AM Newscall, April 30th, 2015

The LSU Alumni Association’s Tiger Advocates is sponsoring a march today on the State Capitol to protest the state’s proposed $600 million budget cut to higher education. Eric Gill reports…

CUT 1 (29) “reporting”

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Senate president John Alario is denying any wrongdoing despite a media report that says federal investigators are looking into how he spent campaign contributions. Michelle Southern reports…:

Cut 2 (30) “reporting”

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The full Senate approves a bill that’s designed to control the cost of the TOPS scholarship program. Scott Carwile reports…:

Cut 3 (30) “reporting”

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The LSU Alumni Association’s Tiger Advocates is sponsoring a march today on the State Capitol to protest the state’s proposed $600 million budget cut to higher education. Stacey Messina, Association Director of Marketing and Communications, says if these cuts take place, it’s the students that are impacted most…

cut 4  (10) “going to effect”

LSU officials say these proposed cuts could result in the closing of satellite campuses and drastic losses of academic programs and faculty on the main campus. The march will begin at AZ Young Park at the Pentagon Barracks and proceed to the steps of the State Capitol at 1PM. Messina says anyone who supports LSU is invited to participate…

Cut 5  (07)  “to attend”

She says Senator Dan Claitor and Representative John Bel Edwards will speak at the event, as well as students expressing their concerns about the proposed cuts. Messina says students are very well aware of the gravity of the situation…

Cut 6 (07)  “from happening”

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Senate president John Alario is denying any wrongdoing despite a media report that says federal investigators are looking into how he spent campaign contributions. Apparently the FBI is looking into his campaign records after media reports suggested Alario misreported as much as $20,000. But Alario says this is news to him…:

CUT 7 (06)  “want to cooperate”

According to reports Alario didn’t disclose the proper amount he spent for LSU tickets and a fundraiser at a New Orleans golf course. Alario says they have filed all of the reports required and followed all state laws, but they did make a couple of mistakes…:

Cut 8  (07)  “not a criminal intent” 

Alario says when this is all said he done he is confident that everything will be okay…:

Cut 9 (04)  “experience at times”

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The full Senate approves a bill that’s designed to control the cost of the TOPS scholarship program. Mandeville Senator Jack Donahue’s legislation would provide each TOPS recipient with a set amount and it will not automatically go up with the cost of tuition. He says this is about ensuring the future of the program for our kids…:

Cut 10 (04) “be able to afford it”

The bill now heads to the House for further debate. Governor Bobby Jindal has already said he opposes the measure. Baton Rouge Senator Dan Claitor says he’s gotten a lot of letters from students and others who are against messing with TOPS…:

cut 11 (06) “cap on it”

Each student would get a base amount and under the proposal the rate would be locked in at the 2015-16 level. The amount would not automatically go up even if tuition goes up, without legislative approval. New Orleans Senator JP Morrell says on its current track, the TOPS program is not sustainable…:

cut 12 (08)   “out of business”

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State Police say a Lake Charles woman led cops on a wild 24 minute long chase Wednesday on I-10. Sgt. James Anderson says a trooper near Welsh encountered the driver who made eye contact with him then began to speed up and pass vehicles on the shoulder for an unknown reason…:

Cut 13 (09)  “spike strips”

Anderson says the driver, later identified as 28-year-old Shannon Laycock, refused to stop and continued to drive recklessly at a high rate of speed. Troopers deployed spike strips and the vehicle was successfully stopped on I-10 near Duson in Acadia Parish. She faces many charges…:

(Laycock was arrested for reckless operation of a motor vehicle, aggravated flight from an officer, speeding, driving on the shoulder, 2 counts of aggravated battery (for striking police vehicles with the vehicle she was driving), and resisting arrest. )

Cut 14 (08) “resisting arrest”

Anderson says Laycock was booked into the Acadia Parish Jail and she will face additional charges in Jefferson Davis Parish. He says the woman resisted arrest after hitting cop cars with her vehicle…:

Cut 15  (09)  “minor injuries”

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Tonight is the first round of the NFL draft and there are two players from LSU that could hear their name called, but both are dealing with off the field issues. One of them is offensive tackle La’el Collins, who Baton Rouge police want to question about the murder of a pregnant woman. NFL Draft analyst Mike Detillier still believes Collins is a sure fire first rounder

Cut 16  (15)  “30 years”

