St. Charles Sheriff Greg Champagne held a press conference to explain the arrest of a 28-year-old woman from Honduras who used fraudulent paperwork to pose as a 17-year-old to attend Hahnville High School to learn English. Champagne is not putting the blame on school officials…

Cut 11 (12)  “…certificate said.”
The 28-year-old and her 46-year-old mother have been charged with injuring public records.

Governor John Bel Edwards has signed legislation to allow victims of sexual assault to track their rape kit as it moves from the hospital to law enforcement agencies. Bill author Franklinton Senator Beth Mizell says the system is expected to be in place by July. Mizell says State Police are also taking steps to reduce a huge backlog…

Cut 14 (13)  “…tolerate that.”
Among the chaos in the final hours of the state legislature last week was a big cut in funding for a new terminal at the Port of New Orleans. Because lawmakers differed on raising the spending cap, it was cut as political payback. Governor John Bel Edwards says he is not happy about it, but he does have a plan to salvage funding to keep the project on track…:

Cut 9 (08)  “…Port of New Orleans.”

The Louisiana Department of Education hosts its second annual school safety summit at the Raising Cane’s River Center in Baton Rouge today. Superintendent of Education Cade Brumley says the event brings together school system leaders, law enforcement, government agencies and mental health providers to discuss best practices around school safety….

Cut 5 (09)   “…and employees.”
More than 1000 law enforcement officers, state responders, fire professionals, and mental health professionals are scheduled to attend.

Another casualty of the budget fighting and confusion in the last minutes of the legislative session: funding for an important expansion of the Port of New Orleans is cut. Kevin Gallagher reports the Governor is not happy about it…:

Cut 1 (36)  “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

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A 28-year-old woman who posed as a 17-year-old student at Hahnville High has been arrested along with her 46-year-old mother in St. Charles Parish. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 2 (32)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

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The Governor signed into law legislation that would establish a system to track rape kits of victims when they are administered at a hospital. Teiko Foxx has the story.

Cut 3 (33)  “….I’m Teiko Foxx.”

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Louisiana Department of Education brings together educators and first responders at their second annual Louisiana School Safety Summit at the Raising Cane’s River Center today. State Superintendent of Education Cade Brumley says schools must learn to meet the challenge of reinforcing security.

Cut 4 (11)  “…host it.’”

LDOE invested over $21 million to harden school perimeters in 39 school systems to keep students and teachers safe by enforcing single points of entry. Brumley says everyone will learn the best responses and solutions around school safety.

Cut 5 (09)   “…and employees.”

Brumley believes this creates a unified mission to provide a safe environment for all students.

Cut 6 (05)  “…speak up.”

Over 1000 law enforcement officers, state responders, fire professionals, and mental health professionals are scheduled to attend.

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Another sign of the chaos in the final hours of the state legislature last week: a big cut in funding for a new terminal at the Port of New Orleans. Governor John Bel Edwards says he is not happy with the cut. Many lawmakers differed on raising the state’s spending cap, and the port sits in the district of one who voted “no.” Edwards says such “political payback” has been known to happen before…:

Cut 7 (10) “…back at home.”

New Orleans is one of the country’s largest ports and was on track to start a billion-dollar container terminal just south of the Crescent City. About $130-million to get things started was stripped from the state’s annual construction bill at the last minute; $4-million to be spent in the next few months. Governor Edwards says political gamesmanship now threatens a needed economic development project…:

Cut 8 (10) “…in the worst way.’”

Edwards says $800-million in private financing has been dedicated to the Port project, and now the state has “egg on its face” as no state money is budgeted to proceed. He says he does have a plan to salvage near-term funding to get the project on track…:

Cut 9 (08)  “…Port of New Orleans.”

He says lawmakers MUST assure the project is properly funded in future state budgets.

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After receiving a tip that a 17-year-old student at Hahnville High School was instead an adult, the St. Charles Parish Sheriff’s office has arrested a 28-year-old Honduran woman and her 46-year-old mother. Sheriff Greg Champagne says the two are charged with Injuring Public Records.

Cut 10 (11) “…proficient at English.”

He says investigators found a falsified birth certificate was used so she could attend school.

Champagne says they wanted to notify the public especially those with children who attend Hahnville High School that there is no evidence of any other criminal activity or inappropriate behavior.  He says many are surprised how a 28-year-old woman was able to pose as a 17-year-old student for the last year.

Cut 11 (12)  “…certificate said.”

Champagne says there are other options available for those who want to learn English as a second language.

Cut 12 (11)    “…government document.” 

Because the student did not have any transcripts when she enrolled she was placed in the ninth grade.

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Governor John Bel Edwards signed into law a measure that would require Louisiana State Police to develop a database tracking system to track rape kits. Franklinton Senator Beth Mizell says the current process is not victim-friendly and lengthy.

Cut 13 (13) “…progress is.”  

