An insurance fraud investigation in the Acadiana area has led to over a dozen arrests. State Police Trooper Brooks David says last July they received complaints about 16 individuals who were filing false insurance claims…
cut 6 (08) “…of claims”
David says all 16 individuals were involved in a number of ficticious crashes.

Louisiana consumers will not have to pay the full five-percent state sales tax on Saturday and Sunday for purchasing emergency prepardeness supplies. Department of Revenue spokesperson Byron Henderson says the sales tax discount helps familes prepare for the hurricane season…
cut 4 (11) “…a storm”
To find out more go to the Department of Revenue’s website.

Louisiana Economic Development, along with several partners, has created a business startup program for military veterans. LED Secretary Don Pierson says the idea for the Louisiana Veteran Entrepreneurship Program came after hearing LSU helped disabled veterans in a similar way…
cut 11 (11) “…small businesses”
Pierson says those who participate in the program will take classes at LSU and they hope to enroll about 100 veterans in the first year.

State Police is asking motorists to buckle up, lay off the gas pedal and do not drink and drive this holiday weekend. Trooper Dustin Dwight…
cut 9 (08) “….preventable car crashes”
Dwight reminds residents that everyone inside a vehicle needs to be buckled up.

A proposal to increase the state’s gasoline tax by 17 cents a gallon could undergo changes to get the necessary support from lawmakers. Baton Rouge Representative Steve Carter says similar legislation has failed in the past, but lawmakers need to come together to support this measure.

Cut 14 (11) “have you”

Possible changes include lowering the hike or having it go up over time.

A sales tax discount is available for hurricane preparedness items this weekend. On Saturday and Sunday, residents can purchase flashlights, batteries, portable generators and other emergency supplies at a reduced sales tax rate. Department of Revenue spokesperson Byron Henderson…

Cut 3 (08) “sales tax”

A bill is heading to the Senate floor that would protect students with disabilities from corporal punishment in schools. Baton Rouge Representative Franklin Foil says he was surprised to learn schools were spanking these kids at all.

Cut 9 (09) “can’t help themselves”

The measure has already been approved by the House and the Senate Education Committee.

According to AAA, this Memorial Day travel period is at its highest level since 2005. Spokesman Don Redman says they project nearly 40 million Americans will take travel this weekend. He says that’s a million more than last year thanks to an improving economy…:

Cut 4 (08) “those numbers upward”

Redman says 88% of travelers are driving to their destinations this year.

The number of travelers for this Memorial Day weekend is expected to be the largest since 2005. AAA forecast calls for over 39-million Americans to travel 50 miles or more and spokesperson Don Redman says 88-percent of those travelers will drive to their destination…
cut 5 (05) “….a lot of people”
And Redman says expect to pay $2.15 a gallon for regular gasoline, which is a nickel higher than last year.

Students with disabilities would be protected from corporal punishment in public schools under a proposal heading to the Senate floor. Baton Rouge Representative Franklin Foil says his bill would prohibit school employees from spanking students with developmental disabilities.
Cut 7 (08) “not corporal punishment”
The House approved bill heads to the Senate floor.

Security will be ramped up for this weekend’s Bayou Country Superfest in New Orleans, because of the terrorist attack at a Manchester concert. Halen Doughty has more…
Voicer 2 (30) “I’m Halen Doughty”

Consumers will receive a sales tax discount this weekend on purchases for hurricane preparedness items. So instead of paying a five-percent sales tax when buying flashlights, batteries, portable generators and other emergency supplies, residents would be hit with a three-percent sales tax on these items. The tax holiday starts Saturday and ends on Sunday.

Just over 39-million Americans are expected to travel 50 miles or more during this Memorial Day weekend. AAA spokesperson Don Redman says that’s the most since 2005. He says travel for the unofficial kick-off to this summer holiday has been growing since the Great Recession…
cut 6 (08) “….for the Holiday”
The statewide average for a gallon of regular gasoline is $2.15, a nickel more than last year.

Moving closer to final legislative passage is a bill that would prohibit corporal punishment in public schools involving children with disabiltiies. Representative Franklin Foil says his bill clearly defines what constitutes corporal punishment….
cut 8 (10) “…of a kid”
The House approved measure is heading to the Senate floor.

