Governor Edwards is upset the state legislature cut funding for a huge container terminal planned for the Port of New Orleans. Edwards says the funding was removed because a lawmaker didn’t vote yes for raising the spending cap…
cut 8 (10) “…the worst way”
Edwards says his staff has reassured private financiers that Louisiana still remains committed to the project.

The governor has signed legislation that would create a system that would allow sexual assault victims track their rape kits. Franklinton Senator Beth Mizell says as a result of her legislation, victims will receive a code after they undergo a sexual assault forensic exam…
cut 15 (10) “…or not”
The new system should be in place by July of next year.

A 28-year-old woman who posed as a 17-year-old student at Hahnville High has been arrested along with her 46-year-old mother in St. Charles Parish. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

In Baton Rouge today, the state department of education is holding its second annual school system summit. State Superintendent Doctor Cade Brumley says school leaders and law enforcement will discuss best practices around school safety…
cut 6 (05) “…speak up’

We now know why a 28-year-old woman from Honduras subimitted a fake birth certificate and passport in order to attend Hahnville High School as a 17-year-old student. St. Charles Parish Sheriff Greg Champagne…
cut 10 (11) “…proficient in English”
The 28-year-old and her 46-year-old mother have been charged with injuring public records.

The Louisiana Department of Education hosts its second annual school safety summit at the Raising Cane’s River Center in Baton Rouge today. Superintendent of Education Cade Brumley says the even brings together school system leaders, law enforcement, government agencies and mental health providers to discuss best practices around school safety….
cut 5 (09) “…and employees”

Governor Edwards has signed into law legislation that would establish a system to track rape kits of victims taken at a hospital…
Cut 3 (33) “….I’m Teiko Foxx.”

Louisiana ranks 49th out of 50 states for overall child well-being, according to the Annie E Casey Foundation. Some of the key findings…35-percent of children in Louisiana have parents who lack secure employment and the percentage of children living in poverty is 27-percent, while the national average is 17-percent. Some positives, fourth grade reading scores are up and the percentage of high school graduates graduating on time has improved.

St. Charles Sheriff Greg Champagne held a press conference to explain the arrest of a 28-year-old woman from Honduras who used fraudulent paperwork to pose as a 17-year-old to attend Hahnville High School so she can learn English. Champagne is not putting the blame on school officials…
cut 11 (12) “….certificate said”
The 28 year old and and her 46-year-old mother have been charged with injuring public records.

Another sign of chaos in the final hours of the legislative session last week: a big cut in funding for a new terminal at the Port of New Orleans. Governor Edwards is not happy. Several lawmakers differed on raising the state’s spending cap, and the port sits in the district of one who voted “no.” Edwards says such “political payback” is not unusual…
Cut 7 (10) “…back at home.”
Edwards says the state will now have to do some financial gymnastics in order to make sure the project continues to move forward.

The Louisiana Department of Education brings together educators and first responders today for their second annual Louisiana School Safety Summit at the Raising Cane’s River Center in Baton Rouge. State Superintendent of Education Cade Brumley says schools must learn to meet the challenge of reinforcing security.
Cut 4 (08) “…particular event.’”
The Louisiana Department of Education is investing over 20-million dollars to help 39 school systems harden school perimeters.

Governor John Bel Edwards has signed legislation that would allow victims of sexual assault to track their rape kit as it moves from hospitals to law enforcement agencies. Franklinton Senator Beth Mizell authored the legislation and says the system is expected to be in place by July. Mizell says State Police is also taking steps to reduce a huge backlog….
cut 14 (08) “…do that”

St. Charles Parish Sheriff Greg Champagne says 28-year-old Martha Jessenia Gutierrez -Serrano provided school officials with false documents so she can attend Hahnville High School as a 17-year-old to learn English. Champagne says the Honduran had other options…
cut 12 (11) “…government document”
Gutierrez-Serrano attended the school for the entire year as a ninth grader and investigators found no evidence of any other criminal activity.

