14:30 LRN Newscast May 4th

Since Ted Cruz and John Kasich have both dropped out of the presidential race, Donald Trump is now the presumptive Republican nominee. Michelle Southern has more….
voicer 2 (29) “….I’m Michelle Southern”

Governor John Bel Edwards doesn’t want to give 40-thousand state workers a pay raise next year. It’s because the state is looking at a 600-million dollar revenue shortfall. The Civil Service Commission has the final say and plans on making a decision on the governor’s request next month.

A proposal that would have limited travel of college athletic teams other than LSU is dropped. Baton Rouge Representative Steve Carter decided against moving forward with his legislation. Carter still told the House Education Committee that instead of the state paying for long road trips, the money could be used to hire new professors or fund the TOPS scholarship program…
cut 8 (09) “….with TOPS”

A bill heading over to the House would allow public high school students to participate in a national sex survey. Parents would have the ability to opt their children out. Shreveport Representative Thomas Carmody says the survey is also anonymous…
cut 5 (10) “…their behavior”
The legislation heads to the Senate for more discussion.

11:40 LRN Sportscast May 4th

LSU Baseball Coach Paul Mainieri plans to change this weekend’s pitching rotation. John Valek has struggled his last two outings and Mainieri believes other teams have caught on to how he pitches. Junior pitcher Jared Poche has also struggled in his last two outings, but Mainieri believes he’ll bounce back….
cut 17 (23) “…we need him”
Mainieri says he’ll announce the new rotation tomorrow.

The Ragin Cajuns will honor one of its most famous alums during this weekend’s series against Appalachian State. Former New York Yankees pitcher Ron Guidry will throw out the first pitch before Friday’s game.

The Saints have signed left tackle Terron Armstead to a five-year contract extension. Armstead was named a pro-bowl alternate after last season. He’s been a starter since 2014.

The odds for this Saturday’s Kentucky Derby have been posted. Saints owner Tom Benson has two horses in the race. Mo Tom’s odds of winning are 20-1, while Toms Ready are 50-1.

The R-and-L Carriers New Orleans Bowl has announced it’s game this year will be Saturday, December 17th at 8 PM. It will be televised by ESPN. And the 2016 Camping World Independence Bowl will be played on Monday, December 26th at 4 PM. This year’s game will be televised on ESPN Two.

Tonight in college baseball action….Louisiana tech hosts ULM. The Warhawks beat Nicholls 3-1 last night. And Southeastern Louisiana faces Jackson State in Hammond.

10:30 LRN Newscast May 4th

220 chimpanzees at the UL Lafayette research lab in New Iberia will be re-located to a sanctuary in Georgia. President of Project Chimps Sarah Baeckler Davis says the Georgia sanctuary is the perfect environment to house the retired chimps…
cut 5 (10) “…a kitchen”

State health officials are offering guidance on how people can prevent the transmission of the Zika virus. Dr. Frank Welch, with the department of health and hospitals, says the mosquito that carries Zika will be active in Louisiana this summer, but it won’t just be mosquitoes that can spread the virus…:
Cut 10 (11) “feel ill”

Is the Cajun John Wayne considering a run for political office? Captain Clay Higgins has received national attention for his Crime Stopper Videos and now the former spokesperson for the St. Landry Parish’s Sheriff’s office has released another video talking about problems created by career politicians in Washington DC. Higgins told the Jim Engster Show that before he decides to run for an elected office, he wanted to put his feelings about the state of the nation out there…
cut 14 (10) “….nation faces”
Higgins says if he decides to run for office, he’ll make the announcement next week.

A 21-year-old Thibodaux man faces several charges after he was arrested for stealing school bus and driving it while intoxicated. The Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s office says Jordon Molaison hot-wired the bus from a home in Chackbay and began driving it. Deputies say they pulled the stolen bus over and allegedly found that Molaison busted a camera inside the bus and had a blood alcohol content above the legal limit.

16:45 LRN Sportscast May 3rd

ESPN’s Josina Anderson reports the Saints have signed left tackle Terron Armstead to a five-year contract extension. Armstead was set to become an unrestricted free agent next March. The extension keeps him with the Black and Gold through the 2021 season. The 24-year-old has started 27 games and is considered one of the best pass protectors in the league.

