The House has passed a bill that would ban the use of handheld cell phones while driving, except in emergencies. The vote was 71-to-28 in favor. Jason Hughes of New Orleans voted for it

Cut 16 (09)  “…they were distracted.”

Last year, a similar bill failed by almost the exact same margin, 71-to-22. The bill now moves to the Senate.

The House Education Committee approves a bill that would allow students to provide contact information of a parent or guardian to universities and colleges so the school can call that contact if the student is going through a mental health crisis. New Orleans Representative Delisha Boyd says there’s a need for this measure, citing a recent suicide at Xavier University…

Cut 5 (07) “….a different way”

The bill moves to the House for more consideration.

The House Education Committee approves a resolution that urges the SEC not to schedule any LSU home football games before 6 PM in September. Harahan Representative John Ilg authored the measure in response to last September’s LSU-UCLA game, which featured a gametime temperature of 90-degrees, plus high humidity, which made it difficult for fans to watch the Tigers 34-17 win over the Bruins…

Cut 8 (06) “….it to halftime”

ESPN has control of the game times and they have that control because of a three-billion dollar TV contract with the SEC.

If you use your driver’s license as your main form of identification to board a commercial flight, it now has to be REAL ID compliant. But if you haven’t gotten your REAL ID yet, there’s no need to worry. Matt Boudreaux with the Office of Motor Vehicles says you have alternatives at the TSA checkpoint.

Cut 13 (13)  “…REAL ID compliant.”

The House Education Committee approves a bill that would allow colleges and universities to contact parents or designated individuals if a student experiences a mental health crisis. New Orleans Democrat Delisha Boyd says currently schools are not allowed to contact parents about their child’s mental health.

Cut 4 (10) “…paying for it all.”

The committee also passed a resolution asking the SEC not to schedule LSU home football games in September before six p-m. It’s being proposed by Harahan Republican John Illg, who noted that last September 21st, LSU was forced to play a home game at 2:30 p-m with a gametime temperature of 90 degrees.

Cut 7 (05) “…be treated medically.”

Illg says he went to the game with a group of friends; only two made it to halftime.

The House Insurance Committee fails to advance a bill that would have prohibited auto insurance companies from using credit scores as a factor in determining insurance rates. Committee Chairman Gabe Firment asked the author, Baton Rouge Democrat Edmond Jordan, whether drivers with poor credit would actually see lower rates.

Cut 12 (07) “…40 years.”

The vote was 9-to-0; a tie vote means the bill does not advance. It’s unlikely that the committee will take it up again this session.

If you use your driver’s license as your main form of identification to board a commercial flight, it now has to be REAL ID compliant. Matt Boudreaux with the Office of Motor Vehicles says REAL IDs are also required to enter certain federal offices.

Cut 15 (12) “…before you visit.”

Boudreaux says non REAL ID compliant driver’s licenses will work for everything else.

A proposal to prohibit credit scores from factoring into the cost of a driver’s auto insurance failed to get out of the House Insurance Committee, because the vote ended in a nine-nine tie. House Insurance Chairman Gabe Firment raised concerns that by reducing the insurance premiums for drivers with low credit scores, it will raise premiums for drivers with a high credit rating…

Cut 11 (14) “…make that projection”

Firment asked that question to Peter Robins-Brown, the executive director of  Louisiana Progress.

REAL ID is now the preferred form of identification to fly domestically in the United States, so does that mean your driver’s license without the gold star in the upper right-hand corner is invalid? No says Matt Boudreaux with the Office of Motor Vehicles…

Cut 14 (06) “…changes on that”

The House Education Committee advances a resolution discouraging LSU home football games in September before six p-m. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

President Donald Trump is starting up a commission on college sports and former Alabama and LSU head football coach Nick Saban is expected to be named the co-chair. Saban has been a vocal critic of NIL’s impact on college sports and Saban has reportedly urged Trump to get involved in the reforming of NIL.

A proposal to prohibit insurance companies from using a person’s credit score to determine their auto insurance rate fails to get out of the House Insurance Committee. Andrew Greenstein has more.

Cut 3 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Gas prices are down 12 cents from a month ago to a statewide average of $2.70 a gallon. That’s according to Triple-A. And the price at the pump is down 50-cents from a year ago. Louisiana has the second lowest gas prices in the country, trailing only Mississippi.

The House Education Committee started its meeting yesterday by passing a resolution that asks the Southeastern Conference not to schedule any LSU home football games in September before 6 PM. It’s in response to last September’s UCLA game, which started at 2:30 and it was 90-degrees. Harahan Representative John Illg believes all of Louisiana’s college football teams should play their games at night in September…

Cut 9 (10) “….month of September”

But ESPN is the one who schedules game times for LSU and they have that authority because of the three-billion-dollar television deal they signed with the SEC.

