The second special session for 2016 comes to an end tonight. State lawmakers raised an estimated $258 million in this session to address a $600 to $800 million budget shortfall. Legislators have spent the day deciding how to spend that money. Appropriations Chairman Cameron Henry says they will be able to mitigate cuts to hospitals that provide care for the poor and the TOPS scholarship program.

cut 12 (07) “are funded”

The second special session must conclude by midnight tonight. It appears based on the tax revenues available, the TOPS will only be funded at 70-percent, which means recipients of the state funded scholarship program will have to pay a portion of their tuition for the first time. Henry says he’s comfortable with how the legislature addressed funding for TOPS…

Cut 13 (09)  “fund TOPS”

Beginning in August, the felony for assaulting an officer could land someone in jail for up to 10 years, under a new law that expands the felony to include assault with any weapon, not just firearms. West Monroe Senator Mike Walsworth says this law means individuals who assault cops will receive consequences more in line with their actions.

Cut 11 (06) “a firearm”

Walsworth says under the previous law, assaulting an officer with anything other than a gun was a misdemeanor.

The LSU Board of Supervisors will vote tomorrow on whether or not their AgCenter will grow medical marijuana that would be sold to patients who receive prescription for the drug. Spokesperson for the LSU AgCenter Frankie Gould says the law passed this year that expanded the diseases for which the drug can be prescribed, also outlined two possible growers for the plant.

CUT 7 (09)  “medical marijuana”

Gould says they aren’t sure if this is a worthwhile investment, especially since state funding for colleges has been slashed in recent years.

Lawmakers have been working since February to solve the state’s massive budget shortfall and have increased tax revenue by about 258 million dollars during this second special session. Governor Edwards went into this session asking legislators to raise 600-million dollars in revenues in order to avoid more cuts. House Appropriations Chairman Cameron Henry says there was only a certain point the legislature was willing to go to fully fund government…
cut 14 (06) “we did”
The special session must conclude by midnight tonight.

Two Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s Deputies were shot in Monroe while serving a felony warrant Sheriff Jay Russell says one of the the officers was shot near near his face and the other in his the leg by 26-year-old Rickie Wade, Jr. Russell says both deputies are undergoing surgery and this so-called scumbag needs to be behind bars.
CUT 5 (08) “this community”
Russell says Wade had a long rap sheet.

President of Grambling State University Willie Larkin resigned today after one year at the school. Larkin made the announcement at Louisiana Tech during a meeting of the University of Louisiana Board of Supervisors. In February, Grambling’s Faculty Senate gave Dr. Larkin a vote of no confidence. As they were repordly upset with falling enrollment, fundraising and the loss of the school’s nursing program.

The US Supreme Court issues a ruling regarding affirmative action and it has a connection to Louisiana. Jeff Palermo has the story…
CUT 2 (28) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

A Monroe man shot two Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s deputies when they attempted to serve him a felony warrant this morning. Sheriff Jay Russell says the deputies arrived at the home of 26-year-old Rickie Wade, Jr. when they were notified he was in the back of the house. He says one deputy went through the home and the other went around the outside of the house.

CUT 3 (12)  “once also”

Russell says one deputy was shot in the leg, and the other near his face.

Based on the tax revenues available, it appears TOPS will only be funded at 70-percent, which means recipients of the state funded scholarship program will have to pay a portion of their tuition for the first time. Appropriations Chairman Cameron Henry says he’s comfortable with how the legislature addressed funding for TOPS…

Cut 13 (09)  “fund TOPS”

Residents in northwest Louisiana will now have access to revolutionary hi-tech methods for breast cancer detection, as new state-of-the-art breast imaging center is opening today in Shreveport. Marilyn Joiner is the spokeswoman for the WK Breast Health Center. She says doctors there will use 3D technology which lets them do a mammogram and a biopsy at the same time…:

CUT 6 (09) “to get a report”

The American Cancer Society recommends women over 40 get yearly breast cancer exams.

Beginning August 1, assaulting a police officer will be a felony, no matter what kind of weapon is used. West Monroe Senator Mike Walsworth says under the previous law, assaulting an officer with anything other than a gun was a misdemeanor. He says this new law expands that language to include the use of any weapon in the felony, not just a firearm.

CUT 9 (10) “is assault”

Two Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s Deputies were shot while serving a felony warrant in Monroe. Sheriff Jay Russell says 26-year-old Rickie Wade Jr was found a few blocks from the scene a couple hours after the shooting. He says the Swat team pumped gas into the house to get the suspect out of the residence without hurting him.

