The University of Louisiana Monroe is looking to bring a new medical school to northeast Louisiana. Halen Doughty has more…

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Halen Doughty”

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A synthetic drug called ‘pink’ has made its way to Bayou State and is more potent than heroin. Emelie Gunn has more….

Cut 2 (24) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

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The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival gets underway today in the Big Easy. Jeff Palermo has more on this year’s big attractions…

Cut 3 (27) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

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Northeast Louisiana could become the future home of a new medical school. University of Louisiana Monroe President Dr. Nick Bruno says the university is actively engaged in discussions with a private medical school they hope to partner with, but they still have to work out a lot of details.

Cut 4  (10) “school’s demand”

Bruno says the school could begin accepting students as early as the fall of 2019. The school would have about 200 students on campus after two years, with 200 more doing clinical rotations in the community. He says this new med school could offer a lot of opportunities to students.

Cut 5  (08)  “their preference”

Bruno says this partnership could help improve the health sciences programs already offered at ULM. He says it also has a tremendous potential impact on economic development if it brings more health professionals to the area.

Cut 6 (10) “that come here”

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A new drug called ‘pink’ is hitting the streets in Louisiana and is more deadly than heroin. East Baton Rouge Parish Coroner Dr. Beau Clark says pink is a synthetic opioid combined with Fentanyl. He says this drug has all of the same effects as heroin.

Cut 7 (09)  “Baton Rouge area”

Pink originally gained media attention when a child overdosed from the drug in Colorado. Clark says drug dealers aren’t concerned with what they are selling so the buyer is unaware of the drug’s potency.

Cut 8 (10) “get involved”

Clark says opioid addiction typically starts with abuse of prescription drugs. He says addicts are patients and need to be treated but access to these illicit drugs needs to be shut down.

Cut 9 (10)  “overdose”

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Music lovers from all over the country are gathering in New Orleans for the Jazz & Heritage Festival that kicks off today. Producer Quint Davis says they have 580 musical acts over a two-weekend period. Harry Connick Junior, Maroon 5, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers are headliners this weekend and 2^nd weekend performers are just as good.

Cut 10 (07) “in a row”

Davis says they have a new attraction this year called Cuba Comes to Jazz Fest, which features 150 Cuban musicians and artisans with their own stage and tent. He says there’s even a kids food area that serves peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. He says keeping Jazz Fest family friendly is one of the secrets to its success for the last 48 years.

Cut 11 (09) “to go too”

Davis says the two-weekend festival has a $300 million annual economic impact. He says since the festival ends at 7 PM each day, French Quarter restaurants benefit in a big way. He says the festival at the Fairgrounds Race Track really is like a mini version of the Big Easy.

Cut 12 (08) “pumping away”

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The House overwhelmingly approved a measure to allow children to bring sunscreen to school and apply it themselves. It would also allow parents to designate someone at the school to help their children put on the sunblock. The lone dissenting vote came from Baton Rouge Representative Patricia Smith, who raised concerns about teaching putting lotion on students.

Cut 13 (08) “touch me right”

Baton Rouge Representative Barry Ivey says he’s always amazed at the items that become controversial on the House floor. He says there are spray and stick sunscreen that could be easier for young children. But he says nowadays young kids can work iPhones, so they can surely apply sunblock.

Cut 14 (09) “5-years-old”

Students are not currently allowed to apply sunscreen at school. It must be administered by a nurse because it’s categorized in the same way as prescription medications. Ivey was upset a bill like this was even necessary.

Cut 15 (08) “on sunscreen”

The measure was approved on a 99-1 vote and now heads to the Senate.

