The White House and U.S. House GOP majority agreement to raise the federal debt ceiling and avoid a government default must be approved by Congress. Louisiana Republican Senator Bill Cassidy says to avoid a government default – the deal has to place limits on how quickly the country can incur new debt to reach the new ceiling and it does that…:

Cut 6 (09)  “…spending cuts.”

The House is expected to vote on it today.

A bill to add the National Suicide Prevention Hotline number —  988 — on driver’s licenses and other state IDs advances in House Transportation. One death by suicide occurs every 11 minutes and in 2021 Louisiana had more than 680 suicides. Karen Stubbs with the Office of Behavioral Health with the Louisiana Department of Health oversees 9-8-8.

Cut 15 (12)  “…need it.”

Senate Bill 34 heads to the House floor for final passage.

LSU’s first opponent in the Baton Rouge Regional, Tulane defied the odds to get in the NCAA Tournament. Kace Kieschnick has the story…

Cut 3 (32)  “….Kace Kieschnick.”

Multiple people, pets, and 10 children safely escaped a house fire in Kenner Tuesday evening. Neighbors alerted the homeowner to the fire. The homeowner, Patricia Chaney, said although she doesn’t own a daycare – she has looked after children in the neighborhood for years. The American Red Cross is helping the family find a home. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

Now that a deal has been reached between the U.S. House leadership and the White House to raise the federal debt ceiling and avoid a government default, the deal must be sold to House and Senate members. Louisiana Republican Senator Bill Cassidy says the deal has some drawbacks, but he basically approves in principle…:
Cut 4 (05) “…send to us.’”
A vote in the House is scheduled for today. The House Freedom Caucus is urging Republicans to vote “no” because it doesn’t roll back the President’s student loan forgiveness proposal or the Inflation Reduction Act.

At the State Capitol, a House-passed bill to allow adults, 21 and over, with a clean criminal record to carry a concealed weapon without a permit moved out of Senate Judiciary. Fabian Blache, directed of the state Association of Chiefs of Police, worries about young men with unpermitted guns…:
CUT 23 (12) “…going to fire”
The bill was approved, 4-to-1, but must also pass Senate Finance, because ending concealed carry permits will mean a loss of revenue.

Senate-approved legislation to add the suicide crisis 9-8-8 number to state-issued driver’s licenses and IDs advances in House Transportation. Natchitoches Senator Louie Bernard says a group of students at Northwestern State who lost friends to suicide inspired the legislation.
Cut 13 (10) “…number to call.”
According to the C-D-C, nearly 700 people in Louisiana committed suicide in 2021.

There is a shortage of chemotherapy drugs which is forcing doctors to reduce doses or in some cases delay care. Among the medications are carboplatin and cisplatin which are used as a first-line chemo treatment for a variety of cancers. Doctor Amelia Jernigan at LSU Health New Orleans and she says they are tried-and-true drugs that are generic and cost less than newer medications and that’s part of the problem.
Cut 8 (10) “…so narrow.”
Health care leaders and lawmakers are hoping the F-D-A can do something soon to address the shortage.

A shortage of cancer drugs used in chemotherapy is forcing physicians to ration or seek alternative medications. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

The Baton Rouge and New Orleans areas are under an Air Quality alert again today as smoke from wildfires in Central America is impacting the quality of air in south Louisiana, especially for sensitive groups. The state department of environmental quality is hopeful the air quality will improve tomorrow.

A vote in the U-S House is expected today on a debt ceiling and budget deal negotiated between House Republican leadership and President Joe Biden. The deal would restrict spending over the next two years and Senator Bill Cassidy says there are parts of the compromise he agrees with…
cut 5 (09) “….epidemic is over”
But Cassidy says they are also clawing back disaster recovery funding. He says it’s money that could go to utility companies to pay for restoration costs, instead customers will have to pick up those costs.

A proposed law that could result in a person being charged with a misdemeanor if they do not stay 25 feet away from a police officer who is making an arrest of conducting an investigation is nearing final legislative passage. Pineville Representative Mike Johnson is the author of the bill…
cut 10 (09) “…for space”
The measure is heading to the Senate floor for final legislative passage.

Louisiana is dealing with a property insurance crisis and a new statewide poll out of LSU reveals 17-percent of residents say they’ve had their homeowners insurance canceled within the past year…
cut 21 (09) “…the last year”
LSU’s Doctor Michael Henderson says the survey also found 63-percent of their insurance cost has increased significantly in just the past year.

