The US Department of Education sent a letter to all school systems today directing them to grant specific rights to all children based on their gender identity — or face the loss of federal funds. Conservatives are outraged including Alto congressman Ralph Abraham…:
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But Equality Louisiana says this step is necessary to protect the vulnerable transgender population.

A Rapides Parish man who was allegedly soliciting money he claimed was for a sick child with cancer has been arrested after Alexandria residents reported suspicious activity to the sheriff’s office. Authorities say they discovered 48-year-old Charles Leon Lowery was a convicted sex offender and that none of his children were sick. He is charged with two counts of Cheating and Swindling due to the unlawful solicitation of money and one count Failure to Register as Sex Offender.

A 17-year-old girl from northwest Louisiana participates in two graduation ceremonies today. Azariya McClendon will get her Associates Degree from Bossier Parish Community College this afternoon, then this evening she’ll get her diploma from Ringgold High School. McClendon says she has big academic aspirations after her double graduation…:
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McClendon is the first student in her parish to earn two diplomas at the same time.

Thousands of college students receive their degree today and will be set to enter the workforce. Recruiting consultant with the Eastman Group, Tom Hanson says hiring for entry level positions has increased since last year.:
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Today, LSU will hand out a record number of degrees, with over four-thousand students participating in commencement ceremonies.

It’ll be easier than ever to donate food tomorrow as the Letter Carriers Food Drive gets underway, and all you have to do is leave items by your mailbox. U.S. Post Office Spokesperson Boyd McKinney says the mailman will collect it during their route…:
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Toiletries and other personal items can also be donated Saturday during the Letter Carriers Food Drive.

As debates on the budget continue to at the Capitol, things got heated Thursday when lawmakers took up debate on TOPS funding versus healthcare. Shortly before 9, members narrowly voted to shift 72 million dollars from the popular scholarship program to the state’s safety net hospitals. The House is expected to wrap up the budget bill today then it will head to the Senate.

The Blue Lives Matter bill that seeks to include police, firefighters and EMS as protected groups in hate crime laws is becoming a controversial topic. Halen Doughty has more…:
CUT 1 (30) “I’m Halen Doughty”

Thousands of college students across the state are graduating, and many maybe wondering what’s next. Jeff Palermo has more…
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On a 49-43 vote, the Louisiana House voted to move 72-million dollars away from the TOPS scholarship program and put that money towards safety net hospitals, which provide care for the poor. The House is still going over the proposed spending plan today and then it will be the Senate’s turn.

The New Orleans Chapter of the Black Youth Project objects to a bill that seeks to charge individuals with a hate crime if they target a police officer or firefighter. The group says police violence against residents is a bigger problem, but the bill’s author, representative Lance Harris, says an officer was recently shot while pumping gas in Houston…
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The Blue Lives Matter bill is set for final passage in the senate.

An LSU Health New Orleans doctor is recommending residents should wear UV protection inside cars as well as outside. Doctor Jayne Weiss cites a study demonstrating that left-sided skin cancer was more common in those who spent a lot of time driving….
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Weiss also says side windows do not provide as much UV blockage as front windows.

The Blue Lives Matter bill has one group questioning who can realistically be victims of hate crimes. The measure seeks to add police officers, firefighters, and EMS as a protected class in Louisiana’s hate crime laws. Ejike Obineme (EH-ji-kay Oh-bi-NEM-ay) with the New Orleans Chapter of the Black Youth Project 100 does not support the bill. He says police are not the victims of hate crimes….
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The legislation has seen no opposition until this point as it waits for final legislative passage in the Senate.

The Chair of Ophtamology at LSU Health New Orleans says motorists who spend a lot of time in a vehicle should protect themselves from UV light. Doctor Jayne Weiss cites a recent study for the reason why…
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Weiss says side windows do not provide as much UV blockage as front windows.

Debate continues today in the Louisiana House over where money should go in next fiscal year’s budget. Last night, state representatives voted to take 72-million dollars away from the TOPS scholarship program so they can put more money towards hospitals that are contracted with the state to provide care for the poor. Lawmakers have until the end of the regular session to pass a budget.

The Letter Carriers Food Drive is tomorrow and Emelie Gunn tells you how you can participate…
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The debate over next year’s proposed budget continues in the House today. Last night, the lower chamber shifted 72-million dollars away from the TOPS scholarship program and put it towards hospitals that provide indigent care. The House also agreed to give more authority to Attorney General Jeff Landry over his own budget, a move opposed by Governor John Bel Edwards.

Thousands of college grads are entering the workforce with commencement ceremonies taking place. Recruiting consultant Tom Hanson with the Eastman Group, says healthcare, engineering and computer science majors should find ample job opportunities…
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Hanson says if you’re looking for work in the oil industry you’ll have to be patient.

The Blue Lives Matter bill that seeks to include police, firefighters and EMS as protected groups in hate crime laws is facing opposition. Halen Doughty has more…
voicer 1 (30) “…I’m Halen Doughty”

Saturday is the Letter Carriers Food Drive and those interested in donating can leave nonperishable food items by the mailbox. U.S. Post Office Spokesperson Boyd McKinney says food collected by your mailman will go towards food banks in your area.
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Opposition has sprung up against the Blue Lives Matter bill which says individuals who target police officers and firefighters can be charged with a hate crime. Ejike Obineme (Eh-ji-kay Oh-bi-NEM-ay) with the New Orleans Chapter of the Black Youth Project 100 urges citizens to contact their state senators and vote against the bill…
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Alexandria Representative Lance Harris’ Blue Lives Matter bill has sailed through the legislative process and needs only Senate approval for final passage.

The Louisiana House has decided to move 72-million dollars from the TOPS scholarship program and put it towards public-private hospitals that provide care for the poor and needy. More discussion on next year’s proposed budget is expected in the House today.

It’s graduation time as commencement ceremonies take place around the state today and tomorrow. These college grads will look to exceed their life goals, but it will take a good job to do that. Tom Hanson is the with the headhunting firm, the Eastman Group, and says based on the National Labor Board, companies are hiring college grads, but the compeitition is tough…
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Hanson says healthcare and engineering are majors that have ample job opportunities.

Saturday is the Letter Carriers Food Drive. On that day, you can leave non-perishable food items at your mailbox and the mailman will collect them for their food drive. US Post Office spokesperson Boyd McKinney says the majority of the food donations stay local…
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Toiletries and other personnel items can also be donated.

Thousands of Louisiana college students receive their degree today and they are now set to enter the workforce. Recruiting consultant with the Eastman Group, Tom Hanson, says hiring for entry level positions has increased since last year.
cut 14 (08) “three months”
Today, LSU will hand out a record number of degrees, with over four-thousand students participating in commencement ceremonies.

Debate continues at the State Capitol today over the 26-billion dollar budget for next fiscal year. On a 49-43 vote, the Louisiana House has decided to shift 72-million dollars from the TOPS scholarship program and put it towards hospitals that provide care for the poor and needy. Also, the House has restored money to fund the Inspector General’s office. More amendments to change funding within the budget are expected today.

The Coast Guard says nearly 90-thousand gallons of crude oil has been released into the Gulf of Mexico from a Shell pipeline about 90-miles south of Timbalier Island. Authorities say the wellhead is now secure.

Health professionals have recommended for some time to wear sun protection while outdoors and now they say it’s also smart to do so while riding in a vehicle. Chair of Ophthalmology at LSU Health New Orleans, Dr. Jayne Weiss, says side windows in cars only block about 65% of the UV rays.
cut 11 (11) “side windows”
She cites a study demonstrating that left-sided skin cancer was more common in those who spent a lot of time driving.