Senate president John Alario is denying any wrongdoing despite a media report that says federal investigators are looking into how he spent campaign contributions. Michelle Southern reports…

cut 2 (30) “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. The student, who is now 18, says the kiss happened around February. Fontenot denies the allegation. Fontenot has been placed on administrative leave pending the results of the investigation.

The full Senate approves Mandeville Senator Jack Donahue’s bill that’s designed to control the cost of the TOPS scholarship program. Under the measure, each student would get a base amount and the rate would be locked in at the 2015-16 level. The amount would not automatically go up even if tuition goes up, without legislative approval. New Orleans Senator JP Morrell says on its current track, the TOPS program is not sustainable…

cut 12 (08) “out of business”

The bill will now be debated in the House.

State Police say 28-year-old Shannon Laycock of Lake Charles led cops on a wild 24 minute long chase Wednesday on I-10. Sgt. James Anderson says, she refused to stop and continued to drive recklessly at a high rate of speed. Troopers deployed spike strips and to successfully stop Laycock on I-10 near Duson in Acadia Parish. Laycock faces many charges…

cut 14 (08) “resisting arrest”

Anderson says Laycock was booked into the Acadia Parish Jail and she will face additional charges in Jefferson Davis Parish.

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 will not automatically go up with the cost of tuition. Baton Rouge Senator Dan Claitor says he’s gotten a lot of letters from students and others who are against messing with TOPS…

cut 11 (06) “cap on it”

Governor Bobby Jindal has already said he opposes the measure. The bill now heads to the House for further debate.

Senate president John Alario denies any wrongdoing in spite of a media report that says federal investigators are looking into how he spent campaign contributions. According to reports Alario didn’t disclose the proper amount he spent for LSU tickets and a fundraiser at a New Orleans golf course. Alario says they have filed all of the reports required and followed all state laws, but they did make a couple of mistakes…

cut 8 (07) “not a criminal intent”

Alario says when this is all said he done he is confident that everything will be okay.

State Police say a Lake Charles woman led cops on a wild 24 minute long chase Wednesday on I-10. Sgt. James Anderson says a trooper near Welsh encountered the driver who made eye contact with him then began to speed up and pass vehicles on the shoulder for an unknown reason…

cut 13 (09) “spike strips”

Anderson says the driver, later identified as 28-year-old Shannon Laycock, faces several charges including aggravated flight from an officer and resisting arrest.

A march, sponsored by the LSU Alumni Association’s Tiger Advocates, is planned on the State Capitol today to protest the state’s proposed $600 million budget cut to higher education. Stacey Messina, Association Director of Marketing and Communications, says says anyone who supports LSU is invited to participate…

cut 5 (07) “to attend”

LSU officials say these proposed cuts could result in the closing of satellite campuses and drastic losses of academic programs and faculty on the main campus.

Senate president John Alario is denying any wrongdoing despite a media report that says federal investigators are looking into how he spent campaign contributions. Apparently the FBI is looking into his campaign records after media reports suggested Alario misreported as much as $20,000. But Alario says this is news to him…

cut 7 (06) “want to cooperate”

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 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 and it will not automatically go up with the cost of tuition. He says this is about ensuring the future of the program for our kids…:

cut 10 (04) “be able to afford it”

The bill now heads to the House for further debate.

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. Stacey Messina, Association Director of Marketing and Communications, says if these cuts take place, it’s the students that are impacted most…

cut 4 (10) “going to effect”

LSU officials say these proposed cuts could result in the closing of satellite campuses. The march will begin at AZ Young Park at the Pentagon Barracks and proceed to the steps of the State Capitol at 1PM. Anyone who supports LSU is invited to attend.

Medical marijuana is one step closer to becoming legal in Louisiana as Senate Bill 143 moves out of committee this morning and heads to the Senate floor. Many people who feel the drug would cure their various ailments spoke in favor of the bill. Pete Adams, Executive Director of the Louisiana District Attorneys Association, does not support the measure…:
CUT 13 (09) “diseases”
The legislation moved forward without objection.

New Orleans state Representative Austin Badon is once again pushing legislation that would lessen the penalties for some marijuana possession arrests. Badon says House Bill 149 in no way legalizes marijuana for either medical or recreational use. He says the bill only brings fairness to sentencing for simple marijuana possession…:
CUT 3 (09) “subsequent convictions”
He says the DA’s Association is not opposed to the bill.

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 and it will not automatically go up with the cost of tuition. He says this is about ensuring the future of the program for our kids…:
CUT 10 (04) “be able to afford it”
Governor Bobby Jindal has already said he opposes the measure. The bill now heads to the House for further debate.

The House Education Committee approves legislation that requires sex education to be taught in all schools in Orleans Parish. Under current law, sex ed may be offered in Louisiana public schools. But New Orleans councilwoman LaToya Cantrell, a supporter, says comprehensive sex education needs to be mandatory…:
CUT 9 (09) “new cases”
The bill now heads to the full house for more debate.

