The 2022 regular legislative session came to a conclusion yesterday as state lawmakers completed a three-month-long law-making period by passing a budget that will dole teacher pay raises and spends hundreds of millions of dollars on infrastructure projects.

The head of the state House GOP delegation gives lawmakers overall high marks for their work. More from Kevin Gallagher….:
Cut 3 (31) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

And Edwards announced last night he’s letting the Fairness in Women’s Sports Act become law without his signature.

LSU Health New Orleans Nursing School is ranked as the tenth best by Nursing Schools Almanac. Schools were assessed on an institution’s academic prestige and perceived value. The breadth and depth of nursing programs offered and Students’ success on the National Council Licensure Examination of Registered Nurses…
cut 9 (07) “….97-percent”
That’s LSU Health New Orleans School of Nursing Dean Demetrius Porche.

Dr. Catherine O’Neal, chief medical officer at Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center in Baton Rouge, is the new chief medical adviser for the Southeastern Conference…
Cut 10 (12) “…conference standards.”
Dr. O’Neal says she will conduct educational sessions for coaches, and medical staff, and meet regularly with team doctors and trainers.

The 2022 regular legislative session ended Monday with 15-hundred dollar pay raises for teachers, historic investments in higher education, hundreds of millions of dollars for infrastructure improvements like a new Mississippi River Bridge in Baton Rouge, and coastal restoration projects. Governor John Bel Edwards says this was a great session for Louisiana…
cut 4 (09) “..world of difference”
And Edwards announced he will not veto the Fairness in Women’s Sports Act, instead, he’ll let the legislation become law without his signature. Erath Representative Blake Miguez, head of the House Republican Delegation, says this will help keep athletic competitions even….
cut 14 (11) “….extra support”
But legislators could return to the state capitol soon. A federal judge in Baton Rouge has ruled that legislators have to redraw a Congressional district map because it does not have two majority-minority districts. The ruling will be appealed.

LSU was on the wrong end of late-inning magic yesterday as its season ended with an 8-7 loss to Southern Miss in the championship game of the Hattiesburg Regional. Most Outstanding Player of the Regional Christopher Sargent scored the winning run in the ninth inning on a sacrifice fly as the Golden Eagles advanced to their first super regional.

The Southeastern Conference came calling to Baton Rouge during its search for a new chief medical adviser. David Grubb has more…
Cut 2 (36) “…I’m David Grubb.”

Republican members of the state House are generally satisfied with what was accomplished in the Regular Legislative Session that wrapped up Monday. House GOP Delegation chairman and Acadiana Representative Blake Miguez says the session was unusual in that there were billions of dollars in one-time federal money – from the pandemic and three hurricanes – that flowed into the state…:

AM Cut 13 (11) “…in the infrastructure.”

Robert E. Lee Day and Confederate Memorial Day will no longer be on the state’s calendar of official holidays after HB 248, received final legislative approval. Alexandria Senator Jay Luneau says we can remember the negative parts of history without celebrating them.

PM Cut 6 (09) “…our nation’s history.”
If Roe v Wade is overturned as expected this summer, Louisiana along with other states with trigger laws would automatically stop abortions. Senate Bill 342 only strengthens the current trigger laws and does not provide an exception for rape and incest. Governor Edwards, a pro-life Democrat would like to see an exception in the case of rape or incest and says he’s not alone.

PM Cut 5  (07) “…as well.”

The governor is expected to sign the legislation.

A bill to create the Office of Women’s Health in Louisiana is on its way to the Governor’s Desk. The bill passed unanimously but not without debate over Bossier City Representative Raymond Crews’ amendment excluding transgender women from receiving services from the office.

PM Cut 10 (11) ” …codified.” 

Confederate Memorial Day and Robert E. Lee Day will no longer be state holidays. A bill taking them off state books is headed for Governor Edwards’ desk and it’s highly unlikely he’d veto such an act. The bill started with New Orleans House member Matthew Willard. It passed in the House and, on the Senate floor, New Orleans Senator Joe Bouie said it’s a big step in dealing with a past that still haunts many minority Louisianans. Bouie says holidays are about unity and these two don’t meet that standard…:

CUT 08  (12)        “…of our citizens.”

