20 percent of kids in the foster system are teens, but only 5 percent of homes are requesting teenagers. Matt Doyle talked with the DCFS Secretary about their push to change that. Cut 1 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

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A bipartisan group of US Senators, including Louisiana’s Bill Cassidy, is working to combat surprise medical billing. Kevin Barnhart has the story. Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”  

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A merger between the state’s affiliates of the Susan G. Komen breast cancer organization result in one statewide affiliate.  What does that mean for the fight against the disease?  Kevin Barnhart has the story. Cut 3 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

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The Department of Children and Family Services is asking for more households to open their doors to teen foster kids as part of National Foster Care Month. DCFS Secretary Marketa Garner Walters says teens can be some of the hardest foster system kids to find good homes for. Cut 4 (09) “… teens.”

The drive is focused on finding foster homes for kids in the communities they were raised in so, that they don’t have to leave their schools, friends, and other local connections when they enter the system. Some families might be intimidated to take in someone who’s going through the often turbulent and hormone driven teenage years, but Walters says it’s certainly not the most difficult period of a kid’s life. Cut 5 (11) “…fast”

Walters says having foster parents who are invested in helping teens make and maintain connections in their community, even after they age out, is vital to ensure they go on to lead fruitful and fulfilling lives… Cut 6 (10) “…to.”

The Secretary says if you’re interested in getting more information about fostering, visit Louisianafosters.la.gov

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US Senator Bill Cassidy is working with a bipartisan collection of Senators to combat surprise medical billing with the STOP Surprise Medical Bills Act.  Cassidy says a care provider would be paid the cost difference between a patients in-network cost sharing and the median or average cost for the in-network rate for their services. Cut 7 (08) “…is held harmless.

” Scenarios in which patient balance billing occurs would be prohibited include emergency services and non-emergency services performed by an out of network provider at an in-network facility.   Cassidy says the legislation comes down to one principal. Cut 8 (09) “…into a practice.”

The Act would also prohibit surprise billing non-emergency services following an emergency service at an out or network facility due to a patient not being able to be moved from the out of network facility.   Cassidy says he believes the legislation is finding a good fit for insurers and caregivers while addressing the concerns of legislators. Cut 9 (11) “…that sweet spot.

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Governor John Bel Edwards addressed the growing controversy in Alabama surrounding the state’s passing of bill that almost completely bans abortion procedures. Edwards has historically supported pro-life legislation, and a fetal heartbeat abortion ban bill is currently working it’s way through the Legislature. Edwards, the deep south’s only Democrat, reiterated his support for anti-abortion legislation. Cut 10 (12) “…consistent”

Opponents argue the heartbeat bill is tantamount to a near ban itself.

The Alabama law was designed by it’s author to provoke a direct challenge to Roe vs. Wade. Edwards pointed out that Roe were ever to be overturned, Louisiana would immediately be off-limits to the procedure. Cut 11 (07) “…now”

The Alabama ban does not include exemptions for rape or incest and comes with an up to 99-year prison sentence for doctors who perform the procedure. The Governor says he’s confident that most Louisianans have his, and the Legislature’s back when it comes to the increasing number of laws being passed in the Bayou State that would, if approved by the courts, place significant restrictions on the procedure. Cut 12 (09) “…any different”

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The Louisiana affiliates of the Susan G. Komen breast cancer organization have now unified to become a single, statewide affiliate.  Executive Director of Komen Louisiana Angela Miller says the organization has a hefty goal of cutting in half the number of breast cancer deaths in Louisiana by 2026. Cut 13 (10) “…to the decision.”

Miller says the merger creates efficiencies in helping fight breast cancer as they work to try to meet their aggressive target for 2026. Cut 14 (07) “…in our state.”

Miller says the funds that are raised in Louisiana end up staying in Louisiana with 75% of the funding going toward the cost incurred in helping with women’s health. Cut 15 (10) “also very very important.”

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Cut 16  (20) “…right around the corner” 

cut 17 (14)   “to be” 

Legislation that would undo a 1997 law prohibiting local government’s from raising the minimum wage above the state level fails to get out of the House Labor Committee. Matt Doyle has more…

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

The House Judiciary committee heard serious procedural debate about a bill that would legalize and strictly regulate recreational marijuana. They then moved the bill to the House criminal justice committee. The bill has neither been killed or advanced at this point.

The House Labor committee voted nine-to-six against legislation requiring  private employers to pay men and woman the same for similar work. Studies show that Louisiana has the largest gender wage gap in the country, but Bossier City Representative Raymond Crews says men are more willing to work on holidays, work longer hours and perform more dangerous work

Cut 13 (07) “…pay better.”

Shreveport Representative Barbara Norton says the panel should approve this legislation to help out their female relatives

Cut 14 (11) “…love them today” 

Abita Springs Representative Scott Simon shot back at proponents of the bill, who suggested that lawmakers would vote against this legislation to hurt women…

Cut 15 (11) “…kill anyone”

The House Labor Committee rejects a proposal to allow local governments to set their own minimum wage. A 1997 Louisiana law prohibits parishes and cities from setting their own local minimum wage rates. Shreveport City Councilwoman LeVette Fuller expressed support for the legislation, saying working people cannot live on 7.25 an hour and need a raise, but every city’s needs are different, and this legislation addresses that.

