Former St. Tammany Parish District Attorney Walter Reed’s corruption trial begins today. Halen Doughty reports the longtime DA faces 19 criminal counts….

CUT 1 (28) “I’m Halen Doughty”

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A House committee is seeking to speak with leaders of the small Tensas parish town of St. Joseph about why the water there has been yellow to murky brown for years. Halen Doughty has more…

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Halen Doughty”

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Nicholls State launches a lecture series tonight that’s designed to encourage females to pursue a career as a chef. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 3 (28) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

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Nicholls State is launching a series to inspire future female chefs.  Amelie Zeringue, an assistant professor at the Chef John Folse Culinary Institute, says successful female chefs will speak to the culinary students about how women can achieve their goals in this male-dominated industry.

cut 4  (11)  “the field”

According to Nicholls State, only 21-percent of the jobs in the restaurant industry are held by women. Zeringue says the schedules for people in the food industry poses problems for people with children, which may be why there are so few women…

Cut 5  (10)  “vice versa”

The series kicks off today with speaker Chef Jaqueline Blanchard, a Nicholls graduate and owner of Coutelier NOLA. Zeringue says she hopes these speakers will encourage female chefs to overcome the challenges they may face in their careers.

Cut 6 (09)  “their success”

The seven-part series will continue through the 2016 fall semester.

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St. Joseph residents are seeking help from the state about their water, which has been yellow to dark brown for years. They went before the House Natural Resources Committee and gave emotional testimony. Rev. Dr. Samuel Johnson says the water is causing health issues in the small Tensas Parish town.

CUT 7 (11)  “entire town”

In order to get state funds to fix the water, the mayor must grant permission for a state administrator to oversee the money, but Mayor Edward Brown will not give his permission. St. Joseph residents pleaded with the committee to help them get clean water and showed the committee bottles filled with murky, brown water from their town. Roy Bowman spoke about the urgency of St. Joseph’s water problems.

Cut 8  (09)  “now” 

The House Natural Resources committee is seeking to have Brown and members of the city council brought to Baton Rouge to explain how the water has gotten so bad there. Wanda Bowman, feels awful that her special needs son uses this filthy water.

Cut 9 (11)  “unclean”

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Former-St. Tammany Parish District Attorney, Walter Reed, federal corruption trial begins today at a US courthouse in New Orleans today. Reed faces 19 counts of conspiracy, money laundering, and fraud. Legal analyst Tim Meche says Reed could spend a lot of time behind bars if convicted.

Cut 10 (06) “my prediction”

Reed allegedly spent over $100-thousand from his campaign fund for non-campaign related purchases.  Meche says it’s an interesting case, because federal prosecutors are seeking to convict the former DA on what amounts to state ethic violations…

cut 11 (10) “federal crime”

Meche says the whole country will be watching, because it could have implications for other state elected officials. He says it could start a trend of prosecuting state offenses at the federal level.

cut 12 (11) “this country”

Reed became not-so-affectionately known as “St. Slammany” for his aggressive pursuit of criminals and harsh sentences for the over 30 years he spent as St. Tammany DA. Reed’s son Steven is also facing similar charges for his role in the conspiracy.

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The state senate is expected to vote this week on a new contingency plan, if the state is unable to fully fund TOPS. Currently, if the scholarship program is underfunded, TOPS students with lower ACT scores and without financial need, lose their scholarships. Jennings Senator Blade Morrish seeks to change it, so all TOPS students receive at least some scholarship money…

Cut 13 (04)  “totally”

TOPS is expected to cost the state 300-million dollars next fiscal year. But the governor’s proposed budget only allocates 110-million dollars for the popular program. Morrish says his legislation also contains language to help TOPS students, if they receive a partial scholarship..

Cut 14 (11)  “additional amount” 

For students to receive a TOPS scholarship they must have a 2.5 GPA in high school and at least a 20 on the ACT. Morrish says his legislation is an attempt to make sure recipients have at least part of their tuition paid, if the state can’t fully fund the program. He says the current rules are unfair…

Cut 15 (08) “get nothing”

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Spring football is over for the Tigers and the anticipation for the 2016 season begins. Based on a large number of starters returning, LSU will be ranked in the Top 10 in the preseason polls. Coach Les Miles says if the Tigers want to be a national title contender, they must be dedicated to improving…

Cut 16  (20)  “to be elite”

Starting quarterback Brandon Harris was 11-of-15 for 106 yards, as the Tigers worked on their short passing game in a two-hour scrimmage. Harris liked what he accomplished…

Cut 17 (11) “go out”

LSU fans were able to get a look at the tigers new back-up quarterback, Danny Etling, a transfer from Purdue. Etling was 6-of-12 for 106 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. Harris enjoys the competition at the quarterback position…

Cut 18 (13) “get better”

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At Louisiana Tech’s spring game, new starting quarterback Ryan Higgins threw for 469 yards, five touchdowns and two interceptions. Two freshmen wide receivers stood out. Kam McKnight had 8 catches for 106 yards and one touchdown, while Alfred Smith grabbed four passes for 120 yards. Higgins McKnight and Smith will be really good football players…

Cut 19 (16) “as well”

Louisiana Tech’s defense was led by Jaylon Ferguson, who had three sacks. The former West Feliciana High standout had six sacks last season and knows a lot will be expected from him in 2016…

Cut 20 (12) “for it”

The band director at Westgate High School in New Iberia has been arrested, after he was found hiding in a 16-year-old girl’s closet. Halen Doughty has more…

CUT 1 (30)  “I’m Halen Doughty”

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A bill to give legislators a say if recipients of food stamps should have to work to receive assistance has been approved by the House. Emelie Gunn has more…

CUT 2 (30)  “I’m Emelie Gunn”

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The Iberia Parish School system says the employment status of its band director at Westgate High School is very much uncertain at this time after he was found hiding in a 16-year-old girl’s closet. Lt. Col. Bobby Webre with the Ascension Parish Sheriff’s Office says 30-year-old Jeremy Conner of Baton Rouge was alone with the juvenile when her mother came home.

