The author of a bill to require a designated driver before drinks can be served to a person at a bar or restaurant, now plans on not seeking approval of his legislation. Jeff Palermo has the story…

CUT 1 (26) “reporting”

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

This is the biggest weekend of the seafood year and a distributor says the crawfish are in good supply, but the sooner you get your orders in the better. Jeff Palermo reports…:

CUT 2 (26) “reporting”

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

Haughton Representative Henry Burns, who has filed a bill that would require bar and restaurant patrons to have a designated driver, is now saying he will not try to seek approval of his measure in this session. Burns says his legislation would be difficult to enforce…

CUT 3 (08)  “smooth transition”

Burns says he still would like to have a committee hearing on his bill, to raise awareness about the dangers of drinking and driving….

CUT 4 (06)  “do some good”

Burns says he filed the legislation after hearing from families who have lost loved one as a result of drunk drivers, but he hasn’t figured out how the legislation could be enforced

CUT 5 (09)  “goes from here”

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

This is the biggest weekend of the seafood year and a distributor says the crawfish are in good supply, but the sooner you get your orders in the better. Gulf Seafood Institute Chairman Harlon Pearce says the product and prices are so good right now, mudbug lovers can’t get enough…:

CUT 6 (07)  “get em and enjoy em”

Pearce says the Easter weekend is the peak of the season and prices tend to drop from here. He says it’s been years since he’s seen crawfish as beautiful as they are this season…:

CUT 7 (08)  “really great season”

Pearce says there is also a ton of other delicious seafood available if you’re not a crawfish person. He says the shrimp are plump and oysters are extremely delicious right now…:

CUT 8 (06)  “fairly tight”

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

Spring festival season is officially underway and there is no shortage of fun filled events happening in Sportsman’s Paradise. There is essentially a fair or festival on the calendar every weekend from now until the end of June. Jacques Berry with the Lt. Governor’s Office says Louisiana festivals are loved by locals and tourists…:

CUT 9 (09)  “promote the state”

Berry says the festivals range from the massive Jazz Fest in New Orleans to smaller historic events which have been years long traditions…:

cut 10 (15) “last weekend in April”

He says you can log on to www.louisianatravel.com to see a full calendar of events happening this spring. Berry says the greatest thing about these Louisiana gatherings is that they celebrate local communities and Louisiana’s many passions…:

cut 11 (08)  “gumbo pot”

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

Data from the federal Bureau of Economic Analysis, shows Louisiana’s personal income for the fourth quarter in 2014 grew by just 0.6 percent, which is last in the country. But LSU economist Loren Scott says a reason for the low growth is because Louisiana did not accept federal dollars to expand its Medicaid program

cut 12 (07)  “bad thing”

The fourth quarter of 2014 coincides with a drop in oil prices and layoffs in the oil and gas industry. But Scott doesn’t see Louisiana being impacted as much as some other states who depend on large oil shale plays

cut 13 (07)  “hurt some”

Scott says there’s fewer federal dollars flowing into the state to assist low-income or unemployed workers and that’s what led to the lowest personal income growth number in the country for the fourth quarter of 2014…

cut 14 (10)  “in the country”

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

The Louisiana Department of Education announces that 22,972 recent public high school graduates enrolled in college in 2014, an all-time high for the state. Eric Gill reports…

CUT 1 (30) “reporting”

______________________________________

Pounchatoula-based Elmer’s Chocolates are a must-have for many Louisiana Easter baskets this Sunday. Michelle Southern reports…:

Cut 2 (27) “reporting”

______________________________________

New Orleans Senator JP Morrell files a package of bills that seeks to reform the state’s film tax credit program. Scott Carwile has the story…

Cut 3 (31) “reporting”

______________________________________

The Louisiana Department of Education announces that 22,972 recent public high school graduates enrolled in college in 2014, an all-time high for the state. That’s a six-percent increase from 2013. Education Superintendent John White says the numbers in this report are very exciting…

cut 4  (08)  “several years”

He says this year’s gains are fueled by an increase in low-income and minority students attending college. Those two groups account for over half of the overall growth. White says recently implemented programs like Advanced Placement, dual enrollment classes, and Jump Start are creating chances for students…

Cut 5  (10)  “for our kids”

He says the number of graduates enrolling in college directly after high school has increased 16-percent since 2011. Statewide, 59-percent of the class of 2014 enrolled in college for the fall semester. White says this is not the time for education in Louisiana to take a step backwards…

Cut 6 (08)  “political whims”

______________________________________

A must-have for many Louisiana Easter baskets this Sunday is a candy manufactured in Ponchatoula. Elmer’s chocolates have been around over 160 years and President Rob Nelson says the Easter Sunday tradition is highlighted by their top sellers — Heavenly Hash and Gold Brick…:

