The Governor has released his comprehensive criminal justice legislative package. Metairie Senator Danny Martiny will attempt to push several of the proposals. He says habitual offender laws keep people in jail for the rest of their lives if they commit three violent crimes, but streamlining parole eligibility for some of the lesser offenses could help reduce the incarceration rate…:
Cut 15 (10) “not be affected” 2x
Louisiana is known as the incarceration capital of the world, and Governor Edwards has said with that comes a significant price tag.

The state Department of Corrections recommended termination for eight Elayn Hunt Correctional Center officers for the use of excessive force on an offender, and the subsequent cover up of the incident. They said six resigned in lieu of termination. Officials say this type of behavior is not acceptable and these individuals don’t represent the 99% of dedicated employees who are committed to public safety and integrity.

A measure has been filed for the legislative session that would give convicted felons, who are on parole and have been out of jail for at least five years, the right to vote. Baton Rouge Representative Patricia Smith says these individuals are still citizens and want to contribute to society…:
Cut 8 (08) “of life”
Smith says taking away privileges for people who committed crimes solves nothing and only makes them still feel like prisoners.

The “I Voted” Blue Dog sticker craze is ongoing. Secretary of State Tom Schedler says so many people have been clamoring to get their hands on the prize for voting in the fall elections featuring the George Rodrigue art, they are even being auctioned on eBay. He says the cost was a small price to pay considering the exposure…:
Cut 5 (11) “I’ve been there”
Schedler says the Rodrigue family charged the state nothing for their part in the stickers.

Governor John Bel Edwards has released his proposals on criminal justice reform to be discussed in the upcoming session. Metairie Senator Danny Martiny, who is carrying many of the bills, says one would expand incentives for inmates to participate in recidivism reducing programs, like drug and psychiatric treatment…:
CUT 14 (10) “out bad people”
The session begins April 10th.

Louisiana’s Blue Dog “I Voted” stickers ended up being an excellent investment, according to Secretary of State Tom Schedler. This was the reward citizens received for casting a ballot in the 2016 fall elections. Schedler said he had to make sure EVERYONE who voted got the precious sticker…:
Cut 4 (10) “sticker”
He said about 4 million stickers cost a well-spent $20,000.

Legislation for the upcoming session has been filed that would give convicted felons who have been out of prison for five years the right to vote. Emelie Gunn has more…:
Cut 2 (27) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

The Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office says the case of a dead woman who was found in a well is being investigated as suspicious. They say the victim’s sister called with a welfare concern…and later deputies located the woman’s body in a water well on a property where she went to cut grass. Deputies had been to the residence at least twice earlier on Thursday over a civil dispute involving land. The identity of the victim is not being released at this time.

A criminal justice package for the regular session has been released by Governor John Bel Edwards. Halen Doughty has more on the proposals…:
Cut 3 (30) “I’m Halen Doughty”

Secretary of State Tom Schedler told a House panel this week that the popular “I Voted” George Rodrigue Blue Dog sticker is one of the best investments his department has made. He said it was amazing to see how people would re-purpose the Blue Dog to brag that they had voted…:
Cut 6 (06) “laptops”
He said about 4 million stickers cost a well-spent $20,000.

A measure has been filed for the legislative session that would give convicted felons, who are on parole and have been out of jail for at least five years, the right to vote. Baton Rouge Representative Patricia Smith says many of these individuals have been out of jail for decades.:
Cut 7 (07) “is vote”
The Democrat failed with similar legislation last year that did not include the 5 year jail free stipulation.

Drivers in Louisiana use their phones behind the wheel the 2nd most in the nation. That’s according to Life360, and Co-founder Alex Haro says some people say they only text at red lights, but he insists that’s not safe either. He says the National Safety Council found divers are still distracted up to 30 seconds after using their phones…:
Cut 11 (11) “that happen”
He hopes people will eventually get the hint that cell-phone use and driving is a bad idea.

