Governor John Bel Edwards spoke at the commencement ceremony for the graduating LSU class of 2017. Jeff Palermo has more…:
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Consumers are planning to spend more than ever on Mother’s Day this year, according to the National Retail Federation. Spokesperson Anna Serafin Smith says 85 percent of people plan to celebrate the holiday, spending a total of more than $23 billion….:
Cut 12 (07) “Mother’s Day”
She says that’s a record high for the survey’s 14-year history.

An early morning crash in the Village of Tangipahoa claimed the lives of two people, including the former Mayor of the Village of Tangipahoa and retired NFL player Michael Dyson, according to State Police. Trooper Dustin Dwight says the 48-year-old Dyson was traveling down US 51 on his motorcycle at a high rate of speed…:
Cut 15 (11) “motorcycle”
Dyson played for the Browns and Ravens in the 1990s.

Twelve inmates at the Tangipahoa Parish Prison have been indicted for manslaughter after they allegedly beat a fellow inmate to death. The victim is 40-year-old Tommy Joe Smith of Independence, and officials say a witness described the attack as a “shark-feeding frenzy,” meaning it was an extremely brutal and very quick attack. Guards and rescue crews were quickly notified of the attack, but Smith died from his injuries.

Governor John Bel Edwards gave the commencement address at LSU today, as the school is handing out a record 4,163 degrees. Edwards says this class also sets records for diversity…:
Cut 9 (11) “47 states”
The class of 2017 had more TOPS recipients than any other class in the history of the scholarship program.

A statewide poll released by Southern Media and Opinion Research finds 54-percent of the respondents think state government’s problems are primarily caused by too much spending, and 67-percent believe any tax imposed on businesses would be passed on to customers…
cut 26 (11) “…much difference”
That’s pollster Bernie Pinsonat.

An Avoyelles Parish man is behind bars following a standoff with officers that ended with the suspect shooting at the cops. State Trooper Scott Moreau says Brandon Carpenter barricaded himself inside a residence in Moreauville, and during negotiations, fired at officers injuring three of them. He says Carpenter was taken into custody around 7:30 last night.
Cut 4 (12) “maybe likely”
KALB-TV reports that Carpenter is an Army veteran who suffers from PTSD.

Thousands remain without power in southeast Louisiana after a quick but severe storm line moved through the area. The National Weather Service confirmed a tornado touched town in Baton Rouge early this morning.

Entergy reports there are about 6,000 customers without power in Southeast Louisiana after a strong line of storms blew threw this morning where it’s possible at least two tornadoes touched down. The worst of the storms are now in far southeast Louisiana headed into Mississippi.

As Mother’s Day weekend is upon us, WalletHub conducted a studying which found Louisiana is the second worst state for working moms. Analyst Jill Gonzales says they measured the quality of child care and professional opportunities, which really brought Louisiana down. She says although the costs of day-care is relatively low…:
Cut 25 (10) “pay for”
She also says the gender pay gap in Louisiana ranks 44th in the nation with women making about 76 cents every dollar a man makes.

Waitr is growing its presence in Lafayette, as the fast growing food delivery app is opening its own permanent facility. Waitr CEO Chris Meaux says moving into their own facility will create new jobs in the Lafayette area…:
Cut 6 (12) “400 employees”
The app launched in 2015 in Lake Charles and now the company operates over 20 cities in five states, and employs more than 1,200 people nationwide.

A measure that would waive licensing for hair braiding advanced out of the House. Monroe Representative Jay Morris asked the bill’s author, Carencro Representative Julie Emerson, if a proposed amendment to the bill would require him to get a license to cut his own hair…:
Cut 15 (11) “of legislation”
The hair braiding bill debate went on for over half an hour before being approved on an 81-12 vote.

Voters do not want to see their taxes go up, according to a survey from Southern Media and Opinion Research. Emelie Gunn has more…
Voicer 1 (29) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

A deployment ceremony will take place tomorrow in Pineville as over 160 soldiers in the Louisiana National Guard’s 1086th Transportation Company will provide logistic transportation support Kuwait. Colonel Ed Bush says they were also activated last year…
cut 8 (07) “….of emergencies”

A 35-year-old man is facing three counts of attempted first degree murder after shooting at law enforcement during a standoff in Avoyelles Parish yesterday. State Trooper Scott Moreau says Brandon Carpenter of Elizabeth barricaded himself inside a residence in Moreauville and during negotiations, Carpenter fired at officers…
cut 3 (12) “…flying debris”
The Trooper and the Marksville Police Officers were transported to a local hospital where they received treatment for non-life threatening injuries.

The former Mayor of the Village of Tangipahoa and retired NFL player Michael Dywane Jackson was killed in motorcycle wreck Tangipahoa Parish early this morning. State Police say Jackson was driving a motorcyle at a high rate of speed on US 51 and smashed into another vehicle killing the driver in that car.

