Plans are being drawn up to reconfigure seating in Tiger Stadium to allow visiting bands to perform at halftime shows. Jeff Palermo has the story…:
Cut 3 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

We are waiting to learn the positive identity of the body that was discovered this week in Iberville Parish, but the East Baton Rouge coroner released a report Wednesday indicating this is a pregnant female who died of a gunshot wound to the head. Officials say this could possibly be the pregnant missing teacher, Lyntell Washington. A person of interest, Robert Marks, is in jail on kidnapping charges related to the desertion of Washington’s three year old.

You probably don’t have to be told that your already high car insurance premiums sky rocket when you add a teen driver to your policy. In Louisiana, InsuranceQuotes.com says the increase is over 86 percent. Analyst Laura Adams says rates do get cheaper as your teen gets older…:
Cut 8 (07) “your policy”
She advises parents to take advantage of every discount available to them.

Cursive writing lessons will be a requirement in public schools beginning the 2017-2018 school year, under a measure signed by Governor John Bel Edwards. LSU English professor Renee Casbergue says as lawmakers keep adding things schools have to address, it takes away from its ability to teach what they think their students need…:
Cut 6 (08) “might be”
But supporters think kids should learn cursive so they can write a signature.

LSU now says they will let opposing bands perform at halftime shows. Once they announced a new policy citing safety concerns with so many people being on the field, the band community from throughout the nation expressed outrage. LSU Deputy Athletic Director Eddie Nunez responds to the concern…:
CUT 15 (08) “Tiger Stadium”
He says the new plan involves changes to seating so bands have a more direct route to the field.

Cursive writing will be required to be taught in public schools beginning in July 2017. Supporters say children should be able to know how to sign their name in cursive. But LSU English professor Renee Casbergue says it’s rare that people are required to write in cursive…:
CUT 5 (08) “a signature”
She adds cursive is becoming a lost art.

A study from InsuranceQuotes.com finds car insurance premiums for Louisiana parents increase by more than 86-percent when they add a teen driver to their policy…:
Cut 2 (31) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

On the third installment of Ask the Governor, callers inquired about a wide range of issues facing the state. Asked about the state’s film tax credit program, Governor Edwards says the state capped it at 180-million dollars in credits paid out and there are no plans to change it…:
Cut 10 (07) “million dollars”
The next “Ask the Governor” show will be July 20th.

Teachers in public schools will soon have to teach students cursive writing because of a bill signed into law by the governor. LSU English professor Renee Casbergue says writing in cursive is becoming a lost art, and kids may not have much use for it in the future…:
cut 4 (11) “means nothing”
The new law goes into effect in July of 2017.

A heat advisory is in effect for most of the state from 10 this morning to 7 this evening. The National Weather Service says these areas could see head indices of 105-109 degrees.

A House committee and a senate committee approved separate bills that would generate revenue to address a 600-million dollar shortfall. In House Ways and Means, the panel on a 10-9 vote sent a measure to the House floor that would reduce a tax break for those who itemize on their tax returns. It would generate over 100-million dollars.

A new study shows that, In Louisiana, parents average premium for car insurance increases by over 86-percent when they add a teen driver to an existing policy. But Senior insurance analyst with InsuranceQuotes.com Laura Adams rates for teens have been dipping because many young people are waiting to drive until their older…:
CUT 7 (11) “social media”
She advises parents to take advantage of every discount available to them.

The third installment of the “Ask the Governor” call-in radio show featured a wide variety of questions from callers. Asked about gun control in the wake of the Orlando tragedy, Governor Edwards said he supports the 2nd amendment, but that he is in favor of a measure that would prohibit people on terrorist watch lists from purchasing guns:
cut 12 (11) “the public”
The next Ask the Governor is July 20th.

LSU says they will now allow visiting bands to perform during halftime, after not allowing them to do so during football games last season. They said the initial policy was implemented due to safety concerns with having so many people on the sidelines. LSU Deputy Athletic Director Eddie Nunez says their new plan involves changes to seating in the South End Zone…:
Cut 13 (12) “the half”
The change comes admid outrage from the band community across the nation.

