Legislation that would have raised the minimum wage from $7.25 per hour to $8.00 in 2019 and $8.50 an hour by 2020 died on the Senate floor last night. New Orleans Senator Troy Carter tried to make the case that raising the minimum wage would reward those who chose to work instead of living off of government assistance…
cut 16 (12) “…living wage’
The wage hike was defeated 21-17.

A Flash Flood Watch has 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 the next 24 hours…
Cut 3 (07) “Shreveport area.”
Hill says the good news is that once this rain moves out of our state, we’ll see great weather for our Easter weekend.

A bill that would make the TOPS scholarship a flat four-thousand dollar award amount, but provide additional stipends for students who achieve higher G-P-As and ACT scores was voted down by the Senate education committee. LSU students voiced their opposition, including Student Government President Stuart Locket…
cut 12 (07) “…at LSU”
LSU tuition is over seven-thousand dollars, so some TOPS students would have to pay over three-thousand dollars in tuition costs under the legislation that was defeated.

A bill advancing to the House floor would reduce the wait time from 72 to 24 hours for those couples who want to get married after getting their marriage license. Carencro Representative Julie Emerson says Louisaina’s long wait time is a rarity in state marriage laws…
cut 9 (10) “…effect Louisiana”

The House Health and Welfare committee is expected to hear legislation allowing medical marijuana to be used as a legal treatment for autistic patients. Kelley Ray has more.

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Kelley Ray.”

A bill to shorten the waiting period for getting married has advanced to the House floor. The legislation by Carencro Representative Julie Emerson would reduce the wait time from the time paperwork is filed to officially hitched to 24 hours from the current 72. Emerson says Louisiana has an abnormally long wait time.

Cut 7 (06)  “that regard”

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A bill seeking to make major changes to TOPS faced opposition from LSU students. The Senate Education Committee defeated the measure to make TOPS a flat four-thousand dollar annual award and provide additional stipends for students who perform well on the ACT. LSU Student Body Vice President Rachel Campbell says the proposed legislation would force some LSU students to leave the state…

Cut 10 (10) “looking back.”

Minimum wage increase, pay secrecy, and equal pay for women legislation all died on the Senate floor last night. The bills were a major part of Governor John Bel Edwards agenda. New Orleans Senator JP Morrell’s equal pay for women bill died 20-18. He says the best and brightest women in Louisiana are flocking to state’s that won’t pay them less for the same work a man does.

Cut 14 (12) “the world”

The House Health and Welfare committee is expected to hear legislation today that would allow medical marijuana to be used as a legal treatment for persons with autism. Louisiana Mothers Advocating for Medical Marijuana spokesperson Katelyn Castleberry says her two sons suffer from autism and they need better options made available for treatment…

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

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

Cut 6 (11) “nervous system.”

Medical cannabis is going to be available later this year for patients with certain illnesses.

Minimum wage increase, pay secrecy, and equal pay for women legislation all died on the Senate floor last night. The bills were a major part of Governor John Bel Edwards agenda. New Orleans Senator JP Morrell’s equal pay for women bill died 20-18. He says the best and brightest women in Louisiana are flocking to state’s that won’t pay them less for the same work a man does.

The bill, which would have required contractors who work with the state to pay women the same as men in the same position, was defeated 20-18.

The Democrat went after his fellow legislators, accusing them of favoring businesses owners over workers. He says businesses keep wages low by preventing employees from discussing pay, while simultaneously being allowed to ask employees how much they used to be paid at other jobs.

Cut 15 (12) “somewhere else.”

The pay secrecy bill would have prevented employers from retaliating against workers who chose to discuss pay with each other. .

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

Cut 3 (32) “I’m Matt Doyle”

The House Health and Welfare committee is expected to hear legislation today that would allow medical marijuana to be used as a legal treatment for persons with autism. Louisiana Mothers Advocating for Medical Marijuana spokesperson Katelyn Castleberry says her two sons suffer from autism and even though marijuana has been used as a recreational drug for years, the medical benefits outweigh the stigma attached to it. Studies have shown that medical cannabis is quite effective for autism…

Cut 5  (10)  “to speak.”

