In a bit of a surprise development in the House Education committee, a bill to ban corporal punishment in Louisiana public schools barely advanced to the House floor on a six to five vote. Based on testimony, corporal punishment is allowed in 38 of the state’s 69 school districts.

Also heading to the House floor, is a measure that would limit first-time opioid prescriptions to a seven-day supply. Michelle Southern has more…
voicer 1 (30) “…I’m Michelle Southern”

A bill that targets New Orleans for its so-called sanctuary city policy received approval from the House Criminal Justice Committee. The NOPD prohibits officers from questioning the immigration status of individuals who commit or report a crime. Attorney General Jeff Landry says this policy puts New Orleans at risk of losing federal dollars…
cut 15 (08) “…funding”
New Orleans officials dispute the sanctuary city claim and say they follow all federal laws when it comes to immigration.

13 UL Lafayette football players were arrested for allegedly breaking into a dorm room and stealing several items totaling 24-hundred dollars. Lt. Billy Abrams with campus police says the student-athletes are charged with conspiracy to commit felony theft…
cut 4 (08) “…that were stolen”
Football Coach Mark Hudspeth has suspended the 13 players from the team indefinitely.

A bill that would ban the policies of sanctuary cities barely passed out of the House Criminal Justice Committee. Denham Springs Representative Valarie Hodges says her measure isn’t about discrimination, but putting America first. She noted she raised her children in Mexico for 18 years…:
Cut 13 (11) “of law”
But those in opposition say deporting people is highly disruptive to families, businesses and communities.

The House Education Committee advances a measure that would ban corporal punishment of any kind in public schools. House Bill 497 is by Shreveport Representative Barbara Norton who says there is no proof that spanking a student has actually worked at changing behavior…:
CUT 11 (10) “in 2011”
Both bills head to the House floor.

The House Health and Welfare Committee advances a bill that would limit first-time opioid prescriptions in Louisiana, in the hopes of addressing a growing epidemic. Former Assistant Secretary of Health, Dr. Karen DeSalvo says the measure also allows patients to request pharmacists not fill the entire quantity of opioid prescription if they don’t need it…:
Cut 10 (09) “using opioids”
The measure now heads to the House floor for more discussion.

More than a dozen UL-Lafayette football players have been suspended indefinitely from the team after allegedly robbing a dorm room on campus. Lt. Billy Abrams with the UL-Lafayette Police Department says 13 football players stole several items from a room in Huger Hall…:
Cut 3 (10) “students were”
He says all of the students are charged with conspiracy to commit felony theft.

First-time opioid prescriptions in Louisiana would be limited to a 7 day supply under a bill that advanced out of a House committee. Former Assistant Secretary of Health, Dr. Karen DeSalvo, who supports the measure, says doctors would also have to talk to their patients about the risks involved with taking pain pills to open a dialogue…:
Cut 9 (11) “treatment and recovery”
The measure now heads to the House floor for more discussion.

Kids would be required to be taught litter prevention and awareness in science class under a measure also headed to the full House. Executive Director of Keep Louisiana Beautiful Susan Russell says the purpose of educating young students is to prepare them for tomorrow’s world…
Cut 6 (06) “about it”

A bill that would prohibit the use of corporal punishment on children with disabilities in public schools passes out of the House Education Committee. Michelle Hurst with the state Developmental Disabilities Council says unfortunately students with ailments are often on the receiving end of this kind of discipline…:
Cut 11 (07) “behaviors”
This legislation is part of Governor Edwards’ legislative agenda.

Two teachers in St. Landry Parish are in trouble for allegedly asking other students to punish an 11-year-old classmate by fighting, or receive failing grades if they didn’t. The Washington Elementary teachers face charges including encouraging or contributing to child delinquency and simple battery.

The House Health and Welfare Committee advances a bill that would limit first-time opioid prescriptions in Louisiana, in the hopes of addressing a growing opioid epidemic. Former Assistant Secretary of Health, Dr. Karen DeSalvo says 90 people die a day nationwide from opioid overdoses.
Cut 8 (11) “in 2014 alone”
The proposal by New Orleans Representative Helena Moreno would limit first-time opioid prescriptions to a 7-day supply.

