The Senate Finance committee is scheduled to hear Senate bill 423 in the near future. If passed, it would provide 250-thousand dollars to the families of any teacher or school employee that’s killed while performing their job. Cynthia Posey is with the Louisiana Federation of Teachers

Cut 3 (12) “more important”

The House Appropriations Committee resumed its review of the proposed budget for next fiscal year by hearing from various state agencies, including the Department of Agriculture and Forestry. Ag Commissioner Mike Strain raised concerns and says the state’s firefighting capacity is already stretched thin, and that a particularly nasty season could exceed his department’s budget…

Cut 13 (09) “fighting capacity”

Strain says the most pressing issue facing state firefighters is outdated equipment.

A Ruston man has been arrested and charged with 7 counts of attempted second degree murder after allegedly plowing his truck into a crowd of people Saturday night. 47-year-old Jason Rockett fled the scene after the incident at the North Village Mobile Home, and was arrested later that night. Lincoln Parish Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy Steven Williams says it was a crime of passion.

Cut 6 (08)  “than that”

A Thibodaux man faces attempted murder and other charges after Lafourche deputies say he attacked another man with a pitchfork and then led them on a chase Saturday night.  The Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office says 28-year-old Colby Perez was spotted by deputies and began a pursuit, which he ignored. He finally surrendered after he hit a spike strip. He was charged with battery about four months ago in an incident involving the same victim, and Perez was ordered to stay away from him.

A bill to put teachers on the same plane as firefighters and police when working is being heard today at the legislature. Jim Shannon has more.

Cut 1 (31) “I’m Jim Shannon”

New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu is promoting his book about removal of the Confederate Monuments with appearances and signings in the coming days. Landrieu’s book, “In the Shadows of Statues” hits stores tomorrow.  He’s been doing national media and local interviews promoting the release. He told WWL TV he never expected the statue controversy to be stirred up for so long.

That new car in the neighbor’s driveway probably has you thinking that their tax return came in, but if you’ve filed and are getting worried about where your money is, the Department of Revenue wants to remind you not to worry, it’s on its way. Spokesperson Byron Henderson says even if you filed on day one, your return won’t technically be late until the end of this month.

Cut 9 (11) “60 days.”

Those who filed a paper return could have to wait up to 14 weeks.

A Ruston man has been arrested and charged with 7 counts of attempted second degree murder after allegedly plowing his truck into a crowd of people Saturday night. 47-year-old Jason Rockett fled the scene after the incident at the North Village Mobile Home park, and was arrested later that night. Lincoln Parish Deputy Steven Williams says Rockett got into his truck, and aimed it at the crowd.

Cut 7 (10)  “the vehicle”

The Senate Finance committee is expected to discuss legislation today that would provide the families of teachers and school employees with 250-thousand if they are killed while performing their duties at school. Columbia Senator Neil Riser hopes its legislation they never have to use…
cut 5 (13) “…use it”
Currently, the families for first responders like fire and police officers are covered by a similiar law.

If you filed your state taxes and haven’t received your refund yet, Louisiana Department of Revenue spokesperson Byron Henderson says you can check the status by going online….
cut 11 (09) “…refund status”
Henderson says for those who file electroncially, it can take up to two months before you receive your refund.

The House Appropriations Committee resumed its review of the proposed budget for next fiscal year by hearing from various state agencies, including the Department of Agriculture and Forestry. Ag Commissioner Mike Strain raised concerns about not having enough money to battle the hundreds of wildfires that occur every year.
Cut 12 (10) “a problem”
Strain says the state’s firefighting capacity is already stretched thin, and that a particularly nasty season could exceed his department’s budget.

47-year-old Jason Rockett of Ruston faces seven counts of attempted second-degree murder for allegedly driving his vehicle into a crowd of people. Lincoln Parish Sheriff Chief Deputy Steven Williams says two people were injured….
cut 8 (11) “….the hospital”
The incident happened at North Village Mobile Home park.

The Senate Finance Committee is set to meet at this hour and they’ll discuss legislation that would provide 250-thousand dollars to the families of any teacher or school employee that’s killed while performing their job. The bill was prompted by the tragic south Florida school shooting. Columbia Senator Neil Riser is the author of the bill….
cut 4 (09) “…our people”
Currently fire and police officers are covered under a similar law.

