Legislation that would prohibit smoking inside bars and casinos statewide failed to get out of the House Health and Welfare Committee today. Jim Shannon has more..
Cut 2 (30) “I’m Jim Shannon”

The F-B-I is now offering a five-thousand dollar reward for information leading to a missing four-year-old child in Claiborne Parish. Authorities have been looking for Junior Phillips since he went missing on April 5th. Ponds near his home were searched, but turned up nothing. A vigil for the little boy will take place tonight.

The fiscal cliff is smaller, but there is still a sizable revenue shortfall for next fiscal year. The Revenue Estimating Conference lowered the budget deficit from nearly 1-billion dollars to 648-million dollars. House Speaker Taylor Barras anticipates the House will approve a budget next week that will contain over 600-million dollars in cuts…
cut 6 (10 ) “…pass it”
Governor Edwards is pushing legislators to end the regular session early, so a special session can be called to address the fiscal cliff.

For the second time in the last five months, a family from Acadiana has claimed a Powerball jackpot prize. Lousiana Lottery spokesperson Kim Chopin says an attorney came in this week to claim a 56-million dollar prize that was won by a Lafayette family and last fall they had a winner from Eunice…
cut 10 (07) “…that area”

The revenue shortfall for next fiscal year has been lowered from 994 million dollars to 648-million dollars. The Revenue Estimating Conference confirmed that new budget deficit number after hearing the state has received an increase in personal income taxes, because of changes to federal tax laws. But state legislators are still faced with cutting 648-million dollars for the budget that begins July first. House Speaker Taylor Barras says a House vote on next year’s budget is expected next week…
cut 7 (07) “….next Thursday”
It’s unclear if the Senate will accept a budget that contains 648-million dollars in cuts. If they don’t, a special session would be necessary to raise revenues to cover up the budget gap.

A Shreveport police officer was shot in the wrist and another woman was seriously injured in a standoff today in the Caddo Heights neighborhood. Authorities say a man suspected in the shootings has surrendered and he was not injured. The officer who was shot is expected to be okay.
Legislation that would prohibit smoking inside bars and casinos statewide failed to get out of the House Health and Welfare Committee today. Jim Shannon has more..
Cut 2 (30) “I’m Jim Shannon”

A Lafayette family has come forward to claim its 56-million dollar Powerball jackpot prize. Louisiana Lottery spokesperson Kim Chopin says the mother of the family has been playing the lottery for years and their tax attorney says the family is deserving of their new found fortune…
cut 9 (08) “….their lives”

Legislation that would prohibit smoking inside bars and casinos statewide failed to get out of the House Health and Welfare Committee today. If passed, it would virtually ban smoking in just about every public building in the state. Brent Rochon is a cardiologist who testified in favor…
cut 12 (10) “…the smoke”
But the gaming industry was there in opposition. Alton Ashy represents video poker…
cut 13 (10) “…your decision”
The bill’s author, Representative Dustin Miller, can still bring the bill back before the panel and he does plan on making changes to the legislation.

The fiscal cliff is smaller, but there is still a sizable revenue shortfall for next fiscal year. The Revenue Estimating Conference lowered the budget deficit from nearly 1-billion dollars to 648-million dollars. House Speaker Taylor Barras anticipates the House will approve a budget next week that will contain over 600-million dollars in cuts…
cut 6 (10 ) “…pass it”
Governor Edwards is pushing legislators to end the regular session early, so a special session can be called to address the fiscal cliff.

For the second time in the last five months, an Acadiana area family has claimed a Powerball jackpot. A tax attorney representing the Moore Family Trust out of Lafayette brought their 56-million dollar ticket from the March 24th drawing to Louisiana Lottery headquarters. Lottery spokesperson Kim Chopin says on what the family plans do their with their winnings…
Cut 8 (10) “as well.”
Chopin says the Moore Family Trust received over 23-million dollars after state and federal tax withholdings.

The fiscal cliff is smaller, as the state’s Revenue Estimating Conference has lowered the budget shortfall from 994-million to 648-million-dollars. Jeff Palermo has more…
Voicer 1 (27) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Senator John Kennedy says he’s seriously considering a run at governor next year. Pollster Bernie Pinsonat says Kennedy has sure been acting like a candidate….
cut 28 (10) “…to run”
A woman was killed and her son wounded in a gun fight with Winn Parish Sheriff deputies yesterday afternoon. State Police Trooper Scott Moreau says they arrived at the home attempting to serve a civil warrant on 50-year-old Kendall Lemoine. Moreau says both Kendall and 71-year-old Betty Lemoine were armed with guns….
cut 4 (12) “…critical condition”
None of the deputies at the scene were injured.

