Legislation filed by New Orleans Representative Joseph Bouie would transfer regulation of cable and satellite companies to the Public Service Commission. Bouie feels that it would make more sense for the PSC to regulate cable companies the way they do other utility companies. He says this would allow a state agency to advocate on behalf of Louisiana residents…

cut 8 (11) “be of concern”

Bouie says currently the Secretary of State’s office is responsible for the certification and regulation of cable and video entities.

State Treasurer John Kennedy ends long-time speculation that he’d run for governor or attorney general by announcing he’ll seek re-election this fall. ULM Political Science Professor Joshua Stockley says Kennedy has done a great job as our state treasurer…

cut 11 (06) “for the state”

Stockley says if Kennedy would have thrown his hat into the Governor’s race it would have weakened fellow middle ground Republicans Jay Dardenne and Scott Angelle in the fight against the leading David Vitter.

Louisiana is about to get really wet as thunderstorms cloud the forecast for the next several days. State Climatologist Barry Keim says a slow moving cold front is pushing through the state today and looks to be hanging around into at least Monday…

cut 13 (11) “next week”

Keim says as far as rain totals go, the state can expect at least two inches with higher totals in isolated areas.

The 44th annual Ponchatoula Strawberry Festival kicks off today. Live music will be featured all weekend long including Don Rich, Christian Serpas, and Bag of Donuts. 2015 Festival Chairman Donald Lanier says carnival games this year have been replaced by local arts and crafts vendors…

cut 5 (08) “of the state”

Of course food is always an attraction plus carnival rides and a parade tomorrow morning.

State Treasurer John Kennedy announces he’ll seek re-election this fall ending long-time speculation that he’d run for governor or attorney general. ULM Political Science Professor Joshua Stockley says this is a good move on Kennedy’s part…

cut 10 (10) “would have run”

Stockley says as for the AG’s office, when Former Congressman Jeff Landry jumped in that race it was wise for Kennedy to stay put.

New Orleans Representative Joseph Bouie files legislation that would transfer regulation of cable and satellite companies to the Public Service Commission. He says currently the Secretary of State’s office is responsible for the certification and regulation of cable and video entities…

cut 7 (06) “if you will”

Bouie feels that it would make more sense for the PSC to regulate cable companies the way they do other utility companies.

The streets of Ponchatoula will be packed this weekend as the 44th annual Ponchatoula Strawberry Festival gets underway today. 2015 Festival Chairman Donald Lanier says this is the largest free festival in Louisiana. Lanier says a fortunate circumstance will allow them to open a little early this year…

cut 4 (09) “12 to 4″

Strawberries are the focal point of the festival, which runs through Sunday, but there is lots more for people to enjoy, like food, carnival rides, live music and more. Admission is free.

State Climatologist Barry Keim says thunderstorms are in the forecast throughout the weekend across the state. Two inches of rain are expected statewide with higher totals in isolated areas.

The Destrehan High School teacher accused of having sex with a 16-year-old student has pleaded guilty in exchange for no jail time and 3 years probation. 32-year-old Shelley Dufrense would still lose her teaching license and she doesn’t have to register as a sex offender for now. Legal analyst Tim Meche..:
CUT 14 (08) “sporting activities”
Dufrense also faces charges out of Jefferson Parish, along with another former teacher, where an alleged threesome took place with the same 16-year-old student.

State Treasurer John Kennedy has dispelled rumors that he was considering running for governor or attorney general. Today Kennedy announced that he’d be seeking re-election to remain treasurer this fall. Kennedy said in a letter to supporters than he’s committed to being the fiscal watchdog. Speculation is now running that Kennedy is building up resources should a US Senate seat become open if David Vitter becomes Governor.

Gay rights groups want the religious freedom bill filed by Republican Bossier City Representative Mike Johnson to go away. Bruce Parker, Executive Director of Louisiana Progress Action, says they feel this legislation legalizes discrimination and has a campaign underway to fight the measure…:
CUT 4 (07) “be focused on”
But Johnson defends the legislation saying it would prevent adverse treatment from the state of any person on the basis of their views on marriage.

The Colorado State University forecast team is predicting the 2015 Hurricane season will be below average and about 45 percent of the average season. By comparison, 2014′s tropical cyclone activity was about 75 percent average. The lead author of the report is Dr. Phil Klotzbach who says if the forecast holds true, it would be the third quiet Gulf hurricane season in a row…:
CUT 12 (04) “this year”

The 32-year-old Destrehan teacher accused of having sex with a 16-year-old student has reached a plea deal with the St. Charles Parish District Attorney’s office. Under the terms of the deal, Shelley Dufrense avoids jail, but she’ll have to complete 90 days of treatment at a mental health facility. Legal analyst Tim Meche thinks she got a good deal…
cut 13 (10) “resolution”

Higher Education Commissioner Joe Rallo is very concerned about how some universities will be able to operate if lawmakers are not able to come up with a funding solution to the state’s huge budget deficit. Rallo says higher ed is facing a potential cut of about 600-million dollars…
CUT 7 (10) “would not be viable”
The legislative session starts Monday.
————————————
Republican Bossier City Representative Mike Johnson says he plans to amend the religious freedom bill he has filed amid public concerns but gay rights advocacy groups want the legislation pulled…
CUT 1 (30) “reporting”

Real estate millionaire Robert Durst entered a not guilty plea to a couple of weapons charges in a New Orleans court today. The weapons arrest has kept Durst in Louisiana, although he had waived his extradition to Los Angeles, where he is charged with the 2000 shooting death of 55 year-old Susan Berman.

