A Senate bill that will likely result in future TOPS students having to pay a portion of their tuition clears the House Education Committee despite Governor Jindal’s opposition. Eric Gill reports…

CUT 1 (29) “reporting”

==================

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration announces results of a study which shows the Deepwater Horizon oil spill contributed to a high number of dolphin deaths in the Gulf of Mexico. Michelle Southern reports…:

CUT 2 (32) “reporting”

===================

Legislation that looks to reduce the penalties for those convicted multiple times of marijuana possession makes progress in the state legislature. A Senate committee has approved New Orleans Senator JP Morrell’s bill that would change a second-offense from a felony to a misdemeanor charge. He says third or four offenses would still be felonies, but with lower maximum sentences than current law…

CUT 3 (06)  “20 times higher”

The House has also approved its own legislation that will reduces penalties for multiple marijuana offenders. But Morrell’s measure also allows an offender to have their record expunged, if they are not convicted for another marijuana violation within two years of their first offense

CUT 4 (10)  “first offense only”

Morrell says his measure will save the state 16-million dollars over five years, because fewer people will be locked up. He says district attorneys and sheriffs support his legislation, because there’s still significant penalties for those convicted three or more times…

CUT 5 (05)  “more sense”

============================

A Senate bill that will likely result in future TOPS students having to pay a portion of their tuition clears the House Education Committee. The governor’s office opposes Mandeville Senator Jack Donahue’s legislation. Stafford Palmieri, Jindal’s Assistant Chief of Staff, says Louisiana has made the promise that TOPS students will have their tuition fully paid…

CUT 6 (09)  “tuition increase”

Under Donahue’s bill, the TOPS award will match 2016-17 tuition levels but the award will not automatically go up when tuition rises. Donahue says TOPS is unsustainable in its current form and this baseline will ensure its survival…

CUT 7 (06) “their kids after”

The measure will now be debated on the House floor. Palmieri admits that the cost of the TOPS program has increased every year since 2008, but says this is a good investment in the state’s higher education system…

CUT 8 (10)  “finishing college”

Donahue says controls need to be put in place to regulate the costs of TOPS so the program can endure for future generations of students. He doesn’t think passage of this bill will damage the program…

CUT 9 (11)  “to do that”

============================

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration announces results of a study which shows the Deepwater Horizon oil spill contributed to a high number of dolphin deaths in the Gulf of Mexico. Dr. Kathleen Colegrove is the study’s lead veterinary pathologist…:

cut 10 (10) “other areas”

Colegrove says one in three dolphins found dead in Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama had a thin adrenal gland cortex which leads to adrenal insufficiency. She says when just looking at dolphins from Barataria Bay, one of the most heavily oiled coastal areas, half of them had the otherwise rare adrenal lesion…:

cut 11 (08)  “this lesion”

NOAA says these studies point to the presence of petroleum hydrocarbons as being the most significant cause of the illnesses and deaths plaguing the Gulf’s dolphin population. Colegrove says dolphins dying after the spill had distinct problems not present in stranded dophins from areas outside the northern Gulf. She says another problem they found in the spill areas in stranded dolphins was lung disease…:

cut 12 (06)  “the US”

============================

The Louisiana Black Bear population has reached a point in its recovery that the federal government recommends the removal of the animal from the threatened species list.  Governor Bobby Jindal says it took over 20-years of collaborative research and recovery efforts to get to this point….

cut 13 (11)  “key habitats”

Jindal says the state has spent more than 900-thousand dollars to help restoration of the black bear population. Deputy Director of the US Fish and Wildlife Service, Steve Guertin, is glad efforts to save the iconic “Teddy Bear” have paid off…

cut 14 (10) “state of Louisiana”

It will likely take a year before the bear is delisted, as federal officials must gather public input on the recommendation. Once that process is completed, it could open the door for regulated hunting of the black bear. But state department of Wildlife and Fisheries Secretary Robert Barham says that’s not happening anytime soon…

cut 15 (11) “rifle”

Today, the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries will make an important announcement at the Governor’s Mansion regarding the Louisiana black bear. Eric Gill reports…

CUT 1 (29) “reporting”

______________________________________

According to a recent survey by the LSU Public Policy Research lab, voters in Louisiana are still not tuned in to the upcoming Governor’s race. Michelle Southern reports…:

Cut 2 (31) “reporting”

______________________________________

Governor Bobby Jindal issues an executive order that would accomplish what a so-called religious freedom bill would do. Scott Carwile has the story….

Cut 3 (31) “reporting”

______________________________________

Today, the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries will make an important announcement at the Governor’s Mansion regarding the Louisiana black bear. It is expected that the black bear will be officially removed from the threatened species list. Secretary Robert Barham says the black bear was put on the threatened list nearly 25 years ago…

cut 4  (11)  “be recognized”

Barham says LDWF has a long history of rehabilitating animal populations, including the American alligator, the brown pelican, and the bald eagle. He says the resurgence in the black bear population is a tribute to the biologists and everyone with the department…

Cut 5  (07)  “to come”

The Louisiana black bear is the the inspiration for the Teddy Bear, the popular children’s toy. The stuffed animal was created after a hunting trip in the area by then President Teddy Roosevelt. Roosevelt’s great-grandson, Theodore Roosevelt IV, will be on hand for the announcement…

