Southeastern Louisiana University is launching a new program that makes a deal with students if they don’t want to see a tuition hike….:
Cut 3 (31) “I’m Halen Doughty”

A proposal to shorten the waiting period by half for a divorce to be finalized if the couple has minor children advances to the House floor. Currently the wait-time is one year. The bill is Homer Representative Patrick Jefferson’s who says the decision to get a divorce is a big one:
Cut 10 (08) “they decided”
Others say one year gives couples more time to change their mind.

Cardell Hayes, the man who shot and killed former Saints star Will Smith, will be sentenced today after being convicted of manslaughter and attempted manslaughter. Loyola University Law Professor Dane Ciolino believes the judge will keep in mind that Cardell Hayes did not have much of a criminal record before this incident…:
Cut 5 (08) “self defense”
Still he believes Hays is looking at 20-40 years.

Ag Commissioner Mike Strain is not ready to allow an FDA approved poison to be used to kill off the massive feral hog population. He says they need to come up with something that will keep other animals, like black bears, away from the fatal food…:
Cut 15 (10) “pigs will eat”
He says they are also working to develop a vaccine that would make the feral pigs infertile to address the growing problem of wild hogs.

The sentencing is slated today for, Cardell Hayes, the man who shot and killed Former Saints defensive end Will Smith…:
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

Baton Rouge Representative Steve Carter filed legislation Tuesday that would raise the state’s gasoline tax by 17 cents. He says the measure would create about $510 million dollars annually for Louisiana’s roads and bridges. House Bill 632 also prohibits DOTD from using the gas tax revenue for operational costs.

Currently couples in Louisiana who get a divorce and have minor children have to wait a year before the split becomes final, but a bill that advanced out of a House committee Tuesday would reduce the wait time by half. The measure faces opposition from those like Southern University law Professor Michelle Ghetti who is against divorce period…:
Cut 8 (12) “of a step family”
But others say the sooner a divorce is final, the sooner the kids can move on and let healing begin.

Southeastern Louisiana University is issuing a promise to students that they won’t raise tuition if a degree is completed in 4 years. SLU President John Crain says this gives students and their families the ability to budget the exact cost of higher education…:
Cut 12 (10) “of higher education”
He calls the Southeastern Promise a game-changer in Louisiana.

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…:
Cut 2 (31) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

The Ascension Parish Sheriff’s Office is still looking for a second suspect in connection to a murder in a Prairieville mobile home. They say Donovan Darville and the victim, 27-year-old Clarence Harvey, were childhood friends but a motive for the shooting is not known. The man at large, Jerald Wall, was allegedly driving the vehicle for Darville when the incident took place.

The man convicted of shooting and killing former Saints star Will Smith is slated to be sentenced today. 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 6 (08) “for it”
He expects a sentenced in the range of 20-40 years.

Ag Commissioner Mike Strain has delayed the sale of Kaput feral hog bait in Louisiana, saying it poses too large a danger to other animals. Kaput is a poison that can kill wild pigs, but Strain says black bears can overturn the feeders containing the bait and dump the contents…:
Cut 14 (09) “non-target species”
He says they are looking into different kinds of feeders that cannot be accessed by other animals.

A proposal to shorten the waiting period to be granted a divorce for couples with minor children was approved by the House Judiciary committee on Tuesday. Homer Representative Patrick Jefferson’s bill would reduce the waiting period from a year to six months. He says this is what’s best for the kids…:
Cut 7 (10) “can begin”
But Gene Mills with the Louisiana Family Forum says the current one year waiting period gives couples more time to resolve their issues…:
Cut 9 (12) “very reconcilable”
The measure now heads to the House floor.

Governor John Bel Edwards will appear on his monthly call-in radio show today beginning at 2pm. It will air on certain affiliates of the Louisiana Radio Network…(and here locally on __________.)

Cardell Hayes, the man who shot and killed former Saints star Will Smith, will be sentenced today on manslaughter and attempted manslaughter convictions. Loyola University Law Professor Dane Ciolino says Hayes will likely be behind bars a long time…:
Cut 4 (10) “unusual”
Meanwhile Hayes’ defense attorney Tuesday reportedly filed a motion for a new trial based on new evidence.

Southeastern Louisiana University is issuing a promise to incoming freshmen not to raise their tuition, if they commit to completing their degree in four years. University President John Crain…:
Cut 13 (09) “more quickly”

A Senate committee approves a measure that would offer parole after 30 years for murderers who received life sentences as juveniles. State Supreme Court Chief Justice Bernette Johnson supports the measure. She says the state should draw a line between immature juveniles and corrupt juveniles.