The Destrehan High School teacher accused of having sex with a 16-year-old student has reached a plea deal with the St. Charles Parish District Attorney. Under the terms, 32 year-old Shelley Dufrense avoids jail, but loses her teaching license, and must go through 90 days of mental treatment. Legal analyst Tim Meche adds she will not have to register as a sex offender; at least for now…
CUT 14 (08) Q: “sporting activities”
Dufrense also faces charges in Jefferson Parish.

The Colorado State University forecast team is predicting a below-average 2015 Atlantic hurricane season. The lead author of the report is Dr. Phil Klotzbach who says a typical hurricane season has 12 named storms, 6 hurricanes and two major hurricanes…:
cut 10 (07) “hurricane seaason”

============================
Amid concerns about Louisiana’s Religious Freedom Law, Republican Bossier City Representative Mike Johnson says he plans to amend his bill. He says HB 707 will would prevent discrimination from the state of ANY persons or entity on the basis of their views on marriage. Gay rights groups want the law pulled, and Bruce Parker, Executive Director of Louisiana Progress Action adds the state has bigger issues…
CUT 6 (08) Q; ‘our energy on’

Proposed budget cuts to Louisiana higher ed could mean colleges get hit to the tune of about 600 million dollars. But LSU president and chancellor F King Alexander says every parish will feel the impact if these deep cuts go through. He says it will force them to eliminate the parish-based Ag Center programs, which very much concerns Crowley representative Jack Montoucet (mont to say) ….
CUT 8 (08) “rural areas”

Louisiana’s Religious Freedom Bill is moving ahead, but Republican Bossier City Representative Mike Johnson says he plans to amend it amid public concerns. Johnson says HB 707 would prevent adverse treatment from the state of ANY person or entity on the basis of their views on marriage and, he says, it applies equally…
CUT 5 (11) Q: ‘under the bill’

A plea bargain has been reached in the case of the Destrehan High School teacher accused of having sex with a 16 year-old student. Shelley Dufrense avoids jail time, but she’ll have to complete 90 days of treatment at a mental health facility. Legal Analyst Tim Meche says if it was a male teacher involved with a female student, the punishment would likely be more severe..
cut 15 (07) “ever change”
==========================
The forecast for the upcoming 2015 Atlantic hurricane season is out from the Colorado State University Forecast team…
CUT 2 (28) Q: ‘reporting’

There were some political rumors around Louisiana that State Treasurer John Kennedy would be running for governor or attorney general. But, today, Kennedy dispelled those rumors, announcing he will be seeking re-election to remain State Treasurer this fall. Kennedy said in a letter to supporters than he’s committed to being the fiscal watchdog.

The 32-year-old Destrehan teacher accused of having sex with a 16-year-old student has reached a plea deal with the St. Charles Parish District Attorney’s office. Under the terms of the deal, Shelley Dufrense avoids jail time, but she’ll have to complete 90 days of treatment at a mental health facility. Legal analyst Tim Meche says most people will think Dufrense got a good deal…:
CUT 13 (10) “resolution”
Dufrense also faces charges out of Jefferson Parish, along with another former teacher, where an alleged threesome took place with the same 16-year-old student.

State Treasurer John Kennedy has dispelled rumors that he was considering running for governor or attorney general. Today Kennedy announced that he’d be seeking re-election to remain treasurer this fall. Kennedy said in a letter to supporters than he’s committed to being the fiscal watchdog.

The Colorado State University forecast team is predicting the 2015 Hurricane season will be below average and about 45 percent of the average season. By comparison, 2014′s tropical cyclone activity was about 75 percent average. The lead author of the report is Dr. Phil Klotzbach who says if the forecast holds true, it would be the third quiet Gulf hurricane season in a row…:
CUT 12 (04) “this year”

Over the next several weeks lawmakers will discuss ways to generate revenue so that the cuts to higher ed are mitigated. Baton Rouge Representative Patricia Smith questions why the governor is proposing to increase the funding for TOPS scholarships, but dramatically cutting funds for colleges…:
CUT 9 (12) “go to”

The Colorado State University forecast team is predicting a below-average 2015 Atlantic hurricane season. The lead author of the report is Dr. Phil Klotzbach who says this year they are predicting a total of 7 named storms, three hurricanes and one major hurricane — or about half of the average hurricane season. He says El Nino conditions are highly likely…:
CUT 11 (10) “in the Atlantic”
The team predicts that 2015 tropical cyclone activity will be about 45 percent of the average season.

The Destrehan High School teacher accused of having sex with a 16-year-old student has reportedly reached a plea deal which keeps her out of jail and means she wouldn’t have to register as a sex offender. Apparently 32-year-old Shelley Dufresne — mother of three — pleaded guilty in exchange for three years probation and a $1000 fine.

Republican Bossier City Representative Mike Johnson says he plans to amend the religious freedom bill he has filed amid public concerns — but gay rights advocacy groups want the legislation pulled altogether. Eric Gill reports…:
CUT 1 (30) “reporting”