Medical marijuana is one step closer to becoming legal in Louisiana as Senate Bill 143 moves out of committee and heads to the Floor. While there is some opposition, there were many people who spoke out in favor of the legislation. Michelle Hall from Vernon Parish says she adopted a little girl who has epilepsy…:
cut 12 (09) “stop that”

State Police are investigating an officer involved shooting this morning of a Livingston Parish teen, who was reported to be armed and suicidal. L-S-P Lt. JB Slaton says when Livingston Parish Sheriff’s Deputies arrived, they found 19 year-old Matthew Peyrorrin on the front porch with a shotgun…
CUT 8 (09) Q” ‘the deputies’
The suspect is in stable condition, and he will be facing attempted 2nd degree murder of a police officer charges.
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The Louisiana Senate voted 27 to 9 today in favor a bill that would control the cost of the TOPS program. The proposal that now heads to the House for debate, would cap the payment rate at the 2015-2016 levels; even if tuitions would rise. Governor Bobby Jindal says he opposes the bill.

New Orleans state Representative Austin Badon is once again pushing legislation that would lessen the penalties for some marijuana possession arrests…
CUT 1 (29) “reporting”

A new state bill that would allow the medicinal use of marijuana is a little closer to reality, as SB 143 moves out of committee on to the Senate Floor. There seems to be a lot of support for the measure, but Pete Adams, Executive Director of the Louisiana District Attorneys Association, spoke against it, still expressing sympathy for those who suffer…
CUT 15 (09) Q: ‘opposition to this’

The House Education Committee has approved legislation that requires sex education to be taught in 7th through 12th grade. Under current law, sex ed may be offered in Louisiana public schools, but it must promote abstinence until marriage. However, New Orleans Councilwoman LaToya Cantrell says the abstinence message is not working…
cut 10 (06) “they need”
The billed passed committee on an 8-6 vote.
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A Livingston Parish teen is in the hospital after being shot by a Sheriff’s Deputy following a 9-1-1 call this morning about an armed suicidal person. According to Louisiana State Police Lt. JB Slayton, when deputies arrived, 19-year-old Matthew Peyronnin was on the front porch with a shotgun raised in the direction of the officers.
CUT 7 (07) Q: “four rounds”
He’s in stable condition and will be charged with attempted 2nd degree murder of a police officer.

There are some in the legislature that hope the third time is the charm for a bill that would lessen the penalities for possession of marijuana. New Orleans State Representative Austin Badon says the Louisiana District Attorney’s Association is not opposed to the bill, and now he’s reaching out to the Louisiana Sheriff’s Association…
CUT 5 (10) Q: ‘in Louisiana’

Medical marijuana is one step closer to becoming legal in Louisiana as Senate Bill 143 moves out of committee and heads to the Senate Floor. Many support the legislation, including Tommy Mead, an LSU Health Sciences Center student, who told the committee that medical marijuana can help him…:
CUT 14 (09) Q: “I push on”
Some members of the Louisiana District Attorneys Association have expressed opposition.

State Police is investigating the shooting of an armed teenager in Livingston Parish early this morning. Lt. JB Slaton says authorities responded to a 9-1-1 call of a suicidal person and when deputies arrived at the home, 19-year-old Matthew Peyronnin, was on the front porch with a shotgun raised in the direction of the officers…
CUT 6 (06) “several rounds”
Peyronnin is in stable condition.
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New Orleans State Representative Austin Badon is once again pushing legislation that would lessen the penalties for some marijuana possession arrests…
CUT 1 (29) “reporting”

The investigation into the Baton Rouge shooting death of a woman who was 8 months pregnant Friday night continues, and although police are still saying that former LSU football player 21 year-old La’el Collins is NOT a suspect, some reports say Collins and 29 year-old Brittney Mills did have some kind of romantic relationship in the past. Collins was in Chicago for the NFL draft, but is returning to Baton Rouge to talk to authorities.

Medical marijuana is one step closer to becoming legal in Louisiana as Senate Bill 143 moves out of committee this morning and heads to the Senate floor. There were many people who spoke in support of the legislation by New Iberia Senator Fred Mills. Michelle Hall from Vernon Parish says she adopted a little girl who has epilepsy…

cut 12 (09) “stop that”

Pete Adams, Executive Director of the Louisiana District Attorneys Association was the only one who spoke against the bill…

cut 13 (09) “diseases”

The legislation moved forward without objection.

It’s reported that former LSU offensive lineman La’el Collins is returning from Chicago to Baton Rouge so that he can address questions by Police about the case of a pregnant woman who was shot and killed last week.

New Orleans state Representative Austin Badon is once again pushing a bill that would lower the penalties for some simple marijuana possession arrests. Badon says House Bill 149 will keep current provisions for first convictions, but lowers the penalties for second and subsequent convictions. He adds that this measure would also take simple marijuana possession out of the state’s “Three Strikes You’re Out” law…

cut 4 (11) “for life”

Badon says this would bring much needed reform to Louisiana’s drug law.

Entergy says they have made a lot of progress when it comes to returning service for customers in the aftermath of Monday’s storms, but unfortunately damage was worse than thought in other places. Spokesman Will Johnson says some of the outages may last into Friday. He says they are also being forced to de-energize some lines that have already been restored…

cut 7 (08) “part of the process”

At last report there are about 25,000 customers still without power.