The state took steps to reduce Louisiana’s massive prison population last year and Jim Shannon reports there’s legislation in this session to lower the jail count even more…

Cut 1 (31) “I’m Jim Shannon”

______________________________________________

Louisiana is getting nearly 6 million dollars from the feds to buy new voting machines. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

_____________________________________________________

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 tried to shoot the unidentified sheriff’s deputy moments after he arrived on the scene…

Cut 3 (11) “left forearm.”

After calling for backup and medical personnel, Craft says both the deputy and Hinton were transported to a hospital…

Cut 4 (13) “followup surgery.”

Craft says the injuries the deputy sustained are non-life threatening.  He says domestic calls are the most dangerous calls deputies have to respond to and they are trained for to keep the situation from getting out of control…

Cut 5  (06) “fire immediately.”

The female who called in the incident was not injured.

_________________________________________________________

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

Cut 6 (10)  “justifiable shooting”

Mckneely says they are turning over their evidence to the District Attorney’s office, leaving open the possibility that the D-A could purse charges…

Cut 7 (11)  “entire incident”

________________________________________

A suspect has been arrested and charged with first degree murder in connection to a weekend shooting in Natchitoches. Police spokesperson Kelly Parks says 21-year-old Jaquarious Ardison of Campti shot Jamel Haskett after an argument at a Shop Right on Saturday night

Cut 8 (06) “Keyser Ave.”

Parks says the suspects exchanged fire in the parking lot, which led to Haskett being shot multiple times.

Cut 9 (08) “later died.”

Ardison turned himself in Sunday afternoon, and is being held in the Natchitoches Parish Detention Center.

__________________________________

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 we have a looming crisis with our decade old voting booths.

Cut 10 (12) “precarious position.”

Bids will begin for the new machines May 1^st.

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”

Louisiana has not been mentioned as a state whose voting machines or election system were compromised during the 2016 election, but Schedler says state agencies are routinely targeted by hackers, which is why we need the new rigs.

Cut 12 (10)   “is open”

Schedler is aiming to complete the replacement project by 2020.

_______________________________________________

Louisianans for Prison Alternatives is actively lobbying the legislature to not only maintain the 2017 justice reforms passed but to enact even more measures to reduce the prison population by 50-percent over the next 10 years. Colleen Gielskie (gel-skie) is a spokesperson with Louisiana prison alternatives.

Cut 13 (10) “new ones”

Louisiana for prison alternatives has four bills in this session aimed at reducing the prison population. Gielskie says the so-called three strike law and high mandatory-minimum sentences are largely to blame for such long prison sentences and they would like to change that in this session…

Cut 14 (11)   “offenses”

Work is underway on the elevated portion of Interstate 10 just west of Baton Rouge. Matt Doyle talked to DOTD for more.

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle.”

______________________________________

A bill that would prevent schools from taking school lunches away from students with unpaid lunch debt is moving to the House floor. Jeff Palermo has more.

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo.”

_______________________________________

The “Max Gruver Act” is set to be heard on the House floor today. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 3 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

____________________________________________

Work has begun on a major road and bridge renovation project on Interstate 10 from LA 347, the Atchafalaya Basin Bridge to LA 77 in Grosse Tete west of Baton Rouge. Construction will run day and night to have the project finished by June 2019. DOTD spokesperson Rodney Mallet says a lot of work needs to be done.

Cut 4  (11) “deck area.” 

The project will cost 18 million dollars. Mallet says years of wear and tear, as well as recent wrecks have damaged crucial pieces of the route.

Cut 5  (09)  “some rehab”

The most disruptive periods will occur at night, and some lane closures are expected later in the process. Mallet says you can sign up for closure updates online.

Cut 6 (09) “those notices”

_________________________________________________________

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 House 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 to afford the meals.

Cut 7 (08)  “a bill.”

Smith says the bill was inspired by heartbreaking stories from her constituent’s children.

