Baton Rouge Congressman Garret Graves says he will resign if the federal government is holding up flood recovery financial assistance. Halen Doughty has more…

Cut 1 (29) “I’m Halen Doughty”

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Governor John Bel Edwards asks lawmakers to leave partisan politics at the door as they begin the 2017 legislative session. Michelle Southern has the story…

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The father of the 6-year-old autistic boy killed by a Marksville deputy marshal has been arrested for allegedly trying to strangle his girlfriend. Chief Deputy Steven Martel with the Avoyelles Parish Sheriff’s Office says they received a call Saturday about a domestic dispute between 26-year-old Christopher Few and his girlfriend.

Cut 3 (09) “strangle him”

The incident happened at a home in Moncla, just north of Marksville, only a week after former Marksville officer Derrick Stafford was convicted in the death of 6-year-old Jeremy Mardis. Martel says there was sufficient evidence to book Few on one count of domestic abuse battery by strangulation.

Cut 4  (07) “had occurred”

Martel says Few is currently being held in the Avoyelles Parish Jail, and he’s expected to have his bond hearing today. But he says Few also has two outstanding warrants for theft in St. Landry Parish.

Cut 5  (05)  “on him”

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Baton Rouge Congressman Garret Graves says he will resign if the federal government is the reason flood victims have not yet received any federal assistance. Graves made the comments on the Jim Engster Show, also issuing a call for Governor John Bel Edwards to do the same.

Cut 6 (09) “with the governor”

Richard Carbo with the Governor’s Office says there is no truth to Graves’ claims that the state is holding up the process. He says Louisiana submitted its plan on how to spend recovery dollars to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development with record speed, and the funds are tied up in red tape on the federal level.

Cut 7 (09)  “of the funds”

Congress has approved a total of $1.6 billion for Louisiana’s flood recovery, but no dollars have yet been dispersed. The Governor’s Office says the funds will be available in the coming weeks. But Graves is adamant the state is delaying the process.

Cut 8 (08) “or not”

Carbo says the Governor’s Office in no way wants Graves to resign. He says instead, they want to work with him because that’s what’s best for the flood victims. He says these kinds of comments aren’t doing anything to help homeowners.

Cut 9 (08)  “not accurate”

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Have you noticed gas prices are on the rise? AAA fuel analyst Don Redman says the cost of regular gasoline rose 7 cents a gallon over the last week for a statewide average of $2.19. Redman says it’s that time of the year when the price at the pump rises.

Cut 10 (11) “their equipment”

Gas prices are at their highest level since January. Redman says refineries are switching from a winter grade of gasoline to a summer, which will lead to a decrease in supply, possibly pushing gas prices to $2.50 a gallon by May or June. He says motorists should be prepared to pay more for gasoline this year.

Cut 11 (10) “a gallon”

Redman says the more expensive summer grade gasoline has to be in place by May. He says while the swing in prices varies a little from one year to the next, we can always expect gas prices to go up this time of year.

Cut 12 (11) “in June”

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The 2017 session is underway and Governor John Bel Edwards told lawmakers now is the time to pass long-term tax reform that provides budget stability, so Louisiana can better fund its priorities. Edwards is pushing a plan that would increase taxes on many businesses, but promises to lower taxes on most Louisiana residents.

Cut 13 (12) “days ahead”

During an address to a joint session of the legislature, the governor also pushed legislators to pour money into roads, even if that means increasing the state’s gasoline tax…

Cut 14 (07) “traffic congestion”

The legislative session will last for two months. During that time, the governor will call on legislators to pass a series of changes to the state’s criminal laws in effort to lower the state’s incarceration rate. He also wants legislators to raise the minimum wage and pass legislation that ensures women receive the same wages as men for equal work

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TOPS, criminal justice reform and raising the gas tax will be hot topics during the legislative session that begins today. Emelie Gunn has more…

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Homeowners affected by last year’s floods can now fill out a survey to see if they qualify for federal aid. Halen Doughty has more…

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A bill to raise the minimum age of strippers to 21 is back again for this legislative session. Jeff Palermo reports.

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TOPS, criminal justice reform and proposals to raise the gasoline tax are some of the big topics up for discussion as the legislative session begins today. There are bills filed that raise the minimum GPA to qualify for the TOPS scholarship. Political Analyst Bernie Pinsonat says this proposal will face fierce opposition from the legislative black caucus.

