The House is expected to vote on a bill today that would ban holding a cell phone while driving. Kelley Ray spoke with a proponent of the legislation.

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Kelley Ray.”

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A bill that would allow jurors to be told if a crash victim was wearing their seat belt will be heard in committee today. Jeff Palermo has more.

Cut 2 (28) I’m Jeff Palermo”

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A report from LSU’s Manship School says a majority of Louisianans trust their local media. Matt Doyle has more.

Cut 3 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

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Today is the final day to file your 2017 federal tax returns. A recent survey found 53-percent of Louisianans wait until the very end to do so, the most of any state.  Retired New Orleans CPA Ted Stacey says those who procrastinate can make costly mistakes as they rush to file, so asking for a six month extension is an option…

Cut 4  (12) “covers everything.” 

Stacey says there are several things that a taxpayer could overlook when rushing through it…

Cut 5  (11)  “can take.”

Since the federal tax overhaul, proponents have claimed that taxes can be done on paper the size of a postcard. Stacey says the reform should make it easier for everyone…

Cut 6 (08) “increased considerably.”

The final day the state will accept tax returns will be May 15^th.

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The full House takes up a bill on today that would prohibit you from holding a cell phone while driving. Jennifer Smith, the C-E-O of Stop-distractions-dot-org is pushing for this legislation…

Cut 7 (13)  “no cost.”

15 other states and Washington D.C. currently have a similar law. Smith says a reduction in crashes and cell phone use while driving have been noted in Oregon…

Cut 8 (11)  “the wheel.”

Opponents to the bill, claim they need access to their phones at all times while driving. Many note the map feature is something they use on a regular basis while behind the wheel. But Smith says that’s dangerous…

Cut 9 (08)  “deadly weapon.”

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A bill by Slidell Senator Sharon Hewitt that would allow civil court judges to decide whether or not juries are allowed to know whether or not a crash victim was wearing their seat belt is being heard in committee today. Hewitt says crashes involving people not wearing seat belts end up leading to heftier settlements.

Cut 10 (11) “of us”

The bill is backed by the National Federation of Independent businesses who says it’ll save business who employ drivers a good bit of money.

Hewitt says six out of seven drivers buckle up, which reduces bodily harm during crashes, saving every money. But for those who don’t…

Cut 11 (11) “that information”

Hewitt says civil law in crash lawsuits is currently convoluted.

Cut 12 (12) “seatbelt”

The bill will be heard in Senate Judiciary A

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A report from the Reilly Center at LSU’s Manship School says Louisianans have a pretty favorable view of their local media. 78 percent of those polled said they trust their local media’s information a lot, or some. Public Policy Research Lab Director Mike Henderson says local media also got high marks in getting the facts right.

Cut 13 (06)  “their reporting”

Local media scored much higher than the national media, where only 32 percent of those polled say they trust what they see.

But the numbers weren’t completely rosy. One third of respondents say they don’t trust their local media. Henderson says if you take a closer look, there’s a big trend.

Cut 14 (06) “republicans are”

Henderson says maintain trust between the media and public is critical for preserving our system of governance.

Cut 15 (10) “their decisions”

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The Pelicans can take a commanding two games to none series lead tonight when New Orleans faces Portland in Game 2 of their best of seven playoff series. Head Coach Alvin Gentry says its great to win Saturday, but the immediate goal is to advance to the Western Conference semifinals

Cut 16 (14) “basketball team”

New Orleans won Game 1 on Saturday night and have had two off days to get ready for tonight’s game. Gentry says he’ll take the extra rest….

Cut 17 (11)  “to us”

One reason for the Pelicans win on Saturday was the defense they played on the Trail Blazers starting back court. Damian Lillard and C-J McCollum combined to shoot 13 of 41 from the field. Gentry says it’s unlikely that will happen again

Cut 18 (20)  “to do”

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A solider died from a gunshot wound at his residence in Fort Polk last Thursday. Matt Doyle has more.

Cut 2 (25) “I’m Matt Doyle”

Congressman Steve Scalise underwent follow up surgery today, ten months after a gunman shot Scalise and several others while practicing for a charity softball game. Scalise’s office says he was in “excellent spirits” and will be hospitalized for several days.

