Louisiana could get hit with two to four inches of rain today as a severe weather system moves into the state. Forecaster with the National Weather Service in Shreveport Patrick Omundson advises people to be on the lookout for severe weather threats.

CUT 9 (09) “winds too”

Much of Louisiana is under a flash flood watch.

A bill has passed out of the House Health and Welfare Committee that would extend the waiting period for an abortion from 24 to 72 hours. Haughton Representative Dodie Horton says extending this longer waiting period is necessary to allow women to make the right decision.

CUT 4 (04)  “can do”

No one spoke out in opposition, but pro-choice groups are concerned about hurdles facing women seeking abortions. The bill now heads to the House floor for further consideration.

A measure to create protection for public school students who are parents or expectant mothers has been passed out of the Senate Education Committee.  Metairie Rep. Stephanie Hilferty says teen pregnancy has a generational effect if we don’t help these parents return to high school after their maternity leave.

cut 14 (10)  “older parents”

Hilferty says as much support a mother can get from the state while in high school will reap substantial rewards.

The Senate advances legislation that would make Louisiana in federal compliance with the Real ID Act. The bill’s author, Baton Rouge Senator Yvonne Colomb, says this is a measure that was passed by Congress…:

cut 15 (09) “Homeland Security” 

The proposal passed 31-7 and heads to the House.

A tornado watch has been issued until 10 o’clock tonight for several north Louisiana parishes and it includes the cities of Shreveport and Monroe. Forecaster with the National Weather Service in Shreveport Patrick  Omundson says much of north Louisiana is also under a flash flood watch, due to all the backwater left from the recent flooding.
Cut 11 (11) “significant flooding”

Omundson also cautions people to watch out for lightening today.

A measure to create protection for public school students who are parents or expectant mothers has been passed out of the Senate Education Committee. Metairie Rep. Stephanie Hilferty is a co-author of the legislation and says only 40 percent of teen mothers finish high school…
Cut 13 (10) “child’s birth”

A bill has passed out of the House Health and Welfare Committee to extend the waiting period for an abortion from 24 to 72 hours. Cindy Collins with the Louisiana Abortion Recovery Alliance says right now, the law doesn’t give women enough time to think about all of their options.
CUT 3 (12) “enough time”

The St. Landry Parish Sheriff’s Office arrested a man accused of murdering his 28-year-old wife. Sheriff Bobby Guidroz says 52-year-old Sam Clark, Jr. admitted to police he shot Kimberly Perkins Clark twice in the head on the spillway levee bridge. He says the couple was driving over the bridge right before she was killed.
CUT 7 (10) “the water”

Clark is charged with second degree murder.

A bill that would extend the waiting period for an abortion from 24 to 72 hours has passed out of the House Health and Welfare Committee. Five other states have similar waiting periods. Monroe Representative Katrina Jackson says this decision will emotionally affect a woman for the rest of her life.

CUT 5 (10)  “time period”

No one spoke out in opposition, but pro-choice groups are concerned about legal hurdles facing women who are seeking an abortion.

The Senate advances legislation that would make Louisiana in federal compliance with the Real ID Act. The bill’s author, Baton Rouge Senator Yvonne Colomb, says her bill this year includes language that would give citizens the option…:

cut 16 (04) “to get one”

The proposal passed 31-7 and heads to the House.

The Department of Corrections is investigating whether incarcerated rapper C-Murder recorded a new single while in Angola. Michelle Southern reports…:

CUT 2 (26)  “I’m Michelle Southern”

Three-time Kentucky Derby-winning jockey Calvin Borel has announced that he has retired from riding. A Louisiana-native, Borel won a number of riding titles in Kentucky, including his first at Ellis Park in 1995 and his last at Churchill in 2010. The Hall of Famer has over 5-thousand wins and is second only to Pat Day in wins at Churchill Downs.

Legislation requiring women seeking an abortion to wait three days to think it over easily clears the House Health and Welfare Committee today. Haughton Representative Dodie Horton says extending the time from 24 hours is necessary to allow women to make the right decision…:
CUT 4 (04) “can do”
The bill heads to the full House.

Louisiana is just recovering from a recent soaking and more rain is on the way. Forecaster with the National Weather Service in Shreveport, Patrick Omundson, says much of the state will get around two inches…:
cut 10 (04) “as well”
Omundson also cautions people to watch out for lightening today.

