The State Senate bill by Mandeville Senator Jack Donahue, that would likely result in future TOPS students having to pay a portion of their tuition, has cleared the House Education Committee. Stafford Palmieri, Governor Bobby Jindal’s Assistant Chief of Staff, says Louisiana has made the promise that TOPS students…
CUT 6 (09) “tuition increase”
The measure now heads to the House Floor.

A recent study by NOAA shows a strong connection between the Deepwater Horizon Gulf oil spill and a high number of dolphin deaths. Dr. Kathleen Colegrove is the study’s lead veterinary pathologist, and she says half of the mammals in Barateria Bay-which was heavily damaged–had the rare adrenal lesions.
CUT 11 (08) Q: ‘this lesion”
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A Senate committee has approved New Orleans Senator JP Morrell’s bill that would change a second-offense marijuana possession from a felony to a misdemeanor. It also allows a first-time offender to have their record expunged if they are not convicted for another marijuana violation within two years…
CUT 4 (10) Q” first offense only”
He says there’s still significant penalities for 3 or more convictions.

Governor Bobby Jindal says the state has spent more than 900-thousand dollars to help restoration of the black bear population. Deputy Director of the US Fish and Wildlife Service, Steve Guertin, is glad the efforts to save the iconic “Teddy Bear” have paid off, since the feds now recommend its removal from the threatened species list…
cut 14 (10) “state of Louisiana”

NOAA announces results of a study which shows the Deepwater Horizon oil spill contributed to dolphin deaths in the Gulf of Mexico…:
CUT 2 (32) “reporting”

A Loreauxville (Lora ville) teen-ager last lost his life after he was playing in rain water and accidently fell into a drainage pipe in New Iberia. Rescuers pulled the body of 15 year-old John Michael Steiner out of the pipe, and his family identified his body. He leaves behind 3 brothers and a sister.
=======================
A bill for reducing penalties for possession of marijuana is making progress, as a Senate Committee approves the measure by New Orleans Senator JP Morrell. He says many district attorneys and sheriffs support his legislation, because there’s still significant penalties for those convicted three or more times…
CUT 5 (05) “more sense”
And Morrell adds it would save the state abou $16 million dollars.

The Louisiana Black Bear population has grown to a point that the federal government recommends its removal from the threatened species list. Governor Bobby Jindal says the process to restore the black bear population took over twenty years…
CUT 13 (11) Q: “key habitats”
The price tag was more than 900 thousand dollars.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration announces results of a study which shows the Deepwater Horizon oil spill contributed to a high number of dolphin deaths in the Gulf of Mexico. Dr. Kathleen Colegrove is the study’s lead veterinary pathologist…:
CUT 10 (10) “other areas”
She says these studies point to the presence of petroleum hydrocarbons as being the most significant cause of the illnesses and deaths plaguing the Gulf’s dolphin population.

A bill by Baton Rouge Representative Blake Miguez that would allow elementary school students to be taught gun safety has passed the state House. However, Shreveport Representative Barbara Norton doesn’t think that young kids should be learning anything about guns. She says firearm safety education should be left up to parents if they so choose to teach their kids about guns…:
cut 14 (06) “or see a gun”
A 93-3 vote sends the measure to the Senate.

A Senate bill that will likely result in future TOPS students having to pay a portion of their tuition clears the House Education Committee despite Governor Jindal’s opposition. Eric Gill reports…:
CUT 1 (29) “reporting”

Federal Wildlife officials are recommending the Louisiana black bear be removed from the list of threatened species. The animal that inspired the teddy bear could once again be hunted in Sportsman’s Paradise if delisting takes place. The process could take less than a year if nobody opposes.

A Senate bill that will likely result in future TOPS students having to pay a portion of their tuition clears the House Education Committee. The governor’s office opposes Mandeville Senator Jack Donahue’s legislation. Stafford Palmieri, Jindal’s Assistant Chief of Staff, says Louisiana has made the promise that TOPS students will have their tuition fully paid…:
CUT 6 (09) “tuition increase”
Under Donahue’s bill, the TOPS award will match 2016-17 tuition levels but the award will not automatically go up when tuition rises. Donahue says TOPS is unsustainable in its current form and this baseline will ensure its survival…:
CUT 7 (06) “their kids after”
The measure will now be debated on the House floor.

After watching a House committee fail to approve legislation referred to as a religious liberty bill, Governor Bobby Jindal issued an executive order to enact the law, but on a smaller scale, only impacting the executive branch. U-L Lafayette Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says it’s not a surprise lawmakers didn’t pass the religious objections law…
cut 12 (10) “….he likes”
Opponents of the legislation that failed say the bill promotes discrimination against L-G-B-T couples.

There’s a huge travel weekend coming up in Memorial Day and gas prices seem to be steadily rising. AAA says the price jumped two cents last night on average statewide to $2.45.

Legislation that looks to reduce the penalties for those convicted multiple times of marijuana possession makes progress in the state legislature. A Senate committee has approved New Orleans Senator JP Morrell’s bill that would change a second-offense from a felony to a misdemeanor charge. He says third or four offenses would still be felonies, but with lower maximum sentences than current law…:
CUT 3 (06) “20 times higher”
The House has also approved its own legislation that will reduces penalties for multiple marijuana offenders.

In the House Education Committee today, a couple of bills that seek to control the cost of the TOPS scholarship program advanced to the full House. One bill would let colleges set their own tuition rates without legislative approve — a measure that’s tied to one that limits TOPS rewards. The Jindal administration issued a card in opposition to the spending restriction on TOPS legislation.

