The House Health and Welfare committee is expected to hear legislation allowing medical marijuana to be used as a legal treatment for autistic patients. Kelley Ray has more.

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Kelley Ray.”

A bill to shorten the waiting period for getting married has advanced to the House floor. The legislation by Carencro Representative Julie Emerson would reduce the wait time from the time paperwork is filed to officially hitched to 24 hours from the current 72. Emerson says Louisiana has an abnormally long wait time.

Cut 7 (06)  “that regard”

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A bill seeking to make major changes to TOPS faced opposition from LSU students. The Senate Education Committee defeated the measure to make TOPS a flat four-thousand dollar annual award and provide additional stipends for students who perform well on the ACT. LSU Student Body Vice President Rachel Campbell says the proposed legislation would force some LSU students to leave the state…

Cut 10 (10) “looking back.”

Minimum wage increase, pay secrecy, and equal pay for women legislation all died on the Senate floor last night. The bills were a major part of Governor John Bel Edwards agenda.

Minimum wage increase, pay secrecy, and equal pay for women legislation all died on the Senate floor last night. The bills were a major part of Governor John Bel Edwards agenda. New Orleans Senator JP Morrell’s equal pay for women bill died 20-18. He says the best and brightest women in Louisiana are flocking to state’s that won’t pay them less for the same work a man does.

Cut 14 (12) “the world”

A minimum wage hike was also struck down. The bill would have increased the minimum wage to 8.50 by 2020.

A bill seeking to make major changes to TOPS faced opposition from LSU students. The Senate Education Committee defeated the measure to make TOPS a flat four-thousand dollar annual award and provide additional stipends for students who perform well on the ACT. LSU Student Body Vice President Rachel Campbell says the proposed legislation would force some LSU students to leave the state…

Cut 10 (10) “looking back.”

The House Health and Welfare committee is expected to hear legislation today that would allow medical marijuana to be used as a legal treatment for persons with autism. Louisiana Mothers Advocating for Medical Marijuana spokesperson Katelyn Castleberry says her two sons suffer from autism and they need better options made available for treatment…

Cut 4  (13) “to suicide.” 

Carencro Representative Julie Emerson’s bill to shorten the waiting period for getting married has advanced to the House floor. She says the states 72 hour waiting period is highly abnormal.

Cut 7 (06)  “that regard”

Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry has ruled criminal charges are not warranted against two white Baton Rouge police officers who fatally shot a black man during an altercation in front of a convenience store in July of 2016. Landry’s office reviewed the evidence of the Alton Sterling shooting for nearly a year, concluding the shooting involving officers Blane Salamoni and Howie Lake was justified.

He says toxicology reports from the autopsy also showed Sterling was under the influence of illegal drugs, which contributed to his noncompliance…

Cut 8 (11) “under Louisiana law”

The attorney for Sterling family, Chris Stewart, says justice was not served…

Cut 9 (11) “black man”

Stewart says a civil lawsuit has already been filed against the city and the officers.

The fatal shooting of Sterling in July of 2016 sparked several days of protests in the capital city, a large police presence and some major roads had to be closed. Baton Rouge Mayor Sharon Weston-Broome calls on the public to keep future demonstrations lawful.

Cut 12 (09)   “is not”

The Baton Rouge Police Department is reviewing the incident, and is expected to make a decision on the employment status of Officers Salamoni and Lake by the end of the week.

A bill to allow the home delivery of factory sealed alcohol to your front door has passed out of a Senate committee. Bill sponsor, Jennings Senator Blade Morrish says drivers who would deliver the factory sealed alcohol would be held under the same rules as a bartender…

Cut 4 (13) “years old.”

The Department of Children and Family Services has seen a huge decrease in the number of dead people getting food stamps after implementing a successful new program in partnership with the Department of Health that helps identify recipients who’ve died. In 2009-2013, 1.3 million dollars in benefits were administrated to the dead, while 2013-2017 only saw 43,599 dollars. Division of Family Support Deputy Assistant Secretary Sammy Guillory .Over the last four years, 108 of the deceased have received SNAP benefits, down from the 3,938 who received benefits in the four year period ending in June of 2013.

