A state lawmaker wants the public to decide whether speed enforcement cameras should be legal. Halen Doughty has more…

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Halen Doughty”

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The rising popularity of essential oils for massaging, air fresheners and medicinal purposes is posing a greater risk to children. Emelie Gunn has more on why…

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

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You can now donate household items to flood victims through the new online donation campaign CrowdRelief. Jeff Palermo has more…

Cut 3 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

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Speed enforcement cameras would be taken down around the state, under a proposal to be discussed in the regular session. Covington Representative Paul Hollis says these cameras deny people their constitutional right to confront their accuser. He says he’s uncomfortable turning the duties of police over to robots and cameras.

Cut 4  (11) “your mailbox”

Hollis says only a few cities in the state even allow these devices, which means a majority of municipalities have decided against these money grabs. But he says Louisianans are travelers, so many will be subject to tickets if they pass through a city that uses the cameras.

Cut 5  (09)  “the constitution”

Hollis says many times drivers aren’t even aware the cameras are there, they just get a ticket in the mail. The proposed constitutional amendment will need a two-thirds vote approval by the legislature and then go on the ballot for the public to decide. He’s confident that if given the chance, voters will reject using speed enforcement cameras.

Cut 6 (08) “uncomfortable”

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The popularity of essential oils are on the rise for massages and air fresheners, but they also poses a greater risk to children. Louisiana Poison Center Managing Director Dr. Mark Ryan says more and more children are accidentally ingesting these oils which can lead to seizures or liver damage. He says it’s easy for kids to get into air fresheners.

Cut 7 (11)  “their mouth”

Poison control centers saw an uptick in calls reporting children ingesting essential oils. Ryan says the majority of cases reported were very minor. He reminds parents to be mindful of where they place these oils.

Cut 8 (06) “and away”

Ryan advises parents to call the poison control system if they suspect their child has gotten into essential oils. He says the symptoms of ingestion of many oils are the same…

Cut 9 (10)  “nasty outcome”

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The online donation campaign CrowdRelief is working to replace items families lost in the floods. Founder Rob Gaudet says all the household items that were piled up on the side of the road after the flood need to be replaced. He says flood victims can fill out a survey online, and then a CrowdRelief volunteer will meet with them to hear their story and take pictures of their rebuilding.

Cut 10 (09) “their help”

Once approved, the site lists specific items that flood victims need replaced next to the story of the family seeking help. Gaudet says donors can visit the site and find a family they connect with. He says they can then donate specific items they need.

Cut 11 (10) “disaster recovery”

Gaudet says over 120 flood victims have already completed the initial surveys, and they’ve raised over $1,500 for the first two families who are on the website. He says the call center based in Lafayette, and the whole organization, is operated by volunteers. He says the campaign is changing the lives of both flood victims and volunteers.

Cut 12 (08) “they are”

To donate or apply for assistance, visit CrowdRelief.net.

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A measure in the Governor’s proposed criminal justice package for the regular session seeks to improve police training. Baton Rouge Representative Ted James authors a bill that strengthens requirements for the Council on Peace Officer Standards and Training, or POST. James says this bill requires all officers to complete 400 hours of this training, with an additional 20 hours annually.

Cut 13 (10) “developmental disabilities”

James says after the fatal police shooting of Alton Sterling last summer, lawmakers have worked with police to discuss how everyone can do better. He says this is all about making sure police officers go home, and the people they encounter go home, which is why de-escalation tactics are a key part of the training.

Cut 14 (09) “last year”

James is optimistic this modernized training can help ease tensions and build trust between law enforcement and the public. He says there’s also a provision to revoke an officer’s training certification after certain disciplinary actions. He says this will prevent those officers from moving to other agencies.

Cut 15 (08) “certain agencies”

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A cruel April Fool’s joke was played on the LSU baseball team on Saturday. Up 3-0 in the 9th inning,  pitcher Caleb Gilbert and the Tigers gave up 4 runs and ended up losing to Texas A&M 4-3 and lose the series to the Aggies. Coach Paul Mainieri says the defeat was a hard punch to the stomach…

Cut 16 (11) “good team”

Mainieri on what he told the team after the loss…

Cut 17 (13)  “can do”

The loss drops LSU’s record to 5-4 in the SEC. Senior shortstop Kramer Robertson described the loss as shocking…

Cut 18 (19)      hurts a lot“

The “I Voted” George Rodrigue Blue Dog sticker was one incredible investment in outreach, according to Secretary of State Tom Scheder. Jeff Palermo reports…:

Cut 1 (29) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

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Legislation for the upcoming session has been filed that would give convicted felons who have been out of prison for five years the right to vote. Emelie Gunn has more…

Cut 2 (27) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

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A criminal justice package for the regular session has been released by Governor John Bel Edwards. Halen Doughty has more on the proposals…

Cut 3 (30) “I’m Halen Doughty”