CUT 7 (08)  “turn of the century”

The company started in The Big Easy in 1855 as a pastry business but eventually became Elmer Candy Corporation. Nelson says even Easter is falling a little early this year, sales this Holiday have been great…:

Cut 8  (10)  “this weekend” 

Nelson says Heavenly Hash is their second most popular Easter candy, but the Gold Brick Eggs and their different flavors top the charts every year. He says they attribute a large part of their success to being in one of the best Easter candy markets in the country — from Houston, Texas to Pensacola, Florida…:

Cut 9 (08)  “family traditions”

______________________________________

Legislation to reform the state’s film tax credit program has been filed for the upcoming session. The program has made Louisiana a major player in the motion picture industry, but the department of economic development says it costs $4.48 for every dollar of state revenue it creates. New Orleans Senator JP Morrell says one of the goals with his legislation is to make the tax credit more predictable…

Cut 10 (09) “unsustainable”

Morrell says the most the state has paid out in a given year is 250-million dollars and one of his bills would cap the amount of tax credits paid in a fiscal year to 300-million dollars. The state senator says he also has three different bills that attempt to control fraudulent behavior

cut 11 (12) “itself is truthful”

Morrell says the legislation he’s filed is not designed to ruin Louisiana’s reputation as “Hollywood South.” He says the goal is to make it better and that includes legislation to help college graduates get involved in the movie and TV industry…

cut 12 (11)  “native industry”

______________________________________

The Rapides Parish Sheriff’s office is investigating an officer involved shooting which left one man dead in Pineville. Lt. Tommy Carnline says deputies responded to reports of a disturbance in which a person was threatening another person in the residence and also threatening to do harm to himself…:

Cut 13 (11)  “at our deputies”

Carnline says they tried to calm the subject down for over an hour until he suddently left the room then began pointing a gun at deputies…:

Cut 14 (07) “on the scene”

Carnline says the subject did not listen to orders to drop the weapon which is when he was shot and killed by cops. He says the deputy involved in the shooting has been placed on administrative leave as standard procedure…:

Cut 15  (09)  “choice that we’re given”

______________________________________

US Senator David Vitter has picked up the endorsement of fellow Republican Lafayette Congressman Charles Boustany in this year’s governor’s race. Eric Gill has more…

CUT 1 (27) “reporting”

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

For the third year in a row, Louisiana has increased the number of tourists and set another record for the industry.

CUT 2 (30) “reporting”

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

US Senator David Vitter has picked up the endorsement of fellow Republican Lafayette Congressman Charles Boustany in this year’s governor’s race. Vitter is one of three Republicans eyeing the state’s highest elected office. UL-Lafayette Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says being endorsed by a sitting congressman is a good thing…

CUT 3 (05)  “means something”

Vitter also picked up the endorsement of three-term Lafayette City-Parish President Joey Durel. Cross says the combination of these two endorsements are an indication of Vitter’s strength in the upcoming gubernatorial election…

CUT 4 (05)  “favorite to beat”

Cross says this is kind of a slap in the face for Public Service Commissioner Scott Angelle as these endorsements come from his home region. He says the backing of Boustany and Durel is a real win-win for the Vitter campaign…

CUT 5 (07)  “and Angelle”

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

An escaped inmate charged with murder has been captured and a guard at a mental facility in East Feliciana Parish has been arrested in connection with the prisoner’s escape. State Police trooper Melissa Matey says 37-year-old Antonio Webb was arrested after they interviewed several employees at the Eastern Louisiana Mental Health Hospital where prisoner Lorenza Conner was being held..:

CUT 6 (07)  “helped Conner escape”

Conner got out of a DHH transport vehicle in Orleans Parish and he was re-arrested this morning at a laundromat in Jefferson Parish.  Matey says the investigation into Conner’s escape is still ongoing….

CUT 7 (06)  “he escaped”

Matey says Webb has been booked with Malfeasance in Office…:

CUT 8 (12)  “to his escape”

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

Former four-term governor Edwin Edwards is now a licensed real estate agent. Edwards says he got his broker’s licence last week and he’s excited at the prospect of getting back to work. He says that just because his political career has ended, he’s not completely retired…

CUT 9 (09)  “obvious reasons”

Edwards says he has to supplement his retirement income because he has a family to support. His wife Trina also received her real estate license. Edwards says as a team, he will concentrate on commercial properties while she will focus on residential properties…

cut 10 (10) “very much doing”

Edwards says he had a broker’s license years ago but gave it up. He lost in last December’s runoff election for the Sixth District Congressional seat. Edwards says that while he wants to focus on commercial properties, he’s just getting started and all options are open…

cut 11 (10)  “to list it”

