Governor John Bel Edwards effort to place a new tax on business sales has been tabled for the session. Edwards says the legislation would get businesses to pay their fair share in taxes and it would help stablize the budget. But business groups said the proposal would keep companies from growing and hurt economic development efforts. The governor says he’s now looking to House Republican leadership to come up with its own budget plan.

A state lawmaker plans to move forward with her legislation designed to protect Confederate monuments, even though the process of removing them has begun in New Orleans. The Liberty Place monument was taken down early Monday morning. Franklinton Senator Beth Mizell opposes what Mayor Mitch Landrieu is doing….:
Cut 10 (10) “where we are today”
She says it’s unclear when her bill will get a hearing.

On a 6 to 1 vote, a Senate Judiciary committee approves a proposal to abolish the death penalty in Louisiana. Bishop Shelton Fabre of the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux says taking a life should be left to a higher power…:
Cut 3 (10) “gift from God”
There was emotional testimony from opponents to the bill. Christie Battaglia’s father is on death row in Texas for killing her two sisters and told state lawmakers it’s a bad idea to get rid of the death penalty….
cut 6 (10) “….living in fear”
The measure now heads to the Senate floor for more debate.

The Saints and 32-year-old Adrian Peterson agree to a two-year contract. Coach Sean Payton believes the future Hall-of-Fame running back will be an excellent fit in the locker room and on the field.

Governor John Bel Edwards’ business tax plan fails to receive support from the House Ways and Means Committee and the legislative sponsor has decided to pull the legislation from further consideration. Franklin Representative Sam Jones.
Cut 13 (09) “do it”
Governor Edwards said a short time ago that House leadership needs to develop its own plan to address a looming revenue shortfall.

A bill to ban the death penalty in Louisiana cleared its first legislative hurdle today as it was approved on a six-to-one vote by a Senate committee. Religious leaders came to the capitol to testify in favor. Reverend Leo Cyrus says the death penalty doesn’t provide closure for the victims….
cut 4 (08) ‘…seek healing”
The measure heads to the Senate floor for more discussion.

Franklinton Senator Beth Mizell says she would still like for the legislature to pass her bill that requires legislative approval before local governments can remove monuments. Mizell says it’s in response to the taking down of Confederate-era statues in New Orleans…
cut 11 (11) “…or not”
Mizell had a similar bill last year, but it died in committee.

Calcasieu Sheriff Tony Mancuso says three suspects, with criminal records, tied up an 83-year-old man in his home in Starks for seven hours and stole his guns, cell phone and wallet. Mancuso believes these indiviuduals stalked and took advantage of this elderly man..
cut 9 (09) “…as that”
Mancuso says two of the suspects are in custody, the search is on for 43-year-old Michael Helmer.

Governor John Bel Edwards attempt to impose a new tax on business sales fails to gain any support in the House Ways and Means committee and is dead for the session. The measure received stiff opposition from business groups. President of the Louisiana Mid-Continent Oil and Gas Association Chris John…
cut 14 (11) “…we have”
Despite emotional testimony, a measure to abolish the death penalty in Louisiana received approval from a Senate committee. Christie Battaglia’s father is on death row in Texas for killing her two sisters and told state lawmakers it’s a bad idea to get rid of the death penalty….
cut 6 (10) “….living in fear”
But on a six to one vote the measure heads to the Senate floor for more discussion.

Franklinton Senator Beth Mizell says she will continue to move forward with her bill to require state legislative approval before Confederate monuments are removed, even though New Orleans officials have started the process in the Crescent City….
cut 12 (10) “…find objectionable”
Mizell says it’s unclear when the Senate Governmental Affairs committee will hear the legislation.

Two people have been arrested and the search is on for a third, who allegedly tied up an elderly person in his home for seven hours and stole his guns, cell phone and wallet. Calcasieu Sheriff Tony Mancuso says the three individuals face multiple charges, including cruelty to the infirmed…
cut 8 (10) “….before”
The burglary took place in the town of Starks.

The centerpiece to Governor John Bel Edwards’ tax plan fails to receive support from the House Ways and Means Committee. The head of the anti-tax organization Gator PAC, Col. Rob Maness, says the Commercial Activity Tax allows Louisiana to spend more than the economy can sustain…:
Cut 15 (09) “gas business”
The bill was voluntarily deffered..

