A bill dubbed the “Stay Back” bill is headed for the Governor’s desk. Kevin Gallagher has more…:

Cut 1 (32)  “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

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A bill to increase penalties for fentanyl possession received final passage, but a law professor thinks it’s all for show. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 2 (31)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

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Nearing final passage is a bill that bans gender-affirming health care for transgender minors. Teiko Foxx has more…

Cut 3 (40)  “….I’m Teiko Foxx.”

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A House bill giving police the power to tell you “stay back” while they do their job wins final legislative passage in the state Senate. Pineville Rep. Mike Johnson’s bill was represented on the Senate floor by Natchitoches Senator Louie Bernard, who says the bill just seeks to assist law enforcement officers in carrying out their duties…:

Cut 4 (11)  “…people stand back.’”

HB 85 would establish that, if a cop tells you to stay back, you must comply and maintain at least 25-feet distance or face fines. Among those opposed was Democrat Senator Royce Duplessis, of New Orleans, who says the bill is potentially unconstitutional, because of the question of distance. He says it is also already addressed in state law…:

Cut 5 (08)   “…law enforcement investigation.”

Bernard says the statute Duplessis cites applies to Obstruction of Justice, and doesn’t apply in everyday police work. Bernard asks Senators for their vote for the bill, as a way to avoid misunderstandings between citizens and LEOs that can sometimes get out of hand…:

Cut 6 (10)  “…please back up.”

The measure passed by a 29-10 vote. It goes now to Governor John Bel Edwards for his signature…or veto.

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Attorney General candidate and Crowley Representative John Stefanski’s bill to increase the penalties for fentanyl possession received final passage and awaits the governor’s signature. But LSU Law Center criminal law professor Dr. Ken Levy says it’s simply a repeat of the “War on Drugs” from the 80s.

Cut 7 (09) “…mass incarceration.”

For the first offense of possession of 250 grams or more, the penalty is life in prison and at least 35 years without parole, probation, or suspension of sentence.

Levy says it’s merely Stefanski being lazy and using the legislation to say he’s tough on crime. Instead of passing laws to increase penalties, Levy says the root cause of drug use needs to be the focus instead.

Cut 8 (13) “…to address.”

The original bill would have sent individuals convicted of 28 grams or more to life in prison but was raised to 250 grams. Levy says it’s merely smoke and mirrors and won’t resolve the issue.

Cut 9 (08)  “…are suffering.”

Stefanski is one of three Republicans in the Attorney General race.

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On a 29-10 vote, the Louisiana Senate approves legislation that would ban gender-affirming medical care for transgender youth. Monroe Senator Jay Morris argued for passage of the measure, saying it will protect children from life-altering medical procedures…

Cut 10 (13) “…protect kids.”

Opponents of the legislation point to a Louisiana Department of Health report that found only a few dozen Medicaid-enrolled minors received gender-affirming care between 2017 to 2021. And Alexandria Senator Jay Luneau says there have been no surgeries…

Cut 11 (08)  “…heard of it.”

But Republicans in the Louisiana Senate expressed concern about children receiving hormone replacement therapy and puberty blockers which could do long-term damage. Lake Charles Senator Jeremy Stine…

Cut 12 (08)    “…might outgrow.” 

The legislation would take effect January 1st. The measure heads back to the House for agreement on a Senate to change to the bill. Governor Edwards could veto it, but lawmakers could override the veto in an override session.

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A legislative proposal that supporters say would make it clear in the state constitution that slavery is prohibited in Louisiana fails to get the two-thirds vote needed in the Senate in order for the measure to appear on the October 14th ballot. Gonzales Senator Eddie Lambert voted “no”…

Cut 13 (09) “…constitution.”  

The United States abolished slavery in 1865. In a conversation with Baton Rouge Senator Cleo Fields, Lambert says he does not believe the state constitution needs to be changed when it comes to prohibiting slavery…

Cut 14 (13)  “…from everybody.”

Baton Rouge Representative Edmond Jordan proposed the change to the state constitution. Jordan says the state constitution says slavery and involuntary servitude are illegal but include exceptions for forced convict labor. But Lambert argued the constitution is clear that slavery is illegal…

Cut 15 (09)  “…than this”

Several states have amended their state constitutions to make it clear that involuntary servitude and slavery are prohibited.

The vote was 21-16 in favor of the measure, but it needed 26 yes votes to pass.

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The fifth-seeded LSU Tigers are Super Regional Bound after beating Oregon State 13 to 7 yesterday at Alex Box Stadium in Baton Rouge. The Tigers had 19 hits and hit four home runs. Redshirt junior catcher Hayden Travinski had three hits including a solo home run in the fifth inning….

Cut  16 (15)  “..number is called”

For a second straight day, Travinski and Cade Beloso hit back-to-back home runs. Dylan Crews also homered for a second straight day and had three more hits on Monday. The SEC Player of the Year has a career .463 batting average in NCAA Tournament games…

Cut 17 (16) “…try to do” 

LSU won the Baton Rouge Regional by outscoring Tulane and Oregon State 26-14. After some struggles on the mound for much of May, the pitching staff has improved. Coach Jay Johnson on what he’s seeing from his relievers…

Cut 18 (17) “..next pitch.”

