The Department of Health and Hospitals is working to spread the word about ways to prevent the spread of the Zika virus. Dr. Frank Welch says if someone has a partner who has traveled to South America or the Caribbean, they need to take extra precautions, especially if the woman is pregnant…:
cut 11 (09) “her baby”
He says the mosquito that carries Zika will be active in Louisiana this summer.

Louisiana is the 4th worst state for working moms, according to a study by the personal finance website, WalletHub. Analyst Jill Gonzalez says the state also ranked 43rd for the gender pay gap…:
Cut 9 (07) “at least”
She says the study considered things like cost of daycare, professional opportunities, and work and life balance.

Former famed St. Landry Captain Clay Higgins has released another video, which seems to hint the he may run for public office. Halen Doughty has more…:
Cut 3 (30) “I’m Halen Doughty”

220 retired research chimps at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette’s New Iberia research center will move to a new sanctuary in Blue Ridge, Georgia. Project Chimps negotiated with the university, and starting in June the chimps will start moving to the 236-acre sanctuary….:
cut 4 (07) “moved here”

A study finds Louisiana ranks as the 4th worst state for working moms. Emelie Gunn has more…:
CUT 1 (25) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

Could famed former St. Landry Parish Captain Clay Higgins be considering a run for public office? The man dubbed The Cajun John Wayne released another viral video this week saying if he is called by the people of this state and nation to serve, he would step up to the plate…:
CUT 15 (08) “these things”
Higgins says if he decides to run for office, he’ll make the announcement sometime next week. The comments were made on the Jim Engster Show.

Governor John Bel Edwards is slated to deliver the State of the State address at noon today. The speech will take place at the Baton Rouge Rotary Club.

State health officials are offering guidance on how people can prevent the transmission of Zika virus. Dr. Frank Welch, with the department of health and hospitals, says the mosquito that carries Zika will be active in Louisiana this summer, but it won’t just be mosquitoes spreading the virus…:
Cut 10 (11) “feel ill”
Welch advises people to clear any standing water out of their yards, and wear long sleeves, pants and mosquito repellent.

Organizers with the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival say rain on the second weekend made the overall attendance drop from 2015. They said about 425,000 festers came to the fairgrounds track this year in The Big Easy, where last year that number was about 460,000.

The state department of health and hospitals is providing guidance to prevent the spread of the Zika virus. Jeff Palermo has more…:
Cut 2 (28) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Louisiana is the 4th worst state for working moms, according to a study by the personal finance website, WalletHub. Analyst Jill Gonzalez says they looked at the cost of daycare, professional opportunities, and work and life balance:
CUT 7 (07) “ranked 47th”
Gonzalez says Louisiana also ranked 43rd for the gender pay gap.

Captain Clay Higgins, who achieved fame for his viral crime stoppers videos, has released another video where he addresses a few of his concerns about our country, even hinting that he may consider running for public office. Higgins told the Jim Engster Show the response to his video has been incredible…:
Cut 13 (09) “the country”
Higgins says if he decides to run for office, he’ll make the announcement sometime next week.

The full House narrowly voted Tuesday on a proposal that would allow high school students to take a national sex survey. Baton Rouge Representative Pat Smith says this analysis would play a major part in reducing the staggering number of teen pregnancies and STDS in Louisiana. Those in opposition say the test is not appropriate and sex should be taught at home not school. The vote was 53-40 to send the measure over to the Senate.

A bill to expand the list of diseases for which doctors can prescribe medical marijuana passes out of the House Health and Welfare Committee. Michelle Southern has more…
CUT 2 (29) “I’m Michelle Southern”

220 research chimps at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette’s New Iberia research center are moving to a new sanctuary in Blue Ridge, Georgia. Project Chimps is a non-profit organization and has negotiated with the university to move the chimps there over the next few years. President Sarah Baeckler Davis says beginning in June, chimps will start the move to the 236-acre sanctuary.

Public school students could start getting lessons in personal finance management. Legislation by Minden Representative Gene Reynolds advanced in the House Education Committee with no objection. Reynolds says this bill would not create a financial literacy course…:
CUT 3 (07) “whole idea”

The bill now moves to the House floor.

Another bill aimed at public schools by New Orleans Representative Walt Leger would require students to have wellness exams before going in to kindergarten and sixth grade. He says this ensures that any health issue a student might have can be caught early…:
CUT 5 (07) “and otherwise”

The measure passed on a 59-37 vote and moves to the Senate.

