Flu season is calming down but a particularly nasty strain is still out there threatening children in particular. Matt Doyle has more.

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle.”

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Elmer Chocolate in Ponchatoula is carrying on a 163 year old tradition as Easter approaches this weekend.   Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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A Walker High Senior is facing expulsion over the length of his hair, and is taking to social media to fight back. Matt Doyle has more.

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Louisiana is recovering from one of the worst flu epidemics in recent memory, and while the numbers have come down, Louisianans, specifically those with children, should remain vigilant. State health department immunization director Dr. Frank says a particularly nasty strain of flu is still out there, and it’s hitting kids hardest.

Cut 4  (12) “of infection.” 

For healthy adults though, the numbers look a lot better than they were just three to four months ago. Welch says at our peak, a record 12-percent of doctor visits were because of the flu.

Cut 5  (08)  “like illness.”

After being one of the hardest hit states in the nation, Welch says Louisiana is actually looking better off now than most of the south.

Cut 6 (07) “our neighbors”

But Welch still recommends anyone suffering from flu like symptoms avoid other people, and make a visit to your doctor.

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Elmer Chocolate in Ponchatoula is carrying on a 163-year-old tradition this Easter. Not only are they the second largest producer of Valentine candy in the world, they have been a big part of Gulf South Easter celebrations. CEO Rob Nelson…

Cut 7 (10)  “to generation.”

Elmer Chocolate started in downtown New Orleans in 1855 and have grown to employ 270 workers in Ponchatoula.  Nelson says their Gold Brick Egg and Heavenly Hash remains their top selling Easter Candy. He says they still make it in the older part of the factory

Cut 8 (09)  “can’t change.”

Technology has helped change the way they can produce the candy.  Nelson says their 2016 expansion allows them to produce different and new types of chocolate.

Cut 9 (11)  “like pieces.”

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The Louisiana House approves legislation that calls for a 30-year contract extension between the state and Harrah’s land-based casino in New Orleans. House Speaker Taylor Barras says the deal also calls for Harrah’s to make a 350-million dollar investment in the gaming property and the casino operator already has robust plans in mind

Cut 10 (10) “existing casino”

Barras says Harrah’s would also add new restaurants and a night club. He says Harrah’s massive investment in the only land-based casino in the state will mean hundreds of jobs…

Cut 11 (12) “900 range”

If the Senate approves the contract, the Harrah’s casino in New Orleans would remain in operation until 2054. The company currently pays the state 60-million dollars a year, under the new contract Louisiana would receive an additional three-point-six million dollars annually, which will be spent on early childhood education

An 85,000 dollar settlement has been reached in a sexual harassment case against a former aide to Gov. John Bel Edwards.  Matt Doyle has more.

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Ride sharing companies like Uber and Lyft may soon be regulated by the state. A bill to create statewide regulations over Uber drivers has been introduced. Uber spokesperson Nick Juliano says cities will no longer have jurisdiction of vehicles…

Cut 5  (07) “opt out.”

71 people were arrested in a north Louisiana bust targeting prostitution and human trafficking. The sweep took place last week. Authorities have released the names, with ages ranging from 68 years-old to a juvenile. Shreveport Police Corporal Angie Willhite says the charges involve a wide range of criminal behavior…

Cut 12 (09)   “weapons arrest”

Your child may ask for a rabbit as a pet for their very own Easter bunny. But it may not be the right fit for your family. Alicia Haefele-Vile with the Louisiana SPCA says a rabbit is like having a dog or cat, but with much more care…

Cut 6 (10)  “every day.”

She says shelters usually after a month or so after Easter see a rash of bunnies turned in once people realize all the work that needs to be done in caring for a rabbit.

On an eight to six vote, The House Agriculture Committee approved a bill by Carencro Representative Julie Emerson repealing the requirement for a Louisiana florist to be licensed.  Louisiana is the only state that requires florists to take a written exam and be approved.  She says florists will still need a permit, but her bill eliminates a 40 question written test…

Cut 9 (09) “public health.”

Committee Chairman Clay Schexnayder (shecks-ni-der) of Gonzales is afraid if the requirement to license florists is done away with, it will be bad news for consumers…

Cut 10 (09) “back home.”

The bill now moves to the House floor.

A bill to create statewide regulations over Uber drivers has been introduced. Uber spokesperson Nick Juliano says we have been lagging behind other states when it comes to regulations. Currently individual parishes and cities control the Uber and Lyft rules. This bill would put control of the ride share companies under the blanket of the state.