Lawmakers appropriated $100 thousand to State Police to reduce the rape kit backlog along with $4.2 million more to the crime lab for general use. Police and more than two dozen healthcare providers who store rape kits must participate in the system by next year. Mizell believes the system will add accountability for residents and visitors.

Cut 14 (13)  “…tolerate that.”

The new law will also ensure rape victims are eligible for full reimbursement of their medical expenses after a state board had capped reimbursement at $1,000 for rape victims, compared to $15,000 for other victims. Mizell says when a victim goes through a sexual assault it will be easier to track a rape kit.

Cut 15 (13)  “…or not.”

The state crime lab currently has a backlog of 592 rape kits, 409 of which are from the New Orleans Police Department.

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The LSU baseball team is in Omaha preparing for its College World Series match-up on Saturday night against Tennessee. The Tigers have scored the most runs in the country at 588. You can make an argument shortstop Jordan Thompson is the best eight-hitter in the country. Thompson says LSU’s bottom of the order is just as good as any team’s top three hitters…

Cut 16 (18) “…guys in.”

Thompson says they want to win a championship, but they also want to keep playing as long as they can…

Cut 17 (14) “…to continue playing” 

LSU is making its first trip to the College World Series since 2017. Freshman pitcher Gavin Guidry says it’s a special feeling to bring the Tigers back to Omaha…

Cut 18 (18) “…national championship”

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Cut 19 (20) “…on the field.” 

Cut 20 (17)  “…way he does.”  

During his weekly media conference, U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy was asked his feelings on the multicount indictment against former President Donald Trump. Cassidy says it’s clear to see the actions against Trump have been politically motivated…:

Cut 12   (08)        “…above the law.”

Trump faces more than three dozen federal charges related to his retention of classified documents at his home in Florida.

Lawmakers approve $44 million in new funding for the Child Care Assistance Program to provide financial assistance to low-income families statewide. Louisiana Policy Institute for Children Director Libbie Sonnier says while they are thankful for the funding, they hope for more in the future.

Cut 4 (09)  “…the state.” 

Of the state’s $44 billion budget  Sonnier says only a small fraction of that goes to early childcare and education.

Entergy has applied for federal grants to improve the power grid in Louisiana.   If secured the funds would be aimed at reducing extreme weather impacts and help speed up restoration and recovery efforts after major storms. PSC Commissioner Devante Lewis says he wrote a letter of support for the application.

Cut 9 (09) “…the project.”

Lewis says grant recipients are expected to be announced later this year.

Governor John Bel Edwards has signed legislation to mandate 15 minutes of recess for public school students K-5. State Superintendent of Education Cade Brumley says recess is beneficial for a child’s social and emotional health.

Cut 6 (12)  “…kids play” 

Entergy has applied for $220 million in federal grants to improve the power grid in Louisiana. The grants are funded through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. PSC Commissioner Devante Lewis…

Cut 10 (11) “…these applications.”

If approved, Entergy will be able to make upgrades and not pass the cost onto consumers.

Governor Edwards has signed legislation to mandate 15 minutes of recess for K-5 public school students. The law allows recess not to be counted toward the minimum of 360 instructional minutes required each school day. State Superintendent of Education Cade Brumley believes fear of extending the school day cut recess in schools.

Cut 7 (09)  “…to recess” 

Brumley says recess is beneficial for a child’s social and emotional health.

Lawmakers approve $44 million in new funding for the Child Care Assistance Program to provide financial assistance to low-income families statewide. Louisiana Policy Institute for Children Director Libbie Sonnier says while they are thankful for the funding, they hope for more in the future.

Cut 4 (09)  “…the state.” 

Thousands of Tigers fans will flock to Omaha as the Bayou Bengals are in the College World Series for the first time since 2017. Executive Director of Visit Omaha Deborah Ward says there’s plenty for fans to do besides the game.

Cut 13 (12) “…going strong.”  

LSU is scheduled to play Tennessee on Saturday

Entergy has applied for federal grants to improve its power grid in Louisiana.   If secured the funds would be aimed at reducing extreme weather impacts and help speed up restoration and recovery efforts after major storm events. PSC Commissioner Devante Lewis says he wrote a letter of support for the application.

Cut 9 (09) “…the project.”

Lewis says grant recipients are expected to be announced later this year.

Governor John Bel Edwards has signed legislation to mandate 15 minutes of recess for public school students K-5. State Superintendent of Education Cade Brumley says recess is beneficial for a child’s social and emotional health.

Cut 6 (12)  “…kids play” 

Nearly every prisoner on Louisiana’s death row is asking Governor John Bel Edwards to commute their death sentence to life in prison without the possibility of parole. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (30)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo”

Lawmakers approve $44 million in new funding for the Child Care Assistance Program, a state-funded program that provides financial assistance to low-income families. Louisiana Policy Institute for Children Director Libbie Sonnier says this investment will help thousands of people across the state.

Cut 3 (13) “…to childcare.”

The state relied on COVID relief money to keep the project afloat.

Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon and House & Senate insurance committee leaders are holding a press conference this morning to address the package of bills aimed at fixing an ailing home insurance market. Donelon tells LRN one bill he’s glad to see pass will offer homeowners financial help with hardening roofs…:

Cut 7 (10) “…ten thousand dollars.”
51 of Louisiana’s 57 death row inmates filed clemency applications with the Louisiana Board of Pardons in the hopes Governor Edwards will commute their death sentence to a life sentence. Edwards has made it known he opposes the death penalty. Cecelia Kappel, director of the Capital Appeals Project, represents many of the death row prisoners who filed the request…

Cut 12 (07)    “…for clemency.” 
2010 was the last time Louisiana executed a death row inmate.

Tiger fans in Nebraska will notice a few changes in the College World Series from their last appearance in 2017. Director of Visit Omaha Deborah Ward…

Cut 15 (12)  “…on Friday.”

The Bayou Bengals will play the Tennessee Volunteers Saturday. This is the 19^th time the Tigers have played in the College World Series.

Among bills passed last week, is a measure to give a $500 tax credit to Louisiana gun owners for purchases of safes, locks, and other gun storage devices.  New Orleans Representative Mandie Landry hopes her bill provides a layer of safety

Cut 4 (12)  “…all times.” 

The bill awaits the governor’s signature.

Fort Polk – in Vernon Parish – officially changes its name today to Fort Johnson. The Army base is named after World War One hero Henry Johnson. A soldier who fought in France in 1918-19. Brigadier General David Gardner says Sgt. Johnson embodied the warrior spirit.

Cut 9 (09) “…every day.”

House and Senate leaders are facing criticism for cutting 100-million dollars from the Louisiana Department of Health’s budget. House Appropriations Chairman Jerome Zeringue says L-D-H’s budget is over 15-billion dollars and a majority of the Legislature believes they can handle this cut. But Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne says the 100-million-dollar cut will be impactful…

Cut 7 (08)  “…to the department” 

Dardenne says the governor is looking at using his line-item veto power to remove the budget cut language from the budget.

Next January, the Louisiana Department of Natural Resources will change its name to the Louisiana Department of Energy and Natural Resources. DNR spokesperson Patrick Courreges says the name change reflects how the agency’s role has expanded over the years. He says they oversee much more than oil and gas now.

Cut 12 (10) “…Halo group.” 

The department also oversees solar and wind energy projects.

House and Senate leaders are facing criticism for cutting 100-million dollars from the Louisiana Department of Health’s budget. House Appropriations Chairman Jerome Zeringue says L-D-H’s budget is over 15-billion dollars and a majority of the Legislature believes they can handle the cut.

Cut 6 (14)  “…of the funding” 

Among bills passed last week, was a measure to give a $500 tax credit to Louisiana gun owners toward purchases of safes, locks, and other gun storage devices. Bill author, New Orleans Representative Mandie Landry says her legislation mirrors a Virginia bill passed earlier this year.

Cut 3 (12) “…as well.”

Gun owners should keep receipts of their purchase to receive a tax credit through the Department of Revenue.

The Public Affairs Research Council (PAR) releases its assessment of the 2023 state legislative. PAR  President Steven Procopio says overall lawmakers did a responsible job with $2-billion in surplus but what was accomplished may be overshadowed by the chaotic ending of the session over the state’s budget.

Cut 6 (12)  “…problem for transparency.”

Legislation to remove application fees and improve communication between various agencies when one applies for expungement passed in the session. New Orleans Senator Royce Duplessis says once upgrades to computer systems are complete it will streamline the process.

Cut 10 (11) “…of itself.”

Duplessis expects the process with be up and running in 18 months.

The Public Affairs Research Council (PAR) releases its assessment of the 2023 legislative session.  PAR President Steven Procopio says the end of the session got ugly with a last-minute budget cut of about $100-million from the Department of Health. He says no one understands the huge cut and it seems odd…

Cut 5 (12)   “…at the end.”

The Louisiana Department of Education has a dashboard on its website Louisiana-believes-dot-com that gives citizens an easier way to view K-through-12 academic progress. State Superintendent of Education Cade Brumley…

Cut 8 (10) “…local communities’”

The dashboard also provides a summary on how school systems have spent pandemic relief funds.

Louisiana has one of the costliest and most cumbersome expungement processes in the US, and it inspired legislation to remove application fees and improve communication between various agencies. New Orleans Senator Royce Duplessis says an individual who’s seeking an expungement is not a person who’s looking to commit another crime.

Cut 12 (09)    “…entitled to.” 

The revised process should be available in 18 months.

Shreveport Representative Thomas Pressly is concerned after the Legislature approved a construction budget that reduced funding for a new four-lane Jimmie Davis Bridge by 140-million dollars. Pressly says there’s enough funding available to start the five-year, 362 million dollar project, but lawmakers will have to address the rest of the funding next year…

Cut 14 (11)  “…during next session.”
 

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