Coach Will Wade says he regrets getting lawyers involved in the scandal that lead to his extended suspension from LSU’s basketball program.  Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 1 (31) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

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Ecologists say the opening of the Morganza Spillway Sunday threatens to wipe out wildlife in the Atchafalaya Basin. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m  Matt Doyle” 

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 The odds of sports gambling legalization passing this year look slim after multiple failures in the House yesterday. Matt Doyle has more…

Cut 3 (30) “..Matt Doyle”

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LSU basketball coach Will Wade speaks with the media for the first time since his 38-day suspension earlier this year stemming from his connection to FBI wiretap records as part of a recruitment corruption investigation. While Wade said he would not address every report on the scandal, he commented on the allegations he had set out a $300,000 offer for Naz Reid.

Cut 4 (07) “…did not happen.”

Wade says he regrets the way he handled the accusations whenever they first surfaced that lead to a suspension that would see him missing the Tiger’s entire postseason run.

Cut 5 (08) “…of those issues.”

Wade was reinstated following a meeting with LSU and the NCAA. Wade says he believes the fan base eventually deserves an explanation from his point of view of the events that lead to the suspension.

Cut 6 (09) “…place right now.”

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The Morganza Spillway is set to open Sunday to relive pressure on Mississippi River levees, but ecologists say it comes at a steep cost for Atchafalaya Basin wildlife.  Atchafalaya Basin Keeper Executive Director Dean Wilson says there’s nothing that can be done to save thousands of at-risk animals.

Cut 7 (12) “…basin.”

Experts also warn opening the Basin will likely wipe out most of the crawfish and oyster crop in the area as well.

State officials say the environmental impact will not be as substantial as the last opening in 2011 because they won’t be opening the gates as quickly. Wilson had reason to doubt that claim though, noting the Basin’s over-saturated soil.

Cut 8 (11) “different.”

Wilson says the opening will drive large groups of animals into unfamiliar territory, and unto roads and levees near the Basin and it’s surrounding lands and water systems, so if you see any wild animals out place…

Cut 9 (12) “…them alone″

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Sports gambling legalization is on life support as multiple attempts to approve the activity in the House, and a House Committee fell flat yesterday.

Louisiana Casino Association Executive Director Wade Duty says future attempts at legalization cannot get weighed down by the same burdensome restrictions that were placed on the bill in committee…

Cut 10 (12) “…model.”

Duty initially backed the legalization attempt but pulled support after the legislation got loaded down with additions from a number of special interest groups.

If the clock runs out on legalization this year, it could be another two years before another attempt can be made. Duty says in the meantime the casino industry in Louisiana will bleed customers…

Cut 11 (10) “…direction.”

There were two attempts to revive the legalization push on the House floor, both of which came up short. Gretna Representative Joe Marino says the revenue generated by the activity would fund thousands of kid’s early childhood education subsidies.

Cut 12 (12) “…it”

But that claim led a visibly frustrated Metairie Representative Cameron Henry to hit back, saying just because you oppose gambling, doesn’t mean you’re against the kids…

Cut 13 (09) “…education”

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A Senate-approved bill has advanced from a House committee to set a minimum age on marriage to 16, so long as there is not an age gap of two years or greater between the two parties when one is under 18.  Executive Director of the Louisiana Partnership for Children and Families Susan Nelson says the bill would be to the advantage of younger families.

Cut 14 (11) “…otherwise have.”

Current law does not set a minimum age on marriage so long as the marriage receives the approval of the parents of the minors.  Legislators questioned why parents would agree to something like this.

Cut 15 (10) “…full of deer meat.”

Nelson says in many cases, the current law perpetuates a cycle.

Cut 16  (09) “…finishes her education.”  

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McNeese is in the NCAA Baseball Tournament for the first time since 2003 as the Cowboys will face Indiana State on Friday afternoon in Nashville. The Cowboys received an automatic berth after winning the Southland Tournament. Coach Justin Hill’s team was outstanding on the mound and he hopes to see a little more hitting in Music City…

cut 17 (17)   little bit” 

Hill says for the Cowboys to win games at the Nashville Regional they’ll need good outings from senior right-hander Aiden Anderson…

A proposal to allow sports betting at the state’s casinos and racetracks failed in the House Appropriations Committee. Amendments were added to the legislation to get some money for horseman and allow sports betting at video poker establishments, which drew the opposition of the Louisiana Casino Association. Executive Director Wade Duty…
cut 13 (11) “…we can support”
There’s still a slim chance the bill could be revived through legislative procedures.

