Heated debates have been ongoing for more than three hours as a Senate committee takes up two proposals aimed at protecting Louisiana’s confederate monuments. One of the measures would require a public vote to remove military monuments, while the other requires legislative approval. Spectators, supporters, and opponents pack the committee room, and the debate has no end in sight.

The House approves a proposal to allow drug felons to receive food stamps. Michelle Southern has more…

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Two bills seeking to close loopholes in domestic violence laws have won final passage. The bills add dating partners and same sex couples to domestic abuse statutes. Interim executive director of the Louisiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence, Mariah Wineski, says now all domestic abusers will face the same penalties.

Cut 11 (09) “into the law”

Wineski says previously abusers same-sex or dating partners could only be charged with simple battery.

A measure to change the name of the Louisiana School of Math, Science and Arts to the Jimmy D. Long Louisiana School of Math, Science and Arts passed on a 5 to 2 vote in the House Education Committee. Delhi Senator Francis Thompson says his bill by no means diminishes the contributions of the great men and women that have graduated from LSMSA.

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The measure met steep opposition from LSMSA alumni.

Drug felons would be eligible for food stamps for the first time in decades under a House-approved measure by New Orleans Representative Helena Moreno. An amendment was added to the bill that would require drug testing in order to receive the benefits, but Monroe Representative Katrina Jackson says further restrictions hurts these offenders chances of turning their life around…:
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The amended measure passed in the House on a 77-17 vote.

Governor John Bel Edwards legislative package aimed at reducing the state’s incarceration rate got another step closer to his desk. A House panel advanced the three Senate approved bills dealing with sentencing laws and other ways to expand probation and parole opportunities. The measures now head to the full House after the governor compromised with the district attorneys.

Two bills are heading to the Governor’s desk that seek to close loopholes in Louisiana’s domestic violence laws. A measure by Marrero Representative Patrick Connick includes same-sex partners in the statutes. Interim executive director of the Louisiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence, Mariah Wineski, says these bills will save lives
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The other bill adds dating partners to the laws.

A Senate approved bill to change the name of the Louisiana School for Math, Science and Arts in Natchitoches was approved in the House Education committee today on a 5-2 vote. Delhi Senator Francis Thompson’s proposal would change the school’s name to Jimmy D. Long Sr. Louisiana School for Math, Science and the Arts. LSMSA alumni oppose the name change due to identity purposes, but supporters say Jimmy Long was a moral and hardworking legislator and was dedicated to creating the school.

A very emotional debate on military monuments is underway in the Senate Committee on Governmental Affairs. Two bills are being discussed seeking to protect war statues in the state, and one supporter began crying over the removal of Confederate monuments in New Orleans. Shreveport Representative Thomas Carmody authors one of the measures and has already said he doesn’t believe the votes are there in the committee to pass. Chairman Karen Carter Peterson staunchly opposes the legislation.

Two bills are heading to the Governor’s desk that seek to close loopholes in Louisiana’s domestic violence laws. One measure by New Orleans Representative Helena Moreno adds dating partners to the laws. Interim executive director of the Louisiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence, Mariah Wineski, says these victims need protection under the law…:
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The other measure includes same-sex partners in domestic violence laws.

The St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office is not happy the Humane Society of Louisiana sent out a release about a dog that was killed after being dragged behind a pickup truck. Captain Daniel Seuzeneau reminds the public that if information doesn’t come from an official law enforcement source, be cautious before passing judgement. He says the man involved has been identified and is fully cooperating with authorities…:
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Seuzeneau says they are currently interviewing the man, witnesses and have sent the dog off for a necropsy.

All 3 key prison reform senate approved bills got out of House criminal justice today and head to the full House for final legislative passage.

The full House approves a measure that would allow drug felons to be eligible for food stamps, as they currently are not. Winnsboro Representative Steve Pylant, a former sheriff, proposed an amendment to require those eligible to submit to routine drug tests in order to receive the benefits to ensure they are properly being used…:
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The bill, with the amendment, heads to the Senate on a 77-17 vote.

The St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office has released a statement about the incident in which a dog was killed after allegedly being dragged by a vehicle in the Slidell area. Captain Daniel Seuzeneau says they are not happy about The Humane Society sending out a news release on the matter because it’s has only hindered the investigation…:
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He says the man involved has been cooperating and the investigation’s findings will be released once complete.

This afternoon the House is slated to debate raising the state’s gasoline tax.:
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A study out of Australia finds late night phone usage could hurt teens’ sleep quality and mental health. Clinical psychologist Michelle Moore with the LSU Health Sciences Center in New Orleans says the bright light on the screen isn’t the only thing keeping them awake…:
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She says the best solution is to take the phone away from your kid at night.

The LSU Baseball team takes an 11-game winning streak into the Baton Rouge Regional. During this hot streak, the Tigers have outscored opponents 87-25. Senior left-hander Jared Poche says this LSU team is capable of more….
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Texas Southern will bring an RPI of 267 to the Box this weekend. There are 299 schools playing college baseball in Division One

Southeastern Louisiana Head Coach Matt Riser has yet to decide who will start on Friday night against Rice. He could go with either Mac Sceroler or Corey Gaconi. The Lions took two of three from Rice earlier this season.

And weather could be a factor, there’s a high chance of rain in Baton Rouge all weekend.

