Governor Edwards is upset the state legislature cut funding for a huge container terminal planned for the Port of New Orleans. Edwards says the funding was removed because a lawmaker didn’t vote yes for raising the spending cap…
cut 8 (10) “…the worst way”
Edwards says his staff has reassured private financiers that Louisiana still remains committed to the project.

The governor has signed legislation that would create a system that would allow sexual assault victims track their rape kits. Franklinton Senator Beth Mizell says as a result of her legislation, victims will receive a code after they undergo a sexual assault forensic exam…
cut 15 (10) “…or not”
The new system should be in place by July of next year.

A 28-year-old woman who posed as a 17-year-old student at Hahnville High has been arrested along with her 46-year-old mother in St. Charles Parish. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

In Baton Rouge today, the state department of education is holding its second annual school system summit. State Superintendent Doctor Cade Brumley says school leaders and law enforcement will discuss best practices around school safety…
cut 6 (05) “…speak up’

We now know why a 28-year-old woman from Honduras subimitted a fake birth certificate and passport in order to attend Hahnville High School as a 17-year-old student. St. Charles Parish Sheriff Greg Champagne…
cut 10 (11) “…proficient in English”
The 28-year-old and her 46-year-old mother have been charged with injuring public records.

The Louisiana Department of Education hosts its second annual school safety summit at the Raising Cane’s River Center in Baton Rouge today. Superintendent of Education Cade Brumley says the even brings together school system leaders, law enforcement, government agencies and mental health providers to discuss best practices around school safety….
cut 5 (09) “…and employees”

Governor Edwards has signed into law legislation that would establish a system to track rape kits of victims taken at a hospital…
Cut 3 (33) “….I’m Teiko Foxx.”

Louisiana ranks 49th out of 50 states for overall child well-being, according to the Annie E Casey Foundation. Some of the key findings…35-percent of children in Louisiana have parents who lack secure employment and the percentage of children living in poverty is 27-percent, while the national average is 17-percent. Some positives, fourth grade reading scores are up and the percentage of high school graduates graduating on time has improved.

St. Charles Sheriff Greg Champagne held a press conference to explain the arrest of a 28-year-old woman from Honduras who used fraudulent paperwork to pose as a 17-year-old to attend Hahnville High School so she can learn English. Champagne is not putting the blame on school officials…
cut 11 (12) “….certificate said”
The 28 year old and and her 46-year-old mother have been charged with injuring public records.

Another sign of chaos in the final hours of the legislative session last week: a big cut in funding for a new terminal at the Port of New Orleans. Governor Edwards is not happy. Several lawmakers differed on raising the state’s spending cap, and the port sits in the district of one who voted “no.” Edwards says such “political payback” is not unusual…
Cut 7 (10) “…back at home.”
Edwards says the state will now have to do some financial gymnastics in order to make sure the project continues to move forward.

The Louisiana Department of Education brings together educators and first responders today for their second annual Louisiana School Safety Summit at the Raising Cane’s River Center in Baton Rouge. State Superintendent of Education Cade Brumley says schools must learn to meet the challenge of reinforcing security.
Cut 4 (08) “…particular event.’”
The Louisiana Department of Education is investing over 20-million dollars to help 39 school systems harden school perimeters.

Governor John Bel Edwards has signed legislation that would allow victims of sexual assault to track their rape kit as it moves from hospitals to law enforcement agencies. Franklinton Senator Beth Mizell authored the legislation and says the system is expected to be in place by July. Mizell says State Police is also taking steps to reduce a huge backlog….
cut 14 (08) “…do that”

St. Charles Parish Sheriff Greg Champagne says 28-year-old Martha Jessenia Gutierrez -Serrano provided school officials with false documents so she can attend Hahnville High School as a 17-year-old to learn English. Champagne says the Honduran had other options…
cut 12 (11) “…government document”
Gutierrez-Serrano attended the school for the entire year as a ninth grader and investigators found no evidence of any other criminal activity.

Governor Edwards has signed into law a measure that would require State Police to develop a database to track rape kits. Franklinton Senator Beth Mizell says the current process is not victim-friendly…
Cut 13 (13) “…progress is.”
Lawmakers appropriated $100 thousand to State Police to reduce the rape kit backlog along with $4.2 million more to the crime lab for general use

Another casualty of the budget fighting and confusion in the last minutes of the legislative session: funding for an important expansion of the Port of New Orleans is cut. Kevin Gallagher reports the Governor is not happy…:
Cut 1 (36) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

Much of the state is under a heat advisory today. And it will be even hotter this weekend. Also a slight risk for severe thunderstorms continues for north Louisiana.

