Today, federal prosecutors announced corruption charges against former St. Tammany and Washington Parish District Attorney Walter Reed. The grand jury indictment comes after months of investigation, during which Reed announced he would not run for re-election. Reports linked him to allegations of misusing his authority.

In an op-ed piece found in today’s New York Times, Governor Jindal says he’s not backing down from supporting the Religious Liberty Bill…
CUT 2 (28) “reporting”
————————–
A lot of heavy damage in Northeast Louisiana yesterday, as a result of some very heavy storms…
CUT 3 (11) Q: “not livable”
That’s Ouachita Parish Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness Executive Director Neal Brown.

A Lafayette Parish City-Parish Parks and Rec altercation between two coaches has resulted in a female coach being sucker punched in the face by a male coach. Youngsville Police Chief Rickey Boudreaux says the man broke her nose in three places…
CUT 11 (07) Q: “pretty good”
Boudreaux says the suspect in this case is a complete low life and the sports organization indicates there is no place for violence in youth recreation sports. No arrests have been made as of yet.

Yesterday’s heavy storms that moved through Northeast Louisiana have many areas in recovery mode today. Executive Director of Ouachita Parish Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness Neal Brown there were no reports of funnel clouds but high winds downed power lines, trees and blocked roads…:
CUT 5 (12) Q: ‘Sterlington area’
Sterlington Middle sustained roof damage and classes were cancelled for today but they hope to open back up tomorrow.

Governor Bobby Jindal has an op-ed piece in today’s New York Times that explains his support for the religious liberty bill that will be debated in the Louisiana legislature. Some companies are concerned about the legislation, but there are some Louisianaians that support the governor’s stance. Still, there are many who wish that Jindal would spend more time addressing specific state issues.
————————————-
A male youth softball coach is facing charges for allegedly sucker punching an opposing female softball coach and breaking her nose in three places. Youngsville Police Department Chief Rickey Boudreaux says just because it was a highly contested game between two teams with the Lafayette City-Parish Parks and Recreation, that’s no excuse for this coach’s actions…
CUT 10 (08) Q: “youth softball game”

Increasing the cigarette tax would be the short-term fix for helping the Louisiana budget crises, according to gubenatorial candidate and Lt. Governor Jay Dardenne, speaking at candidate forum in Baton Rouge today.
CUT 13 (10) Q: “find some money”
Dardenne took a shot at front-runner David Vitter, saying people need to be elected-quote- whose actions you can be proud of; not those to become feedstock for late-night TV.

In today’s New York Times, Governor Bobby Jindal’s has an open-ed piece that explains his support for the Religious Liberty Bill that will be debated in the Louisiana legislature. The governor is also standing firm in the definition of marriage as a union between man and woman. U-L Lafayette Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says Jindal is trying to differentiate himself…
CUT 7 (09) Q: “dramatic ways”

In Baton Rouge, all four candidates for governor participated in a candidate forum today. Republican Senator David Vitter appeared via recorded video from Washington, saying if elected, he would immediately call a special legislative session focused on spending and tax reform…
cut 15 (09) “on the table”
———————————
Strong storms moved through northeast Louisiana on Wednesday causing widespread damage throughout the region…
CUT 1 (28) “reporting”

Tragic story out of Washington Parish, as a two-old boy that was reported missing yesterday evening by his grandmother, drowned in a backwater area of the Pearl River. Washington Parish Sheriff’s deputies found the child face down in a swampy area, and resuscitation efforts proved unsuccesful. The 2 year-old’s family was in the process of moving to the area from Arkansas.

At a gubernatorial candidate forum in Baton Rouge today, the four candidates were asked what should be done about the state’s current fiscal crisis. Legislators are working to resolve a $1.6 billion dollar budget deficit. Republican Public Service Commissioner Scott Angelle says the state’s tax code is outdated and needs to be totally redone…:
CUT 12 (11) “people of Louisiana”
Democratic Amite state Representative John Bel Edwards says the answer is reducing or eliminating tax credits that aren’t working…:
CUT 14 (10) “review these things”
Senator David Vitter says if elected he’s going to call a special session focused on spending and tax reform and Lt. Governor Jay Dardenne supports the cigarette tax increase.

