State Police are proud to announce that 58 new cadets graduated to become troopers today. Sgt. Nick Manale says graduation day is about celebrating the hard work of the cadets over the last 19 weeks in training and of course the pinning of the golden Louisiana badge…:
CUT 4 (08) “state police”
He says there are now about 1000 troopers statewide.

Saturday marks the 29th annual Franklin Parish Catfish Festival in Winnsboro. The festival has grown into the largest one-day festival in the state. Festival board member Leslie Young says the festival offers something for everyone…:
CUT 6 (10) “huge party”
The musical acts will be headlined by 2015 Grammy Award winner Jo-El Sonnier.

At a gathering of about 600 Christian conservatives in Iowa Thursday the largest applause of the night went to Governor Bobby Jindal. Three other Republican presidential hopefulls, Rick Perry, Mike Huckabee, and Rick Santorum, also spoke at the event. Jennifer Jacobs with the Des Moines Register says it was obvious Jindal hit a home run…:
CUT 9 (10) “after his speech”
Jindal is expected to announce his candidacy for president after the legislative session concludes in June.

A multi-day rain event rolls through the state today as a cold front pushes through and pretty much hovers over south Louisiana. Forecasters say showers and thunderstorms are expected with some possibly severe in the afternoon. They say if storms do get bad the biggest threat will be from damaging winds and hail — rain will linger through the weekend and into Monday with local flooding possible.

State Police graduated 58 brand new troopers Friday from Cadet Class #93. Sergent Nick Manale says these aspiring troopers began the rigorous Louisiana State Police Training Academy on November 30th last year…:
CUT 3 (11) “training course”
He says now these 58 cadets become troopers and begin their careers of dedication, protection and service to the citizens of Louisiana.

There are many staple Louisiana fesitvals happening this weekend but sadly there is also a lot of rain in the forecast. State Climatologist Barry Keim says the event moving in tonight through the weekend could bring severe weather which could mean hail, high winds and the risk of flash flooding…:
CUT 15 (09) “into the evening”

The streets of Ponchatoula will be packed this weekend as the 44th annual Ponchatoula Strawberry Festival gets underway today. Scott Carwile has more…:
CUT 1 (27) “reporting”

Popular Monroe chef and restaurateur Cory Bahr was named by Food and Wine Magazine as People’s Best New Chef in the nation. Bahr owns Restaurant Cotton and Nonna in Monroe and was chosen from 100 chefs nationwide for the honor where he got the most votes on the Food and Wine website.

New Orleans Representative Joseph Bouie files legislation that would transfer regulation of cable and satellite companies to the Public Service Commission. Michelle Southern reports…

cut 2 (29) “reporting”

Showers and thunderstorms are forecast across the state through the weekend as a slow moving cold front moves through Louisiana today. That front is expected to hang around until at least Monday. Rain totals are expected to be at least two inches with higher totals in isolated areas. This weather event brings the possibility of severe weather, including hail, high winds, and possibly tornados.

State Treasurer John Kennedy announces he’ll seek re-election this fall ending long-time speculation that he’d run for governor or attorney general. ULM Political Science Professor Joshua Stockley says says nobody will challenge Kennedy for treasurer but that doesn’t mean he won’t run a campaign…

cut 12 (12) “for that office”

Stockley says many people believe Kennedy has his eye on the US Senate seat that could come open if David Vitter becomes Governor.

The 44th annual Ponchatoula Strawberry Festival kicks off today. Of course food is always an attraction plus carnival rides, live music, arts and crafts, and a parade tomorrow morning. 2015 Festival Chairman Donald Lanier says they have no way of knowing how many people actually attend the festival, but it draws attendees from all over…

cut 6 (09) “sweet strawberry”

Admission to the festival is free and it runs through Sunday.

State Treasurer John Kennedy announces he’ll seek re-election this fall ending long-time speculation that he’d run for governor or attorney general. Jeff Palermo has that…

cut 3 (30) “reporting”

Officials announce that Lake Charles will get an interim VA clinic. Last month the Department of Veterans Affairs said construction of a new community based outpatient clinic would be delayed several months. This interim clinic will replace the current mobile clinic and serve about three times the number of veterans each year. The interim clinic should be up and running within six months.

A bill filed by New Orleans Representative Joseph Bouie would transfer regulation of cable and satellite companies to the Public Service Commission. Bouie says he’s heard many complaints and concerns from people who feel like cable and satellite companies aren’t held to the same rules as their other utilities…

cut 9 (10) “responsibility”

Bouie feels that it would make more sense for the PSC to regulate cable companies the way they do other utility companies.

