Major changes have been made to the state’s sales tax holidays as a result of legislation approved in the special session. The Hurricane Preparedness Sales Tax holiday which usually takes place the last weekend in May has been cancelled. And state department of revenue spokesperson Kizzy Payton says the back to school sales tax holiday, during the first weekend in August, and the 2nd amendment holiday, during the first weekend in September, will offer partial sales tax breaks this year and next…
cut 11 (10) “….those weekends”

Democratic Baton Rouge Mayor Kip Holden has announced he’s running for Congress. Holden, who is term-limited from running for another term as mayor, will challenge Democratic Congressman Cedric Richmond. Tonight, we find out what political office law enforcement officer, Captain Clay Higgins, will seek.

A new study by LSU, UCLA, and NASA finds New Orleans and surrounding cities are sinking at high rates because of natural and human processes. Lead author of the report, Doctor Cathleen Jones, says the highest rates of sinking were observed upriver along the Mississippi around major industrial areas in Norco and Michoud. Jones says these kind of measurements can help in flood prevention planning…
cut 9 (07) “…like this”

Two teachers and three students at Plaisance Elementary School in Opelousas are facing charges after they were involved in the whipping of three other students. Major Eddie Thibodaux, with the St. Landry Parish Sheriff’s office, says one of the teachers, Mona Wilson, also faces an obstruction of justice charge for telling the students and their parents to keep quiet…
cut 15 (12) “….to them”

Spirited debate took place in a Senate committee over the sanctuary city bill that would punish cities who refuse to enforce the federal immigration law. Attorney General Jeff Landry explains why this legislation is needed…:
CUT 7 (08) “for terrorists”
But Senators expressed concern that the proposal would give Landry too much power. If the attorney general determined a jurisdiction operated as a sanctuary city, the state could then prohibit that city or parish from borrowing money for large construction projects. The legislation has already been approved by the House, and a vote by the Senate Judiciary A committee is expected next week.

A house-approved abortion bill has also stalled in a senate committee. This legislation would prohibit abortions if the parents learn that the fetus has a genetic abnormality. Members of the Senate health committee expressed concerns over whether this proposed law violates the constitution.

Students in public and charter schools would be required to learn cursive under a measure nearing final legislative approval. Hammond Representative Chris Broadwater says there are plenty of things that are written in cursive:
CUT 5 (09) “understand that”
The Senate-approved measure won unanimous approval in the House Education Committee and heads to the House floor.

The legislature approves a bill stating local police officers can’t ticket children for operating a lemonade stand in their neighborhood. Michelle Southern reports…:
voicer 2 (25) “…I’m Michelle Southern’

A Senate committee has postponed a vote for at least one week on a bill that would punish cities who adopt policies that don’t enforce federal immigration laws without a court order. Metairie Senator Danny Martiny expressed concerns about the Attorney General having sole power over determining who is a so-called sanctuary city…:
CUT 6 (09) “does it”
Under the legislation, jurisdictions labeled as sanctuary cities could be prohibited from borrowing dollars for large construction projects. The measure has already won approval in the House.

Lawmakers want it to be a requirement that public and charter school students learn cursive. Hammond Representative Chris Broadwater is all for it…
CUT 4 (08) “as well”
The Senate-approved measure cleared the House Education Committee and heads to the House floor.

State Police have made an arrest in connection with that body found in the median on Interstate 10 in Ascension Parish. Twenty-five-year-old Brodnick Whittington of St. James was taken into custody and charged with felony hit and run. Authorities believe Whittington’s vehicle struck 35-year-old Jenise Williams of Harvey on Saturday night.

Two former Louisiana prep stars and current Crimson Tide football players were arrested in Monroe on gun and drug charges. Jeff Palermo has more…
voicer 1 (28) “….I’m Jeff Palermo”

Monroe Police say two Alabama football players were arrested in Forsythe Park with marijuana and guns in their vehicle, one of the weapons was allegedly stolen. Cameron Robinson and Hootie Jones were taken into custody this morning. KTVE-TV sports director Gene Ponti…
cut 11 (07) “….take place’
Both Robinson and Jones were high school football stars in the area.

A Senate committee has delayed a vote on the so-called Sanctuary Cities Bill, which would penalize jurisdictions that do not follow federal immigration law without a court order. Metairie Senator Danny Martiny has concerns….
cut 8 (07) “….on them”
Martiny says the Attorney General would have a lot of power in determing which locations are a Sanctuary City and those cities could be prohibited from borrowing money for large construction projects.