College-football-news-dot-com ranks LSU as the top team in the nation in its post-spring college football ranking. The website says the Tigers are very deep and very talented, with a bunch of first round picks on their roster. Clemson, Tennessee and Alabama follow LSU in C-F-N’s top 10.

Louisiana Tech plans to spend 11.5 million dollars on a new press box and suites at Joe Aillet Stadium. The project has received approval from the University of Louisiana System board.

In LSU baseball news…Coach Paul Mainieri announced today that Jordan Romero is his starting catcher. Romero had been sharing time with Michael Papierski. But Romero leads the team in home runs with seven and is hitting .340 on the year. Papierski is hitting .238 in 33 games.

16:30 LRN Newscast May 3rd

Legislation that would expand the number of conditions that medical marijuana could treat was approved by a House committee. Katie Corkern of Amite says her 9-year-old son has uncontrollable seizures and doesn’t understand why lamakers would oppose a bill that could help her child…
cut 14 (12) “…was seizing”
Opposition came from the Louisiana Sheriff’s Asssociation and district attorneys. Pete Adams with the state’s D-A’s association says this bill is a gateway to total legaliziation of pot…
cut 16 (11) “…of marijuana”
Despite the opposition, the bill got out of the House committee on an 8-6 vote.

The selling, transporting or donating of fetal tissue from an abortion could land someone behind bars for at least 10 years, under a proposal by Bossier City Senator Ryan Gatti. He says people should not benefit in any way from induced abortions…:
Cut 11 (07) “be sold”
The bill heads to the House floor for final legislative approval.

And on the senate floor this afternoon, the upper chamber passed a House approved bill that extends the time a woman must wait for an abortion from 24 to 72 hours.

The LaFourche Parish Sheriff’s office says an intoxicated man stole a school bus this morning. Deputies say the female bus driver woke up at her Chackbay residence to find her bus gone. As authorities were responding to the scene, they saw the bus traveling on a highway and they initiated a traffic stop. Deputies say they learned that Jordon Molaison hotwired the bus and they also detected a strong odor of alcohol on him.

15:30 LRN Newscast May 3rd

A bill to expand the list of diseases for which doctors can prescribe medical marijuana barely made it out of the House Health and Welfare Committee.
voicer 2 (29) “…I’m Michelle Southern”

Despite being an outspoken critic of Republican Presidential front-runner Donald Trump, Former Governor Bobby Jindal says he would vote for Tump if he was the Republican nominee. Jindal made the comments during an interview on CNN, where he also said Trump would have the hardest time beating Democrat Hillary Clinton of all the Republican candidates.

Legislation is making its way to the full House that allow domestic violence vicims to carry a concealed handgun with an expedited and temporary permit. Denham Springs Representative Valerie Hodges says dauthers, sisters and mothers are being murdered at the hands of former loved onces and wants to give them a chance….
cut 10 (08) “…the attack”

Another bill heading to the House would public schools to teach personal financial management. Minden Representative Gene Reynolds is the author of the legislation. He says many schools already give lessons on financial literacy, he wants to make sure its’ required….
cut 4 (06) “….special projects”
Reynolds says students in every grade can learn something about money. He says even learning to count pennies in kindergarten would count as finance literacy.

14:30 LRN Newscast May 3rd

A Senate-approved measure is heading to the House that expands the number of diseases that could be treated with medical marijuana once it becomes available in Louisiana. Dr. Will Hall with the Louisiana Baptist Office of Public Policy raised concerns about putting medical marijuana in the hands of more and more people…
cut 15 (05) “…promote expansion”
Supporters say medical marijuana can help hundreds of people who suffer from various disorders.

A measure that prohibits the sale or donation of fetal tissue is moving closer to final legislative passage. It was approved by a House committee today. The measure is by Bossier City Senator Ryan Gatti…
cut 12 (09) “…criminal law”
The bill is the result of videos which purportedly showed Planned Parenthood representatives talking about the sale of aborted fetal parts.