The House Health and Welfare committee barely passed a proposal to allow doctors to prescribe medical marijuana for more diseases. St. Martin Parish Senator Fred Mills authored the legislation and says he’s encountered many individuals who say medical cannabis can help their child cope with numerous diseases.

Cut 13 (09)  “back yard”

The bill passed on an 8-6 vote and moves to the full House.

A measure that prohibits the sale or donation of fetal tissue is moving closer to final legislative passage. It was approved by a House committee today. The measure is by Bossier City Senator Ryan Gatti…
cut 12 (09) “…criminal law”
The bill is the result of videos which supposedly showed Planned Parenthood representatives talking about the sale of aborted fetal parts.

Legislation to allow victims of domestic violence with a protective order to carry a concealed handgun with an expedited and temporary permit now moves to the full House. Emelie Gunn has more…

CUT 1 (31)  “I’m Emelie Gunn”

The Senate has approved a measure to extend the wait period for an abortion from 24 to 72 hours. The proposal passes on a 33-4 vote. If a technical amendment to the bill is approved by the House, it will move to the Governor’s desk for final passage. Governor Edwards is expected to sign the bill.

A bill that expands the number of diseases medical marijuana can be prescribed was narrowly approved by the House Health and Welfare Committee today. St. Martin Parish Senator Fred Mills is the author of the legislation and says he’s encountered many individuals who say medical cannabis can help their child cope with numerous diseases…:
Cut 13 (09) “back yard”
But opponents say this is a gateway to the legalization of recreational marijuana and that it actually does not help with diseases. The Senate approved measure heads to the house on an 8-6 vote.

New Orleans Representative Walt Leger authors a bill that would require students to have wellness exams before entering kindergarten….:
CUT 7 (09) “fifth month”
The measure passed the House on a 59-37 vote and moves to the Senate.

Legislation to allow victims of domestic violence with a protective order to carry a concealed handgun with an expedited and temporary permit now moves to the full House. Emelie Gunn has more…:
CUT 1 (31) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

The man accused in the murder of a 16-year-old girl whose body was discovered in St. Charles Parish is being held on 1 million dollars bond. The Sheriff’s Office says Jorion White was in a ditch on April 24th when she was found. 40-year-old Daniel Beckley, who cops say is the live-in boyfriend of White’s mother, is charged with second degree murder and obstruction of justice.

A bill that would allow victims of domestic violence with restraining orders to carry a concealed handgun with an expedited and temporary permit passed out of the House Criminal Justice committee. Denham Springs Rep. Valerie Hodges, says according to the FBI, a woman is battered every 15 seconds…:
CUT 8 (10) “Trade Center”
The measure now heads to the full House.

Relocating fetal tissue from an abortion could land someone behind bars for at least 10 years, under a proposal by Bossier City Senator Ryan Gatti. He says people should not benefit in any way from induced abortions…:
Cut 11 (07) “be sold”
The bill has been approved by the Senate, as well as a House committee.

Legislation that could result in TOPS students no longer having their entire tuition paid heads to the governor for his signature. Jeff Palermo has the story…:
Cut 5 (27) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Gas prices have topped the $2 mark in Louisiana. AAA says the statewide average price for a gallon of regular is now $2.01.

Another proposal aimed at public schools by New Orleans Representative Walt Leger would require students to have wellness exams before entering kindergarten and sixth grade. He says this just ensures that any health issue that a student may have can be caught early…:
CUT 5 (07) “and otherwise”
Those who oppose are concerned about this law costing the state money, because kids who use government healthcare would be required to get medically unnecessary exams at Louisiana’s expense. The measure passed on a 59-37 vote and moves to the Senate.

Students in public schools could start getting lessons in personal finance management. A bill by Minden Representative Gene Reynolds advanced in the House Education Committee with no objection. Reynolds says this proposal would not create a financial literacy course…:
CUT 3 (07) “whole idea”
The bill now moves to the House floor.

May is Air Quality Awareness month, and the Department of Environmental Quality says the air quality in Louisiana is better than it’s been since the 1800s. Halen Doughty has more…:
CUT 1 (30) “I’m Halen Doughty”

A Senate approved measure that would ban the collecting and selling of fetal tissue from abortions was approved by the House Health and Welfare committee with no objection today. The bill comes in response to the videos that surfaced apparently showing Planned Parenthood leaders selling aborted fetuses. The organization denies the allegation. The proposal will next be heard in the full House.