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Secretary of State Tom Schedler told a House panel this week that the popular “I Voted” George Rodrigue Blue Dog sticker is one of the best investments his department has made. This was the reward citizens received for casting a ballot in the 2016 fall elections. Schedler said he had to make sure EVERYONE who voted got the precious sticker…:

Cut 4  (10) “sticker”

Schedler says his office received calls from people outside of the country wanting to know if they could have one, but they were only for Louisiana voters. He says when they made the announcement about the “Blue Dog for President” campaign, lawmakers called asking how much taxpayers were dishing out for the stickers…:

Cut 5  (11)  “I’ve been there”

Schedler says the Rodrigue family charged the state nothing for their part in the stickers. He said it was amazing to see how people would re-purpose the Blue Dog to brag that they had voted…:

Cut 6 (06) “laptops”

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A measure has been filed for the legislative session that would give convicted felons, who are on parole and have been out of jail for at least five years, the right to vote. Baton Rouge Representative Patricia Smith says many of these individuals have been out of jail for over 20 years…

Cut 7 (07)  “is vote”

Currently, anyone convicted of a felony cannot vote in Louisiana because the law considers anyone on parole imprisoned. The Democrat from Baton Rouge offered similar legislation last year and it was killed on the House floor. The difference with this bill, felons would not be able to vote until they are out of jail for five years. Smith says these individuals are still citizens and if allowed to vote, could choose their elected officials and contribute to society.

Cut 8 (08) “of life”

Smith says taking away privileges for people who committed crimes solves nothing and only makes them still feel like prisoners. She says some states allow convicted felons the right to vote immediately after being released from jail.

Cut 9 (09)  “to vote”

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Louisiana drivers are the second worst in the nation for cell phone usage while driving, according to a report from Life360. Co-founder Alex Haro says a feature in their family location app allows users to see how their family drives using the sensors on their phone. He says Louisianans use their phones an average of 2.4 times every time they get behind the wheel.

Cut 10 (09) “national average”

Haro says there are over 3,000 deaths nationwide every year due to distracted driving. He says some people say they only text at red lights, but he insists that’s not safe either. He says the National Safety Council found divers are still distracted up to 30 seconds after using their phones.

Cut 11 (11) “that happen”

Haro hopes this report will get more families to discuss the dangers of using cell phones while driving. He says over 58 percent of their users are using the phone less while driving. He hopes this report shows drivers that using your phone can wait.

Cut 12 (09) “they’ll understand”

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The Governor has released his comprehensive criminal justice legislative package that lawmakers will debate in the regular session that begins April 10. Metairie Senator Danny Martiny will attempt to push several of the proposals through the legislature. Martiny says in an effort to lower the state’s massive prison population they’ll seek to expand alternatives to incarceration.

Cut 13 (07) “their incarceration”

Louisiana is known as the incarceration capital of the world, and Governor Edwards has said with that comes a significant price tag. Martiny says one of the measures he’ll attempt to pass will expand incentives for inmates to participate in recidivism reducing programs, like drug and psychiatric treatment.

Cut 14 (10) “out bad people”

Martiny says habitual offender laws keep people in jail for the rest of their lives if they commit three violent crimes. But by classifying more and more offenses as violent crimes, he says we’re putting more people than necessary behind bars forever. He says streamlining parole eligibility for some of the lesser offenses could help reduce the incarceration rate.

Cut 15 (10) “not be affected” 2x

Three death row inmates at Angola have filed a lawsuit after being held in solitary confinement for decades. I’m Jeff Palermo…

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

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According to the 2017 Louisiana Survey, optimism in the future of the state is on the rise. Emelie Gunn has more…

Cut 2 (29) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

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A lawsuit has been filed on behalf of three death row inmates who have spent decades in solitary confinement at Angola. All of Louisiana’s death row inmates are housed in solitary, where they spend 23 hours a day in a windowless cell without air conditioning. Attorney Betsy Ginsberg says this amounts to cruel and unusual punishment.

Cut 3 (10) “solitary confinement”

Ginsberg notes the inmates are in solitary by virtue of their sentence alone, not disciplinary problems. Plaintiffs Marcus Hamilton, Winthrop Eaton, and Michael Perry have all spent more than 25 years in solitary confinement. She says living in isolation for this long takes a serious toll on the inmates’ physical and mental health.

Cut 4  (08) “they experience”

Ginsberg says the United Nations has said that anything more than 15 days in solitary constitutes a form of torture.  She understands that offenders lose certain rights when they commit violent crimes, but there has to be a limit as to what the system can do to inmates.

Cut 5  (11)  “they are”

The Department of Corrections has not issued a comment on the suit.

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For the first time since 2012, more people in Louisiana are optimistic about the future of the state, according to the 2017 Louisiana Survey. Director of the LSU Public Policy Research Lab Michael Henderson says 46-percent of residents believe the state is headed in the right direction. Henderson credits this to the evolving political landscape.

Cut 6 (08) “this year”

Henderson says despite a better sense of optimism in the state, Louisiana residents still have a lot of concerns and the number one concern is the state’s budget problems.