Cut 6 (08)  “was president”

______________________________________

According to a recent survey by the LSU Public Policy Research lab, voters in Louisiana are still not tuned in to the upcoming Governor’s race. The numbers show only 25% of people here are following news about the election. PPRL Director Dr. Michael Henderson says voters ages 18-29 are paying the least amount of attention…:

CUT 7 (10)  “less in politics” (2x)

Henderson says they also found that 38% of voters say they are satisfied with the current slate of candidates running for governor in the October 24 election. He says even only about 1 and 3 older voters seem to be engaged but feels it will likely change late summer/early fall…:

Cut 8  (08)  “that point” 

Henderson says Scott Angelle is the candidate fewest voters are familiar with at 83% followed by John Bel Edwards at 76% then Jay Dardenne at 60% but only 28% of people said they didn’t know who David Vitter is. He says all four candidates have favorable ratings among people in the know…:

Cut 9 (06)  “going forward”

_____________________________________

Governor Bobby Jindal issues an executive order that would have the same effect as a so called “religious freedom” bill that failed to pass out of a  House committee on Tuesday.  U-L Lafayette Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says there is irony in this move by Jindal…

Cut 10 (11) ” Louisiana”

Jindal says his executive order prevents the state from taking adverse action against people, charities and family owned businesses who have deep religious beliefs that marriage is between a man and a woman. Cross predicts there will be a lawsuit…

cut 11 (07) “anyway”

Passing a religious liberty bill was a priority for Governor Jindal in this legislative session. Cross says it’s not a surprise that lawmakers didn’t bend over backwards to get this law passed…

cut 12 (10)   “he likes”

______________________________________

A House bill that would allow elementary school students to be taught gun safety is headed to the Senate. The legislation is by Baton Rouge Representative Blake Miguez who says firearm accident prevention and safety would be something kids should learn at a young age…:

Cut 13 (06)  “fire safety”

Shreveport Representative Barbara Norton doesn’t think that young kids should be learning anything about guns. She says firearm safety education should be left up to parents if they so choose to teach their kids about guns…:

Cut 14 (06) “or see a gun”

The measure passed on a 93-3 vote. Hammond Representative Chris Broadwater says he supports the measure because very often parents are not teaching their children proper safety measures when it comes to things like guns…:

Cut 15  (13)  “that education”

______________________________________

The LSU baseball team begins play this afternoon at 4:30 in the SEC Tournament in Hoover, Alabama. Coach Paul Mainieri says this week will get them ready for the NCAA Tournament…

Cut 16  (20)  “all of em”

LSU has won the last two SEC Tournaments and with Mainieri as the head coach, the Tigers won the SEC Tourney from 2008 through 2011. The coach says they go into this tournaments with very little pressure on them, since they know they’ll be a part of the NCAA Tournament

Cut 17 (12)  “LSU”

The American Future Project has released a television ad in Iowa supporting Governor Bobby Jindal’s candidacy for president. Jeff Palermo reports…

CUT 1 (30) “reporting”

==================

Bossier City Representative Mike Johnson’s controversial religious freedom bill was debated for several hours before a House committee decided to put the measure back on the calendar, essentially killing the legislation for this session. Eric Gill reports…

CUT 2 (30) “reporting”

===================

Lynne Marino, an outspoken victims rights advocate and mother of a woman believed to have been murdered by a convicted serial killer, has died. She was 78. Marino’s daughter, Pam Kinamore, was one of several women likely slain by Derrick Todd Lee. On an appearance on the Jim Engster show earlier this year, Marino recalls her first remarks to Lee…:

CUT 3 (11)  “patrol car”

Marino appeared almost daily on radio and television newscasts after Kinamore disappeared in July 2002. She recently recalled the moment Lee was sentenced to die after being convicted of first degree murder in the death of Charlotte Murray Pace in 2004…:

CUT 4 (13)  “to use it”

Marino was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer last August. She recalls the moment she was told about her condition…:

CUT 5 (10)  “to my daughter”

============================

After a lengthy debate over the controversial religious freedom bill by Bossier City Representative Mike Johnson, the House Civil Law Committee overwhelmingly votes to return the bill to the calendar, essentially killing the bill for the session. Johnson told the panel that his legislation is designed to protect business owners who make decisions based on their religious beliefs concerning gay marriage…

CUT 6 (09)  “conscience and religion”

But, opponents say this bill legalizes discrimination against the LGBT community. New Orleans Convention and Visitors Bureau President, Stephen Perry spoke against the measure. He says this bill gives Louisiana a black eye…

CUT 7 (11) “sanctioned bigotry”

Johnson says all his legislation is attempting to do is prohibit the state from taking action against a business or person for a decision made based on their religious beliefs on same-sex marriage. The Supreme Court is expected to issue a ruling on gay marriage on June 18th. Johnson says every state, not just Louisiana, needs a bill like this passed now…

CUT 8 (11)  “5,000 years”

Perry says this legislation would have a devastating effect on the state’s economy as well as putting the state’s ability to host national sporting events in jeopardy. He says this bill goes against what the state’s tourism industry believes in…

CUT 9 (11)  “in the marketplace”

