The House Education Committee approves legislation to give public colleges and universities more authority to raise tuition and fees. Jeff Palermo has the story…:
CUT 2 (29) “reporting”

State Treasurer John Kennedy says Moody’s Investors Service has lowered LSU’s credit outlook from positive to stable. He says the flagship university is now one step away from a negative outlook which would be bad. Moody’s wrote the downgrade is due to limited prospects for sustained revenue growth due to potential reductions in the state budget. Kennedy says the solution would be for the legislature to stabilize funding for higher education.

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. Hammond Representative Chris Broadwater says laws like this would open up floodgates of litigation…:
CUT 13 (09) “treated unfairly”
Others feel the data is skewed when it comes to saying Louisiana is 51st in the nation for gender pay because our workforce is different.

Despite opposition from Governor Bobby Jindal, the Senate Education committee approves legislation designed to control the cost of the TOPS scholarship program. The bill’s author, Mandeville Senator Jack Donahue, says as tuition costs rise, so does the cost for TOPS and something needs to be done to preserve the program…:
CUT 14 (09) “in the future”
Donahue’s bill heads to the Senate floor for more discussion.

New employment numbers show Louisiana’s labor force continues to grow while the state’s unemployment rate dropped for a third month in a row. Here’s Eric Gill with more…
CUT 1 (28) “reporting”

The widespread April showers are doing more than just causing flood concerns. The Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals says all the free standing water is proving to be an excellent breeding ground for mosquitos; and that translates into West Nile Virus concerns. Last year, there were 61 cases reported in the state, and DHH reminds you to fight the bite.
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Legislation that would give public colleges the authority to raise tuition and fees without legislative approval advanced out of the House Education Committee today. Hammond Representative Chris Broadwater says this legislation is needed because state funding has been on the decline since 2008
CUT 6 (08) “some point”
Many lawmakers are not comfortable with the idea, but many admit a funding source involving state dollars has yet to emerge.

Caddo Parish District Attorney Charles Scott died in his sleep last night in Baton Rouge while in town to meet with lawmakers at the Capitol. Scott was 67 according to public records. LSU Police Captain Corey Lalonde says by all indications this was just an extremely tragic sudden death…:
cut 12 (06) “natural causes”
Funeral arrangements are pending through Rose Neath Funeral Home in Shreveport.

It’s a nice economic combo, as Louisiana’s labor force continues to grow as the state’s unemployment rate dropped for a third month in a row. Louisiana Workforce Commission Executive Director, Curt Eysink, says the drop in oil prices has caused some decline in employment in the oil and gas industry…
CUT 5 (07) Q : “up for that”
There were almost 2 million nonfarm jobs in Louisiana, the highest March on record.

Many lawmakers are not comfortable with the idea of allowing colleges and universities to raise tuition and fees, but a bill that would give public colleges the right to do that – without legislative approval – advanced out of the House Education Committee today. Thibodaux Representative Dee Richard says he doesn’t like it…
CUT 8 (10) Q: ‘support that’
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Caddo Parish District Attorney Charles Scott died in his sleep last night in Baton Rouge while in town to meet with lawmakers at the Capitol. LSU police say Scott was staying at the Lod Cook Hotel on campus. Captain Corey Lalonde says they were called to Scott’s room around 8:15 this morning…:
CUT 11 (06) Q: ‘was deceased”
He says by all indications this was just an extremely tragic sudden death.

Federal health officials say three people have died and five others have fallen ill from bacteria that may have come from Blue Bell products. A company spokesperson says they are focusing on cleanup and working to make sure they have a safe product. Tulane Business Professor Mark Rosa says they have a lot of work to do after that…
cut 14 (10) “Herculean effort”
A Blue Bell spokesperson says the company could start shipping product to stores again in the next couple of weeks.

There were almost 2 million non-farm jobs in Louisiana last month, and that’s the highest March on record, according to the Federal Bureau of Labor Statistics.
CUT 4 (10) “the job growth”
That’s Louisiana Workforce Commission Executive Director Curt Eysink, who adds the state seems to be weathering the oil company cutbacks storm fairly well.