Cut 7 (10)  “of those”

But 40-percent of the respondents say they are confident state government can effectively address the state’s important problems. That’s a six percent increase from the year before. Henderson says usually residents are more pessimistic about the ability of our elected officials.

Cut 8 (10) “increase”

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Legislation has been filed that would require TOPS recipients who leave Louisiana after graduating to pay 50-percent of their scholarship back to the state over time. Alexandria Senator Jay Luneau says the goal of his bill is to keep the best and brightest in the Bayou State.

Cut 9 (10)  “citizens”

Luneau says this would be much like paying back an interest free student loan. He says students would be required to follow through with a contractual agreement, ensuring they will pay back the money if they leave the state.

Cut 10 (09) “of documents”

The bill does include circumstances where if a recipient does leave the state for special reasons, they will not be required to pay the 50-percent back, like if they enter into the military. Luneau hopes this encourages students to stay and work in Louisiana but also saves the state money if they decide to move to another state.

Cut 11 (07) “four years”

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Louisiana has the worst financial literacy in the nation, according to the personal finance website WalletHub. Analyst Jill Gonzales says the median credit score in the state is 654, which is verging on bad credit. She says only 28 percent of residents are setting aside money for their children’s education, and less half have a rainy day fund.

Cut 12 (11) “emergency funds”

Gonzales says Louisiana has the highest unbanked rate in the country, meaning 15 percent of residents do not have a bank account at all. She says that means people aren’t earning interest on any cash they may be putting back, and they’re borrowing from nonbank lenders like payday loans. She adds Louisianans are not being responsible with credit cards either.

Cut 13 (09) “sooner”

Gonzales says this can stretch your interest out for years to come. The report finds only 2 percent of households attended a financial literacy class or counseling session in the past year. She says Louisiana residents also have a bad habit of spending more money than they make.

Cut 14 (10) “the minimum”

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Poor quality roads are costing Louisiana motorists an additional $6.5 billion annually, according to a report from the national transportation research group TRIP. Halen Doughty has more…

Cut 1 (29) “I’m Halen Doughty”

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Governor Edwards has released his legislative package designed to improve public education. Michelle Southern has details on some of the proposals…:

Cut 2 (28) “I’m Michelle Southern”

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Louisiana State Police is investigating the death of a 3-year-old who was found dead in her mother’s car outside of a nursing home in Ville Platte. Trooper Brooks David says authorities are working to determine a timeline of how long the toddler was in the car.

Cut 3 (08) “coroner’s office”

David says the identity of the child has not been released. He says they are still investigating why the child was left alone in the vehicle.

Cut 4  (04) “visiting there”

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A report from the national transportation research group TRIP finds Louisiana drivers are paying an additional $6.5 billion annually because of poor transportation infrastructure. Research and Policy Manger Rocky Moretti says deteriorating roads, congestion, and lack of safety features are leading to increased costs for motorists.

Cut 5  (11)  “traffic crashes”

Moretti says Louisiana has the 7^th highest rate of traffic fatalities in the country. The report finds traffic accidents claimed the lives of more than 35-hundred between 2011 and 2015. He says adding roadway safety features could greatly reduce that rate.

Cut 6 (11) “fatal traffic crashes”

Moretti says the absence of these features may not cause accidents, but it can contribute to the seriousness of them. TRIP finds 13 percent of the state’s bridges are structurally deficient, and 26 percent of major roads are in poor condition. He says Louisiana didn’t get into this problem overnight, and it can’t be resolved overnight either.

Cut 7 (09)  “roadway safety”

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As part of Governor John Bel Edwards’ plan to improve K-12 education outcomes, a measure has been filed for the legislative session that would prohibit the use of corporal punishment in public schools for students with disabilities. Baton Rouge Representative Franklin Foil says his legislation would prohibit physical punishment for kids with intellectual disabilities.

Cut 8 (10) “certain disabilities”

Foil says he was surprised that this was even an option in place for students with disabilities. He says corporal punishment varies from school system to school system but physical punishment should never be the answer for students with a mental handicap.

Cut 9 (10)  “vulnerable”

The state Department of Education found over 500 students with disabilities received some kind of corporal punishment during the 2015-2016 school year. Foil says his measure would only apply to students with disabilities.

Cut 10 (09) “to do”

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Governor John Bel Edwards laid out his plan today for a new tax structure in Louisiana. It calls for lower sales taxes, but more services would be subject to a sales tax and there would be adjustments to the income tax bracket, which he says would benefit a majority of residents….

Cut 11 (13) “federal income taxes”

While many citizens would see a tax cut under this plan, many businesses would be hit with what would be called a Commercial Activity Tax, which would raise nearly a billion dollars a year. Edwards says there are many companies who are not paying their fair share of taxes….

Cut 12 (12) “state income taxes”

Edwards and his team have spent weeks working on this tax proposal. The governor believes it’s the best way to to stabilize the state’s budget, while allowing Louisiana to adequately pay for its critical priorities. He looks forward to working with state lawmakers in getting it approved…

Cut 13 (12) “currently on”

Legislation has been filed for the upcoming session that would up the cigarette tax by 22-cents to $1.30 a pack. Emelie Gunn has more….

