A Monroe man who spent 41 years in prison serving a life sentence for murder is now a free man. Kevin Barnhart has more…

Cut 1 (32) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

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With a week to go in the special session, the House Ways and Means committee approves three different sales tax bills. Jeff Palermo has the story…

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The separation of families coming into the United States illegally is causing a firestorm of controversy across the nation.  President Trump has signed an executive order to allow children to stay with parents attempting to cross the border unlawfully.  US Representative Ralph Abraham says he supports President Trump’s efforts.

cut 9 (13)  “…parents accompanying them.”

Abraham says he co-sponsored the Goodlatte-McCaul Bill.  While he believes it could solve many of the border issues, he feels that there may not be enough support to pass the bill.

Cut 10 (13) “…and for all.”

Governor John Bel Edwards announced today he’s not removing a three-member Louisiana National Guard air team from the Mexico border that assists with border patrol. On his monthly call-in show the governor says removing the team would risk the lives of law enforcement along the border.

Cut 11 (14) “…as a result of that”

Governor Edwards says in no way does he support removing families from their children.

Cut 12 (12)   “…they are not criminals.”

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Three sales tax bills that raise revenue to different amounts are heading to the House floor for debate tomorrow after they received approval by the House Ways and Means tomorrow. Baton Rouge Representative Paula Davis received the most support as it renews an expiring one-cent penny by four-tenths of a cent. She calls it a great compromise…

Cut 13 (12) “…this out” 

Davis’ bill passed on a 12-5 vote. Members of the legislative black caucus didn’t vote for it, because they want a sales tax bill that renews half of the expiring one cent sales tax. Davis is optimistic her legislation has the 70 votes to get approval by the full House….

Cut 14 (07)  “right bill.”

The other sales tax proposals to pass would renew .33 of the expiring one-cent sales tax. Another measure renews half of the tax, but scale it down over time. Chairman Neil Abramson of New Orleans is optimistic the House can behind one of the bills…

Cut 15 (09) “…current situation.”

Three sales tax bills got out of a House committee today and now head to the House floor for more discussion. The bill that receive the greatest support is a measure by Baton Rouge Representative Paula Davis, which would renew an expiring one-cent sales tax by four-tenths. Members of the legislative black caucus didn’t vote for it, because they want a sales tax bill that renews half of the expiring one cent sales tax. Davis is optimistic her legislation can get 70 votes for House approval….
cut 14 (07) “….right bill”
The full House is expected to vote on the revenue raising bills tomorrow. The special session ends a week from today.

Governor John Bel Edwards announced today he’s not removing a three-member Louisiana National Guard team from the Mexico border that’s assisting with border patrol. He says they will remain there until mid-July. The governor says they are not involved in the separating of families who enter the country illegally.

A 59 year old man walked out of prison as a free man for the first time in his adult life after serving over 40 years for a murder in Monroe. Gerald Manning was exonerated of his conviction in the 1977 death of Vonda Harris. His attorney, Kristin Wenstrom, says years of DNA testing contributed to ensuring that Manning could once again have his freedom….
cut 7 (10) “…by the perpetrator”
Manning plans to live with his mother in Monroe. A freedom fund and an Amazon wishlist have been set up for those that would like to help in his transition to the outside world.

A State Police trooper has been arrested on allegations that he raped a 16-year-old girl in New Orleans. Thirty-six-year-old Lander Journee was booked on third-degree rape and posted a 25-thousand dollar bond. He’s been placed on administrative leave.

Three sales tax bills made it out of the House Ways and Means Committee today, which would generate hundreds of million dollars, but the proposals do not completely close the 500-million dollar deficit. TOPS and higher ed are facing cuts as of July 1st and LSU student government president Stewart Lockett says college students will rally at the state capitol at 5:30 …
cut 12 (12) “…different stories”

President Trump now plans to sign an executive order to allow children to stay with parents attempting to cross the border unlawfully. US Representative Ralph Abraham says he supports President Trump’s efforts.
cut 9 (13) “…parents accompanying them.”