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is making an important announcement at the Governor’s mansion this afternoon…:
CUT 1 (29) “reporting”

A former Baton Rouge teacher Ashley Dowden has been sentenced to seven years probation for having sex with two male students. Dowden must also register as a sex offender. The 43-year-old admitted to having sex with two teenage boys as part of her plea deal.

Governor Bobby Jindal issues an executive order that would accomplish what a so-called religious freedom bill would do. Scott Carwile has the story…:
CUT 3 (31) “reporting”

There’s a press conference at the governor’s mansion today where officials are expected to announce the Louisiana Black Bear is coming off the threatened species list. State Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Secretary Robert Barham says the resurgence in the black bear population is a tribute to their biologists…:
cut 5 (07) “to come”

This morning the House Education Committee advanced a Senate bill which seeks to rein in the cost of the TOPS scholarship program without objection. The Jindal Administration turned in a card in opposition but didn’t testify. The bill heads to the full House.

Tuesday legislation that would allow schools to teach gun safety to elementary school students made it off the House floor. Baton Rouge Representative Blake Miguez says firearm accident prevention and safety is something kids should learn at a young age…
cut 13 (06) “fire safety”
The measure heads to the Senate for more discussion.

The Ascension Parish Sheriff’s Office says an unidentified man was struck and killed by a train overnight. They say the victim was hit on Highway 73 just south of Airline Highway in Gonzales. Deputies know he is a black man with a medium build between 25-35 years of age. Anyone with information regarding this incident is urged to contact authorities.

According to a recent survey by the LSU Public Policy Research lab, voters in Louisiana are still not tuned in to the upcoming Governor’s race. Michelle Southern reports…

cut 2 (31) “reporting”

Governor Bobby Jindal issues an executive order that aims to have the same effect as a so called “religious freedom” bill that failed to pass out of a House committee, but on a smaller scale. The executive order prevents the executive branch of state government only from taking adverse action against people, charities, and family owned businesses who have deep religious beliefs that marriage is between a man and a woman.

Today, the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries will make an important announcement at the Governor’s Mansion regarding the Louisiana black bear. It is expected that the black bear will be officially removed from the threatened species list. Secretary Robert Barham says the black bear was put on the threatened list nearly 25 years ago…

cut 4 (11) “be recognized”

He says the resurgence in the black bear population is a tribute to everyone within the department.

A bill by Baton Rouge Representative Blake Miguez that would allow elementary school students to be taught gun safety has passed the state House. However, Shreveport Representative Barbara Norton doesn’t think that young kids should be learning anything about guns. She says firearm safety education should be left up to parents if they so choose to teach their kids about guns…

cut 14 (06) “or see a gun”

A 93-3 vote sends the measure to the Senate.

Governor Bobby Jindal issues an executive order that would have the same effect as a so called “religious freedom” bill that failed to pass out of a House committee Tuesday. U-L Lafayette Political Science Professor Pearson Cross predicts there will be a lawsuit…

cut 11 (07) “anyway”

Jindal says his executive order prevents the executive branch of state government from taking adverse action against people, charities and family owned businesses who have deep religious beliefs that marriage is between a man and a woman.

According to a recent survey by the LSU Public Policy Research lab, voters in Louisiana are still not engaged in the upcoming Governor’s race. The numbers show only 25% of people here are following news about the election. PPRL Director Dr. Michael Henderson says voters ages 18-29 are paying the least amount of attention…

cut 7 (10) “less in politics” (2x)

Henderson says they also found that 38% of voters say they are satisfied with the current slate of candidates running for governor in the October 24 election.

A House bill by Baton Rouge Representative Blake Miguez that would allow elementary school students to be taught gun safety clears the House and now heads to the Senate. Hammond Representative Chris Broadwater says he supports the measure because very often parents are not teaching their children proper safety measures when it comes to things like guns…

cut 15 (13) “that education”

The legislation passed on a 93-3 vote.

Today, the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is expected to announce that the Louisiana black bear will be officially removed from the threatened species list. The Louisiana black bear is the the inspiration for the Teddy Bear that was created after a hunting trip in the area by then President Teddy Roosevelt. LDWF Secretary Robert Barham says Roosevelt’s great-grandson, Theodore Roosevelt IV, will be on hand for the announcement…

cut 6 (08) “was president”

The announcement will take place at the Governor’s Mansion.

After some rather intense debate, the House Civil Law Committee has voted 10-2 to return the controversial Religious Freedom Bill to the legislative calendar, which will probably kill it for this session. Some say the law will deter outside businesses from coming here, but Bossier City Representative Mike Johnson says the bill is important, because it provides protection for people and businesses…
CUT 8 (11) Q: “5,000 years”
Governor Bobby Jindal says he will issue an executive order that will in essence accomplish the intent of House Bill 707.

Legislation is headed to the Louisiana House floor that impose a new one-cent sales tax, with the monies from that revenue going toward the funding of 15 major transportation projects. If the bill makes it to the legislature, it is expected to be vetoed by Governor Bobby Jindal.
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A man who was once a Teacher of the Year in Iberville Parish is under arrest on multiple counts of having sex with students from Plaquemine. Sheriff Brett Stassi says they got the first complaint about the MSA-West Academy teacher late Monday, and the charges against 30 year-old Keavin Keith turned into a laundry list…
CUT 14 (09) Q: “and a student”
Authorities know of 3 victims so far, and they may be more.

A pro-Governor Bobby Jindal advocacy group has released a television ad in Iowa supporting his candidacy for president. The American Future Project says the ad will run on cable television in Iowa and online for one week, and ULM Political Science Professor Joshua Stockley observes that it’s about positioning…
cut 10 (09) “very evangelical”