============================

A pro-Governor Bobby Jindal advocacy group has released a television ad in Iowa supporting his candidacy for president. The American Future Project says the ad will run on cable television in Iowa and online for one week. ULM Political Science Professor Joshua Stockley says the ad is indicative of Jindal’s approach toward the Republican nomination and against the rest of the field…

cut 10 (09) “very evangelical”

This ad comes on the heels of the governor forming an exploratory committee for a run for the presidency. Stockley says hundreds of millions of dollars were spent in the last presidential election and is just the tip of the iceberg for Jindal…

cut 11 (12)  “in the newspaper”

The television ad positions Jindal as conservative Republican’s leading voice in the battle over religious freedom. At this point, Stockley feels the governor’s announcement isn’t speculation anymore, it’s just a matter of time…

cut 12 (05)  “that end”

============================

The Iberville Parish Sheriff’s office says a man who was once named Teacher of the Year, has been arrested on 30 counts of sex with students. Sheriff Brett Stassi says they got a complaint late Monday about 30-year-old Keavin Keith, who teaches at MSA-West Academy in Plaquemine…:

cut 13 (08)  “developed some charges”

Stassi says when they were investigating the original complaint, they ended up finding more student victims totaling three. He says they processed a laundry list of charges…:

cut 14 (09) “and a student”

Keith was recognized as teacher of the year in 2013. Stassi says since there are already three victims with several accusations against Keith, it’s possible there are more out there…:

cut 15 (10) “with this teacher”

==========================

The House Civil Law Committee will hear controversial legislation today that deals with discrimination against gays and same sex couples. Jeff Palermo reports…

CUT 1 (30) “reporting”

______________________________________

Senator Bill Cassidy’s bill to expand drilling in the Gulf and increase the revenues Gulf states receive for supporting offshore energy production receives a hearing today on Capitol hill. Scott Carwile has the story…

Cut 2 (29) “reporting”

______________________________________

To recognize National Dog Bite Prevention Week, State Farm compiled claims data and found that Louisiana ranks 14th in the United States in a 2014 analysis of dog bite injury claims. Michelle Southern reports.:

Cut 3 (30) “reporting”

______________________________________

Today the House Civil Law Committee will hear Bossier City Representative Mike Johnson’s controversial religious freedom bill. Johnson says HB 707 would prevent adverse treatment from the state of any person or entity on the basis of their religious views on marriage, while opponents feel this bill legalizes discrimination. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat doesn’t think the outlook for this bill is good…

cut 4  (07)  “probably not”

The committee is also expected to hear a bill by New Orleans Representative Austin Badon that would protect someone from being fired from a job or denied housing because of their sexual orientation. Pinsonat believes this bill will be shot down as well…

Cut 5  (10)  “no to this” 2X

Pinsonat says there are already many laws on the books to protect individual rights and passing more of those laws is not popular among Louisiana voters…

Cut 6 (08)  “feel about it”

______________________________________

The US Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee hears legislation today that seeks to expand offshore drilling and provides Louisiana with additional dollars from oil and gas produced in federal waters off the state’s coast. Recently elected Senator Bill Cassidy is the author of the bill that supporters say could create over 200-thousand jobs

CUT 7 (08)  “with that”

Louisiana and three other gulf states currently receive hundreds of millions of dollars for hosting offshore energy production. But there’s a cap on how much the states can receive, Cassidy is calling for a raising of the cap with this bill…

Cut 8  (10)  “Security Act” 

Cassidy’s bill would also allow for offshore drilling in the Eastern Gulf of Mexico in 2017. While the Obama administration has signed off on a plan to drill in the Artic Ocean north of Alaska, it’s held firm on a ban that prohibits drilling in the Eastern Gulf. Cassidy hopes his legislation can lift that ban

Cut 9 (08)  “for you”

_____________________________________

An 11-year-old boy was killed in Ruston Monday after the car he was riding in got swept away in flash flood waters and he was trapped inside. Police Department spokesman Deputy Chief Clint Williams says a woman was taking her 11 and 7 year old grandsons to school when their vehicle got swept into a creek. He says they located the driver…:

Cut 10 (11) “clinging to a tree”

Williams says the grandmother and the 7-year-old were able to remove themselves from the vehicle and they were rescued. He says they found the partially submerged car when the creek waters began to recede…:

cut 11 (05) “the 11-year-old”

Williams says they want to remind the public that you should never travel when there is water on the roadway, especially moving water…:

cut 12 (08)   “again”

______________________________________

To recognize National Dog Bite Prevention Week, State Farm compiled claims data and found that Louisiana ranks 14th in the United States in a 2014 analysis of dog bite injury claims. The company says it paid out nearly $3 million dollars here for dog bite claims last year. Spokesman Roszell Gadson says they want people to be mindful of safety when it comes to unfamiliar animals…:

Cut 13 (10)  “proper shots”

Gadson says while an overwhelming majority of interactions with dogs don’t result in injury, most dog bites to children could be prevented. He says parents should teach their kids not to trust strange dogs…:

Cut 14 (10) “from the owner”

Gadson says having the proper insurance coverage for your pet situation is an important aspect to being a responsible dog owner…:

Cut 15  (07)  “have a pet”

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New men’s basketball coach Eric Konkol says he’s wants to build on a standard of excellence that’s already growing at Louisiana Tech. Konkol takes over for Michael White, who won three straight league titles. Konkol, who has been an assistant at Miami for the last four seasons, says he’s heard nothing but great things about the Bulldog basketball program….

