After a catastrophic computer systems failure, the state Office of Motor Vehicles remains closed statewide today. The technical outage affected numerous state agencies, but the OMV was seriously impacted; bringing operations to an abrupt halt Thursday. OMV offices remain closed today due to connectivity issues for internet, email and online applications, while tech crews replace failed hardware and backup systems. State Officials says the outage was NOT the result of any outside cyberattack or hack. They expect OMV and all other state systems to be back up and available to all by Monday morning.

A bill to ban social media platforms from allowing minors to have their own account without parental consent passed in the Senate but it would only go into effect if funds are allocated for enforcement.  Bill author, Covington Senator Patrick McMath…:

CUT 12(11)      “…health crisis.”

That bill moves now to the House for committee review.

A bill that jacks up minimum bail amounts for persons accused of violent and/or gun crimes has cleared the House Criminal Justice Committee. The bill is from Crowley Republican Rep. John Stefanski. Opposing the bill, Michael Calhoun, with the Promise of Justice Initiative, who says higher bail often punishes the family of the accused, who pay the bond…:

CUT 07(09)      “…their income.”

The bill passed committee and heads for the House floor next week. The legislature must wrap up June 8^th.

Two Alexandria boys are under arrest for allegedly shooting a neighbor’s chihuahua to death with a BB gun. The boys, whose ages have not been released, are charged with Aggravate animal Cruelty.

And for safety’s sake, Field of Dreams Park in Bossier City was closed after a 5-foot gator was spotted nearby. The same park was shut down in April, while wildlife & Fisheries agents removed a 6-foot alligator. The park will reopen once this one is captured.

At the State Capitol, a bill that sets new minimum bail amounts for violent crimes and/or gun crimes passes out of the House Criminal Justice Committee…:

CUT 01  (30)        “…Brooke Thorington.”

After only two years on the job the head of East Baton Rouge Parish public schools is seeking greener pastures. EBR Superintendent Sito Narcisse is listed as one of a dozen candidates to be the new school super in Broward County, Florida.

Three people have been arrested in connection with a deadly shooting that happened in Glenmora Tuesday. Rapides Parish deputies says the three men –ages 18, 19 and 20 – are all charged with murder and more.

Legislation that would require public schools statewide to schedule at least 15 minutes of supervised, unstructured free play time (also known as “recess”) for grades K thru 5 was approved by the House in a 66 to 28 vote. Houma Representative Beryl Amedee says her bill will help promote social and emotional well-being among students…:

CUT 05(08)      “…learn better.”

A recent study finds 89 percent of schools in Louisiana currently have recess and 56 percent offer more than 15 minutes of recess.

…and now a look at today’s commodities…

Here is today’s Legislative Update from the Louisiana Radio Network…

The state’s Revenue Estimating Conference revised the amount of available dollars for the fiscal year that starts in July UP by over $480-million; triggering debate over how to best use it. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says many House members want a conservative approach, but the Senate wants to spend in infrastructure needs…:

CUT 12(11)      “…some debt.”

A bill mandating public schools to provide free feminine hygiene products to girls passes the House by a huge margin. Lacey Gero is an advocate for positive period policy. She says the bill provides that the products be free and easily accessible by female students…:

CUT 07(10)      “…would be.”

Passed by a vote of 79-17, the bill heads now to the Senate

After a lengthy discussion in committee, a bill to add paid Family Medical Leave benefits in Louisiana was voluntarily deferred; mostly because members saw too many questions and potential pitfalls. The bill’s sponsor, New Orleans Rep. Aimee Freeman, says she’ll try again next year.

On his monthly radio program, Governor Edwards wouldn’t say if he plans to veto any legislation this year that are similar to bills vetoed two years ago. Brooke Thorington has more…:

CUT 01(31)      “…Thorington.”

On his monthly radio show, “Ask the Governor”, Governor John Bel Edwards was questioned about bills making their way through the legislature that would impede portions of the LGBT agenda, and if he plans to veto any of them. The governor wouldn’t say if he plans to or not, only…:

CUT 03(09)      “…unfortunate.”

Two years ago, the governor vetoed anti-transgender legislation, and a veto override attempt failed.

