The trial begins today for Matthew Naquin. He’s the former LSU student charged with negligent homicide in the 2017 hazing death of Phi Delta Theta pledge Max Gruver. Legal analyst Tim Meche says Baton Rouge Judge Beau Higginbotham will try to keep the proceedings focused…
cut 14 (10) “….Gruver”
The trial is expected to take over a week.

A law recently signed by Governor Edwards brings new restrictions to rescue shelters on how and when they can pass along animals to research facilities. Houma Representative Jerome Zeringue says if an animal goes to a research facility, the law increases the likelihood of an animal finding a good home.
Cut 4 (07) “…for those animals.”
Shelters will no longer be able to euthanize animals for the sole purpose of research.

State Treasurer John Schroder says he’s no longer allowing the state to take 25-million dollars from the unclaimed property account to spend on general operating expenses. It’s a practice that’s been done for years, but Schroder says the unclaimed property account is money that comes from personal sources such as inheritances, life insurance and more…
cut 8 (12) “…certificates”
Schroder says if the state wants that money, they’ll have to take him to court. The governor’s office hopes it doesn’t come to that.

Governor Edwards has launched his first TV ad for the re-election campaign. It focuses on the governor’s handling of the budget. Edwards is currently on a statewide re-election tour and has a rally today in New Orleans.

In Lafayette, funeral services will get underway at 2 PM for Ragin Cajuns baseball coach Tony Robichaux who died last week following a heart attack.

Jury selection gets underway today in Baton Rouge for Matthew Naquin’s negligent homicide trial. The former LSU student and ex Phi Delta Theta member faces a felony charge in the 2017 death of fraternity pledge Max Gruver, who died of alcohol poisoning. Legal analyst Tim Meche says the testimony of other fraternity members is crucial…
cut 15 (10) “…Mr. Gruver”
The other Phi Delta Theta members charged in the incident were hit with misdemeanor charges.

State Treasurer John Schroder is blocking the state from using 25 million dollars in unclaimed property in this fiscal year’s budget. Schroder says the Legislature has appropriated 850 million dollars of unclaimed property funds over the decades, but after doing some research, he doesn’t think the move is legal…
cut 7 (10) “…it”
A spokesperson for the governor says they hope legal action is not needed to spend the money.

A new will go into effect August 1st that says rescue shelters are banned from taking in a stray or unwanted animal solely to euthanize for research facilities. The measure also puts new restrictions in place when it comes to shelters giving live animals to research facilities. Houma Representative Jerome Zeringue says violators of the new law face a one-thousand dollar fine…
cut 6 (09) “…with the law”
PETA pushed for the law after there were allegations the LSU Vet school violated the federal Animal Welfare Act after buying dogs from a Baton Rouge shelter.

The Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana presents the first Louisiana Rural Economic Development Summit this week in Marksville at the Paragon Casino Resort. Tribe Chairman Marshall Pierite says the summit’s goal is to connect rural communities with local, state, and national leaders…
Cut 10 (12) “…to be successful.”
Governor Edwards will address attendees tomorrow and Congressman Ralph Abraham is the keynote speaker at today’s luncheon.

The trial of former LSU fraternity member Matthew Naquin, who was charged with negligent homicide in the alleged hazing death of Max Gruver in 2017, begins today. Legal analyst Tim Meche says the proceedings will likely be difficult to watch for both families as the prosecution and defense take turns tearing down both Gruver and Naquin’s character…
Cut 13 (11) “…in general.”
A six-person jury chosen in East Baton Rouge Parish will decide Naquin’s fate and the trial is expected to last over a week.

A new law will go into effect August 1st that prohibits shelters from taking in a stray or unwanted animal solely to euthanize them for research facilities…
cut 5 (07) “…also the shelters”
That’s Houma Representative Jerome Zeringue who is the author of the new law. Violators of the new law face a one-thousand dollar fine.

The state treasurer is blocking 25 million in unclaimed property funds from being used in this year’s budget…
Cut 2 (29) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

The Restore Louisiana Homeowner Assistance Program will begin issuing checks to 2016 flood victims today who have been previously denied this government assistance. The first disbursement of grant funds will go to about 230 homeowners who were approved for an SBA loan but declined or canceled the loan in its entirety.

A new law sponsored by Houma Representative Jerome Zeringue results in rescue shelters facing new restrictions when it comes to animals and research facilities.  Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Kevin Barnhart.”

__________________________

The state treasurer is blocking 25 million in unclaimed property funds from being used in this year’s budget. Matt Doyle has more…

Cut 2 (29) “…I’m Matt Doyle” 

______________________________________________

The trial of Matthew Naquin, the LSU Frat member charged with negligent homicide in the alleged hazing death of Max Gruver, begins today…

Cut 3 (30) “.Matt Doyle”

_______________________________________

A law recently signed by Governor Edwards brings new restrictions to rescue shelters on how and when they can pass along animals to research facilities. Houma Representative Jerome Zeringue says in the event that the animal ends up going to a research facility, the law increases the likelihood of an animal finding a good home.

