The National Weather Service predicts that the Red River could reach its highest level in 25 years. Eric Gill reports…

CUT 1 (30) “reporting”

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An effort to raise revenue to pay for key highway construction projects failed to get the necessary two thirds vote in the House of Representatives. Eric Gill reports…

CUT 2 (27) “reporting”

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The National Weather Service predicts that the Red River could reach its highest level in 25 years. As of Wednesday, the river stood at 29.2 feet. NWS predicts it will crest at 33 feet, the highest since a 34.5 foot crest in 1990. Meteorologist Mario Valverde says the Red River is not at flood stage, but that’s going to change soon…

CUT 3 (05)  “for 25 years”

Valverde says the Red River is expected to crest in the Shreveport area sometime around June 5th. He says the river should crest in the Alexandria area a couple of days later. Valverde doesn’t expect any flooding from the Red River to impact any cities, but says some agricultural lands could be inundated…

CUT 4 (06)  “severe impacts”

NWS says the imminent flooding is the result of recent rainfall in northwest Louisiana and central Texas. It’s predicted that it will be the first part of July before waters to recede back to normal levels. Valverde says the flooding will cause some inconvenience…

CUT 5 (06)  “period of time”

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The state House has rejected legislation that would increase the state’s sales tax by one-cent for road and bridge improvements. Plaquemine Representative Karen St. Germain’s bill overwhelmingly failed to get a two-thirds vote of elected members it needed to pass. St. Germain says HB 778 would help with the backlog in road and bridge projects facing the state…

CUT 6 (10)  “pay as we go”

The state is currently facing a backlog of $12 billion in road and bridge needs. St. Germain says the bill could generate over $7 billion over the next decade to fund specific highway projects. She says the neglect of Louisiana’s roadways has gone on long enough…

CUT 7 (06) “a hand basket”

The House vote was 52-42. The measure needed 70 votes to pass. St. Germain says improving state roadways would enhance the lives of all Louisianians…

CUT 8 (05)  “to get there”

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The LSU baseball team will host Lehigh tomorrow afternoon to open up NCAA Regional play. The Mountain Hawks are the Patriot League Tournament champs, but they bring a 25-and-29 losing record into Baton Rouge. Pitcher Zac Person says they are not taking Lehigh lightly

CUT 9 (10)  “we’ll be okay”

Shortstop Alex Bregman says the players look forward to postseason baseball in Alex Box Stadium….

cut 10 (08) “this year” 

LSU is 48-and-10 on the season, and they’ve been ranked number one for a good part of the season. Coach Paul Mainieri doesn’t want his team putting any added pressure on themselves now that its the postseason

cut 11 (10)  “all year”

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Cops in the LaFourche Parish town of Golden Meadow say they’ve arrested a woman accused of stealing over $12,000 from a non-profit children’s baseball league. Chief Reggie Pitre (PEE’-tree) says they received a complaint from the league’s board of directors about 35-year-old Renee Serigny (sehr-in-YAY’) after noticing inappropriate activity on their bank accounts…:

cut 12 (11)  “both accounts”

Serigny was booked with two counts of felony theft and was released from the parish jail after posting a $4,000 bond. Pitre says he questioned the woman himself about the incident…:

cut 13 (08)  “medical setting”

Pitre says that money was supposed to go towards their Babe Ruth and Cal Ripken league’s account for things like supplies and uniforms from registration fees…:

cut 14 (08) “daily use”

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Nicholls State University has signed an educational partnership with Galliano-based offshore giant Edison Chouest that will let their employees and family members earn a degree from the school. Eric Gill reports…

CUT 1 (26) “reporting”

______________________________________

Louisiana has its first female head football coach in history and she’ll be coaching a deaf squad. Michelle Southern reports…:

Cut 2 (29) “reporting”

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A political pundit says Governor Bobby Jindal violated the state constitution for his attack on Presidential candidate, Senator Rand Paul. Jeff Palermo has more…

Cut 3 (30) “reporting”

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In an effort to increase its international profile and boost enrollment numbers, Nicholls State University has signed an educational partnership with Galliano-based offshore giant Edison Chouest that will allow their employees and family members earn a degree from the school. University President Bruce Murphy says the deal will waive out-of-state and international fees for students connected to Chouest…

cut 4  (08)  “online, as well”

He says the agreement not only covers on-campus courses, but online course opportunities as well. Murphy says it was a natural for the school to team up with Edison Chouest…

Cut 5  (09)  “that company”

Chouest has approximately 14,000 employees in over a dozen countries worldwide. Murphy says this agreement will bring more international diversity to the Thibodaux campus…

Cut 6 (10)  “educational opportunities”

______________________________________

Louisiana has its first female head football coach in history and she’ll be coaching a deaf squad. Susan Gremillion will be taking over the team at the Louisiana School for the Deaf from her husband Darren. She says she’s extremely excited about the upcoming season and feels LSD is the best kept secret in the state…:

CUT 7 (10)  “at a hearing school”

