A Houma man is facing animal cruelty charges after he allegedly shot and killed his neighbor’s pit bull. Sgt. Travis Theriot says 60-year-old Karl Kohman’s 34-year-old son was walking through the neighbor’s yard when the dog bit him on the ankle. He says Kohman hid the dog’s body after the shooting:
CUT 4 (06) “local bayou”
Theriot says Kohman faces charges of aggravated cruelty to animals, illegal use of a weapon, obstruction of justice, and criminal trespassing.

The former children’s TV host Mr. Wonder is going to be escorted Thursday on his flight from California back to Louisiana where he’s facing charges stemming from allegations that he sexually abused children during a camping trip in 1979. 76-year-old Frank John Selas III was indicted in February on two counts of aggravated ramp and other charges. Selas hosted the TV show in Monroe in the 70s, and fled the state after parents complained he was abusing their children on the field trip.

Former Iberville Parish teacher, Keavin Keith, will spend two years in prison for having sex with three of his former students. Sheriff Brett Stassi says DNA evidence found Keith fathered a child with one of his victims when she was 15…:
CUT 7 (10) “run in”
Keith was sentenced to 10 years in jail for five counts of felony carnal knowledge, but eight of the years were suspended.

The Edwards Administration is very concerned about state funding for healthcare, as the full House is set to debate the proposed spending plan for next fiscal year. Department of Health and Hospitals Sec. Rebekah Gee says DHH has over 230 million dollars in unmet needs and can’t take anymore cuts…:
Cut 13 (06) “the impact”
The proposed budget is set for debate in the lower chamber tomorrow.

A Houma man has been arrested after he shot and killed his neighbor’s Pitbull because the dog bit his son. Jeff Palermo has more…:
CUT 2 (28) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

A St. Landry Parish man is facing several charges after cops say he tried to set his own house on fire in a fit of rage. The Sheriff’s Office says when deputies arrived, they located 34-year-old Eugene Chambers of Eunice pouring gasoline on the residence and threatening officers with a metal pipe. A victim stated she and six children, between the ages of 2 and 13, were forced outside and that Chambers also dumped gasoline on her. He is charged with Attempted Aggravated Arson, Aggravated Assault and Resisting an Officer.

The Raise the Age Bill is moving closer to final legislative passage, as it has been approved by the House Criminal Justice Committee without objection. The measure would increase the age at which someone can be tried as an adult for non-violent crimes from 17 to 18. Executive Director for the Louisiana Center for Children’s Rights Joshua Perry says a mistake at 17 shouldn’t ruin someone’s life…:
cut 15 (12) “higher education”
The measure heads to the House floor for final legislative passage.

A one-time teacher of the year in Iberville Parish will spend 2 years behind bars for having sex with three of his former students. The Sheriff’s Office says Keavin Keith even fathered a child with one of the victims, according to results from the State Police Crime Lab. Keith was sentenced to 10 years in jail for five counts of felony carnal knowledge, but eight of the years were suspended.

Former Iberville Parish teacher of the year will spend two years behind bars for having sex with three of his former students. Emelie Gunn has more…:
CUT 1 (30) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

Police say a child was killed in Ruston this morning after being struck by her mother’s vehicle as she was dropping her child off at school. Ruston Police Deputy Chief Clint Williams says first responders arrived at New Living Word Church shortly before eight AM:
CUT 9 (09) “Ford Explorer”

The Edwards Administration is very concerned about state funding for healthcare, as the full House is set to debate the proposed spending plan for next fiscal year. Department of Health and Hospitals Sec. Rebekah Gee says the House budget committee shifted dollars away from DHH and this could lead to multiple hospital closures and would eliminate jobs that inspect potentially unsafe facilities…:
cut 12 (10) “no sense”
The budget bill is slated to be taken up on the House floor tomorrow.

More layoffs are coming to the state. The Louisiana Workforce Commission said today Martin Mills announced the permanent closure of its Vidalia Distribution Center, which would result in 167 employees losing their jobs starting July 10th. LWC says their Rapid Response team will conduct orientation sessions for affected workers in two weeks.

Former Iberville Parish teacher, Keavin Keith, will spend two years in prison for having sex with three of his students. Keith was sentenced to 10 years in jail for five counts of felony carnal knowledge, but eight of the years were suspended. Sheriff Brett Stassi says he suggested 10 years of hard labor, but the decision is ultimately up to the courts…:
CUT 6 (09) “sentence is”
Keith was arrested after a female student told authorities she had sex with the 30-year-old and conceived his son when she was 15.

It’s every parents worst nightmare, says the Ruston Police Department, as a mother ran over her child during morning carpool at the New Living Word Church. Cops say as the mother was pulling into the parking lot, the child opened the door while the vehicle was still in motion, then fell under the wheel of the SUV. The child was pronounced dead by the Lincoln Parish Coroners Office.

The Raise the Age bill was sent to the House floor today for final legislative approval. The measure by New Orleans Senator JP Morrell would prosecute 17-year-olds in the juvenile justice system instead of as an adult. The idea cleared the Senate with strong support and there was no objection today in the House Criminal Justice Committee.

