A bill to allow your pet’s remains to be buried alongside you will be heard in House Commerce today. Brooke Thorington has more on this unique piece of legislation.
Cut 3 (33) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Strong storms knocked down trees and caused power outages in the Shreveport area during the overnight hours. There’s still a threat for severe weather for all of southeast Louisiana and parts of central Louisiana and Acadiana as a tornado watch is posted until 11 AM.

The Louisiana House Transportation Committee is set to discuss legislation today that will allocate state dollars to build a new I-10 Calcasieu River Bridge. Lake Charles Representative Philip Tarver says this long-discussed highway improvement project is close to becoming a reality…
cut 6 (12) “….of preparation”
Tarver says getting the financing in place is an obstacle that can be overcome thanks to federal infrastructure dollars and state surplus money.

The Biden Administration is launching a $500-million grant program aimed at making schools and school buses cleaner for kids and the environment. EPA Administrator Michael Regan (REE-gun) says the money comes from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law passed last year…:
Cut 7 (08) “…improve air quality.”
Regan says public school districts spend about eight billion dollars a year on energy bills and this grant money can help schools make energy efficiency improvements.

The House Commerce Committee is set to discuss a bill this morning that would make it legal for the burial of pet remains with human remains at a cemetery. Longtime veterinarian and Minden Representative Wayne McMahen says pets are considered a family member and many individuals find comfort in having their four-legged best friend rest beside them…
cut 11 (11) “…or afterwards”
For example, an urn of the pet’s remains can be added to a cemetery plot.

The Biden Administration has launched a 500-million dollar grant program that will be used to update public schools with modern, clean, energy-efficient facilities and transportation…
cut 8 (07) “….for these grants”
EPA Administrator Michael Regan says the grant money can be used to update school heating and air conditioning systems or purchase new alternative fuel school buses.

There’s been push back on the governor’s request to set aside 500-million dollars for a new I-10 Mississippi River Bridge in Baton Rouge, but a southwest Louisiana lawmaker is moving forward with his plan to use state dollars to help fund a new I-10 bridge in Lake Charles…
cut 1 (33) “….I’m David Grubb”

Jayhawk fans celebrated into the early morning hours in the New Orleans French Quarter after Kansas defeated North Carolina 72-69 in last night’s national title game in the Superdome.

A toddler drowned in north Caddo Parish on Monday morning. Caddo Parish Sheriff’s office spokesperson Bia Rolden says the two-year-old’s mother found the little boy in Black Bayou Lake in the Hosston community after realizing the child had wandered away from his house. Roland says Youth Services detectives and crime scene investigators are trying to determine what happened.
Cut 14 (09) “…for there.”

In the House Commerce Committee this morning, lawmakers will consider a bill that would allow a pet’s remains to be buried alongside their owners in a cemetery. Minden Representative Wayne McMahen says he’s receiving overwhelmingly positive feedback about the legislation and even a stranger approached him at the capitol about the bill…
cut 12 (06) “….way overdue”
The bill would also allow for pet remains to be buried prior, during, or after the burial of human remains and they must be placed in a grave, vault, crypt, or niche.

The federal government launches a grant program; aimed at making schools and school buses cleaner and safer for kids…:
Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

Louisiana’s U.S. Senators will vote against the confirmation of Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson to the U.S. Supreme Court. John Kennedy says he finds Judge Jackson smart, well-versed in the law, but failed to say anything of substance when it came to critical questions…:
CUT 26(07) “…judicial restraint.”
Senator Bill Cassidy says he is also a “no” vote for Jackson.

A bill to allow for your pet’s remains to be buried with you will be heard in House Commerce today. Minden Representative Wayne McMahen, who is a retired veterinarian says the nexus of his bill is to make it not illegal to bury a pet in a human cemetery.
Cut 10 (10) “…buried yourself.”
McMahen says pets are considered one of the family and many individuals find comfort in having their four-legged best friend rest beside them.

As millions of dollars are being allocated for infrastructure projects throughout the state, Lake Charles Representative Phillip Tarver wants to make sure the Calcasieu River Bridge project isn’t forgotten. At the Capitol today, House Transportation will consider HB 761, which would set aside state money for the project over the next six years.
Cut 4 (11) “…for the bridge.”

