Louisiana sets another all-time high at the gas pump today. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

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The House Civil Law Committee approves legislation that would make it illegal to discriminate against a person based on certain hairstyles. New Orleans Representative Candace Newell is the author of the bill and says it’s not just African Americans who could be victims of hair discrimination…

Cut 14 (12) “…dreadlocks” (2x)

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Today the Food and Drug Administration announced that it has authorized a booster dose of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for children between the ages of 5 and 11. Unfortunately, Dr. Mark Kline, the Chief Medical Officer at Children’s Hospital in New Orleans says a large number of children in the state are ineligible for the booster since an overwhelming number of kids in the five to 11 age group haven’t been vaccinated at all. Nationally, just under 30 percent of children have received the vaccine, and in Louisiana, the numbers are much lower…

Cut 9 (09) “…primary series.”

The average price for regular gasoline in Louisiana hits an all-time high at $4.19 a gallon today, surpassing the previous record of $4.16 set in March. Triple-A fuel analyst Don Redman says gas prices have increased 33-cents in the last month and are way up over last year.
Cut 5 (11) “…the pinch.”
In addition to gas prices, the average price for diesel is up to $5.21 a gallon in Louisiana.

The state has a 20-cent gasoline tax that helps pay for bridge and road improvements, but lawmakers believe hybrid and electric vehicle owners are not paying their fair share. That’s why the Louisiana House has approved a bill that would charge EV owners 110-dollars annually and hybrid owners a 60-dollar road usage fee…
cut 4 (09) “….it yet”
The House approved the legislation 82-13 and it will also take two-thirds approval to pass the Senate, since it’s a fee.

The budget bill contains 300-million dollars for a new Mississippi River Bridge, 100-million dollars to replace the Lake Charles Bridge, and 100-million dollars for extending I-49 South to New Orleans. Transportation Secretary Shawn Wilson says there’s also 150-million dollars for preservation…
cut 12 (06) “…across the state”
The full Senate is expected to vote on the budget later this week.

Today the Food and Drug Administration announced that it has authorized a booster dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for children between the ages of 5 and 11. Dr. Mark Kline, the Chief Medical Officer at Children’s Hospital in New Orleans says this is something he’s been waiting for…
cut 8 (13) “…protective range.”
But Kline says only 10-percent of children between five and eleven have received the two-shot COVID vaccine series.

The Louisiana House approves legislation requiring electric and hybrid owners paying an annual road usage fee. Baton Rouge Representative Barbara Freiberg says the state’s 20-cent per gallon gasoline tax pays for highway upkeep and improvement and she wants to make sure E-V and hybrid vehicle owners pay their fair share…

Cut 3 (07) “….that privilege”

Freiberg’s bill would charge EV owners 110-dollars annually and hybrid owners 60-dollars annually.

It isn’t the $500-million that Governor John Bel Edwards wanted, but the budget bill headed to the Senate floor this week includes $300-million in seed money for a new Mississippi River Bridge in Baton Rouge. State Transportation Secretary Shawn Wilson says the money will be used to draw down federal money….

Cut 10 (09) “…more dollars.”

An effort to phase out a temporary sales tax, set to expire in 2025, is dead for the legislative session. Prairieville Representative Tony Bacala’s bill proposed to begin reducing the temporary sales tax next year. Norco Senator Gary Smith is concerned it will produce budget deficits for the 2024 administration.

Cut 9 (12)  “…are tied.”

The .45-percent sales tax generates about 400-million dollars annually.

House Civil Law approves legislation to make it illegal to discriminate against a person based on certain hairstyles. The measure passed on an eight to six vote as two Republicans joined Democrats voting in favor. Abita Springs Republican Larry Frieman says the bill leaves it open-ended on what hairstyles would be protected under this proposed law.

Cut 15 (12)  “…about yet.”

An effort to begin phasing out a temporary sales tax that is set to expire in 2025 is dead for the legislative session. The .45-percent sales generates about 400-million dollars in tax revenue for the state and Alexandria Senator Jay Luneau says the state can use that money on major projects…

Cut 7 (12) “…make sense.”