Wet weather is ahead for the state as thunderstorms cloud the forecast for the next several days. A slow moving cold front moves through Louisiana today and looks to hang around until at least Monday. State Climatologist Barry Keim says the state can expect at least two inches of rain with higher totals in isolated areas…

cut 14 (10) “severe weather”

Keim says this event brings with it the possibility hail, high winds, and even the chance for a tornado.

Legislation filed by New Orleans Representative Joseph Bouie would transfer regulation of cable and satellite companies to the Public Service Commission. Bouie feels that it would make more sense for the PSC to regulate cable companies the way they do other utility companies. He says this would allow a state agency to advocate on behalf of Louisiana residents…

cut 8 (11) “be of concern”

Bouie says currently the Secretary of State’s office is responsible for the certification and regulation of cable and video entities.

State Treasurer John Kennedy ends long-time speculation that he’d run for governor or attorney general by announcing he’ll seek re-election this fall. ULM Political Science Professor Joshua Stockley says Kennedy has done a great job as our state treasurer…

cut 11 (06) “for the state”

Stockley says if Kennedy would have thrown his hat into the Governor’s race it would have weakened fellow middle ground Republicans Jay Dardenne and Scott Angelle in the fight against the leading David Vitter.

Louisiana is about to get really wet as thunderstorms cloud the forecast for the next several days. State Climatologist Barry Keim says a slow moving cold front is pushing through the state today and looks to be hanging around into at least Monday…

cut 13 (11) “next week”

Keim says as far as rain totals go, the state can expect at least two inches with higher totals in isolated areas.

The 44th annual Ponchatoula Strawberry Festival kicks off today. Live music will be featured all weekend long including Don Rich, Christian Serpas, and Bag of Donuts. 2015 Festival Chairman Donald Lanier says carnival games this year have been replaced by local arts and crafts vendors…

cut 5 (08) “of the state”

Of course food is always an attraction plus carnival rides and a parade tomorrow morning.

State Treasurer John Kennedy announces he’ll seek re-election this fall ending long-time speculation that he’d run for governor or attorney general. ULM Political Science Professor Joshua Stockley says this is a good move on Kennedy’s part…

cut 10 (10) “would have run”

Stockley says as for the AG’s office, when Former Congressman Jeff Landry jumped in that race it was wise for Kennedy to stay put.

New Orleans Representative Joseph Bouie files legislation that would transfer regulation of cable and satellite companies to the Public Service Commission. He says currently the Secretary of State’s office is responsible for the certification and regulation of cable and video entities…

cut 7 (06) “if you will”

Bouie feels that it would make more sense for the PSC to regulate cable companies the way they do other utility companies.

The streets of Ponchatoula will be packed this weekend as the 44th annual Ponchatoula Strawberry Festival gets underway today. 2015 Festival Chairman Donald Lanier says this is the largest free festival in Louisiana. Lanier says a fortunate circumstance will allow them to open a little early this year…

cut 4 (09) “12 to 4″

Strawberries are the focal point of the festival, which runs through Sunday, but there is lots more for people to enjoy, like food, carnival rides, live music and more. Admission is free.

State Climatologist Barry Keim says thunderstorms are in the forecast throughout the weekend across the state. Two inches of rain are expected statewide with higher totals in isolated areas.

The Destrehan High School teacher accused of having sex with a 16-year-old student has pleaded guilty in exchange for no jail time and 3 years probation. 32-year-old Shelley Dufrense would still lose her teaching license and she doesn’t have to register as a sex offender for now. Legal analyst Tim Meche..:
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Dufrense also faces charges out of Jefferson Parish, along with another former teacher, where an alleged threesome took place with the same 16-year-old student.

State Treasurer John Kennedy has dispelled rumors that he was considering running for governor or attorney general. Today Kennedy announced that he’d be seeking re-election to remain treasurer this fall. Kennedy said in a letter to supporters than he’s committed to being the fiscal watchdog. Speculation is now running that Kennedy is building up resources should a US Senate seat become open if David Vitter becomes Governor.

Gay rights groups want the religious freedom bill filed by Republican Bossier City Representative Mike Johnson to go away. Bruce Parker, Executive Director of Louisiana Progress Action, says they feel this legislation legalizes discrimination and has a campaign underway to fight the measure…:
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But Johnson defends the legislation saying it would prevent adverse treatment from the state of any person on the basis of their views on marriage.

The Colorado State University forecast team is predicting the 2015 Hurricane season will be below average and about 45 percent of the average season. By comparison, 2014′s tropical cyclone activity was about 75 percent average. The lead author of the report is Dr. Phil Klotzbach who says if the forecast holds true, it would be the third quiet Gulf hurricane season in a row…:
CUT 12 (04) “this year”