CUT 3 (07)  “her home”

Webre says the juvenile invited Conner into her home. Webre says the girl does not attend the school where Conner teaches, and it’s unclear how the two met.

CUT 4 (08)  “parish”

Webre says Conner has been communicating with the juvenile since last year, and he admitting to sending her inappropriate texts. Webre says there are important lessons to be learned here.

CUT 5 (07)  “their career”

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The House approved a bill to allow lawmakers to have a say in whether food stamp recipients should be required to work to receive federal assistance. But Bogalusa Rep. Malinda White disagrees, because as many as 16-thousand people in the oil industry recently lost their jobs. She says these people rightfully pay their bills and have suffered enough.

CUT 6 (09) “to eat”

Author of the legislation, Monroe Rep. Jay Morris, believes a group of lawmakers should decide if childless adults who are not working should get food stamps. He says he doesn’t want anyone to starve and he knows jobs are hard to come by in a lot of areas, but…

CUT 7 (10) “every day”

The legislation will now head to the Senate. White says she’s seen abuse to the system but she’s also seen need. She says there is a time and place in America where we have to have a safety net.

CUT 8 (09) “need it”

The bill passed 56 to 28. Morris says this legislation is only giving lawmakers a say in the decision if food stamp recipients should be required to work, not deciding at this moment.

CUT 9 (10) “that route”

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The 4th Annual ever-growing Louisiana International Film Festival is underway in Baton Rouge. LIFF brings a huge variety of movies to the big screen during the 4 day event, including big budget studio films, and regionally focused productions. Kelsey Grammer is making an appearance at the screening of his new film “Breaking the Bank”, which he says is about an investment bank takeover.:

cut 10 (09)  “like that”

The festival added a new category this year called, “Southern Perspectives,” which includes nearly a dozen movies telling stories about the south. They include “Bogalusa Charm” – about small town culture, and “After the Spill” – which unveils details of the BP oil spill in the Gulf. Grammer says in some ways his film, Breaking the Bank, is an indictment on the system…:

Cut 11 (07) “might happen”

You can get more information about the festival at lifilmfest.org. Grammer, who starred in Cheers and Frasier, says he loves being in Louisiana and attending movie festivals like this because his passion for the movie industry will never go away. He says these events are great learning experiences..:

cut 12 (06) “all things”

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The Bureau of Labor Statistics finds employment in Louisiana rose for a third straight month. Spokesperson with the Louisiana Workforce Commission Aaron Caffarel says this is encouraging news. He says the number of people employed grew by nearly 8-thousand from February to March.

Cut 13 (07)  “ever recorded”

Caffarel says more and more people are entering the workforce and those unemployed are steadily seeking jobs. He says jobs in the construction industry are increasing more than they have since post-Hurricane Katrina construction shot up in 2006.

cut 14 (08)  “region”

Caddarel says jobs in the oil and gas sector continue to drop but they’re working hard to find workers in that industry new employment. He says the unemployment number has ticked up to 6.1 percent, up from 5.9 percent in February.

cut 15 (10) “labor force” 

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For the first time since 1939, not one, but two baby whooping cranes have hatched in Louisiana. Halen Doughty has more…

CUT 1 (30) “I’m Halen Doughty”

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 A Ponchatoula High School student has been arrested after posting a bomb threat against the school on social media. Emelie Gunn has more…

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

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Tax Day is this Monday, and time is running out to file federal taxes. Jeff Palermo has more…

Cut 3 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

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The funeral for WWL Saints Color Analyst and former LSU and Saints player Hokie Gajan, who passed away at 56 from cancer, is today in Madisonville. Sportswriter and Gajan’s former LSU teammate John Ed Bradley say he remembers first meeting Hokie in 1974 when they played each other in a high school football game. He says Gajan was a terror on the field and an overall great guy.

cut 4  (08)  “everybody else”

The visitation begins at 10 at St. Anselm Catholic Church and the funeral mass begins at 3 p.m. Bradley says there was so much about Hokie that makes him proud to be from Louisiana. He says Gajan was an original and will be greatly missed by everyone whose lives he touched.

Cut 5  (09)  “heartbreaking”

Bradley says people gravitated towards Hokie’s personality. He says Gajan was a reliable teammate that never gave up.

Cut 6 (06)  “be there” 

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Another baby whooping crane has joined the family of endangered birds in Louisiana, as two eggs have hatched in Jefferson Davis Parish this week. LDWF biologist, Sara Zimorski, leads the whooping crane project that is working to reestablish the birds in Louisiana. Zimorski says this is an historic hatching.

CUT 7 (06)  “that regard”

The whooping crane was once abundant here, but the birds had disappeared in Louisiana by 1950. In 2011, DWF began reintroducing these birds into the state. Zimorski says the success of their project hinges on whether or not these birds can reproduce in the wild.

Cut 8  (08)  “right direction” 

Zimorski says there are two other nests near White Lake that they are monitoring. She says they will do a survey of the area next week to look for others.