Cut 16  (19)  “to me”

Last year, Tech won 27 games and they were second in Conference USA in scoring. During his introductory press conference, Konkol talked about his philosphy on offense

Cut 17 (19)  “great shot”

The Bulldogs have also been a team that liked to create turnovers and fast break opportunities on offense. Konkol says he wants to keep that style in place…

Cut 18 (18) “to them”‘

Governor Bobby Jindal has formed an exploratory committee in efforts to help him in deciding whether or not to make a presidential run in 2016. Eric Gill reports…

CUT 1 (29) “reporting”

==================

The state senate begins the process of approving House-approved bills that raise an estimated 615-million dollars in state revenues. Jeff Palermo has the story….

CUT 2 (30) “reporting”

===================

Flash Flood Watches and Warnings have been issued across north Louisiana as heavy rains have pounded the area throughout the morning. Jason Hansford with the National Weather Service in Shreveport says they’ve had reports in the Shreveport area of up to six inches of rain this morning…

CUT 3 (07)  “Bossier City areas”

There have been reports of flash flooding across north Louisiana this morning. In Ruston, police say an 11-year-old was killed when the car he was riding in was swept away by flood waters. Hansford says up to 5 inches of rain fell in the Monroe area this morning…

CUT 4 (06)  “Caldwell Parish”

He says the Caldwell Parish town of Columbia has reported in excess of seven inches of rain this morning and sandbagging operations have been put in place. Hansford says these rains could last into the afternoon and dump a significant amount of additional rain across north Louisiana…

CUT 5 (10)  “Columbia, Louisiana”

============================

Governor Bobby Jindal has formed an exploratory committee in efforts to help him in deciding whether or not to make a presidential run in 2016. Jindal has been considering a run for several months and has stated he will make a final decision by the end of June. Michael Henderson, Director of LSU’s Public Policy Research Lab, says this is not a surprising move…

CUT 6 (08)  “of the moments”

This is seen as a sign of how serious Jindal is about running for the GOP presidential nomination, despite the low numbers the governor has received in recent polls. Henderson says this exploratory committee will help Jindal gain financial support and get his name out there…

CUT 7 (11) “gain some momentum”

The exploratory committee has launched a website, BobbyJindal-dot-com, for supporters to receive updates on the governor’s efforts. Henderson says Jindal does not seem deterred by the lack of support the surveys indicate. He says it’s a little early too early in the process to place too much emphasis on poll numbers…

CUT 8 (10)  “the poll numbers”

============================

The East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s office arrests four including the ex-husband of a 54-year-old woman who has been missing since early April in an apparent murder for hire plot. Detectives believe 64-year-old Hamid Ghassemi hired a man who worked for him, 33-year-old Daniel Richter of Walker and two other associates, to kill Tahereh Ghassemi. State Police Col Mike Edmonson says the confessions were chilling…:

CUT 9 (06)  “no remorse”

Richter, 17-year-old Skyler Williams and 20-year-old Tyler Ashpaul, both of Denham Springs, are all charged with first-degree murder, second degree kidnapping and arson. Hamid Ghassemi is charged with principal to murder, kidnapping and arson and solicitation for murder. Apparently the three suspects who shot and killed the woman split $10,000 paid to them by Hamid Ghassemi for the murder of his ex-wife. Edmonson says this is pathetic…:

cut 10 (09) “a human body”

An autopsy revealed the victim died of a gunshot wound to the head. Detectives discovered Tahereh Ghassemi’s body Saturday buried in a heavily wooded area in St. Helena Parish. They say during questioning, Ashpaugh told detectives he went with Williams and Richter to the woman’s house where they put her in the trunk of her vehicle and transported her to the burial site. Edmonson commends law enforcement for bringing the family closure…:

cut 11 (09)  “her body”

============================

The Senate Revenue and Fiscal Affairs Committee approved a eleven tax bills that have also passed out of the House. The measures raise an estimated 615-million dollars to help stave off large cuts to public colleges and universities and the state’s health care system. Some of the bills reduce rebate and tax credit programs for businesses. Benton Senator Robert Adley on why they need this legislation to pass…

cut 12 (10)  “hospitals and universities”

All of the tax bills head to the Senate Finance Committee for more discussion. Many of them face heavy opposition from business lobbyist groups. Adley understands their concerns, but the legislature is trying to raise revenue to avoid major cuts to health care and higher ed

cut 13 (07)  “health care”

The senate panel also agreed to increase Louisiana’s cigarette tax by 32-cents, which means the state tax on a pack of cigs would be 68-cents. But New Orleans Senator JP Morrell indicated the proposed tax could go up even more as the bill moves through the legislative process

cut 14 (09) “final disposition”

============================

The Louisiana Highway Safety Commission begins a statewide “Click It or Ticket” campaign today focusing on back seat passengers, pickup trucks, and low compliance areas. Eric Gill reports…

CUT 1 (30) “reporting”

______________________________________

May is Foster Care Month which is why the Department of Children and Family Services is making an extra push to recruit foster families. Scott Carwile reports…:

Cut 2 (31) “reporting”