A nationwide shortage of cancer drugs is forcing some physicians to either ration the chemotherapy drugs or try other medications. Dr. Amelia Jernigan with LSU Health New Orleans Gynecologic Oncology says they are substituting other meds when possible.
Cut 7 (11) “…rationing.”
The American Society of Clinical Oncology has told doctors to give the lowest recommended dose and the longest accepted interval between doses.

House-passed legislation that would result in a misdemeanor if you are within 25 feet of an officer as he or she performs their duties clears a Senate committee…
Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

State issued driver’s licenses and ID cards could soon advertise the Crisis Lifeline that’s available for people who are struggling with mental health. Natchitoches Senator Louie Bernard’s bill would have the crisis lifeline 9-8-8 printed on the back of the card.
cut 14 (09) “…driver’s license”
The measure is heading to the House floor for final legislative passage.

A shortage of cancer drugs used in chemotherapy is forcing physicians to ration or seek alternative medications. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (30)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

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Dubbed the “Stay Back” bill, House-passed legislation granting cops the right to tell you to back off for your own safety clears a Senate committee hurdle. Kevin Gallagher reports…:

Cut 2 (31)  “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

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LSU’s first opponent in the Baton Rouge Regional, Tulane, defied the odds to get in the NCAA Tournament. Kace Kieschnick has the story…

Cut 3 (32)  “….Kace Kieschnick.”

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Now that a deal has been reached between the U.S. House GOP majority and the White House to raise the federal debt ceiling and avoid a government default, the deal must be sold to House and Senate members. Louisiana Republican Senator Bill Cassidy says the deal has some drawbacks, but he basically approves in principle…:

Cut 4 (05)  “…send to us.’”

Cassidy says the deal reached between House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (and his team) and the Biden Administration defunds the 87-thousand new IRS agents funded by the previous Congress and makes other bold spending cuts…:

Cut 5 (09)   “…epidemic is over.”

Cassidy says it is important to take steps to avoid a government default, but not without placing limits on how quickly the country can incur new debt to reach the new ceiling. He says the deal – in its current form – does that…:

Cut 6 (09)  “…spending cuts.”

The deal must be approved by majority votes in both House and Senate.

________________________________________________

A nationwide shortage of cancer drugs is forcing some physicians to either ration the chemotherapy drugs or try other medications. Dr. Amelia Jernigan with LSU Health New Orleans Gynecologic Oncology says they’ve noticed the shortage and they are substituting other meds when possible.

Cut 7 (11) “…rationing.”

Among the medications are carboplatin and cisplatin which are used as a first-line chemo treatment for a variety of cancers. Jernigan says they are tried-and-true drugs that are generic and cost less than newer medications and that’s part of the problem.

Cut 8 (10) “…so narrow.”

Physicians and their staff are forced to file for Prior Authorizations with insurance carriers when they have to choose a non-generic alternative. Jernigan says it’s a lot of paperwork and the process can be lengthy. She has a suggestion if you or a family member are impacted by the shortages.

Cut 9 (06)  “…in the future.”

Jernigan says some treatment centers are having to choose between patients who can be cured with chemotherapy versus those who are on chemo for palliative care.

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A House-passed bill giving police the power to tell you to “stay back” while they’re engaged in their job passes out of a Senate Judiciary committee and will go to a Senate floor vote. In committee, bill sponsor and Pineville Republican Rep. Mike Johnson tells members the bill is about diffusing potentially volatile situations and is not an overreach by government…:

Cut 10 (09) “…his right…for space.” 

The bill states that if a cop in commission of his job tells you to stay back, you must keep at least 25-feet distance. Johnson says it will help avoid misunderstandings that can become violent. New Orleans Democrat Senator Gary Carter doesn’t like the bill and tells Johnson so…:

Cut 11 (07)  “…I do not.”

Also opposed, is Megan Gentry, with the Louisiana Association of Criminal Defense Attorneys, who feels the 25-foot rule in the bill is unconstitutionally vague. She says when the bill was in House Criminal Justice Committee, the distance confused them too…:

Cut 12 (07)    “…nobody knew.” 

Despite the objections, and one failed attempt to defer the bill…the committee voted 4-2 to send HB 85 to the Senate floor for what could be final passage.

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Legislation to add the suicide crisis 9-8-8 number to state-issued driver’s licenses and IDs advances in House Transportation. Natchitoches Senator Louie Bernard says a group of students at Northwestern State who lost friends to suicide inspired the legislation.

Cut 13 (10) “…number to call.”  

