The state has activated its crisis action team as another round of severe weather is expected to impact the state. Michael Farrar tells us about this latest storm system….

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Michael Farrar”

Individuals suffering from Parkinson’s Disease, chronic pain, severe muscle spasms and P-T-S-D would be able to receive a prescription for medical marijuana under legislation that was approved by the full House. The bill is sponsored by Baton Rouge Representative Ted James…

Cut 13 (07)  “enjoyable”

The proposed Federal Farm bill contains work requirements for able-bodied 18 to 59-year-olds who receive SNAP benefits. A beneficiary would have to work or  enrolled in a work training program at least 20 hours a week. Republican Congressman Ralph Abraham says the requiement will filter out persons who choose to take advantage of the welfare system…

Cut 4  (12) “to do.” 

The legislature may form an officer involved task force to determine if any laws should be made to handle those situations. The issue is a direct response to the Alton Sterling shooting in Baton Rouge. Baton Rouge Representative Denise Marcelle is proposing the measure.

The state has activated its crisis action team as another round of severe weather is expected to impact the state. Michael Farrar tells us about this latest storm system….

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Michael Farrar”

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The largest free outdoor festival in Louisiana begins today. Kelley Ray on the 47^th Annual Ponchatoula Strawberry Festival.

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Kelley Ray.”

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The state House passes a bill that expands the list of conditions that a patient can legally be prescribed medical marijuana. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 3 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

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The proposed Federal Farm bill contains work requirements for able-bodied 18 to 59-year-olds who receive SNAP benefits. A beneficiary would have to work or  enrolled in a work training program at least 20 hours a week. Republican Congressman Ralph Abraham says the requiement will filter out persons who choose to take advantage of the welfare system…

Cut 4  (12) “to do.” 

Exemptions would be given to caretakers with children under six-years-old, pregnant women and those mentally or physically disabled. Abraham says the work requirement is not intended to harm individuals, the goal is to help break the cycle of poverty and help people climb the economic ladder…

Cut 5  (07)  “to employment.”

Abraham realizes there are some who can’t find work. He hopes this bill will provide recipients with the tools they need to become productive citizens in their communities…

Cut 6 (10) “their lifestyle.”

The Democratic National Committee is against the bill, saying Republicans are imposing unproven requirements limiting access to SNAP, forcing over five-million food-stamp recipients to stricter work requirements.

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The northern half of the state is under a slight to enhanced risk of severe weather today and the risk for severe storms shifts to southeast Louisiana for tomorrow. State Climatologist Barry Keim says there’s a good chance we’ll see a few tornado warnings today…

Cut 7 (05)  “convective activity”

Keim says a strong cold front that will once again bring us chilly air for the weekend will begin firing off storms this weekend…

Cut 8 (07)  “definitely there”

Keim says this powerful system is capable of producing large hail, strong winds and twisters. He says flash flooding is also a concern

Cut 9 (10)  “rainfall amounts”

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The largest free outdoor festival in Louisiana, the 47th Ponchatoula Strawberry Festival is expected to draw up to 300-thousand people this weekend. There will be food, music and rides for everyone to enjoy. Spokesperson Donald Lanier says the carnival style rides they have this year are grown up…

Cut 10 (10) “for them.”

Lanier says since there is no cover charge, it has led to a very successful outdoor festival year after year…

Cut 11 (10) “we’re at.”

So if you are bored and don’t know what to do, Lanier invites everyone to Ponchatoula for a full weekend of fun…

Cut 12 (10) “to sell.”

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Individuals suffering from Parkinson’s Disease, chronic pain, severe muscle spasms and P-T-S-D would be able to receive a prescription for medical marijuana under legislation that was approved by the full House. The bill is sponsored by Baton Rouge Representative Ted James…

Cut 13 (07)  “enjoyable”

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The House Health and Welfare committee heard hours of testimony on a statewide smoking ban that would include casino’s and bars. The bill by Opelousas Democrat Dustin Miller was voluntarily yanked, so he can work on the language of the measure. If passed it would virtually ban smoking in just about every public building in the state. Wade Duty represents casinos.

Cut 11 (:09) “the water”

Reagan Carter is a member of the Louisiana Public Health coalition who supports the bill.

Cut 14 (11)   “step outside”

Miller says he will bring the bill with the revised language back in two weeks.

The fiscal cliff is smaller, as the state’s Revenue Estimating Conference has lowered the budget shortfall from 994-million to 648-million-dollars…

Cut 1 (27) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Winn Parish Sheriff’s deputies were met with gun fire trying to serve a civil warrant in the Chee Chee Dam area. 71-year-old Betty Lemoine was killed by deputies who had just driven up to their home. State Police Trooper Scott Moreau says her son 50 year old Kendall Lemoine was the target of a civil arrest warrant…

Cut 4 (12) “critical condition.”

The revenue shortfall the state is facing has declined from 994-million-dollars to 648-million-dollars, as a result of the state collecting more income taxes due to the federal tax overhaul. House Speaker Taylor Barras says the extra money would likely go for higher education and the TOPS program…

Cut 5  (13) “dollar range.”

Governor Edwards proposes using the additional 346-million-dollars to be used for several programs including 25-million-dollars to fully restore the higher education budget, 50-million-dollars going towards TOPS, 20-million for Sheriff Departments to house inmates and another 20-million for the D.O.C. Remaining funds would go to health care programs, senior citizen programs and other state projects.