Entitlement fraud involving the dead is a big talking point these days, but Guillory says under the new system, benefits get cut off before someone can steal them and go on a spending spree.

Cut 5  (09)  “able to”

The Louisiana Attorney General’s office is expected to announce its results in the  Alton Sterling investigation today. The state A-G’s office has investigated for nearly a year on whether two white Baton Rouge police officers should face charges in the 2016 shooting of Sterling, who is black. Loyola University Law Professor Dane Ciolino says it’s not known, if Landry presented evidence to a grand jury..

The US Justice Department announced last May the fatal shooting outside of the Triple S Food Mart in Baton Rouge did not violate Sterling’s civil rights. Ciolino says the state’s A-G office likely used information gathered by the feds and State Police

The shooting in the summer of 2016 sparked protests in Baton Rouge. Officers Blane Salamoni and Howie Lake II approached Sterling after receiving calls about a man with a gun. An altercation ensued and video shows Salamoni shooting Sterling. Ciolino says investigators have been looking at more than just the video

Cut 19 (10) “killing” 

A bill to allow bulletproof backpacks on school grounds heads to the Senate. Kelley Ray has more on Senator Mike Walsworth’s bill.

Cut 3 (29) “I’m Kelley Ray”

A bill to raise the minimum wage will be up for a vote before the full Senate today. The legislation would boost the minimum wage to $8.50 an hour by 2020, and has the support of Governor John Bel Edwards…

A full time minimum wage worker makes 290 dollars a week before taxes.

The governor says more women than men work minimum wage jobs, often times are responsible for children at home. He says raising wages would help provide more stable homes for Louisiana’s children.

Cut 8 (07)  “can do.”

The Louisiana Attorney General’s office is expected to announce its results in the  Alton Sterling investigation today. The state A-G’s office has investigated for nearly a year on whether two white Baton Rouge police officers should face charges in the 2016 shooting of Sterling, who is black.

The US Justice Department announced last May the fatal shooting outside of the Triple S Food Mart in Baton Rouge did not violate Sterling’s civil rights. Loyola University Law Professor Dane Ciolino says the state’s A-G office likely used information gathered by the feds and State Police

Cut 18 (11)  “self defense”

The shooting in the summer of 2016 sparked protests in Baton Rouge. Officers Blane Salamoni and Howie Lake II approached Sterling after receiving calls about a man with a gun. An altercation ensued and video shows Salamoni shooting Sterling. Ciolino says investigators have been looking at more than just the video

A bill to raise the minimum wage is scheduled to be heard on the Senate floor today. Jeff Palermo has more.

Cut 2 (28) “I’m Jeff Palermo.”

The Department of Children and Family Services has seen a huge decrease in the number of dead people getting food stamps after implementing a successful new program in partnership with the Department of Health that helps identify recipients who’ve died. In 2009-2013, 1.3 million dollars in benefits were administrated to the dead, while 2013-2017 only saw 43,599 dollars. Division of Family Support Deputy Assistant Secretary Sammy Guillory says it’s a big improvement.

Cut 4  (09) “that goal” 

Over the last four years, 108 of the deceased have received SNAP benefits, down from the 3,938 who received benefits in the four year period ending in June of 2013.

Entitlement fraud involving the dead is a big talking point these days, but Guillory says under the new system, benefits get cut off before someone can steal them and go on a spending spree.

================———————————–

A bill to allow bulletproof backpacks on school campuses passed the Senate Judiciary C. West Monroe Senator Mike Walsworth says it’s unfortunate that a step like this is needed to protect school students, but he would rather take preventative action, than rely on school resource officers and other law enforcement…

Cut 11 (06) “his job.”

Saints and Pelicans owner Gayle Benson spoke Monday for the first time since her husband’s death at the NFL Owners meeting in Orlando, Florida. There have been questions on whether or not there will be major changes to the teams. Benson says after visiting the office on a daily basis for the last eight years, she knows the organizations are running like a well oiled machine…

Cut 14 (10) “it is.”

