The mass shooting in south Florida that left 17 dead has reignited the debate over school safety. Jeff Palermo has the story.
Cut 2 (31) “I’m Jeff Palermo”.

Baton Rouge Police arrested one of their own officers and charged him with negligent homicide and speeding. Authorties say 28-year-old Christopher Manual was off-duty on October 12th when his Corvette attempted to make a U-Turn and slammed into a Nissan. A one-year-old child in that Nissan died and Manuel was booked today.

Ruston Police say a school bus filled with elementary students struck and killed a man who was sitting in the middle of a street. Chief Deputy Clint Williams says the pedestrian was pronounced dead at the scene.
Cut 6 (10) “schools unharmed.”
Williams says they do not know why the man was sitting in the street.

Shreveport Police believe they may have the person in custody, who was using a baseball bat to steal purses from elderly women. Spokesperson Angie Willhite says they had to arrest 32-year-old Mario Roberson twice. Willhite says their Robbery Task Force Unit was interviewing Roberson, when he gave officers the slip…
Cut 3 (08) “into custody.”
Police say during the first arrest, Roberson was in possession of the items reported stolen in recent weeks. No word of if they’ve been able to confiscate any bats.

Debates are raging about school safety in the wake of the Florida school shooting that left 17 people dead. While much of the debate has centered on the weapon used, Louisiana Association of Educators President Deborah Meaux says schools need to be investing more in social work programs to help troubled students.

Cut 7 (11)  “administrative assistants.”

But Louisiana Federation of Teachers President Larry Carter says when state budget cuts come in, one of the first things on the chopping block tends to be social work programs.

Cut 9 (07) “for students”

A couple of school students have been arrested.  An 11-year-old juvenile was arrested after making a false statements about a gun at Raintree Elementary school in Baldwin and 17-year-old Matthias Dampier of Alexandria was taken into custody after bringing a pellet gun to Bolton High School in Alexandria.

Shreveport police believe they may have the person who has been robbing elderly women, but they had to catch him twice after he escaped during the investigation.    Spokesperson Angie Willhite says 32-year-old Mario Roberson was in the alleged possession of many of the items reported stolen and faces additional charges for the second arrest…

Cut 4 (07) “a vehicle.”

Baton Rouge Police Cpl. Shane Totty is home after spending nearly a week in a hospital after he was shot in the face allegedly by Eugene Thomas after he was pulled over by Totty.    McKneely says he hopes there isn’t a long recovery period for Totty…

(Cut 15) (04) “to BRPD.”

Thomas is charged with four counts of attempted first degree murder, attempted first degree murder of a police officer and a felon in possession of a firearm.  Bond was set at 650-thousand-dollars.

Starting today, Louisiana is collecting more taxes from your paycheck. It’s because the state constitution requires the Louisiana revenue department to adjust the amount of money employers withhold from paychecks for state taxes, when the federal income tax code is changed…
cut 12 (07) “…to do”
That’s Baton Rouge area CPA Brandon LaGarde who says the federal tax break still outweighs the increase in the amount of state taxes taken out.

Ruston Police are investigating a school bus accident involving a pedestrian, who was killed while sitting in the middle of a street. Chief Deputy Clint Williams says the Lincoln Parish school bus driver didn’t see the pedestrian, who was pronounced dead at the scene. Williams says hope someone knows why he was there…
Cut 5 (05) “a call.”
None of the students were injured and the bus driver was not cited

Shreveport Police had to catch a man twice who may be connected in robbing elderly women with a bat. Jim Shannon has more…
Voicer 1 (30) “I’m Jim Shannon.”

The Baton Rouge police officer shot Sunday night by a man described as mentally ill left the hospital today. Sgt. L’Jean McKneely says the department is thrilled Corpoarl Shane Totty is home…
Cut 14 (10) “worked out.”
Doctors say he should fully recover.