CUT 4 (10)  “team members”

Russell says Wade shot one deputy in the leg, and the other near his face.

Since February, legislators have been trying to solve a massive budget deficit and in this second special session they’ve increased tax revenue by at least 258-million dollars. House Appropriations Chairman Cameron Henry says that money will go toward mitigating cuts safety net hospitals and the TOPS scholarship program…

cut 12 (07) “are funded”

The second special session must conclude by midnight tonight.

A new law goes into effect on August 1 that expands the felony for assaults on police officers. West Monroe Senator Mike Walsworth says the law includes all weapons in the felony, not just firearms. He says we need to ensure that people who go after law enforcement are put behind bars.

cut 10 (08)  “private citizen”

Walsworth says the idea for this law came about when two police officers in Monroe were attacked by someone wielding an ax.

A brand new state-of-the-art breast imaging center, offering hi-tech methods for breast cancer detection, is opening today in Shreveport. Spokesperson for the WK Breast Health Center, Marilyn Joiner, says the new center offers northwest Louisiana convenient hours for patients to come for screening exams. She says detecting breast cancer at its earliest stages makes treatment more effective:

CUT 7 (11) “surgery”

This morning two Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s Deputies were serving a felony warrant in Monroe when the suspect tried to flee and shot both deputies. Jeff Palermo has the story…:
CUT 1 (29) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

The DA is East Baton Rouge Parish says they will not seek the death penalty in the case of the two suspects accused in the brutal murders and kidnapping of an elderly Baton Rouge couple last year. Hillar Moore says this was the decision of the Duplantier’s family. Ernesto Alonso and Frank Garcia are both charged with two counts of first degree murder and kidnapping.

A new law goes into effect on August 1 that expands the felony for assaults on police officers. West Monroe Senator Mike Walsworth says under the previous law, assaulting an officer with anything other than a gun was a misdemeanor. He says assault is assault no matter the weapon and says this law means criminals will receive consequences more in line with their crimes…:
Cut 11 (06) “a firearm”
the felony for assaulting an officer could land someone in jail for up to 10 years.

A brand new state-of-the-art breast imaging center, offering revolutionary hi-tech methods for breast cancer detection, is opening today in Shreveport. Marilyn Joiner is the spokeswoman for the WK Breast Health Center. She says they are very excited about this facility that is unlike any other in the region…:
CUT 8 (06) “of their patient”
She says doctors there will use 3D technology which lets them do a mammogram and a biopsy at the same time.

Just one day after a Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Deputy was shot and killed, authorities in Ouachita Parish say two of their officers also sustained gunshot wounds this morning and will undergo surgery. Sheriff Jay Russell says the deputies were serving warrant at the home of 26-year-old Rickie Wade when they were gunned down. He calls the suspect a scumbag who needs to be behind bars:
CUT 5 (08) “this community”
Charges against Wade are pending.

A new law goes into effect on August 1 that expands the felony for assaults on police officers. West Monroe Senator Mike Walsworth says under the mandate,
the crime of using any weapon, not just a gun, on a cop will no longer just be a misdemeanor…:
CUT 9 (10) “is assault”
The felony of assaulting an officer could land someone in jail for up to 10 years.

A brand new state-of-the-art breast imaging center, offering revolutionary hi-tech methods for breast cancer detection, is opening today in Shreveport. Marilyn Joiner is the spokeswoman for the WK Breast Health Center. She says doctors there will use 3D technology which lets them do a mammogram and a biopsy at the same time…:
CUT 6 (09) “to get a report”
She says the new center offers the northwest Louisiana region convenient hours for patients to come for screening exams before and after work.

The maker of the ever-popular Gold Brick Egg is officially opening it’s new $40 million dollar expansion today in Ponchatoula. Elmer Chocolate president and CEO, Robert Nelson, says the technology inside this new facility is off the charts…:
CUT 1 (08) “very efficiently”
There are 230 full-time employees at the plant.

Two Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s Deputies were shot while serving a felony warrant in Monroe. Sheriff Jay Russell says when the deputies arrived at the home of 26-year-old Rickie Wade, Jr, one went through the front and the other around back…:
CUT 3 (12) “once also”
Charges are pending against Wade. Both officers will undergo surgery.

Law enforcement is already mourning the death of 50-year-old Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Deputy David Michel Jr., who was fatally shot yesterday. JPSO Chief Deputy Craig Taffaro says it’s a sad day for the boys in blue…:
Cut 13 (05) “he had”
19-year-old Jerman Neveaux faces four charges including first degree murder, assault, battery on a police officer, and resisting arrest.