A 17-year-old Sulphur teen is behind bars for a fatal stabbing that occurred outside the home of the victims. 69-year-old Robert Anderson was killed and his 57-year-old wife is said to be in critical condition. Calcasieu Parish Sheriff Tony Mancuso…
cut 14 (08) “…truly is’
Mancuso says Antonieo Smith was inside the Anderson’s home before he stabbed the victims. And the sheriff says Smith knew the Andersons.

Public and charter school students could be required to learn cursive writing, as a bill to mandate script is moving through the legislature without much opposition. Hammond Representative Chris Broadwater says kids need to learn to cursive, so they can read historic documents…:
CUT 3 (10) “education”
The bill, which has passed the Senate, heads to the House floor.

A bill to expand the number of diseases that could use medical marijuana in Louisiana is sitting on the governor’s desk. The measure by state senator Fred Mills received final legislative approval and Mills says those with cancer, epilepsy or HIV/AIDS will benefit…:
Cut 10 (10) “my daughters”
Governor Edwards is expected to sign the bill, but Mills says it will probably be another year or two before the public has access to medical marijuana.

State Police say a man they believe called in a bomb threat that resulted in the evacuation of the State Capitol and a nearby casino last night is being examined for mental health issues. So far no charges have been filed.

The Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s office has charged a 17-year-old with murder in the stabbing death of a 69-year-old man. Sheriff Tony Mancuso says this was a burgalry that turned violent.

Wendy’s’ announces they’ll put kiosks in six-thousand restaurants around the country by the end of the year to take customers’ orders. It’s to combat the push to increase minimum wage for fast food workers. Tulane Business Professor Mark Rosa doesn’t think customers will mind…
cut 6 (06) “…at it”
Rosa anticipates the kiosks will go in restaurants in states where minimum wage is the highest.

A group of scientists is already examining the effect of last week’s oil spill about 90 miles off the coast of Louisiana. About 88-thousand gallons of oil spewed into the Gulf from a Shell oil field. Florida State University oceanographer, Doctor Ian MacDonald. says even though this is considered a minor spill, Shell’s and the Coast Guard’s cleanup efforts are not good enough…
cut 9 (08) “…minimal”

Final passage has been given to legislation that expands the number of diseases that would legally be able to receive a prescripition for medical marijuana once it becomes available in the state. Governor Edwards is expected to sign the bill, despite opposition from sheriffs and district attorneys

Under the current budget proposal for next fiscal year, the LSU Health Science Centers in Shreveport and New Orleans would receive a combined 50-million dollars in cuts to state funding. Jeff Palermo has more…
voicer 2 (30) “…I”m Jeff Palermo

A couple of members of Senate Revenue Fiscal Affairs Committee say the state’s too broke to beef up the program to attract more movies. Alexandria Senator Jay Luneau says even without the film tax credits, they already know move makers will come to Louisiana…
cut 14 (09) “….this tax credit”
Changes to the state’s film tax credit program could come in a potential special session in June.

Senate approved legislation to increase the fines for texting or using social media while driving unanimously passed out of the House Transportation Committee. Baton Rouge Senator Yvonne Colomb says using a cell phone while driving is one of the most dangerous things you can do behind the wheel.
Cut 30 (09) “football field”
The bill seeks to raise the fine from $175 to $500 for a first offense.

A former state Department of Veterans Affairs nurse faces jail time after a patient at a veterans home in St. John the Baptist Parish died under her care. Halen Doughty has more…
CUT 1 (27) “I’m Halen Doughty”

A grass cutting crew found a body this afternoon in the median of Interstate 10 in Ascension Parish. The local coroner has yet to identify the body or cause of death. State Police is not sure how long the body may have been there. An official with the Ascension Parish Sheriff’s office says it’s possible the person is a victim of a hit and run.

In these tough budget times, some state senators are concerned about growing Louisiana’s film tax credit program. Lawmakers are reviewing the budget for next fiscal year which currently contains a $600 million dollar hole, and proposals to cut healthcare and education are on the table. Alexandria Senator Jay Luneau thinks the movie incentives don’t have a tangible economic impact:
UT 12 (07) “investment”
But others who defend the program says the movie making business does bring money to the state especially at the local level.

Former Lt. Governor Bobby Freeman has passed away at the age of 82 after suffering an aneurysm last week. The Democrat from Plaquemine served as the state’s second highest elected official from 1980 to 1988. His second term was under former Governor Edwin Edwards…
cut 11 (08) “great citizen”
Freeman was also a state legislator, a city judge in Plaquemine and he’s in the LSU Athletic Hall of Fame as he is a former member of the boxing team.