Injured East Baton Rouge Parish sheriff’s deputy Nick Tullier is reportedly in ICU with pneumonia. His father James Tullier said on Facebook that the pneumonia could have been caused by a recent seizure but it was difficult to determine the exact cause.

A bill that would require 18-wheelers to be in the right hand lane while traveling on interstates through Baton Rouge from 4 to 7 PM weekdays passed the House Transportation Committee. Baton Rouge Representative Steve Carter says he’s trying to do something about the daily back-ups that happen in the capital city…

Cut 10 (10) “the problem.”

After three confirmed tornadoes touched down in Louisiana Saturday, National Weather Service forecasters are concerned as another strong cold front is expected to push through the state this next weekend. National Weather Service forecaster Donald Jones…

Cut 16  (10) “next weekend.”

The strongest tornado touched down in Lafayette Parish last Saturday.

The House Appropriations Committee has sent a bill to the House floor that makes cuts to higher education and health care, but fully funds TOPS and Go Grants…
voicer 1 (25) “…I’m Jim Shannon”

Governor John Bel Edwards was quick to express his opposition to the proposed spending plan. Edwards says TOPS should be fully funded, but so should public colleges, health care for seniors and the disabled and public-private hospitals. He says this budget document is not worth the paper it’s printed on and and it’s another reason why a special session is needed to replace expiring revenue.

Louisiana has some of the highest insurance rates in the country. Experts say one reason why is large settlements that are paid out in civil cases. Slidell Senator Sharon Hewitt has a bill that will be heard in Senate Committee on Tuesday afternoon that would give judges the authority to let juries know if a crash victim was not buckled up…..
cut 30 (11) “….that information”
Hewitt says it’s less likely a crash victim will receive a large settlement if it’s known their injuries could have been reduced if they were buckled up.

And the full House takes up a bill on Tuesday that would prohibit you from holding your cell phone while driving. Jennifer Smith, the C-E-O of Stop-distractions-dot-org is pushing for this legislation…
cut 7 (12) “…no cost”
The House convenes at 2 PM.

The House budget committee approves a spending plan that fully funds TOPS. State Representative Patricia Smith says the amendment to fully fund TOPS means public colleges would receive a 22 million dollar cut…
Cut 6 (:12) “connect”
Also included are steep cuts to healthcare. More changes in the budget are expected when the bill hits the House Floor on Thursday.

In an effort to improve traffic flow in Baton Rouge, a House committee passed a bill that requires 18-wheelers to stay in the right lane from 4 to 7 PM every weekday while traveling on the interstate in East Baton Rouge. The author of the bill is Representative Steve Carter….
cut 13 (11) “…try anything”
The measure heads to the House floor for more discussion.

The severe weather that moved through the state Friday night and Saturday morning claimed the life of an infant child in Bossier Parish. Sheriff’s office spokesperson, Lt. Bill Davis….
cut 8 (09) “…the RV”
In Acadiana, the National Weather Service confirms the strong cold front produced three tornadoes. Donald Jones with the National Weather Service in Lake Charles says some damage was reported with the E-F two tornado in Lafayette Parish near Carencro….
cut 15 (09) “…the interstate”
No injuries were reported.

Louisiana Congressman and House Majority Whip Steve Scalise is back in the hospital for a series of planned surgeries on the gunshot wound he suffered during last summer’s shooting attack. He’s expected to remain hospitalized for several days and his doctors say he’s already eager to return to work.

The House Appropriations Committee approves a budget that would fully fund TOPS, but health programs and money for partner hospitals would be cut. Baton Rouge Representative Patricia Smith doesn’t like the idea of fully funding TOPS at the risk of negatively impacting a sick person…
cut 5 (11) “…not die”
The budget will be discussed by the full House on Thursday.

In an effort to combat the significant traffic problems in Baton Rouge, the House Transportation Committee approved legislation that says 18-wheelers can only use the right lanes of the interstate in East Baton Rouge every weekday from 4 to 7 PM. Maria Bowen from the Louisiana Motor Transporat Association testifed against the legislation…
cut 12 (10) “…major towns”
The measure heads to the House floor for more discussion.

