Baton Rouge mayor Kip Holden has filed his paperwork to run for Congress. Holden is expected to challenge fellow Democrat and incumbent US Representative Cedic Richmond, who represents the 2^nd District which covers New Orleans and parts of the River Parishes and Baton Rouge. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says Holden, who is term-limited as a mayor, is a strong candidate.

CUT 3 (08)  “for him”

A bill could be withdrawn from the regular session that would prohibit open burning of explosives and munitions because of opposition from a company called Clean Harbors, which has a location near Colfax that open burns. Minden Rep. Gene Reynolds says in the bill’s place would be a House resolution which would call for local input before Clean Harbors can receive a new permit next year.

Cut 6 (05)  “working on”

Members of the Governor’s staff are in St. Joseph today to address the brown water that’s been flowing from faucets in the Tensas Parish town. The governor’s Deputy Chief of Staff, Julie Baxter Payer, says they are there to inform St. Joseph residents about what’s being done to improve the drinking water…

CUT 7 (08)  “as possible” 

Residents of St. Joseph say the tap water has been pale yellow to murky brown for over 8 years.

Louisiana’s U.S. Senate election is 6 months away, ULM Political Science Professor, Dr. Joshua Stockley, says it’s been a slow race so far. Stockley says we haven’t seen or heard much from the nine declared candidates. He says this election is very similar to last year’s governor’s election.

Cut 10 (10) “to date”

Louisiana’s US Senate race is just 6 months away, but so far things have been fairly quiet from the candidates vying for the seat being vacated by David Vitter. ULM Political Science Professor, Dr. Joshua Stockley, says right now, the focus is on the state’s budget problems and the legislative session:
cut 11 (10) “attuned”
He says the presidential election will likely play a role in who wins this Senate seat.

The House Appropriates Committee is expected to push cuts to the Department of Health and Hospitals in order to fund TOPS when they present the proposed budget today. Chairman Cameron Henry of Metairie says TOPS is a priority for a majority of House members and if state agencies receive less funding next fiscal year, they’ll have to make do…:
Cut 15 (07) “for them”
The governor says $183 million dollars in cuts to other state agencies would have to be made if TOPS is fully funded.

A bill that would ban open burning of munitions and explosives may be withdrawn from House consideration. Minden Representative Gene Reynolds says the major opposition came from Colfax Clean Harbors, which open burns waste. He says lawmakers and the company are trying to meet in the middle…:
CUT 5 (10) “in statue”
He feels everyone would win this way.

St. Joe residents in Tensas Parish may soon have their brown murky water cleared up, as leaders from the Governor’s office visit the town today to address the matter. Deputy Chief of Staff, Julie Baxter Payer, hopes concern citizens will come out to a 5pm meeting to discuss the water…:
Cut 9 (10) “to come”
She says there is money available to repair the system, but the town has to complete an audit first.

Today, lawmakers in the lower chamber will present a proposed budget plan for next fiscal year that’s expected to fully fund TOPS. Leaders say the scholarship program is a top priority, but Governor John Bel Edwards says if the state covers 100% of tuition for eligible students, it will mean less state funding for hospitals, public education and state prisons…:
cut 14 (05) “do that”
He says of legislators fully fund TOPS it would mean 183-million dollars in cuts across other areas of the budget.

A bill that would prohibit open burning of explosives could be withdrawn from the regular session. There’s opposition from Clean Harbors Colfax which burns about 540,000 pounds of toxic waste annually. Minden Rep. Gene Reynolds says they’re in talks with Clean Harbors the state DEQ.
cut 4 (05) “things out”
He says he’s glad they are nearing a compromise, because the measure only passed 9-8 out of a House committee and they likely wouldn’t have had enough votes on the floor.

