Bill to add exceptions for rape and incest when victim is under 17, fails in committee
Legislation to add exceptions for rape and incest to the state's abortion ban was amended for exceptions only to apply when the victim is under the age of 17. The bill, however, failed to advance from House Criminal Justice after emotional debate. Bill author New Orleans Democrat, Representative Delisha Boyd's mother w...
May 07, 2024
Post office renamed in honor of deceased Congressman-elect Luke Letlow
Luke Letlow, who was elected to Congress in 2020, but died from Covid before he could be seated is being honored by the U.S. House with the naming of his hometown post office. His widow and 5th district U.S. Representative Julia Letlow spoke on the House floor. "Now, he'll receive his very own landmark, a little ...
May 07, 2024
Measure to prohibit permitless conceal-carry along parade routes voted down by Louisiana House
The Louisiana House has voted down a bill that would have prohibited a person from concealing a handgun without a permit if they are within 100-feet of a parade. Oil City Representative Danny McCormick voted against the measure. McCormick says this bill will only affect law abiding citizens. "It's already against ...
May 07, 2024
Smarterlam / CC
House to vote on holding constitutional convention
The Louisiana House is scheduled to vote today on whether to hold a Constitutional Convention later this month. Revising the constitution is one of Governor Jeff Landry's priorities, but political analyst Bernie Pinsonat said it will need a two-thirds majority to pass. "I've heard they have the votes; the question...
May 07, 2024
Stuart Seeger / CC
Kentucky Derby winner Mystik Dan has strong ties to Louisiana
The winning horse at Saturday's Kentucky Derby has Louisiana's fingerprints all over it. Mystik Dan won by a nose, edging out Sierra Leone and Forever Young. Lafayette native Brian Hernandez was the jockey and Shreveport native Sharilyn Gasaway is a co-owner. "It's absolutely unbelievable and a dream of a lifetime...
May 06, 2024
BRPD officer takes protect and "serve" to a new level by delivering a baby
When Corporal Jason Lee with the Baton Rouge Police took on extra duty Saturday, he never imagined it would include delivering a healthy baby boy. Lt. L' Jean McNeely said Lee was driving down Greenwell Springs Road when he was flagged down by the woman whose daughter, Destiny Allen, was going into labor. "He open...
May 06, 2024
Poll: Governor Landry's approval rating 56%
A statewide poll conducted for the Times Picayune and the Advocate finds Governor Jeff Landry's approval rating is 56-percent. ULM political science professor Pearson Cross says Landry has been busy with two special sessions and a regular session since January and voters have noticed. "He's been in the news, large...
May 06, 2024
Meeting to decide next steps for LA congressional map held today
A meeting will be held today in Shreveport to decide how to finalize the state's congressional map after the most recent one was thrown out in court. After three years of back and forth, NAACP Legal Defense Fund attorney Jared Evans is disappointed with the ruling. "But it's not devastating to our position because...
May 06, 2024
Legislation that gives insurers the ability to drop policyholders after three years waiting for governor's signature
A property insurance reform bill waiting for the governor's signature would end the three-year rule. Louisiana is the only state that prohibits an insurer from dropping a customer that's been a policyholder for more than three years. House Insurance Chairman Gabe Firment says the legislation allows insurance companies ...
May 04, 2024
Pictures of Money / CC
CABL says budget cuts to early childhood education and teacher pay sends bad message
The budget that was passed in the House last week, cut $24 million from early childhood education and reduced teacher pay stipends from $2,000 to $1,700. President of the Council for a Better Louisiana, Barry Erwin said it sends a bad message and it's discouraging... "And I think it hurts the message that we're tr...
May 03, 2024