Governor Edwards has signed into law a measure that would require State Police to develop a database to track rape kits. Franklinton Senator Beth Mizell says the current process is not victim-friendly…
Cut 13 (13) “…progress is.”
Lawmakers appropriated $100 thousand to State Police to reduce the rape kit backlog along with $4.2 million more to the crime lab for general use

Another casualty of the budget fighting and confusion in the last minutes of the legislative session: funding for an important expansion of the Port of New Orleans is cut. Kevin Gallagher reports the Governor is not happy…:
Cut 1 (36) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

Much of the state is under a heat advisory today. And it will be even hotter this weekend. Also a slight risk for severe thunderstorms continues for north Louisiana.

51 Louisiana death row prisoners file clemency petitions in the hopes Governor John Bel Edwards and the Board of Pardons will commute their death sentences to life in prison without the possibility of parole. Louisiana Capital Appeals Project director Cecelia Kappel is an attorney for several of the inmates who have filed clemency applications
Cut 10 (09) “…on them.”
Earlier this year, Governor Edwards announced his opposition to the death penalty.

Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon is meeting with the press at this hour discussing legislation approved in the recently completed legislative session. Donelon says lawmakers approved more money for fund to attract more insurance providers to offer homeowners coverage…
cut 8 (10) “…their homes”
Donelon says next month they’ll begin a grant program that will allow homeowners to receive financial assistance to fortify their roofs from strong storms.

Among the bills passed last week, was a measure to give a $500 tax break to Louisiana gun owners for purchases of safes, locks, and other gun storage devices. New Orleans Representative Mandie Landry says her legislation mirrors a law passed in Virginia.
Cut 24 (12) “…as well.”
Gun owners should keep receipts of purchases to receive a tax credit through the Department of Revenue.

Thousands of LSU fans are heading to Omaha later this week to see the Tigers play in the College World Series. Executive Director of Visit Omaha Deborah Ward says Omaha will be the baseball capitol of the world….
cut 14 (13) “…this period”
LSU’s first game is Saturday night against Tennessee.

51 of Louisiana’s 57 death row inmates have filed applications seeking clemency. Their goal is for Governor John Bel Edwards to turn their death sentence to a sentence of life in prison. Louisiana Capital Appeals project director Ceclia Kappel says 39 of the inmates have been diagnosed with serious mental illness and or brain damage…
cut 11 (09) “….pardon board”
Governor John Bel Edwards announced his opposition to the death penalty earlier this year.

Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon and House & Senate insurance committee leaders hold a press conference today to talk about the package of bills aimed at fixing an ailing home insurance market. Donelon tells LRN one bill he’s glad to see pass will offer homeowners financial help with hardening roofs…:
Cut 7 (10) “…ten thousand dollars.”

Louisiana’s largest military base has a new name. Fort Polk is now Fort Johnson. The Army base in Vernon Parish is named after World War I hero Sgt. William Henry Johnson, a Black U.S. soldier who fought with French forces against Germany. Brigadier General David Gardner says Sgt. Johnson embodies the warrior spirit.
Cut 30 (09) “…every day.”
Johnson died in 1929 and was posthumously awarded a Purple Heart in 1996.

The National Security Agency awards a one-point-five million dollar grant to establish an LSU Cybersecurity Clinic to help small businesses prevent, detect and respond to cyberattacks. LSU Economic Development director Greg Trahan says work will begin right away….
cut 6 (12) “….go to class”

51 of Louisiana’s 57 death row inmates filed clemency applications with the Louisiana Board of Pardons in the hopes Governor John Bel Edwards will commute their death sentence to a life sentence. Edwards has made it known he opposes the death penalty. Cecelia Kappel, director of the Capital Appeals Project, represents many of the death row prisoners who filed the request….
cut 12 (07) “…for clemency”
2010 was the last time Louisiana executed a death row inmate.

The National Security Agency (NSA) selects LSU as the first university in the country to create a cybersecurity clinic to help protect Louisiana small businesses from cyberattacks. LSU Economic Development director Greg Trahan (TRAH-hahn) says LSU was chosen among more than 400 eligible institutions…:
Cut 4 (13) “…point of entry.’”
The clinic will engage 45 LSU students starting in the spring of 2024.

Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon seems pleased, overall, with the insurance reforms passed by the Legislature this year…
Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

A 28-year-old woman is facing charges after she used a fraudulent passport and birth certificate to claim she was 17-years old, which allowed her to enroll as a student at Hahnville High School in St. Charles Parish. Martha Jessenia Gutierrez-Serrano and her 46-year-old mother were arrested for injuring public records.