Voters could soon decide if universities in the state get to set their own tuition. Jeff Palermo has more…
CUT 1 (29) “I’m Jeff Palermo”
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A bill to increase the age for an individual being charged for a crime from 17 to 18 moves closer to final legislative passage. Michelle Southern has more…
CUT 2 (30) “I’m Michelle Southern”
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Much of south Louisiana is under a flash flood watch though Saturday night. Donald Jones with the National Weather Service in Lake Charles says we’re in for some heavy rain throughout the weekend.
CUT 3 (08) “next week”
Jones says there’s a strong low pressure system moving through Texas that’s pulling up gulf moisture. He says the heavy rain will move through Louisiana in waves. He says flash flooding will be a big concern, particularly in the western part of the state.
CUT 4 (07) “further east”
Flash flood watches for many parishes continue until Saturday night. Jones says the biggest threat with this system will be potential flooding.
CUT 5 (07) “of days”
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Louisiana voters could decide this fall if universities should have the authority to set their own tuition as a result of a proposed constitutional amendment that is close to receiving final legislative passage. Currently, the legislature must approve a tuition hike if it goes above a certain percentage. Higher Education Commissioner Joseph Rallo says the proposed change to the constitution gives schools the power to lower and increase tuition depending on the market…
CUT 6 (07) “they want”
Rallo says Louisiana is the only state that doesn’t allow its institutions to set their own tuition and that puts state colleges at a competitive disadvantage with schools in other states.
CUT 7 (10) “the marketplace”
Rallo says this bill now heads to the Senate for approval of minor changes. He says letting universities set their own tuition is in the best interest of the students.
CUT 8 (10) “amount of tuition”
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The first shooter arrested in the fatal shooting of two Southern students in April, has had his charge upgraded to second-degree murder. Baton Rouge Police Cpl. L’Jean Mckneely says 22-year-old Ernest Felton was originally charged with attempted second-degree murder, but ballistics analysis and autopsy results led to the upgraded charge. He says Felton has also been charged with obstruction.
CUT 9 (10) “this investigation”
Mckneely says more arrests could be made as police are attempting to find the brother of the other shooter involved, 25-year-old Brandon Henderson. He says they know Henderson’s brother was there when the shooting occurred.
cut 10 (11) “that area”
Lashunte Benton and Annette January were killed in the shooting.
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A bill to charge 17-year-olds as juveniles nears final legislative passage. Director of the Louisiana Center for Children’s Rights Joshua Perry says including 17-year-olds in the juvenile justice system makes for safer communities and more successful children.
Cut 11 (10) “avoid reoffending”
Raising the age is a key part of Governor Edwards’ legislative agenda. Perry says 17-year-olds can’t join the army, buy lottery tickets, or buy cigarettes because we know they are more immature and more susceptible to change than adults. He says in many important ways 17-year-olds are still children.
cut 12 (08) “to children”
The legislation passed the House 97 to 3 and heads back to the Senate for approval on minor changes. Perry says there has been a huge coalition behind this bill. He says it’s good policy and it’s common sense policy.
Cut 13 (09) “mistakes”
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The Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Office is investigating three suspected murders that occurred within 24 hours in the rural town of Natalbany. Authorities say 24-year-old Charleston Mitchell and 31-year-old Randy Darnell Bickham were found shot to death in a SUV early Thursday morning, and the body of 18-year-old Marcus Lightfoot was found early Friday morning a block or so away from the scene of the double homicide. Sheriff Daniel Edwards says they are still not sure if the two incidents are related.
cut 14 (08) “rule em out”
Lightfoot’s cause of death has not been released. Edwards says the Sheriff’s Office is offering an award for information about both of these cases. But he says they do not believe these victims were randomly selected.
cut 15 (12) “these homicides”
Edwards says other agencies, including Hammond Police and State Police, are assisting in the investigation. He says they are asking anyone with any information to come forward, even if they wish to remain anonymous.
cut 16 (10) “that way”