The War Eagles are an eight-man football team and they went 7-2 last year. Gremillion, who was previously the squad’s special teams coordinator, says being the head coach is not about gender it’s about doing what you love…:

Cut 8  (07)  “to learn” 

Gremillion says being the first woman head football coach sounds nice but she wants to be the first woman to coach a deaf national championship team…:

Cut 9 (06)  “every year”

______________________________________

Two bills that are key components to a Common Core compromise made it off the House Floor Wednesday. The votes were nearly unanimous and Governor Bobby Jindal is also backing the proposals. Lake Charles Representative Brett Geymann, a staunch opponent of Common Core, is glad all sides of this controversial issue came together…:

Cut 10 (11) “this agreement”

One of the bills lets the public and others review the English and math standards, which could result in changes to Common Core curriculum that the next governor would have to approve. The other proposal seeks to control the state’s participation in tests associated with Common Core. Geymann says he’s comfortable with what they came up with…:

cut 11 (04) “come to an agreement”

The legislation will next head to the Senate, which is expected to go along with the bills. Geymann says he’s appreciative of the hard work that went into coming up with this legislation…:

cut 12 (06)   “public process”

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Political blogger CB Forgotston says Governor Bobby Jindal violated the state constitution with a press release through the governor’s office that criticizes Presidential candidate Rand Paul. Jindal’s statement, which is on letterhead used by the governor’s office, says Senator Paul is unsuited to be Commander-in-Chief. Forgotston says the state constitution makes it clear that you can’t do that…

Cut 13 (09)  “political candidate”

Jindal criticized the senator from Kentucky for saying that hawks in the Republican Party helped create ISIS. A Jindal spokesperson, Mike Reed, says the suggestion the Governor of Louisiana can not or should not comment on matters of national security is without merit. But Forgotston says Reed is dodging the issue…

Cut 14 (11) “taxpayers dime”

Forgotston says he’s filed a complaint with Louisiana Inspector General Stephen Street…

(When contacted, Street said he can’t comment on on a possible investigation.)

Cut 15  (09)  “executive department”

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The LSU softball team will take on SEC rival Auburn this afternoon in Oklahoma City in the opening round of the Women’s College World Series. It’s the fourth ever WCWS appearance for LSU. Head Coach Beth Torina says since the fall her team has been on a mission to get to this point

Cut 16  (16)  “sitting in today”

The Tigers bring a 50-and-12 record into Oklahoma City. They have seven hitters hitting .324 or higher and they have four pitchers who have combined for a team ERA of 1.76. Torina says the depth on her team has served them well…

Cut 17 (16)  “to win”

LSU’s last WCWS appearance was in 2012. But the Tigers scored only four total runs and they were eliminated after three games. Torina says this year’s squad has a different mindset…

Cut 18 (18) “in the fall”‘

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NOAA announces the 2015 Atlantic Hurricane Season forecast calls for 6-11 tropical storms, 3-6 hurricanes and 0-2 major hurricanes. Jeff Palermo reports…:

CUT 1 (25) “reporting”

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Louisiana’s unemployment rate remains above the national rate. Eric Gill has the story…

CUT 2 (23) “reporting”

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A bill that would prohibit hospitals from billing rape victims for their medical exams is one step closer to final passage. New Orleans Representative Helena Moreno’s legislation cleared the Senate in a unanimous vote. New Orleans Senator JP Morrell says this bill goes beyond merely paying for victim’s medical exams…

CUT 3 (08)  “Reparation Board”

Moreno’s measure would would permit health care providers to submit a claim to the victim’s insurance company for payment, but the victim would not be required to pay any share of the costs. The bill now goes back to the House to consider Senate amendments to the legislation. Monroe Senator Bob Kostelka says this bill is important to preserve the dignity of rape victims…

CUT 4 (12)  “go out anymore”

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A bill prohibiting what is known as revenge porn is close to legislative passage. Kenner Representative Julie Stokes’ measure has cleared the House and now has unanimous approval from the Senate. Baton Rouge Senator Sharon Weston Broome says the measure would make it a crime to share a nude image of someone on the internet without their permission…

CUT 5 (07)  “emotional harm”

Violators of the proposed measure could face up to two years in prison and a $10,000 fine. The bill now heads back to the House to approve Senate amendments. Broome says this legislation will send a strong message…

CUT 6 (08)  “future instances”

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The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration says the 2015 Atlantic Hurricane forecast will see between 6-11 tropical storms, 3-6 hurricanes and either zero-two major strength hurricanes. Dr. Kathryn Sullivan, NOAA Administrator and Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere, says these numbers are below average…:

CUT 7 (07) “1998”

Sullivan emphasizes that a below average hurricane season does not mean that mother nature won’t throw a curve ball so it’s still important to be prepared for anything. She says driving the impact this year is the El Nino which has developed in the Pacific Ocean and has the effect of suppressing hurricane activity in the Atlantic…:

CUT 8 (10)  “of storms”

