No major legislation has been passed to solve the state’s problems as Louisiana is halfway through the legislative session. Emelie Gunn reports one state capitol reporter has never seen anything like this…:
Cut 3 (31) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

Today is tax day in Louisiana. State Department of Revenue Secretary Kimberly Robinson reminds taxpayers that if you miss the deadline to pay or file returns, you could face some charges…:
Cut 6 (10) “25%”
You can file and pay online at revenue.louisiana.gov.

The controversial bill designed to protect war monuments in Louisiana gets heard by the full House today. Franklinton Senator Beth Mizell says this measure is a response to the Confederate statues being removed in New Orleans, but these veterans’ blood was shed for the country as a whole…:
Cut 11 (08) “larger cause”
But Baton Rouge Representative Denise Marcelle says the local government in New Orleans has voted to take down these statues, and this bill is about usurping the authority of the local municipalities…:
Cut 12 (10) “we slide”
The measure narrowly passed in committee on a 10-8 vote.

Attorney General Jeff Landry is holding a news conference in Lafayette today to highlight a new initiative in the state’s efforts to fight opioid abuse, misuse, and overdose. The AG will speak on the matter at the Lafayette Parish Sheriff’s Office beginning at 10am.

The full House takes up the controversial bill aimed at protecting Louisiana’s confederate monuments. Halen Doughty has more…:
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Louisiana support for President Donald Trump is split along party and racial lines, according to a Southern Media and Opinion Research survey. Pollster Bernie Pinsonat says Republicans really like the President with 91 percent giving him a favorable approval rating…:
Cut 7 (08) “and party”

Republicans at the state Capitol don’t seem to want to work with the governor when it comes to ways to fix budget problems, and as a result not much as been done to address the deficit. That’s according to Jim Beam, retired editor of the Lake Charles American Press who has covered the legislature for decades. He says a cooperative attitude among lawmakers just isn’t there this year…:
Cut 15 (10) “major legislation”
The session must end June 8th.

Baton Rouge Police are dealing with a big mystery in the death of the star quarterback of McKninley Senior High just days away before Bryant Lee was slated to graduate with honors. Cops say one of the biggest issues they are dealing with is that there were over a hundred people at a party the 18-year-old was attending when he was shot in the head, but almost no one is talking. A motive has not yet been determined. Anyone with information on this incident is urged to contact authorities.

The regular legislative session has passed the halfway mark and not much has been accomplished when it comes to solving the state’s problems. That’s according to Jim Beam, retired editor of the Lake Charles American Press, who has covered the capitol for decades, and says he’s never seen anything like it. Beam blames partisan politics, especially in the House Ways and Means Committee…:
Cut 14 (11) “good legislation”
Beam says what makes this so frustrating is the next time lawmakers can raise revenues during a regular session is in 2019.

Today is the last day for residents to file their 2016 Louisiana individual income tax returns, which you can do online at revenue.louisiana.gov…:
Cut 4 (10) “they day”
That’s state Department of Revenue Secretary Kimberly Robinson.

Today the state House takes up a controversial bill aimed at protecting Louisiana’s confederate monuments. Debates quickly became heated in committee, where the measure narrowly passed on a 10-8 vote. Retired US Air Force Col. Rob Maness says these monuments are not about some long-lived racial issue…:
Cut 10 (09) “be honored”
A monument supporter told black lawmakers it’s time to grow up and get over it. But Baton Rouge Representative Denise Marcelle says that’s an insult to the African American community…:
Cut 13 (09) “monuments up”
The bill would prohibit the removal of any military monument from any war without approval from a majority of voters.

According to the National Retail Federation’s annual survey, Mother’s Day spending is expected to reach an all-time high.
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Governor John Bel Edwards gave the commencement address at LSU yesterday, where a university record was broke as 4,163 students graduated. Edwards told the grads it’s great of an honor it is to stand before the class of 2017 as the governor, but he had his eyes on another job…
Cut 10 (09) “Orgeron”

A 35-year-old man is facing three counts of attempted first degree murder after shooting at law enforcement during a standoff in Avoyelles Parish. State Trooper Scott Moreau says Brandon Carpenter of Elizabeth barricaded himself inside a Moreauville home and he began firing at officers during negotiations.
Cut 3 (12) “flying debris”

The trooper shot has been identified as 26-year-old Nick Ducote. Ducote has been with LSP for over two years and is expected to make a full recovery.