Cut 4 (07) “…for those animals.”

Zeringue says among the regulations, shelters must notify those making an animal drop off that they do provide animals for testing.  It also eliminates automatic euthanizing of animals for research that could possibly find a good home.

Cut 5    (07) “…also the shelters.” 

Zeringue says each violation would result in a $1000 fine.

Cut 6 (09) “…with the law.”

The law goes into effect August 1^st.

____________________________________

State Treasurer John Schroder is blocking the state from using 25 million dollars in unclaimed property in this fiscal year’s budget, telling lawmakers if they want the money, they’ll “have to drag me to court”.

Schroder says the Legislature has appropriated 850 million dollars of unclaimed property funds over the decades, but after doing some research, he doesn’t think the move it legal.

Cut 7 (10) “…it.”

An Edwards spokesperson responded, saying “The budget bill passed by the Legislature and signed into law by the Governor appropriates that money for critical needs throughout the state”, and that they hope they don’t have to go to court to get the funds.

Schroder says the money in the fund rightfully belongs to the people of Louisiana, and is comprised of money that often from very personal sources such as inheritances, life insurance, and more…

Cut 8 (12) “…certificates.”

The Republican has served as Treasurer since 2017.

Schroder says technical advances have allowed his department to get more money from that fund out to the public than ever before, so there isn’t even 25 million dollars left for the Legislature to appropriate this year.

Cut 9 (09) “…year.”

In September the department was so successful in finding people who were owed money, that they overdrew the fund’s account by 20 million dollars and had to delay sending out new checks for 120 days.

___________________________

The Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana presents the first Louisiana Rural Economic Development Summit along with Southern University Law Center this week in Marksville at the Paragon Casino Resort.  Tribe Chairman Marshall Pierite says the goal of the summit is to connect rural communities with local, state, and national leaders, as well as Native American Country.

Cut 10 (12) “…to be successful.”

Pierite hopes the summit, which kicked of yesterday and continues through tomorrow, helps develop a steady platform for small business owners and elected officials.

Cut 11 (08) “…fostering economic development.”

Pierite says the summit will also feature two of the three individuals on the ballot for the Governor’s race.

Cut 12 (10) “…luncheon on Monday.”

___________________

The trial of former LSU fraternity member Matthew Naquin, who was charged with negligent homicide in the alleged hazing death of Max Gruver in 2017, begins today.

Legal analyst Tim Meche says the proceedings will likely be difficult to watch for both families as the prosecution and defense take turns tearing down both Gruver and Naquin’s character…

Cut 13 (11) “…in general.”

Naquin is accused of pressuring Gruver into drinking himself to death in an initiation ceremony for new recruits to the Phi Delta Theta Fraternity. Phi Delta Theta has since been banned from campus.

While the two sides take turns attacking Gruver and Naquin’s character, Meche says it’ll be up to the judge to keep the proceedings focused…

Cut 14 (10) “…Gruver”

The defense recently lost a challenge that will allow the prosecution to point out that Naquin deleted 700 texts and photos from his phone after he fell under investigation.

Meche says the trial will likely hinge on the testimony of the other members of the fraternity who were witnesses that night…

Cut 15 (10) “…Mr. Gruver”

Other Phi Delta members were charged in the wake of the incident, but only Naquin faces felony charges.

______________________________________

The funeral for beloved Ragin Cajuns baseball coach Tony Robichaux is today at Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church in Lafayette. Robichaux died last week at the age of 57 following a heart attack. He’s described as a man of faith and a leader for young men. Coach Robe told his players not to let baseball be their identity

Cut 16  (20) “…be treated”  

The longtime baseball coach for the Ragin Cajuns was known for his Robeisms, which were his unique motivational sayings. He once said you can’t sharpen a knife with a Kleenex, he also once said that he wants players who drink out of a water hose and not guys who need mommy to bring them Gatorade in the third inning. Here’s one talking about the heat of a baseball schedule

cut 17 (21) “melting point” 

Governor Edwards officially kicks off his re-election campaign today in his hometown of Amite with a repeat of his RV tour. The Edward’s campaign is touting a successful legislative session that included the first teacher pay raise in a decade. Edwards is the south’s lone democratic governor facing two major republican candidates in October, U-S Representative Ralph Abraham and Businessman Eddie Rispone. The Edwards RV Tour continues throughout the week with stops in New Orleans on Monday and Lafayette and Lake Charles on Tuesday.

600 high school students from across the nation met in North Carolina to participate in the YMCA’s 52^nd Annual Conference on National Affairs this week. One of the six presiding officers at the mock government program was LSU freshman Drake Brignac. He says they debate issues like climate change and student loans that will affect his generation. Brignac they’ve even discussed the Armenian genocide.

