The state Department of Agriculture orders an emergency quarantine for the transportation of Roseau cane, because of an insect that has damaged over 100-thousand acres of wetlands.  Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 2 (29) “I’m Matt Doyle.”

The Baton Rouge Police Department’s internal investigation into the Alton Sterling shooting could be released today. Attorney General Jeff Landry concluded criminal charges were not warranted against officers Blane Salamoni and Howie Lake. But legal analyst and Baton Rouge attorney Franz Borghart says the B-R-P-D’s review of the fatal altercation could lead to termination of employment…

Cut 4  (10) “be terminated.” 

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Baton Rouge Senator Dan Claitor’s bill that allows for higher civil penalties when someone dies as a result of hazing has received Senate approval. Claitor’s measure is one of a couple of bills filed in reaction to the suspected hazing death of an LSU student last September. There’s also Representative Nancy Landry’s bill, the Max Gruver Act, which would increase the criminal penalties if convicted of hazing. Claitor’s bill would expand current law on who could be held responsible for a death resulting from a hazing incident…

Cut 11 (06) “hazing process.”

Governor John Bel Edwards is seeking legislative approval for his plan on how to spend 123 million dollars in surplus dollars from the last fiscal year. If he has his way, 40 million dollars of the excess would be dumped into transportation projects. Edwards says the money would be spread out across the bayou to improve critical infrastructure.

Cut 13 (10)  “and safety.”

The internal Baton Rouge Police Department investigation into the shooting of Alton Sterling may be released today. Kelley Ray has more on what it could mean for the officers involved.

Cut 1 (29) “I’m Kelley Ray.”

The Department of Agriculture and Forestry has ordered an emergency quarantine so that Roseau cane south of LA Highway 10 is not transported out of the area. A tiny invasive insect is damaging the plant, which is a vital part of Louisiana’s wetlands. Commissioner Mike Strain says it’s already effected 200,000 acres.

Cut 7 (07)  “destroys it”

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Baton Rouge Senator Dan Claitor’s bill that allows for higher civil penalties when someone dies as a result of hazing has received Senate approval. Claitor says his legislation would allow those who file civil lawsuits to claim additional legal damages…

Cut 10 (08) “hazing action.”

State police have arrested a 14 year old driver who is said to be responsible for the death’s of two people on Monday morning. The driver has been charged with two counts of negligent homicide, unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, driving left of center, no driver’s license, and speeding. The wreck happened in ascension on la 74 west of us 61.

Pig Guts

The internal Baton Rouge Police Department investigation into the shooting of Alton Sterling may be released today. Kelley Ray has more on what it could mean for the officers involved.

Cut 1 (29) “I’m Kelley Ray.”

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The state Department of Agriculture orders an emergency quarantine for the transportation of Roseau cane, because of an insect that has damaged over 100-thousand acres of wetlands.  Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 2 (29) “I’m Matt Doyle.”

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Governor John Bel Edwards releases his plan for spending 123 million dollars in budget surplus dollars from last fiscal year. Jeff Palermo has more.

Cut 3 (29) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

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The Baton Rouge Police Department’s internal investigation into the Alton Sterling shooting could be released today. Attorney General Jeff Landry concluded criminal charges were not warranted against officers Blane Salamoni and Howie Lake. But legal analyst and Baton Rouge attorney Franz Borghart says the B-R-P-D’s review of the fatal altercation could lead to termination of employment…

Cut 4  (10) “be terminated.” 

Borghart says the termination may not be directly related to the actual shooting. He says there were several things that took place that is shown on a cell phone video during the 90 seconds that followed after Salamoni and Lake arrived on the scene – including the officers yelling obscenities at Sterling, holding Sterling down on the ground and Salamoni firing six gunshots…

Cut 5  (10)  “inappropriate behaivor.”

If Salamoni does indeed get terminated by the Baton Rouge Police Department, he can appeal the decision. Borghart explains…

Cut 6 (12) “police officer.”

Both officers have been on paid administrative leave since the shooting in July of 2016. Sterling’s family has already filed a civil lawsuit against the East Baton Rouge Parish, the City of Baton Rouge, the Baton Rouge Police Department, former police chief Carl Dabadie and officers Salamoni and Lake.

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The Department of Agriculture and Forestry has ordered an emergency quarantine so that Roseau cane south of LA Highway 10 is not transported out of the area. A tiny invasive insect is damaging the plant, which is a vital part of Louisiana’s wetlands. Commissioner Mike Strain says it’s already effected 200,000 acres.

