A House committee approves a bill that would allow law enforcement to charge a mother who has an abortion with murder and also charge those who assist with the termination of the pregnancy. Jeff Palermo has more…

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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Louisiana’s tourism industry apparently has made a healthy bounce back, after taking a huge hit from the COVID pandemic. More from Kevin Gallagher…:

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.” 

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The “Honey Badger” has come home. Tyrann Mathieu is officially a New Orleans Saint and he couldn’t be happier. David Grubb has more.

Cut 3 (34) “…I’m David Grubb.” 

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The House Criminal Justice Committee approves legislation that would make abortion a crime in Louisiana. Under Oil City Representative Danny McCormick’s proposal, the mother and those assisting in the termination of a pregnancy can be charged criminally…

Cut 4 (09)  “…not yet born.”

Executive Director of the Foundation to Abolish Abortion Bradley Pierce says medical and scientific research has determined that human life begins at the moment of fertilization.

Cut 5 (10) “…our lives.”

New Orleans Attorney Gwyneth O’Neil spoke in opposition. O’Neil called the legislation reckless and bad law. She says the way it’s written in vitro fertilization would be illegal…

Cut 6 (09)  “…negligent homicide.”

The proposed law also says any judge that attempts to overrule or void the proposed law shall be subject to impeachment or removal, which opponents say is unconstitutional. Prairieville Representative Tony Bacala voted for the bill and admits the bill is probably unconstitutional, but it’s not the legislature’s responsibility to determine constitutionality…

Cut 7 (08) “…the courts”

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The state’s tourism industry appears to be recovering quickly from the COVID pandemic lockdowns and restrictions. Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser oversees culture, recreation, and tourism in Louisiana, and says new data shows over 41-million people visited the Bayou State in 2021, which he feels is a good recovery from one of the worst events for tourism in recent history…:

Cut 8 (11)  “…coming out of COVID.”

Louisiana tourism hit a peak in 2019, with over 53-million visitors; whose spending generated near $2-billion in taxes for the state. He says to hit 41-million in a year while the pandemic was still technically going on is a serious accomplishment. Nungesser says, however, he wants to see visitors top 50-million again…:

Cut 9 (06)  “…in our toolbox to do that.”

Nungesser says having the “Louisiana: Feed Your Soul” float appear in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade was a big boon to interest in visiting our state. In 2021, visits to the “LousianaTravel.com” website were up 162-percent from the previous year. Nungesser says, after two years of the pandemic, people are ready to get out and vacation again, and Louisiana is ready to welcome them…:

Cut 10 (10) “…coming back for more.”

Tourism is the state’s fourth-largest employer; supporting over a quarter-million jobs.

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River Ridge Senator Kirk Talbot’s bill that creates the crime of theft of a catalytic converter continues to move through the legislative process. The proposed law has been approved by the Senate and the House Criminal Justice Committee approved the measure too, despite objection from Chairman Joe Marino, who says it’s already illegal to steal…

Cut  11 (10)  “…are committing.”  

According to Talbot’s legislation, a person convicted of stealing a catalytic converter or engine control module that has a value over 25-thousand dollars, the offender could be sentenced to 10 to 20 years. Prairieville Representative and retired Ascension Sheriff’s deputy Tony Bacala says Louisiana needs this law…

Cut 12 (10) “…growing trend” 

Lafayette Representative Jonathan Goudeau made the motion to report the bill favorably…

Cut 13 (11) “…a problem.”

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The New Orleans Saints and safety Tyrann Mathieu made it official Wednesday, as the three-time All-Pro signed a reported three-year, $33-million contract to join the team. The “Honey Badger” says he’s still pinching himself…

Cut 14 (12)  “…take advantage of it.”

It’s been an incredible journey for the New Orleans native, who went from undiscovered gem to Heisman Finalist to being kicked off the LSU football team. Now, after nine successful seasons on and off the field, Mathieu likes who and where he is.

Cut 15 (10)  “…in my life.”

Mathieu is coming off another Pro Bowl season, and though he’s now entering his 30s, he says he still has plenty left in the tank.

Cut 16 (10)  “…some more.”

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Legislation to require Louisiana schools to provide menstrual products for students advances to the House floor. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

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Congressman Garret Graves says he’s still fighting to bring down spiking flood insurance costs for Louisianans. Kevin Gallagher has more…:

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.” 

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House Bill 248, which removes Robert E. Lee Day and Confederate Memorial Day from the state’s official list of holidays, moves on to the Senate after gaining approval in the House. David Grubb has more…

Cut 3 (31) “…I’m David Grubb.” 

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According to Money Geek, Louisiana ranks second in the nation among states with the most distracted driving fatalities. Head of Data Analytics Doug Milens says they created a rate of distracted driving deaths based on miles driven in each state…

Cut 4 (11)  “…and Kansas.”