Louisiana Radio Network, I’m Matt Doyle

A Florida shooting that left 17 dead has reignited the debate over school safety. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 2 (31) “I’m Jeff Palermo”.

Ruston Police are investigating a fatal school bus accident involving a pedestrian, who was killed while sitting in the middle of a street. Chief Deputy Clint Williams says The pedestrian was pronounced dead at the scene.

Cut 6  (10)  “schools unharmed.”

Louisiana Radio Network

Louisiana is taking more taxes out of workers’ paychecks. The state constitution allows for it, if the federal government lowers their tax brackets, which they did last month. The state tax wage adjustment is automatic as it is built into the Louisiana Constitution.  Baton Rouge area CPA Brandon LaGarde says it won’t be that drastic of a change, and that it’s not related to your employer

Cut 11 (07) “a paycheck.”

LaGarde says the federal tax break outweighs the state’s updated tax withholding tables, meaning you still take home more than you did last year.

The East Ascension High School administration and law enforcement alerted parents that a potentially threating person was removed from the school after making threats. The person is currently under supervision, and the incident is being investigated by the Gonzales Police Department. The Administration says the school is currently safe, and no lockdown is in place, and class is continuing as usual. Police will have an increased presence on the grounds until further notice.

Louisiana Radio Network

We are learning more about Nikolas Cruz, the 19-year-old accused of fatally shooting 17 people at a south Florida school this week. Authorities say Cruz was a troubled person with noted mental health issues. Louisiana Association of Educators President Debbie Meaux says a robust counseling program could have identified those problems as a possible indicator of trouble…
cut 8 (09) “….they need”
Louisiana Federation of Teachers President Larry Carter says along with an increased investment in counseling programs, we need to take a look at improving the layout of schools to improve security.
Cut 10 (08) “those buildings”
Authorities say a student was removed from East Ascension High School because of a potential threat. The school system sent a message to parents that says there is no active threat or campus lock down. The Gonzales Police Department is investigating.

Shreveport Police believe they may have the person in custody, who was using a baseball bat to steal the purses of older women. Spokesperson Angie Willhite says they had to arrest 32-year-old Mario Roberson twice. Willhite says their Robberty Task Force Unit was interviewing Roberson, when he gave officers the slip…
Cut 3 (08) “into custody.”
Police say during the first arrest, Roberson was in possession of many of the items that have been reported stolen in recent weeks.

Ruston Police are trying to figure out why a pedestrian was killed while sitting in the middle of a street.  Police Department Chief Deputy Clint Williams says a Lincoln Parish school bus was turning, when the bus driver struck the pedestrian.The driver didn’t see the person.  The pedestrian was pronounced dead at the scene.  Williams says they are hoping someone knows why he was there…

Cut 5  (12)  “continuing on.”

The bus was nearly full with elementary aged students, but Williams says they weren’t hurt…

Some crawfish crazies are heating up over the higher prices and smaller size of the crop this year. LSU Ag Center Professor Greg Lutz says suppliers aren’t trying to rip you off, farmers are just having a hard time finding enough crop after the historic winter to justify pulling their traps.

Lutz says if you don’t want to pay the inflated prices, give it a few weeks, the cost of a boil should be returning to normal.

Cut 12 (08) “normal supply”

A man wanted in one of the three mardi gras day murders is a student at Louisiana Tech according to New Orleans police. Eddie Dingle is accused of a second degree murder that occurred late Tuesday afternoon on St. Charles Ave. Louisiana Tech has issued a statement to students encouraging them to contact law enforcement if they see Dingle in Ruston.

The Young Leadership Council partnered with ArcGNO this carnival season to collect beads and recyclables on the parade routes through uptown New Orleans. After a Nola.com story revealed that the city removed more than 64 tons of beads from a five block stretch of St. Charles, YLC Recycles Project Leader Hannah Kincannon says it’s a public safety issue.

Cut 8 (11) “year round.”

