Legislation inspired by cases where children in special education classes were physically and mentally abused by teachers is headed to the Senate. The bill would allow cameras to be set up in special ed classrooms should parents make that request. Baton Rouge physician and mother of a nonverbal special needs daughter, Dr. Mary Elizabeth Christian says she will never forget the day when she sat in an Individualized Education Program for her daughter and learned of ongoing abuse.

Cut 4 (12) “… every day.” 

Governor John Bel Edwards says because he and his family are fully vaccinated they’ll be able to enjoy a safe, normal Mother’s Day celebration Sunday.

Cut 13, 12 seconds, vaccinated

Legislation that protects employees from being discriminated against due to their natural hairstyle is headed to the House for final passage after a tense debate in committee. Jeff Palermo has more.

Cut 2 (31) …I’m Jeff Palermo”  

A Senate-approved bill aimed at ending employer discrimination against Black natural hairstyles is headed to the House floor after a contentious debate in committee. New Orleans Senator Troy Carter says his bill was inspired by the experiences of African Americans who were suspended from school or fired from jobs just for wearing their hair naturally…

Cut 6 (12) “…shouldn’t be”

Opponents argue employers should have the right to dictate what employees hair looks like.

A bill to allow cameras in special education classrooms, if requested by the parents, advances from Senate Education. Baton Rouge Senator Franklin Foil author the bill on behalf of the Louisiana Development Disabilities Council and concerned parents whose special needs children experienced mental and/or physical abuse in the classroom.

Cut 3 (03)  “…safeguard.” 

University of South Carolina Provost William Tate the fourth will take over as LSU System President in July. The 65-year-old will be the first Black president in SEC history. Tate says he’s ready to tackle the school’s Title Nine scandal and advance the program’s academic reputation…

Cut 12 (12) “…in the future.”

Tate was unanimously approved by the Board.

The House approved next fiscal year’s 36.4 billion dollar spending plan and found agreement on how to spend 800 million of the 1.6 billion in American Rescue Act funds Louisiana receives this year. House Appropriations Chairman Jerome Zeringue highlighted the increased investment they were able to put into higher education.

Cut 13 (10) “…institutions.”

A 36.4 billion spending plan for the next fiscal year was approved by the House with little opposition. It features increases in funding to a range of different programs, largely due to a massive influx of federal funds. House Appropriations Chairman Jerome Zeringue highlighted the increased investment they were able to put into higher education.

Cut 13 (10) “…institutions.”

Zeringue also notes they’re giving K-12 teachers a 800 dollar pay raise.

Additionally 800 million dollars in American Rescue Act funding was dedicated into four categories: 400 million to replenish the unemployment trust fund, 10 million for logger’s relief, 90 million for broadband expansion, and 300 million for water infrastructure…

Cut 15 (12)“..system_.”

The Senate advances Senator Beth Mizell’s bill to ban transgender athletes from competing in girls’ sports…

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington” 

President Joe Biden vowed to send additional federal assistance to hurricane-ravaged Lake Charles today after visiting the area. He says it’s the helping hand they need…

Cut 14 (10) “..I’ve observed” 

He also says if Congress passes his infrastructure bill he’ll build a new bridge on the Calcasieu River.

President Joe Biden was in Lake Charles today to tout his American Jobs Plan, which he says will create millions of jobs to rebuild the nation’s infrastructure. Biden says this legislation would result in tax hikes for the wealthiest Americans to pay for new roads and bridges, like the Calcasieu River Bridge…

Cut 12 (12)   “…this important” 

A bill blocking employers from asking applicants about their wage history clears House Labor. Baton Rouge Representative Barbara Carpenter wrote the bill. She says blocking employers from asking about applicants’ wage history ensures they don’t get lowballed when taking a new job.

Cut 16 (09) “…retirement” 

The legislation would also prevent employers from retaliating against employees who share wage information.

LA Wallet users can now use the app to get a digital copy of their COVID Vaccine Card. LA Wallet launched in 2018 to provide a digital copy of your driver’s license. Governor Edwards says the additional feature for your vaccine status is completely voluntary.

Cut 5  (10)  “…allows.”

The LA Wallet app is free.

Ponchatoula native, sophomore LSU QB TJ Finley has officially entered his name into the transfer portal after losing the backup quarterback battle to Max Johnson. USA Today Network LSU Beat reporter Glen Guilbeau says Finley’s stay in Baton Rouge didn’t go as planned but he still has a nice career ahead of him…

Cut 11 (11) “…than ever”

The move to bring in more revenue for the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries by raising hunting and fishing license costs is gaining momentum. LDWF Secretary Jack Montoucet says license fees have remained steady for the last 20 years and a fund that’s helped finance the department is nearly dry

Cut 9 (07) “…big dilemna”

The proposal calls for the cost of a basic fishing license to increase seven dollars, a basic annual hunting license would climb 50 bucks.