Cut 5 (11) “…New Orleans.”

The House Labor committee voted nine-to-six against legislation requiring private employers to pay men and woman the same for similar work. Shreveport Representative Barbara Norton said if you love your mom, and you love your sister, you should vote for this bill, but Abita Springs Representative Scott Simon shot back at proponents of the bill, who suggested that lawmakers would vote against this legislation to hurt women…

Cut 15 (11) “…kill anyone”

Studies show that Louisiana has the largest gender wage gap in the country.

Motorists are seeing a bit of relief at the pump, which is welcomed news as the summer driving season draws closer. AAA fuel analyst Don Redman says the current the statewide average price for a gallon of regular gas is 14-cents cheaper than this time last year.

Cut 7 (09) “…$2.48 a gallon.”

An explosive rumor that presumptive 1^st pick in the NBA Draft, Zion Williamson, would refuse to play in New Orleans had some cold water thrown on it by the Duke legend’s stepfather in an interview this morning with ESPN Baton Rouge. Bourbon Street Shots writer Jesse Brooks says there’s “no way” Zion refuses to play for the Pels given his personality, the injury risks, the amount of money he’d leave on the table, and…

Cut 12 (10)   “…year.”

The theory proposed that Williamson could return to Duke or sit out but the Pels would own his draft rights for three years if so.

The statewide average price for a gallon of gasoline has dropped to $2.48.  What does that mean for the summer driving season?  Kevin Barnhart has the story.

cut 2 (30) I’m Kevin Barnhart”  

A special operations solider was killed and 12 others wounded during a training accident at Fort Polk Army installation in Vernon Parish yesterday. 34-year-old Staff Sgt. Jacob Hess of Kansas died of injuries he sustained during the exercise at the Joint Readiness Training Center. The wounded soldiers all sustained non-life-threatening injuries and are assigned to Eglin Air Force Base in Florida.

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An explosive rumor that presumptive 1^st pick in the NBA Draft, Zion Williamson, would refuse to play in New Orleans had some cold water thrown on it by the Duke legend’s stepfather in an interview this morning with ESPN Baton Rouge. Bourbon Street Shots writer Jesse Brooks says outburst of rumors can likely be attributed to salty fans and media personalities and added that kind of action would be out of character for Zion.

Cut 11 (11)“…sense.”

The House Labor committee voted nine-to-six against legislation requiring private employers to pay men and woman the same for similar work. Shreveport Representative Barbara Norton was disappointed the measure failed.

Cut 14 (11) “…love them today” 

Studies show that Louisiana has the largest gender wage gap in the country.

The House Labor committee voted nine-to-six against legislation requiring private employers to pay men and woman the same for similar work. Studies show that Louisiana has the largest gender wage gap in the country, but Bossier City Representative Raymond Crews says men are more willing to work on holidays, work longer hours and perform more dangerous work.
Cut 13 (07) “…pay better.”
There has been a bit of relief at the pump recently, which is welcomed news as the summer driving season draws closer. AAA fuel analyst Don Redman says going into the summer, AAA is forecasting the price of fuel to be similar or cheaper than last year, but the price is ultimately subject to the news of the day.
Cut 9 (08) “…the picture today.”
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The House Labor Committee rejects a proposal to allow local governments to set their own minimum wage. A 1997 Louisiana law prohibits parishes and cities from setting their own local minimum wage rates. But New Orleans Representative Royce Duplessis says local government bodies know what their workers need…
Cut 3 (09) “…economies.”
DuPlessis says the current 7.25 statwide minimum is not a liveable wage.
The Louisiana Association of Business and Industry opposed the measure. VP of Governmental Relations Jim Patterson says the proposal would place undue burden on statewide businesses.
Cut 4 (07) “…untenable”
But Patterson warned that allowing those cities to raise wages to what they consider “live-able” levels would result in layoffs.

The House Labor Committee rejects a proposal to allow local governments to set their own minimum wage. A 1997 Louisiana law prohibits parishes and cities from setting their own local minimum wage rates. Shreveport City Councilwoman LeVette Fuller expressed support for the legislation, saying working people cannot live on 7.25 an hour and need a raise, but every city’s needs are different, and this legislation addresses that.

Cut 5 (11) “…New Orleans.”

Motorists are seeing a bit of relief at the pump recently, which is welcomed news as the summer driving season draws closer.  AAA fuel analyst Don Redman says the drop is due to both Louisiana being an oil producing state and seeing ease in demand.

Cut 8 (05) “…the main thing.”

Currently, the statewide average is around $2.48 a gallon.

An explosive rumor that presumptive 1^st pick in the NBA Draft, Zion Williamson, would refuse to play in New Orleans had some cold water thrown on it by the Duke legend’s stepfather in an interview this morning with ESPN Radio. Lee Anderson, Zion’s stepfather, told hosts that his stepson is looking forward to his upcoming pro career.
Cut 10 (12) “…considered.“.
Reports circulated that Williamson would have preferred New York or Atlanta.
The Senate passed a 3.8 billion dollar measure for education that includes a 1,000 dollar teacher pay raise, a 500 dollar raise for support personnel and a 39 million dollar block grant to school districts. Winnfield Senator Gerald Long supports the increase.