Hurricane season officially runs June 1 through Nov. 30, but the first Tropical Storm this year, Ana, already formed earlier this month and came ashore in North Carolina. Sullivan says their scientists also predict that sea surface temperatures in the key portions of the Atlantic will be normal…:

CUT 9 (06)  “drive storms as well”

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Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Secretary Robert Barham says Sgt. Scott Bullitt, who was shot last week in Ouachita Parish while on duty, remains hospitalized in serious condition in a Shreveport hospital. He says neurosurgeons performed surgery on Bullitt Saturday…

cut 10 (11) “his spine” 2X

Barham says doctors were able to successfully remove the bullet and bone fragments from the agent’s spine; however, Sgt. Bullitt currently does not have use of his legs. Barham says Sgt. Bullitt has a long rehabilitation process ahead of him…

cut 11 (09)  “hopeful of that”

Doctors have yet to be determined if the agent has suffered any permanent spinal damage. The suspected shooter, Luke Hust, has been charged with two counts of attempted first degree murder in the incident. Barham says Hust has confessed to the shooting…

cut 12 (10)  “motivated him”

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Legislation that allows medical marijuana to be dispensed in Louisiana moves a step closer to final legislative passage. The Senate-approved bill, received approval from a House committee today. The Louisiana Sheriff’s Association were in opposition last year, but executive director, Michael Ranatza, says tight controls have been put on the bill, so they’ve dropped their opposition…

cut 13 (11)  “medical setting”

If medical marijuana legislation is approved, it can be prescribed for spastic quadriplegics, those suffering from glaucoma, individuals going through chemotherapy, or epilepsy. Ranatza says he took the heart a message he received a proponent to the legislation who recently passed away…

cut 14 (08) “have it”

Ranataza made it clear to the committee that the Louisiana Sheriff’s Association does not support the medical marijuana legislation, but they no longer oppose it as they’ve done in previous years…

(The legislation now heads to the House floor.) 

cut 15 (07) “better place”

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Parks Senator Fred Mills will present his medical marijuana bill before the House Health and Welfare Committee today. Jeff Palermo reports…

CUT 1 (30) “reporting”

______________________________________

Republican Gubernatorial candidate Scott Angelle announces he’ll be touring north Louisiana beginning this week. Michelle Southern reports…:

Cut 2 (31) “reporting”

______________________________________

A football player for LSU is booked with felony domestic abuse for allegedly choking his fiance in the presence of children. Michelle Southern reports…:

Cut 3 (30) “reporting”

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Parks Senator Fred Mills will present his medical marijuana bill before the House Health and Welfare Committee today. The measure cleared the full Senate on a 22-13 vote. He says medical marijuana has been legal in Louisiana since a law was passed back in 1991…

cut 4  (07)  “medical marijuana”

The bill would allow for the cultivation and dispensing of medical marijuana. A similar bill by Mills failed to pass committee last year. Mills says he’s worked with the Louisiana Sheriff’s Association to make the bill more acceptable to lawmakers. He says some changes included putting the Department of Agriculture in charge of growing medical marijuana and limiting the number of dispensing pharmacies in the state to ten…

Cut 5  (07)  “oil form”

The measure would also make medical marijuana available only in an oil form, not in its raw form where people would smoke it. Governor Bobby Jindal says he doesn’t see any glaring concerns with Mills’ bill…

Cut 6 (08)  “medical purpose”

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Republican Gubernatorial candidate Scott Angelle announces he’ll be touring north Louisiana beginning this week. According to a release, the tour will travel through 27 parishes meeting with local officials, business owners, educators and other residents. ULM Political Science Professor Joshua Stockley says this is brilliant strategy…:

CUT 7 (10)  “tremendously”

Recent polls have shown the Public Service Commissioner Angelle trailing the other three major candidates Democratic Representative John Bel Edwards, Lt. Governor Jay Dardenne and the leader, US Senator David Vitter. Stockley says north Louisiana has always been a hot spot for Vitter…:

Cut 8  (08)  “Vitter’s base” 

Today Angelle will be in Madison and Tensas parishes hosting a meet-and-greet with over 150 sportsmen. In the release, Angelle says north Louisiana is crucial to the success of our state and voters there are looking for a governor who appreciates the vital role they play in our economy. Stockley says this tour indicates that he’s serious about this campaign…:

Cut 9 (04)  “this race”

______________________________________

Former US Senator Mary Landrieu has found a new job. She’s been hired by the Washington DC lobbying firm Van Ness Feldman as a Senior Policy Advisor. Political analyst Clancy Dubos says it’s not a surprise for former Senators and US Representatives to accept these kind of jobs…

Cut 10 (10) “Capitol Hill”

The company says Landrieu will advise clients on various public policy and regulatory issues with an emphasis on energy, natural resources and infrastructure matters. Dubos says Landrieu’s career as a politician will help her out in her new occupation….

cut 11 (06) “administrative level”

Dubos says it’s likely Landrieu’s days in public office are over and this announcement signals a career change…

cut 12 (10)   “different career track”

______________________________________

A football player for LSU is booked with felony domestic abuse for allegedly choking his fiance in the presence of children. East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s office Spokeswoman Casey Rayborn Hicks says the victim claims she and 22-year-old Jevonte Domond got into a huge argument when the incident took place…:

Cut 13 (10)  “consciousnesses”

Hicks says Domond was arrested for felony domestic abuse battery by strangulation with minor children present. She says the woman claimed she was strangled by Domond to the point of almost completely blacking out…:(Hicks says the woman’s injuries were consistent with her story and there was also a witness who corroborated the claim.)