______________________________________

17-year-old Koryn Hawthorne of Abbeville performs tonight in the finals of NBC’s “The Voice”. Michelle Southern reports…:

Cut 3 (27) “reporting”

______________________________________

The Louisiana Highway Safety Commission begins a statewide “Click It or Ticket” campaign today focusing on back seat passengers, pickup trucks, and low compliance areas. Their 2014 seat belt survey showed 84-percent of Louisiana motorists buckled up, the highest rate to date. Executive Director Lt. Col. John LeBlanc says this is a statewide campaign, but they will focus efforts in areas of the state where seat belt compliance is the lowest…

cut 4  (05)  “central Louisiana”

Seat belt compliance was lowest in the Alexandria area, 71-percent, followed by Monroe with a 75-percent seat belt use rate. LeBlanc says this campaign is designed to raise those rates as well as the compliance rate for back seat passengers. He says since the state expanded its seat belt law to cover back seat passengers in 2009, the compliance rate has doubled to 55-percent…

Cut 5  (06)  “about that law”

He attributes some of the noncompliance to a lack of awareness about the law for back seat passengers. The campaign, which runs through the end of the month, will also look to make sure those in pickup trucks are buckled up. LeBlanc says they provde extra funding for law enforcement to increase patrols through the campaign…

Cut 6 (09)  “rate goes up”

______________________________________

The Department of Children and Family Services is recruiting Foster Families, especially those who can take larger sibling groups or children with special needs. DCFS Policy Advisor Kaaren Hebert says because of unsafe living conditions at home, they regularly have children who need a new place to stay. She says children enter foster care almost daily…:

CUT 7 (09)  “scheduling”

May is Foster Care Month which is why an extra push to recruit families is made. Hebert says this month, more than 4300 children will be served by Louisiana’s foster care system and just 2,000 certified foster homes are available. She says that’s a huge deficit for their agency…:

Cut 8  (09)  “older children” 

To find out more about becoming a foster parent, visit www.dcfs.la.gov/foster. Hebert says children do best in families and by having foster homes in all areas of the state, children in foster care can stay close to home and in the same school…:

Cut 9 (10)  “get to remain”

______________________________________

17-year-old Koryn Hawthorne of Abbeville performs tonight in the finals of NBC’s “The Voice”. Since the start of the season, Hawthorne has impressed judges with her strong voice and commanding stage presence. Her principal at Lighthouse Christian School, Tiffany Spraggins, says the excitement on campus ranges from the youngest in class to the oldest adult

Cut 10 (10) “that night”

Hawthorne had to battle another contestant to advance last week and it was ultimately the Twitter vote that moved her into tonight’s finals. Spraggins says their students were showing teachers how to set up Twitter accounts so they could all vote for #TeamKoryn…:

cut 11 (09) “fun experience”

The show begins at 7pm. Spraggins says Koryn sings through the halls of the school all the time and it’s obvious that music is in her soul…:

cut 12 (11)   “the full record”

______________________________________

The Senate Revenue and Fiscal Affairs Committee will discuss today the revenue generating bills that were approved by the House. The lower chamber passed 11 bills that would increase revenues by 615-million dollars. Jeremy Alford, with la-politics-dot-com, says Senate leadership wants to raise even more revenue to offset a one-point-six billion dollar budget gap

Cut 13 (10)  “control over”

The tax bills up for considerationin the Senate would reduce tax breaks businesses currently enjoy, there’s also legislation that scales back the film tax and solar tax credit programs. Alford says the senate will likely look at limiting even further those two programs, plus raising the cigarette tax to a higher amount already agreed upon by the House….

Cut 14 (09) “entire answer”

Alford says while the legislature is busy looking at ways to raise revenue, they also have to find a tax offset to satisfy Governor Bobby Jindal’s concerns about increased taxes. He says with less than a month to go in the session, there’s a lot of work ahead for lawmakers…

Cut 15  (11)  “totals”

______________________________________

The Saints held a rookie minicamp over the weekend. A chance for the coaches to get a look at the players that were recently drafted or signed as free agents out of college. That includes third-round draft pick and quarterback Garrett Grayson. Coach Sean Payton says he was impressed with what he saw from Grayson

Cut 16  (13)  “really effective”

Grayson says running a pro style offense at Colorado State should help him learn the Saints playbook…

Cut 17 (15)  “for me”

Grayson says he’s looking forward to learning from starting quarterback Drew Brees…

Cut 18 (20) “a beat’

High School graduation season is underway and a recent statewide survey shows almost two-thirds of voters favor the TOPS scholarship program to remain fully funded despite lawmakers efforts to put a cap on the awards. Eric Gill reports…

CUT 1 (29) “reporting”

==================

This summer might the biggest ever for Hollywood South at the Box Office. Michelle Southern reports.