The dead hunger as the Department of Children and Family Services cuts back on SNAP benefits for the deceased. Matt Doyle has more.

Cut 1 (29) “I’m Matt Doyle”

A bill to raise the minimum wage will be up for a vote before the full Senate today. The legislation would boost the minimum wage to $8.50 an hour by 2020, and has the support of Governor John Bel Edwards…

Cut 7 (07)  “of work”

==================————————————————

The Louisiana Attorney General’s office is expected to announce its results in the  Alton Sterling investigation today. The state A-G’s office has investigated for nearly a year on whether two white Baton Rouge police officers should face charges in the 2016 shooting of Sterling, who is black. Loyola University Law Professor Dane Ciolino says it’s not known, if Landry presented evidence to a grand jury..

Cut 17 (10) “grand jury”

The US Justice Department announced last May the fatal shooting outside of the Triple S Food Mart in Baton Rouge did not violate Sterling’s civil rights. Ciolino says the state’s A-G office likely used information gathered by the feds and State Police

The shooting in the summer of 2016 sparked protests in Baton Rouge. Officers Blane Salamoni and Howie Lake II approached Sterling after receiving calls about a man with a gun. An altercation ensued and video shows Salamoni shooting Sterling. Ciolino says investigators have been looking at more than just the video

Pig guts

The dead hunger as the Department of Children and Family Services cuts back on SNAP benefits for the deceased. Matt Doyle has more.

Cut 1 (29) “I’m Matt Doyle”

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A bill to raise the minimum wage is scheduled to be heard on the Senate floor today. Jeff Palermo has more.

Cut 2 (28) “I’m Jeff Palermo.”

_______________________________________

A bill to allow bulletproof backpacks on school grounds heads to the Senate. Kelley Ray has more on Senator Mike Walsworth’s bill.

Cut 3 (29) “I’m Kelley Ray”

____________________________________________

The Department of Children and Family Services has seen a huge decrease in the number of dead people getting food stamps after implementing a successful new program in partnership with the Department of Health that helps identify recipients who’ve died. In 2009-2013, 1.3 million dollars in benefits were administrated to the dead, while 2013-2017 only saw 43,599 dollars. Division of Family Support Deputy Assistant Secretary Sammy Guillory says it’s a big improvement.

Cut 4  (09) “that goal” 

Over the last four years, 108 of the deceased have received SNAP benefits, down from the 3,938 who received benefits in the four year period ending in June of 2013.

Entitlement fraud involving the dead is a big talking point these days, but Guillory says under the new system, benefits get cut off before someone can steal them and go on a spending spree.

Cut 5  (09)  “able to”

The results still aren’t perfect, and Guillory says the few cases they see these days are the result of clerical errors and not bad intentions. He says relative to the huge number of recipients, the rate of error is very low.

Cut 6 (07) “percentage wise.”

_________________________________________________________

A bill to raise the minimum wage will be up for a vote before the full Senate today. The legislation would boost the minimum wage to $8.50 an hour by 2020, and has the support of Governor John Bel Edwards…

Cut 7 (07)  “of work”

A full time minimum wage worker makes 290 dollars a week before taxes.

The governor says more women than men work minimum wage jobs, often times are responsible for children at home. He says raising wages would help provide more stable homes for Louisiana’s children.

Cut 8 (07)  “can do.”

A 2017 report from Louisiana Kids Count put the child poverty rate at 28, which contributed heavily to the state’s 48^th ranking in total child well-being.

The bill is receiving opposition from the National Federation of Small Businesses. State Director Dawn Starns says “If the state mandates an increase in the cost of labor, then employers are going to have to raise prices or try to get by with fewer workers.” But UNO Business Professor Mark Rosa doesn’t see the buck twenty five increase being particularly harmful to the state economy.

Cut 9 (07)  “of years.”

