Louisiana will receive 5.8 million dollars from the federal Election Assistance Commission to purchase thousands of new voting machines as part of a proposed 50 to 60 million dollar plan to overhaul the state’s aging voting equipment. Secretary of State Tom Schedler says the new machines will function much like the older ones, but feature newer, crisper screens and be easy to set up.

Cut 11 (10) “out there”

Baton Rouge Police investigators have decided against charging a man in the fatal shooting of an 18-year-old. Sergeant L’Jean Mckneely says the teenager, Ke’irie Grayer, pointed a gun at a 25-year-old and tried to rob him, as he walked out of a convenience store. Mckneely says they are turning over their evidence to the District Attorney’s office,

Cut 7 (11)  “entire incident”

An 11-year-old died this morning while driving a vehicle at high speeds on LA 802. State Police responded the crash at 4:15am, where they discovered Clark Davis, the driver, had slammed into a tree just off the road. Davis was not wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash.

A bill by Representative Pat Smith that would prevent schools from taking school lunches away from students with unpaid lunch debt will be heard on the House floor this week. Jeff Palermo has more.

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo.”

A suspect involved in a reported domestic disturbance in New Llano (New Lan-no) was shot dead by a Vernon Parish Sheriff’s deputy on Easter Sunday. Sheriff Sam Craft says 60-year-old Bobby Hinton was killed after trying to shoot at the deputy. After calling for backup and medical personnel, Craft says both the deputy and Hinton were transported to a hospital…

Cut 4 (13) “followup surgery.”

Hinton was declared dead at the hospital.

The parents of Maxwell Gruver, who died last year in an alleged hazing incident at LSU, are expected back at the state capitol to show support for a bill that would stiffen criminal penalties for those found guilty of hazing. Max’s mom Rae Anne says the family is still struggling with the loss of their 18-year-old son who was found dead with a blood alcohol content of .495.

Cut 16 (09) “our lives”

The bill, entitled the Max Gruver Act is sponsored by Lafayette Representative Nancy Landry.

Legislation that would prevent schools from taking lunches away from students with unpaid school debts is moving to the House floor. But there are some concerns about Representative Pat Smith’s bill being an unfunded mandate for school districts requiring them to feed hungry children without guarantee of repayment. Louisiana School Board Association Executive Director Scott Richard…

Cut 10 (10) “is free”

The bill was passed 7-4 and has a floor hearing set for Wednesday.

Former LSU football coach Les Miles will appear in a film inspired about the 1986 Challenger explosion called Angry Men. Patrick Mulhearn a Senior Director at Louisiana Economic Development says he’s looking forward to coach’s portrayal of a NASA chief.

Cut 13 (07)  “of NASA”

The parents of Maxwell Gruver, who died last year in an alleged hazing incident at LSU, are backing a bill that would stiffen criminal penalties for those who are found guilty of hazing. The “Max Gruver Act” passed through committee without objection and is set to be heard today on the House floor. Gruver’s father Steve says this is the bill will save lives.

Cut 14 (09) “of them”

The bill would make hazing a felony, carrying with it a 1,000 dollar fine and up to six months in jail in cases involving a hazing death. Gruver says the only way to stop hazing is to send a strong message, backed up with tough penalties.

Cut 15 (08) “real deterent”

The bill is sponsored by Lafayette Representative Nancy Landry, who says the penalties are some of the stiffest in the nation.

Baton Rouge Representative Pat Smith’s legislation that would prevent schools from taking lunches away from students with unpaid school debts is moving to the floor. Smith says her legislation would prevent schools from publicly rejecting lunches for students, and stop them from “shaming” kids whose parents are either negligent or unable for afford the meals.

Cut 7 (08)  “a bill.”

But there were some concerns about the bill being an unfunded mandate for school districts that would require them to feed hungry children without a guarantee of repayment. Louisiana School Board Association Executive Director Scott Richard opposed the bill, saying school lunches don’t grow on trees.

