Lawmakers are discussing letting voters decide whether or not Louisiana should legalize recreational marijuana so the state could tax it. Michelle Southern reports…:

CUT 1 (32)  “I’m Michelle Southern”

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Over 30 different bills that would increase taxes on Louisiana residents and businesses advanced out of a House committee today. Jeff Palermo has the story…

CUT 2 (30)  “I’m Jeff Palermo”

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State lawmakers are discussing behind closed doors whether to file a proposed constitutional amendment in the special session that would ask voters should Louisiana legalize recreational marijuana so the state could tax it. Jesse McCormick is the head of the Louisiana Cannabis Association…

CUT 3 (10)  “regulate cannabis”

McCormick says they argue that these discussions need to be had as the state deals with such a major budget crisis that schools could be closed or lights turned off at hospitals…:

CUT 4 (07)  “benefiting from”

McCormick says some feel this is not the time to be getting into the marijuana debate, but he knows there is support from lawmakers who are open to considering every revenue raising option. But he believes getting such a constitutional amendment out of the legislature will be tough…:

CUT 5 (10)  “on the ballot”

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The National Weather Service has issued a tornado watch for south central and southeast Louisiana until five o’ clock today. A large cluster of storms is moving through southeast Louisiana.  Andrew Ansorge with the National Weather Service in Slidell says these strong thunderstorms are also producing lightning and some hail…

CUT 6 (06) “60 miles per hour”

A wind advisory remains in effect until 3pm Wednesday. Ansorge says people should expect rain and thunderstorms, among other risk factors.

CUT 7 (07) “moves through”

A moderate risk indicates intense, widespread storms are possible. Ansorge says it is rare to have the Storm Prediction Center issue a moderate risk for severe weather in Louisiana.

CUT 8 (05) “southeast Louisiana”

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A report out of Tulane University finds that students in Louisiana’s voucher program end up scoring drastically lower in math. But President of the Louisiana Federation for Children Ann Duplessis says we have to put the study into context because all of these students were attending failing and under-performing schools…

CUT 9 (10) “take time”  

Duplessis says the trends in the study show that the program is effective given the growth and the length of time the child spends using the voucher. She says reports like this show the program where it needs to improve…

cut 10 (10)  “ultimate goal”

Co-author of the study Jonathan Mills says after one year in the program, they found a large negative drop in both English and language arts and math scores on the Louisiana State assessment test…

Cut 11 (09) “effects”

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The House Ways and Means Committee sent several tax bills to the House floor today. But the panel used a procedural move to advance the tax hikes without having to vote “yes or “no.” Louisiana Association of Business and Industry President Stephen Waguespack says the committee basically punted these revenue-generating pieces of legislation to the House floor

cut 12 (10) “these bills”

The full House is expected to vote on Thursday whether or not to increase taxes on cigarettes, alcohol, telephones, rental cars and there’s proposal to raise the state sales tax by a penny. Waguespack hopes the rest of the House is up to speed on these different tax proposals…

cut 13 (11)  “can get”

Governor John Bel Edwards is pushing lawmakers to approve some of these tax increases as a way to balance this fiscal year’s budget, which has a 900-million dollar deficit. Many republicans oppose the tax hikes, but Jan Moller, director of the Louisiana budget project, says there are other republican legislators who understand the need for them

cut 14 (08)  “those cuts”

Moller expects a fierce debate on the House floor over these tax bills as it will take 70 votes for them to advance to the senate…

cut 15 (08) “still ahead” 

Oil prices will not rebound this year, according to experts at the International Energy Agency. Halen Doughty reports…

CUT 1 (30)  “I’m Halen Doughty”

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A House committee approves several bills aimed at reducing the number of state government contracts. Jeff Palermo has the story…

CUT 2 (30)  “I’m Jeff Palermo”

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A man who cops say was acting strange at a movie theater in Lafayette was issued a summons for disturbing the peace. Corporal Paul Mouton says during the film Deadpool, witnesses reported seeing 35-year-old Christopher Harmason of New Iberia walking up and down the aisles…:

CUT 3 (09)  “uncomfortable”

Mouton says that Harmason ended up going outside where he continued to act in an erratic manner. He says it doesn’t appear as though the man was an actual threat to anyone…:

CUT 4 (09)  “within the complex”

Lafayette was rocked last year when a man opened fire on a theater full of people, killing two and injuring 10 before turning the gun on himself. Mouton says Harmason got a misdemeanor summons and was told not to come back to the theater. He says they commend the citizens that were in the theater who brought it to the attention of the manager who contacted police…:

CUT 5 (09)  “and hope for the best”

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According to experts at the International Energy Agency, oil prices will not rebound until next year. David Dismukes, Executive Director at the LSU Center for Energy Studies, says this is disappointing news to the oil industry, after hearing reports about a production freeze in the Middle East. But Dismukes doesn’t see a cutback in production by oil producing countries…

CUT 6 (10) “lower prices”

Oil prices have plummeted 70% in the last two years, leading to layoffs in the oil industry and supporting businesses. Dismukes says oil companies have done what they can to avoid further job cuts…

CUT 7 (10) “financing mechanisms”

Dismukes says oil companies may have to look at asset sales to generate cash and explore measures for bankruptcy protection. The low oil prices have led to the lowest gas prices we’ve seen in over a decade as the statewide average is a $1.55, according AAA. He says although drivers are enjoying lower gas prices, it is not good for the economy…

CUT 8 (06) “right now”

Today the price of US oil is trading around $30 a barrel.