Ardagh Glass has notified the state that it’s planning to lay off just over 200 workers at its glass making facility in Lincoln Parish, because many of the companies they work with are using plastic containers instead. Simsboro Mayor Sybil Foster says the layoffs are an economic blow to her town…
cut 5 (07) “…reduced or what”
An estimated 450 people currently work at the facility.

59-year-old Gerald Manning is a free man today after spending 41 years in prison for the 1977 murder of Vonda Harris. Manning was just 17 years old at the time of the homicide and his attorney Kristen Wenstrom says recent DNA testing has exonerated him of the murder that even the victim’s family doesn’t think he committed…
cut 8 (13) “….the real perpetrator”
Manning plans to live with his mother in Monroe.

LSU Student Government hosts a rally at the State Capitol today to call on the state legislature to fully fund TOPS and higher education.
cut 10 (09) “….as a whole”
That’s LSU student government president Stewart Lockett who says if lawmakers do not act before the end of the fiscal year on June 30th, students will face a 30% cut to TOPS and a $21 million dollar reduction in funding for LSU.

A 59 year old man walked out of the state penitentiary as a free man for the first time in his adult life after serving over 40 years for a murder in Monroe. DNA testing helped exonerate Gerald Manning of his murder conviction in the 1977 death of Vonda Harris. His attorney, Kristin Wenstrom, says Manning then worked out a deal with the Ouachita Parish District Attorney’s office…
Cut 6 (11) “…walk out of prison.”
Manning plans to live with his mother in Monroe.

Governor John Bel Edwards says the National Guard air support team will remain at the Mexico border. In a statement released, the governor says the troops are not participation in the separation of families and he condems that policy. President Trump has signed an executive order to end family separations at the border.

A major employer in north Louisiana is set to lay off as many as 227 employees next month. Simsboro Mayor Sybil Foster says Ardagh Glass produces glass containers, but the companies they serve like Tabasco, Smucker’s and others are demanding other materials…
cut 4 (04) “…need for glass”
Around 450 people work at the plant, which received tax incentives during the Jindal administration to retain its workforce.

We should get a sense after today whether the third special session called by Governor John Bel Edwards will be successful. Votes on sales tax bills that would generate 500-million dollars in revenue will take place today. Also, the governor’s monthly call-in show is at 2 PM, where he’s expected to announce the future of Louisiana National Guard troops at the Mexico border.

And at 1:30 this afternoon, one of the nation’s top high school products announces where he’ll attend college. Derek Stingley Junior from Dunham High School in Baton Rouge will make his decision known on Twitter at 1:30 PM. His Dad, Derek Stingley Senior, says his son wants a college where he’ll be comfortable on the football field and off…
cut 8 (08) “…these majors”
Stingley was recently ranked as the top prospect overall by Rivals-dot-com.

A Monroe man who spent 41 years in prison serving a life sentence for murder is now a free man. Kevin Barnhart has more…
voicer 1 (32) “…Kevin Barnhart”

A major employer near the town of Simsboro in Lincoln Parish is expected to lay off about 200 employees next month. Ardagh Glass says the layoffs will take effect July 23rd. Simsboro Mayor Sybil Foster says the move will hit the community hard.
Cut 3 (04) “…some effect of it.”
Ardagh Glass produces glass containers and many of the manufacturers they work with are switching to plastic.

It’s day three of the special session and it’s reached a critical stage. The House Ways and Means Committee meets at 11 this morning to vote on various sales tax proposals that would generate at least 500-million dollars and renew a half-cent of an expiring one-cent sales tax. It’s unclear if the votes are there for it to pass.

