Legislation to prohibit transgender procedures on minors advances from House Health and Welfare. Pollock Representative Gabe Firment says surrounding states and other conservative southern states have passed similar laws and Louisiana should also.

Cut 12 (10)    “…our kids.” 

Proponents say social media is what’s causing children to be trans. Olivia Gowan, a transgender woman, refuted the argument and told committee members she was a transgender child in the 90s long before social media.

Cut 13 (11) “…time’s up.” 

Committee Chair Larry Bagley, who lost his wife to suicide, quickly dismissed Gowan. The bill passed in committee on a 14 to 3 vote and advances to the full House.

House Criminal Justices advances Pineville Representative Mike Johnson’s bill to give police the right to say, “stay back” and establish a 25-foot safe zone. He says the bill’s language does not mention videotaping officers but he believe it is still plenty close enough for cell phone video…:

Cut 9 (07)  “…not accurate.”

Violators could get fines and possible jail time. By a vote of 8-to-1, the bill moves to the House floor for debate.

Minden Rep Wayne McMahen bill to make it legal to have your pet’s cremated remains to be buried with you passed unanimously in the House. Amite Representative Robby Carter questioned about the size of one’s pet.

Cut 15 (13)  “…about a pound.”

House Bill 248 passed in the House 98-0 and heads to a Senate committee.

Legislation to prohibit minors from having transgender procedures advances from the House Health and Welfare Committee. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 3 (33)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Bossier City Authorities have arrested the suspect involved in a shooting that killed two people and injured two others including a police officer, at a Valero gas station in Bossier City on Tuesday.   Media reports indicate the suspect is 50-year-old Cortell Burks who is also suspected of stabbing and shooting a woman and injuring four other people in Alabama on Sunday. The officer who was shot multiple times is listed in stable condition and the third victim is in critical condition.

Legislation that prevents third graders from being promoted to the fourth grade if they can not read on an average reading level was approved by House Education. Mandeville Representative Richard Nelson -the author of the bill- says he birthed the bill when he realized his child could not read. Addressing the committee, Nelson’s wife, Ashley says

Cut 5 (11)   “…the water.”

The bill passed with a 7 – 3 vote and moves to the House floor.

A proposed bill that gives police the right to say ‘stay back’  and establishes a 25-foot safe zone between them and bystanders advances from the House Criminal Justice Committee. The author of the bill – Pineville Rep. Mike Johnson says it’s a safety measure for officers however, opponents say the bill will prevent witnesses from holding police accountable for their actions…:

Cut 8 (05) “…that far away.”

Violators could get fines and possible jail time. By a vote of 8-to-1, the bill moves to the House floor for debate.

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.

Shreveport Police have arrested one of the two suspects who ran over a 9-year-old child while fleeing an attempted carjacking at a Love’s Truck Stop in Minden Monday night. Minden Police Chief Jared McIver says security cameras caught everything and the footage is hard to watch…:

CUT 13  (10)        “…deserve.”

The child is expected to recover, and the teen is being held on a $2.5 million bond.

The fatal shooting of a man in downtown Alexandria Sunday night sparks concern about public safety before its annual AlexRiverFete. The shooting happened near the intersection of Third Street and Johnston Street. Alexandria Police Chief Chad Gremillion says security will be beefed up at and around the festival…:

CUT 07(12)      “…presence in place”

AlexRiverFete is Alexandria’s largest downtown event and is this weekend.

A House Committee approves a bill that would give members of the state legislature a hefty pay raise, to $40-thousand…:

CUT 02(31)      “…Jeff Palermo.”

House Education advances a bill to hold back 3^rd 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.

Legislation to prohibit transgender procedures on minors advances from the House Health and Welfare Committee. Pollock Representative Gabe Firment says several European nations that pioneered gender reassignment surgery have reversed course.

Cut 24 (09) “… and surgeries.” 

New Orleans Pediatric Psychologist Clifton Mixon testified before committee members in opposition to the bill. He says healthcare professionals try every alternative possible before performing such procedures and prohibiting them will have dire consequences.