Three people from Louisiana serving time for drug-related offenses have had their prison sentence commuted by President Barack Obama. The trio is part of a group of 61 throughout the nation who will all mostly be released July 28th. The inmates from Louisiana are Kevin County of New Orleans, Roy Lee Debose of Shreveport and John E Milton III of Baton Rouge.

The Senate advances legislation that would make Louisiana in federal compliance with the Real ID Act. The bill’s author, Baton Rouge Senator Yvonne Colomb, says this is a measure that was passed by Congress…:
cut 15 (09) “Homeland Security”
The proposal passed 31-7 and heads to the House.

A measure to create protection for public school students who are parents or expectant mothers clears the Senate Education Committee. New Orleans Senator Wesley Bishop says the Louisiana Expectant and Parenting Students Act will help both mothers and fathers receive a diploma…:
cut 12 (09) “young people”
The bill now heads to the full Senate for more debate.

As a heavy storm system moves in, an already wet North Louisiana is under a flash flood watch.

A bill heading to the House floor would extend the waiting period for an abortion from 24 to 72 hours. Halen Doughty has more…:
CUT 1 (31) “I’m Halen Doughty”

Louisiana could get hit with two to four inches of rain today as a severe weather system moves into the state. Forecaster with the National Weather Service in Shreveport Patrick Omundson advises people to be on the lookout for severe weather threats…:
CUT 9 (09) “winds too”

The Department of Corrections is investigating whether incarcerated rapper C-Murder recorded a new single while in Angola. Corey Miller is serving life at Angola for killing a 16-year-old and the video for a new single, “Dear Supreme Court” appears to have been put together following Miller’s conviction. The investigation remains open because his daughter posted online Miller made it in jail.

The St. Landry Parish Sheriff’s Office arrests a man accused of murdering his wife and dumping her body in the spillway canal near Palmetto. Sheriff Bobby Guidroz says 52-year-old Sam Clark, Jr. admitted to police he shot 28-year-old Kimberly Perkins Clark twice in the head on the spillway levee bridge. Guidroz says the couple had a very abusive relationship…:
CUT 6 (04) “pretty rough”
Clark Jr. is charged with second degree murder.

A bill that would require women to wait 72 hours instead of 24 hours before getting an abortion sails out of the House Health and Welfare Committee today. The only exception is if the women has to travel more than 150 miles to the nearest abortion clinic. Cindy Collins with the Louisiana Abortion Recovery Alliance says the current law doesn’t give women time to think about it…:
CUT 3 (12) “enough time”
No one spoke in opposition. The bill now heads to the House floor for further consideration.

A Zachary man is dead following a fire in a storage shed where he was living behind a family member’s home, according to the State Fire Marshal’s Office. They say the body of 64-year-old George Matthews Jr was pulled from the structure, which had no working utilities, and initial indications are that the victim died of smoke inhalation.

Louisiana could see severe weather today and tomorrow. Jeff Palermo has the story…:
Cut 2 (29) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

The rapper known as C-Murder, offender Corey Miller who is serving life at Angola for killing a 16-year-old, is out with a new video and the Department of Corrections wants to know if it was recorded in prison. They say Miller claimed everything released by his label was created before he was incarcerated. But the investigation remains open as his daughter claimed in an online publication that Miller recorded the song, “Dear Supreme Court/Under Pressure” – while in jail.

The Storm Prediction Center is calling for an enhanced risk for severe weather across north Louisiana today. State Climatologist Barry Keim hopes this is not a repeat of the devasting flooding that occurred three weeks ago…
cut 6 (11) “….heavy rainfall”
A flash flood watch is in effect until seven PM for much of north Louisiana.

A House committee approves legislation that would require women seeking an abortion to wait at least 72 hours before the procedure can be done after their initital meeting with the doctor. Current law calls for a 24-hour waiting period. Deanna Wallace with Louisiana Right to Life supports this measure…
cut 8 (10) “….that child”
The bill heads to the House floor for more discussion.

