More victims are now covered under Louisiana’s domestic violence laws. Two laws take effect today that expand the statutes to include same-sex couples and dating partners. Executive Director of the Louisiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence Mariah Wineski says this extends legal protections to more victims.
Cut 12 (10) “domestic abuse battery law”
Wineski says the laws passed by the legislature strengthen the penalties for those found guilty of abusing a dating partner.

Today is the first day all bars in the city of Lafayette are non smoking. Robin McMillan owns McMillan’s Pub and she’s hopeful nonsmokers will help keep her in business…
cut 11 (08) “….my business”

Two Minnesota teenagers are seeking to become the youngest team to travel the entire Mississippi River by kayak. Emelie Gunn has more on the pair that is approaching New Orleans…
Cut 1 (31) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

The LSU vet school says a juvenile tiger at a sanctuary in Florida could be the next live mascot for the school and become Mike Seven. The university says it’s nine months old, weighs 160-pounds and the rescue facility would donate the Tiger. LSU is completing a major upgrade to its Tiger habitat and those renovations should be complete in a couple of weeks.