Florida Governor Rick Scott says he’s coming to Louisiana to encourage businesses here to move to the Sunshine State. In a statement, Scott said Governor John Bel Edwards called the special session for the sole purpose of raising taxes which will burden the job climate here. Edwards’ spokesman Richard Carbo…:
CUT 10 (06) “your own business”
Carbo says they welcome Governor Scott to Louisiana and hope he spends a lot of money while he’s here.

The mayor of St. Joseph is at the center of a criminal investigation by Louisiana State Police. Earlier this year a legislative auditor accused Mayor Ed Brown of mismanaging St. Joe’s finances, and the auditor outlined several possible crimes he may have committed. But Trooper Michael Reichardt says Brown has not been arrested yet…:
Cut 13 (06) “very preliminary”
St. JOe has been dealing with brown water for years but haven’t been able to access the funds available to fix it because the town can’t pass an audit.

Louisiana strippers will soon have to be at least 21-years-old because of a bill that’s been signed into law. Halen Doughty has more…:
CUT 1 (28) “I’m Halen Doughty”

The East Baton Rouge Parish man who is accused of leaving his baby in a hot car for over two hours causing her death, has been released from jail on $10,000 bond, according to officials. 31-year-old Marvin Mercer, who is also a high school baseball coach, was charged with negligent homicide in the death of 8-month-old Raylee Mercer. He said he forgot to take her to daycare on his way to work.

Beginning August 1, strippers in Louisiana will have to be at least 21 years of age because of a new law. Senior Vice President for Gulf Coast Bank and foster parent, Kim Carver says girls who age out of the foster program are at risk of becoming victims of sex trafficking, especially if they go to work in strip clubs. He says the legislature needs to do something to protect these kids….:
CUT 6 (07) “young adults”
But those who oppose say many women strip to support their families or put themselves to school. Despite opposition, Governor John Bel Edwards signed the bill into law.

The Lake Charles Police Department said they will be holding a news conference this afternoon regarding the case of a man who was located in a vehicle he crashed and cops later learned he had been shot. They say Bob Colston Sr. then died at a local hospital on June 5th and his death is being treated as a homicide. Additional information on the case will be released at 2pm.

A majority of high school principals in the state have decided to keep the private-public playoff championship format in place. Jeff Palermo reports on what it means for the future of the LHSAA…:
CUT 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

State officials want to let the public know some important information when it comes to traveling around with your kids in this hot weather. A Zachary man was arrested in Baton Rouge yesterday after his baby girl died when he left her in the locked car for over two by mistake. DCFS Secretary Marketa Walters says unfortunately this happens far too often…:
CUT 15 (08) “of age”
She suggests putting something like your phone or your purse in the backseat with the child so there will be something there you wouldn’t leave without.

Governor John Bel Edwards has signed into law a measure that prohibits someone from working as a stripper until they’re 21. The rule goes into effect in August.

And effective immediately is a law that allows drivers to be put on a payment plan to repay the state outstanding fines for letting their car insurance lapse. The plans apply to those who owe more than $250.

US Senator David Vitter has joined 44 other Senators in an attempt to block implementation of the Obama Administration’s overtime rule, which doubles the salary threshold under which employees qualify for overtime pay. Vitter says this will drastically impact small businesses, particularly in Louisiana, as well as employees…:
CUT 3 (10) “the workplace”
The proposed rule increases the salary threshold to $47,476.

As a result of legislation approved state lawmakers and signed by the governor, patients have direct access to physical therapists without having to see a doctor first, but the Louisiana Orthopedic Association says this new law could be costly for patients. LOA spokesperson Barbara Carey says people have pain for many reasons…:
CUT 9 (03) “treatment”
But others say this is perfectly safe for patients.

The East Baton Rouge Parish man who is charged with negligent homicide after he allegedly accidentally left his eight month old daughter in a hot car for two hours has been released from jail after posting a 10-thousand dollar bond. 31-year-old Marvin Mercer told police he found his child in his car during his lunch break and drove her to a hospital, but doctors were not able to save her. Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services Secretary, Marketa Walters, says in the past 10 years, the state has seen 24 heat-related deaths like this one…
cut 17 (07) “…back seat”

Authorities are looking for a pregnant inmate who escaped from the Sabine Parish Women’s Facility in Many. Officials say 33-year-old Olive Ashtine Somersall gained access to an elevator while an on-duty deputy was distracted with other inamates. Somersall is six months pregnant.

Louisiana ranks second in the country for the percentage of people who drink soda on a daily basis. State department of health and hospitals dietician Rebecca Guidroz says this is part of the reason why Louisiana is considered an unhealthy state as one 12 ounce can of soda has 39 grams of sugar…
cut 13 (08) “…a day”
Guidroz recommends drinking fruit infused water as an alternative.

