A bill signing ceremony to include 17-year-olds in the Juvenile Justice System takes place today. The Policy Director for the Louisiana Center for Children’s Rights, Rachel Gassert, says 17-year-olds are not adults and shouldn’t be treated as such for even minor offenses…:
CUT 7 (10) “recidivism”
She says this law brings Louisiana in line with 41 other states that currently set the age of criminal responsibility at 18.

In the wake of the deadly shooting at an Orlando gay nightclub, Republican Richland Parish Congressman Ralph Abraham says the United States must do more to eliminate ISIS. He says these massacres like the one in San Bernardino will continue until these terrorists are eliminated…:
CUT 5 (07) “our soil”
Abraham says the battle against ISIS is one we can win.

The Zachary father of the eight-month-old baby girl who was left in a hot car will not be criminally prosecuted in her death. That decision was made by East Baton Rouge District Attorney Hillar Moore, who says Marvin Mercer forgot to drop his daughter, Raylee, off at daycare on his way to work, because it’s not something he usually does…:
Cut 13 (10) “and 911”
He says this is nothing but a tragic accident.

Hundreds of people gathered at the Mississippi River levee in Baton Rouge last night to honor those victims and their families in the deadliest shooting in US history, at the Pulse nightclub in Orlando. Similar candlelight vigils and prayer services were held throughout the state, as the names of the 49 victims were read aloud.

The sister of the New Orleans man who was in the nightclub that was the target of a massive deadly shooting in Orlando said on her Facebook page her brother is still alive. As of Sunday night the family hadn’t heard from 39-year-old Leonel Melendez, but Lauri Melendez says they learned he’s in a coma. Governor John Bel Edwards ordered flags at half-staff for the victims and families in the worst mass shooing in US history.

The massive sinkhole that formed about four years ago in Bayou Corne continues to show reduced activity and is close to becoming totally stable. Assumption Parish Office of Emergency Preparedness Director John Boudreaux says the hole is showing only slight growth right now. He says the deepest part has reached 174 feet and its filling up with soil from the sides…:
CUT 9 (07) “the depth”
He says experts believe the sinkhole won’t completely stop growing anytime soon, but the process will keep going slower.

The charges have been dropped against a man accused in the murder of a 21-year-old woman in Desoto Parish. Sheriff Rodney Arbuckle says autopsy findings could not determine how Maranda Whitton died, so they had to release the suspect, 33-year-old Jarrod Earl Johnson of Logansport…:
CUT 4 (09) “somebody else”
He says they are still actively investigating this incident.

Members of the LGBT community in Louisiana are devastated about the targeted attack on a gay club in Orlando that claimed the lives of at least 50 and injured 53 more. Forum for Equality executive director Sara Jane Brady says the risk of things like this happening grows when political leaders try to marginalize the LGBT community…:
CUT 8 (05) “LGBT people”
A woman from Carencro posted on Facebook that her brother, 27-year-old Frank Hernandez, was one of the victims who didn’t make it.

The mass shooting at a gay nightclub in Orlando has saddened LGBT groups in Louisiana. Jeff Palermo has the story…:
CUT 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Memorials are being held throughout the state today to honor the victims and their families of the deadly mass shooting. Governor John Bel Edwards, Senate President John Alario, House Speaker Taylor Barras, and other lawmakers are participating in a “Moment of Unity” today at the Capitol.

It was a heartbreaking end to the LSU baseball season as the Tigers dropped two over the weekend to Coastal Carolina in the Baton Rouge Super Regional. Center fielder Jake Fraley gives credit to Coastal Carolina’s pitchers who threw some serious ball at critical times…:
Cut 19 (11) “some balls”
LSU finishes with a record of 45-21.

Three people, including a 16-year-old, are under arrest in connection with the apparent accidental shooting death of a woman inside a vehicle, according to the Baton Rouge Police Department. They say the group was allegedly traveling to the scene of an earlier conflict, when an assault rifle the teen was holding went off in the back seat and killed a 20-year-old female.

Leaders of Louisiana’s LGBT community say they are reeling in pain today over the worst mass shooting in America’s history. At least 50 people were killed when a gunman attacked a gay nightclub in Orlando. Forum for Equality executive director Sara Jane Brady says the shooting demonstrates there’s still much hatred and prejudice aimed towards homosexuals…:
CUT 6 (10) “our expression”
It’s been reported that New Orleans native, 39-year-old Leonel Melendez, was at the nightclub at the time of the mass shooting, but remains missing.

Police in Baton Rouge are still hopeful they will be able to find out what happened to the pregnant mother who went missing after her child was found alone near a vehicle filled with blood. They say the search of swamps near Ramah was suspended for 40-year-old Lyntell Washington, and now cops are looking for other leads or a break in the case. Police arrested 39-year-old Robert Marks for allegedly abandoning the child.

