The Washington Post leaked a report indicating the Department of Justice will not charge the Baton Rouge Police officers involved in the shooting of Alton Sterling. State Attorney General Jeff Landry could still investigate to see if criminal state charges apply. But Legal Analyst Tim Meche doesn’t think that’s likely….:
Cut 15 (08) “it’s over”
The Governor’s Office says they have not been notified of a timeline or decision regarding the Sterling investigation.

A bill to be heard in the House Labor Committee today would protect employees from retaliation for talking about their wages. Vice President of the United Way of Southeast Louisiana Charmaine Caccioppi is an advocate for ending pay secrecy…:
Cut 4 (10) “discussing that”
Opposition is expected to come from business groups.

A lawmaker from Covington wants to make it easier for recall petitions to succeed in Louisiana, and his bill to do just that has cleared a House panel. The current rules state districts with more than 1,000 voters have 180 days to sign up a third of registered voters. Norco Representative Gregory Miller says he can see how that’s impossible…:
Cut 10 (10) “particular thing”
Large districts would need 20% of signatures of the measure headed to the house floor.

The House budget proposal set for debate on the floor is $237 million less than what the governor wanted, and state agencies are speaking out in efforts to have their budgets protected. Department of Corrections is looking at an $11 million dollar cut which Secretary Jimmy LeBlanc says would create additional staffing issues…
Cut 9 (08) “medical staff”
The Louisiana Department of Health is facing a $235 million cut.

The Washington Post is reporting the DOJ will not charge the Baton Rouge police officers accused of fatally shooting Alton Sterling last July…:
Cut 2 (30) “I’m Halen Doughty”

There have been a few small demonstrations and protests popping up since the leaked report was released. About 15 people gathered in front of the Baton Rouge Police headquarters. Much of the outrage at this point including from the mayor is due to the news leaking before the Sterling family was informed.

Leaders of state agencies are urging lawmakers not to cut their budgets, as the spending plan heading to the House floor is $237 million less than the governor’s budget proposal. The Louisiana Department of Health is facing a $235 million cut. Secretary Rebekah Gee says that means programs like school-based health centers, Zika defenses, and in-patient psychiatric treatment would be eliminated…:
Cut 7 (07) “does not exist”
DCFS is facing cuts and so is the Department of Corrections.

There is another flash flood watch in effect for almost the entire state from 10am this morning through just before sunrise tomorrow, as severe storms move through the state. Rain amounts of 3 to 6 inches are expected in some areas that are still trying to dry out from Sunday’s downpour.

Part of Governor John Bel Edwards’ criminal justice reform package was approved by a Senate Committee today. One bill in his plan would address habitual offenders and more legislation could be created to reinvest savings into anti-recidivism courses. Edwards’ says Louisiana is spending too much money keeping too many people in prison for too long.
Cut 14 (09) “a result”

The governor wanted to change sentencing guidelines for felons, but he says that will be discussed in next year’s session.

Democratic New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu has been named a potential 2020 presidential contender by a New York Times Report. Political analyst Clancy Dubos says it’s too early to guess who could be on the ballot. He says Landrieu could be influential in the party but doesn’t have name recognition outside of the Bayou State.
Cut 10 (11) “long shot”

More Louisiana high school students than ever have filled out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. Assistant Superintendent for the Office of Student Opportunity Ken Bradford says this assistance covers the cost of attendance, like books and room and board, whereas TOPS only covers tuition. He also says this financial assistance applies to more than just two and four year colleges.
Cut 5 (09) “truck driving”

An unrestrained teenager died after a crash in St. Landry Parish after hitting a cow that was standing in the road. State Police Sgt. Jared Sandifer says the female victim is identified as 16-year-old Adrian Johnson of Washington…:
Cut 15 (10) “that crash”

A report in the New York Times mentions Democratic New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu as a potential candidate for president in 2020. Jeff Palermo has more…:
Cut 1 (28) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

The news on a decision by the DOJ on the Alton Sterling case is that there is no news. The feds were rumored to announce a decision today on whether or not to charge Baton Rouge cops involved in Sterling’s death. Former US Attorney Don Cazayoux says sometimes things like this take years…:
Cut 8 (08) “easy decisions”

A portion of Governor John Bel Edwards criminal justice reform package received approval from a Senate Committee today. The bills would shorten sentences for non-violent offenders and strengthen their probation and parole requirements. Edwards says too many people are jailed and it’s costing the state a fortune…:
Cut 12 (09) “not less”
The governor also wanted to address changes to the felony class system but that will be heard in the 2018 session.

A brand new driver from Washington died in a crash after she collided with a cow near St. Landry last night. Sgt. Jared Sandifer with State Police says, unfortunately, investigators located 16-year-old Adrian Johnson’s vehicle in a culvert and she wasn’t wearing her seat belt…
Cut 16 (08) “the crash”
Johnson was pronounced dead at the scene.