Cut 8 (12)  “from them.”

Louisiana Association of Educators President Debbie Meaux came out in support of the bill. She says if students are hungry, they can’t learn.

Cut 9 (08)  “do something.”

But there are 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…

Cut 10 (10) “is free”

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

___________________________________________

Former LSU football head coach Les Miles is dipping his toes into the Louisiana film industry, looking to take his distinctive character to the silver screen. Patrick Mulhearn a Senior Director at Louisiana Economic Development says the transition from pigskin to productions should be smooth for the Mad Hatter.

Cut 11 (07) “a play”

Miles says he’s been enamored with films and TV since he was a child, and loves spending time on set. Mulhearn says being a team player will take him far in the business.

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”

______________________________________________

Shaquille O’Neil is offering a helping hand to the Lafayette High athletics program after the school reached out to him for fundraising help. Matt Doyle has more.

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

_____________________________________________________

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”

Easter weekend is the peak demand for crawfish eating. Lutz believes there’s enough mudbugs to go around…

Cut 4 (09) “we had”

Lutz says crawfish like to eat when the weather is warm, so the size of the mudbugs should be excellent too…..

Cut 5  (06) “out there”

_________________________________________________________

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 Lafayette Parish School System says to help the school meet their goal, they’ll match the first 21,000 dollars raised as part of the South Louisiana Giving Day Event. Mighty Lions head football coach Rob Pool says the donation will go a long ways towards fixing a crucial part of the athletics program.

Cut 7 (10)  “for it.”

Pool says the school reached out to Superman to help them promote the fundraiser, but everyone was floored when they saw how far he went to help out.

Cut 8 (08) “great day.”

______________________________________________________

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.”

After the Easter egg hunt, the children may want to eat those eggs. But Strain says it’s important to note how long they have been outside of a refrigerated environment…

Cut 10 (12) “food poisoning.”

He also says not to eat cracked eggs that are found before hard boiling. And how much money will you pay for those eggs? Strain says the price is up slightly higher than last year…

Cut 11 (09) “good value.”

__________________________________

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”

Mullens says they lobbied lawmakers to pass a resolution that recognizes the seriousness of the disease and provide support for caregivers. She says they estimate there are 232-thousand people in Louisiana who care for someone with Alzheimer’s

Cut 13 (11) “this disease”

A bill to establish one set of rules for ride sharing companies has come up in the legislature. If passed Uber and Lyft will be riding high. Jim Shannon explains.

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Jim Shannon”

______________________________________________

An 85,000 dollar settlement has been reached in a sexual harassment case against a former aide to Gov. John Bel Edwards.  Matt Doyle has more.

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

_____________________________________________________

Ride sharing companies like Uber and Lyft may soon be regulated by the state rather than parishes or cities in Louisiana. A bill to create statewide regulations over uber drivers has been introduced. Uber spokesperson Nick Juliano says we have been lagging behind other states when it comes to regulations.

Cut 3 (13) “differ.”

Currently individual parishes and cities control the Uber and Lyft rules. This puts control of the ride share companies under the blanket of the state.

Cut 4 (09) “of Louisiana.”

Juliano says individual cities will no longer have jurisdiction of the cars and trucks.

Cut 5  (07) “opt out.”

_________________________________________________________

Your child may ask for a rabbit as a pet for their very own Easter bunny. But it may not be the right fit for your family. Alicia Haefele-Vile with the Louisiana SPCA says a rabbit is like having a dog or cat, but with much more care…

Cut 6 (10)  “every day.”

Haefele-Vile says neutering or spaying is extremely important in care for your rabbit. Rabbits have a quick reproduction cycle, so if you don’t, you will have more rabbits than you can handle…

Cut 7 (12)  “local veterinarian.”

Shelters usually after a month or so after Easter see a rash of bunnies turned in. Haefele-Vile says if you find you can’t care for the rabbit, under no circumstances should you let the rabbit loose in the wild…

Cut 8 (10) “that rabbit.”

