Adults recruiting juveniles to commit car jackings would be illegal under legislation approved unanimously by the Louisiana House. The bill’s author, New Orleans Representative Jason Hughes says he wants to hold adults accountable for a crime that’s creating fear in the city he loves…
Cut 3 (12) “..our parish”
The proposed law says violators would face sentencing between five and 20 years. The measure heads to the Senate for more discussion.

A bill that would prohibit smoking weed while driving or riding in a car has advanced out of the Louisiana House. The measure is by Metairie Republican Representative Laurie Schlegel…:
CUT 15 (11) our roads safe”
The proposal passed the House 66-31 and now heads to the Senate.

Lake Charles Police announce the arrest of 11 individuals for their role in the death of a six-year-old girl who was fatally shot as she watched TV in her home on March 20th. Police Chief Shawn Caldwell hopes these arrests give the family of Draya Guillory a sense of closure.
Cut 9 (12) “…(NawfSideBabies) Northside Babies.”
Caldwell says bonds on some of those 11 arrested are as high as 2.5 million and they expect to make more arrests.

A House committee approves a bill that would remove the party affiliation of a judge on a voting ballot. The vote was 9-3 with a few GOP lawmakers opposing like Haughton Representative Dodie Horton…:
Cut 11 (07) “adheres to”
Despite the opposition, the measure heads to the House floor for more discussion

The House Committee looking into the death of Ronald Greene is scheduled to hear from district attorney John Belton today. He can bring state charges against the troopers involved in the fatal arrest. Also today in Senate Education, a debate will take place over a proposal to ban transgender athletes from competing in girls’ sports. La-Politics-dot-com Jeremy Alford says it’s an important issue for GOP lawmakers…
cut 6 (12) “….are you”

Many people complain of having a hard time trying to recall when recent events occurred. Head of Psychiatry at LSU Health New Orleans, Doctor Rahn Bailey, says we tend to link memories with emotional events, like weddings and graduations, and the lack of those occasions because of the pandemic plays a part in our recall.
Cut 8 (13) “…get out of.”

Despite some objection, the House Governmental Affairs Committee approves a measure that would prohibit political party affiliation from being shown on a ballot next to a judicial candidate. Denham Springs Representative Valarie Hodges voted against it, because she says voters deserve to do know who they are voting for…
cut 12 (12) “…or independent”
But House Governmental Affairs Chairman John Stefanski, who is an attorney by occupation in Crowley, says judges support this legislation…
cut 13 (10) “….liberal judges”
The bill passed on a nine to three vote and it heads to the full House for consideration.

The hurricane forecast team at Colorado State is predicting 19 named storms for the upcoming hurricane season.

A bill heading to the House floor would remove party affiliation from the ballot for judicial candidates. Jeff Palermo has the story…:
Cut 3 (31) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

If you enjoy smoking your medical marijuana in the car you would face a fine of $100 if a bill that advanced in the House Wednesday ends up passing as law. Some lawmakers questioned Metairie Republican Representative Laurie Schlegel about how this would actually be enforced…:
Cut 16 (12) “…hold them accountable.”
The Senate will take this up next.

Testimony will begin today in the trial of a Baker man accused in the September 2018 slaying of LSU basketball player Wayde Sims. A jury was chosen Wednesday. 23-year-old Dyteon (Die-Tee-On) Simpson is charged with second degree murder and faces a mandatory life sentence if found guilty. Authorities say Simpson shot Sims in the face when Sims was trying to defend a friend at a frat party just off Southern University’s Campus.

Research continues to point to us blocking out memories of the pandemic and the stressful situation of the past couple of years. Head of Psychiatry at LSU Health New Orleans Dr. Rahn Bailey says they are working on ways to help folks who are struggling with some cognitive impairment…:
Cut 9 (10) “helpful”
You can call the Keeping Calm Through COVID Hotline at 1-866-310-7977.

Republican lawmakers are trying again to ban transgender athletes in women’s sports. The measure is set to be heard in Senate Education today. It passed in both chambers last year but failed in a veto override attempt. LaPolitics.com Publisher Jeremy Alford says GOP majorities in both chambers are anxious to send the bill to the Governor’s desk:
Cut 5 (08) “for quite a while”
The bill seeks to assure female athletes do not have to face competition from athletes who were born men.