Cut 10 (10) “is free”

The bill was passed 7-4 and has a floor hearing set for Wednesday.

The officer who shot Alton Sterling was fired from the Baton Rouge Police Department after an administrative review determined he violated departmental policies during the incident. Blane Salamoni was not charged by federal or state prosecutors, but Police Chief Murphy Paul says the decision wasn’t about politics.

Cut 25

Lake was suspended three days.

Along with the results of the administrative review, Paul released evidence that was previously unavailable to the public. Video and audio from the officer’s body cams, as well as the 911 call is now available online. Sterling family attorney Mike Adams says the video dispels the notion that Sterling was at fault.

Cut 27

Many children will be eager to find eggs during the traditional Easter egg hunts this year. There are things to keep in mind, especially if you plan on eating those eggs that are found. Louisiana Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain says it’s important to note how long they have been outside of a refrigerated environment before stuffing your face.

Cut 10 (12) “food poisoning.”

Representatives with the Alzheimer’s Association of Louisiana were at the state capitol this week to let lawmakers know Alzheimer’s is health care crisis in this state. Spokesperson Adrienne Mullens says the number of families dealing with this disease is staggering

Cut 12 (12)   “affected”

The officer who shot Alton Sterling was fired from the Baton Rouge Police Department after an administrative review determined he violated departmental policies during the incident. Blane Salamoni was not charged by federal or state prosecutors, but Police Chief Murphy Paul says the officer clearly did not follow procedure.

Cut 24

Lake was suspended three days.

Along with the results of the administrative review, Paul released evidence that was previously unavailable to the public. Video and audio, as well as the 911 call is now available online. Sterling family attorney Chris Stewart says police shootings shouldn’t be local authority’s jurisdiction.

Cut 27

After a slow start, the crawfish supply is ready to match the Easter weekend demand. Freezing temperatures in January temporarily halted production, but LSU Crawfish expert Doctor Greg Lutz says the mudbugs have bounced back….

Cut 3 (07) “started to eat”

Lutz says Easter is prime crawfish eating season but that doesn’t mean the prices won’t be good and the size won’t be big.

NBA and LSU legend Shaquille O’Neil is helping Lafayette High School athletes get ripped with a big donation to the school’s weight room renovation project. The school is looking to raise 42,000 dollars to give the Mighty Lions a better room to pump iron in. Shaq kicked off the fund drive off with a message of encouragement to the students.

Cut 6 (12)  “bye bye”

The officer who shot Alton Sterling was fired from the Baton Rouge Police Department after an administrative review determined he violated departmental policies during the incident. Blane Salamoni was not charged by federal or state prosecutors, but Police Chief Murphy Paul says he acted recklessly while fellow officer Howie Lake tried to get control of the situation.

Cut 23

Lake was suspended three days.

Along with the results of the administrative review, Paul released evidence that was previously unavailable to the public. There is footage and audio, now available online, from the officer’s body cameras and the convenience store, as well as a recording of the 911 call that drew the officers to the scene. Sterling family attorney Chris Stewart…

Cut 26

Representatives with the Alzheimer’s Association of Louisiana were at the state capitol this week to urge state legislators to approve funding to help families who have loved ones suffering from this horrible disease. Jim Shannon has more…

Cut 1 (26) “I’m Jim Shannon”

Many children will be eager to find eggs during the traditional Easter egg hunts this year. There are things to keep in mind, especially if you plan on eating those eggs that are found. Louisiana Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain…

Cut 9 (09) “human consumption.”

After a slow start, the crawfish supply is ready to match the Easter weekend demand. Freezing temperatures in January temporarily halted production, but LSU Crawfish expert Doctor Greg Lutz says the mudbugs are roaring back with help from this nice, warm spring weather. He says the higher temperatures encourages the delicacies to stuff their faces, which leads to big, plump crawfish.

Cut 5  (06) “out there”

Baton Rouge Police Chief Murphy Paul will reveal the results of his department’s administrative review of the two officers involved in the Alton Sterling shooting at 5PM today. The Chief says he will also be releasing large amounts of evidence that was until now, not available to the public. That includes body cam footage and audio, the 911 call, and video footage from the convenience store where Sterling was shot.