______________________________________________________

On an eight to six vote, The House Agriculture Committee approved a bill by Carencro Representative Julie Emerson repealing the requirement for a Louisiana florist to be licensed.  Louisiana is the only state that requires florists to take a written exam and be approved.  She says florists will still need a permit, but her bill eliminates a 40 question written test…

Cut 9 (09) “public health.”

Committee Chairman Clay Schexnayder of Gonzales is afraid if the requirement to license florists is done away with, it will be bad news for consumers…

Cut 10 (09) “back home.”

Ag Commissioner Mike Strain says 70-percent pass the florist’s exam on the initial try and those who take it a second time usually pass. Emerson says it’s time to take down the barriers keeping florists out of the marketplace…

Cut 11 (06) “giving oversight.”

__________________________________

71 people were arrested in a north Louisiana bust targeting prostitution and human trafficking. The sweep took place last week. Authorities have released the names, with ages ranging from 68 years-old to a juvenile. Shreveport Police Corporal Angie Willhite says the charges involve a wide range of criminal behavior.

Cut 12 (09)   “weapons arrest”

The operation, named “Slick John” arrested people from seven different states as far away as Nebraska. Willhite says the sting involved officers from the FBI, Caddo-Shreveport Narcotics Task Force, Louisiana ATC, and the Greenwood Police Department.

Cut 13 (06) “very succsessful”

Willhite says the bust was part of the ongoing effort to fight human trafficking in the Bayou State.

Cut 14 (11)   “those places”

A move to install camera’s in nursing homes cleared a House panel this morning. If approved by the entire legislature, you could check on your loved ones at any time. Jim Shannon has more.

Cut 1 (29 “I’m Jim Shannon”

______________________________________________

A House Committee has approved a bill that would increase fees for hunting and fishing licenses. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

_____________________________________________________

A tornado watch has been issued for much of north and central Louisiana until nine o’ clock tonight. A flash flood watch has also been issued for much of north and central Louisiana until tomorrow morning.  Shreveport National Weather Service forecaster Davyon Hill says several inches of rainfall are expected to fall…

Cut 3 (07) “Shreveport area.”

Forecaster Matthew Duplantis says there is a moderate risk of a severe weather outbreak…

Cut 4 (07) “to form.”

Duplantis says those living in areas where storms begin firing need to be alert…

Cut 5  (10) “and evening.”

_________________________________________________________

Despite opposition from nursing home owners, a proposal that would allow for surveillance cameras in nursing home rooms has cleared a House committee. New Orleans representative Helena Moreno says her bill would allow an extra set of eyes on a loved one who is in a nursing home….

Cut 6 (09)  “back home”

None of the nursing home owners spoke against the bill, but they put in “red cards” to announce their opposition. Moreno says the resident and if there’s a roommate would have to sign a waiver, before the cameras can be installed. She says the family would be responsible for the costs.

Cut 7 (08)  “nursing home”

Lucy Titus testified in favor of the legislation. She says her 92 year old mother mysteriously had a black eye when she went to visit her. She says had a camera been in the room, she would have known what happened.

Cut 8 (11) “in pain”

The bill now moves to the full house.

______________________________________________________

The House Natural Resources Committee approved a bill requested by the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries to increase the price of hunting licenses to 20 dollars and fishing licenses to $13.50. LDWF Secretary Jack Montoucet says the current fees do not pay for what the department needs going forward.

Cut 9 (10) “ground zero”

The bill is projected to generate an additional 10 million dollars annually.

LDWF is also looking to consolidate the total number of licenses from 117 to 30. Montoucet says this will streamline the process for sportsmen looking to take on the outdoors.

Cut 10 (08) “our constituents”

Erath Representative Blake Miguez opposed the price hike portion of the bill. He says people in his district are suffering from a lagging oil industry and don’t want to see prices go up on their favorite hobby. He proposed revisiting the legislation at a later date.

