Bills seemingly aimed at impeding the LGBT agenda are moving through the legislature. One bill prohibits classroom discussion of trans or gender-preference matters. Another forbids gender reassignment procedures for minors. Another restricts use of a person’s so-called “preferred pronouns.” Governor John Bel Edwards was asked about it yesterday. He says lawmakers have bigger problems to handle…:

CUT 05(06)      “…focused on.”

Edwards says these are “solutions in search of a problem.”

The fiscal website “WalletHub.com” ranks Louisiana the WORST state for working moms. Failing in gat3egories like work opportunities, work-life balance and childcare. WalletHub’s Jill Gonzales says positive change seems unlikely anytime soon…:

CUT 07(09)      “…bottom up.”

We rank 35^th for women’s income levels, and 22^nd for female unemployment.

Police in New Iberia say they do not – at this time – think foul play was involved in the death of a fast food worker; found dead in the freezer of an Arby’s restaurant. NIPD Captain Leland Laseter suggests the unnamed woman’s death may have been an accident. The investigation is ongoing.

Crawfish prices are heating up just in time for you to say ‘I love you Mom’ with a crawfish boil the weekend. Teiko Foxx has more…:

CUT 02(32)      “…Foxx.”

Ochsner Health is in the process of laying off nearly 800 employees across its system. Jeff Palermo has the story…:

CUT 01(33)      “…Palermo.”

A Monroe area couple are charged in the death of their 6-week-old infant. Trent Hebert and Shanika Edwards said the girl passed out in the tub, but EMT’s noticed she had severe burns on her legs. She died at a nearby hospital. The pair are charged with negligent homicide.

The manager of an Arby’s in New Iberia was found dead in the fast food restaurant’s freezer. New Iberia Police Department spokesperson Sergeant Daneisha Hughes says officers were called to the scene shortly before 6:30 last night…:

CUT 09(05)      “…freezer.”

The victim is a female and that’s about all we know. At this time, police do not suspect foul play, but the investigation has just started.

Mother’s Day is one of the busiest weekends of the crawfish season and retailers are dropping prices in an effort to get your business. That’s according to Crawfish App Co-Founder Laney King..:

CUT 15(07)      “…a pound.”

The Crawfish App compares prices from more than 16 hundred vendors in Louisiana.

We have to get through some rain and possible thunderstorm this evening, but Saturday and Sunday should be partly cloudy and mild.

The deceased body of a female employee was found in a walk-in freezer at an Arby’s in New Iberia.  New Iberia Police Department spokesperson Sergeant Daneisha Hughes says they will know more about the circumstances of her death after an autopsy is conducted…

Cut 10 (06) “…this time.” 

 Another employee found the deceased woman’s body.

A Denham Springs Police Officer was critically wounded during a shootout yesterday afternoon in the parking lot of a shopping center. Corporal Shawn Kelly –who was shot multiple times – was hired by Denham Springs police in 2019.  Denham Springs Police Chief  Rodney Walker says Kelly can use your prayers…

Cut 12 (11) “…to us” 

There will be a prayer vigil in the parking lot where Kelly was shot tomorrow.

Crawfish prices are dropping just in time for Mother’s Day. According to crawfish pricing data compiled from over 1,650 vendors on The Crawfish App, crawfish prices are the same this Mother’s Day weekend in 2023 compared to Mother’s Day weekend last year. A sack of live medium crawfish will run between $2.00-$2.23 per pound. Laney says live crawfish are reasonably priced.

Cut 14 (12)  “…or so.”

The Crawfish App compares prices from more than 16 hundred vendors in Louisiana.

Legislation targeting the LGBTQ community is advancing in the Louisiana Legislature.  Governor John Bel Edwards says he’ll address the bills when and if they cross his desk.

Cut 4 (07)  “…damaging.” 

Edwards says it’s not a problem and he’s frustrated lawmakers are not focusing on topics to grow the state’s economy and improve education instead.

A Denham Springs Police Officer is fighting for his life after he was shot multiple times during a shootout yesterday afternoon in the parking lot of a shopping center. Denham Springs Police Chief Rodney Walker says his officers responded to a call of a man and woman arguing….

