Governor John Bel Edwards is signing the Ban the Box bill into law today. Halen Doughty has more…

CUT 1 (31) “I’m Halen Doughty”

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The Humane Society of Louisiana says they’ve seen a higher than usual number of animal abuse arrests and seizures over the past 6 months, and they credit teamwork. Michelle Southern reports.

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Louisiana remains one of 32 states not in compliance with a Supreme Court ruling, as a bill dealing with child killers failed to pass in the final minutes of the regular session. Jeff Palermo has more…

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LHSAA principals meet today in Baton Rouge to vote on four proposals regarding the public-private playoff split, which is set to expand to other sports beginning next year. LHSAA President Vic Bonnaffee says one reason for this meeting is because the expanded split to other sports has created logistical issues for the venues that host championship events in basketball, baseball and softball.

cut 4  (11)  “the problems”

Bonnaffee says the expanded split will also also create brackets that only feature six or eight teams. There are four proposals on the table that all seek to combine the classes differently. Bonnaffee says whatever happens today, the debate over public versus private schools will not end.

Cut 5  (12)  “it was”

The public-private playoff split has been a controversial issue in Louisiana high school sports. If the split is expanded more, the LHSAA is in jeopardy of losing a major sponsor and there’s talk of a competing association forming. Bonnaffee says hopefully high school principals understand the importance of this vote…

Cut 6 (06) “the LHSAA” 2x

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The Humane Society of Louisiana says they’ve seen a higher than usual number of animal abuse arrests and seizures over the past 6 months. Director Jeff Dorson credits newly formed partnerships between humane societies and law enforcement agencies that work together as a team to investigate cases of animal abuse…:

CUT 7 (09)  “this approach” 

Dorson says now when people report cases of animal abuse, members of the humane society will go out with the law enforcement agencies as they coordinate the arrests, and seize the animals to find them new homes…:

Cut 8  (07)  “prices” 

Since the beginning of the year, several agencies have been involved in more than 14 arrests, and the seizure of more than 30 animals including horses, pigs, chickens and dogs. Dorson says this additional training for deputies and teamwork is paying off..:

Cut 9 (09)  “good results”

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The governor is signing the Ban the Box bill into law today. The measure would prohibit state employers from asking about criminal history until the interview process. Executive Director for the US Justice Action Network, Holly Harris, says they’re excited to see this legislation pass with bipartisan support, because Louisiana is the incarceration capital of the world and in serious need of criminal justice reform.

Cut 10 (07) “crime-free lives”

Harris says this bill will impact a lot of people, as most American families are touched by the criminal justice system in some way. She says it’s not just about helping those with criminal records, it’s about making our communities safer.

cut 11 (07) “to prison”

Harris says this legislation is about showing that convicts are more than just their one mistake. She says many companies that hire people with criminal records will say that those employees are their best workers.

cut 12 (07) “been given”

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A bill that failed to make it out of the final hours of the regular session would have given convicted teen killers serving life sentences parole hearings after 30 years in prison. The bill was a reaction to a Supreme Court ruling that says convicted minors cannot be sentenced to life without the chance for parole. Metairie Senator Danny Martiny says it’s unfortunate they couldn’t pass this measure.

Cut 13 (09)  “6 o’clock”

Roughly 300 inmates who were convicted as minors are serving life sentences in Louisiana. Martiny says this could cost the state a lot of money, as inmates start to request parole hearings or file motions to be resentenced.

cut 14 (10)  “expensive proposition”

Louisiana is one of 32 states who are not in compliance with the Supreme Court ruling. Martiny says while a lot of inmates will probably try to get parole hearings, he doesn’t think many of them will succeed in actually getting paroled.

Cut 15 (07) “of jail”

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The Saints have signed free-agent safety Roman Harper, who spent the first eight seasons of his career NFL career in New Orleans before playing his last two with the Carolina Panthers.Harper started 104 games out of a possible 108 during his first tenure with the Saints, racking up 743 tackles and 17 sacks. NFL analyst Mike Detillier says Harper provides familiarity, a player with high football IQ and depth.

Cut 16  (15)  “Kenny Vaccaro”

The Saints face depth issues at safety as they lost safety Rafael Bush in the off-season, who signed to the Detroit Lions as a free-agent. Starting strong-safety Kenny Vaccaro has faced injury concerns throughout his NFL career.
Harper can potentially help a Saints defense who finished 31st in yards allowed per game but Detillier does not expect him to have a full-time role at this stage in his career.

Cut 17 (9)  “in the NFL” 

Harper was a two-time pro-bowler with the Saints in 2009-10 and help the team win Super Bowl XLIV. He has started all 16 games for the past two seasons.