Another casualty of the budget fighting and confusion in the last minutes of the legislative session: funding for an important expansion of the Port of New Orleans is cut. Kevin Gallagher reports the Governor is not happy about it…:

Cut 1 (36)  “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

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A 28-year-old woman who posed as a 17-year-old student at Hahnville High has been arrested along with her 46-year-old mother in St. Charles Parish. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 2 (32)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

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The Governor signed into law legislation that would establish a system to track rape kits of victims when they are administered at a hospital. Teiko Foxx has the story.

Cut 3 (33)  “….I’m Teiko Foxx.”

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Louisiana Department of Education brings together educators and first responders at their second annual Louisiana School Safety Summit at the Raising Cane’s River Center today. State Superintendent of Education Cade Brumley says schools must learn to meet the challenge of reinforcing security.

Cut 4 (11)  “…host it.’”

LDOE invested over $21 million to harden school perimeters in 39 school systems to keep students and teachers safe by enforcing single points of entry. Brumley says everyone will learn the best responses and solutions around school safety.

Cut 5 (09)   “…and employees.”

Brumley believes this creates a unified mission to provide a safe environment for all students.

Cut 6 (05)  “…speak up.”

Over 1000 law enforcement officers, state responders, fire professionals, and mental health professionals are scheduled to attend.

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Another sign of the chaos in the final hours of the state legislature last week: a big cut in funding for a new terminal at the Port of New Orleans. Governor John Bel Edwards says he is not happy with the cut. Many lawmakers differed on raising the state’s spending cap, and the port sits in the district of one who voted “no.” Edwards says such “political payback” has been known to happen before…:

Cut 7 (10) “…back at home.”

New Orleans is one of the country’s largest ports and was on track to start a billion-dollar container terminal just south of the Crescent City. About $130-million to get things started was stripped from the state’s annual construction bill at the last minute; $4-million to be spent in the next few months. Governor Edwards says political gamesmanship now threatens a needed economic development project…:

Cut 8 (10) “…in the worst way.’”

Edwards says $800-million in private financing has been dedicated to the Port project, and now the state has “egg on its face” as no state money is budgeted to proceed. He says he does have a plan to salvage near-term funding to get the project on track…:

Cut 9 (08)  “…Port of New Orleans.”

He says lawmakers MUST assure the project is properly funded in future state budgets.

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After receiving a tip that a 17-year-old student at Hahnville High School was instead an adult, the St. Charles Parish Sheriff’s office has arrested a 28-year-old Honduran woman and her 46-year-old mother. Sheriff Greg Champagne says the two are charged with Injuring Public Records.

Cut 10 (11) “…proficient at English.”

He says investigators found a falsified birth certificate was used so she could attend school.

Champagne says they wanted to notify the public especially those with children who attend Hahnville High School that there is no evidence of any other criminal activity or inappropriate behavior.  He says many are surprised how a 28-year-old woman was able to pose as a 17-year-old student for the last year.

Cut 11 (12)  “…certificate said.”

Champagne says there are other options available for those who want to learn English as a second language.

Cut 12 (11)    “…government document.” 

Because the student did not have any transcripts when she enrolled she was placed in the ninth grade.

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Governor John Bel Edwards signed into law a measure that would require Louisiana State Police to develop a database tracking system to track rape kits. Franklinton Senator Beth Mizell says the current process is not victim-friendly and lengthy.

Cut 13 (13) “…progress is.”  

Lawmakers appropriated $100 thousand to State Police to reduce the rape kit backlog along with $4.2 million more to the crime lab for general use. Police and more than two dozen healthcare providers who store rape kits must participate in the system by next year. Mizell believes the system will add accountability for residents and visitors.

Cut 14 (13)  “…tolerate that.”

The new law will also ensure rape victims are eligible for full reimbursement of their medical expenses after a state board had capped reimbursement at $1,000 for rape victims, compared to $15,000 for other victims. Mizell says when a victim goes through a sexual assault it will be easier to track a rape kit.

Cut 15 (13)  “…or not.”

