A rally to show support for President Donald Trump will take place tomorrow at the State Capitol. Leader of Gator PAC Col. Rob Maness encourages attendees to wear their “Make America Great Again” attire…:
Cut 5 (07) “supporting America”
Similar rallies have taken place throughout the week, leading up to this event.

You probably don’t want Uncle Sam to keep the money he owes you but you’d be surprised at how much cash is on the table. In Louisiana, people who didn’t properly file tax returns in 2013 could be owed more than $21 million in unclaimed refunds. IRS spokesperson Bill Brunson says they will help you:
Cut 8 (08) “no charge”
To find out if you filed your 2013 taxes, call the IRS hotline at 800-829-1040.

The former teacher from Neville High School accused of inappropriate behavior with students and distribution of drugs has had more charges added to his booking. 25-year-old Christian Amos allegedly gave pot to students and may have tried to entice them into sexual relationships. BESE says this will result in the suspect’s teaching license being revoked.

The third annual Louisiana Winter Beer Festival takes place tomorrow in Lake Charles at the Historic Calcasieu Marine National Bank building. Co-chair and co-founder of the Festival Nick Villaume says they chose Lake Charles to host the event to show off the culture and history of the city….:
Cut 10 (10) “as well”
Tickets are available on la-winter-beer-fest-dot-com.

LSU gets a chance to face some of the best teams from the Big 12 this weekend when they compete in the Shriners Hospitals for Children College Classic at Minute Maid Park. Tonight, LSU faces top ranked TCU, on Saturday it’s undefeated Baylor and Sunday its 21st ranked Texas Tech.

A Spirit of America Rally will take place Saturday on the steps of the State Capitol to support President Trump. Emelie Gunn has more…:
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

Governor John Bel Edwards is the latest to say that Congressman Cedric Richmond should apologize for making a controversial, what some say is sexist, comment about White House aid Kellyanne Conway. The New Orleans US Rep said she looked “kind of familiar” in a kneeling position. A spokesman for the governor says Richmond needs to admit the comment was off color.

A program that covers most of the cost of private and charter school tuition for low income students is growing rapidly, giving students zoned for failing schools an option other than taxpayer funded vouchers. The tuition donation rebate program was established in a bill by River Ridge Representative Kirk Talbot:
Cut 13 (08) “a fact”
The money to support this tuition program comes from corporations and private donors, with parents covering the remaining costs.

The IRS says unclaimed federal income tax refunds totaling more than $1 billion may be waiting for an estimated 1 million taxpayers who did not file a 2013 federal income tax return. In Louisiana, $21.2 million may be available to an estimated 20,300 taxpayers. I-R-S spokesperson Bill Brunson…:
Cut 9 (10) “timely manner”
To find out if you filed your 2013 taxes, call the IRS hotline at 800-829-1040.

A Spirit of America Rally will be held on the steps of the State Capitol tomorrow at 1:00 p.m. to show support for President Donald Trump. Leader of Gator PAC Col. Rob Maness says Trump supporters will address what they hope will be a large gathering..:
Cut 4 (09) “to speak”
Similar rallies have taken place throughout the week, leading up to this event.

Over 20-thousand Louisiana taxpayers are due a refund from the federal government and time is running out to claim them. I-R-S spokesperson Bill Brunson says these individuals have not received their refund, because they didn’t file a 2013 federal income tax return. He says citizens due this cash must file the necessary paperwork by April 18:
Cut 7 (11) “general fund”
Brunson says the median potential refund is $763.

More low income parents who have students attending failing schools are using another option other than taxpayer funded vouchers to send their child to a private school…:
CUT 3 (30) “I’m Halen Doughty”

Governor John Bel Edwards says “without question” Congressman Cedric Richmond should apologize for comments Richmond made about a member of President Donald Trump’s staff. The New Orleans US Representative said Kellyanne Conway “looked familiar” in a position where she was seen in kneeling on a sofa in the Oval Office. Richmond has said the “joke” was taken out of context.

Governor John Bel Edwards and the Louisiana Republican Party are calling for Congressman Cedric Richmond to apologize after saying Kellyanne Conway looked familiar while on her knees on a couch in the Oval Office. Political analyst Clancy Dubos says Richmond’s joke came after US Senator Tim Scott made racial jokes at the Washington Press Club Foundation dinner.