Cut 13 (12) “…do.”

The House Labor Committee rejects a proposal that would let cities and parishes establish their own minimum wage. It faced opposition from business lobbyist groups like the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry. Vice president for governmental relations for LABI says a higher minimum wage above the statewide minimum of $7.25 could lead to layoffs…
cut 6 (07) “…let go”
It appears that once again an effort to raise the minimum wage will not make it through the legislative session.

Motorists are seeing a bit of relief at the pump, which is welcomed news as the summer driving season draws closer. AAA fuel analyst Don Redman says the current the statewide average price for a gallon of regular gas is 14-cents cheaper than this time last year.
Cut 7 (09) “…$2.48 a gallon.”
Redman says a decline in demand has led to a drop in gasoline prices.

Louisiana meets a long held goal of obtaining a four-year high school graduation rate over 80 percent. Matt Doyle has more.
Voicer 2 (28) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

The wife of former US Senator David Vitter, Wendy Vitter, has been confirmed for a lifetime seat as a federal judge in the Eastern District of Louisiana. The US Senate voted in favor of her confirmation.

A proposal to allow local governments to set their own minimum wage fails in a House Committee 9-6. In 1997, Louisiana passed a preemption law overriding local wage requirements in favor of a statewide minimum. New Orleans Representative Royce Duplessis says he brought the bill because local voters know better than the state what their workers need to survive…
Cut 3 (09) “…economies.”
But the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry opposed the measure. LABI vice president of governmental relations Jim Patterson says the proposal would place an undue burden on many businesses.
Cut 4 (07) “…untenable”

Over in the House Ag committee, they did not take up a proposal to prohibit a person convicted of animal abuse from owning an animal.

Educators in Louisiana are celebrating a milestone. The high school graduation rate is the highest ever and the graduation rate for African American students has surpassed the national average. State Education Superintendent John White.
Cut 7 (11) “…rate.”
White also says the number of students qualifying for the TOPS scholarship program has increased by five-thousand since 2012.

A House approved bill by Belle Chase Representative Chris Leopold that would allow grocery and liquor stores to delivery factory sealed alcohol to a person’s home is headed to the Senate floor. New Orleans Senator Karen Carter Peterson asked about the chance of enabling an addiction.
Cut 12 (09) “…I mean really?”
Under the bill, the employee making the delivery would have the authority to determine if someone is already too drunk to be served.

The state Senate has approved a one-thousand dollar pay raise for teachers, plus 39-million dollars in block grant funding for public schools. The House has already said they support a 12-hundred dollar pay hike for teachers, but they do not support giving public schools additional dollars. New Orleans Senator JP Morrell says if you don’t increase funding for public schools teachers, then teachers will have to use more of their own money to pay for school supplies…
cut (09) “…to the classroom”
This dispute over education funding will likely not be settled until the final days of the legislative session, which ends June 6th.

A woman was fatally shot in the face early this morning in the nine-hundred block of Bourbon Street in New Orleans. Police have arrested 33-year-old Alexander Kirby in connection with the killing. He’s been charged with second-degree murder.

A House approved proposal to allow grocery and liquor stores to delver factory sealed alcohol to a person’s home is nearing final legislative passage. Lobbyist Alton Ashy the person making the delivery would have to be a store employee certified by ACT to very recipient’s age. Ashy that’s just one of many safe guards the legislation has…
cut 11 (09) “…all times”
The proposal heads to the Senate floor for more discussion.

The House Ag Committee was expected to hear a bill at this hour that would prohibit a person convicted of animal abuse from owning an animal. Humane Society of Louisiana Director Jeff Dorson says the legislation would create an animal abuser registry, similar to the state’s sex offender registry….
cut 4 (10) “….convicted animal abusers”
The author of the proposal is Amite Representative Robby Carter.

The Senate backs an education funding proposal that calls for a 1,000 dollar teacher pay raise and 39 million dollars in additional funds for public schools, setting the stage for a showdown with the House…
Cut 3 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

Rolling Stones announces that the legendary rock band will perform in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on July 14th. Rolling Stones had to cancel its Jazz Fest performance because frontman Mick Jagger needed medical treatment.

Louisiana’s high school graduation rate has hit a record high for the state at 81-percent. State Education Superintendent John White says the graduation rate for black students has surpassed the national average. And White says the number of students qualifying for the TOPS scholarship program has increased by five-thousand since 2012, which means more students are receiving an education beyond high school…
cut 9 (11) “…family”

Coming up in the next hour, the House Ag committee will consider a bill that would prohibit a person convicted of animal abuse from owning an animal. Humane Society of Louisiana Director Jeff Dorson says the legislation would create an animal abuser registery, so that pet stores, animal shelters and others can see if a person has animal abuse convictions in their history….
cut 6 (10) “…probably next session”