The National Weather Service confirms three tornadoes touched down in Acadiana Saturday morning. Parishes affected included Lafayette, St. Landry and St. Mary Parish, with the strongest tornado touching down north of Carencro. National Weather Service Lake Charles Meteorologist Donald Jones they varied in intensity…
Cut 14 (12) “Mary Parish.”
Debris clean up is also ongoing in the northern parts of Bossier Parish. Most of the damage occurred just north of I-20 near Red Chute. Bossier Sheriff spokesperson Lt. Bill Davis…
Cut 7 (10) “their land”
Also, a two-year-old was killed in Haughton when a tree fell on her mobile home.

The House Appropriations Committee sends a budget to the full House that fully funds TOPS and Go Grants, but makes cuts to higher education and health care. Jim Shannon has more…

Cut 1 (25) “I’m Jim Shannon”

The full House will likely make changes to the proposed spending plan on Thursday.

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A solider died from a gunshot wound at his residence in Fort Polk last Thursday. Matt Doyle has more.

Cut 2 (25) “I’m Matt Doyle”

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The House Appropriations Committee approves a budget that fully funds TOPS.  The Revenue Estimating Committee recognized 346- million in new revenues and 233-million dollars of that would go towards TOPS under this proposal. New Orleans Representative Walt Leger says the TOPS funding proposal gives students false hope, but because he anticipates amendments to reduce TOPS funding….

Cut 3 (:06) “been removed”

Governor John Bel Edwards released a statement saying “TOPS is absolutely a priority, and should be fully funded, but so should higher education institutions, and healthcare.”

Baton Rouge Representative Franklin Foil authored the amendment to fully fund TOPS….

Cut 4 (09) “I voted.”

But Baton Rouge representative Pat Smith says health care will take a hit in the process which is not good.

Cut 5  (:11) “not die.”

Smith says the amendment to fully fund TOPS means public colleges would receive a 22 million dollar cut in funding.

Cut 6 (:12)  “doesn’t connect.”

More changes in the budget are expected when the bill hits the House Floor on Thursday.

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Clean up is underway in Bossier Parish after some nasty weather trashed the northern part of the parish on Saturday. Most of the damage occurred just north of  I-20 near Red Chute. Bossier Sheriff spokesperson Lt. Bill Davis says a tornado tore through a town just outside of Bossier City.

Cut 7 (10)  “their land”

Debris pickup is now underway in the affected areas. Unfortunately, there was one fatality. Davis says Carli Ortiz, an infant, died at mobile home park in Haughton…

Cut 8 (09) “the RV.”

Davis says life, for the most part, is back to normal in Bossier Parish. He says it was inspiring to see the community come together after the storm whipped the area.

Cut 9 (08) “as possible”

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A bill that would require 18-wheelers to be in the right hand lane while traveling on interstates through Baton Rouge from 4 to 7 PM weekdays passed the House Transportation Committee. Baton Rouge Representative Steve Carter says he’s trying to do something about the daily back-ups that happen in the capital city…

Cut 10 (10) “the problem.”

Lobbyist Maria Bowen representing the Louisiana Motor Transport Association, is against the measure. She says even though forcing truck drivers into the right lane may have some benefits, the poor infrastructure in place in Baton Rouge negates any positives. She cited a 2008 study…

Cut 11 (12) “Rouge Parish.”

Bowen says Interstates were designed to handle heavy transport traffic, not commuters to and from work, which leaves too many drivers and not enough interstates…

Cut 12 (10)   “major towns.”

Carter acknowledged an infrastructure improvement to I-10 from the Mississippi River bridge to the 10/12 split, but is afraid it’s too little too late…

Cut 13 (11) “try anything.”

The bill now moves to the full House.

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The National Weather Service confirms three tornadoes touched down in Acadiana Saturday morning. Parishes affected included Lafayette, St. Landry and St. Mary Parish, with the strongest tornado touching down north of Carencro. National Weather Service Lake Charles Meteorologist Donald Jones they varied in intensity…

Cut 14 (12)  “Mary Parish.”