Cut 9 (08)  “first time”

Zimorski says these baby chicks are vulnerable until they are about three months old and are able to fly. She says the baby birds have a long way to go, but they are monitoring them closely.

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A 17-year-old student has been arrested after another bomb threat circulating on social media was made against Ponchatoula High School. Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff Daniel Edwards says the Internet Crimes against Children Division was mobilized to discover who was making the threats.

Cut 10 (09) “at school”

Edwards says when Richardson was questioned, he admitted to sending multiple threats. He says Richardson was arrested and charged with two counts of falsely stating that a bomb has been placed on school grounds and two counts of terrorizing.

cut 11 (10) “can suffer”

Officials say Richardson posted on social media, “PHS, bomb threat Thursday, April 14. Don’t come to school” under the screen name “Bomb Threat 12.” Ponchatoula High School Principal Daniel Strickland says it’s unfortunate that a teenager in today’s society does things like this without thinking…

cut 12 (10) “be severe”

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Tax Season is coming to a close, as Tax Day is this Monday. That means there are just a few days left to file federal taxes. Baton Rouge tax preparer Letti Lowe-Ardoin, with the Louisiana CPA society, advises people not to rush, because simple mistakes can be made.

Cut 13 (10)  “status”

Lowe-Ardoin says people can also miss out on deductions and tax exemptions if they rush through filing. She encourages taxpayers to consult a local CPA to see what deductions they qualify for. She says itemized deductions are the most commonly overlooked.

Cut 14 (10)  “can take” 

Victims of the recent flooding in the state are eligible for an extension, and those dates can be found at I-R-S-dot-gov. Lowe-Ardoin says filing taxes can be a challenge, but it’s not too late to get some assistance with filing.

Cut 15 (07) “help you out”

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Saturday afternoon at 3 PM it’s the LSU spring game and we’ll get an idea if the passing game has really progressed. Brandon Harris is the returning starter at quarterback. Purdue transfer Danny Etling is the new back-up QB and Tiger Rag Editor Cody Worsham says fans can see for themselves on Saturday is he’s really a contender for playing time the fall….

Cut 16  (20)  “Anthony Jennings”

Worsham says the most interesting aspect of Saturday’s spring game is what will new defensive coordinator Dave Aranda’s defense look like…

Cut 17 (19) “are lining up”

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The Louisiana High School Athletic Association has called for a special meeting so member principals can vote on a new playoff proposal.  In January, principals voted to expand the public-private school playoff split to more sports than just football. School Relations Committee chairman, Mike Boyer, says the expanded split is causing problems for the LHSAA, so they want to give principals another option…

Cut 18 (19) “available”

The new playoff proposal would end the split in Classes 5A and 4A and it would create metro and rural divisions in Classes 1A though 3A. It would also combine classes B and C. Boyer says in football, the number of state championships would be reduced from nine to eight…

Cut 19 (14) “one yet”

It has not been determined when this special meeting will take place.

The first test burn of explosives is successful at Camp Minden in Webster Parish. Emelie Gunn has more…

CUT 1 (29)  “I’m Emelie Gunn”

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A proposal that would prevent local governments from removing confederate monuments without a waiver from a state board fails to get enough support from a House committee. Halen Doughty has more…

CUT 2 (30)  “I’m Halen Doughty”

===================

A bill to increase the fine for not wearing a seatbelt has been approved by the House. The fines would go up to $50 for a first offense and then to $75 for additional offenses. New Orleans Representative Walt Leger says increasing the fine should drive up the number of motorists who wear a seatbelt.

CUT 3 (07)  “on this”

The measure passed on a 62-34 vote and now moves to the Senate. Leger says this increase will save lives, as well as dollars.

CUT 4 (08)  “their seatbelts”

Currently the fine for a first offense of not wearing a seatbelt is only $25 in Louisiana. Leger says the fine here is one of the lowest in the country. He says even with this increase, the fine still ranks lower than many other states.

CUT 5 (08)  “higher fine”

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The Louisiana National Guard at Camp Minden in Webster Parish successfully conducted their first test burn of 88 pounds of M6 propellant. Col. Pete Schneider says over the next 30 days they’ll ramp up different amounts until they reach the full capacity of about 800 pounds. He believes it’ll take about a year to burn all of the propellant that was improperly stored by Explo Systems.

CUT 6 (07) “M6 free”

Camp Minden took control of the M6 in 2012 after the propellant started randomly exploding because it was illegally stored. Schneider says a large burn chamber was built in Oklahoma and was transported to Camp Minden in February. He says it took 4-thousand engineering design hours to build the chamber, which will burn the 15 million pounds of explosives over the next year.

CUT 7 (10) “done safely”

Schneider says they’re safely monitoring the system to ensure the 15 million pounds of explosives are safely burned. He says EPA standards must be met throughout the disposal process.

CUT 8 (07) “working properly”

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A bill to prevent the removal of confederate monuments did not get out of a House committee today. The legislation would create a seven-member statewide board that would get to decide if a monument more than 30 years old should be removed. Shreveport Representative Thomas Carmody says removing or renaming monuments that tell the stories of our state is one method of erasing the past from public memory.

CUT 9 (06) “our story”

Carmody says although Louisiana has a dark history, you cannot change what has already happened. He says the only way to have a brighter future is to learn from past mistakes.

cut 10 (07)  “the truth”

Shreveport Representative Sam Jenkins opposes the bill. He says this proposal would not allow local governments to decide what they want to do with their own property.