Cut 14 (09) “her story”

Domond is a junior who transferred to LSU last summer and played in one game. He is a 6-foot-6 offensive tackle and weighs 310 pounds. A spokesman from the team says he has been suspended. Hicks says the suspect told detectives there was a dispute that started earlier in the day when the woman pulled a knife on him on threatened him…:

Cut 15  (07)  “to the incident”

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The Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation and the Allstate Sugar Bowl have put in a bid to host the College Football Playoff National Championship game in 2019 or 2020. New Orleans is already competing to host the Super Bowls in those same years. Jay Cicero, Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation President says it would be their hope to get both big games in the same year…:

Cut 16  (06)  “situation”

It’s being reported as many as 9 cities are bidding to host the big game between 2018-2020. Cicero says they’ve put together a great presentation and they know there will be many other potential host sites hoping to get the games…:

Cut 17 (09)  “is fierce”

New Orleans can’t bid on 2018 because The Big Easy is already going to host the National Semifinal game that year. Cicero says there will be site visits over the summer and the decision will be made mid-October. He says one of their main concerns is brand new stadiums, but a lot of those cities can’t offer all New Orleans has to offer…:

Cut 18 (12) “and manage it”‘

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Shrimp season opened just over a week ago and local shrimpers are seeing prices at the dock take a nose dive. Eric Gill as more…

CUT 1 (30) “reporting”

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Legislation to soften the penalties for those convicted multiple times for marijuana possession continue to make progress in the legislature. Jeff Palermo has more…

CUT 2 (30) “reporting”

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Shrimp season opened just over a week ago and local shrimpers are seeing prices at the dock take a nose dive. One shrimper says he’s getting 55-cents per pound for his catch, compared to $2 a year ago. Clint Guidry, President of the Louisiana Shrimp Association, says there is one big factor contributing to the drop in price…

CUT 3 (05)  “over 50-percent”

Guidry says an increase in imported shrimp is the main cause of the price drop. He says there was a decrease in imports the last few years because of a disease problem with southeast Asian shrimp. Guidry says these falling prices have an adverse affect the entire industry…

CUT 4 (12)  “go out anymore”

The dramatic drop in the price of shrimp is making it difficult for fishermen to pay expenses, much less make a profit. Guidry is hopeful the federal government will step in and help curb the number of imports allowed in the US. He says there is one specific way consumers can help Louisiana shrimpers…

CUT 5 (06)  “working fishermen”

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Louisiana has some of the harshest marijuana possession penalties in the country, but two bills are moving through the legislature that seek to reduce prison times for repeat offenders. Similar efforts to reduce possession penalties failed in the past, but New Orleans Senator JP Morrell says this year, the Louisiana Sheriff’s Association and the Louisiana District Attorney Association do not oppose the legislation

CUT 6 (10)  “moving forward”

The current maximum prison sentence for multiple marijuana possession offenders is 20-years, but Morrell’s which was approved by the Senate on Monday, reduces the mandatory jail time to eight years…

CUT 7 (10) “in jail”

The House has also approved a bill that reduces pot penalties. Morrell says his legislation is NOT an attempt to legalize marijuana for recreational use…

CUT 8 (07)  “through the system”

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Another round of severe weather rolled through Louisiana earlier today and State Climatologist Barry Keim says more rain is coming. He says rainfall is in the forecast for the next several days. Keim says there is at least a 50-percent chance of rain each day for the rest of the week…

CUT 9 (09)  “kind of patterns”

Keim says El Nino is the probable cause for these fronts slamming the state. He says the state has averaged about six inches of rain over the last month, but some isolated areas have gotten much more…

cut 10 (10) “above normal”

Keim says the Tangipahoa Parish town of Tickfaw has received 10.8 inches of rain over the last month, five inches above normal. He says because of a very unstable atmosphere, we could see more severe weather this week…

cut 11 (10)  “it right now”

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A bill that would ban sex selection abortions in Louisiana stalls in a Senate Judiciary Committee. The proposal by Representative Lenar Whitney would penalize doctors who knowingly end a pregnancy because of sex preference of the baby. The Houma lawmaker has argued that this is a problem in Asian communities where there is a preference for boys…:

cut 12 (10)  “you should vote no”

The vote was 2-2 so the House approved measure will not go to the Senate floor for now. New Orleans Senator Karen Carter Peterson wasn’t happy Whitney implied that a “no” vote on her bill meant the lawmakers wanted to kill baby girls…:

cut 13 (13)  “sex selection”