Cut 11 (10) “or two”

The bill passed 12-3, and moves to the House floor.

__________________________________

Legislation cleared the House Health and Welfare committee that would allow certain autism patients to have the ability to receive a prescription for medical marijuana once it comes available in Louisiana.  Louisiana Mothers Advocating for Medical Marijuana spokesperson Katelyn Castleberry says some of the current drugs on the market are unsafe for autism patients

Cut 12 (12)   “children alive”

The bill was approved on a 9-4 vote. The Louisiana Chapter of American Academy Pediatrics opposes the legislation. President and Doctor John Vanchiere says more testing needs to be done to see if medical marijuana is safe for children to use…

Cut 13 (09) “other medications”

The author of the bill is Harvey Representative Rodney Lyons. The Democrat from the New Orleans area says there are a lot of families struggling with an autism patient and medical marijuana could be their answer to a better life…

Cut 14 (05)   lot better”

Approved marijuana pharmacies are expected to open later this month. Under current law, only patients with cancer, AIDS, seizure disorders, Chron’s disease, muscular dystrophy and multiple sclerosis can be prescribed medical marijuana.

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 seeking to make major changes to TOPS is facing opposition from LSU students.  Jeff Palermo has more

Cut 2 (33) “I’m Jeff Palermo.”

_______________________________________

Minimum wage, equal pay for women, and pay secrecy laws were all struck down in the upper chamber last night. Matt Doyle has more.

Cut 3 (32) “I’m Matt Doyle”

____________________________________________

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.” 

Castleberry says even though marijuana has been used as a recreational drug for years, the medical benefits outweigh the stigma attached to it. Studies have shown that medical cannabis is quite effective for autism…

Cut 5  (10)  “to speak.”

A major difference between medical and recreational marijuana is the medicinal type don’t give patients a euphoric high. Castleberry says studies have found that medical cannabis could also help other medical conditions…

Cut 6 (11) “nervous system.”

Medical cannabis is expected to be available later this year for patients who have certain illnesses.

_________________________________________________________

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”

The current 72 hour delay is in place to dissuade impulsive marriage decisions that may seem like a good idea at the time, but quickly lose their appeal with a full night’s sleep and a splitting headache the next morning. Emerson says the one day wait should still prevent those awkward situations.

Cut 8 (09)  “can do.”

Emerson says Louisiana’s long wait time is a rarity in state marriage laws.

Cut 9 (10)  “effect Louisiana.”

_________________________________________

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.”

Campbell says reducing TOPS award amounts for some students is not the way to build a strong economy……

Cut 11 (08) “and TOPS.”

52-hundred students receive the TOPS award and Student Government President Stuart Locket says this legislation would hurt a large majority of LSU students…

Attorney General Jeff Landry will not prosecute two white Baton Rouge police officers in the 2016 shooting of Alton Sterling, a black man. Jeff Palermo has more..

Cut 1 (33) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

______________________________________________

The Baton Rouge Police Department is set to release additional evidence from the Alton Sterling shooting by the end of the week. Matt Doyle has more.

Cut 2 (29) “I’m Matt Doyle”

_____________________________________________________

A bill to allow the home delivery of factory sealed alcohol beverages to your front door has passed out of a Senate committee. Bill sponsor, Jennings Senator Blade Morrish says there are already several home delivery companies such as Waitr, operating in larger cities. He says alcohol delivery would fit in well…

Cut 3 (08) “do that.”

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 legislation contains restrictions, such as who can deliver it and who can order it. Morrish says the law could be adjusted under the oversight of the state office of Alcohol and Tobacco Control…

Cut 5  (12) “takes place.”