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The LSU baseball team is headed back to the Super Regionals as the Tigers rallied from a two-run deficit to beat to beat the Rice Owls five to two. The most valuable player in this game was Jared Poche, who on three days rest, threw six shutout innings and kep LSU in the contest, until the bats woke up in the 7th. Poche says he felt good going into the game…

Cut 18 (10) “best chance to win”

The Most Valuable Player of the Regional was Greg Deichmann, who had three hits on Tuesday, including a moster home run that put the Tigers up 3-2….

Cut 19 (16) “swing on it”

Deichmann’s blast went 417 feet and the home run impressed head coach Paul Mainieri…

Cut 20 (16) “with your team”

During a joint session of the legislature kicking off the special session, Governor John Bel Edwards called on lawmakers to raise enough revenue to reduce cuts to state services. Jeff Palermo has more…

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The family of slain Tulane graduate Thomas Rolfes held a news conference today to beg for information about the murder which happened a month ago today. Michelle Southern reports…:

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Several lawmakers are in a foul mood after failing to approve a construction budget. Ways and Means Chairman Neil Abramson says Senate changes to the spending plan made the bill unworkable and he didn’t bring it up for a vote in the regular session. Franklin Representative Sam Jones asked Abramson why not send the bill to a conference committee to resolve the issues…

CUT 3 (12)  “out of here”

The construction budget funds road projects, repairs to public buildings and improvement to state parks. It will be taken up again in the special session, but Marrero Representative Patrick Connick says it should have been done in the regular session…

CUT 4 (11)  “the Senate”

The frustration over the lack of a vote on the construction bill can be felt on the senate side too. Metairie Senator Danny Martiny says what House leaders did was disrespectful…

CUT 5 (07)  “we do”

A new version of the construction budget bill has begun to move in the special session as the four-billion dollar financing plan was approved by the Ways and Means Committee today.)

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Governor John Bel Edwards addressed a joint session of the legislature this morning, calling on lawmakers to find the political courage to raise enough revenue during this special session to reduce cuts to state programs. Edwards says they cannot wait any longer to resolve the fiscal crisis.

CUT 6 (12) “afford to wait”

In addition to tying up some loose ends from the last special session, Edwards is asking lawmakers to look at altering income taxes as a means to raise revenue, which he says is part of long term tax reform. He says they should also look at reducing corporate tax exemptions.

CUT 7 (10) “overall”

Edwards also wants lawmakers to limit the itemized deductions taxpayers claim on their state returns. He says he does not want to raise taxes, contrary to popular belief, but this proposal would not affect the majority of Louisiana taxpayers.

CUT 8 (08) “on them”

Legislators have until midnight on June 23 to try and raise enough revenue to close a $600 million budget shortfall.

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It’s been one month today since a 25-year-old Tulane graduate was shot and killed in New Orleans while visiting to look for a good spot to get married, and authorities still do not have a suspect. The family held a Crimestoppers news conference today at the site where Thomas Rolfes was murdered. His fiance, Elizabeth Fried (freed), is pleading for answers…:

CUT 9 (10) “find closure”

The reward for information regarding Rolfes’ death is $30,000. Investigators say they are working tirelessly to find the killer or killers. According to NOPD, Rolfes had been out celebrating with friends on May 7th, then went to the gas station where his body was found by a passerby. His mother, Julie Rolfes, says this has been a total nightmare…:

cut 10 (09)  “really been terrible”

Fried says Rolfes was a wonderful man who touched the lives of everyone he met…:

Cut 11 (09) “as my own”

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The state Department of Environmental Quality has resumed mercury testing in public waterways after the program was halted in 2008 because of budget cuts. DEQ environmental scientist Al Hindrichs (HINE-drix) says they are testing for mercury in 36 sites in southwest Louisiana this year. Hindrichs says if a waterway is found to have a high level of mercury, fish consumption advisories are posted.

cut 12 (08) “small children”

Hindrichs says they are staring in the southwest part of the state because the centers in Lake Charles and Lafayette are familiar with the sampling program. He says they’ll expand to other areas of the state next year. He says there are currently 48 consumption advisories in place for 85 water bodies in Louisiana.

