Voters do not want to see their taxes go up, according to a survey from Southern Media and Opinion Research. Emelie Gunn has more…
Voicer 1 (31) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

A Louisiana State Police trooper and two local police officers are recovering today after they were injured in a shooting with a man who barricaded himself inside a home in the Avoyelles Parish town of Moreauville. The injuries are considered non-life-threatening. Brandon Carpenter allegedly shot the officers after a high-speed chase. He’s now in custody.

A report by the personal finance website, Wallethub, finds Louisiana as the second worst state for working moms. Analyst Jill Gonzales says states at the top of the list have high unemployment. She says another factor against Louisiana is females have a longer workweek than other states….
cut 12 (08) “….the country”

A deployment ceremony takes place Saturday at Pineville High School for Louisiana National Guard’s 1086th Transportation Company. Colonel Ed Bush says Governor Edwards will be on hand as over 160 soliders will leave their families and loved ones for a one-year deployment to Kuwait…
cut 9 (07) “…the years”

A Southern Media and Opinion Research Poll finds Governor John Bel Edwards’ approval rating has dropped nine percentage points since September of 2016. It now stands at 54-percent. Pollster Bernie Pinsonat says the public is sick and tired of the governor and legislature not coming to an agreement on how to fix the state’s budget woes.
Cut 13 (09) “they’re saying”
He says African American residents continue to give Edwards’ a positive rating, while only 44-percent of white voters feel that way about the governor.

In a Baton Rouge courtroom today, former “Sons of Guns” reality television star Will Hayden was sentenced to life in prison plus an additional 40 years for raping two young girls. The victims were about 12 years at the time of the sex acts. Hayden also faces charges in Livingston Parish.

The full house has approved a bill that would make it easier for voters to recall an elected official. Current law requires signatures from one-third of the registered voters in large districts and 40-percent of voters in small jurisdictions. Covington Representative Paul Hollis says that isn’t feasible in 180 days….
cut 5 (08) “…or greater”
The measure heading to the Senate reduces the number of signatures required.

A measure approved by the House would give voters the chance to decide if they want to prevent a convicted felon from running for office until 8 years after they serve their sentence. Norco Representative Gregory Miller is the author of the constitutional amendment…:
Cut 9 (10) “of trust”
The legislation now moves to the Senate and if it clears the upper chamber, it will need voter approval.

Governor John Bel Edwards’ approval rating has slipped nine percentage points to 54-percent according to a new Southern Media and Opinion Research poll. The statewide poll also found an increase in the percentage of respondents who are concerned about the state’s future. Pollster Bernie Pinsonat says 52-percent say it’s heading in the wrong direction…..
cut 15 (11) “…more revenue”
The full House has approved a proposed constitutional amendment that would allow voters decide this fall, whether convicted felons should be banned from running for elected office until eight years after they served their sentence. Norco Representative Gregory Miller says Louisianians already have a hard time trusting elected officials…
cut 10 (10) “….good bill”

A bill heading to the Senate would make it easier for Louisiana voters to recall elected officials. Halen Doughty has more…
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Halen Doughty”

University of Louisiana System President Doctor Jim Henderson is coming up on his 10-thousandth tweet and he’ll provide a 500-dollar scholarship to a U-L school for the student that comes up with what he should say with his 10-thousandth tweet…
cut 7 (08) “…tweet”
Tweet at Doctor Henderson with the hashtag J-H-10-K to enter the contest.

A new poll shows Governor John Bel Edwards popularity is slipping. Southern Media and Opinion Research had his approval rating at 63-percent last September. A survey conducted earlier this month puts his approval rating at 54-percent. Pollster Bernie Pinsonat says African American residents give Edwards’ a very positive rating, while only 44-percent of white voters feel that way about the governor…
cut 14 (09) “….popularity”

St. Landry Sheriff Bobby Guidroz says they’ve solved a six-year-old cold case thanks to the suspected killer coming forward with information. Guidroz says 23-year-old Phillip Lafleur, who is incarcerated in LaSalle Pairsh on a murder charge, has confessed to killing his great uncle Dale LaFleur over money and he dumped his body in the Atchafalaya River…
cut 12 (10) “…in the water now”
Former Sons of Guns star Will Hayden will spend life behind bars for raping young girls. Michelle Southern reports…:
Voicer 2 (30) “I’m Michelle Southern”

The Jefferson Davis statue in New Orleans was taken down. This is the second Confederate era monument of four slated for removal by the city. Mayor Mitch Landrieu said in a news release that putting the Confederacy on a pedestal in prominent public places is a bad prescription for our future.

The House Education Committee approved a bill to increase the minimum GPA requirement for TOPS from 2.5 to 2.75. Baton Rouge Representative Franklin Foil says he’s heard frustration from voters, about the uncertainty of the scholarship program and this could help cut down on costs.
Cut 12 (10) “four year window”
The proposed change would go into effect with the Class of 2021.

A bill heading to the House Floor would lift the one year ban for individuals convicted of a drug related felony to receive food stamps and welfare benefits after being released from prison. New Orleans Representative Helena Moreno says the ban was originally placed as a deterrent not to commit drug related crimes, but it hasn’t work.
Cut 10 (11) “our community”

The House Criminal Justice Committee shot down a proposal that would allow residents to carry concealed guns without permits. Jimmy Williams of Louisiana Carry argued that requiring a permit gives lawbreaking criminals the upper hand…
cut 7 (10) “…willing to”
But Cissy Rowley, a shooting victim in the 2015 Lafayette movie theater shooting spree, urged the panel to rject the bill. She says the permitting process is needed to vet people who should not be concealed carrying a firearm….
cut 9 (08) “….respect that”
The bill was defeated on an eight to five vote. The bill’s author, Baton Rouge Representative Barry Ivey, says he plans to bring the proposal back up next year.

A bill that would raise the minimum GPA from 2.50 to 2.75 to receive the TOPS scholarship was approved by the House Education committee on a nine to three vote. Baton Rouge Franklin Foil says he authored the legislation in an effort to cut costs and it has the support of the Council for a Better Louisiana, president Barry Erwin….
cut 13 (11) “…period of time”
The measure now heads to the House floor.

A 12-year-old is dead after cops say he accidentally shot himself in the head. Eunice Police Chief Randy Fontenot says the boy was handling a semi-automatic handgun…:
Cut 3 (11) “the chamber”
He says the child later died from his injuries, and this is a tragic accidental incident in which no charges will be filed.

The House Criminal Justice Committee shot down a bill that would have allowed Louisiana residents to conceal carry a gun without a permit. Dr. Kenneth Flaming of Louisiana Carry says it can take up to a year before a CCP is approved, and can cost between $300 and $500…:
Cut 6 (08) “the most”
Cissy Rowley is a Lafayette theater shooting victim. She says without the permit requirement, gun owners could carry their weapons concealed with little or no training…:
Cut 8 (10) “a gun before”
The bill was shelved on an 8-5 vote.

And a judge in New Orleans has denied a request that would prevent the city from removing a statue of Confederate Army General P.G.T. Beauregard