A bill to allow adult adoptees access to their original birth record received House approval on a 76-21 vote. Brooke Thorington on what this means..:

Cut 1 (29) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

______________________________________

It’s “new year; same struggle” for a bill to fine drivers for holding a phone while at the wheel. David Grubb has more.

Cut 2 (34)…I’m  David Grubb.”  

______________________________________

The Louisiana House approves a bill that gives an adoptee access to their birth certificate once they reach the age of 24. Rosepine Representative Charles Owen, who’s adopted himself, says adopted children born in Louisiana are barred from seeing their original birth certificate unless they provide a judge with a compelling reason like…

Cut 3 (10) “…compelling reason.”

The bill faces opposition from anti-abortion groups and Owen was questioned if other states who have similar access have seen an increase in their abortion rate, he says he’s seen just the opposite in states similar to Louisiana.

Cut 4 (10) “…in place.”

Owens says in Alabama they’ve had a similar law for 22 years.

Thibodeaux Representative Bryan Fontenot says he thought a birth mother remained anonymous in adoption proceedings, but Owen said that’s a falsehood many believe. Fontenot says a mother should give consent if she wishes to later be contacted by the child.

Cut 5 (11) “…their documents.”

Owen amended the bill to allow birth parents to submit a form indicating if they’d like to be contacted or not.

The bill passed on a 76 to 21 vote and now heads to the Senate.

____________________________________________________

There’s another threat of severe weather tomorrow from a cold front that will sweep across Louisiana. State Climatologist Barry Keim says everyone should be weather aware tomorrow.

 Cut 6  (10) “…approaches.” 

The Storm Prediction Center puts Monroe, Alexandria, the Delta Parishes, Baton Rouge, and Hammond under a four out of five risk for severe weather. That means there’s the potential for tornadoes and damaging straight-line winds. Keim says the entire state needs to be on its toes…

Cut 7 (10) “…for the state.” 

Keim says this weather system is similar to the one that hit the state last week spawning a tornado that killed one person in St. Bernard Parish…

Cut 8 (08) “… at risk.” 

_____________________________________________________

The House has postponed a vote on a bill proposed by Breaux Bridge Republican Representative Mike Huval that would create a new set of fines for holding a phone while driving, even if the driver is not texting. Huval faced some strong questions from Amite representative Robby Carter, who opposes the bill.

Cut 9 (13) “…to the judge.”

Huval had difficulty providing specifics on how the bill would impact users of different types of cell phones or on the technology required for drivers to be compliant with the guidelines, and Carter made sure to press him for answers.

Cut 10 (12)  “…can’t answer that.”

Carter, who represents a district where 60 percent of his constituents make less than the state median income, says the bill would disproportionately impact poor people.

Cut 11 (12)  “…against anyone.”  

Huval proposed a similar bill last year. The House passed it, but the Senate rejected it, concerned that it could hurt minorities. Huval has decided to edit the bill and present it to the House again later.

_____________________________________________________

The 2022 New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival returns to the Fair Grounds Race Course one month from day and the times for when the various musical performers will take the stage were released today. Governor John Bel Edwards is glad the two-weekend musical festival is back

Cut 12 (12) “…myself.” 

The COVID pandemic canceled the 2020 and 2021 Jazz Fests, even an effort to hold the music festival in the fall last year was scrapped. Director of the Mayor’s Office of Cultural Economy, Lisa Alexis, says hotel rooms are filling up fast…

Cut 13 (10) “…that revenue”

Headliners for this year’s Jazz Fest include the Who, Stevie Nicks, Willie Nelson, and Jimmy Buffet. Senior Vice President of New Orleans and Company Walt Leger says they are expecting a great festival…

Cut 14 (11)  “..Jazz and Heritage Festival”

The Foo Fighters were scheduled to play at Jazz Fest on May 1st. But the rock band has canceled all upcoming concert dates after the sudden death of their drummer, Taylor Hawkins, last week.

