The Senate unanimously passes legislation to help protect the state’s 1.4-million renters. David Grubb has more…:

CUT 02(34)      “…David Grubb.”

A Baton Rouge Wal-Mart employee is recovering from stabs wounds he received when he tried to break up a fight between two customers. East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s deputies say one of the two women tussling cut him with a box cutter when he intervened. She fled, but was arrested later at her home.

The state Department of Health marks a big milestone in its efforts to treat those who were diagnosed with hepatitis C. Assistant Secretary of Health Kim Hood says a modified Medicaid pharmaceutical program has meant 11-thousand Louisianans have received treatment. Hep C is a viral disease; transmitted by blood and about half of those with it show no symptoms. She says it’s important to catch the disease early and treat it…:

CUT 14(10)      “…even death.”

For more information visit HepCuredLA.org

Entergy serves notice to its one-million-plus customers they can all expect higher utility bills over the summer. The company cites two factors as the reason for the price spike: the rising cost of natural gas and severe weather that has impacted the region over the past two years. They say Entergy customers can expect and monthly increase of from $9 to $15. Call them to know more.

The Louisiana Legislature is poised to approve an anti-abortion law that clarifies what happens if the Supreme Court overturns Roe v. Wade. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Jeff Palermo”

Entergy Louisiana customers be prepared for bills to increase by an average of $25. The utility provider says rising natural gas costs and restoration expenses are the reason for the increase which will be reflected in June bills.

The Senate unanimously approved a bill punish landlords who illegally evict their tenants. Thirty-nine other states, including both Alabama and Texas, already have such laws. Cashauna Hill, Executive Director of the Louisiana Fair Housing Action Center says Louisiana can finally start catching up to the rest of the country.

Cut 11 (11)  “…doesn’t make sense.” 

Hill says this is a major victory for the state’s 1.4 million renters.

The Louisiana Department of Health marks a historic milestone in its efforts to treat those diagnosed with hepatitis C. Assistant Secretary of Health Kim Hood says the outbreak had reached epidemic proportions but through a modified pharmaceutical program more than 11-thousand Louisianans have received treatment.

Cut 13 (05) “…of Louisiana.”

For more information visit HepCuredLA.org

The Louisiana Legislature is poised to pass a bill that would ban abortions, even in the cases of rape and incest if the U-S Supreme Court reverses Roe versus Wade. Shreveport Representative Tammy Phelps says it would be unfair to ask a teenager sexually assaulted by a relative to give birth to a child if the rape led to a pregnancy…

Cut 8 (10) “…we are.” 

Carencro Representative Julie Emerson says a pregnancy as a result of rape and incest is horrific for the woman, however….

Cut 9 (05) “…this situation.”

The House voted for the bill 72-25 and it now heads to the Senate. Governor John Bel Edwards says he supports an abortion ban if Roe versus Wade is overturned, but he also supports exceptions for rape and incest.

Thursday the Senate unanimously approved HB 160, which would punish landlords who illegally evict their tenants. This issue became particularly pervasive following Hurricanes Laura, Delta, and Ida. Cashauna Hill, Executive Director of the Louisiana Fair Housing Action Center, says this is a major victory for the state’s 1.4 million renters.

Cut 10 (12) ” …think twice.” 

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries says they’ve found several boaters using personal floatation devices that aren’t US Coast Guard approved, which is required by law. And another issue Lt Tim Fox says agents are seeing is among inflatable life jackets.

Cut 4  (10) “…separately.”

The author of a so-called “Don’t Say Gay” bill for Louisiana that was defeated in the legislature says she will bring the bill back until it passes. More from Kevin Gallagher…:

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

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After the proposal of a bill that would allow teachers to carry firearms to school, Louisiana Federation of Teachers Legislative Director Cynthia Posey spoke out against it, saying it’s an unfair and unfunded responsibility added to teaching.

Cut 12 (06) “…in Louisiana.”

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The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries says they’ve noticed a concerning trend when conducting routine checks for personal floatation devices on private boats. Lt. Tim Fox says many PFDs do not meet the required standards.