Jones says some damage was reported with the EF-2 tornado in Lafayette Parish near Carencro…

Cut 15 (09) “the interstate.”

National Weather Service forecasters are already concerned as another strong cold front will move through the Pelican State this weekend…

Cut 16  (10) “next weekend.”

The House Appropriations Committee passes a proposed spending plan for next fiscal year that calls for the TOPS scholarship program to be fully funded. Baton Rouge Representative Franklin Foil’s amendment was approved on an 18-6 vote…
cut 4 (09) “…I voted”
Governor John Bel Edwards says this proposed budget has no chance of becoming law, because it makes large cuts to public collleges, health care for seniors and the disabled and cuts funding to medical schools.

Baton Rouge is known for its bad traffic. The House Transportation Committee approved legislation requiring 18-wheelers to drive in the right lane on interstates in the capital city from 4 to 7 PM every weekday. Louisiana Motor Transport Association lobbyist Maria Bowen says this proposed law will make it difficult on truckers
cut 11 (12) “…Rouge Parish”
Despite opposition, the bill heads to the House floor.

A solider died from a gunshot wound at his residence in Fort Polk last Thursday. Matt Doyle has more.
Cut 2 (25) “I’m Matt Doyle”

Parts of Bossier Parish are cleaing up from a tornado that killed a small child at a Haughton mobile home park. There was scattered damage throughout Caddo and Bossier parishes, but Bossier Sheriff’s office spokesperson, Lt. Bill Davis, says it’s been inspiring to see the community come together…
cut 9 (08) “…as possible”

The House Appropriations Committee approves a budget that fully funds TOPS. Baton Rouge representative Pat Smith says the amendment to fully fund TOPS means public colleges would receive a 22 million dollar cut in funding.

Cut 6 (:12)  “fully funded.”

Also included are steep cuts to healthcare, but More changes in the budget are expected when the bill hits the House Floor on Thursday.

Clean up is underway in Bossier Parish after some nasty weather trashed the northern part of the parish on Saturday. Bossier Sheriffs Officer Lt. Bill Davis says unfortunately, Carli Ortiz, an infant, passed away during the event.

Cut 8 (09) “the RV.”

State officials have talked about spending billions of dollars on redirecting sediment carried by the Mississippi River to rebuild the state’s vanishing coast. However, a study out of Tulane says the diversions will produce new land, but not fast enough. Lead author of the report Elizabeth Chamberlain says it’s important the river diversions are positioned in the right areas.

Cut 14 (10) “of marshes”

A bill that would require 18-wheelers to be in the right hand lane while traveling on interstates through Baton Rouge from 4 to 7 PM weekdays passed the House Transportation Committee. Baton Rouge Representative Steve Carter says its common sense to anyone who’s had to drive on the interstate during rush hour.

Cut 10 (07) “anywhere”

The House Appropriations Committee sends a budget to the full House that fully funds TOPS and Go Grants, but makes cuts to higher education and health care. Jim Shannon has more…
voicer 1 (25) “…..I’m Jim Shannon”
The full House will likely make changes to the proposed spending plan on Thursday.

U-S Army officials announce an investigation is underway into a fatal shooting that happened at a residence at Fort Polk. Private Jacob Malcolm of West Virginia was pronounced dead on Thursday night by the Vernon Parish coroner. He was only 18 years old. The U-S Army Criminal Investigation Command is investigating the circumstances of his death.

Clean up is underway in Bossier Parish after some nasty weather trashed the northern part of the parish on Saturday. Most of the damage occurred just north of I-20 near Red Chute. Bossier Sheriff spokesperson Lt. Bill Davis says a tornado tore through a town just outside of Bossier City.
Cut 7 (10) “their land”
Debris pickup is now underway in the affected areas.

The LSU Tigers scored six runs in the bottom of the 9th for a stunning 9-7 walk off victory over Tennessee. Daniel Cabrera set off a wild celebration at home plate with a three-run bomb into the right field bleachers..
Cut 19 (05) “…my life”