An annual survey conducted by LSU found most people in the state think Louisiana is moving in the wrong direction. Michael Henderson, who leads the survey every year, says they polled over 500 adults here and 61% indicated they are not happy with where Louisiana is headed…:
CUT 5 (08) “in state government”
The survey found residents were most concerned about crime and the state’s economy.

The Atlantic Hurricane Season begins Thursday and Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says now is the time to review your property insurance policy. He says not to wait until there’s a storm in the Gulf, but check with your agent now to learn about the coverage you have…:
Cut 9 (03) “coverage for”
He says it’s also a good idea to have your agent calculate what your out-of-pocket expenses would be should your home sustain storm damage.

The NCAA Baseball Tournament is set to get underway this weekend. Four Louisiana schools earned an opportunity to make a run to Omaha including preseason favorites LSU. Kace Kieschnick has more..:
Cut 3 (33) “Kace Kieschnick”

The missing boater in the West Feliciana vessel crash Sunday has been identified. WPSO identified her as 38-year-old as Rachel Hann of St. Francisville. They say they are now transitioning from a rescue operation to a recovery. The boat operator, identified as 37-year-old Anthony Bain, remains hospitalized.

There is plenty of talk going around today over the bill that would ban transgender procedures on minors. Pollock Representative Gabe Firment says of the, “Save Adolescents from Experimentation Act,” that European nations which pioneered gender reassignment treatment have reversed course…:
Cut 10 (09) “and surgeries”
Opponents argue that restricting healthcare options for transgender minors would be devastating to their mental well-being. The measure heads to the House Floor.

Legislation to make it legal to bury your pet’s cremated remains in the owner’s coffin passes in the House. The measure is by Minden Representative Wayne McMahen, a former veterinarian…:
Cut 14 (09) “associations”
The bill heads to the Senate.

3rd graders would be held back if they can’t read under a measure that advanced out of House Education. Teiko Foxx reports…:
CUT 1 (33) “I’m Teiko Foxx”

A suspect wanted for murder out of Alabama is the man who allegedly shot an officer and killed 2 people at a gas station in Bossier City Tuesday. The Bossier City police officer was hit several times in the shootout and is now in stable condition. 50-year-old Cortrell Burks was named as a person of interest in the stabbing death of a woman in Center Point Alabama Sunday.

Third grade students who can’t read would be held back under a measure approved in House Education. The bill is by Mandeville Representative Richard Nelson who says Louisiana has some of the lowest literacy performance rates in the country…:
CUT 4 (11) “at it”
75% of fourth graders in Louisiana cannot read based on national test results.

That debate now moves to the House Floor, and so does a bill that would give police the right to say “stay back” while they do their jobs. Mike Johnson is the bill sponsor. He told the House Criminal Justice Committee this would allow cops to take preventive steps for his or her own safety and the safety of an approaching citizen…:
Cut 7 (12) “of a misdemeanor”
Opponents of the bill are worried it will prevent people from being able to video police.

A bill to prohibit transgender procedures on minors advances from the House Health and Welfare Committee. Brooke Thorington has more…:
Cut 3 (33) “I’m Brooke Thorington”

For the first time ever, Jazz Fest is trying out online ticket sales. Louisiana residents only have until 11pm tonight to purchase the “Locals Thursday” passes at NOJazzFest.com or via the Jazz Fest app for only $50. You can still get tickets at the gate tomorrow as in years past with a valid Louisiana ID.

The legislature advances a bill banning transgender procedures on minors. New Orleans Pediatric Psychologist Clifton Mixon testified before the House Health and Welfare Committee in opposition. He says every alternative method possible is tried before performing reassignment surgery and prohibiting them would have consequences….:
Cut 11 (10) “your hands”
Supporters of the bill assert it would protect children from making such a decision before they are mature enough to do so. The measure heads to the House Floor.

A man accused in a deadly stabbing and shooting in Alabama is believed to be the same suspect arrested after a Tuesday shootout with police in Bossier City. BCPD says the Louisiana incident claimed the lives of two people at a gas station and wounded an officer. Cortrell Burks was booked into the Bossier City Jail on multiple counts including first degree murder, and is wanted in Jefferson County, Alabama.

A bill to give cops the right to tell you “stay back” while they do their jobs advances out of a House Committee. More from Kevin Gallagher…:
Cut 2 (30) “I’m Kevin Gallagher”

House Education advances a bill to hold back 3rd graders who aren’t reading on grade level and get them the help they need to catch up. The same bill was proposed last year but ran out of time for consideration before the session ended. It goes to the full House floor next.

