A study determines that Louisianans lead the country for paying the highest percentage of annual income for insurance costs. Emelie Gunn has more…

CUT 1 (30) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

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Governor Bobby Jindal’s Presidential Announcement is slated to happen this afternoon at 4pm at the Ponchatrain Center in Kenner. Michelle Southern reporting….

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Michelle Southern”

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The Louisiana chapter of the NAACP has written a letter to Governor Bobby Jindal asking that the “Sons of the Confederate Veterans” license plate be removed as an option here. Scott Carwile reports…:

Cut 3 (28) “I’m Scott Carwile”

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According to the consumer website nerdwallet, Louisianians pay the highest percentage of their annual salary for insurance in the country. Nerdwallet found that a Louisianian pays 7,300 dollars a year for homeowners, health, life and auto insurance. Researcher Jeffery Chu says thats about 18 percent of our median yearly earnings because of a couple of different aspects.

cut 4  (08)  “as well”

Chu says unfortunately they’ve discovered many people are overpaying on insurance. He says even though these costs are high and hard to avoid, there are a lot of ways to save money on insurance.

Cut 5  (07)  “to this”

Chu says homeowners insurance is so expensive here because Louisiana is in a location with a major risk for hurricanes and bad weather. He says auto insurance is also high because of the large amount of claim rates.

Cut 6 (08)  “high rates”

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Governor Bobby Jindal’s presidential announcement is slated to happen this afternoon at 4pm at the Ponchatrain Center in Kenner. It’s expected that Jindal will announce he’s seeking the Republican Nomination. UL Lafayette Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says even though Jindal’s polling low, he’s likely of the mind that you can’t win if you don’t run…:

CUT 7 (09)  “pick up”

Cross says Jindal has been putting his team in place and plotting strategy and the next step will be aggressively campaigning…:

Cut 8  (08)  “first goal” 

Jindal is one of many candidates with their eye on the White House and Cross says one of the biggest challenges from here will be raising money and getting his team together. He also says the Governor will need to ramp up his name recognition as there are many voters in the US who have no idea who he is or what he’s about…:

Cut 9 (08)  “a tragedy”

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Governor Jindal signs legislation into law that attempts to help law enforcement on college campuses investigate accusations of sexual assault. Both measures are sponsored by New Orleans Senator J.P. Morrell. He says one of the bills requires the board of regents to develop a uniform sexual assault policy that colleges must file when there is a report of sexual assault.

Cut 10 (13) “those campuses”

Morrell says this is the first instance in the country where a state has set up procedure for public colleges to follow when there’s a report of a sexual assault and how the victim can be helped….

cut 11 (09) “to them”

Morrell says the second bill will train college and university police officers on how to investigate a sexual assault case…

cut 12 (1)7  “assault case”

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The Louisiana chapter of the NAACP has written a letter to Governor Bobby Jindal asking that the “Sons of the Confederate Veterans” license plate be removed as an option here. The Office of Motor Vehicles says there are currently 160 of those plates, which feature a Confederate flag, on the road. LA-NAACP President Ernest Johnson…:

Cut 13 (10)  “in any form”

Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says he sponsored the legislation creating the plate in 1999 at the request of a State Capitol employee. He says he has no comment on whether the state should stop selling it because he is no longer a policy maker. Johnson says there have been many major retail outlets who have stopped selling Confederate flags:

Cut 14 (11) “license plate”

Johnson says a Rebel Flag is a symbol best regulated to individual use and should not be sponsored by our state in any way…:

Cut 15  (10)  “in Louisiana”

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There’s a break down in talks between the Louisiana High School Athletic Association and referees over how much they should be paid. The Lousiaina High School Officials Association wants a raise prior to start of the 2015 school year, but L-H-S-A-A  director Eddie Bonine says an increase in pay can’t take effect, until it’s voted on by school principals in January…

Cut 16  (17)  “has to cash”

The Louisiana High School Officials Association says they’ve only received two pay raises over the last 25 years and they are seeking a pay increase in all sports. The referees say they are tired of promises, which is why they’ve rejected a proposal for any increase in pay to begin in 2016. Bonine says he can’t increase referee pay, only principals can…

Cut 17 (11) ” festered over time” 

Bonine says if the impasse is not resolved, they could have problems finding officials for high school athletic events when school begins in August. He hopes it doesn’t come to that

Cut 18 (05) “suffer here”

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Thibodaux Representative Dee Richard finally gets legislation signed by Governor Jindal that gives state lawmakers approval authority over state consulting contracts. Eric Gill reports…

CUT 1 (29) “I’m Eric Gill”

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State Police say a 2-year-old child is dead after falling out of the window of a vehicle in Acadia Parish Monday night. Jeff Palermo has more…

CUT 2 (28) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

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After several attempts, Thibodaux Representative Dee Richard finally gets legislation signed by Governor Jindal that gives state lawmakers approval authority over state consulting contracts. Jindal vetoed the measure last year. Richard says this year he decided to make a deal with the governor over the SAVE act to get his bill signed into law…

CUT 3 (11)  “he said yeah”

