2:30 LRN Newscast May 03

Based on a draft opinion from the Supreme Court, abortions could soon be illegal in Louisiana. Jeff Palermo has the story…:

CUT 02(30)      “…Jeff Palermo.”

The FBI warns of an increase in so-called “sextortion” schemes in northern Louisiana. Agents say criminals pose online as minors, convince others minors to take sexually explicit photos or videos, then they threaten to expose them if they don’t pay. They say get involved in what your kid is doing online.

 

The bipartisan committee investigating the circumstances of and events following the deadly arrest of Black motorist Ronald Greene is set to hold the former head of the Louisiana State Police, Kevin Reeves, in contempt for his refusal to turn over documents that could shed additional light on the actions of LSP. Committee chairman Tanner Magee says his meeting with Reeves’ attorney, Lewis Unglesby – in which he was supposed to hand over pertinent documents – didn’t go well…:

CUT 10(10)      “…got a little heated.”

Unglesby says that Col. Reeves hasn’t done anything to warrant contempt charges and has been wholly cooperative with the investigation.

By a strong margin the full House has voted to officially do away with two state holidays reminiscent of the Civil War era; Confederate Memorial Day and Robert E. Lee’s Birthday. The vote was 60 in favor, 20 against and 23 members absent or abstaining from vote. The measure now moves over to the Senate.

LRN PM Newscall May 3

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

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Michelle Southern.”

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Based on a draft opinion from the Supreme Court, abortions in Louisiana could soon be illegal in Louisiana. Jeff Palermo has the story….

Cut 2 (30)…I’m Jeff Palermo.”  

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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 on why this bill is needed…

Cut 3 (04) “…door step”

Edmonds is the sponsor of the legislation and the state department of education has expressed concern about not having enough qualified teachers…

Cut 4  (10) “..get it”

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 5  (09) “…we can pass”

Edmonds bill heads to the Senate for further consideration. The Senate has already passed its own bill to bring back retired teachers.

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The Louisiana House overwhelming approves a bill to expand the medical marijuana program. There are currently nine licensed medical marijuana pharmacies in Louisiana and Houma Representative Tanner Magee’s measure awards a tenth license and allows licensee holders to open multiple pharmacies…

Cut 6  (10) “…who are closer” 

A big complaint from medical marijuana patients is access with only nine pharmacies that dispense the drug. Gretna Representative Joe Marino added an amendment to the bill that allows a medical marijuana license holder to open another location if they have 25-hundred patients…

Cut 7 (12) “…locations.” 

The bill also allows home delivery.

Magee says the legislation also shifts regulatory authority from the department of agriculture to the department of health

Cut 8 (10) “…products.” 

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The bipartisan committee investigating the circumstances of and events following the deadly arrest of Black motorist Ronald Greene is set to hold the former head of the Louisiana State Police, Kevin Reeves, in contempt for his refusal to turn over documents that could shed additional light on the actions of LSP. Here’s the committee chair, Representative Tanner Magee…

Cut 9 (12) “…the subpoena.”

Magee says he arranged to meet with Reeve’s attorney, Lewis Unglesby to review the journals only for notes related specifically to the Greene case. When he arrived, the meeting did not go as planned…

Cut 10 (10) “…got a little heated.”

During the meeting, Magee said he identified an entry date of June 17, 2020, that referenced Governor John Bel Edwards by name along with notes about police brutality and body cams, and wanted to review it in greater detail. Unglesby refused to turn it over, along with the other requested materials, leading to the current situation…

Cut 11 (12)  “…contempt charges.” 

In response, Unglesby says that Col. Reeves hasn’t done anything to warrant contempt charges and has been wholly cooperative with the investigation.

___________________________________________

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. Louisiana Right to Life Director Ben Clapper explains why…

Cut 12 (08) “..overturned.”  

That 2006 trigger law was signed by former Democratic Governor Kathleen Blanco.

The Supreme Court is making its ruling based on a legal challenge to a Mississippi law that bans abortion after 15 weeks. Clapper says an initial draft majority opinion written by Justice Samuel Alito says Roe was wrong from the start and it’s time to return the abortion issue to the public’s elected representatives

Cut 13 (09) “…in Washington D.C.”

Because of Louisiana’s trigger law, three abortion clinics in this state will close immediately if the Supreme Court overturns Roe versus Wade. New Orleans Representative Mandie Landry tweeted that she is so sorry for what will happen to women in our country. Clapper had this response

Cut 14 (12)  “…filer.”