Cut 4  (08) “income schools”

There’s also a push to raise the state’s gasoline tax, which is currently 20-cents. Supporters say a higher gas tax is needed for better roads. But Pinsonat says passing a tax hike is difficult. He says many lawmakers are concerned that the additional revenues will not go towards their intended purpose.

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Governor John Bel Edwards is pushing for criminal justice reform as part of his legislative agenda. The governor is seeking to lower the state’s incarceration rate, which has been referred to as the highest in the world. Pinsonat says the concept is easier said than done.

Cut 6 (09) “group out”

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Even Democrats are unsure about the Governor John Bel Edwards ambitious tax plan that he’s asking lawmakers to pass during the legislative session. Edwards’ proposal calls for a new tax that would be placed on the state’s largest businesses. Minden Representative Gene Reynolds heads the state Democratic Caucus and says getting the necessary 70 votes in the House will be a challenge.

Cut 7 (10)  “to get”

Reynolds expects it will take a lot of compromise to reach a majority consensus. A contentious point in the plan involves levying a gross receipts tax on businesses, which is basically a sales tax paid by sellers instead of buyers. He says many lawmakers are hesitant about the proposal.

Cut 8 (08) “I would think”

Lawmakers won’t have another chance to revisit the state’s tax code until the next fiscal session in 2019. Reynolds says that means the time to act would be now. He says the only other option would be for lawmakers to come in for a constitutional convention.

Cut 9 (09)  “a while”

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Flood impacted homeowners can now fill out a survey to see if they qualify for federal assistance. The Governor’s Deputy Chief of Staff, Julie Baxter Payer says this is a very important first step for homeowners who were affected by the March and August 2016 floods. She says they need to know what their recovery needs are now.

Cut 10 (06) “some reimbursement”

Payer says this 15 minute survey will give the state real time information to show Congress the ongoing need for flood recovery. She encourages all homeowners to fill out the survey, whether or not they think they will qualify for assistance.

Cut 11 (10) “becomes eligible”

Congress has approved 1.6 billion dollars in flood recovery dollars. Much of that money will be available to residents impacted by either of last year’s floods. Payer expects the federal government will make that money available in a couple of weeks. She says the federal aid will be doled out in phases, and families most in need of assistance will get help first.

Cut 12 (11) “severe damage”

The survey can be found online at restore.la.gov.

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A bill to raise the minimum age of strippers to 21 is back again for this legislative session. A similar measure passed last year but the law was recently temporarily blocked by a judge over broad wording. That’s why Lake Charles Representative Ronnie Johns says he’s trying again. He says the judge didn’t seem to have an issue with the age restriction aspect..

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Johns says many victims who are brought into Louisiana end up working in strip clubs. He says the new bill is a clarification of the original goal of putting some type of a dent into the human trafficking trade…:

Cut 14 (07) “my intent”

The law that was passed last year had wording that could have placed age restrictions on other occupations, according to the ruling, and violated the constitution. Johns says that’s why the new bill makes clear what he means by nudity and strip club…:

Cut 15 (09) “at 21 years old”

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Head coach Mark Hudspeth has named Jordan Davis his starting quarterback as the Ragin Cajuns have completed spring football. Davis was 11-of-14 for 174 yards and a touchdown in the Red-White Spring Game. Hudspeth says Davis looked sharp in the spring and has a great grasp of the offense…

Cut 16 (07) “in him”

The Cajuns will being the 2017 season by hosting Southeastern Louisiana. Hudspeth says he liked the development of his defensive backs during spring…

Cut 17 (16)  “got better”

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Louisiana Tech also wrapped up spring practice over the weekend. Quarterback J’Mar Smith threw for over 300 yards and a touchdown. Bulldogs head coach Skip Holtz says Smith has the makings of a really dangerous quarterback for opponents…

Cut 18 (19)    with his feet“

A feel good moment for Louisiana Tech was return of Jaqws Dancy. He’s back on the field after being diagnosed of Hodgkin lymphoma in October. He had a 24-yard reception. Holtz says it was great to see Jaqwis back in pads…

Cut 19 (20)   “couple plays”

The Bulldogs will open the season on Spetember 2nd at home against Northwestern State. Holtz says developing consistency will be the key when the team begins fall camp in August…

Cut 20 (19)   “on defense”