While no official identity has been made on the body that was found in Iberville Parish this week, the East Baton Rouge Parish coroner says the victim was pregnant at the time of death and suffered a fatal gunshot wound to the head. Authorities say it’s possible the body is that of the 40-year-old missing teacher, Lyntell Washington. More on this as it develops.

Public school students will soon be required to learn cursive writing, as a bill has been signed into law that takes effect in July of 2017. Halen Doughty spoke with an LSU English professor on whether this legislation is needed:
CUT 1 (27) “I’m Halen Doughty”

Under a measure signed by Governor Edwards, domestic violence victims will be able to get an expedited temporary concealed carry permit. It takes effect in August.

The fines for texting or using social media while driving have been increased from $175 to $500 for a first offense, as a bill has just been signed into law by the governor. Major Doug Cain with State Police says they deal with distracted driving accidents almost every day, and it’s something that’s entirely avoidable. He says using a cell phone while driving can be a deadly decision.

CUT 4 (08)  “everybody else”

The new law is now in effect.

FEMA has released a smartphone app to help residents get prepared for potential natural disasters. FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate says it gives you a checklist to follow in the palm of your hand even if you lose cell service.

CUT 6 (10) “an emergency”

He says app is available in the iTunes store and on Google Play.

The northern part of the state is under a heat advisory until 7 o’clock tomorrow night. Emelie Gunn reports it’s hot across the entire state…

CUT 2 (30)  “I’m Emelie Gunn”

LSU says they will now allow visiting bands to perform during halftime, after not allowing them to do so during football games last season. LSU Deputy Athletic Director Eddie Nunez says their plan involves changes to seating in the South End Zone to allow bands to take a more direct route onto the field. He says there were safety concerns with having two bands along the sidelines before the end of the first half.

A House committee and a senate committee approved seperate bills that would generate revenue to address a 600-million dollar shortfall. In House Ways and Means, the panel on a 10-9 vote sent a measure to the House floor that would reduce a tax break for those who itemize on their tax returns. It would generate over 100-million dollars.

The Revenue and Fiscal Affairs committee moved a bill to the Senate floor that requires large manufacturing facilities to choose between two different property tax breaks they currently benefit from. Alexandria Senator Jay Luneau says the state is struggling financially and can’t afford to give businesses large tax breaks…
cut 12 (10) “…like this”
Opposition came from business lobbyists who say this bill will hurt economic development efforts.

The governor has signed a bill into law that increases the fine for texting and using social media while driving from $175 to $500. Don Molino has more…
CUT 1 (27) “I’m Don Molino”

And the governor signs into law a measure that will require public and charter schools to teach cursive writing. LSU English professor Renee Casbergue says cursive is becoming a loss art and there might not be much use for it in the future….
cut 25 (09( “…signature”
The mandate goes into effect for the 2017-18 school year.

The governor has signed a bill into law that increases the fines for texting or using social media while driving from $175 to $500 for a first offense. State Police Major Doug Cain says unfortunately, they see a lot in crashes caused by distracted driving.

CUT 3 (10)  “pulling out”

Cain says troopers do write tickets for this offense.

The Senate Revenue and Fiscal Affairs committee approves a bill that would make industries choose between taking an industrial tax exemption or receiving an inventory tax credit. Business groups expressed concerns about losing one of these tax credits. But New Orleans Sen. Karen Peterson says the state can’t afford these large tax breaks, when it’s facing cuts to higher ed, public schools and healthcare…

cut 14 (09)  “we have”

The measure is heading to the Senate floor.

A heat advisory is in effect for the upper half of Louisiana until 7 o’clock Thursday night. State Climatologist Barry Keim says the summer is off to a hot start, with temperatures reaching into the mid and upper 90s. He says on top of that, humidity levels are running high leading to high heat index values.

CUT 9 (09) “is here”

Keim says the lack of rain the state will see this week is contributing to the extreme heat.

FEMA has released a smartphone app to help residents get prepared for potential natural disasters. It also allows users to receive safety and preparedness tips, including practicing a fire escape plan and updating emergency tips. FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate says many tools are built in to the app.

CUT 7 (06) “anything else”

The app is available in the iTunes store and on Google Play.