The Governor has released his criminal justice reform package that lawmakers will debate in the upcoming session. Metairie Senator Danny Martiny will attempt to push several of the proposals in an effort to lower the state’s massive prison population. He says they’ll seek to expand alternatives to incarceration…:
Cut 13 (07) “their incarceration”
The session begins April 10th.

Louisiana drivers are the second worst in the nation for cell phone usage while driving, according to a report from Life360. Co-founder Alex Haro says motorits here use their phones more than most in the US…:
Cut 10 (09) “national average”
Haro hopes this report will get more families to discuss the dangers of using cell phones while driving.

The “I Voted” George Rodrigue Blue Dog sticker was one incredible investment in outreach, according to Secretary of State Tom Schedler. Jeff Palermo reports…:
Cut 1 (29) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

One of two Marksville City Marshall’s accused in the death of a 6-year-old is slated to be sentenced today. Derrick Stafford was convicted last week of manslaughter and attempted manslaughter.

Three death row inmates have filed a suit after spending decades in solitary confinement at Angola. All three plaintiffs have spent more than 25 years in solitary, and Attorney Betsy Ginsberg says living in isolation for this long takes a serious toll on the inmates’ physical and mental health.

Cut 4 (08) “they experience”
The Department of Corrections has not issued a comment on the suit.

According to the Louisiana Survey, more Louisianans are optimistic about the future of the state for the first time since 2012. Director of the LSU Public Policy Research Lab Michael Henderson says 40-percent of the respondents say they are confident state government can effectively address the state’s important problems, which is a 6 percent increase over last year.

Cut 8 (10) “increase”
A measure for the upcoming legislative session has been filed that would require TOPS recipients to pay back half of their scholarship if they leave the state after graduating. Alexandria Senator Jay Luneau authored the measure and says students would have to follow through with a contractual agreement.

Cut 10 (09) “of documents”

Luneau says this would be like paying back an interest free student loan.

WalletHub finds Louisiana ranks dead last in financial literacy. Analyst Jill Gonzalez says they found the average credit score in the state is a 654, and Louisianans are not being responsible with their credit cards.

Cut 13 (09) “sooner”
She says this can cause interest payments to drag out for years.

A lawsuit seeks to change a policy at Angola that sends all death row inmates to solitary confinement, where they spend 23 hours a day in a windowless cell. Attorney Betsy Ginsberg says their 8^th amendment protection from cruel and unusual punishment.

Cut 3 (10) “solitary confinement”

The Department of Corrections has not issued a comment on the suit.

Legislation has been filed that would require TOPS recipients who leave Louisiana after graduating to pay 50-percent of their scholarship back to the state over time. Alexandria Senator Jay Luneau says the goal of his bill is to keep the best and brightest in the Bayou State.

Cut 9 (10) “citizens”

For the first time since 2012, more Louisianans are optimistic about the future of the state, according to the 2017 Louisiana Survey. Director of the LSU Public Policy Research Lab Michael Henderson says 46 percent of residents believe the state is headed in the right direction.

Cut 6 (08) “this year”

40-percent of the respondents are confident government can address the state’s problems.

A report from WalletHub find’s Louisiana is the least financially literate state in the country. Analyst Jill Gonzales says 15 percent of Louisianans don’t have a bank account at all. She adds Louisiana residents have a bad habit of spending more money than they make.

Cut 14 (10) “the minimum”

She says the average credit rating in the state is only 654.

According to the 2017 Louisiana Survey, optimism in the future of the state is on the rise. Emelie Gunn has more…
Voicer 2 (29) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

Authorities say a 15-year-old high school student who posted threats on social media that led to the closure of Isidore Newman High School in New Orleans has been arrested. Police say the teen posted a photo on Snapchat that said “Don’t come to school tomorrow and there were several weapons in the picture.

Three death row inmates have filed a federal class-action lawsuit seeking to end an Angola prison policy that automatically sends prisoners serving death sentences into solitary confinement for the length of their incarceration. Attorney Betsy Ginsberg represents the men and says there has to be a limit to what the system can do to inmates…
cut 5 (11) “…they are”
The Department of Corrections says they do not comment on pending litigation.