There are some things to keep in mind for this weekend’s Easter egg hunts, especially if you plan on eating those eggs. Louisiana Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain says make sure those eggs haven’t been outside of a fridge for too long.

Cut 10 (12) “food poisoning.”

Representatives with the Alzheimer’s Association of Louisiana were at the state capitol this week to let lawmakers know Alzheimer’s is health care crisis in this state. Spokesperson Adrienne Mullens says the number of families dealing with this disease is staggering

Cut 12 (12)   “affected”

She says the number is 232-thousand.

Representatives with the Alzheimer’s Association of Louisiana were at the state capitol this week to urge state legislators to approve funding to help families who have loved ones suffering from this horrible disease. Jim Shannon has more…

Cut 1 (26) “I’m Jim Shannon”

We will find out the fate of two Baton Rouge Police officers involved in the shooting death of Alton Sterling. A press conference detailing the findings of an internal investigation will be held today at 5pm. Video shows Blane Salamoni fired the weapon that killed Sterling. The other officer, Howie Lake held Sterling down. Attorney General Jeff Landry said there wasn’t any wrongdoing on their part.

NBA and LSU legend Shaquille O’Neil is helping Lafayette High School athletes get ripped with a big donation to the school’s weight room renovation project. The school is looking to raise 42,000 dollars to give the Mighty Lions a better room to pump iron in. Shaq kicked off the fund drive with a message of encouragement to the students.

Cut 6 (12)  “bye bye”

Many children will be eager to find eggs during the traditional Easter egg hunts this year. There are things to keep in mind, especially if you plan on eating those eggs that are found. Louisiana Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain says it’s important to use the correct dyes when coloring your eggs…

Cut 9 (09) “human consumption.”

The Louisiana House approves legislation that calls for a 30-year contract extension between the state and Harrah’s land-based casino in New Orleans. House Speaker Taylor Barras says the deal also calls for Harrah’s to make a 350-million dollar investment in the gaming property. Harrah’s is already planning their big expansion…

Cut 10 (10) “existing casino”

A Walker High Senior who says he’s being threatened with expulsion over the length of his hair has taken to social media to fight back against the school. Jeremy McLain and others say this isn’t the first time the subject has come up. Students with long or colored hair were threatened with getting kicked out of school…

Cut 14 (08) “pretty crazy”

One student was even reported as having been barred from walking on graduation day.

Elmer Chocolate in Ponchatoula is carrying on a 163 year old tradition as Easter.

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Louisiana is recovering from one of the worst flu epidemics in recent memory with the number of cases dropping. After being one of the hardest hit states in the nation, Dr. Frank Welch says Louisiana is actually looking better off now than most of the south.

Cut 6 (07) “our neighbors”

But Welch still recommends anyone suffering from flu like symptoms avoid other people, and visit your doctor.

The Louisiana House approved a 30-year contract extension between the state and Harrah’s land-based casino in New Orleans. If the Senate approves the contract, the Harrah’s casino in New Orleans would remain in operation until 2054.  House Speaker Taylor Barras says the company currently pays the state 60-million dollars a year. With the new contract Louisiana would receive an additional three-point-six million dollars annually …

Cut 12 (11) “education”

Flu cases in Louisiana are declining slowly. State Immunization director Dr. Frank Welch says the numbers look a lot better than they were just three to four months ago. A record 12-percent of doctor visits were because of the flu…

Cut 5  (08)  “like illness.”

A Walker High Senior is facing expulsion over the length of his hair, and is taking to social media to fight back. Matt Doyle has more.

Cut 3 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

Elmer Chocolate in Ponchatoula is carrying on a 163-year-old tradition this Easter. Not only are they the second largest producer of Valentine candy in the world, they have been a big part of Gulf South Easter celebrations. CEO Rob Nelson…

Cut 7 (10)  “to generation.”