A Houma man who allegedly shot and killed his neighbor’s pit bull after the K-9 bit his 34-year-old son is facing several charges. Sgt. Travis Theriot says 60-year-old Karl Kohman should not have taken matters into his own hands…:
CUT 5 (09) “be taken”
In addition to animal cruelty  and illegal use of a weapon charges, Kohman was also booked with obstruction of justice for allegedly trying to hide the dog’s body.

The House Health and Welfare Committee unanimously approved legislation that would establish a Bullying Awareness and Treatment Taskforce aimed at ending bullying in Louisiana. Shreveport Representative Barbara Norton says the goal is to help children on both sides of the bullying…:
Cut 15 (09) “as well”
The measure moves to the House floor for more consideration.

A Houma man is facing animal cruelty charges after he allegedly shot and killed his neighbor’s pit bull. Sgt. Travis Theriot says 60-year-old Karl Kohman claimed he shot the 2-year-old dog after the K-9 bit his son…:
CUT 3 (12) “handgun”
Theriot says Kohman faces charges of aggravated cruelty to animals, illegal use of a weapon, obstruction of justice, and criminal trespassing.

Students in A,B, or C schools could be allowed to attend any public school in their district, under a proposal approved by the House Education Committee. Current law already permits this for students in failing school zones. Hammond Representative Chris Broadwater supports the measure saying it would encourage schools to step up and be the best in their district…:
CUT 11 (05) “can you not”
But school leaders say this would be a difficult police to put in place. The measure heads to the House floor.

Two teenagers are dead following a crash caused by a motorist who is believed to have ran a stop sign in Iberia Parish. The Sheriff’s Office says the vehicle that failed to yield was hit by an SUV, and the two occupants of the car believed to be in violation, a 16 year old passenger and the 18 year old driver, were both pronounced dead at the scene. The investigation is ongoing.

A Senate committee barely passed legislation to add members of the LGBT community to Louisiana’s anti-discrimination laws. Jeff Palermo has more…

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Legislation that would create a legal framework between parents and surrogate mothers moves to the full House. Emelie Gunn has more…

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Students could be allowed to attend any public school in their district, under a proposal approved by the House Education Committee. Halen Doughty has more…

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Legislation that seeks to protect gays and transgender individuals from discrimination is heading to the Senate floor after barely getting enough votes to pass out of a committee. Author of the measure, New Orleans Senator JP Morrell says there shouldn’t be any discrimination in the law.

cut 4  (10)  “treated fairly”

The Louisiana Family Forum and the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry oppose the bill, but they need not speak out in opposition during committee debate. Morrell says it’s not fair to deny someone of a job or license because of your personal views on them.

Cut 5  (11)  “like them”

The measure would broaden existing anti-discrimination laws to include LGBT individuals and people with disabilities. Morrell says if you’re going to protect one group form discrimination, you should protect everyone.

Cut 6 (07)  “at will”

The bill passed on a 2-1 vote and heads to the Senate floor for more debate.

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A bill that would set up a legal framework in Louisiana between parents and surrogate mothers now moves to the full Senate for final legislative passage. The proposed law would grant immediate custody of the child to the genetic parents rather than the surrogate mother.  Norco Sen. Gary Smith says this measure will protect Louisiana families…

CUT 7 (10)  “be involved” 

Diana Wallace with the Louisiana Right to Life spoke in opposition to the bill because she says it doesn’t protect unborn human beings to the extent that Louisiana should. She says she is concerned a surrogate may be pressured to have an abortion if it turns out she will have more than one child.

Cut 8  (10)  “live birth” 

Currently, a baby born to a surrogate is considered that woman’s child. Author of the legislation, Lafayette Rep. Stuart Bishop, says….

Cut 9 (09)  “the child”

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The House Education Committee has approved a bill that would allow students to attend any public school in their district. Hammond Representative Chris Broadwater supports the proposal. He says this opens the doors for children to attend the best schools, no matter where they are zoned, provided the school they choose has room for more students.

Cut 10 (09) “public system”

Under current law, public school students who attend a “D” or “F” graded school can attend a higher performing school in their district. The bill by Lafayette Representative Stuart Bishop gives students who attend an “A,” “B” or “C” school a choice as well. Broadwater says Bishop’s bill would mean schools will have to step up to the plate to be the best in their district.

cut 11 (05) “can you not”

Associate Executive Director of the Louisiana Association of School Superintendents, Donald Songy, says this would be a difficult policy to put in place. He says principals usually don’t know their capacity until the school year begins, and wonders how many times students would be able to switch schools.

cut 12 (04) “to manage”

Songy says he has concerns about what would happen if there were 15 spots open at a school and 85 parents trying to get their children in.

Cut 13 (06)  “other situation”

The measure heads to the House floor.

