A statewide poll released by Southern Media and Opinion Research finds there’s an anti-tax sentiment in Louisiana. 54-percent of the respondents think state government’s problems are primarily caused by too much spending and 67-percent believe any tax imposed on businesses would be passed on to customers…
cut 6 (11) “…much difference”
That’s pollster Bernie Pinsonat, who says the survey also found 67-percent of respondents oppose raising the gasoline tax by 17-cents.

Three police officers, including a State Trooper, were wounded during a standoff in Avoyelles Parish. The man who allegedly fired his gun at officers has been identified as Brandon Carpenter. He was taken into custody at around 7:30 last night after a standoff at a home in Moreauville. The officers sustained non-life threatening injuries. A local TV station reports Carpenter is an Army veteran who suffers from PTSD.

A study from the personal finance website, WalletHub, finds Louisiana is the 2nd worst state for working moms. Michelle Southern has more….
Cut 2 (29) “I’m Michelle Southern”

Amid debates on the budget, taxes, and education, lawmakers in the House spent over half an hour debating licensing for hair braiding. A measure by Carencro Representative Julie Emerson waives the licensing requirement to braid hair. Baton Rouge Representative Patricia Smith says it’s ridiculous that the state would regulate something like braiding hair.
Cut 13 (09) “to braid hair”
Emerson’s bill passed on a 81-12 and heads to the senate.

Governor John Bel Edwards has been pushing lawmakers to increase funding to pay for critical state services. But a new statewide poll from Southern Media and Opinion Research finds that a majority of voters believe state government has enough cash….
cut 5 (11) “…enough revenue”
That’s Pollster Bernie Pinsonat, who says the anti-tax sentiment has also been seen in the voting booth. He says numerous increases in taxes proposed by local governments have been rejected in recent weeks.

The suspect in the shooting of three police officers, including a Lousiaina State Police Trooper is in custody. Avoyelles Parish Sheriff Doug Anderson says 35-year-old Brandon Carpenter, barricaded himself in a home after a police chase. That’s when Carpenter reportedly opened fire. Officers were attempting to execute a warrant against him for domestic abuse battery. The injuries the officers sustained are not considered life threatening.

Over 160 soldiers in the Louisiana National Guard’s 1086th Transportation Company are being sent to Kuwait. Col. Ed Bush during their one year deployment, the soldiers will provide logistic transportation support.
Cut 7 (08) “as well”
The 1086th deployed in support of Operations Desert Storm in 1991, Iraqi Freedom in 2003 and Enduring Freedom in Kuwait in 2011.

The full House has approved a bill that says you don’t need a license to braid hair professionally in Louisiana. Current law calls for 500 hours of training to obtain a license in “alternative hair design.” Hammond Representative Chris Broadwater told the bill’s author, Julie Emerson, he’s baffled this kind of profession would be regulated…
cut 14 (11) :,,,received any”
The measure was approved on an 81-12 vote and heads to the senate for more discussion.

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.