A bill to ban transgender medical procedure for minors has been resurrected in the session’s final week. The Senate Health and Welfare Committee voted against the bill, but the full Senate voted to move the bill to Senate Judiciary A, which quickly advanced it to the Senate floor. Last week, Senate Health & Welfare Committee killed the bill, with committee chair Fred Mills casting the deciding vote. Mills says the bill got a fair hearing…:

CUT 07(12)      “…found a solution.”

The bill goes to the Senate floor, for what could be final passage. Governor Edwards is likely to veto.

The Louisiana Cancer Research Center is holding a Promising Practices Conference at Louisiana Tech University today to discuss statewide efforts to rid Louisiana of the epithet “Cancer Alley.” LCRC’s Earl Benjamin-Robinson says public input is invited…:

CUT 09(11)      “…going on.”

There are now three candidates to be the state’s next Attorney General, after one of them decided to step away from that race. Brooke Thorington reports…:

CUT 02(31)      “…Thorington.”

We’re only two days into the hurricane season, yet out in the Gulf swirls Tropical Storm Arlene, the first named storm of the season. The system is packing 40-mile-an-hour winds, but is expected to track south toward Cuba, and pose no threat to Louisiana.

At the Capitol, a bill banning transgender procedures for minors is alive again. The Senate Health and Welfare Committee voted to kill the bill last week, but the full Senate voted to move the bill to Senate Judiciary A. Chairman of Health and Welfare Fred Mills opposed the move because of the work his committee already did on the proposal…:

CUT 06(09)      “…they could.”

Judiciary A has sent to bill to the Senate floor for what might be final passage…or final defeat for this year.

The Senate Finance committee will burn some weekend time on the House-approved state budget bill. The chambers are at odds over how to best spend a $2.2-billion revenue surplus for the fiscal year that starts July 1^st. House members want to pay down debt and replenish the state’s Rainy Day Fund. Senate members want to raise the cap on spending and invest a bunch in infrastructure.

Is another Democrat about to announce a run for governor? Speculation runs high about whether Orleans Parish D.A. Jason Williams will enter the race. Baton Rouge political consultant Mary-Patricia Wray says the state Dem Party supports Shawn Wilson, but it’s all about the polling…:

CUT 13(08)      “…numbers go.”

Wray says she fully expects a Democrat to make runoff election; quite possibly against Jeff Landry.

The weekend in Ruston, the 73^rd annual Peach Festival. But peach growers are dealing with a ten-year fight with a nasty soil fungus that threatens their crops. Mitcham Farm’s Joe Mitcham says it’s slowly taking out his entire orchard…:

CUT 04(13)      “…a tree.”

Peach Festival with live music, arts, and great food plus peachy treats…tomorrow in Ruston.

And then there were three, Brooke Thorington has more on the list of candidates for Attorney General…:

CUT 02(31)      “…Thorington.”

The body of a 38-year-old woman who fell from a boat into the Mississippi River in West Feliciana Parish earlier this week has been recovered. Wildlife and Fisheries says Rachel Hann’s remains were pulled from the water Thursday, just a couple of miles from where she went missing on Sunday.

The Louisiana Cancer Research Center is holding a Promising Practices Conference at Louisiana Tech University today to discuss statewide efforts to rid Louisiana of the moniker “Cancer Alley.” LCRC’s Earl Benjamin-Robinson on what it’s all about…:

CUT 11(11)      “…the state.”

A new hurricane season is underway. Among those getting ready is utility giant Entergy. Vice President of Customer Service Michelle Bourg says their plan for storm response includes monitoring the weather and considering potential impacts, mobilizing workers, and requesting the assistance of other utility companies when needed. She says communication is important…:

CUT 07(13)      “…personal plan.”

Entergy customers can find more information and resources at “entergynewsroom.com”.

A new hurricane season is underway. Among those getting ready is utility giant Entergy. Vice President of Customer Service Michelle Bourg says a major component of their storm preparedness is improving power systems…:

CUT 06(11)      “…year ‘round.”

Tropical Storm Arlene has formed in the eastern Gulf, south of the Florida panhandle. It’s expected to track south and pose no threat to Louisiana.