Cut 11 (11) “for me”

New Orleans Representative Joseph Bouie says it is currently left up to local municipalities to decide what they want to display, or not display, in their city. He says each city should be able to decide what kind of monuments they want to have.

cut 12 (08) “monuments”

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The forecast team at Colorado State University calls for the 2016 Atlantic Hurricane season to be near-average. Research scientist Phil Klotzbach, lead author of the report, says they predict there will be 12 named storms…:

Cut 13 (06)  “hurricane season”

Klotzbach says the El Nino is dissipating which is why they are predicting a more active season than in 2015, but northern Atlantic Ocean temperatures are still cooler than average…:

cut 14 (09)  “average hurricane season”

Klotzbach says their next forecast will be out the day hurricane season begins on June 1st. He says the probability of a major hurricane, which is cat 3-5, hitting the Gulf Coast is about 30%…:

cut 15 (06) “of a major hurricane” 

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Governor Edwards proposed 183 million dollars worth of cuts to the TOPS scholarship program. Emelie Gunn has more on what this means…

CUT 1 (31) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

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For the fourth consecutive year, Louisiana has broken records in tourism, according to Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser. Halen Doughty has more…

Cut 2 (31) “I’m Halen Doughty”

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The LHSAA’s executive committee meets today as the state legislature looks at legislation aimed at ending the split playoffs in football and other sports. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 3 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

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Another bill will be heard at the state capitol today that aims to prevent the removal of confederate monuments. A Senate committee already rejected one attempt to create a state board that would decide if a city can take down a confederate statue and a House committee hears similar legislation today. Former state senator Elbert Guillory, who is an African American, has been a vocal supporter of efforts to keep Confederate monuments standing….

cut 4  (06)  “foolish”

The bill scheduled today in the House Municipal Affairs committee would establish a Memorial Preservation Board that would be in charge of granting a waiver to relocate any monuments that’s been in place for more than 30 years. Guillory says these monuments need to be preserved to teach future generations about the history of Louisiana.

Cut 5  (06)  “been through”

Guillory says unfortunately the real issue here is not the monuments.

Cut 6 (06)  “aside” 

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House Appropriations Chairman Cameron Henry believes lawmakers can fund the TOPS scholarship program without raising additional taxes. Governor John Bel Edwards proposed budget for next fiscal year calls for a 183 million dollars cut to the state-funded scholarship program, because of a large revenue shortfall. But Henry says the state has enough money to fund TOPS…

CUT 7 (08)  “TOPS”

Governor Edwards says additional revenues are needed to fund all of the priorities in the budget and plans to call another special session as early as June 7^th. But Henry says there is no need for another session until at least September. He says the governor is painting the worst picture possible in an effort to increase more taxes…

Cut 8  (10)  “in Baton Rouge” 

Higher Education Commissioner Joseph Rallo says currently, we’re facing a 62-percent cut to TOPS. Under current rules, if no more money is allocated to TOPS then only students with an ACT of 27 or higher would be eligible for TOPS.  He hopes this will not deter college students from going to school.

Cut 9 (08)  “state’s future”

Not only are colleges dealing with a potential cut to TOPS but they are also facing a 46 million dollar cut in state funding. Rallo says there is a lot of uncertainty right now when it comes to higher education.

Cut 10 (10) “be different”

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Four of the ten hospitals for the poor and uninsured in Louisiana are at risk of closing because of critical cuts to the state Department of Health and Hospitals. DHH Secretary Rebekah Gee says her department took over half of the 750-million dollars in budget cuts, which means some people may lose access to healthcare.

cut 11 (09) “in access”

Six public-private hospitals in Louisiana will remain open, but the other four might not. Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne says the state needs to come up with 75-million dollars to keep the other four safety net hospitals open. Gee says her department is doing everything they can to cut back on spending, including laying people off. She says DHH has gone from 12-thousand employees in Louisiana to 55-hundred.

cut 12 (10) “vital facilities”

DHH received 409-million dollar cut in state general funds. Gee says legislators cannot just move money around to resolve such a massive budget deficit. She says it will take another special session and raising more revenue to close the budget gap.

Cut 13 (09)  “we don’t”

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Louisiana has broken the tourism record for the fourth year in a row, according to Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser. In 2015, Louisiana welcomed almost 29 million visitors, who spent over $11 billion. That’s almost a 3-percent increase from the previous year.  Nungesser says the state needs tourism dollars to help resolve the budget problems.

Cut 14 (09)  “that gap” 

Nungesser says the money generated through tourism means more tax dollars that don’t come out of Louisianans pockets.

Cut 15 (10) “we invested”

Nungesser says if we can continue to see this increase, there will be great days ahead for the people of Louisiana. He says we needs to do whatever we can to keep those numbers going up.

Cut 16  (10)  “forward”

Nungesser says the credit goes to the people at the department of tourism, who do a great job in bringing people to the state.

__________________________________________________________

The LHSAA Executive Committee holds its spring meeting today, and they’ll continue to discuss the expanded public-private school playoff split that’s been in place for football and will impact other sports next school year. Todd Guice, LHSAA past president, says he still hopes that something can be done to end the split.

Cut 17 (05) “found this”

A bill that seeks to end the public-private split is waiting to be heard on the House floor. The author of that legislation, River Ridge Representative Kirk Talbot, will be at today’s meeting. In January, high school principals voted to expand the playoff split to basketball, baseball and softball. Guice says the executive committee could call for a special meeting to have the principals’ vote again on the issue…

Cut 18 (14) “for that”

There’s been talk of creating another organization where public and private schools could both compete. Guice says he doesn’t think that would really help anything and hopes a solution can be found within the LHSAA.

