A third Confederate-era monument has been hauled away in New Orleans. Workers took down a statue of Confederate general P.G.T Beauregard as monument supporters with Confederate battle flags watched. The next statue set to be removed is Robert E Lee, which is the most recognizable of the four statues set for removal.

Governor John Bel Edwards has issues with a House approved bill that would require voter approval before a military monument can be removed…
Voicer 2 (31) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

The Senate Labor committee approves a measure that would raise the minimum wage from $7.25 an hour to $8.50 per hour over the next two years. New Orleans Senator Troy Carter made the argument that cost of everything else is going up, but wages are not….
cut 5 (12) “….clothe them”
A similar bill passed this panel last year, but it didn’t go much father in the legislative process.

Here’s a distrubing story in north Louisiana as a Homer teenager has been arrested for allegedly setting fire to a Yorkie. Claiborne Sheriff Ken Bailey says 17-year-old Carzavian Willis was charged with aggravated cruelty to animals, which is a felony that carries a sentence up to 10 years…
cut 16 (09) “….they’ll do”
Bailey says they are not sure who owns the dog.

Governor John Bel Edwards monthly call-in radio show will take place on affiliates of the Louisiana Radio Network this afternoon at 2pm. He announced yesterday an agreement on a criminal justice reform package that seeks to lower the state’s highest-in-the nation incarceration rate. Edwards says the plan will reduce the state’s prison population over the next decade by 10-percent…:
Cut 11 (10) “offender penalties”

The Governor also supports the bill that would raise the state’s minimum wage from $7.25 to $8.50 which is being heard now in Senate Labor. Ruston Representative Rob Shadoin says he would be hesitant to support such an increase because he believes it would hurt a lot of small businesses…:
Cut 7 (09) “and tackle shop”
But supporters say this modest increase could be huge for families trying to make ends meet.

A crew wearing masks removed the statue of P.G.T. Beauregard last night in New Orleans. It took workers about 7 hours to get the statue, which was one of three declared a public nuisance by the City Council, off of its base.

Governor Edwards responded to the House approved bill that seeks to protect Confederate monuments in the state. He said its divisive and in all his time with the legislature has never seen lawmakers on both sides so passionate about an issue.

A North Louisiana teenager has turned himself in to police after allegedly setting a dog on fire. Halen Doughty has more…:
Cut 3 (30) “I’m Halen Doughty”

A bill to raise the minimum wage in Louisiana is set to be heard today in the Senate Labor Committee. The measure would increase the minimum wage from $7.25 to $8.50 which supporters say would help workers’ standard of living. West Monroe Senator Mike Walsworth is concerned about job losses, and says a minimum wage and a living wage are two different things.:
Cut 6 (10) “minimum wage”
Similar measures have failed in years past.

Governor John Bel Edwards doesn’t like the tension he sees among lawmakers over the bill designed to protect Confederate monuments in the state now headed to the Senate…:
Cut 10 (10) “best part”
The third Confederate era statue in New Orleans was removed from its base last night.

A 17-year-old from North Louisiana is facing a serious charge after police say he set a dog on fire. Claiborne Parish Sheriff Ken Bailey says Carzavian Willis of Homer doused a Yorkie in gasoline, causing severe burns on 80 percent of her body..:
Cut 14 (11) “put down”
Willis is charged with aggravated cruelty to animals, which is a felony that carries a sentence up to 10 years.

A compromise has been reached on the criminal justice reform package approved by the Senate on Tuesday. New Orleans Representative Walt Leger will now look to get the lower chamber to agree with the bills that will give Louisiana major sentencing reform for individuals convicted of drug and property crimes…:
Cut 13 (12) “primary accomplishments”
These reforms will save the state $260 million over the next decade.

Governor John Bel Edwards has issues with a House approved bill that would require a vote to remove a military monument. Emelie Gunn has more:
Cut 2 (31) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

Workers struggled for hours early this morning to remove the statue of Gen. P.G.T. Beauregard in New Orleans. It’s the third Confederate era monument out of four slated for removal in an effort started by Mayor Mitch Landrieu. He says the city should be defined by the future and not the past. Only the statue of Robert E Lee remains.

An agreement has been reached on a criminal justice reform package that seeks to lower the state’s highest-in-the nation incarceration rate. Louisiana District Attorneys Association Executive Director Pete Adams says they support the legislation, because it gives judges alternatives to prison for non-violent offenders…:
Cut 12 (11) “for incarceration”
The state senate approved major provisions of the reform package on Tuesday.

New Orleans Senator Troy Carter hopes legislation to increase the state’s minimum wage will get more support this year than in years past. Today, the Senate Labor Committee takes up Carter’s bill, which would raise the minimum wage from $7.25 to $8.50 an hour over two years…:
Cut 4 (10) “decent lifestyle”
Opponents say an increase like this would hurt small business.