The LHSAA vote to keep the expanded public-private school championship split means there will be 12 title games each for the sports of basketball, baseball and softball. LHSAA Director Eddie Bonine says this causes problems for the sites that host these championship events and they may have to eliminate semifinal games from taking place at these locations…
cut 5 (07) “…one night”

High school principals voted Wednesday to keep the private-public playoff championship format in place, but not everyone is happy about it and this could result in another association forming. LHSAA Executive Director Eddie Bonine says it’s his job to make it work, but with five additional playoff brackets in basketball, schools will be in the postseason that didn’t have a very good year:
cut 4 (07) “damn game”
Most private schools are not happy with the LHSAA current playoff format. John Curtis football coach and athletic director, JT Curtis, anticipates the legislature getting involved in this controversy and talks will ramp up about forming another high school sports organization…:
CUT 7 (06) “into that”
Some say if select schools leave the LHSAA, it would be a big blow to the group.

Orthopedists are raising concerns about the new law that allows patients to see physical therapists without getting a diagnosis from a doctor first. Don Molino has more…:
Cut 2 (30) “I’m Don Molino”

According to 24/7 Wall Street, nearly half of Louisiana residents drink soda or other sugary drinks daily. DHH dietitian Rebecca Guidroz (GEE-dros) says that’s not good. She says in addition to weight gain, drinking a lot of soda can also lead to other health risks…:
cut 14 (09) “dental care”

Patients now have direct access to physical therapists without having to see a doctor first, as a result of legislation passed this year. But the Louisiana Orthopedic Association says this new law could be costly for patients. LOA spokesperson Barbara Carey says if patients want insurance to cover their P-T treatment, they need to see a doctor first:
Cut 8 (09) “of pocket”
Parks Senator Fred Mills authored the new law…:
Cut 10 (09) “those surgeons”
The law went into effect as soon as the governor signed it.

A report compiled by the Richland Parish Sheriff’s Office concerning the over heating death of their only K-9 unit will be sent to the DA for review. The dog was left in a vehicle and his handler, Deputy John Cummings, has resigned from the sheriff’s office.

A 31-year-old father and prep baseball coach is facing murder charges in the death of his 8 month old daughter, after mistakenly leaving her in a hot car Wednesday causing her death. Baton Rouge Police say Marvin Mercer of Zachary is charged with negligent homicide.

Louisiana ranks second in the country for the percentage of people who drink soda every day, according to a report from 24/7 Wall Street. Halen Doughty has more…:
Cut 3 (30) “I’m Halen Doughty”

The left lane of I-10 in Kenner was closed Wednesday after a portion of the roadway buckled. State Police said on its Facebook page that the road was not safe to drive on at the time, but repairs have been made and all lanes have reopened.

A 31-year-old baseball coach from Baton Rouge is under arrest amid allegations he left his baby in a hot vehicle for 2 hours by mistake causing her death. 31-year-old Marvin Mercer is charged with negligent homicide. The Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services says there are things you can do to prevent this tragedy from happening again…:
Cut 16 (12) “in the backseat”
Marketa Walters with DCFS says over the past 10 years, Louisiana has had 24 heat related deaths, and 17 of those were under two years of age.

The LHSAA public/private school split is becoming even more heated as principals voted to continue dividing the schools in sports on Wednesday. John Curtis football coach and athletic director, JT Curtis, says there will only be seven teams in the highest classification bracket for girls basketball and softball…:
Cut 6 (07) “really disappointing”
There’s been talk of another association forming as result.

According to 24/7 Wall Street, nearly half of Louisiana residents drink soda or other sugary drinks daily. Louisiana ranks second in the nation for the number of people who drink sugary drinks every day, only behind Mississippi. DHH dietitian Rebecca Guidroz (GEE-dros) says consuming a lot of sugar is linked to obesity, and the rate in Louisiana is over 7% higher than the national average…:
cut 12 (09) “are obese”
Guidroz says people who drink a lot of soda should try to wean themselves off of it slowly.

The LSU baseball team is looking at ways they have the best change to beat Coastal Carolina this weekend at The Box in the Baton Rouge Super Regional, with the winner of the best of three series heading to Omaha for the College World Series. The Chanticleers are 47-16 overall and 21-3 in the Big South Conference. First pitch of game one is scheduled for Saturday at 8pm. The game will air on ESPNU.

The Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services is urging parents to take steps not to forget their young children in the backseat of a vehicle during these hot summer months. The warning is in response to Baton Rouge Police arresting a 31-year-old father whose 8-month-old daughter died after he accidentally left her in the car for two hours yesterday. DCFS Secretary Marketa Walters says unfortunately we’ve seen similar cases over the years..:
Cut 15 (08) “of age”
The man arrested in Baton Rouge has been identified as Marvin Mercer and he’s been charged with negligent homicide.

Governor John Bel Edwards issued a statement in response to the frosty way the House Ways and Means Committee his treated tax proposals. He says given the $600 million dollar deficit, voting against additional revenue means TOPS, higher ed, K-12 education and life saving health care are placed at risk. He says simple math shows the state needs additional revenue and putting politics over people is what got Louisiana into this mess to begin with.

A majority of high school principals in the state have decided to keep the private-public playoff championship format in place. Jeff Palermo reports on what it means for the future of the LHSAA…:
CUT 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”