Rock and Roll and Louisiana Hall of Fame musician Percy Sledge has passed away at the age of 73. Sledge, who had been battling liver cancer, died shortly after midnight Tuesday in Baton Rouge. Louisiana Music Hall of Fame Director Mike Shepherd says it’s a sad day…:
CUT 6 (08) “wanna meet”

At the State Capitol, Covington Representative Paul Hollis had a pretty rough first day of the legislative session. He was driving his car through a parking lot, when the new security system went off and two bollards shot up from the ground through the front of his car. State Police spokesman Lt. JB Slaton says it appears Hollis was following a delivery truck that was exiting the lot…
CUT 3 (07) “the same time”
Hollis suffered a concussion, and a broken hand.
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Heavy showers and thunderstorms have been moving through South Louisiana since early this morning and it appears that more rain is on the way…
CUT 2 (30) “reporting”

The Miss USA Pageant announces they will be returning to Louisiana for the July 12th, 2015 live broadcast from the Baton Rouge River Center at 7 pm on NBC. Last year, the pageant attracted about 5.5 million viewers and created over two and a half million dollars in hotel revenue.

A Louisiana music legend has left us. Percy Sledge passed away at his Baton Rouge home early this morning. The man who recorded “When A Man Loves A Woman” was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2005. Louisiana Music Hall of Fame Director Mike Shepherd says they inducted the R&B singer into the in 2007 and his reaction to the award was memorable…:
CUT 7 (10) “that’s how he felt”
Percy Sledge was 73.

There’s a little less state-wide coverage of rain through this evening, but forecasters are telling us that’s only temporary, especially in the south…
CUT 9 (09) Q: ‘this morning’
That’s Donald Jones, with the National Weather Service in Lake Charles.
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It was as rough day at the office for Covington Representative Paul Hollis, at the parking area at the State Capitol, attempting to get behind a moving delivery truck. State Police spokesman Lt. JB Slaton says-with the new security system-only one vehicle can go through at a time. Two bollards shot up from the ground through the front of his car.
CUT 4 (10) Q: “bollards re-engage.”
Hollis broke his right hand and suffered a concussion.

Representative Mike Johnson’s Religious Freedom Bill is facing some uncertainty in the House, as it was the only bill not assigned to a committee to hearing. Governor Bobby Jindal says he supports the bill, while State representative and gubernatorial candidate John Bel Edwards says as of right now the legislation is vaguely written….
cut 14 (08) “interracial marriage”

Rock and Roll and Louisiana Music Hall of fame musician Percy Sledge died this morning at his home in Baton Rouge. He was 73…:
CUT 1 (30) “reporting”

Louisianians who depend on state health for health care services are urging lawmakers not o cut services that Governor Bobby Jindal has on the chopping block to cut for next year’s budget. Some parents of disabled children made their case to the House Appropriations Committee for budget changes.

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Out of some 775 bills introduced to the House yesterday, Louisiana’s Religious Freedom Bill was the only one not assigned to a committe for a hearing. Governor Bobby jindal has gone on record in supporting the measure, saying he has his reasons…
CUT 13 (12) Q: ‘about marriage’
La-Politics-dot-com Publisher Jeremy Alford says lawmakers in Louisiana are not eager to debate the issue.

There is a lot of rain hitting the state right now…
CUT 11 (09) Q: “though the end of the week”
That’s Donald Jones with the National Weather Service in Lake Charles, who says the culprit are two slow moving storms moving through.

There’s uncertainty surrounding state Representative Mike Johnson’s religious freedom bill. 775 bills were introduced to the House on Monday and Johnson’s legislation was the only one not assigned to a committee for a hearing. Jeremy Alford, with Lapolitics-dot-com, says lawmakers are not eager to debate the rights of businesses when it comes to same sex marriage…:
CUT 12 (09) “with it”
Governor Bobby Jindal supports Johnson’s bill…the House Democratic Caucus has yet to take a stand citing the vague writing.