Lawmakers return to the Capitol today to begin the 2023 Session. Among issues to be discussed is whether to raise the state’s spending cap. LaPolitics.com Publisher Jeremy Alford says that would require a two-thirds majority vote in both chambers….:
Cut 7 (12) “in the future”
Because it’s a fiscal session lawmakers can only file five non-fiscal issues. Alford says the House Criminal Justice committee will hear several emotional issues, like abortion, the death penalty, and tough-on-crime legislation.

There’s also a bill by State Representative Edmond Jordan that would make police departments pay up if they are involved in a chase that ends in death or injury to an innocent bystander. That’s got the goal of discouraging dangerous chases.

Another bill set to be heard this session would make it a crime to walk up unexpectedly on a cop who’s doing their job. Kevin Gallagher elaborates…:
Cut 3 (31) “I’m Kevin Gallagher”

And Franklinton Senator Beth Mizell is bringing a bill to raise the age requirement to enter a bar from 18 to 21…:
Cut 4 (09) “a negative”
The bill would also require bartenders to be 21.

Lawmakers return to Baton Rouge Monday for the 2023 legislative session:
Cut 2 (33) “I’m Brooke Thorington”

State Police say an Alexandria woman was killed in an Avoyelles Parish crash Friday night and impairment is suspected to be a factor. They say the investigation revealed 23-year-old Christopher McCoy of Bunkie drove his truck off the road into a ditch, and crashed into a tree. McCoy sustained moderate injuries but his passenger, 22-year-old Lauren Vaughn died on the scene. McCoy is suspected to have been under the influence.

Pineville Representative Mike Johnson has a bill for the legislative session that makes it a crime to approach a cop while he or she is doing their job. He says he’s heard from LEOs about citizens walking upon them unexpectedly, while they’re working a crime scene or traffic accident…:
Cut 13 (09) “safety issue”
He says this will help set officers a little more at ease while they do their jobs.

Another measure to be heard would raise the age limit to enter bars from 18 to 21. Franklinton Senator Beth Mizell says her “Card’em” bill requires any person attempting to enter a Class-A General retail establishment to show their ID verifying they are 21. She expects pushback from bar owners even though underage drinking is not legal…:
Cut 6 (04) “under 21”
The proposed bill also adds the requirement that only a person 21 and older can be employed as a bartender.

The 2023 regular legislative session begins on Monday and one of the issues to be discussed is whether to raise the state’s spending cap. La-Politics-dot-com publisher Jeremy Alford says that would require a two-thirds majority vote in both chambers…:
CUT 7 (12) “in the future”
And because it’s a fiscal session lawmakers can only file five non-fiscal issues this session.

Another bill would require health insurance to pay fertility preservation costs for cancer patients whose treatment could make them sterile. It’s a measure by Baton Rouge Representative Paula Davis…:
CUT 6 (09) “bill does”
The proposed law would be known as “The Medically Necessary Fertility Preservation Act.”

Another matter set to be heard in the legislative session would make it a crime to walk up unexpectedly on a cop who’s doing their job. Kevin Gallagher elaborates…:
Cut 3 (31) “I’m Kevin Gallagher”

And there will be no Game 3 between the LSU and South Carolina baseball teams. The already rescheduled game was cancelled today due to ongoing rain in Columbia and will not be made up. This set began on Thursday and SEC rules state once it begins you have 3 days to play 3 games. The two teams evened the series with the Gamecocks taking Game 1 and The Tigers winning Friday 8-7.

Following the death of LSU student Madison Brooks after a night of underage drinking at a Tigerland bar in Baton Rouge – Franklinton Senator Beth Mizell is hoping to raise the age limit to enter bars from 18 to 21.
Cut 4 (09) “…a negative.”
Mizell’s proposal will heard by lawmakers in the legislative session that begins Monday.

The Humane Society of Louisiana reminds you every Easter that you might want to think twice before getting a live baby chick or bunny. Spokesman Jeff Dorson says many of these animals become abandoned after the Holiday and it’s better to go for other gifts in the basket which don’t require a long term commitment:
CUT 5 (05) “with that”
He says it’s also illegal in many areas for photographers to use live animals as props unless they are licensed.

A bill to require insurance companies to pay fertility preservation costs for cancer patients has been filed for the upcoming session. Brooke Thorington has more…:
Cut 1 (32) “I’m Brooke Thorington”

LSU says the National Champion Lady Tigers basketball program will accept the invitation to the White House. That invitation was made Friday when President Biden called Coach Kim Mulkey and Star forward Angel Reese to congratulate them on their championship. A date has not been set.