Work begins on Wednesday to improve the Texas Street Bridge that connects downtown Shreveport to Bossier Parish. Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

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What will it take to end the hazing culture on college campuses?  Kevin Barnhart talks to HazingPrevention.org founder Tracy Maxwell to find out.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart.”  

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Matt Doyle talked with Congressman Garret Graves, who says the national emergency declaration will not impact Louisiana flood projects.

Cut 3 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

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Drivers in the Shreveport-Bossier City area can expect intermittent lane closures for both the eastbound and westbound lanes of the Texas Street Bridge starting Wednesday.  OTD spokesperson Erin Buchanan says the bridge which is part of US 80 was built in the 1930s and is in need of rehabilitation.

Cut 4 (12) “…bridge as well.”

During the first phase of the $6.4 million dollar project, Buchanan says the outside lanes will be closed as the contractor brings in equipment.

Cut 5 (09) “…start on Wednesday.”

Buchanan warns drivers to expect delays in their commute for at least the next year as the project continues.

Cut 6 (10) “…option for you.”

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President Trump is taking up Senator Bill Cassidy’s plan to fund additional border wall construction using money seized from drug and cartel busts at the border. This comes as a national emergency has been declared to raise additional money for wall construction. Cassidy says his legislation is good public policy.

Cut 7 (08) “…our border.”

The President is seeking to raise 8 billion dollars for the wall, and 600 million of that reportedly comes from the Treasury’s Forfeiture Fund, with houses seized funds from illicit activities. Cassidy says his solution to the ongoing border wall funding battle is a long term fix that is self-funding…

Cut 8 (10) “…one step.”

The total value of the Forfeiture Fund is estimated to be over three billion dollars.

Cassidy says estimates show only 10 percent of drugs, illicit goods, and money that illegally crosses the border is seized. He says by investing in the wall, you’ll be able to grab more cash, and create a cycle that funds even more wall construction.

Cut 9 (09) “…we confiscate″

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The recent high profile hazing case that that resulted in the arrest of 9 LSU students from incidents in the Fall of 2018 has many wondering what it will take to end the hazing culture on college campuses.  Founder of HazingPrevention.org Tracy Maxwell says it is important to remember the elimination of hazing will take time.

Cut 10 (12) “…doesn’t change overnight.”

Maxwell says the swift action taken to address the situation is a step in the right direction.

Cut 11 (07) “…taking aggressive action.”

Maxwell says she used to think those that commit acts of hazing are horrible people but has since come to the conclusion that they were people who were hazed at an earlier time.

Cut 12 (08) “…repeat the cycle.”

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Baton Rouge Congressman Garret Graves says Louisiana flood control and prevention project funding will not be effected by the President’s declaration of a national emergency. The declaration allows funds to be redirected from military construction projects towards building up the southern border wall. Graves says they convinced the White House to take money from other projects.

Cut 13 (11) “…these projects.”

3.6 billion of the reported eight billion dollars the President is seeking to pool for the wall will come from construction projects.

Graves says progress on projects like the Comite River Diversion and other vital flood protection efforts will proceed as usual despite the national emergency.

Cut 14 (12) “…with haste.”

Democrats say they will challenge the declaration in Congress, where a two thirds vote would be needed to clear a Presidential veto. Graves backs the national emergency declaration, saying the situation at the southern border needs to be addressed.

Cut 15 (11) “…a crisis.”

A series of legal challenges have also been prepared, and it is likely the declaration will spend a very long time in court.

The Bayou Country Superfest has announced its 2019 Lineup at a press conference today.  Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

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Nine LSU students have been booked on hazing charges. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (27) “I’m Jeff Palermo”  

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After a 2 year stint in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome, Bayou Country Superfest returns to Tiger Stadium for its tenth anniversary over Memorial Day weekend.  Festival Producer Quint Davis says this year’s lineup for the 2-day festival is the best yet, and is expected to draw fans from across North America.

Cut 3 (08) “…and Chase Rice.”

Goveror Edwards was on hand for the announcement of the lineup and says his calendar is marked for the festival.

Cut 4 (06) “…100%″

Edwards adds his favorite on the lineup is Kenny Chesney, who will be closing out Saturday night.

Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says the festival has a huge economic impact on the area by filling hotels and restaurants and says it’s important for locals to get the word out to friends and family across the nation.

Cut 5 (05)“…in Baton Rouge.”

Tickets go on sale a week from today for the festival that features headliners, Kenny Chesny, Florida Georgia Line and Jason Aldean.

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A nine-year-old boy is dead and his 18-year-old cousin has been arrested in an incident that Jefferson Parish Sheriff Joe Lopinto says was a negligent, but accidental discharge of a firearm. Kamone Thomas has been charged with Negligent Homicide, Obstruction of Justice, and Possession of Marijuana. Lopinto says initially Thomas told investors his cousin had shot himself, but…

Cut 6 (11) “…himself.”

When confronted by the results from the coroner’s investigation of the shooting that indicated the nine-year-old could not have shot himself, Lopinto says Thomas admitted guilt and said it was an accident that began with some horseplay.

Cut 7 (11) “…fatal.”

Lopinto says Thomas then told deputies that he panicked and hid the gun, but has allegedly revealed the location.

The Sheriff says it’s a tragic accident that could have been avoided had the weapon been properly secured and kept out of the hands of a young child.

Cut 8 (10) “…negligence.”

Lopinto says authorities are confident the incident was not malicious, and was not sparked due to any conflict.

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LSU is confirming that nine members of the Delta Kappa Epsilon Fraternity have been arrested on Hazing charges. The activities are alleged to have taken place during the fall of 2018. The hazing charges are misdemeanors despite the passage of tougher anti-hazing laws last year. Legal Analyst Tim Meche says these student’s actions must not have met the criteria for harsher charges.

Cut 9 (10) “or death”

Under the Gruver Act, felonies can also be charged if a student is coerced into consuming booze that puts their blood alcohol level of at least .3.

Gruver Act does increase the range of groups that can be found liable in the case of a hazing incident. Meche says it’ll be interesting to see if Baton Rouge DA Hillar Moore uses the new law to broaden the scope of the case.

Cut 10 (12)“…dollars”

All nine student have been booked into the East Baton Rouge Parish Prison.

The Gruver Act flew through the legislature last year, and was publicly championed by a number of state leaders like Governor Edwards, who said they wanted to send a message with the tougher hazing penalties. Meche says that puts the student’s defense at a notable disadvantage right from the start.

Cut 11 (08)   “…extra harsh.”

Four of the students are also facing Second Degree Cattery charges, and one is facing an additional charge of False Imprisonment.

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Pointe Coupee authorities are trying to determine who shot into a home in the town of Glynn killing a young woman sleeping on the couch. Sheriff Bud Torres says no lights were on at the time of the shooting…

Cut 12 (10)   “…killed her”

Torres says this early morning fatal shooting on Valentine’s Day is a heart breaking case for his detectives to work…

Cut 13 (08) “…no apparent reason”

Torres says the only other person in the home was the victim’s boyfriend…

Cut 14 (04)     later died”