A House bill that allows some convicted felons while serving probation and parole to get their voting privileges back cleared the Senate and Governmental Affairs committee today. The bill restores voting rights five years after he or she is released from prison. Bill Riley is the executive of “voice of the experience” a pro voting rights organization.

Cut 9 (12) “of imprisonment”

The Webster Parish School District has settled a lawsuit with the ACLU that alleged that they created a coercive environment that subjected students to school sponsored Christian religious activities. ACLU Staff Attorney Bruce Hamilton says they received complaints from a Webster Parish student’s family that the activities had been ongoing for some time.

Cut 13 (09) “do so”

The school has argued that the religious ceremonies were student initiated and led.

A boating wreck on the Amite River Saturday night leaves one dead, while the victim’s father faces charges. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 2 (30) I’m Jim Shannon”

A gas leak in St. Mary Parish sent residents and officials scrambling this morning. The leak forced the closures of two schools, amidst a frantic effort by firefighters, police and ambulance personnel to evacuate everyone from the area. Initial investigations indicate the incident occurred at 7:15 this morning in the Baldwin area after a tractor hit an Enterprise Products natural gas valve. Officials have now given the all clear to return.

Authorities say A Sorrento man was killed when his dad wrecked a boat they were in Saturday night on the Amite River. Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries spokesperson Adam Einck says the impact killed 27-year-old Caleb White…

Cut 4 (06)      the boat”

Caleb White was 27.

The US Supreme Court has ruled that states outside of Nevada are now allowed to permit sports gambling. Neighboring states such as Arkansas and Mississippi approved legislation that would allow the gaming to take place, but Louisiana denied legislation that would have put the issue up for voters this fall. Metairie Senator Danny Martiny says ultimately the decision to keep sports gaming out of Louisiana will exacerbate the state’s already problematic budget issues.

cut 8 (10) “rely on”

Its estimated that the new, unrestricted, sports gaming industry will be worth 7.1 billion dollars a year.

A House bill that allows some convicted felons while serving probation and parole to get their voting privileges back cleared the Senate and Governmental Affairs committee today. The bill restores voting rights five years after he or she is released from prison. Current law says felons must complete probation and parole, before they are able to vote. Checko Yancy is the executive director of “Organize to Educate” who still cannot vote.

Cut 10 (09) “voting polls”

Jonesboro Senator Jim Fannin was in staunch opposition to the bill. Saying losing your voting privilege when you are convicted of a crime is a deterrent, and that five years is too soon to get your voting privileges back.

The measure now goes to the full Senate for final passage.

And now here’s commodity’s

The US Supreme Court has ruled that states outside of Nevada are now allowed to permit sports gambling. Neighboring states such as Arkansas and Mississippi approved legislation that would allow the gaming to take place, but Louisiana denied legislation that would have put the issue up for voters this fall. Metairie Senator Danny Martiny says it’s not just New Orleans that’s going to suffer as a result.

Cut 7 (06)  “those markets”

A House bill that allows some convicted felons while serving probation and parole to get their voting privileges back cleared the Senate and Governmental Affairs committee today. The bill restores voting rights five years after he or she is released from prison. Jonesboro Senator Jim Fannin was in staunch opposition to the bill. Saying losing your voting privilege when you are convicted of a crime is a deterrent.

Cut 11 (11) “criteria”

A Sorrento man died Saturday night on the Amite river after the boat he was riding in slammed into a river wall. The boat was driven by Patrick White 53 of Sorrento his son Caleb slammed into the bulkhead during the wreck. Louisiana Wildlife and fisheries agents were close by and assisted. Adam Einck is a spokesperson with wildlife and fisheries.

Cut 3 (08) “head on”

A constitutional amendment requiring unanimous jury verdicts in all felony trials is scheduled for a vote in the House today. Louisiana is one of two states that does not require unanimous jury decisions. Legal analyst Tim Meche says  criminal justice reformers are pushing this legislation, because the non-unanimous jury requirement leads to more defendants pleading guilty to crimes they may have not committed

Cut 14 (10) “much higher”

The US Supreme Court has ruled that states outside of Nevada are now allowed to permit sports gambling. Neighboring states such as Arkansas and Mississippi approved legislation that would allow the gaming to take place, but Louisiana denied legislation that would have put the issue up for voters this fall. Metairie Senator Danny Martiny says that’s great news…. for Beau Rivage.

Cut 6 (08)  “Orleans market”

The Metairie Republican says the Shreveport will also suffer.

A constitutional amendment requiring unanimous jury verdicts in all felony trials is scheduled for a vote in the House today. Louisiana is one of two states that does not require unanimous jury decisions. Legal analyst Tim Meche says Louisiana’s outlier verdict system influences DAs to charge suspects with crimes that have longer sentences, just to have a better chance at conviction.