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The House Health and Welfare Committee unanimously approved legislation that would establish a Bullying Awareness and Treatment Taskforce aimed at ending bullying in Louisiana. Shreveport Representative Barbara Norton says a large number of Louisiana students are being bullied, and many are too afraid to speak up about it.

cut 14 (11)  “bullying them”

Norton says this taskforce would include representatives from the Department of Education, as well as the Department of Health and Hospitals’ mental health services. She says the goal is to help children on both sides of the bullying.

Cut 15 (09) “as well”

Norton says this group would identify how and where bullying starts and how it progresses. She says the taskforce’s findings could help both children and adults.

Cut 16  (11)  “level too”

Norton says this would not create more costs for the state, because they would only pay for travel and meals for the four members of the taskforce. The measure moves to the House floor for more consideration.

Governor Edwards signs into law a bill that means the TOPS scholarship is no longer guaranteed to cover the full cost of a student’s tuition, starting in the fall of 2017. The bill locks in the amount of a TOPS scholarship at next year’s amount, and the award will not automatically increase, even if tuition costs go up. Executive Director of the Taylor Foundation, Dr. James Callier, says tuition increases have hurt the scholarship program.

CUT 6 (06) “increases”

An attack on a member of law enforcement, firefighters or EMS would be considered a hate crime under a measure headed to the Senate floor. Alexandria Representative Lance Harris says the hate crime law currently covers violence against people because of their race, gender, religion, age, disability or nationality — and this bill expands that…:

cut 15 (07) “EMS”

Authorities say a Prairieville woman has been arrested after her child ate methamphetamine. Gonzales police Sgt. Steven Nethken says 21-year-old Tyler Dauzat took her 2-year-old to the hospital when the child began exhibiting “erratic behavior.” Nethken says Dauzat was staying in a local hotel, when she left her child alone with her purse.

CUT 3 (08)  “her purse”

Nethken says the child was stabilized and taken to a Baton Rouge Pediatric Center.

The yearbook from West Monroe’s Good Hope Middle School is full of smiling children, and one very special furry friend. Presley, a service dog, got her own headshot in the yearbook next to her owner, 14-year-old Joseph “Seph” Ware, who has muscular dystrophy. Sonya Hogg is the yearbook advisor at Good Hope, and she says the 5-year-old golden doodle got her picture because to everyone at the school, Presley is just another student.

cut 12 (04) “quiet student”

The TOPS Scholarship will no longer guarantee to cover a student’s full tuition starting in the fall of 2017. Governor Edwards signed the measure which doesn’t tie the award to tuition increases…:
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The governor has ordered flags on public buildings be flown at half staff today to honor Frank Levingston. The Cotton Valley native was the oldest living man in the US and the oldest verified surviving World War II veteran. Levingston died in Lake Charles a week ago at the age of 110.

Sensible Marijuana Policy for Louisiana has launched billboards in Baton Rouge and Shreveport in hopes to encourage people to contact their legislators to vote in favor of legislation that would expand access to medical marijuana. Spokesperson Jacob Irving says if you don’t make an effort, lawmakers will assume you don’t care…:
CUT 9 (10) “yourselves”
The bill that would add more medical conditions that could utilize medical marijuana is expected to be debated on the House floor tomorrow.

The story about the yearbook of West Monroe’s Good Hope Middle School is going viral and making national headlines. That’s because a service dog, Presley, got her own headshot next to her owner, Seph Ware who suffers with MS. Good Hope yearbook advisor Sonya Hogg says Presley, a Goldendoodle, is just another member of the school…:
CUT 12 (04) “quiet student”
She says Presley even signed the kids’ yearbooks, with a little help from Seph.

Governor Edwards signs into law a bill that means the TOPS scholarship is no longer guaranteed to cover the full cost of a student’s tuition, starting in the fall of 2017. Executive Director of the Taylor Foundation, Dr. James Callier (*Kye-yay*), says tuition increases have hurt the scholarship program:
CUT 6 (06) “increases”
The bill locks in the amount of a TOPS scholarship at next year’s rate, and the award will not automatically increase, even if tuition costs go up. Supporters say this will help make TOPS more affordable and thus more sustainable for the future.

State Police say a teenager from Marksville died this morning following a crash with a school bus in Avoyelles Parish. Investigators determined 19-year-old Joshua Frank lost control of his vehicle and collided with the school bus that was going in the opposite direction. There were no children on the bus at the time, but troopers say Frank wasn’t buckled up and he died at the scene.

An attack on a member of law enforcement, firefighters or EMS would be considered a hate crime under a measure headed to the Senate floor. Alexandria Representative Lance Harris says the hate crime law currently covers violence against people because of their race, gender, religion, age, disability or nationality — and this bill expands that…:
cut 15 (07) “EMS”
There was no objection in the Senate committee.

A juvenile who allegedly beat up a 61-year-old female because she refused to perform oral sex on him is charged with simple battery of the infirmed, according to the Thibodaux Police Department. They say the suspect was identified by a witness who tried to stop the attack, and he was subsequently booked into the Juvenile Detention Center on the charge.