It’s also a big day for the LSU football program, as the nation’s top cornerback in the country announces his college choice today. Michael Farrar has more on Dunham High School’s Derek Stingley Junior…
voicer 2 (30) “…I’m Michael Farrar”

College students are set to rally at the State Capitol later today, demanding that the state legislature fully fund TOPS and higher education. LSU Student Government President Stewart Lockett says the uncertainity is really frustrating as a new school year is two months away…
cut 11 (11) “…faculty and staff’
Lockett encourages fellow college students to contact their local legislators and let them know you want TOPS and higher ed fully funded.

It’s Christmas time in downtown-Lafayette as a holiday-themed independent film is shooting. The movie is called The Christmas Cupid and Executive Director of Louisiana Entertainment Chris Stelly says with fake snow, holiday lights and Santa, it’s a festive atmopshre in Lafayette…
cut 15 (10) “…on the faces’
Stelly says the independent feature film is spending 300-thousand dollars in Louisiana, including 211-thousand dollars on state resident payroll.

One of the top high school prospects in the country will decide today whether he’ll attend LSU, Florida or Texas. Cornerback Derek Stingley Junior of Dunham High School in Baton Rouge was recently ranked by Rivals.com as the nation’s top recruit for the Class of 2019. His father, Derek Stingley Senior, calls his son a freakish athlete with a will to win…

Cut 7 (11) “…that explosive”

Derek Stingley Junior will make his decision known on Twitter at 1:30.

When the Saints head to California to play the Los Angeles Chargers in a preseason game on August 25^th, they’ll first compete against the Chargers in a couple of practices. Since Sean Payton’s arrival in New Orleans, the Saints have routinely participated in joint training camp practices with other teams. Still no word on when training camp will start for the Black and Gold.

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The Pelicans will need to hire a new assistant coach. Jamelle McMillan has left for an assistant job with the Phoenix Suns. The 29-year-old is considered an up and comer in the coaching ranks and his dad is current Indiana Pacers Head Coach Nate McMillan.

Anthony Davis has been elected into the Kentucky Athletics Hall of Fame. The NBA All-Star led the Wildcats to a national championship in 2012 and was a consensus national player of the year that season.

At the College World Series, it seems like there’s no stopping Mississippi State. The Bulldogs pounded North Carolina 12-2. They took a 4-1 lead in the 2^nd inning on a grand slam by freshman Jordan Westburg. The Texas native drove in seven runs for Mississippi State, who is now just one win away from reaching the championship series of the C-W-S.

And Florida avoided elimination by ending Texas’ season with a 6-1 win over the Longhorns. Jackson Kowar struck out a career-high 13 and Jonathan India hit a three-run homer.

Votes will come Wednesday in the House Ways and Means Committee on different sales tax bills. Jackson Representative Kenny Havard’s proposal would renew a half-cent of an expiring one-cent sales tax and generate 507-million dollars in revenues, which would be enough money to prevent cuts to college campuses, TOPS and public safety programs. Some Republicans prefer to renew less than a half of a penny, but Havard says it doesn’t make sense to raise taxes and also cut the budget at the same time…
cut 13 (05) “….at us”
Meanwhile, House Appropriations Committee heard from state health department officials on Tuesday. Prairieville Representative Tony Bacala says their budget has grown 56-percent over a ten-year period…..
cut 14 (05) “…control this”
The state health department is not slated for any cuts next fiscal year.

LSU Student Government will host a rally at the State Capitol Wednesday afternoon to call for full funding of TOPS and higher education. If lawmakers do not act before the end of the fiscal year on June 30th, then students will face a 30% cut to TOPS and a $21 million dollar reduction in funding for LSU. LSU Student Government President Stewart Lockett says they want to give students a voice about their future.
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Lockett says their message for lawmakers is simple and that is to stabilize higher education and TOPS. All public university systems are looped into this rally and the turnout is expected to be high.
Cut 12 (12) “…different stories”
To learn more about potential cuts to TOPS and higher ed, visit www.lsu.edu/budget.