Consumer watchdog groups are warning parents of potential scams due to the nationwide shortage of baby formula. Brooke Thorington has more…:

CUT 01(34)      “…Brooke Thorington.”

A Baton Rouge cop was arrested this week for pulling a gun on utility workers who were laying fiber optic cable in his back yard. He ordered them – at gunpoint – to refill the holes they’d dug. He was booked with multiple counts of aggravated assault and is now on administrative leave.

Since the Fairness in Women’s Sports Act is one step closer to the Governor’s Desk, and when questioned on his monthly call-in show Governor John Bel Edwards says he not going to commit to vetoing the legislation at the moment. In the past, Edwards has said it’s a solution looking for a problem and so far, it isn’t a problem in Louisiana. Edwards says he’s met with the bill’s author, Franklinton Senator Beth Mizell and he believes her intent is not spiteful…:

CUT 13(12)      “…unfortunate.”

The Senate Health and Welfare Committee votes in favor of a House-approved bill that’s aimed at improving access to medical marijuana. Houma Representative Tanner Magee says his measure will allow pharmacies to open satellite locations and home delivery would also be an option…:

CUT 09(13)      “…rural access”

That bill is expected to meet full Senate approval as well.

During his monthly statewide radio program, Governor John Bel Edwards says he’s not going to commit to a veto of a transgender athlete ban, if it comes to his desk…:

CUT 12(16)      “…the bill itself”

In the past, Edwards has said it’s a solution looking for a problem and so far, it isn’t a problem in Louisiana. Edwards says he’s met with the bill’s author, Franklinton Senator Beth Mizell and he believes her intent is not spiteful of trans athletes, but protective of natural female athletes. That bill is nearing final passage. The governor vetoed a similar bill last year. A veto override attempt failed.

The statewide average price of regular gas is now at $4.22-a-gallon. That’s up 3-cents from just yesterday. Experts say be prepared to pay up to $4.50 right through the summer.

Deputies in Iberville Parish are investigating an apparent murder suicide in the town of Maringouin Tuesday. Sheriff Brett Stassi says two teens came home from school to find their mom and dad both dead. Stassi says they have established no clear motive, but the incident is still under investigation.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that traffic fatalities across the country are at their highest level in 16 years; with nearly 43-hundred deaths in 2021. That’s an 11-percent increase from the previous year. Louisiana Highway Safety Commission spokesman Mark Lambert says the annual “Click it or Ticket” campaign begins next week, and law enforcement will be looking for drivers and passengers who haven’t buckled up…:

CUT 08(11)      “…in a crash.”

Consumer watchdog groups are warning parents of potential scams due to the nationwide shortage of baby formula. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

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There’s been a national surge in road fatalities and Louisiana hasn’t avoided the trend. David Grubb has the story…

Cut 2 (35) …I’m David Grubb.”  

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As the nationwide shortage of baby formula continues consumer watchdog groups are warning parents of potential scams. President of the Better Business Bureau of South-Central Louisiana, Carmen Million says fear makes people make rash decisions and scammers are taking advantage of it.

Cut 3 (11) “….physician”

Million says to be sure to research the vendor or individual you intend to purchase formula from. See if they have a brick-and-mortar store and know that reviews can easily be falsified. Million says formula is called formula for a reason, it’s specific

Cut 4  (11) “…their kids.”

For parents who are having difficulty locating formula, Million says to start a conversation with family and friends and if you run across a scam, also let your family, friends, physician, and the Better Business Bureau know of those scams.

Cut 5  (11) “…money back.”

Visit the BBB-dot-org forward-slash scam tracker for more information.

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The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that US traffic fatalities are at their highest level in 16 years with nearly 43-hundred deaths in 2021, an 11 percent increase from the previous year. Mark Lambert, spokesman for the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission, says the numbers don’t get better here at home…

Cut 6  (10) “…2020 to 2021.” 

Lambert says driver behavior is typically the cause of traffic deaths, and the leading cause is highly preventable.

Cut 7 (10) “…safety belt.” 

Seat belts have been shown to reduce the chances of severe injury by as much as 50 percent and the risk of death by 45 percent.

The LHSC begins its participation in the national “Click it or Ticket” campaign this Monday. Lambert says law enforcement will be looking for drivers and passengers who haven’t buckled up.

Cut 8 (11) “…in a crash.” 

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The Senate Health and Welfare Committee votes in favor of a House-approved bill that’s aimed at improving access to medical marijuana. Houma Representative Tanner Magee says his measure will allow pharmacies open satellite locations and home delivery would also be an option….

Cut 9 (13) “…rural access.”

The House voted 77-16 for the legislation and now that the Senate Health and Welfare Committee approved the measure, it’s expected to receive approval from the full senate. But there is opposition. Military veteran Tony Landry says there’s a monopoly on the medical marijuana industry with just nine licensed pharmacies and two licensed growers, LSU and Southern

Cut 10 (10) ” ….in Louisiana” 

Denham Springs Senator Rogers Pope is the only one on the committee who voted against the proposal…

Cut 11 (11)  “…I am” 

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Since the Fairness in Women’s Sports Act is one step closer to the Governor’s Desk, and when questioned on his monthly call-in show Governor John Bel Edwards says he not going to commit to vetoing the legislation at the moment.

Cut 12 (16) “…itself,”  

The bill prohibits transgender females from competing in women’s sports in Louisiana.

In the past, Edwards has said it’s a solution looking for a problem and so far, it isn’t a problem in Louisiana. Edwards says he’s met with the bill’s author, Franklinton Senator Beth Mizell and he believes her intent is not spiteful.

Cut 13 (12) “…unfortunate.”

There’s been a national surge in road fatalities and Louisiana hasn’t avoided the trend. David Grubb has the story…:

CUT 02(35)      “…David Grubb.”

