BY DOUG GRAHAM | Staff writer Major tech companies such as Apple, Google and Meta have waded into the debate over a bill before the Louisiana Legislature that would require users to verify their age before downloading an app, and minors would need to get parental permission for their downloads The bill is being promoted as a way to protect children online, but Google and Meta disagree about the measure's effectiveness. Google has raised privacy concerns about the legislation, which it says could require app stores to check users’ government IDs. Read about what age verification would entail. Louisiana will continue to allow fluoride in public water systems after a bill banning it was rejected in the Legislature. Several dentists and doctors urged lawmakers to oppose the measure, saying decades of evidence has proved water fluoridation effectively prevents tooth decay, and scientific evidence doesn't support the claim that fluoridated water is dangerous. Read more about the debate over fluoridation. LSU coach Jay Johnson is all about college baseball. Earlier this season, he said his whole life is built around trying to get to Omaha, Nebraska, and the College World Series. Columnist Scott Rabalais says the Tigers need that kind of focus as they open play today in the NCAA Baton Rouge regional. Read more about the mentality Johnson brings to the game. | 