Whitney says there is currently no evidence which suggests that abortions based on sex are a problem in Louisiana. Committee Chair New Orleans Senator JP Morrell says he couldn’t support the legislation without evidence that this is taking place in Louisiana…:

cut 14 (09) “timing of it”

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New graduates are hitting the workforce and Louisiana Workforce Commission Executive Director Curt Eysink says their outlook for landing a job is good. Jeff Palermo reports…

CUT 1 (30) “reporting”

______________________________________

It looks like Governor Bobby Jindal has some work to do, if he wants to be included the first 2016 Republican presidential debate. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (30) “reporting”

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The state Department of Transportation continues to gather feedback from motorists on how I-10 through the Baton Rouge area should be improved. Eric Gill reports…

Cut 3 (30) “reporting”

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New graduates are hitting the workforce and Louisiana Workforce Commission Executive Director Curt Eysink says the job market in Louisiana looks as good as it’s looked in 20 years. He says while the market, as a whole, is strong, some college degrees are more sought after than others…

cut 4  (10)  “long, long, time”

Eysink says the job market in business and computer related fields are particularly strong, right now. He says grads can go to laworks-dot-net to see a list of jobs in the state in their field. He says those exiting community colleges are also in demand…

Cut 5  (06)  “hot right now”

Eysink says the job market in Louisiana is projected to stay strong through 2022. He adds that success in the job market will vary from person to person depending on what their degree is in. Eysink also has a bit of advice for those who are still in school…

Cut 6 (11)  “they get out”

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Governor Bobby Jindal could be kept out of the first Republican debate of the 2016 presidential campaign. Fox News will host the debate in August and the network requires contenders to be in the top 10 in an average of five national polls leading up to the event. LSU Political Science Professor Robert Hogan says with Jindal in jeopardy of making the cut, he’ll try to get the attention of party activists…

CUT 7 (10)  “legislation”

In recent presidential polls, Jindal has finished near the bottom, and getting about one-percent in most of the surveys. Hogan says despite numbers, it will be difficult for Fox to leave someone like Jindal out of their debate…

Cut 8  (04)  “typically like” 

Jindal is expected to officially announce he’s running for President after the legislative session ends on June 11th. There’s already an ad running in Iowa supporting his candidacy in Iowa. Hogan says if the field of candidates gets smaller, Jindal may have a chance to move up in the polls…

Cut 9 (11)  “in the party”

______________________________________

The state Department of Transportation continues to gather feedback from motorists on how I-10 through the Baton Rouge area should be improved. People can go online to i10br-dot-com and take a 21 question survey through the end of the month. DOTD Spokesperson Rodney Mallett says more than 6,000 people have taken the survey thus far, but would like to see those numbers climb…

Cut 10 (08) “more input”

Mallet says the results of the survey will be revealed in August. He says the survey is just one part of gathering people’s input on what should be done to the I-10 corridor…

cut 11 (10) “community-wide input”

Mallet says a public meetings about proposed changes to the corridor will happen sometime in August. He says DOTD believes there needs to be public backing and input to address this issue…

cut 12 (10)   “would be happy”

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For a fourth straight season, LSU is a national seed in the NCAA Baseball Tournament, which will get underway when the Tigers host Lehigh University on Friday. The Tigers received the number two national seed, despite being ranked number one by most of the polls for the entire season. Coach Paul Maineri admits some disappointment in not getting the number one overall seed…

Cut 13 (16)  “beginning on Friday”

If LSU wins the Baton Rouge regional, they’ll face the winner of the Houston Regional during the first weekend of June. Houston beat the Tigers in the Baton Rouge Regional last year, but Mainieri says his team can’t look ahead to a possible rematch…

Cut 14 (16) “in this business”

The other two teams in the Baton Rouge regional are UNC-Wilmington and Tulane. If the Green Wave and LSU win on Friday, they’ll face each other on Saturday night. Shortstop Alex Bregman would love to see that match-up…

Cut 15  (13)  “cool deal”

______________________________________

U-L Lafayette has made it to the NCAA Tournament for a third straight season. The Ragin Cajuns received an automatic bid after winning the Sun Belt Tournament and they’ll battle Rice on Friday afternoon in the Houston Regional. Cajuns Coach Tony Robichaux says getting into the tournament again is quite a feat considering how much talent they lost from last year’s super regional team…

Cut 16  (14)  “what they accomplished”

Houston and Houston Baptist are the other two teams in the regional with UL Lafayette and Rice. Robichaux says its another tough regional facing his team….

