Legislation to add exceptions for rape and incest to the state’s abortion ban failed in the House Criminal Justice Committee this morning. Katie Hunter Lowery with Louisiana Survivors for Reform testified about her own rape that she’s still processing. If she had become pregnant as a result, she said at least then she had the choice.

Cut 11 (14)  “…through violence.”

Lafayette OB/GYN Dr. Damon (cut-ah-hee) Cudihy spoke in opposition to the bill. He said it’s the rapist who should be subjected to the death penalty, not the unborn child, and that abortion doesn’t remove the trauma of rape.

Cut 12 (10) “…an abortion.” 

House Bill 346 failed to make it out of committee on a ten to five vote.

A bill requiring a person found guilty in a fatal DUI case to pay restitution to the surviving children of the victims until they reach 18 was approved by the House Criminal Justice Committee. Supporting the bill named in memory of her late husband, Shelby Strong says losing her husband Cody has affected her children

Cut 6 (10)  “…and drive.” 

House Bill 91 advances to the House floor for debate.

And legislation to ban the use of the social media app Tik Tok on any state-owned devices and state networks will advance to the House floor. Marksville Representative Daryl Deshotel says experts have found governmental information can be accessed through the app.

Cut 4 (10)  “…said yes.” 

The bill also would apply to state colleges and universities if the bill is enacted.

A bill to add the exceptions of rape and incest to the state’s abortion ban failed in House Criminal Justice Committee. Before a crowded room, Bill author New Orleans Representative Delisha Boyd told committee members her own mother was raped for years by someone almost twice her age and pregnant at 15.

Cut 9 (10) “….predator.”

There was emotional testimony for and against adding exceptions to the state’s abortion ban.

Debbie Melvin spoke in opposition to the bill. She says the act of abortion is yet another trauma rape victims would endure if they choose to end the pregnancy.

Cut 10 (09) “…to her.” 

House Bill 346 bill failed to make it out of committee on a ten to five vote.

A bill that would have barred ANYONE under 21 from entering a bar moves forward but with significant changes. Kevin Gallagher has more…

Cut 1 (34)  “I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

Legislation banning the use of the social media app Tik Tok on any state-owned devices and state-owned or leased WIFI networks has advanced to the House floor. Marksville Representative Daryl Deshotel says the app presents real security concerns.

Cut 3 (06) “….national intelligence.”

33 other states have already banned use on government-issued devices.

House Ways and Means approves legislation to increase taxes on vape products and electronic cigarettes, and the first $22 million of the increase will fund state trooper pay raises. The tax would increase from point-zero-5 per milliliter to 15-percent. State Police Superintendent Lamar Davis…

Cut 13 (07) “…them enough.” 

Franklinton Senator Beth Mizell has ditched her effort to pass legislation to prohibit anyone under the age of 21 from entering a bar. Mizell amended her bill so the measure now reads that if an 18 to 20-year-old is served alcohol, an establishment faces fines and could be sued if something tragic happens…

Cut 9 (10) “…do it illegally.”
The measure heads to the Senate floor.

The full House has approved a bill that prohibits the discussion of sexuality and gender identity in public school classrooms. Critics refer to it as the Don’t Say Gay Bill. Chalmette Representative Ray Garolfalo says teachers should only be teaching the basics…

Cut  16 (12) “…the students.” 

The House approved the bill on a 67-28 vote and it heads to the Senate.

A bill that would bar ANYONE under 21 from entering a bar moves forward but with significant changes. In its current form, bar owners would be accountable for bad acts done to or committed by underage patrons that they serve alcohol to. Lauren LeBlanc, godmother of 19-year-old Madison Brooks, the LSU student who died after an excessive night of drinking at a Tigerland bar testified in committee.

Cut 7 (11) “…consume alcohol.”

Under Franklinton Senator Beth Mizell’s amended bill, 18 to 20-year-olds could still enter bars and even work at a bar.

Cut 10 (09) “…choice they make.” 

The bill passed in committee and moves to the Senate floor.

