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.”

An aide to Congressman Clay Higgins was arrested over the weekend on pandering charges. According to the Lafayette Parish Sheriff’s office, 47-year-old Jerod Prunty was one of eight arrested as part of an investigation looking into human sex trafficking and prostitution at massage parlors. Higgins’ office says they are shocked and saddened by the accusations and Prunty has been placed on administrative leave.

The recent high profile hazing case that resulted in the arrest of 9 LSU students has many wondering what it will take to end the hazing culture on college campuses. Founder of HazingPrevention.org Tracy Maxwell says the elimination of hazing will take time.
Cut 10 (12) “…doesn’t change overnight.”
But she says last week’s high profile arrests is a step towards eradicating hazing.

Intermittent lane closures will begin on Wednesday on the Texas Street Bridge which crosses over the Red River in Caddo and Bossier Parishes. DOTD spokesperson Erin Buchanan says work will continue until the summer of 2020 and the contractor will begin bringing construction equipment to the site on Wednesday…
cut 5 (09) “…start on Wednesday”
The bridge was built in 1934 and it’s been decades since the roadway underwent a major rehabilitation project.

When Congress returns to session next week, expect a resolution that attempts to block President Donald Trump’s national emergency along the U-S Mexico border. The president is expected to veto that legislation and Baton Rouge Congressman Garret Graves says there’s enough votes to override a veto, because many believe that the situation at the southern border needs to be addressed…
cut 15 (11) “…a crisis”
Legal challenges are also likely.

By calling the national emergency, the president intends to use military construction project dollars to pay for the wall. Senator Bill Cassidy says the White House also intends to use his idea of using money seized from Mexican drug cartels to pay for steel barriers along the southern border…
cut 8 (10) “…one step”

An armed robbery suspect is dead and five others wounded following a shootout with police in downtown New Orleans last night. Authorities say bullets began flying after undercover NOPD cops tried to question a person of interest in an armed robbery. Police says the suspect pulled out a gun at Canal Street and Elk Place and began firing at two officers. The suspect was gunned down, but innocent bystanders at the bus stop were struck.

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”

There’s a concern the National Emergency called by President Donald Trump will result in dollars going away from flood control projects in order to pay for the border wall. But Baton Rouge Congressman Garret Graves says the Comite River Diverson and other vital flood protection efforts will proceed as usual despite the national emergency…
cut 14 (12) “…..with haste”
And Senator Bill Cassidy says the Trump Administration plans to use hundreds of million of dollars that’s been seized from Mexican drug traffickers to help pay for the wall. It’s a proposal that Cassidy first brought up last year and he says with improved protection along the border, more cash will be collected that can fund even more wall construction….
cut 9 (09) “….we confiscate”

Despite tougher laws and more awareness, why do we still see hazing on college campuses? Nine LSU frat members were arrested on hazing accusations last week. Founder of Hazing Prevention dot-org, Tracy Maxwell, says she used to think those that commit acts of hazing are horrible people, but has since come to the conclusion they were also hazed…
cut 12 (08) “….repeat the cycle”
Maxwell says it will take a years long effort to rid hazing from college campuses.

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. DOTD spokesperson Erin Buchanan says the bridge which is part of US 80 was built in the 1930s and needs rehabilitation.
Cut 4 (12) “…bridge as well.”
Construction will last through the summer of 2020.

Senator Bill Cassidy says President Donald Trump plans to use his proposal that calls for using seized assets from Mexican drug cartels to help pay for the eight-billion dollars that the president plans on spending to erect a physical barrier along America’s southern border. Cassidy says it’s good public policy…
cut 7 (08) “….our border”
Cassidy says the Trump administration also has no plans on using Army Corps funding or flood prevention project dollars to fund the border wall.

A major construction project is set to begin this week on the Texas Street Bridge in Shreveport. DOTD spokesperson Erin Buchanan says crews will begin work on the project Wednesday and lane closures will begin Wednesday…
cut 6 (10) “…option for you”
Construction is expected to be completed until the summer of 2020.

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.”

After a mild weekend, a cold front has moved through and cooler temperatures are here and we are also anticipating a wet work week.

The state Ethics Board meets today to reconsider its previous decision to bar candidates from using campaign funds to pay for childcare. The ruling has received quite a bit of public flack, including from Governor Edwards. UL-Lafayette Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says Edwards’ opposition will be hard for the board to ignore.
Cut 7 (12) “…specifically.”

The East Baton Rouge District Attorney’s office will soon begin the legal proceedings against the nine individuals charged with hazing pledges at LSU’s Delta Kappa Epsilon. D-A Hillar Moore credits the recently approved Maxwell Gruver Act for getting the authorities involved…
cut 15 (12) “…or its lost”

State Police have arrested 15 suspects and they are looking for dozens more connected to a “ride-out” in New Orleans on Mardi Gras 2018. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

Shreveport police say a woman fatally shot her husband early this morning during a domestic dispute at the Cypress Landing Apartments. Authorities say the woman used a 22-caliber gun to kill her 29-year-old husband. The woman is reportedly in custody and no charges have been filed as of yet.

President Donald Trump is expected to declare a national emergency today to give him access for funds to build his long-promised border wall. Louisiana Senator John Kennedy says Democrats will oppose it, but don’t have enough votes to override the declaration. There will likely be legal action, but Kennedy says it appears the president has the constitutional authority to do it…
cut 12 (10) “….Congress”

After a year-long investigation, State Police arrest 15 suspects in connection with a Mardi Gras 2018 incident known as a ride out where participants stopped traffic by riding recklessly. Senior Trooper Melissa Matey says many of the participants do no live in Louisiana….
Cut 4 (11) “…nearly eight hours.”
Matey says the search continues for dozens of other suspects.

East Baton Rouge DA Hillar Moore believes the recently approved Maxwell Gruver Act helped sparked an investigation into new hazing allegations at an LSU fraternity. Kevin Barnhart has the story….
voicer 3 (30) “….I’m Kevin Barnhart’

It’s opening day for college baseball. Top ranked LSU hosts ULM tonight and Tigers left fielder Daniel Cabrera is fired up
cut 16 (12) :…with them”
Also today, the Cajuns host 23rd ranked Texas and La Tech is at Southeastern.

President Trump is poised to declare a State of Emergency today in order to get the money he seeks to build up the Southern border wall…
voicer 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

Pelicans Head Coach Alvin Gentry has had enough of the Anthony Davis drama…
cut 29 (09) “…what is important”
Davis left the arena during the middle of last night’s win over Oklahoma City with an apparent shoulder injury.

The state ethics board today will reconsider its previous decision that candidates can not use campaign funds to help pay for child care costs. In November, a female Baton Rouge candidate seeking a House seat requested authorization, and was denied, as the board overruled a 2000 decision that allowed a man to use campaign funds for childcare. UL-Lafayette Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says the optics make it look like the board is trying to prevent moms from running for office.
Cut 8 (08) “…the system.”

State Troopers arrested 15 people and looking for dozens of more who participated in an event called the “2018 New Orleans Bike Life Mardi Gras Day Ride Out.” The “Ride Out” lasted nearly eight hours in different areas of the city on Mardi Gras day, disupting traffic flow by driving recklessly and intimidating other motorists. Trooper Melissa Matey says many of the bikes were stolen from commerical dealerships…
cut 5 (09) “…is ongoing”