Louisiana is not out of the COVID woods just yet. 114 people were hospitalized statewide due to the virus as of Wednesday…the highest figure in the state since March 24. Speaking during his Ask the Governor radio show, John Bel Edwards expressed his concern with the recent rise in cases…
Cut 10 (12) “…certainly increasing.”
Despite those concerns, Edwards says the Louisiana Department of Health will not add the COVID-19 vaccine requirement for school children, citing a lack of full approval by the Food and Drug Administration.

Also, the governor said on his monthly call-in show, that he believes the bill to ban transgender athletes from competing in girls’ sports is unnecessary, but will not say if he’ll veto it this year. The Senate is expected to give final legislative approval to this bill soon.

New Orleans Representative Royce Duplessis is trying to prevent the release of a mug shot to the media after a person is arrested. His bill was approved in the House, but Senate Governmental Affairs Chairwoman Sharon Hewitt amended the legislation in her committee so that the mug shot will be released if the person commits a violent crime…
cut 8 (11) “….be used”
The bill is heading to the Senate floor for more discussion.

Turkey Creek Senator Heather Cloud’s legislation that would require juvenile offenders to be assessed and secured as either low, medium or high-risk individuals in an effort to reduce the violence occurring at juvenile justice facilities is moving closer to final legislative passage. Cloud says evaluating and housing juvenile inmates based on a tiered system will be safer for guards and other detainees…:
Cut 6 (08) “…in that facility.”

K-through-12 schools will not require students to show proof of a COVID vaccine next fall. David Grubb has more…
Cut 3 (36) “…I’m David Grubb.”

Louisiana is experiencing another surge in COVID. LDH reported 12-hundred new cases yesterday and hospitalizations are over 100 for the first time since March 24th.

House-approved legislation to limit the release of mugshots to the press continues to advance in the Louisiana Legislature. New Orleans Representative Royce Duplessis
Cut 7 (12) “…release it.”
The Senate Governmental Affairs Committee added several amendments that would allow the release of a mugshot if the person is charged with a violent crime and once a person is convicted of a crime.

Legislation is moving through the capitol to address the violence in juvenile detention centers. The House Criminal Justice Committee heard from Michelle Piazza, a corrections officer at a youth detention center in Bunkie. A teenage offender attacked her at that facility…
cut 5 (10) “…..in the face”
The Senate and the House Criminal Justice Committee have approved a bill that would require an assessment of all juvenile offenders, assessing them from least to most dangerous.

The Louisiana Senate has approved a 39-billion dollar budget for the fiscal year that starts July 1st. Very little discussion on the Senate floor as the spending plan passed unanimously. The bill includes a 15-hundred dollar annual pay raise for teachers and 300-million dollars towards a new Mississippi River Bridge.

House approved legislation to limit the release of mugshots in Louisiana advances in Senate Governmental Affairs. Brooke Thorington has more
Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

The House Criminal Justice Committee approved a Senate-passed bill that would require the state to conduct a risk assessment of juvenile offenders before they are placed into a juvenile detention center. Turkey Creek Senator Heather Cloud says the bill is in response to a big uptick in violence at juvenile facilities…
Cut 4 (11) “…to a tiered system.”
High-risk individuals would be segregated from low and medium-risk juvenile offenders.

Congress is trying to do something about the nationwide shortage of baby formula. Louisiana Congresswoman Julia Letlow says the head of the F-D-A will testify in front of a House Appropriations subcommittee today…
cut 14 (13) “….months ago”

Since the Fairness in Women’s Sports Act is one step closer to the Governor’s Desk, and when questioned on his monthly call-in show Governor John Bel Edwards says he not going to commit to vetoing the legislation at the moment.

PM Cut 12 (16) “…itself,”  

The bill prohibits transgender females from competing in women’s sports in Louisiana.

Senate Health and Welfare votes in favor of House-approved legislation aimed at improving access to medical marijuana. Military veteran Tony Landry says there’s a monopoly on the medical marijuana industry with just nine licensed pharmacies and two licensed growers, LSU and Southern.

PM Cut 10 (10)  ”….in Louisiana”

The bill now heads to the Senate.

A Senate-approved bill proposing risk assessment for juveniles who run afoul of the law clears House Criminal Justice. Central Louisiana Senator Heather Cloud says the bill is in response to an uptick in violence among juveniles…:

AM Cut 4 (11)  “…to a tiered system.”

The bill now goes to the House floor for final passage.

House approved legislation to limit the release of mugshots in Louisiana advances in Senate Government Affairs. New Orleans Representative Royce Duplessis says the bill is an effort to protect innocent individuals from the embarrassment of the photo.