The LSU Board of Supervisors has approved three scholarships to help attract students to the Baton Rouge campus. One of them is called the Transformation Merit Scholarship. Chief enrollment officer, Jose Aviles, says that’s for students who have a 26 or 27 ACT and those are students most univerisites are trying to attract…
cut 15 (09) “…want most”
There’s also the Innovation Awards, which is for strictly for in-state residents and it pays up to three-thousand dollars.

400,000 state returns have been sent out to Louisiana taxpayers, but if you haven’t seen your money yet, it doesn’t mean something went wrong. Matt Doyle has more.
Cut 2 (31) “I’m Matt Doyle.”

Farmerville police say 28-year-old Charlecia Shyne of Homer entered a residence armed with a knife and stabbed a female victim in the face several times. An adult male and a juvenile also suffered from injuries. Shyne was found in Caddo Parish and was transported back to Union Parish. Her bond is set at 240-thousand-dollars.

Despite talk of budget cuts to public colleges and TOPS, a record 23-thousand students have applied for entry at LSU for the academic year that starts in August. The school’s chief enrollment officer, Jose Aviles, says they hope for an incoming freshman class of 58-hundred, but TOPS funding is a factor…
Cut 13 (11) “for sure”

A Ruston man has been arrested and charged with 7 counts of attempted second degree murder after allegedly plowing his truck into a crowd of people on Saturday night. 47-year-old Jason Rockett fled the scene after the incident at the North Village Mobile Home, and was arrested later that night. Lincoln Parish Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy Steven Williams says it was a crime of passion.
Cut 6 (08) “than that”
Two people suffered minor injuries.

A bill to put teachers on the same plane as firefighters and police when working is being heard today at the state capitol. Jim Shannon has more.
Cut 1 (31) “I’m Jim Shannon”

The measure will be heard in Senate Finance.

Senate bill 423 is scheduled to be heard this afternoon in the Senate finance committee. If passed the measure will provide 250 thousand dollars for any teacher or employee of a school system killed while in the performance of doing their job. Cynthia Posey is a  spokesperson with the Louisiana Federation of Teachers

Cut 3 (12) “more important”

Currently fire and police officers are covered under a similar law which was prompted by the tragic events in Florida. Columbia Senator Neil Riser is the bill’s author.

Cut 4  (09) “our teachers”

Forty-six percent of LSU Health of New Orleans graduating medical students have chosen to remain in Louisiana to complete their medical training. Kelley Ray tells us the number of grads deciding to stay continues to fall

Cut 2 (28) “I’m Kelley Ray.”

Despite talk of budget cuts to public colleges and TOPS, a record 23-thousand students have applied for entry at LSU for the academic year that starts in August. The school’s chief enrollment officer, Jose Aviles,

Cut 14 (08) “going to be us”

23-thousand students have applied to attend LSU. LSU’s Chief Enrollment Officer Jose Aviles says it’s impressive. The LSU Board of Supervisors has approved three scholarships to help students choose the school. Aviles says thousands of dollars are available to students who qualify for these scholarships…

Cut 14 (08) “going to be us”

46 percent of LSU Health New Orleans graduating medical students participating in the National Resident Match Program this year chose to remain in Louisiana. That is down from 49 percent staying in state last year and 64-percent in 2012. Dr. Steve Nelson says it’s a trend that could cost Louisiana some great doctors…

Cut 7 (11)  “not return.”

Louisiana is two million dollars short on its funding for voucher students this year Department of Education spokesperson Sydni Dunn says if the legislature doesn’t come up with another two-million dollars to fill the shortfall for this academic year, private and charter schools that are educating students would be on the hook to pay for their educational expenses.

Cut 11 (07) “other expenses”

Farmerville police say one woman has been arrested in connection with an alleged home invasion. 28-year-old Charlecia Shyne of Homer entered a residence armed with a knife and stabbed a female victim in the face several times. An adult male and a juvenile also suffered from injuries. Shyne was found in Caddo Parish and was transported back to Union Parish. Her bond is set at 240-thousand-dollars.

A report from America’s Health Ranking says the rates of maternal mortality and teen suicide have risen over the last two years in Louisiana. UnitedHealthcare Chief Medical Officer Dr. Mark Peters says we are one of the worst states when it comes to taking care of expecting mothers.

