Governor John Bel Edwards has issues with a House approved bill that would require a vote to remove a military monument. Emelie Gunn has more:
Cut 2 (31) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

Workers struggled for hours early this morning to remove the statue of Gen. P.G.T. Beauregard in New Orleans. It’s the third Confederate era monument out of four slated for removal in an effort started by Mayor Mitch Landrieu. He says the city should be defined by the future and not the past. Only the statue of Robert E Lee remains.

An agreement has been reached on a criminal justice reform package that seeks to lower the state’s highest-in-the nation incarceration rate. Louisiana District Attorneys Association Executive Director Pete Adams says they support the legislation, because it gives judges alternatives to prison for non-violent offenders…:
Cut 12 (11) “for incarceration”
The state senate approved major provisions of the reform package on Tuesday.

New Orleans Senator Troy Carter hopes legislation to increase the state’s minimum wage will get more support this year than in years past. Today, the Senate Labor Committee takes up Carter’s bill, which would raise the minimum wage from $7.25 to $8.50 an hour over two years…:
Cut 4 (10) “decent lifestyle”
Opponents say an increase like this would hurt small business.

The third of four Confederate monuments in New Orleans slated for removal has been taken down, as early this morning workers lifted the Beauregard statue off its base.

Governor John Bel Edwards says a bill that seeks to protect Confederate statues is divisive and generates animosity among legislators….:
Cut 8 (09) “do it”
The full House approved a measure filed by Shreveport Representative Thomas Carmody that would require voter approval before local governments can remove a military monument. Black lawmakers staunchly oppose the proposal.

Meanwhile the House voted 20-81 to kill legislation that would have prevented dozens of sales tax breaks from coming back in the middle of 2018. The state is facing a more than $1 billion dollar budget gap that hits next year and so far the majority-Republican chamber hasn’t taken action to make a dent in the shortfall.

Today the Senate Labor Committee takes up a proposal to increase the state’s minimum wage. Jeff Palermo has more…:
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

A proposed 17 cent hike on the state’s gasoline tax has won the approval of the House Ways and Means Committee. Baton Rouge Representative Steve Carter says his bill would help fund construction projects, like a new Mississippi River Bridge in Baton Rouge. He says we cannot continue to let our roads deteriorate.

Cut 13 (10) “unaddressed”

Eunice Representative Phillip Devillier says with this increase, Louisiana would have the 9^th highest gas tax in the country. He says his constituents would gladly pay a little more in taxes if they actually saw construction on roadways.

Cut 16 (08) “have now”

The measure passed 9 to 7 and heads to the House floor.

The Legislative Black Caucus is fuming over a House approved measure to protect confederate monuments. The measure still has to be approved by the Upper Chamber, and Chairman and New Orleans Representative Joseph Bouie is calling on senators to reject the bill.

Cut 5 (08) “and legislature”

The bill was approved by the House on a 65 to 31 vote.

A Slidell man is facing a murder charge after allegedly beating his 7-week-old son to death. St. Tammany Sheriff Randy Smith says the infant, Karter Smith, was pronounced braindead at the hospital, and his father 25-year-old Anthony Dearmas was charged with first degree murder.

Cut 11 (08) “to live, folks”

The parish coroner says Karter sustained 7 fractures in his skull.

Today the Senate Labor Committee takes up a proposal to increase the state’s minimum wage. Jeff Palermo has more…

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

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Governor John Bel Edwards has issues with a House approved bill that would require a vote to remove a military monument. Emelie Gunn has more…

Cut 2 (31) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

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A Homer teenager has turned himself in to police after allegedly setting a dog on fire. Halen Doughty has more…

Cut 3 (30) “I’m Halen Doughty”

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New Orleans Senator Troy Carter hopes legislation to increase the state’s minimum wage will get more support this year than in years past. Today, the Senate Labor Committee takes up Carter’s bill, which would raise the minimum wage from $7.25 to $8.50 an hour over two years.

Cut 4  (10) “decent lifestyle”

Carter says this modest increase could be huge for families trying to make ends meet. He calls it a fairness bill, because working people deserve an honest day’s pay for an honest day’s work. He notes the cost of everything else is going up, but wages are not.

Cut 5  (12)  “clothe them”

West Monroe Senator Mike Walsworth is concerned about job losses, if the state raised the minimum wage, because some businesses can’t afford to pay higher wages. He adds that a minimum wage and a living wage are two different things.

Cut 6 (10) “minimum wage”

Ruston Representative Rob Shadoin says he would be hesitant to support such an increase, because he represents a lot of small business owners. He says this much of an increase would hurt a lot of small businesses.