A 35-year-old man who allegedly shot a gun at officers, wounding three of them, has been charged with three counts of attempted first degree murder. Brandon Carpenter is in custody at the Avoyelles Parish Detention Center. Carpenter barricaded himself in a home near Moreauville yesterday after a police chase. A State Trooper and a Marksville officer that were shot were treated for non-life threatening injuries.

Raising taxes is not popular among voters, according to a survey from Southern Media and Opinion Research. Lawmakers have proposed increasing taxes on everything from a pack of cigarettes to a gallon of gasoline to help generate more revenue. Pollster Bernie Pinsonat says two-thirds of voters say they do not want a higher gasoline tax.
Cut 4 (12) “17 percent”
Also, 67-percent say higher taxes on businesses would be passed on to customers.

The personal finance website, Wallethub, ranks Louisaina as the second worst state in the country for working moms. Analyst Jill Gonzales says there are two main factors, a high female unemploymenent rate and a large gender pay gap…
cut 11 (09) “….the country”

The budget isn’t fixed, but you could braid hair without a license if a measure passed by the House wins approval in the Senate. Halen Doughty has more…
Voicer 3 (31) “I’m Halen Doughty”

A statewide poll released by Southern Media and Opinion Research finds there’s an anti-tax sentiment in Louisiana. 54-percent of the respondents think state government’s problems are primarily caused by too much spending and 67-percent believe any tax imposed on businesses would be passed on to customers…
cut 6 (11) “…much difference”
That’s pollster Bernie Pinsonat, who says the survey also found 67-percent of respondents oppose raising the gasoline tax by 17-cents.

Three police officers, including a State Trooper, were wounded during a standoff in Avoyelles Parish. The man who allegedly fired his gun at officers has been identified as Brandon Carpenter. He was taken into custody at around 7:30 last night after a standoff at a home in Moreauville. The officers sustained non-life threatening injuries. A local TV station reports Carpenter is an Army veteran who suffers from PTSD.

A study from the personal finance website, WalletHub, finds Louisiana is the 2nd worst state for working moms. Michelle Southern has more….
Cut 2 (29) “I’m Michelle Southern”

Amid debates on the budget, taxes, and education, lawmakers in the House spent over half an hour debating licensing for hair braiding. A measure by Carencro Representative Julie Emerson waives the licensing requirement to braid hair. Baton Rouge Representative Patricia Smith says it’s ridiculous that the state would regulate something like braiding hair.
Cut 13 (09) “to braid hair”
Emerson’s bill passed on a 81-12 and heads to the senate.

Governor John Bel Edwards has been pushing lawmakers to increase funding to pay for critical state services. But a new statewide poll from Southern Media and Opinion Research finds that a majority of voters believe state government has enough cash….
cut 5 (11) “…enough revenue”
That’s Pollster Bernie Pinsonat, who says the anti-tax sentiment has also been seen in the voting booth. He says numerous increases in taxes proposed by local governments have been rejected in recent weeks.

The suspect in the shooting of three police officers, including a Lousiaina State Police Trooper is in custody. Avoyelles Parish Sheriff Doug Anderson says 35-year-old Brandon Carpenter, barricaded himself in a home after a police chase. That’s when Carpenter reportedly opened fire. Officers were attempting to execute a warrant against him for domestic abuse battery. The injuries the officers sustained are not considered life threatening.

Over 160 soldiers in the Louisiana National Guard’s 1086th Transportation Company are being sent to Kuwait. Col. Ed Bush during their one year deployment, the soldiers will provide logistic transportation support.
Cut 7 (08) “as well”
The 1086th deployed in support of Operations Desert Storm in 1991, Iraqi Freedom in 2003 and Enduring Freedom in Kuwait in 2011.

The full House has approved a bill that says you don’t need a license to braid hair professionally in Louisiana. Current law calls for 500 hours of training to obtain a license in “alternative hair design.” Hammond Representative Chris Broadwater told the bill’s author, Julie Emerson, he’s baffled this kind of profession would be regulated…
cut 14 (11) :,,,received any”
The measure was approved on an 81-12 vote and heads to the senate for more discussion.

Voters do not want to see their taxes go up, according to a survey from Southern Media and Opinion Research. Emelie Gunn has more…
Voicer 1 (31) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

A Louisiana State Police trooper and two local police officers are recovering today after they were injured in a shooting with a man who barricaded himself inside a home in the Avoyelles Parish town of Moreauville. The injuries are considered non-life-threatening. Brandon Carpenter allegedly shot the officers after a high-speed chase. He’s now in custody.

A report by the personal finance website, Wallethub, finds Louisiana as the second worst state for working moms. Analyst Jill Gonzales says states at the top of the list have high unemployment. She says another factor against Louisiana is females have a longer workweek than other states….
cut 12 (08) “….the country”

A deployment ceremony takes place Saturday at Pineville High School for Louisiana National Guard’s 1086th Transportation Company. Colonel Ed Bush says Governor Edwards will be on hand as over 160 soliders will leave their families and loved ones for a one-year deployment to Kuwait…
cut 9 (07) “…the years”

A state trooper and two police officers have reportedly been shot in a standoff in Avoyelles Parish. The cops were reportedly trying to negotiate with a man barricaded behind a window when the man shot them. The trooper sustained nonlife threatening injuries, one officer was shot in the lip with a BB gun, and the condition of the other officer is unknown.