Cut 11 (09)  “…officers down”

Corporal Shawn Kelly is in critical condition. The man who allegedly shot Kelly, 30-year-old Justin Roberts, was fatally shot by Livingston Sheriff Deputies.

Bills targeting the LGBTQ community are advancing in the Louisiana Legislature.  Governor John Bel Edwards says it worries him because of the increased likelihood of the trans population committing suicide.

Cut 3 (08) “…to be worse.”

Among the bills is forbidding gender-affirming health care for minors.

Mother’s Day is one of the busiest weekends of the crawfish season and it’s been six weeks since prices have dropped but retailers have decreased prices for mom. Crawfish App Co-Founder Laney King says this may be your last chance to get a bargain on mudbugs.

Cut 13 (13) “…you can.” 

You can expect to pay between $2.50 to $2.75 a bag for large crawfish and for boiled anywhere from $3.99 to $4.99 a pound this weekend.

The manager of an Arby’s in New Iberia was found dead in the fast-food restaurant’s freezer. New Iberia Police Department spokesperson Sergeant Daneisha Hughes says officers were called to the scene shortly before 6:30 last night…

Cut 9 (05) “…freezer.”

Hughes says the deceased individual was a female and they will know more about the circumstances of her death after an autopsy is conducted…

If you’re a working mom, Louisiana ranks as the worst state to live in, according to WalletHub’s 2023 Best & Worst States for Working Mom report.  WalletHub Analyst Jill Gonzales says Louisiana failed in a number of categories.

Cut 6 (12)  “…on yet.” 

West Virginia, Mississippi, Alabama, and South Carolina were also ranked among “the worst” in several categories for working moms.

A House-approved bill to extend $150-million in annual film tax credits another ten years clears a Senate committee but with a big change. Kevin Gallagher has more…:

Cut 1 (34)  “I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

Fans of Louisiana’s own Duck Dynasty can see a trailer of the full-length feature film about Phil Robertson’s life before he became famous as the patriarch for the reality TV series.  The Blind, that was filmed entirely in Shreveport hits the big screen on September 28^th.

An effort to add exceptions for rape and incest which would soften the state’s abortion ban is dead for this legislative session. Governor John Bel Edwards says victims in those cases shouldn’t be forced to carry a child for both their physical and mental health…
cut 12 (07) “…..exceptions”
Sarah Zagorski with the Louisiana Right to Life disagrees and says legislators are merely reflecting the belief of their constituents that life begins at conception no matter how a child is conceived.
Cut 13 (06) “…hard situation.”
Bills to reduce penalties for doctors who perform abortions and exempt women who have a miscarriage or an ectopic pregnancy from the abortion ban were pulled from consideration after exceptions for rape and incest bill was rejected by the House Criminal Justice Committee.

An effort by Democratic lawmakers to raise the state’s minimum wage is not done for this session.
Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Teiko Foxx.”

The Senate Revenue and Fiscal Affairs Committee approved a bill to extend the state’s film tax credit program from 2025 to 2030. Monroe Senator Jay Morris is not a fan of the tax program, because he says it doesn’t benefit northeast Louisiana…
cut 5 (07) “….issue with it”
But supporters say the program has created hundreds of jobs.

Legislation that would add exceptions in cases of rape and incest to one of the strictest abortion bans in the country was rejected by the House Criminal Justice Committee. Governor John Bel Edwards says is a major setback for innocent victims.

Cut 10 (11) “…to term.” 

Sarah Zagorski, with Louisiana Right to Life, says Louisiana is a pro-life state and advocates are pleased with the results.

Cut 11 (13)  “…is conceived.”

Edwards, who’s a pro-life Democrat, says he does not understand how we as a state can tell any victim that she must be forced by law to carry her rapist’s baby to term, regardless of the impact on her own physical or mental health, the wishes of her parents, or the medical judgment of her physician.

New guidelines suggest women should begin their annual mammograms at the age of 40 instead of 50 according to the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. LSU Health New Orleans Surgical Oncologist Dr. Shawn McKinney says this could save lives.

