Another spirited debate broke out on the House floor over funding for TOPS versus hospitals that provide care for the poor. On Thursday night, legislators shifted 72-million dollars from the scholarship program to the safety net hospitals. On Friday, Monroe Representative Jay Morris tried to move some of that money back to TOPS, but he faced opposition from Baton Rouge Representative Patricia Smith…:
Cut 13 (12) “with TOPS”
Morris amendment that would move 36-million dollars back to TOPS failed on a 42-57 vote.

A level II Endangered/Missing Child Media Advisory has been issued by State Police on behalf of the New Orleans Police Department for 11-year-old Anign Keiaya Jordon. They say the child was last seen at school in New Orleans on May 5th, and she was reported missing yesterday. Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Anign Jordan is urged to contact authorities.

The U.S. Department of Education is letting schools know they are required to allow transgender restrooms or risk losing federal funds. Emelie Gunn has more…:
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17-year-old girl Azariya McClendon is getting to diplomas today. An Associates Degree from Bossier Parish Community College and a diploma from Ringgold High School. She says she was able to do this through the Accelerated Curriculum of Excellence program at her school:
CUT 5 (10) “for everything”

The U.S. Department of Education sent a letter to public schools informing them they are required to allow transgendered students to use the restroom that is consistent with their gender identity, or risk losing federal funding. Alto Congressman Ralph Abraham says this is another example of President Obama’s executive overreach. He says this is somewhat of a form of extortion:
CUT 6 (10) “comply with”
Matthew Patterson with Equality Louisiana says this is a really big step forward in terms of policies in public schools and universities. He says transgender kids are at a huge risk of many mental health issues…:
CUT 8 (06) “implemented”
The state Department of Education says they will provide assistance to Louisiana’s school districts in addressing the needs of their students.

A Pineville man has been arrested after he allegedly went door to door soliciting money he claimed was for a sick child with cancer. Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Office spokesman Lt. Tommy Carnline says residents reported the suspicious activity and authorities began investigating 48-year-old Charles Lowery, acting on the complaints…:
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He says they learned Lowery was a sex offender and his vehicle wasn’t registered so he was arrested for that and for swindling because he didn’t have a sick child.

A 22-year-old man from Webster Parish is facing murder charges amid allegations he beat his father to death with a baseball bat. Authorities say the body 57-year-old Billy Joiner, who lived with his son, was found around 2am…and later, John Joiner confessed to the crime saying it was the result of an ongoing dispute and he just snapped. John Joiner is charged with second degree murder.

The US Department of Education sent a letter to all school systems today directing them to grant specific rights to all children based on their gender identity — or face the loss of federal funds. Conservatives are outraged including Alto congressman Ralph Abraham…:
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But Equality Louisiana says this step is necessary to protect the vulnerable transgender population.

A Rapides Parish man who was allegedly soliciting money he claimed was for a sick child with cancer has been arrested after Alexandria residents reported suspicious activity to the sheriff’s office. Authorities say they discovered 48-year-old Charles Leon Lowery was a convicted sex offender and that none of his children were sick. He is charged with two counts of Cheating and Swindling due to the unlawful solicitation of money and one count Failure to Register as Sex Offender.

A 17-year-old girl from northwest Louisiana participates in two graduation ceremonies today. Azariya McClendon will get her Associates Degree from Bossier Parish Community College this afternoon, then this evening she’ll get her diploma from Ringgold High School. McClendon says she has big academic aspirations after her double graduation…:
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McClendon is the first student in her parish to earn two diplomas at the same time.

Thousands of college students receive their degree today and will be set to enter the workforce. Recruiting consultant with the Eastman Group, Tom Hanson says hiring for entry level positions has increased since last year.:
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Today, LSU will hand out a record number of degrees, with over four-thousand students participating in commencement ceremonies.

It’ll be easier than ever to donate food tomorrow as the Letter Carriers Food Drive gets underway, and all you have to do is leave items by your mailbox. U.S. Post Office Spokesperson Boyd McKinney says the mailman will collect it during their route…:
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Toiletries and other personal items can also be donated Saturday during the Letter Carriers Food Drive.

As debates on the budget continue to at the Capitol, things got heated Thursday when lawmakers took up debate on TOPS funding versus healthcare. Shortly before 9, members narrowly voted to shift 72 million dollars from the popular scholarship program to the state’s safety net hospitals. The House is expected to wrap up the budget bill today then it will head to the Senate.

