The House Appropriations Committee approves a bill that would create a new TOPS award called the TOPS Excellence Award, and it would go to high-performing students. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

State Police is putting an emphasis on enforcing the state’s Move Over Law this week. That law requires motorists to slow down and change lanes, if safe, when approaching emergency vehicles stopped on the side of the road with flashing lights. Trooper Ryan Davis says reminds drivers to stay alert, avoid distractions, and respect roadside responders’ safety.

Cut 5 (07) “…if the need arises.”

A Rapides Parish man is under arrest for stealing hundreds of pounds of crawfish from a farmer’s traps. Tommy Carnline with the Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Office says a crawfish farmer told investigators late last month that someone had emptied his traps, and it happened again a few days later. He says deputies launched what they dubbed “Operation Tail Chaser,” and they caught the suspect, 47-year-old Tony Hicks, red-handed.

Cut 12 (11) “…on May 10th.”

Hicks is facing several charges, including theft and criminal trespass.

A mother and son were arrested in St. Tammany Parish yesterday after a neighbor reported them for suspected dog fighting. 23-year-old Austin Alexander faces 28 counts of dog fighting, and his 45-year-old mother Natia Alexander faces 28 counts as a principal to dog fighting. Lt. Suzanne Carboni says STP Animal Control seized 28 pit bulls.

Cut 11 (06) “…will be arrested.”

Both suspects were booked into the parish correctional center.

A neighbor reported a suspected Dog fighting operation leading St. Tammany Parish deputies to arrest a 23-year-old Folsom man and his 45-year-old mother yesterday. Austin Alexander faces 28 counts of dogfighting, while Natia Alexander faces 28 counts as a principal to dogfighting. Lt. Suzanne Carboni says STP Animal Control seized 28 pit bulls and deputies discovered items associated with dog fighting.

Cut 10 (11) “…machine pistol.”

Both suspects were booked into the parish correctional center.

The House Ways and Means Committee advanced a pair of bills aimed at lowering homeowners insurance premiums by strengthening the state’s fortified roof program. One of them is House Bill 145, proposed by Denham Springs Republican Roger Wilder

Cut 6 (08) “…a fortified roof.” (Doubles deduction from $5,000 to $10,000)

The bill has the support of Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple

Addis’ very own John Foster has made it to the season finale of American Idol. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 30 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Several L-S-P Troops will participate in a special enforcement of the Move Over Law tomorrow. The law requires motorists to slow down and change lanes, if safe, when approaching emergency vehicles stopped on the side of the road with their lights flashing. Trooper Ryan Davis…

Cut 4 (11) “…from the roadside”

The House Ways and Means Committee has approved legislation that would double the tax deduction from five thousand to ten-thousand dollars for a homeowner who installs a fortified roof on their home. The bill has the support of Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple, who says it would encourage property owners to get a fortified roof.

Cut 7 (07) “…fortified roof on.”

A similar bill is also making its way through the Senate.

St. Tammany Parish deputies arrested a 23-year-old Folsom man and his 45-year-old mother yesterday after a concerned resident reported them for a possible dog-fighting operation on their property. Lt. Suzanne Carboni says STP Animal Control investigated and seized 28 pit bulls.

Cut 9 (08)  “…dog fighting.”

Austin Alexander faces 28 counts of dogfighting, while Natia Alexander faces 28 counts as a principal to dogfighting.

State Police is putting an emphasis this week on enforcing the state’s Move Over Law. Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Former LSU pitcher Paul Skenes announced today he will play for Team USA in next year’s World Baseball Classic. And Skenes’ girlfriend, former LSU gymnast, Livvy Dunne was named today as one of the cover models for this year’s upcoming SI Swimsuit edition.

A couple of proposed major changes to Louisiana’s tax code died in the House Ways and Means Committee yesterday. The committee voted seven to four against New Orleans Democrat Mandie Landry’s proposal to raise the individual income tax on tax filers who make more than 500-thousand dollars a year. Landry made this argument to the committee…

Cut 15 (10) “…worried about.”

Denham Springs Republican Roger Wilder says he’s not interested in raising taxes…

Cut 16 (05) “…work for.”

Also, a proposal to eliminate state and local sales taxes on groceries died when no one made a motion to vote on Oil City Republican Danny McCormick’s bill. One argument against the bill was that the proposed tax break would cost local governments 600 to 700-million dollars a year statewide. Again, no one made a motion to vote on the bill, so it is now dead.

The House Ways and Means Committee advanced a pair of bills aimed at lowering homeowners insurance premiums by strengthening the state’s fortified roof program. One of them is House Bill 145, proposed by Denham Springs Republican Roger Wilder 

Cut 6 (08) “…a fortified roof.”

Also, House Bill 663 would create the Fortify Coastal Homes Fund. It’s proposed by Pollock Republican Gabe Firment, who says it would direct a portion of sales and use taxes in coastal areas following a natural disaster to the fund.