AM Cut 7 (12) “…release it.”

The bill was amended to allow for the release of mugshots of those charged with violent crimes. The bill now heads to the Senate.

Consumer watchdog groups are warning parents of potential scams due to the nationwide shortage of baby formula. Brooke Thorington has more…:

CUT 01(34)      “…Brooke Thorington.”

A Baton Rouge cop was arrested this week for pulling a gun on utility workers who were laying fiber optic cable in his back yard. He ordered them – at gunpoint – to refill the holes they’d dug. He was booked with multiple counts of aggravated assault and is now on administrative leave.

Since the Fairness in Women’s Sports Act is one step closer to the Governor’s Desk, and when questioned on his monthly call-in show Governor John Bel Edwards says he not going to commit to vetoing the legislation at the moment. In the past, Edwards has said it’s a solution looking for a problem and so far, it isn’t a problem in Louisiana. Edwards says he’s met with the bill’s author, Franklinton Senator Beth Mizell and he believes her intent is not spiteful…:

CUT 13(12)      “…unfortunate.”

The Senate Health and Welfare Committee votes in favor of a House-approved bill that’s aimed at improving access to medical marijuana. Houma Representative Tanner Magee says his measure will allow pharmacies to open satellite locations and home delivery would also be an option…:

CUT 09(13)      “…rural access”

That bill is expected to meet full Senate approval as well.

During his monthly statewide radio program, Governor John Bel Edwards says he’s not going to commit to a veto of a transgender athlete ban, if it comes to his desk…:

CUT 12(16)      “…the bill itself”

In the past, Edwards has said it’s a solution looking for a problem and so far, it isn’t a problem in Louisiana. Edwards says he’s met with the bill’s author, Franklinton Senator Beth Mizell and he believes her intent is not spiteful of trans athletes, but protective of natural female athletes. That bill is nearing final passage. The governor vetoed a similar bill last year. A veto override attempt failed.

The statewide average price of regular gas is now at $4.22-a-gallon. That’s up 3-cents from just yesterday. Experts say be prepared to pay up to $4.50 right through the summer.

Deputies in Iberville Parish are investigating an apparent murder suicide in the town of Maringouin Tuesday. Sheriff Brett Stassi says two teens came home from school to find their mom and dad both dead. Stassi says they have established no clear motive, but the incident is still under investigation.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that traffic fatalities across the country are at their highest level in 16 years; with nearly 43-hundred deaths in 2021. That’s an 11-percent increase from the previous year. Louisiana Highway Safety Commission spokesman Mark Lambert says the annual “Click it or Ticket” campaign begins next week, and law enforcement will be looking for drivers and passengers who haven’t buckled up…:

CUT 08(11)      “…in a crash.”

Consumer watchdog groups are warning parents of potential scams due to the nationwide shortage of baby formula. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

______________________________________

There’s been a national surge in road fatalities and Louisiana hasn’t avoided the trend. David Grubb has the story…

Cut 2 (35) …I’m David Grubb.”  

______________________________________

As the nationwide shortage of baby formula continues consumer watchdog groups are warning parents of potential scams. President of the Better Business Bureau of South-Central Louisiana, Carmen Million says fear makes people make rash decisions and scammers are taking advantage of it.

Cut 3 (11) “….physician”

Million says to be sure to research the vendor or individual you intend to purchase formula from. See if they have a brick-and-mortar store and know that reviews can easily be falsified. Million says formula is called formula for a reason, it’s specific

Cut 4  (11) “…their kids.”

For parents who are having difficulty locating formula, Million says to start a conversation with family and friends and if you run across a scam, also let your family, friends, physician, and the Better Business Bureau know of those scams.

Cut 5  (11) “…money back.”

Visit the BBB-dot-org forward-slash scam tracker for more information.

___________________________________________________

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that US traffic fatalities are at their highest level in 16 years with nearly 43-hundred deaths in 2021, an 11 percent increase from the previous year. Mark Lambert, spokesman for the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission, says the numbers don’t get better here at home…

Cut 6  (10) “…2020 to 2021.” 

Lambert says driver behavior is typically the cause of traffic deaths, and the leading cause is highly preventable.

Cut 7 (10) “…safety belt.” 

Seat belts have been shown to reduce the chances of severe injury by as much as 50 percent and the risk of death by 45 percent.

The LHSC begins its participation in the national “Click it or Ticket” campaign this Monday. Lambert says law enforcement will be looking for drivers and passengers who haven’t buckled up.

Cut 8 (11) “…in a crash.” 

_____________________________________________________

The Senate Health and Welfare Committee votes in favor of a House-approved bill that’s aimed at improving access to medical marijuana. Houma Representative Tanner Magee says his measure will allow pharmacies open satellite locations and home delivery would also be an option….