Cut 7 (09)  “and tackle shop”

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Governor John Bel Edwards says a bill that seeks to protect Confederate Monuments from being removed, as divisive and generating animosity among legislators. The measure passed the House on Monday. Black lawmakers staunchly oppose the proposal and the governor took notice of the passion that this legislation brought out during the debate.

Cut 8 (09) “do it”

The bill filed by Shreveport Representative Thomas Carmody requires voter approval before local government can remove a military monument. Edwards says requiring a vote for any statue to be removed causes many problems. He says the master plan at LSU has the Troy Middleton Library being replaced…

Cut 9 (10)  “for LSU”

Edwards says the Confederate Monuments represent historical figures and there is a certain place for them, which should depend on the will of the people. He says if removed from their original location, the statutes should be moved to a museum where they can teach people.

Cut 10 (10) “best part”

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Governor John Bel Edwards announces an agreement on a criminal justice reform package that seeks to lower the state’s highest-in-the nation incarceration rate. Edwards says the plan will reduce the state’s prison population over the next decade by 10-percent.

Cut 11 (10) “offender penalties”

Edwards says these reforms will also save the state $260 million over the next decade and much of the savings will be used on programs to reduce the recidivism rate. Louisiana District Attorneys Association Executive Director Pete Adams says they support the legislation, because it gives judges alternatives to prison for non-violent offenders.

Cut 12 (11) “for incarceration”

The state senate approved major provisions of the reform package on Tuesday. New Orleans Representative Walt Leger will now look to get the lower chamber to agree with the bills that will give Louisiana major sentencing reform for individuals convicted of drug and property crimes.

Cut 13 (12) “primary accomplishments”

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A 17-year-old is facing a serious charge after police say he set a dog on fire. Claiborne Sheriff Ken Bailey says Carzavian Willis of Homer doused a Yorkie in gasoline, causing severe burns on 80 percent of her body.

Cut 14 (11) “put down”

Willis turned himself in to police Monday evening. Bailey says their investigation was complicated by finger pointing among several juveniles who may have been involved. He says they are confident about Willis’ role, but more arrests could be made as this case unfolds.

Cut 15 (10) “taken down”

Bailey says they’re not sure who owned the dog. Willis is charged with aggravated cruelty to animals, which is a felony that carries a sentence up to 10 years. The suspect has been released on a $15,000 bond. Bailey says this teenager clearly needs to be behind bars.

Cut 16 (09) “they’ll do”

The House Ways and Means Committee approves a proposal to up the state’s gasoline tax by 17 cents. Baton Rouge Representative Steve Carter says his bill would help fund a new Mississippi River Bridge to alleviate congestion on the Interstate 10 in Baton Rouge. He says Louisiana cannot continue to let our roads deteriorate.

Cut 13 (10) “unaddressed”

But Eunice Representative Phillip Devillier says this increase would make Louisiana’s gasoline tax the 9^th highest in the country. He says his constituents would gladly pay a little more in taxes if they actually saw construction on roadways.

Cut 16 (08) “have now”

The measure passed on a 9 to 7 vote now heads to the House floor.

Members of the Louisiana Legislative Black Caucus are outraged the House approved a bill to protect confederate monuments. Chairman and New Orleans Representative Joseph Bouie says lawmakers have more important issues facing them.

Cut 4 (12) “our citizens”

The House voted 65 to 31 to advance the bill prohibiting the removal of military monuments.

A Slidell man is behind bars after allegedly beating his 7-week-old son to death. St. Tammany Sheriff Randy Smith says 25-year-old Anthony Dearmas was charged with first degree murder after Karter Smith was pronounced braindead at the hospital.

Cut 11 (08) “to live, folks”

Black lawmakers are fuming mad that the bill designed to protect Confederate monuments passed out of the full House. Supporters say they want to let voters decide if a statue in their city is a nuisance or not. But Legislative Black Caucus Chairman Joseph Bouie is calling on senators and the governor not to pass this bill…:
Cut 5 (08) “and legislator”

The St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office announces the arrest of a father accused of beating his 7 week old baby to death. 25-year-old Anthony Dearmas of Slidell is booked with first degree murder in the death of Karter Smith. Sheriff Randy Smith says Dearmas told detectives why he killed his child…:
Cut 12 (07) “sad excuse”
The parish coroner says Karter sustained 7 fractures to his skull and had bleeding inside his brain.