Cornerback Jalen Collins, no relation to La’el, also has a chance to be selected in the first round, but it’s been reported Jalen failed multiple drug tests at LSU. Detillier says Collins could be a late 1st first round pick or early second round selection as some teams are not scared off by failed drug tests…

Cut 17 (12)  “bit differently”

Tonight is the first round of the draft and the draft will continue with rounds two and three on Friday and then rounds four through seven will be Saturday. The Saints have nine draft picks, including two in the first round. General Manager Mickey Loomis says its unrealistic to think that all nine players they will select, will be future starters

Cut 18 (15) ” we did’

There’s a lot of talk from all of the teams about selecting players with high character. Loomis says they won’t write a player off, just because of a couple of red flags…

Cut 19 (19)  “each team “

 

 

17:30 Legislative Update, April 29th, 2015

Medical marijuana is one step closer to becoming legal in Louisiana as Senate Bill 143 moves out of committee this morning and heads to the Senate floor. Many people who feel the drug would cure their various ailments spoke in favor of the bill. Pete Adams, Executive Director of the Louisiana District Attorneys Association, does not support the measure…:
CUT 13 (09) “diseases”
The legislation moved forward without objection.

New Orleans state Representative Austin Badon is once again pushing legislation that would lessen the penalties for some marijuana possession arrests. Badon says House Bill 149 in no way legalizes marijuana for either medical or recreational use. He says the bill only brings fairness to sentencing for simple marijuana possession…:
CUT 3 (09) “subsequent convictions”
He says the DA’s Association is not opposed to the bill.

The full Senate approves a bill that’s designed to control the cost of the TOPS scholarship program. Mandeville Senator Jack Donahue’s legislation would provide each TOPS recipient with a set amount and it will not automatically go up with the cost of tuition. He says this is about ensuring the future of the program for our kids…:
CUT 10 (04) “be able to afford it”
Governor Bobby Jindal has already said he opposes the measure. The bill now heads to the House for further debate.

The House Education Committee approves legislation that requires sex education to be taught in all schools in Orleans Parish. Under current law, sex ed may be offered in Louisiana public schools. But New Orleans councilwoman LaToya Cantrell, a supporter, says comprehensive sex education needs to be mandatory…:
CUT 9 (09) “new cases”
The bill now heads to the full house for more debate.

 

LRN Newscast 16:30 04-29-15

Medical marijuana is one step closer to becoming legal in Louisiana as Senate Bill 143 moves out of committee and heads to the Floor. While there is some opposition, there were many people who spoke out in favor of the legislation. Michelle Hall from Vernon Parish says she adopted a little girl who has epilepsy…:
cut 12 (09) “stop that”

State Police are investigating an officer involved shooting this morning of a Livingston Parish teen, who was reported to be armed and suicidal. L-S-P Lt. JB Slaton says when Livingston Parish Sheriff’s Deputies arrived, they found 19 year-old Matthew Peyrorrin on the front porch with a shotgun…
CUT 8 (09) Q” ‘the deputies’
The suspect is in stable condition, and he will be facing attempted 2nd degree murder of a police officer charges.
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The Louisiana Senate voted 27 to 9 today in favor a bill that would control the cost of the TOPS program. The proposal that now heads to the House for debate, would cap the payment rate at the 2015-2016 levels; even if tuitions would rise. Governor Bobby Jindal says he opposes the bill.

New Orleans state Representative Austin Badon is once again pushing legislation that would lessen the penalties for some marijuana possession arrests…
CUT 1 (29) “reporting”

LRN Newscast 15:30 04-29-15

A new state bill that would allow the medicinal use of marijuana is a little closer to reality, as SB 143 moves out of committee on to the Senate Floor. There seems to be a lot of support for the measure, but Pete Adams, Executive Director of the Louisiana District Attorneys Association, spoke against it, still expressing sympathy for those who suffer…
CUT 15 (09) Q: ‘opposition to this’

The House Education Committee has approved legislation that requires sex education to be taught in 7th through 12th grade. Under current law, sex ed may be offered in Louisiana public schools, but it must promote abstinence until marriage. However, New Orleans Councilwoman LaToya Cantrell says the abstinence message is not working…
cut 10 (06) “they need”
The billed passed committee on an 8-6 vote.
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A Livingston Parish teen is in the hospital after being shot by a Sheriff’s Deputy following a 9-1-1 call this morning about an armed suicidal person. According to Louisiana State Police Lt. JB Slayton, when deputies arrived, 19-year-old Matthew Peyronnin was on the front porch with a shotgun raised in the direction of the officers.
CUT 7 (07) Q: “four rounds”
He’s in stable condition and will be charged with attempted 2nd degree murder of a police officer.