Governor Edwards remains hopeful a budget plan can be approved to address the loss of one-point-three billion dollars in temporary taxes that expire next year. Edwards says there are still multiple tax bills waiting to be discussed…:
Cut 13 (08) “task force report”

A bill to require public schools to teach litter prevention and awareness to students from kindergarten to fifth grade passed out of the House Education Committee. Executive Director of Keep Louisiana Beautiful Susan Russell says educating young children on litter will help them become good environmental stewards.
Cut 5 (06) “Louisiana”
The proposed law would require litter instruction be integrated into the existing science curriculum.

13 UL Lafayette football players are going through a learning experience after they were arrested for allegedly breaking into a dorm room and stealing several items totaling 24-hundred dollars. Lt. Billy Abrams with campus police says the student-athletes are charged with conspiracy to commit felony theft…
cut 4 (08) “…that were stolen”
Football Coach Mark Hudspeth has suspended the 13 players from the team indefinitely.

After the governor’s proposed commercial activity tax was tabled for the session, Governor John Bel Edwards says it’s time for GOP leaders to propose their own plan.
Voicer 3 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

The National Weather Service has issued a tornado watch until 5 PM for northwest Louisiana. Strong thunderstorms are expected during the afternoon hours across north Louisiana, with damaging winds, large hail and possibly tornado. There’s a slight to marginal risk of severe weather for south Louisiana.

The House rejects a bill to shorten the waiting period for a divorce for parents with minor children. The proposal by Homer Representative Patrick Jefferson would reduce the waiting period from one year to six months. Livingston Representative Sherman Mack didn’t like the measure…:
Cut 10 (10) “worth saving”
The legislation failed on a 52-44 vote.

Coming up for discussion today in the House Education committee is a bill that would prohibit the use of tobacco products anywhere on public or a private school campus. West Monroe Representative Frank Hoffman says the use of smoking cessation products would still be allowed under the measure….
cut 9 (09) “….be allowed”
Louisiana made it illegal to smoke in schools in the 90s, but this legislation will expand on that law.

Governor John Bel Edwards remains hopeful lawmakers can pass a budget plan to address the loss of one-point-three billion dollars in temporary taxes that expire next year. He says since the GOP dominated House Ways and Means committee didn’t like his tax reform plan, House Republican leaders should unveil their own proposal….:
Cut 14 (06) “to say no”
But Republicans say their plan is to let the legislative process play out.

The House rejects a bill to shorten the waiting period for a divorce for parents with minor children. Homer Representative Patrick Jefferson is disappointed his measure failed saying the longer separation time isn’t fair to couples who just want the stress of the divorce to be finalized:
Cut 12 (10) “best household”
But the opposition says people should be given plenty of time to ensure they are making the right decision.

A measure that would prohibit smoking anywhere on a public or private school campus is scheduled to be heard in the House Education Committee today. West Monroe Representative Frank Hoffman says the measure also includes e-cigarettes and similar devices…:
Cut 8 (06) “other vehicles”
He says in the 90’s, Louisiana made it illegal to smoke in schools, but this legislation will expand on that law.

The state’s online public charter school, now called University View, is expanding to offer high school students a free two-year degree when they graduate. Superintendent Dr. Lonnie Luce says now that UView is a K-14 public school, they can grow enrollment…:
Cut 5 (09) “college program”
Information sessions are being held throughout the state this week and you can find out more online at University-view-dot-academy.

The main item of the governor’s tax reform plan has been tabled for the session, and now the administration is calling on the GOP to offer its own proposal. Chairman of the House Republican Legislative Delegation Lance Harris of Alexandria says there is plenty of session left to address the loss of one-point-three billion dollars in temporary taxes that expire next year…:
Cut 15 (07) “legislative process”
Lawmakers have until Thursday, June 8 to put together and pass a tax reform plan if they want to do so this session.

