushback from the Cemetery Association last year, Minden Rep Wayne McMahen pulled the bill. But this year the former veterinarian says they are backing the legislation.

Cut 14 (09)  “…associations.”

The bill also makes it legal to have pet cremated remains declared as personal property.

Amite Representative Robby Carter questioned McMahen about the size of one’s pet.

Cut 15 (13)  “…about a pound.”

House Bill 248 passed in the House 98-0 and heads to a Senate committee.

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LSU fans no longer have to worry about quarterback Garrett Nussmeier transferring. The window to enter the transfer portal for the spring closed on Sunday and Nussmeier remains on LSU’s roster. Shea Dixon with on-three-dot-com says LSU is set at quarterback as Jaiden Daniels will start this season and Nussmeier could be your starter in 2024 and 2025…

Cut  16 (16)  “…right now” 

A lot of college football players are jumping into the transfer portal when they don’t get immediate playing time, but Dixon says Nussmeier has been committed to LSU…

Cut 17 (15) “…never wavered.”

The window has closed for players to enter the transfer portal, but players in the portal can still sign at another school. U-L Lafayette star cornerback Trey Amos got in the portal over the weekend and Dixon says LSU is very interested…

Cut 18 (18) “…with the Gators”

A police officer was shot when gunfire erupted this morning at a gas station in Bossier City. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (28)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

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The House Governmental Affairs Committee approves legislation that would raise the annual pay for state lawmakers to 40-thousand dollars. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (31)  “….I’m Jeff Palermo” 

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A 16-year-old was killed Monday evening in Natchitoches and two other teens were injured. Corporal John Greely with Natchitoches Police says around 8:16 they received several calls of gunshots in the area of Stella and Northern Streets.

Cut 3 (07) “….gunshot victim.”

The 16-year-old victim, who was the driver of the vehicle, had multiple gunshot wounds.

Greely says investigators also learned there were two other juveniles in the vehicle that crashed on Stella Street.

Cut 4 (07)  “…happened.” 

One of the teens was transported to a Shreveport hospital with non-life-threatening injuries and the other teen has been released from the hospital. Police are asking anyone with information to call Crimestoppers.

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The fatal shooting of a man in downtown Alexandria Sunday night sparks concern about public safety before its annual AlexRiverFete event. Mayor Jacques Roy says this was an isolated incident that started at a private party.

Cut 5 (12) “…a death.”

Roy posted a video to Facebook Monday night sharing details of the incident and reminding citizens downtown remains one of the safest parts of the city. The shooting occurred near the intersection of Third Street and Johnston Street – adjacent to the Mini Park just a block away from City Hall.

He says youth crime and illegal guns are out of control around the nation and despite the recent event, security will be beefed up in Downtown Alexandria for the AlexRiverFete.

Cut 6 (13)  “…feel safety.” 

Alexandria Police Chief Chad Gremillion echoed Roy on the festival security.

Cut 7 (12)  “…presence in place.” 

AlexRiverFete is Alexandria’s largest downtown event and is this weekend. No details were released on the victim’s identity or if any arrests were made.

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The House Governmental Affairs Committee approves a bill that would raise the annual salary for state lawmakers from 16,800 to about 40-thousand dollars. Gretna Representative Joe Marino says many legislators are leaving because the time commitment does not match the pay…

Cut 8 (08)  “…than this” 

The bill passed on an eight to four vote and it needs review from House Appropriations, since it’s an added cost for the state.

Lawmakers have not received a boost in annual pay since 1980. In 2008, then Governor Bobby Jindal vetoed a legislative pay raise bill because of public pressure.  Marrero Representative Rodney Lyons says he surveyed his constituents and they support a higher salary for legislators…

Cut 9 (10) “….and vary.”

Pineville Representative Mike Johnson voted against the legislation as he says service is about sacrifice…

Cut 10 (14) “…we run” 

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An arrest is imminent for two suspects who ran over a 9-year-old girl while fleeing an attempted carjacking at Love’s Truck Stop Monday evening. Minden Police Chief Jared McIver says when the father of the child went inside with his youngest, his teenage daughters were in the car when the suspects tried to take the vehicle. The father ran out to stop it and his 9-year-old daughter followed.

Cut 11 (07)  “…take out.”

McIver says they are looking for two black males in a white stolen U-Haul pick-up truck, with the U-Haul stickers removed.

In the chaotic scene, McIver says fortunately a physician was able to assist the child at the scene after she was run over by the pick-up truck.

Cut 12 (08) “…airlifted.” 

The child was taken to LSU Ochsner in Shreveport with several broken bones but is expected to recover.

McIver says video footage from the truck stop is extremely difficult to watch.

Cut 13 (10) “…deserve.” 

The suspects are also believed to be involved in an armed robbery with the same stolen vehicle.

