Baton Rouge Representative Barry Ivey is once again bringing back his proposal to the legislature that would allow non-felons over the age of 21 to carry a concealed gun without a permit. He says the Constitution guarantees our right to carry guns, and it doesn’t dictate how they should be carried…:
Cut 10 (10) “to choose”
Opponents say the bill would eliminate certain safeguards such as having to take a safety course before you receive a permit.

Two suspects are in critical condition in the case of an apparent robbery in which a St. Martinville homeowner shot the men as they were trying to enter the residence armed with a gun. Major Ginny Higgins, with the St. Martin Parish Sheriff’s Office, says one of the suspect’s rang the doorbell of the resident’s home around 3am this morning…:
CUT 6 (08) “both suspects”
She says the two suspects were also wanted in connection with an armed robbery and shooting in Baton Rouge Monday.

Democrats in Congress are pushing back against President Donald Trump’s nominee for Supreme Court Justice because of his conservative stance on social issues. But Louisiana’s US Senator John Kennedy says Judge Neil Gorsuch genuinely cares about each case he tries and the individuals involved….:
Cut 25 (10) “like that”
Day two of Gorsuch’s confirmation hearing is under way.

LSU has hired a new men’s basketball coach. Athletics Director Joe Alleva said he wanted to hire a leader that was a proven winner. After a search that lasted a week and a half, Alleva has determined that VCU’s Will Wade is that man. Tiger Rag Editor Cody Worsham says this is a solid hire:
CUT 4 (12) “land him”
It’s been reported Wade agreed to a six-year deal.

President Donald Trump’s nominee for the vacancy on the Supreme Court has the support of Louisiana’s US Senator John Kennedy. Neil Gorsuch began his Senate confirmation hearings on Monday. Kennedy says Judge Gorsuch has shown a desire to rule fairly…:
Cut 9 (07) “that person”
Democrats are pushing back against Gorsuch because of his conservative stance on social issues.

As Governor John Bel Edwards looks for the next superintendent of State Police with Col Mike Edmonson retiring Friday, his options are limited under state law. The next chief has to be chosen from State Police officers who graduated from the academy. But President of the Metropolitan Crime Coalition Rafael Goyeneche says the department needs a fresh face as Edmonson retires amid controversy….:
CUT 6 (10) “organization”

Governor John Bel Edwards has proclaimed today Agriculture Day in Louisiana. He says he hopes this will demonstrate how Louisiana appreciates the important work being done by farmers to keep families healthy and productive, especially when it’s challenging. Given the two historic floods in March and August, 2016 was a difficult year on many farms.

A teacher and a bookkeeper at a West Monroe school are coming under fire over missing Disney World money from 8th graders to the tune of about $22,000. Roger Harris with the Legislative auditor’s office says the only person in charge of collecting money was Jodie Dean of West Ridge Middle, but Stacey Rogers, was responsible for making deposits and keeping records of the funds…:
CUT 14 (10) “took place”
The Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s Office is handling the investigation and so far they have not commented on the report by the auditor.

A state law limits the search for the new State Police superintendent, as Col. Mike Edmonson is set to retire on Friday. Jeff Palermo has more on the restriction…:
Cut 1 (31) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

A measure that would let non-felons over 21 carry a concealed gun without a permit will get a third try in the upcoming session. Baton Rouge Representative Barry Ivey says other states already have similar laws on the books…:
Cut 12 (10) “constitutional carry states”

This morning, Governor John Bel Edwards is slated to announce the new Louisiana Housing Heroes Initiative. His office says this is aimed at pairing hundreds of flood victims who are still displaced with affordable housing options.

A state audit examining a missing 22-thousand dollars in student activity funds from West Ridge Middle School in West Monroe has been turned over to law enforcement. Roger Harris with the Legislative Auditor’s Office says over 11-thousand dollars was collected from eighth graders between 2013 and 2014 for a trip to Disney World. He says there was one teacher in charge of collecting the money for the trip, Jodie Dean…:
Cut 13 (09) “that regard”
Ouachita Parish School Board Superintendent Dr. Don Coker says this is concerning as these are taxpayer dollars…:
Cut 15 (10) “has gone on”
Dean has reportedly been placed on administrative leave.

US Senator John Kennedy supports President Donald Trump’s Supreme Court Justice nominee, Neil Gorsuch as confirmation hearings are underway. Kenndy says he’s impressed by what he’s read of Gorsuch’s work…:
Cut 7 (12) “the law”
Democrats are pushing back against Gorsuch because of his conservative stance on social issues.

State Police Superintendent Mike Edmonson will retire on Friday, and under Louisiana law, a new colonel must have graduated from the LSP academy. But President of the Metropolitan Crime Coalition Rafael Goyeneche hopes a measure could be filed for the upcoming legislative session to give the governor permission to seek someone outside of the state…:
Cut 5 (11) “state police”
Governor Edwards is expected to announce the interim head of LSP this week.

Louisiana residents would be able to concealed carry a firearm without a permit, under a proposal by Baton Rouge Representative Barry Ivey. Halen Doughty has more…:
Cut 3 (30) “I’m Halen Doughty”

LSU has hired a new men’s basketball coach. Athletics Director Joe Alleva said he wanted to hire a leader that was a proven winner. After a search that lasted a week and a half, Alleva has determined that VCU’s Will Wade is that man. He’ll take over a program that was 10-21 during the 2016-17 campaign and has struggled to put together consistent winning seasons in conference play since the Dale Brown era. Even though Wade is a Clemson grad, he’s reportedly called LSU his dream job.