Cut 13 (10)  “the sentence” 

A new website is offering a years’ worth of college courses for free, that transfer to major universities. Becca Dill has more.

Cut 2 (29) I’m Becca Dill”

The Tangipahoa parish Sherriff’s office has requested a Louisiana State Police investigation of an officer involved shooting incident on Taylor Creek Road rd. The initial investigation reported that officer’s response to a domestic disturbance at 10:03PM last night involving a suspect who was allegedly threatening family members with a weapon. Officers made contact, and shots were fired, leading to the suspect’s death. The investigation is ongoing.

There are indications from both the Governor and legislative leaders that this will be the final week of the regular session. The chambers have 120 hours to come to a resolution on gaming issues, unanimous juries, a 15 week abortion ban, and possibly a budget. LaPolitics.com Publisher Jeremy Alford says the budget battles will escalate after Senate Finance passed a spending plan quite different from the House.

But it’s not just budget issues and fiscal cliffs. Alford says one of the most controversial issues, riverboat gaming on land, will come to a head later this week.

Cut 6 (08) “the session”

The Governor is calling for the special session, which could get the revenue needed to fund the budget, to begin Friday after the regular session ends.

Modern States Education Alliance is offering a “Freshman Year For Free” at their website which allows students to take CLEP eligible courses by nationally renowned professors, without paying thousands of dollars. Founder Steve Klinsky says the classes give credits that can be transferred to major colleges like LSU.

Cut 9 (10)  “of courses”

The project was founded, and funded by Klinsky, the Chair of Harvard’s Public education Policy Group. OR GO TO Modernstates.org

A Senate Committee will review a controversial bill today that would renew the state’s contract with New Orleans Harrah’s Casino for another 30 years. The bill has received opposition from statewide leaders like U.S. Senator John Kennedy, who say Louisiana should hold out for a better deal, and legislators are concerned about a provision that calls for less legislative scrutiny over future contract renewals. Political Analyst Clancy DuBos says he doesn’t see the bill passing in its current form, unless Harrah’s puts up more on its end.

Cut 12 (12) “proposed”

A constitutional amendment requiring unanimous jury verdicts in all felony trials is scheduled for a vote in the House today. Louisiana is one of two states that does not require unanimous jury decisions. Legal analyst Tim Meche

Cut 14 (10) “much higher”

A Senate committee will hear arguments today on a bill that would extend the state’s contract with Harrah’s New Orleans. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 3 (31) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

There are indications from both the Governor and legislative leaders that this will be the final week of the regular session. The chambers have 120 hours to come to a resolution on gaming issues, unanimous juries, a 15 week abortion ban, and possibly a budget. LaPolitics.com Publisher Jeremy Alford says the budget battles will escalate after Senate Finance passed a spending plan quite different from the House.The Senate will be forced to reckon with a budget from Finance that includes cuts to many state agencies that are as deep as 25 percent. Alford says Senate President John Alario is likely to wait for the public to weigh in this week before deciding whether or not to bring a budget to a vote.

Cut 5  (10)  “like that”

Modern States Education Alliance is offering a “Freshman Year For Free” at their website which allows students to take CLEP eligible courses by nationally renowned professors, without paying thousands of dollars. Founder Steve Klinsky says the classes give credits that can be transferred to major colleges like LSU.

Klinsky says his program is the “Netflix” of online college curriculum.

Cut 8 (11)  “you credit”

Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries enforcement agents are investigating a fatal single vessel boating incident involving a father and son in Ascension Parish.

A 20 foot aluminum vessel being operated by Patrick White, 53, of Sorrento, with Caleb White, 27, of Sorrento, as a passenger hit a bulkhead on the Amite River around 9 p.m. on May 12.  Patrick White sustained minor injuries whereas Caleb White sustained fatal injuries.

A new website is offering a years’ worth of college courses for free, that transfer to major universities. Becca Dill has more.

Cut 2 (29) I’m Becca Dill”

There are indications from both the Governor and legislative leaders that this will be the final week of the regular session. The chambers have 120 hours to come to a resolution on gaming issues, unanimous juries, a 15 week abortion ban, and possibly a budget. LaPolitics.com Publisher Jeremy Alford says the budget battles will escalate after Senate Finance passed a spending plan quite different from the House.

Cut 4  (10) “on higher ed” 

A Senate Committee will review a controversial bill today that would renew the state’s contract with New Orleans Harrah’s Casino for another 30 years. The bill has received opposition from statewide leaders like U.S. Senator John Kennedy, who say Louisiana should hold out for a better deal, and legislators are concerned about a provision that calls for less legislative scrutiny over future contract renewals. says there’s also another concern.

