The Senate Education committee approves a bill that would prohibit the suspension or expulsion of a student between Kindergarten and third grade, unless the child posed a threat to the safety of the school. The author of the measure, Baton Rouge Senator Sharon Weston Broome, says children who are taken out of school so young don’t get to live up to their potential…

cut 7 (12) “who they are”

The legislation now heads to the Senate Floor.

A legal analyst says former LSU football player La’el Collins is making the right decision in not rushing to speak to cops about a murder of a pregnant woman. In fact, Tim Meche says he’d be surprised if Collins ever talks to police…

cut 4 (11) “position should do”

Baton Rouge Police want to interview Collins about the fatal shooting of 29-year-old Brittney Mills.

With LSU facing big budget cuts that officials say could cripple the university, hundreds of students showed up on the steps of the state capitol yesterday to speak up about the proposed reduction in higher education funding. LSU Student Government Association President Andrew Mahtook says the student body is very concerned about the school’s future…

cut 10 (11) “personal level”

About five-hundred students showed up for the rally, carrying signs that said “No Funds No Future” and “Jindal cuts like a knife.” An 80-percent cut in higher education funding is possible because of a one-point-six billion dollar budget shortfall.

At the State Capitol today, a very vocal group of some 300 LSU students gathered to to protest proposed massive cuts to the university. LSU President F. King Alexander says he certainly understands their feelings, because if these cuts go through it will adversely affect students…:
CUT 4 (09) Q: ‘for our students’

Tonight is the beginning of the NFL draft, and former LSU football player La’ell Collins was expected to go in the higher rounds, but since the investigation of the shooting death of a 29 year-old pregnant woman, with whom Collins reportedly had a previous relationship, his stock will not be as high. Baton Rouge Police stress Collins is NOT a suspect; they just want to meet with him to see if has any information. As to when…
CUT 11 (07) Q: “place and time”
That’s BRPD Corporal Don Coppola.
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The St. Landry Parish Sheriff’s Office has arrested a Beau Chene High School assistant football coach and teacher for allegedly kissing a student…
CUT 1 (29) “reporting”

A Houma domestic dispute this morning involving a woman and her ex-boyfriend, who was holding their holding his 5 year-old inside his home, has ended peacefully. Police were able to negotiate the safe release of the boy, and the unnamed suspect voluntarily surrendered to authorities around noon. He was transported him to the hospital to be evaluated.

LSU students rallied at the State Capitol today to protest proposed cuts to the university, that could result in the closing of of satellite campuses and drastic losses at the main campus. LSU President F. King Alexander says students have every right to be concerned…:
CUT 3 (08) “or three”
King adds, unless adjustments are made, colleges in the state face filing for bankruptcy.

The St. Landry Parish Sheriff’s Office has arrested a Beau Chene High School an assistant football coach and teacher for allegedly kissing a student inside a classroom. 25-year-old Gregory Fontenot is charged with one count of prohibited sexual conduct between an educator and a student.
CUT 6 (08) “years old”
That’s Lt. Clay Higgins. Fontenot denies the charge.
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A nine state operation by several law enforcement agencies has resulted in the rescue of 6 exploited or missing children. Louisiana State Police Lt. JB says the operation also saved one adult victim, made four initial arrests and launched three investigations…:
cut 13 (10) “other states”

Baton Rouge Police are continuing the investigation in the shooting death of a pregnant woman, who was also reportedly in a previous relationship with former LSU football player La’ell Collins. Corporal Don Cappola stresses Collins is NOT a suspect, but they do want to talk to him to see if he has any information in the shooting death of of 29 year-old Brittney Mills…
CUT 10 (06) Q: ‘after the draft’
Collins is in line to be drafted into the NFL. The Draft begins tonight.

LSU students gathered at the state Capitol today to protest cuts to the university, and our Jeff Palermo was there.
CUT 2 (32) “reporting”

Former LSU football star La-el Collins is not a suspect in the murder of a pregnant woman in Baton Rouge, but police still want to talk to him, since he might have some information in the case. Collins reportedly had a previous relationship with 29 year-old Brittney Mills, and BRPD reports they will talk to Collins after the NFL draft.
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An assistant football coach and teacher at Beau Chene High School is under arrest for allegedly kissing a student inside a classroom. St. Landry Parish Sheriff’s Office say 25-year-old Gregory Fontenot is charged with one count of prohibited sexual conduct between an educator and a student. Lt. Clay Higgins says there many have been some consent given…
cut 8 (07) Q: “day in court”
Fontenot denies the charge.

A recent multi-state operation has resulted in the rescue of six missing or exploited children. State Police Lt. JB Slaton says two of Col Mike Edmonson’s main initiatives is going after criminals who exploit children for sexual purposes…:
CUT 14 (06) Q: “for themselves”
He says in addition to rescuing the children, the operation also saved one adult victim, made four initial arrests and launched three investigations.

LSU students are at the Capitol today protesting cuts to higher education. President F King Alexander says there are many scenarios higher ed is looking at in the face of massive reductions. He says cuts need to be mitigated substantially or colleges throughout the state may consider filing for bankruptcy…:
CUT 5 (10) “for students”
He says these students have every right to be concerned.

The Baton Rouge Police Department said it will not interview former LSU offensive lineman La’el Collins about the murder of a pregnant woman until after the NFL draft. Cpl. Don Coppola with BRPD said an interview with Collins has not been scheduled. Police continue to say the draft prospect is not a suspect.

A teacher from Beau Chene High School is in trouble after being accused of making out with a student inside a classroom. St. Landry Parish Sheriff’s office spokesman Lt. Clay Higgins says 25-year-old Gregory Fontenot allegedly kissed a 17-year-old after school, but denies the allegation…:
CUT 7 (07) “by the detectives”
25-year-old Gregory Fontenot is charged with one count of prohibited sexual conduct between an educator and a student.

