How involved will Governor Bobby Jindal be in this legislative session as lawmakers grapple with a $1.6 billion budget deficit? Eric Gill reports…

CUT 1 (27) “reporting”

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One of the bills set to be discussed during the 2015 legislative session would raise the base pay for severs from $2.13 per hour to at least minimum wage. Michelle Southern reports…:

Cut 2 (30) “reporting”

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State lawmakers convene in Baton Rouge today with a one-point-six billion dollar budget shortfall hanging over their heads. Scott Carwile has the story…

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Governor Bobby Jindal will provide the opening address as the legislative session gets underway today. The question is how involved will the governor be as lawmakers grapple with a $1.6 billion budget deficit? Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says it’s important for Jindal to be active this session…

cut 4  (07)  “pay a price” 3x

Pinsonat says Jindal doesn’t have to be at the capital every day during the session, but he does need to pay attention to what’s happening. He says it’s not about the amount of time the governor spends there…

Cut 5  (09)  “his national image”

Pinsonat says very few governors are around the capitol a lot during the session. He doesn’t think the legislative session will stop Jindal from traveling outside the state pursuing his presidential hopes. However, Pinsonat says you can’t run for president when the state you’re supposed to be running is a disaster…

Cut 6 (09)  “national ambitions”

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Even though the massive budget deficit will by far be the biggest issue lawmakers will be dealing with this session, there are still many other issues on the agenda as well. LaPolitics.com publisher Jeremy Alford says Common Core will be one of the major items that will distract from the budget…:

CUT 7 (06)  “volatile issue”

Alford says even with the budget issues and the complicated tax situations on the table, lawmakers will still find time to touch that third rail of Louisiana politics…:

Cut 8  (07)  “in the classroom” 

Alford says with re-election just around the corner, it will be interesting to see if lawmakers even want to get involved in some of the hot button bills…:

Cut 9 (07)  “get a hearing at all”

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One of the bills set to be discussed during the 2015 legislative session would raise the base pay for severs from $2.13 per hour to at least minimum wage. Monroe Representative Marcus Hunter says whether you get good tips or not, $2.13 an hour is deplorable pay for any worker…:

Cut 10 (08) “$7.25 an hour”

Hunter says even though people argue that servers make at least minimum wage when you count their tips, it shouldn’t be assumed that they will achieve that. He says they want to get the conversation started between employers and employees…:

cut 11 (06) “$16 a day”

Hunter says he doesn’t want to continue to see hard working people who are committed to serving their businesses go home with less than minimum wage. He says that’s what HB 677 aims to correct..:

cut 12 (06)   “are paid fairly”

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What is expected to be a very difficult legislative session begins today in Baton Rouge. Lawmakers will have until June 11th to approve a spending plan that takes into account a one-point-six billion dollar shortfall. Senate President John Alario says legislators are looking at ways to generate more state revenue

Cut 13 (11)  “those things”

Alario says reforming the state’s film tax credit program is one of the priorities, as a recent study paid for by the department of economic development found that the state is only getting 23-cents back for every dollar spent on tax credits

Cut 14 (09) “on the expenditure”

There are several bills that seek to increase the tax on tobacco products, but for the governor to approve them, there has to be a tax cut somewhere else to offset new revenue. Alario says it will take several weeks before lawmakers can agree on a plan

Cut 15  (10)  “those solutions”

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The fourth ranked LSU baseball took two of three from Auburn this past weekend. The Tigers lost for just the sixth time all season on Saturday, but rebounded with a six-to-two win on Sunday to avoid their first two-game losing streak of the season. Coach Paul Mainieri on bouncing back from a loss on Saturday…

Cut 16  (16)  “certainly did”

LSU scored all of its runs on Sunday in the first three innings, as Chris Sciambra and Mark Laird each had two hits. That was enough offense for starting pitcher Zac Person (Peer-son) and two relievers. Person made his first start of the season and Coach Paul Mainieri made that decision on Sunday morning…

Cut 17 (16)  “good start”

Parker Bugg and Jesse Stallings each gave up a run in relief, but Person picked up the win by throwing three shutout innings. He says he got some good advice from pitching coach Alan Dunn

Cut 18 (10) ” went about it’

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State Police graduated 58 brand new troopers Friday from Cadet Class #93. Michelle Southern reports…:

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At a gathering of about 600 Christian conservatives in Iowa Thursday, the largest applause of the night went to Governor Bobby Jindal. Jeff Palermo has more…

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State Police graduated 58 brand new troopers Friday from Cadet Class #93. Sergent Nick Manale says these aspiring troopers began the rigorous Louisiana State Police Training Academy on November 30th last year…:

CUT 3 (11)  “training course”

Manale says the cadets have trained in crash investigations, emergency vehicle operations, impaired driving detection, traffic incident management and leadership. He says graduation day is about celebrating the hard work of the cadets and of course the pinning of the golden Louisiana badge…:

CUT 4 (08)  “state police”

