The House Education Committee approves legislation that prohibits teachers from discussing sexual orientation and gender identity in K-through-12 public classrooms. Haughton Representative Dodie Horton believes these topics should discussed at home, not in the classroom…

Cut 10 (08) “…for this.”

A former substitute teacher who lives in Mandeville traveled to Baton Rouge to voice her opposition to the legislation. She describes herself as a heterosexual who sees this type of legislation as mean-spirited…

Cut 11 (12) “…this state.”

Despite the opposition, Horton’s bill was approved on a nine to three vote.

Legislation to require all public-school classrooms including colleges to display the Ten Commandments in Louisiana passed 82-19 to in the House. Bill author Haughton Representative Dodie Horton says all laws are based on God’s law. The bill will likely be referred to Senate Education.

The Louisiana Senate has unanimously approved legislation that would stop a plan to issue hefty speeding fines on the I-10 Atchafalaya Basin Bridge. Teiko Foxx has more…

Cut 2 (30)  “I’m Teiko Foxx.” 

LSU first baseman Jared Jones had a night he’ll never forget last night. The sophomore hit three home runs. Coach Jay Johnson inserted Jones into the lead-off spot and Jones hit a home run in the first inning to get the Tigers on the board as they went on to win 16-to-nothing in seven innings. Jones says he was surprised to find himself leading off…
cut 30 (16) “…ball in play”
We’ll see if Johnson keeps Jones at the top of the lineup when the Tigers open an SEC series against Tennessee on Friday night.

Luke Yuhasz hit two home runs last night as the 19th ranked Ragin Cajuns won their 16th straight, an 11 to two win over Prairie View. Tougher test tonight for U-L Lafayette as they host Louisiana Tech, who is 25-9 on the year.

LSU linebacker Harold Perkins says he feels comfortable in new defensive coordinator Blake Baker’s system. Baker is trying to bring the Tigers defense back to respectability and the plan is for Perkins to play as an inside linebacker. Perkins says he loves being coached by Baker…
Cut 16 (15) “…cleats on and stuff”
LSU edge rusher Jaxon Howard has reportedly entered the transfer portal. The redshirt freshman from Minnesota played in five games last season as a backup.

In basketball…LSU guard Carlos Stewart has reportedly entered the transfer portal. The Baton Rouge native had his season cut short last season and only played in 13 games, averaging five points a contest.

A likely tornado injured several people and caused extensive damage in Slidell this morning. Slidell police spokesperson Daniel Seuzeneau provided an update on Facebook…
cut 6 (10) “…businesses damaged”
Seuzeneau says it’s a miracle that the only injuries they’ve seen are minor to moderate.

The National Weather Service confirms an EF-2 tornado hit Lake Charles this morning. A shopping plaza on Ryan Street has extensive damage.

Nearly the entire state felt the wrath of this spring storm. Thousands are without power. Entergy Louisiana spokesperson David Freese says crews are working to assess the damage and restore power as soon as possible…
cut 12 (06) “…along with it”
Freese says the outages are widespread and scattered.

A three-day trial ended today regarding a lawsuit filed by Republicans over the constitutionality of the Congressional map approved by lawmakers in January. Brooke Thorington spoke with a lawmaker who testified
Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Monroe Mayor Friday Ellis is preparing for a second term in office. Ellis says during his first term, his administration helped provide more resources to fighting crime…
cut 10 (12) “…our city”

A tornado ripped through the St. Tammany Parish city of Slidell this morning damaging numerous homes and businesses. Several people were injured. Slidell police spokesperson Daniel Seuzeneau describes the injuries sustained as minor to moderate….
cut 8 (12) “…miracle”
Slidell Mayor Greg Cromer says it’s the worst damage the city has sustained since Katrina. The National Weather Service also says an E-F two tornado hit a residential in Lake Charles . Numerous homes are damaged.

An estimated 128-thousand customers are without power statewide from this storm system. Entergy spokesperson David Freese says in some cases high winds damaged crossarms and transformers beyond repair…
cut 13 (10) “…restored”
Entergy has about 55-thousand customers without power.

There are several roads that are impassable statewide as a result of the severe weather that produced flooding or toppled trees onto roadways. Louisianans are reminded not to drive through areas with downed power lines or high standing water. DOTD spokesperson Rodney Mallett says if you absolutely must get on the roadway…
Cut 15 (12) “…the roadway.”
Drivers are encouraged to check road conditions by dialing 511 or visit dotd.la.gov.

Shreveport native Catherine Herring told her story to state senators of how her husband tried to poison her with an abortion inducing drug. Herring says she’s fortunate it did not terminate her pregnancy…
cut 27 (11) “….deception”
Her husband in Texas was sentenced to 180 days in prison. Herring supports a bill in Louisiana that calls for at least a five year prison sentence.

A likely tornado injured several people and caused extensive damage in Slidell this morning. Slidell police spokesperson Daniel Seuzeneau says the worst hit area appears to be Pontchartrain Drive near Kostmayer Avenue…

Cut 7 (07) “…leaning power poles ”  

He gave the update on Facebook and described the injuries as minor to moderate and they are asking individuals to avoid the area.

