A federal judge has reached a $20-billion settlement with BP over the 2010 Gulf oil spill. Don Molino has more…

CUT 1 (30) “I’m Don Molino”

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Today a Senate Committee will hear a proposal by Metairie Senator Conrad Appel that would allow people to have their pets buried next to them in cemeteries. Halen Doughty has more…

Cut 2 (31) “I’m Halen Doughty”

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 A New Orleans entrepreneur has developed an app which consumers can use to find the best price on seafood in town. Jeff Palermo reports…:

Cut 3 (28) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

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Today a Senate committee will hear testimony on a proposed bill that would increase the fine for texting or using social media while driving from $175 to $500. Sgt. Nick Manale with Louisiana State Police says distracted driving causes accidents every day.

cut 4  (03)  “behind the wheel”

Manale says the use of a phone to text or check Facebook is considered distracted driving, which is a big problem in Louisiana.

Cut 5  (11)  “vehicle”

Meanwhile in the House, the Transportation Committee is scheduled to consider a proposal to double the fine for not wearing a seatbelt from $25 to $50 for first offenses. Manale says not wearing a seatbelt can turn a fender bender into a fatal accident.

Cut 6 (07)  “laws of physics” 

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A $20-billion settlement has finally been reached regarding the BP oil spill in 2010. The money will go towards Clean Water Act penalties and to cover environmental damage, and it will be paid out over 16 years. Associate Director of the Tulane Energy Institute, Eric Smith says Louisiana will get some money out of the deal.

CUT 7 (06)  “restoration efforts”

Smith says with all the uncertainty surrounding the budget, it’s unclear if the money will still go towards the coast. He says the settlement isn’t even close to what BP has actually doled out because of the spill.

Cut 8  (06)  “double that”

Smith says the settlement does contain some good news for BP. He says the judge ruled that other oil companies could not file lawsuits against BP in relation to the spill. He says this should put a stop to any potential litigation against the oil giant.

Cut 9 (10)  “as a result”

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A Senate committee will hear a proposal today that would allow people to be buried next to their pets in cemeteries. Patrick McCausland, president of Heaven’s Pets in Metairie, says he knows this is something many pet owners would like to do for their pets.

Cut 10 (08) “as well”

The proposal by Metairie Senator Conrad Appel, specifies that pets would have to be interred with their owners in a specific area of the cemetery. McCausland says a few other states have already started allowing this.

cut 11 (04) “this decision”

If the measure gets through the legislative process and signed by the governor, it would take effect January 1^st. McCausland says this would simply give cemeteries the option to allow this.

cut 12 (09) “from there”

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A New Orleans entrepenuer has developed an app which consumers can use to find the best price on seafood in town. Sheldon Williams says the Seafood Locator App does the searching for you…:

Cut 13 (12)  “favorite places”

Williams says the establishments they work with are mostly in the Baton Rouge and New Orleans areas, but they are working to get more on board throughout the state. He says he launched the app in January after years of thinking about new, innovative ways to export our culture to people…:

Cut 14 (13)  “all on the app” 

The free app is available on iTunes or the Google play store. Williams says once you launch the app, you’ll see the 15 affiliate establishments closest to you that sell things like boiled crawfish, boiled shrimp, boiled crabs, raw oysters and more…:

Cut 15 (09) “in the app”

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After scoring 18 runs in its last two games, LSU Coach Paul Mainieri is hopeful his team has broken out of its offensive slump. Prior to Saturday’s doubleheader, the Tigers scored six runs in their last four games. Mainieri believes the team started gaining confidence in the ninth inning of Saturday’s 8-5 loss to Auburn.

Cut 16  (20)  “with your mind”

Mainieri credits catcher Jordan Romero for helping LSU overcome its offensive struggles, as he hit a home run and drove in seven runs during the series against Auburn.

Cut 17 (12) “seizing the moment”

Mainieri is not concerned about ace pitcher Alex Lange despite the sophomore right-hander giving up seven in a loss to Auburn. The Tiger’s skipper credits Lange for battling through a tough performance.

Cut 18 (21) “two to three innings”

Kenner police are investigating a double murder that took place at a home with three young children inside. Michelle Southern has the story…

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Budget cuts are putting Louisiana’s state parks and historic sites at risk, according to Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser. Halen Doughty has more…

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A man and a woman were fatally shot in their Kenner home early this morning. Three children were also in the home, but they were not hurt. Lt. Brian McGregor with the Kenner Police Department says the discovery was made after one of the children went to a neighbor’s house.

CUT 3 (07)  “were notified”

Police say the couple was shot multiple times in their bed, where an infant girl was also sleeping. A 2-year-old boy and a 10-year old boy were also in the home. McGregor says none of the shots were self-inflicted….

CUT 4 (04)  “at this time”

McGregor says the children will be placed with family members through Child Protective Services. He says there were no signs of forced entry, but a vehicle was seen fleeing the scene this morning.

CUT 5 (07)  “at this time”

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Police have arrested a 12-year-old and 13-year-old in connection with the armed robbery of a pizza delivery driver in Houma. Authorities are also looking for a third suspect, 17-year-old Leroy Miles. Captain Dawn Foret with the Terrebonne Parish Sheriff’s Office says the three adolescents robbed the delivery driver in the apartment complex where they live.

CUT 6 (08) “rob him”

Foret says the two juveniles have been arrested for armed robbery, and Miles is wanted for theft of a motor vehicle and armed robbery. She says unfortunately they see kids of all ages commit crimes.

CUT 7 (10) “his vehicle”

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A man was shot by an off-duty State Police detective after allegedly breaking into his unmarked police unit early Sunday in Ascension Parish. Sheriff Jeff Wiley says a neighbor alerted the cop around 430am that his police unit was being burglarized, so he armed himself, went outside and caught the man in the act…:

CUT 8 (06) “prepared to use it”

Wiley says the alleged thief and the officer got into a tussle which is when the suspect reached for his gun. He says the off-duty detective then shot the man with a shotgun in close proximity…:

CUT 9 (10) “Ascension Parish Jail”

Wiley says the thief had several stolen items in his possession and deputies also recovered a handgun believed to be owned by the suspect. He says the incident is under investigation…:

cut 10 (09)  “as yet complete”

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Authorities say a Sulphur man participating in a triathlon drowned in the Calcasieu River. Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s office spokesperson Kim Myers says this was a sanctioned triathlon at the Sam Houston State Park where lifeguards, Marines, and spotters in kayaks were on hand. Myers says 25-year-old Taurean Blake swam about 100 yards out when he started to struggle and a Marine jumped in to help.

Cut 11 (11) “eventually did”

Myers says they pulled Blake out of the water and revived him. She says a lifeguard also tried to swim out to Blake, as well as one of the kayaks. She says they made every effort to help Blake.

cut 12 (10) “continued CPR”

Myers says after Blake was revived, he was taken to the hospital, where he later died.

Cut 13 (07)  “the drowning”

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Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser told lawmakers today that further budget cuts to the Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism could force him to close several state parks and historic sites. He says with all the money problems Louisiana is facing, the state needs tourism dollars.

cut 14 (10)  “the tracks”

Nungesser says they are looking into private-public partnerships, naming rights, increasing fees, and even using prison workers to save money. He says they are open to any suggestions.

cut 15 (10) “save money” 

Leesville Representative James Armes voiced his concerns for our parks and historic sites, saying all the budget cuts put them at risk. He says lawmakers have cut the budget as much as they can, but tourism can’t take any more cuts.

cut 16 (10) “million dollars”

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