Manale says now these 58 cadets become troopers and begin their careers of dedication, protection and service to the citizens of Louisiana. He says this addition puts the number of troopers at about 1000 statewide. The 19 week long academy also includes leadership instruction…:

CUT 5 (11)  “tradition of”

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Saturday marks the 29th annual Franklin Parish Catfish Festival in Winnsboro. The festival has grown into the largest one-day festival in the state. Festival board member Leslie Young says the festival offers something for everyone…

CUT 6 (10)  “huge party”

This year’s festival features three music stages headlined by 2015 Grammy Award winner Jo-El Sonnier. There will be four fish frying booths that will serve over two tons of fresh pond-raised catfish. Young says if you like arts and crafts, the Catfish Festival is where you need to be…

CUT 7 (09)  “something to buy”

Admission to the festival is just $5 and gates open at 8AM. Other festival highlights include a free day-long video game arcade, live princess performances, and a number of “walk around” acts. Young says there will also be a huge antique car show…

CUT 8 (04)  “these automobiles”

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At a gathering of about 600 Christian conservatives in Iowa Thursday, the largest applause of the night went to Governor Bobby Jindal. Three other Republican presidential hopefuls, Rick Perry, Mike Huckabee, and Rick Santorum, also spoke at the event. Jennifer Jacobs with the Des Moines Register says it was obvious Jindal hit a home run…

CUT 9 (10)  “after his speech”

Jacobs says Jindal’s speech really struck a chord with the audience. She says one effective segment of the governor’s talk was when he spoke of the qualities he’d like to see in a president…

cut 10 (10) “started applauding”

Jindal is expected to announce his candidacy for president after the legislative session concludes in June. Jacobs thinks this certainly helps the governor’s presidential aspirations, but doesn’t see it as a turning point…

cut 11 (10)  “a big jolt”

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It’s a big weekend of outdoor activities, but revelers in south Louisiana will likely have to deal with multiple rounds of showers and thunderstorms. Danielle Manning with the National Weather Service in Slidell says the grounds along the coastal parishes will be wet in the coming days…:

cut 12 (11)  “3-4 inch range”

Manning says the good news is that the front passed through north Louisiana so they’ll dry out for the weekend festivities. She says the rain in the south should come in multiple rounds with breaks between the storms…:

cut 13 (10)  “kind of thing”

Manning says if you’re headed to one of the many festivals going on this weekend in south Louisiana, it might be a good idea to bring umbrellas, ponchos and rain boots. She says the likely chance for rain and storms remain in the forecast both Saturday and Sunday…:

cut 14 (06) “the good news”

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Republican Bossier City Representative Mike Johnson says he plans to amend the religious freedom bill he has filed amid public concerns but gay rights advocacy groups want the legislation pulled altogether.  Eric Gill reports…

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The Colorado State University forecast team is predicting a below-average 2015 Atlantic hurricane season. Michelle Southern reports…:

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Republican Bossier City Representative Mike Johnson says he plans to amend the religious freedom bill he has filed amid public concerns but gay rights advocacy groups want the legislation pulled altogether. Johnson told the Jim Engster Show he’ll remove a paragraph in the bill that some believed gave businesses the right to deny benefits to same-sex couples as other married couples based on religious beliefs…

CUT 3 (09)  “has been alleviated”

Gay rights groups feel this bill legalizes discrimination and are banding together in opposition to Johnson’s legislation. Bruce Parker, Executive Director of Louisiana Progress Action, says a campaign is underway to defeat this piece of legislation…

CUT 4 (10)  “be focused on”

Johnson says HB 707 would prevent adverse treatment from the state of any person or entity on the basis of their views on marriage and it applies equally…

CUT 5 (11)  “under the bill”

Parker says there is a lack of clarity about what Johnson’s bill is intended to do and what it does and it is alarming. He hopes people will contact Johnson and ask him to pull the legislation…

CUT 6 (08)  “our energy on”

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Higher Education Commissioner Joe Rallo is very concerned about how some universities will be able to operate if lawmakers are not able to come up with a funding solution to the state’s one-point-six billion dollar budget deficit. Rallo says higher ed is facing a potential cut of about 600-million dollars in state funds…

CUT 7 (10)  “would not be viable”

LSU president and chancellor F King Alexander says every parish will feel the impact if these deep cuts go through. He says it will force them to eliminate the parish-based Ag Center programs, which concerns Crowley representative Jack Montoucet….