The Youngsville Police Department says a male youth softball coach is facing charges for allegedly punching an opposing female softball coach and breaking her nose. Chief Rickey Boudreaux says a fight broke out with the players and when the female coach tried to break it up, the opposing male coach sucker punched her and her nose broke in three places…:
CUT 10 (08) “youth softball game”
Boudreaux says they will arrest the coach and probably others as well.

The New Orleans District Attorney has dropped Louisiana gun charges against wealthy New York real estate heir Robert Durst. Legal analysts say this is not a big break for Durst because the federal court charges are still on. The federal charge of felon in possession of a firearm carries a penalty of up to 10 years. Prosecutors say Durst killed a friend as police were preparing to interview her about the disappearance of Durst’s wife in New York decades earlier.

In an op-ed piece found in today’s New York Times, Governor Jindal says he’s not backing down from supporting a controversial religious liberty bill. Jeff Palermo has more…:
CUT 2 (28) “reporting”

The credit rating agency Moody’s Investors Services lowered LSU’s credit outlook from positive to stable. State Treasurer John Kennedy says this move reflects the years of cuts and tuition hikes statewide, but says action by the legislature could stabilize higher ed and turn things around. The Jindal Administration says “corporate welfare” needs to be cut so dollars can be invested in higher ed.

Northeast Louisiana is recovering from a strong storm that ripped through the region on Wednesday. Executive Director of Ouachita Parish Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness Neal Brown says straight line winds and hail and got worse as it moved through the Sterlington area and into Union, Richland and Morehouse parishes…:
CUT 4 (12) “a lot of hail”
He says some homes were destroyed and at least three people were injured.

Gas prices keep going up. The current statewide average for a gallon of regular is $2.28 up a penny from the day before and 8 cents higher than last week.

Governor Bobby Jindal has an op-ed piece in today’s New York Times that explains his support for the religious liberty bill that will be debated in the Louisiana legislature. Some companies are concerned about the legislation. But U-L Lafayette Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says Jindal lets the world know their opinions won’t deter him…:
CUT 6 (09) “a gauntlet”
Jindal also emphasizes in the column his view that marriage is between one man and one woman and Cross says it’s another way the Governor is trying to raise his profile in the presidential race.

There are still thousands without power in parts of northeast Louisiana on the heels of a terrible storm that ripped through the region Wednesday. Authorities say areas in Ouachita, Union, Morehouse and Richland parishes are dealing with downed power lines, trees and blocked roads. Sterlington Middle is closed today due to damage as the recovery continues.

The Youngsville Police Department says a male youth softball coach is facing charges for allegedly punching an opposing female softball coach and breaking her nose. Chief Rickey Boudreaux says it was a highly contested game between two teams with the Lafayette City-Parish Parks and Recreation and after it was over words were allegedly exchanged then three players jumped on an opposing player…:
CUT 9 (11) “in three places”
Boudreaux says the suspect coach is a complete low life and expects more than one arrest will be made in this case very soon.

The fundraiser for the St. Charles Parish Sheriff’s deputy who was gunned down while working a school zone last week is underway in Destrehan. Captain Pat Yoes says Corporal Burt Halzetine, who was hit with three bullets, is doing remarkably well as he begins the road to recovery..:
CUT 1 (06) “all of these”
The fundraiser at the Shriners hall in Destrehan goes on till 8pm.

A bill that attempts to rein in the cost of the TOPS scholarship program received approval from the Senate Education Committee. Jeff Palermo has the story…:
CUT 3 (27) “reporting”

The Washington Parish Sheriff’s office says a two year old child drowned in the backwaters of Pearl River in Bogalusa Wednesday. They believe the little boy wandered away from his home and followed a trail into the swamp where he was found by investigators face down in the water. Sadly, the child could not be saved. An autopsy will be performed.