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More groups are coming forward expressing anger over the latest viral Crimestoppers video by Captain Clay Higgins with the Sheriff’s Office in St. Landry. The so called, “Cajun John Wayne” is coming under fire for some of the terminology he used to refer to the Gremlins Gang suspects. National Action Now President Rev. Raymond Brown says the video is racially tainted:

CUT 9 (08)  “their peers”

Indictments were issued against the wanted suspects said to be involved in crimes like murder, drug trafficking, armed robbery and more. But Brown feels Higgins’ video is a smack in the face to our criminal justice system. He says it sets a poor example to call people ugly names…:

cut 10 (10)  “maximum force”

The ACLU of Louisiana also said that Higgins implies using the force of summary execution which is not the way we work in this country. St. Landry Parish Sheriff Bobby Guidroz says Acadiana is dealing with this gang that’s been terrorizing the area for a long time. He says they may have veered off point, but the message is pretty simple…:

Cut 11 (09) “watch for ya”

Higgins rose to national fame with the videos which don’t hold back the way he personally feels about people who commit crimes. Guidroz says Higgins’ intentions are good, but he has been asked to refrain from being critical moving forward…:

cut 12 (07) “not saying”

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The House Appropriations Committee approved a series of bills today aimed at reducing or cutting down on number of state contracts, which supporters say will save the state some much needed dollars. Republican State Treasurer John Kennedy says there are dozens if not hundreds of contracts that the state spends money on that are NOT needed

cut 13 (06)  “you throw up”

Some of the examples Kennedy named… contracts for tutoring students and providing adult education to prisoners. He says there’s a 29-million dollar contract to help the state build a website for food stamp recipients. Kennedy says the governor should bring in his cabinet secretaries today and demand they cut at least 10-percent of their contracts

cut 14 (10)  “into place”

Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne says an examination of state contracts is underway and they plan to eliminate some of them in the coming weeks as part of their cost cutting plan

cut 15 (10) “do something” 

Early voting for the Presidential Preference Primary is underway, and here’s what Democrats are saying about the two Democratic presidential candidates, Hillary Clinton and Senator Bernie Sanders…

CUT 1 (28) “I’m Halen Doughty”

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 The Department of Health and Hospitals has handed out two million dollars in loans to improve drinking water in Avoyelles Parish. Emelie Gunn has more…

Cut 2 (31) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

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Recent polls have shown the public does not support increasing taxes as a way of solving the state’s budget deficit, but one pollster says these surveys might not tell the whole story. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 3 (27) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

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Early voting for the Louisiana Presidential Preference Primary is underway, and polls remain open until Saturday. Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders are battling for the Democratic nomination. Former US Senator Mary Landrieu supports Hillary Clinton. Landrieu says Clinton has the skills necessary to be an effective leader.

cut 4  (07)  “Senator Sanders”

Landrieu says Sanders is not as well equipped to handle the presidency.

Cut 5  (09)  “us safe”

Sanders’ supporter Gilda Reed, a psychology professor at UNO, says she is “feeling the Bern.” She says he can make crucial changes in the country.

Cut 6 (08)  “the status quo” 

Reed says Sanders is capturing the hearts of everyday Americans and energizing the youth because of his progressive ideas.

CUT 7 (07)  “the long run”

Voting is open from 8:30 am to 6 pm daily at your local Parish of Registrar office and other select locations.

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The Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals has awarded a 2.1 million dollar loan to assist an Avoyelles Parish water system improve its drinking water. State Health Officer Dr. Jimmy Guidry says the money comes from the state‘s Drinking Water Revolving Loan Fund, which helps improve infrastructure to ensure drinking water stays safe.

Cut 8  (10)  “their system”

Guidry says the project calls for a new pump stations, new ground water storage tank, a new well and chlorination facility at the Yellow Bayou Pump station….

Cut 9 (08)  “in trouble”

Guidry says during the improvement process, the Avoyelles Parish residents might have to go on a water boil notice. He says this is all to ensure that they’re water remains safe to drink.