CUT 8 (08)  “rural areas”

Over the next several weeks lawmakers will discuss ways to generate revenue so that the cuts to higher ed are mitigated. Baton Rouge Representative Patricia Smith questions why the governor is proposing to increase the funding for TOPS scholarships, but dramatically cutting funds for colleges

CUT 9 (12)  “go to”

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The Colorado State University forecast team is predicting a below-average 2015 Atlantic hurricane season. The lead author of the report is Dr. Phil Klotzbach who says a typical hurricane season has 12 named storms, 6 hurricanes and two major hurricanes…:

cut 10 (07) “hurricane season”

The CSU team will issue forecast updates on June 1st, July 1st and August 3rd. Klotzbach says the tropical Atlantic has cooled over the past several months and the chance of an El Nino forming is high. He says historical data indicates fewer storms form in these conditions…:

cut 11 (10)  “in the Atlantic”

The team predicts that 2015 tropical cyclone activity will be about 45 percent of the average season. By comparison, 2014’s tropical cyclone acticity was about 75 percent average. He says if the forecast holds true, it would be the third quiet Gulf hurricane season in a row…:

cut 12 (04)  “this year”

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The 32-year-old Destrehan teacher accused of having sex with a 16-year-old student has reached a plea deal with the St. Charles Parish District Attorney’s office. Under the terms of the deal, Shelley Dufrense avoids jail time, but she’ll have to complete 90 days of treatment at a mental health facility. Legal analyst Tim Meche says most people will think Dufrense got a good deal…

cut 13 (10)  “resolution”

Dufrense will also have to forfeit her teaching certificate and while on three years of active probation, she’s not allowed to have contact with the victim or his family. Meche says based on the conditions of the deal, she avoids having to register as a sex offender for now…

cut 14 (08) “sporting activities”

Meche says if it was a male teacher involved with a female student, the punishment would likely be more severe..

cut 15 (07) “ever change”

Dufrense also faces charges out of Jefferson Parish, along with another former teacher, where an alleged threesome took place with the same 16-year-old student.

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State Police are investigating a crash in Iberia Parish that killed a Jeanerette Police officer last night. Eric Gill reports…

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An Orleans Parish grand jury has indicted millionaire murder suspect Robert Durst on gun charges in Louisiana. Jeff Palermo has more…

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State Police are investigating a crash in Iberia Parish that killed a Jeanerette Police officer last night. Master Trooper Brooks David says 22-year-old officer Juandre Gilliam radioed that he was pursuing a vehicle in an attempt to make a traffic stop…

CUT 3 (08)  “his vehicle”

David says Gilliam’s vehicle ran off the road, struck a culvert, and overturned. It is unknown if the chase was high speed or at the speed limit. Detectives are currently working to make that determination. He says responding personnel found Gilliam in his overturned police unit…

CUT 4 (08)  “pronounced dead”

Gilliam was transported to a local hospital where he later died of injuries sustained in the crash. David says authorities found the two suspects in the car Gilliam was chasing, 21-year old Antre Joseph of New Iberia and an unnamed 16-year-old juvenile… (Charges against the two are pending at this time.)

CUT 5 (06)  “sheriff’s office”

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Abita Brewing Company announces their $30 million dollar expansion in Abita Springs is now complete. In a release the company says they produce 160,000 barrels of their popular craft beer annually, and with the expansion they will now be able to brew up to 400,000 barrels. President David Blossman says this will allow them to expand the brand nationally..:

CUT 6 (09)  “capacity constraints”

Blossman says they have also added on to their visitors center and retail space which will allow them to have more tours more often. He says over the past several years they’ve had capacity restraints during their peak times…:

CUT 7 (06)  “and marketing”

Blossman says they are also becoming a Founding Brewery Partner of Enjoy Beer Inc which is an enterprise created to provide resources to top independent craft brewers on a national scale…:

CUT 8 (06)  “in more places”

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An Orleans Parish grand jury has indicted millionaire murder suspect Robert Durst on gun charges in Louisiana. Durst’s attorney, Dick DeGuerin, has been attempting to get Durst extradited to California to face murder charges there. Legal analyst Tim Meche says this indictment means Durst won’t be going to California any time soon…

CUT 9 (09)  “to get out”

This indictment puts any extradition plans for Durst on hold. Durst is wanted in California for the 2000 shooting death of Susan Berman. Meche says this also cancels a preliminary hearing to determine whether or not there was probable cause in Durst’s arrest last month…

cut 10 (09) “of the case”

Durst is indicted on charges of illegal possession of a firearm by a felon and illegal possession of a firearm in the presence of a controlled substance. Meche says Durst is facing some pretty severe consequences…

cut 11 (10)  “means ten years”

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The coming National Hurricane Museum and Science Center in Lake Charles receives a $1 million dollar pledge toward the building and operations. The gift from the Stream family is the largest private donation since fundraising for facility began four years ago. Gray Stream says they are motivated by the fact that the Center promises to save lives…:

cut 12 (08)  “educated by it”

The NHMSC will be open to daily visitors, but it will also offer teaching materials online covering science, technology, engineering, math and social sciences. The donation brings the total amount contributed to $40 million dollars and Stream says they are about $15 million dollars away from what they need to break ground in June 2016…:

cut 13 (09)  “big part of that”

The NHMSC should begin construction in southwest Louisiana next year for Phase One of the project. Stream says the facility will educate people about how to better prepare for, respond to and be resilient to natural disasters…:

cut 14 (09) “weather events”