Slidell Senator Sharon Hewitt withdrew her bill that would establish closed primaries for Congressional races. She says the fight isnt over and moving away from the jungle primary would help grow healthy state parties…

Cut 6 (13) “…record”

Former LSU President F. King Alexander says the opposition he faced from local leaders to his move to deprioritize standardized test scores in admissions was racist. Before instituting the change three years ago prior policy only allowed four percent of the incoming freshmen to not meet the required ACT/SAT requirements. He says it was disproportionately used to recruit student-athletes of color.

Cut 13 (08)“…laboratories.”

Alexander made the comments on Talk Louisiana.

A new program goes into effect today to help speed up the verification process for Louisianans filing for unemployment. Louisiana Workforce Commission Secretary Ava Cates says ID.me will help ensure the correct person collects benefits.

Cut 3 (11)  “…10 minutes” 

Former LSU President F. King Alexander says the opposition he faced from local leaders to his move to deprioritize standardized test scores in admissions was racist. Alexander says his support for and adoption of holistic admissions three years ago prompted outrage from prominent boosters and members of the Board, but…

Cut 12 (11)   “…university” 

Alexander says LSU was one of the last schools in the nation to adopt holistic admissions.

Legislation that would have established a closed party primary system for Louisiana congressional elections gets shelved for the session. Despite its defeat many still support the change, including Libertarian Party activist Mike Wolf…

Cut 8 (09) “…candidate”

A measure to increase the cost of a hunting and fishing license clears its first legislative hurdle as it receives approval from the House Natural Resources Committee. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (30) …I’m Jeff Palermo”  

Governor Edwards is expected to address the public today at 3:30 PM regarding the state’s progress with the vaccination campaign. This comes as a quarter of everyone in Louisiana, or 1.23 million people, but the pace of new vaccinations has slowed to just a trickle.

Despite opposition from some local opponents, a bill allowing a parish-wide vote on establishing a casino in Slidell advances out of committee 8-2. Proponents for the St. Tammany Parish vote argue it would generate 8 million dollars a year in extra revenue for the parish. Opponents, like Lisa Clayton, argue casinos are magnets for sex trafficking.

Cut 11 (12) “…town”

A similar bill on the Senate side is stuck in the Finance Committee.

Trans advocates are celebrating the defeat of legislation that would prevent transgender athletes from competing on girls sports teams. Breakout spokesperson Teyanna Tokeoh…

Cut 14 (07) “…male cheerleaders” 

A similar bill remains alive in the upper chamber and is waiting for a vote on the Senate floor. 

The United Cajun Navy ends search efforts for the missing crew members of the SEACOR lift boat. Brooke Thorington explains.

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

The National Weather Service has put most of the state above the I-12/I-10 corridor under a tornado watch through the evening. The alert warns of the possibility for nickel seized hail and 70 mile per hour gusts throughout the area, along with likely damage to mobile homes.

Legislation allowing St. Tammany voters to vote on allowing a casino in Slidell may be stalled in the Senate but on the House side, it won approval in committee 8-2 this morning. The bill is backed by the St. Tammany Chamber and Northshore Business Council. Business Council CEO Bonnie Eades…

Cut 10 (10) “…issue” 

Opponents argue the casino would become a magnet for sex trafficking.

A proposal that would prevent transgender athletes from competing on girls’ sports teams fails to pass out of House Education six to five. Conservative groups are in support. Louisiana Baptist Office of Public Policy Director Will Hall says the legislation sought to create a fair playing field.

Cut 13 (07)“…for women.”

Trans advocates argued the bill was discriminatory.

K-12 teachers and support staff are being offered access to virtual visits with mental health professionals thanks to a joint effort by The Louisiana Department of Education and Ochsner Health. State Superintendent of Education Dr. Cade Brumley says those seeking help will have access to a variety of visits.

Cut 7 (11) “…the state.”

More than 160,000 employees will be eligible for the program.

United Cajun Navy spokesperson Brian Trascher says the UCN’s decision to no longer aid in the search for the seven remaining missing crewmen of the SEACOR Power was made due to a smear campaign launched by former members alleging financial improprieties…

Cut 5  (07)  “…all lies.”