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

For the third year in a row, Louisiana has increased the number of tourists and set another record for the industry. Lt. Governor Jay Dardenne says there were 27.7 million people who visited Louisiana in 2014 which is a 5 percent increase over the year before…:

cut 12 (09)  “who don’t live here”

Dardenne says the revenue generated through visitors represents a more than 38-1 return on investment of state funding. He says this is great news for Louisiana and also means a lot of spending around the state at restaurants, bars, attractions, hotels and more…:

cut 13 (09)  “generated”

Dardenne says there was $11.2 billion dollars in total visitor spending in 2014 and $836 million dollars in state tax revenue generated. He credits the great year in tourism to creative marketing, dedicated industry leaders throughout the state and an incredible product in the many passions Louisiana offers…:

cut 14 (10)  “major conventions”

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

The Assumption Parish Sheriff’s Office has arrested an Avoyelles Parish corrections officer in connection with the escape of a female inmate last week. Eric Gill reports…

CUT 1 (29) “reporting”

______________________________________

The Louisiana SPCA is encouraging folks to celebrate Easter responsibly and think before you buy live bunnies and chicks as pets. Michelle Southern reports…:

Cut 2 (26) “reporting”

______________________________________

Opelousas Senator Elbert Guillory wants Louisiana residents to vote on whether an unborn child should have legal rights at the moment of conception. Scott Carwile has the story…

Cut 3 (26) “reporting”

______________________________________

The Assumption Parish Sheriff’s Office has arrested an Avoyelles Parish Correctional Center officer in connection with the escape of a female inmate last week. Sheriff’s office spokesman Robert Martin says 47-year-old Michelle George reported that Felicia Daigle escaped while being transported from Assumption to Avoylles parish. He says their investigation found that George actually stopped the vehicle in Paintcourville…

cut 4  (07)  “to buy drugs”

He says George allowed Daigle to exit the vehicle so she could go and buy drugs. When Daigle didn’t return, George sent another inmate to find her. That inmate returned unable to find Daigle. Martin says George then met a third party at a gas station and came up with the story that Daigle escaped…

Cut 5  (08)  “has escaped”

Daigle was found hiding at her home in Labadieville and now faces an additional charge of simple escape. George is charged with assisting escape, obstruction of justice, and malfeasance in office. Martin says it’s shocking that a corrections officer would do this, but hopefully some good will come out of it…

Cut 6 (10)  “above reproach”

______________________________________

The Louisiana SPCA is encouraging folks to celebrate Easter responsibly and think before you buy live bunnies and chicks as pets. Spokeswoman Destinie (Destiny) Hammond says hundreds of rabbits are turned in to local shelters or released into the wild shortly after the Easter holiday…:

CUT 7 (07)  “might adopt”

Hammond says when it comes to Easter bunnies, they encourage you to go chocolate. She says while rabbits can make a great companion animals, they encourage people to thoroughly research the care of these fragile creatures before making a casual decision to bring one home…:

Cut 8  (07)  “things like that” 

Hammond says rabbits can live 10-15 years and require as much care as a dog or a cat. She says they want to discourage impulse purchases of cute little bunnies and chicks…:

Cut 9 (09)  “they come here”

______________________________________

The Rapides Parish Sheriff’s office says a man is behind bars on felony stalking charges after allegedly continuously harassing a female victim. Lt. Tommy Carnline says the woman told cops that 47-year-old Christopher Charles LAmmons of Alexandria would not leave her alone…:

Cut 10 (09) “had given”

Carnline says a warrant was obtained for Lammons’ arrest as well as a search warrant for his residence for additional evidence…:

cut 11 (08) “to our victim”

Carnline says because Lammons’ charges are domestic in nature, a new law that went into affect last year mandates that he stay in jail without bond under “Gwen’s Law”…:

cut 12 (05)  “just cause”

______________________________________

Opelousas Senator Elbert Guillory files a constitutional amendment that would let voters decide if life begins at conception. Guillory’s proposed change to the constitution would give unborn children the same legal rights that all other people enjoy….

Cut 13 (11)  “is pro life”

Guillory says this constitutional amendment would not make abortions illegal in Louisiana, but it lets the world know that Louisiana is a pro life state

Cut 14 (10) ”  beyond that”

Guillory says the constitutional amendment will also make abortions automatically illegal, if Roe versus Wade is overturned. The legislation is referred to as “personhood” but similar proposals have failed to pass in other states. But Guillory likes his chances in Louisiana….

Cut 15  (07)  “pro life”

______________________________________

The LSU baseball team begins a three-game series tonight against Alabama. Sophomore left-hander Jared Poche will get the start on the mound for the Tigers, and Coach Paul Mainieri has all the confidence in the world in Poche…

Cut 16  (16)  “good start”

The series will NOT be played in Tuscaloosa, because of ongoing renovations with Alabama’s ball park. So the games will be played just outside of Birmingham at the same ball park where the SEC Tournament is held. Mainieri says his teams have won five SEC Tournament titles at the Hoover Met….