Senate Finance has approved a spending plan for next fiscal year that contains a one-thousand dollar teacher pay raise and 39-million dollars in block grant funding for school districts. The House budget proposal calls for a higher pay raise for teachers, but no additional dollars for public schools. Council for a Better Louisiana President Barry Erwin says lawmakers have until June 6th to agree on a budget

Cut 3 (10) “…the wire.”

A Senate committee has killed a bill that sought to help the state carry out lethal injections. Jeff Palermo has the story…

cut 2 (30) I’m Jeff Palermo”  

House lawmakers are scheduled to vote on a bill that would ban abortions when a doctor can detect a fetal heartbeat, generally around the sixth week of pregnancy.  The vote was scheduled to take place Tuesday, but was delayed until Wednesday. Similar laws have already passed in other states, where opponents have called it an attack on women.

The House Appropriations Committee rejects a proposal to legalize sports betting, after the bill got swamped with special interest amendments. Video poker, horse breeders, software producers, and others wanted a piece of the gaming pie. The bill’s author, Metairie Senator Danny Martiny questioned whether the additions are in good faith.

cut 12(10)   “…posture””

The bill originally only called for sports betting at racetracks, riverboat casinos, and Harrah’s Casino in New Orleans, but an amendment was added to allow for the activity at the state’s thousands of video poker facilities.

A proposal to shield the identity of the drug companies that supply lethal drugs for the state to carry out death penalty sentences failed on a 3-2 vote in Senate committee. New Orleans Senator J-P Morrell says the legislation would have opened the state to lawsuits, if an execution is botched

Cut 9 (10) “…of dollars”

A Senate committee has killed a bill that sought to help the state carry out lethal injections. Jeff Palermo has the story…

cut 2 (30) I’m Jeff Palermo”  

A three year old drown in Lake Arthur in Jefferson Davis Parish on Memorial day. Lake Arthur police responded to a call of an unresponsive child found near the beach just before 4 p.m. Monday CPR was started immediately, but no pulse could be detected. coroner pronounced the boy dead later that day. The incident is still under investigation.

A proposal to allow sports betting at the state’s casinos and racetracks failed in the House Appropriations Committee. Amendments were added to the legislation to get some money for horseman and allow sports betting at video poker establishments, which drew the opposition of the Louisiana Casino Association. Executive Director Wade Duty…
cut 13 (11) “…we can support”
There’s still a chance the sports betting bill could be revived through legislative procedures, but the odds are against the measure from passing.

A bill shielding the makers of the drugs used in lethal injections to carry out death sentences failed in a Senate committee. New Orleans Senator Karen Carter Peterson says offering confidentiality is not the way to go…
cut 11 (09) “…this body”
The last execution held in Louisiana was in 2010.

The Senate Finance committee has approved a budget proposal that contains a one-thousand dollar pay raise and 39-million dollars in block grant funding for local shool systems. But the House does not support extra money for local schools, instead they prefer a larger pay raise for teachers. Council for a Better Louisiana president Barry Erwin says election year politics is playing a role in the dispute…
cut 5 (11) “…teacher pay raise’
The dispute needs to be solved by June sixth, the final day of the session.

An eleven-year-old Baton Rouge boy has been charged with negligent homicide in the weekend fatal shooting of his nine-year old brother. No charges have been filed against the parents in what police call an accidental shooting. Legal analyst Franz Borghardt says without facts and data in place, it is a difficult call on how to charge the parents…
cut 8 (09) “…indirectly”

On a 15-6 vote, a House Committee voted against a proposal that would allow the public to legalize sports betting. Louisiana Baptist Convention Director for Office of Public Policy, Doctor Will Hall, spoke in opposition….
cut 14 (11) “…that hope”
Another House bill dealing with the taxing and regulation of sports betting could be amended, so that a vote could take place this fall to legalize sports betting. But it would take 70 votes in the House to pass.

