Breaux Bridge Representative Mike Huval is having a hard time connecting with his House members on a bill to prohibit the use of a handheld cell phone with driving. Michelle Southern has the story…

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Michelle Southern”

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As part of National Hurricane Preparedness Week, Governor John Bel Edwards and other officials held a press conference to signal the state’s ramp up with hurricane season less than a month away.

Cut 6 (12) “…natural disasters.”

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A bill to prohibit transgender athletes from participating in girls’ sports in Louisiana cleared another legislative hurdle. Governor John Bel Edwards vetoed this measure last year, but Franklinton Senator Beth Mizell says the public overwhelmingly supports her legislation

Cut 9 (11) “…biological females.”

Mizell’s measure has been approved by the Senate and today passed out of the House Education Committee on a seven to one vote. One of the governor’s arguments is that the bill is in search of a problem that doesn’t exist in Louisiana.

To date, there have been no cases brought before the Louisiana High School Athletic Association regarding transgender participation in female sports.

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A recent surge in sextortion of children cases has the FBI on alert. David Grubb has more…
Cut 1 (35) “…I’m David Grubb.”

State Police have changed the status of the case of Ella Goodie, the 33-year-old ride share driver from Lafayette Parish who vanished in March. It’s now a homicide investigation instead of a missing person case. Goodie’s vehicle was found in Missouri and Brandon Francisco has been named a person of interest.

The major national news story is the draft opinion indicating the US Supreme Court might be poised to overturn Roe v Wade would immediately make abortions illegal in Louisiana. Tulane University law professor Keith Werhan (pronounced “WER-han”) says having a justice’s draft opinion leaked to the press is rare and the Supreme Court will not take it lightly…:
Cut 13 (08) “a vigorous one”

A bill banning handheld cell phone use while driving failed to get approval in the Louisiana House. During the debate, Breaux Bridge Representative Mike Huval’s legislation faced opposition from Amite Representative Robby Carter, who says not everyone drives a car with Bluetooth technology, but Huval says there are inexpensive accessories available that allow for hands-free cell phone use…
Cut 3 (11) “…your hands”
Huval says banning hand held cell phone use will cut down on distracted driving crashes.

The House Education Committee has voted against a bill that would prohibit teachers from discussing sexual orientation and gender identity in front of the entire classroom. Haughton Representative Dodie Horton says her bill isn’t intended to hurt or discriminate against anyone, but to assure children are not exposed to inappropriate adult topics…
cut 10 (07) “….instruction time”
The panel heard from numerous opponents, including this parent of two children in the East Baton Rouge school system…
cut 25 (10) “…discriminatory”
The House committee agreed and voted against it on a vote of seven to four.

Today the House Education Committee debates a bill that bans transgender women from participating in female sports.

The FBI says there’s been an increase in sextortion schemes targeting children in Monroe, Shreveport, and Alexandria. FBI spokesperson Connor Hagan says the predators are engaging in sexual activity over video chat. He says the juvenile believes the questionable content will be deleted, but the predator than threatens to post the videos on social media pages, unless they receive money…
cut 5 (08) “….for financial gain”
If you know someone who may be a victim, contact the FBI.

The lawyer for the former head of State Police, Kevin Reeves, says the legislative committee investigating the fatal 2019 arrest of Ronald Green has what they need from his client. Houma Representative Tanner Magge believes Reeves is acting in contempt for refusing to provide a particular journal entry. But Lewis Unglesby says what Magee is looking for is not relevant…:
cut 15 (08) “interested in”

Attorney Lewis Unglesby says it’s an unreasonable response for state lawmakers to hold former State Police leader Kevin Reeves in contempt for not handing over a certain journal entry. Jeff Palermo has the story..:
Cut 3 (32) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Ahead of the start of hurricane season on June 1st, Governor John Bel Edwards is slated to hold a news conference this morning with other emergency preparedness officials to discuss how the public should get ready for a potential storm.

Abortion will become illegal in Louisiana if the leaked Supreme Court opinion stands. Chief Justice John Roberts has confirmed the leaked draft IS authentic, and Tulane University law professor Keith Werhan (pronounced “WER-han”) feels – IF there are enough votes to reverse Roe V. Wade – that will eventually happen. He says the Supreme court more often seeks to narrow precedent rulings..:
CUT 12 (08) “opinion was drafted”
He points out the draft has preliminary support but it’s not a done deal.

