Waitr, the food delivery app, has expanded their ordering options to web browsers and restaurants are already benefiting. Emelie Gunn has more…

Cut 1 (29) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

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Higher Education leaders plead with legislators not to cut state funding to Louisiana colleges. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (31) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

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A Shreveport lawmaker is trying to tackle bullying in Louisiana with a bill to be heard in the Senate education committee. Halen Doughty has more…

Cut 3 (30) “I’m Halen Doughty”

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The on-demand food delivery app, Waitr, recently added a web ordering option and restaurants are already benefiting. Chief Marketing Officer for Waitr, Sonny Mayugba (My-ou-ba), says they received feedback from consumers and restaurants urging the company to develop Waitr-app-dot-com (waitrapp.com). He expects more restaurants will bring their businesses to the company.

Cut 4  (10) “business”

Waitr is currently available in the majority of the Bayou State, except for Alexandria, which is expected to be on board soon. Mayugba says the majority of people still browse the internet on the computer, not purely on mobile apps. He says their mission is to help restaurants feature their great food to a bigger market.

Cut 5  (10)  “ordering online”

Waitr was founded in Lake Charles in 2015 and over 2-thousand restaurants partner with the company. Mayugba says Waitr is a great platform for a customer but…

Cut 6 (09) “the consumers”

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ULM researchers are working to develop treatments for cancer and Alzheimer’s from a compound found in extra virgin olive oil. Dr. Amal Kaddoumi’s research focuses on Alzheimer’s, and Dr. Khalid El Sayed is researching cancer. El Sayed (El-sigh-ed) says in some early trials this compound actually worked better than chemo. Kaddoumi says she is also seeing good results from the initial tests.

Cut 7 (08)  “one mechanism”

Kaddoumi (Kuh-doo-me) says the compound oleocanthal (oh-lee-oh-can-thal) is effective at removing a particular protein that inhabits brain function. The research is funded through a $200-thousand grant from the state Board of Regents. She says with initial tests completed, the next step is testing on human patients.

Cut 8 (05) “clinical trial”

Kaddoumi says they believe this compound could one day be used to treat and even prevent Alzheimer’s and different types of cancer. El Sayed says with this grant, they hope to launch a ULM food or drink product that could help prevent these diseases.

Cut 9 (11)  “prevention”

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Higher education leaders made their case during a legislative budget hearing to not cut state funding to public colleges. Governor John Bel Edwards proposed budget  calls for a 17-million dollar reduction in funding for campuses. Louisiana Community and Technical College President Monty Sullivan says their institutions can’t keep doing more with less….

Cut 10 (07) “to happen”

Since 2008, Louisiana has reduced state funding to its public colleges by 700-million dollars. President F King Alexander says the LSU School system is looking at its 17th cut in nine-and-a-half years…

Cut 11 (10) “student spending”

Alexander says despite their money troubles, LSU ranks 24th among flagship institutions for its graduation rate. TOPS is also not fully funded in the governor’s proposed budget. Alexander says students are accepting scholarships to out of state schools as a result…

Cut 12 (12) “of TOPS”

The hearing on finances for higher ed went on for hours, but it’s too early in the session to tell if legislators can spend more on Louisiana colleges.

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A north Louisiana lawmaker seeks to end bullying in Louisiana schools with a comprehensive bill waiting to be heard in this legislative session. Shreveport senator and attorney John Milkovich says his bill requires that instances of bullying be reported to law enforcement within 24 hours.

Cut 13 (10) “it’s real”

The bill also gives teachers the power take all steps necessary to prevent bullying and keep students safe, including using physical force. Milkovich says this would prevent teachers from being suspended for breaking up fights.

Cut 14 (12) “right thing”

Milkovich says students need a safe place to learn. He says that’s why his bill allows teachers to do whatever it takes to keep children safe on school campuses, even if that means taking a bully out of class.

Cut 15 (09) “police involved”

The bill will first be heard by the Senate education committee. A hearing date has not been scheduled.

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LSU returns to SEC play tonight as the Tigers host Ole Miss for the start of a three-game series. Who will start at first base? Regular starter Jake Slaughter has been struggling with the bat, so Coach Paul Mainieri might turn to Nick Coomes, who got the start there on Tuesday night and had two hits…

Cut 16 (17) “first base”

LSU has struggled to score runs lately, but Coomes has been able to supply some offense. In limited action this year, he’s hitting .364. The Baton Rouge native says he’s being an aggressive at the plate…

Cut 17 (12)  “staying aggressive”

Coomes says if he starts at first base tonight, he’ll be ready….