Cut 17 (15)  “big hits”

LSU blew a couple of late leads in dropping its series with Kentucky this past weekend. But Mainieri says he still has faith in his bullpen and he’s seen arms emerge as the season has gone on….

Cut 18 (13) ” count on’

Governor Bobby Jindal takes another step toward a potential presidential run by sending two members of his staff to Iowa. Eric Gill reports…

CUT 1 (30) “reporting”

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

The New Orleans Police Department says they’ve arrested a suspect in the killing of a Dominos pizza delivery driver. Michelle Southern reports.

CUT 2 (30) “reporting”

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

Governor Bobby Jindal takes another step toward a potential presidential run by sending two members of his staff to Iowa. Taylor Teepell and Matt Parker will move to the Hawkeye State where they’ll work for the governor’s new political organization called the America Future Project. LaPolitics-dot-com Publisher Jeremy Alford says this shows how serious Jindal is about running for president…

CUT 3 (09)  “governor’s office”

Recent poll numbers have not been kind to the governor. They show Jindal polling in the single digits, well behind other expected Republican candidates for the nomination. Alford says no eventual president has polled below 15-percent at this point in the process and been successful with the exception of Bill Clinton…

CUT 4 (10)  “comeback kid”

Alford says despite the seemingly steep uphill battle in front of him, Jindal is moving forward with his campaign plans. The governor is expected to make an announcement following this year’s legislative session. Alford says presidential candidates often run for the office with other aspirations in mind…

CUT 5 (08)  “in their future”

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

The prison population in Louisiana is going down for the first time in years. Secretary of Corrections Jimmy LeBlanc told the House Appropriations Committee that from 2006-2009 the state added about 1200 new prisoners a year. He says if that would have continued, there would have been about 44,000 inmates at the end of 2014 instead of closing the year with about 38,000 prisoners…:

CUT 6 (07)  “on that same pace”

LeBlanc says since 2012, Louisiana has seen a drop of almost 3000 inmates. He credits changes in sentencing laws and strong re-entry programs…:

CUT 7 (05)  “annually”

Louisiana has the highest incarceration rate in the nation. LeBlanc says the numbers not coming back to prisons annually is a huge financial gain for the state and it continues to get better. He says these numbers indicate that what they are doing to keep people from coming back to prison after the leave is working…:

CUT 8 (05)  “good things”

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

A former Elton High School teacher and basketball coach has pleaded guilty to having inappropriate sexual relationships with students. 35-year-old Justin Fruge (froo-JHAY’) pleaded guilty to one count of felony carnal knowledge of a juvenile. Jeff Davis Parish District Attorney Michael Cassidy says Fruge faces up to ten years in prison…

CUT 9 (10)  “for 15 years”

Fruge will also lose his teaching certificate and have to register as a sex offender for 15 years. Sentencing is scheduled for July 20. Cassidy says most of Fruge’s victims preferred to not have to testify in court, but thought Fruge should have a felony on his record and not be allowed to teach again…

cut 10 (07) “his actions”

Fruge was facing numerous charges of sexual misconduct, but pleaded guilty to the lesser charge after parents of the victims requested the charges be reduced. Cassidy says all of the victims supported the plea. He says by pleading this quickly, it allows the victims and the Town of Elton to move on and let the healing begin…

cut 11 (08)  “or coach, again”

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

The New Orleans Police Department says they’ve arrested a suspect in the killing of a Dominos pizza delivery driver. They say 24-year-old Michael Portis is believed to be responsible for the fatal shooting of 36-year-old Michael Price who was a married father of three. New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu says the community is sending a strong message…:

cut 12 (06)  “gonna convict you”

There was a $15,000 reward being offered in the case and cops say it was multiple tips to Crimestoppers which help lead detectives to Portis. Robert Redesco is the regional vice president for local Domino’s franchisee RPM Pizza LLC. He says their number one goal is to keep their team members safe…:

cut 13 (09)  “by voice”

Redesco says online donations for Price’s family have gone over $30,000 and there have also been several thousands of dollars given by Dominos chains across the region. Darlene Cusanza, president and CEO of Crimestoppers GNO says the entire $15,000 reward will be paid out…: (Portis is expected to face first-degree murder charges.)

cut 14 (06)  “a reward”

Tonight, the Investigation Discovery show “Web of Lies” will feature the story of the kidnapping, murder, and arrest of 12-year-old Justin Bloxom’s killer. Eric Gill has more…

CUT 1 (27) “reporting”