The new law will put most state consulting and professional services contracts worth over $40,000 up for review from the joint budget committee. Richard expects up to one-third of state contracts to be subject to review…

CUT 4 (07)  “that much money”

When asked if the legislation was signed in exchange for Richard’s vote, a Jindal spokesman says, in a statement, the governor signed the bill because it’s good legislation. Richard says this law will put an end to wasteful contracts in state government and help the state budget for years to come…

CUT 5 (10)  “of our businesses”

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The Shreveport Police Department says a one year old child died after a large item of furniture fell on top of her. Corporal Marcus Hines says cops were called out to an apartment complex shortly after 8pm Monday in reference to a toddler who was deceased inside…:

CUT 6 (08)  “this child”

Hines says the mother of the little girl was home at the time of the incident but she was asleep…:

CUT 7 (10) “tragic accident”

Hines says it appears that the toddler was playing with two other siblings in the room when the dresser tipped over and fell, pinning the child beneath. He says the mother is devastated…:

CUT 8 (09)  “and her family”

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East Baton Rouge Parish Coroner Dr. Beau Clark is still searching for the cause of death of a man shot with Taser guns by two Baton Rouge police officers. Clark says in the preliminary autopsy of Kevin Bajoie, he found other physical evidence along with wounds connected to the Tasers.

CUT 9 (08)  “still pending”

Bajoie died on Saturday after an altercation with police that lead to two officers tasing him. Clark says they are doing more tests to determine if the head trauma happened before or during the incident. He says every finding is important and necessary to determine how Bajoie died.

cut 10 (10) “histology” 

Clark says the results will come back in around three or four weeks and he will then have a clearer picture of what happened.

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State Police say a 2-year-old child is dead after falling out of the window of a vehicle in Acadia Parish Monday night. The incident claimed the life of little Mitchell Watson of Church Point. Master Trooper Brooks David says investigators are looking into what exactly happened…

cut 11 (09)  “passenger window”

David says it is believed that Mitchell made his way to the front seat and fell from the passenger front window. The child was transported to a local hospital where he later died from his injuries. Mitchell’s mother, 32-year-old Amber Watson was driving the vehicle at the time and David says impairment is not a suspected factor…

cut 12 (09)  “at all”

He says charges are pending against Amber depending on the outcome of the case. David says detectives are working on determining if Mitchell was properly restrained while in the vehicle…

cut 13 (11)  “at least two”

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US Representative Steve Scalise of Metairie endorses former US Representative Jeff Landry of New Iberia in his quest to become the state’s next Attorney General. Eric Gill reports…

CUT 1 (30) “I’m Eric Gill”

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Former Nicholls Baseball player and Baton Rouge native, Darryl Hamilton was found dead in an apparent murder-suicide in the Houston area. Emelie Gunn has more….

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

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Lt. Governor Jay Dardenne has leaned Disney-ABC has placed a moratorium on new projects in Louisiana as a result of the state’s changes to the film tax credit program. Jeff Palermo has more…

Cut 3 (29) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

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US Representative Steve Scalise of Metairie endorses former US Representative Jeff Landry of New Iberia in his quest to become the state’s next Attorney General. UL-Lafayette Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says this endorsement, along with the endorsements from Congressman John Fleming and the Family Research Council, will certainly help his campaign…

cut 4  (10)  “Attorney General”

Landry faces fellow Republicans incumbent Attorney General Buddy Caldwell and 18th Judicial District assistant attorney Martin Maley in the race for the state’s top attorney. Cross says, clearly, Caldwell is an incumbent who conservatives believe could be replaced…

Cut 5  (10)  “true believer”

Cross expects this race to heat up as we get closer to the October 24th election. He thinks this will be one of the top races on the ballot…

Cut 6 (10)  “high profile”

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Nicholls State is mourning the death of one of its most famous alumnus, former Major League Baseball Player Darryl Hamilton. Police in suburban Houston say Hamilton was fatally shot by Monica Jordan, who was also found dead, in what appears to be a murder-suicide. Nicholls State baseball coach Seth Thibodaux says Hamilton will be terribly missed.

CUT 7 (10)  “to us”

Hamilton was born in Baton Rouge and graduated from U-High. Thibodaux says he played for the Colonels from 1984-1986 and lead the team in hitting in 1985 and still owns the school’s career stolen base record.  Thibodaux says he is likely the most successful baseball player to come out of the university.

Cut 8  (13)  “of fame” 

Hamilton was induced into the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame in 2008. Thibodaux says unlike a lot of big league players, he always put forth the effort to help out his college team. He says Hamilton was an amazing role model for young players.

