Lawmakers return to the capitol today to begin the regular session, just days after the special session failed to find a resolution for a one-billion-dollar budget shortfall. LAPolitics-dot-com Publisher Jeremy Alford says the backbiting and harsh words slung around between legislators will have an impact. Alford says they need to work together to consider over 1,000 bills for this session…
cut 6 (07) “…Medicaid services”
Teacher tenure will also be discussed in the regular session. Currently, teachers must be rated “highly efficient” for five of six years to qualify. The bill would lower the requirement to “effective: proficient”. West Monroe Representative Frank Hoffman says only 20 percent of teachers in a given year qualify for “highly efficient” status. He says his bill makes the requirements for tenure more reasonable.
Cut 11 (09) “you did.”

LSU president F. King Alexander is standing behind his decision to institute a zero tolerance policy on hazing in the Greek system. In the wake of the death of Maxwell Gruver the school commissioned a group to come up with a plan. Alexander says the restrictions on alcohol are to protect students he says the Greek system is a valuable asset for the university
Cut 3 (11) “graduation rate.”

New Orleans police say they arrested a 20-year-old man who allegedly threatened to shoot several people at UNO. The threat forced the university to cancel classes up until 5 PM today. The suspect has been identified as Nicholas Heard and he lives on campus. He allegedly made threats against UNO to two other students.

The regular session kicks off today, and Governor John Bel Edwards is hoping for a more productive gathering than the recent special session. Matt Doyle has more.

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

18 states raised their minimum wage this year, and a few major companies are following suite. Council for a better louisiana president Barry Erwin says while the national landscape is tilting in favor of higher wages, he doesn’t see it happening in Louisiana.

Cut 8 (11) “minimum wage”

Governor John Bel Edwards released his legislative agenda aimed at improving the well-being of children and seniors. One of the bills included is West Monroe Representative Frank Hoffman’s proposal to reduce the requirements necessary for public school teachers to obtain tenure. Hoffman says the current requirements are unfair to educators.

Cut 10 (09) “the teachers.”

With the onset of spring comes seasonal allergies and this year could be a very long season. For those who suffer from hay fever, it spells many weeks of sniffing, sneezing, watery eyes and post nasal drainage. Physician Dr. Peter Boggs says the allergy season started early due to record breaking warmth in February.

There are differences between colds and allergies. Boggs says if you are wondering if it’s a cold or if it’s allergies, there’s an easy way to find out…

Cut 14 (08) “to treat.”

The regular session kicks off today, and Governor John Bel Edwards is hoping the legislature gets more accomplished than the special session that ended without a solution to the budget problem.

Edwards says he and House Speaker Taylor Barras had the framework for a deal in place, only to see the speaker back away from the plan early into the special session. Edwards says going forward, legislators need to place more trust in each other’s intentions.

Cut 6 (09)  “to do”

To kick off the regular session, the governor released his legislative agenda to advance the well-being of Louisiana children and seniors, that includes legislation addressing teacher tenure, and abuse of individuals with infirmities.

One of the bills included is West Monroe Representative Frank Hoffman’s proposal to reduce the requirements necessary for public school teachers to obtain tenure.

Hoffman says only 20 percent of teachers in a given year qualify. He says his bill makes the requirements for tenure more reasonable.

West Virginia teachers recently won a strike for higher pay and benefits, and reports showed Louisiana teachers are paid about 2,000 dollars less per year than the regional average. Hoffman says this is the kind of legislation that will make sure Louisiana can attract and retain quality instructors.

Cut 12 (09) “the classroom”

Hoffman is also proposing a bill that would alter the way the teacher evaluation system is weighed.

The regular session begins today less than a week after the special session crashed and burned. Fiscal cliff negotiations will be put on hold while a slew of other issues take center stage. There are several gun control bills filed. But Council for a Better Louisiana President Barry Erwin doesn’t see any of the measures to restrict who can purchase an assault rifle passing.

Substantial changes to the state retirement system have been considered, but ultimately scrapped in past sessions, but Erwin says he sees support building for a fundamental overhaul of how new hired state employees receive their benefits.

Cut 9 (08)  “finish line.”

Substantial changes to the state retirement system have been considered, but ultimately scrapped in past session, but Erwin says he sees support building for a fundamental overhaul of how new hired state employees receive their benefits.

With the onset of spring comes seasonal allergies and this year could be a very long season. For those who suffer from hay fever, it spells many weeks of sniffing, sneezing, watery eyes and post nasal drainage. Physician Dr. Peter Boggs says the allergy season started early due to record breaking warmth in February. But there is still a lot of pollen to go around…

Cut 13 (10)  “pollen predominatly.”