Caddo Parish District Attorney Charles Scott died in his sleep last night in Baton Rouge while in town to meet with lawmakers at the Capitol. Shreveport Representative Thomas Carmody announced the news in the House Education Committee this morning.
cut 10 (08) “for his family please”
Police do not suspect foul play. Scott was 67.
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Legislation that would allow public colleges the authority to raise tuition and fees without legislative approval advanced out of the House Education Committee today. Hammond Representative Chris Broadwater says he would prefer see more state dollars go to help, but that hasn’t been the trend lately…
CUT 7 (10) “as a shell”
But many lawmakers are not comfortable with the option of schools raising tuition costs.

Blue Bell is now off the shelves because of Listeria bateria concerns. Company officials with say, after their thorough inspections are complete, they could start shipping product to stores again in the next couple of weeks. Tulane Business Professor Mark Rosa says this is something that will stick in the minds of customers; at least for a while…
cut 15 (05) “and so on”

The House Education Committee approves legislation that would give public colleges and universities more authority to raise tuition and fees. Jeff Palermo has the story…:
CUT 2 (29) “reporting”

Caddo Parish District Attorney Charles Scott died in his sleep last night in Baton Rouge while in town to meet with lawmakers at the Capitol. LSU Police say it happened at the Lod Cook Hotel on campus. Captain Core LaLonde says it appears this was just an extremely tragic sudden death.
CUT 12 (06) “natural causes”
Scott was 67.

Now that Blue Bell has pulled all of its product off supermarket shelves due to the potential they could be contaminated with Listeria, what can we expect next from the company? Tulane Business Professor Dr. Mark Rosa says unfortunately we’ve seen this before…:
CUT 13 (09) “reputation risk”
Federal health officials say three people have died and five others have fallen from bacteria that may have come from Blue Bell products.

The Youngsville Police Department says they are trying to identify a youth softball coach in Lafayette who allegedly punched another coach and broke her nose during a fight after a game. They say three players jumped on top of opposing players then a male coach punched a female coach breaking her nose in three places. Cops say the three instigating players and the coach will face changes once they are identified.

Legislation that would give public colleges the authority to raise tuition and fees without legislative approval advanced out of the House Education Committee today. Hammond Representative Chris Broadwater says this legislation is needed because state funding for universities has been on the decline since 2008..:
CUT 6 (08) “some point”
Homer Representative Patrick Jefferson says he’d rather see state funding for higher education increase rather than tuition and fees, but so far a funding source involving state dollars has yet to emerge…:
CUT 9 (07) “do something”
The measure now heads to the House floor.

We heard sad news from the Capitol this morning. While on a trip to visit with lawmakers, Caddo District Attorney Charles Scott died at a Baton rouge hotel in his sleep last night. He was 67.

According to Federal Labor Statistics, Louisiana’s workforce grew while the unemployment rate dropped for a third month in a row. Eric Gill reports…:
CUT 1 (28) “reporting”

There is good news about the St. Charles Parish Deputy who was working a school crossing last week when he was gunned down by a crazed man. Corporal Burt Hazeltine was shot three times but he was released from the hospital and is recovering at home.

Caddo Parish District Attorney Charles Scott died in his sleep last night in Baton Rouge while in town to meet with lawmakers at the Capitol. Shreveport Representative Thomas Carmody announced the news this morning. LSU police say Scott was staying at the Lod Cook Hotel on campus. Captain Corey Lalonde says they were called to Scott’s room around 8:15…:
CUT 11 (06) “was deceased”
He says they believe Scott died of natural causes. Public records indicate Scott was 67.

According to the Federal Bureau of Labor Statistics, Louisiana’s labor force continues to grow while the state’s unemployment rate dropped for a third month in a row. Louisiana Workforce Commission Executive Director, Curt Eysink, says the unemployment rate dropped because hiring is catching up with the growth in the labor force…:
CUT 3 (10) “find a job”
Louisiana’s unemployment rate currently sits at six-point-six-percent.

The American Press is reporting a former teacher from Lake Charles Academy is facing charges alleging she was engaging in sexual activity with students. 35-year-old Sommer Nicole Odom of Iowa was placed under arrest Tuesday on three counts of oral sexual battery, four counts of indecent behavior with juveniles and one count of sexual battery the newspaper reports. The Lake Charles Police Department has not released information on this yet.

The St. Charles Parish Sheriff’s office says there deputy who was ambushed with gunfire while directing school traffic last week is out of the hospital. They say Corporal Burt Hazeltine, who was hit three times, is continuing his recovery at home.