Also at the Capitol, a bill to provide free feminine hygiene products to girls in public schools passes the House by a 79-to-17 vote. Lacey Gero, an advocate for providing period supplies, says it’s a big step at removing embarrassment for girls across the state…:

CUT 06(12)      “…education met.”

The bill, from New Orleans Democrat Rep. Aimee Freeman, moves now to the Senate.

The state’s estimated revenues for the fiscal year that starts in July has been revised upward by over $480-million; triggering a debate between House and Senate over what to do with it. Some want to pay down debt. Others want to spend on infrastructure. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says both chambers will need to agree – by two-thirds majorities – to break the state’s cap on spending…:

CUT 13(10)      “…stalemate.”

These matters must all be hammered out before the session ends three weeks from today.

You can take the boy out of law enforcement but you can’t take law enforcement out of the boy. Congressman Clay Higgins is going viral on the internet in video showing him physically removing a protester from a press conference. The man was asking Congresswoman Lauren Boebert personal questions about her divorce and her recently-closed business, when Higgins escorted him away. Higgins says the man was a threat, so he took “textbook” action to quell him.

Louisiana’s budget surplus grew larger today as the Revenue Estimating Conference increased the amount of available dollars to spend by 323-million for this fiscal year and 483-million for next fiscal year. But Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says the House is taking a conservative approach while the Senate is ready to spend the money on infrastructure projects…:

CUT 12(11)      “…some debt.”

He smells a stalemate brewing between now and the session’s end three weeks from now.

Caught on video and going viral: District 3 Congressman Clay Higgins at a press conference, giving an activist the “bum’s rush.” The activist, Jake Burdett, complained on Twitter later that he was detained, while the congressman was not…:

CUT 11(10)      “…was attacked!”

Burdett was asking congresswoman Lauren Boebert personal questions about her marriage and her failed business when Higgins stepped in.

Multiple state agencies are experiencing computer network outages, caused by failed hardware and backup systems. The Division of Administration says the good news is there is spare hardware readily available and work is underway to get it installed and systems back online ASAP.

On his monthly radio program, Governor Edwards wouldn’t say if he plans to veto any legislation this year that are similar to what he vetoed two years ago…:

CUT 01(31)      “…Brooke Thorington.”

Video of Congressman Clay Higgins physically removing an activist away from a press conference is going viral…

CUT 02(30)      “…Jeff Palermo.”

The state’s estimated revenue has gone up over $450-million for the fiscal year that starts in July, and the Governor is reiterating his call for teacher pay raises. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says a stalemate is underway…:

CUT 14(08)      “…last hour.”

That last hour is 6 pm, June 8^th.

The Office of Motor Vehicles and other state agencies have been plagued with internet and computer related outages. Jacques Berry, with the Division of Administration, says it was a hardware failure that included redundant backup systems. New equipment is being installed right now.

On his “Ask the Governor” radio show, Governor John Bel Edwards addressed matters moving through the legislature, like another bill to allow permit-free concealed carry of a gun. No permit would also mean no required proficiency training. Edwards says her still believes in training and in background checks…:

CUT 05(11)      “…conceal carry.”

The legislative session ends in 3 weeks.

State Police are investigating an officer-involved fatal shooting in Bastrop this morning. All we know right now is that Bastrop P.D. responded to call, there was gunfire, one person was pronounced dead at the scene; the officer treated for minor injuries. LSP investigates all officer-involved shootings and deaths.

At the Capitol, the House approves legislation to ban gender reassignment procedures for minors…:

CUT 01(31)      “…Jeff Palermo.”

Shreveport Police seek your help finding a runaway teen; 17-year-old Madalyn Reiland who was last seen May 12^th at her home. She is Caucasian, 5’ 3”, 180 pounds, with long brown hair. If you think you’ve seen her call SPD at 318-673-73-hundred.

Also at the Capitol, a bill aimed at giving women who are imprisoned for murdering their alleged abuser a chance to be released passes the full Senate. Baton Rouge senator Franklin Foil offered an amendment to clear up some tricky language concerning retroaction. He says a prisoner COULD say they were abused as a child…:

CUT 12(08)      “…overturned.”

As amended the bill passed and moves now to the House.

A House committee moves forward a bill setting up a process by which CITIZENS could get an initiative on a ballot, despite concerns from Baton Rouge Representative Barry Ivey…who worries about making laws without elected officials input…:

CUT 16(11)      “…should maintain.”