_________________________________________________________

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

Cut 6 (11)  “probable cause”

Officers Blane Salamoni and Howie Lake were the called to the scene after receiving reports of a man with a gun. Landry says the justifiable shooting of Sterling came after the 37-year-old failed to cooperate with the police and the encounter happened very quickly…

Cut 7 (09)  “was resisting”

Landry says after the shooting, officers pulled a gun from Sterling’s pocket. He says toxicology reports from the autopsy also showed Sterling was under the influence of illegal drugs, which contributed to his non compliance…

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 and they anticipate the truth will come out

Cut 10 (07) “Baton Rouge, Louisiana”

____________________________________

Attorney General Jeff Landry’s decision not to charge the two officers who shot Alton Sterling is not the end of the case. The Baton Rouge Police Department will review the incident, and is expected to make a decision on the employment status of Officers Salamoni and Lake by the end of the week. Chief Murphy Paul says the public will have access to much of the same material as investigators.

Cut 11 (12) “the public.”

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”

______________________________________________________

Attorney John McLindon represents Officer Salamoni and he says they are not surprised by today’s announcement from Attorney General Jeff Landry…

Cut 13 (10) “in order.”

McLindon says the evidence is clear that this was a justifiable shooting, but no one feels good about what happened…

Cut 14 (07) “he did”

_________________________________________________________

Sterling’s aunt, Velda Washington, sees the shooting differently than the A-G’s office…

Cut 15 (13) “nothing wrong”

The Sterling family was notified of the A-G’s decision before Landry told the public charges against the officers will not be pursued. Washington says racism played a role in the outcome…

Cut 16  (09)  nobody”

Two people died early this morning when a juvenile got behind the wheel of a car and ran head first into them. Jim Shannon has more.

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Jim Shannon”

______________________________________________

Louisiana’s unemployment rate for February was 4.5 percent, an over-the-year decline of over one-percent. Jeff Palermo has more…

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

_____________________________________________________

Two people are dead after being hit while riding a motorcycle at two o’clock this morning. The accident occurred when a 14-year-old juvenile was driving a vehicle in the wrong lane on La 74 in Ascension Parish. Louisiana State Police Trooper Bryan Lee….

Cut 3 (11) “dusty duet”

Lee says the  investigation is on-going and law enforcement is meeting with legal experts to determine which path to take on this horrific crash.

Cut 4 (:08) “a cause”

The juvenile is facing charges in the matter. He was moderately injured and taken to a local hospital. Alcohol is not suspected in the wreck. Lee says the wreck was just awful.

Cut 5  (06) “head on”.

_________________________________________________________

Louisiana motorists have seen a seven-cent increase in gasoline prices over the last week. Triple A’s fuel analyst Don Redman says the average price for regular gasoline is $2.39 a gallon. Redman says we usually see prices go up at this time of the year, plus supplies are down…

Cut 6 (11)  “by OPEC.”

Redman says prices will continue to increase as we get closer to the summer driving season…

Cut 7 (07)  “a gallon.”

Prices for the first quarter of the year have been on a seesaw, up one week, down the next. Redman says unfortunately, it appears prices will be on a steady climb. He says budget accordingly…

Cut 8 (05) “last year.”

______________________________________________________

Louisiana’s February unemployment rate of 4.5 percent is down over a full percentage point from a year ago. Louisiana Workforce Commission Executive Director Ava Dejoie says a good economy is driving much of the job increases Louisiana is enjoying.

Cut 9 (12) “going up.”

She credits an increase in workforce training as one reason unemployment is going south.

Cut 10 (08) “their workforce.”

Health care is where most of the new jobs came from last month due in part to Medicaid expansion.

Cut 11 (08) “added 200.”

__________________________________________________

For the second time in five months, a winning Powerball jackpot ticket was purchased in Louisiana. The 55-million-dollar winning ticket from Saturday’s drawing was sold at Tigers Touch Down 2 in Lafayette.  Louisiana Lottery spokesperson Kimberly Chopin says Louisiana Powerball players are on a hot streak, but the Bayou State hasn’t had that many winners over the last 23 years…

Cut 12 (08)   “jackpot winners.”