There are some in the legislature that hope the third time is the charm for a bill that would lessen the penalities for possession of marijuana. New Orleans State Representative Austin Badon says the Louisiana District Attorney’s Association is not opposed to the bill, and now he’s reaching out to the Louisiana Sheriff’s Association…
CUT 5 (10) Q: ‘in Louisiana’

LRN Newscast 4-29-15 14:30

Medical marijuana is one step closer to becoming legal in Louisiana as Senate Bill 143 moves out of committee and heads to the Senate Floor. Many support the legislation, including Tommy Mead, an LSU Health Sciences Center student, who told the committee that medical marijuana can help him…:
CUT 14 (09) Q: “I push on”
Some members of the Louisiana District Attorneys Association have expressed opposition.

State Police is investigating the shooting of an armed teenager in Livingston Parish early this morning. Lt. JB Slaton says authorities responded to a 9-1-1 call of a suicidal person and when deputies arrived at the home, 19-year-old Matthew Peyronnin, was on the front porch with a shotgun raised in the direction of the officers…
CUT 6 (06) “several rounds”
Peyronnin is in stable condition.
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New Orleans State Representative Austin Badon is once again pushing legislation that would lessen the penalties for some marijuana possession arrests…
CUT 1 (29) “reporting”

The investigation into the Baton Rouge shooting death of a woman who was 8 months pregnant Friday night continues, and although police are still saying that former LSU football player 21 year-old La’el Collins is NOT a suspect, some reports say Collins and 29 year-old Brittney Mills did have some kind of romantic relationship in the past. Collins was in Chicago for the NFL draft, but is returning to Baton Rouge to talk to authorities.

13:30 Newscast April 29, 2015

Medical marijuana is one step closer to becoming legal in Louisiana as Senate Bill 143 moves out of committee this morning and heads to the Senate floor. There were many people who spoke in support of the legislation by New Iberia Senator Fred Mills. Michelle Hall from Vernon Parish says she adopted a little girl who has epilepsy…

cut 12 (09) “stop that”

Pete Adams, Executive Director of the Louisiana District Attorneys Association was the only one who spoke against the bill…

cut 13 (09) “diseases”

The legislation moved forward without objection.

It’s reported that former LSU offensive lineman La’el Collins is returning from Chicago to Baton Rouge so that he can address questions by Police about the case of a pregnant woman who was shot and killed last week.

New Orleans state Representative Austin Badon is once again pushing a bill that would lower the penalties for some simple marijuana possession arrests. Badon says House Bill 149 will keep current provisions for first convictions, but lowers the penalties for second and subsequent convictions. He adds that this measure would also take simple marijuana possession out of the state’s “Three Strikes You’re Out” law…

cut 4 (11) “for life”

Badon says this would bring much needed reform to Louisiana’s drug law.

Entergy says they have made a lot of progress when it comes to returning service for customers in the aftermath of Monday’s storms, but unfortunately damage was worse than thought in other places. Spokesman Will Johnson says some of the outages may last into Friday. He says they are also being forced to de-energize some lines that have already been restored…

cut 7 (08) “part of the process”

At last report there are about 25,000 customers still without power.

12:30 Newscast, April 29th, 2015

The House Education Committee approves legislation that requires sex education to be taught in all schools in Orleans Parish. Under current law, sex ed may be offered in Louisiana public schools. But New Orleans councilwoman LaToya Cantrell, a supporter, says comprehensive sex education needs to be mandatory…:
CUT 9 (09) “new cases”
The bill now heads to the full house for more debate.

State Police says they are investigating an officer involved shooting in Livingston Parish which resulted in non-life threatening injuries to a 19-year-old. Investigators report LPSO deputies responded to reports of the teen threatening suicide then pointing guns at deputies. That’s when a deputy fired and struck Matthew Peyronnin several times. The 19-year-old will be charged with attempted second degree murder of a cop when he’s released from the hospital.

New Orleans state Representative Austin Badon is once again pushing legislation that would lessen the penalties for some marijuana possession arrests. Eric Gill reports…:
CUt 1 (29) “reporting”

Former LSU offensive lineman La’el Collins is reportedly coming back to Baton Rouge from Chicago where he is for the draft so that he can address questions by Police about the case of a pregnant woman who was shot and killed last week.

