In an op-ed piece found in today’s New York Times, Governor Jindal says he’s not backing down from supporting a controversial religious liberty bill. Jeff Palermo has more…:
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The credit rating agency Moody’s Investors Services lowered LSU’s credit outlook from positive to stable. State Treasurer John Kennedy says this move reflects the years of cuts and tuition hikes statewide, but says action by the legislature could stabilize higher ed and turn things around. The Jindal Administration says “corporate welfare” needs to be cut so dollars can be invested in higher ed.

Northeast Louisiana is recovering from a strong storm that ripped through the region on Wednesday. Executive Director of Ouachita Parish Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness Neal Brown says straight line winds and hail and got worse as it moved through the Sterlington area and into Union, Richland and Morehouse parishes…:
CUT 4 (12) “a lot of hail”
He says some homes were destroyed and at least three people were injured.

Gas prices keep going up. The current statewide average for a gallon of regular is $2.28 up a penny from the day before and 8 cents higher than last week.

Governor Bobby Jindal has an op-ed piece in today’s New York Times that explains his support for the religious liberty bill that will be debated in the Louisiana legislature. Some companies are concerned about the legislation. But U-L Lafayette Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says Jindal lets the world know their opinions won’t deter him…:
CUT 6 (09) “a gauntlet”
Jindal also emphasizes in the column his view that marriage is between one man and one woman and Cross says it’s another way the Governor is trying to raise his profile in the presidential race.

There are still thousands without power in parts of northeast Louisiana on the heels of a terrible storm that ripped through the region Wednesday. Authorities say areas in Ouachita, Union, Morehouse and Richland parishes are dealing with downed power lines, trees and blocked roads. Sterlington Middle is closed today due to damage as the recovery continues.

The Youngsville Police Department says a male youth softball coach is facing charges for allegedly punching an opposing female softball coach and breaking her nose. Chief Rickey Boudreaux says it was a highly contested game between two teams with the Lafayette City-Parish Parks and Recreation and after it was over words were allegedly exchanged then three players jumped on an opposing player…:
CUT 9 (11) “in three places”
Boudreaux says the suspect coach is a complete low life and expects more than one arrest will be made in this case very soon.

The fundraiser for the St. Charles Parish Sheriff’s deputy who was gunned down while working a school zone last week is underway in Destrehan. Captain Pat Yoes says Corporal Burt Halzetine, who was hit with three bullets, is doing remarkably well as he begins the road to recovery..:
CUT 1 (06) “all of these”
The fundraiser at the Shriners hall in Destrehan goes on till 8pm.

A bill that attempts to rein in the cost of the TOPS scholarship program received approval from the Senate Education Committee. Jeff Palermo has the story…:
CUT 3 (27) “reporting”

The Washington Parish Sheriff’s office says a two year old child drowned in the backwaters of Pearl River in Bogalusa Wednesday. They believe the little boy wandered away from his home and followed a trail into the swamp where he was found by investigators face down in the water. Sadly, the child could not be saved. An autopsy will be performed.

Many areas in northeast Louisiana are in recovery mode today after horrible storms moved through the region Wednesday. Authorities say homes and businesses were damaged by hail and heavy winds and at least three people were injured. Executive Director of Ouachita Parish Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness Neal Brown…:
CUT 3 (11) “not livable”
He says the brunt of the damage was in the Sterlington area and into Morehouse and Richland parishes.

The Orleans Parish DA has decided not to prosecute the state’s weapons case against wealthy New York real estate heir Robert Durst and it was dropped today. Durst is still charged federally with illegal possession of a firearm by a felon and that case remains intact and is scheduled to go to trial on September 22nd.

In spite of Governor Bobby Jindal’s opposition, the Senate Education committee advances legislation designed to control the cost of the TOPS scholarship program. The bill’s author, Mandeville Senator Jack Donahue, says as tuition costs go up, so does the cost for TOPS and something needs to be done to preserve the program…

cut 14 (10) “in the future”

Donahue’s bill sets a baseline on how much the state will spend on TOPS and it will not automatically increase with a rise in tuition.

