Medical marijuana legislation is heading to the governor’s desk to be signed into law. The bill by Parks Senator Fred Mills expands the list of conditions medical marijuana can be used once it becomes available. Mills says those with cancer, epilepsy or HIV/AIDS will benefit from this measure.
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Governor Edwards is expected to sign the bill.

A woman who was the on-duty nurse when a patient at a Veterans Home in St. John the Baptist Parish died, is facing charges for allegedly trying to cover up negligence. Inspector General Stephen Street says a resident fell and 58-year-old Cheryl Poirrier failed to keep checking on him, as per policy. He says she then lied about what happened and could go to jail for it…:
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The spending plan for next fiscal year is moving through the legislature with a proposed $35 million cut to the LSU Health Science Center in Shreveport and about a $15 million cut to the center in New Orleans. Shreveport Health Science Center Chancellor G.E. Ghali says his center already made drastic cuts to reduce their spending and is as lean as it can be when it comes to employees.
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Ghali says this could impact accreditation and enrollment at his center.

Former Lt. Governor Bobby Freeman has passed away at 82-years-old. His family says Freeman passed away this morning after suffering an aneurysm last week. The St. Martinville native served as Lt. Governor from 1980-88. Edwin Edwards was the governor during Freeman’s second term and says Freeman was an energetic man…
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Under the current budget proposal for next fiscal year, the LSU Health Science Centers in Shreveport and New Orleans would receive a combined 50-million dollars in cuts to state funding. Jeff Palermo has more…:
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Two women in Jefferson Parish died in a crash as they were fleeing the scene of a hit and run, according to deputies. They say it happened in Metairie off the I-10 Service Road and the two women were speeding to try to get away from the initial accident in a Mustang, but then crashed, overturned and skid into a utility pole. But the driver and passenger died at the scene.

A woman who was the on-duty nurse when a patient at a Veterans Home in St. Charles Parish died, is facing charges for allegedly trying to cover up negligence. Inspector General Stephen Street says a resident fell and 58-year-old Cheryl Poirrier failed to keep checking on him, as per policy. He says she then lied about what happened and could go to jail for it…:
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He says our Veterans deserves are highest level of care and this criminal act is going to be taken very seriously.

In these tough budget times, some state senators are concerned about growing Louisiana’s film tax credit program. Lawmakers are reviewing the budget for next fiscal year which currently contains a $600 million dollar hole, and proposals to cut healthcare and education are on the table. Alexandria Senator Jay Luneau thinks the movie incentives don’t have a tangible economic impact:
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But others who defend the program says the movie making business does bring money to the state especially at the local level.

The spending plan for next fiscal year is moving through the legislature with a proposed $35 million cut to the LSU Health Science Center in Shreveport and about a $15 million cut to the center in New Orleans. Chancellor of the New Orleans center, Larry Hollier (OAL-yay) says this will impact many of their programs..:
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The budget proposal for next fiscal year has been approved by the House and is being debated in the Senate Finance Committee.

Former Lt. Governor Bobby Freeman has passed away at the age of 82. The St. Martinville native served as Lt. Governor from 1980-88, and Edwin Edwards was the governor during Freeman’s second term…”
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Freeman’s family says he died this morning after suffering an aneurysm last week.

A former Department of Veterans Affairs nurse could spend time behind bars after a patient at a St. Charles veterans home died under her care. Halen Doughty has more…:
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A motorcyclist in Calcasieu Parish died in a Moss Bluff crash. Deputies say 46-year-old Johnny Coe ran off the road for unknown reasons, crashed and was ejected from his bike. Coe was wearing a helmet, but sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene.

A former nurse with the Department of Veterans Affairs is facing jail time after a patient died under her care. Inspector General Stephen Street says 58-year-old Cheryl Poirrier (pour-e-a) was on-duty the night a resident fell at a Veterans Home in St Charles Parish. He says after a fall, it’s policy to check the patient’s neurological signs for the next 72 hours…:
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She is charged with one count of malfeasance in office and four counts of filing false public records.

State Senators and leaders from the Edwards Administration have begun discussions on the more than $26 billion dollar spending plan for next fiscal year. House Bill 1 was approved Friday in the lower chamber, and lawmakers are still expected to make more changes to the proposed budget. The state is facing a $600 million dollar shortfall for the fiscal year that begins July 1st.