Cut 17 (16)  “be successful”

The Ragin Cajuns  won the Sun Belt Touranemtn after losing its first game of the tourney to Texas State. Robichaux says battling back from the loser’s bracket should help his young team…

Cut 18 (17) “will not be easy”‘

__________________________

Many will be firing up the grill this Memorial Day and LSU AgCenter Economist Ross Pruitt says you can expect to continue to pay high prices for beef.  Scott Carwile reports…

CUT 1 (28) “reporting”

______________________________________

There will be several Memorial Day events held across the state to remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country. Jeff Palermo reports…

Cut 2 (29) “reporting”

______________________________________

Many will be firing up the grill this Memorial Day and LSU AgCenter Economist Ross Pruitt says you can expect to continue to pay high prices for beef.  According to figures from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average price for a pound of ground beef in March was $4.20, up almost 14-percent from 2014.  Pruitt says it all comes down to how much beef is available…

Cut 3 (08) “going higher”

Beef production has been down over the past several years because of a drought in some of the leading beef-producing states.  However, Pruitt says some slight relief could be in sight…

cut 4  (10)  “a little bit”

But Pruitt says, overall, you can expect to pay high prices for beef at least through the end of the year.  He says if you’re looking for more bang for your buck, you may want to go with chicken or pork for your barbecue…

Cut 5  (09)  “price differential”

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Memorial Day is the unofficial start of summer and the state Department of Health and Hospitals wants everyone to take precautions to stay safe while swimming. Assistant Secretary for Public Health, JT Lane, says it’s important for children to know pool safety and to have proper gear nearby…

Cut 6 (08)  “just in case”

Drowning is the leading cause of injury death for children between the ages of 1 and 14 an the fifth leading cause of unintended injury death for people of all ages. Lane says if you plan on swimming in any natural waterways, extra precautions should be taken…

CUT 7 (08)  “cause injury”

Lane adds that alcohol should be used responsibly around water and never when supervising children. He says they don’t want to discourage anyone from swimming this summer, but they do want to make sure everyone is careful and takes proper precautions…

Cut 8  (03)  “to swimming” 

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Memorial Day is one of the most solemn holidays on the calendar. It’s a day set aside to remember those men and women who gave their lives in defense of our freedom. Secretary of the Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs, David LeCerte, says the United States has sending young men and women off to fight for our nation since 1775…

Cut 9 (09)  “men and women”

There will be several events across the state to honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom. LaCerte says attending a Memorial Day ceremony is a great way to remember these fallen heroes. But he adds there are other ways you can commemorate the day…

Cut 10 (10) “those sacrifices”

LaCerte says several hundred Louisiana troops have been lost in the post 9/11 war on terror in Iraq and Afghanistan. He says as the fight continues in new theatres, more men and women will be sent in harm’s way and some will not come back home. LaCerte says it’s important to continue to honor those lost as we progress forward…

cut 11 (06) “in the world”

______________________________________

State officials want you to take time this week to prepare for the upcoming hurricane season. Governor Bobby Jindal has declared it, Hurricane Preparedness Week, and Chris Guilbeaux, a deputy director at the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness says visting Get-a-Game-Plan-dot-org is a good first step

cut 12 (12)   “coastline”

Guilbeaux says a three to five day supply of water and food that won’t spoil are some of the things you should purchase now. He says this Saturday and Sunday, the state sales tax on certain hurricane preparation items will be removed

Cut 13 (07)  “may arise”

Forecasters are calling for a quiet hurricane season. Louisiana has seen only a couple of hurricanes since the devastation that occurred in 2005 with Katrina and Rita. Guilbeaux says we can’t let our guard down

Cut 14 (07) “all the time”

For the 6th Memorial Day weekend, Bayou Country Superfest brings it’s huge stage to Tiger Stadium. Michelle Southern reports…:

CUT 1 (30) “reporting”

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A Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries agent was shot while on patrol in Ouachita Parish. Jeff Palermo has the story…

CUT 2 (30) “reporting”

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Memorial Day Weekend in Baton Rouge will see Tiger Stadium hosting Bayou Country Superfest for the 6th year with huge stars including Kenny Chesney, Blake Shelton and Miranda Lambert, all on the heels of tonight’s Taylor Swift show. Producer Quint Davis says one of the greatest things about this festival is that it’s held on the LSU campus…

CUT 3 (09)  “inside the stadium”

Davis reminds concert goers that Saturday and Sunday from noon to four, a huge free fan fest takes place outside the stadium…

CUT 4 (06)  “sign their shirts”

Davis says the stage is built, the field is covered and the chairs are down. He says Bayou Country Superfest in “Death Valley” is a gathering like no other…

CUT 5 (09)  “Blake and Miranda”

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A Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Enforcement Division agent is hospitalized after he was shot while in the line of duty. L-D-W-F spokesperson Adam Einck says 32-year-old Sergeant Scott Bullitt of Jonesboro was shot in the back while performing a traffic stop on the Russell Sage Wildlife Management Area in Ouachita Parish…

CUT 6 (10)  “recoverable from”

Einck says Sergeant Bullitt has been an LDWF agent for over five years and he’s married with no kids…

CUT 7 (10) “and waterways”

The man who allegedly shot Sergeant Bullitt has been identified as 29-year-old Luke Jarrod Hust. He fled into the woods after the shooting, but was arrested by authorities several hours later. Einck says Hust has been in and out of jail over the last 10 years and decided to shoot Bullitt during the traffic stop…

(Hust has been charged with two counts of attempted 1st-degree murder.)