A Village of Tangipahoa crash took the lives of two people, including former Mayor and retired NFL player Michael Dyson. State Police Trooper Dustin Dwight says 48-year old Dyson was riding on his motorcycle at a high rate of speed when he hit Destiny Gordon’s vehicle.
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The National Retail Federal finds consumers are spending more than even on Mom for this Mother’s day. The survey found 56 percent of consumers plan to spend a combined $4 billion on special outings like dinner or brunch, and 69 percent of consumers will buy over $2 billion in flowers. NRF Spokesperson Anna Serafin Smith says a lot of moms are hoping to get some sparkle on their special day.

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Other popular items include clothing, electronics, and gift cards

The food delivery app, Waitr, is opening a permanent facility in Lafayette. Waitr CEO Chris Meaux says when they opened its initial Lafayette site at the Opportunity Machine, supported by the Lafayette Economic Development Authority, it allowed them to focus on their growth without worrying about the details.
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Governor John Bel Edwards spoke at the commencement ceremony for the graduating LSU class of 2017.
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An accident in St. Gabriel between an ambulance and truck sent all involved to the hospital. Just before 9 o’clock last night, on Highway 30, an ambulance with its sirens and lights on collided with a pickup truck. St. Gabriel Police Chief Kevin Ambeau credits the crash to power outages which affected traffic signals. Two medics and the driver of the truck were transported to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries and one person was extracted from the ambulance.

The National Retail Federation finds consumers are going to spend more than ever on Mother’s day this year. NRF spokesperson Anna Serafin Smith says 85 percent of consumers plan to celebrate the holiday and spend a total of over $23 billion. She says in the survey’s 14 years, that’s a record high.
Cut 12 (07) “Mother’s Day”

The survey finds 56 percent of consumers plan to spend a combined $4 billion on special outings like dinner or brunch.

Governor John Bel Edwards spoke before LSU graduates yesterday as 4, 163 students received degrees, a record number for the university. Edwards says this class also sets records for diversity.
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State Police says a crash in the Villiage of Tangipahoa took the lives of two people, including the former Mayor and retired NFL player Michael Dyson. Trooper Dustin Dwight says 48-year-old Dyson was riding his motorcycle down US 51 at a high rate of speed.
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Dwight says although Dyson was wearing a DOT approved helmet and Gordon was wearing her seat belt, both died in the collision.

The food delivery app, Waitr, is growing its presence in Lafayette, as it’s opening its own permanent facility. Waitr CEO Chris Meaux says moving into their own facility will create new jobs in the Lafayette area.
Cut 6 (12) “400 employees”

Governor John Bel Edwards gave the commencement address for LSU’s graduating Class of 2017, as the school handed out a record 4,163 degrees. Edwards says this class also sets records for diversity.

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Edwards encouraged the grads to live with heart, with purpose, and with passion.

Waitr is growing its presence in Lafayette, as the food delivery app is opening its own permanent facility. Waitr CEO Chris Meaux says moving into their own facility will create new jobs in the Lafayette area.

Cut 6 (12) “400 employees”

A crash in Tangipahoa left two people dead. State Trooper Dustin Dwight says Destiny Alexus Gordon backed out of parking space in to the path of former NFL player Michael Dyson, who was on a motorcycle.

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Both died at the scene.

An Avoyelles Parish man is behind bars on attempted murder charges following a standoff with police officers. State Trooper Scott Moreau says Brandon Carpenter barricaded himself inside a residence and fired at officers. He says Carpenter was taken into custody after the standoff that left three officers wounded.

Cut 4 (12) “may be likely”
Carpenter is reportedly an Army veteran who suffers from PTSD.