Chopin says they don’t know who the winner is, but they are anxious to find out…

Cut 13 (10) “in order.”

Since the prize is so large, it will have to be picked up at the Lottery headquarters in Baton Rouge. Chopin says the winner has a couple of options to decide on…

Cut 14 (10) “million-dollars.”

The winning numbers were 10-33-45-53 and 56.  The convenience store will get a 25-thousand-dollar cash prize as a result of selling the winning ticket.

____________________________

New Orleans is now home to the state’s first ever milk bank, and only the 24^th milk bank nationwide. Matt Doyle has more.

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

______________________________________

A memorial service was held Saturday for the slaves whose burial plots were discovered on Shell property in Ascension Parish. Jeff Palermo has more.

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo.”

_______________________________________

Eight Louisiana communities are officially Louisiana Retirement Certified Areas. Kelley Ray has more on what that means.

Cut 3 (31) “I’m Kelley Ray”

____________________________________________

Oschner Baptist in New Orleans is now home to Mother’s Milk Bank, the state’s first ever such facility. The bank allows mothers to donate milk that will be used to help premature babies grow through a turbulent first period of their life. Neonatal Intensive Care Director Harley Ginsberg says premature babies especially need the vital nutrients that you just can’t find in formula.

Cut 4  (10) “baby.” 

The process for opening the facility took three and a half years to complete.

Just because the milk bank is located in New Orleans, doesn’t mean it won’t benefit the rest of the state. Ginsberg says the milk is collected, pasteurized, and stored until it’s needed.

Cut 5  (12)  “frozen milk”

Ginsberg says donors will be questioned, much like blood donors, to make sure only clean, healthy milk makes it into the storage. Once you’re clear, he says the process should take about 12 minutes to complete.

Cut 6 (11) “human milk.”

The Mother’s Milk Bank is a non-for-profit initiative.

_________________________________________________________

Eight Louisiana communities are officially Louisiana Retirement Certified Areas. Lafayette, Lake Charles, Natchitoches, Ruston, Toledo Bend, Shreveport-Bossier City, Homua and Thibodaux are included. Lincoln, Sabine and Terrebonne Parishes are also listed. Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says the communities were selected for their quality of life for retiring seniors…

Cut 7 (11)  “and festivals.”

Nungesser says there are about 76 million baby boomers that are nearing retirement and competition is tough. Nungesser says our state’s mild weather, makes it the perfect place to link more communities with bike trails…

Cut 8 (12)  “retirement communities.”

Nungesser says he is intending to file a bill in which a specific scratch off lottery ticket would be used to raise money to be used toward retirees and the improvement of communities…

Cut 9 (11)  “those people.”

More information about these retirement communities can be found at LouisianaTravel-dot-com.

________________________________________________________

A memorial service was held over the weekend near Donaldsonville for the 1,000 slaves whose unmarked graves were discovered on Shell property in 2013. Cofounder of the River Road African American Museum Darryl Hambrick says the ceremony paid respects to those whose freedom to choose their final rights was stolen.

Cut 10 (10) “was done”

The graves date back into the 1800s, but had gone undiscovered for hundreds of years until Shell surveyed the land as part of a planned expansion, and found two mass burial sites. Hambrick says the location was forgotten over time, and eventually built over.

Cut 11 (09) “for years”

Hambrick says he wants people to think about what these graves represent, and about the lives of those who were forced to work one of the nearly 100 plantations that were in operation around Ascension Parish.

You could be fined up to 900-dollars if you illegally transport feral swine. Don Molino has more.

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Don Malino”

___________________________________________________

The second LSU Manship School Public Policy Lab report is out, showing light consensus on how to fix the fiscal cliff. Matt Doyle has more.