State Police Col Mike Edmonson retires this week, and there is a state law that says the next superintendent must be a State Police officer who graduated from the LSP academy. But President of the Metropolitan Crime Coalition Rafael Goyeneche says a nationwide search should be conducted..:
Cut 4 (10) “in Louisiana”
Governor Edwards is expected to announce the interim head of LSP this week as Edmonson is set to retire on Friday.

Baton Rouge Representative Barry Ivey is once again bringing back his proposal to the legislature that would allow non-felons over the age of 21 to carry a concealed gun without a permit. He says the Constitution guarantees our right to carry guns, and it doesn’t dictate how they should be carried…:
Cut 10 (10) “to choose”
Opponents say the bill would eliminate certain safeguards such as having to take a safety course before you receive a permit.

The confirmation hearings for President Trump’s Supreme Court Justice nomination are underway in the nation’s capital and he has the support of U.S. Senator John Kennedy. Emelie Gunn has more…:
Cut 2 (28) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

At the start of the murder trial for one of two Marksville City Marshal’s accused in the death of a 6-year-old boy, prosecutors argued that the men were in no danger when they opened fire at the vehicle Jeremy Mardis and his father were in. But Derrick Stafford’s attorney said Christopher Few was “the author of his child’s fate”; for leading his client and the other suspect, Norris Greehouse Jr, on a dangerous high speed chase.

The man accused in the shooting death of an East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s deputy was wanted for questioning in the rape of a teen. Michelle Southern reports…

Cut 1 (28) “I’m Michelle Southern”

On the first day of the murder trial for former-Marksville police officer Derrick Stafford, jurors watched the 14 minute long body cam video of the encounter that resulted in the death of a 6-year-old autistic boy. Several jurors were reportedly seen wiping away tears, as the footage showed the shooting that killed the boy ad critically wounded his father after a car chase in 2015. Stafford is one of two officers accused in the death of Jeremy Mardis.

After years of midyear budget cuts, Jonesboro Senator Jim Fannin has filed a bill for the regular session that seeks to limit the amount of money lawmakers can spend each year.The proposal would limit the budget to only 98-percent of the revenue forecast for that year. Fannin says he expects some opposition.

Cut 16 (10) “discussion about it”

Fannin says Governor Edwards supports the plan.

Forty-four percent of children under 5 in New Orleans are living in poverty, according to the latest census data. Demographer Greg Rigamer says that’s because the median household income is very low. He says improving education could help solve this problem.

Cut 13 (10) “good jobs”

Rigamer says living in extreme poverty makes it hard for these children to get ahead in life.

The East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s Office is mourning the loss of 43-year-old Sgt. Shawn Anderson, who was killed in the line of duty Saturday night. Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Casey Hicks says this is a devastating loss only 8 months after Deputy Brad Garafola was killed in an ambush on police.

Cut 7 (09) “for everyone”

Hicks says before last July, it had been 30 years since an East Baton Rouge deputy was killed in such a manner.

The murder trial of Derrick Stafford is underway in Avoyelles Parish, as the prosecution called their first witness today. Prosecutors are trying to portray Stafford as having a violent history before he allegedly shot a 6-year-old boy after a car chase in 2015. Aleathia Barbin testified the former Marksville police officer shocked her with a stun gun while she was handcuffed in the back of a patrol vehicle in 2011. The witness says the officer then spoke casually with her as he drove her to a hospital.

A bill to be taken up in the upcoming regular session seeks to end the cycle of midyear budget cuts by limiting the amount of money lawmakers could spend each year. Jonesboro Senator Jim Fannin’s proposal would limit the legislature to spending only 98-percent of the revenue forecast for that year, and he expects to encounter some opposition.

Cut 16 (10) “discussion about it”

Fannin says Governor John Bel Edwards supports the plan.

According to census data, 44-percent of children under 5 in New Orleans live in poverty. Demographer Greg Rigamer says living in extreme poverty makes it hard for these children to get ahead in life, and more can be done to address this daunting problem.

Cut 12 (05) “educational facilities”

Rigamer says improving education could help end childhood poverty.

State Police say the injured suspect involved in the shooting that claimed the life of an East Baton Rouge deputy is identified as 30-year-old Brandon Wiley. Authorities say 43-year-old Sgt. Shawn Anderson was killed in the line of duty while questioning Wiley about an alleged rape of a 15-year-old girl. Trooper Bryan Lee says Wiley has not been arrested yet in connection with the murder of Anderson…:
Cut 10 (09) “from there”
Wiley, who is in critical condition, was remotely booked by EBRSO on the initial charges: first-degree rape, resisting an officer and with tattooing of minors.

The lawyer for the man on trial for allegedly shooting and killing a 6-year-old boy during a traffic stop says the child’s father is the one to blame. Prosecutors argue former Marksville City Marshal Derrick Stafford and another deputy opened fire on the victim’s vehicle as he clearly had his hands in the air. But Stafford’s attorney said if Christopher Few had stopped the vehicle to begin with, his child would still be alive.

The latest U.S. Census report on income finds 44-percent of children under the age of 5 in New Orleans, are living in poverty. Demographer Greg Rigamer says we’ve seen statistics like this for a while…:
Cut 11 (09) “a trend”
He says focusing on improving education could help put an end to young children living in poverty.

Today is the official first day of Spring and it’s certainly in the air. State Climatologist Barry Keim says it looks to be a hot and wet few months. He says we’ve been in warm conditions throughout the winter, and the rainy spring weather has already started…:
Cut 4 (06) “to continue”
He says another freeze in Louisiana isn’t likely, but residents can expect an early start to the growing season.