A House committee approves legislation that would give domestic violence victims a chance to get an expedited or temporary permit to carry a gun. Wade Duty with the Louisiana Shooting Association says it’s very hard to get into a class and a woman could be killed waiting to take a training course…
cut 9 (10) “…this bill”
The measure now heads to the full House.

The House has approved a measure that would require students to take a wellness exam before they enter kindergarten or the sixth grade. The vote was 59-37 in favor. Houma Representative Beryl Amedee opposed the legislation. She says the health exam is unnecessary and could be costly, especially if the child has government health care….
cut 6 (10) “….not necessary”
But supporters say the measure could improve children’s health.

LRN PM Newscall May 3rd

Legislation to allow victims of domestic violence with a protective order to carry a concealed handgun with an expedited and temporary permit now moves to the full House. Emelie Gunn has more…

CUT 1 (31)  “I’m Emelie Gunn”

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A bill to expand the list of diseases for which doctors can prescribe medical marijuana barely made it out of the House Health and Welfare Committee. Michelle Southern has more…

CUT 2 (29)  “I’m Michelle Southern”

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Public school students could start getting lessons in personal finance management, if a bill by Minden Representative Gene Reynolds gains more approval in the legislature. The measure has been approved in the House Education Committee with no objection. Reynolds says this proposal would not create a financial literacy course. He says teachers could add finance lessons to the regular curriculum.

CUT 3 (07)  “whole idea”

Reynolds says students in every grade can learn something about money. He says even in kindergarten, you learn to count pennies, which he says could be considered financial literacy. He says many schools are already teaching students about finance management.

CUT 4 (06)  “special projects”

The bill now moves to the House floor.

====================================================

Another proposal aimed at public schools by New Orleans Representative Walt Leger would require students to have wellness exams before entering kindergarten and sixth grade. Leger says this just ensures that any health issue that a student may have can be caught early.

CUT 5 (07)  “and otherwise”

But Houma Representative Beryl Amedee says this could cost the state more money, because kids who use government healthcare would be required to get medically unnecessary exams at the state’s expense.

CUT 6 (10) “not necessary”

Leger says parents would be able to opt out of getting the exams, like they can with vaccines. He says these exams would benefit all students who get them, even if they are healthy.

CUT 7 (09) “evaluated”

The measure passed on a 59-37 vote and moves to the Senate.

====================================================

A bill to allow victims of domestic violence who have been issued a protective order to carry a concealed handgun with an expedited and temporary permit passed out of the House Criminal Justice committee. Author of the legislation, Denham Springs Rep. Valerie Hodges, says according to the FBI, a woman is battered every 15 seconds. She says she is committed to protecting victims of domestic violence.

CUT 8 (10) “Trade Center”

Hodges says this is a very real problem and right now it takes six to eight weeks to obtain a permit. Wade Duty with the Louisiana Shooting Association says it’s very hard to get into a class and a woman could be killed waiting to take a training course.

CUT 9 (10) “this bill”

The measure now heads to the full House. The NRA supports expediting the process for obtaining concealed carry permit. Hodges says daughters, sisters, and mothers are being murdered at the hands of former loved ones and wants to give them a chance.

cut 10 (08)  “the attack”

===================================================

Buying, selling, transporting, or donating fetal tissue from an abortion could earn someone a bed behind bars for at least 10 years, under a proposal by Bossier City Senator Ryan Gatti. The bill has been approved by the Senate, as well as a House committee. Gatti says people should not benefit in any way from induced abortions.

Cut 11 (07) “be sold”

Gatti says this bill does not apply to donating fetal tissue for stem cell research or umbilical cord blood. He says he put every word that could possibly be used for this act, to make sure that everyone involved can be prosecuted.

cut 12 (09) “criminal law”

The measure passed the House Health and Welfare committee without opposition and now heads to the full House.

===================================================

A bill that expands the number of diseases for which medical marijuana can be prescribed was narrowly approved by the House Health and Welfare Committee today.  St. Martin Parish Senator Fred Mills is the author of the legislation and says he’s encountered many individuals who say medical cannabis can help their child cope with numerous diseases.