Cut 8 (11) “…into the fund.”

The Senate Judiciary “A” Committee is hearing several tort reform auto insurance bills today. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrlli says a man who is not in the country legally has been sentenced to ten years in prison for fatal wreck he caused in New Orleans last August. State Police say Jorge Martinez-Sanchez struck a motorcyclist, killing longtime WGNO sports producer Marke Deane. Martinez-Sanchez pleaded guilty to negligent homicide and sentenced ten years in prison and he’ll serve at least six years,

The House Ways and Means Committee failed to support a proposal that would eliminate the state and local sales tax on groceries. Guy Cormier, the executive director of the Louisiana Police Jury Association, voiced his opposition to the bill. He says the proposed tax break would cost local governments 600 to 700-million dollars a year statewide…

Cut 14 (10) “…taxpayers monies.”

No one on the committee made a motion to vote on McCormick’s proposal so the idea is dead for the session.

State Police is putting an emphasis this week on enforcing the state’s Move Over Law. Trooper Ryan Davis says Troop F in northeast Louisiana will participate in a special enforcement day tomorrow, targeting drivers who fail to merge into the lane furthest away from a disabled vehicle or a traffic stop on the side of the road.

Cut 3 (12) “…come from this.”

The “Move Over Law” requires motorists to slow down and change lanes, if safe, when approaching emergency vehicles with flashing lights.

The Senate Judiciary “A” Committee hears several auto insurance bills today, including one that would eliminate damages to those who were majority at fault in a crash. Committee Chairman Greg Miller says the purpose is to discourage people from filing frivolous lawsuits against big companies which carry a high amount of liability insurance.

Cut 5 (10) “…larger insurance policies.”

May is Bicycle Safety Awareness Month, so both cyclists and drivers should make concerted efforts to share the road and keep everyone safe. Greg Fischer with the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission says if you ride at night, bike lights are mandatory under state law. And you should go even further.

Cut 12 (13) “…your wheels work.”

The LSU Tigers are ranked number one in all of the major college baseball polls heading into the final SEC regular season series of the year. Colleen Crain has the story.

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

John Foster’s hometown of Addis is ready to give its newest superstar a hero’s welcome. The 18-year-old LSU freshman will be returning to his hometown tomorrow after securing a spot in the season finale of American Idol. The city will celebrate him with a parade and a concert tomorrow night.

A couple of major changes to Louisiana’s tax code failed to receive support from the House Ways and Means Committee. Oil City Republican Danny McCormick tried to convince the panel to support his bill that would eliminate state and local sales tax on groceries. McCormick says it’s time to give a meaningful tax break to the citizens of Louisiana…

Cut 13 (08)  “…fixed incomes.”

Guy Cormier, the executive director of the Louisiana Police Jury Association, voiced his opposition to the bill. He says the proposed tax break would cost local governments 600 to 700-million dollars a year statewide…

Cut 14 (10) “…taxpayers monies.”

When it came time for a committee member to make a motion to vote on McCormick’s proposal, no one did. That lack of action killed the bill for the session.

The Senate Judiciary “A” Committee hears several auto insurance bills today. Among them is one that would limit payouts to uninsured injured drivers. Committee Chairman Greg Miller says thanks to inflation, insurance rates will never be as low as they were, say, ten years ago. But he says the legislature can do things to make them more reasonable.

Cut 6 (17) “…our neighboring states.”

Tourism groups are assuring visitors from north of the border and beyond that they are welcome in South Louisiana with open arms. New Orleans and Company CEO Walt Leger (luh-ZHAY) says despite the number of Canadians cancelling their trips due to escalating tensions between the two countries, he still expects a brisk tourism season.

Cut 9 (08)  “…that’s out there.”

The LSU Tigers are ranked number one in all of the major college baseball polls heading into in the final SEC regular season series of the year. Colleen Crain has the story.

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

And the town of Addis is set to welcome home American Idol Finalist John Foster tomorrow with a parade or the Hometown hero.  The 18 year old pre-med major wowed the judges last night, punching his ticket to the final three.  The parade tomorrow is set for five with a concert to follow at 7:30.

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The House Ways and Means committee voted seven to four against New Orleans Representative Mandie Landry’s proposal to raise the individual income tax on tax filers who make more than 500-thousand dollars a year. Landry made this argument to the committee…

Cut 15 (10) “…worried about.”

Denham Springs Representative Roger Wilder says he’s not interested in raising taxes…

Cut 16 (05) “…work for.”

And a bid by Oil City Representative Danny McCormick to eliminate the state and local sales tax on groceries isn’t going anywhere. Opponents have said the measure would have cost governments 600 to 700-million dollars a year statewide. No one on the committee made a motion to vote on McCormick’s proposal so the idea is dead for the session.