Cut 7 (07)  “destroys it”

The agency is working with partners to find a solution, but doesn’t have a fix just yet. The scale, native to China and Japan, can usually be burned out, but Strain says Louisiana is in a uniquely bad position.

Cut 8 (09)  “large scale.”

Hunters use the Roseau cane to camouflage their ducks blinds, and to hunters preparing for the next season: Strain says make sure you keep any cane you use to the immediate vicinity it came from.

Cut 9 (06)  “its infected.”

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Baton Rouge Senator Dan Claitor’s bill that allows for higher civil penalties when someone dies as a result of hazing has received Senate approval. Claitor says his legislation would allow those who file civil lawsuits to claim additional legal damages…

Cut 10 (08) “hazing action.”

Claitor’s measure is one of a couple of bills filed in reaction to the suspected hazing death of an LSU student last September. There’s also Representative Nancy Landry’s bill, the Max Gruver Act, which would increase the criminal penalties if convicted of hazing. Claitor’s bill would expand current law on who could be held responsible for a death resulting from a hazing incident…

Cut 11 (06) “hazing process.”

Claitor says if his bill is approved, it would deter hazing related behavior, resulting in deaths. He says the criminal charges already in place haven’t done enough to curb this dangerous behavior…

The House Natural Resources Committee approved a bill requested by the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries to increase the price of hunting licenses to 20 dollars and fishing licenses to $13.50. LDWF Secretary Jack Montoucet says the current fees do not pay for what the department needs going forward.
Cut 29 (10) “ground zero”
The bill is projected to generate an additional 10 million dollars annually. Erath Representative Blake Miguez opposed the fee hike. He says people in his district are suffering from a lagging oil industry and don’t want to see costs go up on their favorite hobby…
Cut 11 (10) “or two”
Despite the opposition, the measure heads to the House floor.

A move to install cameras in nursing homes cleared a House panel. If approved, you could check on your loved ones at any time…
Cut 1 (29 “I’m Jim Shannon”

Legislation to give certain autism patients the opportunity to use prescribed medical marijuana received approval from a House committee today. State Representative Rodney Lyons says many families struggle with an autistic patient and medinical pot could be a soultion…
cut 14 (05) “…lot better”
Approved marijuana pharmacies are expected to open later this month.

The House Natural Resources Committee approved a bill requested by the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries to increase the price of hunting licenses to 20 dollars and fishing licenses to $13.50.

Secretary Jack Montoucet says the bill wasn’t just about fees increases, it also consolidated the total number of licenses from 117 to 30. Montoucet says it’s a major streamlining.

Cut 10 (08) “our constituents”

Legislation cleared the House Health and Welfare committee that would allow certain autism patients to have the ability to receive a prescription for medical marijuana once it comes available in Louisiana. The Louisiana Chapter of American Academy Pediatrics opposes the legislation. President and Doctor John Vanchiere…

Cut 13 (09) “other medications”

The bill passed 9-4.

Dramatic testimony was presented as a proposal that would allow for surveillance cameras in nursing home rooms cleared a House committee. New Orleans representative Helena Moreno says her bill would allow an extra set of eyes on a loved one who is in a nursing home….

Cut 6 (09)  “back home”

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

Cut 8 (11) “in pain”

Nursing home owners put in “Red Cards” in opposition.

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

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

State Police say a 14-year-old juvenile who was driving a vehicle and struck and killed two persons riding a motorcycle in Ascension Parish has been charged. Troopers say the juvenile is facing two counts of negligent homicide, unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, no driver’s license and speeding. 42-year-old Robert Stafford of Gonzales and 45-year-old Dusty Duet of Prairieville were killed early Monday morning.

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

Cut 12 (12)   “children alive”

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

Cut 3 (07) “Shreveport area.”

A move to install cameras in nursing homes cleared a House panel this morning. If approved by the entire legislature, you could check on your loved ones at any time. Jim Shannon has more.
Cut 1 (29 “I’m Jim Shannon”

Turkey Creek Police Chief Robert Glenn Leggett is in serious condition after he was stabbed in the face while attempting to make an arrest in Evangeline Parish. The sheriff’s office says 24-year-old Zackery Deville stabbed Chief Legett with a knife during a struggle. Deville has been charged with attempted first-degree murder.