Cut 8 (10) “CSPAN”

Richmond says his joke may have been misinterpreted.

The 15-year-old who died after being hit by a truck on his way to school has been identified as Bryce Edling. Denham Springs Police Chief Shannon Womack says Edling was walking to school when he was hit by a pickup truck.

Cut 4 (03) “high school”

Information about the driver has not been released.

President Donald Trump has signed a bill by Congressman Ralph Abraham into law that protects senior citizen’s gun rights. Abraham says a policy from the Obama Administration threatened the Second Amendment rights of the elderly.

Cut 10 (11) “mentally incompetent”

Abraham says needing help filing taxes doesn’t make someone mentally incompetent.

A Baton Rouge man is behind bars on a murder charge for allegedly shooting his son during an altercation. BRPD Sgt. Don Coppola says 23-year-old Tyrone Isaac was shot once in the chest by his father Rico Wilbert around 11 p.m. last night.

Cut 6 (06) “2^nd degree murder”

New Orleans Congressman Cedric Richmond says his comment about White House aid Kellyanne Conway was misinterpreted. Richmond was attending a Washington fundraiser last night and said Conway’s position “looked familiar” in a photo of her on her knees on a sofa in the Oval Office. Political Analyst Clancy Dubos says Richmond’s comment will fade away from the headlines…:
CUT 7 (06) “her own”
The Louisiana Republican Party says this is sexism at its worst and Richmond should apologize right away.

The Baton Rouge Police Department arrests a man in the shooting death of his son. They say the suspect, 48-year-old Rico Wilbert, had been in an altercation with the victim, 23-year-old Tyrone Issac. Sgt. Don Coppola Isaac was shot once in the chest allegedly by Wilbert..:
Cut 6 (06) “2nd degree murder”

Congressman Clay Higgins visited the I-10 Bridge in Lake Charles to discuss and inspect the structure due to some travelers’ concerns about its safety. The freshman representative met with DOTD engineers to tour the bridge. Higgins says, even though the bridge is sound, he along with DOTD feel it needs a major overhaul…:
Cut 13 (09) “with that”
A video of the tour was posted on Higgins’ Facebook page.

President Donald Trump has signed a bill by Richland Congressman Ralph Abraham that scraps an Obama Administration rule that elderly people who need help with their taxes can’t buy a gun. Abraham says is glad the new administration moved quickly sign this new pro-Second Amendment law…:
cut 11 (08) “understand it”

A gun rights bill by Congressman Ralph Abraham has been signed into law by President Donald Trump. The Republican from Richland Parish says the measure protects the Second Amendment rights of elderly people after a policy put in place by the Obama Administration put them in jeopardy….:
Cut 10 (11) “mentally incompetent”
He says he’s glad President Trump repealed this regulation he says is a direct threat to the Constitution.

It’s every parent’s worst nightmare. A 15-year-old who was walking to school this morning in Denham Springs, died after being hit by a truck as he was trying to cross the road. His family has identified the teen as Bryce Edling. Denham Springs Police Chief Shannon Womack says the student was headed to class…:
cut 4 (03) “high school”
The tragic incident is under investigation.

Women of the Louisiana Republican Party are demanding an apology from Congressman Cedric Richmond to White House adviser Kellyanne Conway over a comment he made they call deeply offensive. In a now-famous photo, Conway is seen kneeling on a couch in the Oval Office. During a fundraiser in D.C., Richmond said Conway “looked familiar in that position.” In a statement, the LA-GOP called the remark sexism at its worst. Richmond later said he only meant it as a joke that she was behaving too comfortably in a room filled with people.

A Baton Rouge man convicted of killing his 5-year-old son will spend the rest of his life behind bars. East Baton Rouge DA Hillar Moore said 38-year-old Vernell Day’s defense argued during sentencing Wednesday that their client had another child that was never hurt. Moore that doesn’t fly…:
CUT 15 (08) “him on that”
Day was convicted of beating 5-year-old Jay’v’une Bergin to death in 2014.

