A bill to eliminate the death penalty as a form of punishment for capital murder, rape, and treason has cleared a senate panel. Jeff Palermo reports Catholic Bishop Shelton Fabre testified in favor.

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Louisiana students performed poorly on the National Assessment of Education Progress exams. The state’s fourth-graders had the worst math scores in the nation and finished 49th in reading. Eighth graders didn’t perform much better, 50th in math and 48th in reading. Last year was the first time, fourth graders took the math portion of the exam on a computer.

Lawmakers are considering making it illegal for drivers to hold a phone as a measure cleared the House Transportation committee. Breaux Bridge Representative Mike Huval says the legislation allows you to use a hand free device to talk on the phone, but the measure prohibits the use of holding a phone…

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The bill heading to the House floor calls for a 125-dollar fine for first offenders and after a third violation your driver’s license could be suspended.

A bill to extend foster care benefits in Louisiana from 18 years old to as much as 21 years old in some cases was passed by the Senate Finance Committee, even though it will cost the state an additional one million dollars. Senator Ryan Gatti of Bossier City says it’s a tragedy that a foster child gets put on the street once they turn 18.

Cut 6 (09) “up homeless”

Louisiana students performed poorly on the National Assessment of Education Progress exams. The state’s fourth-graders had the worst math scores in the nation and finished 49th in reading. Eighth graders didn’t perform much better, 50th in math and 48th in reading. Last year was the first time, fourth graders took the math portion of the exam on a computer.