House Speaker Clay Schexnayder voices support for calling a veto override session to overturn the Governor’s veto of legislation that would transgender girls and women from participating on female sports teams. State lawmakers will receive mail ballots during the first week of July asking whether they want a veto session. Political consultant Lionel Rainey says if one chamber votes against it, the veto session is canceled…

Cut 4 (09) “…tough call”

The Legislature has never a held veto override session.

Starting June 1^st of next year 300 dollar individual lifetime hunting and fishing licenses will be phased out but sportsmen will still be able to buy a 500 dollar combination lifetime hunting and fishing license. Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Undersecretary Bryan McClinton says this change has some sportsmen under a false impression…

Cut 6 (10) “…clear up.”

Governor Edwards has signed into law legislation providing more oversight for Title IX Offices on college campuses. Franklinton Senator Beth Mizell’s legislation closes loopholes found in previous campus safety policies and now allows for employees who fail to report sexual misconduct to be terminated.

Cut 9 (12) “…available.”

The bill is largely the result of hours of legislative hearings held before the start of the session in which LSU officials were grilled about the findings in the Husch Blackwell report.

Gamblers are one step closer to legally place their bets on sports in 55 voter-approved parishes now that Governor Edwards has signed the legislation. Brooke Thorington.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

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Governor Edwards has signed legislation legalizing smokable more affordable medical marijuana for certain patients. Erik Piccoli has the story…

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Erik Piccoli.” 

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Governor Edwards followed through on his vow to veto legislation that would have banned trans athletes from playing on girls’ and women’s sports teams in Louisiana schools. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 3 (31)  “…I’m Matt Doyle.”

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More than 160-thousand vaccinated residents have registered to get another shot, a shot at a million dollars. Assistant Secretary for the Louisiana Department of Health Kim Hood says the lottery to incentivize more people to get vaccinated, ShotAtAMillion.com, went live at noon on Monday.

Cut 4 (06) “…exciting.”

Officials are pleased the vaccine lottery is off to such a good start. Hood says registration is quick and easy you just have to enter some basic information contact information, date of birth, and where you received your vaccination.

With weekly prizes starting July 9^th and the following four weeks, Hood says many people have asked if they have to register weekly to be considered.

Cut 5  (05) “…prizes.”

There are 14 total prizes in the vaccine lottery, five cash prizes, and nine scholarships. Hood says you don’t have to upload a photo of your vaccine card, however, if your name is picked, they will verify your vaccine status.

Cut 6 (12) “…good news.”

To register go to ShotAtAMillion.com or call 877-356-1511. The states’ vaccination rate is just below 34-percent.

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The odds to legally place your bets on sports in Louisiana have improved immensely now that the Governor has signed legislation creating the framework for sports wagering. Port Allen Senator Rick Ward says now the gaming commission has the checkered flag to issue provisional gaming licenses.

Cut 7 (10) “…able to do.”

Ward says then permanent gaming licenses would be put in place by the beginning of football season in 2022.

Sports betting was approved by voters in 55 parishes and gamblers will only be able to legally wager on sports in those parishes.

The question that remains to be answered is just how much revenue legalized sports betting will generate. Ward says he has a reasonable guess on just how much it would produce.

Cut 8 (05) “…annually.”

As for who will be holding all the cards at the end of the game Ward says they’ve already dedicated where a percentage of the winnings will go.

Cut 9 (08) “…early childhood education.”

To place bets, you must be 21 and older and have an account with a sports betting operator. Bets cannot be placed on high school or youth sports events.

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Governor Edwards has signed House Bill 391 legalizing the usage of smokable medical marijuana for certain patients. Houma Representative Tanner Magee, who sponsored the bill, says its purpose is to drive down costs and present a much-requested product for patients…

Cut 10 (11) “…alternative to opioids.”

Patients will likely be able to purchase the product sometime in January due to the small number of manufacturers. The bill received remarkably little pushback during the legislative session which Magee attributes to a shift in public opinion…

Cut 11 (6) “…a lot of uses.”