The maternal mortality rate increased 28 percent to 44.8 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2017, while the infant mortality was down 11 percent.  Teen suicides were also up seven percent. Peters says mental health is a nationwide issue that Louisiana in particular lags behind on.

Mississippi, Louisiana, Arkansas, Alabama, and West Virginia made up the five lowest ranked states. Peters says they all have something in common, low state healthcare funding.

Cut 6 (11) “state programs.”

The good news is that the uninsured rate for women 18-40 was down 34 percent. Peters attributes this to the Medicaid expansion in 2016.

46 percent of LSU Health New Orleans graduating medical students participating in the National Resident Match Program this year chose to remain in Louisiana. That is down from 49 percent staying in state last year and 64-percent in 2012. Dr. Steve Nelson says it’s a trend that could cost Louisiana some great doctors…

National studies find a high number of physicians set up their permanent practices in areas where they complete their residency program. Nelson says a decline of 18 percent in the last five years is a concern and it’s up to the legislature to provide a stable source of funding for higher ed…

Nelson says the future medical achievements and the new physicians that will fill our hospitals and medical practices come from Louisiana, not elsewhere…

Cut 9 (10)  “at LSU.”

Despite talk of budget cuts to public colleges and TOPS, a record 23-thousand students have applied for entry at LSU for the academic year that starts in August. The school’s chief enrollment officer, Jose Aviles, says they  hope for an incoming freshman class of 58-hundred, but TOPS funding is a factor…

Aviles says it’s impressive LSU has so many applicants, especially considering there are fewer high school graduates. On Friday, the LSU Board of Supervisors approved three scholarships to help students choose LSU. Aviles says thousands of dollars are available to students who qualify for these scholarships

The Innovation Award would give Louisiana freshman up to 3-thousand dollars. The Tiger Excellence Award is for nonresident students who have ACT scores of 28 or 29 and then there’s the Transformation Merit Scholarship. Aviles says that’s for students who have a 26 or 27 ACT and those are students most universities are trying to attract….

Cut 15 (09) “want most”

The LSU Board of Supervisors approves three merit scholarships to help attract students to the Baton Rouge campus. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 3 (31) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

A report from America’s Health Ranking says the rates of maternal mortality and teen suicide have risen over the last two years in Louisiana. UnitedHealthcare Chief Medical Officer Dr. Mark Peters says we are one of the worst states when it comes to taking care of expecting mothers.

The maternal mortality rate increased 28 percent to 44.8 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2017, while the infant mortality was down 11 percent.  Teen suicides were also up seven percent. Peters says mental health is a nationwide issue that Louisiana in particular lags behind on.

Cut 5  (08)  “our state”

46 percent of LSU Health New Orleans graduating medical students participating in the National Resident Match Program this year chose to remain in Louisiana. That is down from 49 percent staying in state last year and 64-percent in 2012. Dr. Steve Nelson says it’s a trend that could cost Louisiana some great doctors…

National studies find a high number of physicians set up their permanent practices in areas where they complete their residency program. Nelson says a decline of 18 percent in the last five years is a concern and it’s up to the legislature to provide a stable source of funding for higher ed…

Cut 8 (09) “to correct.”

Louisiana is two million dollars short on its funding for voucher students this year. The money is appropriated every June, and covers the cost of state students to attend charter and private schools, instead of public schools. Department of Education spokesperson Sydni Dunn says the state’s voucher program is paid for by a special line-item appropriation in the budget. It currently enrolls 6,600 students statewide. Dunn says it’s possible money that funds public schools may have to be redirected to cover some of the costs of the voucher program for next school year.

Cut 12 (04) “these students”

Louisiana is two million dollars short on its funding for voucher students this year. The money is appropriated every June, and covers the cost of state students to attend charter and private schools, instead of public schools. Department of Education spokesperson Sydni Dunn says the state is short this year, and if more money isn’t appropriated next year, could be short by an even wider margin.

Dunn says if the legislature doesn’t come up with another two-million dollars to fill the shortfall for this academic year, schools that are educating voucher students would be on the hook to pay for their educational expenses.

Cut 11 (07) “other expenses”