______________________________________

A proposal designed to control the cost of TOPS will be promoted an 11:00 press conference today. Scott Carwile has more…

Cut 2 (29) “reporting”

______________________________________

An $8,500 reward is being offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person who shot a bald eagle in Caddo Parish. Jeff Palermo has more…

Cut 3 (30) “reporting”

______________________________________

Tonight, Investigation Discovery’s documentary style show “Web of Lies” will feature the story of the kidnapping, murder, and arrest of 12-year-old Justin Bloxom’s killer. Bloxom’s body was found in a shallow pool of water in Stonewall in March of 2010. DeSoto Parish Sheriff Rodney Arbuckle says the show can bring to light how vulnerable our children are and how predators operate…

cut 4  (10)  “in this case”

Brian Horn, a previously convicted sex offender, was sentenced to death for Justin’s murder last year. Horn lured Bloxom to his death with fake text messages, pretending to be a girl from his school. Arbuckle says Justin’s story should be a reminder to parents to keep up with what their kids are doing…

Cut 5  (09)  “on with them”

Amy Bloxom Fletcher, Justin’s mom, agreed to share the story to remind people about the dangers children can face from predators through social media and texting. Several people involved in the case were interviewed for the show. Arbuckle says he supports the program airing tonight at 9…

Cut 6 (07)  “what they’re doing”

______________________________________

Mandeville Senator Jack Donahue files legislation that he says will control the cost of the TOPS scholarship program. Donahue says under his bill a baseline would be set on how much a student receives for tuition and that dollar amount will not go up in future years, unless the legislature votes to change it

CUT 7 (09)  “school increases”

Every year the cost of the TOPS program for the state grows by the millions, because of rising tuition costs at public colleges. Donahue under his bill the TOPS award stays the same for a student through their college career, even if tuition goes up

Cut 8  (08)  “53 hundred” 

Higher education officials and the Taylor Foundation, which started the TOPS program, will promote Donahue’s bill at an 11 o’ clock press conference today in Baton Rouge. Donahue says there’s support for each TOPS recipient receiving the same amount of money, regardless if tuition is up from the year before

Cut 9 (10)  “increased by the legislature”

______________________________________

It’s the peak of crawfish harvest season and the St. Landry Parish Sheriff’s office is increasing patrols around crawfish ponds to deter thieves from stealing crawfish. Lt. Clay Higgins says deputies have been guarding ponds annually since 2011…

Cut 10 (08) “across the parish”

Higgins says the sheriff’s office is determined to protect the crop for the parish’s crawfish farmers. He says officers often are waiting in the dark, blacked out in their patrol unit, watching for any suspicious activity. Higgins says if you steal just $300 in crawfish, that’s a felony and the penalty is very stiff…

cut 11 (04) “hard labor”

He says a thief could get two years of hard labor for stealing just a few sacks of crawfish. Higgins says these additional patrols have been very successful in keeping the number of crawfish thefts down…

cut 12 (08)  “over four years”

______________________________________

Democratic gubernatorial candidate John Bel Edwards, blames republican candidate Scott Angelle for helping to create the state’s one-point-six billion dollar budget deficit. Angelle is currently a Public Service Commissioner, but he previously served in Bobby Jindal’s administration. Edwards made the swipe at Angelle during a governor’s forum in Baton Rouge

Cut 13 (09)  “light the match”

During Angelle’s opening statement, he said his door would be open to solutions from anyone when it comes to the state’s budget problems

Cut 14 (11) “tax program”

Governor Bobby Jindal is using the Americans for Tax Reform and it’s “no tax” pledge to develop solutions for the state’s current budget woes, but Lt. Governor Jay Dardenne says the answer to Louisiana’s problems are not in Washington D-C

Cut 15  (06)  “our state”

The candidates appeared at a lunchtime forum that was put together by Louisiana’s small business community. Republican Senator David Vitter expressed his strong opposition to Jindal’s plan to scale back the state’s inventory tax credit as a way to raise revenues for state government

Cut 16  (12)  “job creators”

A poll from LSU finds Louisiana residents like the concept behind Common Core, until you call it “Common Core.” Jeff Palermo has the story…

CUT 1 (28) “reporting”

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

The American Civil Liberties Union of Louisiana alleges that Albert Hardison, principal at Walnut Hill Elementary/Middle School in Shreveport, engaged in unlawful religious coercion by using God, prayer, and Christianity in school publications. Eric Gill reports…

CUT 2 (30) “reporting”

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

As body cameras are being introduced to more law enforcement agencies across the state, a Baton Rouge lawmaker wants to make it a requirement that all law enforcement officers are equipped with the new technology. State Representative Dalton Honore says the use of body cameras can protect both citizens and police officers…

CUT 3 (08)  “down tremendously”

Honore says body cameras can solve a lot of issues between citizens and law enforcement, similar to what dashboard cameras on police vehicles have done…

CUT 4 (05)  “a vehicle”

He says there have been recent incidents around the country where the use of body cameras would have answered a lot of questions. Honore feels that a body camera is a great tool in keeping everyone honest…

CUT 5 (07)  “great protection”

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

A poll conducted by LSU finds Louisiana residents oppose education standards that are called Common Core, but support the concept. Doctor Michael Henderson, director of LSU’s Public Policy Research Lab, says when citizens were asked if they support Common Core, only 39-percent said yes….