Legendary R&B singer Percy Sledge died in his Baton Rouge home this morning at the age of 73. The “When a Man Loves a Woman” singer had been battling cancer according to the East Baton Rouge Parish coroner. Slegde was a member of the Louisiana Music Hall of Fame and also was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2005.

South Louisiana is getting pelted with rain right now causing flooding and even schools in St. Mary Parish have announced they are closing early. Flash flood watches are in effect for a large portion of south Louisiana through this evening. Donald Jones, with the National Weather Service in Lake Charles, says what’s making matters worse is that these are slow moving storms…:
CUT 10 (09) “some flash flooding”
Flash Flood Warnings are in effect for portions of south Louisiana until mid afternoon.

It’s now officially official. The Miss USA Pageant has officially confirmed that they will be returning to Baton Rouge for the event this summer. The announcement comes a week after the Metro Council approved spending and incentive packages which were part of the agreement to have the July 12th pageant return to the Capitol City.

Heavy showers and thunderstorms have been moving through south Louisiana since early this morning and it appears that more rain is on the way. Eric Gill has more…:
CUT 2 (30) “reporting”

Real Estate millionaire Robert Durst is scheduled to make an appearance in court in New Orleans on federal charges for possessing a gun after a felony conviction. Durst has been ordered to be in custody of US Marshals by 2pm today so he can enter a plea on the charge. The weapons arrest has kept Durst in New Orleans even though his lawyers are trying to get him to California where he’s charges with murder.

Legendary R&B performer Percy Sledge died in his Baton Rouge home just after midnight at the age of 73. Friends say the Rock and Roll Hall of famer had been battling cancer a long time. In a 2013 appearance on the Jim Engster Show, Sledge said he wrote When a Man Loves a Woman and it had been a tune in his head since he was a little boy…:
CUT 8 (16) “in the world”
Sledge was inducted into the Louisiana Music Hall of Fame in 2007.

Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Louisiana Hall of Fame musician Percy Sledge died shortly after midnight Tuesday in Baton Rouge at the age of 73. The coroner confirms Sledge had been battling cancer. Louisiana Music Hall of Fame Director Mike Shepard says this is a very sad day…:
CUT 6 (08) “wanna meet”
When a Man Loves a Woman was recorded in 1966 and was an international top 40 hit that was certified gold by the RIAA.

There was plenty of chatter on the first day of the session about an accident in the Capitol parking involving Covington Representative Paul Hollis. Apparently the new security system got confusing and Hollis’s Audi got slammed with two mental bollards. State Police Lt. JB Slaton says this security system appears to be operating properly…:
CUT 5 (05) “exact reason”

Heavy showers and thunderstorms have been moving through south Louisiana since early this morning. Flash flood watches are in effect for a large portion of south Louisiana through this evening. Donald Jones, with the National Weather Service in Lake Charles, says even more rain is expected to roll in from the Gulf…:
CUT 9 (09) “this morning”
He says there should be a break from the rain this evening, but it will only be temporary as this entire week is expected to be a wet one.

Governor Bobby Jindal got slightly sentimental in portions of his last state of the state address to the legislature on Monday. He began by joking about some lawmakers probably being happy it would be his last time speaking to kick off the session…:
CUT 13 (12) “appreciate your restraint”

Rock and Roll and Louisiana Music Hall of fame musician Percy Sledge died this morning at his home in Baton Rouge. The music icon had been battling cancer and friends say he had been sick for a long time. Sledge was born in Leighton, Alabama and had lived in Baton Rouge since 1966. He was 73.

Covington Representative Paul Hollis had harsh first day of the legislative session. Hollis was driving his car through a parking lot at the Capitol when the new security system went off and two bollards shot up from the ground through the front of his car. State Police spokesman Lt. JB Slaton says it appears Hollis was following a delivery truck that was exiting the lot…:
CUT 3 (07) “the same time”
Hollis says he broke his right hand and suffered a concussion.

A new study shows that staying up late at night could put your health at risk. Eric Gill has more…:
CUT 1 (31) “reporting”

The National Weather Service says there could be major flooding issues taking place along south Louisiana as the rain continues to come down. There are Flood Warnings and Flood watches in place throughout the areas. 2 to 5 inches of rain with locally higher amounts are possible through 2pm.

