After spending nine years as the leader of State Police, Superintendent Col. Mike Edmonson announces his plans to retire March 24th. The agency has been the center of controversy regarding questionable travel by four state troopers. Edmonson says he loves his job, but stepping down brings a sense of normalcy to the department…:
Cut 9 (10) “any distractions”
Edmonson says he will work with Governor John Bel Edwards and his successor to make the transition as seamless as possible.

A Caddo Parish mother has pleaded guilty to all charges related to the wreck that ejected her 5-month-old from her SUV. Cops believe 31-year-old Lindsey Logan was on drugs when she got into a crash that sent her baby through the front windshield of her vehicle. Logan pleaded guilty to 2 counts of first-degree vehicular negligence stemming from the wreck in June 2016 since her 7 year old was also in the vehicle. Both children are recovering.

New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu has decided not to go forward with his previous suggestion to close the doors of all bars in the Crescent City at 3 a.m. in an effort to increase safety. French Quarter Business League President Alex Fein says they’ve been against the idea from the get go and are glad that proposition has been taken off the table…:
Cut 13 (09) “their mind”
Landrieu still plans on using 40 million dollars to tighten security in the city.

Jefferson Parish authorities found four people dead at an apartment complex in Metairie early this morning. Sheriff Newell Normand says originally they were investigating a triple homicide and finding another body turns back the clock on the investigation…:
CUT 7 (07) “original scene”
He says another woman is in the hospital after calling 911 to report she’d bee shot in the head. Normand says it’s too early in the investigation to speculate about what exactly happened.

Today, State Police Superintendent Col. Mike Edmonson announced his plans to retire March 24. LSP is under investigation by multiple agencies after four troopers made taxpayer funded overnight stops in Las Vegas and the Grand Canyon while heading to a training conference in San Diego. Political analyst Clancy Dubos says all things considered, this announcement shouldn’t come as a surprise…:
Cut 9 (11) “make a change”
Edmonson issued a statement saying Governor John Bel Edwards did not ask him to step down.

Anyone who has questions for Governor John Bel Edwards will have the opportunity to speak with him this afternoon during his monthly call in radio show “Ask The Governor.” Edwards will be joined today by the Executive director of the Office of Community Development, Pat Forbes. You can hear the show on certain affiliates of the Louisiana Radio NEtwork beginning at 2pm and the call in number is 1-877-217-5757.

Jefferson Parish authorities found four people dead at an apartment complex in Metairie early this morning. Sheriff Newell Normand says when authorities arrived they found three people deceased and a woman shot in the face, who was transported to a local hospital. He says as deputies were canvasing the scene, a nearby apartment had an open door…:
Cut 6 (10) “of age”
He says it’s too early in the investigation to speculate about what exactly happened.

WBRZ is reporting that a teacher is accused of assaulting a student during school hours in East Feliciana Parish. They say Jaworski White was arrested Tuesday by Clinton Police and charged for allegedly slapping a student.

State Police Col Mike Edmonson announces he’s stepping down from his post as Superintendent of State Police. Edmonson says he decided it was in the best interests of the state that he retire on March 24th so that the governor and Louisiana can move forward. LSP has been the subject of controversy over allegations of taxpayer funded vacations and illegal campaign contributions involving the Louisiana State Troopers Association. Governor Edwards says that Edmonson’s retirement is the best approach for the department.

A replacement for the Affordable Care Act is at the forefront of issues in Washington right now, and one of Governor Edwards’ biggest concerns about the plan is that it would mean those covered under Medicaid expansion would lose their health insurance. But Republican Congressman Ralph Abraham of Richland Parish says most of the people on Medicaid work for employers who can’t afford it on their own…:
CUT 25 (11) “with this”

A Denham Springs contractor has been arrested after allegedly defrauding two Baton Rouge flood victims. BRPD Sgt. Don Coppola says 48-year-old Andrew Darian contacted two female victims, one of whom was 70-years-old, about doing work on their homes…:
Cut 3 (12) “from them”
Coppola says Darian’s charges include home improvement fraud, felony theft, misapplication of payment, and theft of assets of an aged person.

Rising sea levels are threatening the western side of Louisiana’s coast, according to a Tulane study. Co-author Torbjorn Tornqvist (Tor-bee-on Torn-quist) says they used data from the Coastal Restoration and Protection Authority to determine how fast the sea level is rising…:
Cut 15 (10) “the world”
He hopes officials take note of this issue because something needs to be done.

Sources say State Police Col. Mike Edmonson is expected to announce his retirement today, as several investigations into his agency are ongoing. Both the Governor’s Office and the Legislative Auditor are digging into LSP’s travel spending, while federal agents are looking into possible illegal campaign contributions involving the Louisiana State Troopers Association. Edmonson is the longest serving State Police Superintendent, spending 9 years at the helm.

A Tulane study finds the sea level is rising on Louisiana’s western coast four times faster than the global average. Co-author Torbjorn Tornqvist says that’s because sediment accumulation is not keeping up with the rising sea on the west side of Louisiana’s Gulf coast.

Cut 16 (11) “sea level rise”

He says if nothing is done, 60-percent of their sites on the westernmost coast will go underwater.