The Storm Prediction Center puts Monroe, Alexandria, the Delta Parishes, Baton Rouge, and Hammond under a four out of five risk for severe weather. There’s the potential for tornadoes and damaging straight-line winds. State Climatologist Barry Keim says the entire state needs to be on its toes…
Cut 7 (10) “…for the state.”

The Louisiana House approves a bill that gives adoptees access to their birth certificate once they reach the age of 24. Rosepine Representative Charles Owen, who’s adopted himself, says adopted children born in Louisiana are barred from seeing their original birth certificate unless they provide a judge with a compelling reason like…
Cut 3 (11) “…compelling reason.”
The bill heads to the Senate for more discussion.

How do Louisiana voters feel about a few of our statewide elected officials? A new poll says “not that great.” David Grubb has more.
Cut 2 (34) “…I’m David Grubb.”

For the first time since the state began reporting COVID hospitalizations, there are fewer than 100 people in the hospital suffering from COVID. But health officials continue to urge the unvaccinated to get the COVID shot…
cut 1 (30) “…..I’m Brook Thorington”

The state’s vaccination rate is nearly 53-percent.

A statewide poll of 600 likely voters finds that 48-percent of respondents believe Governor John Bel Edwards did a good job of handling the pandemic and that same poll gives the governor a 49-percent approval rating.

Waiting for debate on the House floor is a bill that could lead to jail time for those under the age of 18 who are convicted of marijuana possession. Stonewall Representative Larry Bagley’s bill would punish first offenders possessing half an ounce or less to probation, but no more than 15 days in jail. Having more than 14 grams could lead to no more than six months. Bagley compares his proposed sentencing to one of the first states to legalize recreational marijuana for adults while forbidding it for minors; Colorado…:
Cut 11 (09) “…comparing the areas.”

Warm today with temperatures in the low 80s, but there’s another threat for severe weather tomorrow from a cold front that will sweep across the state. State Climatologist Barry Keim says everyone should be weather aware tomorrow.
cut 6 (10) “…approaches”

How do Louisiana voters feel about a few of our statewide elected officials? A new poll says “not that great.” David Grubb has more.
Cut 2 (34) “…I’m David Grubb.”

State lawmakers will suspend the ongoing regular session to hold a veto session tomorrow. So starting tomorrow at noon, the Republican-led Legislature will attempt to muster the two-thirds vote needed to override the governor’s veto of the Congressional district map.

A bill awaiting debate on the House floor could lead to jail time for minors convicted of marijuana possession. Louisiana Progress opposes the bill because the proposed law would lead to harsher punishments for juveniles than adults when it comes to marijuana possession, but Hammond Representative Nicholas Muscarello says…
cut 12 (10) “…get you better”

And the state is in really good shape when it comes to COVID as there are now fewer than 100 people hospitalized as a result of the virus. But LSU Infectious Disease Expert Doctor Catherine O’ Neal says we will see another COVID surge…
cut 6 (09) “…to us”
O’ Neal says the state needs to get more people vaccinated. Nearly 53-percent of the population is vaccinated.

For the first time since the state began reporting COVID hospitalizations, there are fewer than 100 people in the hospital suffering from COVID. But health officials continue to urge the unvaccinated to get the COVID shot…
cut 1 (30) “…..I’m Brook Thorington”

The state’s vaccination rate is nearly 53-percent.

There’s another chance for severe weather tomorrow as forecasters say a strong line of thunderstorms capable of producing tornadoes and severe wind gusts will move across the state.

A statewide poll of 600 likely voters shows Senator Bill Cassidy’s approval rating has dropped to 38-percent and the Republican’s disapproval rating is at 49-percent. JMC Analytics pollster John Couvillon says Cassidy’s popularity took a hit last year when he voted to impeach former President Donald Trump….
cut 8 (12) “….those necessary changes”
Meanwhile, Senator John Kennedy’s voter approval rating is 53-percent and he’s up for re-election this year.

