The controversy continues involving House Education Chairman Ray Garofalo, whose comments about slavery went viral, today the meeting of his committee was called off. Garofalo says this morning Speaker Clay Schexnayder told him he was still Chairman, but when he told the Speaker he was going to chair today’s meeting, Schexnayder said no you’re not and then the discussion took a turn…

Cut 11 (11) “…duty”

When asked by a reporter if the “heated” meant it got physical he declined to comment.

The House Governmental Affairs Committee rejects a Senate-approved bill to prohibit state facilities from denying entry to those who are not vaccinated against COVID. Jennifer Herricks of Mandeville testified in favor.

Cut 6 (07) “..diseases”

A similar bill has already passed the House and awaits a Senate hearing.

Governor Edwards says video of the Ronald Greene arrest shows State Police troopers acting unprofessionally and not conducting themselves as law enforcement officers should. Edwards says the footage is being reviewed by the Union Parish DA and the US Department of Justice for a reason.

Cut 8 (11) “…restrained.”

An E Pluribus Unum survey finds a majority of southerners support major police reform and believe not enough has changed since the murder of George Floyd. EPU Founder and former New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu says the annual survey of 1,200 indicates broad support of police reform being negotiated in Congress and locally.

Cut 13 (07)“…supervision.”

Landrieu says before the most recent survey police reform responses were mostly split along racial lines.

The ongoing controversy involving House Education Chairman Ray Garofalo, whose comments about slavery ignited a firestorm, results in today’s meeting of his committee being called off. Garofalo says this morning Speaker Clay Schexnayder told him he was still Chairman, but when he told Shexnayder he was going to chair today’s meeting, Schexnayder said no you’re not.

Cut 10 (12) “…to”

Garofalo ultimately went to chair the meeting, but it was called off after 45 minutes when only one member showed up.

Governor Edwards says video of the Ronald Greene arrest shows State Police troopers acting unprofessionally and not conducting themselves as law enforcement officers should…

Cut 7 (11) “…they should.”

A House bill to study domestic violence fatalities in Louisiana is set to be heard today on the House floor. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

Governor Edwards is no longer requiring face masks in most settings and COVID restrictions on businesses have also been lifted as a result of a new public health emergency order. But Edwards says the state will continue its push to vaccinate more individuals as people are dying from COVID every day…

Cut 5 (10)”…is effective.”
The White House says over 50-percent of adults are fully vaccinated against COVID but in Louisiana, it’s only 39-percent. State Health Officer Doctor Joe Kanter has another reason to get the shot…

Cut 6 (10)”…more attractive.”
Kanter says dating apps like Tinder and Bumble are offering special bonuses to get users vaccinated.

The House Governmental Affairs Committee rejects a Senate-approved bill that would prohibit state facilities from denying entry to individuals who are not vaccinated against COVID-19. Harvey Representative Rodney Lyons says the legislature should not prevent a public building like the State Capitol from only allowing vaccinated persons inside.

Cut 3 (07)  “…circumvent that.” 

Monroe Senator Stewart Cathey’s bill died on a seven to six vote.

Recently elected Congresswoman Julia Letlow has joined with Republicans on the House Agriculture Committee to introduce the Broadband for Rural America Act….

Cut 14 (11) “…to connect.”
Letlow says a least 350-thousand households in Louisiana do not have high-speed internet as defined by the FCC.

A house-approved bill allowing St. Tammany residents the right to vote on whether they want a casino built outside of Slidell resulted in some chippy testimony in a Senate committee. Matt Doyle has more.

Cut 3 (29)  “…I’m Matt Doyle.”

At least seven people were injured when a natural gas well caught on fire along the Louisiana coast south of Patterson. The accident happened at a well owned by Texas Petroleum Investments. Crews were attempting to plug the well that ignited Tuesday. According to St Mary Parish officials, all victims are on land and being treated for their injuries.

A House bill to study domestic violence fatalities in the state continues to make its way through the legislature. Louisiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence Executive Director Mariah Wineski says House Bill 452 creates a multidisciplinary team within the health department to review a victim’s records.

Cut 8 (12) “…future homicides.”

The bill is set to be heard on the House floor today.

Congresswoman Julia Letlow joins House Agriculture Republicans to introduce the Broadband for Rural America Act. Letlow says the funding is part of the USDA’s $7 billion authorized for connectivity programs.

Cut 15 (10)“…the conversation.”

Letlow says a least 350-thousand households in Louisiana do not have high-speed internet.