Cut 10 (08) “notice it”

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Recent polls have shown the public is opposed to the legislature increasing taxes as a way of solving the state’s fiscal crisis. But Michael Henderson, Director of LSU’s Public Policy Research Lab, says these surveys might not tell the whole story, because the polls do not ask the respondents about potential consequences if revenues are not raised….

cut 11 (07) “more stuff”

 Henderson, who puts together the annual Louisiana Survey, says the public usually always opposes proposes to increase taxes. But voters also oppose spending cuts to education or transportation, so that’s why some of the recent polls are not an accurate description of what the legislature is dealing with…

cut 12 (06) “imperfect picture”

Henderson says legislators should take these polls with a grain of salt, because the poll questions don’t take into account what could happen if certain taxes are not raised…

Cut 13 (08)  “public wants”

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Supermodel Pamela Anderson suggests to Governor John Bel Edwards that Louisiana’s budget could benefit from serving all-vegan food to prisoners. That’s according to the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals. PETA spokesperson Dan Matthews says Anderson has visited other jails around the country that save hundreds of thousands of dollars by not serving meat:

Cut 14 (08)  “with this proposal” 

Anderson is the “honorary director” of PETA and she wrote a letter to Governor Edwards saying enormous savings on freezer costs and prisoners’ healthcare would be made by serving healthy, colorful vegan meals. Matthews says Louisiana taxpayers would save over $620,000 a year by offering inmates beans, rice, lentils, pasta, potatoes and other vegetables…:

Cut 15 (11) “in their life” 

Anderson says if Louisiana switched to meat-free meals in jail, she’d come inaugurate the program by helping cook and serve lunch to the inmates. Matthews says there are numerous studies which show that the less animal products you consume, the healthier you are…:

Cut 16  (10)  “to live“

The ACLU of Louisiana responds to the latest rather aggressive Crime Stoppers viral video by St. Landry Parish’s Captain Clay Higgins looking for wanted Gremlins Gang members. Emelie Gunn reports..:

CUT 1 (28)  “I’m Emelie Gunn”

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Harper Lee, author of the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel “To Kill A Mockingbird,” has died at the age of 89. Halen Doughty reports…

CUT 2 (31)  “I’m Halen Doughty”

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The ACLU of Louisiana has responded to the latest Crime Stoppers video by St. Landry Parish’s Captain Clay Higgins that’s gone ridiculously viral. Higgins is looking for wanted members of the Gremlins Gang and says they each have a $2500 bounty on their head. ACLU of Louisiana Executive Director Marjorie Esman has a problem with that…:

CUT 3 (06)  “summary execution”

Higgins video had nearly 14 million views in just two days. Esman feels like all this does is exacerbate the problem of a public who feels cops are the bad guys….:

CUT 4 (09)  “what police officers do”

Esman says Higgins also shouldn’t be calling these suspects “heathens” which is a religious term that implies he knows something about their beliefs…:

CUT 5 (10)  “they’re committing crimes”

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Harper Lee, author of the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel “To Kill A Mockingbird,” has died at the age of 89. Head of Special Collections at LSU Jessica Lacher Feldman says Lee’s death is the end of an era. Feldman worked at the University of Alabama, where Lee spoke to students once a year. Feldman was Lee’s handler when she visited and says Lee’s novel resonated deeply with many people.

CUT 6 (10) “the world”

Feldman says Lee’s recently released book “Go Set A Watchman,” broke many publishers records. Feldman says Lee’s first novel was influential because Lee wrote about race and gender issues in a very real, but idealized, way.

CUT 7 (07) “the century”

There has been speculation as to whether Lee wrote any more books that were not published. Feldman says her death may bring more writings to light.

CUT 8 (08) “she’s written”

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A new poll from Invest in a Healthy Louisiana and Public Opinion Strategies finds increasing the tobacco tax is favored by seven out of 10 voters. Pollster Glen Bolger says the survey polled 500 likely Louisiana voters and many people are opposed to hikes in the state’s income, sales or property taxes, but favor an increase to the state’s tobacco tax…

CUT 9 (07)  “strongly favor”

The Invest in a Healthy Louisiana Coaltion is advocating a $1.25 per pack increase in the tobacco tax. So far, only a 22-cent increase has been discussed by the legislature. Bolger says the poll asked people about three different tax levels and found no statistical difference between the options.

cut 10 (09)  “73 percent”

Increasing the cigarette tax by $1.25 would raise more than $200 million a year for Louisiana. Bolger says the increase is popular across party lines…

Cut 11 (11) “percent support”

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Dozens of students marched to the state capitol in efforts to protest the proposed cuts to higher education to offset the massive budget deficit. A graduate of Nicholls State University and LSU, Peter Jenkins, attended the Save our Schools rally to make legislators pay attention and stop these drastic measures…

cut 12 (08) “focusing on”

Jenkins says they want the legislators to do what they need to do to save higher education. He says students are calling for three different things…

cut 13 (10)  “budget cuts”

Jenkins believes legislators understand the situation and don’t have ill-will toward the situation but are only trying to figure out how to solve the deficit. But he says it’s their job as students to be heard…

cut 14 (10)  “come out”

Students chanted at the steps of the Capitol in efforts to prevent future cuts to higher education…

cut 15 (11) “no future”