Race relations are worsening in eyes of the public, according to a recent LSU survey. Dr. Michael Henderson with the LSU Public Policy Research Lab says the share of people who believe race relations are getting worse rose by almost 20 percent since 2014. He says there’s a racial divide in opinions on whether racial equality exists today…:
Cut 6 (08) “to that point”
Henderson says views are equally split in regards to confidence in local police.

A man who was helping a judge in Lake Charles recover from a condition caused by alcohol abuse is under arrest for allegedly using the woman’s credit cards and checks. The Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office says 28-year-old Justin Gray is accused of racking up charges without permission in excess of $64,000. He is charged with three counts of unauthorized use of a credit card and 41 counts of forgery.

Today marks 7 years since an explosion on the Deepwater Horizon oil rig killed 11 people off the coast of Louisiana. Twenty-eight-year-old Gordon Jones was one of those. His father, Keith Jones, told Jim Engster on Talk Louisiana that dealing with the loss of his son isn’t any easier 7 years later…:
Cut 3 (08) “reminded of him”
Gordon’s wife, Michelle, was due to have their child, Max, just weeks after Gordon was supposed to come home.

DCFS says sex trafficking cases reported in Louisiana rose by 25-percent last year. Child Welfare Consultant Walter Fahr says of that number, 45-were juvenile victims….:
Cut 13 (09) “urban areas”
The report identified 447 victims statewide. Fahr says the report is beneficial because it helps to determine sex trafficking hot spots.

College student leaders are concerned about the funding of the TOPS program moving forward, and urge lawmakers to bring the scholarship back up to 100%. Northwestern State University student president John Pearce says he’s worried as that money dissipates, so will the students…:
Cut 11 (11) “somewhere else”
TOPS is only funded at 70 percent under the governor’s proposal.

Sex trafficking cases reported in Louisiana rose by 25-percent last year. That’s according to a report by the state Department of Children and Family Services. Child Welfare Consultant Walter Fahr says they are more easily identifying victims and getting them help…:
Cut 15 (10) “outreach”
The report identified 447 victims statewide.

State Police say they have more of an idea of what may have happened in the fiery fatal crash involving five vehicles on I-10 in West Baton Rouge Parish. They believe an 18 wheeler didn’t reduce his speed when approaching slow traffic and smashed into a vehicle causing a chain reaction. A vehicle driven by 26-year-old Ronald Allen of Alexandria was crushed between two big rigs that caught fire, and Allen died at the scene. Charges are pending.

The new Louisiana Bass Trail is promoting north Louisiana’s world renowned bass fishing to kids. Halen Doughty has more…:
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A report by the state Department of Children and Family Services finds the number of reported sex trafficking cases in Louisiana rose 25-percent last year. Emelie Gunn has more…:
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College student leaders from around the state are asking lawmakers to fully fund TOPS. Southeastern Louisiana University student president Erin Fernandez says with all the uncertainty surrounding the state budget, it’s hard for students and parents to plan…:
Cut 12 (08) “pay for it”
TOPS is currently only funded at 70 percent.

Governor John Bel Edwards said on his monthly call-in radio show that he doesn’t think the state should be involved in decisions about removing Confederate monuments in New Orleans. He says this is an issue that was brought forward by New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu, who wants to see the monuments removed…:
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It was Edwards’ first public comments on the controversial issue in several months.

North Louisiana is known for its incredible fishing spots which has inspired Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser, who oversees the state Department of Tourism, to launch the Louisiana Bass Trail. Anglers who sign up at louisianabasstrail.com will be sent, for free, a Louisiana Bassport that they may take to seven lakes at any of eight Louisiana State Parks…:
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Once they fish four of the lakes, they’ll receive a T-shirt. Anglers who fish all seven get #OnlyLouisiana swag.

Student leaders from Louisiana universities went before the House budget committee to plead with lawmakers not to cut funding for TOPS. Jeff Palermo has more…:
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Governor John Bel Edwards is staying out of the New Orleans Confederate monuments situation saying it’s a city matter, not one for the state level….:
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The comments were made on the governor’s monthly call in radio show.

A report on human trafficking showed a 25 percent increase in victims over the past year, with 447 reports in 2017, compared to 357 in 2016. That’s according the the Department of Children and Family Services. Child Welfare Consultant Walter Fahr says the primary reason for the jump could be that the state is doing a better job of identifying victims..:
Cut 14 (10) “help them”
Caddo and Orleans Parishes were the two most frequently identified areas for trafficking and parish of origin.

The northern regions of the state are known for great bass fishing, which is why Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser announces the launch of the Louisiana Bass Trail. He says it includes 7 lakes at 8 state parks and he believes this will help attract recreational fishermen from all over…:
Cut 4 (10) “in Louisiana”
Anglers can sign up at louisianabasstrail.com.