The consumer price index for the month of April rose to 8.3-percent, another forty-year high. Economist Loren Scott says however it’s not all doom and gloom, he says predictions from Well Fargo Economics Department and USA Consensus Forecast indicate things should improve.

Cut 6 (09)  “…next year.”

The budget headed to the Senate floor for approval Thursday includes $300-million for a new Mississippi River Bridge in Baton Rouge. State Transportation Secretary Shawn Wilson says the dedication makes getting additional dollars from private sources a real possibility, which could speed up both the financing and completion of bridges.

Cut  11 (12)  “…a traditional environment.”  

The House Civil Law Committee approves legislation that would make it illegal to discriminate against a person based on certain hairstyles. That would include afros, dreadlocks, braids and other styles of cultural significance. New Orleans Representative Candace Newell is the author of the bill

Cut 13 (11) “…the hair”

The Louisiana Senate is poised to make an unprecedented financial commitment to improving the state’s infrastructure…
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m David Grubb.”

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists has canceled its annual conference scheduled to take place in New Orleans in April 2023 because of the Louisiana Legislature’s anti-abortion views. Four-thousand people attended the conference in San Diego last month. The group says it will hold its annual conference in a state whose legislative climate is consistent with its values.

The House Civil Law Committee approves a bill that would ban hair discrimination. The legislation is to prohibit employers from not hiring or firing a person based on a natural, protective or cultural hairstyle, which would include afros, locs, braids, and other styles. New Orleans Representative Candace Newell says it’s not just Blacks who could be victims of hair discrimination…
cut 14 (12) “…dreadlocks” (2x)
The bill heads to the House floor for more discussion.

The consumer price index for April rose to eight-point-three percent, another 40 year high. Economist Loren Scott says the inflation rate has hovered around the 8% mark for a few months and it’s tough for those on fixed incomes….
cut 5 (10) “…right now”

Louisiana has set a new record high for gas prices as the statewide average for a gallon of regular gasoline has reached $4.19. That’s according to Triple-A. The price at the pump increased nearly five cents from yesterday and it’s up 15-cents in the last week and 33-cents over the last month.

According to the Consumer Price Index, the inflation rate for April was 8.3-percent. Brooke Thorington has more from a local economist.
Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Legislation to begin the phase-out of a temporary sales tax has been killed by the Senate Revenue and Fiscal Affairs Committee. The sales tax is set to expire in 2025, but Prairieville Representative Tony Bacala’s bill would begin phasing out the tax in 2023. The tax generates 400-million dollars in revenue annually and Norco Senator Gary Smith says Bacala’s proposal will actually cause more financial problems…
cut 8 (14) “…. then later”

The budget bill contains 300-million dollars for a new Mississippi River Bridge, 100-million dollars to replace the Lake Charles Bridge, and 100-million dollars for extending I-49 South to New Orleans. Transportation Secretary Shawn Wilson says there’s also 150-million dollars for preservation…
cut 12 (06) “…across the state”
The full Senate is expected to vote on the budget later this week.

The consumer price index for the month of April rose to 8.3-percent, another forty-year high. Economist Loren Scott says each month the Bureau of Labor and Statistics looks at the average price for a basket of goods, for example, gas, a gallon of milk, a loaf of bread, and a month’s rent.
Cut 4 (11) “…the economy.”
Louisiana has set a new record high for gas prices, the statewide average for a gallon of regular gasoline is $4.19 according to Triple-A.

It isn’t the $500-million that Governor John Bel Edwards wanted, but the budget bill headed to the Senate floor for approval includes $300-million in seed money for a new Mississippi River Bridge in Baton Rouge. State Transportation Secretary Shawn Wilson says the money will be used to draw down federal money….
cut 10 (09) “…more dollars”

The House Civil Law Committee approves a bill that would prohibit employers from firing an individual for a certain hairstyle. David Grubb has the story…
Cut 3 (31) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

The House Transportation Committee voted Monday for Senate-approved legislation that would result in the installation of speed cameras on the I-10 Atchafalaya Basin Bridge. Transportation Secretary Shawn Wilson says the cameras will track vehicles as they go across the 18-mile bridge and if they arrive in less than 18 minutes the driver was likely speeding.

