Governor Edwards has called for a six-day special session to begin a week from today, bringing lawmakers back to Baton Rouge to redraw a Congressional district map. The call for the special session came less than 24 hours after a federal judge ruled the Congressional district map approved in February by the Legislature violates federal law because it did not contain a second majority-Black congressional district. Republican lawmakers believe an appeals court will put a hold on federal judge Shelly Dick’s order.

A bill that would limit the release of mug shots will soon take effect. David Grubb spoke with the New Orleans lawmaker who authored the bill…
Cut 3 (34) “…I’m David Grubb.”

School safety is a major topic of conversation after the recent mass shooting at a school in Uvalde, Texas. Superintendent of Education Cade Brumley says school kids are more “plugged in” to what’s going on than ever before, and school officials need to find ways to reach them, so they can know about potentially violent school incidents:
Cut 12 (07) “…let somebody know.”
Brumley says more focus will be made on keeping school facilities physically secure as well.

Helping your child get a jump on their motor skills could be as easy as using an app on your smartphone. LSU’s Pennington Biomedical Research Center Doctor Amanda Staiano says there are apps that help parents teach their children how to kick, jump, throw a ball and even play hopscotch. Dr. Amanda Staiano says far too often young children lack proper motor skills.
Cut 4 (06) “…their age.”
Staiano says a 12-week app program boosted children’s motor skills by an average of 15-percentage points, taking them from below average to an average rating.

In an effort to avoid childhood obesity, Pennington Biomedical Research Center has created an app to help parents teach their kids proper motor skills. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

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State education officials are working with local districts to help make our kids safer in class. More from Kevin Gallagher…:

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.” 

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A bill that would limit the release of mug shots will soon take effect. David Grubb has more…

Cut 3 (36) “…I’m David Grubb.” 

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Helping your child get a jump on their motor skills could be as easy as using an app on your smartphone. LSU’s Pennington Biomedical Research Center has created an app to help parents teach their children how to kick, jump, throw a ball and even play hopscotch. Dr. Amanda Staiano (Sty-ann-yo) says far too often young children are lagging proper motor skills.

Cut 4 (06)  “…their age.”

Pennington studied 72 children, ages 3 to 5, over a 12-week period to see if the exercises on the app that parents used to interact with them improved their motor skills. Staiano says it made a difference.

Cut 5 (07) “…this app.”

Staiano says poor motor skills can lead to childhood obesity, so it’s important to teach children as early as possible.

Cut 6 (09)  “…further behind.”

Staiano says the use of the program helped children increase their motor skills by an average of 16-percent and the study is published in the Journal of Pediatrics.

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After being vetoed last year, the Fairness in Women’s Sports Act by Franklinton Senator Beth Mizell will go into effect this fall. Mizell believes a trans female athlete winning a collegiate swimming competition helped garner more votes in favor of the bill.

Cut 7 (09) “…needed the bill.”

The Fairness in Women’s Sports Act bans trans female athletes from competing in women’s sports. And while some say the bill is discriminatory against trans athletes, Mizell without the legislation women are discriminated against in their own sports.

Cut 8 (10)  “…women’s sports.”

Governor Edwards vetoed the legislation which prompted a historic veto override session last year. After failing to override the veto Mizell tried for a second attempt and this year and when the legislation reached the governor’s desk he opted not to sign the bill and allow it to become law.

Mizell says the intent of her bill has always been to protect women’s sports not to exclude individuals.

Cut 9 (08)  “…for that”

The law goes into effect on August 1^st.

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After the recent mass shooting at a school in Uvalde, Texas…state education officials are discussing policy changes to help make Louisiana kids safer in class. State Education superintendent Cade Brumley says there have already been talks between him and about 100 education leaders from school systems statewide. He says the safety of students is Job One, and an important step is for faculty and staff to harbor trust between themselves and the student body…:

Cut 10 (10) “…to report that.”

Brumley says more focus will be made on keeping school facilities physically secure as well…:

Cut  11 (13)  “…barriers in place.” 

Brumley says school kids are more “plugged in” to what’s going on than ever before, and school officials need to find ways to reach them, so they can know about potentially violent school incidents in time to take preventive action…:

Cut 12 (07) “…let somebody know.” 

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House Bill 729, authored by New Orleans Representative Royce Duplessis makes its way to the governor’s desk. The bill will limit the release of mugshots of those accused, but not convicted, of certain nonviolent crimes. Duplessis says booking photos are highly prejudicial and once out in public, can’t be taken back. He says in most cases they serve no purpose.

Cut 13 (07) “…should do better.”

The federal government already does not release the mug shot photos of those arrested for federal crimes, and several states are either debating or implementing policies to limit the publication of mug shots. Duplessis says we need to think a bit more about due process and privacy.