Members of the House Democratic Caucus lay out their priorities for the legislative session. Scott Carwile has the story…

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More showers and thunderstorms are moving through south Louisiana today. Some severe activity is expected with frequent lightning, high wind gusts, and hail. Torrential rains could cause localized and street flooding. A flash flood watch is in effect for a large portion of south Louisiana through this evening, but that may be extended with more rain forecast through the end of the week. A flash flood warning has been issued for a portion of southeast Louisiana this morning.

For the next two days, members of the public will have a chance to lobby before the House Appropriations Committee about what they would like to see funded in next fiscal year’s budget. Louisiana Budget Project Director Jan Moller one of the things legislators will try hard to do over the next couple of months is protect higher education…

cut 9 (10) “protected”

Because of a $1.6 billion dollar shortfall, money is tight and several government services are facing massive cuts.

Governor Bobby Jindal showed a sentimental side during portions of his last state of the state address to the legislature. His father was at the Capitol but the Governor said that for the first time, his mother couldn’t make it because she was at home recovering from surgery…

cut 15 (13) “and your thoughts”

Jindal also took time to recognize his wife and children.

Today and tomorrow members of the public will have a chance to lobby before the House Appropriations Committee about what they would like to see funded in next fiscal year’s budget. Michelle Southern reports…

cut 2 (29) “reporting”

A West Monroe man faces nine counts of child pornography following an Attorney General’s Office Cyber Crime Unit investigation. During the execution of a search warrant, 28-year-old Jamison Harvey told authorities that he had seen and exchanged child pornography in the past. Harvey is charged with eight counts of distributing and one count of possessing pornography involving juveniles. If convicted, Harvey faces a maximum of 20 years in prison on each count.

The House Democratic Caucus cites Medicaid expansion and state funding for higher ed are their top priorities in this legislative session. Chairman, state representative John Bel Edwards, says there’s enough democrats in the legislature that can prevent the passing of bills that raise college tuition costs for students…

cut 12 (12) “technical colleges”

As it stands now, higher education is looking at a massive reduction in state funding, because of a one-point-six billion dollar revenue shortfall.

A new study shows that staying up late at night could put your health at risk from of diabetes, muscle deterioration, and metabolic disease. Pennington Biomedical Research Center Assistant Professor, Dr. Courtney Peterson, says one theory suggests that sleep during the day is not as good because of blue light interrupting your internal clock…

cut 5 (09) “less good”

The report says that these health risks exist for those who stay up late regardless of lifestyle.

The House Democratic Caucus says their top priorities in this legislative session are Medicaid expansion and state funding for higher ed. There’s talk about giving public colleges more autonomy to raise tuition or passing additional fees on students. Baton Rouge Representative Ted James says the Democratic party opposes both efforts…

cut 11 (08) “their tuition”

He says Democrats will not approve a budget if the legislature doesn’t allow the state to receive federal dollars so more low-income residents can receive Medicaid.

Members of the public will have a chance to lobby before the House Appropriations Committee, today and tomorrow, about what they would like to see funded in next fiscal year’s budget. Louisiana Budget Project Director Jan Moller says there are no more easy options for lawmakers when it comes to deciding how to handle the dire financial situation…

cut 8 (10) “by those cuts”

Moller says this is a chance for lawmakers who write the budget to understand how it impacts people and communities.
A new study by Korean researchers shows that staying up late at night could put you at a higher risk of diabetes, muscle deterioration, and metabolic disease, even if you get the same amount of sleep as early risers. Assistant Professor at Pennington Biomedical Research Center, Dr. Courtney Peterson, says she’s not surprised about these results…

cut 4 (11) “health problems”

Peterson says quality sleep can help regulate several body functions.

Governor Bobby Jindal took a break from politics to show a sentimental side during portions of his state of the state address to the legislature. The Governor brought his children to his speech for the first time…

cut 14 (13) “turn around and say hello”

Jindal also used a moment to recognize his parents.