The Louisiana House has approved legislation that would prohibit public school teachers from discussing sexual orientation and gender identity in the classroom. Former teacher and New Orleans Representative Candace Newell says prohibiting the discussion tells trans and gay students they don’t matter…

Cut 15 (10)  “…against them.”
Bill author, Haughton Representative Dodie Horton, says no one should talk to our kids about sensitive subjects without parental consent.

Former state representative and current First Assistant Secretary of State Nancy Landry of Lafayette joins the list of candidates running for Secretary of State. Landry says with a Presidential election next year, you need someone with the proper experience and knowledge to oversee the election….

Cut 6 (05)  “…and the experience.”
Mike Francis, Clay Schexnayder and Brandon Trosclair are also running for Secretary of State.

A bill prohibiting ANYONE under 21 from entering a bar moves forward but with significant changes. Kevin Gallagher has more…

Cut 1 (45)  “I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

In college baseball last night, second-ranked LSU pounded Northwestern State 14-4, LA Tech scored five in the seventh inning to beat the Cajuns 12 to 8 and McNeese defeated Nicholls seven to three.

The Louisiana House passed the “Don’t Say Gay” bill that would ban classroom discussions of gender identity and sexual orientation in public schools. The bill would also require transgender students to get parental consent for teachers to use pronouns matching their gender identity. Bill author Houghton Representative Dodie Horton…

Cut 14 (12)  “…this is.”

The bill advances to the upper chamber.

Former State Representative and top assistant to current Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin, Nancy Landry, announces her candidacy for Secretary of State. Landry says her goal is to place Louisiana at the top of the list for election integrity and replace outdated voting machines that have paper components in addition to electronic.

Cut 5 (09)   “…right now.”

Current Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin announced last month that he will not seek re-election.

The Louisiana House has approved legislation that would prohibit teachers in K-through-12 public schools from discussing sexuality and gender in classrooms. Former teacher and New Orleans Representative Candace Newell says prohibiting the discussion tells trans and gay students they don’t matter…
cut 15 (10) “…against them”
But the bill’s author, Haughton Representative Dodie Horton, says no one should talk to our kids about sensitive subjects without parental consent.

A bill that would result in thousands of dollars in fines for bars if they serve alcohol to patrons under the age of 21 is heading to the Senate floor. The measure would also make bars liable in civil court if a minor is served and then causes harm to themself or others. Lauren Leblanc, the godmother of Madison Brooks, a 19-year-old LSU student who died after a night of excessive drinking at a Tigerland bar says it’s time for lawmakers to crack down on bar owners…
cut 8 (09) “…..done for profit”

A bill that would raise taxes on vapor products and electronic cigarettes and use the first $22 million raised every year for State Police pay hikes was approved by the House Ways and Means Committee. Teiko Foxx has more.
Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Teiko Foxx.”

The House Appropriations Committee has approved legislation that prohibits the use of TikTok and related applications on computers and networks owned or leased by the state. Avoyelles Parish lawmaker Daryl Deshotel says Tiktok is a serious threat to the nation’s intelligence as security experts have stated the app tracks what users consume on the internet.

Franklinton Senator Beth Mizell has ditched her effort to pass legislation to prohibit anyone under the age of 21 from entering a bar. Mizell amended her bill so the measure now reads that if an 18 to 20-year-old is served alcohol, an establishment faces fines and could be sued if something tragic happens…
cut 9 (10) “….do it illegally”
The measure heads to the Senate floor.

The full House has approved a bill that prohibits the discussion of sexuality and gender identity in public school classrooms. Critics refer to it as the Don’t Say Gay Bill. But Chalmette Representative Ray Garolfalo says teachers should only be teaching the basics…
cut 16 (12) “….the students’
The House approved the bill on a 67-28 vote and it heads to the Senate.

Legislation is advancing that would give State Police Troopers a pay raise. State Police Superintendent Lamar Davis says it’s needed….
cut 12 (10) “…we pay”
The House Ways and Means Committee has approved legislation that increases taxes on vape products and electric cigarettes as a way to fund a pay raise for State Troopers. The bill heads to the House floor.

