Lawmakers have approved a bill that would require third graders to pass a reading test to advance to the fourth grade. Jeff Palermo has the story….

Cut 1 (32)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo.” 

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Restore Louisiana announces homeowners affected by Hurricanes Laura, Delta, and Ida and the May 2021 severe storms have until August 1st to complete a survey in order to receive rebuilding grant money. Teiko Foxx has more…

Cut 2 (33)  “….I’m Teiko Foxx ”  

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EPA announces a $480,000 grant to DEQ to establish an air monitoring site in St. James Parish. Congressman Troy Carter says the people of St. James Parish are impacted by air pollution.

Cut 3 (13) “…and community.”

LDEQ received $450,000 to establish a temporary community air monitoring site targeted toward communities on the west side of the Mississippi River known as “cancer alley.: Carter says they want to make sure the community is safe.

Cut 4 (10)  “…the air.” 

Equipment at the site will produce near-real-time data on certain pollutants affecting air quality. Community groups, churches, local governments, and other partners can access the data to understand air quality. Carter says there’s still work to do, however…

Cut 5 (09)  “…punish them.

Primary funding came from the American Rescue Plan. The grant is part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s Investing in America agenda.

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The Senate has given final legislative approval to a bill that attempts to improve reading scores. The legislation would require third graders to pass a reading test in April in order to to be promoted to the fourth grade. Franklinton Senator Beth Mizell…

Cut 6 (12)  “…be retained.” 

The legislation gives third graders three chances to pass the literacy test. Students diagnosed with dyslexia and kids still learning English could still be promoted to the fourth grade. Gonzales Senator Ed Price voted against the bill as he believes it’s an unfunded mandate…

Cut 7 (07)  “…fund it.” 

Mississippi has a similar program and they’ve seen an increase in reading scores. Louisiana has among the lowest literacy rates in the nation and Mizell says if the state can improve a child’s ability to read, it will lead to better outcomes later in life…

Cut 8 (09)  “… we see” 

The measure heads to the governor’s desk. If Governor John Bel Edwards signs the bill, the first literacy tests for promotion will be administered in April 2025.

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Hours after releasing a photo of suspects wanted in connection with the Sunday evening fire at the Covington Walmart, two teens were arrested. State Fire Marshal Office spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue says it was the Northshore community that responded quickly which led to the arrests…

Cut 9 (12) “…from Covington.”

(The two suspects are a 15 and 17-year-old boys. )

The blaze caused extensive damage to Walmart and the store is closed at this time. In addition to endangering the lives of more than 200 people that were in the store Sunday night, Rodrigue says there are even more repercussions…

Cut 10 (10) “…frequently.”

Rodrigue says they tend to see more cases involving juveniles and fire over the summer break. She encourages parents to make it clear that fire is not a toy whatsoever.

Cut 11 (08)  “…out of trouble.”

The suspects were booked into the Florida Parishes Juvenile Detention Center. Charges include Aggravated Arson, Conspiracy to Commit Aggravated Arson, along with Manufacture and Possession of a Delayed Action Incendiary Device. 

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The Louisiana Office of Community Development sets a deadline of August 1 for homeowners affected by Hurricanes Laura, Delta, and Ida and the May 2021 severe storms to complete the initial survey to participate in the Restore Louisiana Program. Executive Director Pat Forbes says there are still thousands of homeowners statewide who have not completed the survey.

Cut 12 (13) “…be eligible.” 

Restore LA provides grant funding to homeowners affected by the 2020-21 disasters for home repair, reconstruction, and/or reimbursement for repairs already completed. Forbes says the program expanded its criteria for homeowners to qualify.

Cut 13 (13) “…reimburse you.” 

Since launching in February 2022, more than 22 thousand homeowners have submitted the survey. Forbes urges homeowners to complete the survey even if they don’t believe they qualify.

Cut 14 (08)  “…the survey.”

Affected homeowners can complete the survey at restore.la.gov or call 866-735-2001.

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Legislation seeking to allow non-felon adults to conceal carry a firearm without a permit is dead for the legislative session. Oil City Representative Danny McCormick decided to pull it from consideration, because of amendments senators were proposing to put on the bill…

Cut 15 (12) “…defer it”

That was McCormick speaking before Senate Revenue and Fiscal Affairs. Alexandria Senator Jay Luneau wanted to add an amendment to make sure training would still be required to conceal carry. Luneau says at a gun store in his district, he saw a young man interested in purchasing a handgun, but told the gun shop owner he didn’t know how to load it…

Cut  16 (08)  “…else does”

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.