A state lawmaker plans to move forward with a bill to make it harder for local governments to take down monuments. Halen Doughty has more…:
Cut 2 (31) “I’m Halen Doughty”

On a 6 to 1 vote, a Senate Judiciary committee approves a proposal to abolish the death penalty in Louisiana. Bishop Shelton Fabre of the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux says taking a life should be left to a higher power…:
Cut 3 (10) “gift from God”
Speaking in opposition to the bill is Christie Battaglia [bat-tà-glia] whose father is on death row for killing his 4 and 6 year old daughters. Battaglia says if her father ever happened to get out of jail, she would live in fear…:
Cut 5 (10) “wouldn’t be here”
The bill heads to the Senate Floor.

ESPN was first to announce that veteran running back Adrian Peterson has received a 2 year deal from the Saints worth $7 million. His first game with New Orleans in the regular season will be against his old team, the Vikings.

The Commercial Activity Tax measure, the centerpiece of Govenor John Bel Edwards tax reform plan, has been voluntarily deffered as the votes were not there to get approval from the Ways and Means panel.

The bill to do away with the death penalty in Louisiana cleared its first hurdle. A senate panel advanced the measure 6-1.

A state lawmaker plans to move forward with her legislation designed to protect Confederate monuments, even though the process of removing them has begun in New Orleans. The Liberty Place monument was taken down early Monday morning, and the city also plans to remove three more confederate-era statues. Franklinton Senator Beth Mizell opposes what Mayor Mitch Landrieu is doing….:
Cut 10 (10) “where we are today”
She says it’s unclear when her bill will get a hearing.

Two individuals from Orange, Texas have been arrested and one is still on the loose after allegedly tying up an elderly Starks man for hours and stealing his guns, cell phone and wallet. Calcasieu Parish Sheriff Tony Mancuso says the victim was discovered when a food delivery showed up at his home…:
Cut 7 (11) “seven hours”
Mancuso says 32-year-old Thomas Henson and 33-year-old Lea Pence were arrested and authorities are still searching for 43-year-old Michael Helmer, known as Mikey Irish.

The state has finalized a deal with contracting firm IEM to manage the $1.3 billion Restore Louisiana Homeowner Assistance Program to help flood victims rebuild and repair their homes. The contract is estimated to cost $227 million.

Emotional testimony is being heard right now before a Senate Judiciary Committee on the death penalty. Senator Dan Claitor wants capital punishment to go away in Louisiana, and many in support of the measure spoke for over an hour and a half. Lawmakers are now hearing from victims who say they would live in fear if their offenders were allowed to stay in jail and not be executed.

Governor Edwards is set to release a TV ad aimed at building support for his tax reform plan. Emelie Gunn has more…:
Cut 3 (31) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

The deal with the contractor selected to oversee the state’s disaster recovery program is now official. IEM is set to oversee the $1.3 billion dollar federal flood system for homeowners. The size of the contract is an estimated $226.7 million. IEM was the same firm originally chosen to do the work, but the state scrapped the contract because it was too costly. The governor’s office said re-opening the bidding process ended up saving the state money.

Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser is not happy about the removal of the Liberty Place monument in New Orleans, and says he’s going to do everything he can to protect the other Confederate era structures…:
Cut 11 (11) “to stand on”
New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu says the city has a right to control its own property. The other monuments also set to be secretly removed are of Confederate generals Robert E Lee, P.G.T. Beauregard and Confederate President Jefferson Davis.

A Senate committee has begun debate on Baton Rouge Senator Dan Claitor’s legislation to eliminate the death penalty for capital murder and aggravated rape cases after July 31. He says in light of the state’s budget problems, the death penalty doesn’t make sense financially.

Cut 4 (08) “death row”

Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser is disappointed the Liberty Place monument in New Orleans was taken down. He says the state’s confederate monuments should stay in place because they’re part of our history.

Cut 10 (10) “it stop”

The Lt. Governor says he urged Attorney General Jeff Landry to file a suit to stop the removal of the statues, but apparently the state doesn’t have a legal leg to stand on.

Country music superstar Hunter Hayes of Breaux Bridge is getting behind an effort that connects service dogs with veterans. Michelle Southern reports…

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Michelle Southern”

The CenturyLink Center in Bossier City announces a once-in-a-lifetime concert event, Paul McCartney. The event is reportedly one of four McCartney concerts listed on the website Bandsintown, and it’s the only date announced in the US. The Beatles star is slated to perform in Bossier City on July 15.