Cut 9 (13) “…rural access.”

The House voted 77-16 for the legislation and now that the Senate Health and Welfare Committee approved the measure, it’s expected to receive approval from the full senate. But there is opposition. Military veteran Tony Landry says there’s a monopoly on the medical marijuana industry with just nine licensed pharmacies and two licensed growers, LSU and Southern

Cut 10 (10) ” ….in Louisiana” 

Denham Springs Senator Rogers Pope is the only one on the committee who voted against the proposal…

Cut 11 (11)  “…I am” 

_______________________________________________________

Since the Fairness in Women’s Sports Act is one step closer to the Governor’s Desk, and when questioned on his monthly call-in show Governor John Bel Edwards says he not going to commit to vetoing the legislation at the moment.

Cut 12 (16) “…itself,”  

The bill prohibits transgender females from competing in women’s sports in Louisiana.

In the past, Edwards has said it’s a solution looking for a problem and so far, it isn’t a problem in Louisiana. Edwards says he’s met with the bill’s author, Franklinton Senator Beth Mizell and he believes her intent is not spiteful.

Cut 13 (12) “…unfortunate.”

There’s been a national surge in road fatalities and Louisiana hasn’t avoided the trend. David Grubb has the story…:

CUT 02(35)      “…David Grubb.”

Speaking of which, State Police report a motorcycle crash in Calcasieu Parish over ten days ago has taken the life of a Sulphur man. Troopers say, on May 6^th, 27-year-old John Baldwin ran from troopers trying to stop him for speeding. He lost control after hitting a curb and was thrown from the bike. He died Monday in the hospital.

Police in Winnfield are investigating a shooting incident last night that left two people dead and two injured. The two men killed were young Black males. Two wounded victims were airlifted to an Alexandria hospital, where they are expected to recover. Police say over 30 rounds of ammunition were fired in the gunfight.

The Senate Health and Welfare Committee advances a House-approved bill aimed at improving access to medical marijuana. The bill would allow the existing licensed cannabis pharmacies to open satellite stores, and even do home delivery. Only Denham Springs Senator Rogers Pope voted against the proposal…:

CUT 11(11)      “…that’s where I am.”

The measure moves to the full Senate, where it is expected to reach final passage.

Consumer watchdog groups are warning parents of potential scams due to the nationwide shortage of baby formula. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

—

While a bill to criminalize abortion in Louisiana failed to get out of committee, two other anti-abortion bills did advance to the Senate. Senate Bill 342 would increase criminal penalties for abortion providers and SB 388 would prohibit out-of-state vendors from selling abortion-inducing medication to people in this state.

—

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that US traffic fatalities are at their highest level in 16 years with nearly 43-hundred deaths in 2021, an 11 percent increase from the previous year. Mark Lambert, spokesman for the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission, says driver behavior is typically the cause of traffic deaths, and the leading cause is highly preventable.

Cut 7 (10) “…safety belt.”

—

The Senate Health and Welfare Committee votes in favor of a House-approved bill that’s aimed at improving access to medical marijuana. The House voted 77-16 for the legislation and now that the committee has approved the measure, it’s expected to receive approval from the full senate. But there is opposition. Military veteran Tony Landry says there’s a monopoly on the medical marijuana industry with just nine licensed pharmacies and two licensed growers, LSU and Southern.

Cut 10 (10)  ”….in Louisiana”

The Senate Health and Welfare Committee votes in favor of a House-approved bill that’s aimed at improving access to medical marijuana. Houma Representative Tanner Magee says his measure will allow pharmacies open satellite locations and home delivery would also be an option….

Cut 9 (13) “…rural access.”

The House voted 77-16 for the legislation and it’s expected to receive full approval from the senate.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports US traffic fatalities are at their highest level in 16 years, up 11 percent from 2020. Mark Lambert, spokesman for the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission, says the numbers don’t get better here at home…

Cut 6  (10) “…2020 to 2021.” 

As the nationwide shortage of baby formula continues, President of the Better Business Bureau of South-Central Louisiana, Carmen Million warns of possible scams. She says to be sure to research the vendor or individual you intend to purchase formula from. See if they have a brick-and-mortar store and know that reviews can easily be falsified. Million says formula is called formula for a reason.

Cut 4  (11) “…their kids.”

Cleco’s CARE program for low-income families is still accepting applicants through May 30, and now the energy provider has introduced the Watt Matters campaign says spokesperson Fran Phoenix and the campaign teaches customers how to keep energy from escaping their homes through weatherization.

Cut 8 (12)  “…energy efficient.”