Cut 19 (11) “get there”

The Senate Health and Welfare Committee approved a measure to allow for the sale of raw, unpasteurized milk. Halen Doughty has more…

CUT 1 (29)  “I’m Halen Doughty”

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The attorney for the family of Will Smith said the former Saints star was shot 8 times and the lawyer for the accused shooter is spreading lies about what happened. Michelle Southern reports…:

CUT 2 (30)  “I’m Michelle Southern”

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The Senate has approved a bill to increase the fine for texting or using social media while driving from $175 to $500 for the first offense. The fine goes up to $1,000 for subsequent offenses. Baton Rouge Senator Yvonne Colomb says there will not be a fine for voice texting.

CUT 3 (06)  “the wheel”  (2x)

West Monroe Senator Mike Walsworth says he’s concerned about minors because sometimes a fine is not enough to get their attention. He added an amendment to the bill to increase the penalties for minors.

CUT 4 (06)  “60 days”

The bill now heads to the House for more debate.

==============================================

A bill to allow for the sale of raw, unpasteurized milk gets the approval of the Senate Health and Welfare Committee on a three to two vote. Sierra Majors of Melville says people should have the right to choose if they want to drink raw milk. She says many of our parents enjoyed raw milk their whole lives.

CUT 5 (06)  “first place”

Majors says consuming raw milk is not dangerous. She says every year about four people die in Louisiana from eating raw oysters, but that has never happened with raw milk.

CUT 6 (06) “the market”

But Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain says according to the Center for Disease Control, from 1993 to 2006, there were 202 people hospitalized and two deaths due to raw milk consumption. He says drinking raw milk is not safe.

CUT 7 (09) “pasteurized milk”

Strain says the bacteria in milk can cause a wide range of diseases. He says those bacteria need to be killed before the milk is consumed.

CUT 8 (10) “salmonella”

The bill now heads to the Senate floor.

=========================================================

A proposed constitutional amendment to allow non-felons to carry concealed hand guns without a permit was shot down by the House Criminal Justice committee. Victoria Joy with Louisiana Violence Reduction Coalition says this bill could allow dangerous people to carry loaded, hidden weapons in public with no safety training. She says it would also let people with a dangerous arrest record or violent misdemeanors conceal a gun.

CUT 9 (10) “do so”

A volunteer with the Louisiana Chapter of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America says when she was only 13 years old she was a victim of gun violence, when she was kidnapped, raped, and then shot in the head. She says this bill will remove our safeguards and put the safety of all citizens at risk.

cut 10 (10)  “daily basis”

Author of the legislation, Baton Rouge Rep. Barry Ivey, tried to make the case that the bill would not put guns in the hands of dangerous criminals. He says most of these same arguments were made before Louisiana passed the open carry law.

Cut 11 (09) “that’s nationally”

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The attorney for the family of Will Smith said the former Saints player was shot 8 times in the back, Smith’s wife Racquel was hit twice and that the shooting was intentional. Peter Thomson says he wants to clear up lies being spread by the defense lawyer of Cardell Hayes. Thomson says there was no hit and ru n on Magazine Street as Hayes is claiming…:

cut 12 (07) “to that car”

Thomson says the Hummer later violently rammed the back of Smith’s car, and that’s when he and the suspect got into an altercation. Thomson says Racquel and another woman went to diffuse the situation and walk Smith back to their vehicle…and that’s when the suspect shot Smith’s wife in both legs…:

Cut 13 (11)  “8 times”

Thomson says after the killer shot Smith, he showed no remorse and actually stood over Smith’s dead body and kept yelling. Thomson also says there was no fender bender before the altercation, but that the Hummer slammed hard intentionally into the back of Smith’s vehicle. As to the subject of the gun that was in Smith’s vehicle, Thomson says it was never removed from the car…:

cut 14 (09)  “a firearm”

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Governor John Bel Edwards has signed an executive order that bans discrimination against members of the LGBT community who work for the state, or who receive state services or benefits. Matthew Patterson with Equality Louisiana says it’s a great day, and a historic day, for Louisiana.

cut 15 (06) “this minute” 

Similar orders were signed by former Democratic governors Edwin Edwards and Kathleen Blanco, but those orders were specific to sexual orientation. Patterson says this new order also includes gender-identity, making this the first order protecting transgender individuals in the state.

cut 16 (09) “included here”

The US Department of Labor has provided Louisiana with a $1.7 million disaster assistance grant to create temporary jobs in the state to assist with cleanup efforts. Halen Doughty has more…

CUT 1 (31) “I’m Halen Doughty”

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 A bill to give motorcycle operators 21 and older the choice to wear a helmet is on its way to the full House. Emelie Gunn has more…

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

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More information is coming out about the Will Smith murder case after New Orleans police say a loaded 9mm gun was found in the former Saints star’s vehicle. Jeff Palermo has more…

Cut 3 (28) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

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A bill that would allow the sale of raw milk from farmers to consumers is once again set to be heard by lawmakers today, after two failed attempts. Testimony is scheduled for debate in the Senate Health and Welfare committee today. Audry Salvador is a mother from Sulphur and strong supporter of legalizing the sale of raw milk. She says everything farmers use in its production is totally clean..:

cut 4  (05)  “raw milk”

The sale of raw milk stirs up major controversy across the US and has sparked heated debates in the last two years it was brought up to Louisiana lawmakers. This year’s measure is by Ville Platte Senator Eric LaFleur. Food safety has been cited as the major reason the sale of raw milk on farms is banned, but Salvador says there are far more dangerous things to consume…:

Cut 5  (07)  “raw milk”

Last year the Department of Health and Hospitals testified there is 150 times more risk in consuming raw milk than if it were pasteurized. But Salvador says the safety and death numbers that are set forth from the opposition, are not telling the whole story…:

Cut 6 (10)  “the lies” 

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A bill that would allow motorcyclists aged 21 years and older the option to wear a helmet now heads to the full House. Current law requires all motorcycle riders to wear a DOTD approved helmet. But president of a motorcycle group, Randy Postlewait, says the DOTD approved helmets are not protective. He says 31 states have a freedom of choice law and we should follow their lead.