Louisiana’s so-called version of what opponents call the Don’t Say Gay bill was halted in a House Committee. The bill drew opposition from several witnesses, like Brenna Wells, with the LSU School of Social Work and LGBTQ Studies, who feels the bill is mean-spirited…:
Cut 8 (12) “…and their future.”
The committee voted 7-to-4 to reject the bill.

Louisiana’s version of what opponents call the “Don’t Say Gay” bill has been killed for this legislative session. House Education voted 7-to-4 to reject the measure. Bossier Parish Republican Dodie Horton wrote the bill…:
Cut 7 (12) “state standard-slash-curriculum”
Some in opposition argued the measure is too broad.

The committee investigating the deadly 2019 arrest of Ronald Greene wants to hold former State Police Head Kevin Reeves in contempt for refusing to hand over a journal entry on the matter, but Reeves’ lawyer says members already have what they need. Attorney Lewis Unglesby says anything in the journals kept by Reeves pertaining to the Greene case has been given to lawmakers..:
Cut 16 (11) “the committee”

The draft opinion indicating the US Supreme Court might be poised to overturn Roe v Wade would immediately make abortions illegal in Louisiana. Tulane University law professor Keith Werhan (pronounced “WER-han”) says having a justice’s draft opinion leaked to the press is rare and the Supreme Court will not take lightly…:
Cut 13 (08) “a vigorous one”
Abortions would be illegal here, under a 2006 “trigger bill”; written to kick in if the Justices ever took that action.

The FBI is warning parents about a sextortion scheme going around in Louisiana which tricks minors into sending inappropriate photos which are then used to extort them into sending money, or else. Spokesperson Connor Hagan offers this to parents who believe their kid is a victim..:
CUT 6 (12) “contact the FBI”

A House committee rejects Louisiana’s “Don’t Say Gay” bill…:
Cut 2 (33) “I’m Kevin Gallagher”

After a long stretch of falling gas prices, we’re starting to see them slowly inch back up. The current statewide average for a gallon of regular is $3.89 which is down 7 cents from a month ago — but up nearly a nickel over the week.

The New Orleans Saints are expected to make the signing of former LSU star safety Tyrann Mathieu official today.

The lawyer for the former head of State Police, Kevin Reeves, says the committee investigating the deadly 2019 arrest of Ronald Green has what they need from his client. The members believe Reeves is acting in contempt for refusing to provide a particular journal entry. But Lewis Unglesby says it’s not relevant…:
Cut 15 (08) “interested in”

The FBI is warning parents of a rise in sextortion schemes targeting children in Louisiana. The crime-fighting agency says it has received several reports in the Monroe, Alexandria, and Shreveport areas of predators posing as children and coercing minors into sending them sexually explicit materials for the purpose of extorting money. Spokesperson Connor Hagan…:
Cut 4 (11) “that they are”
Hagan says an underage person should never send intimate or explicit photos or videos over the internet.

The emergence of a leaked U.S. Supreme Court draft opinion indicating the 1973 Roe v. Wade abortion rights decision might soon be overturned has implications for Louisiana. Tulane University law professor Keith Werhan (pronounced “WER-han”) says the draft has preliminary support, but it’s not yet a “done deal”…:
Cut 11 (11) “gonna want that”
If the High court reverses Roe v. Wade, abortions would become illegal in Louisiana immediately.

The House Education committee rejects a measure prohibiting teachers from discussing gender identity or sexual orientation in classrooms. Opponents call it the Don’t Say Gay Bill. New Orleans Representative Aimee Freeman says its too broad…:
Cut 9 (09) “…cannot support this bill”
The matter is dead for the session.

The lawyer for former State Police Colonel Kevin Reeves says a legislative committee investigating the fatal arrest of Ronald Greene has the information they need from the journals kept by Reeves. Houma Representative Tanner Magee has threatened to charge Reeves with contempt, but attorney Lewis Unglesby says that is an unreasonable response..:
Cut 14 (10) “confusion there”
Magee met with Unglesby on Monday to make copies of pages in the journal pertaining to anything written about the Greene case.