The House Education Committee also approved a measure that would give Louisiana college students the opportunity to provide their school with the phone number of a parent or guardian and that person can be contacted if the student is experiencing a mental health crisis. The bill’s author is New Orleans Representative Delisha Boyd

Cut 6 (12) “…too late”

The measure heads to the House floor for another vote.

The House Education Committee passes a bill that would require universities to offer a privacy waiver to students that would allow schools to contact their parents during a mental health crisis. Sean Richardson has testimony from the bill’s author, New Orleans Democrat Delisha Boyd.

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

May is Mental Health Awareness Month and Louisiana Healthcare Connections says research shows one in five women experience a mental health condition and many go untreated due to stigma, lack of time or difficulty accessing care. Louisiana Healthcare Connections encourages moms to take breaks and practice self-care and there are telehealth services available for convenient, private mental health support.

A bill that would prohibit insurance companies from using credit score as a factor in determining insurance rates fails to get out of the House Insurance Committee by one vote. In Louisiana, drivers who have poor or fair credit scores pay higher premiums than drivers with very good or excellent credit scores. Baton Rouge Representative Edmond Jordan says a credit score doesn’t determine a person’s driving ability…

Cut 10 (07) “…bad credit.”

The vote on Jordan’s bill was nine to nine, which means it does not advance to the House floor, unless another vote is taken, which is unlikely.

If you use your driver’s license as your main form of identification to board a commercial flight, it now has to be REAL ID compliant. But if you haven’t gotten your REAL ID yet, there’s no need to worry. Matt Boudreaux with the Office of Motor Vehicles says you have alternatives at the TSA checkpoint.

Cut 13 (13)  “…REAL ID compliant.”

The House Education Committee passes a bill that would require universities to offer a privacy waiver to students that would allow the schools to contact their parents during a mental health crisis. Sean Richardson has testimony from the bill’s author, New Orleans Democrat Delisha Boyd.

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

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The House Education Committee advances a resolution discouraging LSU home football games in September before six p-m. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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A proposal to prohibit insurance companies from using a person’s credit score to determine their auto insurance rate fails to get out of the House Insurance Committee. Andrew Greenstein has more.

Cut 3 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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The House Education Committee approves a bill that would allow colleges and universities to contact parents or designated individuals if a student experiences a mental health crisis. New Orleans Democrat Delisha Boyd says currently schools are not allowed to contact parents about their child’s mental health.

Cut 4 (10) “…paying for it all.”

The bill requires schools to offer students an optional privacy waiver, enabling communication with a trusted contact in emergencies. Boyd says there’s a need for this measure, citing a recent suicide at Xavier University.

Cut 5 (07) “…a different way.”

Legislators on the committee supported the bill as a “fail safe.” Boyd noted that early intervention, prompted by behavioral changes, might prevent tragic outcomes.

Cut 6 (12) “…it’s too late.”

The bill advances to the full House.

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The House Education Committee advances a resolution asking the SEC not to schedule LSU home football games in September before six p-m. It’s being proposed by Harahan Republican John Illg, who noted that last season, they made LSU play a game at 2:30 in the afternoon last September 21st, with a gametime temperature of 90 degrees.

Cut 7 (05) “…be treated medically.”

Illg noted that many fans in the east stands, which get the most direct sunlight that time of day, were not around to see LSU pull away for the 34-to-17 win.

Cut 8 (06) “…it to halftime.”

While Illg’s resolution singles out LSU, he would hope that other schools in Louisiana would follow suit in asking that their home games in September not be scheduled for afternoons.

Cut 9 (10)  “…month of September.”

Last year, a new TV contract began between the SEC and ESPN that’s worth three-billion dollars. Ultimately, it’s up to ESPN to decide when kickoff times are scheduled.

______________________________________________________

A bill that would prohibit insurance companies from using credit score as a factor in determining insurance rates fails to get out of the House Insurance Committee by one vote. In Louisiana, drivers who have a poor or fair credit score pay higher premiums than drivers with very good or excellent credit scores. Baton Rouge Representative Edmond Jordan says a credit score doesn’t determine a person’s driving ability…

Cut 10 (07) “…bad credit.”

The vote on Jordan’s bill was nine to nine, which means it does not advance to the House floor, unless another vote is taken, which is unlikely. House Insurance Chairman Gabe Firment raised concerns that by reducing the insurance premiums for drivers with low credit scores, it will raise premiums for drivers with a high credit rating…

Cut 11 (14) “…make that projection”

Firment asked that question to Peter Robins-Brown, the executive director of the Louisiana Progress.

Firment asked Jordan if his bill passed, when would drivers with poor credit actually see lower auto insurance rates.

Cut 12 (07) “…40 years.”