A Transportation Infrastructure Investment task force has been formed by the governor to figure out how to fund critical road projects. DOTD Secretary Shawn Wilson says they already have a plan for what needs to be completed…:
CUT 12 (07) “the governor”

The Desoto Parish Sheriff’s office says they are still searching for answers in the death of a 21-year-old woman, as the murder charges against the suspect were dropped. Sheriff Rodney Arbuckle says they originally had booked 33-year-old Jarrod Earl Johnson of Logansport for the murder of Maranda Whitton, but they let him go after the autopsy’s findings…:
CUT 3 (10) “cause of death”
He says in the meantime this is still a very active investigation.

The US House has approved a bill that seeks to block President Obama’s proposed $10.25 tax on every barrel of oil. The proposed tax is an effort to pay for green initiatives and alternative energy research. Louisiana Oil and Gas Association Chairman Brian Hanks calls it another attack on the oil industry by the Obama Administration…:
Cut 9 (08) “his administration”
A study by the Tax Foundation found this would cost 137-thousand American jobs.

Governor John Bel Edwards and other state leaders will participate in a Moment of Unity today in the rotunda of the State Capitol at 1pm to honor the victims and families in Sunday’s shooting massacre at a club in Orlando. 50 people died, and another 53 injured according to authorities, and it’s the worst mass shooting in US history. It’s reported that a New Orleans native was among those in the club at the time of the shooting and the family still has not heard from him. He’s 39-year-old Leonel Melendez.

The LSU baseball season is over as Coastal Carolina completes a two-game sweep of the Tigers by beating the Bayou Bengals 4-to-3. Jeff Palermo has more…:
Cut 3 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Today is the last day that Louisiana residents, who suffered losses to the flooding from March 8th to April 8th, have to register to disaster relief. FEMA is urging those who think they may quality for help to get signed up before the Monday deadline. You can do so online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov.

A Transportation Infrastructure Investment task force has been established by the governor to identify priority projects throughout the state. Halen Doughty has more…
Cut 2 (30) “I’m Halen Doughty”

Legislators return to the State Capitol today as they look to solve the state’s budget issues. The governor wants to raise revenues by 600-million dollars to avoid cuts to critical programs. Democratic New Orleans Representative Walt Leger…:
CUT 14 (07) “this year”

The US House has approved a bill that seeks to block President Obama’s proposed $10.25 tax on every barrel of oil. Louisiana Oil and Gas Association Chairman Brian Hanks is pleased with the House’s action, because any additional burden would be a devastating blow to an already struggling industry….:
CUT 7 (10) “energy independent”
He is hopeful the Senate approves a similar piece of legislation.

An infant died in a Red River Parish crash, according to State Police. Troopers say 23-year-old Desmond Scarborough of Natchitoches was traveling during heavy rainfall, when he traveled off the road, down a steep embankment and struck a tree. 4-month old Miracle Scarborough, who was restrained at the time of the crash, was pronounced dead at the scene. A routine toxicology sample was obtained from the driver and will be submitted for analysis. The crash remains under investigation.

The US House has passed a bill that seeks to block President Obama’s proposed $10.25 tax on every barrel of oil. Halen Doughty has more…:
CUT 1 (31) “I’m Halen Doughty”

Governor John Bel Edwards and First Lady Donna Edwards have released a statement in response to the tragic mass shooting over the weekend in Orlando which authorities say claimed the lives of 50 people and injured 53 more. They say this is a senseless incident on an unimaginable scale. They say we stand ready to support the state of Florida in any way that we can to bring justice for those whose lives were lost.

Lawmakers get back to work today as they continue to see ways to fill the state’s $600 million dollar budget hole in place for the fiscal year that begins next month. Many republicans say taxes have been raised enough and Republican Kenner Representative Julie Stokes says she would like to see long-term tax reform as part of the fix…:
Cut 16 (11) “12 months”
This session must end next Thursday.

A recent independent poll of 800 voters shows Republican Scott Angelle is leading in the 3rd Congressional District race as 39% of the respondents support the Public Service Commissioner. The Traflagar Group poll has Clay Higgins, who recently joined the race, at 18%. UL Lafayette Political Science Professor Pearson Cross the poll shows 24% are undecided…:
cut 4 (07) “nothing more”

The US House has passed a bill that seeks to block President Obama’s proposed $10.25 tax on every barrel of oil. Halen Doughty has more…:
CUT 1 (31) “I’m Halen Doughty”

Governor John Bel Edwards and First Lady Donna Edwards have released a statement in response to the tragic mass shooting over the weekend in Orlando which authorities say claimed the lives of 50 people and injured 53 more. They say this is a senseless incident on an unimaginable scale. They say we stand ready to support the state of Florida in any way that we can to bring justice for those whose lives were lost.

Lawmakers get back to work today as they continue to see ways to fill the state’s $600 budget hole in place for the fiscal year that begins next month. Many republicans say taxeshave been raised enough and Republican Kenner Representative Julie Stokes says she would like to see long-term tax reform as part of the fix…:

Cut 16 (11) “12 months”
This session must end next Thursday.

A recent independent poll of 800 voters shows Republican Scott Angelle is leading in the 3rd Congressional District race as 39% of the respondents support the Public Service Commissioner. The Traflagar Group poll has Clay Higgins, who recently joined the race, at 18%. UL Lafayette Political Science Professor Pearson Cross the poll shows 24% are undecided…:
cut 4 (07) “nothing more”