Governor John Bel Edwards supports a bill that rolls back the standard public school teachers need to achieve for tenure. Jeff Palermo has more.

Cut 3 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo.”

The regular session kicks off today, and Governor John Bel Edwards is hoping the legislature gets more accomplished than the special session that ended without a clear solution to the fiscal cliff.

Legislators are not allowed to address revenue issues in this regular session, so the fiscal cliff will have to wait for another special session to be called afterwards.

Despite the tension, Edwards says he’s optimistic that the legislature will put aside their differences and come together for a productive regular session.

Cut 5  (11)  “to mine.”

The regular session begins today less than a week after the special session crashed and burned. Fiscal cliff negotiations will be put on hold while a slew of other issues take center stage. Council for a Better Louisiana President Barry Erwin says

18 states raised their minimum wage this year, and a few major companies are following suite. Erwin says while the national landscape is tilting in favor of higher wages, he doesn’t see it happening in Louisiana.

Cut 8 (11) “minimum wage”

With the onset of spring comes seasonal allergies and this year could be a very long season. For those who suffer from hay fever, it spells many weeks of sniffing, sneezing, watery eyes and post nasal drainage. Physician Dr. Peter Boggs says the allergy season started early due to record breaking warmth in February. For allergy sufferers, there are some treatments that can help that don’t involve over the counter medicine. Boggs says he has treated many patients successfully with immunotherapy, but it involves a shot and visiting your doctor. Boggs says there are treatments you can do yourself…

Cut 15 (09) “at home.”

7

The same divides that wrecked any hopes of a fiscal cliff solution could linger into the regular session that begins today. Kelley Ray has more.

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Kelley Ray”

The regular session kicks off today, and Governor John Bel Edwards is hoping the legislature gets more accomplished than the special session that ended without a clear solution to the fiscal cliff. The special session was notable for its stark partisan divides, which Edwards says were the worst he’s seen in a decade.

Cut 4  (07) “state goverment” 

Governor John Bel Edwards released his legislative agenda aimed at improving the well-being of children and seniors. One of the bills included is West Monroe Representative Frank Hoffman’s proposal to reduce the requirements necessary for public school teachers to obtain tenure.

Currently, teachers must be rated “highly efficient” for five of six years to qualify. The bill would lower the requirement to “effective: proficient”.

Hoffman says only 20 percent of teachers in a given year qualify for “highly efficient” status. He says his bill makes the requirements for tenure more reasonable.

Cut 11 (09) “you did.”

With the onset of spring comes seasonal allergies and this year could be a very long season. For those who suffer from hay fever, it spells many weeks of sniffing, sneezing, watery eyes and post nasal drainage. Physician Dr. Peter Boggs says the allergy season started early due to record breaking warmth in February. But there is still a lot of pollen to go around…

There are differences between colds and allergies. Boggs says if you are wondering if it’s a cold or if it’s allergies, there’s an easy way to find out…

Cut 14 (08) “to treat.”

The regular session kicks off today, and Governor John Bel Edwards is hoping for a more productive gathering than the recent special session. Matt Doyle has more.

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

The regular session begins today less than a week after the special session crashed and burned. Fiscal cliff negotiations will be put on hold while a slew of other issues take center stage. There are several gun control bills filed. But Council for a Better Louisiana President Barry Erwin doesn’t see any of the measures to restrict who can purchase an assault rifle passing.

Cut 7 (11)  “amendment state.”

Governor John Bel Edwards released his legislative agenda aimed at improving the well-being of children and seniors. One of the bills included is West Monroe Representative Frank Hoffman’s proposal to reduce the requirements necessary for public school teachers to obtain tenure. Hoffman says the current requirements are unfair to educators.

Cut 10 (09) “the teachers.”

With the onset of spring comes seasonal allergies and this year could be a very long season. For those who suffer from hay fever, it spells many weeks of sniffing, sneezing, watery eyes and post nasal drainage. Physician Dr. Peter Boggs says the allergy season started early due to record breaking warmth in February. But there is still a lot of pollen to go around…

Cut 13 (10)  “pollen predominatly.”

Louisiana is set to see the first severe weather event this spring. There is a greater risk in North Louisiana as the strong cold front moves south.  State Climatologist Barry Keim says severe storms can’t be ruled out…

Cut 9 (09) “risk category.”

The timing of the storms is this evening in North Louisiana and overnight in Central and South Louisiana.

The identities of the two who died in a house fire has been released. The state fire marshal’s office says 91-year-old Robert White and 61-year-old Adele Cooper were killed as a result of using an outdoor heating element and a propane tank. Fire Marshal Butch Browning…

Cut 5  (09) “the tank.”