CUT 7 (10)  “injuries”

And Postlewait says states that make helmets optional, help attract motorcycle rallies. He says motorcyclists should make the decision regarding helmets, not the government…

Cut 8  (11)  “protected citizens” 

Executive Director of the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission John LeBlanc says if this bill becomes law, he anticipates 128 more deaths over the next 10 years. Governor John Bel Edwards also opposes the legislation. Ville Platte Rep. Harvey LeBas is concerned more people will be injured if this law passes.

Cut 9 (04)  “with this”

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A recent discovery could change the whole dynamic of the Will Smith murder case. Police say a loaded 9mm gun was found in the former-Saints defensive end’s vehicle. Legal analyst Chick Foret says this could help alleged shooter Cardell Hayes’ defense that he was not the aggressor.

Cut 10 (06) “at best”

Surveillance video also shows that a hit and run that took place prior to the shooting appears to be Smith rear-ending Hayes before driving off.  Foret says there are still a lot of unanswered questions about the circumstances of the incident, especially now that we know there was a gun in Smith’s vehicle.

cut 11 (10) “on the seat”

There were a lot of witnesses that night, and Foret says their testimony, and possibly videos, will be key in figuring out what really happened. Foret says the perspective on the situation may continue to change as more evidence comes to light.

cut 12 (07) “to be determined”

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A bill that would require businesses to pay men and women the same for similar work passed in the Senate with a 28-10 vote. New Orleans Senator JP Morrell says studies show in Louisiana a woman makes on average 65-cents to every dollar a man earns. Morrell says the nation’s largest gender pay gap has contributed to the state’s budget problems…

Cut 13 (11)  “additional income”

The legislation is part of Governor John Bel Edwards’ package of bills he would like passed. Morrell quoted former President Dwight Eisenhower when making the case that men and women should receive equal pay for equal work….

Cut 14 (08)  “simple justice” 

The measure heads to the House for more discussion. Businesses groups oppose the bill, because it could result in unnecessary litigation. Morrell says he worked with business lobbyists to address those concerns.

Cut 15 (06) “lawsuits”

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The Pelicans disappointing season ends tonight. The expectation was another trip to the playoffs, instead a mountain of injuries crushed the team’s playoff chances. Because of the injuries, Jake Madison a writer with Bourbon Street Shots, does NOT expect the team to fire general manager Dell Demps or head coach Alvin Gentry…

Cut 16  (13)  “this year”

It’s been reported former McNeese star and Detroit Pistons player and executive Joe Dumars could be hired to replace Demps and current Milwaukee Bucks general Manager John Hammond will also be added to the Pelicans front office staff. But Madison doesn’t see that happening…

Cut 17 (11) “this year”

Madison also doesn’t see the Pelicans signing a big name free agent. He says the biggest addition to the team will be whoever the franchise selects in the first round. He says the NBA draft lottery will determine what pick the Pels will get…

Cut 18 (14) “to the team”

The Edwards Administration proposed a spending plan for the next fiscal year to legislators that contains $792 million in cuts to Louisiana’s budget, including deep cuts to education. Michelle Southern has more…

CUT 1 (30)  “I’m Michelle Southern”

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The “Pastor Protection Act” passed out of the House Civil Law Committee with a 7-3 vote. Halen Doughty has the story…

CUT 2 (31)  “I’m Halen Doughty”

===================

Governor John Bel Edwards presented his proposed budget for the next fiscal year to lawmakers today. The proposal contains 792-million dollars in cuts to state spending. Under the proposed spending plan, health care and the TOPS scholarship program would see big reductions in state funding. Edwards says this is not the budget he wanted to present to lawmakers and it’s why another special session is needed.

CUT 3 (07)  “revenue needs”

The governor says a second special session could begin as early as June 7^th Edwards says many state services are now severely underfunded, such as TOPS, which under this plan would receive a 183-million dollar cut. He says only having a third of the money needed to pay for TOPS is another reason why they need a second special session.

CUT 4 (07)  “fund it”

The governor is proposing a 46-million dollar cut to higher education. Edwards says not only is higher ed receiving looking at another cut in funding, but so are public schools.

CUT 5 (06)  “education”

Edwards is calling for a new task force to help develop long term budget solutions.

============================

A Senate committee approves legislation that would increase the age to 18 for a suspect to be prosecuted as an adult. Currently, individuals 17 and over are put into the adult criminal system once charged with a crime. Criminal justice expert Ed Mulvey says a 17 year-old offender is better off in the juvenile justice system…

CUT 6 (10) “adult system”

An 18-year-old high school student went before the committee supporting the legislation. He says this bill is close to his heart because his friend was arrested at 17. He says the adult prison system is not a place for juveniles because his friend lost his pride and it couldn’t be restored.

