The legislative session has reached its halfway mark, and there is still plenty of work to be done, particularly on the budget. The House has sent next fiscal year’s spending plan over to the Senate for approval. It appropriates 97.5 percent of the revenues that the State Treasury will make available. The governor says this will lead to difficult cuts, and Political analyst Clancy Dubos expects the Senate will add revenue…:
Cut 14 (08) “own ideas”
Another key agenda item is criminal justice reform.

The search has resumed for a 14-year-old who reportedly went under when his boat capsized around 7pm Saturday on Black Bayou, according to the Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office. There were three other teens on the vessel at the time and all were spilled into the lake — none wearing a life jacket. The friends couldn’t rescue the missing boy. Today is day three of the search.

A bill that would give residents the chance to vote on whether to remove traffic enforcement cameras will be heard before the House Transportation Committee…:
Cut 3 (25) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

The University of Louisiana System Board of Supervisors names Dr. Chris Maggio the new president of Northwestern State. Maggio says he’s honored and humbled to accept the position as he’s been with the school for 29 years…:
Cut 7 (11) “forward”

The legislative session must end in one month, and lawmakers still have a long way to go. Political analyst Clancy Dubos says legislators are the most productive as they get closer to a deadline…:
Cut 13 (10) “gotten done”
The budget remains the biggest priority.

The big protesting story over the weekend was not in Baton Rouge over the Alton Sterling shooting, but instead hundreds faced off in New Orleans on both sides of the highly charged Confederate monument matter. It took place at Lee Circle and NOPD says other than three arrests, the dueling demonstration remained peaceful.

In the Capitol City, one arrest was made of man who brought a gun to a protest outside BRPD headquarters Saturday afternoon. Cops say 30-year-old Paul Richey of Denham Springs was walking on private property without permission and was within 1000 feet of two schools with the firearm. Baton Rouge protests were non-violent.

The House takes up a bill today that would ban corporal punishment in Louisiana schools….:
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Halen Doughty”

Voters would get to decide whether to eliminate speed and red light enforcement cameras under a bill before the House Transportation Committee today. Covington Representative Paul Hollis believes the public doesn’t think these devices are a safety issue — but something else…:
Cut 12 (10) “right”

The regular session ends in one month and Jeff Palermo tells us where legislators are with two big issues…:
Cut 2 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Hundreds of protesters on both sides of the Confederate monument removal issue faced off in front of the memorial honoring Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee in New Orleans on Sunday afternoon. NOPD says three people were arrested on charges of disturbing the peace, but for the most part officers were able to safely protect the demonstrators and protect citizens’ right to assemble and protest.

Today the full House is scheduled to take up a proposal to ban corporal punishment in public schools. Shreveport Representative Barbara Norton says children need a safe haven at school….:
Cut 4 (09) “abused”
Corporal punishment is allowed in 38 of Louisiana’s 69 school districts.

A measure to be heard before the House Transportation Committee today would give residents the chance to vote on removing red light or speed cameras that issue traffic tickets. Covington Representative Paul Hollis says enforcement cameras are money grabs for local government….:
Cut 10 (09) “to stop”
He also believes traffic cameras trample on drivers’ first amendment rights.

The healthcare bill approved by the US House still has a long way to go. The measure may not look exactly the same by the time it leaves the Senate, but US Senator Bill Cassidy says there are key elements lawmakers can support.
Cut 10 (11) “get behind”
It remains to be seen what the U-S Senate will do with the House health care plan.

The legislative session in Baton Rouge is nearing the halfway point. Criminal justice reform is a big prioirty for the governor. Political analyst Clancy Dubos says he sees lawmakers agreeing on new sentencing laws for nonviolent criminals, but they’ll have to wait next year to address to violent offenders…
cut 15 (08) “…to tackle”
Governor Edwards says he wants to reduce the state’s incarceration rate, which is known as the largest in the world.

The House approved budget plan could lead to the closure of two veteran cemeteries in Leesville and Rayville. Emelie Gunn has more…
Voicer 1 (30) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

Louisiana students account for most of the Spring Break arrests in Okaloosa County, Florida. Police say of the 508 arrests, 34 were LSU students, and 23 were UL-Lafayette students. Seven students from St. Paul’s School in Covington were also arrested. Most of the arrests were reportedly for underage drinking.

A proposed 147-thousand cut to the Department of Veterans Affairs could lead to the closure of cemeteries in Leesville and Rayville. That’s according to Undersecretary Homer Rodgers, who says taking this money away is disrespectful to our soldiers.
Cut 6 (08) “the line”
Rodgers is hopeful the Senate will restore the funding in the coming weeks.

A Sulphur man is behind bars after police say he waived his gun at another driver on I-10. State Police Sgt. James Anderson says 24-year-old Matthew Savoie will face a hefty penalty if convicted of this road rage incident.
Cut 13 (10) “dollar fine”
Anderson says the dispute started, because Savoie was upset the other driver in the left lane wasn’t going fast enough.

The second weekend of the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival is underway. Michelle Southern reports fest goers are soaking up the music and the sun….:
Cut 2 (31) “I’m Michelle Southern”

In northwest Louisiana, thousands will be entertained by the Barksdale Air Force Base Air Show. The Blue Angels from the US Navy will perform their spectacular routines. Show times on Saturday and Sunday are at 11 AM.

And in St. Martin Parish, there’s the 56th annual Breaux Bridge Crawfish Festival, which generates over 100-thousand dollars for the local economy.

There are now barricades surrounding the Robert E. Lee statue in New Orleans. It is one of the three monuments that are still slated to be removed as a result of a city council vote two years ago. New Orleans Police put the barricades up. Mayor Mitch Landrieu is anxious to remove these monuments, but has said they will not come down until Jazz Fest is over. The two-weekend music festival ends Sunday.