Currently, only LSU and Southern University produce medical marijuana for the state. Moving forward, Magee says most of the push will be to expand its availability in the state…

Cut 12 (12) “…have more pharmacies.” 

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Governor Edwards vetoes legislation that would have blocked transgender athletes from participating in girl’s and women’s sports teams in Louisiana K-12 and post-secondary schools.

In his veto statement, Edwards said discrimination is not a Louisiana value. Edwards says he concerned about the mental health impact the bill would have on trans youth.

Cut 13 (11) “…do it.”

Edwards announced his opposition to the bill early in the legislative session.

Bill author and Franklinton Senator Beth Mizell took issue with Edwards’ accusation that the bill is discriminatory.

Cut 14 (10) “…sport.”

Edwards countered that this legislation could put the state at risk of losing major sporting events like the 2022 Final Four for no reason.

Cut 15 (10)“..sports”

But Mizell says the legislature is often proactive in responding to situations before they occur.

Cut 16 (12) “…protected.”

The bill cleared both chambers of the Legislature with over two-thirds support. Mizell indicated that the chances of a veto session being called may be dependent on what other pieces of legislation are also vetoed. Per the AP the Legislature has not held a veto override session since the current state constitution was first adopted in the 70s.

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Cut 17 (16) …keep Vitello.” 

Cut  18 (16)”..situation there.”

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Cut 19 (14) “…lives.” 

Cut 20 (27)  “…next weekend.” 

Governor Edwards vetoes legislation that would have banned transgender athletes from playing on K-12 and post-secondary school girls and women’s sports teams in Louisiana. The bill cleared the legislature on veto-proof majorities but it is unknown whether lawmakers will elect to call a veto override session.

The newly approved drug Aduhelm (Add-u-helm) to treat Alzheimer’s has stirred interest in the state but it comes with a hefty price tag.

Cut 1 (31) “ …I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

The CDC reports a higher-than-expected number of cases of myocarditis in people who received their second dose of mRNA covid vaccines. LSU Health Shreveport infectious disease professor Dr. John Vanchire says cases have been the highest amongst men under the age of 18 and the heart inflammation symptoms include shortness of breath, fatigue, and chest pains

Cut 12 (11) “…have recovered”

Catholic High School in Baton Rouge has vacated its 2017 and 2020 state football championships after the LHSAA determined they violated rules that occurred in 2017 as a result of an investigation that began in March. WBRZ-TV sports reporter Matt Trent says he’s learned that inappropriate contact occurred with athletes.

Cut 3 (14) “…open house.”

Former catholic coach Gabe Fertitta says he was not aware of the allegations when he resigned his position in February to join Louisville.

Governor Edwards signs legislation prohibiting employers from discriminating against job applicants who have been charged with a crime but never convicted. Under the bill by New Orleans Representative Matthew Willard employers are barred from requesting background checks relative to criminal histories of non-felons. Willard says his legislation started as an attempt to outright ban private-sector employers from asking if an applicant has a felony record.

Cut  11 (11) “…in mind” 

Two weeks ago, the FDA approved the first drug to treat Alzheimer’s in more than 15 years, despite an independent committee not endorsing Aduhelm (Add-u-helm). Chair of Neurology at Tulane School of Medicine Dr. Demetrius Maraganore (Mare-ah-gah-nor-ay) says this is the first drug to reduce amyloids in the brain which are prevalent among patients.

Cut 6 (11) “…reverse Alzheimer’s.”

Catholic High School in Baton Rouge has vacated its 2017 and 2020 state football championships after the LHSAA determined they violated rules that occurred in 2017 as a result of an investigation that began in March. Gabe Fertitta was the head coach of the Bears during their run to four straight championship games in 2017 and 2020. WBRZ-TV sports reporter Matt Trent says Fertitta told him he did not know about these allegations…

Cut 5  (09) “…otherwise” 

Fertitta resigned from Catholic in February.

