Secretary of State Tom Schedler notified the governor today that he will resign, effective May 8th. Schedler is facing a lawsuit from an employee, who claims the statewide elected official sexually harassed her for a number of years. In a letter to John Bel Edwards, Schedler decries a “tabloid approach to an incredibly serious allegation”. In March, Schedler described the lawsuit as “unfair”, but the accuser’s attorney, Jill Craft disagrees.

Cut 14 (13) “about it”
Once Schedler’s resignation is effective, First Assistant Kyle Ardoin will run the department until a special election is held this fall.

The Sabine Parish Coroner’s office says 35-year-old Jessie Clavier of Many was crushed by a six-thousand pound aluminum boat. Clavier was performing maintenance on the boat while it was hoisted in the air by a trackhoe when the boat fell on him.

Louisiana will continue to remain the only state that requires its retail florists to be licensed, despite the efforts of Carencro Representative Julie Emerson….
cut 12 (07) “…as well”
But the Senate Ag Committee voted against the House-approved bill on six to one vote as they are concerned this could result in unqualified florists.

The former Baton Rouge police officer involved in the fatal shooting of Alton Sterling now faces a battery charge for allegedly slapping a handcuffed man during another arrest a month before the shooting of Sterling. Attorney John McLindon believes the battery charge is a ploy to embarass his client, Blane Salamoni…
cut 5 (09) “….my guess”
Salamoni has been fired from the force for his conduct during the Sterling shooting. He is appealing his dismissal.

Embattled Secretary of State Tom Schedler, who is facing a sexual harassment lawsuit, submits his resignation to the governor. Matt Doyle has more…
Voicer 2 (29) I’m Matt Doyle”

Former Baton Rouge police officer Blane Salamoni, who was involved in the fatal shooting of Alton Sterling, is now facing a battery charge from a separate arrest that took place one month before the shooting. Salamoni’s attorney John Mclindon was asked about possible jail time for his client.
Cut 3 (07) “traditionally”
The Baton Rouge Police Department says body camera video shows Salamoni slapped a handcuffed man in the head in June of 2016.

U.S. Senator John Kennedy is asking the state legislature to hold off on voting for a bill that extends Harrah’s New Orleans Casino’s contract with the state for 30 years. Kennedy says there are media reports that Harrah’s might sell the property and the selling price could dramatically increase if the contract with the state is extended…
Cut 6 (12) “to me”
A vote on the House approved bill was expected in a Senate committee today, but discussion on the measure was postponed.

Carencro Representative Julie Emerson has been pushing to end Louisiana’s licensing requirement for retail florists…
cut 11 (08) “…can do”
But her House-approved bill was defeated in the Senate Ag Committee on a six to one vote over concerns that unqualified individuals could be in charge of arranging flowers.

Secretary of State Tom Schedler has notified the governor he plans to resign, effective May 8th. Schedler has been the subject of sexual harassment allegations that were laid out in a lawsuit by his former secretary. Attorney Jill Craft represents the accuser and says Schedler’s decision to step down is a wise one…
cut 15 (07) “…higher standard”
In Schedler’s resignation letter, he said he looks forward to the judicial process considering all of the facts.

The former Baton Rouge police officer involved in the fatal shooting of Alton Sterling now faces a battery charge for allegedly slapping a handcuffed man during another arrest. Attorney John McLindon believes the battery charge is a ploy to embarass his client, Blane Salamoni…
cut 5 (09) “….my guess”
Salamoni has been fired from the force for his conduct during the Sterling shooting.

A Senate committee was set to discuss a bill today that sought to extend Harrah’s New Orleans casino with the state for another 30 years, but debate on the legislation has been delayed. The delay comes two days after a published report that says Harrah’s is considering selling the property. US Senator John Kennedy says there is now rush to renew the contract….
cut 7 (08) “…God’s sake”
Harrah’s is seeking a new contract as they have plans upgrade the land-based casino.

