You may be surprised to know that corporal punishment – paddling – of school kids is still allowed by law in Louisiana. A bill to end that met a narrow defeat on the House floor. Among those opposed was Caddo Parish Rep. Danny McCormick, who says spanking kids is a parental right…:

CUT 06(08)      “…the bill.”

The bill received 51 “yes” votes but it needs 53 votes to pass the House. It can come up for a vote again in the House. A similar measure failed in the House last year.

Thinking about bringing Mom breakfast in bed this Mother’s Day? Data from the American Academy of Neurology suggests a better gift may be letting her sleep in. United Healthcare-Louisiana Chief Medical Officer Dr. Kevin Stephens, says women sleep less as they get older and another hour or two under the covers can make a world of difference…:

CUT 11(11)      “…absolutely necessary.”

Entergy says it will create its expanded customer service call center in West Monroe. The company will build out existing commercial property to accommodate 170 new customer care representatives. Entergy spokesperson Yovanka Daniel says the additional employees will help Entergy provide faster and better customer service, and will be most helpful during disasters, as the company plays a key role in emergency response and recovery. Daniel says people seeking a good entry-level position should take note…:

CUT 13(08)      “…end of the summer.”

Apply online at “entergy-louisiana.com”

Deputies in St. Bernard have found the second of three children who were swept away while wading in the Mississippi River in New Orleans nearly two weeks ago. Relatives identified the remains as 14-year-old Brandy Wilson. Her 15-year-old brother’s body was found Monday. An 8-year-old sister is still missing and presumed drowned.

A bill to ban corporal punishment in public schools fails to pass in the Louisiana House by two votes. Michelle Southern has the story…:

Cut 01  (30)      “…Michelle Southern.”

Traffic on I-49 in Desoto Parish ground to a halt today, as an alligator blocked the roadway. DeSoto Sheriff’s Deputy Mike Dunn says the reptile was about 10 feet long. He grappled with the gator, picked it up with his bare hands and carried it to safety. The DPSO Facebook page has a hilarious description of the incident.

A man accused of abducting & raping a Southeastern Louisiana University student was arrested within just a few hours of the crime. SLU campus Police Chief Mike Beckner says it happened Thursday morning, right after the victim parked her car…:

CUT 04(06)      “…at gunpoint.”

Beckner says they got a good description from the victim, and had surveillance cam video of 19-year-old Demetris Harris – of Jackson, Mississippi. He was arrested before noon Thursday and is in custody.

Entergy says it will create its expanded customer service call center in West Monroe. The company will build out existing commercial property to accommodate 170 new customer care representatives. Entergy spokesperson Yovanka Daniel says the announcement is good news for the regional economy…:

CUT 12(10)      “…seamless and positive.”

Daniel says hiring for the expanded customer call center will begin soon. To apply go online to “entergy-louisiana.com.”

Campus police at Southeastern Louisiana University in Hammond were able to arrest a suspected on-campus rapist within four hours of his crime. SLU Police Chief Michael Beckner says 19-year-old Demetris Harris – from Jackson, Mississippi – was trolling the campus for a while before abducting a female student at gunpoint, from a parking lot in a remote part of the campus…:

CUT 03(08)      “…a random attack.”

The attack happened Thursday at around 8 am. Beckner says the witness’s description, coupled with good surveillance video of Harris in his SUV, led to his arrest before noon.

A bill to ban spanking kids in public schools failed on the House floor by only TWO votes. It needed 53 “yea” votes to pass and got only 51. Among those objecting was Desoto Parish Rep. Larry Bagley, who says schools should decide that policy, not lawmakers..:

CUT 08(11)      “…the wrong signals.”

The bill COULD be brought up for a second vote.

Shreveport Police seek a driver who hit a 12-year-old girl as she was getting off her school bus Thursday, then drove away. Cops say he stopped, got out of his silver SUV, then got back in and ran. A camera caught a good image of the man and they are asking that he turn himself in.

Thinking about bringing Mom breakfast in bed this Mother’s Day? A new study suggests it might be better to skip the scrambled eggs and instead, let Mom sleep in. David Grubb has more…:

CUT 02(35)      “…David Grubb.”

At the Capitol, a bill to ban physically punishing kids in public schools failed to pass the House by only two votes. During debate, Alexandria Representative Lance Harris says he supports the bill because a principal in Rapides Parish faces charges for a spanking that allegedly got out of hand…:

CUT 07(09)      “…state now.”

