The state’s top anti-abortion group has announced its opposition to a House bill that would charge a pregnant mother with murder if she has an abortion. Louisiana Right to Life executive director Benjamin Clapper says the legislation is inconsistent with one of their long-standing policies…
cut 30 (06) “…as a criminal”
Oil City Representative Danny McCormick’s measure would make abortions illegal in Louisiana and also charge anyone involved in the abortion with a homicide. It’s scheduled for debate on the House floor on Thursday.

Entergy is expanding a customer service call center in West Monroe which will produce 170 new jobs. Spokesperson Yovanka Daniel says hiring for the expanded customer call center will begin soon and you can apply now…:
Cut 14 (06) “…available jobs.

What does Mom want for Mother’s day? Well, a new medical study suggests it may be some extra sleep. United Healthcare-Louisiana CMO Dr. Kevin Stephens, says letting Mom sleep in can actually help her a lot…:
CUT 10(11) “…and your appetite.”
Stephens says a lack of sleep can lead to increased rates of Type 2 diabetes, obesity, and cardiovascular disease.

Ochsner Clinic started Louisiana’s first regional cardiac electrophysiology program in the mid-80s. Now, the clinic adds to its resume as a leader in the field by completing the region’s first heart pacemaker procedure utilizing the WiSE CRT System. Here’s Dr. Freddy Abi-Samra…
Cut 4 (09) “…through the veins.”
The system is a leadless device that corrects the heart’s rhythm without having to attach wires to the heart’s muscles.

Thinking about bringing Mom breakfast in bed this Mother’s Day? A new study suggests it might be better to skip the scrambled eggs and instead, let Mom sleep in. David Grubb has more…
Cut 2 (35)…I’m David Grubb.”

According to the National Retail Federation, spending for Mother’s Day is expected to reach nearly 32-billion dollars, which is a record high. Consumers are planning to spend a record average of 245-dollars. Jewelry and special outings are the top gifts.

Southeastern Louisiana University police arrested a 19-year-old from Jackson, Mississippi, who allegedly abducted and raped a student at gunpoint Thursday morning. SLU Police Chief Michael Beckner says Demetris Harris prowled the campus before he abducted his victim from a parking lot on the edge of campus. He says the victim’s description plus good surveillance video of Harris’s car led to an arrest within four hours of the report..:
CUT 05(06) “…apartment complex.”
Harris is not a student at SLU.

Entergy says will expand a customer service call center in West Monroe which will result in 170 new jobs. Entergy spokesperson Yovanka Daniel says the announcement is good news for the regional economy…:
CUT 12(10) “…seamless and positive.”
Daniel says hiring for the expanded customer call center will begin soon. To apply go online to “entergy-louisiana.com.”

Southeastern Louisiana University has arrested a suspect in the alleged abduction and rape of a female student. S-L-U Police Chief Michael Beckner says the attack took place yesterday morning after the student pulled into a campus parking lot…
Cut 4 (06) “…gunpoint.”
Beckner says surveillance video helped generate tips from the public, which led to the arrest of 19-year-old Demetris Harris of Jackson, Mississippi, who is not a student. The chief says this was a random attack.

After a recount, Rich Dupree is the next mayor of Pineville, beating his opponent James Rachal by five votes. Dupree is no stranger to Pineville city government, spending years as Chief of Staff to Mayor Clarence Fields, who retires in June…
cut 14 (12) “….for our city”

A proposal to ban corporal punishment in public schools failed to pass the House by two votes. Oil City Republican Danny McCormick is among the opponents of the legislation. He says it’s a parental rights issue…
cut 6 (08) “…the bill”
The bill received 52 “yes” votes but it needs 53 votes to pass the House. It can come up for a vote again in the House.

The full House has approved a measure that would require third-graders to pass a literacy test before advancing to the fourth grade.
Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Southeastern Louisiana University Police arrested a 19-year-old from Jackson, Mississippi, who allegedly abducted and raped a student at gunpoint. S-L-U Police Chief Michael Beckner says Demetris Harris was trolling campus before he abducted his victim from a parking lot on the edge of campus…
Cut 3 (08) “…random attack.”
Harris was arrested yesterday afternoon at an apartment in Hammond. Beckner says they believe he just moved to the area with a relative.

The Governor’s Office of Elderly Affairs is working to help those seniors who are not getting the care they deserve. Program manager Ebony Thomas-Phillips says all of us can play a role in ending elder abuse.
Cut 7 (11) “…us a call.”
That phone number is 8-3-3 5-7-7-6-5-3-2.

