The House Transportation Committee passed a bill today that would allow people to access their drivers license from an app on their phone. OMV Deputy Commissioner Stacy White says this would allow people to have their license information on them even if they left the actual card at home. She says it wouldn’t be mandatory…:
CUT 12 (10) “utilize it”
She says you would still have to have your license on your person if the establishment that you’re visiting still requires it such as a casino.

The man who was driving the vehicle which caused a triple fatality crash in Terrebonne Parish has been identified, and State Police suspect alcohol and speed were factors. On April 20th, troopers say 31-year-old Rafael Fandino of Metairie was driving a Civic when he crossed the center line and hit two vehicles coming the other direction including an 18 wheeler. Fandino and two other occupants of the Civic, all unrestrained, were killed in the crash.

FBI documents obtained by the LSU Manship School of Mass Communication reveal that during the mid-60s former-Governor John McKeithen made payments to the KKK to suppress racial violence. Jeff Palermo has more…:
CUT 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne told senators Monday that Louisiana’s projected budget shortfall for next fiscal year is down to $600 million dollars. That’s down from the previous estimate of $750 million. Dardenne says the savings is coming from the computed number of people who are expected to qualify for Medicaid under Governor John Bel Edwards planned expansion which begins July 1st.

Former-Governor John McKeithen made payments to the KKK in the 1960s to stop racial violent outbreaks. That’s based on FBI records obtained by the LSU Manship School of Mass Communication. Gus Weill, Executive Secretary to the former-governor, knew nothing about the payments at the time, but says he was recently told by a man that McKeithen arranged a payment of 10-thousand dollars to leaders of both black and white supremacist groups to stop a violent outbreak in Bogalusa…:
CUT 6 (08) “blood shed”
He says this information doesn’t surprise him as McKeithen often went out of his way to end racial violence.

A nurse from Thibodaux is under arrest for allegedly forging prescriptions in the name of the doctor she worked for. They say a pharmacy in Houma let the doctor know about suspicious prescriptions being written and filled at their location with the doctor’s signature. The nurse, 49-year-old Vickie Ezell of Houma, was arrested for unlawfully prescribing, distributing or dispensing.

The body found in Whiskey Bay over the weekend has been identified as Elizabeth Ferrell of Humble, Texas. Her death is being investigated as a homicide by the Iberville Parish Sheriff’s Office.

Public school students are taking standardized tests this week and without all of the fanfare and opt outs as Common Core tests received in the past — even though the assessments are similar. That’s according to Hollis Milton, president of the Louisiana Association of School Superintendents. He feels people are becoming more educated on what the standards are all about…:
CUT 10 (08) “Louisiana standards”
The test this year is called LEAP 2016. Milton also feels things are quieter because the testing is taking place later in the year giving teachers more time to prepare kids.

Standardized testing is underway in Louisiana this week and there is far less controversy surrounding the 2016 exams than in years past. That’s according to Hollis Milton, president of the Louisiana Association of School Superintendents. He attributes that, in part, to educators feeling better prepared since the testing is taking place later in the school year…:
CUT 9 (10) “the kids”
Milton anticipates there will be a much smaller number of students who opt of the test which is now called LEAP 2016.

The budget shortfall for the fiscal year that begins July 1st is down to $600 million dollars. Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne told Senators that the gap, which was once $750 million dollars, dropped thanks to Governor John Bel Edwards’ planned Medicaid expansion that begins next fiscal year.

A 24-year-old Monroe woman is being evaluated at the Ouachita Parish Correctional Center after she kidnapped a newborn from St. Francis Hospital. Monroe Police Detective Chris Bates says Anquinisha Cummings entered a hospital room occupied by a woman and her 3-day-old infant, claiming that a mutual friend had sent her. Bates says after visiting for a couple of hours, the mother of the child went to the bathroom and came back to an empty room:
CUT 3 (08) “both gone”
He says the suspect took the child home. She later turned herself in to police and was charged with one count of aggravated kidnapping of a child.

Lawmakers decided not to take up the bill that would make it illegal for a business in the private sector to fire someone based on their sexual orientation. The measure, which was previously on the agenda in the House Civil Law committee today, reportedly did not have enough votes, but it’s expected to return to the table next week.

A bill to prohibit an employer from refusing to hire or fire a person, because they are gay or transsexual was set to be heard in a House committee this morning. But the author of the bill, New Orleans Representative Joe Bouie, decided not to move forward with the legislation, because reportedly the votes were not there. They may bring the bill up again next week.

A New Orleans woman tells WWL-TV in New Orleans that a clerk at a Family Dollar store on the corner of Canal and Broad refused to ring up her items at the cash register, because she is gay. There is cellphone video that shows the clerk saying “I’m not serving them two.” Family Dollar’s corporate office has not responded to the incident.

Authorities in Iberville Parish have identified the body of a female that was found near Whiskey Bay along Interstate 10. The victim’s name is Elizabeth Ferrell of Humble, Texas. Her death is being investigated as a homicide.