All of southeast Louisiana, part of Acadiana, and central Louisiana are under a tornado watch until 11 o’clock this morning. Meteorologist John Wetherbee says this latest storm system has already produced some damage in northwest Louisiana and the strong storms are currently moving through central Louisiana…
cut 21 (11) “…be an improvement”

The federal government has launched a 500-million dollar grant program that would allow schools to become more energy efficient. Money will also be available for local schools to invest in alternative fuel school buses. EPA Administrator Michael Regan says studies have linked breathing in diesel fumes while riding in buses as a legitimate health threat…
cut 9 (05) “….later this spring”

Tulane University has completed a study that shows COVID-19’s lingering impacts on the brain. Doctor Tracy Fischer says their research found brain inflammation in nonhuman primates with COVID and the injury is consistent with reduced blood flow. Symptoms include a lack of balance, concentration, and memory issues. Fischer hopes this study will help map the long-term effects of COVID…
cut 9 (12) “…survived infection”

At the state capitol, lawmakers will soon discuss a bill that would prohibit transgender women from participating in girls sports. Franklinton Senator Beth Mizell says she’s trying to keep women’s sports fair by not allowing biological males to participate…
cut 14 (10) “….own lane”

The U-S House has passed a bill to decriminalize marijuana on a federal scale. It still needs Senate approval. The bill passed by the House would eliminate the federal ban on marijuana which is seen as a major roadblock for the burgeoning legal cannabis industry, as more states legalize medical or even recreational weed. Louisiana Cabbanbis Association founder Matt Moreau…
Cut 11 (11) “…entrepreneurs to grow.”

First Lady Donna Edwards is encouraging Louisiana residents to do more to spot cases of human trafficking…
cut 6 (10) “….around us’
Edwards says everyone can help by educating yourself, monitoring social media and reporting suspicious incidents.

Tulane researchers have documented cases of COVID-19 infections impacting the brain, even among those who have mild COVID symptoms. Doctor Tracy Fisher says their research team found severe brain inflammation in some cases…
cut 8 (12) “….understand words”
Fisher says more research is needed to see how COVID affects the brain.

State lawmakers return to the capitol today after overriding the governor’s veto of the congressional district map. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says the next big legislative battle is over a bill that would prohibit transgender individuals from competing on girls’ sports teams…
cut 15 (12) “….the Legislature”
First Lady Donna Edwards kicked off her human trafficking awareness campaign at the Final Four in New Orleans because large sporting events attract trafficking victims. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

State Police is investigating a deputy-involved shooting that took place yesterday morning in St. John the Baptist Parish. L-S-P says deputies responded to 9-1-1 calls of a vehicle partially submerged in the marsh near I-10 and U-S 51 and when the officers approached the vehicle, an encounter occurred and one deputy shot 20-year-old Jacoby Williams of Gramercy who is in critical condition. An A-K 47 style firearm and handgun were recovered from the scene.

The fight over redistricting has moved to the courtroom, so the next big legislative battle will be over a Senate bill that prohibits transgender athletes from competing in girls’ sports in Louisiana. Franklinton Senator Beth Mizell says she’s more determined to pass her bill after Penn swimmer Lia Thomas became the first trans woman to win an NCAA swimming title…
Cut 13 (13) “.athletes from”
Governor Edwards’ vetoed this bill last year.

The U.S. House of Representatives has passed a bill to decriminalize marijuana on a federal scale. The bill must also win passage in the Senate before it can be sent to the President’s desk, but Louisiana Cannabis Association founder Matt Moreau says this is “real progress” for his industry…:
Cut 10 (12) “…decriminalized years ago.”

New research from Tulane University shows how COVID impacts the brain. David Grubb has more.
Cut 2 (34) “…I’m David Grubb.”

Versatile music performer and Metairie native Jon Batiste was the big winner at the Grammy’s last night winning five awards, including best Album.

Another spring storm is heading to Louisiana. There’s an enhanced risk for severe weather across the northern half of the state and the northern end of the North Shore as strong storms will move through tonight into tomorrow morning.