State Treasurer John Kennedy says the state needs far more oversight and transparency in state government contracts in light of a recent report by the state Legislative auditor. It indicates Louisiana has nearly 15,000 contracts worth about $21 billion with no real way to keep track of many of them. Kennedy says this is unacceptable…:
CUT 10 (12) “billion dollars”
Kennedy says many of these contracts are wasteful spending and millions could be saved with better oversight.

The New Orleans Pelicans have fired head coach Monty Williams after five seasons. In a statement, Pels Vice President Mickey Loomis says this wasn’t an easy decision to make, but now was the time. Jake Madison, writer with Bourbon Street Shots, says this is a shocking development…:
CUT 12 (08) “playoff series ended”
The Pelicans finished the 2014-2015 season with a record of 45-37.

State Police announce the arrest of the driver of a vehicle wanted in a hit-and-run crash that killed a bicyclist last week in Terrebone Parish. 53-year-old Toni Friloux (FREE-lou) of Houma faces charges in the death of 46-year-old Robert Clowder, Jr. Trooper Evan Harrell says they were tipped off to the vehicle in question which just shows how helpful the public can be in cases like this…:
CUT 5 (08) “benefit, this time”
Friloux faces charges including hit-and-run and negligent homicide.

Shreveport Police say two are dead and one injured following a shooting this morning. They say officers were able to get the fatally shot woman away from a residence and the second victim, possibly the son of the woman, to a hospital. Investigators say after a standoff, they were able to determine the suspected shooter was inside the house dead apparently of a self inflicted gunshot.

The legislative auditor finds that Louisiana has nearly 15 thousand contracts worth about 21 billion dollars, with no way to keep track of many of them. State Treasurer John Kennedy says this shows that the right hand in this state has no idea what the left hand is doing, or somebody is trying to hide something when it comes to contracts…:
CUT 1 (11) “nobody can find”
Kennedy says it’s time to completely reform the way contracts are handled in state government.

The Shreveport Police Department says two people are dead and a third is injured after a morning shooting and standoff. They say a woman was killed and another man was shot in the leg and was taken to a hospital with non life threatening injuries. The suspected shooter barricaded himself inside a home and a robot later confirmed the man was dead from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound. The investigation is ongoing.

An image in Champions Square that has Darren Sharper on it will be coming down soon. Jeff Palermo has the story…:
CUT 2 (29) “reporting”

The New Orleans Pelicans have fired head coach Monty Williams. In a statement, the team says making a decision like this is never easy, but they decided now was the time to act and they wish nothing but the best for Williams in the future.

A 24-billion dollar budget for next fiscal year that funds higher education at the same level as this year heads to the House floor. Scott Carwile has more…:
CUT 2 (30) “reporting”

There’s a banner in Champion Square next to the Superdome in New Orleans that’s coming down. The image is of cornerback Tracy Porter clinching the 2010 Super Bowl with a late interception return for a touchdown but Darren Sharper is also in the image — a now confessed serial rapist.

A bill by Gonzales Representative Johnny Berthelot that would double littering fines is headed to the full Senate. The House bill advanced out of the Senate Environmental committee today. Berthelot says the additional revenue would go towards law enforcement retirement…:
CUT 6 (09) “retirement systems”
Under the measure, first offense fines for simple lit erring would go to $150 up from $75.

State Police believe they caught the person responsible for a hit and run fatal crash that killed a bicyclist last week in Terrebonne Parish. They say officers found the vehicle and it still had damage to the fender and windshield from the crash. Trooper Evan Harrell says 53-year-old Toni Friloux (FREE-lou) of Houma faces a number of charges…:
CUT 4 (08) “jail process”
He says a concerned citizen lead them to the vehicle in question. 46-year-old Robert Clowder Jr died at the scene.

The Iberville Parish Sheriff’s office says the son of the police chief in St. Gabriel fatally shot two brothers Sunday night but authorities are waiting for more evidence before filing homicide charges…:
CUT 1 (31) “reporting”

It’s reported that the Louisiana Black Bear is being removed from the Endangered Species Act listing. The Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is expected to make an official announcement on May 20th. It’s believed that in the 50s and 60s there were fewer than 50 bears but now scientists believe there could be as many as 1000.

State Police announce the arrest of the driver of a vehicle wanted in a hit-and-run crash that killed a bicyclist last week in Terrebone Parish. 53-year-old Toni Frilou (FREE-lou) of Houma faces charges in the death of 46-year-old Robert Clowder, Jr. Trooper Evan Harrell says they received a tip from a concerned citizen about the vehicle they were looking seeking
CUT 3 (09) “that night”
She is charged with hit and run and negligent homicide.

