A new study from AAA shows 87% of drivers engage in risky behaviors while driving. Halen Doughty has more…

CUT 1 (31)  “I’m Halen Doughty”

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A new report says Louisiana felons face more job restrictions that in any other state. Michelle Southern has the story…

CUT 2 (31)  “I’m Michelle Southern”

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Eighty-seven percent of drivers engaged in at least one risky behavior while driving in the past month, according to a new study from AAA. AAA spokesperson Don Redman says the data is not surprising. He says in the US about 30 to 40 thousand people die each year in car crashes.

CUT 3 (11)  “or impaired”

Redman says distracted driving is the most common risky behavior. He says 42% or drivers admit to texting and 70% admit to being on the phone. Redman says drowsy driving is also unsafe for drivers.

CUT 4 (07)  “some rest”

Redman says speeding is common among drivers, with 48% reporting going 15 miles per hour or more over the speed limit on a highway. He says people engage in many different dangerous behaviors while driving.

CUT 5 (07)  “impaired driving”

Thirteen percent of drivers say they were drunk or almost drunk while driving in the past month. Redman says impaired driving is not limited to drugs and alcohol because people can become impaired after taking prescription medications as well, including anti-depressants, pain killers, or blood pressure medicine.

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A three judge panel of the 5^th Circuit Court of Appeals rules that Louisiana can enforce a state law that requires doctors preforming abortions must have admitting privileges at hospitals within 30 miles. Benjamin Clapper with Louisiana Right to Life says this legislation ensures that in an emergency the physician can take the proper steps to protect the health of the woman…

CUT 6 (09) “same standard”

Planned Parenthood says the ruling will force the closure of three out of the four abortion clinics in the state. Clapper says he isn’t sure how the Department of Health and Hospitals will proceed.

CUT 7 (10) “their facilities”

Those against the legislation say it will make it harder for women to get an abortion in Louisiana. Clapper says it’s just common sense that abortion doctors should have admitting privileges.

CUT 8 (11) “abortions”

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Lafayette Congressman Charles Boustany’s PROTECT Act to help the Louisiana seafood industry has been signed by President Barack Obama. Boustany says this legislation will give domestic seafood a fair shot at competing against foreign imports who up until now have been able to undercut our producers using illegal practices.

CUT 9 (10) “our market”  

Boustany says this legislation can keep illegal crawfish and seafood products produced outside the United States from ever leaving their country of origin.

cut 10 (10)  “agencies”

Boustany says the PROTECT Act will help Louisiana producers expand their markets around the country. He says if other countries want to sell seafood in the United States, they need to play by our rules…

Cut 11 (10) “chemicals”

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A new report says felons in Louisiana face more employment obstacles that any other state. The average number of job restrictions for felons in the US is 123, but Louisiana has 389. Allyson Fredericksen, with the Alliance for a Just Society, says many of the restrictions are state laws that prevent convicted felons from being hired for certain positions in fields like health care and government offices

cut 12 (11) “into society”

Behind Louisiana, Illinois has the most restrictions with 258, which is 131 fewer than Louisiana. Fredericksen says Louisiana makes it tough for recently released inmates to get their life back on track…

cut 13 (10)  “daily essentials”

Fredericksen says this problem can often lead ex-felons returning to a life of crime to make money. She says some of these restrictions need to be lifted….

cut 14 (06)  “even harder”

Fredericksen says the Alliance for a Just Society is seeking to eliminate the lifetime legislative bans to employment and review the restrictions to see if they are all still applicable. They also want to ban the box on applications asking if someone has a criminal record to prevent discrimination.

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Governor John Bel Edwards has declared a state of emergency in seven parishes as a result of Tuesday’s severe weather outbreak. Halen Doughty reports.

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About two-thousand students rallied at the state capitol today to protest cuts to higher education. Michelle Southern reports…:

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State Police is investigating a deadly shooting in Baton Rouge involving several deputies with the East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s Office. Troop A spokesman Bryan Lee says detectives were responding to a report of a domestic disturbance indicating a man had attacked two women with mace..:

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Lee says witnesses reported that the subject, identified as 48-year-old Travis Stevenson, was threatening to kill himself all day. He says cops eventually caught up with him…:

CUT 4 (06)  “killing that subject”

Sheriff Sid Gautreaux said it’s possible Stevenson was trying to commit suicide by cop when he rammed them with his vehicle. The DA’s office will conduct an independent investigation. Lee says troopers were asked to investigate, as is typical protocol with officer involved shootings…:

CUT 5 (06)  “that fired”

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Cleanup is underway in several south Louisiana parishes today after as many as seven suspected tornadoes touched down during a powerful storm system that roared through the state yesterday. St. James spokesperson Brandon Keller says two people were killed when one of twisters leveled an RV park in Convent….

CUT 6 (09) “or destroyed”

Keller says 30 people were injured, seven of them are in critical condition. Keller asks that people avoid the immediate area around the park to keep the roads open for emergency vehicles and cleanup crews. He says there are ways people can get involved to help.

CUT 7 (06) “can help”

Assumption Parish was also hit hard by a tornado. John Boudreaux, director of the Assumption office of emergency preparedness, says there’s extensive damage and power outages. Power lines are still down, but power should be restored for most residents by the end of the day. He says a water tower on LA-1 also collapsed.

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Boudreaux says the cleanup process after this storm is similar to the procedure after a hurricane. He says crews from the state will assess the damage from the storm.

CUT 9 (10) “to the state”  

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The House Appropriations Committee approved a bill that would cut 117 million dollars from this fiscal year’s budget, which is 87 million dollars more than what Governor John Bel Edwards recommended. Chairman Cameron Henry of Jefferson Parish says there is bi-partisan support to go above and beyond what the governor has called for in budget cuts.

cut 10 (07)  “this time”

K-12^th grade public school education would receive a 44 million dollar cut as part of Henry’s plan to reduce government expenses. Governor Edwards has said he opposes any cuts to public schools. Democratic Representative Walt Leger of New Orleans also objects…

Cut 11 (08) “unhappy”

Baton Rouge Representative Pat Smith says she’s also concerned with proposed cuts to K-12 public education. She also doesn’t support Henry’s proposal to cut from Veterans Military Services…

cut 12 (11) “this bill”

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Governor John Bel Edwards spoke at a rally on the steps of the state capitol today in which about two-thousand students attended to protest proposed cuts to higher education. Edwards told the group he’s always stood with the students and he stands with them now…:

cut 13 (11)  “education”

Higher education could be on the chopping block in light of a massive budget deficit. Edwards said to the students they all have to work together to make their voices heard, because that’s the way things will get done:

cut 14 (11)  “cheering”

The Council of Student Body Presidents and the Board of Regents organized today’s rally. UNO Student Government Vice President Jessica Willis told the students from colleges and universities throughout the state that this effort is about working together as a group…:

cut 15 (10) “state of Louisiana”