Cut 1 (31) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

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The state conducted an audit finding Louisiana’s drinking water systems aren’t producing enough revenue to keep up with the infrastructure leading to poor drinking water. Michelle Southern has more…

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Michelle Southern”

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A plan to provide all Louisiana school districts with high speed internet has been scrapped. Executive Director of the Louisiana School Boards Association, Scott Richard says districts were given a short time period to commit to a plan with very little information from the Board of Regents. He says every school district wants to have high speed internet access, but funding uncertainties caused many to be hesitant.

Cut 3 (10) “this endeavor”

Only 11 out of 69 districts signed up for the program by the deadline last week. Richard says in the initial documents, it appeared the service would be available to school districts at no cost, but they would enter into a partnership with the Board of Regents. He says the documents didn’t clearly explain the details of that agreement.

Cut 4  (08) “already receive”

Richard says they believe local districts will have an opportunity to pursue this going forward. But he says there’s also uncertainty at the federal level with the new administration. He says proposed cuts to funding streams for internet in rural areas are raising some concern.

Cut 5  (07)  “been proposed”

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A measure has been filed for the upcoming legislative session that would increase cigarette taxes by 22-cents. Currently, the tax on a pack of cigarettes is $1.08 and the proposal would up that to $1.30 a pack. Author of the legislation, West Monroe Representative Frank Hoffman, says this increase would generate more revenue for the state and lead to a healthier Louisiana.

Cut 6 (06) “makes sense”

Since 2015, the legislature has increased the tax on a pack of cigarettes by 72-cents.  Hoffman says the money generated from the 22-cent increase would go into the general fund.

Cut 7 (09)  “cigarette world”

Louisiana’s cigarette tax ranks 36^th in the country for highest in the country. Hoffman hopes the bill will receive enough votes to pass and expects positive results because there has been success with similar measures in the past.

Cut 8 (08) “with that”

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The state conducted an audit looking at water rates in Louisiana and found the rates many rural communities are paying, don’t produce enough revenue to keep up with the water system, leading to poor drinking water quality. State Health Officer Dr. Jimmy Guidry says big cities have a better quality of water because of number of people paying, but poor communities like, St. Joseph, have failing systems.

Cut 9 (10)  “be replaced”

The EPA finds Louisiana water systems would need to spend 5.3 billion dollars on drinking water infrastructure over the next 20 years. Guidry says with the state’s budget problems, it’s hard to prioritize where drinking water fits in. He says many people don’t want to pay more to fix the problem.

Cut 10 (08) “too high”

The American Society of Civil Engineers rated the Bayou State’s drinking water infrastructure a D-plus. The state audit found that 41-percent of local water systems tested had expenses that exceed revenue. Guidry says if you don’t keep up with an aging system, the repair costs continue to rise. He hopes this audit makes residents and elected officials realize drinking water is a key part of our heath.

Cut 11 (09) “the tap”

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A bill filed for the regular session seeks to protect Louisiana’s military monuments, including controversial confederate statues. Shreveport Representative Thomas Carmody authored the legislation that would prohibit government from removing, relocating, or destroying a memorial that commemorates wars in US history. He says there’s also a provision to make sure the monuments can be maintained.

Cut 12 (07) “tended to”

Carmody says he represents many military veterans and since Louisiana has always been known for its support of military personnel, he wants to demonstrate that commitment through this legislation.

Cut 13 (11) “our behalf”

New Orleans is seeking to remove  Confederate monuments to be removed by mid-May. Carmody says the bill would protect any monument in Louisiana related to military actions of the United States. He says we should honor those who fought for our country and protect the monuments that commemorate their service.

Cut 14 (09) “our military”

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Fans are giving Southeastern University’s mascot Roomie a makeover, as voting is open for the lion’s new look. Erin Cowser with SLU says Roomie’s current costume is a little over 7 years old, and the average lifespan of a mascot’s look is 6 to 10 years. She says they’ve learned when giving a mascot a makeover, it’s important not to totally change up the look.

Cut 15 (07) “a pushover”

Cowser She says the plan is to have the new mascot ready to go for football season. She says the designs for the lion mascot are on the university’s website where students, faculty, and fans can cast their votes. She notes that these are just initial sketches, as one design shows Roomie without any clothes.

Cut 16  (07)  “go commando”

Voting will be open through April 4 at Southeastern.edu/RoomieMakeover.

A survey from the Department of Education finds most Louisiana families are satisfied with their early childhood provider. Jeff Palermo has more…

Cut 1 (28) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

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TOPS would be fully funded by using revenues from riverboat gambling, under a proposal to be taken up in the upcoming regular session. Halen Doughty has more…

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Halen Doughty”

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An LSU survey finds voters do not support reducing the amount of the TOPS award as a way to save money. Don Molino has more…

Cut 3 (25) “I’m Don Molino”

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Most families are satisfied with their child’s early childhood provider. That’s according to a recent survey from the Department of Education, which finds 90 percent of respondents are likely to choose their program again. Assistant Superintendent of Early Childhood, Jenna Conway says families also say they are befitting from changes making more families eligible for childcare assistance and simplifying the enrollment process.