Former Saints special teams standout Steve Gleason is under considering for the Congressional Gold Medal. Gleason is battling A-L-S and has been a leader on efforts to develop and provide technology for those suffering from Lou Gehrig’s disease.

Louisiana’s revenue shortfall has declined from 994-million to 648-million-dollars, as a result of the state collecting more income taxes due to the federal tax overhaul. House Speaker Taylor Barras says the extra money would likely go to higher ed and TOPS….
Cut 5 (13) “dollar range”
But based on this new revenue projection, the state would still have to make 648-million dollars in cuts.

We are 18 months away from the gubernatorial primary. Pollster Berinie Pinsonat says if U-S Senator John Kennedy decides to run against Democratic Governor John Bel Edwards, Kennedy will be the main GOP challenger….
cut 10 (09) “….raise money”
Republican Congressman Ralph Abraham is also thinking about running.

Winn Parish Sheriff’s deputies were met with gun fire when they were trying to serve a civil warrant in the small community of the Chee Chee Dam area yesterday afternoon. 71-year-old Betty Lemoine was killed by deputies who had just driven up to their home. State Police is also investigating, Trooper Scott Moreau.
Cut 3 (:13) “With fire arms”
Shots fired shortly afterwards, and Betty Lemoine was killed, while Kendall Lemoine was seriously injured. None of the deputies were hurt.

A Tulane study finds grade school students can benefit from yoga classes to help them manage stress and anxiety. Principal author Alessandra Bazzano (Ba-zon-no) says the New Orleans based third grade class was picked for the study since it is a crucial time of transition for them when academic expectations increase…
Cut 11 (11) “those tests”

In Washington, the announcement of House Speaker Paul Ryan decision not to seek re-election has sparked debate over who might be the next Speaker. New Orleans area Congressman Steve Scalise’s name has popped up for consideration. Political analyst Clancy DuBos says if it were up to President Trump, Scalise would have the job.
Cut 4 (10) “will decide.”
Scalise told the Associated Press that now is not the time for people to talk about what titles they want.

The House Criminal Justice Committee voted down a bill seeking to end the death penalty in Louisiana. Bossier City Representative Raymond Crews says there needs to be severe consequences for first-degree murder and raping children under the age of 13….
cut 13 (10) “…to be expected”
The vote failed on a 10-8 vote, but a similiar bill is still alive in the Senate.

The House Criminal Justice Committee approves legislation that would allow fantasy sports players in Louisiana to collect money if they win contests hosted by groups like Fan Duel and Draft Kings. Gretna Representative Joseph Marino says each parish will have a chance to decide if they want to authorize fantasy sports wagering
Cut 9 (11) “its allowed”
Louisiana Baptist office spokesperson Doctor Will Hall says legalizing fantasy sports betting is an expansion of gambling and it will create more problem gamblers….
Cut 12 (12) “problem gambling”
The measure heads to the House floor for more debate.

Chicago has decided not to match the Saints offer for wide receiver Cameron Meredith, which means the free-agent will join the Black and Gold on a two-year deal worth 10 million dollars.

An effort to abolish the death penalty suffered a major defeat today as the House Criminal Justice Committee voted against legislation that would prohibit lethal injections in Louisiana. New Iberia Representative Terry Landry marched a dozen religious groups to testify in favor of his bill.
Cut 14 (08) “tough decisions”
But Bossier City Representative Raymond Crews didn’t agree with Landry’s bill, because he believes severe punishment should be on the books, if a person commits a first-degree murder or rape…
Cut 15 (11) “that are taken”
A similar bill is still alive in the senate, but if approved by the upper chamber, it would go before the same committee in the House.

Legislation to legalize fantasy sports betting in Louisiana is heading to the House floor. Jeff Palermo has the story….
Cut 2 (31) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

The state Senate unanimously approved legislation requiring public schools to display “In God We Trust” in their buildings. The proposal also calls for educators to teach students about the motto. Schools would be required to have the motto displayed by the 2019-2020 school year. The measure heads to the House next.