State leaders at every level seem to have no idea where the Justice Department is with its decision on the Alton Sterling Case. The DOJ would say whether or not to bring civil rights charges to the cops involved in Sterling’s death. New Orleans Congressman Cedric Richmond had this to say during a Twitter town hall…:
Cut 7 (11) “time period”
The community has become restless awaiting the decision from the feds.

A New York Times report names New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu as a potential 2020 presidential contender. Political analyst Clancy Dubos says he hasn’t heard that, but believes the article is insinuating there is a need for generational change within the Democratic Party…:
Cut 9 (13) “of his generation”
He says it’s still too early to guess who could be on the ballot in 2020.

The number of high school seniors in Louisiana applying for federal student aid is at an all time high. Assistant Superintendent for the Office of Student Opportunity Ken Bradford says this is great news because if every student filled out a FAFSA form, millions of dollars would be available for them to go to college…:
Cut 4 (10) “pay back”
The national average for FAFSA completion is 55-percent. With two months before the deadline, Louisiana is already at 51%.

A memorial fund has been set up for the family of the Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s Deputy who died while on-duty in a crash over the weekend. Deputy Justin Beard will be laid to rest on Thursday at Mt. Vernon Baptist Church in West Monroe. Anyone who wants to help out his wife and three children can do so at any Ouachita Independent Bank location.

Rumor has it today is the day the U.S. Department of Justice will issue its decision in the Alton Sterling case, but there’s still no word on how accurate the gossip is. The DOJ will determine whether or not to bring forth civil rights charges against the Baton Rouge cops involved in Sterling’s death. Former US Attorney Don Cazayoux imagines this has been an extensive investigation…:
Cut 6 (10) “ballistic evidence”
Cazayoux was a guest on Talk Louisiana with Jim Engster this morning.

Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser unveils a new initiative called Destination Louisiana to encourage Louisianans to vacation in their home state. Nungesser hopes residents will stay-cation in the Bayou State rather than jumping on a plane. He says there is so much beauty to see right here..:
Cut 13 (08) “in Louisiana”

The number of high school students completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid is the highest in the state’s history. Assistant Superintendent for the Office of Student Opportunity Ken Bradford says students are already at a 51-percent completion rate and the deadline to fill out the form is still two months away…:
Cut 3 (12) “completion rate”
The national average for FAFSA completion is 55-percent.

A 16-year-old driver who wasn’t buckled up has died in a crash after she hit livestock that was standing in the middle of the road near the St. Landry/Evangeline Parish line. State Police Sgt. Jared Sandifer says the female victim is identified as Adrian Johnson of Washington…:
CUT 15 (10) “that crash”
He reminds all motorists that it’s the law to buckle up.

Protestors and anti-protestors came face to face last night at the Jefferson Davis monument in New Orleans, some calling for the statue of the Confederacy president to come down and others demanding it remain in place. Congressman Clay Higgins supports the monuments, but says their future has to be decided by the state.

Cut 7 (07) “there is none”

Higgins sent a letter to Governor Edwards urging him to protect Louisiana’s history.

A Breaux Bridge priest has reportedly entered a guilty plea of not guilty on child pornography charges. Authorities say they found more than 500 images of child pornography on Rev. Felix Broussard’s personal computer last July. Broussard is facing charges of accessing and possessing the pornographic images, and his next court appearance is scheduled for August.

A lack of quality childcare is costing employers and employees billions, according to a recent LSU survey. Executive Director of the Louisiana Policy Institute for Children, Melanie Bronfin says the state needs to stop cutting the Louisiana School Readiness Tax Credits because child care programs are critical.

Cut 12 (09) “childcare”

The report finds one in six Louisiana workers quit their jobs because of trouble with child care.

Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser is encouraging Louisianans to vacation in their home state in a new initiative called Destination Louisiana. He says they’ll be promoting the parish of the month on radio commercials and digital billboards.

Cut 15 (10) “to offer”

For more information, visit LouisianaTravel.com.

Congressman Clay Higgins has sent a letter to Governor John Bel Edwards urging him to take action to keep Louisiana’s confederate monuments where they are. Higgins says these statues are a part of Louisiana’s history, and they deserve to be protected…:
Cut 8 (12) “that we are”
New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu says the structures belong to the city.

A study conducted in-part by the LSU Public Policy Research Lab finds a lack of quality childcare costs employers and employees over a billion dollars a year. Dr. Belinda Davis says they found one in six workers in Louisiana quit their jobs because they don’t have a place for the kids…:
Cut 11 (08) “tax revenue”
She says Louisiana has cut funding to early child care programs 70-percent since 2008.

LSU and a news organization have created a website which would let the public give an opinion on how Louisiana’s budget woes could be repaired. LSU Mass Communications Professor Len Apcar says “solve-the-budget-dot-org” asks participants a number of different options related to revenue and spending, with the dollar amounts included for each..:
Cut 5 (10) “close the gap”
The poll was also developed by The Advocate newspaper.