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 with homicide:
Cut 4 (09) “not yet born”
Opponents of the bill say the measure would criminalize in vitro fertilization.

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”
Mathieu said he is excited to join a Saints defense under new head coach and former coordinator Dennis Allen.

The bill aimed at cracking down on theft of catalytic converters continues to move through the legislative process. Under the proposal, a person convicted of stealing auto emissions systems worth over 25 grand 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”
The Senate has already moved the bill and so has House Criminal Justice.

Governor John Bel Edwards has announced the retirement of State Fire Marshal Butch Browning; who has accepted the position of executive director of the National Association of State Fire Marshals. Browning’s 14 years serving Louisiana is the longest tenure for the position in the state’s history.

Attorney Lewis Unglesby says it’s an unreasonable response for state lawmakers to hold former State Police leader Kevin Reeves in contempt for not handing over a certain journal entry. Jeff Palermo has the story..:
Cut 3 (32) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Ahead of the start of hurricane season on June 1st, Governor John Bel Edwards is slated to hold a news conference this morning with other emergency preparedness officials to discuss how the public should get ready for a potential storm.

Abortion will become illegal in Louisiana if the leaked Supreme Court opinion stands. Chief Justice John Roberts has confirmed the leaked draft IS authentic, and Tulane University law professor Keith Werhan (pronounced “WER-han”) feels – IF there are enough votes to reverse Roe V. Wade – that will eventually happen. He says the Supreme court more often seeks to narrow precedent rulings..:
CUT 12 (08) “opinion was drafted”
He points out the draft has preliminary support but it’s not a done deal.

Louisiana’s so-called version of what opponents call the Don’t Say Gay bill was halted in a House Committee. The bill drew opposition from several witnesses, like Brenna Wells, with the LSU School of Social Work and LGBTQ Studies, who feels the bill is mean-spirited…:
Cut 8 (12) “…and their future.”
The committee voted 7-to-4 to reject the bill.

Louisiana’s version of what opponents call the “Don’t Say Gay” bill has been killed for this legislative session. House Education voted 7-to-4 to reject the measure. Bossier Parish Republican Dodie Horton wrote the bill…:
Cut 7 (12) “state standard-slash-curriculum”
Some in opposition argued the measure is too broad.

The committee investigating the deadly 2019 arrest of Ronald Greene wants to hold former State Police Head Kevin Reeves in contempt for refusing to hand over a journal entry on the matter, but Reeves’ lawyer says members already have what they need. Attorney Lewis Unglesby says anything in the journals kept by Reeves pertaining to the Greene case has been given to lawmakers..:
Cut 16 (11) “the committee”

The draft opinion indicating the US Supreme Court might be poised to overturn Roe v Wade would immediately make abortions illegal in Louisiana. Tulane University law professor Keith Werhan (pronounced “WER-han”) says having a justice’s draft opinion leaked to the press is rare and the Supreme Court will not take lightly…:
Cut 13 (08) “a vigorous one”
Abortions would be illegal here, under a 2006 “trigger bill”; written to kick in if the Justices ever took that action.

The FBI is warning parents about a sextortion scheme going around in Louisiana which tricks minors into sending inappropriate photos which are then used to extort them into sending money, or else. Spokesperson Connor Hagan offers this to parents who believe their kid is a victim..:
CUT 6 (12) “contact the FBI”

A House committee rejects Louisiana’s “Don’t Say Gay” bill…:
Cut 2 (33) “I’m Kevin Gallagher”

After a long stretch of falling gas prices, we’re starting to see them slowly inch back up. The current statewide average for a gallon of regular is $3.89 which is down 7 cents from a month ago — but up nearly a nickel over the week.

The New Orleans Saints are expected to make the signing of former LSU star safety Tyrann Mathieu official today.

The lawyer for the former head of State Police, Kevin Reeves, says the committee investigating the deadly 2019 arrest of Ronald Green has what they need from his client. The members believe Reeves is acting in contempt for refusing to provide a particular journal entry. But Lewis Unglesby says it’s not relevant…:
Cut 15 (08) “interested in”

The FBI is warning parents of a rise in sextortion schemes targeting children in Louisiana. The crime-fighting agency says it has received several reports in the Monroe, Alexandria, and Shreveport areas of predators posing as children and coercing minors into sending them sexually explicit materials for the purpose of extorting money. Spokesperson Connor Hagan…:
Cut 4 (11) “that they are”
Hagan says an underage person should never send intimate or explicit photos or videos over the internet.