Bernard says until a mental health crisis impacts you or someone you care for we tend to put ideas on the back burner.

Cut 14 (09)  “…driver’s license.”

The Office of Motor Vehicles says they will incur the cost of adding the crisis phone number 988 to the identification cards and driver’s licenses.

One death by suicide occurs every 11 minutes and in 2021 Louisiana had more than 680 suicides. One in five adults live with a mental health condition. Karen Stubbs with the Office of Behavioral Health with the Louisiana Department of Health oversees 9-8-8.

Cut 15 (12)  “…need it.”

Senate Bill 34 heads to the House floor for final passage.

____________________________________________

Tulane will face 5-th seeded LSU in the first game of the Baton Rouge regional Friday. The Green Wave’s 19 wins are the worst of any tournament team but with a shocking performance in the American Athletic Conference tournament and win over now 15th-ranked East Carolina earned an automatic bid to the postseason. First-year coach Jay Uhlman said his squad left it all on the field…

Cut  16 (18)  “.., and intentful.” 

The Tigers defeated the Green Wave 11-5 in a midweek matchup in New Orleans earlier this year and are the heavy favorites to win the rematch and the regional. LSU boasts one of the most potent offenses in baseball, but Tulane pitcher Dylan Carmouche says they’re not invincible…

Cut 17 (13) “…can win.” 

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LSU will host their first regional since 2019 with a chance to host a super regional. The Tigers lost in the Hattiesburg regional last year and fell to Tennessee in the Knoxville Super Regional in 2021. Coach Jay Johnson hopes playing at home will give the Tigers the advantage they’ve been missing…

Cut 18 (14) “…close to 800.”

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UL-Lafayette defied the odds to earn one of the final spots in the NCAA postseason. After finishing 4th in the Sun Belt, the Cajuns rallied to win two win-or-go-home games over Coastal Carolina in the conference tournament semifinals. Although they didn’t come away with the Sun Belt Championship, pitcher Jackson Nezuh says the experience will be crucial to their success in the postseason…

Cut 19 (18) “…know we can do it.” 

The Cajuns will face Texas in the Coral Gables regional hosted by 8th-ranked Miami Friday. UL-L fought with their backs against the wall to earn the opportunity to keep playing, but Nezuh says with the records reset, the Cajuns have no plans of stopping now…

Cut 20 (19)  “…keep playing.”  

A bill to allow non-felons, 21 and older, to carry a concealed firearm without a permit received the backing of Senate Judiciary B. Several groups oppose Oil City Republican Representative Danny McCormick’s bill on the grounds it could lead to more gun violence. Executive Director of Louisiana Progress Peter Robbins-Brown…

Cut 10 (13) “…everyday”

The bill has already been approved in the House and goes to Senate Finance due to the potential loss of revenue for State Police for issuing the permits.

Legislation to raise the state’s minimum wage from $7.25 an hour to $10 in Louisiana was defeated on the Senate floor Tuesday. Bill sponsor New Orleans Senator Gary Carter says several families would have benefitted if it was raised. The bill failed on a 25-13 vote.

Legislation to incentivize gun owners with a $500 tax credit to buy safety devices for their firearms has bipartisan support. New Orleans Democrat Mandie Landry says in Virginia similar legislation even received support from the NRA.

Cut 8 (09)  “…gun safety.” 

A House-approved bill giving police the power to tell you to “stay back” while they’re engaged in their job passes out of a Senate Judiciary committee. Bill sponsor and Pineville Republican Rep. Mike Johnson tells members it’s about diffusing potentially volatile situations, and is not an overreach by government…:

Cut 10 (09) “…his right…for space.” 

Both bills await final passage on the Senate floor.

The latest release from the annual LSU Louisiana survey of public opinion confirms the property insurances market in in distress….
Cut 2 (33) “….I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

The Edwards Administration is asking lawmakers to put another 17-million dollars into an incentive fund that’s set up to attract more insurance companies to provide property insurance in coastal areas. Earlier this year, the legislature allocated 45-million dollars into the fund, but they are seeking more funding.

A bill to allow non-felons, 21 and older, to carry a concealed firearm without a permit continues to make its way through the legislative process. The House-approved bill received the backing today of Senate Judiciary B on a four-to one-vote. Oil City Representative Danny McCormick believes the U-S Constitution allows gun owners to conceal carry without a permit…
Cut 9 (06) “asking for”
The bill has been sent to Senate Finance because State Police would lose money if permits are not required.

