A bill to require insurance companies to pay fertility preservation costs for cancer patients has been filed for the upcoming session. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (32)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

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LSU says its women’s national basketball team will go to the White House once they receive an invitation, despite some hurt feelings from a statement made by First Lady Jill Biden. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (31)  “….I’m Jeff Palermo” 

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It’s Easter weekend and while we’ll admit they are awfully cute, getting a baby chick and or bunny for a pet isn’t the best idea. Humane Society of Louisiana director Jeff Dorson says shelters and veterinarians see an influx of rabbits and chicks after the holiday that are surrendered and in poor health.

Cut 3 (12) “…your money.”

In many cases, Dorson says state wildlife has to retrieve them because owners abandon them in the wild and they are unable to fend for themselves.

Dorson says whenever you give a child an animal and you expect them to care for it, he says it doesn’t end well because children forget to feed them…

Cut 4 (12)  “…please reconsider.” 

Instead of a live animal for Easter, Dorson says get a stuffed animal instead, it costs considerably less in the long run and it’s better for the chicks and bunnies.

Cut 5 (05) “…with that.”

In some areas, it’s illegal to sell them and for photographers to use them as props unless they are a licensed animal caregiver. Dorson says having live animals as props for a photo can endanger both the child and the animals.

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Baton Rouge Representative Paula Davis has filed legislation to require health insurance to pay fertility preservation costs for cancer patients whose treatment could render them sterile. Davis says she was surprised to learn it wasn’t always covered by some health insurance plans.

Cut 6 (09)  “…bill does.” 

At the request of a constituent, last year Davis presented legislation to require health insurance to pay for fertility treatment in general.

Cut 7 (08)  “…IVF bill.” 

Even though Davis’ IVF bill failed to pass last year, this bill requires coverage only for fertility preservation costs for cancer patients, and she’ll build on the legislation in the future.

Cut 8 (08)  “…cancer treatment.” 

The proposed law would be known as “The Medically Necessary Fertility Preservation Act.”

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The weather on Easter Sunday is expected to be much better than the rainy conditions we’re experiencing today. But in the meantime, State Climatologist Barry Keim says the rain and clouds will hang around until Saturday night.

Cut 9 (11) “…already occurred.”

Keim says the chances of severe weather are very small as this front moves across the state, but we should be concerned about excessive rainfall.

Cut 10 (06) “…south Louisiana.” 

In addition to clouds and drizzle the front will bring cooler temperatures. Keim says to expect lows to dip into the 60s for the next several days.

Cut 11 (06)  “…60s range.”

Keim says Sunday the rain will have moved on and to expect cloudy and cool weather for your crawfish boil or Easter egg hunt.

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A Life Extension Foundation study found Louisiana has the fourth worst outlook for life expectancy in the near future. Louisiana’s ranking is based on having the 48th best actual life expectancy at birth at 73 years and the least healthy lifestyle. Life Extension Director of Education, Dr. Michael Smith, says for two years in a row the overall average life span has declined and lifestyle is a major component.

Cut 12 (06) “…as well” 

CDC data on life expectancy showed different lifestyle measurements – bridging diet, fitness, stress, sleep, outdoor recreation, and social connection – to forecast how life expectancy is expected to trend in all 50 states and D.C. in the years to come. Smith says Louisiana ranked low along with other southern states.

Cut 13 (12) “…very well”

Lack of sleep and stress are two strong factors that decrease life expectancy.  Smith says Louisianans should include a combination of exercise, healthy eating, outdoor recreation, getting enough sleep, and decreasing anxiety are subtle steps to becoming healthy and increasing life expectancy.

Cut 14 (12)  “…that’s critical.”

The U.S. ranks No. 40 overall in the world for life expectancy. Smith says self-care is critical in raising life expectancy numbers.

A Sulphur man is accused of burglarizing a home dressed as a Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s deputy. Teiko Foxx has more…

Cut 1 (32)  “…I’m Teiko Foxx.”