CUT 8 (07)  “lower back”

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Fourth district Congressman John Fleming is upset the Environmental Protection Agency has delayed the disposal of 15-million pounds of M6 propellant stored at Camp Minden in Webster Parish. Fleming says a contract has yet to be signed to begin the disposal, because the EPA wants an additional eight million dollars from Louisiana to cover oversight costs…

CUT 9 (09)  “level of expense”

Tthe EPA says additional dollars are needed because of updated cost estimates. But Fleming says the EPA has not provided any documentation on why

cut 10 (06) “that’s it”

Fleming calls the EPA’s last minute demand extortion from an agency whose budget is eight-billion dollars. The congressman from northwest Louisiana says he’ll work to get contractors on the ground soon to begin the work of removing these dangerous materials

cut 11 (10)  “stuff done”

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Iberville Parish Sheriff Brett Stassi says DNA has confirmed that a 30-year-old teacher in Plaquemine fathered a 15-year-old student’s child. Keavin Keith was arrested earlier this week, after he was accused of having a sexual relationship with three students. Stassi says no new additional charges will occur as a result of this latest development…

cut 12 (09)  “this time”

Stassi says they ordered DNA tests after one of the alleged victims told detectives she had a sexual relationship with Keith that produced a son…

cut 13 (07)  “year old”

Keith was released from jail on a 100-thousand dollar bond. Stassi says they continue to investigate, but at this time, there’s only three victims in this case…

cut 14 (08) “no sir”

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Houma Police say a 36-year-old woman accused of dumping a pot of boiling grease on her sleeping ex-boyfriend turned herself into authorities this morning. Police chief Todd Duplantis says investigators originally thought it was just boiling water that burned the 33-year-old victim

cut 15 (09) “the bed”

The victim suffered severe burns to his torso, right arm and face and was sent to a burn center in Baton Rouge. Duplantis Lynette Joseph faces a charge of second-degree battery…

cut 16 (11) “or both”

The Metropolitan Crime Commission asks the state Attorney General’s office to investigate the sentence of the Destrehan High School teacher who had sex with one of her students. Michelle Southern reporting…:

CUT 1 (32) “reporting”

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As motorists begin hitting the road for the Memorial Day weekend, Gasbuddy-dot-com says they’ll like the price they see at the pump. Scott Carwile has more…

Cut 2 (30) “reporting”

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The Louisiana House has approved a 24-billion dollar budget that includes language about Governor Jindal’s out-of-state campaign travels. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 3 (30) “reporting”

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In the first of a series of questions to the four major gubernatorial candidates, Louisiana Radio Network asks about the state’s budget problems. We asked each candidate if they were Governor today, how would they handle the $1.6 billion dollar deficit. Republican Public Service Commissioner Scott Angelle says he’d cut every dime of wasteful spending…:

cut 4  (11)  “and healthcare”

Republican Lt. Governor Jay Dardenne says he’d curtail tax exemptions and refundable credits, cap the film tax credit program and raise the cigarette tax. But Dardenne says if he were Governor there wouldn’t be this giant deficit…:

Cut 5  (11)  “economy strong”

Democratic Representative John Bel Edwards says he would reduce or eliminate tax giveaways that cost too much or produce too little return on investment. He says he would also accept federal tax dollars back into Louisiana to help us meet obligations for the people of Louisiana…:

Cut 6 (11)  “money that we can use”

(Affiliates: The full responses are in the audio folder of our website in the sub folder: “Governor Q&A answers” — They are each about 90 seconds long.) Republican US Senator David Vitter says if he is elected, he would immediately call a special legislative session on spending and tax reform…:

CUT 7 (11)  “Governor’s term”

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The Metropolitan Crime Commission has asked the state Attorney General’s office to investigate the sentence of the Destrehan High School teacher who had sex with one of her students. Shelley Dufresene admitted to the act in exchange for no jail time and not having to register as a sex offender. Legal analyst Tim Meche says the MCC President should know better than to call for this investigation….:

Cut 8  (10)  “local district attorney” 

Dufresne was originally charged with felony carnal knowledge of a juvenile but pleaded down to a misdemeanor obscenity charge as part of the deal. The MCC wants the AG’s office to look into whether St. Charles Parish DA Joel Chaisson committed any criminal violations with regards to the plea. Meche says if the MCC believes a criminal act occurred they should report it to federal authorities…:

Cut 9 (07)  “constitution”

Dufresne is the daughter of a sitting judge in the 29th District and the entire bench recused themselves in the matter but Chaisson did not. There are many people who say Dufresne got off easy and if the teacher would have been male and the student female then the outcome would have been much different. Meche says people are entitled to their opinion but this move is a classic case of political grandstanding…:

Cut 10 (11) “such an investigation”

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As motorists begin hitting the road for the Memorial Day weekend, Gasbuddy-dot-com says they’ll see the lowest gas prices since 2009. Senior Petroleum Analyst Gregg Laskoski says the current average price for a gallon of regular gasoline in Louisiana is $2.45 a gallon.