The special session ends at midnight tonight, and there’s still uncertainty surrounding the budget for next fiscal year. Jeff Palermo has the story…:
Cut 2 (27) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Governor John Bel Edwards highlighted the completion of Elmer Chocolate’s $40 million manufacturing expansion as Elmer Candy Corp. President and CEO Robert Nelson joined state and local leaders today to officially dedicate the expanded facility in Ponchatoula. In addition to retaining 164 jobs, Elmer Chocolate is creating 10 new direct jobs as part of the expansion, with an average salary of $42,500, plus benefits.

Two Ouachita Parish Sheriff Deputies were shot while trying to serve a warrant in the Monroe area. Authorities say a suspect is in custody, while the officers were rushed to hospitals. One of the lawmen has been airlifted to Shreveport, while the other is in surgery.

The Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s office is mourning over the loss one of its own deputies. 50-year-old David Michel was gunned down after approaching a suspicious pedestrain along a busy road. Jefferson Parish Sheriff Chief Deputy Craig Taffaro says he knew Michel well…
cut 15 (02) “…always cheerful”
A 19-year-old has been arrested in Michel’s death. He’s been identified as Jerman Neveaux.

It’s the last day of the special session. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says democrats and the Edwards administration are pushing for legislators to approve a bill that would reduce a tax break many upper income earners enjoy…
cut 10 (07) “….governor wants”
The special session ends must at midnight tonight.

President Obama signed a bill into law that puts regulations in place to make chemical plants safer. U.S. Senator David Vitter is a co-sponsor of the legislation and says this benefits Louisiana residents, because it creates a federal system to make sure chemicals are made safely based on the latest science…:
cut 4 (07) “done that”
He says the chemical industry is in support of these new regulations.

Ponchatoula-based Elmer Chocolate cuts the ribbon on a new 40-million dollar expansion today. Elmer president and CEO Rob Nelson says new facility will include technology to make the company more efficient. He says this is good news for Elmer’s employees….
cut 8 (12) “…our community”
There are 230 full-time employees at the plant.

It’s a sad day in Jefferson Parish as the sheriff’s office mourns the death of one of their own. 50-year-old Deputy David Michel Jr. was allegedly shot and killed by 19-year-old Jerman Neveaux. PSO Chief Deputy Craig Taffaro says he spoke with Michel’s father when he was driving in from Mississippi…:
cut 14 (05) “to do”
Authorities say Michel was shot three times in the back after an altercation with a black male pedestrian.

Lawmakers are likely thrilled that today is the last day of the second special session of the year, but many questions remain about what’s going to happen with the budget. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says Governor Edwards success in this session lies with a personal income tax measure up for debate today…:
CUT 11 (10) “on it”
Lawmakers have approved legislation that raises tax revenues by $258 million.

A suspect is in custody in the case of the officer involved shooting that sent two Ouachita Parish deputies to the hospital, and the cops are in stable condition, according to authorities. The Sheriff’s Office says the deputies were serving a Felony Warrant when the incident occurred.

Another report out of north Louisiana indicates Grambling State University President Willie Larkin will likely resign this week. But the board is not commenting at this time.

Today, the Elmer Chocolate factory in Ponchatoula cuts the ribbon on a 40-million dollar expansion. Halen Doughty has more…:
CUT 1 (30) “I’m Halen Doughty”

The Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office has identified the suspect in the fatal shooting of a deputy as 19-year-old Jerman Neveaux…:
CUT 3 (29) “I’m Halen Doughty”

Plenty remains to be seen when it comes to next fiscal year’s budget, as the second special session this year comes to an end tonight. $258 million dollars has been raised thus far, short of the $600 million requested by the administration. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says legislators have to determine how those revenues till be allocated, among other things…:
cut 12 (09) “just passed”

The Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s Office says they are investigating an officer involved shooting which sent two deputies to a local hospital. They say the cops were attempting to serve a Felony Warrant. More on this as it develops.

President Obama signed a bill into law that puts regulations in place to make chemical plants safer. U.S. Senator David Vitter is a co-sponsor of the legislation He says before this, states were developing their own inconsistent regulatory systems which wasn’t working…:
Cut 5 (11) “with them”

He says the chemical industry supports the new regulations.

The Ponchatoula-based company Elmer Chocolate cuts the ribbon on their new $40 million expansion today. Elmer president and CEO, Robert Nelson, says they are excited to open their expanded facility right here in the Bayou State…:
CUT 7 (10) “the world”