Cut 4 (09) “of Louisiana.”

Governor John Bel Edwards is seeking legislative approval for his plan on how to spend 123 million dollars in surplus funds from the last fiscal year. Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne says the funds can’t be dumped straight into the impending one billion dollar budget deficit, because one time money is not a long term fix.

Cut 15 (10) “time money”

Edwards is recommending to use 40-million-dollars in surplus money on 23 transportation project around the state.

A bill to establish one set of rules for ride sharing companies has come up in the legislature. If passed Uber and Lyft will be riding high. Jim Shannon explains.
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Jim Shannon”

The House Agriculture committee approved a bill today that would repeal the requirement for florists to have a license. Carencro Representative Julie Emerson sponsors the measure…
cut 11 (06) “…oversight”
The legislation still requires florists to have a permit, but they would no longer have to pass a 40-question test to get a license.

71 people were arrested in Shreveport during a three-day crime fighting operation targeting prostitution and human trafficking. Most of those arrested were men and the oldest person was 68 years-old. Shreveport Police Corporal Angie Whillhite says…
Cut 13 (06) “very successful”
Law enforcment also seized firearms and guns.

The Louisiana SPCA says think twice before giving a live rabbit as a gift for the Easter holiday. After a month or so, shelters usually see an uptick in the number of people turning in bunnies. Louisiana SPCA spokesperson Alicia Haefel Vile says if you find you can’t care for a rabbit, don’t let the animal try to survive in the wild….
cut 8 (10) “….that rabbit”

Louisiana’s minimum wage will not be changing anytime soon. The House Labor committee rejected a measure that would have implemented a 15-dollar an hour minimum wage. On Tuesday, the Senate also killed a bill to raise the minimum wage from the current level of $7.25. Business groups oppose the legislation, because they say it will lead to higher costs for consumers.

Ride sharing companies like Uber and Lyft may soon be regulated by the state rather than parishes or cities in Louisiana. A bill to create statewide regulations over Uber drivers has been introduced. Uber spokesperson Nick Juliano says Louisiana has been lagging behind other states when it comes to regulations.
Cut 3 (13) “differ.”
Juliano says by creating statewide rules for ridesharing companies, it will allow all of Louisiana to have access to Uber.

Shreveport police arrest 71 individuals during a three-day sting named “Slick John”. Corporal Angie Willhite says the crime fighting operation was an effort to fight prositution and human trafficiking…
cut 14 (11) “…those places”
Most of those arrested were men and as old as 68-years-old. A juvenile was also arrested.

If you plan on giving a rabbit as a gift during this Easter weekend, make sure it’s not able to reproduce, because rabbits have a quick reproduction cycle…
cut 7 (12) “”…local veterinarian”
That’s Louisiana SPCA spokesperson Alicia Haefele Vile, who says it also takes a lot of time to care for a rabbit, so make sure your family is ready to handle that responsibility.

An 85,000 dollar settlement has been reached in a sexual harassment case against a former aide to Gov. John Bel Edwards. Matt Doyle has more.
voicer 2 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

Former LSU and Rummel standout Craig Steltz has filed a lawsuit against the NFL because of traumatic brain injuries he suffered while playing for the Bears. Steltz played in Chicago from 2008 to 2014 and the suit says he sustained repetitive and traumatic concussive head impacts. The suit says Steltz is seeking unspecified damages.

Legislation that eliminates the need for florists to have an occupational license passed out of the House Ag committee today on an eight to six vote. Committee chairman Clay Schexnayder of Gonzales is afraid if the requirement to license florists is done away with, it will be bad news for consumers….
cut 10 (09) “…back home”
The legislation has the support of Governor Edwards, who believes the license requirement is overly burdensome on businesses.

And a bill has been filed for this legislative session that would put ride-sharing companies under state regulation, instead of the current way, which results in different rules for each local government that allows Uber and Lyft to operate. Uber spokesperson Nick Juliano…
cut 5 (07) “….opt out”
The bill is authored by House Speaker Tayor Barras and is waiting for its first committee hearing.

Ride sharing companies like Uber and Lyft may soon be regulated by the state rather than parishes or cities in Louisiana. A bill to create statewide regulations over uber drivers has been introduced. Uber spokesperson Nick Juliano says currently individual parishes and cities control the Uber and Lyft rules. This puts control of the ride share companies under the blanket of the state.