The third of four Confederate monuments in New Orleans slated for removal has been taken down, as early this morning workers lifted the Beauregard statue off its base.

Governor John Bel Edwards says a bill that seeks to protect Confederate statues is divisive and generates animosity among legislators….:
Cut 8 (09) “do it”
The full House approved a measure filed by Shreveport Representative Thomas Carmody that would require voter approval before local governments can remove a military monument. Black lawmakers staunchly oppose the proposal.

Meanwhile the House voted 20-81 to kill legislation that would have prevented dozens of sales tax breaks from coming back in the middle of 2018. The state is facing a more than $1 billion dollar budget gap that hits next year and so far the majority-Republican chamber hasn’t taken action to make a dent in the shortfall.

Today the Senate Labor Committee takes up a proposal to increase the state’s minimum wage. Jeff Palermo has more…:
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

A proposed 17 cent hike on the state’s gasoline tax has won the approval of the House Ways and Means Committee. Baton Rouge Representative Steve Carter says his bill would help fund construction projects, like a new Mississippi River Bridge in Baton Rouge. He says we cannot continue to let our roads deteriorate.

Cut 13 (10) “unaddressed”

Eunice Representative Phillip Devillier says with this increase, Louisiana would have the 9^th highest gas tax in the country. He says his constituents would gladly pay a little more in taxes if they actually saw construction on roadways.

Cut 16 (08) “have now”

The measure passed 9 to 7 and heads to the House floor.

The Legislative Black Caucus is fuming over a House approved measure to protect confederate monuments. The measure still has to be approved by the Upper Chamber, and Chairman and New Orleans Representative Joseph Bouie is calling on senators to reject the bill.

Cut 5 (08) “and legislature”

The bill was approved by the House on a 65 to 31 vote.

A Slidell man is facing a murder charge after allegedly beating his 7-week-old son to death. St. Tammany Sheriff Randy Smith says the infant, Karter Smith, was pronounced braindead at the hospital, and his father 25-year-old Anthony Dearmas was charged with first degree murder.

Cut 11 (08) “to live, folks”

The parish coroner says Karter sustained 7 fractures in his skull.

Today the Senate Labor Committee takes up a proposal to increase the state’s minimum wage. Jeff Palermo has more…

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

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Governor John Bel Edwards has issues with a House approved bill that would require a vote to remove a military monument. Emelie Gunn has more…

Cut 2 (31) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

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A Homer teenager has turned himself in to police after allegedly setting a dog on fire. Halen Doughty has more…

Cut 3 (30) “I’m Halen Doughty”

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New Orleans Senator Troy Carter hopes legislation to increase the state’s minimum wage will get more support this year than in years past. Today, the Senate Labor Committee takes up Carter’s bill, which would raise the minimum wage from $7.25 to $8.50 an hour over two years.

Cut 4  (10) “decent lifestyle”

Carter says this modest increase could be huge for families trying to make ends meet. He calls it a fairness bill, because working people deserve an honest day’s pay for an honest day’s work. He notes the cost of everything else is going up, but wages are not.

Cut 5  (12)  “clothe them”

West Monroe Senator Mike Walsworth is concerned about job losses, if the state raised the minimum wage, because some businesses can’t afford to pay higher wages. He adds that a minimum wage and a living wage are two different things.

Cut 6 (10) “minimum wage”

Ruston Representative Rob Shadoin says he would be hesitant to support such an increase, because he represents a lot of small business owners. He says this much of an increase would hurt a lot of small businesses.

Cut 7 (09)  “and tackle shop”

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Governor John Bel Edwards says a bill that seeks to protect Confederate Monuments from being removed, as divisive and generating animosity among legislators. The measure passed the House on Monday. Black lawmakers staunchly oppose the proposal and the governor took notice of the passion that this legislation brought out during the debate.

Cut 8 (09) “do it”

The bill filed by Shreveport Representative Thomas Carmody requires voter approval before local government can remove a military monument. Edwards says requiring a vote for any statue to be removed causes many problems. He says the master plan at LSU has the Troy Middleton Library being replaced…

Cut 9 (10)  “for LSU”

Edwards says the Confederate Monuments represent historical figures and there is a certain place for them, which should depend on the will of the people. He says if removed from their original location, the statutes should be moved to a museum where they can teach people.

Cut 10 (10) “best part”

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Governor John Bel Edwards announces an agreement on a criminal justice reform package that seeks to lower the state’s highest-in-the nation incarceration rate. Edwards says the plan will reduce the state’s prison population over the next decade by 10-percent.

Cut 11 (10) “offender penalties”

Edwards says these reforms will also save the state $260 million over the next decade and much of the savings will be used on programs to reduce the recidivism rate. Louisiana District Attorneys Association Executive Director Pete Adams says they support the legislation, because it gives judges alternatives to prison for non-violent offenders.