Cut 4  (09) “process locally”

Survey respondents say they are finding it easier to apply and access early childhood. While 88 percent say they are satisfied with the quality of their child’s program, Conway says four out of ten families note they are not sure if their child is making progress, or whether they are learning the necessary skills to prepare them for kindergarten.

Cut 5  (10)  “quality benchmarks”

Conway says the results of this study can be used to improve DOE’s early childhood program. She says the first step is identifying the challenges they face. She says local communities are leading the way in figuring out ways to engage families in the learning process.

Cut 6 (10) “that work”

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A bill filed for the regular session seeks to fully fund TOPS by using a portion of riverboat gaming revenue. For the first time ever, the popular taxpayer funded scholarship didn’t cover all of a student’s tuition costs this year. Baton Rouge Representative Franklin Foil says he wants to make sure the program isn’t underfunded in the future.

Cut 7 (08)  “a year”

Foil says currently over 75 percent of riverboat gaming funds go to the state general fund. He says less than 25 percent of the funds are going to education. But he says the whole purpose of those funds is supposed to be funding education.

Cut 8 (11) “for that purpose”

Foil says the governor’s proposed budget for next fiscal year only funds TOPS at 70 percent. The Republican legislator says if his bill passes, TOPS would have to be fully funded, before riverboat gaming revenues can be used on other items in budget…

Cut 9 (09)  “off the top”

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Most Louisianans oppose reducing the amount of the TOPS scholarship award to cut costs, according to a recent survey from LSU. State leaders have proposed several means of making TOPS more affordable, including limiting the amount each student receives. Michael Henderson with the LSU Public Policy Research Lab says 64 percent of respondents are not in favor of that method.

Cut 10 (05) “fan of that”

TOPS is only funded at 70 percent under the governor’s budget proposal for next fiscal year. That means lawmakers will have to find a way to fund the $300 million program, or nearly 50-thousand college students will foot part of the bill for their tuition. Henderson says the public is interested in other ways to reduce TOPS spending.

Cut 11 (08) “for that”

The survey found 60 percent of respondents support raising the academic requirements for the scholarship, which are currently a 2.5 GPA and a 20 on the ACT. Henderson says while 52 percent of voters do not support limiting the program to only low income families, 56 percent would take TOPS eligibility away from families on the upper end of the income bracket.

Cut 12 (08) “for that”

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Louisiana’s revised coastal restoration masterplan will be taken up by lawmakers in the regular session, as part of the governor’s legislative package to protect and restore the state’s coast. The bill contains 120 projects to be completed in the next five years that will maintain over 800 square miles of coastal land. Jennings Senator Blade Morrish co-authored the legislation.

Cut 13 (07) “can afford”

Morrish says this living document is updated every year, so projects can be moved around depending on funding. Thirty projects are scheduled to begin or continue construction in the next fiscal year. The masterplan allocates $50 billion over 50 years, and Morrish says some state dollars are used, but most of the funding comes from outside sources.

Cut 14 (09) “settlement money”

Nearly $18 billion will go toward marsh creation, $5 billion is set aside for sediment diversion, and $19 billion will be used for hurricane protection. Morrish says the projects are fairly evenly divided between protection and restoration.

Cut 15 (09) “Louisiana coast”

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Sixth ranked LSU will host instate rival Tulane tonight at the Box as the Tigers begin a five-game homestand. The Bayou Bengals are coming off a 10-6 victory over Florida. They trailed 5-0 in that contest. Coach Paul Mainieri says a win like that can mean a lot during a long season…

Cut 16 (11) “for our team”

LSU is 18-7 on the season and they are coming off a week in which they split four games. Mainieri says he’s seeing improvement out of his bullpen…

Cut 17 (20)  “our bullpen”

The Green Wave won two games over the igers last season, winning seven to one in Baton Rouge and four to one in New Orleans. Mainieri says everytime they play Tulane it’s a spirited game…

Cut 18 (15)      “…of the game“

A nationwide shortage of doctors means seeing your regular physician could become more difficult in the coming years. Halen Doughty has more…

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Halen Doughty”

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State Police investigated 10 fatal crashes resulting in the deaths of 15 people since Friday. Michelle Southern reports on the tragic weekend:

Cut 2 (29) “I’m Michelle Southern”

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Seeing a doctor could become more difficult in years to come, as a nationwide shortage of doctors is expected to impact Louisiana. The Association of American Medical Colleges predicts we could see 88-thousand fewer doctors by 2025. Dean of the School of Medicine at LSU Health New Orleans, Dr. Steve Nelson, says one reason for that is the increased need for medical services.