A bill that would eliminate the death penalty in Louisiana goes before a Senate Committee today. Baton Rouge Senator Dan Claitor says, as a Catholic, he believes we should promote life, not snuff it out…:
Cut 5 (10) “any safer”
He also feels the death penalty doesn’t make an fiscal sense here.

Governor John Bel Edwards is launching an ad campaign which promotes his tax plan for the legislative session. The centerpiece of the idea, to place a new tax on businesses while reducing individual income taxes, did not get a warm reception from Republicans in the House Ways and Means committee. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says Edwards is looking out for his low income supporters…:
Cut 14 (10) “businesses”
Supporters of the plan say it would give 90% of residents in the state a tax cut.

Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser isn’t happy about the Liberty Place monument in New Orleans being taken down. The monument commemorated a group of white supremacists who fought against the racially integrated police force in 1874. But Nungesser says there are structures all over the world that memorialize darker parts of history..:
Cut 12 (09) “take em down”
The New Orleans City Council voted to remove four confederate-era monuments, which Mayor Mitch Landrieu says will all come down soon.

A Destrehan teacher accused of having a sexual relationship with an underage high school student is set to go on trial today in Jefferson Parish. Shelley Dufresne was one of the teachers allegedly involved in a threesome with another teacher and the 16-year-old boy at a Kenner apartment. She avoided a felony conviction when she pleaded guilty to obscenity in St. Charles Parish, but Jefferson Parish prosecutors will pursue felony carnal knowledge of a juvenile charges.

The death penalty in Louisiana would be gone under a measure set to be heard before a Senate Committee today. Baton Rouge Senator Dan Claitor says the state does not get a return on the dollars by killing prisoners convicted of murder…:
Cut 6 (08) “the drugs”
The measure would not affect individuals currently on death row.

Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser is not happy about the removal of the Liberty Place monument in New Orleans, and says he’s going to do everything he can to protect the other Confederate era structures…:
Cut 11 (11) “to stand on”
New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu says the city has a right to control its own property. The other monuments also set to be secretly removed are of Confederate generals Robert E Lee, P.G.T. Beauregard and Confederate President Jefferson Davis.

Governor John Bel Edwards is slated to begin an ad campaign aimed at pushing his tax reform plan. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat believes the goal of the administration’s commercial is to blame Republicans for the state’s current failing system…:
Cut 15 (11) “help him”
The PAC, Rebuild Louisiana, is paying for the ad.

Five-time Grammy nominee, singer/songwriter, Hunter Hayes of Breaux Bridge, is teaming up with Heartgard Plus and Warrior Canine Connection for a new campaign called “Heartgardians.” It’s designed to raise awareness about the positive impact dogs have on veterans and service members. Hayes you can enter for a chance to win a trip to Nashville by nominating a veteran.:
Cut 8 (09) “Warrior Canine Connection”
You can enter by using the hashtags #NominateAVeteran and #Sweepstakes on social media.

A bill that would get rid of the death penalty in Louisiana is slated to go before a Senate Committee today. Don Molino has more…:

Cut 1 (28) “I’m Don Molino”

It’s expected Governor John Bel Edwards will launch an ad campaign this week promoting his tax reform plan. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat:
Cut 13 (10) “this ad”
The administration is pushing a proposal to place a new tax on businesses while reducing individual income taxes.

Country music sensation and Breaux Bridge native Hunter Hayes is taking time out of his busy schedule to help connect veterans with the healing power of dogs, through the Heartgardians Sweepstakes. Hayes says he decided to get behind the effort when he found out about the Warrior Canine Connection program…:
Cut 7 (09) “as a companion”
You can find out more about the sweepstakes online at heartgardians.com.

And speaking of talent from the Acadiana region — named Hunter, singer Hunter Plake will find out tonight if he advances to the top 11 on NBC’s The Voice. The Frost native performed last night as a top 12 finalist.

ESPN is reporting former Vikings running back Adrian Peterson finalized a 2 year deal with the New Orleans Saints. It’s worth a reported $7 million dollars. So it should be a good Monday Night football game when New Orleans opens the 2017 regular season against Minnesota.