The session comes to a close next Thursday and the House and Senate differ on how much of a pay raise teachers should get and if public schools should receive an additional 39-million dollars in block grant funding. Council for a Better Louisiana president Barry Erwin believes a deal can be made…
cut 4 (08) “…compromise”

A Senate committee has killed a bill that sought to help the state carry out lethal injections. Jeff Palermo has the story…
cut 2 (30) I’m Jeff Palermo”

LSU basketball coach Will Wade spoke publicly today for the first time he was suspended on March 7th. Wade told reporters covering the SEC Spring Meetings in Destin, Florida that it’s been a couple of difficult months for the basketball program. But Wade says allegations of illegal recruiting were thoroughly addressed with LSU administrators and NCAA officials.

An attempt to legalize sports betting in Louisiana is dead for the session after the House Appropriations Committee voted 15-to-6 against it. The bill got swamped with amendments, video poker, horse breeders, software producers and others wanted a piece of the gaming pie. The bill’s author, Metairie Senator Danny Martiny, questioned whether those additions were in good faith.
cut 12(10) “…posture””

Another bill that died today is a proposal to shield the drug manufacturers who supply the state with drugs to carry out a lethal injection. Several came to a Senate Committee to speak out against the proposal. Louisiana Conference of Catholic Bishops executive director Rob Tasman…
cut 10 (12) “…the process”
The measure died on a three-two vote.

The Senate Finance committee has approved a budget proposal that contains a one-thousand dollar pay raise and 39-million dollars in block grant funding for local shool systems. But the House does not support extra money for local schools, instead they would prefer giving teachers a larger pay raise. Council for a Better Louisiana president Barry Erwin says election year politics is playing a role in the dispute over education funding…
cut 5 (11) “…teacher pay raise’
The dispute needs to be solved by June sixth, the final day of the session.

An 11-year-old Baton Rouge boy has been charged with negligent homicide in the shooting death of his nine-year brother. Police say it was an accidential shooting. Legal analyst Franz Borghardt says if conficted, the child could receive a juvenile life sentence, which would keep him in state custody until he turns 18…
cut 7 (07) “…he becomes an adult”
The child’s parents are not facing any charges at this time.

A fatal blow was delivered to a pro death penalty bill at the State Capitol today. A proposal to shield the identity of the drug companies that supply lethal drugs for the state to carry out death penalty sentences failed on a 3-2 vote in Senate committee. New Orleans Senator J-P Morrell says the legislation opens the state to lawsuits, if an execution is botched
Cut 9 (10) “…of dollars”
Proponents of the legislation say the only way to buy the drugs to carry out an execution, is if drug manufacturers know their names would names would not be made public.

The session comes to a close next Thursday and the House and Senate differ on how much of a pay raise teachers should get and if public schools should receive an additional 39-million dollars block grant funding. Council for a Better Louisiana president Barry Erwin believes a deal can be made…
cut 4 (08) “…compromise”

Three Louisiana teams are in the NCAA Baseball Tournament. Jeff Palermo has more on who they will play…
Voicer 3 (30) “..Jeff Palermo”

A Senate approved bill that would allow a parish by parish vote on the legalization of sports betting will be heard today in the House Appropriations Committee.Currently the bill calls for the activity at racetracks and casinos but video poker interests are hoping to expand that. Metairie Senator Danny Martiny says that can’t happen…

Cut 12 (05) “…you know”

A companion bill to tax the activity proposes a 13 percent tax rate, which Martiny says is about average, and nearly equal to that of Mississippi’s.

 The Army Corps of Engineers announces it will open the Morganza Spillway in Pointe Coupee Parish on Sunday. Louisiana’s Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority and the St. Mary Levee District will begin installing a temporary flood barge on Bayou Chene (Shane) in southern Assumption Parish on Tuesday. Governor Edwards says it will take about a week to install and it will prevent backwater flooding for communities east of Morgan City…

Cut 11 (09) “…that chance.”

Senate Finance has approved a spending plan for next fiscal year that contains a one-thousand dollar teacher pay raise and 39-million dollars in block grant funding for school districts. The House budget proposal calls for a higher pay raise for teachers, but no additional dollars for public schools. Council for a Better Louisiana President Barry Erwin says lawmakers have until June 6th to agree on a budget

Cut 3 (10) “…the wire.”

An 11-year-old boy has been charged with negligent homicide following the shooting death of his 9-year-old brother in a Baton Rouge home on Saturday afternoon.  Authorities believe the shooting was unintentional.  Legal analyst Franz Borghardt says the complexities of the case raise more questions on if the charge will stick.

Cut 6 (09) “…or weak case.”

the parents are not facing charges at this time.