Former Sons of Guns star Will Hayden will spend life behind bars for raping young girls. Michelle Southern reports…

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Michelle Southern”

A convicted murderer has confessed to another murder. St. Landry Sheriff Bobby Guidroz says 23-year-old Phillip LaFleur was incarcerated in LaSalle Parish on a murder charge when he passed a note to the guards saying he wanted to speak with detectives about his great uncle Dale LaFleur, who has been missing since 2011.

Cut 11 (07) “the river”

The University of Louisiana System President announces a contest for one student to receive a $500 scholarship by coming up with his 10-thousandth tweet. Dr. Jim Henderson says he thought this would be a good way to get students involved. He says the process of selecting the tweet is a very rigorous process.

Cut 6 (10) “we serve”

The winner will be announced on Twitter.

Voters do not want to see their taxes go up, according to a survey from Southern Media and Opinion Research. Emelie Gunn has more…

Cut 1 (31) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

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A study from the personal finance website, WalletHub, finds Louisiana is the 2^ndworst state for working moms. Michelle Southern has more….

Cut 2 (29) “I’m Michelle Southern”

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The budget isn’t fixed, but you could braid hair without a license if a measure passed by the House wins approval in the Senate. Halen Doughty has more…

Cut 3 (31) “I’m Halen Doughty”

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Raising taxes is not popular among voters, according to a survey from Southern Media and Opinion Research. Lawmakers have proposed increasing taxes on everything from a pack of cigarettes to a gallon of gasoline to close a looming budget hole. Pollster Bernie Pinsonat says two-thirds of voters say they do not want their legislator to raise the state’s gas tax.

Cut 4  (12) “17 percent”

In this fiscal session, lawmakers had to resolve a $440 million budget shortfall for the next fiscal year, and deal with an imminent $1.3 billion fiscal cliff in 2018. Pinsonat says according to his survey, the public thinks the state has more than enough money.

Cut 5  (11)  “enough revenue”

Pinsonat says while voters don’t want to see their own taxes go up, they also oppose an increase in business taxes. The survey finds 18 percent of respondents believe taxes on business are absorbed by profits, but 67 percent say the tax is passed on to the customers.

Cut 6 (11) “much difference”

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Over 160 soldiers in the Louisiana National Guard’s 1086^th Transportation Company are heading to Fort Hood, Texas for training before being deployed to Kuwait. Col. Ed Bush says a deployment ceremony will be held for the Bunkie-based unit in Pineville on Saturday. He says during their one year deployment, the soldiers will provide logistic transportation support.

Cut 7 (08)  “as well”

The 1086^th deployed in support of Operations Desert Storm in 1991, Iraqi Freedom in 2003 and Enduring Freedom in Kuwait in 2011. Bush says these soldiers have participated in several state responses, like last year’s historic floods.

Cut 8 (07) “of emergencies” 

Bush encourages everyone to get out to support the 1086^th Company at their deployment ceremony this Saturday at 4 p.m. He says Governor John Bel Edwards will be a guest speaker to send these brave men and women off.

Cut 9 (07)  “the years”

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A report by the personal finance website, WalletHub, finds Louisiana is the second worst state for working moms. Analyst Jill Gonzales says they measured the quality of child care and professional opportunities, which really brought Louisiana down. She says although the costs of day-care is relatively low…

Cut 10 (10) “pay for”

Gonzales says the gender pay gap is fairly large in Louisiana, ranking 44^th, as women make about 76 cents to every dollar a man makes. She also says the female unemployment rate is about 6-percent, really bringing Louisiana down.

Cut 11 (09) “the country”

Gonzales says the states at the top of this list are combating unemployment and making sure there are good opportunities for working moms. She says another factor against Louisiana is females have a longer workweek than other states.

Cut 12 (08) “the country”

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Amid debates on the budget, taxes, and education, lawmakers in the House spent over half an hour debating licensing for hair braiding. A measure by Carencro Representative Julie Emerson waives the licensing requirement to braid hair. Baton Rouge Representative Patricia Smith says it’s ridiculous that the state would regulate something like braiding hair.

Cut 13 (09) “to braid hair”

Hammond Representative Chris Broadwater says he can’t see why the state would charge someone fees to get a permit to braid someone’s hair. He told Emerson he’s baffled by the fact that it was regulated in the first place.

Cut 14 (11) “received any”

Monroe Representative Jay Morris asked Emerson if a proposed amendment to the bill would require him to get a license to cut his own hair.

Cut 15 (11) “of legislation”

The measure was approved on an 81-12 vote.