Cut 18 (09)    to me“

A new political group is launching an ad campaign and they say they’ll get the truth out about Gov. Edwards’ tax plan. Jeff Palermo has more…

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

A Baton Rouge contractor has been indicted on 51 counts of fraud, theft and other charges in Livingston Parish today, shortly after pleading not guilty to 84 counts of contractor fraud in Ascension Parish. The judge ordered 39-year-old Matthew Morris to be held without bail. The charges come after Morris allegedly defrauded nearly 30 flood victims after the August flood.

Southeastern Louisiana University has received the largest single donation in its history. Mike Rivault with SLU says Seth Ryan, a 1953 grad, donated $10 million to go towards scholarships for women majoring in STEM programs. He says in his honor, the university is going to rename the Biology Building on campus after Ryan’s wife.

Cut 11 (10) “receive scholarships”

He says Ryan wanted to provide opportunities for women because his wife was not able to attend college.

College Choice ranks Louisiana Tech’s elementary education program as the fourth best in the country. College of Education Dean Dr. Don Schillinger says if they can produce better teachers, it will have a lasting impact on elementary education in Louisiana.

Cut 4 (09) “of that”

He’s hopeful this ranking will attract more student to LA Tech.

A new political group is launching an ad campaign to get the word out about what they say is the truth out about Gov. Edwards’ tax plan. Jeff Palermo has more.:
Cut 2 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Southeastern Louisiana University receives a $10 million bequest, the largest single donation in its history. S-L-U spokesperson Mike Rivault now the university should be able to award up to 600 scholarships every year…:
Cut 10 (11) “or not”
The donor is the late Seth Ryan, a Class of 1953 graduate.

After a closure in Bossier City, Louisiana is now down to three abortion clinics in the state. They are located in Shreveport, New Orleans and Baton Rouge. New Orleans Abortion Fund Executive Director Amy Irvin says one less clinic in the state is not good…:
Cut 5 (10) “for women”
The Louisiana Right to Life is pleased to hear there is one less facility in Louisiana destroying the lives of innocent unborn babies.

Louisiana’s top highway safety official says distracted driving is becoming a “dangerous epidemic” in the state and will only get better when those behind the wheel modify their behaviors. Louisiana Highway Safety Commission Executive Director Katara Williams is reminding drivers to stay attentive to what is happening on the road, as April is National Distracted Driving Awareness Month. According to LHSC, 192 people were killed in Louisiana from 2011 to 2015 because of some distraction.

A new group called Truth in Politics has launched a campaign which targets Governor John Bel Edwards’ tax plan. Executive Director Kelli Bottger says the aim with this six-figure digital ad run is convince constituents to contact lawmakers and ask them to reject the governor’s tax proposals…:
Cut 6 (11) “really want”
Governor Edwards’ communications director Richard Carbo referred to TIP as a deep-pocketed special interest group.

Louisiana Tech’s elementary education program has been ranked number 1 in the state, and No. 4 in the nation by College Choice’s 35 Best Elementary Education Degrees for 2017. Dr. Don Schillinger is the Dean and he says they are proud of this ranking, because producing better teachers has a lasting impression on elementary education…:
Cut 4 (09) “of that”

The feud continues between Governor John Bel Edwards and Attorney General Jeff Landry. The AG’s office has filed a lawsuit against the governor saying the state doesn’t have the right to withhold an escrow account containing settlement money it claims is for the Department of Justice’s use….:
Cut 25 (06) “this office”
The governor says that the money that is coming from 2014 pharmaceutical settlement and belongs to the state, not the DOJ.

A 71-year-old man from Baker is under arrest amid allegations he locked his 13-year-old son in a horse trailer overnight as punishment. The East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s Office says Douglas O’Neal told authorities that whipping the victim was no longer working so he decided to put the teen in the trailer with manure inside.

Louisiana broke a record for tourism in 2016 for the 5th year in a row. Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says tourism is a great investment which needs to be protected by keeping historical sites, like Confederate monuments, in tact. He says that’s why he’s asking for President Trump’s to intervene.
Cut 8 (12) “repeating itself”

Louisiana is down to just three abortion clinics statewide, as Bossier City Medical Suites has closed. Executive Director of the New Orleans Abortion Fund, Amy Irvin says they are calling on lawmakers to cease their attacks on abortion access…:
Cut 6 (08) “in our country”
Pro-Life groups are pleased to see the clinics close and look forward to a day where babies are protected by law.

The feud continues between Governor John Bel Edwards and Attorney General Jeff Landry has once the AG’s office has filed suit against the administration. The lawsuit states the governor’s office doesn’t have the right to withhold 4 million dollars in operational funds from his agency. Landry says Edwards is being a hypocrite…:
Cut 12 (06) “that cause”
The Edwards Administration released a statement claiming this lawsuit is nothing more than a dog and pony show.

