The Louisiana House approves legislation to ban gender affirming medical care for minors. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (31)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo”

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The House Criminal Justice Committee sends a bill to the House floor that would allow adults over 18 without a criminal background to conceal carry a firearm without a permit or training. Teiko Foxx has more….

Cut 2 (30)  “….I’m Teiko Foxx” 

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The Republican controlled House approved a bill that would prohibit doctors from performing gender transition procedures on minors. Pollock Representative Gabe Firment says several surrounding states have passed similar bans and several European countries also restrict gender-affirming care…

Cut 3 (12) “…surgeries”

But the American Academy of Pediatrics supports gender-affirming healthcare. New Orleans Representative Mandie Landry made the point that this point of care can be life saving for an individuals with gender dysphoria…

Cut 4 (06)  “…did you know that.” 

Gender transition procedures include hormone treatments, gender reassignment surgery or puberty blockers. Firment says these type of treatments can lead to sterilization and loss of sexual function…

Cut 5 (07) “…experimental procedures.”

But Gretna Representative Joe Marino says this legislation actually harms transgender youth…

Cut 6 (12)  “…they are loved” 

Firment’s “Stop Harming Our Kids Act” was approved on 71-24 vote mainly along party lines. It’s one of four major anti-LGBTQ bills moving through the Legislature.

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The House Criminal Justice Committee approves a bill by an 8-1 vote that would expand gun right, so non-felons 18 and older can conceal carry a gun without a permit or the training currently required to get a permit. Oil City Republican Representative Danny McCormick says the Second Amendment gives law-abiding citizens the right to do so.

Cut 7 (13)  “…same age.” 

The “constitutional carry” bill is based on the position that the U.S. Constitution allows a firearm to be carried without a permit. The legislation would also bypass background check requirements to carry a concealed weapon in Louisiana. Louisiana Association of Chiefs of Police Fabian Blache believes this will escalate the already existing problem of illegal gun violence.

Cut 8 (07)  “…officer safety.” 

Louisiana is an “open carry” state which means adults 18 and older can carry a firearm if it is visible to the public with no permit or training. LA Municipal Association Karen White raised concern that the aftermath of such a bill if approved is already proven.

Cut 9 (13) “…nine percent.”

25 states have enacted similar concealed carry expansion laws, including Arkansas, Texas, and Mississippi. McCormick says he doesn’t object to training but the type of training.

Cut 10 (10) “…to carry.”

Lawmakers passed a concealed carry bill in 2021 that was nearly identical to McCormick’s legislation, but Gov. John Bel Edwards vetoed the measure.

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A bill aimed at giving women who are imprisoned for murdering their alleged abuser a chance to be released was heavily amended in the Senate. Baton Rouge Senator Regina Barrow says the bill provides a justification defense for victims who end up killing their abuser, either through domestic violence, sexual abuse, or trafficking.

Cut 11 (11)  “…to a judge.”

The amended bill removes the possibility of retroactive relief for those who are serving a prison sentence.

Louisiana ranks among the top five states for domestic violence.

Baton Rouge Senator Franklin Foil authored an amendment to the bill after opposition from the Louisiana District Attorneys Association. The amendment removed the possibility of retroactive relief for those who are serving a prison sentence. Foil says the legislation for example would allow for a prisoner to say they were abused as a child…

Cut 12 (08) “…overturned.” 

Barrow opposed the amendment and she reiterated to lawmakers that the bill would not suddenly allow abuse survivors to suddenly walk free.

Cut 13 (09) “…this point.” 

Proponents were hoping to create a law that would allow prison sentences of abuse victims to be re-evaluated.

The bill passed unopposed and heads to the House.

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The House Governmental Affairs Committee rejected a proposal that would set up process for citizens to put an issue on the ballot for a statewide vote. Baton rouge Representative Barry Ivey voted against it over concerns of putting an issue before voters that is not vetted by state lawmakers…

Cut 14 (12)  “…certain decision.”

New Orleans Representative Mandie Landry authored the legislation. Landry believes her ballot imitative process would give voters an opportunity to put important issues up for a referendum vote…

Cut 15 (06) “…on the ballot”

Landry says with the Legislature controlled by Republicans, it’s difficult for some issues, like raising the minimum wage, to get through the legislative process. She believes there should be another option, but Ivey is concerned about making laws without elected officials input…

Cut  16 (11)  “…should maintain.”

A House-approved bill that would allow a mother to recover 50% of the out-of-pocket expenses for pregnancy-related medical costs from the father was approved by Senate Committee. Teiko Foxx has more…

Cut 1 (32)  “I’m Teiko Foxx.”