The House Transportation Committee is scheduled to hear a bill today that would increase the fines for moving violations when a child under the age of 15 is in the vehicle. Baton Rouge Representative Paula Davis believes the increased fines will help stop dangerous driving with children in the car…
cut 15 (08) “….tripled”
Davis doesn’t anticipate much opposition to her bill.

Children programming in French is airing on Louisiana Public Broadcasting. There are about 45-hundred students in French immersion programs in the state. LPB Program director Jason Viso says this popular French speaking kids show from Canada, will give French immersion students a chance to develop their language skills…
cut 13 (07) “….the classroom”
The shows are airing on LPB in the afternoons on Monday through Friday and during select times on the weekends.

A motorist who commits a moving violation when a child under the age of 15 is in the vehicle faces tougher fines under a bill set to be heard in the House Transportation Committee today. Baton Rouge Representative Paula Davis says she hopes to raise awareness about how dangerous bad driving habits are, and children have no control in a vehicle…:
CUT 16 (09) “the car”
She believes the increased fines will help stop dangerous driving with children in the car.

A measure which seeks to stop the LHSAA from splitting playoffs for select-non-select schools is on the House floor schedule for today. Opponents don’t think it’s lawmakers job to be involved with the LHSAA. But River Ridge Representative Kirk Talbot says he brought the bill because the LHSAA should not be separating schools based on whether they are public or private…:
CUT 5 (08) “equal opportunity”

Educational TV shows in French are airing on Louisiana Public Broadcasting. LPB’s program director Jason Viso says French teachers are thrilled about helping future Francophones learn more about the language….:
cut 12 (07) “about this”
The shows are airing on LPB 2 between 3pm and 5pm Monday through Friday and also on the weekends.

A 56-year-old woman allegedly barged into a home Sunday afternoon and began stabbing another woman, according to the Baton Rouge Police Department. They say Teresa Ross is charged with counts of attempted second degree murder and home invasion for allegedly attacking the victim with a knife for messing with her man — leaving wounds to the victim’s chest and arm. The injuries are not life threatening according to authorities.

The body of a woman was recovered in Whiskey Bay and officials are treating it as a homicide. The Iberville Parish Sheriff’s Office says an autopsy on the body, which they say was likely in Whiskey Bay not longer than 72 hours, is scheduled for today and the investigation is ongoing.

You couldn’t fire someone based on their sexual orientation under a bill set to be heard in the House Civil Law Committee today. But Dawn Starns with the National Federation of Independent Business says a law like this would hurt employers and lead to a litany of litigation…:
CUT 8 (10) “like that”
Matthew Patterson with Equality Louisiana says Shreveport and New Orleans already have ordinances that protect the LGBT community and they’ve not lead to lawsuits…:
CUT 9 (05) “have locally”

A 22 year old man from Natchitoches is under arrest in connection with the shooting death of a three year old child, and cops are still searching for the gun. They believe the toddler found the weapon and accidentally shot himself in the head. Alverious Demars of Natchitoches is charged with negligent homicide and obstruction of justice since the gun has not been recovered, police say.

Educational TV shows in French for kids are now airing on Louisiana Public Broadcasting. Jeff Palermo has more….:
Cut 2 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

A bill that would force the LHSAA to end its public-private school playoff split will be heard on the House floor today. River Ridge Representative Kirk Talbot says, under his bill, schools wouldn’t get public funds if they belong to an athletic organization with split playoffs. He says the LHSAA’s current playoff split is discriminatory…:
cut 4 (05) “somebody else”
But opponents don’t think the legislature should be involved in this controversy.

A bill to prohibit an employer from refusing to hire or fire a person, because they are gay or transsexual will be heard in a House committee today. Emelie Gunn has more…:
CUT 1 (31) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

Louisiana Public Broadcasting is launching educational TV shows for kids in French. LPB’s program director Jason Viso says they are partnering with the Council for the Development of French in Louisiana to help more kids learn the language…:
cut 11 (09) “initial block”

A measure that would increase fines for moving violations when a child under the age of 15 is in the car is set to be heard in the House Transportation Committee today. Baton Rouge Representative Paula Davis says she authored the proposal when several constituents called her after a child was killed in a car accident….:
Cut 14 (08) “speeding”
Davis says she doesn’t expect much opposition to the bill.

The fatal shooting of a three year old is being investigated by the Natchitoches Police Department, and an arrest has been made. They say 22-year-old Alverious Demars of Natchitoches is booked with negligent homicide in the case.

The Federal Government says Baton Rouge is home to one of the most dangerous railroad crossings in the nation. The US Railroad Administration reports the spot in the Capitol City has had 13 crashes since 2006, which is the 8th highest in the country.

Law enforcement in Baton Rouge and New Orleans are investigating the case of a man who shot and killed himself at a hospital after allegedly abducting a pregnant woman.