The CDC reports a higher-than-expected number of cases of myocarditis in people who received their second dose of mRNA covid vaccines. LSU Health Shreveport infectious disease professor Dr. John Vanchire says that while myocarditis can be fatal, the inflammation is treatable and shouldn’t scare patients from getting vaccinated…

Cut 13 (11) “…vaccination”

Governor Edwards signs legislation that should help prevent employment discrimination against those who were charged but never convicted of a crime. New Orleans Representative Matthew Willard says under his bill a business cannot request a background check for an applicant if it did not lead to a conviction.

Cut 9, 9 seconds, ignore that

Willard says his bill is a step towards “banning the box” for private-sector employers.

Two weeks ago, the FDA approved the first drug to treat Alzheimer’s in more than 15 years, despite an independent committee not endorsing Aduhelm (Add-u-helm). Chair of Neurology at Tulane School of Medicine Dr. Demetrius Maraganore (Mare-ah-gah-nor-ay) says this is the first drug to reduce amyloids in the brain which are prevalent among patients.

Cut 6 (11) “…reverse Alzheimer’s.”

Beginning in July of 2022, wrongfully convicted individuals who are exonerated will be eligible for more money, to compensate them for each year they spent behind bars. Brooke Thorington has more

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

Starting next July those who were found to be wrongfully convicted of a crime will see their compensation from the state increase from the current 25,000 dollars a year per year spent in prison to 40,000 dollars a year.  Gretna Representative Joe Marino’s bill received near-unanimous support.

Cut 7 (11) “…away from them.”

The maximum you can receive for wrongful conviction is 400,000 dollars.

After being crowded out of the housing market for the first half of the year there’s finally some good news for prospective first-time homebuyers: the price of lumber is plummeting. President of the Louisiana Homebuilders Association Tommy Pinion says the price is down about 45 percent in just over a month…

Cut 4 (09) “…country”

Today and tomorrow Senate Education Chairman Cleo Fields will be visiting a few schools around the state to explain his recently signed legislation mandating kindergarten attendance for those who turn five on or before September 30^th. Fields says he expects to get quite a few questions from parents who’d rather homeschool their five-year-olds. He says they’ll have two options…

Cut 11 (09)”….curriculum”

Fields says following the state curriculum will make your child TOPS eligible.

53-year-old Keith Hilliard, father of LSU pitcher Ma’Kail Hilliard, died in a Father’s Day drowning accident on the Amite River while tubing. Livingston Parish Sheriff Jason Ard says the Upper Amite River is unpredictable and cautions anyone in the water to pay attention and wear protective life gear.

Cut 14 (07) “…unforgiving river.”

A Legislative Auditor’s report finds 374 deceased Louisianans received over a million dollars in unemployment benefits dating back to March 2020. Data Analytics Manager Chris Magee says due to delayed local reporting nothing could have been done to stop about half of that money from being paid out but 123,000 dollars could have been prevented if LWC were to start processing death data weekly, instead of monthly.

Cut 7 (08) “…quickly.”

Workforce Commissioner Secretary Ava Cates says LWC will review implementing weekly processing of Social Security death data.

Several hundred homeowners in the eastern half of Slidell are cleaning up after Tropical Storm Claudette dumped over ten inches of rain in a short amount of time, producing street flooding that got into people’s homes. Mayor Greg Cromer…

Cut 14 (12) “…of feet ” 

Monroe Police continue to investigate Friday night’s fatal shooting of former Richwood High starting quarterback Michael Sherman. Detectives say Sherman was gunned down after an argument involving two females. Richwood High Football Coach Marcus Yanez says Sherman was a great person to be around

Cut 9 (11) “…the state”

The Annie E. Casey Foundation’s 2021 Kids Count report is out and Louisiana continues to find itself ranked amongst the worst states in the nation for quality of life for children. CEO Lisa Hamilton says our outcomes will likely improve a good bit once an American Rescue Act provision expanding the child tax credit kicks in in July.

