Just a day after the Senate approved Constitutional Carry on a veto-proof majority a House committee advances their own version on an 8-4 vote. Matt Doyle has more.

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A bill that could have prevented minors from seeking gender therapy has been shelved for the session. Jeff Palermo has the story…

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It’s the first full day since Governor John Bel Edwards partially lifted the statewide mask mandate. Edwards says he altered the mask mandate for a number of reasons, among them the continued downward trend in COVID cases and fatalities. However, he still advises the use of face masks.

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As the pandemic continues Edwards advises residents to access their social settings. If you’re unsure of the vaccination status of those around you he recommends that you distance yourself and wear a mask.

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Another motivating factor in altering the mask mandate, Edwards says is that vaccine eligibility has been open for all residents 16 and older since March 29^th. Edwards says he will continue to wear a mask in public settings even though he’s fully vaccinated.

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The statewide mask mandate went into effect on July 13, 2020.

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A House committee passed another bill that would allow people in Louisiana 21 and older without felony records to carry a concealed handgun without needing a state permit or training.

Louisiana Shooting Association President Dan Zelenka supports the bill. He says getting a concealed carry permit costs up to 325 dollars and requires attendance at a nine-hour course.

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This version of Constitutional Carry by Thibodaux Representative Bryan Fontenot adds one stipulation that those concealed carrying must take a 60 minute free, state-created online training course covering gun safety and concealed carry.

Moms Demand Action member Nanette Olivier spoke out against the bill. She says polling available suggests there’s no popular support for this…

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The committee vote was 8-4 in favor.

Some proponents of the legislation say it’s a god-given right to carry without government permission. Another member of the public, Mrs. Brown, says there’s nothing in the bible saying you have a right to carry…

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Governor Edwards says he will reject any legislation that hits his desk removing the permitting requirement for concealed carry. Wednesday the Senate passed a version of constitutional carry with a veto-proof majority.

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Houma Senator Mike Fesi decides not to move forward with his bill to require a juvenile to get written consent from both parents to receive gender therapy. Advocates, health professionals, and transgender individuals like this LSU student testified against it.

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Senate Health Chairman Fred Mills says he received 400 cards in opposition to the legislation, which would have prevented minors from receiving counseling, hormone treatments or gender-related surgeries if they didn’t have both parents’ consent. Melissa Flournoy, with Louisiana Progress Action, spoke against the bill…

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Fesi says his intention with the legislation was not to hurt children. He was trying to make sure parents are involved in the process of gender transition…

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State health officials celebrate the progress that’s been made in addressing racial disparities in vaccination rates in Louisiana.

State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter says Louisiana is above the national average now when it comes to the percentage of vaccinated people who are Black.

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Louisiana still has the third-lowest overall vaccination rate in the nation.

Kanter says our predicted rate of vaccination for Black residents is 17 percent higher than the national average.

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Kanter says the state has made reducing racial vaccine disparity a focus and it shows in the information they’ve collected.

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Governor John Bel Edwards partially lifts the statewide mask mandate effective today…
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Masks will still be required inside state buildings, K-through-12 schools, colleges, and universities, on public transportation, and healthcare facilities.

Legislation that would prohibit the execution of nighttime no-knock warrants clears a Senate committee. State Police Lt. Robert Burns says LSP backs the change, noting it’s already being phased out of use…
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The measure heading to the Senate floor also prohibits police officers from using chokeholds.

LSU is down to three finalists to be president of the LSU system, one of the finalists is U-L System Leader Doctor Jim Henderson.

The Louisiana Senate approves legislation doing away with the need to obtain a permit to conceal carry in Louisiana on a veto-proof 27 to 11 vote. West Monroe Senator Jay Morris says this bill is about liberty…
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The proposal faces opposition from Governor Edwards and other Democrats, who are concerned it could lead to more gun violence because getting a concealed carry permit requires training on how to handle a gun. Lafayette Senator Gerald Boudreaux says without that training…
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The measure heads to the House for more debate.

A bill that seeks to legalize recreational marijuana use is heading to the House floor after getting out of the House Criminal Justice Committee on a seven to five vote. It would give voters a chance to vote on the issue in November 2022.

Governor John Bel Edwards has lifted the statewide mask mandate, but it’s still required in K-12 schools, colleges and universities, public transit, state buildings, and health care facilities. Private businesses can also require a mask. The governor’s new public health order also eases some restrictions on live music, removes outdoor limitations on crowds, and as far as indoor venues…
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A senate committee approves legislation that would restrict law enforcement officers from conducting no-knock warrants at night and chokeholds. The measure heads to the Senate floor, but Shreveport Senator Greg Traver says he’s not comfortable with the proposed limits on night-time no knocks…
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The Louisiana Senate approves legislation that would end the requirement for a person 21 years old and up to receive a permit in order to carry a concealed handgun. It was a near party-line vote, with 27 senators voting for it, and eleven against. Houma Senator Mike Fesi voted in favor and explained why…
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But opponents say this legislation could lead to more shootouts in public places. New Orleans Senator Karen Carter Peterson…
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Opponents argue the permit process requires a gun owner to undergo training in order to conceal carry. Governor Edwards also opposes the measure that heads to the House for more debate.