The definition of distracted driving goes beyond looking at your phone, he says it includes things like eating or even having to correct a child’s behavior while driving.

Milens says they analyzed 2020 data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and 2,880 people died in the U.S. in distracted-related crashes, despite the fact that Americans drove 344-thousand fewer miles.

Cut 5 (06) “…it’s flat.”

Distracted driving rates increased by 12-percent in the US in 2020.

The study found Louisiana and North Carolina had the most significant increase in distracted driving fatalities from 2019 to 2020. Milens says that coupled with high auto-insurance only adds insult to injury in the Bayou State.

Cut 6 (08)  “…tougher.”

Texting while driving is the most common distracted driving offense in Louisiana.

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A bill to require public schools in Louisiana to carry free menstrual products for students in either a restroom or an accessible location passes in House Education. While researching her legislation, bill author New Orleans Representative Aimee Freeman says she learned that many students experience “Period Poverty.”

Cut 7 (10) “…them back.”

Anaya Bhatia, Caddo Parish Magnet High School student and co-president of GirlUP an organization supporting the needs of female students, told lawmakers the legislation would help female students who have little access to menstrual products.

Cut 8 (12)  “…basic needs”

Bill co-author New Orleans Representative Jason Hughes says the cost for local school districts would average $500 for the first year to install dispensers. Hughes says if the toiletry needs of males are supplied in school restrooms, then they should also support the needs of females.

Cut 9 (11)  “…her with.”

The bill passed unanimously in committee and is scheduled to be heard on the House floor Thursday.

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Congressman Garret Graves says efforts are still underway to provide homeowners relief from new, greatly-increased flood insurance premiums. The National Flood Insurance Program’s “Risk Rating 2.0” has gone into effect, and Graves says it’s an undue burden on many. He says amendments have been drafted to provide temporary relief, but the Democrat majority in the U.S. House isn’t interested in fixing the problem…:

Cut 10 (07) “…offering the amendment.”

Graves says amendments to delay the new rates from being collected, are being blocked from proposal on the House floor. Risk Rating 2.0 sets flood insurance rates based upon a structure’s value and the flood history of its location, rather than the old system which used flood zone maps. Graves says it was supposed to lower rates for property owners…:

Cut  11 (09)  “…these increased costs.”  

Graves says he and colleagues in flood and hurricane-prone areas continue working on possible solutions to the high cost of flood insurance. He says one proposed bill has some bipartisan support…:

Cut 12 (13) “…these rates together.” 

Graves says the ultimate solution is to build better storm and flood mitigation measures, so flood insurance is not a necessity.

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Southern University Laboratory School junior Kelsie Tillage was recently named a recipient of the Gold Congressional Award, the highest honor that Congress can bestow upon any civilian youth between the ages of 14 and 24 for initiative, service, and achievement.

Cut 13 (06) “…community as well.”

Since the inception of the award, there have been 5,000 gold medalists, and of those only 84 are from Louisiana, placing Tillage in a very exclusive company. Standing out is nothing new for her, however, as she’s a member of her school’s student government association, volleyball team, was named student of the year in her district, and completed hundreds of hours of community service, mostly focused on child literacy.

Cut 14 (10)  “…able to learn.”

Kelsie, who’s also earned the Duke Tip Scholar award and participated in the Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth, says she didn’t set out to earn any awards and that serving others is something she’s done throughout her life.

Cut 15 (10)  “…aircraft availability.”

Tillage maintains a 4.29-grade point average at Southern Lab and is dually enrolled in Southern University honors and AP courses. As far as career plans, Tillage says she’s still discovering her interests for now.

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Following their series win over Georgia, LSU baseball seems to have found its bearings. The Tigers have won six of eight and are climbing the power rankings. Cade Doughty capped the series with the Dawgs by blasting a walk-off home run in Sunday’s rubber match. He says there’s no time to look back with plenty of tough competition ahead.

Cut 16 (14)  “…get the job done.”

Stopping LSU’s offense has been job number one for opposing pitchers, no easy task against a lineup so deep and talented. Dylan Crews is batting .328 this season with 13 home runs for the Tigers and says he keeps his approach simple…

Cut 17 (16) “ …extend on really.” 

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The U-L Ragin Cajuns have won 10 of their last 12 in the Sun Belt Conference and sit three games behind Texas State in the standings. They’ll take on the Bobcats next weekend, but up first is UT-Arlington, and Coach Matt Deggs says his team won’t take the struggling Mavericks lightly.

Cut 18 (15) “ …can we play.” 

With just a couple of weeks to go in the regular season, the Cajuns are jockeying for position in the conference and in the RPI as they try to get back to the NCAA tournament for the first time since 2016. Deggs says the pressure is on, but he’s confident.

Cut 19 (20) _“…one of them.”