1:30 LRN Newscast May 03

The Louisiana House overwhelming approves a bill to expand the medical marijuana program. There are currently nine licensed medical marijuana pharmacies in Louisiana and Houma Representative Tanner Magee’s measure awards a tenth license and allows license holders to open multiple pharmacies…:

CUT 06(10)      “…who are closer.”

The bill also allows home delivery. Magee says the legislation also shifts regulatory authority from the Department of Agriculture to the Department of Health.

State Police say a Monday traffic stop on I-12 in St. Tammany Parish led to the seizure of over 55 pounds of cocaine. Street value in excess of $5-million. The driver of the big rig and a passenger were arrested and are in the parish jail.

Now missing for nearly two months, police say disappearance of 33-year-old Ella Goodie, of Scott, is now being investigated as a homicide. Goodie was last seen Match 9th. Her car was found in Missouri April 4th.

 

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 on why this bill is needed…:

Cut 03  (04)      “…door step.”

Currently, retired teachers can return to the classroom and collect 25-percent of their final average annual pay. Edmonds’ bill boosts that percentage up to 50-percent.

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. Louisiana Right to Life Director Ben Clapper says that’s due to a 2006 state trigger bill signed into law by then-Governor Blanco..:

CUT 13(10)      “…in Washington DC.”

12:30 LRN Newscast May 3

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

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Michelle Southern.”

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. Louisiana Right to Life Director Ben Clapper explains why…

Cut 12 (08) “..overturned.”

The bipartisan committee investigating the circumstances of and events following the deadly arrest of Black motorist Ronald Greene is set to hold the former head of the Louisiana State Police, Kevin Reeves, in contempt for his refusal to turn over documents that could shed additional light on the actions of LSP. Here’s the committee chair, Representative Tanner Magee…

Cut 9 (12) “…the subpoena.”

In response, Reeve’s attorney Lewis Unglesby says that Col. Reeves hasn’t done anything to warrant contempt charges and has been wholly cooperative with the investigation.

11:30 LRN Newscast

Improving access to medical marijuana is one of the goals of state lawmakers during the ongoing session. The Louisiana House has approved a bill that allows the nine medical marijuana license holders to open more than one pharmacy if they have a patient count over 25-hundred. Houma Representative Tanner Magee says the legislation also shifts regulatory authority from the ag department to the department of health…
cut 28 (10) “…..products”

Louisiana schools would offer free menstrual supplies in bathrooms as a result of a bill that’s awaiting discussion on the House floor. The House Education Committee approved the measure and Ananya Bhatia from Caddo Magnet in Shreveport testified in favor…
cut 8 (12) “…basic needs”
Eleven states already have bills requiring schools to provide menstrual products.

Baton Rouge Congressman Garret Graves says lawmakers are still looking at legislation to prevent huge increases in flood insurance premiums as a result of Risk Rating 2.0. Graves says one proposed bill has bipartisan support…
cut 12 (13) ‘…these rates together”
Graves says the ultimate solution is to build better storm and flood mitigation measures, so flood insurance is not a necessity.

A student from Southern University Lab in Baton Rouge has received the honorable Gold Medal Congressional Award. The accolade awarded to Kelsie Tillage, who is in 11th grade, is the highest honor a young person can achieve from Congress. Tillage says she’s so grateful…:
CUT 13 (06) “community as well”
Tillage has a 4.29-grade point average and performs hundreds of hours of community service.

11:40 LRN Sportscast May 3

LSU baseball has been making a climb in the power rankings after winning six of its last eight ball games. The Tigers have gotten better pitching as of late but stopping LSU’s offense remains job number one for opponents, no easy task against a lineup so deep and talented. Dylan Crews is batting .328 this season with 13 home runs and says he keeps his approach simple…

Cut 17 (16) “…extend on really.”

The Tigers host Nicholls tonight at 6:30.

In other action around the state, Lamar visits the Southern Jaguars while McNeese hosts Stephen F. Austin. UL-Monroe heads west on I-20 to take on Louisiana Tech, as UNO heads across town to play Tulane for the Pelican Cup in New Orleans.

With just a couple of weeks to go in the regular season, the U-L Cajuns are jockeying for position in the Sun Belt conference and in the RPI as they try to get back to the NCAA tournament for the first time since 2016. Coach Matt Deggs says the pressure is on, but he’s confident.

Cut 19 (20) _“…one of them.”

The LSU women’s basketball team has added another transfer, 5-foot-8 guard Kateri Poole from Ohio State. Last season Poole averaged 4.8 points and 2.4 assists for the Buckeyes and played in OSU’s win over the Tigers in the second round of the NCAA tournament. With three transfers now, Kim Mulkey’s recruiting class for next season is up to seven players.