Student body leaders called on the state legislature to fully fund TOPS. Under the governor’s current budget proposal, the scholarship program is only 70% covered. Northwestern State University student president John Pearce testified before the House Appropriations Committee and says he’s heard a lot of concerns from students…:
Cut 10 (07) “extremely worried”
This year TOPS students had to pay over half of their spring tuition for the first time ever.

DCFS says sex trafficking cases reported in Louisiana rose by 25-percent last year. Child Welfare Consultant Walter Fahr says of that number, 45-were juvenile victims….:
Cut 13 (09) “urban areas”
The report identified 447 victims statewide. Fahr says the report is beneficial because it helps to determine sex trafficking hot spots.

Governor John Bel Edwards says the state should not get involved in the city of New Orleans’ decision to remove confederate monuments. He made the remarks on his monthly call-in radio show…:
Cut 7 (10) “have weighed in”
Two different bills have been filed seeking to protect confederate monuments around the state. New Orleans is attempting to hire a contractor to take down Civil War era structures.

DOTD reports that work continued through the night on I-10 in West Baton Rouge Parish where a fiery and deadly crash involving 18-wheelers shut down the roadway for about 6 hours Wednesday. State Police say the wreck involved 5 vehicles, including the big rigs, and 7 people. One person was killed and the others sustained minor to moderate injuries.

Drivers could see a hike in the gasoline tax, if a bill by Baton Rouge Representative Steve Carter is approved by the legislature. He says his proposed 17 cent hike would generate 500 million dollars a year for new projects.

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The bill requires the state to use at least half of the money to begin construction on new megaprojects, like a new bridge in Baton Rouge.

A bill that would allow public school students to bring sunscreen to school and apply it on their own is heading to the House floor. Ville Platte Representative Harvey LeBas says skin cancer is a major problem and the goal of his bill is to protect kids from sunburns when they go outside for school activities.

Cut 12 (07) “the protection”

The measure passed on a 12 to 1 vote.

Shreveport Representative Cedric Glover has filed a bill to prevent universities, like LSU and UL-Lafayette, from branding their own beers. Jeff Palermo has more…

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Governor John Bel Edwards has declared a state of emergency for Louisiana’s coast. The emergency declaration will be sent to President Trump to raise awareness about this crisis and expedite restoration projects. If nothing is done to protect the coast, Louisiana stands to lose an estimated 22-hundred square miles of coastal land in the next 50 years.

A Baton Rouge lawmaker has filed a proposal that would increase the state’s gasoline tax by 17 cents. Louisiana motorists pay 38-cents per gallon, 20-cents in state taxes for gasoline. Representative Steve Carter says it’s been over 20 years since Louisiana increased the state tax on gasoline…:
Cut 3 (09) “of dollars”
A group representing small businesses oppose the increase because many do not believe the funds would go to better roads.

The man convicted of shooting and killing former Saints star Will Smith is slated to be sentenced this afternoon. Loyola University Law Professor Dane Ciolino believes the jury was making a statement about Cardell Hayes when the reduced the charge from second degree murder to manslaughter. But he says the judge has plenty to consider…:
Cut 25 (08) “for it”
Thus far today the court has been discussing Hayes’ motion for a new trial.

Shreveport Representative Cedric Glover has filed a bill to prevent universities, like LSU and UL-Lafayette, from branding their own beers. Jeff Palermo has more…:
Cut 2 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

The Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office says a 10 foot long alligator shut down traffic on La Highway 1 for nearly an hour early this morning. They said a passer by reported the gator sighting in the middle of the road about 330am and that its tail had been run over by an 18-wheeler. LDWF removed the gator and determined it was 10 feet, 11 inches and 400 pounds.

A proposal by Shreveport Representative Cedric Glover would put an end to official university beers. LSU and UL-Lafayette already have their own trademarked suds from local breweries. Glover says college’s branding their own alcohol only encourages underage drinking…:
Cut 9 (10) “in particular”
The bill will be heard first in House Education. That committee today advanced a bill that would allow public school students to bring sunscreen to school and apply it on their own. The vote was 12-1 and heads to the full House.

Governor John Bel Edwards monthly call-in radio show takes place this afternoon at 2pm. Ask the Governor can be heard on certain affiliates of the Louisiana Radio Network.

A proposal heading to the House floor would shorten the waiting period for a divorce to be finalized for couples with minor children. Jeff Palermo has more…:
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The Tampa Bay Buccaneers will be featured on the popular HBO Television series Hard Knocks. There was some speculation it would be the Saints.