The Tensas Parish town of St. Joseph may finally get their water problems resolved. Members of the governor’s staff are there today to address the issue…:
Cut 2 (30) “I’m Halen Doughty”

A man from Slidell drowned in Lake Pontchartrain Saturday while drinking with friends, according to the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office. Witnesses told authorities 28-year-old Joshua Entrekin had been drinking when he went into the water and never came back up. An autopsy is scheduled for today. St. Tammany Coroner Dr. Charles Preston said Louisiana has the third-highest drowning rate in the nation, and it’s vital we all take precautions when on the water.

Leaders in the House are slated to unveil and vote on their proposed budget in committee today, and it’s expected to fully fund the TOPS scholarship program. Governor John Bel Edwards spending plan only allocated a third of the tuition money. Chairman of the House Appropriations Committee is Cameron Henry of Metairie…:
Cut 13 (07) “that’s covered”
But Edwards says that would mean less state funding for hospitals, public education and state prisons.

The National Weather Service says parts of north Louisiana could see severe weather today, with storms increasing in intensity this afternoon and evening. Forecasters say the system could bring large hail, damaging winds and isolated tornadoes.

Disaster Loan Outreach Centers will open today in Assumption, St. James and St. John Parishes for those affected by tornadoes and straight line winds in February. Officials said disaster loans up to $200,000 are available to homeowners with interest rates as low as 1.813 percent.

The U.S. Senate election is six months away and so far it’s been a slow race. Emelie Gunn has more…:
Cut 3 (25) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

Key members of the Governor’s staff are in St. Joseph today, where brown water is flowing from faucets in the Tensas Parish town. The governor’s Deputy Chief of Staff, Julie Baxter Payer, says they want to inform St. Jose residents about what’s being done to improve the drinking water…:
CUT 7 (08) “as possible”
Residents say the tap water has been pale yellow to murky brown for over 8 years.

The House Appropriations Committee is expected to approve a proposed budget today for next fiscal year that will fully fund TOPS. Jeff Palermo has the story…:
CUT 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Detectives in Iberia Parish are searching for a suspect who is wanted on second degree murder charges. 23-year-old Alex Keith Arceneaux is accused in the death of an as yet unidentified 37-year-old male.

The Powerball jackpot over the weekend ended up being $429.6 million dollars, and it was hit by one ticket sold in New Jersey, but the winner has reportedly yet to come forward.

We’re six months away from Louisiana’s U.S. Senate election and it’s been a slow race so far. That’s the opinion of ULM Political Science Professor, Dr. Joshua Stockley, who says we haven’t seen or heard much from the nine declared candidates. He says this election is very similar to last year’s governor’s election….:
Cut 10 (10) “to date”
He says we should see an uptick in attention to the race after the major party conventions in the summer.

A bill that would allow blaze pink to be added to the list of acceptable colors that hunters could wear, has been signed by Governor John Bel Edwards. The fabulous color can be used as an alternative to hunter orange. The measure goes into effect August 1st.

Authorities say the body of a 2-year-old Vernon parish girl was found by a deputy in Beauregard Parish. Willow Rain Renteria-Molina of Hornbeck was reported missing at 11pm Thursday night. Police say 33-year old Rodney “Donnie” Bailey Jr was the last person to see the girl alive, and he is a person of interest in the investigation.

Louisiana prosecutors decide not to file any criminal charges in the death of a mentally ill man, who was shot and killed by sheriff deputies last December. Michelle Southern has more…

CUT 2 (28)  “I’m Michelle Southern”

The Department of Health and Hospitals is advising women to get regular health exams, including mammograms.The American Cancer Society suggests women 45 to 54 should get yearly mammograms to detect breast cancer. DHH Secretary Rebekah Gee says many women are scared to get mammograms, but she says cancer isn’t a death sentence.

CUT 4 (10)  “be treated”

The 2016 Competitive Alternatives study by the firm KPMG shows that north Louisiana is the most competitive place to do business in the country. Scott Martinez, President of the North Louisiana Economic Partnership, says that’s due to a business friendly environment.

cut 12 (11) “availability”

Governor John Bel Edwards says he supports a bill by Parks Senator Fred Mills that would expand the list of medical conditions that medical marijuana can be used to treat. But Edwards says he does not support the legalization of recreational pot use.