CUT 2 (31) “reporting”

===================

High School graduation season is underway and a recent statewide survey shows almost two-thirds of voters favor the TOPS scholarship program to remain fully funded despite lawmakers efforts to put a cap on the awards. A bill that would put limits on TOPS scholarship awards has passed the Senate and will be considered in the House. Pollster Bernie Pinsonat, with Southern Media and Opinion Research, says the poll shows 64-percent of voters want TOPS to be left as is…

CUT 3 (10)  “pay for TOPS”

The poll shows only 28-percent of Louisiana voters approve of limiting the scholarship awards. Legislators are currently considering putting a cap on the program in an effort to address the state’s $1.6 billion budget deficit. Pinsonat admits there is an inherent problem with TOPS…

CUT 4 (04)  “more money”

Supporters of the measure argue that the program is unsustainable because rising tuitions cause the amount of money the state spends each year on TOPS to rise. Pinsonat says this survey shows voters overwhelmingly reject that argument…

CUT 5 (07)  “fund it”

============================

This summer might the biggest ever for Hollywood South at the Box Office. Starting this weekend with the opening of the Baton Rouge filmed Pitch Perfect 2, if you hit up the theater this summer there’s a good chance you’ll see a movie that was filmed in Louisiana. That’s according to Louisiana Entertainment Executive Director Chris Stelly…:

CUT 6 (07)  “the next Terminator”

There are concerns among lawmakers that the film tax program in Louisiana is too generous, Stelly doesn’t think movie makers will be deterred. He says there are currently cameras rolling throughout the state…:

CUT 7 (10) “New Orleans”

Among films shot here hitting the big screen this summer are New Orleans filmed “American Ultra” staring Kristen Stewart, “Selfless” with Ben Kingsley and “The Fantastic Four” which was made in Baton Rouge. Stelly says Louisiana is well represented on the little screen and the big screen this summer…:

CUT 8 (06)  “have on record”

============================

Alexandria Police have arrested a man accused of throwing an eight-month-old baby against a wall. Deputy Chief Cedric Green says they received a call from the baby’s mother saying 20-year-old Devontee Smith kicked in the back door of her residence and threatened her and and the baby. Green says Smith was upset about something when he came to the residence…

CUT 9 (06)  “against the wall”

Green says Smith, who is reported to be the child’s father, grabbed the baby by the ankles and slammed him against the wall. He says Smith then took the baby’s milk and diapers before fleeing the residence. Green says authorities caught up with Smith and booked him into the Rapides Parish Jail…

cut 10 (06) “and theft”

Smith faces charges of domestic abuse battery, home invasion, simple assault, and theft. Green says the baby boy was examined by an ambulance crew at the scene… (The crew found no visible injuries to the child.)

cut 11 (06)  “to the child”

============================

There’s a good chance you’ve seen termites swarming the street lights as it’s that time of year. Dr. Dennis Ring, entomologist with the LSU AgCenter, says the Formosan subterranean termites are attracted to lights and swarm from dusk through early morning. He says this is the most destructive insect in the state of Louisiana…:

cut 12 (08)  “to the light”

Ring says the first major swarm happens right about Mother’s Day then several major swarms will go through May and June. He says the swarms lighten up in July and we may even get a few termites in August. Ring says there is an alternative for people who don’t want to turn off porch lights…:

cut 13 (07)  “to insects”

Ring suggests homeowners call at least three professional pest management companies to come out and draw a diagram to tell you exactly what they are going to do to protect your structure from termites…:

cut 14 (09) “once you get termites”

============================

The Baton Rouge-shot “Pitch Perfect 2″ opens nationwide today and expectations that it will be as loved as the first one are high. Michelle Southern reports…:

CUT 1 (30) “reporting”

______________________________________

A new political action committee targets US Senator David Vitter’s attempt to become governor of Louisiana. Jeff Palermo has more…

Cut 2 (30) “reporting”

______________________________________

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries announces that Safe Boating Week begins Saturday. Scott Carwile reports…

Cut 3 (27) “reporting”

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The Baton Rouge-shot “Pitch Perfect 2″ opens nationwide today and expectations that it will be as loved as the first one are high. The sequel will once again be set at the fictional Barden University but was filmed in and around LSU. Ashley Territo is a manager in the office charged with approving all film projects on campus…:

cut 4  (09)  “in the second”

During filming, producers issued an open invitation casting call to fill in a concert crowd for one of the scenes and over 3000 people showed up so many Louisianians will be looking to see if they made the cut. Territo says it’s great that the movie came back to Baton Rouge a second time around which is a testament to the film industry in Louisiana…:

Cut 5  (09)  “great for the city”

Territo says they held a screening at the university last week and the students absolutely loved it. She has no doubt that the sequel will be as well received as the first…:

Cut 6 (08)  “work with”

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The Louisiana Department of Revenue reminds residents that today is the deadline for residents to file their 2014 Louisiana individual income tax returns. Spokesperson Kizzy Payton says, as the deadline looms, they encourage taxpayers to file their return electronically…

CUT 7 (10)  “to do that”

She says electronic filing is the fastest, most error-free method for filing tax returns. Payton says there is no accurate way to determine exactly how many residents have yet to file, but so far 1.8 million have filed their taxes…

Cut 8  (10)  “that we receive” 

She says the average refund processing time for electronic returns is up to 21 business days. If you file a paper return, the wait is generally 8 to 10 weeks. Payton says if you are not ready to file your taxes just yet, there are options available. She says an extension can be filed on the Department of Revenue’s website…

Cut 9 (10)  “an extension”

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A new political action committee targets US Senator David Vitter’s attempt to become governor of Louisiana. Gumbo PAC has launched a website and released a video that takes a critical look at Vitter’s time in political office. Gumbo PAC Chairman Trey Ourso says their mission is to educate voters about Vitter’s record…

