According to new analysis of federal data by Governing magazine, Louisiana is one of two states to see a decrease in median wages between 2013 and 2016. Halen Doughty has more…:
Cut 1 (31) “I’m Halen Doughty”

Sheriff Shaqullie O’Neal? The former LSU and NBA star told an Atlanta TV station that plans to run for sheriff in a few years. Shaq said he isn’t joking, and it has nothing to do with politics, but working to help people come closer together trust and respect police again. O’Neal, who has residences in Georgia and Florida, said he hasn’t made up his mind yet where he would run in 2020.

This year’s stripper age requirement bill gets its first hearing in a Senate committee today. The measure is touted as a way to curb human trafficking, and Jim Kelley, Executive Director of Covenant House in New Orleans believes if you have to be 21-years-old to drink in a strip club, you should be 21 to dance naked…:
Cut 12 (07) “young person”

West Monroe is once again the setting for a reality TV show, as the History Channel airs an episode of American Pickers filmed in the Ouachita Parish town. The show’s stars Mike and Frank picked through Pete Caldwell’s collection, at the request of the late collector’s children. Kaye Caldwell McBride says her father was an antique collector for many years…:
Cut 4 (12) “for the show”
The full episode called, “Hello Jell-O” can be viewed online at history.com.

Corporal punishment will continue in school districts that allow it, as a measure to do away with paddling students died on the house floor. Supporting the bill is New Orleans Representative Joe Bouie who says research shows this form of physical punishment does not work…:
Cut 13 (07) “kids brains”
But opponents say paddling is a better alternative to suspension or expulsion.

Governing magazine’s analysis of federal data finds Louisiana’s median hourly wage fell by 0.5 percent to $15.43 last year. LSU economist Dr. Loren Scott says the state has lost a lot of high paying jobs in the oil and gas industry since 2015, so it’s not really a surprise…:
Cut 9 (07) “go down”
Louisiana is one of just two states to see a decline in median wages between 2013 and 2016. The other was Deleware.

A bill to up the age requirement for strippers to dance in an exotic club from 18 to 21 will be heard before a Senate Committee today…:
Cut 2 (29) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

The full House approves a bill that would ban the use of tobacco products on school property. West Monroe Representative Frank Hoffman, a former smoker, told Baton Rouge Representative Denise Marcelle that he hopes this legislation helps school employees quit smoking…:
Cut 16 (11) “healthier”

The House Transportation Committee voted against a bill that would allow residents to vote on whether they want traffic enforcement cameras…:
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

Senator Bill Cassidy is slated to appear on Jimmy Kimmel Live today after calling for a “Kimmel test” a new healthcare bill would need to pass. Kimmel gave an emotional monologue last week about the birth of his son who was born with a heart disease, but surgery saved his life. Cassidy said the Obamacare replacement must cover pre-existing conditions adequately.

A Covington man is facing a slew of charges amid allegations he tried to run over the 8 year old son of his girlfriend. Capt. Daniel Seuzeneau with the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office says 34-year-old Shawn Porrovecchio also threw baseballs at the child then led cops on a high speed chase on I-12.:
CUT 12 (10) “to crash”
Porrovecchio’s charges including attemted first degree murder.

A Tulane University professor has filed suit in Orleans Parish Civil District Court to keep the Beauregard statue in place stating that it is not owned by the city. Richard Marksbury argues that the City Park Improvement Association is the true owner of the monument, Mayor Mitch Landrieu would need their approval before taking it down…:
Cut 14 (08) “those two”
He is seeking a temporary restraining order from a judge to halt its removal.

A bill that would leave it up to voters whether the state should allow traffic enforcement cameras died in the House Transportation Committee. Covington Representative Paul Hollis he conducted a poll on support for the devices and only 11-percent of respondents were in favor of keeping red light and speed cameras…:
Cut 8 (09) “about money”
But opponents say getting rid of them would promote bad behavior. The measure failed 14 to 1.

Also in House Transportation today, lawmakers advanced a bill that would require training in driver’s ed on how to act when you get pulled over. Plaquemine Representative Chad Brown says this is just common sense legislation…:
Cut 7 (07) “occupant bill”
The measure now heads to the full House.