A bill by Opelousas Democrat Dustin Miller to ban smoking in casinos and bars was voluntarily yanked, so he can work on the language of the measure. Opponents were concerned the bill is too broad and would ban smoking in all public buildings. Cardiologist Brent Rochon testified in favor…

Cut 12 (:10)   “the smoke”

Lobbyist Alton Ashy says this legislation will have a negative impact of video poker halls…

Cut 13 (10) “your decision”

Reagan Carter, a member of the Louisiana Public Health coalition also testified in favor of the bill. Miller says he’s expecting to bring the bill back with the revised language in two weeks.

Legislation that would prohibit smoking inside bars and casinos statewide failed to get out of the House Health and Welfare Committee today. Jim Shannon has more..
Cut 2 (30) “I’m Jim Shannon”

The F-B-I is now offering a five-thousand dollar reward for information leading to a missing four-year-old child in Claiborne Parish. Authorities have been looking for Junior Phillips since he went missing on April 5th. Ponds near his home were searched, but turned up nothing. A vigil for the little boy will take place tonight.

The fiscal cliff is smaller, but there is still a sizable revenue shortfall for next fiscal year. The Revenue Estimating Conference lowered the budget deficit from nearly 1-billion dollars to 648-million dollars. House Speaker Taylor Barras anticipates the House will approve a budget next week that will contain over 600-million dollars in cuts…
cut 6 (10 ) “…pass it”
Governor Edwards is pushing legislators to end the regular session early, so a special session can be called to address the fiscal cliff.

For the second time in the last five months, a family from Acadiana has claimed a Powerball jackpot prize. Lousiana Lottery spokesperson Kim Chopin says an attorney came in this week to claim a 56-million dollar prize that was won by a Lafayette family and last fall they had a winner from Eunice…
cut 10 (07) “…that area”

The House Health and Welfare committee heard hours of testimony on a statewide smoking ban that would include casinos and bars. The bill by Opelousas Democrat Dustin Miller was voluntarily yanked, so he can work on the language of the measure. If passed it would virtually ban smoking in just about every public building in the state. Wade Duty represents casinos.

Cut 11 (:09) “the water”
Reagan Carter is a member of the Louisiana Public Health coalition who supports the bill.

Cut 14 (11) “step outside”
Miller says he will bring the bill back in two weeks.

Winn Parish Sheriff’s deputies were met with gun fire when they were trying to serve a civil warrant in the small community of the Chee Chee Dam area yesterday afternoon. 71-year-old Betty Lemoine was killed by deputies who had just driven up to their home. State Police is also investigating, Trooper Scott Moreau.

Cut 3 (:13) “With fire arms”
Moreau say her son 50 year old Kendall Lemoine was the target of the civil arrest warrant, he was seriously injured as well.

A stand-off in the Caddo (Kay-Dough) Heights neighborhood resulted in the death of a woman and the injury of a Shreveport police officer today. About 35 police units arrived in the area at around 11 this morning. An altercation followed led to gun fire. According to media reports, a shooting suspect, 36 year old Jonathan Robinson is in custody. The officer was shot in the arm and his injury was not life threatening.

The revenue shortfall for next fiscal year has been lowered from 994 million dollars to 648-million dollars. The Revenue Estimating Conference confirmed that new budget deficit number after hearing the state has received an increase in personal income taxes, because of changes to federal tax laws. But state legislators are still faced with cutting 648-million dollars for the budget that begins July first. House Speaker Taylor Barras says a House vote on next year’s budget is expected next week…
cut 7 (07) “….next Thursday”
It’s unclear if the Senate will accept a budget that contains 648-million dollars in cuts. If they don’t, a special session would be necessary to raise revenues to cover up the budget gap.

A Shreveport police officer was shot in the wrist and another woman was seriously injured in a standoff today in the Caddo Heights neighborhood. Authorities say a man suspected in the shootings has surrendered and he was not injured. The officer who was shot is expected to be okay.
Legislation that would prohibit smoking inside bars and casinos statewide failed to get out of the House Health and Welfare Committee today. Jim Shannon has more..
Cut 2 (30) “I’m Jim Shannon”

A Lafayette family has come forward to claim its 56-million dollar Powerball jackpot prize. Louisiana Lottery spokesperson Kim Chopin says the mother of the family has been playing the lottery for years and their tax attorney says the family is deserving of their new found fortune…
cut 9 (08) “….their lives”

Legislation that would prohibit smoking inside bars and casinos statewide failed to get out of the House Health and Welfare Committee today. If passed, it would virtually ban smoking in just about every public building in the state. Brent Rochon is a cardiologist who testified in favor…
cut 12 (10) “…the smoke”
But the gaming industry was there in opposition. Alton Ashy represents video poker…
cut 13 (10) “…your decision”
The bill’s author, Representative Dustin Miller, can still bring the bill back before the panel and he does plan on making changes to the legislation.

The fiscal cliff is smaller, but there is still a sizable revenue shortfall for next fiscal year. The Revenue Estimating Conference lowered the budget deficit from nearly 1-billion dollars to 648-million dollars. House Speaker Taylor Barras anticipates the House will approve a budget next week that will contain over 600-million dollars in cuts…
cut 6 (10 ) “…pass it”
Governor Edwards is pushing legislators to end the regular session early, so a special session can be called to address the fiscal cliff.

For the second time in the last five months, an Acadiana area family has claimed a Powerball jackpot. A tax attorney representing the Moore Family Trust out of Lafayette brought their 56-million dollar ticket from the March 24th drawing to Louisiana Lottery headquarters. Lottery spokesperson Kim Chopin says on what the family plans do their with their winnings…
Cut 8 (10) “as well.”
Chopin says the Moore Family Trust received over 23-million dollars after state and federal tax withholdings.