Efforts to decriminalize prostitution in Louisiana are halted by the bill’s author after a lengthy debate in House Criminal Justice. Brooke Thorington has more
Cut 2 (36) “…I’m Brooke Thorington”

A House committee voted against a bill to prohibit transgender athletes from competing in girls’ sports. A similar bill will be debated on the Senate floor this afternoon. Governor Edwards will also provide a COVID-19 update at 3:30.

The state’s proposed 36-billion dollar budget for the next fiscal year contains an 800-dollar pay raise for K-through-12 teachers and a 400-dollar pay raise for school support workers. The governor’s initial spending plan only called for a 400-dollar teacher pay raise. Louisiana Federation of Teachers Legislative Director Cynthia Posey is glad to see lawmakers are proposing more than what the governor recommended…
cut 11 (06) “….enough”
The budget bill will be up for debate on the House floor tomorrow.

A measure that would allow student-athletes in college to profit from their name, image, and likeness is waiting for a hearing in front of the Senate Finance Committee. New LSU women’s basketball coach Kim Mulkey told the Louisiana House she supports this legislation as it will make the lives of all student-athletes better…
cut 7 (10) “….most of you”
The bill has already received approval from the Senate Education Committee.

A New Orleans legislator is no longer seeking to pass a bill that would decriminalize prostitution. There were about three hours of testimony on the proposal in a House committee yesterday, but Representative Mandie Landry saw that the opposition was too great…
cut 10 (10) “….happens”
Landry filed the bill after hearing from women who say sex work is a form of labor if it’s consensual.

For restaurants looking for federal assistance to recover pandemic-related revenue losses, they can now apply for funding through the S-B-A’s Restaurant Revitalization Fund. Louisiana Restaurant Association President Stan Harris…
cut 15 (09) “….run on the funds”
For more information go to S-B-A-dot-gov.

LSU Women’s Basketball coach Kim Mulkey calls on lawmakers to pass legislation allowing student-athletes to sell their image and receive compensation for selling their likeness. Matt Doyle has more.
Cut 1 (29) “…I’m Matt Doyle.”

The Louisiana Senate is set to debate the Fairness in Women’s Sport’s Act this afternoon which says biological females are the only ones that can compete in women’s sports. A similar measure failed to get out of the House Education Committee yesterday on a six to five vote. Arkansas and Mississippi have passed laws to ban transgender individuals from competing in girls’ sports.

After close to three hours of testimony in House Criminal Justice, New Orleans Representative Mandie Landry shelved her bill to decriminalize prostitution. Gloria Blankenship with Purchase Not for Sale, an organization to assist victims of sexual exploitation, says while she agrees with the intent of the bill, she’s unable to support it in its current form.
Cut 8 (10) “…exploitation.”
Other opponents disapproved of the bill on moral grounds.

A bill to ban corporal punishment in public schools is possibly dead for the session after the proposal fell five votes short of passing the Louisiana House. Plaquemine Representative Chad Brown questioned New Orleans Representative Stephanie Hilferty about her bill…
cut 5 (12) “…Americans”

Governor John Bel Edwards encourages owners of restaurants, bars, and other food-related establishments to register for the Small Business Administration’s new Restaurant Revitalization Fund. Louisiana Restaurant Association President Stan Harris says $28-billion has been set aside to fund the program.
Cut 14 (11) “… disadvantaged businesses.”
The federal program will provide restaurants with funding equal to their pandemic-related revenue loss of up to ten-million dollar per business and five million per physical location. Go to S-B-A-dot-gov for more information.

The Louisiana House will consider the proposed budget for next fiscal year tomorrow. It contains an 800-dollar pay raise for K-through-12 teachers and a 400-dollar pay raise for support staff. Louisiana Federation of Teachers Legislative Director Cynthia Posey says the raise will help reduce attrition of teachers….
cut 13 (06) “…children there”

Legislation that would have outlawed the use of corporal punishment in Louisiana schools is defeated on the House floor. Pollock Representative Gabe Firment debated the merits with bill author and New Orleans Representative Stephanie Hilferty…
Cut 4 (11)“…methods”
But not enough House members agreed with Hilferty and the measure came up four votes short of passing and 29 school districts can still use a paddle on students.