CUT 7 (09) “is today”

The legislation will now move to the full Senate. 17-year-olds who commit serious offenses could still be tried as an adult. A 15-year-old high school student also spoke in favor of the bill. She said her brother was arrested at the age of 17 and spent a week in jail without receiving any educational hours.

CUT 8 (10) “my brother”

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Many people are remembering the great life of former LSU and Saints running back Hokie Gajan, who passed away from cancer at the age 56 last night. LSU’s all-time leading rusher Charles Alexander played with Hokie for two years in college and says Gajan was the ultimate teammate.

CUT 9 (07) “football with”

Alexander says Hokie would do whatever the coaches asked and even with a bad knee, he never once complained. He says Gajan was always eager to be on the football field.

cut 10 (10)  “football”

Alexander says back in the day, Hokie was quite off the field but as he got a little bit older he couldn’t stop talking. He says Gajan always put the team first and never worried about being in the headlines.

Cut 11 (10) “good guy”

===================================================

The House Civil Law Committee has passed the “Pastor Protection Act” today on a 7-3 vote. The bill would allow ministers and clergy members to refuse to conduct a same sex marriage. Lester Perryman, with the Human Rights campaign, questions why Louisiana needs this legislation.

cut 12 (07) “to do so”

Perryman also raises concern about the potential for backlash as other religious freedom bills approved in Georgia, North Carolina and Mississippi have received.

Cut 13 (08)  “other states”

Bruce Springsteen and Bryan Adams have cancelled concerts in North Carolina and Mississippi in protest of religious laws passed in those states. Over a dozen convention organizers have also decided against holding their events in North Carolina. But Bossier City Representative Mike Johnson says those bills are much broader than his proposal, which is strictly limited to churches and religious leaders.

cut 14 (08)  “protection left”

The bill now heads to the House floor, with the support of Governor John Bel Edwards. But he says pastors are already protected under Louisiana law.

cut 15 (07) “under threat” 

A bill to address equal pay in Louisiana will be heard on the Senate floor today. Emelie Gunn has more…

CUT 1 (27) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

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The proposed “Pastor Protection Act” will be heard by the House Civil Law Committee today. This bill would allow clergy members and religious organizations to decline to participate in a same sex marriage. Halen Doughty has more…

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Halen Doughty”

______________________________________

 The Southern University community is mourning after the death of two students. Jeff Palermo has more…

Cut 3 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

______________________________________________

A bill will be heard on the Senate floor today to address equal pay. Governor John Bel Edwards supports the legislation and says Louisiana comes in dead last in the country when it comes to the wage gap between men and women. He says women in the state earn only 65 cents for every dollar a man makes.

cut 4  (10)  “top of”

A study by the National Partnership finds there close to a 17-thousand dollar pay gap per year between men and women. Edwards says the bill up for discuss today, is a carefully crafted piece of legislation that promotes equal pay of men and women for similar work, without being too onerous.

Cut 5  (10)  “rectify it”

 The study finds the state’s wage gag is costing women close to 11 billion dollars a year. Edwards says many businesses may not realize there is a pay differential. He says things must change in order to help the women of Louisiana.

Cut 6 (08)  “business either” 

___________________________________________________

The defense attorney in the Will Smith case believes once all of the evidence comes out his client will be innocent. Cardell Hayes has been charged with second degree murder in the fatal shooting of the former-Saint, who was killed after a three-car fender bender turned violent in New Orleans. Attorney John Fuller hopes more details of the incident will come out in a preliminary hearing.

CUT 7 (11)  “knowledge of”

Smith’s wife Racquel Smith was also shot, but suffered no fatal injuries. Hayes will reportedly be charged in that shooting as well. Fuller stands by his claims that there was another gun at the scene and Hayes was not the aggressor.

Cut 8  (09)  “on that night”

Fuller has filed a motion to preserve all ballistic evidence. He says that when all the evidence from New Orleans Police is revealed, it will change everyone’s impression of the incident. He also says this was first encounter with Smith.

Cut 9 (08)  “New Orleans Saint”

___________________________________________________

The House Civil Law Committee will hear testimony today on the “Pastor Protection Act,” which would allow a clergy member or religious organization to deny participation in a same sex marriage. Bossier City Representative Mike Johnson, says the bill should not create a lot of controversy…

Cut 10 (06) “essential”

Johnson says this proposal is not as broad as similar bills that have gotten backlash in other states, like bills in Mississippi and North Carolina. He says this just protects a person’s religious beliefs, and he feels confident that once people read the legislation and understand it, any opposition will be withdrawn.

cut 11 (07) “against”

But Matthew Patterson with Equality Louisiana says if this law really only pertained to ministers and religious organizations, it would not be necessary because they are already protected under the First Amendment.

cut 12 (08) “to do”

Patterson says what the bill actually does is give organizations with any sort of religious affiliation to deny service to people in same sex relationships. He says this could include places like hospitals, homeless shelters and food banks that are typically associated with a religious group.

Cut 13 (07)  “to people”

___________________________________________________________

Southern University will hold a candlelight vigil tonight for the two students that were shot and killed outside of a party near the LSU campus. Interim Athletic Director Roman Banks says 19-year-old Annette January of Indiana was a member of the track and field team and 19-year-old Lashuntae Benton of Lake Charles was a student athletic trainer. He says everyone is having a hard time coping with the deaths of these bright young women.

Cut 14 (09)  “our support” 

One person has been arrested in connection with the case but no one has been charged with murder of the two girls. Banks says both girls were not doing anything wrong or somewhere they weren’t supposed to be. He says they were good kids.