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Many analysts say the Saints used their first pick in the first round to take the top cornerback in the draft. Ohio State’s Marshon Lattimore was expected to be a top 10 pick, but fell to the Saints, who took him with the 11th overall pick. Lattimore says he’s ready to make the jump to the NFL…

Cut 16 (13) “can do”

The Saints had a big need at cornerback. They had a lot of injuries at that position last season and he’ll team up Delvin Breaux as the team’s starting cornerbacks. Lattimore believes he can get up to speed quickly when it comes to learning what it takes to play in the NFL…

Cut 17 (13)  “ready to do it”

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Speculation is growing the U.S. Department of Justice is close to announcing whether civil rights charges will be handed down against the two Baton Rouge Police officers who were involved in last summer’s fatal shooting of Alton Sterling. John Delgado is a lobbyist for the Baton Rouge Union of Police and he told two media outlets that people close to the situation say a decision will be announced on or before next Tuesday.

Juveniles convicted of murder would be eligible for parole after 25 years under a Senate approved bill headed to the House. If enacted, 14 inmates would be immediately eligible for parole consideration. Metairie Senator Danny Martiny says a parole hearing would then determine if that offender has become a better person…:
Cut 5 (11) “for parole”
This bill advanced out of the Senate on a 22-13 vote.
U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy is confident Congress can approve a tax reform package, because President Donald Trump is committed to the effort. Cassidy says there hasn’t been a significant tax reform since the Reagan administration. He says although it took a while to pass, President Reagan was thoroughly engaged, just as Trump is.
Cut 14 (08) “he’s engaged”
Cassidy serves as a member of the Senate Finance Committee and will play a role in the passage of any tax reform plan.

The former Destrehan High School teacher who allegedly had sex with a 16-year-old student isn’t out of the woods yet. Shelley Dufrense was found not guilty of carnal knowledge of a juvenile in Jefferson Parish, but the teen’s family has a civil suit pending in St. Charles Parish against the 34-year-old….:
Cut 9 (09) “a deposition”
That’s legal analyst Tim Meche.

Republican U-S Senator Bill Cassidy likes what he sees from a proposed tax plan outlined by the White House. It calls for tax cuts for businesses and individuals. There’s concerns it will increase the deficit, but Cassidy says the proposed tax changes would help business owners…
cut 13 (10) “…more money”

Criminal charges are behind former Destrehan teacher Shelley Dufrense, but she still faces a civil lawsuit. Dufrense pleaded guilty to an obscencity charge in St. Charles Parish in 2015 for having a sexual relationship with a 16-year-old student and legal analyst Tim Meche says that plea deal could hurt her in the civil case…..
cut 10 (10) “…in Jefferson Parish.

Jury deliberations have begun in Bienville Parish in the murder of a Webster Parish Sheriff’s deputy. Andrew Critton is facing life in prison for the death of 69-year-old Sulyn Prince, who prosecutors say was buried in a shallow grave after Critton used a fire extinguisher to bludgeoned her in the head. A second person also faces murder charges in the case and his trial will be held at a later date.

Authorities in Webster Parish have raided three alleged dogfighting rings and rescued over 30 dogs. Anna Ware is with an Altanta based group called Norred and Associates and they investigate animal cruelty cases. She says all of the dogs were living in horrible conditions…:
Cut 8 (08) “logging chain”
Ware says four arrests were made on animal cruelty and other dog fighting related charges.

And the state announces that Louisiana Cat is expanding its New Iberia operations and they plan to add 60 jobs over the next five years.

The former Destrehan High School teacher accused of having sex with a student still has legal issues, as there’s still a civil suit pending against her. Michelle Southern has more…
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D+ is the grade Louisiana gets on its roads, bridges and drinking water on a report card by the American Society of Civil Engineers. Louisiana’s lowest scores are in drinking water and inland waterways, with D- ratings, while roads, bridges, and coastal waters earned D and D+ scores.

A bill that would provide parole eligibility for juveniles convicted of murder has been approved by the state Senate. Baton Rouge Senator Dan Claitor says his proposal would bring Louisiana in line with a 2012 Supreme Court decision…:
Cut 3 (10) “gonna get it”
The measure would provide parole eligibility after 25 years for juveniles who received life sentences after June 25, 2012.