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A bill seeking to make major changes to TOPS faced opposition from LSU students. The Senate Education Committee defeated the measure to make TOPS a flat four-thousand dollar annual award and provide additional stipends for students who perform well on the ACT. LSU Student Body Vice President Rachel Campbell says reducing TOPS award amounts for some students is not the way to build a strong economy……

Cut 11 (08) “and TOPS.”

Saint’s coach Sean Payton got asked for a hot take on the draft and didn’t hesitate to say there’s one quarterback he really admires, and that’s Louisville’s Lamar Jackson. Jackson shredded records and grabbed a Heisman while captaining the Cardinals. Payton waxed poetic about the gunslinger who just happens to be slipping into the late first round in many mock drafts.

Cut 20 (17) “can lead”

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

Cut 2 (33) “I’m Jeff Palermo.”

The House Health and Welfare committee is expected to hear legislation today that would allow medical marijuana to be used as a legal treatment for persons with autism. Louisiana Mothers Advocating for Medical Marijuana spokesperson Katelyn Castleberry says her two sons suffer from autism and they need better options made available for treatment…

Cut 4  (13) “to suicide.” 

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A bill to shorten the waiting period for getting married has advanced to the House floor. The legislation by Carencro Representative Julie Emerson would reduce the wait time from the time paperwork is filed to officially hitched to 24 hours from the current 72. Emerson says Louisiana has an abnormally long wait time.

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

Cut 8 (09)  “can do.”

Minimum wage increase, pay secrecy, and equal pay for women legislation all died on the Senate floor last night. The bills were a major part of Governor John Bel Edwards agenda. New Orleans Senator JP Morrell’s equal pay for women bill died 20-18. He says the best and brightest women in Louisiana are flocking to state’s that won’t pay them less for the same work a man does.

Cut 14 (12) “the world”

The House Health and Welfare committee is expected to hear legislation allowing medical marijuana to be used as a legal treatment for autistic patients. Kelley Ray has more.

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Kelley Ray.”

A bill to shorten the waiting period for getting married has advanced to the House floor. The legislation by Carencro Representative Julie Emerson would reduce the wait time from the time paperwork is filed to officially hitched to 24 hours from the current 72. Emerson says Louisiana has an abnormally long wait time.

Cut 7 (06)  “that regard”

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A bill seeking to make major changes to TOPS faced opposition from LSU students. The Senate Education Committee defeated the measure to make TOPS a flat four-thousand dollar annual award and provide additional stipends for students who perform well on the ACT. LSU Student Body Vice President Rachel Campbell says the proposed legislation would force some LSU students to leave the state…

Cut 10 (10) “looking back.”

Minimum wage increase, pay secrecy, and equal pay for women legislation all died on the Senate floor last night. The bills were a major part of Governor John Bel Edwards agenda.

Minimum wage increase, pay secrecy, and equal pay for women legislation all died on the Senate floor last night. The bills were a major part of Governor John Bel Edwards agenda. New Orleans Senator JP Morrell’s equal pay for women bill died 20-18. He says the best and brightest women in Louisiana are flocking to state’s that won’t pay them less for the same work a man does.

Cut 14 (12) “the world”

A minimum wage hike was also struck down. The bill would have increased the minimum wage to 8.50 by 2020.

A bill seeking to make major changes to TOPS faced opposition from LSU students. The Senate Education Committee defeated the measure to make TOPS a flat four-thousand dollar annual award and provide additional stipends for students who perform well on the ACT. LSU Student Body Vice President Rachel Campbell says the proposed legislation would force some LSU students to leave the state…

Cut 10 (10) “looking back.”

The House Health and Welfare committee is expected to hear legislation today that would allow medical marijuana to be used as a legal treatment for persons with autism. Louisiana Mothers Advocating for Medical Marijuana spokesperson Katelyn Castleberry says her two sons suffer from autism and they need better options made available for treatment…

Cut 4  (13) “to suicide.” 