A new poll paid for by Rebuild Louisiana, which is a group that supports Governor John Bel Edwards, finds strong support among voters for some of the governor’s core initatives in this legislative session. That includes an increase to the state’s minimum wage. But ULM Political science professor Joshua Stockley says the republican-controlled legislature has a different stance…
cut 14 (09) “….to doing”
So far, lawmakers have yet to discuss raising the mininum wage to above eight dollars an hour in this session.

In two days, a higher state tax on alcohol goes into effect. Executive director of the Beer Industry League of Louisiana, John Williams, says unfortunately someone will have to absorb these costs, either consumers or alcohol retailers…
cut 11 (05) “….obviously”
The new state tax is expected to provide the state with an additional five million dollars in revenues through June 30th.

Governor John Bel Edwards’ approval rating is up to 52-percent in Louisiana, according to a recent poll paid for by Rebuild Louisiana. Halen Doughty has more…:
Cut 3 (31) “I’m Halen Doughty”

A man from Palmetto is under arrest for allegedly killing his wife and throwing her body into a canal, according to the St. Landry Parish Sheriff’s Office. They say 52-year-old Sam Clark Jr confessed to the murder of 28-year-old Kimberly Perkins Clark, who died from two gunshot wounds to the head.

Two abortion bills are on the agenda today in the House Health and Welfare Committee. One would extend the waiting period for a woman seeking to end her pregnancy from 24 to 72 hours. Deanna Wallace, Legislative Director for Louisiana Right to Life, says another bill would require all doctors performing abortions in Louisiana to be board eligible or certified….:
Cut 9 (08) “the law”
She says the measures are keeping the health of women in mind.

Smokers and alcohol drinkers will be paying more for cigarettes and adult beverages starting Friday when new taxes kick in. Executive Director of the Beer Industry League of Louisiana John Williams says the local brewery industry is growing in the state, and this increased one cent tax per drink will hurt them…:
cut 12 (06) “tax”
The alcohol tax hike is permanent.

Two bills regarding abortion are expected to be heard in the House Health and Welfare Committee today. One of the measures would extend the waiting period for a person seeking an abortion from 24 to 72 hours. Deanna Wallace, Legislative Director for Louisiana Right to Life, says this proposed law is looking out for the well-being of the mother…:
CUT 7 (08) “process”
Another bill on the table would require all doctors performing abortions in Louisiana to be board eligible or certified.

A new poll shows Governor John Bel Edwards’ approval rating is at 52-percent. The survey was paid for by a pro-Edwards organization. ULM Political Science Professor Dr. Joshua Stockley says a previous poll found Edwards’ support at 42-percent, so these numbers are not outside the realm of possibility…:
Cut 13 (11) “of Louisiana”

The National Weather Service places south Louisiana under a marginal risk for severe weather, central Louisiana at “slight”, and north Louisiana at “enhanced” risk. State Climatologist Barry Keim says two large weather systems are moving through the state…:
CUT 5 (10) “into Friday”
He says the potential doesn’t appear to be super high for another one of these gully washers like we had a couple weeks ago that led to all the flooding.

Did rapper C-Murder, who is severing life in Angola for killing a 16-year-old, record a rap song from prison? Authorities say the video for a new single, “Dear Supreme Court” appears to have been put together following Corey Miller’s conviction, not before. In the song Miller suggests the judge in his trial was acting on political ambitions and that witnesses were paid off.

A poll paid for by a pro John Bel Edwards organization finds the governor’s approval rating is a 52%. ULM Political Science Professor Dr. Joshua Stockely says Edwards could use these numbers to his advantage in showing lawmakers that their constituents support his proposals…:
CUT 15 (08) “to see”
The survey also showed a majority of respondents support Edwards’ agenda when it comes to equal pay for women and raising the minimum wage.

Starting Friday, the state tax will increase on all types of alcohol by one to two cents per serving. Executive Director of the Beer Industry League of Louisiana, John Williams, says although the state tax on beer in Louisiana has not been increased since 1948, it’s always been high…:
Cut 10 (09) “the rate”

Louisiana could see severe weather today and tomorrow. Jeff Palermo has the story…:
Cut 2 (29) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

A Denham Springs man is under arrest on murder charges for allegedly opening fire on two victims — one of which who died, in the first homicide of the year for the Livingston Parish city. Cops believe 24-year-old Brian Allen of Denham Springs confronted the victims when an argument ensued leading to the shooting. The deceased victim is identified as Derick Stewart of Walker.