Dog fighting raids in Webster Parish has resulted in four arrests according to Norred and Associates, which works to prevent animal abuse cases. Anna Ware is with the Atlanta-based group and she says over 30 dogs were rescued, many of them never had veterinary care and two animals died due to malnutrion…
cut 7 (10) “…rabies shots”

The House Criminal Justice Committee approves a bill to extend domestic violence protections to sex-same couples. Jody Fortunato with the Jefferson Parish District Attorney’s Office says they are running into problems handling felony domestic abuse charges against same sex couples….
cut 14 (08) “…can’t use it”
The panel also approved a bill that would put couples who are dating under the state’s domestic violence laws.

Revelers from all over the world are in Lafayette as the Festival International de Louisiane kicks off today. Kelly Strenge with the Lafayette Convention and Visitors Bureau says there will be entertainers from as far away as Europe and Africa…:
Cut 4 (07) “entertain you”
Strenge says atendees can even expect to see some big lcoal names, like Marc Broussard.

Two teachers in St. Landry Parish have been arrested for allegedly bullying an 11-year-old student. Emelie Gunn has more…
Cut 1 (31) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

Three men have been charged on dog fighting charges in Webster Parish and 30 dogs have been rescued. Deputies were tipped off after they received allegations from an Atlanta-based group that investigates such cases. The booking report says many of the dogs were malnourised and several were restrained with heavy logging chains.

The House Education Committee advances a measure that would ban corporal punishment in public schools. Shreveport Representative Barbara Norton who says there is no proof that spanking a student changes behavior…:
CUT 11 (10) “in 2011″
The bill heads to the House floor.

Another measure heading to the House floor would limit first-time opioid prescriptions to a 7-day supply…
Voicer 1 (30) “I’m Michelle Southern”

A bill that would ban so-called sanctuary city policies barely passed out the House Criminal Justice Committee. Chairman Sherman Mack broke a 7-7 tie by casting the final “yes” vote. Denham Springs Representative Valarie Hodges says her measure isn’t about discrimination, but putting America first. She says she raised her children in Mexico for 18 years…
Cut 13 (11) “of law”
The legislation targets New Orleans, because it’s police force has a policy that prohibits officers from questioning the immigration status of individuals who commit or report a crime. Researcher with the Jesuit Social Research Institute at Loyola University Sue Weishar….
Cut 16 (06) “public trust”
A lengthy debate on the House floor on this issue is expected as early as next week.

LSU Head Football Coach Ed Orgeron announced today that offensive lineman Adrian Magee of Franklinton has been indefinitely suspended for a violation of team rules. A police report shows Magee was arrested earlier this month for felony burglary. He also allegedly stole cash, an X-Box, apparel, but later returned some of the items.

13 UL Lafayette football players were arrested for allegedly breaking into a dorm room and stealing several items totaling 24-hundred dollars. Lt. Billy Abrams with campus police says the student-athletes are charged with conspiracy to commit felony theft…
cut 4 (08) “…that were stolen”
Football Coach Mark Hudspeth has suspended the 13 players from the team indefinitely. He apologized for the players actions and said they expect a higher standard from their student-athletes.

Tonight’s contest between nationally ranked baseball teams in Lafayette has been postponed to May 10th as a result of impending weather. UL Lafayette and McNeese State were scheduled to play tonight at Russo Park.

Earlier today it was Northwestern State over Mississippi Valley State 14-0. The Demons beat the Delta Devils by a combined score of 25-1 over two days.

Tonight, Nicholls is at Southern.

LSU left today for Tuscaloosa. The Tigers begin a three-game series at Alabama tomorrow night. The Bayou Bengals lost to Tulane last night nine to six. That’s four straight wins for the Green Wave in the series. The latest NCAA Tournament projection by D-1 baseball, does not have LSU hosting a regional, instead going to West Virginia.

In NFL news…former saints guard Jahri Evans has reportedly signed with the Green Bay Packers. The 33-year-old played his previous eleven seasons in New Orleans.