Cut 3 (08) “…approved.”

By law, you are required to have US Coast Guard-approved PFDs that are properly sized for any intended wearers and enough for everyone aboard the vessel.

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The Louisiana Legislature is poised to pass a bill that would ban abortions, even in the cases of rape and incest if the U-S Supreme Court reverses Roe versus Wade. The House voted for the bill 72-25, but not before an attempt by Shreveport Representative Cedric Glover who tired amend the bill so that abortions would be legal post-Roe versus Wade overturning in the cases of rape and incest…

Cut 7 (07) “…of Louisiana.”

The amendment failed on a 37-62 vote.

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The Louisiana Legislature is poised to pass a bill that would ban abortions, even in the cases of rape and incest if the U-S Supreme Court reverses Roe versus Wade. Carencro Representative Julie Emerson says this bill makes it clear what would happen in Louisiana if Roe versus Wade is overturned…
cut 6 (10) “….and fines”
Doctors or others who perform abortions if it becomes illegal will face a prison sentence of up to 10 years.

Legislation that would prohibit teachers from discussing sexual orientation or gender identity during classroom time did not get approved in this year’s legislative session. But Haughton Representative Dodie Horton says she will bring the bill back next year because she says educators should not discuss alternate lifestyles with young children…
cut 8 (10) “….teaching a standard”
The House Education Committee failed to approve Louisiana’s version of the “Don’t Say Gay Bill.”

Governor John Bel Edwards says he will testify before the legislative committee investigating the 2019 death of motorist Ronald Greene while in state police custody. Edwards says he viewed Lt. John Clary’s body camera footage in the Fall of 2020 days before he arranged for Greene’s family to see it, but it was several months later before the local district attorney had a chance to view it
Cut 13 (10) “…August of 2019.”
Edwards is confident his testimony before a legislative committee will show he was not involved in any alleged cover-up of the facts surrounding Greene’s death.

The governor has used his line-item veto pen on the budget bill that will result in college professors and faculty getting a raise. House Appropriations Chairman Jerome Zeringue says the money will come from the Office of Tourism…
cut 5 (11) “…restoring those dollars”

The Louisiana Federation of Teachers opposes legislation that would allow for teachers to be armed. L-F-T legislative director Cynthia Posey says if the bill becomes law, it places a huge burden on teachers who choose to bring a gun to campus…
cut 11 (11) “….on them”
The full Senate is expected to take up this bill today.

A week ago the Associated Press reported Governor John Bel Edwards and his staff viewed violent body camera video of Ronald Greene’s fatal arrest before local prosecutors or the Greene family had a chance to view. Edwards says he didn’t know the Union Parish D-A didn’t see the video and he says Greene’s family had a chance to view it a few days after he did….
cut 14 (08) “….for that”

The legislative session ends Monday and Louisiana lawmakers will not pass its version of the “Don’t Say Gay” law. Haughton Representative Dodie Horton says she will bring the bill back again next year…
cut 9 (10) “…..for the student”
Horton’s measure was defeated in the House Education Committee. A procedural vote allowed the bill to be heard on the House floor, but it never came up for debate.

Today begins NCAA Baseball Regional Play. There are four teams from Louisiana in the 64-team field. LSU faces Kennesaw State in the Hattiesburg Regional tonight. La Tech will battle Dallas Baptist in the Austin Regional, Southeastern Louisiana is at Auburn and the Ragin Cajuns take on TCU in the College Station Regional. U-L Lafayette Coach Matt Deggs on his team…
cut 28 (08) “….people”

After a concealed carry bill was amended to allow for armed teachers in schools and serve as safety officers, a Louisiana teacher’s union has come out in opposition to the legislation. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 3 (34) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

The Senate could give final legislative approval today to a bill that will ban abortions in Louisiana if Roe versus Wade is overtuned. The legislation does not include exceptions for rape and incest and under the proposal, doctors or others who perform abortions could receive up to a 10-year prison sentence.

