Legislation that would legalize the sale of raw milk in Louisiana did not make it out of a Senate Committee. Michelle Southern reports…

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The Richland Parish Sheriff’s Office has made an arrest in a homicide in the Wollen Lake area. Authorities say 49-year-old Eugene Stickle has been arrested in the death of Brandy Branch. They say there was no visible cause of death on the body of Branch; however, officers confirm she and Stickle were in a relationship and there was some sort of altercation between the two yesterday afternoon.

It’s decision making day for House leaders as they vote on what changes to make when it comes to tax hikes and scaling back incentives in order to balance the state’s budget. LaPolitics-dot-com Publisher, Jeremy Alford, says the absolute linchpin this legislative session is the inventory tax. Whether the tax credit is scaled back or the tax is repealed altogether, he says lawmakers must do something to the inventory tax system…

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Alford says the House could meet well into the night.

Two bills that seek to control the wild hog population in Louisiana pass the House Natural Resources Committee. Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Secretary Robert Barham supports the lifetime license bill saying they want to be able to choose the price. Ouachita Parish DA Jerry Jones says it will be easier on farmers to have a one-time permit…

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The bills now head to the Full House.

Today House leaders will vote on various proposals that will go towards filling a massive budget shortfall. Jeff Palermo reports…

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Shreveport Police have arrested two men in connection with the shooting death of 4-year-old Cameron Morris. 19-year-old Anthony Perot and 25-year-old Jeveara Johnson are each charged with a count of convicted felon in possession of a firearm and various drug charges. Authorities determined that both men were present at the scene when Morris was accidentally shot by another juvenile. Neither man has been charged with Morris’ death.

Two bills that seek to control the wild hog population in Louisiana will now head to the full House. One measure would approve year-round hunting seasons on razorbacks and the other would create a lifetime hunting license for the animal.Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Secretary Robert Barham says it’s a rural problem that’s about to become an urban one…

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The bills passed the House Natural Resources Committee.

New Orleans Representative Austin Badon’s bill to reduce penalties for simple marijuana possession passed the House Criminal Justice Committee. Louisiana ACLU Executive Director Marjorie Esman voiced her opposition to Badon’s measure saying this bill doesn’t do enough…

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The measure will now be debated on the House floor.

Today is decision making day for House leaders as they will vote on what changes to make when it comes to tax hikes and scaling back incentives in order to balance the state’s budget. LaPolitics-dot-com Publisher, Jeremy Alford, says today will be long one but we’ll find out which way the budget will lean…

cut 4 (08) “fill those holes”

He says this entire legislative session is about the budget and filling a $1.6 billion shortfall.

Legislation that would legalize the sale of raw milk in Louisiana did not make it out of a Senate Committee. The bill’s author, Ville Platte Senator Eric LaFleur, says there are many who believe purchasing raw milk is a basic human right and not something for government to be involved in…

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Opponents argue there are dangers associated with consuming raw milk. The vote was 5-3 and the issue is essentially dead for the session.

New Orleans Representative Austin Badon’s bill to reduce penalties for simple marijuana possession advances from the House Criminal Justice Committee. Livingston Representative Sherman Mack questioned the need for Badon’s bill since judges and district attorneys already have the ability to shorten a sentence for simple marijuana possession…

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The bill passed on a 10 – 4 vote and will now be discussed on the House floor.

Baton Rouge Police confirmed that a paternity test shows that former LSU offensive lineman La’el Collins is not the father of murder victim Brittney Mills’ son. Authorites say Collins is still not considered a suspect in Mills’ death after meeting with police Monday. It’s reported that Collins will meet soon with the Dallas Cowboys.

Baton Rouge Representative Dalton Honore has decided to pull his bill from further discussion that would have put recreational marijuana legalization on an upcoming ballot for voters to decide. Honore says maybe in the future, Louisiana residents should have the option to decide, but not right now…
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In the same committee room, New Orleans Representative Austin Badon’s bill to reduce penalties for simple marijuana possession passed. Jill Trahan’s son is currently serving a 15-year prison sentence for simple marijuana possession. Trahan wants lawmakers to really consider the penalties imposed on marijuana possession convictions…:
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The vote was 10-4 and now heads to the House Floor.

Legislation that would legalize the sale of raw milk in Louisiana did not make it out of a Senate Committee. The bill’s author, Ville Platte Senator Eric LaFleur, says there are many who believe purchasing raw milk is a basic human right and not something for government to be involved in…:
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But State Health Officer Dr. Jimmy Guidry says it’s far too risky to consume raw milk and he testified in opposition.

A bill that would prohibit sex-selection abortions in Louisiana receives the approval of the House Health and Welfare Committee. Houma Representative Lenar Whitney says in several Asian countries, abortions are performed when the mother finds out she’s having a girl. Natchitoches Representative Kenny Cox says Louisiana should not follow what China does…
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The bill heads to the House floor for more discussion.

The House Health and Welfare committee clears legislation prohibiting an abortion, if the decision to terminate the pregnancy is based on sex selection. Houma Representative Lenar Whitney is the author of the bill and she says the use of abortion as a means for sex selection is a social problem in a number of Asian countries where male children are widely preferred over females…:
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There was no objection and the measure heads to the full House.

The Terrebonne Parish Sheriff’s office says a man is under arrest for allegedly beating his pregnant girlfriend so badly, the unborn child’s heart stopped beating. Captain Dawn Foret says they received a complaint that 36-year-old Tyson Cheavis of Gibson repeatedly abused his 27-year-old pregnant girlfriend…:
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Cheavis was arrested and charged with second degree feticide and two counts of second degree battery.

A man who applied to be a youth baseball coach in Bossier Parish ended up making off with nearly $3000 in payments from players and sponsors. Lt. Bill Davis says 25-year-old Robert Martin III is wanted for felony theft. Detectives believe Martin may have fled the area or the state. Davis says they hope somebody comes forward who knows the whereabouts of Martin…
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He says it’s obvious Martin had no intention of every coaching the children.

The Lafayette Parish Sheriff’s office has arrested the former school bus driver who got into a crash on March 12th for operating while intoxicated. They say John Bernard was booked into jail on $40,000 bond. No students were seriously injured in the crash. Investigators say tests showed Bernard had a blood alcohol level of .04 percent at the time of the crash.

Legislation has been passed without objection that would prohibit someone from getting an abortion based on sex selection. Houma Representative Lenar Whitney says she filed this bill because there are major problems in Asia where males are preferred over girls in birth. Committee Chairman Joe Lopinto read off the list of groups and individuals who oppose the bill, but none of them spoke out against the measure….
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The bill heads to the House floor for more debate.

St. Bernard Parish President Dave Peralta has been indicted for three counts each of perjury and also filing false campaign reports. The charges were handed up today which essentially accuse Peralta of gambling campaign donations at casinos in New Orleans. He claims the money spent at casinos was campaign related and not gambled.

The Shreveport Police Department says two men have been charged after a four year old was shot and killed presumably by a 6 year old by a in a hotel room earlier this week. They say 19-year-old Anthony Perot and 25-year-old Jeveara Johnson are each booked with a single count of felon in possession of a firearm. Investigators believe these two were in the room at the time of the incident but they are not charged in the death of the child.

Baton Rouge Representative Dalton Honore has pulled his legislation that would have put recreational marijuana legalization on a ballot. Honore says times are changing and he’s glad the conversation about marijuana has been started this session, but his particular measure had too much opposition and he knew it wouldn’t pass…:
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Honore says he talked to everyone on the House Criminal Justice Committee who agreed this might be something to do one day, but not at this time.