Harrah’s officials say in exchange for a new 30-year contract, they will spend 350-million dollars on a new 340-room hotel, plus restaurants and a nightclub that would result in 500 full-time jobs. Political Analyst Clancy DuBos says that’s not the only bonuses.

Cut 11 (12) “guaranteed”

A constitutional amendment requiring unanimous jury verdicts in all felony trials is scheduled for a vote in the House today. Louisiana is one of two states that does not require unanimous jury decisions. Legal analyst Tim Meche says Louisiana’s outlier verdict system influences DAs to charge suspects with crimes that have longer sentences, just to have a better chance at conviction.

Cut 13 (10)  “the sentence” 

This could be the last week of the regular session as the governor will likely call for a special session to begin next week. Matt Doyle has more

Cut 1 (29) “I’m Matt Doyle”

Modern States Education Alliance is offering a “Freshman Year For Free” at their website which allows students to take CLEP eligible courses by nationally renowned professors, without paying thousands of dollars. Founder Steve Klinsky says the classes give credits that can be transferred to major colleges like LSU.

Cut 7 (09)  “CLEP Exam”

A Senate Committee will review a controversial bill today that would renew the state’s contract with New Orleans Harrah’s Casino for another 30 years. The bill has received opposition from statewide leaders like U.S. Senator John Kennedy, who say Louisiana should hold out for a better deal, and legislators are concerned about a provision that calls for less legislative scrutiny over future contract renewals. Political Analyst Clancy DuBos says there’s also another concern.

Cut 10 (07) “right now”

Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries enforcement agents are investigating a fatal single vessel boating incident involving a father and son in Ascension Parish.

A 20 foot aluminum vessel being operated by Patrick White, 53, of Sorrento, with Caleb White, 27, of Sorrento, as a passenger hit a bulkhead on the Amite River around 9 p.m. on May 12.  Patrick White sustained minor injuries whereas Caleb White sustained fatal injuries.

Pig guts

A Senate committee will hear arguments on a bill that would extend Harrah’s contract today. Jim Shannon has the story.

Cut 3 (30) “I’m Jim Shannon”

Students Graduating from LSU this morning were treated to a commencement speech by Alumnus U.S. Congressman Steve Scalise. Scalise spoke for about 45 minutes in front of 4000 graduating students. He spoke extensively about his journey following a nearly fatal shooting on a baseball diamond in Washington D.C. and the support he received from the University during his recovery.

He says he will forever be indebted to those who helped him during his rehabilitation.

Cut 5  (12) “my recovery”

Scalise is also scheduled to be the keynote speaker at the LSU law school graduation in June.

Modern States Education Alliance is offering a “Freshman Year For Free” at their website which allows students to take CLEP eligible courses by nationally renowned professors, without having to pick up thousands of dollars in student loans. Founder Steve Klinsky says the classes give credits that can be transferred to major colleges like LSU. Klinsky says his program is the “Netflix” of online college curriculum.

Cut 8 (11)  “you credit”

A Senate Committee will review a controversial bill that would renew Harrah’s Casino’s contract for another 30 years. The bill has received opposition from statewide leaders like Senator John Kennedy who say Louisiana should hold out for a better deal, and legislators concerned about a provision that would cut the capital out of future negotiations, but Political Analyst Clancy DuBos says he doesn’t see the bill passing in its current form, unless Harrahs is willing to put up more on its end of the bargain.

Cut 12 (12) “proposed”

Senate Finance approved a spending plan that cuts nearly 25 percent of the budget of many state agencies. Becca Dill has more.

Cut 2 (30) I’m Becca Dill”

Students Graduating from LSU this morning were treated to a commencement speech by Alumnus U.S. Congressman Steve Scalise. Scalise’s speech was full of funny stories as he described getting phone calls from leaders all over the world. He says he was truly humbled by the attention which inspired him.

Cut 4 (09) “back up”

A Senate Committee will review a controversial bill that would renew Harrah’s Casino’s contract for another 30 years. The bill has received opposition from statewide leaders like Senator John Kennedy who say Louisiana should hold out for a better deal, and legislators concerned about a provision that would cut the capital out of future negotiations. But many in New Orleans are hailing the bill, which would see the city take more control over future contract discussions, and calls on Harrahs to invest in a new Hotel. DuBos says that’s not the only bonuses for the Crescent City.

Cut 11 (12) “guaranteed”

A constitutional amendment requiring unanimous jury verdicts in all criminal trials will be taken up by the House today. Louisiana is one of two states that does not require unanimous jury decisions. Legal Analyst Tim Meche says Louisiana’s outlier verdict system influences DAs to charge suspects with crimes that have longer sentences, just to have a better chance at conviction.

The amendment would have to survive a popular vote before being put into law.

Meche says non unanimous jury requirements lead to more innocent people pleading guilty to crimes they did not commit.

Cut 14 (10) “much higher”