Tomorrow on the House floor, lawmakers will vote on the proposed budget. It contains an 800-dollar raise for public school teachers and a 400-dollar hike in pay for school support workers. Teachers last received a raise in 2019, but Louisiana Federation of Teachers Legislative Director Cynthia Posey says teacher pay in this state still trails the Southern Regional Average…
cut 12 (09) “….pay teachers”

Governor Edwards is encouraging operators of Louisiana restaurants, bars, catering companies, and other food-related establishments to register for the U-S Small Business Administration’s new Restaurant Revitalization Fund. Louisiana Restaurant Association President Stan Harris says unlike previous assistance with P-P-P loans, Revitalization funding is based on the value of your lost revenue…
cut 16 (13) “….you’ve received”
Go to S-B-A-dot-gov to register.

Superstar LSU Women’s Basketball head coach Kim Mulkey calls on lawmakers to pass legislation allowing student-athletes to sell their image and receive compensation for selling their likeness. Matt Doyle has more.

Cut 1 (29) “…I’m Matt Doyle.”

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Efforts to decriminalize prostitution in Louisiana are halted by the bill’s author after a lengthy debate in House Criminal Justice. Brooke Thorington has more

Cut 2 (36) “…I’m Brooke Thorington” 

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Teachers would get an 800 dollar pay raise under a budget approved by the House Appropriations Committee. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 3 (29)  “…I’m Matt Doyle.”

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Legislation that would have outlawed the use of corporal punishment in Louisiana schools is defeated on the House floor.

Pollock Representative Gabe Firment debated the merits with bill author and New Orleans Representative Stephanie Hilferty…

Cut 4 (11)“…methods”

29 school districts still allow the use of corporal punishment.

Plaquemine Representative Chad Brown asked Hilferty about one of the primary reasons for the bill.

Cut 5 (12)“…Americans.”

The final vote was 50-47 against.

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New LSU Women’s Basketball head coach Kim Mulkey implored lawmakers to pass legislation allowing student-athletes to receive compensation for their image and likeness.

Mulkey says this legislation would allow those student-athletes to do things that are transformative in their lives.

Cut 6 (10) “…everybody’s life.”

The legislation by Senator Patrick Connick would allow students to sell their likeness and appear in advertisements or endorsements without having their status or student benefits impacted. The bill awaits a hearing in Senate Finance.

Mulkey says this bill will make the lives of all student-athletes better, even ones from small schools.

Cut 7 (10)  “…most of you.”

Mulkey, a hall of fame coach with three titles from her time in Baylor, was hired last month by LSU to revive the struggling women’s basketball program. Since her hire 3,000 deposits have been paid for season tickets.

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After close to three hours of testimony in House Criminal Justice, New Orleans Representative Mandie Landry pulled her bill to decriminalize prostitution. Gloria Blankenship with Purchase Not for Sale, an organization to assist victims of sexual exploitation, says while she agrees with the intent of the bill, she’s unable to support it in its current form.

Cut 8 (10) “…exploitation.” 

Other opponents disapproved of the bill on moral grounds.

Supporters say the government should not be involved with the sexual activities of consenting adults. Lakeesha Harris representing Women With a Vision and a former sex worker says the profession is unfairly judged and policed.

Cut 9 (11) “…stigmatized.”

After lengthy testimony on both sides of the issue, Landry decided to shelve the bill.

Cut 10 (10) “…happens.”

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House Appropriations approves a 36 billion dollar budget plan that includes an 800 dollar pay raise for K-12 teachers and a 400 dollar pay raise for support staff.

The Governor’s initial budget only called for a 400 dollar teacher pay raise. Louisiana Federation of Teachers Legislative Director Cynthia Posey says teachers needed more than that…

Cut 11 (06) “….enough.”

An initial proposal by House Speaker Clay Schexnayder called for a 1,000 dollar raise. That’s still a possibility, pending a revenue projection by the Revenue Estimating Conference.

Posey says without this raise and raises in the coming years we risked seeing even more teachers head across state lines, or even give up on the professional altogether.

Cut 12 (09) “…pay teachers.”

Posey says this raise is a boost to local economies because the money will stay in the community, particularly rural areas that have trouble retaining educators.

Cut 13 (06) “…children there.”

The increase is being paid for in part by the influx of one-time federal dollars the state got from the Biden Administration. Some Republican lawmakers raised concerns about how the raise will be financed in future years once the federal funds run out.