Former State Representative and current First Secretary of State, Nancy Landry, announces her candidacy for Secretary of State. Landry says her legislative experience and legal background make her the best candidate for the position.
Cut 4 (10) “…accurate elections.”
Landry is a Republican and there are other Republicans running, Mike Francis, Clay Schexnayder and Brandon Trosclair.

A bill to prohibit the instruction or discussion of sexual orientation and gender identity in public schools passes in the House. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 3 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Franklinton Senator Beth Mizell has made major changes to the bill she filed in response to the January death of LSU student Madison Brooks. Instead of prohibiting anyone under the age of 21 from entering a bar, her legislation now allows 18 to 20 year olds into bars, but bar owners could be held liable if the minor is overserved and something bad happens.

The House Ways and Means Committee approves legislation to increase taxes on vape products and electronic cigarettes and dedicates the first $22 million raised annually for State Police pay raises. Covington Representative Paul Hollis is the author…
Cut 11 (12) “…this tax.”
The tax levied on vapor products and electronic cigarettes would increase from .05 per mililiter of consumable liquid solution to .30 per mililiter.

Former state representative and current First Assistant Secretary of State Nancy Landry of Lafayette has entered the crowded Secretary of State’s race. Landry says with a Presidential election next year, you need someone with experience to oversee the election….
cut 6 (13) “….the experience”
Also running, Mike Francis, Clay Schexnayder and Brandon Trosclair. All Republicans.

A bill that would have barred ANYONE under 21 from entering a bar moves forward but with significant changes…:

Cut 1 (35)  “I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

In the House legislation to require parental consent before corporal punishment is used on their child in public school passes. A report indicates that only 19 school systems allow paddling in school last year. The bill passed on a 74 to 21 vote and heads to the Senate.

A bill to require the motto “In God We Trust” to be displayed in every public-school classroom advances from the House. Gretna Representative Joe Marino opposes the bill. He says it could be seen as promoting a particular religious belief.

Cut 7 (09)  “…every book.” 

In 2018 a bill requiring every school to display “In God We Trust” passed. The bill advances to the Senate after a 98-4 vote in the House.

A bill already passed by the House that would make burglary of an inhabited dwelling a crime of violence and subject to those penalties passed a Senate committee. Some argued it cannot be a crime of violence if no one was physically attacked, but bill sponsor, and Metairie Rep. Debbie Villio disagrees.:

Cut 14 (12)  “…of violence.”

The bill heads to the Senate floor.

With fentanyl overdose deaths in Louisiana up over 40-percent since 2019, the state Department of Health launches a campaign to raise awareness. By the Governor’s decree, today is Fentanyl Awareness Day in the state, and LDH’s Dr. Joe Kanter says we all should know just 2 milligrams can trigger an O.D…:

CUT 10  (10)        “…of fentanyl.”

Visit “OpioidHelpLA.org” to learn more.

A House-passed bill to make burglary of an inhabited dwelling a crime of violence, and subject to those penalties, cleared its first hurdle in the Upper Chamber today. Bill sponsor Rep. Debbie Villio, of Metairie..:

CUT 12  (12)        “…is life long.”

The senate Judiciary committee sends that bill to the full Senate floor.

A parent would have to sign a consent form allowing school officials to use corporal punishment on their child under a bill approved by the Louisiana House. This is Democrat Metairie Representative Stephanie Hilferty’s third attempt in trying to pass the bill…:

CUT 03(13)      “…consent to it.”

Some argued there’s no place for physical punishment in schools at all. Still, the bill passed the House by a 74-21 vote. It moves now to the Senate.

Police in Minden are investigating the death of a Webster Parish man as a homicide. 26-year-old Dan Merrit went missing a week ago. His body was found Sunday; buried in a wooded area. Minden Police say they have a suspect (who they aren’t ready to identify) and a warrant is out for that person’s arrest.