Cut 13 (09)  “back yard”

When the legislature approved the legal dispensing of medical marijuana last year, they only allowed three different diseases to receive the medication. Katie Corkern says her son, who has uncontrollable seizures, could benefit from medical marijuana and doesn’t understand why lawmakers would oppose a bill that could help her child.

cut 14 (12)  “was seizing”

Dr. Will Hall with the Louisiana Baptist Office of Public Policy spoke out against the bill. He says this proposal would put medical marijuana in the hands of more and more people without prescriptions.

cut 15 (05) “promote expansion”

Pete Adams, Executive Director of the Louisiana DA’s Association, also opposes the measure because he says medical cannabis has not been proven to help with these illnesses. He says this bill is a gateway to total legalization.

cut 16 (11) “of marijuana”

The bill passed on an 8-6 vote and moves to the full House for more debate.

11:40 LRN Sportscast

LSU’s 2017 recruiting class now features two quarterbacks. The Tigers have received a verbal commitment from St. James signal caller Lowell Narcisse, who is rated as a four-star prospect. Narcisse was once an Auburn commitment and has received offers from several schools, including Alabama and Clemson. Narcisse only appeared in four games last season, because of a torn ACL. The other 2017 QB commitment is Myles Brennan from Bay St. Louis, Mississippi.

Longtime Franklinton High School football coach Shane Smith has been added to Southeastern Lousiiana’s staff. Smith led the Demons to seven district titles and a state championship in 2010. He ‘ll coach the wide receivers at SLU.

LSU football has the sixth toughest football schedule in 2016 based on ESPN’s Football Power Index. Southern Cal has the toughest, followed by Ole Miss who has the second toughest. Alabama has the fifth toughest schedule.

Louisiana Tech is losing an assistant men’s basketball coach. Corey Barker, who is a Houston native, has been hired by TCU. Former Louisiana tech star Paul Millsap had 17 points and 13 rebounds last night, but his Atlanta Hawks lost to Cleveland 104-93 in Game one of their best seven series. Former LSU star Ben Simmons was sitting courtside for that game.

LSU baseball has fallen five spots to number 13 in the Baseball America’s poll. Tulane is ranked 20th for a second week in a row.

The LHSAA says high schools can’t appeal a ruling that eliminated several schools from the baseball playoffs. Some teams were unable to complete its best of three series by a Sunday deadline, because of all of the rain. So the school that had a 1-0 lead in the best of three series advanced and the other team was ousted from the postseason. The LHSAA says the ruling, which was approved by member principals, is cut and dry and there’s no room for interpertation.

10:30 LRN Newscast May 3rd

A bill that puts new cost controls on TOPS heads to the governor’s desk. Lafayette Representative Nancy Landry says the taxpayer funded scholarship program costs the state nearly 300-million dollars…
cut 16 (08) “…the future”
Under the measure, the legislature would pay the full amount of TOPS scholarships next school year, but that might not be the case in future years, if tuition rises.

A new website has been created for those working poor who will be eligible for Medicaid now that the state is expanding the government financed health insurance program. The site is healthy-dot-la-dot-gov.
cut 10 (09) “….your providers”
That’s Department of Health and Hospitals Secretary Doctor Rebekah Gee, who estimates 375-thousand people will get insurance from the expansion.

A proposal to raise the age of adult prosecution by one year to 18-year-olds heads to the House after it received strong support on the Senate floor. New Orleans Senator JP Morrell, says 17-year-old offenders of minor crimes would have a better chance at succeeding at life, if they went through the juvenile court system instead of the adult…
cut 12 (11) “…adult facility”
The measure has the support of Governor Edwards.

A Slidell man faces numerous charges after authorities say he intentionally struck a school crossing guard with his vehicle. Slidell Police say 33-year-old Francis Gras got into a verbal alteraction with the crossing guard and then witnesses say Gras placed his vehicle in reverese, squealed his tires, then accelerated forward, intentionally striking the crossing guard, who is expected to make a full recovery.