Cut 3 (07) “only increase”

Nelson adds that doctors are also aging, which means there are fewer of them still able to practice. He says Louisiana ranks 15^th in the nation for the oldest physician population. He says Medicaid expansion has also put a strain on doctors.

Cut 4  (10) “that service”

Nelson says the shortages are most pronounced in rural areas. He says LSU is doing what it can to keep medical students in Louisiana to practice, including giving tuition incentives to those who continue their training in the state. He says their efforts are paying off.

Cut 5  (06)  “their training”

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Over a decade ago, legislators discussed placing an oil processing tax on Louisiana refineries. Amite Representative Robby Carter has filed that bill for the upcoming legislative session and knows it will face fierce opposition from the oil and gas industry. But Carter says all options should be on the table when it comes to addressing the state’s budget problems….

Cut 6 (09) “going through”

It’s unclear how much money this proposal would generate for the state, but Carter says the idea with the legislation is to create a larger tax base, so residents are paying fewer taxes…

Cut 7 (11)  “this scenario”

Another measure filed by Carter would create a 2-percent tax on oil that passes through Louisiana pipelines to other states. Carter believes oil and gas companies have the money to pay for these additional taxes…

Cut 8 (10) “of profit”

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State Police say it was a deadly weekend on Louisiana’s roadways. From Friday through Monday morning, troopers investigated 10 fatal crashes that resulted in the deaths of 15 people. Sgt. Jared Sandifer says these tragedies, which also claimed the lives of children and teenagers, were preventable…:

Cut 9 (09)  “their seat belt”

Sandifer says several of the crashes also involved vehicles crossing over into the opposite lane of travel. He says the high number a fatal crashes over this three day period is highly unusual as it’s not a holiday or a reason there would be more people on the roadways….:

Cut 10 (10) “seat belt”

A crash in St. Helena Parish claimed the life of a 3-month-old infant and the 27-year-old mother along with another individual. Sandifer says knowing that these crashes could have been avoided continues to frustrate law enforcement…:

Cut 11 (08) “change your life forever”

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A statewide survey finds a majority of Louisiana residents support higher taxes if the tax revenues go towards public schools, colleges, health care and roads. But Director of the LSU Public Policy Research Lab, Michael Henderson, says their poll doesn’t mean taxpayers are completely fine with just higher taxes to fund government…

Cut 12 (09) “somewhere else”

Henderson says their survey also found the public does not support higher taxes to pay for prisons, food stamps or other welfare programs. He says when it comes to raising taxes to pay for key services, it’s not clear what taxes the public would like to see raised…

Cut 13 (05) “sales tax”

Henderson says there’s more clarity when it comes to raising the gasoline tax to pay for highway improvements. He says a majority of respondents favor increasing the state’s tax on gasoline, but support from republicans falls when you ask about a 20 cent per gallon hike…

Cut 14 (12) “gasoline tax”

Spike’s hit show Bar Rescue has rescued Big Mike’s in Denham Springs, not because they were failing but because they flooded. Michelle Southern has more…

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Michelle Southern”

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East Baton Rouge District Attorney Hillar Moore is not happy with some of the Governor’s proposals for criminal justice reform. Halen Doughty has more…

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Halen Doughty”

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Spike will air a special episode of its hit TV show “Bar Rescue” on Sunday, featuring Denham Spring’s own Big Mike’s. But veteran bar consultant and host John Taffer didn’t step in because the bar was failing, he helped owner Mike O’Neal reopen after his business was devastated by the August flood. O’Neal says they have no idea how long it would have taken them to rebuild on their own.

Cut 3 (11) “unrecoverable”

O’Neal says they might not have been able to reopen at all without Taffer’s help. Taffer didn’t change the sign or the name because the business had done so well, but there are some upgrades. O’Neal says the designers changed the colors, updated the equipment, expanded to nearly 11-thousand square feet, and added a second bar.

Cut 4  (11) “they did”

O’Neal says by reopening, they wanted to be a beacon of hope for the rest of the community that’s still trying to recover. He says they also want to give people a place to come and escape from their problems or even seek advice for rebuilding.

Cut 5  (11)  “still is today”

Big Mike’s episode of “Bar Rescue” airs Sunday night at 9 on Spike.

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A 24-year-old Jena woman has been arrested after allegedly running over her boyfriend with a truck then punching an EMT. Cpl. Wade Bourgeois with the Alexandria Police Department says at around 7 p.m. last night authorities responded to a call of a pedestrian being hit by a vehicle. He says when the ambulance came to take the victim to the hospital…

Cut 6 (11) “the eye”

Bourgeois says the driver of the vehicle, Alana Joy, was charged with aggravated second degree battery, battery of an emergency service worker and DWI. He says responding officers could tell Joy likely had a lot to drink that night.

Cut 7 (10)  “investigation”

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Tomorrow is Election Day in 37 parishes across Louisiana and Secretary of State Tom Schedler is encouraging voters to get out and cast their ballots. Schedler says the majority of the elections are local but there are several bigger seats up for vote. He says severe weather tomorrow morning could affect voter turnout.