Cut 6  (04) “…60-mile per hour limit.” 

Supporters of the legislation say cameras would be a better way to catch speeders than actual police officers because the narrow shoulders on the bridge make it unsafe for officers. Rosepine Representative Charles Owen agrees…

Cut 8 (10) “…crazy bridge” 

An effort to begin phasing out a temporary sales tax that is set to expire in 2025 is dead for the legislative session. The .45-percent sales tax generates about 400-million dollars in tax revenue for the state and Alexandria Senator Jay Luneau says the state can use that money on major projects…

Cut 7 (12) “…make sense.”

The Senate Revenue and Fiscal Affairs Committee rejected the House-approved bill.

It isn’t the $500-million that Governor John Bel Edwards wanted, but the budget bill headed to the Senate floor for approval on Thursday does include $300-million of seed money for a new Mississippi River Bridge in Baton Rouge. State Transportation Secretary Shawn Wilson is thankful for the unprecedented commitment of funds for a project of this size.

Cut 10 (09) “…more dollars.”

Legislation that would result in cameras to catch speeders on the I-10 Atachalfalya Basin Bridge between Baton Rouge and Lafayette continues to cruise through the legislative process. Jeff Palermo has the story…
Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

The Senate Finance Committee approved the Senate’s version of a spending plan for the fiscal year that begins in July. The budget proposal contains a 15-hundred dollar raise for teachers, 300-million dollars for a new Mississippi River Bridge in Baton Rouge, an additional 100-million for I-49 South, and another 100-million for a new Lake Charles bridge.

Dan Wallis takes over as Louisiana’s new State Fire Marshal today. Wallis served as the fire chief in Zachary in East Baton Rouge Parish for 28 years. Wallis says he plans to address the growing decline of first responders and how to keep them in the profession…
cut 13 (12) “…safety family”
Wallis takes over for Butch Browning, who is the new executive director of the National Association of State Fire Marshals.

Former Saints Quarterback Drew Brees caused a stir yesterday when he said in a social media post he’s undecided what he’ll do next after it was reported he would not return to NBC as a football analyst. Brees said he may play football again. Saints Coach Dennis Allen was asked about Brees’ tweet today…
cut 10 (10) “…for sure”
Allen says he has not talked to Brees’ about a possible comeback and there are many who say Brees is not serious about returning to football.

A single-car crash in Washington Parish claims two lives. Trooper William Huggins says the driver 31-year-old Pamela Brown and 16-year-old Jaquan Brown of Kentwood were both killed when their Hyundai veered off the road shortly after 11 pm Saturday.

Cut 3 (09) “….two trees.”

Huggins says both were pronounced dead on the scene. Three unrestrained juveniles in the back seat of the car were taken to a local hospital. Impairment is suspected.

The House Transportation Committee voted today for Senate-approved legislation that would result in the installation of speed cameras on the I-10 Atchafalaya Basin Bridge. Rosepine Representative Charles Owen…

Cut 8 (10) “…crazy bridge” 

Dan Wallis takes over as Chief of the State Fire Marshal’s Office. Wallis, who served as Zachery Fire Chief for 28 years has been with Fire Marshal’s Office since 2008. He says he plans to expand on the values already set by his predecessor, Butch Browning.

Cut 12 (10) “…fifty years.”  

Former Saints quarterback Drew Brees was let go from his contract with NBC Sports after just one season, setting off a storm of speculation about his future with Brees even alluding to a possible return to football. Coach Dennis Allen doesn’t see a reason to take talk of a comeback seriously.

Cut 9 (07) “…that regard.”

Meanwhile, former Saints head coach Sean Payton has been hired by Fox for the upcoming NFL season.