Governor John Bel Edwards has lifted most of the statewide mask mandate. Masks are still required for state buildings, K-12 schools and universities, public transportation, and all licensed healthcare facilities.
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Businesses can keep mask mandates in place and so can local governments, but most are lifting them.

A Senate committee approves legislation that would prohibit law enforcement officers from using chokeholds and no-knock warrants at night. Norco Senator Gary Smith says placing strict limits on nighttime no-knock warrants comes after several incidents in other parts of the country ended in tragedy.
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The measure heads to the Senate floor for more discussion.

Legislation allowing anyone in Louisiana over 21 who isn’t a convicted felon to carry a concealed handgun without a permit heads to the House after passing the Senate on a veto-proof majority vote…
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The Coast Guard is developing a strategy on how to remove the Seacor Power lift boat out of the Gulf of Mexico. There’s also concern about the thousands of gallons of oil that was on the vessel when it capsized…
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That’s Coast Guard spokesperson Nicole Groll.

Governor John Bel Edwards eases coronavirus health restrictions. Brooke Thorington has the story….
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LSU has narrowed its search for a new president to three finalists. U-L System President Doctor Jim Henderon made the cut, but Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne did not. And rumors that Mark Emmert will return to LSU can end as the NCAA President’s contract has been extended through 2025.

The Louisiana Senate approves legislation doing away with the need to obtain a permit to conceal carry in Louisiana on a veto-proof 27 to 11 vote. West Monroe Senator Jay Morris says this bill is about liberty…
Cut 4 (10)“…permission.”
The measure heads to the House. The proposal faces opposition from Governor Edwards and other Democrats, who are concerned it could lead to more gun violence.

The Coast Guard’s Unified Command for the SEACOR Power response begins efforts to remove the vessel that capsized earlier this month near Port Fourchon. The 234-foot lift boat was potentially carrying up to 35-thousand gallons of oil products. Coast Guard spokeswoman Nicole Groll.
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Supporters of legalizing recreational marijuana won a major legislative battle today when the House Criminal Justice Committee approved a bill that would give voters a chance to legalize weed. Sherriffs and prosecutors oppose. St. Tammany and Washington Parish D-A Warren Montogmery…
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The measure still passed on a seven to five vote, giving the full House a chance to debate the issue.

The New Orleans Police Department is looking for a street performer that wears a Star Wars Chewbacca costume. That person allegedly stabbed another after a verbal altercation on Saturday night in the French Quarter. New Orleans paramedic Holly Sherman from A&E’s “Nightwatch” told Talk 107-3 in Baton Rouge she received a strange call.
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It turns out the suspect was dressed up as Chewbacca.

The 2020 Census shows Louisiana’s population increased 2-percent since 2010, but compared to the national average of 7-percent growth, the state’s slight increase is not as promising as it sounds. Brooke Thorington explains.
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Governor John Bel Edwards will announce new coronavirus health restrictions when he meets with reporters at 3:30 today. It’s possible the governor will announce changes to the mask mandate. Edwards will also discuss COVID-19 vaccine progress.

About one thousand people filled the Pete Maravich Assembly Center to welcome Kim Mukley back home. The Tickfaw native and Hall of Fame coach is the new LSU women’s basketball coach after leading Baylor to three national championships. LSU women’s hoops reached the Final Four five consecutive times in the mid-2000s, but Mulkey wants to do better…
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A House committee unanimously approves legislation banning the Office of Motor Vehicles from putting a person’s vaccine status on their driver’s license, or requiring vaccination to receive an ID. Gonzales Representative Kathy Edmonston says she filed this bill after hearing from her constituents…
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The legislation heads to the House floor for more discussion.

Governor John Bel Edwards will announce a new public health order today during a 3:30 press conference as the current COVID restrictions expire tomorrow. Edwards says the state is making good progress fighting the pandemic, but the long-term fate of some COVID restrictions is somewhat out of our hands…
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The state health department says one-point-two million Louisiana residents have completed the vaccination series, but the C-D-C says only 32-percent of Louisiana’s eligible population is vaccinated, which is the third-lowest percentage in the country. Mississippi has the lowest percentage and Alabama is second. Tulane Epidemiologist Doctor Susan Hassig…
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