Wide receiver Lance Moore has retired as a New Orleans Saint. Nine of Moore’s eleven seasons in the NFL were in the Big Easy. He signed with the Saints in 2005 and finished fifth in franchise history in receptions and fourth in touchdowns with 38.

There’s a good chance the LSU-Alabama football game will once again be a night game. CBS has decided that day they’ll show two games, one at 2:30 and the other at 7:00. An official kick-off time won’t be known until late October.

LSU All-American golfer Sam Burns has announced he’s turning pro. The sophomore from Shreveport was ranked as the number one golfer in the country heading into the NCAA championships, but he finished 32 in the tournament. Burns started the year by finishing in the top 10 in his first 14 starts this season.

Cities looking to host LHSAA championship events will make their bids today. Lafayette wants to bring the boys basketball championships back to Cajundome and Alexandria has a proposal to host both the boys and girls basketball championships.

A vote is expected today in the House to raise the state’s gasoline tax to fund more highway construction projects. State Representative Steve Carter originally called for a 17 cent a gallon hike, but plans to push for a 10 cent increase. State Transportation Secretary Shawn Wilson says lowering the proposed tax means fewer mega-projects will be completed.
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A senate committee is scheduled to debate whether voters should have a say before military monuments, including confederate statues, are removed. Critics say the state shouldn’t get involved in decisions made by local elected officials, but Shreveport Representative Thomas Carmody says…
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Drug felons would be eligible for food stamps for the first time in decades under a House-approved measure by New Orleans Representative Helena Moreno. In the 1990s offenders with drug related charges were barred from the assistance program, while all other felons remained eligible. Moreno says all but six states have lifted these restrictions because they don’t make sense anymore.

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The measure passed on a 77-17 vote.

A study involving 11-hundred Australian high school students found increased phone use at night can lead to depressed mood and low self-esteem. LSU Health Sciences Center clinical psychologist Michelle Moore says that’s because teens may only be getting half as much sleep as they need. She encourages parents to set an example for their kids and put their phones away at bedtime too.
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The bill to raise the state’s gas tax for roads is slated to be heard in the full House today. The measure originally called for a 17 cent per gallon increase, but backers say they are willing to go down to 10 cents. State Transportation Secretary Shawn Wilson says this means the number of highway projects would have to be scaled back…:
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The Republican Party of Louisiana has asked residents to call their legislators and ask them to vote against the gas tax.

The St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office has released a statement about the incident in which a dog was killed after allegedly being dragged by a vehicle in the Slidell area. Authorities are not happy about The Humane Society sending out a news release on the matter saying that it has only hindered the investigation. The sheriff’s Office says the man involved has been identified and is cooperating. The outcome of the investigation will be revealed once complete.

Statewide regulations for Uber and Lyft have been shelved for the session
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A new study out of Australia suggests teenagers who go to bed with their phones are more prone to sleep and even mental problems. Clinical psychologist Michelle Moore with the LSU Health Sciences Center in New Orleans says if kids are checking their phones they aren’t sleeping:
Cut 11 (09) “lot of sleep at night”
She says the best solution is to remove the phone from the bedroom at night.

A House-approved bill requiring voter approval before military monuments can be taken down will be heard in a Senate Committee today. Emelie Gunn reports it’s unlikely the legislation will advance…:
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A mother and her two young children died in a crash in LaFourche Parish on Tuesday. State Police say 39-year-old Carmen Valle of Galliano and her 5-year-old son and 4-year-old daughter were traveling on a roadway in Larose when for unknown reasons the mother veered into the opposite lane of traffic and struck a box truck. The mom and her kids were all unrestrained, ejected upon impact and eventually succumbed to their injuries.

A vote is expected today in the House to raise the state’s gasoline tax to fund more highway construction projects. State Representative Steve Carter originally called for a 17 cent a gallon hike, but he’s willing to amend it to a 10 cent increase. State Transportation Secretary Shawn Wilson says lowering the proposed tax means fewer mega-projects will be completed…:
Cut 7 (10) “spend it”
The Republican Party of Louisiana has asked residents to call their legislators and ask them to vote against it.

A bill to put statewide regulations on ride-sharing services like Uber and Lyft is dead for the session. Jackson Representative Kenny Havard didn’t have enough votes to get approval from a Senate committee, so he shelved the idea..:
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New Orleans lawmakers argued the city would lose $2 million annually without an agreement with the ride sharing services.

Today, the House is slated to debate raising the state’s gasoline tax.
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A measure to prohibit local or state government from removing military monuments without a vote of the people is set to be heard in a Senate Committee today. Shreveport Representative Thomas Carmody says the votes are not there for it to pass which is disappointing as our veterans fought for our rights to vote…:
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He says he’s been told straight up that this bill will not pass.

A study out of Australia finds late night phone usage could hurt teens’ sleep quality and mental health. Clinical psychologist Michelle Moore with the LSU Health Sciences Center in New Orleans says the bright light on the screen isn’t the only thing keeping them awake…:
Cut 10 (09) “good sleep at night”
She says the best solution is to take the phone away from your kid at night.

With no winners in more than three months, the Powerball jackpot now stands at a whopping 302 million dollars for tonight’s drawing. Louisiana Lottery spokeswoman Kimberly Chopin…:
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The jackpot tonight has a 187.3 million dollar cash Value.