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Two bills aimed at softening the state’s all-out ban on abortions meet defeat in a House committee. Kevin Gallagher has more…:

Cut 2 (32)  “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

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The Louisiana House approves a bill to hold third graders back if they are unable to read at grade level. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 3 (31)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

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House-approved legislation that would allow the pregnant mother of a child to recover half the out-of-pocket, pregnancy-related medical expenses from the biological father was approved by Senate Committee. Abita Springs Representative Larry Frieman says the bill was created to protect pregnant women.

Cut 4 (05)  “… the father.”

The prenatal, childbirth and post-partum medical costs are estimated at around $18,000 without insurance, and out-of-pocket for those enrolled in large group insurance plans is around $3,000 according to a Kaiser Family Foundation study in 2022. The bill supported by Turkey Creek Senator Heather Cloud believes single mothers who have to bear a child should not have to bear the cost alone.

Cut 5 (08)   “…real  issue.”

After the baby is born, the mother would have two years to recover these expenses. The bill also states the mother can only recuperate monies if the paternity of the child has been proven. An advocate for women of sexual trauma, Morgan Lamandre raised concern that the bill’s preemptive period was not enough.

Cut 6 (13)  “…year period.”

Utah also has a similar bill that was passed in 2021.

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Lawmakers defer two pro-choice bills aimed at making the state’s all-out ban on abortions less onerous. House Criminal Justice chose to shelve HB 598, which would have ruled that ending a non-viable ectopic pregnancy through surgical means would not be considered an abortion. New Orleans Representative Candace Newell (New-ELL) says her bill isn’t an exception to abortion, but a pathway to saving a mother’s life from a problem pregnancy…:

Cut 7 (15) “…to their patients.”

Louisiana Right to Life director Ben Clapper tells panel members HB 598 is un-needed…:

Cut 8 (11) “…pregnancies and more.”

Another bill set aside by the committee was HB 461, which sought to clarify what bill sponsor and Slidell Representative Mary Dubuisson calls “vague, non-medical” language in the abortion law that gets in the way of OB/GYNs treating their patients. Pro-choice attorney Gwyneth O’Neal says this should be for physicians to decide; not lawmakers…:

Cut 9 (15)  “…these complications.”

Several lawmakers rejected the idea that the abortion law’s language is vague or unclear. Bossier Parish Rep. Dodie Horton was among them…:

Cut 10 (07) “…and what’s needed.” 

The committee voted to defer both bills. Pro-choice advocates say they will be back next year.

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Code for America awards the Louisiana Department of Child and Family Services with its inaugural Government Changemaker Award – for its outstanding commitment to leveraging technology to better serve Louisiana households at a summit in Washington D.C., DCFS Secretary Terri Ricks says the LA’Message pilot made a difference in the enrollment and renewal process during difficult times.

Cut 11 (12)  “…be helpful.”

DCFS collaborated with Code for America with the LA’Message pilot in 2019 which allows one-way text messages that alert recipients of critical points involving the enrollment and renewal process. Ricks says these messages may have been lifesaving as they often included vital information for households.

Cut 12 (13)    “…the pandemic” 

DCFS and Code for America are working on three projects designed to improve recipients’ experiences: a document uploader, an expanded texting campaign, and a digital assistant. Louisiana was among one the first states chosen last year to participate in Cod for America’s Safety Net Innovation Lab.

Cut 13 (13) “…national news.” 

Code for America also credited text messages sent by DCFS with helping SNAP recipients claim tax credits in outreach promoted by The White House.

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A bill to hold third graders back if they fail to pass a literacy competency test advances from the full House. Mandeville Representative Richard Nelson’s bill failed the final days of the session last year. He says this bill gives students three opportunities to pass the test…

Cut 14 (11)  “…requirements.”

Students who fail the test would receive intensive instruction and two additional opportunities to pass the test.

The legislation is modeled after a Mississippi law and New Orleans Representative Delisha Boyd questioned why Louisiana would model a program after a neighboring state’s considering its current ranking…

Cut 15 (06)  “…scoring 45th.”

Boyd argued that it isn’t the child who should be punished and held back, it’s the teachers who are failing the students.

Cut  16 (08)  “…another solution.” 

Boyd says the state needs to hire more certified teachers so students are able to read on grade level. The measure passed on an 88 to 15 vote and advances to a Senate committee.

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Former Rummel running back Logan Diggs has signed with LSU after spending the last two seasons at Notre Dame. Tigers running backs have struggled to stay on the field as John Emory, Armoni Goodwin, and Kaleb Jackson all missed time this Spring. The 22nd-ranked back in the 2021 class, The Advocate’s Wilson Alexander says Diggs will provide proven depth to a convoluted running back room…

Cut 17 (19) “…for this team.”

The Boutte, Louisiana native started eight games as a sophomore, rushing for 822 yards and four touchdowns for the Fighting Irish last season. After averaging 5 yards a carry as a feature back in the Notre Dame offense, Diggs will reunite with his former coach this summer as perhaps the most talented Tiger running back, but Alexander says he won’t take over the role…

Cut 18 (19) “…these guys.”