Cut 8 (09) “turn out”

New elected U.S. Representative Mike Johnson’s old seat in district 8 is one of the three open state representative seats. Schedler says the few competitive races in the state could increase the number of voters hitting the polls.

Cut 9 (08)  “quite frankly”

On the ballot for the 3^rd and 4^th Circuit Court of Appeals and the Civil District Court in New Orleans are all female candidates.  Schedler says the polls open at 7 a.m. and close at 8 p.m.

Cut 10 (10) “code in”

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District Attorneys across the state have a serious problem with some of the Governor’s proposals to reduce Louisiana’s incarceration rate. That’s according to East Baton Rouge District Attorney Hillar Moore says what began as a reform for nonviolent offenders has creeped into letting violent offenders serve less time. He doesn’t believe DA’s are over prosecuting, but that other things are leading to an increased crime rate.

Cut 11 (08) “drive crimes”

Moore says one recommendation would take power away from DA’s and give it to judges in the hopes of keeping people out of jail and continue probation instead. But he says probation and parole officers are already overworked, and without that supervision, many of these people end up with more charges down the road.

Cut 12 (07) “coming right back”

Moore says the DA’s are in support of criminal justice reform, but not at the expense of public safety. He says another proposal would condense the habitual offender law. He says the law currently applies to people who commit multiple violent crimes throughout their life.

Cut 13 (13) “violent offense”

The task force that put the recommendations together says the ideas would put Louisiana where it needs to be in terms of prison population.

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The 32^nd annual World Championship Crawfish Etoufee Cook-Off takes place Sunday in Eunice. Teams will compete to see who can make the best smothered crawfish in amateur, professional and club categories. Francine Hughes, Director of the Eunice Chamber of Commerce, says a huge festival takes place surrounding the contest.

Cut 14 (09) “cooking booths”

A cook-off dance will begin the celebrations tomorrow night. Hughes says celebrity and professional judges will decide the winners in each category. She says in years past, anywhere from a thousand to 5-thousand people attend the free cook-off and it’s a great environment for the entire family.

Cut 15 (10) “of fun “

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Three people and a police K9 are dead and an officer is wounded following an officer involved shooting in Crowley. Michelle Southern has more…

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Michelle Southern”

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The latest census data finds Louisiana is showing a pattern of out migration with 12-thousand more people leaving the state than coming in. Emelie Gunn has more…

Cut 2 (31) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

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Three people and a police K9 are dead following an officer involved shooting in Crowley that also left the officer wounded. Master Trooper Brooks David says they received a call that an officer was shot around 10:30 last night. He says when troopers arrived, it was a gruesome scene.

Cut 3 (10) “and killed”

The identities of the victims have not been released, but authorities say a woman was dead when they arrived on scene. A male suspect then reportedly shot and killed the K9 before he was fatally shot by police. David says the investigation is ongoing.

Cut 4  (07) “Crowley PD”

Authorities say another female victim was discovered when detectives came back to question witnesses. David says the wounded officer is in stable condition, but it’s a tragedy the K9 was killed.

Cut 5  (05)  “his partner”

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New census numbers find Louisiana’s population was 4.6 million residents in 2016, only growing but 0.3-percent from the previous year. The Bayou State also saw a continuing pattern of out migration with nearly 12-thousand more people moving out of the state than coming in. Demographer Greg Rigamer says many citizens leave to follow the money…

Cut 6 (10) “with that”

Data also shows more people left New Orleans for other cities around the country than moved in for the first time since Hurricane Katrina. Rigamer says the Crescent City continues to lack high paying jobs.

Cut 7 (09)  “people want”

Rigamer says East Parish Rouge Parish remains the largest in the state with 447-thousand people but St. Tammany Parish has grown substantially and is now the 4^th biggest parish in the state, overtaking Caddo with 253-thousand residents. He says the quality of life is good in St. Tammany.

Cut 8 (10) “stands out”

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The Walker Police Sergeant accused of hanging a noose in the squad room has resigned. Capt. John Sharp says the resignation comes ahead of the city council meeting where the allegations against the officer would be discussed.

Cut 9 (10)  “be necessary”

The noose was discovered hanging in the squad room with a cookie tied to it on February 24, and the sergeant was later suspended for three days without pay. Sharp says the Livingston Parish Sheriff’s Office is investigating the incident. He says it will be up to the Livingston Parish District Attorney to decide whether or not to file criminal charges.

Cut 10 (11) “group of people”

Sharp says the sergeant has been with the department for a long time. He says they hate to lose a good officer over a lapse in judgement, but this accusation could cast the department in a bad light if no action was taken. He says this resignation was best for the department.