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Governor John Bel Edwards encourages owners of restaurants, bars and other food-related establishments to register with the Small Business Administration’s new Restaurant Revitalization Fund. Louisiana Restaurant Association President Stan Harris says $28-billion has been set aside to fund the program.

Cut 14 (11) “… disadvantaged businesses.”

Harris says the funding is part of the American Rescue Plan and there’s a portal to preregister your business at SBA.gov. He says owners should do so ASAP and so far 110-thousand have signed up.

Cut 15 (09)“…run on the funds.”

Unlike previous assistance with PPP loans, Harris says Revitalization funding is based on the value of your lost revenue.

Cut 16 (13) “…you’ve received.”

Harris says this is another lifeline to help the industry and highly encourages owners to register.

A proposal to prevent transgender athletes from competing on girls sports teams in schools fails to pass out of the House Education Committee on a six to five vote. Two Republicans on the committee joined with Democrats to kill this particular bill for the session. The announcement of the final vote drew a reaction from the audience…

Cut 15 (12) “…thank you.” 

A similar bill remains alive in the Senate is waiting on a vote.

The Louisiana Department of Education is partnering with Ochsner Health to give teachers and school support staff workers free access to virtual visits with a licensed mental health professional. State Superintendent of Education Dr. Cade Brumley….

Cut 6 (08) “…private format”

A House committee votes 8-2 in favor of legislation allowing St. Tammany voters the opportunity to decide whether they’d like a waterfront casino in Slidell. Louisiana Baptists Office of Public Policy Director Will Hall says the state has the 4^th highest incidence of problem gambling.

Cut 12 (08)   “…research” 

The legislation advances to the House floor. A similar bill on the Senate side is stuck in the Finance Committee.

The United Cajun Navy is explaining why they are no longer aiding in the search for the seven remaining missing crewmen of the SEACOR Power that capsized on April 13^th. UCN spokesperson Brian Trascher says it’s due to a group of former volunteers who continue to slander the organization. and they’ve had to take the matter to court before.

Cut 4 (11) “…judge.” 

Legislation allowing St. Tammany voters to vote on allowing a waterfront casino to operate in Slidell is headed to the House floor. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 2 (30) …I’m Matt Doyle.”  

After close to three hours of testimony in House Criminal Justice, New Orleans Representative Mandie Landry voluntarily pulled her bill to decriminalize prostitution from consideration.  Supporters of the bill stated government should not be involved in sexual activities of consenting adults and while opponents voiced the legislation would increase human trafficking and others disapproved on moral grounds.

The United Cajun Navy is explaining why they are no longer aiding in the search for the seven missing crewmen of the SEACOR Power that capsized on April 13^th. UCN spokesperson Brian Trascher says they cap search efforts at two weeks and also opted to end their participation due to a smear campaign launched by former members.

Cut 3 (10)  “…oxygen” 

He says they still plans to assist family members of the missing crew members financially.

State Education is partnering with Ochsner Health to give teachers and school support staff workers free access to virtual visits with a licensed mental health professional. State Superintendent of Education Dr. Cade Brumley says educators have done hero’s work through a pandemic and a record-breaking hurricane season and this is one way they can offer support.

Cut 8 (11) “…everyday.”

Despite opposition from some local opponents, a bill allowing a parish-wide vote on establishing a casino in Slidell advances out of committee 8-2. Proponents for the St. Tammany Parish vote argue it would generate 8 million dollars a year in extra revenue for the parish. Opponents, like Lisa Clayton, argue casinos are magnets for sex trafficking.

Cut 11 (12) “…town”

A similar bill on the Senate side is stuck in the Finance Committee.

Trans advocates are celebrating the defeat of legislation that would prevent transgender athletes from competing on girls sports teams. Breakout spokesperson Teyanna Tokeoh…

Cut 14 (07) “…male cheerleaders” 

A similar bill remains alive in the upper chamber and is waiting for a vote on the Senate floor. 

The United Cajun Navy ends search efforts for the missing crew members of the SEACOR lift boat. Brooke Thorington explains.

Cut 1 (31) “ …I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

The National Weather Service has put most of the state above the I-12/I-10 corridor under a tornado watch through the evening. The alert warns of the possibility for nickel seized hail and 70 mile per hour gusts throughout the area, along with likely damage to mobile homes.