Cut 12 (11) “for incarceration”

The state senate approved major provisions of the reform package on Tuesday. New Orleans Representative Walt Leger will now look to get the lower chamber to agree with the bills that will give Louisiana major sentencing reform for individuals convicted of drug and property crimes.

Cut 13 (12) “primary accomplishments”

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A 17-year-old is facing a serious charge after police say he set a dog on fire. Claiborne Sheriff Ken Bailey says Carzavian Willis of Homer doused a Yorkie in gasoline, causing severe burns on 80 percent of her body.

Cut 14 (11) “put down”

Willis turned himself in to police Monday evening. Bailey says their investigation was complicated by finger pointing among several juveniles who may have been involved. He says they are confident about Willis’ role, but more arrests could be made as this case unfolds.

Cut 15 (10) “taken down”

Bailey says they’re not sure who owned the dog. Willis is charged with aggravated cruelty to animals, which is a felony that carries a sentence up to 10 years. The suspect has been released on a $15,000 bond. Bailey says this teenager clearly needs to be behind bars.

Cut 16 (09) “they’ll do”

The Louisiana Legislative Black Caucus believes white supremacy is behind legislation seeking to protect confederate monuments. Halen Doughty has more…
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Halen Doughty”

On a nine-to-seven vote, the House Ways and Means committee approved a bill that would increase the state tax on a gallon of gasoline by 17-cents. Lake Charles Representative Stephen Dwight voted against it…
cut 15 (09) “…a jump”
Supporters say a higher tax will fund highway improvements. The gas tax hike proposal now heads to the full House.

Governor John Bel Edwards announces an agreement on a criminal justice reform package that seeks to lower the state’s highest-in-the nation incarceration rate. Edwards says the plan will reduce the state’s prison population over the next decade by 10-percent.
Cut 30 (10) “offender penalties”
The state senate approved major provisions of the reform package on Tuesday.

Tomorrow, the Senate Finance committee will debate legislation that seeks to raise the state’s mininum wage from $7.25 an hour to $8.50 an hour by January 2019. The proposal faces opposition from Republicans. West Monroe Senator Mike Walsworth says minimum wage and living wage are two different things…
cut 29 (10) “….minimum wage”
Supporters say working people deserve an honest day’s pay for an honest’s day work.

A proposal to raise the state’s gasoline tax by an additional 17-cents a gallon cleared its first legislative hurdle as it was approved by the House Ways and Means committee. It has the support of state Transportation Secretary Shawn Wilson..
cut 14 (09) “….the country”
The measure heads to the House floor and it will need approval from two-thirds of the representatives.

The Louisiana Legislative Black Caucus is offended over House approved legislation aimed at protecting the state’s confederate monuments. Chairman and New Orleans Representative Joseph Bouie says this bills supersedes the authority of local municipalities who have voted to remove such statues.
Cut 3 (08) “white supremacy”
Bouie says it’s their hope the Senate rejects the measure.

The St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office announces the arrest of a father accused of beating his 7 week old baby to death. 25-year-old Anthony Dearmas of Slidell is booked with first degree murder in the death of Karter Smith. Sheriff Randy Smith says Dearmas told detectives why he killed his child…:
Cut 12 (07) “sad excuse”
The parish coroner says Karter sustained 7 fractures to his skull and had bleeding inside his brain.

Allergist Dr. Sanjay Kamboj (San-jay Kam-bozh) with the LSU Health Sciences Center in New Orleans says this is the worst allergy season he’s seen. He recommends washing your face immediately when coming back inside to remove the pollen, which is particularly high this year..
Cut 9 (10) “the nose”
Kamboj says a warmer than normal winter is partly to blame for the bad allergy season.

A measure to increase the state’s gasoline tax by 17 cents passes out of the House Ways and Means Committee. Emelie Gunn has more…
Voicer 2 (31) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

Governor John Bel Edwards says a deal has been reached on a package of bills that seeks to lower the state’s highest-in-the nation incarceration rate. Edwards says the plan will reduce the state’s prison population by 10-percent through expanded parole and probation opportunites and shorter minimum sentences for some felons.

A Slidell man is facing first-degree murder charges after he allegedly beat his 7-week-old son to death. St. Tammany Sheriff Randy Smith says doctors determined severe head injuries to Karter Smith and deputies questioned his 25-year-old father Anthony Dearmas…:
Cut 10 (09) “the ground”
Smith says Dearmas also admitted he was frustrated due to Karter’s constant crying.

An LSU New Orleans Health Sciences Center allergist says this is the worst allergy season he’s seen as there’s been a 10-to-20 percent increase in patients suffering from symptoms consistent with outdoor allergies. Doctor Sanjay Kamboj (San-jay Kam-bozh) says with virtually no winter, there were only two days this year where there was no pollen count…
cut 8 (08) “…late January”
Kamboj recommends washing your face immediately when coming back inside to remove the pollen.