The team at Colorado State University upgrades their forecast for the 2017 Atlantic hurricane season, which begins today. In April, CSU called for a slightly below average season, but State Climatologist Barry Keim explains why the forecast now calls for 13 named storms…:
Cut 3 (09) “this year”
CSU finds there is a 32 percent chance a hurricane will make landfall on the Gulf Coast, and 55 percent chance one would hit anywhere in the US.

The Lafayette Parish Sheriff’s Office says they’ve made an arrest in the case of a missing 18-year-old girl who was last seen on Tuesday May 23rd. Online records indicate that 22-year-old Malik Davis of Lafayette is being held on a $250,000 bond on a second degree murder charge. Detectives say his booking is in connection with the disappearance of Jacquelyn “Daisy Lynn” Landry who has still not been found.

The Washington Parish Sheriff’s Office says they’ve arrested a man and his girlfriend for allegedly attacking the man’s mother. They say 38-year-old Kurtis Strong of Franklinton allegedly threw his mom to the floor during a fight over a table game then lunged a cast iron skillet at her striking her in the head. Strong’s girlfriend is also accused of taking part in the assault. Strong was booked with various counts of battery and strangulation. The girlfriend with battery.

A Senate committee defers two bills seeking to protect confederate monuments after 5 hours of emotional testimony. Halen Doughty has more:
Cut 2 (31) “I’m Halen Doughty”

Proposals that would require either a public vote or legislative approval to remove confederate monuments were rejected by a Senate committee. The two bills faced steep opposition from black lawmakers, like New Orleans Senator Troy Carter, who says there are no statues celebrating Hitler.

Cut 10 (12) “a commemoration”

Supporters say confederate monuments honor those who fought in the Civil War.

A Senate committee takes up a bill to raise the minimum GPA requirement for TOPS from a 2.5 to a 2.75. Baton Rouge Representative Franklin Foil believes his bill has a shot at making it through the process.

Cut 9 (09) “as well”

But the measure could be in trouble in the Senate, which has approved a proposal to create a task force examining how changes to TOPS could impact students.

After a proposal to increase the state’s gasoline tax was killed without a vote in the House, lawmakers discussed their disappointment or excitement the measure died. The bill’s author Baton Rouge Representative Steve Carter expressed his frustrations with the out of state anti-tax group Americans for Prosperity, who lobbied against it.

Cut 14 (09) “our problems”

Carter didn’t bring the bill up for vote because the support was not there.

With hurricane season kicking off today, Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon reminds homeowners to make sure their home is covered by flood insurance. He says now is the time to purchase flood insurance if you don’t have it already.

Cut 6 (10) “to effect”

Louisiana Senators reject two proposals that sought to protect military monuments in the state. Governmental Affairs Committee chairwoman Senator Karen Carter Peterson argued men who fought to enslave people should not be revered and reminded supporters the Civil War has ended:
Cut 13 (10) “is over”
Bill backers called the monuments a reminder of Louisiana’s history and memorials to the state’s veterans.

A bill to raise the minimum GPA requirement to receive the TOPS scholarship from 2.5 to 2.75 starting with the Class of 2020 will be heard in the Senate Education Committee today. State Representative Franklin Foil stresses his bill is not about leaving anyone out…:
Cut 8 (07) “asking for”
He says this would also save money to help sustain the TOPS program.

A 12-year-old boy in Baton Rouge was struck and killed by a vehicle driven by a suspect involved in a police chase. That’s according to State Police who say cops were responding to a narcotics investigation when an officer involved shooting took place and the man fled. They said the child was crossing the street when he was hit. The suspect was taken into custody and charges are pending. The 12-year-old died at the scene.

A proposed gas tax hike was killed without a vote on the House floor, but there was still ample discussion about the attempt to raise millions of dollars to improve roads. Monroe Representative Katrina Jackson says even business leaders in her community backed the proposal. She hopes this discussion is not over yet…:
Cut 17 (09) “in a call”
Governor John Bel Edwards is calling for a special session next week that would only take place, if lawmakers are unable to approve a spending plan for next fiscal year.

After an hours long heated debate in a Senate committee, the panel voted
to defer two bills aimed at protecting confederate monuments. Jenna
Burnstein gave a firey testimony in support of war statues and went back
and forth with Committee Chairman Karen Carter Peterson who is against
the legislation…:
Cut 12 (10) “no you don’t”
Peterson told supporters that the Civil War ended centuries ago.

The proposal to raise the state’s gas tax was pulled from the House floor
before debate as there weren’t enough votes to get it passed. It still
sparked discussion from both sides. Shreveport Representative Alan
Seabaugh opposed the increase saying he won’t turn his back on his
constituents…:
Cut 16 (08) “gas tax”
Supporters said killing the bill puts Louisiana’s roads at risk.

A House-backed bill to raise the minimum GPA requirement to receive the
TOPS scholarship will be heard in the Senate education committee today.
Emelie Gunn reports…:
Cut 1 (28) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

Today is the official start of the Atlantic Hurricane Season, and one of
the most important ways to prepare is to know your coverage. State
Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon advises homeowners to prepare to file
a claim…:
Cut 5 (10) “valuables”
He also encourages everyone in the state to get flood insurance.

A proposed gas tax hike was killed without a vote on the House floor, but there was still ample discussion about the attempt to raise millions of dollars to improve roads. State Representative Steve Carter expressed his frustration with his own party, who actively fought the legislation. He also criticized an out of state anti-tax group Americans for Prosperity, who lobbied against it…:
Cut 14 (09) “our problems”
Haughton Representative Dodie Horton says she speaks on behalf of her constituents who don’t trust that the money would go towards transportation infrastructure…:
Cut 15 (09) “a gas tax” 2x

Governor John Bel Edwards is calling for a special session next week that would only take place, if lawmakers are unable to approve a spending plan for next fiscal year.

A Senate committee defers two bills seeking to protect confederate monuments after 5 hours of emotional testimony. Halen Doughty has more:
Cut 2 (31) “I’m Halen Doughty”

A bill to raise the minimum GPA requirement to receive the TOPS scholarship will be heard in Senate Education today. Currently, students have to earn a minimum of 2.5. State Representative Franklin Foil’s bill would raise that to 2.75. He says the program needs to be tightened up…:
Cut 7 (09) “higher GPA”

After five hours of heated debate, a Senate committee rejected two proposals aimed at protecting confederate monuments. Senator Troy Carter noted there are no statues celebrating Adolph Hitler…:
Cut 10 (12) “a commemoration”
Monument supporter Jenna Burnstein, who is Jewish, said it’s not fair to compare Civil War generals to Hitler…:
Cut 11 (10) “not on my watch”
Both measures were deferred with a 4-2 vote.

The state Department of Insurance is reminding policyholders to make sure they are fully covered as the hurricane season begins today. Commissioner Jim Donelon says now is a good time to know what is and isn’t covered:
Cut 4 (06) “hurricane deductible”

A proposal to increase the state’s gasoline tax died without a vote. Jeff Palermo has more…:
Cut 3 (28) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

State Police say a 12-year-old in Baton Rouge died after being run over by a suspect who was leading cops on a chase following a narcotics investigation and subsequent officer-involved shooting. Family members identified the child victim as Sammy Lee. Charges are pending.