State Police in Jeff Davis Parish say a 73-year-old man was struck and killed by a hit & run driver while riding his bike today along state highway 1126 near Jennings. Trooper Derek Senegal identifies the victim as Jerry Hughes, who died at the scene this morning…:

CUT 13  (10)        “…really unfortunate.”

The search is on for the white SUV and it’s driver.

A bill to forbid abortion in Louisiana SHOULD Roe versus Wade be overturned by the U.S. Supreme Court is awaiting the Governor’s signature…or veto. Mr. Edwards says the bill has no exceptions for rape or incest and that’s still a problem for him…:

CUT 04  (16)        “…should force that.”

Senate Bill 342 strengthens Louisiana’s existing “trigger law” that will take effect ONLY if the High Court tosses Roe out.

A Marksville cop is under arrest for alleged malfeasance in office and abuse of his power as a cop. State Police say 45-year-old Dana Adams is accused of sexually assaulting a woman while on duty. LSP’s investigation is ongoing.

Legislation that would close abortion clinics in Louisiana if Roe v Wade is overturned and ban the procedure is on its way to the governor’s desk for signature. Governor John Bel Edwards, a pro-life Democrat, is expected to sign the bill but would prefer the legislation had exceptions…:

CUT 03(10)      “…radio program.”

The legislation would result in a 10 year prison sentence for doctors who perform abortions IF abortion becomes illegal in Louisiana.

Both New Orleans and Baton Rouge have been plagued lately with motorheads taking over busy intersections and staging impromptu stunt shows. Burnouts, donuts, drag racing and the like. Social media from the weekend shows another taking placed in the Crescent City, with other motorists angry & frustrated and police seemingly unable to do anything about it. NOPD says this bunch was largely FROM Baton Rouge. They says weapons are often present, and – yes – sometimes people get hurt. They vow to crack down.

State Police say a 73-year-old bicyclist from Welsh was killed in a hit and run crash that took place this morning on state Highway 1126 in Jeff Davis Parish near Jennings. Trooper Derek Senegal says witnesses saw a small white SUV hit the victim…:

CUT 12(08)      “…where’s the vehicle at.”

The victim is identified as Jerry Hughes. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

State Police in Troop L say a mid-morning crash today took the life of a toddler, who troopers say was not properly restrained. They say a sedan driven by the child’s mother went off state Highway 440 in Washington Parish and overturned; ejecting one-year-old Caisen Williams, who died at the scene. A blood tox sample was taken from the mother, to determine if she was impaired when she crashed.

State lawmakers are rushing to conclude their business on this, the final day of the Regular Legislative Session. No matter what, matters have to end at 6pm. Sine Dei.

A bill to officially end Confederate Memorial Day and Robert E. Lee’s Birthday as state holidays reaches final passage. The bill started in the House and was carried in the Senate by Alexandria Senator Jay Luneau. He says arguments to not erase Louisiana history do not justify ignoring the feelings of descendants of slaves, and those events need to be put in proper perspective…:

CUT 07  (13)        “…on our nation.”

That bill is headed for the Governor’s desk.

A bill to create a state Office of Women’s Health, under LDH, is also awaiting the Governor’s signature, despite one lawmaker’s concern the bill grows an already bloated government. Metairie Representative Laurie Schlegel responds to that…:

CUT 11  (08)        “…outcomes.”

Legislation that would close abortion clinics and ban the procedure in Louisiana should Roe v. Wade be overturned is headed to Governor John Bel Edwards’ desk. Brooke Thorington has more…:

CUT 01(37)      “…Brooke Thorington.”

A Cotton Valley man is behind bars for allegedly tampering with the steering of a car driven by a woman with whom he was angry. The car crashed on I-20, but no one was killed. 52-year-old Earl Lewis is charged with attempted murder.

If Roe v Wade is overturned as expected this summer, Louisiana along with other states with trigger laws would automatically stop abortions. Senate Bill 342 only strengthens the current trigger laws and does not provide an exception for rape and incest. Governor Edwards, a pro-life Democrat would like to see an exception in the case of rape or incest and says he’s not alone.

Cut 5  (07) “…as well.”