Two others escaped the burning home in Madisonville.

Attorney General Jeff Landry has sued the Vermilion Parish School Board after he claims they violated the Open Meeting Law. Don Molino has more…

Cut 2 (28) “I’m Don Molino.”.

New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu will discuss why several Confederate monuments were removed from his city on 60 Minutes Sunday. The Advocate reports that the interview will show where the monuments are currently held in storage and what will become of those four monuments. A nonprofit group will collect public input on what should replace the statue of Robert E. Lee that was removed from Lee Circle.

Attorney General Jeff Landry has sued the Vermillion Parish School Board and is asking that the January 8^th meeting be voided. Teacher Deyshia Hargrave was ordered out of the meeting and arrested by a deputy city marshal after questioning the board about a raise for the Superintendent. The suit says her arrest violated the Open Meeting Law. Loyola University Law Professor Dane Ciolino says all the actions of the meeting would have to be done over…

Cut 11 (11) “proposed action.”

This week, the Army Corps of Engineers started opening the Bonnet Carre Spillway to lower water levels on the rising Mississippi in the New Orleans area. Environmentalists complain that Asian Carp is also entering the Lake Pontchartrain basin. Friday, spillway fishermen were reportedly reeling in the predator fish. There is some research that suggests the fresh water species like Asian Carp will not fair well in the lake…

A Bossier City pastor was arrested on drug charges after deputies found Methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia at his house. Andy Harris was the senior pastor of The Church of the Cross in Haughton, and was charged with possession. Bossier Parish Sheriffs Lt. Bill Davis says Harris was being questioned about a separate investigation when the subject came up and says the drugs do not appear to be related to Harris’s job as a pastor.

Cut 8 (06) “was arrested”

Thibodaux Police say they arrested a man for allegedly stealing items from where he worked in exchange for drugs. After an internal investigation, the store contacted police. Police Department spokesman David Melancon (Ma-law-san) says the investigation found that 28-year-old Trevor Theriot stole baby formula and exchanged it for Norco pills. Melancon says after police arrested the suspect and were searching him, they found more…

Cut 15 (06) “some help.”

The St. Tammany Parish Coroner has identified the victims of a house fire in Madisonville Friday. They are 91-year-old Robert White and 61-year-old Adele Cooper.  State Fire Marshal Butch Browning says a small propane tank, with a heating element attached was being used to heat the elderly man’s bed room and could be cause of the blaze.

Attorney General Jeff Landry has sued the Vermillion Parish School Board and is asking that the meeting teacher Deyshia Hargrave was ordered out be voided, including the action on the superintendent’s 30-thousand-dollar raise. Loyola University Law Professor Dane Ciolino says since the action violated the Open Meeting Law, board members in attendance at that meeting, including retired chairman Anthony Fontana could face civil penalties…

Cut 12 (10) “that meeting.”

After breaking records in rainfall last month, the Red, Mississippi and Ouachita Rivers are swollen and some areas are still above flood stage. More rain is expected this weekend, including possible severe weather. State Climatologist Barry Keim says it’s the last thing residents along those waterways want to see…

Cut 10 (07) “watch on.”

Thibodaux Police say they arrested a man for allegedly stealing items from where he worked in exchange for drugs. After an internal investigation, the store contacted police. Police Department spokesman David Melancon (Ma-law-san) says the investigation found that 28-year-old Trevor Theriot stole baby formula and exchanged it for Norco pills. Theriot also admitted to other thefts…

Cut 14 (11) “relationship with.”

Two elderly people have died following a blaze in a Madisonville home Friday morning. Jim Shannon has more.

Cut 1 (31) “I’m Jim Shannon”

New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu will discuss why several Confederate monuments were removed from his city on 60 Minutes Sunday. The Advocate reports that the will show where the monuments are currently held in storage and what will become of those four monuments. A nonprofit group will collect public input on what should replace the statue of Robert E. Lee that was removed from Lee Circle.

A Bossier City pastor was arrested on drug charges after deputies found Methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia at his house. Andy Harris was the senior pastor of The Church of the Cross in Haughton, and was charged with possession. Bossier Parish Sheriffs Lt. Bill Davis says Harris was being questioned about a separate investigation when detectives learned about the drug activity.

Cut 6 (11)  “snorting device”

Louisiana is set to see the first severe weather event this spring. There is a greater risk in North Louisiana as the strong cold front moves south.  State Climatologist Barry Keim says severe storms can’t be ruled out…

Cut 9 (09) “risk category.”

Colder weather moves into the Bayou State for the start of next week.