Cut 14 (11)  “…at 40.”

Several organizations like the American Society of Breast Surgeons, the College of Radiology, and the American Cancer Society have recommended beginning mammograms at the age of 40.

A bill that would raise the state’s minimum wage to $10 per hour next year was approved in a 3-2 vote by Senate Labor Committee. Louisiana is one of 21 states that sets its minimum wage with the federal rate which is $7.25 an hour. LA Budget Project Director Jan Moeller says increasing minimum wage would make state more competitive .

Cut 8 (12) “…wage workers.”

SB149 will head to the Senate floor.

The state department of transportation says I-10 eastbound at the Atchafalya Basin Bridge has been re-opened after a vehicle fire on the bridge had the bridge shutdown for most of the night. There are reports of a fatality.

An effort by Democratic lawmakers to raise the state’s minimum wage is not done for this session. Teiko Foxx has more…:
Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Teiko Foxx.”

The NFL schedule came out last night, the Saints kick-off the regular season at home against Tennessee on September 10th.

A House bill to extend Louisiana’s film & TV tax incentives program is approved by Senate Revenue and Fiscal Affairs, but not without some changes. The bill originally sought to extend the movie tax credit program to 2035. It was amended to make the end date 2030. Supporting the bill is producer and studio owner Trey Burvant, who says the credits mean productions will come, which means hundreds of millions in revenue changing hands…:
cut 4 (12) “….through schools”
Several lawmakers are skeptical that the film tax credit program produces for the state.

The U-S Preventive Services Task Force is urging women to begin their annual breast cancer screenings at age 40, instead of 50. LSU Health New Orleans Surgical Oncologist Doctor Shawn McKinney….
cut 15 (11) “…at least 40”

A Denham Springs police officer is fighting for his life after he was shot multiple times during a shootout in the parking lot of a strip mall yesterday afternoon. Corporal Shawn Kelly is in critical condition. The man, who shot the officer, Justin Roberts of Denham Springs, is dead. He was shot by Livingston Parish Sheriff Deputies. Officers encountered Roberts as they investigated a report of a man and woman arguing.

During a press conference on the fourth floor of the state capitol, Governor Edwards conveyed his displeasure with the legislature for not adding exceptions to the state’s abortion ban.
cut 3 (31) “…..I’m Brooke Thorington”

A bill that seeks to set the state’s minimum wage at 10-dollars an hour next year and raise the wage to 14-dollars by 2028 was approved by the Senate Labor committee on a three to two vote. Louisiana Association of Business and Industry’s Lauren Hadden argues a higher minimum wage would hurt businesses financially…
cut 9 (10) “….consumers”
It’s still a long shot that the bill makes it to the governor’s desk. The House Labor committee voted down the House version of this bill.

The U-S Preventive Services Task Force is now recommending women should begin annual mammograms at age 40 instead of 50. LSU Health New Orleans Surgical Oncologist Doctor Shawn McKinney says if your family has a history of breast cancer, you should get screened earlier…
cut 16 (11) “….at 35”
McKinney says if finances are an issue in being screened annually for breast cancer, there are programs available to help pay for services.

An effort to raise the state’s minimum wage is still alive at the state capitol as the Senate Labor Committee approved a bill to raise the minimum wage to 10-dollars an hour next year, 12-dollars in 2026 and 14-dollars in 2028. Louisiana AFL-CIO’s Matt Wood spoke on behalf of the bill…
cut 7 (09) “…minimum wage”
Raising the minimum wage in Governor Edwards’ last year in office remains a longshot. A similar bill was defeated in the House Labor Committee.

An effort to add exceptions for rape and incest which would soften the state’s abortion ban is dead for this legislative session. Edwards says victims in those cases shouldn’t be forced to carry a child for both their physical and mental health…
cut 12 (07) “…..exceptions”
During committee debate, Heather Hobbs told lawmakers her daughter was conceived in a rape and says she’s not a child of a rapist, but a child of rape survivor.

A House-approved bill to extend the state’s $150-million annual film tax credit program clears a Senate committee, but with a big change.
Cut 1 (34) “I’m Kevin Gallagher.”