New Orleans Representative Austin Badon says this year’s anti-discrimination bill should come up in committee next week. He says the legislation would protect someone from being fired someone from a job or denied housing because of sexual orientation. The Louisiana Family Forum has stepped up to oppose similar bills in the past but Badon says they shouldn’t stand in judgement of anyone…:..:
CUT 14 (08) “discrimination”
He says we need to pass this law to send the message that Louisiana is a friendly place to live and work.

New Orleans Representative Austin Badon believes his anti-discrimination legislation has a decent chance of passing this year. Michelle Southern reports..:

cut 3 (30) “reporting”

The state Senate has approved legislation that allows public colleges to raise their tuition rates without legislative approval. Mandeville Senator Jack Donahue’s measure passed on a 33 to 4 vote. This authority would come only if another Senate-passed bill by Donahue that would put limits on TOPS scholarship awards is approved. Both bills are now headed to the House for consideration.

A 24-billion dollar budget that funds higher education at the same level as this year passes the House Appropriations Committee and now heads to the full House for a vote next week. Committee Chairman Jim Fannin was asked about a possible veto, if there are no tax cuts to offset the tax increases…

cut 9 (08) “I can’t answer that”

Governor Jindal has stated he’ll veto a budget that raises taxes, which this proposed budget will do.

The Iberville Parish Sheriff’s Office says Kevin Ambeau, Jr., the son of the police chief in St. Gabriel, fatally shot two brothers Sunday night but authorities are waiting for more evidence before filing homicide charges. Sheriff Brett Stassi says there is a lot involved in this case and they are investigating it just as they would any other…

cut 6 (10) “on the corner’s son”

Stassi says they are waiting on evidence and still interviewing witnesses, but it appears at this time that Ambeau was defending his home.

A 24-billion dollar budget for next fiscal year that funds higher education at the same level as this year heads to the House floor. Scott Carwile has more…

cut 2 (30) “reporting”

The Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Office says a 55-year-old man is under arrest for allegedly improperly touching an underage girl. Authorities say an investigation into Kenneth Worsham of Natchitoches began after the parents of the victim reported that their daughter had been touched by Worsham in a sexual manner. Worsham was booked on a charge of sexual battery. Investigators say more charges could be coming.

State House of Representatives leaders say they are committed to an override veto session if Governor Jindal vetoes the revenue generating bills they have passed. Jindal has said consistently that he will not approve any tax hike unless there is a tax reduction elsewhere. But, Monroe Representative Katrina Jackson says she is pleased with what the House has done already…

cut 12 (08) “throughout the process”

The House has approved legislation that raises $615 million to protect higher education and reduce cuts to health care.

The Iberville Parish Sheriff’s Office says the son of the police chief in St. Gabriel shot and killed two brothers Sunday night but authorities are waiting for more evidence before filing homicide charges. Sheriff Brett Stassi says the two deceased men had been fighting and then went to the home of Kevin Ambeau Jr. with a gun…

cut 4 (09) “with this”

Stassi says they are still interviewing witnesses, but it appears at this time that Ambeau was defending his home.

Legislative leaders in the state House of Representatives say they are committed to an override veto session if Governor Jindal vetoes the revenue generating bills they have passed. Monroe Representative Katrina Jackson, Chairwoman of the Legislative Black Caucus, says there is one big factor in determining if lawmakers will be successful in this budget fight…

cut 11 (09) “enough is enough”

The House approved 615-million dollars in additional revenue last week, by raising the state’s cigarette tax and suspending or reducing tax benefits many businesses currently enjoy.

The House Appropriations Committee has approved a 24-billion dollar budget that funds higher education at the same level as this year. It heads to the full House for a vote next week. Chairman Jim Fannin says they were hoping to generate 900-million dollars or so in new revenue, but there’s still time to do that…

cut 8 (07) “30-percent”

Governor Jindal has said he’ll veto a budget that raises taxes, which this proposed budget will do.

Iberville Parish Sheriff Brett Stassi says Kevin Ambeau Jr., the son of the police chief in St. Gabriel, fatally shot two brothers Sunday night but authorities are waiting for more evidence before filing homicide charges. He says autopsies will be conducted today and the investigation will continue before any rush to judgement is made that this was murder…

cut 5 (10) “invasion type”

Stassi says the two deceased men had been fighting and witnesses say they went inside Ambeau’s home and that’s when the shots were fired.

New Orleans Representative Austin Badon feels his anti-discrimination legislation has a decent chance of passing this year. Badon says if we pass this law, it would send a clear message that Louisiana is a friendly place to live and work…

Cut 14 (08) “discrimination”

House Bill 612 seeks to protect gay, bisexual, or transgender people from job and housing discrimination among other things.