A man who was not buckled up died in a single vehicle crash this morning in Calcasieu Parish. State Police say 33-year-old Quincey Darnell Trail of Lake Charles traveled off the road into a ditch, struck a culvert and overturned several times. Trail was pronounced dead at the scene by the Calcasieu Parish Coroner’s Office.

Today is the deadline for taxpayers to file state tax returns. Emelie Gunn has more…:
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Today is the final day for you to file you state tax return for 2015. Louisiana Department of Revenue spokeswoman Kizzy Payton those in the 36 declared disaster areas affected by March flooding can file for a special extension, but it’s not automatically granted…:
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Payton says they’ve already issued over one million refunds this year.

This week is National Dog Bite Prevention week, and the Louisiana SPCA is offering tips on ways you can prevent getting bitten, and ways to make sure your dog doesn’t snap at someone else. Spokeswoman Amanda Pumilia says when a dog bites someone, it doesn’t necessarily indicate that they are mean, they could just be scared…:
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State Farm says Baton Rouge ranked 27th in the nation for dog bites and New Orleans number 30.

The Livingston Parish Sheriff’s Office has identified the woman they say drowned in the Amite River while tubing Sunday afternoon as 32-year-old Kimberly Gillien of Franklin, La. They say deputies were dispatched to the upper Amite River and were working near Central. Foul play is not suspected.

After 10 and a half months in jail for manslaughter in the death of 15-year-old Austin Rivault, Seth Fontenot of Lafayette is back at home. Many people feel the sentence was far too lenient. So in response, Lafayette Sen. Page Cortez sponsored a measure that would take away some of the judges discretion in manslaughter cases, similar to first and second degree murder convictions:
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The measure, dubbed The Austin Rivault Act, passed out of the House Criminal Justice committee on a 7-6 vote.

Frank Selas III, a 76 year old former Monroe TV personality, will be arraigned today in Rapides Parish on alleged child sex abuse accusations from 1979. Halen Doughty previews the case…:
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Governor John Bel Edwards has proclaimed this week Hurricane Preparedness week, urging Louisiana residents to make sure they have a plan in place should a storm threaten the state. A list of hurricane supplies, evacuation information and other helpful information can be found on the getagameplan.org website. The 2016 Atlantic Hurricane Season begins June 1st.

Seth Fontenot of Lafayette, the man convicted of manslaughter in the 2013 death of 15-year-old Austin Rivault, is back at home after 10 and half months in prison. Rivault’s parents went to Lafayette Senator Page Cortez asking him to sponsor legislation that would put someone behind bars at least three years if they commit a felony with a weapon that results in a fatality. He says based on what happened in their son’s case, the Rivaults hope to see a change in the law…:
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The Senate approved measure is awaiting debate on the House floor.

It’s Tax Day in Louisiana. The state Department of Revenue is reminding tax payers that you have until midnight to file or pay. Spokeswoman Kizzy Payton says taxpayers in the 36 regions of the state that were declared a Federal Disaster Area after the March flooding, are eligible for a special extension:
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Payton says they’ve already issued over one million refunds this year.

If you haven’t filed or paid your state taxes yet for 2015, today is the last day. Kizzy Payton with the Louisiana Department of Revenue says it’s important for taxpayers to settle up today no matter what. She says you can request an extension to avoid any penalties..:
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Payton says to file online or request an extension visit revenue-dot-louisiana-dot-gov.

The US Senate has begun work on their proposed changes to the spending plan for next fiscal year as House Bill 1 was sent over from the lower chamber on Friday. Lawmakers are dealing with a $600 million dollar shortfall for next fiscal year and are expected to pass a budget proposal before a planned special session on taxes begins in June.

The US Coast Guard says, after 20 hours, they’ve decided to suspend the search for the missing cruise ship passenger in the Gulf of Mexico.

The former Monroe children’s TV personality Mr. Wonder will be arraigned today on accusations he sexually abused children almost 40 years ago during a camping trip. 76-year-old Frank John Selas III faces 13 counts in Rapides Parish. Legal analyst Tim Meche says with a case this old, there could be witness issues and also no forensic evidence…:
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The sheriff’s office has said investigators identified seven alleged victims.

This week is National Dog Bite Prevention Week. Amanda Pumilia, with the Louisiana Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, says there are ways owners can prevent their dogs from biting people when they’re out and about…:
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State Farm reported paying $1.5 million for dog-related injury claims in Louisiana last year.