Louisiana’s version of the “Don’t Say Gay” bill failed to pass this year, but its author says she will bring it back next year. Last month, House Education Committee members voted in a bipartisan manner to end the bill’s progress. Bill author and Haughton Representative Dodie Horton says fellow Conservatives in the House moved the bill to a Committee of the Whole, meaning ALL members can debate and vote on it. However, she withdrew the bill from further consideration this year…:
Cut 7 (08) “…put the body through that.”
But Horton plans to bring it back next year, because she believes teachers should not discuss their gender identity of sexual orientation during class time.

Governor John Bel Edwards signed into law the budget for next fiscal year that will give teachers a 15-hundred dollar pay raise and provide millions of dollars for major infrastructure projects like new bridges in Lake Charles and Baton Rouge. House Appropriations Chairman Jerome Zeringue…
cut 6 (12) “…infrastructure”

The state House has approved legislation that would result in a prison sentence of up to 10 years for a doctor or others who perform an abortion if abortion becomes illegal in Louisiana. Pro-life advocates are expecting the U-S Supreme Court will overturn Roe versus Wade this summer and this bill which is expected to pass will become law at that point.

The author of a so-called “Don’t Say Gay” bill for Louisiana that failed to pass in the House says she will bring it back next year…:
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

Governor John Bel Edwards has signed House Bill 1, the state’s budget for the next fiscal year. Appropriations Chair and Houma Representative Jerome Zeringue, says the budget is a good reflection of both the intent of the legislature and the governor’s priorities.
Cut 4 (12) “…childhood education.”
The budget contains 84-million dollars for early childhood education.

After an Associated Press report indicated that Governor John Bel Edwards saw the body camera video of the violent arrest of Ronald Greene before local prosecutors, Edwards says when he saw the video, he did not know the Union Parish D-A did not see it. He also says Greene’s family saw the video, days after he saw it first….
cut 15 (09) “…testify”
Edwards is scheduled to testify in front of a House panel investigating the circumstances surrounding Greene’s death on June 16th.

The Louisiana Federation of Teachers opposes legislation lawmakers are considering in the final days of the legislative session that would allow teachers to be armed in the classroom. L-F-T legislative director Cynthia Posey says they support school safety measures but this is not the way to go about it…
cut 10 (11) “….more than that”

Legislation that would prohibit teachers from discussing sexual orientation or gender identity during classroom time did not make it out of the House this year. But Haughton Representative Dodie Horton says she will bring the bill back next year because she says educators should not be the ones discussing alternate lifesytles with young children…
cut 8 (10) “….teaching a standard”
The House Education Committee failed to approve Louisiana’s version of the “Don’t Say Gay Bill.”

Governor John Bel Edwards has signed next fiscal year’s budget into law. David Grubb spoke with one of the main architects of the legislation…
cut 1 (32) “…I’m David Grubb”

Lt. Colonel Chris Eskew, who was the head of State Police internal affairs when Ronald Greene died in L-S-P custody, tells state lawmakers he saw no criminal activity when he watched the violent body camera video of Greene’s arrest. Baton Rouge Representative Denise Marcelle provided the line of questioning

Cut 3 (13) “..no ma’am.”

Later on in the meeting, Eskew changed his answer. He explained he was reluctant to answer for fear it could harm the ongoing investigations into Greene’s death. Marcelle sees it as State Police officials trying to protect each other…

Cut 5  (10) “..bring down.”

Governor Edwards is scheduled to testify before the committee on June 16^th.

A House bill to allow concealed carry without a permit was heavily amended by Gonzales Senator Eddie Lambert in a Senate committee. The original bill to allow non-felons over the age of 21 to carry concealed now creates provisions for schools to appoint a teacher to serve voluntarily as a school protection officer. Lambert says that person will be certified.

Cut 7 (11) “…right now.” 

Because the amendment completely removed concealed carry language, West Monroe Senator Jay Morris, who had his Constitutional Carry bill vetoed by the governor last year, asked Lambert why House Bill 37 can’t keep its original intent and provide school protection officers.

Cut 8 (06) “…the other.” 

With the session ending on Monday, Lambert says this is the only way legislators can address school safety.