Many areas in northeast Louisiana are in recovery mode today after horrible storms moved through the region Wednesday. Authorities say homes and businesses were damaged by hail and heavy winds and at least three people were injured. Executive Director of Ouachita Parish Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness Neal Brown…:
CUT 3 (11) “not livable”
He says the brunt of the damage was in the Sterlington area and into Morehouse and Richland parishes.

The Orleans Parish DA has decided not to prosecute the state’s weapons case against wealthy New York real estate heir Robert Durst and it was dropped today. Durst is still charged federally with illegal possession of a firearm by a felon and that case remains intact and is scheduled to go to trial on September 22nd.

In spite of Governor Bobby Jindal’s opposition, the Senate Education committee advances legislation designed to control the cost of the TOPS scholarship program. The bill’s author, Mandeville Senator Jack Donahue, says as tuition costs go up, so does the cost for TOPS and something needs to be done to preserve the program…

cut 14 (10) “in the future”

Donahue’s bill sets a baseline on how much the state will spend on TOPS and it will not automatically increase with a rise in tuition.

The state Department of Transportation wants to hear how motorists feel the I-10 through Baton Rouge should be improved. They’ve created a survey you can take online at i10br.com as part of a study to determine the feasibility of any enhancements it could make to the congested area from West Baton Rouge to the I-10/12 split. DOTD spokesman Rodney Mallett…

cut 7 (10) “for them to do that”

Mallett says they will be gathering your answers through the end of May.

Cops says a now ex-teacher from Lake Charles Charter Academy is under arrest amid allegations of sexual misconduct with one of her juvenile students. Michelle Southern reports…:

cut 2 (30) “reporting”

Youngsville Police are working to identify the man accused of punching a youth softball coach and breaking her nose. The incident took place when a post-game brawl broke out between the visiting Lafayette team and the local Broussard Youngsville team. They say when the Broussard Youngsville coach stepped in to intervene, the man sucker-punched her. Authorities say the man was working as an assistant coach for the visiting team.

The Senate Education committee approves legislation designed to control the cost of the TOPS scholarship program, despite opposition from Governor Bobby Jindal. Mandeville Senator Jack Donahue’s bill sets a baseline on how much the state will spend on TOPS and it will not automatically increase with the rise in tuition…

cut 15 (10) “raise that”

TOPS is expected to cost the state over 250-million dollars this year and nearly 400-million dollars by fiscal year 2018-19.

Two bills that attempt to address gender inequality when it comes to pay failed to get approval from the House Labor Committee. Natchitoches Representative Kenny Cox says Louisiana has the worst gender pay gap in the nation at 66 percent. But Hammond Representative Chris Broadwater says laws like this would open up floodgates of litigation…

cut 13 (09) “treated unfairly”

The committee voted 9-to-5 against the measures.

St. Charles Parish Sheriff’s Office Cpl. Burt Hazeltine has been released from the hospital and the sheriff’s office will host a benefit lunch/dinner for him today in Destrehan. Hazeltine was shot last week while directing traffic in a school zone in Paradis. Captain Pat Yoes says they’re holding this fundraiser because Hazeltine has a long road ahead toward recovery…

cut 4 (06) “lessen that burden”

The fundraiser will happen at the Shriner’s Hall in Destrehan from 11AM til 8PM.

A crash in DeSoto Parish has claimed the life of a teenager, according to Mansfield Police. They say four Mansfield High School students were traveling down a roadway near the school when for unknown reasons their vehicle crossed the center line, struck an embankment, overturned, and hit a tree. The deceased has been identified as 16-year-old Reydel Jones. The other three students were transported to an area hospital for non-life threatening injuries. The investigation is ongoing.