Rosa says even without a minimum wage increase, it’d be tough for businesses to try and pay that little under the current economy.

Cut 10 (12) “self largely”

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A bill to allow bulletproof backpacks on school campuses passed the Senate Judiciary C. West Monroe Senator Mike Walsworth says it’s unfortunate that a step like this is needed to protect school students, but he would rather take preventative action, than rely on school resource officers and other law enforcement…

Cut 11 (06) “his job.”

Walsworth says parents and their children are rightly concerned for their safety. He says it’s up to legislators to do their part to make sure measures are in place, such as allowing bulletproof backpacks…

Cut 12 (10) “protect myself.”

Opponents on the bill spoke out, including East Baton Rouge Parish Attorney Dadrius Lanus, representing school students. He says the bill does not make common sense and it will put out the wrong message…

Cut 13 (09)  “to them?”

Walsworth says the bill would only allow the bulletproof backpacks, but would not require students to have one. The bill heads to the Senate floor.

_________________________________________________

Saints and Pelicans owner Gayle Benson spoke Monday for the first time since her husband’s death at the NFL Owners meeting in Orlando, Florida. There have been questions on whether or not there will be major changes to the teams. Benson says after visiting the office on a daily basis for the last eight years, she knows the organizations are running like a well oiled machine…

Cut 14 (10) “it is.”

Even though there are larger markets both teams could relocate too, Benson says she plans to remain committed to New Orleans…

Cut 15 (10) “big family.”

Some big decisions have to be made in professional sports, anything from deciding to cut a player or fire a coach. The fourth female NFL and third female NBA owner is ready for the challenge…

Cut 16 (05) “with that.”

________________________________________________________

The Louisiana Attorney General’s office is expected to announce its results in the  Alton Sterling investigation today. The state A-G’s office has investigated for nearly a year on whether two white Baton Rouge police officers should face charges in the 2016 shooting of Sterling, who is black. Loyola University Law Professor Dane Ciolino says it’s not known, if Landry presented evidence to a grand jury..

Cut 17 (10) “grand jury”

The US Justice Department announced last May the fatal shooting outside of the Triple S Food Mart in Baton Rouge did not violate Sterling’s civil rights. Ciolino says the state’s A-G office likely used information gathered by the feds and State Police

Cut 18 (11)  “self defense”

The shooting in the summer of 2016 sparked protests in Baton Rouge. Officers Blane Salamoni and Howie Lake II approached Sterling after receiving calls about a man with a gun. An altercation ensued and video shows Salamoni shooting Sterling. Ciolino says investigators have been looking at more than just the video

Cut 19 (10) “killing” 

The upper chamber is set to vote on a minimum wage increase today.

Raising wages was a campaign promise from Governor Edwards, and that’s why he’s backing the effort from New Orleans Senator Troy Carter to raise it to eight dollars 50 cents an hour by 2020.

A full time minimum wage worker makes 290 dollars a week, and Edwards says that’s just not enough these days to get by.

Cut 7 (07)  “of work”

The bill is receiving opposition from the National Federation of Small Businesses. State Director Dawn Starns says “If the state mandates an increase in the cost of labor, then employers are going to have to raise prices or try to get by with fewer workers.” But UNO Business Professor Mark Rosa doesn’t see the buck twenty five increase being particularly harmful to the state economy.

Cut 9 (07)  “of years.”

18 states are set to raise wages this year

A bill to allow bulletproof backpacks on school campuses passed the Senate Judiciary C. West Monroe Senator Mike Walsworth says it’s unfortunate that a step like this is needed to protect school students, but he would rather take preventative action, than rely on school resource officers and other law enforcement…

Cut 11 (06) “his job.”

Walsworth says parents and their children are rightly concerned for their safety. He says it’s up to legislators to do their part to make sure measures are in place, such as allowing bulletproof backpacks…

But Opponents on the bill spoke out, including East Baton Rouge Parish Attorney Dadrius Lanus, representing school students. He says the bill does not make common sense and it will put out the wrong message…

Cut 13 (09)  “to them?”