The price of oil hit 50-dollars a barrel for the first time since October. Emelie Gunn on what this means for the industry…:
CUT 2 (31) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

A Baton Rouge man is in jail on felony child abuse charges amid allegations he forced his 8-year-old nephew to smoke weed. A report indicates the child told hospital staff that 29-year-old Jason Taylor made him smoke mojo which gave him a headache and a racing heart. When officers learned the child tested positive for marijuana, Taylor was booked with cruelty to juveniles.

Physical therapists in Louisiana currently can’t see patients without a doctor’s referral, but a bill that would change that is nearing final passage. Ville Platte Representative Harvey LeBas carried the Senate approved bill on the House floor and said physical therapists are fully capable of seeing patients and taking care of them…:
cut 12 (08) “disease states”
Opponents argue physical therapists don’t have a doctor’s training. The Senate has to approve some changes then the measure will head to the governor.

Every student would be guaranteed that at least part of their TOPS scholarship would be funded if lawmakers have to make some cuts to the program, under a bill nearing final passage. Hammond Representative Chris Broadwater says it would be better to reduce the award for all than to have some left out…:
CUT 5 (12) “this year”
One more stop in the Senate before heading to the governor’s desk.

In case the legislature is not able to fully fund TOPS, a bill that would ensure all students get at least part of their scholarship is nearing final passage. Halen Doughty has more…:
CUT 1 (30) “I’m Halen Doughty”

Oil rose above the $50 mark this morning for the first time since October. Executive Director at LSU’s Center for Energy Studies David Dismukes says the biggest catalyst for the uptick has been the recent fires in Canada….:
CUT 7 (10) “to that”

A Senate-approved bill that would allow patients to see physical therapists without a doctor’s referral is nearing final passage. In opposition, West Monroe Representative Frank Hoffman says patients should see a doctor before seeing physical therapists, because doctors have more medial training…:
CUT 9 (08) “doctor’s training”
But Ville Platte Representative Harvey LeBas says Louisiana is one of only 7 states with this kind of law and PT grads are leaving the state as a result.
Cut 11 (07) “other states”
Both the House and the Senate have approved the measure.

In case the legislature is not able to fully fund TOPS, a bill that would ensure all students get at least part of their scholarship is nearing final passage. Currently, 51-thousand students receive TOPS. Hammond Representative Chris Broadwater says, without this bill, 13-thousand students could lose their award which would be bad for the state’s economy…:
CUT 3 (05) “do it”
The measure passed the House and now heads back to the Senate so changes made to the bill can be approved.

A final investigation into the deaths of two giraffes at the Baton Rouge zoo finds the staff responded as an experienced and knowledgeable team and were not at fault. The American Association of Zoos and Aquariums says the handlers were faced with a challenging situation and they commend the Baton Rouge Zoo for the long-term care of these animals. The zoo requested the investigation after the two giraffes died in March.

Earlier this morning the price of oil rose above 50 dollars a barrel for the first time since October. Executive Director at LSU’s Center for Energy Studies David Dismukes says this marks an important milestone and it might put an end to the job losses in this industry…:
CUT 6 (10) “woods yet”
Crude oil was below 30 dollars a barrel earlier this year.

The Iberia Parish Sheriff’s Office says a man is under arrest after a 17-year-old woman died of an apparent drug overdose. They say Melissa Sharpe drove the victim to the hospital, and it was determined the woman had been deceased for several hours. She is charged with obstruction of justice. Noah Sharpe is booked with 2nd degree murder in the incident. They’re asking anyone with information on this incident contact authorities.

11 states including Louisiana are suing the Obama Administration over the letter they sent to public schools saying they must allow students to use the bathroom based on their gender identity, or risk losing federal funding. Attorney General Jeff Landry says they want a judge to declare this directive unlawful…:
CUT 15 (09) “federal courts”
He says the President does not have the legal authority to require children to share locker rooms and bathrooms with children of the opposite sex.

State lawmakers have agreed to raise the GPA requirement for upper-tier TOPS students, who also receive a stipend to help pay for their higher education costs. The legislation heading to the governor’s desk would raise the GPA requirement to 3.25 for a TOPS Performance Award and 3.5 for a TOPS Honors Award.

The lowest gas price in 11 years is putting over 38 million Americans on the road this Memorial Day weekend. Don Redman with AAA says be careful out there this weekend, it’s gonna be packed..:
CUT 5 (10) “rush hours”

An LSU AgCenter scientist creates a nanosalt to reduce the sodium content in food. Jeff Palermo has more..:
Cut 3 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Over 38 million Americans are expected to travel over the Memorial Day weekend this year. Emelie Gunn has more…:
CUT 1 (27) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

A group of concerned citizens has formed to raise money in efforts to push Governor John Bel Edwards legislative agenda. Chairman of Rebuild Louisiana, Mary Olive Pierson says in addition to the budget, they have several concerns…:
CUT 8 (06) “big ticket items”
She says their biggest concern is the $600 million dollar budget.

Attorney General Jeff Landry says Louisiana is joining 10 other states in a lawsuit aimed at preventing the Obama Administration from forcing transgender bathrooms on public schools. He says Washington continues to try to wreak havoc on our learning institutions…:
CUT 14 (07) “harmful policy”
The White House has no comment on the suit.