The aftermath of the severe weather continues to impact the state. DOTD is reminding Louisianans to travel only if necessary. Spokesperson Rodney Mallet says road conditions remain dangerous.

Cut  14 (10) “…some areas.” 

DOTD crews are working to remove fallen trees, and other debris, and post warning signs.

New Orleans Representative Mandie Landry testified in the congressional map trial in Shreveport. The Democrat says she told the court there were two reasons why lawmakers were pressured to pass the map in January; the timeline from Judge Shelley Dick and that Governor Landry wanted to alter Congressman Garret Graves’s district. She believes it was because Graves backed another candidate in the governor’s race…

Cut 4 (05) “…last year.” 

A ruling on the map is expected in a matter of days.

Monroe Mayor Friday Ellis is gearing up for his second term after easily winning his reelection bid in March with 64 percent of the vote. Among the top priorities is passenger rail service along I-20 corridor.

Cut 9 (11) “…our community.” 

Ellis will be sworn-in for his second term in June.

A likely tornado injured several people and caused extensive damage in Slidell this morning. Slidell police spokesperson Daniel Seuzeneau provided an update on Facebook…
cut 6 (10) “…buildings damaged
Seuzeneau says the worst hit area appears to be Pontchartrain Drive near Kostmayer Avenue and he says it’s a miracle that the only injuries they’ve seen are minor to moderate. No reported fatalities.

Nearly the entire state has experienced storm damage as fierce winds toppled trees and power poles. About 165-thousand people are without power. Entergy Louisiana spokesperson David Freese says crews are working to assess the damage and restore power as soon as possible…
cut 12 (12) “…restore power”
Freese says because of the widespread damage, it could take some time to restore power.

A three day hearing wraps up today in a federal courtroom in Shreveport where arguments have been made concerning the legality of the Congressional map approved by state lawmakers in January. New Orleans Representative Mandie Landry testified yesterday. Landry, who’s also an attorney, says she was a bit surprised at the number of attorneys and out-of-state lawyers who were spectators. She says it drove home the importance of congressional maps and how decisions made in DC are riding on political boundaries.
Cut 5 (10) “…the second.”
Sixth district Congressman Garret Graves believes the map is unconstitutional because race was the driving factor for the new map.

Monroe Mayor Friday Ellis is gearing up for a second term in office. Ellis’ administration helped secure a big economic development win earlier this year, when Amazon announced plans to build a 56 thousand square foot last mile facility. The mayor is excited about bringing more jobs to the area.
Cut 11 (09) “…business grow.”

A very strong storm system is sweeping across the state today. Numerous roads are closed as a result of downed trees or high water. According to the Louisiana Power outage map, 180-thousand customers are without power. If you don’t have to be on the roads, stay home.

According to a survey by the National Federation of Independent Business, optimism among small businesses has reached its lowest point in twelve years. Teiko Foxx has more.
Cut 2 (32) “I’m Teiko Foxx.”
Shreveport native Catherine Herring told her story to state senators of how her husband tried to poison her with an abortion inducing drug. Herring says she’s fortunate it did not terminate her pregnancy…
cut 6 (11) “….deception”
Her husband in Texas was sentenced to 180 day sin prison. Herring supports a bill in Louisiana that calls for at least a five year prison sentence.

Testimony wraps up today in Shreveport where three federal judges are hearing arguments over whether the state’s congressional map approved by lawmakers in January is constitutional. New Orleans Representative Mandie Landry testified yesterday and said Governor Landry put pressure on lawmakers to target Congressman Garret Graves’ sixth district…
cut 3 (09) “…as a legislator”
Graves’s district is now a black majority district. Graves did not support Landry in the governor’s race.

Southeast Louisiana is under a tornado watch until 1 PM and there are reports of a tornado on the ground in Peal River, which is in St Tammany Parish. According to the Louisiana Power Outage Map, 180-thousand customers are without power. The rain has stopped on the western side of the state, but meteorologist Ryan Gallagher says flooding remains a concern…
cut 29 (11) “…state line”

Because of the weather, the Louisiana Senate is not meeting today. They will soon examine a House approved bill that will expand school vouchers to families of all incomes. Senate President Cameron Henry says there is a concern over how much this will cost the state…
cut 7 (09) “….methodical way”

Shreveport native Catherine Herring told a Senate Committee about her horrifying experience of being poisoned by her husband who was trying to abort their baby by trying to trick her into taking Cyruz….
cut 5 (11) “…this weapon”
A Senate committee approved legislation that creates the crime of coerced abortion, which could carry a penalty of five to 20 years in prison.

The full Senate has approved legislation that gives State Police and local law enforcement the ability to arrest migrants who are not legally allowed to be in the United States. Denham Springs Senator Valarie Hodges says Louisiana has the right to defend it self…
cut 15 (13) “….deportation process”
A similar law in Texas has been challenged in the courts.