FEMA is hiring. Supervisor of Human Resources Specialist, Carisa Berkeley says they’re looking to hire 100 reservists from southeast Louisiana to work in the agency’s public assistance program. She says the more robust of a workforce they can create in these areas, the better the response they can offer…:
Cut 4 (09) “type of response”
You can view the job openings and apply at LaWorks.net.

The Monumental Task Committee today presented what it calls new evidence to prevent New Orleans from tearing down one of the three Confederate statues slated from removal. The group says they filed a suit because they have proof that the monument to Confederate General P.G.T. Beauregard is on private land, not land owned by the city.

A bill that requires specific training during driver’s education courses on how motorists should behave during a traffic stop received approval from the House Transportation Committee. Plaquemine Representative Chad Brown is the author of the measure…:
Cut 6 (10) “traffic stop”
The measure now heads to the full House.

A Covington man is behind bars after police say he tried to run over an 8-year-old then rammed a sheriff’s deputy on I-12. Capt. Daniel Seuzeneau with the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office says they received a 911 call about a domestic dispute between 34-year-old Shawn Porrovecchio and his girlfriend…:
Cut 11 (09) “inside the vehicle”
He says Porrovecchio lead cops on a chase and crashed into a deputy patrol vehicle. He faces many charges including attempted first degree murder.

The regular session ends in one month and Jeff Palermo tells us where legislators are with two big issues…:
Cut 2 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

FEMA is looking for Louisiana workers to help during disaster response. Supervisor of Human Resources Specialist, Carisa Berkeley says want to hire people with a range of work experience…:
Cut 3 (11) “and response”
Find out more at careers.fema.gov.

We’re nearing the halfway point of the legislative session, and lawmakers still have a long way to go. While the biggest matter is the budget, another key agenda item is criminal justice reform. Political analyst Clancy Dubos expects lawmakers to focus primarily on nonviolent crime during this session. He says it will take the 2018 session to accomplish the goal of overall reform…:
Cut 15 (08) “to tackle”
The session ends June 8th.

Today the full House is scheduled to take up a proposal to ban corporal punishment in public schools. Shreveport Representative Barbara Norton says asking teachers to spank their students puts an additional strain on the educators…:
Cut 6 (10) “the parent”
She also argues that there is no proof that paddling is an effective form of discipline.

A measure to be heard before the House Transportation Committee today would give residents the chance to vote on removing red light or speed cameras that issue traffic tickets. Covington Representative Paul Hollis says the devices are scams and trample on drivers’ first amendment rights. because motorists don’t get a chance to confront their accuser…:
Cut 11 (10) “a fine”
Local government say they help reduce crashes, especially at intersections.

Dr. Chris Maggio has been appointed the new president of Northwestern State University by the UL-System Board of Supervisors. He says the plan is to continue to prioritize higher education given the uncertainty in the legislature…:
Cut 8 (09) “education”
The appointment is effective May 12.

The legislative session has reached its halfway mark, and there is still plenty of work to be done, particularly on the budget. The House has sent next fiscal year’s spending plan over to the Senate for approval. It appropriates 97.5 percent of the revenues that the State Treasury will make available. The governor says this will lead to difficult cuts, and Political analyst Clancy Dubos expects the Senate will add revenue…:
Cut 14 (08) “own ideas”
Another key agenda item is criminal justice reform.

The search has resumed for a 14-year-old who reportedly went under when his boat capsized around 7pm Saturday on Black Bayou, according to the Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office. There were three other teens on the vessel at the time and all were spilled into the lake — none wearing a life jacket. The friends couldn’t rescue the missing boy. Today is day three of the search.

A bill that would give residents the chance to vote on whether to remove traffic enforcement cameras will be heard before the House Transportation Committee…:
Cut 3 (25) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

The University of Louisiana System Board of Supervisors names Dr. Chris Maggio the new president of Northwestern State. Maggio says he’s honored and humbled to accept the position as he’s been with the school for 29 years…:
Cut 7 (11) “forward”