A Denham Springs teen has died after being hit by a vehicle on his way to school. Police Chief Shannon Womack says they received a call reporting the incident a little after 7 a.m…:
Cut 3 (06) “pickup truck”
The family has released the name of the teen. Bryce Edling lost his life on his way to Denham Springs Freshman high.

Governor John Bel Edwards says reducing minimum mandatory sentences for some nonviolent offense will be part of his criminal justice reform package in the regular session. Jeff Palermo has more…:
Cut 2 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Louisiana native Paul Rainwater is one of two candidates to become the new FEMA director, according to sources. US Senator John Kennedy says this would be a perfect choice as Rainwater has vast experience in dealing with disasters in Louisiana.
Cut 12 (09) “for Louisiana”
A final decision on who Trump will nominate to direct FEMA may not be made until April or May.

A Baton Rouge man has been arrested for the murder of his son. Sgt. Don Coppola with Baton Rouge Police says 23-year-old Tyrone Isaac got into a physical altercation with his father, Rico Wilbert..:
Cut 5 (08) “result of that”
Wilbert is booked with second degree murder.

The Calcaiseu Parish Sheriff’s Office says two people are under arrest for allegedly leaving their 2 year old child in a vehicle alone while they went into a casino and gambled. 23-year-old Maureen Cheto and 30-year-old Armstrong Otieno, both of Leesville, were booked with child desertion.

Louisiana native Paul Rainwater is a candidate to become the next director of FEMA. But US Senator John Kennedy says there are several other confirmations that have to occur before they get to FEMA, including the nomination of Supreme Court Justice Neil Gorsuch.

Cut 11 (11) “him fishing”

The FEMA confirmation may not be made until April or May.

Lowering mandatory minimum sentences for some nonviolent offences will be one aspect of Governor John Bel Edwards’ criminal justice reform package in the regular session. Edwards says the state is looking at proven strategies that have lowered prison populations in other states.

Cut 7 (08) “offenses”

Edwards says the state can’t afford to keep spending $600 million on the Department of Corrections.

The Department of Corrections and the Louisiana Department of Health are teaming up to help inmates enroll in Medicaid, so they have healthcare when they are released. DOC Medical Director Dr. Raman Singh says the program has been implemented in 7 DOC run facilities, and it will go to local prisons next before being put in place throughout the department.

Cut 6 (10) “electronically”

He says 230 offenders have already been linked to a healthcare plan, which gives them access to primary care physicians instead of emergency rooms.

Governor John Bel Edwards has a busy day in Alexandria today. The governor will speak at a Pineville High School assembly this afternoon, before heading to a roundtable discussion with ministers and community leaders. Later today, Edwards will meet with local elected officials to discuss issues affecting the area.

The Department of Corrections has activated a database that enrolls prisoners in Medicaid on the day they are released from 7 state owned facilities. DOC Medical Director Dr. Raman Singh says this new program gives former offenders access to primary care physicians, instead of emergency rooms…:
Cut 5 (11) “cost efficient care”
He says this is good for taxpayers because proper care could reduce the recidivism rate.

A 15-year-old on his way to school this morning in Denham Springs died after he was hit by a truck, according to police. They believe the student was crossing the road when headed to Denham Springs Freshman High, and was struck.

The Baton Rouge Police Department arrests a man in the shooting death of his son. They say the suspect, 48-year-old Rico Wilbert, had been in an altercation with the victim, 23-year-old Tyrone Issac. Wilbert is booked with second degree murder.

A Baton Rouge man convicted of killing his 5-year-old son will spend the rest of his life behind bars. East Baton Rouge DA Hillar Moore said 38-year-old Vernell Day’s defense argued during sentencing Wednesday that their client had another child that was never hurt. Moore that doesn’t fly…:
CUT 15 (08) “him on that”
Day was convicted of beating 5-year-old Jay’v’une Bergin to death in 2015.

Governor John Bel Edwards plans to present a criminal justice reform plan to lawmakers that looks at reducing minimum sentences for some nonviolent offenses. He says the reforms will reduce state spending, incarcerate fewer people, and have a lower crime rate and less recidivism without jeopardizing public safety…:
Cut 9 (09) “a gamble”
Edwards says the state is looking at proven strategies that have worked to reduce the prison population in other southern conservative states.