Lawmakers must wrap up their business this year by June 8^th.

The House Governmental Affairs Committee rejected a proposal that would set up process for citizens to be able to put an issue on the ballot for a statewide vote. Baton Rouge Representative Barry Ivey voted against it over concerns of putting an issue before voters that is not vetted by state lawmakers…:

CUT 14(12)      “…certain decision.”

New Orleans Representative Mandie Landry authored the legislation. She believes her ballot initiative process would give voters an opportunity to put important issues up for a referendum vote…:

CUT 15(06)      “…on the ballot.”

Defeated by the committee, that bill is seemingly done for this year.

New Orleans Police are struggling with an explosion of car thefts and carjackings; nearly 3000 so far this year. That’s nearly 1 every hour. The thefts are driving up auto insurance rates for everyone, and often the perpetrators are never caught.

The House Criminal Justice Committee sends a bill to the House floor that would allow adults over 18 without a criminal background to conceal carry a firearm without a permit or training…:

CUT 02(30)      “…Teiko Foxx.”

The New Orleans Saints have finalized their pre-season schedule. It features just three games; Kansas City in the Dome on August 13^th, IN L.A. against the Chargers on August 290^th and wrapping up with Houston in the Caesar’s Superdome on August 27^th.

The so-called “Constitutional Carry” bill wins approval in the House Criminal Justice Committee. Oil City Representative Danny McCormick’s bill would allow anyone over 18 with a clean criminal record to conceal a weapon without getting a permit or the training required to have one. 25 other states have similar laws, and McCormick says he has no issue with weapons training, but what kind of training is the question…:

CUT 10  (10)        “…to carry.”

Opponents say it will lead to more gun violence. A similar bill reached the Governor’s desk in 2021, and he vetoed it.

A bill that would assure churches are never forced to close due to a health emergency – as they were ordered to during the pandemic – has cleared a Senate committee and will be debated soon on the Senate floor. An East Baton Rouge pastor was jailed for having services, and later released and exonerated. If approved it will appear on a fall ballot as a Constitutional Amendment.

The House approves a bill to prohibit doctors from performing gender reassignment surgeries on minors. Opposing the bill, New Orleans Democrat Rep. Mandie Landry says the procedures can be life-saving for persons with gender dysphoria…:

CUT 04  (06)        “…you know that?”

Bill sponsor and Pollock Republican Gabe Firment counters they can also lead to premature sterility and loss of sexual function…:

CUT 05  (07)        “…experimental procedures.”

The bill passes by a 71-24 vote and heads over to the Senate for committee review.

The New Iberia Arby’s employee found dead last Thursday in a walk-in freezer has been identified as 63-year-old Nguyet Le of Texas. No other information was provided by the Iberia Parish Coroner’s Office. Police do not suspect foul play in her death.

At the State Capitol, the House rejects two bills that would have curtailed carbon capture projects planned for Lake Maurepas in southeast Louisiana. Prairieville Representative Tony Bacala says the legislation threatens 21-billion dollars in industrial projects…:

CUT 09(12)      “…somewhere else.”

Residents who live near Lake Maurepas are concerned about carbon capture’s effect on the ecosystem. Nevertheless, those bills are defeated.

A bill that would let property insurers raise rates without the approval of the insurance commissioner has passed the full House and heads now to the Senate. New Orleans Rep. Mandie Landry says she is skeptical of the bill, though…:

CUT 07(12)      “…more irate.”

Supporters say it will lead to more competition.

A truck theft in Slidell Monday led to a fiery crash, a big manhunt and an attack by angry hornets that sent two cops and a K-9 officer to the hospital. Slidell PD’s Office Dan Suzeneau says the suspect rolled the stolen truck over, which burst into flames. He then fled into a nearby swap and that’s where cops encountered the hornets’ nest…:

CUT 14(10)      “…of hornets.”

The suspect managed to get away, but Suzeneau says they’ll catch him another day. The two officers and the K-9 were treated for multiple stings and released.

Congratulations to Kenneth Colona, of Tangipahoa Parish, who just graduated from Southeastern Louisiana University in Hammond…at age 85. Colona walked the stage and collected his Bachelor of Science in Sociology; making him the oldest person to ever earn a degree from SLU. He says it proves you are never too old to reach for your dreams.