A House backed bill that would remove the requirement that florists be licensed was shot down in a Senate committee six to one. The bill was part of the governor’s licensing reform legislative agenda. Annie Taylor, a licensed florist in Scott, says floral work is more dangerous than you think…
Cut 9 (13) “to you”

Louisiana Secretary of State Tom Schedler has submitted his resignation letter to the governor, in the wake of a sexual harassment scandal involving his former secretary, Dawn Ross. Schedler refutes many of the allegations, but Ross’s attorney Jill Craft says his resignation sends a clear signal to other would be harassers.
Cut 13 (08) “stop period”

Louisiana Senator John Kennedy is asking the legislature to put the breaks on a new deal for Harrah’s casino in New Orleans. Jim Shannon has details.
Cut 1 (28) “I’m Jim Shannon”

Florists came to the capitol today to help defeat a bill that sought to end the licensing requirement for florists. Louisiana is the only state to require such an occupational certification. Floral wholesaler Audrey Lemoine says removing license requirements would flood the marketplace with cut rate work from retailers.
Cut 10 (12) “anymore.”
Carencro Representative Julie Emerson is the author of the legsislation, which she calls common sense…
cut 12 (08) “…as well”
But the Senate Ag Committee agreed with the florists and the bill was defeated on a six to one vote.

Advancing in the legislature is a bill that would let parishes decide if fantasy sports betting through companies like Draft Kings and Fan Duel should be legal. The House-approved bill heads to the Senate floor, for what could be final passage.

Louisiana Secretary of State Tom Schedler says he will resign on May 8th as he faces a sexual harassment lawsuit from an employee who said she received unwanted advances, sexually charged emails and gifts. In his letter to the governor, Schedler says he leaves with a heavy heart and frustated by the tabloid approach to the allegation he faces.

GOP House Caucus Chairman Lance Harris says it’s likely we’ll see a special session kick off May 18th….
Voicer 2 (30) I’m Matt Doyle”

A Senate committee has delayed discussion on a House approved bill that seeks to extend the contract the state has with Harrah’s New Orleans casino for another 30 years. US Senator John Kennedy sought the delay after a published report that indicated Harrah’s allegedly signed an agreement with another entity to purchase the casno, hotel and parking garage…
cut 8 (12) “….Securities Exchange Commission”
If Harrah’s receives the extension, House Speaker Taylor Barras said it would result in a new luxury hotel, more restaurant and enterntainment options at the landbased casino.

United States Senator John Kennedy is asking the state legislature to hold off on voting a bill that extends Harrah’s New Orleans Casino’s contract with the state for 30 years. Kennedy says media reports that Harrah’s is considering selling the property so the state could unwittingly increase Harrah’s selling price by extending the contract.

Cut 6 (13)  “to me”

U.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy, a Republican who is Louisiana’s senior senator, has joined calls for fellow Republican Secretary of State Tom Schedler to resign, amid allegations he sexually harassed an employee for years.

“Increasingly it appears the allegations against Secretary Schedler are true,” Cassidy, of Baton Rouge, said in a statement to The Advocate Monday evening. “He should resign..”

Former Baton Rouge police officer Blane Salamoni, who was involved in the fatal shooting of Alton Sterling, is now facing a battery charge from a separate arrest that took place one month before the shooting. Salamoni’s attorney John Mclindon was asked about possible jail time for his client. Mclindon says this new charge against Salamoni is window dressing for the police department.

Cut 4 (09) “I don’t know”

Over 900 farmers and ranchers are receiving grants averaging 9900 dollars for disaster recovery efforts resulting from the 2016 floods. Ag Commissioner Mike Strain says it’s long overdue.

Strain says the grants will fill a reimbursement gap for farmers who’ve suffered damages that were uninsured.

Cut 14 (12) “federal goverment”

Two current and two former Troopers have been arrested on various charges as part of a six month investigation into payroll fraud. The four men allegedly claimed bogus hours and wrote fraudulent tickets as part of a highway safety program funded by district attorneys. State Police Colonel Kevin Reeves says it’s a disappointing day…
Cut 10 (06) “their actions”
State Police launched an internal investigation after a New Orleans T-V station aired surveillance video that showed two Troopers filed for overtime pay for hours they didn’t work,.

Former Baton Rouge police officer Blane Salamoni, who was involved in the fatal shooting of Alton Sterling, is now facing a battery charge from a separate arrest that took place one month before the shooting. John Mclindon is Salamoni’s attorney and was asked about possible jail time for his client.
Cut 3 (07) “traditionally”
The Baton Rouge Police Department says body camera video shows Salamoni slapped a handcuffed man in the head in June of 2016.

A Hospital in Lafayette has sent out lay off warnings to 770 employees ahead of potential budget cuts that would close the facility. Michael Farrar has the story.
Voicer 1 (30) “I’m Michael Farrar”

In order to avoid deep cuts to health care, it will likely take a special session to replace revenue from expiring sales taxes, which is why there’s such a huge shortfall. House GOP Caucus Chairman Lance Harris says the legislature will likely not increase income taxes….
cut 8 (08) “….being here”