Congressman Ralph Abraham says too much money from the Revitalize Rural America Act is not going to the right places.   Kelley Ray has a look…

Cut 1 (31) “I’m Kelley Ray.”

In Lincoln parish Ruston police are working a fatal school bus crash that killed a pedestrian this morning. When officers arrived at the scene they learned the victim had been sitting in the middle of the street when he was struck by the bus. The driver reportedly did not see the male seated on the m. street. No word yet on the identity of the victim. No one on the fully loaded bus was injured.

The woman whos body was found earlier this week in maurepas reportedly was beaten to death. 19-year old Emily Rodgers was found dead in a wooded area near maurepas. Three men have been charged in the incident with bonds set at 300 thousand dollars each. The coroner’s report says blunt force trauma was the cause of death.

It’s the opening day for college baseball around the country. LSU’s Paul Mainieri begins his 12th season as the head coach of the Tigers tonight as the Bayou Bengals host Notre Dame. Mainieri says opening day always brings out some anxiety, because there are a lot of unknowns…

Cut 18 (15) “don’t know.”

Richland Parish Congressman Ralph Abraham has introduced a bill to allow rural communities direct access to more than two-billion-dollars in FAST ACT grant funding.  The money can be used to build better highways, bridges and utilities including broadband internet.  Abraham says the money is available for these projects but current FAST ACT dollars are not making it to rural Louisiana…

One example Abraham cites is the 70-year-old Tallulah water plant.  The plant broke down twice during the recent harsh winter weather and needs to be repaired.  His bill would allow local governments to apply for FAST ACT dollars without much red tape…

He says the legislation would redirect money currently earmarked for beautification and recreation programs.  The Congressman says no one should see brown water coming out of their water faucets while the money is being used to build urban bike trails and botanical gardens.  Abraham says there’s support for his legislation…

Cut 6 (03)  “it now.”

Some crawfish crazies are heating up over the higher prices and smaller size of the crop this year. LSU Ag Center Professor Greg Lutz says suppliers aren’t trying to rip you off, farmers are just having a hard time finding enough crop after the historic winter to justify pulling their traps.

Lutz says the crawfish survived the winter just fine, but the little fellas are just taking some extra time to develop.

Lutz says if you don’t want to pay the inflated prices, give it a few weeks, the cost of a boil should be returning to normal.

Cut 12 (08) “normal supply”

Five students from Nicholls State University attending the Chef John Folse Culinary Institute will get a once in a lifetime trip to France to learn from culinary minds at Institut Paul Bocuse (Bo-cuse).   Nicholls State has been involved in the program for the last 12 years and Chef Instructor Randy Chermaie says the culinary institute doesn’t let everybody in…

The students will not be just traveling looking at all the sights.  Chermaie says they will be involved in an intense four month program learning from top rated chefs who have earned the distinction of being the best in the world…

Chermanie says those who attend this specialized training will never be able to look at food the same way again…

Cut 15 (12) “for it .” (2X)

The students will leave for France in May. The four from Louisiana include Austin Babineaux, Logan Boudreaux, Kyong Han and Ashle Turnipseed.

The Young Leadership Council partnered with ArcGNO this carnival season to collect beads and recyclables on the parade routes through uptown New Orleans. After a Nola.com story revealed that the city removed more than 64 tons of beads from a five block stretch of St. Charles, YLC Recycles Project Leader Hannah Kincannon says it’s a public safety issue.

YLC works to make New Orleans events greener and more sustainable. Kincannon says they worked with ArcGNO to find a home for the tons beads collected.

Cut 8 (11) “year round.”

ArcGNO workers will clean and sort the beads, which will be sold back to parade krewes next Mardi Gras season.

Kincannon says About 200 people worked the ground, passing out recycling and collection bags over the programs two weekends. She says they’d to see more volunteers out helping next year.

Kincannon says two and a half tons of Mardi Gras beads were collected on the first day alone.