The American Red Cross has received a 500-thousand dollar donation from International Paper that will go towards flood relief efforts. Red Cross spokesperson Nancy Malone says people who are in position to help, should consider making a donation…
cut 15 (09) “…with them”
I-P has nine facilities in Louisiana, employing two-thousand people.

A survey out of LSU finds 46-percent of Louisiana residents believe there’s too much of an emphasis on testing in public schools…
cut 8 (09) “….like half”
That’s Doctor Michael Henderson, director of the LSU Public Policy Research Lab. Henderson says 55-percent of respondents favor the idea of using test scores to issue letter grades to public school districts.

Hunters may soon have the option to wear blaze pink, instead of the traditional orange outdoorsmen are required to wear. The proposal received the okay from the House Natural Resources Committee. Bogalusa Representative Malinda White hopes her legislation will encourage more women to hunt…
cut 5 (08) “…paradise”
The bill heads to the House floor.

It’s expected Governor John Bel Edwards will describe today what will be cut from the budget to make up for a 70-million dollar deficit for the fiscal year that ends June 30th. It’s expected higher education and health care will receive the brunt of these cuts.

A proposal that called for the end of school uniforms in public schools died in the House Education committee. Gonzales Representative Ed Price, served on the Ascension Parish School board, when they institued a school uniform policy…
cut 8 (09) “….than anything”
Hammond Representative Chris Broadwater brought the legislation up for debate as part of a fourth-grade school project.

Hunters may soon have the option to wear blaize pink, instead of the traditional orange that outdoorsmen are required to wear. The proposal received the okay from the House Natural Resources Committee. Bogalusa Representative Malinda White hopes her legislation will encourage more women to hunt…
cut 25 (08) “…paradise”
The bill heads to the House floor.

Legislation seeking to end the public-versus-private school split impacting the LHSAA scored a victory in the House education committee. The panel approved the measure on a 7-5 vote. John Curtis Head Football Coach JT Curtis called on the legislature to help bring the association back together…
cut 14 (08) “…on right page”
Three years ago, member principals of the LHSAA voted to split the playoffs in football and the split will be expanded to other sports next school year.
There were several members of the committee who opposed the bill. Gonzales Representative Ed Price says the LHSAA is a private organization and should handle its own business like any other private entity…
cut 16 (11) “…his team”
Despite Price’s objection, the bill heads to the House floor for more discussion.

Burl Cain, the former warden at Angola, spoke today about the investigation that eventually disproved the allegations he was a corrupt warden. Michelle Southern has more…
voicer 1 (30) “…I’m Michelle Southern”

Saints Coach Sean Payton says the team has given him a new five year contract extension. ESPN reports Payton’s new deal worth more than $45 million dollars. Payton has guided the Saints to five playoff appearances, but they are coming off back-to-back losing seasons.

A proposed bill to prohibit school boards from requiring uniforms does not get out of the House Education Committee. Houma Rep. Beryl Amadee says she remembers a time where kids would get beat up at school for wearing name brand tennis shoes or expensive clothing…:
CUT 7 (09) “uniforms”
Representative Chris Broadwater came up with the legislation after an exercise with elementary students and he plans to talk more with them about it.

The State Department of Health and Hospitals advises residents of Donaldsonville not to drink the water until further notice, because the system has been treating its drinking water with elevated levels of chlorine dioxide. State Health officer Dr. Jimmy Guidry says this chemical is an EPA-approved water treatment disinfectant, however…:
CUT 4 (12) “impact health”
The water system serves about 10-thousand customers.

Former Angola Warden Burl Cain spoke today, one day after a multi-agency investigation cleared him of wrongdoing in allegations that he violated state policies. Cain says he is “vindicated” and hopes the accusations do not tarnish his reputation…
cut 13 (09) “….Catholic Church”
Cain’s last day as warden was December 31st after holding the post for more than 20 years.

Saints Coach Sean Payton also spoke today about a new five-year contract extension that he expects to sign. Payton says it feels good to know he’s working for a franchise that is confident about the future…
cut 10 (07) “….through 2020”
Payton will reportedly make 8.5 million dollars under the new deal.

A proposal that called for the end of school uniforms in public schools died in the House Education committee. Gonzales Representative Ed Price, served on the Ascension Parish School board, when they institued a school uniform policy…
cut 8 (09) “….than anything”
Hammond Representative Chris Broadwater brought the legislation up for debate as part of a fourth-grade school project.

The state department of health and hospitals has told residents in Donaldsonville to not drink or cook with the water that comes out of their faucet, because of high levels of chlorine dioxide. State Health officer Doctor Jimmy Guidry says the alert will remain in effect until further notice…
cut 5 (09) “…I’m pregnant”
The water system impacted serves about 10-thousand customers.

The House education committee is hearing legislation that would prohibit school boards from requiring school uniforms. The bill’s author, Hammond Representative Chris Broadwater, says he’s heard a lot of postive and negative feedback about the proposal…
cut 9 (09) “….supportive concept”
Broadwater says the bill was the result of an exercise he did with fourth graders, who approved this legislation during a field trip to the state capitol.

Female hunters would be allowed to legally wear blaze pink as opposed to bright orange when they hunt under a bill set to be heard in the House Natural Resources Committee today. Bogalusa Representative Malinda White says she wants to make a point that women actively participate in Sportsman’s Paradise…:
CUT 6 (06) “in Louisiana”
White says the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is in support of the hot pink proposal.

The state department of health and hospitals has told the residents of Donaldsonville in Ascension Parish not to drink or cook with the water that comes out of their faucets. State Health officer Doctor Jimmy Guidry says it’s because of elevated chlorine levels in the water…
cut 3 (09) “…take samples”
The “do not drink” alert will remain in effect until further notice.

During a legislative hearing, West Monroe Senator Mike Walsworth expressed concern about financial aid for businesses impacted by the flooding. Walsworth says the Small Business Administration’s “low-interest loans” do not seem to offer such low rates for all businesses…
cut 15 (12) “….bad credit”
The Louisiana Department of Revenue announces that taxpayers in areas affected by the flooding will not have to file their taxes until June 15th, instead of May 16th.

Legislation is heading to the Senate floor that would allow Louisiana to comply with the security measures of the federal REAL ID act. The bill is similar to one that former Governor Bobby Jindal vetoed over privacy concerns in 2014. But Governor John Bel Edwards supports this legislation that would allow Louisiana residents to decide if they want REAL-ID compliant licenses. Supporters say refusal to comply with the REAL ID law could result in residents needing a passport to fly domestically next year.

Also heading to the Senate floor, is a bill that would allow any Louisiana voter to vote by mail. State law only allows an absentee vote if that person has a reason they can’t vote in person. The Secretary of State’s office did not speak in opposition to the legislation, but said the new law would increase the cost of a ballot by over a dollar. Despite cost concerns, the Senate Government Affairs committee approved the legislation.

The House education committee is expected to debate tomorrow legislation that would prohibit school boards from requiring school uniforms. The bill’s author, Hammond Representative Chris Broadwater, says he’s heard a lot of postive and negative feedback about the proposal…
cut 29 (09) “….supportive concept”
Broadwater says the bill was the result of an exercise he did with fourth graders, who approved this legislation during a field trip to the state capitol.

The House Natural Resources panel is scheduled to hear a bill tomorrow that would add “blaize pink” as an alternative for the hunter oranger requirements. Bogalusa Representative Malinda White says this would give female hunters more options, without taking away from safety…
cut 24 (09) “…hunters”
White says the legislation has the support of the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries.