A Senate approved resolution that contains a 1,000-dollar teacher pay raise and an additional 39 million dollars for public education passes through the House Education Committee. But House Appropriations Chairman Cameron Henry wonders if the state can afford both the pay raise and additional money for schools…
cut 12 (07) “…something””
There’s one week left in the session and this has become the biggest issue left unresolved.

What kind of impact will opening the Morganza Spillway have on the state’s crawfish industry? LSU Agcenter Aquaculture Professor Greg Lutz says it will ruin a few ponds in the Atchafalya Basin, but the impacts will not be so great that the industry couldn’t rebound from…
cut 5 (07) “…kind of thing’
The spillway is set to open on Sunday.

The Senate will hear arguments on a bill banning drivers from touching their cell phone while behind the wheel after the proposal passed the House amid heated debate. Here’s a taste of what the debate sounded like on the House floor
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NOLA-dot-com reports Governor John Bel Edwards texted LSU officials about whether basketball player Javonte Smart would play again after reports surfaced that Smart may have received money beyond his athletic scholarship. Edwards’ lawyer says the governor only asked, because a journalist had asked the governor about it.

A bill that would outlaw abortion after a fetal heartbeat is detected receives final passage in the House without any exemptions for rape and incest victims. Kevin Barnhart has more on the emotional debate that took place on the House floor.
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An East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s deputy was killed this morning when the vehicle he was traveling in crashed on roadway near Zachary. He’s been identified as 42-year-old Steven Whitstine. It’s believed he was on the way to work, when the fatal wreck occurred.

A bill banning drivers from holding their phone while behind the wheel is headed to the Senate after some heated discussion on the House floor. Slidell Representative Kevin Pearson says the legislation will save money on insurance rates, but more importantly, likely save the lives of Louisiana drivers, particularly teens.
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The measure will next be heard in a Senate committee, but time is ticking, a week is left in the regular session.

Several parishes in the Achafalayla Basin are preparing for flooding when the Morganza Spillway is opened on Sunday, diverting Mississippi River water into the basin. St. Martin parish President Chester Cedars says they’re asking residents to stay off the Atchafalya River levees while the waters swell….
cut 8 (09) “….feet”

The House has given final legislative passage to a bill that bans abortions when the heartbeat of a fetus is detected, which is usually around six weeks into a pregnancy. Baton Rouge Representative Ted James proposed an amendment that would provide an exception in cases of rape and incest…
cut 14 (11) “…do that”
The amendment failed to pass and Governor Edwards says he’ll sign the bill.

There’s a week to go in the legislative session and it seems likely teachers will get a pay raise, but it remains unclear how much. The House supports a 12-hundred dollar pay raise, but the Senate is pushing for a one-thousand dollar raise. Louisiana Federation of Teachers President Larry Carter…
cut 6 (06) “…plan’
Teacher pay will come up when the House Education committee meets at 11 AM.

After months of high-water and swollen waterways, St. Martin Parish is getting ready for even higher river levels once the Morganza Spillway opens Sunday.
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Two people are dead from two separate home fires in south Louisiana. The State Fire Marshal’s office says one person died in a residential fire in Bogalusa and the Baton Rouge Fire Department says a three-year-old girl died in a house fire and her father was injured. Also an East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s deputy has died in a single vehicle wreck near Zachary.

Governor John Bel Edwards says he will sign a bill that bans abortions when a fetal heartbeat is detected. It received final legislative approval on the House floor after an emotional debate. An amendment to add an exception in cases of rape and incest was rejected, despite this argument from Baton Rouge Representative Patricia Smith…
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But proponents of the fetal heartbeat bill say a fetus should not be punished for the sins of a relative or rapist.

Also passing the House floor yesterday was a bill that bans drivers from using a handheld cellphone while behind the wheel. New Orleans Representative Gary Carter says the proposed law could create unintended consequences….
cut 11 (07) “…objectionable”
The measure still needs to get through the Senate and there’s a week to go in the session.

Governor Edwards will travel to Morgan City this afternoon to inspect the barge sinking operation in Bayou Chene. This will help prevent backwater flooding when water from the Mississippi River flows down the Atchafalaya River after the Morganza Spillway is opened on Sunday. St. Martin Parish President Chester Cedars…
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President Donald Trump has approved the state’s request for a federal disaster declaration.

With a week to go, it remains to be seen if teachers will receive a pay raise. Governor Edwards is pushing lawmakers to approve a one-thousand dollar salary hike, which Louisiana Federation of Teachers president Larry Carter says will get the state closer to the Southern Regional Average….
cut 5 (10) “….than that”
Edwards has said if re-elected, he’ll look to increase teacher salaries even more.

Legislation to legalize sports betting has stalled at the State Capitol despite the efforts from Gretna Representative Joe Marino, who says the revenue generated by the activity would benefit families seeking to send their children for pre-K education…
cut 12 (12) “…it”
The proposal has been bogged down by amendments and conservative lawmakers who look at sports betting as an expansion of gambling. The session ends next Thursday.

The Morganza Spillway in Pointe Coupee Parish will open Sunday and that will flood thousands of acres in the Atchafalaya Basin. Atchafalaya Basin Keeper Executive Director Dean Wilson says it will force wildlife to look for higher ground…
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LSU Coach Will Wade says he regrets getting lawyers involved in the college basketball recruiting scandal that lead to his extended suspension…
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A new arrest warrant has been issued for the man accused of breaking into the governor’s mansion last month. Authorities say they found 34-year-old Reynard Green sleeping on a couch in the mansion on April 17th. The new arrest warrant says Green also allegedly tried to enter a house near the mansion earlier that night.

Proponents to legalize sports betting are disappointed as it appears legislation to bring the gaming activity to Louisiana’s casinos and racetracks will not pass before the session ends June 6th. Wade Duty is the executive director of the Louisiana Casino Association…
cut 11 (10) “…direction”
So many amendments have been added to the sports betting bill that the casino association has dropped its support for the legislation.

A bill that sets the minimum age to get married in Louisiana to 16 is moving closer to final legislative passage. Current law does not set a minimum age and executive director of the Louisiana Partnership for Children and Families Susan Nelson says the current law perpetuates a cycle…
cut 16 (09) “…finishes here education”

Ecologists say the opening of the Morganza Spillway Sunday threatens wildlife in the Atchafalaya Basin. Matt Doyle has the story.
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The St. Tammany Parish coroner rules the death of a three-month old as a homicide and the child’s parents have been charged with second-degree murder. Doctor Charles Preston says Kristian Scott died of complications from an untreated arm fracture and malnutrition. Kevin Scott and Samantha Hotard originally faced cruelty to juveniles charges.