The Blue Lives Matter bill that seeks to include police, firefighters and EMS as protected groups in hate crime laws is becoming a controversial topic. Halen Doughty has more…:
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Legislation to allow sex surveys to be given to public school students fails in a Senate committee. Emelie Gunn has more…

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The House failed to pass a measure that would have eliminated the Inspector General’s Office, which inspects fraud and waste in government. Some legislators suggested the IG office’s duties overlapped with jobs done by other agencies, but others were concerned about the public’s perception if lawmakers eliminated that office.

Legislation to allow victims of domestic violence with a protective order to carry a concealed handgun for 45 days without training will be heard in the Senate after getting approval from the House. Denham Springs Rep. Valarie Hodges, says her bill provides an expedited process for a victim to seek concealed carry training. She says victims often times feel like they’re in imminent danger from their abusers.

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Lawmakers did not get the good news about the budget they were hoping for today The Revenue Estimating Conference met did not change next fiscal year’s revenue forecast. Senate President John Alario says legislators may need to take another look at raising revenues when they meet for a second special session next month, which means another revenue estimating conference could be called.

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State Police are looking for two vehicles involved in a fatal hit and run that killed a skateboarder in Hammond. Halen Doughty has more…:
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State lawmakers did not receive any good news today in terms of higher than expected revenues to help reduce the budget deficit. Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne says they will have to stick with the revenue estimate they have….:
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A special session is planned for June to address the budget.

Legislation to allow victims of domestic violence with a protective order to carry a concealed handgun for 45 days without training will be heard in the Senate after getting approval from the House. Denham Springs Rep. Valarie Hodges, says domestic abuse victims in this situation will know the responsibility of having a gun, even though they may not have gone through the training…:
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Opponents don’t feel people without training should have weapons.

A man from Greenwell Springs died this morning in a rollover crash on I-110 in Baton Rouge, an impairment is a suspected factor. BRPD says 21-year-old Evan Sean Junker sustained fatal injuries in the incident which took place around 2am. They say Junker lost control of his vehicle, struck a guard rail and was ejected from the vehicle. It is believed Junker was drinking.

Legislation that would let victims of domestic violence with a protective order carry a concealed handgun for 45 days without training will be heard in the Senate after getting approval from the House. Denham Springs Rep. Valarie Hodges, says her bill provides an expedited process for a victim to seek concealed carry training….:
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Opponents are concerned about people without proper training having weapons.

The Revenue Estimating Conference met this morning and did not change next fiscal year’s revenue forecast, which lawmakers were hoping for to reduce the budget deficit. Economist Manfred Dix says low tax collections impacted the estimates…:
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Leaders says legislators may need to take another look at raising revenues when they meet for a second special session next month.

State police are looking for two vehicles involved in a fatal hit and run that took the life of a skateboarder in Hammond near SLU. Trooper Dustin Dwight says 26-year-old Erin Gerhard was hit twice by two vehicles that fled the scene. He says they are asking for the public’s assistance in identifying the motorists responsible for Gerhard’s death…:
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Troopers believe the vehicles involved are a pickup truck and a dark colored sedan.

A bill that would reduce penalties for possessing, selling and using drug paraphernalia is headed to the governor’s desk. The measure mirrors that of the lessened marijuana penalties law that passed last year.

State police are looking for two vehicles involved in a fatal hit and run that took the life of a skateboarder in Hammond. Trooper Dustin Dwight says 26-year-old Erin Gerhard was skateboarding down the right side of University Avenue near S-L-U’s campus around 10pm last night…:
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Dwight says troopers believe the vehicles involved are a pickup truck and a dark colored sedan.

A Prairieville man who has a lengthy criminal history is behind bars once again following a nearly 9 hour long standoff with Ascension Parish Deputies who acted on a tip regarding a gas station robbery in Baton Rouge. Authorities say they cut power to the residence where 27-year-old Matthew Morris was barricading himself inside, and used tear gas before the suspect finally surrendered, eight and a half hours later. Morris, who has over 19 arrests, was taken to the Ascension Parish Jail shortly after midnight.

The bill that would expand the number of diseases in the medical marijuana law passed the House floor Thursday on a 62-32 vote. Those in opposition say cannabis oil is not FDA approved, but New Orleans Representative Helena Moreno says federally legal drugs aren’t necessarily always the best option…:
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The measure heads back to the Senate for amendment review then to governor John Bel Edwards desk.

The Fruit of the Loom distribution center that’s been in Vidalia for over 20 years will be shuttering its doors for good, meaning 167 people will be out of work. The company, Martin Mills, a subsidiary of Union Underwear Company, said it would offer various employment services with the help of the state’s dislocated worker unit. They said the first jobs will be terminated no sooner than July 10th.