Speaking of which, State Police report a motorcycle crash in Calcasieu Parish over ten days ago has taken the life of a Sulphur man. Troopers say, on May 6^th, 27-year-old John Baldwin ran from troopers trying to stop him for speeding. He lost control after hitting a curb and was thrown from the bike. He died Monday in the hospital.

Police in Winnfield are investigating a shooting incident last night that left two people dead and two injured. The two men killed were young Black males. Two wounded victims were airlifted to an Alexandria hospital, where they are expected to recover. Police say over 30 rounds of ammunition were fired in the gunfight.

The Senate Health and Welfare Committee advances a House-approved bill aimed at improving access to medical marijuana. The bill would allow the existing licensed cannabis pharmacies to open satellite stores, and even do home delivery. Only Denham Springs Senator Rogers Pope voted against the proposal…:

CUT 11(11)      “…that’s where I am.”

The measure moves to the full Senate, where it is expected to reach final passage.

Consumer watchdog groups are warning parents of potential scams due to the nationwide shortage of baby formula. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

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While a bill to criminalize abortion in Louisiana failed to get out of committee, two other anti-abortion bills did advance to the Senate. Senate Bill 342 would increase criminal penalties for abortion providers and SB 388 would prohibit out-of-state vendors from selling abortion-inducing medication to people in this state.

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The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that US traffic fatalities are at their highest level in 16 years with nearly 43-hundred deaths in 2021, an 11 percent increase from the previous year. Mark Lambert, spokesman for the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission, says driver behavior is typically the cause of traffic deaths, and the leading cause is highly preventable.

Cut 7 (10) “…safety belt.”

—

The Senate Health and Welfare Committee votes in favor of a House-approved bill that’s aimed at improving access to medical marijuana. The House voted 77-16 for the legislation and now that the committee has approved the measure, it’s expected to receive approval from the full senate. But there is opposition. Military veteran Tony Landry says there’s a monopoly on the medical marijuana industry with just nine licensed pharmacies and two licensed growers, LSU and Southern.

Cut 10 (10)  ”….in Louisiana”

The Senate Health and Welfare Committee votes in favor of a House-approved bill that’s aimed at improving access to medical marijuana. Houma Representative Tanner Magee says his measure will allow pharmacies open satellite locations and home delivery would also be an option….

Cut 9 (13) “…rural access.”

The House voted 77-16 for the legislation and it’s expected to receive full approval from the senate.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports US traffic fatalities are at their highest level in 16 years, up 11 percent from 2020. Mark Lambert, spokesman for the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission, says the numbers don’t get better here at home…

Cut 6  (10) “…2020 to 2021.” 

As the nationwide shortage of baby formula continues, President of the Better Business Bureau of South-Central Louisiana, Carmen Million warns of possible scams. She says to be sure to research the vendor or individual you intend to purchase formula from. See if they have a brick-and-mortar store and know that reviews can easily be falsified. Million says formula is called formula for a reason.

Cut 4  (11) “…their kids.”

Cleco’s CARE program for low-income families is still accepting applicants through May 30, and now the energy provider has introduced the Watt Matters campaign says spokesperson Fran Phoenix and the campaign teaches customers how to keep energy from escaping their homes through weatherization.

Cut 8 (12)  “…energy efficient.”

As the nationwide shortage of baby formal continues consumer watchdog groups are warning parents of potential scams preying on parents. President of the Better Business Bureau of South-Central Louisiana, Carmen Million says fear makes people make rash decisions and scammers are taking advantage of it.

Cut 3 (11) “….physician”

A bill that would prohibit biological males from playing female sports as a transgender girl is one step closer to final legislative passage. The House approved the Fairness in Women’s Sports Act on a vote 72-21. Shreveport Representative Sam Jenkins says the legislation is an attack on vulnerable transgender children…

cut 14 (12) “….an attack”
A minor amendment was added so the bill goes back to the Senate for final approval.

The full House advances a bill that would prohibit giving COVID shots – or any other vaccines – at public schools unless parents give explicit permission. Terrebonne Parish Representative Beryl Amedee (BEAR-il AH-muh-day) says her bill would require schools to obtain written permission to administer a shot, then follow that up with a verbal verification…:

Cut 10 (07) “…parental permission..”

The bill passed on a 65 to 31 vote.

The full Senate will debate the budget bill this week that contains a 15-hundred dollar pay raise for teachers. But Louisiana Association of Educators President Doctor Tia Mills believes the raise should be two-thousand dollars to help curb a teacher shortage…
AM cut 5 (10) “…than later”
The Southern Regional Average is 55-thousand dollars, while the average teacher pay in Louisiana is 51-thousand.

At the state capitol, the Louisiana House approved a Senate-backed bill that would prohibit transgender girls from playing female sports in Louisiana. Opponents say the legislation is unnecessary and mean-spirited, but Baton Rouge Representative Rick Edmonds disagrees…

Cut 15 (10)  “…female sports.”

The bill heads back to the Senate for agreement on a minor amendment and then it heads to the governor’s desk.

The two largest teacher unions in the state join forces and tell lawmakers the proposed fifteen-hundred dollar pay raises aren’t enough. President of the Louisiana Federation of Teachers Larry Carter says they plan to continue to lobby lawmakers for adequate raises in an effort to retain certified teachers.

Cut 6 (10)  “…or leave.”

The state House passes a bill banning schools from giving COVID shots without parental approval. More from Kevin Gallagher…:

Cut 3 (33) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.” 

Baton Rouge Republican Congressman Garret Graves confirms to the USA Today Network he is considering a run for governor. The 50-year-old says nearly a thousand people have encouraged him to run. But Graves says 100-percent of his focus is on his re-election campaign and his job now in Congress.