With just one month left to go in the Legislative Session, what have lawmakers accomplished and what is left to do? Kevin Gallagher reports…:
Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

The Louisiana House approves a bill that would require third-graders pass a literacy test before advancing to the fourth grade. Houma Representative Beryl Amedee says multiple efforts will be made to improve a third grader’s reading ability before it’s determined the student must repeat
Cut 11 (08) “…will be receiving.”
The measure heads to the Senate for more discussion.

There’s one month to go in the legislative session and a big question is whether state lawmakers will allocate 500-million dollars towards a new Mississippi River bridge in Baton Rouge. Governor John Bel Edwards believes it’s a wise investment, but political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says rural lawmakers oppose…
cut 5 (09) “….any kind of money”
The legislative session is set to end on June 6th.

Sunday is Mother’s Day and the Governor’s Office of Elderly Abuse is urging residents to make sure they are checking on the well-being of older women. Louisiana Elderly Protective Service Program Director Ebony Thomas Phillips says they receive on average over five-thousand elder abuse calls a year and if you suspect a case of abuse or neglect call (833) 577-6532…
cut 9 (07) “…..do the rest”

It’s another big weekend of festivals. Jazz Fest is in its second weekend, you also have the Breaux Bridge Crawfish Festival, the Louisiana Pirate Festival in Lake Charles, and tomorrow it’s the Morehouse May Madness Street Festival in Bastrop and the Kegs and Corks Craft Beer, Wine, and Music Festival in Bossier City.

It’s also a big weekend for college baseball as several teams from Louisiana are looking to play in the NCAA Tournament…
cut 3 (36) “….I’m David Grubb”

There continues to be a lot of buzz over the vote in the House Criminal Justice Committee that would allow law enforcement to charge a mother and others who are involved in the termination of a pregnancy with murder. The Bill’s author is Oil City Representative Danny McCormick…
cut 24 (09) “….not yet born”
New Orleans Attorney Gwyneth O’Neil spoke in opposition. O’Neil called the legislation reckless and bad law. She says the way it’s written in vitro fertilization would be illegal…
Cut 26 (09) “…negligent homicide.”
And there’s a question over whether the legislation is even constitutional, because the proposed law also says any judge that attempts to overrule or void the proposed law shall be subject to impeachment or removal.

A Senate-backed bill aimed at cracking down on theft of catalytic converters has received approval from a House Committee. Under this proposal, prison terms for the crime would be based on the value of the parts stolen. Lafayette Representative Jonathan Goudeau made the motion to report the bill favorably…:
Cut 23 (11) “a problem”
The measure heads to the house floor.

And the full House has approved a measure that would require third graders to pass a literacy test before advancing to the fourth grade…
cut 12 (12) “…because of this”
Covington Representative Richard Nelson says students will be given multiple tries to pass the literacy test and help will be provided for the struggling student. The measure heads to the Senate for its consideration.

The House Criminal Justice Committee approves legislation that would make abortion a crime in Louisiana. Under Oil City Representative Danny McCormick’s proposal, the mother and those assisting in the termination of a pregnancy can be charged with murder:
Cut 4 (09) “not yet born”
Opponents of the bill say the measure would criminalize in vitro fertilization.

Corporal Nick Tullier, the East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s Deputy shot multiple times in an ambush targeting law officers in July 2016, has died at the age of 47. Sheriff Sid Gautreaux says he’s heartbroken over the passing of a true hero
Cut 6 (10) “…place now.”
Tullier was only expected to live hours after he was shot in the head, stomach, and shoulder by a gunman from Kansas City. His family says he developed a severe infection, which turned out to be fatal.

Louisiana’s longest-serving state fire marshal is retiring. Butch Browning has accepted the position of executive director of the National Association of State Fire Marshals after serving 14 years as the state’s fire marshal. Browning says he’s proud of implementing higher safety standards for building and construction…
cut 9 (11) “…very responsive agency”

The Honey Badger is home, and he’s as excited as Saints fans. Tyrann Mathieu and New Orleans made it official yesterday as the veteran safety signed a three-year deal to join his hometown team. A reporter mentioned Mathieu is about to turn 30, and to that the Honey Badger said…:
Cut 16 (10) “some more”
Though he doesn’t have an official number yet, the Saints are taking pre-orders for Mathieu’s jersey and the website crashed almost instantly. It’s back up now.