Healthcare is the big issue in Washington, as House Republicans are working on their plan to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act. Baton Rouge Congressman Garret Graves hopes to see policies in the bill that keep prescription costs down because right now they’re skyrocketing.

Cut 8 (10) “other countries”

Graves says the individual mandate requiring citizens to purchase insurance will also be removed.

Students in summer classes at Southeastern Louisiana University will enjoy lower tuition and new courses. Director of Marketing and Admissions Mike Rivault says the recommended course load is 15 hours a semester, but many students can’t take on that many classes.

Cut 13 (09) “as possible”

He says the new course offerings include hybrid courses that combine in class and online instruction.

State Police Col Mike Edmonson will reportedly announce his retirement this morning amid a series of probes into the department in recent weeks.

Anyone who has questions for Governor John Bel Edwards will have the opportunity to speak with him this afternoon during his monthly call in radio show “Ask The Governor.” Edwards will be joined today by the Executive director of the Office of Community Development, Pat Forbes.

In Washington, the matter of the Affordable Care Act is the big discussion this week. Republican Congressman Ralph Abraham of Richland Parish says eliminating the individual and employer mandates under Obamacare is also a key goal for the GOP…:
Cut 6 (11) “they can afford”
Democrats argue this would mean the loss of health insurance for millions.

The sea level is rising on Louisiana’s western coast at a rate that’s four times higher than the global average. Emelie Gunn has more…:
Cut 3 (30) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

Southeastern Louisiana University revamps its offerings for the summer semester by lowering tuition cost and adding high demanded courses. SLU spokesman Mike Rivault says the summer semester will provide the highest education value with the lowest cost of four-year colleges in south Louisiana…:
Cut 14 (10) “another university”

The big conversation dominating Washington this week is on healthcare. Baton Rouge Congressman Garret Graves says his biggest concern with the current Affordable Care Act is that it’s unaffordable. He says it’s the largest tax increase in US history, and…:
Cut 7 (11) “their doctors”
House and Senate Democrats said Tuesday they would be willing to work on health insurance reform but only if Republicans withdraw a proposal that would repeal Obamacare.

A Tulane study indicates rising sea levels are threatening the western side of Louisiana’s coast, and if something isn’t done more than 60 percent of the sites they track will go under water. Co-author Torbjorn Tornqvist (Tor-bee-on Torn-quist) says significant coastal restoration is the only hope, but…:
CUT 17 (11) “in the future”

The Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s office says three people are dead in a quadruple shooting incident in Metairie that sent another woman to the hospital. They say deputies arrived to find two males deceased in the kitchen of a residence and an additional female pronounced dead at the scene. The investigation into this incident is ongoing.

Charges are expected to be filed against a Westminster Christian Academy student who hung a noose at the school’s baseball field. Halen Doughty has more…:
Cut 2 (30) “I’m Halen Doughty”

Plans to replace the Affordable Care Act are dominating conversations in Washington. Jeff Palermo has more on the proposal…:
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Today Governor John Bel Edwards is schedule to cut the ribbon for the McKay Automotive Training Center at Baton Rouge Community College. Then he will appear on his monthly call in radio show, “Ask The Governor” beginning at 2pm. Edwards will be joined in studio today by special guest Pat Forbes, executive director of the Office of Community Development.

Arrests are anticipated in the case of a Westminster Christian Academy student who hung a noose at the school’s baseball field. St. Landry Parish Sheriff Bobby Guidroz says three white boys and three black boys, all teammates, got into a huge argument…:
CUT 10 (09) “we are today”
He says the only 18 year old in the group is accused of fashioning the noose which is a felony. But right now both victims and suspects are refusing to speak without attorneys.

Southeastern Louisiana University revamps its offerings for the summer semester by lowering tuition cost and adding high demanded courses. Director of Marketing and Admissions Mike Rivault says they wanted to have a wider variety of classes available for current students and students home for the summer from other universities…:
Cut 12 (10) “have risen”
For more information visit southeastern.edu/summersmart.

Healthcare is the big issue in Washington this week. Republican Congressman Ralph Abraham of Richland Parish feels federal lawmakers are heading in the right direction of repealing and replacing the Affordable Care Act….:
Cut 4 (11) “fix it”
But Democrats feel the GOP plan would cause millions of people to lose coverage, and older Americans see their premiums skyrocket.

Rising sea levels are threatening the western side of Louisiana’s coast, according to a Tulane study. Co-author Torbjorn Tornqvist (Tor-bee-on Torn-quist) says they used data from the Coastal Restoration and Protection Authority to determine how fast the sea level is rising…:
Cut 15 (10) “the world”
He says if nothing is done, more than 60-percent of the sites they track in the westernmost coast will go under water.

Three people are dead after a quadruple shooting in Metairie that also sent one person to the hospital, according to cops. The Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s office says the woman survivor called 911 reporting she had been shot in the head. When deputies arrived on the scene they found two males and a female dead on the scene.

Arrests are anticipated in the case of a Westminster Christian Academy student who hung a noose at the school’s baseball field. St. Landry Parish Sheriff Bobby Guidroz says three black boys were arguing with three white boys at the ball field last week when things escalated…:
Cut 9 (10) “a felony”
Guidroz says fashioning a hangman’s noose is a felony that carries a penalty of a $5-thousand fine and at least a year in jail.