The Gator Scholarship Program, an expanded use of the school voucher program received final passage in the Senate Thursday. Council for a Better Louisiana President Barry Erwin says while passage is a win for the governor, a watered-down version of the original bill is what he’ll have the opportunity to sign.
Cut 10 (11) “…a bit.”
The legislation calls for a study to take place over the next several months and BESE will use the results of that study to develop rules and regulations for the voucher program.

Former President Donald Trump was convicted on all 34 counts in his hush money case that involved Baton Rouge native and porn star Stormy Daniels who said the two had sex. A majority of Louisiana voters will likely vote for Trump in the NOvember 5th election and LSU Political Science Professor Robert Hogan says yesterday’s historic verdict should not change that…
cut 15 (11) “…teflon like”

The 17th Annual Louisiana Seafood Cook-Off is tonight in Monroe. Mel Bridges has more…
Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Mel Bridges.”

A bill heading to the governor’s desk would end the requirement for employers to give 16 and 17-year-old workers a 20 minute break once they reach five straight hours on the clock. Denham Springs Representative Roger Wilder says we shouldn’t prevent teenagers with good work ethic from making money….
cut 5 (12) “…seven or eight dollars”
The bill received a vote of 63 to 28 for final passage in the House.

The 74th annual Peach Festival is this Saturday in downtown Ruston, an opportunity to enjoy 12 hours of live music, an art market and it’s Louisiana so of course there’s a plethora of peachy good food to consume. Tori Davis with Experience Ruston…
Cut 9 (12) “…in Lincoln Parish.”
The festival begins at 9 am and the last call for peaches is 11 pm.

With just a few days left in the legislative session, the full Senate is expected to take up a bill today that would remove the 30-year statue of limitations one can be prosecuted for child molestation.
cut 2 (31) “….I’m Brooke Thorington”

A bill to eliminate the statue of limitations for a child abuser who committed their crime decades ago is up for a vote in the Louisiana Senate today. Lafitte Representative Tim Kerner says he’s heard from many victims of child sexual abuse and they believe their case should be heard no matter how long ago it happened…
cut 8 (08) “…state of Louisiana”
Right now the statue of limitations is 30 years.

An autopsy on 44-year-old Ponchatoula Police Corporal Pricilla Dean Pierson found that she died from heart failure. Dean was found unresponsive in her police cruiser on Tuesday. Ponchatoula Police Chief Bry Layrisson says Pierson’s death hits hard as she was married to a captain with the police department…..
cut 11 (12) “…together”
Funeral arrangements are pending.

A hurricane season that’s expected to be extremely active starts Saturday. Are you prepared? Mel Bridges has more.
Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Mel Bridges.”

The next threat for severe weather in Louisiana is tomorrow. Forecasters are calling for severe thunderstorms tomorrow morning through tomorrow afternoon for most of north and central Louisiana and southwest Louisiana. Damaging winds, large hail, heavy rainfall and isolated tornadoes are possible.

A bill set to be heard today in the Louisiana Senate is a measure that would eliminate the 30-year statue of limitations where one can be prosecuted for child molestation. Lafitte Representative Tim Kerner believes there should be no limitations on when a person can be prosecuted for sexually abusing a child. Far too often Kerner says children are victimized by someone they know and trust, and they repress the memories of what happened to survive.
cut 9 (10) “….that opportunity”
The House passed Kerner’s bill and he is hoping the Senate will do the same today.

What is expected to be an extremely active hurricane season begins Saturday. Director of the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness Jacques Thibodeaux says the message they have for those who are told to evacuate, head north…
cut 5 (08) “…go north”
An autopsy shows Ponchatoula City Police Corporal Pricilla Dean Pierson who was found dead in her patrol car Tuesday morning, died as a result of significant heart problems. She had 80-percent blockage in one of her arteries. Chief Bry Layrisson says his department is reeling from the loss.
Cut 10 (14) “…arrangements.”
Corporal Pricilla Dean Pierson leaves behind three children and two step-children.

A father of three is alive today thanks to Walker Police Chief David Addison and the work of other Walker Police officers. Addison rushed to this man’s aid after his three daughters ran up to him as he was walking down the street and the girls told the chief their father was unresponsive in their pool…
cut 14 (07) get attention”
Addison says he got the man out of the pool and started resuscitation efforts, other officers also arrived to assist with life saving efforts. The victim is now recovering in a hospital.

With just a few days left in the legislative session, the full Senate is expected to take up a bill today that would remove the 30-year statue of limitations one can be prosecuted for child molestation.
cut 2 (31) “….I’m Brooke Thorington”

Legislation that removes the requirement that employers must give 16 and 17-year-olds a 20-minute break if they work five consecutive hours has received final legislative passage. House Bill 156 by Denham Springs Republican Representative Roger Wilder heads to the governor’s desk.

What is expected to be a super active hurricane season begins Saturday. Director of the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness, Jacques Thibodeaux, says one of his biggest concerns is that there are many coastal residents who refuse to evacuate when local officials issue mandatory evacuations…
cut 6 (11) “…to draw”
Thibodeaux says now is the time to finalize evacuation plans.

Walker Police Chief David Addison was at the right place at the right time last Friday. He says it was divine intervention he took his daily walk an hour early, because three young girls came rushing up to him, pleading for help because their father was unresponsive in their backyard pool.
Cut 13 (11) “…babies’ daddy.”
Addison says he quickly rushed to the man’s aid and provided life-saving measures on him. The father of three is alive, but remains hospitalized.

While Governor Jeff Landry can claim some legislative victories in his first regular session, a few key pieces remain to be decided. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 2 (29) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Legislation has been signed into law making it a crime for a person to approach a police officer if they’ve told not to come any closer. Thibodaux Representative Bryan Fontenot’s bill creates a 25-foot buffer zone around working law enforcement.
cut 14 (08) “…and arresting”
The ACLU opposes the law claiming it hinders the ability to hold police accountable and it violates a citizen’s First Amendment rights.

The Louisiana House approved a bill that creates the Gator Scholarship Program that will provide families with state dollars that can be used to pay for private school tuition. Opponents have expressed concerns about the program’s costs. One estimate had it at 500-million dollars a year once all families would become eligible. Carencro Representative Julie Emerson says BESE will determine how much tuition money gets handed out and when to make higher-income families eligible…
cut 12 (09) “….that nature”
The legislation needs Senate approval of House changes before it heads to the governor’s desk.

The St. Augustine Marching 100 will leave for France next week as they will perform at several ceremonies commemorating the 80th anniversary of D-Day. St. Aug Principal Aulston Taylor says this is a tremendous honor for the 112 members of the famed marching band…
cut 4 (11) “…soil of France”
They will be gone for eight days.