Tom Benson, who made millions of dollars in the auto sales business before buying the New Orleans Saints, is adding to his dealership empire. It was announced Tuesday that Benson is buying Cadillac of New Orleans.

Grammy, Emmy award-winning entertainer and New Orleans native Harry Connick Jr. will sing the national anthem at the Kentucky Derby next month.

Tornado survivors in Livingston and Orleans parishes have through today to register for assistance with FEMA. The site is disasterassistance.gov.

Louisiana now has just three abortion clinics in the entire state, after Bossier City Medical Suite closed. Jeff Palermo reports…:
Cut 3 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

A 71-year-old man from Baker is under arrest amid allegations he locked his 13-year-old son in a horse trailer overnight as punishment. The East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s Office says Douglas O’Neal told authorities that whipping the victim was no longer working so he decided to put the teen in the trailer with manure inside and a makeshift bed of saddles. O’Neal was booked on a count of cruelty to juveniles.

Attorney General Jeff Landry is once again suing Governor John Bel Edwards, and this time it’s over money. The AG’s office says the state is taking ownership of an escrow account with settlement money that Landry says is supposed to be for the Department of Justice’s use…:
Cut 11 (09) “the courts”
The Edwards Administration released a statement claiming this lawsuit is nothing more than a dog and pony show.

Louisiana is number 28 in the nation for the number of claims paid by State Farm for dog bites. The state had 28 instances in 2016, for $1.4 million dollars. Kip Diggs with State Farm says it’s important for both dog-owners and dog-lovers to be careful…:
Cut 15 (08) “don’t know”
State Farm released this report as it’s National Dog Bite Prevention Week.

Attorney General Jeff Landry has once again filed suit against Governor John Bel Edwards. Don Molino has more…:
Cut 2 (27) “I’m Don Molino”

For a fifth consecutive year, Louisiana broke a record for tourism. Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says in 2016, the state welcomed a record 47 million visitors who spent an average of $360 a person…:
Cut 7 (11) “million”

After a closure in Bossier City, Louisiana is now down to three abortion clinics in the state. They are located in Shreveport, New Orleans and Baton Rouge. New Orleans Abortion Fund Executive Director Amy Irvin says one less clinic in the state is not good…:
Cut 5 (10) “for women”
The Louisiana Right to Life is pleased to hear there is one less facility in Louisiana destroying the lives of innocent unborn babies.

State Farm reports dog bite claims have increased 15 percent nationwide over the last year. Company spokesperson Kip Diggs says State Farm paid more than $121 million in dog bite claims last year. He says the cost of those claims is on the rise…:
Cut 13 (10) “in cost”
State Farm has paid over a billion dollars in dog-related injury claims in the past decade.

The feud continues between Governor John Bel Edwards and Attorney General Jeff Landry. The AG’s office has filed a lawsuit against the governor saying the state doesn’t have the right to withhold an escrow account containing settlement money it claims is for the Department of Justice’s use….:
Cut 10 (06) “this office”
The governor says that the money that is coming from 2014 pharmaceutical settlement and belongs to the state, not the DOJ.

Louisiana is down to just three abortion clinics statewide, as Bossier City Medical Suites has closed. Executive Director of the New Orleans Abortion Fund, Amy Irvin says the only remaining clinics are in Baton Rouge, New Orleans, and Shreveport, which isn’t good…:
Cut 4 (09) “more childcare”
The Louisiana Right to Life says they look forward to a day when all babies are protected by law and welcomed with joy.

Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser announces Louisiana had a fifth consecutive record breaking year for tourism. Halen Doughty has more…:
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Halen Doughty”

Tornado survivors in Livingston and Orleans parishes have through today to register for assistance with FEMA. The site is disasterassistance.gov.

The 2017 Louisiana survey finds most Louisiana residents approve of Medicaid expansion. Michelle Southern has more…

Cut 2 (31) “I’m Michelle Southern”

For the second time since taking office, Governor John Bel Edwards will face Attorney General Jeff Landry in court. Landry is suing the governor after the administration withheld 4 million dollars from the AG’s operating fund. But the governor says Landry has not legal claim to the money, which came from a 2014 pharmaceutical settlement.

The Washington Parish Sheriff’s Office is investigating an early morning incident in which they believe a person or persons drove by a bunch of houses and cars and started shooting at random. Chief Deputy Mike Haley says they received reports of gunfire in Mt. Hermon around 4am.

Cut 15 (10) “been shot”

He says the investigation is ongoing.

For a fifth consecutive year, Louisiana broke a record for tourism. Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says in 2016, the state welcomed a record 47 million visitors, which is more than a 2 percent increase over the previous year. He says tourists spent an average of $360 a person.

Cut 7 (11) “million”