Cut 11 (05) “peer pressure”

If the bill passes, 89 people out of 300 sentenced to life in prison for crimes committed as juveniles would be immediately eligible for parole.

But Kaplan Senator Jonathan Perry says during the entire discussion, there was no mention of the victims of these crimes.

Cut 13 (09) “get notified”

The bill heads to the Senate floor for more debate.

A proposal heading to the House floor would shorten the waiting period for a divorce to be finalized for couples with minor children.

Cut 2 (31) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Agricultural Commissioner Mike Strain has delayed the sale of Kaput feral hog bait in Louisiana because of the danger it poses to other animals. Strain says black bears can overturn the feeders containing the bait and dump the contents.

Cut 14 (09) “species”

A measure sponsored by Columbia Senator Neil Riser would exempt flood victims from state income tax for 2017. He says this is the least the state can do to help victims of the 2016 floods get back on track.
Cut 9 (08) “been affected”
The bill has not yet been scheduled for debate.

A bill that would offer parole for juveniles convicted of murder after they have served 30 years behind bars moves out of the Senate Judiciary Committee and heads to the Senate floor. Kaplan Senator Jonathan Perry disagrees with the measure filed by Baton Rouge Senator Dan Claitor. He says not once during the discussion were the victims of these crimes mentioned.
Cut 13 (09) “get notified”

 
A Raceland man faces multiple charges after allegedly hitting his girlfriend for making fun of his dance moves. David Melancon with the Thibodaux Police Department says 34-year-old Cole Rodriguez was orignially charged with domestic abuse battery then he started resisting officers once arrested. He says Rodriguez never should’ve hit the victim in the first place.
cut 7 (10) “the lick”

Rodriguez has also been charged with battery of a police officer.

State Police says a 62-year-old man has been charged with vehicular homicide for hitting a man walking on the shoulder of the road in Houma. Master Trooper Brooks David says Albert Williams Jr. was driving last night when he struck 43-year-old Byron Acosta. He says when troopers responded, they suspected Williams was drunk.
Cut 4 (08) “lane usage”

The Senate bill that deals with juvenile inmates who were sentenced to life in prison without parole, which is declared unconstitutional by the U.S. Supreme Court, advanced out of committee today. Louisiana has hundreds of former juveniles now serving time and the bill seeks to allow them to be parole eligible in certain cases. The Louisiana District Attorneys Association opposes aspects of the measure.

Columbia Senator Neil Riser sponsors a bill that would exempt flood victims from state income tax for the 2017 year…:
Cut 10 (10) “got it hear yet”
Under Riser’s proposal, the first $100,000 of income that a family earns this year would be exempt from the state income tax if they sustained $10,000 of damage.

A 62-year-old has been charged with vehicular homicide after hitting a pedestrian and killing him in Terrebonne Parish last night, according to State Police. Master Trooper Brooks David says Albert Williams Jr. was likely impaired when investigators arrived on scene…:
CUT 4 (08) “lane usage”
43-year-old Byron Acosta died on the scene.

The LSU Ag Center’s Sensory Services Lab is seeking food lovers, dubbed Tiger Tasters, to help with analysis on certain products. Manager Ashley Gutierrez says companies are also involved in the tastes tests and are looking for a wide range of subjects to take part…:
Cut 14 (10) “can serve”
If you’re a consumer interested in testing food products, visit the LSU School of Food and Nutrition website.

A lawmaker from Columbia doesn’t think flood victims should have to pay state income taxes on what they earn in 2017. Senator Neil Riser says it’s the least the state could do to help survivors of the disaster rebuild their lives…:
Cut 9 (08) “been affected”
Under a bill he filed for the current session, those who sustained $10,000 of damage would be exempt from income taxes this year up to $100,000 for families and $50,000 if filing single.

If you’re critical of how people dance, you might want to avoid Cole Rodriguez. He’s a 34-year-old man from Raceland who cops say attacked his girlfriend when she made fun of his moves. David Melancon, with the Thibodaux Police Department, says while police were transporting Rodriguez to jail on charges of domestic abuse battery, he still wan’t happy…:
Cut 6 (06) “police officers”
He was booked on a $7,500 bond.

LSU’s Sensory Services Lab is seeking food lovers to volunteer as Tiger Tasters on the Baton Rouge campus. Halen Doughty has more…:
Cut 3 (30) “I’m Halen Doughty”