Cut 10 (07) “people of Louisiana”

A Vitter spokesman says this video does not deter the Senator and he’ll continue to lay out his plan for a brighter future for all Louisianians. Ourso says some are concerned because Vitter has served in Congress since 1999 and is basically a “career Washington politician”…

cut 11 (11) “to the state”

Almost half of the video takes aim at Vitter’s sex scandal with the infamous DC madam and claims from a former New Orleans prostitute. Ourso says this is part of the Senator’s record and it’s important that voters be reminded of this…

cut 12 (11)   “the full record”

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The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries announces that Safe Boating Week begins Saturday. In Louisiana, Safe Boating Week marks the start of the spring and summer boating season. LDWF spokesman Adam Einck says boaters can expect increased patrols and safe boating checks this weekend…

Cut 13 (12)  “sober operator”

Einck says these increased patrols are not designed to stop anyone from having fun, they just want to make sure everyone is safe on the water. In 2014, Louisiana reported 18 boating fatalities, the second lowest number ever recorded. So far this year, 9 fatalities have been reported and Einck says that has LDWF officials concerned…

Cut 14 (07) “come home safe”

He stresses the importance of using life jackets while boating as well as having a sober operator. Alcohol use is a leading cause of boating crashes and fatalities on the water. Einck says DWI laws on the water are the same as on the road…

Cut 15  (06)  “on the road”

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The Saints’ rookie mini camp takes place this weekend at the team’s headquarters in Metairie. The three-day camp is an opportunity get a first look at this year’s draft picks and un-drafted free agents will battle for an invite to training camp. Saints sideline reporter Kristian Garic says the Black and Gold stayed true to what they said they believed in with this draft class…

Cut 16  (08)  “off the field”

Garic is impressed with the players the Saints selected in this year’s draft. He says there is excitement around the team’s two first round draft picks, offensive tackle Andrus Peat from Stanford and linebacker Stephone Anthony from Clemson. Garic says a lot of eyes will be on third round pick quarterback Garrett Grayson from Colorado State…

Cut 17 (08)  “ability he has”

As far as the un-drafted free agents attending mini camp, Garic is high on wide receiver RJ Harris out of New Hampshire. Garic admits it may be a long shot for Harris to make the team, but he is intrigued…

Cut 18 (11) “of Missouri’

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The New Orleans Police Department report the bodies of a missing mother and her two children were found in a car in New Orleans East. Eric Gill reports…

CUT 1 (30) “reporting”

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The Louisiana House overwhelmingly approves legislation that would ban “sex-selection abortions” in Louisiana, but not without some concerns. Jeff Palermo has the story…

CUT 2 (30) “reporting”

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The Bossier Parish Sheriff’s Office has charged a substitute teacher on counts of producing and possessing child pornography and carnal knowledge of a juvenile. Lt. Bill Davis says 26-year-old Christopher Kerr of Bossier City not only used his position as a teacher and umpire to get access to children, he used social media as well. Davis says a prior arrest of Kerr lead to an investigation where these charges were filed…

CUT 3 (06)  “of young girls”

Authorities have identified at least four female victims, aged 13-16, that Kerr either exchanged nude photos and videos or had sexual relations with over the last three years. Davis says they are working to identify even more victims…

CUT 4 (11)  “have unidentified”

Davis says they have at least 30 photos of victims they have yet to identify. He encourages these victims to come forward so they can levy the appropriate charges against Kerr. Davis says this is another reminder to be careful of what you post online…

CUT 5 (06)  “able to see”

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The New Orleans Police Department report the bodies of a missing mother and her two children were found in a car in New Orleans East. They say 25-year-old Michelle McCullum and her children, 5-year-old Caden and 3-year-old Cylie, were found dead in an apparent murder-suicide. NOPD Superintendent Michael Harrison says they received a call from family concerned about the safety of McCullum and her kids…

CUT 6 (10)  “her own life”

Harrison says McCullum told family members she was feeling homicidal and suicidal and was armed with a firearm with the intent to kill her children and herself. He says someone found a vehicle matching McCullum’s this morning with people inside. Harrison says when officers arrived, they found all three shot dead inside the vehicle…

CUT 7 (02)  “very tragic”

A firearm was found at the scene. Authorities are trying to learn more about McCullum’s mental health history. Harrison says the investigation is in its initial stages but they are determined to find out what exactly happened…

CUT 8 (05)  “with the family”

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The Louisiana House approves legislation that would prohibit gender based abortions. The bill’s author, Houma Representative Lenar Whitney, says there have been no documented cases in Louisiana. But she cited an article from Forbes Magazine about pregnancies ending early in US Asian communities because the sex of the unborn child was a girl…

CUT 9 (08)  “bear sons”

Whitney’s legislation passed on an 84-2 vote. New Orleans Representative Walt Leger voted “yes”, but he’s concerned language in the legislation will lead to frivolous lawsuits against abortion doctors

cut 10 (12) “this procedure”

The bill heads to the Senate for more debate. New Orleans Representative Helena Moreno was one of two House members to vote against the measure. She doesn’t like a provision that  requires a woman to know the sex of the fetus, if possible, before an abortion

cut 11 (10)  “more children”