Today the full Senate is taking up criminal justice reform, and the governor announces a “compromise” package has been reached with District Attorneys’ and Sheriffs’. This is a major part of the Governor’s agenda this session as he wants to reduce the state’s prison population. He says changes have been made in the package to address concerns about certain violent crimes and habitual offender penalties. The negotiated plan would save the state $262 million dollars over 10 years.

Allergy season is particularly bad this year and experts blame the warmer than normal winter keeping the pollen around. Allergist Dr. Sanjay Kamboj (San-jay Kam-bozh) with the LSU Health Sciences Center advises people who get the symptoms of a runny nose or a post nasal drip to cover up when going outside by wearing a hat or a mask. He also recommends washing your face immediately when coming back inside to remove the pollen….:
Cut 9 (10) “the nose”

Louisiana’s Black Legislative Caucus believes white supremacy is behind legislation seeking to protect confederate monuments…:
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Halen Doughty”

An Allergist with the LSU Health Sciences Center says in all his years as a doctor, this is the worst allergy season he’s ever seen. Dr. Sanjay Kamboj (San-jay Kam-bozh) says there has been a 10 to 20-percent increase in the number of patients coming in with allergies problems…:
Cut 7 (07) “the office”
He blames the warm winter which never really burned off the pollen.

A Slidell man is facing first-degree murder charges after he allegedly beat his 7-week-old son to death. St. Tammany Sheriff Randy Smith says deputies responded to a call about an infant who was not breathing last Wednesday. He says after seeing the severe head injuries to Karter Smith, deputies questioned his father, 25-year-old Anthony Dearmas…:
Cut 10 (09) “the ground”
Smith says the infant was transported to a local hospital, where doctors later determined the 7-week-o ld was brain dead. Dearmas’ charges were upgraded to first degree murder and he was booked into the St. Tammany Parish jail.

The bill to raise the gas tax 17 cents in Louisiana is being heard in the House Ways and Means Committee. Baton Rouge Representative Steve Carter says the additional revenue is needed for Louisiana’s infrastructure, but some lawmakers are concerned the money would not go towards improving highways. Carter promises that is exactly where the dollars would go:
CUT 25 (05) “the public”
But state Director of Americans for Prosperity John Kay says now is not the time to be raising taxes on Louisiana residents…:
CUT 26 (06) “few years”
The bill would also link the state’s gasoline tax to the Consumer Price Index.

The St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office arrests a man for allegedly beating his 7-week-old son to death. 25-year-old Anthony Dearmas of Slidell is charged with first-degree murder. Authorities say Dearmas revealed that he had punched the baby off of a sofa and onto his head because he would not stop crying.

The Louisiana Black Caucus is livid after what they call an offensive vote to advance legislation aimed at protecting the state’s confederate monuments. Chairman, New Orleans Representative Joseph Bouie, says this bill is a Trojan horse designed to supersede the authority of local municipalities who have voted to remove such statues…:
Cut 3 (08) “white supremacy”
But Shreveport Representative Thomas Carmody says his bill would allow the public to vote on which monuments to keep and which ones to remove.
Cut 6 (11) “people decide”
The measure is headed to the Senate side on a 65-31 vote.

The Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office says the situation this morning that caused a large police presence where it’s reported a subject barricaded himself in a cooler at a gas station has been resolved peacefully.

After hours of emotional debate, the full House approves a controversial bill aimed at protecting Louisiana’s confederate monuments. Shreveport Representative Thomas Carmody’s bill would prohibit the removal of any military monument without a vote from the public. He says it’s only fair to let the people decide what they want to commemorate.

Cut 17 (07) “on this issue”

The measure faced steep opposition from the Black Caucus, but passed on a 65-31 vote.

In this hour, the House Ways and Means committee takes up a proposal to increase the state’s gasoline tax by 17 cents a gallon. But State Director of Americans for Prosperity John Kay says the tax hike would be higher than that because it’s tied to the consumer price index.

Cut 10 (07) “nine years”

Supporters of the bill say more revenue is needed to pay for better roads.

A 10-year-old Lafayette cold case closes with three arrests. Lafayette Police Cpl. Karl Ratcliff says three suspects fled Acadiana after the 2007 murder, but they were later identified through video evidence. He says the suspects were picked up in Alexandria and Shreveport.

Cut 12 (11) “separate charge”

Marcus Smith, Kendall Smith, and Edward Woods are all charged with second degree murder.

A 19-year-old is behind bars following a Mother’s Day shooting at a kickball game left one Homer man dead. Police say 19-year-old Quintarrious Rice is charged with unlawful carrying of a weapon ad discharging a firearm in a gun free zone, and more arrests are expected. This was reportedly one of two shootings in a park on Mother’s Day.