The state crime lab currently has a backlog of 592 rape kits, 409 of which are from the New Orleans Police Department.

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The LSU baseball team is in Omaha preparing for its College World Series match-up on Saturday night against Tennessee. The Tigers have scored the most runs in the country at 588. You can make an argument shortstop Jordan Thompson is the best eight-hitter in the country. Thompson says LSU’s bottom of the order is just as good as any team’s top three hitters…

Cut 16 (18) “…guys in.”

Thompson says they want to win a championship, but they also want to keep playing as long as they can…

Cut 17 (14) “…to continue playing” 

LSU is making its first trip to the College World Series since 2017. Freshman pitcher Gavin Guidry says it’s a special feeling to bring the Tigers back to Omaha…

Cut 18 (18) “…national championship”

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Cut 19 (20) “…on the field.” 

Cut 20 (17)  “…way he does.”  

During his weekly media conference, U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy was asked his feelings on the multicount indictment against former President Donald Trump. Cassidy says it’s clear to see the actions against Trump have been politically motivated…:

Cut 12   (08)        “…above the law.”

Trump faces more than three dozen federal charges related to his retention of classified documents at his home in Florida.

Lawmakers approve $44 million in new funding for the Child Care Assistance Program to provide financial assistance to low-income families statewide. Louisiana Policy Institute for Children Director Libbie Sonnier says while they are thankful for the funding, they hope for more in the future.

Cut 4 (09)  “…the state.” 

Of the state’s $44 billion budget  Sonnier says only a small fraction of that goes to early childcare and education.

Entergy has applied for federal grants to improve the power grid in Louisiana.   If secured the funds would be aimed at reducing extreme weather impacts and help speed up restoration and recovery efforts after major storms. PSC Commissioner Devante Lewis says he wrote a letter of support for the application.

Cut 9 (09) “…the project.”

Lewis says grant recipients are expected to be announced later this year.

Governor John Bel Edwards has signed legislation to mandate 15 minutes of recess for public school students K-5. State Superintendent of Education Cade Brumley says recess is beneficial for a child’s social and emotional health.

Cut 6 (12)  “…kids play” 

Governor John Bel Edwards signed legislation to mandate 15 minutes of recess for public school students from kindergarten through 5th grade. State Superintendent of Education Cade Brumley says recess is beneficial to kids in many ways…:

CUT 08 (12)      “…their peers.”

Many Louisiana schools already have recess. This bill assures they all will; starting in the fall.

State lawmakers also approved $44-million for the Early Childhood Education Program’s child care component, to assist low-income families with daycare concerns. Libbie Sonnier is with the Louisiana Policy Institute for Children…:

CUT 03 (13)      “…to childcare.”

She says the state needs to make a bigger commitment in future budget years.

Entergy Corporation applies for $220-million in federal grants to improve Louisiana’s power grid. More from Brooke Thorington…:

CUT 02 (32)      “…Thorington.”

Often on state-by-state list for bad reasons, Louisiana makes a so-called “good list”! “Wallethub.com” ranks the Bayou State among the Top Ten Most FUN States in America. The study used 26 metrics, like weather, entertainment, food, attractions that captivate and overall hospitality.

During his weekly media conference, Senator Bill Cassidy was asked about the recent indictment against former President Donald Trump. Cassidy says partisan persecution of Trump has been obvious, but this indictment doesn’t look good for Trump…:

CUT 13  (12)        “…incredibly concerning.”

Cassidy says no one should be prosecuted for political purposes, but also no should be above the law.

Entergy has asked for federal grants to harden the utility’s power grid in Louisiana. They’ve asked for $220-million in bipartisan Infrastructure Grants. Public Service Commission member Devonte Lewis says the feds should recognize the importance of the matter…:

CUT 11  (07)        “…higher bills.”

Grant recipients will be announced in a few months.

Louisiana public schools will now have to schedule 15-minutes of recess for students in kindergarten through fifth grade under a new law signed by Governor John Bel Edwards…:

CUT 01(32)      “…Teiko Foxx.”

Two women from Boutte, in St. Charles Parish, are under arrest, after one of them lied about her age to enroll in Hahnville High. Deputies in St. Charles says 28-year-old Martha Gutierrez-Serrano posed as a teen with the help of her mom, 46-year-old Marta Serrano-Alvarado. Injuring Public Records is the charge. Their motive is, as yet, unknown.