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State Troopers have arrested a Church Point man involved in the fatal hit-and-run death of a bicyclist who was found on Highway 93 in Sunset on Sunday. 32-year-old Clay Richard was arrested last night and charged in the death of 59-year-old Randy Thibodeaux. State Trooper Thomas Gossen says the suspect was arrested a short distance from the scene of the accident.

Cut 14 (07)  “…under suspension”

Thibodeaux was riding his bicycle north of 356 near Wild Rose Road when he was struck by a vehicle. He was found in a ditch by a family member who last reported seeing Thibodeaux on Friday. Gossen says the arrest was the result of a tip from a concerned citizen.

Cut 15 (08) “…solve these cases.”

Impairment is unknown but a standard toxicology sample was submitted. The crash remains under investigation.

Owners of Mandina’s Restaurant in New Orleans made the difficult decision to reopen today three days after one of their employees was gunned down while serving tables outside the restaurant Friday evening. Teiko Foxx has more.

Cut 1 (30)  “…I’m Teiko Foxx.”

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New Orleans, Shreveport, and Baton Rouge rank 8^th, 9^th, and 10^th in MoneyGeek’s list of America’s Most Dangerous Cities. Brooke Thorington.

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

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Mandina’s Restaurant in New Orleans re-opened today as New Orleans Police Officers continue to search for gunmen involved in the murder of one of their employees Friday night. Twenty-three-year-old Hilbert Walker III was killed outside the popular eatery located on Canal Street. NOPD Superintendent Michelle Woodfork says officers were dispatched to Mandina’s after gunfire erupted.

Cut 3 (05) “….the scene.”

The incident occurred on the opening day of the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, the city’s biggest music festival. Two individuals pulled up to the restaurant in a vehicle and shot Walker while he was serving customers dining outside. Woodfork says NOPD wants to let the public know this was an isolated incident.

Cut 4 (10)  “…the festival.” 

A female tourist from Chicago was inside the restaurant when she was hit by a stray bullet. An armed security guard on site returned fire during the incident.

Cut 5 (04) “…active investigation.”

The Louisiana Restaurant Association is assisting Mandina’s staff by connecting them with trauma counseling services.

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The state’s three most populated cities are among MoneyGeek’s Top Ten List of the Most Dangerous Cities in the Country. 2021 FBI data was used for the rankings and LSU Health New Orleans Criminologist Dr. Peter Scharf says if violent crime isn’t addressed it will only create more problems for Louisiana.

Cut 6 (05)  “…lost cities.” 

New Orleans ranked 8^th in the study, followed by Shreveport and Baton Rouge.

Scharf says the state’s poverty rate is a major contributing factor and unfortunately selling drugs is one of the easiest ways to supplement one’s income. Scharf says you have to look at the political response to crime from both the state and local governments.

Cut 7 (11)  “…level of crime.” 

It’s an election year, and Scharf says instead of candidates talking about crime we need to know exactly what they’ll do to address it. He cautions if the plan is to increase arrests to build the prison population because in the past Louisiana topped the list of the most arrests, incarcerations, and murders.

Cut 8 (11)  “…been here.” 

St. Louis topped the list of the most dangerous cities, followed by Mobile, Birmingham, and Baltimore. Memphis ranked 5th; Memphis, Detroit, and Cleveland rounded off the top 10.

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Lawmen in St. Landry Parish seek the person who hit and killed a bicyclist, then drove away. State Police Troop I spokesman Thomas Gossen says it appears to have happened Friday evening along state Highway 93, near Sunset…:

Cut 9 (11) “….in the ditch.”

Gossen says 59-year-old Randy Thibodeaux was last seen Friday by family members. Authorities were notified, after he was located alongside the highway Sunday by a family member who’d been searching for him…:

Cut 10 (12) “…let us know.” 

Trooper Gossen says, based on evidence collected at the scene, they are seeking a metallic-colored or gray Honda Accord 2-door, likely model year 2013-15…:

Cut 11 (12)  “…law enforcement agency.”

Again, Troop I’s phone number for tips: 337-262-5880

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The House Appropriations Committee is taking a different approach to funding proposed teacher pay raises. Chairman Jerome Zeringue says instead of providing more money in the state budget for teacher salaries, the panel proposes using state funds to pay down debt in the teacher retirement system, freeing up funds for local school systems to give teachers a raise

Cut 12 (04) “…those funds.” 

The House Appropriations Committee sent a proposed budget to the House floor that does NOT contain 197-million dollars in K-through-12 public school teacher pay raises. It also has less dollars for higher education and early childhood education that the governor proposed. While speaking to the Baton Rouge Press Club, Governor Edwards got word of what House Republicans are proposing…

Cut 13 (08) “…in the process.” 

Speaking of funding, Governor Edwards was asked about LSU women’s basketball coach Kim Mulkey’s recent comments that it’s time to build a new basketball arena or dramatically renovate Pete Maravich Assembly Center. Edwards says there are other buildings on LSU’s campus that need replacement too…

Cut 14 (12)  “…new library”

There have been numerous reports on the poor condition of LSU’s main library.