Cut 13 (08) “…heard about.”

Within the next three months Entergy customers will see a five to seven dollar monthly increase in electric costs. Roughly three and a half dollars of that increase will kick in on your July bill, and Entergy Spokesperson Lee Sabatini  says these kinds of rate increases are necessary to pay for more efficient facilities, which will more than pay for themselves in the long-term.

Cut 8 (08) “…Louisiana”

UL-Lafayette Baseball Coach Tony Robichaux (Robe-uh-show), who died Wednesday at the age of 57 following multiple surgeries in the wake of a heart attack on June 23rd, will be laid to rest Monday in a service scheduled at 2PM at Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church. Visitation will take place tomorrow from 3-9 PM at the Cajundome Convention Center, with an additional visitation taking place Monday at 10am. Robichaux will be buried in Crowley.

A new report says the robots are coming for Louisiana’s jobs, and the state could face a significant loss of jobs due to automation in the next decade…

cut  2 (30) I’m Jeff Palermo”  

Within the next three months Entergy customers will see a five to seven dollar monthly increase in electric costs. Roughly three and a half dollars of that increase will kick in on your July bill, and Entergy Spokesperson Lee Sabatini says some of that will go towards a new 869 million dollar St. Charles Power Plant.

This week 600 high school students from across the nation met in North Carolina to participate in the YMCA’s 52^nd Annual Conference on National Affairs. One of the six presiding officers at the mock government program was LSU freshman Drake Brignac. Students debated issues such as abortion, the death penalty and climate change. Brignac says while the debates can be heated he always sees delegates interacting later as friends.

Cut 14 (09) “…to politics.”

Governor John Bel Edwards can focus on his re-election campaign now that the legislative session is over. The Governor begins his statewide RV tour today. The South’s lone Democratic governor face’s two major GOP challengers on the October 12th ballot, U-S Representative Ralph Abraham of Richland Parish and Businessman Eddie Rispone of Baton Rouge. Edwards is kicking off his tour in his home town of Amite with stops in New Orleans on Monday and in Lafayette on Tuesday.

Entergy customer’s bills are going up five to seven dollars by September. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 1 (29) “I’m Matt Doyle”

An Oxford Economics report says Louisiana is one of the states most vulnerable to losing a significant amount of jobs due to automation. The report says Louisiana is particularly vulnerable due to its status as a “low-skill” region that relies on manufacturing and service jobs. UNO Business Professor Mark Rosa.

Cut 9 (08) “…machine.”

This week 600 high school students from across the nation met in North Carolina to participate in the YMCA’s 52^nd Annual Conference on National Affairs. One of the six presiding officers at the mock government program was LSU freshman Drake Brignac. The Former Louisiana Youth Governor says the experience with students from 36 different states was an education like no other.

Cut 12 (11) “…personal experience.”

UL-Lafayette Baseball Coach Tony Robichaux (Robe-uh-show), who died Wednesday at the age of 57 following multiple surgeries in the wake of a heart attack on June 23rd, will be laid to rest Monday in a service scheduled at 2PM at Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church. Visitation will take place tomorrow from 3-9 PM at the Cajundome Convention Center, with an additional visitation taking place Monday at 10am. Robichaux will be buried in Crowley.

Within the next three months Entergy customers will see a five to seven dollar monthly increase in electric costs to pay for the St. Charles Power Plant, and to make up for decreasing energy tax credits from the feds. Entergy Spokesperson Lee Sabatini says these kinds of rate increases are necessary to pay for more efficient facilities, which will more than pay for themselves in the long-term.

Cut 8 (08) “…Louisiana”

The rate hikes will hit on July’s bill and for September.

The Department of Environmental Quality has issued an air quality action day today for the Baton Rouge and New Orleans areas due to conditions being favorable for the production of ground-level ozone, or smog. DEQ spokesperson Greg Langley says the 4^th of July fireworks contributed the ozone alert…

Cut 5 (05) “…into today.”

Higher levels of ozone can impact those with respiratory issues.

An Oxford Economics report says Louisiana is one of the states most vulnerable to losing a significant amount of jobs due to automation. The report noted that the rise of automation will “generate new employment opportunities at a pace comparable with the rate of job destruction” but result in higher income inequality.  UNO Business Professor Mark Rosa adds the revolution will increase the demand for high-skill workers.

Cut 11 (08) “…jobs.”

The report notes the coming robotic manufacturing revolution will destroy 20 million jobs worldwide, with 260,000 being lost in America since 2000.

This week 600 high school students from across the nation met in North Carolina to participate in the YMCA’s 52^nd Annual Conference on National Affairs. One of the six presiding officers at the mock government program was LSU freshman Drake Brignac, who says the students tackled a range of difficult issues…

Cut 13 (08) “…heard about.”

Students from 36 different states participated.