An LSU AgCenter scientist has discovered a new way to reduce the sodium content in food. Marvin Moncada developed nanosalt, which is salt in a powder form that is about one-thousand times smaller than kosher salt. Moncada says nanosalt is a natural alternative to reducing the amount of salt content in foods…:
Cut 10 (08) “to cover”
He says the powerful flavor would still be present but with 25-50 percent less sodium.

Louisiana is one of several states suing the Obama administration over the new transgender bathroom policy in public schools. Halen Doughty has more…:
Cut 2 (30) “I’m Halen Doughty”

A former East Ascension High School teacher and athletic trainer has been arrested by the Gonzales Police Department for prohibited sexual conduct between educator and student. 34-year-old Carl Aguillard of Prairieville was under investigation for a week amid allegations he was having sex with a 17-year-old student.

The nonprofit group Rebuild Louisiana is raising money that will go towards getting public support for Governor John Bel Edwards’ legislative agenda. Chairman Mary Olive Pierson says the group feels many lawmakers are being hard headed…:
CUT 7 (09) “really want”
It’s expected the governor will call a special session next month to address a 600-million dollar budget shortfall.

A scientist at the LSU AgCenter says he’s developed a way to reduce the sodium content in certain foods. Dr. Marvin Moncada, within the school of nutrition and food sciences, says this “nanosalt” powder coats more of the surface of what we eat delivering the same powerful flavor with 25-50 percent less sodium…:
CUT 12 (08) “maybe fries”
He hopes to market his invention, but more tests need to be done first.

LSU has had many dramatic victories at the SEC Tournament in Hoover, but none took as long as Wednesday night-Thursday morning’s 5-3 win over Florida.

Louisiana has joined several states seeking to block the Obama administration’s transgender bathroom policy in public schools. Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry says the President does not have the legal authority to require children to share locker rooms and bathrooms with children of the opposite sex…:
Cut 13 (06) “that letter”
The federal government says public schools must allow transgender students to use bathrooms consistent with their gender identity, or risk losing federal funding.

Baton Rouge Police say that a woman who was allegedly drunk rammed a stolen vehicle repeatedly into the home of her child’s father after a fight. They say 25-yaer-old Rachel Champella Myles then went to the club where she was arrested, but cops say she bit one officer and grabbed another by his testicles. She was booked on many charges and bail is set at $96,000.

Triple-A expects over 38 million Americans will travel over the Memorial Day weekend, the highest number of travelers since 2005. Spokesperson Don Redman says it’s due to low gas prices, which are currently $2.09 a gallon for regular gasoline. He says these are the lowest gas prices we’ve seen in 11 years….:
cut 4 (09) “done before”
Redman says from January until now, Americans have saved about 18 billion dollars that would usually go into their gas tanks.

The LSU baseball team rallied to beat Florida 5-3 in a thrilling game that was the longest in SEC Tournament history. The victory puts LSU in the winner’s bracket and they’ll face Mississippi State in the late game tonight. But the Tigers will need their rest after the 5-hour, 7-minute contest.

Sex offenders will soon be required to register their email addresses and online usernames with State Police, thanks to a bill by Metairie Representative Cameron Henry that’s heading to the governor’s desk. Michelle Southern has more…

CUT 2 (29)  “I’m Michelle Southern”

Louisiana has joined several states seeking to block the Obama administration’s transgender bathroom policy in public schools.  Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry says the President does not have the legal authority to require children to share locker rooms and bathrooms with children of the opposite sex.

The adult smoking rate in the US is falling faster than is has in the past 20 years based on data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. About 50 years ago, roughly 42% of US adults smoked and that rate has now fallen to about 15%. Renee Underwood, with the state department of health and hospitals, says they launched a statewide campaign last year to help people kick their tobacco habits.

cut 12 (11) “adult population”

A new website, BayouOpportunity.com, has just been launched to help workers in the oil and gas industry find new jobs, as unemployment in that sector continues to rise. Louisiana Economic Development Secretary Don Pierson says you don’t have to be a welder or a pipefitter to find a job in this industry.

CUT 5 (11)  “to Louisiana”

Employment agencies and colleges have teamed up to launch a new website to help people in the oil and gas industry find jobs. Don Molino has more…

CUT 1 (28)  “I’m Don Molino”

Louisiana and 10 other states are suing the Obama administration over the recent transgender bathroom policy in public schools. The federal government announced that public schools must allow transgender students to use bathrooms and locker rooms consistent with their gender identity, or risk losing federal funding. The lawsuit says the Obama administration is trampling on policies and the directive should be ruled unlawful.

A bill to help parents know who their kids are talking to online is heading to the Governor’s desk. Metairie Representative Cameron Henry says his bill requires sex offenders to register any email addresses or online user names, as they would with a phone number or address. Henry says sex offenders have a whole new way to find victims, thanks to online games and social media sites.

CUT 7 (08) “online games”

The measure passed unanimously in both the House and the Senate, and Governor Edwards is expected to sign the bill.

A bill to require warning signs to be posted 500 feet ahead of red light cameras has just received final legislative passage. New Orleans Senator Troy Carter says red light cameras should be about safety, not collecting revenues.

CUT 9 (12) “coming up”

The measure now heads to the governor’s desk to be signed into law.