Cut 14 (10)  “…broadcasters think twice.”

Duplessis’ bill originally proposed a wider scope for the ban but worked with the Louisiana Sheriffs Association and Louisiana Press Association to address their concerns for public safety and information. He says he will be watching to see how local law enforcement and news outlets do respond to the legislation.

Cut 15 (09)  “…I’m excited.”

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LHSAA executive director Eddie Bonine met with the media Tuesday following the release of the listing of the state’s select and nonselect schools for the 2022-23 academic year. More than half of all schools are now listed as select and that number could still change pending appeals.

Cut 16 (17)  “…subject to change.”

Schools have until June 21 to submit a written appeal.

When asked about the size and shape of this fall’s high school football playoffs, Bonine says that the size of the brackets won’t be determined until late August or early September and that the association plans to use common sense in determining how many schools in each classification will qualify for the postseason.

Cut 17 (18) “ …on a bracket.” 

While there are still questions regarding how many teams will qualify for the playoffs and where they will go, Bonine says the association will explore every option it can to ensure the postseason is as fair as possible.

Cut 18 (10) “ …make it equitable.” 

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A federal judge issues a June 20^th deadline for lawmakers to submit a new Congressional Redistricting map and Governor Edwards has called for a six-day special session to begin June 15th. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Brooke Thorington”

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New fees for drivers of all-electric and hybrid vehicles are set to go into effect. David Grubb has more on what the state will do with this additional revenue…

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m David Grubb.”  

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State Education Superintendent Cade Brumley says the 2022 legislative session that ended yesterday was a good one for education, especially for teachers who are getting a 15-hundred dollar pay raise. Brumley says legislators also addressed the teaching shortage crisis by approving a program called the Geaux Teach Program

Cut 3 (12) “…their TOPS”

Brumley says another piece of legislation approved to address the teacher shortage is that any resident who has a Master’s Degree in a particular content to teach at a local school in their area of expertise…

Cut 4  (08) “…other professions.”

Brumley says lawmakers also approved a bill requiring every student in high school to take a class in geometry.

Cut 5  (11) “…is geometry.”

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Governor John Bel Edwards has called for a special session to begin June 15th after a federal judge rejected the Congressional Redistricting Map the Legislature approved in February. Research Director with the Public Affairs Research Council Melinda Deslatte (Duh-Lot) says the judge issued a June 20^th deadline for the new map that must have two majority-minority districts.

Cut 6  (06) “…different map.” 

The special session must end by 6 PM on Monday June 20.

Edwards initially vetoed the map lawmakers passed but the veto was overridden and the map ended up in court. Deslatte says Monday’s judgment has Republicans who approved the map seeking alternatives.

Cut 7 (12) “…new map.” 

Deslatte says it was an ending to a regular session that she’s never seen before in Louisiana and with the deadline less than two weeks away it’s anyone’s guess as to what will happen.

Cut 8 (11) “…uncertain at the moment.” 

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One of the bills to pass the legislative session is HB 1031, which adds an annual fee of $110 for all-electric vehicles and a $60 fee for hybrid owners to help offset the losses from gas tax collections. Transportation Secretary Sean Wilson says the legislation is about making sure everyone who uses the roads helps maintain them.

Cut 9 (12) “…average driver pays.”

Wilson says that the feedback that he’s gotten from drivers and the auto industry has been positive so far and that the fee system will continue to develop just as the technology and the marketplace for electric and hybrid vehicles do.

Cut 10 (12) ” …tweaked over time.” 

A number of states already have legislation in place to help recoup revenues lost to electric and hybrid vehicles, and Wilson says that comparatively speaking Louisiana’s fees are lower than most. With the huge investment made in infrastructure in this year’s budget, Wilson wants the state to move to the forefront in both preparedness and innovation.

Cut 11 (11)  “…going forward.” 

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Louisiana is receiving 176-million dollars to bring reliable internet service to rural areas. The governor’s office says it’s enough money to connect 88-thousand homes and businesses with high-speed internet. Executive Director of Louisiana Broadband and Connectivity Veneeth Iyengar (Vuh-neeth Eye-IN-gar) says Louisiana is one of only four states to receive this money from the U-S Department of Treasury

Cut 12 (09) “…the most”  

Iyengar says the money will go to the state’s new GUMBO program, a grant program for internet providers who want to bring broadband service to rural areas…

Cut 13 (12) “…internet service providers.”

Iyengar says this money is coming from American Rescue Plan that was approved by Congress and they know more money will be coming from the historic infrastructure bill passed late last year…

Cut 14 (10)  “..affordable internet.”