Cut 15 (10) “law enforcement”

Banks says they’re continuing to ask for prayers for the Benton and January families. He says Benton always went above and beyond her duties as she was a volunteer student athletic trainer.

Cut 16  (09)  “eventually”

__________________________________________________________

Former Saints & LSU star, Hokie Gajan, has succumbed to his illnesses. He was 56 years old. The Saints color analyst’s daughter, Kristin Gajan Sell, told WWL the hospital staff felt Hokie would be best served with round the clock care and medical attention as he was moved to ICU earlier.

Cut 17 (09) “about him”

The 56-year-old was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer in December of 2015, and he had to miss the final games of last season as he underwent chemo. Sell says her father did not get depressed and he remained in good spirits till the end.

Cut 18 (11) “to be Hokie”

Friends and supporters organized a benefit last week, although Gajan was unable to attend as he was in the hospital. Sell says the outpouring of affection from everyone has been a true blessing.

Cut 19 (10) “for him”

A bill to address equal pay in Louisiana will be heard on the Senate floor today. Emelie Gunn has more…

CUT 1 (27) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

______________________________________

The proposed “Pastor Protection Act” will be heard by the House Civil Law Committee today. This bill would allow clergy members and religious organizations to decline to participate in a same sex marriage. Halen Doughty has more…

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Halen Doughty”

______________________________________

 The Southern University community is mourning after the death of two students. Jeff Palermo has more…

Cut 3 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

______________________________________________

A bill will be heard on the Senate floor today to address equal pay. Governor John Bel Edwards supports the legislation and says Louisiana comes in dead last in the country when it comes to the wage gap between men and women. He says women in the state earn only 65 cents for every dollar a man makes.

cut 4  (10)  “top of”

A study by the National Partnership finds there close to a 17-thousand dollar pay gap per year between men and women. Edwards says the bill up for discuss today, is a carefully crafted piece of legislation that promotes equal pay of men and women for similar work, without being too onerous.

Cut 5  (10)  “rectify it”

 The study finds the state’s wage gag is costing women close to 11 billion dollars a year. Edwards says many businesses may not realize there is a pay differential. He says things must change in order to help the women of Louisiana.

Cut 6 (08)  “business either” 

___________________________________________________

The defense attorney in the Will Smith case believes once all of the evidence comes out his client will be innocent. Cardell Hayes has been charged with second degree murder in the fatal shooting of the former-Saint, who was killed after a three-car fender bender turned violent in New Orleans. Attorney John Fuller hopes more details of the incident will come out in a preliminary hearing.

CUT 7 (11)  “knowledge of”

Smith’s wife Racquel Smith was also shot, but suffered no fatal injuries. Hayes will reportedly be charged in that shooting as well. Fuller stands by his claims that there was another gun at the scene and Hayes was not the aggressor.

Cut 8  (09)  “on that night”

Fuller has filed a motion to preserve all ballistic evidence. He says that when all the evidence from New Orleans Police is revealed, it will change everyone’s impression of the incident. He also says this was first encounter with Smith.

Cut 9 (08)  “New Orleans Saint”

___________________________________________________

The House Civil Law Committee will hear testimony today on the “Pastor Protection Act,” which would allow a clergy member or religious organization to deny participation in a same sex marriage. Bossier City Representative Mike Johnson, says the bill should not create a lot of controversy…

Cut 10 (06) “essential”

Johnson says this proposal is not as broad as similar bills that have gotten backlash in other states, like bills in Mississippi and North Carolina. He says this just protects a person’s religious beliefs, and he feels confident that once people read the legislation and understand it, any opposition will be withdrawn.

cut 11 (07) “against”

But Matthew Patterson with Equality Louisiana says if this law really only pertained to ministers and religious organizations, it would not be necessary because they are already protected under the First Amendment.

cut 12 (08) “to do”

Patterson says what the bill actually does is give organizations with any sort of religious affiliation to deny service to people in same sex relationships. He says this could include places like hospitals, homeless shelters and food banks that are typically associated with a religious group.

Cut 13 (07)  “to people”

___________________________________________________________

Southern University will hold a candlelight vigil tonight for the two students that were shot and killed outside of a party near the LSU campus. Interim Athletic Director Roman Banks says 19-year-old Annette January of Indiana was a member of the track and field team and 19-year-old Lashuntae Benton of Lake Charles was a student athletic trainer. He says everyone is having a hard time coping with the deaths of these bright young women.

Cut 14 (09)  “our support” 

One person has been arrested in connection with the case but no one has been charged with murder of the two girls. Banks says both girls were not doing anything wrong or somewhere they weren’t supposed to be. He says they were good kids.

Cut 15 (10) “law enforcement”

Banks says they’re continuing to ask for prayers for the Benton and January families. He says Benton always went above and beyond her duties as she was a volunteer student athletic trainer.

Cut 16  (09)  “eventually”

__________________________________________________________

The family of former Saints & LSU star, Hokie Gajan, says doctors have moved him into intensive care after his battle with cancer intensifies. The Saints color analyst’s daughter, Kristin Gajan Sell, told WWL the hospital staff felt Hokie would be best served with round the clock care and medical attention.

Cut 17 (09) “about him”

The 56-year-old was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer in December of 2015, and he had to miss the final games of last season as he underwent chemo. Sell says her father is not getting depressed and he continues to remain in good spirits.

Cut 18 (11) “to be Hokie”

Friends and supporters organized a benefit last week, although Gajan was unable to attend as he was in the hospital. Sell says the outpouring of affection from everyone has been a true blessing.

Cut 19 (10) “for him”