A House committee approves a bill that would remove the party affiliation of a judge on a voting ballot. The vote was 9-3 with a few GOP lawmakers opposing like Haughton Representative Dodie Horton…:
Cut 11 (07) “adheres to”
The measure heads to the House floor for more discussion.

Recent research points to memory loss being one of the side effects of the pandemic. Brooke Thorington has that report…:
CUT 2 (33) “I’m Brooke Thorington”

Police in Shreveport are investigating a Wednesday night shooting at a local gas station which left the clerk hospitalized after being hit 3 times. They say a customer called the cops after entering the Circle K to find the employee on the floor suffering gunshot wounds. The victim is at a local hospital with life threatening injuries, and no arrests have been made at this time. More on this as it develops.

A House Committee approves a bill that would remove from a voting ballot the party affiliation of a candidate running for judge. Marrero Representative Kyle Green:
Cut 10 (12) “on the ballot”
The bill was approved by the committee on a nine to three vote with some GOP members in opposition arguing voters deserve to know the politics of judges on a ballot.

A bill that would prohibit smoking weed while driving or riding in a car advances out of the House Wednesday. The measure is by Metairie Republican Representative Laurie Schlegel…:
CUT 15 (11) our roads safe”
The proposal passed the House 66-31 and now heads to the Senate.

A Senate committee is scheduled today to take up a second attempt to ban transgender athletes in women’s sports..:
Cut 1 (33) “I’m Kevin Gallagher”

There’s growing evidence that one side effect of the pandemic is memory loss. That’s due to anxiety according to Head of Psychiatry at LSU Health New Orleans Dr. Rahn Bailey:
Cut 7 (10) “…forward with them”
If you need counseling, you can call the Keeping Calm Through COVID Hotline at 1-866-310-7977.

Today, the Senate Education Committee is scheduled to discuss a transgender athlete ban. Franklinton Republican Senator Beth Mizell brings the bill again after it was vetoed by Governor Edwards last year. An attempt to override that veto failed. “LAPolitics.com” publisher Jeremy Alford says Edwards nixed the bill because he saw it as a “solution looking for a problem”, however…:
Cut 4 (15) “in Louisiana”
He says GOP majorities in both chambers are anxious to send the bill to the Governor’s desk again.

Officials in Lake Charles are slated to hold a news conference this morning to discuss a rise in crime in the area, including the shooting of 6-year-old Draya Michelle Guillory who was killed during a drive by. Police have confirmed one arrest in connection with Guillory’s death.

On the House Floor Wednesday, Metairie Republican Representative Laurie Schlegel continued to make her case for HB 234, which would prohibit smoking or vaping marijuana while driving or riding in a motor vehicle on public highways…:
Cut 14 (10) “while it’s operating”
The bill passed the House on a 66-31 vote and now heads to the Senate for more discussion.

Gas prices continue their slow but steady decline. The current statewide average for a gallon of regular is 3.93, down from $4 a week ago.

Louisiana is receiving $40 million in federal grant funding for flood mitigation. It’s part of the “Swift Current” initiative that’s funded by President Biden’s Infrastructure law that’s allocating $60 million to four states impacted by Hurricane Ida. FEMA spokesperson Melissa Wilkins says the goal of the program is to help homeowners get protection for their structures…:

CUT 10(07)      “…come through.”

The bill that would ban public release of a person’s booking mug shots wins passage in the House. The sponsor, Democrat Representative Royce Duplessis says once folks see your mug shot in a public forum, they presume you are guilty. Bossier City Republican Raymond Crews worries the bill will have a negative effect on public safety…:”

CUT 04(10)      “…recognize their person.”

The bill passes by a 75-21 vote and moves over to the Senate.

5^th District Louisiana Congresswoman Julia Letlow says she’ll do everything she can to keep the Veterans Administration from closing the VA Hospital in Pineville. Letlow says she’s been in touch with VA Secretary Denis McDonough and the dialog has been encouraging…:

CUT 07(06)      “…America’s heroes.”

A VA report suggests relocating some VA services to a new outpatient clinic in the vicinity of Alexandria would be wiser than investing the million needed to renovate the 70+ year old structure.