State Civil Service Director Byron Decoteau was grilled by members of the Senate Finance committee about big pay raises given to himself and his Deputy Director Chris Deer and Chief Operating Officer Nicole Tucker. Decoteau told Senate Finance Chairman Bodi White raises are warranted…
cut 14 (12) “…subordinates made”
White calls the raises absurd.

There are now fewer than 100 people hospitalized statewide with COVID, a mark that LSU Infectious Disease expert Dr. Catherine O’Neal says gives the medical community a much-deserved break. But with only 53% of the state’s population vaccinated, O’Neal says that lull could easily change.
Cut 4 (07) “…next surge.”
According to the Louisiana Department of Health, 34-hundred people in the state last week received their first shot.

A statewide poll of 600 likely voters finds that 48-percent of respondents believe Governor John Bel Edwards did a good job of handling the pandemic and that same poll gives the governor a 49-percent approval rating. JMC Analytics pollster John Couvillon says in a red state, a Democrat like Edwards has to walk a tightrope…
cut 7 (10) “….of his term”

The House Criminal Justice Committee advances a bill establishing penalties for minors in possession of small amounts of marijuana. Kevin Gallagher has more…:
Cut 3 (34) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

With a growing shortage of teachers, the Louisiana Legislature looks for ways to generate a new wave of educators. David Grubb has the story…
Cut 3 (31) “…I’m David Grubb.”

And we are also seeing a decline in applications from people looking to be state worker. According to the Advocate newspaper, the percentage of applicants for state jobs has dropped 52 percent over the last two years. Louisiana’s Director of State Civil Service says the pandemic has changed people’s views of work.

New census data finds the state lost 27-thousand people from April 2020 to July 2021. Chief Demographer for the Data Center in New Orleans Allison Player, says there’s a lack of people moving into the state and the population is dropping because of a variety of reasons…
cut 6 (09) “….decreases in birth rates”
A few parishes actually grew. St. Bernard, St. Tammany, Tangipahoa, Livingston, Ascension, West Baton Rouge, West Feliciana, and Lafayette parishes saw slight population growth.

A film called 57 seconds starring Oscar winner Morgan Freeman and the Hunger Game’s Josh Hutcherson will begin filming in Lafayette in two weeks. The production will shoot in multiple locations including the Cajundome. Lafayette Economic Development Authority President Mandi Mitchell on making sure locals get an opportunity to work on the set…
Cut 8 (12) “…productions.”

We are expecting to learn this morning state lawmakers will hold another veto session as they will attempt to override the governor’s veto of the Congressional district map approved by the Republican-led Legislature. LaPolitics-dot-com publisher Jeremy Alford says it will take 70 votes in the House and there are 68 Republicans in the House
Cut 13 (12) “..Congressional map “
The veto session would begin Wednesday and the regular session would be temporarily halted.

The latest Census numbers show significant population loss for southwest Louisiana with Calcasieu and Cameron Parish seeing at least a five-percent population decline from 2020 to 2021. Doctor Allison Plyer, chief demographer of the Data Center in New Orleans, says the area is looking at a slow recovery after Hurricane Laura destroyed hundreds of homes…

cut5 (07) “….safe place to live”

State lawmakers are looking at ways to address the teacher shortage as Superintendent of Education Cade Brumley says they need about 25-hundred teachers. Brumley supports a bill called the Geaux Teach Fund that would provide scholarship dollars to college students who are studying to become a teacher…
cut 11 (10) “…..career in education”
The legislation is heading to the House floor after it was approved by House Education.

A movie called 57 seconds starring Oscar winner Morgan Freeman and the Hunger Game’s Josh Hutcherson will begin filming in Lafayette in two weeks. President of the Lafayette Economic Development Authority Mandi Mitchell says they are looking for workers…
cut 9 (12) “….lafayette-dot-org”