Governor Edwards has removed all remaining capacity restrictions on businesses and the mask requirement for students in public schools. Edwards says the decision comes after hitting an all-time low in COVID-related hospitalizations, and…
cut 4 (10) “…their part”
But Edwards is concerned with the pace of residents getting the COVID vaccine. About 40-percent of the state’s adult population has completed the vaccine series, but nationally 50-percent of adults are fully vaccinated.

State Health Officer Doctor Joe Kanter says based on the dating website, O-K-Cupid, users who claim to be vaccinated are 14-percent more likely to find a match…
cut 7 (09) “….to everyone”

A bill to study domestic violence fatalities in Louisiana is scheduled to receive a vote on the House floor today
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

The Senate Finance Committee has approved a plan on spending one-point-five billion dollars in federal coronavirus aid. A third of the money, 563-million dollars, would go towards roads and bridges. Some of that cash will be used to widen sections of I-10, I-12, and I-20. Another 300-million would be used to improve water and sewer systems.

The White House says over 50-percent of adults are fully vaccinated against COVID but in Louisiana, it’s only 39-percent. State Health Officer Doctor Joe Kanter has another reason to get the shot…
cut 6 (10) “….more attractive”
Kanter says dating apps like Tinder and Bumble are offering special bonuses to get users vaccinated.

The Senate Judiciary B Committee votes four to three in favor of House-approved legislation that would give St. Tammany Parish residents the opportunity to vote on building a riverboat casino in Slidell. There’s vocal opposition. Slidell resident Camille Thompson says it’s not fair for people living outside of Slidell to vote on this.
Cut 11 (10) “….about that.”
The measure heads to Senate Finance but the votes might not be there to get the legislation passed.

The full House is expected to vote on a bill today that would require a panel organized within the state health department to study domestic violence fatalities. Louisiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence executive director Mariah Wineski says Louisiana ranks fifth nationally for the highest rate of women murdered by men.
Cut 9 (09) “…review team.”
Wineski hopes there’s enough time to get the bill passed. The session ends on June 10th.

And on Capitol Hill, Newly elected Congresswoman Julie Letlow is a co-sponsor of the Broadband for Rural America Act. Letlow says this legislation will serve as a blueprint to connect rural communities with reliable and affordable high-speed internet…
cut 16 (09) “…as possible”
The measure awaits a hearing in front of the House Agriculture Committee.

Governor Edwards is no longer requiring face masks in schools and COVID restrictions on businesses have also been lifted as a result of a new public health emergency order. But Edwards says the state will continue its push to vaccinate more individuals as people are dying from COVID every day…
cut 5 (10) “….is effective’
10,548 Louisianans have died of COVID-19 and 13 new deaths were reported Tuesday.

Recently elected Congresswoman Julia Letlow has joined with Republicans on the House Agriculture Committee to introduce the Broadband for Rural America Act….
Cut 14 (11) “…to connect.”
Letlow says a least 350-thousand households in Louisiana do not have high-speed internet as defined by the FCC.

Senate Judiciary B voted for a proposal that would result in a referendum in St. Tammany Parish to see if voters approve of a new casino in Slidell. Chairman Gary Smith was questioned about his wife working as a lobbyist on behalf of a company trying to bring a casino to the Northshore…
cut 13 (10) “…on that”
The legislation heads to Senate Finance, which has yet to pass a similar bill on this topic.

There’s a bill that would create the Louisiana Domestic Abuse Fatality Review Team within the Louisiana Health Department. Louisiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence Executive Director Mariah Wisneski says the panel will examine domestic violence deaths to see if there were missed opportunities to intervene and potential areas for reform….
cut 10 (09) “….information”
The measure is expected to get a vote on the House floor today.

Governor Edwards has removed all remaining business capacity restrictions and the mask requirement for students in public schools. Edwards says the decision comes after hitting an all-time low in COVID-related hospitalizations, and…
cut 4 (10) “…their part”

State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter says based on data from the dating website OkCupid, vaccinated individuals are considered “more attractive”…
Cut 1 (28) “…I’m Matt Doyle.”

A proposal that would allow voters in St. Tammany Parish to decide if they want a riverboat casino in Slidell passed on a four to three vote in the Senate Judiciary B Committee. Chairman Gary Smith of Norco voted for it. His wife is one of 19 lobbyists trying to bring the casino to the Northshore. Pearl River resident Lisa Clayton testified against the legislation…
cut 12 (11) “…impartiality”
Smith responded by saying his wife was a lobbyist long before they met and she has a separate career and they keep it professional.