Opponents of the legislation also say drivers with low credit scores are more likely to sue in the hopes of getting a big settlement because of their financial situation.

_____________________________________________

If you use your driver’s license as your main form of identification to board a commercial flight, it now has to be REAL ID compliant. But if you haven’t gotten your REAL ID yet, there’s no need to worry. Matt Boudreaux with the Office of Motor Vehicles says you have alternatives at the TSA checkpoint.

Cut 13 (13)  “…REAL ID compliant.”

Boudreaux says while a driver’s license without the gold star in the upper right-hand corner will no longer be enough to seamlessly get through TSA, you can use it for just about everything else.

Cut 14 (06) “…changes on that.”

Boudreaux says certain federal offices will also require REAL IDs.

Cut 15 (12) “…before you visit.”

Boudreaux says for the time being, you can actually still get through TSA with a driver’s license that’s not REAL ID compliant; you’ll be subjected to a lot more scrutiny.

The House has passed a bill that would ban the use of handheld cell phones while driving, except in emergencies. The vote on Slidell Republican Brian Glorioso’s bill was 71-to-28. Glorioso’s bill has the support of several Democrats, including Jason Hughes of New Orleans.

Cut 13 (09)  “…they were distracted.”

Not all of Glorioso’s fellow Republicans are on board with his bill, however. Mike Bayham of Chalmette says a hand-held cell phone ban will disproportionately affect a certain group of people.

Cut 14 (12) “…don’t have Bluetooth.”

Last year, a similar bill failed by almost the exact same margin, 71-to-22. The bill now moves to the Senate.

The House Education Committee advances a bill to allow colleges and universities to contact parents or designated individuals if a student experiences a mental health crisis or poses a risk to themselves or others. New Orleans Democrat Delisha Boyd says currently schools are not allowed to contact parents about their child’s mental health.

Cut 4 (10) “…paying for it all.”

Earlier in the meeting, the committee advanced a resolution asking the SEC not to schedule LSU home football games in September before six p-m. It’s being proposed by Harahan Republican John Illg, who noted that last September 21st, LSU had to play a home game at 2:30 in the afternoon, with a gametime temperature of 90 degrees.

Cut 7 (05) “…be treated medically.”

If your car does not have Bluetooth, you might want to invest in an FM transmitter soon. The House has advanced a bill that would make hand-held cell phone use while driving illegal except in emergencies. The bill’s author, Slidell Republican Brian Glorioso, says distracted driving is a huge problem in the state, and it’s one of the reasons that auto insurance rates in Louisiana are so high.

Cut 12 (11) “…distracted driving.”

Fellow Republican Mike Bayham of Chalmette is against it. He says a hand-held cell phone ban would not instantly make bad drivers better.

Cut 15 (06) “…car or not.”

A similar bill last year failed in the House, 71-to-22. It was almost the complete opposite this year, with the House passing it by a vote of 71-to-28. It now moves to the Senate.

National Democrats are encouraging former Governor John Bel Edwards to run for Senate in 2026. The New York Times reports Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer has spoken with Edwards about the race, but Edwards has not confirmed his interest. Even though Republican incumbent Bill Cassidy is facing a challenge in the state’s newly-closed primary, Democrats expect him to survive. Political Analyst Bernie Pinsonat says the big question will be how the closed primary will affect Cassidy.

Cut 10 (12) “…especially the Republicans.”

More and more people are getting scam text messages claiming that they have an unpaid toll road charge. Rodney Mallett with DOTD says that’s something that the department simply does not do. 

Cut 6 (08) “…asking for fines”

A ban on hand-held cell phone use while driving moves to the Senate. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Funeral arrangements have been announced for Rayne Police Lieutenant Allen “Noochie” Credeur who was shot by friendly fire and killed in the line of duty Monday. A public viewing will be held on Monday, May 12 beginning at 9:00 A.M. with a funeral following at 2:00 P.M. at the Rayne Civic Center followed by a burial service at Arceneaux Cemetery.

A New York Times report says Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer has spoken to former Democratic Governor John Bel Edwards about running for the U-S Senate next year, possibly facing Republican Senator Billy Cassidy in November’s general election. Cassidy is considered vulnerable because of his vote to convict Donald Trump in his 2021 impeachment trial. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says there’s no guarantee Cassidy will be re-elected, even though he has a campaign war chest of over seven million dollars…

Cut 11 (11) “…another Democrat.”

During Love the Boot Week in April, Keep Louisiana Beautiful supported recycling efforts in 27 parishes, picking up over 16-thousand bottles and cans, a 23-percent increase from last year. Keep Louisiana Beautiful Executive Director Susan Russell says this was part of a broader statewide effort involving nearly 27-thousand volunteers

Cut 3 (12) “…was just amazing.”