The emergence of a leaked U.S. Supreme Court draft opinion indicating the 1973 Roe v. Wade abortion rights decision might soon be overturned has implications for Louisiana. Tulane University law professor Keith Werhan (pronounced “WER-han”) says the draft has preliminary support, but it’s not yet a “done deal”…:
Cut 11 (11) “gonna want that”
If the High court reverses Roe v. Wade, abortions would become illegal in Louisiana immediately.

The House Education committee rejects a measure prohibiting teachers from discussing gender identity or sexual orientation in classrooms. Opponents call it the Don’t Say Gay Bill. New Orleans Representative Aimee Freeman says its too broad…:
Cut 9 (09) “…cannot support this bill”
The matter is dead for the session.

The lawyer for former State Police Colonel Kevin Reeves says a legislative committee investigating the fatal arrest of Ronald Greene has the information they need from the journals kept by Reeves. Houma Representative Tanner Magee has threatened to charge Reeves with contempt, but attorney Lewis Unglesby says that is an unreasonable response..:
Cut 14 (10) “confusion there”
Magee met with Unglesby on Monday to make copies of pages in the journal pertaining to anything written about the Greene case.

State Police have changed the status of the case of Ella Goodie, the 33-year-old ride share driver from Scott who vanished in March, from missing person to homicide. No body has been found and no suspect charged, but troopers say the transition is based on investigative techniques and witness statements.

The state House overwhelming approves a bill to expand the medical marijuana program. There are currently nine licensed medical marijuana pharmacies in Louisiana and Houma Representative Tanner Magee’s measure awards a tenth license and allows licensee holders to open multiple pharmacies…:
Cut 6 (10) “who are closer”
The bill heads to the Senate for more discussion.

A junior from Southern University Lab in Baton Rouge has received the honorable Gold Medal Congressional Award. Kelsie Tillage has a 4.29 GPA and is dually enrolled in Southern University, Honors and AP courses. She says she’s always enjoyed serving others…:
CUT 15 (10) “to do it”
The accolade is the highest honor a young person can achieve through the US Senate and House.

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”

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 looked at stats from 2020 when fewer people were driving…:
CUT 5 (06) “it’s flat”

A measure that removes Robert E Lee and Confederate Memorial Day from the state’s official holidays gains approval in the House. David Grubb reports:
CUT 3 (31) “I’m David Grubb”

A bipartisan legislative committee investigating the deadly 2019 arrest of Ronald Greene says it plans to move to hold the former head of state police in contempt for refusing to turn over documents on the matter. The dispute is over a journey entry mentioning Governor John Bel Edwards. Kevin Reeves has been accused of covering up the initial investigation into Greene’s death. Reeves’ lawyer says his client is cooperating.

A bill that would require schools to provide feminine products for students advances out of House Education. New Orleans Representative Jason Hughes co-authors the measure…:
CUT 9 (11) “her with”
The bill is slated to be heard next on the House Floor.

Even though people were driving less in 2020, a new analysis by MoneyGeek found Louisiana had the second highest distracted driving fatality rate in the nation. Head of Data Analytics Doug Milens says they compared those fatalities based on miles driven in each state…:
CUT 4 (11) “and Kansas”
Texting while driving is the most common distracted driving offense in Louisiana.

Legislation to require Louisiana schools to provide feminine products for students advances to the House floor…:
Cut 1 (33) “I’m Brooke Thorington”

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 that coupled with high auto-insurance only adds insult to injury for the state:
Cut 6 (08) “tougher”

Congressman Garret Graves says members of the Louisiana delegation are still working on a measure aimed at dealing with the rising cost of flood insurance that has yet to be approved. He says amendments have been drafted to provide temporary relief from the “Risk Rating 2.0”, but the Democrat majority in the U.S. House isn’t interested in fixing the problem…:
Cut 10 (07) “offering the amendment”
New plan rates are based on distance from water, elevation, construction type, flood history and rebuilding costs.

A student from Southern University Lab in Baton Rouge has received the honorable Gold Medal Congressional Award. The accolade awarded to Kelsie Tillage, who is in 11th grade, is the highest honor a young person can achieve through the US Senate and House. Tillage says she’s so grateful…:
CUT 13 (06) “community as well”
In addition to maintaining a 4.29-grade point average, Tillage is dually enrolled at Southern University, Honors and AP courses, is a published author.