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State Police say one person is dead and another three injured after a pickup truck struck a school bus head-on in Beauregard Parish this morning. Sgt. James Anderson says there were no children hurt in the crash and the investigation reveals a truck crossed a median and hit the school bus despite efforts of the driver to avoid the vehicle….:

cut 12 (11)  “serious injuries”

Anderson says the truck was driven by 21-year-old Vernon Player of Benton and he sustained serious injuries. A passenger in the truck, 22-year-old Terric Glover of Benton died in the crash and another passenger, 25-year-old Gustavo Rodelo-Espinal of Bossier City was ejected from the vehicle and sustained serious injuries. Anderson says the bus was driven by 52-year-old Jess Mullican of DeRidder…:

cut 13 (05)  “of the crash”

Anderson says there were no children on the school bus at the time of the fatal crash. He says they have no idea why the truck crossed the median…:

cut 14 (06) “investigation”

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A recent Southern Media and Opinion Research poll shows that voters approve of a series of revenue generating bills the House passed to cover state’s $1.6 billion budget deficit. Scott Carwile reports…

CUT 1 (30) “reporting”

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A bill that would ban someone from getting an abortion based on sex selection is scheduled for debate on the House Floor today. Michelle Southern reports…:

Cut 2 (30) “reporting”

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The state house approves a bill that would let some motorists get an inspection sticker every five years. Jeff Palermo reports…:

Cut 3 (29) “reporting”

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A recent Southern Media and Opinion Research poll shows that voters approve of a series of revenue generating bills the House passed to cover state’s $1.6 billion budget deficit. Pollster Bernie Pinsonat says 67-percent of respondents want to see the state raise revenue from several different sources to deal with the budget crisis…

cut 4  (06)  “to this poll”

The poll indicates that only 17-percent of voters would be okay with the budget balanced through deep cuts in funding or laying off state employees. Pinsonat says this survey shows the House is on the right track in dealing with the budget…

Cut 5  (11)  “Louisiana voters”

He says it’s clear voters want to see lawmakers generate additional funds rather than slash funding to higher ed, health care, and other state programs to balance the budget. Pinsonat says the budget situation comes down to one thing…

Cut 6 (10)  “are predicting”

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A bill that would ban someone from getting an abortion based on sex selection is scheduled for debate on the House Floor today. The measure by Houma Rep. Lenar Whitney made it out of committee without objection. Shivana Jorawar is a pro-choice and gender equality activist. She says this bill is not about gender selection it’s about banning abortions..:

CUT 7 (11)  “anti-choice”

Louisiana Right to Life says the use of abortion as a means of sex selection is a major social problem in a number of Asian countries where male children are widely preferred over females. Jorawar  calls this measure a rouse to confuse people into passing something that is bad for women…:

Cut 8  (12)  “next” 

Jorawar says sex selection abortion and a preference for sons is a problem in India and China, but it’s not happening in any widespread fashion in the United States…:

Cut 9 (08)  “abortion restriction”

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The state house approves a bill that would let some motorists get an inspection sticker every five years. Currently the brake tags are $10 a year and drivers can get either a one or two year sticker. Stonewall Rep. Richard Burford says his bill would only apply to vehicles 7 years old or less. Lafayette Representative Nancy Landry voted in favor…:

Cut 10 (06) “car inspected”

The vote was 58-33 and the measure now heads to the Senate for further consideration. Shreveport Representative Barbara Norton opposed the measure saying there are many businesses who rely on the revenue the inspection stickers generate…:

cut 11 (08) “they may suffer”

Burford says there are areas of the state where this would not be allowed including New Orleans and Baton Rouge where ozone levels are high. The five year sticker would be $50 so Landry says inspectors aren’t going to lose any money they are just going to get it at different time intervals…:

cut 12 (06)   “the next year”

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Retired Army Lieutenant General Russel Honore, who gained fame in his no-nonsense approach to relief efforts in post-Katrina New Orleans, says he’s considering running for Governor. On the Jim Engster Show, Honore says the only reason he wouldn’t run is if another one of the candidates ended up mounting a serious challenge to US Senator David Vitter…:

Cut 13 (06)  “quite understand that”

Honore says Vitter is running away in the polls right now with the most money, but he would not be the right man to lead Louisiana. He says the state is in bad shape and something has to be done by the right person..:

Cut 14 (10) “we’re broke”

Honore says if he does decide to run, he would do so under “No Party” and make an announcement before July 4th. He says he’d be in it to win it and even though it’s late in the game, raising money for a campaign would be no problem…:

Cut 15  (07)  “if we needed to”

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Senior Jared Foster is expected to start at second base tonight when the number one ranked LSU baseball team visits South Carolina. Foster, who was ruled academically ineligible last week, was reinstated after an “obscure” NCAA rule was uncovered that restored his eligibility. Foster on his reaction to re-joining the team

Cut 16  (15)  “this way”

LSU has a chance with a win tonight and a Vanderbilt loss to clinch the Southeastern Conference regular season championship. Shortstop Alex Bregman says it’s a great opportunity for the team…

Cut 17 (15)  “tough test”

This is also a big series for South Carolina. The Gamecocks are 12-15 in the SEC and fighting for a spot in the NCAA Tournament. Coach Paul Mainieri says they are expecting big crowds at Carolina Stadium, a place they’ve had some success at

Cut 18 (19) “than this’

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