Cut 4 (09) “of Louisiana.”

71 people were arrested in a north Louisiana bust targeting prostitution and human trafficking. The sweep took place from March 20^th-23^rd. Authorities have released the names, with ages ranging from 68 years-old to a juvenile. Shreveport Police Corporal Angie Willhite says the sting involved officers from the FBI, Caddo-Shreveport Narcotics Task Force, Louisiana ATC, and the Greenwood Police Department.

Cut 13 (06) “very successful”

On an eight to six vote, The House Agriculture Committee approved a bill by Carencro Representative Julie Emerson repealing the requirement for a Louisiana florist to be licensed.  Louisiana is the only state that requires florists to take a written exam and be approved.  She says they will still have to have a permit, but eliminates a 40 question written test…

Cut 9 (09) “public health.”

An 85,000 dollar settlement has been reached in a sexual harassment case a former aide to Gov. John Bel Edwards. Johnny Anderson was the deputy chief of staff for programs and planning, before leaving his position in November after the allegations surfaced. The claim stated the victim was subjected to unwelcome behavior by Anderson, but did not go into detail. 51,000 dollars went to the woman who made the claim, and 34,000 dollars went to her attorney Jill Craft.

Governor John Bel Edwards is seeking legislative approval for his plan on how to spend 123 million dollars in surplus money from the last fiscal year. If he has his way, 40 million dollars of the excess would be dumped into transportation projects…
Cut 13 (10) “and safety.”
The spending will need legislative approval.

71 people were arrested in a Shreveport bust targeting prostitution and human trafficking. The sweep took place from March 20th-23rd. Authorities have released the names, with ages ranging from 68 years-old to a juvenile. Shreveport Police Corporal Angie Willhite says the charges involve a wide range of criminal behavior.
Cut 12 (09) “weapons arrest”
Those arrested were from multiple states as far away as Nebraska.

A bill to establish one set of rules for ride sharing companies has come up in the legislature. If passed Uber and Lyft will be riding high. Jim Shannon explains.
Voicer 1 (29 “I’m Jim Shannon”

Ride sharing companies like Uber and Lyft may soon be regulated by the state rather than parishes or cities in Louisiana. A bill to create statewide regulations over uber drivers has been introduced.

Nick Juliano Uber spokesperson says we have been lagging behind other states when it comes to regulations.

Cut 3 (13) “differ.”

Your child may be asking for a rabbit as a pet this weekend for their very own Easter bunny. But it may not be the right fit for your family. Alicia Haefele-Vile with the Louisiana SPCA says it’s wise to think carefully about getting a rabbit and all the care it can entail. She says it’s like having a dog or cat, but with much more care…

Cut 6 (10)  “every day.”

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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.

A total of 80 million dollars will be spent on “strategic investments”.

Ten million dollars would be put into deferred maintenance on college campuses. Louisiana has a few billion dollar backlog of projects that would patch up state buildings. Edwards says many higher education facilities are becoming unsafe due to years of neglect.

Cut 14 (11) “our campuses”

A Longtime Louisiana mayor was hospitalized this week, just before losing an election. West Monroe mayor Dave Norris has since been released and his son Davy Norris says he could return to work on Monday. The news star cites a statement from the 77 year old saying is illness was unrelated to the election.

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. The funds can’t be dumped straight into the impending one billion dollar budget deficit. Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne says one time money is not a long term fix.

Cut 15 (10) “time money”

Edwards’ plans for spending surplus money will be contained in a supplemental appropriations bill that will be debated during the regular session.

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 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…

Cut 12 (05) “a bit.”

There may be information released from an internal investigation by the Baton Rouge Police Department in connection with the death of Alton Sterling. It could also lead to a termination of the officer who fired the weapon, Blane Salamoni. Legal analyst Franz Borghart says video shows the officers yelling obscenities at Sterling, holding Sterling down on the ground and Salamoni firing six gunshots…

Cut 5  (10)  “inappropriate behaivor.”

NOLA.com is reporting that the state has settled a sexual harassment suit against former Governor Edwards’ deputy chief of staff for programs and planning, Johnny Anderson. The victim who brought the suit is collecting 85-thousand-dollars. In signing the agreement, neither party is admitting any wrongdoing. Anderson resigned in late November and the victim did a week later.