The Big Easy’s new smoke free ordinance went into effect at midnight. Founding Dean of LSU Health New Orleans School of Public Health, Elizabeth Fontham, says long-term exposure to secondhand cigarette smoke could increase a women’s risk of lung cancer as much as 86-percent…:
cut 14 (06) “the risk became”
Hammond passed a similar ordinance last night and Lafayette is taking up the issue at a May 5th meeting.

State lawmakers announced sad news this morning that the Caddo District Attorney died in his sleep in Baton Rouge last night. DA’s throughout the state were meeting with legislators Tuesday which is why Charles Scott was here. Shreveport Representative Thomas Carmody found out during the House Education Committee meeting…:
CUT 1 (18) “for his family”
LSU Police say Scott was at the Lod Cook hotel on campus. We’ll have more on this as it develops.

The American Automobile Association says the gas price went up again another penny last night. The current statewide average for a gallon of regular is now $2.27.

The East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s arrests a Christian Life Academy teacher accused of having sex with a student..:
CUT 3 (30) “reporting”

The New Orleans no smoking ordinance went into effect at midnight and now people can’t light up in bars, casinos and most public places. Founding Dean of the LSU Health New Orleans School of Public Health, Doctor Elizabeth Fontham (FON-them), says this should be great for tourism…:
CUT 13 (07) “of the smoking”
Hammond passed a similar ordinance last night and Lafayette leaders are also going to talk about it at a May 5th meeting.

Shreveport Representative Barbara Norton’s bill that would provide equal pay for women is set for a hearing today in the House Labor Committee. Scott Carwile reports…

cut 1 (28) “reporting”

State Police say a crash in Terrebonne Parish has claimed the life of a Chauvin woman. They say a vehicle driven by 28-year-old Jason Dehart of Bourg failed to negotiate a turn, crossed the center line, and struck the vehicle driven by Carolyn Pellegrin head-on. Pellegrin was pronounced dead at the scene. Dehart and a 4-year-old passenger were transported to a local hospital for their injuries. Authorities say impariment is suspected for Dehart. Dehart was arrested on several charges including vehicular homicide.

A teacher from Christian Life Academy has been arrested for allegedly having sex with a student two years ago. East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s Office Spokeswoman Casey Rayborn Hicks says when they brought 27-year-old Amber Anderson in for questioning, she admitted to the relationship. Hicks says it’s always a shame when they have to work crimes that involve juveniles…

cut 12 (06) “and responsibility”

Anderson is charged with felony carnal knowledge of a juvenile.

The so-called revenge porn bill by Kenner Representative Julie Stokes advanced Tuesday without objection from the House Criminal Justice Committee. Stokes says because technology has enabled most young adults to have phones on them with cameras all the time, this form of harassment has become a common problem…

cut 9 (08) “prolific”

The measure would make it illegal for someone 17 and older to share a sexual picture of a person without their consent, usually online.

The House Criminal Justice Committee advanced the so-called revenge porn bill Tuesday without objection. Michelle Southern reports..

cut 2 (30) “reporting”

Monroe Police has arrested one of two suspects wanted in a shooting that left two men hospitalized. Authorities say after a fight with Liansel Mayes, Devantae James and Roderick Cooper returned to the scene and fire several shots, striking Mayes in the leg and another man in the upper torso. James surrendered to authorities and is charged with two counts of attempted second degree murder. Police are still on the lookout for Cooper.

A bill that that would provide equal pay for women gets a hearing today in the House Labor Committee. Shreveport Representative Barbara Norton filed similar legislation last year that failed to pass. Norton says she’ll fight for as long as it takes to ensure equal pay for women in Louisiana…

cut 6 (07) “the right thing”

Recent Census data shows Louisiana women are paid about two-thirds of what men are paid.

Smoking is no longer permitted in bars, casinos and most public places in New Orleans as the Big Easy’s new smoke free ordinance went into effect at midnight. Founding Dean of LSU Health New Orleans School of Public Health, Doctor Elizabeth Fontham is a Crowley native and she’s pleased to see the Lafayette city-parish council will consider an ordinance on May fifth to ban smoking in bars and clubs there…

cut 15 (10) “will greatly benefit”

Last night, the Hammond City Council voted to ban smoking in bars and bingo halls.