Carencro Representative Julie Emerson’s bill to shorten the waiting period for getting married has advanced to the House floor. She says the states 72 hour waiting period is highly abnormal.

Cut 7 (06)  “that regard”

Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry announced that the two white officers involved in the shooting of Alton Sterling, a black man, will not be charged. Landry says this was a justifiable shooting under Louisiana’s law as the 37-year-old failed to cooperate with the police
cut 7 (09) “…was resisiting”
Landry says Sterling had a gun in his pocket and was under the influence of drugs.

The Sterling family was notified of the A-G’s decision before Landry told the public charges against the officers will not be pursued. His aunt, Velda Washington ,says racism played a role in the outcome…
cut 16 (09) “…nobody”
The Sterling Family has already filed a civil lawsuit against the Baton Rouge Police Department and Officers Blane Salamoni and Howie Lake.

The Baton Rouge Police Department is set to release additional evidence from the Alton Sterling shooting by the end of the week. Matt Doyle has more.
Cut 2 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

Attorney John McLindon represents Officer Salamoni. He says his client is pleased he will not face charges, but no one feels good about what happened…
cut 14 (07) “….he did”
It’s possible Salamoni and fellow officer Howie Lake will be fired by Baton Rouge Police Chief Murphy Paul.

Instead of our customary legislative report at this hour, we bring you the top news of the day.

Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry has ruled criminal charges are not warranted against two white Baton Rouge police officers who fatally shot a black man during an altercation in front of a convenience store in July of 2016. Landry’s office reviewed the evidence in the Alton Sterling shooting for nearly a year…
cut 6 (11) “…probable cause”
But Sterling’s aunt, Velda Washington, sees it differently….
cut 15 (13) “…nothing wrong”
Washington made those comments after meeting personally with Landry, before he went public with his decision.

The attorney for Sterling’s family, Chris Stewart, says they will seek some sort of justice for the shooting of Alton Sterling through a civil lawsuit already filed….
cut 10 (07) “….Baton Rouge, Louisiana”
Sterling’s family is also seeking the firing of Blane Salamoni and Howie Lake.

Attorney John McLindon represents Salamoni and he says they are not surprised by today’s announcement from the A-G…
Cut 13 (10) “in order.”
Now the Baton Rouge Police Department has started its own internal investigation of the shooting. Police Chief Murphy Paul says theyw ill determine if Salamoni and Lake violated policies or procedures during the incident and a disciplinary hearing is expected to be completed by the end of the week.

Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry has ruled criminal charges are not warranted against two white Baton Rouge police officers who fatally shot a black man during an altercation in front of a convenience store in July of 2016. Landry’s office reviewed the evidence of the Alton Sterling shooting for nearly a year, concluding the shooting involving officers Blane Salamoni and Howie Lake was justified.

He says toxicology reports from the autopsy also showed Sterling was under the influence of illegal drugs, which contributed to his noncompliance…

Cut 8 (11) “under Louisiana law”

The attorney for Sterling family, Chris Stewart, says justice was not served…

Cut 9 (11) “black man”

Stewart says a civil lawsuit has already been filed against the city and the officers.

The fatal shooting of Sterling in July of 2016 sparked several days of protests in the capital city, a large police presence and some major roads had to be closed. Baton Rouge Mayor Sharon Weston-Broome calls on the public to keep future demonstrations lawful.

Cut 12 (09)   “is not”

The Baton Rouge Police Department is reviewing the incident, and is expected to make a decision on the employment status of Officers Salamoni and Lake by the end of the week.

A bill to allow the home delivery of factory sealed alcohol to your front door has passed out of a Senate committee. Bill sponsor, Jennings Senator Blade Morrish says drivers who would deliver the factory sealed alcohol would be held under the same rules as a bartender…

Cut 4 (13) “years old.”