Cut 9 (08)  “a tragedy”

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The St. Landry Parish Sheriff’s office is looking for a 17-year-old missing juvenile who they believe could be underage stripping. Alexandria Davis cut off an ankle bracelet that the court had placed on her and fled her home on February 11th according to Lt. Clay Higgins…:

Cut 10 (08) “erotic dancing”

Higgins says Davis was recently spotted at a gentleman’s club called “Lipstick” in Lafayette…:

cut 11 (08) “primary concern”

Higgins says Davis’s family is desperate to have her back home and safe. He says there is a message if the young girl can hear this…:

cut 12 (10)  “get you home safe”

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Lt Governor Jay Dardenne has learned Disney-ABC has placed a moratorium on new movie and film production in Louisiana as a result of changes made to the film tax credit program. Governor Bobby Jindal has signed into law a new 180-million dollar cap on credits redeemed. Dardenne says he’s concerned the state is chasing off a creative and growing industry.

Cut 13 (09)  “the state”

Dardenne says the film industry is important to the state’s economy and it helps bring more visitors to the state. He says the new law sets the cap too low and movie producers are obviously displeased…

Cut 14 (07) “fix things”

Dardenne says another problem with the new law is that the credit is claimed on the “backend” which creates a level of uncertainty whether a credit will be honored by the state.

Cut 15  (09)  “in Louisiana”

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During an introductory press conference, new Pelicans head coach Alvin Gentry says he wants to see a parade down Canal Street in New Orleans after the team wins its first NBA title. Gentry says the pieces are in place to do that…

Cut 16  (15)  “try to do”

Gentry says he’s bringing an up tempo style of basketball to New Orleans and all-star Anthony Davis will be a big part of what they do…

Cut 17 (17) ” important also” 

Gentry is 60-years-old and this will be fifth his opportunity to be a head coach in the NBA. The North Carolina native says 60 is the new 40 and he’s ready to meet the challenge of trying to win an NBA Championship in New Orleans

Cut 18 (22) “they are too”

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LSU announces the new “Voice of the Tigers” will be Georgia Southern play-by-play man Chris Blair replacing Jim Hawthorne who retires after the 2015-16 men’s basketball season. Michelle Southern reports…:

CUT 1 (30) “reporting”

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Today is the first full day of Summer and State Climatologist Barry Keim says it has arrived, pretty much, right on time. Eric Gill reports…

CUT 2 (28) “I’m Eric Gill”

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As a result of Governor Bobby Jindal’s religious freedom executive order, IBM has reportedly cancelled today’s ribbon cutting for its new National Service Center in downtown Baton Rouge. Soon after the state legislature voted down the “Marriage and Conscience Act”, the governor issued an executive order that mirrored language in the bill. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says the move by Jindal is just politics…

CUT 3 (08)  “don’t agree”

Company executives wrote a letter to the governor saying the legislation opposes what IBM stands for, equal rights and opportunity for everyone and discrimination for no one. Pinsonat says Jindal’s executive order actually doesn’t carry much weight…

CUT 4 (07)  “does nothing”

Pinsonat says the governor’s executive order is purely symbolic, related to him running for president, and really does nothing. He says IBM has every right to cancel the ceremony, but most governors in most states don’t do everything a corporation wants…

CUT 5 (08)  “can make money”

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LSU announces the new “Voice of the Tigers” will be Georgia Southern play-by-play man Chris Blair replacing Jim Hawthorne who retires after the 2015-16 men’s basketball season. Blair says getting this huge gig is surreal…:

CUT 6 (10)  “absolutely amazing”

Blair begins calling at LSU starting with the 2016 LSU baseball season and his title will be Director of Radio Broadcasting. The 40-year-old is currently the GM and Voice of the Eagles at Georgia Southern Sports Properties. Blair says when he applied for Hawthorne’s job, he never imagined he’d be the man in that seat…:

CUT 7 (11) “hope and prayer”

The announcement was made by Athletic Director Joe Alleva on Saturday and Blair says he and his family felt embraced by LSU fans right away…:

CUT 8 (08)  “brand”

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A preliminary autopsy report could be released today on 32-year-old Kevin Bajoie of Zachary, who died after he was tased by two Baton Rouge police officers. Corporal Don Coppola says officers responded to a call involving a fight outside a home, when units arrived, Bajoie was lying on his back, he unexpectedly jumped up and attempted to attack an officer…

CUT 9 (11)  “tasers”

Coppola says at first, it was only one officer who used his taser against Bajoie, but a second officer also used his taser, when the now deceased man kept fighting…

cut 10 (09) “Bajoie” 

After Bajoie was taken into custody, he was transported to a local hospital, where he later died from unknown reasons. Coppola says the two officers involved were placed on paid administrative leave per standard procedure. He says officers are trained to use their tasers in incidents like this

cut 11 (12)  “tasers”

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Today is the first full day of Summer and State Climatologist Barry Keim says it has arrived, pretty much, right on cue. He says the wet weather pattern in the state for the past six weeks or so has kept temperatures down. But Keim says that pattern has changed and now the forecast is calling for more seasonal temperatures…

cut 12 (10)  “of the year”

Keim says the long term forecast for the summer season is calling for near normal temperatures with below normal rainfall. He says fewer afternoon showers will definitely be something people will notice…

cut 13 (06)  “in the afternoon”

He says before you know it, fronts will begin flying though Louisiana in September and all will be right with the world. Keim says there are a few precautions people should follow to make it though these hot summer months…

cut 14 (12) “well hydrated”

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