Will Orleans Parish D.A. Jason Williams run for governor? Some say the Democrat could get a lot of votes, but political consultant Mary Patricia Wray says she knows who the state Party will support…:

CUT 12(09)      “…Frontrunner.”

Wray made the comments while a guest on the “Talk Louisiana” radio show.

As the City of Ruston prepares to celebrate the 73^rd Peach Festival this weekend, growers face a problem with fungus. Teiko Foxx reports…:

CUT 01(31)      “…Foxx.”

Deputies in Tangipahoa Parish say a man wanted for shooting & killing an 18-year-old man, shot and killed himself as officers closed in on him. 26-year-old Tommie Diamond reportedly committed suicide during standoff with officer who were outside his home. He was also out on bond for a 2021 homicide in Baton Rouge.

Another Democrat may be getting into the Governor’s race; Orleans Parish D.A. Jason Williams…:

CUT 01  (33)        “…Brooke Thorington.”

On the first day of our five-month hurricane season, Tropical Depression Number 2 has formed in the Gulf several miles south of the Florida panhandle. Weather experts say the system will be mostly a rainmaker for Florida and poses virtually no threat to Louisiana.

U.S. House Majority Leader and Louisiana Congressman Steve Scalise is telling GOP candidates for governor this fall to play nice. This after a PAC supporting Stephen Waguespack for Governor put out a TV & radio ad attacking A.G. Jeff Landry (the perceived GOP front-runner) as being soft on crime. Scalise wants no party in-fighting, and political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says it’s not hard to understand why…:

CUT 04  (12)        “…John Bel Edwards.”

LSU’s annual Louisiana survey of public opinion shows large numbers favor adding exceptions to the state’s ban on abortions. Research lead Dr. Mike Henderson says big number support exemptions for rape and to preserve the mother’s health. He says this parallels national opinion…:

CUT 14  (08)        “…the Supreme Court.”

Under current law, there are no exemptions in the state’s abortion law.

Is the state having a change of heart on Louisiana’s strict ban of abortions? LSU’s annual Louisiana Survey opinion poll suggests they may be the case. Research lead Dr. Mike Henderson says 85-percent favor exceptions to preserve the mother’s health, and 77-percent support exceptions for cases of rape…:

CUT 13  (09)        “…and republicans.”

He says the Louisiana Survey results pretty much echo national public opinion.

U.S. House Majority Leader and District 1 Congressman Steve Scalise calls on Republicans not to attack each other in the governor’s race. This comes after a group supporting Republican candidate Stephen Waguespack released an attack ad against the perceived front-runner, A.G. Jeff Landry. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat…:

CUT 03(08)      “…attacking Republicans.”

Scalise urges Waguespack to disavow the ad and asks the Pac to take it down.

Orleans Parish District Attorney Jason Williams – a Democrat – says he’s considering getting into the governor’s race. Gambit political commentator and columnist Clancy Dubos says if he is serious, we should know well before qualifying in August if he’ll be a formidable candidate…:

CUT 06(07)      “…raising money.”

An article in the New Orleans Advocate says Williams is indeed mulling it over.

Announced candidate for Attorney General John Belton, the D.A. in Lincoln and Union parishes says he is suspending his campaign. Belton says he has an opportunity to be of service to the state that he wishes to explore. Belton does not say what that may be.

Longtime Caddo parish Sheriff Steve Prator says he will seek another term in office this fall. Prator has been the Shreveport-area parish’s top lawman since summer of 2000.

Another Democrat may be running for Governor. Brooke Thorington reports it’s Orleans Parish Da Jason Williams…:

CUT 01  (33)        “…Thorington.”

KALB in Alexandria reports a Pineville/Tioga daycare is under investigation for alleged cruelty to juveniles. The Rapides Sheriff’s Office executed search warrants at Totally Kids Childcare and an arrest warrant. That person’s identity is yet unknown. More on this as it develops.

More than two years after the death of Marie Bourque, and her 12-year-old daughter Ski Smith who died in a trailer home fire, Casey Hatch is convicted of two counts of second-degree murder. Calcasieu Parish DA Stephen Dwight says the public defender argued Hatch has schizophrenia and did not know right from wrong…:

CUT 10(13)      “…horrible crime.”

Hatch’s sentencing has been set for July 21.

The 2023 Louisiana Survey, an annual poll produced by LSU, shows support growing for legal abortions. Director of the Louisiana Survey Dr. Mike Henderson says they polled about 500 Louisiana residents about the hot button topic, about 60 days ago…:

Cut 12  (13)      “…52-percent.”

He says the survey results echo national polling on the subject.

The Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Office has finished its investigation of a Pineville Police officer-involved shooting back in April. RPSO spokesman Tommy Carnline says officers responded to a call to find 25-year-old Larry Calk threatening a child with a gun, and so they shot Calk; rescuing the kid. He says they then rendered immediate medical aid…:

CUT 14  (09)        “…alive today.”

RPSO has handed their findings over to the Rapides DA.

Hurricane Season starts tomorrow, and State Climatologist Barry Keim says we are one of the three most-vulnerable states for hurricanes…:

CUT 11  (13)        “…in Louisiana.”

NOAA predicts 12-to-17 named storms this year. Last year, none impacted our state.

We have our first attack ad in the governor’s race. A group supporting Republican candidate Stephen Waguespack claims in a TV and radio spot that Jeff Landry, the perceived front-runner in the governor’s race, has been soft on crime during his time as Attorney General…:

CUT 06(11)      “…in America.”

A super PAC called Reboot Louisiana produced the ad. The Landry campaign has responded by announcing endorsements from eight sheriffs and district attorneys. If it seems a bit early for attack ads, that’s because qualifying for the elections isn’t until the first week of August.

State officials will file a lawsuit tomorrow against FEMA over what they call it’s “lack of transparency” around the Risk Rating 2.0 system of setting federal flood insurance rates. Attorney General Jeff Landry’s Office says the formula is “flawed” and will force families into bankruptcy or foreclosure. Landry calls it “Federal abuse.”

The gloves are coming off in the governor’s race as we have our first attack ad. Jeff Palermo has the story…:

CUT 01(33)      “…Palermo.”

On the eve of the beginning of the 2023 Hurricane Season, we have a low pressure system in the Gulf of Mexico, but it poses little threat to Louisiana. By the weekend, it could either weaken or drift eastward toward the Florida Peninsula with some heavy rain.

The Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Office has completed its investigation into the fatal April 23^rd Pineville Police officer-involved shooting. RPSO spokesperson Tommy Carnline says 25-year-old Larry Calk was holding a child and a weapon and threatening to harm the child while on the front porch of a residence. He says officers acted appropriately…:

CUT 13(11)      “…life was saved.”

The investigation has been turned over to the Rapides Parish District Attorney’s Office.

The statewide average for a gallon of regular gasoline is $3.13. That’s $1.10 cheaper than this same time last year. AAA Fuel Analyst Don Redman says thank crude oil at around $70-a-barrel. He predicts a great many will take advantage of relatively cheap gas and get in some travel…:

CUT 05(06)      “…the summer.”

The first attack ad of the 2023 Governor’s race is out. A political action committee supporting Stephen Waguespack has a TV and radio ad hitting Attorney General Jeff Landry as being soft on crime. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says it’s the earliest he’s seen an attack ad in a governor’s race, but a sign that Waguespack is a serious contender…:

CUT 08  (09)        “…go after Landry.”

He expects Landry or his supporting PAC will return fire.

Hurricane Season starts tomorrow. State Climatologist Barry Keim says the peak of the season, with the potentially heavy stuff, doesn’t come until mid-August, but it’s smart to get your storm plan in place now, and be ready…:

CUT 10  (11)        “…hyper-focused.”

A Pacific El Nino could mean fewer and weaker storms this year.

The Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Office completes its investigation of the fatal officer-involved shooting of a man who was holding a child in his arms. Brooke Thorington has that…:

CUT 02(33)      “…Thorington.”

A teacher at a Shreveport Christian school is under arrest; accused of a sexual relationship with a minor. 36-year-old Jessica Sims was arrested after a concerned mom told police her son confessed to the contact, and then told investigators the same. Sims is charged with prohibited sexual conduct between an educator and student.