Cut 10 (09) “that direction”

Mills senate-approved bill is waiting to be heard on the House floor.

A bill to raise the minimum age for strippers is heading to the House for final legislative approval. It Amite Representative Robby Carter voted for the legislation in a House committee and is not a big fan of the exotic dance profession….

Cut 15 (08) “or something”

Under the legislation individuals between 18-and-20 could work in a strip club as a waitress or perform other jobs, but they could no longer work as a stripper. The city of New Orleans has already passed a similar ordinance.

There is a month left in the legislative session and lawmakers still have a lot to. Jeremy Alford with LaPolitics.com says the budget is the biggest concern for legislators. He says lawmakers are working to pass a balanced budget with a 600 million dollar shortfall before the session ends on June 6^th and funding TOPS is a major priority.

cut 4  (10)  “that amount”

The House Appropriations committee is expected to make changes to the proposed budget for next fiscal year on Monday and send the spending plan to the House floor. Alford also says one of the governor’s main bills for the session, a measure that raises the minimum wage, faces an uphill climb.

Cut 5  (10)  “budget crunch”

Governor John Bel Edwards is expected to call a second special session in June.

The Department of Health and Hospitals is reminding women to get regular health checks. Emelie Gunn has more…

CUT 1 (30)  “I’m Emelie Gunn”

A Lafayette woman is facing multiple charges after she allegedly ran into a police officer with her vehicle. Authorities says 37-year-old Jennifer Shanahan was involved in a disturbance and was found sitting in her vehicle in a parking lot. According to police, officers asked Shanahan to exit her vehicle, instead she placed her vehicle in reverse and accelerated, hitting the officer who suffered a minor injury.

This morning prosecutors ruled that no charges will be filed in the fatal officer-involved shooting of a mentally-ill man last year. State Police say 32-year-old Michael Noel was shot and killed at his home in St. Martin parish while resisting officers who attempted to take him into protective custody. Assistant District Attorney Chester Cedars says no one was charged in the incident, because there was no crime.

CUT 6 (08) “the law”

Noel’s mother, Barbara, told the Associated Press she is “furious” no criminal charges were handed down against the deputies.

Saturday’s Powerball jackpot is now up to $415 million. Louisiana Lottery spokesperson Kim Chopin says the recent Powerball jackpots have boosted ticket sales 50-percent from this time last year.

cut 10 (10)  “jackpots”

No criminal charges will be filed in the fatal officer-involved shooting of a mentally-ill man, 32-year-old Michael Noel. The St. Martin sheriff’s deputies reportedly shocked Noel with a stun gun while trying to take him into protective custody, but Noel allegedly tried to stab one of the officers. Prosecutor Attorney Chester Cedars…

CUT 8 (11) “criminal offense”

Noel’s mother, Barbara, told the Associated Press she is “furious” no criminal charges were handed down against the deputies.

North Louisiana is the most competitive place to do business in the country, according a study by the firm KPMG. Scott Martinez, president of the North Louisiana Economic Partnership…

cut 14 (07)  “in particularly”

The Department of Health and Hospitals is urging women to get their regular health checks. DHH Secretary Rebekah Gee says cervical cancer screenings are particularly important and there are many vaccines to prevent cervical cancer. She recommends women get regular PAP tests starting at age 21 every three to five years.

CUT 5 (07)  “as well”

The Powerball jackpot for Saturday’s drawing has climbed to $418 million. Louisiana Lottery Spokesperson Kimberly Chopin says the Powerball gets so much attention because when the jackpot gets this high, everyone talks about what they would do with their money.

Cut 11 (08) “big wins”

Chopin says it only takes one ticket to win.