Cut 11 (11)  “…your hands.”

The bill advances to the House on a 14 to 3 vote.

The House Governmental Affairs Committee approves a bill that would raise the annual salary for state lawmakers from 16,800 to about 40-thousand dollars. Pineville Representative Mike Johnson voted against the legislation as he says service is about sacrifice…

PM Cut 10 (14) “…we run” 

The bill passed on an eight to four and heads to House Appropriations.

A bill to prohibits the promotion of third-grade students who cannot read proficiently was approved by House Education with a 7 to 3 vote. Bill sponsor Mandeville Representative Richard Nelson says Louisiana is among the top ten states with the lowest literacy performance.

Cut 4 (12)  “…at it.”

The bill heads to the House floor for debate.

A police officer was shot when gunfire erupted this morning at a gas station in Bossier City…:

CUT 01(28)      “…Thorington.”

A 16-year-old was killed and two others shot and wounded last night in Natchitoches. NPD’s Corporal John Greely says they got several calls just after 8pm…:

CUT 03(07)      “…gunshot victim.”

They ask anyone with tips to come forward.

The fatal shooting of a man in downtown Alexandria Sunday night sparks concern about public safety before its annual AlexRiverFete event. Mayor Jacques Roy says this was an isolated incident that started at a private party…:

CUT 05(12)      “…in a death”

He says there will be extra police and sheriff’s presence for the big downtown festival this weekend.

State Troopers have arrested a Church Point man involved in the fatal hit-and-run death of a bicyclist who was found on Highway 93 in Sunset on Sunday. 32-year-old Clay Richard was arrested last night and charged in the death of 59-year-old Randy Thibodeaux. State Trooper Thomas Gossen says a citizen phones in a tip…:

CUT 15(08)      “…solve these cases.”

Richard is charged with felony hit & run, vehicular homicide and driving with a suspended license.

A House Committee approves a bill that would give members of the state legislature a hefty pay raise, to $40-thousand…:

CUT 02(31)      “…Jeff Palermo.”

The House Education Committee advances a bill that would hold back certain 3^rd graders who are way behind in literacy skills, and then 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.

The fatal shooting of a man in downtown Alexandria Sunday night sparks concern about public safety before its annual AlexRiverFete event. The shooting occurred near the intersection of Third Street and Johnston Street. Alexandria Police Chief Chad Gremillion says security will be beefed up at and around the festival…:

CUT 07(12)      “…presence in place”

AlexRiverFete is Alexandria’s largest downtown event and is this weekend.

Minden Police say they’re close to an arrest of two suspects who ran over a 9-year-old child while fleeing a carjack attempt at a truck stop Monday night. Chief Jared McIver says security cameras caught everything and the footage is hard to watch…:

CUT 13  (10)        “…deserve.”

The child is expected to recover.

A police officer was shot when gunfire erupted this morning at a gas station in Bossier City. Brooke Thorington reports…:

CUT 01(28)      “…Thorington.”

A Church Point man is arrested for the weekend hit & run killing of a bicyclist from Sunset along state Highway 93 in St. Landry Parish. State Police Trooper Tom Gossen says a citizen’s tip led to the arrest…:

CUT 14(07)      “…under suspension.”

A 16-year-old was killed Monday evening in Natchitoches and two other teens were injured. Natchitoches Police spokesman Cpl. John Greely with says they received several calls of gunshots in the area of Stella and Northern Streets at around 8:15…:

CUT 03(07)      “…gunshot victim.”

Two other teens were found shot and wounded just blocks away. Police ask anyone with knowledge of what happened to contact NPD or Crimestoppers.

The pay raise for lawmakers moves forward, as the House Appropriations Committee sends the bill the full House for debate. It would raise base salary for lawmakers from $16,800 to about $40k plus per diem and expenses. Some lawmakers say their constituents support the idea. Here’s Marrero Rep. Rodney Lyons…:

CUT 09(10)      “…vast and vary.”

Lawmakers voted themselves a pay hike in 2008, but it was vetoed by Governor Bobby Jindal.