Johnson also confirmed his pitching coach, Wes Johnson, no relation, is leaving the program at the end of the season to be the new head coach at Georgia. Jay Johnson says Wes Johnson will be missed..

Cut 19 (19) “…great matchup.” 

LSU will play Kentucky in a best-of-three super regional series that will start in Baton Rouge on either Friday or Saturday.

State lawmakers have approved a new law that will give more people convicted of a DWI the option to have a breath monitoring device in their vehicle. Brooke Thorington has more

Cut 1 (31)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

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With just days left in the legislative session, the House and Senate are working toward a compromise on the revenue-surplus-heavy state budget. Jeff Palermo has more…:

Cut 2 (33)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo”

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LSU Tigers endure a three hour weather delay and a three-run deficit to beat Oregon State six to five on Sunday to move on win away from a Super Regional berth. Jeff Palermo has more..

Cut 3 (29)  “….I’m Jeff Palermo”

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Beginning in August, individuals convicted of driving drunk with a blood alcohol content of .15 or higher can use a monitoring device in their vehicle to prevent them from driving under the influence again. Current law only allows a DWI offender to get a monitoring device to reinstate their license if they had a BAC of .20 or higher. Government Relations for Mothers Against Drunk Driving in Louisiana Mary-Patricia Wray this law could prevent repeat offenders…

Cut 4 (10)  “…second offense.’”

Wray says the new law aligns Louisiana with 46 other states.

Cut 5 (04)   “…30 to 70 percent.”

And by revising the law and lowering the BAC it gives DWI defendants the option to use the device to remove the 30 to 45-day waiting period to drive again.

Cut 6 (07)  “…behavior.”

DWI-related fatalities in Louisiana increased by 32 percent between 2020 and 2021.

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An LSU Health of New Orleans School of Public Health and Medicine study finds that diet and nutrition are linked to HPV infection leading to cervical cancer in women. Professor of Biostatistics Hui-Yi Lin (hugh-yee-lin) says women who consumed less Vitamin A, B2, E, and folate are at higher risk.

Cut 7 (12) “…HPV infection.”

Nearly 41% of women aged 15 to 59 will be diagnosed with an HPV infection. Lin says HPV is common but a healthy diet can help the body respond against cancer.

Cut 8 (11) “…persist”

Lin says a large percentage of US do not eat well. She says the study shows 43% of women do not eat any greens and beans, 28% do not eat whole fruits, and these are foods that can help prevent an HPV infection from leading to cervical cancer..

Cut 9 (12)  “…woman health.”

Lin says most HPV infections are asymptotic and resolve within two years, some persist and progress to cervical cancer.

The study included data from more than 10,000 women from the 2003-2016 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Cervical cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death for women aged 20-39 in the U.S.

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With just days left in the legislative session, the House and Senate are still haggling over the budget for next fiscal year. House Bill 1 must be passed before Thursday evening when lawmakers are required to adjourn, but “LAPolitics.com” publisher Jeremy Alford says the two chambers are at odds over what to do with about $2.2-billion in surplus revenue…:

Cut 10 (11) “…one time needs.”

But, Alford says, the state House sent the Senate a budget bill that takes a much more frugal approach…:

Cut 11 (12)  “…other side does”

The Senate Finance Committee poured over HB1 and proposed amendments over the weekend, before sending the bill to the Senate floor, where it’s likely to be debated today.

Whatever changes are made in the Senate must be concurred upon by House members before the budget can be sent to the Governor. If the House doesn’t agree to Senate changes, the budget bill will be worked out by a conference committee of House and Senate members. Alford say the House & Senate have worked well together thus far, and he’s anxious to see how the next few days play out…:

Cut 12 (09)    “…at the Capitol.” 

Failure to pass a budget by Thursday’s 6 PM deadline, would require lawmakers to go into a special session.

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LSU baseball is one win away from advancing to the Super Regionals after rallying back from a three-run deficit to beat Oregon State six to five. Not only did the Tigers have to overcome a pesky Beavers baseball team, they also had to endure a three-hour weather delay. Coach Jay Johnson says Thatcher’s Hurd five inning, 12 strikeout performance was huge…

Cut 13 (10) “…country tonight.”  

The game was tied at five when Brayden Jobert launched a solo home run to give LSU the lead for good. The Slidell native says it was a great feeling…

Cut 14 (11)  “…a win.”

If LSU wins one more game today, they head to the Super Regionals for the first time since 2021. Jobert says today is the most important day of the year….

Cut 15 (04)  “…our job.”

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The Ragin Cajuns season ended yesterday in Coral Gables with an eight-to-five loss to eighth-ranked Miami. UL Lafayette won 41 games and Coach Matt Deggs says it’s a hard team to let go of…

Cut  16 (16)  “..weren’t able to finish” 

The Cajuns fell behind 3-0 in the elimination game against the Hurricanes, but UL-Lafayette battled and had the tying run at the plate in the bottom of the ninth. Right fielder Heath Hood says this team never quit…

Cut 17 (27) “…last out” 

The Ragin Cajuns were trying to get the College World Series for the second time in program history and the first since 2000. Deggs believes this team had the talent to do it…

Cut 18 (15) “..this tournament.”