CUT 6 (07)  “67-percent support it”

Henderson says when they didn’t use the term “Common Core” and asked residents if they support higher academic standards that allows Louisiana to compare student achievement with other states 67-percent support it.

Henderson says the poll also shows the public is poorly informed on who developed the education standards for common core. He says that’s based on the answers they got when they asked who developed the standards, the federal government or the state

CUT 7 (06)  “some guessing”

Henderson says the political fighting over Common Core shows that it has tainted the Common Core brand….

CUT 8 (11)  “Common Core”

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

The American Civil Liberties Union of Louisiana allegesthat Albert Hardison, principal at Walnut Hill Elementary/Middle School in Shreveport, engaged in unlawful religious coercion by using God, prayer, and Christianity in school publications. Louisiana ACLU Executive Director Marjorie Esman says they recently learned of a newsletter Hardison sent home to parents ahead of standardized testing…

CUT 9 (09)  “on the test”

She says the school’s website also features a “Principal’s Message” that includes references to God and Christ. Esman says these references are a direct violation of the separation of Church and State. She says it’s troubling because Hardison should know what the Constitution says about this…

cut 10 (11) “good example” (2x)

In a statement, Caddo Parish Public Schools say they are investigating and taking steps to ensure school employees are not violating the Constitution. Esman says a letter has been sent to Caddo Parish School Superintendent Lamar Goree asking that all religious references be removed from the school’s website…

cut 11 (08)  “breaking the law”

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

Indiana is taking a lot of heat for its new “religious freedom” law. Sarah Jane Brady, with the Forum for Equality, hopes Louisiana can learn from Indiana when they push a law in the upcoming session that protects discrimination against people based on their sexual orientation and gender identity…

cut 12 (10)  “here in Louisiana”

Every year, lawmakers in Baton Rouge shoot down bills to protect the L-G-B-T community and there’s also a constitutional amendment on the books that bans gay marriages in Louisiana. Brady hopes what has happened in Indiana will lead to changes with Lousiaina’s discrimination laws

cut 13 (10)  “need protection”

Critics of Indiana’s law says it allows businesses to discriminate against gays, lesbians, bisexual and transgender individuals. Brady says they’ll seek to pass a law in the upcoming session to make sure the LGBT community is protected from discrimination in Louisiana

cut 14 (11)  “community”

The four announced candidates for governor will discuss issues impacting small businesses in a forum hosted by National Federation of Independent Business. Jeff Palermo has more…

CUT 1 (27) “reporting”

______________________________________

A Lafayette legislator proposes a bill that would require state high school students to pass a test equal to the civics portion of the US Naturalization Test. Scott Carwile reports…

Cut 2 (30) “reporting”

______________________________________

Supporters for Common Core in Louisiana public schools have won a legal battle. Jeff Palermo has more…

Cut 3 (30) “reporting”

______________________________________

Today the National Federation of Independent Business, along with the Louisiana Restaurant Association and the Louisiana Retailers Association, will host a panel discussion featuring the four announced candidates for governor. Louisiana NFIB Director Dawn Starns expects a good crowd to listen to what these candidates have to say…

cut 4  (08)  “business in mind”

The 90-minute forum will take place in Baton Rouge. Starns expects the candidates to address several issues regarding small business…

Cut 5  (09)  “incentive programs”

Starns says this is a great opportunity for small business owners to make an informed decision on who they will support in this year’s governor’s race…

Cut 6 (08)  “of our economy”

______________________________________

A Lafayette legislator proposes a bill that would require state high school students to pass a test equal to the civics portion of the US Naturalization Test. Senator Page Cortez says 92-percent of immigrants pass the naturalization test, while studies have shown that less than 4-percent of US born high school students are capable of getting a passing grade…

CUT 7 (10)  “natural born citizens”

He says there is a concern nationally that that naturalized citizens know more about our government than natural-born citizens. Cortez says his bill ultimately make this test a requirement for graduation…

Cut 8  (08)  “pass civics” 

Cortez says this is part of a national movement called the “Civics Initiation Initiative” that hopes to have this implemented in all 50 states by 2017. He says there’s more to this than just smarten up kids in civics class…

