The Vernon Parish Sheriff’s office has arrested a 35-year-old Leesville father after a three-year-old shoots another three-year-old. Deputies say one of the children found a handgun beneath a pillow on the bed and accidentally fired the weapon, striking the other child in the shoulder and chest area. Chief Detective Rhonda Jordan says it appears the victim will recover…

Cut 4 (09) “..regular room”

But Fernando Mejia is facing one count of second-degree cruelty to a juvenile.

A bill waiting for Governor Landry’s signature clarifies a state law on who can carry a concealed handgun at a parade. Parade goers can, but a participant in the parade or a float rider cannot. New Orleans Representative Alonzo Knox is current law…

Cut 10 (10) “…defenseless”

The bill applies to all government-permitted parades or demonstrations,

The Louisiana Senate has approved its version of the budget for next fiscal year, albeit clearing only half the money for the L-A GATOR program as what Governor Landry had asked for. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says Landry wants to expand the program so more families can receive state assistance to pay for private school or homeschool expenses.

Cut 14 (12) “…play out.”

The Louisiana Legislature is close to approving an additional 709-million dollars to pay for shovel-ready road projects. The money will come from the Revenue Stabilization Fund. House Appropriations Chairman Jack McFarland says a total of one-point-billion dollars will be taken out of that fund for economic development initiatives, improvements to local water systems and improving OMV’s computer system…

Cut 8 (09) “…stop that”

St. Tammany Parish sheriff deputies have charged a Hammond man with second-degree murder for allegedly leaving his 21-month-old daughter inside a hot car outside a Madisonville-area home for more than nine hours.

Cut 8 (09) “…there around noon”

That’s Lt Suzanne Carboni who says deputies say 35-year-old Joseph Boatman consumed multiple alcoholic beverages before leaving the little girl strapped in her car seat.

A Leesville man has been charged with second-degree cruelty to a juvenile after a shooting incident involving young children. The Vernon Parish Sheriff’s Office received a report of a 3-year-old being shot at 35-year-old Fernando Mejia’s home. Chief Detective Rhonda Jordan says once investigators arrived at the residence they processed the scene.

Cut 3 (12) “…children were playing.”

Investigators determined that the gun was accidentally discharged, striking one of the children in the shoulder-chest area. The injured child is improving at a hospital.

The legislature is expected to withdraw about 1.2-billion dollars from the Revenue Stabilization Trust Fund to pay for various projects. House Appropriations Chairman Jack McFarland says that includes about 709-million dollars for shovel-ready road projects that will be completed within one year.

Cut 6 (11) “…falling in line.”

McFarland says millions of dollars are also going to colleges, local water systems and OMV for a new computer system.

Republican Congressman Clay Higgins is reintroducing a bill that would mandate random drug testing for members of Congress.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

The girlfriend of one of the two inmates who remain at-large following the Orleans Parish jailbreak has been arrested. Twenty-eight-year-old Darriana Burton has been charged with conspiracy to commit simple escape. Attorney General Liz Murrill says Burton has had an on-again, off-again relationship with Derrick Groves for three years. She’s also a former employee of the Orleans Parish Sheriff’s correctional office.

There are three more days left in the legislative session as lawmakers must conclude their work by 6 PM Thursday. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says the insurance reform legislation was completed a couple of weeks ago. He says it was a top priority for the Landry administration and lawmakers…

Cut 15 (08) “…concentration.”

A bill that received final legislative passage on Monday creates an individual income tax credit for residents who pay for a fortified roof that can help reduce storm damage during a high wind weather event. Supporters say a fortified roof can also help lower a homeowner’s insurance premium.

Later this week LSU fans will arrive in Omaha for the College World Series. Two years ago when the Tigers won the national championship, Rocco’s Pizza and Cantina sold more than 68-thousand purple and gold jell-o shots and owner Kevin Culjat says a portion of the proceeds go to food banks in the Omaha area and to the team’s local food bank…

Cut 12 (09) “…that pretty easy”

St. Tammany Parish sheriff deputies have charged a Hammond man with second-degree murder for allegedly leaving his 21-month-old daughter inside a hot car outside a Madisonville-area home for more than nine hours.

Cut 8 (09) “…there around noon”

That’s Lt Suzanne Carboni who says deputies say 35-year-old Joseph Boatman consumed multiple alcoholic beverages before leaving the little girl strapped in her car seat.

Southwest Louisiana Congressman Clay Higgins has re-introduced legislation that would require each member of Congress to be randomly drug tested once per term. LSU political science professor Robert Hogan says there’s a good chance this bill will not come up for a vote in the House, but if it did, it would be a tough no vote…

Cut 6 (10) “…I don’t know”

Game time has been set for LSU’s first game in the College World Series. The Tigers will take on Arkansas at 6 PM on Saturday night in Omaha.

One restaurant across from the site of the College World Series is gearing up for the onslaught of LSU fans. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 3 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

A new audit from the Louisiana Legislative Auditor’s Office finds that there are 129 vacant child welfare positions statewide and workers’ caseloads jumped from nine to almost 16 cases a month. DCFS says it remains committed to strengthening its frontline workforce.

The Louisiana Senate has approved its version of the budget for next fiscal year. It contains 30 million dollars in high-dosage tutoring for students as well as 199-million for teacher stipends. But political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says there is a 45-million-dollar difference between the Senate and House in spending for the L-A GATOR scholarship program, which is the state’s new voucher program.

Cut 13 (08)  “…cutting it back.”

Henry says 43-million dollars is about the same amount of money the state is spending on its current voucher program.

A whole bunch of money will be spent on Jell-o shots at Rocco’s Pizza and Cantina in Omaha. The last time LSU was in the College World Series, LSU fans bought nearly 69-thousand Jell-O shots at Rocco’s. Owner Kevin Culjat (KULL-jit) says it’s a fun tradition and it’s also for a worthy cause…

Cut 11 (08) “….shot sold locally”

A Hammond man is charged with second-degree murder after his 21-month-old daughter dies in a hot vehicle. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

The Vernon Parish Sheriff’s office has arrested a 35-year-old father after a three-year-old shoots another three-year-old. Deputies say the children were playing in a bedroom, when one of the children found a handgun beneath a pillow on the bed. One of the kids accidentally fired the weapon, striking the other child in the shoulder and chest area. The injured child is in serious condition at a Baton Rouge hospital, while Fernando Mejia is facing one count of second-degree cruelty to a juvenile.

Louisiana voters will likely have the opportunity in April to decide whether the mandatory retirement age of judges should be raised from 70 to 75 years old. The Louisiana Senate has approved the proposed constitutional amendment. Norco Senator Gregory Miller says 70 years old is too young to force a judge into retirement.

Cut 6 (08) “…of Louisiana.”

The House and Senate have not agreed on the exact language of the proposal, so it is in a conference committee. Details still have to be ironed before the session ends on Thursday.

LSU baseball is heading to the College World Series for the 20th time in program history. The Tigers swept their super regional series against West Virginia. Senior Josh Pearson from West Monroe says a lot of work went into getting back to Omaha…

Cut 13 (11( “…what we can do”

LSU will play Arkansas on Saturday in its first game at the College World Series.

St. Tammany Parish deputies have charged a Hammond man with second-degree murder for allegedly leaving his 21-month-old daughter inside a hot car outside a Madisonville-area home for more than nine hours. Deputies say 35-year-old Joseph Boatman consumed multiple alcoholic beverages before leaving the little girl strapped in her car seat.

The first-ever Mississippi Gulf Coast Buc-ee’s opened today on I-10 at the Menge (MEN-jee) Avenue exit in Pass Christian. Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”