Harvey Representative Rodney Lyons legislation to give certain autism patients the opportunity to take prescribed medical marijuana received approval from a House committee today. The Democrat from the New Orleans area says there are a lot of families struggling with an autism patient and medical marijuana could be their answer to a better life…
cut 14 (05) “…lot better”
Approved marijuana pharmacies are expected to open later this month. Under current law, only patients with cancer, AIDS, seizure disorders, Chron’s disease, muscular dystrophy and multiple sclerosis can be prescribed medical marijuana.

A large portion of the state is under a tornado watch until 9 PM tonight and there’s also a flash flood watch in effect until tomorrow morning for central and north Louisiana. Matthew Duplantis is a forecaster with the National Weather Service in Shreveport….
cut 4 (08) “…to form”

On a 9-4 vote, a House committee approved legislation to allow Autism patients with certain conditions to have the ability to use prescribed medical marijuana. The Louisiana Chapter of American Academy Pediatrics opposes the legislation. President and Doctor John Vanchiere says more testing needs to be done to see if medical marijuana is safe for children to use…
cut 13 (09) “…other medications”
Despite the oppostion, the measure heads to the House floor.

There was also opposition in House Natural Resources to a bill that would make it more expensive to purchase recreational hunting and fishing licenses. Erath Representative Blake Miguez…
cut 11 (10) “…year or two”
But the bill advances to the House Floor on a 12-3 vote.

A bill to give families the option to put a surveillance camera inside a room at a nursing home is heading to the House floor. Lucy Titus testified in favor. She says her 92 year old mother mysteriously had a black eye when she went to visit her. She says had a camera been in the room, she would have known what happened.
Cut 8 (11) “in pain”
Nursing home operators oppose the legislation, but they did not speak in committee on the issue.

A large section of Louisiana is under a tornado watch until 9 PM tonight. The watch box extends from Lake Charles to Monroe, covering up a large portion of central Louisiana. Matthew Duplantis with the National Weather Service in Shreveport says stay alert…
cut 5 (10) “…and evening”
A good portion of the state is also under a flash flood watch until tomorrow morning.

Nursing home owners opposed it, but a bill that would allow families to install surveillance cameras inside a nursing home room was approved by a House committee today. New Orleans Representative Helena Moreno says the resident and if there’s a roommate would have to sign a waiver, before the cameras can be installed…
Cut 7 (08) “nursing home”
Moreno says her legislation provides an extra set of eyes on a loved one who is in a nursing home.

The House Natural Resources Committee approved a bill requested by the the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries to increase the cost of a hunting license to 20 dollars and fishing licenses to $13.50. LDWF Secretary Jack Montoucet says the current fee just doesn’t pay for what the department needs going forward.
Cut 9 (10) “ground zero”
The measure now moves to the House floor.
Legislation cleared the House Health and Welfare committee that would allow certain autism patients to have the ability to receive a prescription for medical marijuana once it comes available in Louisiana. Louisiana Mothers Advocating for Medical Marijuana spokesperson Katelyn Castleberry says some of the current drugs on the market are unsafe for autism patients…
cut 12 (12) “…children alive”

Eightteen parishes from southwest Louisiana to central and north Louisiana are under a tornado watch until nine o’ clock tonight. The watch area covers Lake Charles, Alexandria and Monroe. Matthew Duplantis with the National Weather Service in Shreveport says the entire state needs to be on the alert for servere weather for the next 12 hours…
cut 5 (06) “…the area”
There’s also a flash flood watch for a good portion of the state until tomorrow morning.

A bill that would have reshaped the way TOPS is administered was killed yesterday. The Senate Education Committee defeated the measure to make TOPS a flat four-thousand dollar annual award and provide additional stipends for students who perform well on the ACT. LSU Student Body Vice President Rachel Campbell says reducing TOPS award amounts for some students is not the way to build a strong economy……

Cut 11 (08) “and TOPS.”

Senator Blade Morrish proposed the legislation as a way to lower the cost of TOPS for the state. It costs an estimated 290-million dollars. He says if the legislature is unwilling to overhaul TOPS then it will continue to struggle paying for it every year..

Cut 13 (10)  “this program.”

It’s still unclear if TOPS will be fully funded next fall as a budget.

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

Cut 6 (09)  “back home”

Baton Rouge Senator Dan Claitor’s anti-hazing bill passed through the Senate and is on its way to the House. The bill would increase the possible civil penalties associated with hazing related deaths. The vote was 28-3.

And now, here’s commodity prices.