Couples with minor children will still have to wait a year before a divorce could be finalized as a measure to shorten that time fails on the House Floor. Baton Rouge Representative Rick Edmonds is against divorce, period…:
Cut 11 (10) “ought to do that”
The bill broke up on a 52-44 vote.

The defense takes over today in the trial of a Destrehan High School teacher charged with having tryst with a 16-year-old male student and another teacher at a Kenner Apartment. Shelley Dufresne avoided a felony conviction when she pleaded guilty to obscenity in St. Charles Parish for having sex with the minor there, but Jefferson Parish prosecutors are going after carnal knowledge of a juvenile charges.

The state’s online public charter school is now offering high school students the chance to receive a free two year associate’s degree when they graduate. Emelie Gunn has more…:
Cut 1 (31) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

Governor John Bel Edwards remains hopeful lawmakers can pass a budget plan to address the loss of one-point-three billion dollars in temporary taxes that expire next year. Edwards spoke with reporters shortly after his proposed Commercial Activity Tax on businesses was tabled for the legislative session. Edwards says there are still multiple tax bills waiting to be discussed…:
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Chairman of the House Republican Legislative Delegation Lance Harris anticipates the GOP will get behind certain revenue raising measures.:
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Edwards says since Republicans rejected his plan, they should unveil their own proposal.

The House rejects a bill by Homer Representative Patrick Jefferson that would allow couples with minor children to get divorced quicker..:
Cut 2 (30) “I’m Halen Doughty”

The state’s online public charter school, now called University View Academy, announces it will newly offer enrolled students a two-year college associates or technical college degree absolutely free. UView Superintendent Dr. Lonnie Luce says enrollment for next year is now open:
Cut 6 (09) “signed up”
That website is universityview.academy.

Now that Governor John Bel Edwards’ proposed commercial activity tax is tabled for the session, he says it’s time for GOP leaders to propose their own plan….:
cut 3 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

A measure that would prohibit the use of tobacco products anywhere on a public or private school campus is scheduled to be heard in the House Education Committee today. West Monroe Representative Frank Hoffman says in the 90’s, Louisiana made it illegal to smoke in schools, but this legislation will expand on that law…:
Cut 7 (05) “allow smoking”

The House rejects a bill to shorten the waiting period for a divorce for parents with minor children. The proposal by Homer Representative Patrick Jefferson would reduce the waiting period from one year to six months. Livingston Representative Sherman Mack didn’t like the measure…:
Cut 10 (10) “worth saving”
The legislation failed on a 52-44 vote.

A man from Houma is a millionaire after matching 6 numbers from the April 19th Louisiana Lotto. 52-year-old Robert Liebkemann Jr. received the cash value of $1.04 million dollars, according to the Louisiana Lottery.

The governor’s proposal to impose a new tax on business sales has been pulled. John Bel Edwards touted the measure as a way to stablize Louisiana’s budget, especially since one-point-three billion dollars in temporary taxes expire in mid-2018. Edwards says since the Republicans didn’t like his plan, he’s waiting for House GOP leaders to unveil their own proposal…
cut 14 (06) “…to say no”
House republican leaders favor budget cutting over additional taxes.

Franklinton Senator Beth Mizell says she will continue to move forward with her bill to require state legislative approval before Confederate monuments are removed, even though New Orleans officials have started the process in the Crescent City….
cut 12 (10) “…find objectionable”
Mizell says it’s unclear when the Senate Governmental Affairs committee will hear her bill.

The bill to do away with the death penalty in Louisiana advanced out of a Senate Committee by a vote of 6-1. Michelle Southern reports..:
Cut 1 (29) “I’m Michelle Southern”

The full House rejects a bill that would cut in half the wait time for couples with minor children to get divorced. Supporters say the measure would be better for children if their bickering parents can divorce after six months from filing. But opponents say the one-year wait time can help prevent a divorce and lead to reconcilation between the parents.