Cut 9 (06)  “public service”  (2x)

______________________________________

A Bossier Parish man’s bond is set at three-million dollars and he faces up to 120 years in prison if convicted on child pornography charges. State Police trooper Matt Harris says during a search of 60-year-old Robert Childs’ home they found cameras that were recording houses in the neighborhood where children lived

Cut 10 (08) “to a DVR”

Harris says state police had a warrant to search Childs’ home after an IP address located inside his house was found to be downloading child pornography. He says once inside, agents located strategically placed  cameras

cut 11 (10) “were recording”

Harris says child pornography was also being downloaded at the time of the search. Childs was charged with 300 counts of possession of child pornography and three counts of distribution of child porn. He says Childs faces up to 120 years in prison if convicted on these charges

cut 12 (06)  “number one priority”

____________________________________________

A state judge throws out a lawsuit that sought to remove Common Core from Louisiana’s public schools. Judge Tim Kelley says he dismissed the suit, because it should have been filed within two years after BESE approved Common Core in 2010. State Education Superintendent John White applauds the decision

Cut 13 (09)  “five years ago”

White says he’s glad the courts dismissed an attempt to force teachers back to the drawing board when there’s solid education standards already in place.

Cut 14 (10) “Thursday morning quarterbacking”

Seventeen lawmakers filed the lawsuit, which is backed by Governor Bobby Jindal. Lake Charles Representative Brett Geymann says they plan to appeal. Geymann disagrees with Judge Kelley’s ruling, because the adoption of Common Core was done illegally and without public comment….

Cut 15  (08)  “first place”

Despite Judge Kelley’s ruling, Geymann says they’ll continue efforts to eliminate Common Core through the courts and the upcoming legislative session…

Cut 16  (06)  “have that removed”

The Louisiana Democratic Party endorses Amite Representative John Bel Edwards as its candidate in Louisiana’s governor’s race. Jeff Palermo reports…

CUT 1 (24) “reporting”

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The National Wildlife Federation releases a report that finds dolphins along Louisiana’s coast dying in large numbers and sea turtles having trouble nesting. Jeff Palermo has more…

CUT 2 (30) “reporting”

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The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries continues its investigation into a fatal boat wreck on the Pearl River in St. Tammany Parish. The incident claimed the life of 41-year-old Terry O’ Keefe Junior of Folsum and his 31-year-old girlfriend Jonie Morgan still has not been found. L-D-W-F spokesperson Adam Einck says their 14 foot aluminum vessel capsized on Saturday near lock number 3…

CUT 3 (07)  “went into water”

Einck says there were three children on the boat, who survived because they wore life jackets. He says a 16-year-old came upon the scene and tried to drag two of the children and the mother to safety

CUT 4 (08)  “she went under”

The youngest person on the boat was a four-year-old girl. Einck says it appears at this time she was stuck under the vessel….

CUT 5 (09)  “to shore”

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The Louisiana Democratic Party endorses Amite Representative John Bel Edwards as its candidate in Louisiana’s governor’s race. It is believed that this move will deter other major Democratic candidates from jumping into the race. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat thinks this shows that Edwards is the Democrats last, best hope for governor…

CUT 6 (10)  “where he is”

Pinsonat says this is a sign that New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu has told people privately that he will not run for the governor’s seat. Pinsonat says the party’s endorsement, on top of others Edwards has received, puts him in a good position…

CUT 7 (08)  “the runoff”

Pinsonat says this is a good endorsement for Edwards, but it is a mixed bag. He says Louisiana voters haven’t been kind to Democrats in recent statewide elections…

CUT 8 (10)  “Democrats in Louisiana”

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The state Fire Marshal’s Office is investigating an early morning fatal fire in Caddo Parish that claimed the lives of a husband and wife. State Fire Marshal Butch Browning says firefighters found the mobile home fully engulfed in flames when they arrived shortly after 2AM…

CUT 9 (11)  “unsuccessfully”

53-year-old Richard Fowler and his wife, 54-year-old Wanda Fowler were pronounced dead at the scene. Browning says the investigation is in its initial stages and information is limited…

cut 10 (10) “quickly escape”

Investigators were informed by relatives that the couple were heavy smokers who suffered from COPD. Browning says they have found no indications of foul play in this fire. He says investigators did find the remains of smoke alarms in the trailer…

cut 11 (11)  “know right now”

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A report from the National Wildlife Federation provides evidence that sea turtles, dolphins, fish and birds are still suffering from the BP oill spill that occurred nearly five years ago. Lead author of the report, Ryan Fikes, says the number of Kemp’s ridley sea turtle nests have declined on average since 2010….

cut 12 (10)  “poor health”