The state Department of Veterans Affairs is concerned about the spending plan the House has approved. Undersecretary Homer Rodgers says it could lead to the closure of two veteran’s cemeteries. He says the cemeteries in Leesville and Rayville are a miniature Arlington National Cemetery and require a lot of upkeep.
Cut 7 (08) “our veterans”
Rogers hopes the Senate will restore the funding when they take up the budget in the coming weeks.

A Zachary man has been arrested after making threats against law enforcement on Facebook. The post referenced the DOJ’s decision not to bring forth charges against the officers involved in the Alton Sterling case, saying “It’s time Baton Rouge u didn’t learn from the police killing.” State Trooper Bryan Lee says police take these type of threats seriously…:
Cut 4 (10) “the community”
Thomas is charged with terrorizing.

A Sulphur man has been arrested for threatening a driver with his gun. State Police Sgt. James Anderson says 24-year-old Matthew Savoie was driving in the left lane on I-10 when another vehicle approached, and the two exchanged words as the other driver passed.
Cut 12 (11) “morning’s incident”
Savoie was arrested yesterday morning and charged with aggravated assault with a firearm.

The Healthcare bill approved by the U.S. House still has a long way to go in the legislative process. In its current posture, the measure would freeze enrollment for Medicaid expansion, and people would be taken out of the program over time. US Senator Bill Cassidy says Medicaid expansion is expensive for the states.

Cut 9 (09) “a year”

Supporters of the plan say employers will be able to offer more affordable insurance once better plans are available.

A proposed 147-thousand cut to the Department of Veterans Affairs could lead to the closure of cemeteries in Leesville and Rayville. That’s according to Undersecretary Homer Rogers, who says taking this money away is disrespectful to our soldiers.

Cut 6 (08) “the line”

A Zachary man has been arrested after making threats against law enforcement on Facebook. State Trooper Bryan Lee says this is something police take very seriously.

Cut 4 (10) “the community”
The post by Thallemus Thomas said in part, “we will find the cops and execute them if we can’t find them we will kill one of there family members.”

A Sulphur man is behind bars after threatening a driver on I-10 with a handgun. Louisiana State Police Sgt. James Anderson says 24-year-old Matthew Savoie brandished his weapon at another motorist while driving down I-10 in Jefferson Davis Parish.

Cut 11 (09) “inside the vehicle”

Savoie is charged with aggravated assault with a firearm.

The budget plan approved by the House could lead to the closure of state-funded veteran cemeteries in Leesville and Rayville. That’s according to Department of Veterans Affairs Undersecretary Homer Rogers, who says the proposed 147-thousand dollar cut in state funding means they will not be able to bury anymore veterans at these cemeteries.

Cut 5 (09) “already interned”

Rogers says over 340-thousand veterans currently live in Louisiana.

A Sulphur man is behind bars after police say he waived his gun at a driver on I-10. State Police Sgt. James Anderson says 24-year-old Matthew Savoie will face a hefty penalty if convicted.

Cut 13 (10) “dollar fine”

Four people were arrested after a woman chased down her stolen car with the help of Baton Rouge police. Authorities say the victim was driving another car when she saw her stolen vehicle on I-10. She then called police to inform them four people were in the vehicle, and after a chase, all four suspects were arrested.

The second weekend of the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival is underway. Michelle Southern reports fest goers are soaking up the music and beautiful weather….

Cut 2 (31) “I’m Michelle Southern”

The full House passed a budget plan that the governor and Democrats do not like because it funds the Department of Health at 237 million dollars less than John Bel Edwards proposed. Franklin Representative Sam Jones questioned Chairman Cameron Henry for not knowing where the cuts to LDH would be.

Cut 14 (09) “the impact”
The Department of Veterans Affairs would also take a hit under the budget proposal, and Undersecretary Homer Rogers says it could lead to the closure of two veteran’s cemeteries. He says the cemeteries in Leesville and Rayville are miniature Arlington National Cemeteries and require a lot of upkeep.

Cut 7 (08) “our veterans”

Rogers hopes the Senate will restore the funding when they take up the budget in the coming weeks.

The healthcare bill approved by the US House still has a long way to go before winning final passage. US Senator Bill Cassidy says there will likely be changes made to the bill before it gets through the Upper Chamber.

Cut 8 (07) “process works”

The bill now heads to the US Senate for approval.

A Zachary man has been arrested after making threats against law enforcement on Facebook. State Trooper Bryan Lee says State Police was informed about the post made by 38-year-old Thallemus Thomas.

Cut 3 (11) “under arrest”

The post referenced the DOJ’s decision not to charge the officers involved in the Alton Sterling case, saying “It’s time Baton Rouge u didn’t learn from the police killing.”

The House approved budget plan could lead to the closure of two veteran cemeteries in Leesville and Rayville. Emelie Gunn has more…

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

Louisiana students account for most of the Spring Break arrests in Okaloosa County, Florida. Police say of the 508 arrests, 34 were LSU students, and 23 were UL-Lafayette students. Seven students from St. Paul’s School in Covington were also arrested. Most of the arrests were reportedly for underage drinking.

The healthcare bill approved by the US House still has a long way to go. The measure may not look exactly the same by the time it leaves the Senate, but US Senator Bill Cassidy says there likely are some key elements lawmakers can support.

Cut 10 (11) “get behind”

The health plan now heads to the US Senate for approval.

A Sulphur man has been arrested for threatening a driver with his gun. State Police Sgt. James Anderson says 24-year-old Matthew Savoie was driving in the left lane when another vehicle approached, and the two exchanged words as the other driver passed.

Cut (11) “morning’s incident”

Savoie is charges with aggravated assault with a firearm.