cut 11 (07) “a year ago” 2X

Laskoski says many are considering an additional road trip this summer because of the price at the pump. He says while gas prices have gone up about 21-cents a gallon in the past month, prices are still almost a dollar less than we paid a year ago. Laskoski says the price hike is not totally unexpected…

cut 12 (06)   “driving season”

Laskoski says the price jump can be attributed to a rise in crude oil prices and the approaching summer driving season. But, he doesn’t think there will be a huge increase in gas prices this summer. Laskoski says there is still a really significant inventory of gasoline and that’s good news for motorists…

Cut 13 (08)  “last year”

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On a 65-37 vote, the state House approved a 24-billion dollar budget for next fiscal year, sending the spending plan to the senate. House Appropriations Chairman Jim Fannin says the budget process started with a one-point-six billion dollar shortfall, but they covered much of that gap, by passing revenue generating bills, recognizing additional dollars thanks to an improved revenue forecast and other financing…

Cut 14 (10) “MFP”

As it stands now, the budget reduces funding for LSU’s medical schools in New Orleans and Shreveport and the state’s public-private hospital partnerships are also underfunded. Fannin says some agencies will also face cuts…

Cut 15  (08)  “highest priority”

A politically charged amendment was added to the budget during the debate. The measure would require the governor’s office and not State Police to pay for troopers, when Jindal makes out-of-state campaign trips. Monroe Representative Katrina Jackson is in full support…

Cut 16  (11)  “one person”

(The amendment passed on a 55-35 vote, but could be removed by the Senate or Jindal can use his line-item veto power on the legislation. ) 

The teacher arrested in Iberville Parish for allegedly having sex with three of his students, apparently fathered a child of one of the victim’s when she was 15-years-old. Michelle Southern reports…:

CUT 1 (30) “reporting”

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Governor Jindal is defending his religious freedom order, which prohibits the executive agencies from taking action against individuals or businesses, if they have a traditional view of marriage . Jeff Palermo has the story…

CUT 2 (30) “reporting”

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The Acadia Parish Sheriff’s Office announce that a woman wanted for the death of her infant daughter has been arrested in Lafayette. Spokesperson Maxine Trahan says 26-year-old Katie Chriceol (Cry-sol) gave birth to her child at home in late March. The newborn then went into cardiac arrest and died at a local hospital. Trahan says they were then contacted by the hospital…

CUT 3 (09)  “for methamphetamine”

She says hospital toxicology reports showed that Chriceol and the baby both tested positive for high levels of methamphetamine. Trahan says this case was brought before a grand jury last week… (Trahan says Chriceol was located and arrested in Lafayette Wednesday and booked on a charge of second degree murder.)

CUT 4 (08)  “of the baby”

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State Police say a fire at their data center has left Office of Motor Vehicles offices across the state unable process any transactions. Major Doug Cain says an electrical panel fire has disabled all automated systems at the Department of Public Safety, including OMV locations statewide…

CUT 5 (07)  “of the offices”

He says workers are staying on site at the offices in hopes that the situation can be resolved. As of now, all they can do is turn people away. Cain says they hope to get everything up and going later today. Trooper patrols will continue, but Cain says this fire has brought the Department of Public Safety to a virtual standstill…

CUT 6 (05)  “troopers use”

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The teacher who was arrested in Iberville Parish for allegedly having sex with three of his students, apparently fathered a child of one of the victim’s when she was 15-years-old. 30-year-old Keavin Keith was arrested Monday on 30 counts of prohibited sex with a student. Sheriff Brett Stassi says one of the victim’s claims Keith got her pregnant…:

CUT 7 (10) “by the victim”

Keith was also charged with two counts of indecent behavior with juveniles and five counts of felony carnal knowledge. Stassi says at lease one other victim told detectives that she engaged in oral sex with Keith inside his classroom at Iberville’s Math, Science and Arts Academy-West in Plaquemine. He says this is an unfortunate case…:

CUT 8 (08)  “rest of his life”

Stassi says they got a statement from Keith when he was arrested and he admitted to investigators that he’d had sex with the students. He says they’ve been getting reaction from the community on both sides of this case…:(Keith was named teacher of the year in 2013.)

CUT 9 (10)  “very good teacher”

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Governor Bobby Jindal’s religious freedom executive order is receiving strong criticism from democrats. The leader of the state democratic party, New Orleans Senator Karen Peterson, says she can’t believe Jindal would issue the order, when businesses and the tourism industry expressed concern the measure could alienate visitors or keep conventions away…

cut 10 (08) “we represent”

LSU grad and prominent Democratic Party figure, James Carville, appeared on the Jim Engster Show and said he wishes the governor would focus on bigger issues impacting the state…

cut 11 (10)  “the state”

But Jindal is not apologizing for the religious freedom order. The governor says it re-affirms our first amendment rights….

cut 12 (09)  “without discrimination”

Jindal’s controversial order prevents the executive branch of state government from taking adverse action against a person or a business for their belief in traditional marriage. He disputes the accusation that his order will hurt the state’s economy…

cut 13 (10)  “mutually consistent”

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