 

11:30 Newscast, April 29th, 2015

Entergy says they have made a lot of progress when it comes to getting power back on for customers in the path of Monday’s storms in south Louisiana, but unfortunately damage was worse than thought in other places. Spokesman Will Johnson says they are now dealing with destruction that was not anticipated…:
CUT 6 (11) “restoration process”
There are still about 30,000 customers in the dark and Johnson says they hope to have everybody back up Thursday but some of the outages might last into Friday.

New Orleans state Representative Austin Badon is once again pushing legislation that would lessen the penalties for some marijuana possession arrests. Badon says House Bill 149 in no way legalizes marijuana for either medical or recreational use. He says the bill only brings fairness to sentencing for simple marijuana possession…:
CUT 3 (09) “subsequent convictions”
He says the DA’s Association is not opposed to the bill.

Baton Rouge police say their detectives want to speak with former LSU Tiger La’el Collins about the shooting death of a pregnant woman in the capitol city but he is not a suspect. 29-year-old Brittney Mills was gunned down at her home last Friday. Corporal Don Coppola says Collins may know something…:
CUT 17 (10) “Ms Mills Killer”
He says the two had a relationship but didn’t go into details.

Legislation that would allow a domestic abuse victim to immediately move out an apartment or rented home without facing a penalty for violating the lease was approved by a senate committee. Cashuana Hill, executive director of the Greater New Orleans Fair Housing Center, says this legislation is needed, because there are numerous cases where a domestic abuse victim is evicted from their home, because the apartment complex has a policy against domestic violence…:
cut 14 (05) “for that abuse”
But opponents say landlords aren’t qualified to decide who’s right and who’s wrong in domestic abuse cases.

 

10:30 Newscast, April 29th, 2015

The US Supreme Court is hearing a case today challenging the constitutionality of Oklahoma’s lethal injection procedure. Eric Gill reports…:
CUT 1 (31) “reporting”

Entergy says some customers who lost power in Monday’s storms may have to wait until tomorrow before they get their lights back on. The National Weather Service said five weak tornadoes touched down across South Louisiana two days ago with strengths of EF-0 and Ef-1. Entergy says about 32,800 customers are currently in the dark.

The Caddo Parish Sheriff’s office is looking for 10 people and have already arrested another person involved in a million dollar Comcast cable scheme. Spokeswoman Cindy Chadwick says contractors would use personal information of real customers to set up fake accounts in other to collect commission. She says they were getting legitimate customers information from a now-former Comcast employee…:
CUT 11 (13) “customers”
Chadwick says financial loss in commissions, equipment and services to Comcast and victims was well over $1.2 million dollars.

The City Council in Monroe green lights a proposal that would let the city to apply for a matching grant to form a $1 million dollar incentive to provide a direct flight from Monroe to Denver. Century Link has 2,000 plus employees in northeast Louisiana and about 7,000 in Denver.

 

09:30 Newscast April 29, 2015

Rita Benson Leblanc made an appearance at the state capitol Tuesday to support of the state’s film tax program. LeBlanc says remaining competitive in the film industry requires tax credits. She says it’s amazing that Louisiana is #1 in making movies and we should strive to stay that way…

cut 9 (09) “of America”

The bill was amended to put a $200 million dollar cap on the program and advanced out of committee without objection and now heads to the House floor.

A bill that would allow a victim of domestic abuse to immediately move out an apartment or rented home without facing a penalty for violating the lease advances from a senate committee. The Apartment Association of Louisiana lobbied against the measure. Jennifer Ansardi says domestic violence cases are sometimes he-said she-said incidents and landlords are not trained to be a judge and jury…

cut 15 (07) “handle this”

The legislation now heads to the Senate floor.

The Caddo Parish Sheriff’s office says one person is under arrest and they are looking for 10 others as part of a million dollar theft scam involving Comcast Cable customers. Michelle Southern reports…

cut 2 (30) “reporting”
The Livingston Parish Sheriff’s Office is searching for a suspect wanted in the robbery of four campers in Denham Springs. According to authorities, the suspect stole computers, televisions, purses, and wallets from the victims. Detectives say some of the stolen credit cards were used in stores in Slidell and Hammond. If you have any information in this case, you are asked to contact Crime Stoppers.