Legislation to incentivize gun owners with a $500 tax credit to buy safety devices for their firearms has bipartisan support as it makes its way through the legislature. New Orleans Democrat Mandie Landry has been a longtime proponent of gun safety.
Cut 7 (05) “…accidents.”
The bill has already been approved by the House and is awaiting final passage on the Senate floor.

At the State Capitol, a House-passed bill to allow adults with a clean criminal record to carry a concealed weapon without a permit moves out of Senate Judiciary today…despite plenty of opposition. Here is Fabian Blache, with the state Association of Chiefs of Police, worrying about young men with unpermitted guns…:

CUT 11(12)      “…going to fire”

The bill passes, 4-to-1, but must also pass Senate Finance, because ending concealed carry permits will mean loss of revenue.

Another gun-related bill moving forward would incentive guns with a $500 tax credit for buying gun safety devices. The bill’s sponsor is New Orleans Representative Mandie Landry, who says too many die in accidental shootings or by stolen firearms…:

CUT 06(07)      “…in their cars.”

The bill has bipartisan support. Its next stop is the Senate floor, where it could win final passage.

With just ten days left in the legislative session in Baton Rouge, there is still some life in efforts to raise the state minimum wage. New Orleans Senator Gary Carter’s bill would take it from the federal minimum of $7.25 to $10. He tells Shreveport Senator Greg Tarver there are still MANY in Louisiana getting well under $10…:

CUT 05(12)      “…lot of places.”

It remains to be seen if the bill will actually get a vote on the Senate floor and getting through the House would be a huge obstacle.

LSU’s annual Louisiana Survey of public opinions shows a great many of us are struggling with getting, keeping and affording property insurance, after so many companies went insolvent of left the state after hurricanes in 2020 and ’21. Study lead Dr. Mike Henderson says the overall picture is dismal…:

CUT 14(08)      “…have been covered.”

He says 1-in-10 have had their coverage cancelled.

A bill to increase the state’s minimum wage still has a pulse as the legislative session enters its final two weeks. Jeff Palermo reports…:

CUT 01(34)      “…Palermo.”

State Police are investigating an officer-involved fatal shooting in Shreveport Monday. Troopers say SPD had an encounter with 60-year-old Robert Diamond, who reportedly drew a gun on them. He died later at a local hospital. The investigation into the shooting has just gotten started.

The so-called Constitutional Carry bill – already approved by the House – moved out of one Senate committee, despite abundant opposition. Here’s Louisiana Progress executive director Peter Robbins-Brown…:

CUT 10(13)      “…every day.”

The bill passed by a 4-to-1 vote, but must also pass Senate Finance, because doing away with Concealed Carry permits means loss of state revenues. The legislature concludes business in ten days.

This year’s Louisiana Survey by LSU indicates many folks are really struggling to get, keep and afford homeowner’s insurance. It’s no secret that hurricanes in 2020 and ’21 caused a lot of insurers to either go insolvent or leave the state. LSU’s Dr. Mike Henderson says nearly 20-percent surveyed said they tried to get new coverage in the last year…:

CUT 13(07)      “…insurance.”

63-percent report problems affording their coverage.

Louisiana residents are frustrated with property insurance cancelations, coverage refusals, and affordability. That’s the findings of LSU’s annual “Louisiana Survey” of public opinion. Poll leader Dr. Michael Henderson says the survey of 500 adults in the state showed that 17-percent said they’ve had their homeowner’s insurance canceled within the past year…:

Cut 12 (09) “…the last year.” 

Ten days left in the legislative session and a bill to increase the state’s minimum wage from $7.25 to ten-dollars an hour starting in January is still alive. The Senate Finance Committee did not vote on the bill, but instead made the procedural move of advancing the legislation to the Senate floor without a vote, which pleased New Orleans Senator Gary Carter…

Cut 4 (11)  “…(laughter).” 

A bill to allow non-felons, 18 and older, to carry a concealed firearm without a permit continues to make its way through the legislative process. The House-approved bill received the backing today of Senate Judiciary B on a four-to one-vote. Oil City Representative Danny McCormick believes the U-S Constitution allows gun owners to conceal carry without a permit…

Cut 9 (06)  “asking for” 

The bill has been sent to Senate Finance because State Police would lose money if permits are not required.

Legislation to incentivize gun owners with a $500 tax credit to buy safety devices for their firearms has bipartisan support. New Orleans Democrat Mandie Landry says in Virginia similar legislation even received support from the NRA.

Cut 8 (09)  “…gun safety.” 

If the bill passes in the Senate, it would head to the Governor’s desk.