St. John Parish Sheriff Mike Tregre says he stands behind his deputy in the serious shooting of a passenger in a car that crashed Sunday near LaPlace. Tregre says he believes (quote) “the officer’s actions were justified and I stand by him and with him on his actions.” Body cam footage reportedly shows that Jacoby Williams did raise a gun at the officer before he was shot.

Grambling State’s new head volleyball coach, Chelsey Lucas, has cut her entire 19-person team. So far she has not said why, but a GSU spokesman says the university stands by her call.

Legislation to limit the number of insurance adjusters for a single claim to three, produces more questions than answers in the Senate Insurance Committee. Jeff Palermo has the story…:

CUT 02(31)      “…Jeff Palermo.”

Police in New Orleans make an arrest in the shooting death of a 14-year-old boy last week. Their suspect is a THIRTEEN-year-old boy. He’s now in juvenile detention.

Sometimes we all enjoy looking at booking mug shots on websites, but that may end if a New Orleans lawmaker’s bill passes. Democrat Royce Duplessis proposes banning public release until a person is found guilty; not merely arrested. Duplessis says publishing mugs is prejudicial…:

CUT 03(07)      “…undermines that.”

He says people remember seeing you got arrested but never remember you being exonerated. The bill passed in the House by a vote of 75 for aand 21 against. It moves now to the Senate.

After the Department of Veterans Affairs recommended the closure of the Alexandria VA Medical Center in Pineville last month, Congresswoman Julia Letlow reached out to VA Secretary Denis McDonough. Letlow says she told him closing the hospital is unacceptable…:

CUT 06(11)      “…hospital open.”

At the state Capitol, a bill that would ban the public release of most mug shots passes the Louisiana House. Jeff Palermo has the story…:

CUT 01(31)      “…Jeff Palermo.”

Cops in the towns of Rayne, in Acadia Parish, and Scott, in Lafayette Parish, worked together to bust three men on numerous illegal drug and weapons charges. Officers with a warrant raided a house in Scott; finding over 21 pounds of marijuana and a bunch of pills. Street value there nearly a quarter-million dollars. They also found an AK-47 style rifle and some pistols.

Back to the State Capitol where the Senate Insurance Committee discussed whether there should be a law on the number of adjusters an insurance company use for a single claim. Executive Director for Real Reform Louisiana Eric Holl says after the recent hurricanes some policyholders have dealt with over a dozen adjusters..:

CUT 12(09)      “…south Louisiana”

New Orleans Senator Joseph Bouie has the bill that would limit the number of adjusters for a single claim to three. But Bossier City Senator Barrow Peacock says an adjuster can be anyone that touches a case and limiting the number of adjusters could end up hurting the consumer..:

CUT 13(13)      “…whatever number.”

After hearing concerns about his bill, Bouie says he’ll tighten up the language and bring it back before the committee at a later date.

The Louisiana House approves legislation that would prohibit the release of an arrestee’s mug shot before they are convicted. Bill author New Orleans Representative Royce Duplessis says mug shots are prejudicial, but Bossier City Representative Raymond Crews expressed concern the ban could have a negative impact on public safety…

Cut 4  (10) “…person.”

Louisiana is receiving $40 million in federal grant funding for flood mitigation. It’s part of the “Swift Current” initiative that’s funded by President Biden’s Infrastructure law that’s allocating $60 million to four states impacted by Hurricane Ida. FEMA spokesperson Melissa Wilkins says the money will assist disaster survivors whose homes flood repeatedly.

Cut 9 (10) “…Hurricane Ida.”

For more information go to grants.gov

Congresswoman Julia Letlow met with VA Secretary Denis McDonough Tuesday after a report recommended the closure of the Alexandria VA Medical Center in Pineville. Letlow says she will continue to meet with decision-makers about the hospital to keep the facility open.

Cut 8 (09) “…the region.” 

Nicholls State University says next fall they will have the state’s first pet-friendly dormitory for students. Pets will be limited to cats or dogs and there are no breed or weight restrictions. Director of Residential Living Alex Coad says the response has been positive…
Cut 8 (10) “…another building.”
Coad says they’ll have space for 32 pets at North Babington Hall and there are also plans to build a dog park near the residence hall.