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Support for coastal restoration projects is growing. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 2 (32)  “….I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

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You’ll want to keep your raincoat and umbrella handy for the next few days as a stationary front keeps showers from moving along. State climatologist Barry Keim says unfortunately it might put a damper on outside activities for the next three days.

Cut 3 (10) “…clearly rain.”

A flash flood watch is in effect for northwest Louisiana and western parishes along the Texas border until 7 o’clock Friday evening. On a positive note, Keim says severe weather is not anticipated with the front for Louisiana.

Cut 4 (11)  “…south Louisiana.” 

Keim says the entire state will most likely have rain, today, tomorrow, and Saturday. But by Sunday the front should be exiting the state and hopefully, sunrise services and other outdoor Easter activities can be enjoyed.

Cut 5 (11) “…big surprise.”

Because it’s a stationary front, Keim says it’s not moving fast enough to cause any severe weather but flash floods are a concern due to the amount of rain.

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Deputies arrested a Sulphur man after he allegedly burglarized a home in Acadia Parish while wearing a Calcasieu Parish’s Deputy jacket and badge. Authorities received a call of a suspicious person running in a field and were led to an area off Branch Highway near White Oak Highway. Acadia Sheriff KP Gibson says within minutes officers were on the scene.

Cut 6 (11)  “..these farmers.” 

During the home invasion, 33-year-old Adam Creel allegedly detained the homeowner with handcuffs and rummaged through the residence taking several items before fleeing. Gibson says they learned Creel forcefully entered the victim’s residence…

Cut 7 (08)  “…of charges.” 

Deputies are working to identify if other persons were possibly involved. Gibson says in this case local residents took extra steps to help and made a major difference.

Cut 8 (13)  “…always have.” 

Creel was charged with home invasion, a convicted felon possessing a firearm, armed robbery, obstruction of justice, false imprisonment, and impersonation of a law enforcement officer.

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Support for coastal restoration is growing in Louisiana according to a Global Strategy Group survey on behalf of Restore the Mississippi River Delta. Campaign director Simone Maloz says the survey indicates 73 percent of respondents support their efforts, that’s up from 68 percent in 2021.

Cut 9 (10) “…the future.”

For almost the last century, Louisiana has lost nearly 2,000 square miles of coastal wetlands, and 4,000 more square miles are predicted in the next 50 years without restoration projects. And when asked about sediment diversions, which is a cornerstone of the state’s Coastal Master Plan, Maloz says 80 percent of respondents are in favor of those projects.

Cut 10 (09) “…of that.” 

Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser and the St. Bernard Parish Council are among those opposed to the Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion, calling it a threat to commercial and recreational fishing. In addition to gauging the public’s support of their projects, Maloz says the survey is also shared with lawmakers and decision-makers who fund their projects.

Cut 11 (10)  “…be there.”

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A 33-year-old man from Terrebonne Parish has been charged in the death of a Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Deputy. Detective Sergeant Nicholas Pepper died last Sunday when a vehicle rammed into his during a police chase in Thibodaux. State Trooper Thomas Gossen says the suspect, 33-year-old Anthony Savoie of Bourg, was in the hospital recovering from his injuries

Cut 12 (09) “…on the charges” 

Gossen says Savoie faces several charges, including first-degree murder of a police officer…

Cut 13 (05) “…police officer”

The Terrebonne Parish District Attorney’s Office will handle the criminal proceedings. Pepper was laid to rest yesterday. He leaves behind a wife and three children.

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Three young adults were killed in a single vehicle wreck in West Monroe during the overnight hours. Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Glenn Springfield says deputies responded to the scene in the 100 block of Old Highway 15 in West Monroe…

Cut 14 (10)  “…into a tree.”

Springfield says the three victims were found dead in the vehicle. They’ve been identified as 23-year-old Keiara McCraw, 24-year-old Annesha Coleman and 22-year-old Anija Coleman. Springfield says weather may have played a factor in the fatal wreck…

Cut 15 (05) “…investigation.”