A bill to create the Office of Women’s Health in Louisiana is on its way to the Governor’s Desk. The bill passed unanimously but not without debate over Bossier City Representative Raymond Crews’ amendment excluding transgender women from receiving services from the office.

Cut 10 (11) ” …codified.” 

A bill removing two holidays commemorating the Civil War moves to the governor’s desk for signing. David Grubb has the story…

Cut 2 (36) “…I’m David Grubb.”  

After two rallies in a row, the LSU Tigers failed to make it a third last night in Hattiesburg in the NCAA baseball regional against the University of Southern Mississippi. But this afternoon they hope to settle the score with the Golden Eagles at 3pm today and advance to the next bracket.

Legislation that would close abortion clinics and ban the procedure in Louisiana should Roe v. Wade be overturned is headed to Governor John Bel Edwards’ desk. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 1 (37) “…I’m Brooke Thorington”

The President of the Council for a Better Louisiana says infrastructure spending was a big winner in the legislative session that ends today…
cut 13 (09) “…across the state”

Robert E. Lee Day and Confederate Memorial Day will no longer be on the state’s calendar of official holidays after HB 248, authored by New Orleans Representative Matthew Willard, received final legislative approval. Alexandria Senator Jay Luneau carried the bill in the Senate and said we can remember the negative parts of history without celebrating them.
Cut 6 (09) “…our nation’s history.”
Critics of the bill argue that the holidays should stay on the books so as not to erase history.

A bill to create an Office of Women’s Health in Louisiana is on its way to the Governor’s Desk. Senate Bill 116 would create the office to lead and coordinate efforts intended to improve women’s health outcomes. Metairie Representative Laurie Schlegel says there are several reasons why such an office is needed…
Cut 9 (12) “…African American women.”
An amendment was added to the bill to exclude transgender women from receiving services from the office.

Legislation that would close abortion clinics in Louisiana if Roe v Wade is overturned and ban the procedure is on its way to the governor’s desk for signature. Governor John Bel Edwards, a pro-life Democrat, says he’d prefer exceptions for rape and incest.

Cut 4  (16) “…for that.”

Edwards is expected to sign the legislation.

One Constitutional Amendment we’ll see this November is surprising: an act to remove any and all language allowing involuntary servitude as a criminal punishment from state statutes. JMC Analytics pollster John Couvillon says most would assume it was removed decades ago…

Cut 6 (07)  “…slavery in Louisiana.”

An LSU Health New Orleans study shows significant promise with ultraviolent light therapy in hospitalized COVID patients. Associate Professor of Clinical Surgery Dr. Frank Lua says it helped lower the mortality rate among 30 patients in New Orleans from 33 to 13 percent and it’s part of a much larger 500-patient study.

Cut 8 (09)  “…right now.”

The Army Corps of Engineers expects to begin a $122-million project this summer to restore the levees surrounding Grand Isle.  Mayor David Carmardelle says they will finally place a stronger filling in that burrito, something he’s recommended for years.

Cut  11 (10)  “…us over here.” 

The system was heavily damaged by Hurricane Ida.

On the eve of the final day of the legislative session, lawmakers sent legislation to the governor’s desk that would ban abortions if the Supreme Court overturns Roe Versus Wade, which is expected to occur this summer. Governor John Bel Edwards, a pro-life Democrat, is expected to sign the bill but would prefer the legislation had exceptions.
Cut 3 (10) “…radio program.”
The legislation would also result in a ten-year prison sentence for doctors who perform abortions if abortion becomes illegal in Louisiana.

The legislative session comes to a close at 6 PM today. Council for a Better Louisiana President Barry Erwin says legislators spent time during the last three months trying to improve education by getting more certified teachers in the classroom. He says the legislation was approved that would allow retired teachers back to the classroom while still receiving their retirement benefits…
cut 15 (09) “….teaching em”

LSU Health New Orleans continues its research on COVID treatments and the latest study “shines a new light” on a possible new treatment. Brooke Thorington explains.
Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

In other news, former Louisiana Congressman John Cooksey has passed away at the age of 80. He served as Louisiana’s 5th Congressional district from 1997 to 2003. The statewide average price for a gallon of regular gasoline set a new record today at $4.45. And LSU and Southern Miss will play for the Hattiesburg Regional Championship at 3 PM.