Opponents say it should be up to school districts to decide; not the state. The bill got 51 “yea” votes, but needed 53 to pass. Under House rules it can be brought up again for another vote before the session adjourns.

Something new for parents to worry about; illegal drugs that look like Flintstone vitamins. Police in Jeanerette says that’s what they found during their recent “Operation Take Back” drug sting; ecstasy tablets that could easily pass for kid’ vitamins – especially to your kid. Officers also seized nine guns, crack cocaine, meth, weed and drug paraphernalia.

Southeastern Louisiana University campus police arrested a 19-year-old from Jackson, Mississippi, who allegedly abducted and raped a student at gunpoint Thursday morning. SLU Police Chief Michael Beckner says Demetris Harris was trolling campus before he abducted his victim from a parking lot on the edge of campus. He says the victim’s description plus good surveillance video of Harris’s car led to an arrest within four hours..:

CUT 05(06)      “…apartment complex.”

What does Mom want for Mother’s day? Well, a new medical study suggest it may be some extra sleep. United Healthcare-Louisiana CMO Dr. Kevin Stephens, says maturing women sleep less every year and that can affect their physical health. He says letting Mom sleep in can actually help her quite a lot…:

CUT 10(11)      “…and your appetite.”

So let Mom sleep as late as she wants Sunday, then make breakfast.

You may be thinking about bringing Mom breakfast in bed this Mother’s Day, but a new study by the American Academy of Neurology suggests it might be better to skip the scrambled eggs and instead, let Mom sleep in a while longer. The data shows that women are sleeping less and less each year, and Dr. Kevin Stephens, chief medical officer for UnitedHealthcare-Louisiana, says a lack of sleep can have a direct impact on Mom’s mood.

Cut 9 (07) “…be angry.”

Dr. Stephens says adults need seven or more hours of sleep each night.

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A recount of the recent mayoral election in Pineville confirms Rich Dupree will be the Rapides Parish city’s new leader, by a margin of only five votes. Dupree tells LRN the race, the results, and the ensuing recount demand have made for a pretty wild ride…:

Cut 13 (11) “…like it did.”

Dupree will take office July 1st.

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A bill to ban corporal punishment in public schools fails to pass in the Louisiana House by two votes. Michelle Southern has the story…

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Michell Southern.”

Southeastern Louisiana University has arrested a suspect in the alleged abduction and rape of a female student. S-L-U Police Chief Michael Beckner says the attack took place yesterday morning after the student pulled into a campus parking lot…
Cut 4 (06) “…gunpoint.”
Beckner says surveillance video helped generate tips from the public, which led to the arrest of 19-year-old Demetris Harris of Jackson, Mississippi, who is not a student. The chief says this was a random attack.

After a recount, Rich Dupree is the next mayor of Pineville, beating his opponent James Rachal by five votes. Dupree is no stranger to Pineville city government, spending years as Chief of Staff to Mayor Clarence Fields, who retires in June…
cut 14 (12) “….for our city”

A proposal to ban corporal punishment in public schools failed to pass the House by two votes. Oil City Republican Danny McCormick is among the opponents of the legislation. He says it’s a parental rights issue…
cut 6 (08) “…the bill”
The bill received 52 “yes” votes but it needs 53 votes to pass the House. It can come up for a vote again in the House.

The full House has approved a measure that would require third-graders to pass a literacy test before advancing to the fourth grade.
Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Southeastern Louisiana University Police arrested a 19-year-old from Jackson, Mississippi, who allegedly abducted and raped a student at gunpoint. S-L-U Police Chief Michael Beckner says Demetris Harris was trolling campus before he abducted his victim from a parking lot on the edge of campus…
Cut 3 (08) “…random attack.”
Harris was arrested yesterday afternoon at an apartment in Hammond. Beckner says they believe he just moved to the area with a relative.

The Governor’s Office of Elderly Affairs is working to help those seniors who are not getting the care they deserve. Program manager Ebony Thomas-Phillips says all of us can play a role in ending elder abuse.
Cut 7 (11) “…us a call.”
That phone number is 8-3-3 5-7-7-6-5-3-2.

With just one month left to go in the Legislative Session, what have lawmakers accomplished and what is left to do? Kevin Gallagher reports…:
Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

The Louisiana House approves a bill that would require third-graders pass a literacy test before advancing to the fourth grade. Houma Representative Beryl Amedee says multiple efforts will be made to improve a third grader’s reading ability before it’s determined the student must repeat
Cut 11 (08) “…will be receiving.”
The measure heads to the Senate for more discussion.