The state Department of Transportation wants to hear how motorists feel the I-10 through Baton Rouge should be improved. They’ve created a survey you can take online at i10br.com as part of a study to determine the feasibility of any enhancements it could make to the congested area from West Baton Rouge to the I-10/12 split. DOTD spokesman Rodney Mallett…

cut 7 (10) “for them to do that”

Mallett says they will be gathering your answers through the end of May.

Cops says a now ex-teacher from Lake Charles Charter Academy is under arrest amid allegations of sexual misconduct with one of her juvenile students. Michelle Southern reports…:

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Youngsville Police are working to identify the man accused of punching a youth softball coach and breaking her nose. The incident took place when a post-game brawl broke out between the visiting Lafayette team and the local Broussard Youngsville team. They say when the Broussard Youngsville coach stepped in to intervene, the man sucker-punched her. Authorities say the man was working as an assistant coach for the visiting team.

The Senate Education committee approves legislation designed to control the cost of the TOPS scholarship program, despite opposition from Governor Bobby Jindal. Mandeville Senator Jack Donahue’s bill sets a baseline on how much the state will spend on TOPS and it will not automatically increase with the rise in tuition…

cut 15 (10) “raise that”

TOPS is expected to cost the state over 250-million dollars this year and nearly 400-million dollars by fiscal year 2018-19.

Two bills that attempt to address gender inequality when it comes to pay failed to get approval from the House Labor Committee. Natchitoches Representative Kenny Cox says Louisiana has the worst gender pay gap in the nation at 66 percent. But Hammond Representative Chris Broadwater says laws like this would open up floodgates of litigation…

cut 13 (09) “treated unfairly”

The committee voted 9-to-5 against the measures.

St. Charles Parish Sheriff’s Office Cpl. Burt Hazeltine has been released from the hospital and the sheriff’s office will host a benefit lunch/dinner for him today in Destrehan. Hazeltine was shot last week while directing traffic in a school zone in Paradis. Captain Pat Yoes says they’re holding this fundraiser because Hazeltine has a long road ahead toward recovery…

cut 4 (06) “lessen that burden”

The fundraiser will happen at the Shriner’s Hall in Destrehan from 11AM til 8PM.

A crash in DeSoto Parish has claimed the life of a teenager, according to Mansfield Police. They say four Mansfield High School students were traveling down a roadway near the school when for unknown reasons their vehicle crossed the center line, struck an embankment, overturned, and hit a tree. The deceased has been identified as 16-year-old Reydel Jones. The other three students were transported to an area hospital for non-life threatening injuries. The investigation is ongoing.

The House Education Committee approves legislation to give public colleges and universities more authority to raise tuition and fees. Jeff Palermo has the story…:
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State Treasurer John Kennedy says Moody’s Investors Service has lowered LSU’s credit outlook from positive to stable. He says the flagship university is now one step away from a negative outlook which would be bad. Moody’s wrote the downgrade is due to limited prospects for sustained revenue growth due to potential reductions in the state budget. Kennedy says the solution would be for the legislature to stabilize funding for higher education.

Two bills that attempt to address gender inequality when it comes to pay failed to get approval from the House Labor Committee. Natchitoches Representative Kenny Cox says Louisiana has the worst gender pay gap in the nation at 66 percent. Hammond Representative Chris Broadwater says laws like this would open up floodgates of litigation…:
CUT 13 (09) “treated unfairly”
Others feel the data is skewed when it comes to saying Louisiana is 51st in the nation for gender pay because our workforce is different.

Despite opposition from Governor Bobby Jindal, the Senate Education committee approves legislation designed to control the cost of the TOPS scholarship program. The bill’s author, Mandeville Senator Jack Donahue, says as tuition costs rise, so does the cost for TOPS and something needs to be done to preserve the program…:
CUT 14 (09) “in the future”
Donahue’s bill heads to the Senate floor for more discussion.