Cut 13 (06)  “individual advisory”

Hindrichs says mercury poisoning can cause neurological damage, particularly in children, and it can lead to birth defects if consumed by pregnant women. He says they need to update some of the advisories in effect because some of them are as much as 14 years old.

cut 14 (08)  “out there”

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Lawmakers are looking at their options to raise revenue to fill the budget holes, as the second special session of 2016 is currently underway. Halen Doughty has more…

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Natchitoches has unveiled plans for a Riverfront Improvement Project. Jeff Palermo has more…

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The second special session is underway, and Governor John Bel Edwards is calling on legislators to fix the state’s budget problems. Halen Doughty has more…

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The second special session of 2016 is underway and lawmakers are looking at their options to raise enough revenue to reduce cuts to state programs, like TOPS and hospitals that provide care for the poor and uninsured. Personal and corporate income taxes are an option for raising revenue, but Appropriations Chairman Cameron Henry says he is not okay with raising anymore taxes.

cut 4  (09)  “do that”

Lawmakers have also proposed reducing or eliminating some corporate tax exemptions. But Henry says they can’t be sure that will generate enough revenue to be worthwhile.

Cut 5  (08)  “at this point”

Senate President John Alario believes the legislature needs to raise about $450 million to ensure that TOPS, higher ed and safety net hospitals are adequately funded.

Cut 6 (09) “the budget”

Alario says he is not opposed to altering state income tax rates or removing exemptions, if it means all of the state’s priorities will be funded.

CUT 7 (06)  “it accomplished” 

The special session must end by June 23^rd at midnight.

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Governor John Bel Edwards is set to address a joint session of the state legislature at 10 this morning, which marks the official kickoff to the special session that was called to address a $600 million revenue shortfall. Edwards says revenues need to be raised the budget that was passed in the regular session is in bad shape.

Cut 8  (11)  “172 million” 

Legislators also have to pass a $4 billion construction budget that would pay for road work and improvements to public buildings and state parks. Edwards is upset the House failed to negotiate the construction spending plan during the regular session.

Cut 9 (09)  “the bill”

The special session must end by June 23 at midnight. Edwards is optimistic they will approve the necessary revenue raising measure to avoid cuts to TOPS, safety net hospitals, and education.

Cut 10 (05) “the future”

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The University of New Orleans will soon have a new digital animation lab on campus. UNO fine arts instructor Jeff Rinehart led the effort to secure a $94-thousand grant for the school’s new Innovation Lab, which will be open to all students working on digital media projects. Rinehart says the department is working toward creating a new media and animation degree.

cut 11 (05) “digital animation”

Rinehart says the lab should be open to students by the 2017 spring semester. He says the lab will be equipped with computers, a 3D printer, motion capture equipment, and the software students need to complete all kinds of digital media projects.

cut 12 (10) “digital cameras”

The US Bureau of Labor Statistics reports the number of jobs for multimedia artists and animators is growing substantially. The annual mean wage for people in this field in the New Orleans area is about $73-thousand. Rinehart says increased demand in this field is due to the growing need for animation in television, movies and other multimedia projects.

Cut 13 (03)  “like that”

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Plans have been unveiled for a Riverfront Improvement Project in Natchitoches. Mayor Lee Posey says the project will update some infrastructure along the river and improve handicap accessibility.

cut 14 (11)  “about this”

Posey says they will put new bathrooms on the riverbank, double the size of the stage on the river, add new landscaping, and even repave the asphalt along the riverbank. He says the project will cost just over $4 million. He says state and private agencies will split the costs of the project.

Cut 15 (10) “electrical department”

Posey says they hope to have everything ready by the beginning of next year so it can hopefully be done in time for the Festival of Lights in November of 2017. He says there are lots of events on the riverbank, so this is a worthwhile project.

Cut 16  (06)  “really excited”

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Its win or go home for the LSU Baseball team today after losing to Rice 10-6 last night to force a winner take all matchup at 4 PM in the Baton Rouge Regional. If LSU won last night, they would be heading to the Super Regionals. Coach Paul Mainieri doesn’t think there’s more pressure on his team to get it done today…

Cut 17 (14)  “some runs” 

LSU had 15 hits in the loss, but they were just 2-of-10 at the plate with runners in scoring position. Center fielder Jake Fraley says they can’t dwell on Monday night’s loss…..

Cut 18 (13) “this next game”

The Ragin Cajuns season came to a quick end last night as they lost two games to Arizona, which resulted in the Wildcats winning the Lafayette Regional and advancing to the Super Regionals. UL Lafayette had won 12 in a row heading into Monday, but lost the first game to Arizona 6-3 and then lost the regional championship game 3-1. Cajuns outfielder Kyle Clement says baseball can be a cruel sport at times…

Cut 19 (14) “wrong time”

The Cajuns finish with a 43-21 record. Coach Tony Robichaux says Arizona’s pitchers threw the ball well and his team had trouble putting runs on the board…

Cut 20 (16) “deficit down”