State Police announce a recent multi-state operation which resulted in the rescue of six missing or exploited children. Lt. JB Slaton says between April 14th-16th, several agencies took part in an initiative which is designed to teach troopers how to recognize children at-risk children are exploited for sexual purposes…:
CUT 12 (08) “endangered children”
Slaton says the participants in the operation included nine states and two municipalities.

Students from LSU are rallying at the Capitol this afternoon to protest massive cuts to higher education. LSU President King Alexander says an LSU degree should be one that’s highly valued in our economy, but if these cuts go through it will affect students ability to get a quality degree…:
CUT 4 (09) “for our students”
LSU Officials say the proposed cuts could result in drastic losses of academic programs and faculty on the main campus.

The Baton Rouge Police Department is now saying that former LSU player and potential first round draft pick La’el Collins will not be interviewed about the murder of a pregnant woman until after the NFL draft. Cpl. Don Coppola says there has been contact between Collins and the police…:
CUT 9 (04) “Mr. Collins”
Authorities say Collins is not a suspect in the murder of 29-year-old Brittney Mills but think he may have some information that can be helpful in their investigation.

The St. Landry Parish Sheriff’s Office has arrested a Beau Chene High School teacher and assistant football coach for allegedly kissing a student inside a classroom. Eric Gill reports…:
CUT 1 (29) “reporting”

Entergy is reporting over 8500 people are still without power in Southeast Louisiana due to damage from horrible storms Monday. They hope to have everybody back up some time today at the latest tomorrow morning.

LSU students are rallying at the Capitol this afternoon starting at 1 to protest cuts to the university. Officials say the proposed cuts could result in the closing of of satellite campuses and drastic losses of academic programs and faculty on the main campus. LSU President King Alexander says students have every right to be concerned about these cuts…:
CUT 3 (08) “or three”
King said on the Jim Engster show that it’s possible some colleges might consider bankruptcy if these cuts go through.

The Baton Rouge Police Department is now saying that former LSU player and potential first round draft pick La’el Collins will not be interviewed about the murder of a pregnant woman until after the draft. Cops say Collins is NOT a suspect but he may have information about 29-year-old Brittney Mills because the two had previously been in a relationship. There are no suspects in Mills death at this time.

The St. Landry Parish Sheriff’s Office has arrested a Beau Chene High School teacher who is also an assistant football coach for allegedly kissing a student inside a classroom. They say 25-year-old Gregory Fontenot is charged with one count of prohibited sexual conduct between an educator and a student. Lt. Clay Higgins says the alleged incident happened around February…:
CUT 6 (08) “years old”
School Board officials say Fontenot has been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation. Fontenot denies the allegation.

Tonight is the first round of the NFL draft and the Who Dat nation is anxiously waiting to see who the Saints will pick. The Black and Gold have two picks in the first round at 13 and 31. Rounds two and three of the draft will take place tomorrow and rounds 4-7 will occur Saturday. Overall the Saints have 9 picks this year.

The LSU Alumni Association’s Tiger Advocates is sponsoring a march today on the State Capitol to protest the state’s proposed $600 million budget cut to higher education. Eric Gill reports…:
CUT 1 (29) “reporting”

The St. Landry Parish Sheriff’s Office has arrested a Beau Chene High School teacher for allegedly kissing a 17-year-old student inside a classroom. They say 25-year-old Gregory Fontenot is charged with one count of prohibited sexual conduct between an educator and a student. He denies the allegation but has been placed on administrative leave pending the results of the investigation.

The full Senate approves a bill that’s designed to control the cost of the TOPS scholarship program. Mandeville Senator Jack Donahue’s legislation would provide each TOPS recipient with a set amount that would not automatically go up with the cost of tuition. He says this is about ensuring the future of the program…:
CUT 10 (04) “be able to afford it”
Opponents including Governor Bobby Jindal say they don’t want the program to be touched because it helps higher ed but New Orleans Senator JP Morrell doesn’t think so…:
CUT 12 (08) “out of business”
The bill heads to the House.

State Police say two Alabama residents are in trouble for allegedly selling “Weed Candy” out of a truck in New Orleans. Troopers say the duo was telling people the weed candy had THC in it but testing at the crime lab found no evidence of marijuana in the product. 64-year-old Thomas Ashley and 37-year-old Thomas Jones were issued summonses for selling without a permit.

The full Senate approves a bill that’s designed to control the cost of the TOPS scholarship program. Scott Carwile reports…

cut 3 (30) “reporting”

State Police say a crash on I-10 in Lafayette Parish has claimed the life of a 92-year-old man. They say Lillard Payne of Lafayette was traveling near Duson when he struck an SUV from behind that had been stopped due to a prior crash on the roadway. Payne was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver of the SUV was transported to a local hospital with moderate injuries. The investigation is ongoing.

Senate president John Alario is denying any wrongdoing despite a media report that says federal investigators are looking into how he spent campaign contributions. The Senator says they have filed all of the reports required and followed all state laws, but did make a couple of mistakes. Alario says when this is all said he done he is confident that everything will be okay…

cut 9 (04) “experience at times”

According to reports Alario didn’t disclose the proper amount he spent for LSU tickets and a fundraiser at a New Orleans golf course.

The LSU Alumni Association’s Tiger Advocates is sponsoring a student organized march today on the State Capitol to protest the state’s proposed $600 million budget cut to higher education. Stacey Messina, Association Director of Marketing and Communications, says students are very well aware of the gravity of the situation…

cut 6 (07) “from happening”

The march will begin at AZ Young Park at the Pentagon Barracks and proceed to the steps of the State Capitol at 1PM. Messina says anyone who supports LSU is invited to participate.