10:30 LRN Newscast

Legislation to require Louisiana schools to provide menstrual products for students advances to the House floor. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

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 on why this bill is needed…
Cut 3 (04) “…doorstep”
Currently, retired teachers can return the classroom and collect 25-percent of their final average compensation. Edmonds boosts that percentage up to 50-percent. The bill heads to the Senate for more discussion.

A bill that expands the state’s medical-marijuana program has received approval from the Louisiana House. The legislation contains an amendment by Gretna Representative Joe Marino, which allows a medical marijuana license holder to open another location if they have 25-hundred patients…
cut 7 (12) “….locations”
The bill heading to the Senate also allows for mail delivery.

Kelsie Tillage, a junior at Southern Lab High School has received a Gold Medal Congressional Award. It’s the highest honor a youth civilian can achieve. Tillage is a member of her school’s student government association, volleyball team, was named student of the year in her district, and completed hundreds of hours of community service, mostly focused on child literacy…
cut 14 (10) “…able to learn”
Tillage is one of Louisiana’s first high school students to achieve the gold medal award.

0930 LRN Newscast May 3rd

The state House overwhelming approves a bill to expand the medical marijuana program. There are currently nine licensed medical marijuana pharmacies in Louisiana and Houma Representative Tanner Magee’s measure awards a tenth license and allows licensee holders to open multiple pharmacies…:
Cut 6 (10) “who are closer”
The bill heads to the Senate for more discussion.

A junior from Southern University Lab in Baton Rouge has received the honorable Gold Medal Congressional Award. Kelsie Tillage has a 4.29 GPA and is dually enrolled in Southern University, Honors and AP courses. She says she’s always enjoyed serving others…:
CUT 15 (10) “to do it”
The accolade is the highest honor a young person can achieve through the US Senate and House.

Congressman Garret Graves says he’s still fighting to bring down spiking flood insurance costs for Louisianans. Kevin Gallagher has more…:
Cut 2 (34) “I’m Kevin Gallagher”

According to Money Geek, Louisiana ranks second in the nation among states with the most distracted driving fatalities. Head of Data Analytics Doug Milens says they looked at stats from 2020 when fewer people were driving…:
CUT 5 (06) “it’s flat”

08:30 LRN Newscast May 3rd

A measure that removes Robert E Lee and Confederate Memorial Day from the state’s official holidays gains approval in the House. David Grubb reports:
CUT 3 (31) “I’m David Grubb”

A bipartisan legislative committee investigating the deadly 2019 arrest of Ronald Greene says it plans to move to hold the former head of state police in contempt for refusing to turn over documents on the matter. The dispute is over a journey entry mentioning Governor John Bel Edwards. Kevin Reeves has been accused of covering up the initial investigation into Greene’s death. Reeves’ lawyer says his client is cooperating.

A bill that would require schools to provide feminine products for students advances out of House Education. New Orleans Representative Jason Hughes co-authors the measure…:
CUT 9 (11) “her with”
The bill is slated to be heard next on the House Floor.

Even though people were driving less in 2020, a new analysis by MoneyGeek found Louisiana had the second highest distracted driving fatality rate in the nation. Head of Data Analytics Doug Milens says they compared those fatalities based on miles driven in each state…:
CUT 4 (11) “and Kansas”
Texting while driving is the most common distracted driving offense in Louisiana.

07:30 LRN Newscast May 3rd

Legislation to require Louisiana schools to provide feminine products for students advances to the House floor…:
Cut 1 (33) “I’m Brooke Thorington”

According to Money Geek, Louisiana ranks second in the nation among states with the most distracted driving fatalities. Head of Data Analytics Doug Milens says that coupled with high auto-insurance only adds insult to injury for the state:
Cut 6 (08) “tougher”

Congressman Garret Graves says members of the Louisiana delegation are still working on a measure aimed at dealing with the rising cost of flood insurance that has yet to be approved. He says amendments have been drafted to provide temporary relief from the “Risk Rating 2.0”, but the Democrat majority in the U.S. House isn’t interested in fixing the problem…:
Cut 10 (07) “offering the amendment”
New plan rates are based on distance from water, elevation, construction type, flood history and rebuilding costs.

A student from Southern University Lab in Baton Rouge has received the honorable Gold Medal Congressional Award. The accolade awarded to Kelsie Tillage, who is in 11th grade, is the highest honor a young person can achieve through the US Senate and House. Tillage says she’s so grateful…:
CUT 13 (06) “community as well”
In addition to maintaining a 4.29-grade point average, Tillage is dually enrolled at Southern University, Honors and AP courses, is a published author.