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 The tenth-seeded LSU softball team will host the Baton Rouge Regional this weekend featuring the Sun-Belt Champion UL-Lafayette Cajuns, Summit League Champs Omaha, and SWAC Champion Prairie View A&M. The Tigers could possibly play the 46-13 Cajuns multiple times after splitting the two-game regular season season series. Cajuns senior Karly Heath says her team felt slighted by the seeding…

Cut 19 (19) “….easier draw.” 

The Cajuns boast the 11th-best RPI in the country just two spots behind LSU and one of the toughest non-conference schedules in the nation but were not granted a home regional. With only an hour separating the two schools, Cajuns Coach Gerry Glasco is excited to face their in-state rival to the east…

Cut 20 (14)  “…of fanbases.” 

The state believes there are thousands of homeowners who suffered damage during the 2020 and 21 hurricanes but have not applied for assistance to repair or rebuild their homes through the Restore Louisiana Program. Teiko Foxx has more…

Cut 1 (30)  “…I’m Teiko Foxx”

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A truck theft in Slidell Monday involved a flipped truck going up in flames, a massive manhunt, and a hornet’s nest. Brooke Thorington has more.

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

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The state is trying to reach out to an estimated 45 thousand households who sustained damage from hurricanes in 2020 and 2021 because they could be eligible for financial assistance to rebuild or repair their homes. Executive Director for the LA Office of Community Development, Pat Forbes says there could be reasons why these individuals are not applying for assistance at restore.la.gov.

Cut 3 (12) “…some assistance.”

In October 2021, HUD allocated $600 million for all recovery efforts related to Hurricanes Laura and Delta. On March 22, 2022, a second allocation provided an additional $450 million for Hurricanes Laura and Delta recovery, bringing the total allocation for these storms to more than $1 billion. Forbes says completing the survey is the first step.

Cut 4 (11)  “…reimburse you.” 

Residents who owned their home and occupied it as a primary residence at the time of the disaster and have maintained ownership of the home since the disaster; and received a FEMA determination for repairs greater than $5,000 should complete the survey. Forbes says the program is for anyone who sustained damage and once your survey is submitted, you will be guided through the next step.

Cut 5 (13) “…for help.”

For assistance, call 866-735-2001 or visit restore.la.gov.

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A bill to remove approval from the Insurance Commissioner for rate changes passes in the full House. Breaux Bridge Representative Mike Huval says some people think allowing the commissioner to control rates is a good thing.

Cut 6 (10)  “…goes up.” 

Huval believes a free and competitive insurance market will regulate prices better than government bureaucracy and regulation.

Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon, who’s not seeking reelection, opposes the bill and New Orleans Representative Mandie Landry is skeptical of the legislation.

Cut 7 (12)  “…more irate.” 

Huval says 30 days after a rate goes into effect it can be reviewed and about two months later if deemed unlawful can be repealed.

Cut 8 (07)  “…Louisiana law.” 

House Bill 489 passed on a 56 to 23 vote and heads to a Senate committee.

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The Louisiana House has rejected two bills that attempted to curtail carbon capture projects planned for Lake Maurepas in southeast Louisiana. Prairieville Representative Tony Bacala says the legislation threatens 21-billion dollars in industrial projects…

Cut 9 (12) “…somewhere else.”

Residents who live near Lake Maurepas are concerned about plans to build carbon capture wells on the lake. Hammond Representative Nicholas Muscarello says there are many unknowns about carbon capture technology

Cut 10 (10) “…one of them” 

Carbon capturing captures carbon dioxide emissions released by a plant and stores the emissions in large wells built underneath the ground. Governor John Bel Edwards supports the technology as a way for the state to reach net zero emissions status by 2050. Bacala says new industrial development relies on carbon capture.

Cut 11 (11)  “…carbon capturing”

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A truck theft in Slidell Monday involved a massive manhunt, a crash, flames, a disturbed hornets’ nest, two officers and K-9 stung multiple times and the suspect got away. Slidell PD Public Information Officer Daniel Seuzeneau says it started when a 2005 Ford F-250 was stolen from a gym parking lot.

Cut 12 (10) “…the woods.” 

The truck burst into flames and the suspect got out and ran across the interstate and into the swamp. The suspect is still at large, and the officers and K-9 that were stung are expected to recover.

Seuzeneau says multiple law enforcement agencies responded and they searched for hours for the suspect.

Cut 13 (10) “…more leads.” 

When two of the officers and a K-9 were searching the marsh for the suspect they found a hornet’s nest instead.

Cut 14 (10)  “…of hornets.”

The officers and K-9 received medical treatment and are expected to recover.