The National Wildlife Federation report looked at how 20 types of wildlife are faring in the wake of the spill. Fikes says the exposure to oil has been shown to cause abnormal development in many species of fish and dolphins on the Louisiana coast were found dead at four times the historic rates in 2014.

cut 13 (06)  “deep water horizon”

Fikes says comprehensive modeling estimates that 12-percent of the brown pelicans and 32-percent of the laughing gulls in the northern gulf died as a result of the oil spill

cut 14 (09)  “laughing gulls”

A proposal to be sponsored by New Orleans Representative Walt Leger would use Gulf oil spill money for possible long-term financing for Louisiana colleges. Eric Gill has more…

CUT 1 (30) “reporting”

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An 8th grade student from Buckeye High School has started an online petition to change the uniform policy in Rapides Parish. Jeff Palermo reports…:

Cut 2 (30) “reporting”

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The state’s workforce commission says Louisiana set an employment record for the month of February. Scott Carwile has the story…

Cut 3 (30) “reporting”

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A proposal to be sponsored by New Orleans Representative Walt Leger would use Gulf oil spill money for possible long-term financing for Louisiana colleges. Leger feels a trust fund should be set up for colleges from recovery money received from the 2010 disaster…

cut 4  (07)  “for higher education”

The state is expected to receive billions of dollars from BP to pay for economic damage caused by the spill. Legislators have already dedicated the first $1 billion of that money. Leger’s proposal would target money above that. He says his proposal would fund higher education moving forward…

Cut 5  (08)  “funding in place”

The state Board of Regents have thrown their support behind Leger’s proposal. Leger says there is no time table on when the BP issue will be resolved, but is confident that the state will be successful…

Cut 6 (06)  “investing in our students”

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An 8th grade student from Buckeye High School in Deville has started an online petition to change the uniform policy in Rapides Parish. Currently they are essentially only allowed to wear navy or khaki bottoms and white collared shirts. 14-year-old Brandon Richardson feels the current dress code is far too restrictive…:

CUT 7 (05)  “still exists”

The change.org petition states that students should not be told what to wear everyday because they are not able to express themselves. School leaders assert the current policy exists so that students can be easily identified on field trips. But Richardson feels if everyone looks alike it could cause problems in crisis situations…:

Cut 8  (07)  “at that school” 

Others who support the dress code that’s in place say it puts all students on level playing fields, but Richardson says when it comes to clothing, bullying still exists with uniforms. He says they would like to see the policy changed to one more similar to Rapides’ current “out of uniform” day rules…:

Cut 9 (07)  “about what you wear”

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The state department of agriculture and forestry will put traps out to track the invasive asian bug called the Emerald Ash Borer. The beetle was discovered recently in Webster Parish and it kills ash trees. Commissioner Mike Strain says the traps will be placed in high risk areas along the interstate, welcome centers and the Mississippi River delta

Cut 10 (09) “emerald ash borer is”

Strain says the beetle, which is difficult to eradicate, is often transported into an area by infested firewood

cut 11 (07) “you buy it”

Strain says they want to keep this insect from attacking the thousands of Ash trees in the Atchafalaya Basin, the Mississippi River delta and urban areas as well. He says the traps are large, purple sticky boxes that hang from trees…

cut 12 (09)  “eradication”

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The Louisiana Workforce Commission says Louisiana private employers have added 26-thousand jobs over the year based on February employment numbers. The commission’s executive director Curt Eysink says this type of growth with the state’s labor force should continue

Cut 13 (10)  “past ten years”

The unemployment rate for February was six-point-seven percent but it’s the second straight month it has declined. Eysink says the unemployment rate rose in the second half of 2014 as the state saw a large increase in people looking for jobs

Cut 14 (05) “finding work”

Eysink credits the job growth to a growing chemical industry in Louisiana…

Cut 15  (10)  “and New Orleans”

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When the polls come out later today, it’s likely the LSU Tigers will no longer be ranked number one after a wild series to the Wildcats of Kenutcky. LSU could not hold on to a three-run lead in the eighth and ended up losing to Kentucky 12-10 in 11 innings yesterday. Shortstop Alex Bregman says LSU didn’t get a lot of baseball fortune during the three-game series

Cut 16  (19)  “best weekend”

LSU had a 10-9 lead in the ninth inning, but with two outs, Wildcasts pinch hitter Riley Mahan hit an inside the park home run, when left fielder Jared Foster dove for his liner, missed it and then shortstop Alex Bregman slipped and fell while retrieving the baseball. Coach Paul Mainieri

Cut 17 (13)  “kept running”

It’s the first weekend series the Tigers have lost this year as they fall to 5-and-4 in SEC play. Mainieri says they had a chance to win all three games, if not for some strange plays…

Cut 18 (20) ” 30 years’