State Police have changed the status of the case of Ella Goodie, the 33-year-old ride share driver from Scott who vanished in March, from missing person to homicide. No body has been found and no suspect charged, but troopers say the transition is based on investigative techniques and witness statements.

After a lengthy debate, the House Education Committee voted against a bill that would have prohibited teachers from discussing sexual orientation and gender identity in front of the entire classroom. The measure died on a four to seven vote, New Orleans Representative Aimee Freeman voted against it…
cut 9 (10) “…cannot support this bill”

Lawmakers are working on legislation to incentivize retired teachers to come back to the classroom to help address a teacher shortage…
cut 4 (10) “….get it”
Currently, retired teachers can return to the classroom and collect 25-percent of their final average compensation. Baton Rouge Representative Rick Edmonds’ bill boosts that percentage up to 50-percent. It has been approved by the House.

The lawyer for former State Police Colonel Kevin Reeves says a legislative committee investigating the fatal arrest of Ronald Greene has the information they need from the journals kept by Reeves. Houma Representative Tanner Magee has threatened to charge Reeves with contempt, but attorney Lewis Unglesby says that would be an unreasonable response…
cut 14 (10) “…confusion there’
Magee met with Unglesby on Monday to make copies of pages in the journal pertaining to anything written about the Greene case. Magee believes Reeves is acting in contempt for refusing to provide an entry dated June 17th, 2020 that mentioned the governor by name and police brutality…
cut 11 (12) “….contempt charges”
Unglesby says anything in the journals kept by Reeves pertaining to the Greene case has been given to lawmakers

The state House of Representatives approves a bill that expands the state’s medical-marijuana program. Michelle Southern has the story…:

CUT 01         (31)    “…Michelle Southern.”

Louisiana State Police have changed the missing person case involving the disappearance of 33-year-old ride share driver Ella Goodie, of Scott, to a homicide investigation. Goodie was last seen in early March. Her car was found a month later in Missouri. State Police ask anyone with knowledge of what happened to Ella to contact them.

Based on a draft opinion leaked to Politico the U.S. Supreme Court appears poised to overturn the 1973 case Roe versus Wade that legalized abortion nationwide. Such a decision would mean abortion would be illegal in Louisiana. Ben Clapper, with Louisiana Right to Life, says a 2006 bill signed by Governor Kathleen Blanco will kick in if Row V. Wade is reversed. Some say that will be a sad day for women, but Clapper says women’s health need not be threatened…:

CUT 14(12)      “…giving birth.”

Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts has confirmed the draft opinion leaked IS authentic.

Police in Abbeville arrest a young mother in connection with alleged abuse of her baby. The child was brought to a hospital with broken bones and head injuries and is currently in critical condition. 26-year-old Kassidy McGee is charged with cruelty to a juvenile and possession of drugs in the presence of a child. The investigation is ongoing.

The Louisiana House overwhelming approves a bill to expand the medical marijuana program. The bill would assure the ten existing licenses are issued; there are currently only nine … and it would allow licensees to have more than one store. Gretna Representative Joe Marino added an amendment to allow that IF a pharmacy has more than 25-hundred patients…:

CUT 07(12)      “…only nine locations.”

The legislation also shifts regulatory authority from the Department of Agriculture to the Department of Health. It moves now to the Senate.

Police in Lafayette say someone shot a 14-year-old boy Monday, and left him to die in a public park. The teen was found in time and rushed to a hospital, where his condition is stabilizing. LPD is asking the public for information on the crime.

The Louisiana House unanimously backs legislation that would allow some retired teachers to return to work, while still receiving their full retirement benefits. Baton Rouge Representative Rick Edmonds says his bill addresses a statewide teacher shortage. Currently, retired teachers can return to the classroom and collect 25-percent of their final average compensation. Edmonds boosts that percentage up to 50-percent. He was asked why not move the percentage higher…:

CUT 05         (09)    “…we can pass.”

Edmonds bill heads to the Senate for further consideration. The Senate has already passed its own bill with the same intent.

State Police say a Monday morning traffic stop on Interstate 12 in St. Tammany Parish turned into a big drug bust. Sensing the big rig driver and his passenger were acting suspiciously, troopers got permission to search the rig and found 55 pounds of cocaine; worth over $5-million on the street. The two men – both residents of New York State – are in the parish jail.