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

_____________________________________________________

The legislature is looking at a way to spank the wild swine in the state. Feral hogs are a menace for landowners in all 64 parishes and a House committee has moved legislation to fine people up to 900-dollars who illegally transport the hogs. River Ridge Representative Kirk Talbot explained why this legislation is needed..

Cut 3 (11) “so quickly”

Talbot says the wild pig population has reached over 700-thousand and they are very destructive.

Cut 4 (11) “become epidemic”

State Veterinarian Jim LaCour says the feral hogs have infested every parish and by stopping the transportation of the hogs, it will slow the reproduction rates.

Cut 5  (13) “those properties”.

The state allows hunting feral hogs year round. Talbot, says people are trapping wild hogs, keeping them alive and then releasing them in a different location.

_________________________________________________

Governor John Bel Edwards says he does not like the idea of arming teachers in the classroom. Edwards says he’s speaking with the Louisiana Sheriff’s Association and State Police Colonel Kevin Reeves on a comprehensive school safety program…

Cut 6 (09)  “properly trained”

There are several bills filed by Republican lawmakers seeking to allow teachers and other school officials carry concealed handguns.There are also many proposals in this regular session that call for a constitutional convention. Edwards prefers a study group be formed first, so a consensus can be built on what areas of the constitution should be changed.

Cut 7 (07)  “be everything”

There are also bills filed in this regular session that seek to change the criminal justice reform package approved last year. The governor says he’s fine with small changes, but not a large overhaul on the legislation designed to lower the state’s incarceration rate and put more money towards offender rehabilitation programs

Cut 8 (12) “able to make”

________________________________________________________

An unrestrained Jonesville teenager was killed and two other teens moderately injured in a single vehicle wreck in Catahoula Parish. Master State Police Trooper Scott Moreau says investigators believe the car 18-year-old Delicia (Da-leash-she-a) Ceasor was riding in was traveling at a high rate of speed…

Cut 9 (10) “it’s roof.”

Ceasor was pronounced dead. Moreau says they are not sure if she was the driver…

Cut 10 (06) “and ongoing.”

This is the sixth fatality in Troop E in 2018.

______________________________________

The second report from the Louisiana Survey finds that most state residents believe state spending can be cut without reducing services. The questions were focused on how to address the billion dollar budget gap the state will face come July. But LSU Public Policy Lab Director Michael Henderson says like many legislators, the public isn’t exactly sure where those cuts should come from.

Cut 11 (11) “think so.”

The only slam dunk in the survey? 87 percent of Louisianans agree, we do in fact have a budget problem.

There was some consensus on tax issues. The results show voters are not fans of raising, or even maintaining the current state sales tax rate of 5 percent, but Henderson says they are willing to entertain the idea of income tax reforms.

Cut 12 (09)   “deductions”

There’s a few constitutional convention bills floating around the legislature, but Henderson says there isn’t clear support for a constitutional rewrite that would remove spending protections for certain agencies and programs. Even amongst those who like the idea, once you dig down into the details, support tapers off.

Cut 13 (08) “of those”

__________________________________________________

Funeral services for Saints and Pelicans owner Tom Benson, who died last week at the age of 90, occurred today with hundreds of people in attendance at a St. Louis Cathedral  in the French Quarter. Archbishop Gregory Aymond officiated the Mass and spoke about how Benson grew up poor but worked hard to become a very successful businessman

Cut 14 (13) “generoristy”

Aymond joked that the road Tom Benson Way in front of the Saints and Pelicans team headquarters was a one-way street. Many credit Benson for keeping pro football in New Orleans when he bought the Saints in 1985. Aymond says Benson was a New Orleans Saint on earth and deserves similar status in heaven…

Cut 15 (12) “go marching in”

Members of the Saints and Pelicans were in attendance and so were the league commissioners of those two sports. Former Governor Bobby Jindal and current Governor John Bel Edwards were also on hand. Aymond says Benson will live forever in the hearts of those who knew him…

Cut 16  (10)  “alive”