Cut 4 (09) “…as adults.”

The tax credit will reportedly lift 4-million children above the poverty line.

A Legislative Auditor’s audit finds the Louisiana Workforce Commission paid out just over a million dollars in unemployment benefits to dead Louisianans since March of 2020. Workforce Commission Secretary Ava Cates says considering that’s just a tiny fraction of the 8.5 billion dollars they’ve paid out during this historic period, the department did a good job.

Cut 8 (11) “… ratio”

A side-by-side crash in Webster Parish claims the life of an 11-year-old boy and injuries to the 14-year-old girl who was driving the vehicle. State Trooper Jonathan Odom says the 14-year-old was driving the 2011 Polaris UTV northbound on Grant Circle when the tragic crash occurred.

Cut 12 (10) “…vehicle”

The 2021 KIDS COUNT is out, and Louisiana ranks towards the bottom in its four main categories. Brooke Thorington has more from the President of the Annie E Casey Foundation.

Cut 1 (31) “ …I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

LSU pitcher Ma’Khail Hilliard’s father 53-year-old Keith Hilliard died over the weekend in a tubing accident on the Amite River. Livingston Parish Sheriff Jason Ard says it appears Hilliard drown after leaving his tube to retrieve an item he had dropped in the water. 

Starting at 12 PM today Louisianans who’ve received at least one COVID shot can register to win up to a million dollars through the state’s vaccine lottery program.
Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle.”

The LSU Board of Supervisors has approved a resolution that asks the state health department to make the COVID-19 vaccine mandatory before students can attend public schools, colleges and universities. State law requires students to be vaccinated against several diseases, but the COVID vaccine was approved by the FDA on an emergency basis.

Researchers at LSU- Health New Orleans have created a compound that mimics a protective chemical in our brain and retina of the eye and discover it can also protect the lungs against COVID. Director of the Neuroscience Center Dr. Nicolas Bazan (rhymes with Tarzan) experimented with compound.
Cut 10 (12) “…they do.”
The therapy still has to undergo clinical research.

Real Reform Louisiana Executive Director Eric Holl delivered tiki torches to the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry headquarters because auto insurance rates are on the rise. Holl says LABI President Stephen Waguespack told KEEL Radio in Shreveport a year ago he would grab a tiki torch and go to the Capitol if rates did not go down as a result of legislation that changed the way civil courts handle car crash cases
Cut 14 (06) “…regular people.”
LABI President Stephen Waguespack says with jury trials finally resuming, the impact of the law can finally be felt.

Southeast Louisiana is prepping to get inundated from Tropical Storm Claudette with landfall predicted to be sometime early Saturday morning.  National Weather Service meteorologist Ben Schott says basically everything east of I-55 from the coast up to the Mississippi state line is expected to be affected and if you live in that area you need to pay attention.

Cut 5  (12) “…Sunday” 

St. Tammany Parish Emergency Preparedness Director Clarence Powe says they’ve opened up sandbagging stations and they closed a few bridges in anticipation of possible flooding. Powe encourages residents to make storm plans and check around their homes.

Cut  11 (09) “…do it early.” 

Rainfall amounts are the biggest threat with the storm however Schott says don’t discount tropical storm winds of 30 to 40 miles per hour and securing outside items should also be on your immediate to-do list.

Governor Edwards takes issue with the label “decriminalization” as a way to describe legislation he signed that removes the possibility of jail time for possession of a small amount of marijuana. Under the legislation, those found to have 14 grams or less of pot can’t be sent to jail and only can be given a 100 dollar fine. Edwards says don’t confuse that for full legalization.

Cut 6 (09) “…marijauna.”

Governor Edwards signs legislation increasing the cost of annual recreational and commercial hunting and fishing licenses starting next July. Prairieville Representative Tony Bacala says only two-thirds of recreational sportsmen will only see their yearly costs go up about ten dollars, and with that increase in cost will come more consolidated licenses.

Cut 15 (07) “…package”