Legislation has been filed that would require TOPS recipients who leave Louisiana after graduating to pay 50-percent of their scholarship back to the state over time. Alexandria Senator Jay Luneau hopes this encourages students to stay and work in Louisiana, but the bill also saves the state money if graduates choose to leave…:
Cut 11 (07) “four years”

Optimism in the future of the state is on the rise in Louisiana for the first time since 2012, according to the 2017 Louisiana Survey. But Director of the LSU Public Policy Research Lab Michael Henderson says despite a better sense of optimism, Louisiana residents still have many concerns and the top one is the state’s budget problems.
Cut 7 (10) “of those”

A measure for the upcoming legislative session has been filed that would require recipients of TOPS to pay 50-percent of their scholarship back if they move states after graduating. Author of the bill, Alexandria Senator Jay Luneau says students would be required to follow through with a contractual agreement.
Cut 10 (09) “of documents”

Luneau says this would be much like paying back an interest free student loan.

Three death row inmates at Angola have filed a lawsuit after being held in solitary confinement for decades. I’m Jeff Palermo…
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Authorities in Rapides Parish have reported a second break-in at Tioga High School and Tioga Junior High. Both schools received extensive damage, as glass cases, mirrors and equipment were destroyed. The Sheriff’s office has released photos of two suspects via social media and are offering a reward of 85-hundred dollars for any information leading to the arrest and conviction of the people responsible.

Three Angola death row inmates have filed a suit regarding the decades they have spent in solitary. Plaintiffs Marcus Hamilton, Winthrop Eaton, and Michael Perry have all spent more than 25 years in solitary confinement. Attorney Betsy Ginsberg says living in isolation for this long takes a serious toll on the inmates’ physical and mental health..:
Cut 4 (08) “they experience”
The Department of Corrections has not issued a comment on the suit.

TOPS students who graduate and leave Louisiana would have to pay half the scholarship money back under a bill by Alexandria Senator Jay Luneau.
Cut 9 (10) “citizens”
Luneau says this would be much like paying back an interest free student loan.

A recent report says Louisianians are not very good with their money. WalletHub analyst Jill Gonzalez says they found the average FICO score in the state is a paltry 654. She says there is also irresponsible credit card behavior taking place among many here…:
cUT 13 (09) “sooner”
Gonzales says Louisiana has the highest unbanked rate in the country, meaning 15 percent of residents do not have a bank account at all.

For the first time since 2012, more people in Louisiana are optimistic about the future of the state, according to the 2017 Louisiana Survey. Director of the LSU Public Policy Research Lab Michael Henderson says 40-percent of the respondents say they are confident state government can effectively address the state’s important problems, which is not usual
CUT 8 (10) “increase”
She says 46-percent of residents believe the state is headed in the right direction.

According to the 2017 Louisiana Survey, optimism on the future of the state is on the rise. Emelie Gunn has more…:
Cut 2 (29) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

The George Rodrigue Blue Dog “I Voted” sticker is considered a collectors item according to a survey by eBay. The auction site said the prize voters got for casting a ballot last year in Louisiana is on sale for about $5 to $50. Secretary of State Tom Schedler said the Blue Dog stickers were so popular that people from all over the country were calling his office asking if they could get one. But he says they only went to folks around the state who took part in elections.

Louisiana has the worst financial literacy in the nation, according to the personal finance website WalletHub. Analyst Jill Gonzales says the median credit score in the state is 654, which is on the verge of bad. She says only 28 percent of residents are setting aside money for their children’s education, and less half have a rainy day fund…:
Cut 12 (11) “emergency funds”
She says Louisiana residents also have a bad habit of spending more money than they make.

Legislation has been filed that would require TOPS recipients who leave Louisiana after graduating to pay 50-percent of their scholarship back to the state over time. Alexandria Senator Jay Luneau hopes this encourages students to stay and work in Louisiana, but the bill also saves the state money if graduates choose to leave…:
Cut 11 (07) “four years”