Cut 11 (11) “suggest racism”

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Authorities in Rapides Parish are investigating two break ins this morning at Tioga High School and Tioga Jr. High where extensive damage was done to school property. Capt. Tommy Carnline with the Sheriff’s Office says deputies responded to a call at around 5:15 this morning when a janitor reported the destruction…

Cut 12 (10) “were destroyed”

The report indicates two suspects entered the school between 1 and 3 am. Carnline says they are following up on leads but no arrests have been made at this time and encourages anyone with information to come forward. He says investigators believe the break ins are connected.

Cut 13 (10) “this time”

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Mourners gathered at the Healing Place Church in Baton Rouge to say their final good-byes to a fallen East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s deputy. During the touching funeral service, Becky Anderson spoke fondly of her husband Sergeant Shawn Anderson, who was fatally shot on Saturday night

Cut 14 (09) “do it again”

Anderson was investigating a reported rape of a teenager and went to a barber shop to talk with 30-year-old Brandon Wiley. Authorities say Anderson and Wiley exchanged gunfire, killing both men.

During Becky Anderson’s eulogy of her husband, she talked about the day they meant and how the Sergeant loved his job and his co-workers….

Cut 15 (11) “brothers of SWAT “

Anderson also spoke about how her husband loved his two children, but she told the large crowd who attended the services that the family will do their best to move on without him…

Cut 16  (08)  “some rain”

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Louisiana could lose 3.6 billion dollars in infrastructure and business if no action is taken to stop shoreline erosion. Emelie Gunn has more…

Cut 1 (31) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

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New Tigers Coach Will Wade laid out his plans for the future of LSU basketball at a press conference in the student union today. Jeff Palermo has more…

Cut 2 (28) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

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Same sex couples would face equal penalties for domestic violence, under a proposal to be taken up in the regular session next month. Marrero Representative Patrick Connick says currently, domestic violence laws only apply to household members, married or not, of the opposite sex.

Cut 3 (11) “this bill”

Connick says Louisiana and South Carolina are the only two states with the opposite sex distinction on the books. He says after talking with the DA’s it was clear something had to be done to protect all couples from domestic violence.

Cut 4  (06) “sexual orientation is”

The Louisiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence reports Louisiana has a domestic violence rate twice the national average. Homosexuals report domestic abuse at a rate equal to or higher than heterosexuals, according to the 2010 National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey. Connick says it happens to people in all demographics.

Cut 5  (12)  “is protected”

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The Bayou State could lose 3.6 billion dollars in homes, businesses, and infrastructure over the next 50 years if Louisiana does not take action to stop the massive coastal land loss problem. That’s according to a study by the LSU Economics and Policy Research Group. Researcher Stephen Barnes says they studied the direct impact of land loss in different areas of the state…

Cut 6 (09) “stake here”

The study determined economic losses between 390-million to 600-million dollars for Lafayette and Baton Rouge if no action is taken to restore the coast. Barnes says Lake Charles has become a hub for commerce, but it faces 490 million dollars in business disruptions from land loss.

Cut 7 (10)  “city center”

Statewide, the study finds Louisiana could lose nearly 8 billion dollars in wages and consumer spending if no action is taken to restore the coast.  But Barnes says if Louisiana goes through with its 50 year Coastal Master Plan to restore the coast, it will create jobs and boost the economy.

Cut 8 (10) “jobs”

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A Medicaid program that serves mentally ill children will remain intact after the Senate Health and Welfare Committee rejects a proposal to eliminate it. The administration proposed cutting the program by April 1 to save the state $2.2 million because of cuts to the Department of Health made in the special session. Lake Charles Senator Ronnie Johns is frustrated lawmakers didn’t use more rainy day dollars to avoid this.

Cut 9 (08)  “be here today”

In 2016, more than 47-thousand children and teens received psychosocial rehabilitation services through the program. Lawmakers heard testimony about the services that would be eliminated, including one that helps suicidal and depressed teens learn coping skills so they can stay in school and out of jails and hospitals. Houma Senator Norbert Chabert says these kinds of programs have to be protected.

Cut 10 (09) “like this”

LDH must also deal with an $8.1 million budget reduction, and keeping this program means they’ll have to trim a total $10.3 million from other areas. Baton Rouge Senator Regina Barrow was shocked that a program that serves children on the autism spectrum was in jeopardy. She says there must be other ways to cut back on spending without eliminating such a vital service.

Cut 11 (12) “to govern”

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LSU officially introduced its new basketball coach, Will Wade. The 34-year-old got a crowd at the student union  fired up when he said he knows LSU can have a successful basketball program…:

Cut 12 (11) “no option to fail”

Wade’s head coaching career spans four years; two in Chattanooga and the past two at VCU. His overall record is 91-45, and at VCU he lead the team to the NCAA Tournament both years. Wade says he will do everything it takes to make the LSU basketball team the best it can be…:

Cut 13 (10) “first class fashion”

Wade takes over for Johnny Jones, who was 90-72 in five seasons at LSU. Jones was fired following LSU’s 10-21 2016-17 campaign. It’s said that Wade considers coaching at LSU his dream job because he says he’s always known there was something special here…:

Cut 14 (12) “we can make it work”

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