New employment numbers show Louisiana’s labor force continues to grow while the state’s unemployment rate dropped for a third month in a row. Here’s Eric Gill with more…
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The widespread April showers are doing more than just causing flood concerns. The Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals says all the free standing water is proving to be an excellent breeding ground for mosquitos; and that translates into West Nile Virus concerns. Last year, there were 61 cases reported in the state, and DHH reminds you to fight the bite.
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Legislation that would give public colleges the authority to raise tuition and fees without legislative approval advanced out of the House Education Committee today. Hammond Representative Chris Broadwater says this legislation is needed because state funding has been on the decline since 2008
CUT 6 (08) “some point”
Many lawmakers are not comfortable with the idea, but many admit a funding source involving state dollars has yet to emerge.

Caddo Parish District Attorney Charles Scott died in his sleep last night in Baton Rouge while in town to meet with lawmakers at the Capitol. Scott was 67 according to public records. LSU Police Captain Corey Lalonde says by all indications this was just an extremely tragic sudden death…:
cut 12 (06) “natural causes”
Funeral arrangements are pending through Rose Neath Funeral Home in Shreveport.

It’s a nice economic combo, as Louisiana’s labor force continues to grow as the state’s unemployment rate dropped for a third month in a row. Louisiana Workforce Commission Executive Director, Curt Eysink, says the drop in oil prices has caused some decline in employment in the oil and gas industry…
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There were almost 2 million nonfarm jobs in Louisiana, the highest March on record.

Many lawmakers are not comfortable with the idea of allowing colleges and universities to raise tuition and fees, but a bill that would give public colleges the right to do that – without legislative approval – advanced out of the House Education Committee today. Thibodaux Representative Dee Richard says he doesn’t like it…
CUT 8 (10) Q: ‘support that’
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Caddo Parish District Attorney Charles Scott died in his sleep last night in Baton Rouge while in town to meet with lawmakers at the Capitol. LSU police say Scott was staying at the Lod Cook Hotel on campus. Captain Corey Lalonde says they were called to Scott’s room around 8:15 this morning…:
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He says by all indications this was just an extremely tragic sudden death.

Federal health officials say three people have died and five others have fallen ill from bacteria that may have come from Blue Bell products. A company spokesperson says they are focusing on cleanup and working to make sure they have a safe product. Tulane Business Professor Mark Rosa says they have a lot of work to do after that…
cut 14 (10) “Herculean effort”
A Blue Bell spokesperson says the company could start shipping product to stores again in the next couple of weeks.

There were almost 2 million non-farm jobs in Louisiana last month, and that’s the highest March on record, according to the Federal Bureau of Labor Statistics.
CUT 4 (10) “the job growth”
That’s Louisiana Workforce Commission Executive Director Curt Eysink, who adds the state seems to be weathering the oil company cutbacks storm fairly well.

Caddo Parish District Attorney Charles Scott died in his sleep last night in Baton Rouge while in town to meet with lawmakers at the Capitol. Shreveport Representative Thomas Carmody announced the news in the House Education Committee this morning.
cut 10 (08) “for his family please”
Police do not suspect foul play. Scott was 67.
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Legislation that would allow public colleges the authority to raise tuition and fees without legislative approval advanced out of the House Education Committee today. Hammond Representative Chris Broadwater says he would prefer see more state dollars go to help, but that hasn’t been the trend lately…
CUT 7 (10) “as a shell”
But many lawmakers are not comfortable with the option of schools raising tuition costs.

Blue Bell is now off the shelves because of Listeria bateria concerns. Company officials with say, after their thorough inspections are complete, they could start shipping product to stores again in the next couple of weeks. Tulane Business Professor Mark Rosa says this is something that will stick in the minds of customers; at least for a while…
cut 15 (05) “and so on”