Baton Rouge Representative Steve Carter is looking at ways on how he can get the necessary 70 votes in the House to pass a proposed 17-cent gasoline tax increase. Carter says he may lower the tax hike, but have it increase over time…
cut 15 (10) “…of time”
Carter says he plans to bring the bill up for a vote on Wednesday.

It’s Bayou Country Superfest weekend, but at a different venue this year. The three-day music festival was moved from Tiger Stadium to the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans. Producer Quint Davis says they’ve made the show even bigger and better for the new locale…
cut 11 (11) “…the weekend”
And expect increased security in light of the terrorist attack in Manchester.

AAA projects the number of expected travelers for this Memorial Day weekend will be the highest it’s been since 2005. Michelle Southern reports.:

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Michelle Southern”

You can anticipate a bunch of LSU baseball fans heading to Hoover, Alabama this weekend. The Tigers won their ninth straight last night by blasting Kentucky 10-0 in seven innings. LSU’s next game is Saturday in the semifinals of the SEC Tournament.

Baton Rouge Representative Steve Carter is planning for the House to vote next week on his proposal to hike the state’s gasoline tax by an additional 17-cents per gallon. Carter says similar legislation has been shot down in the past, but lawmakers need to come together to vote for this measure….
cut 14 (11) “….have you”
Carter says he is considering lowering the proposed tax, but is concerned they won’t have enough money to fund major projects.

The Senate Education committee has approved a bill that prohibits the use of corporal punishment with students who have disabilities. Baton Rouge Representative Franklin Foil, was surprised to learn that some schools spank children with disabilities….
cut 9 (09) “…can’t help themselves”
The bill has been approved by the House and is awaiting Senate approval.

This Memorial Day weekend will see its highest number of travelers since 2005, according to AAA. Spokesman Don Redman says they project nearly 40 million Americans are taking to the roads, skies, rails and water, which is a million more than last year. Redman credits an improving economy…:
Cut 4 (08) “…those numbers upwards”
The author of a bill to raise the state’s gasoline tax by 17-cents continues to work on the legislation so it can receive the 70 votes necessary to get approval from the House. Baton Rouge Representative Steve Carter says he is looking at a variety of options, like lowering the proposed increase. But he says not everyone is pleased with that…
Cut 13 (09) “…Baton Rouge”
Carter will bring the bill up for a vote next Wednesday.

Concertgoers at this weekend’s Bayou Country Superfest in New Orleans can expect even more security after the terrorist attack at a concert in Manchester. Producer Quint Davis says safety is always the number one concern, and everyone should feel comfortable attending the event.
Cut 10 (10) “…pretty much alwqays”
Davis says this is the 9th annual B-C-S, but it’s the festival’s first time in the Superdome.
Last night the LSU baseball team run-ruled Kentucky beating the Wildcats 10-0 in 7 innings to advance to the SEC tournament semi-finals. The Tigers next game is at noon on Saturday

Lawmakers and the governor are expecting another special legislative session is needed to solve the state’s 1.3 billion dollar fiscal cliff. Democrats are blocking the financing bill for construction in an effort to push Republicans to develop a budget balancing plan rather than going to a special session. Erwin says this kind of move is part of the political process.
Cut 13 (11) “ill will”

We can expect an above average hurricane season this year, according to NOAA’s forecast. They’re predicting 11 to 17 named storms with 5 to 9 of them becoming hurricanes. Acting administrator Ben Friedman says when an El Nino is nonexistent, conditions are more conducive for tropical development.
Cut 7 (10) “same region”

According to the forecast, 2 to 4 hurricanes will be category 3 or stronger.

 
The man accused of killing former NFL player Joe McKnight in an apparent road-rage incident was involved in a similar heated exchange while driving 10 years ago, and a judge said that can be used in court. But Legal analyst Tim Meche says the ruling to allow this as evidence is wide open for reversal on appeal. He says Ronald Gasser’s defense could even use it to their advantage…:
Cut 4 (11) “weak case”

A trial date has not yet been set.

The House rejects a proposal to prohibit children under 12 from using machine guns. River Ridge Representative Kirk Talbot asked why the bill only included automatic weapons. He says any gun can be dangerous in the hands of an unsupervised child…:
Cut 11 (09) “fully automatic weapon”

But supporters argued it would protect children. The bill was killed on 21-59 vote.