The St. Charles Parish Sheriff’s Office says it appears the motive behind the shooting ambush of one of their deputies Thursday stemmed from a man upset over traffic. 56-year-old John Paul Devillier, a native of the parish but resident of Gulfport, has been identified as the shooter. Sheriff Greg Champagne says 36-year-old Cpl. Burt Hazeltine was directing buses near a school crossing…

cut 14 (10) “stop traffic for him”

Devillier faces an attempted first degree murder charge.

Even though Bossier City Representative Mike Johnson says he plans to amend the controversial religious freedom bill, critics are not backing down. Forum for Equality Director Sarah Jane Brady says the gay and transgender community in Louisiana already doesn’t have protections when it comes to housing and employment at the state level…

cut 10 (11) “behalf of its citizens”

Governor Bobby Jindal says passing a religious freedom bill is one of his priorities for this session.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says many women aren’t taking enough time between birth and conception which could lead to problems for both mom and baby. Louisiana Medicaid Medical Director Dr. Rebekah Gee says most research suggests that at least 18 months are needed between pregnancies…

cut 4 (10) “between pregnancies”

Gee says in Louisiana, the CDC report shows nearly 30% of women don’t wait longer than 18 months before having their next child. She adds that a short time span between pregnancies also impacts the emotional and mental health of the mother.