A Medicaid program that serves mentally ill children will remain intact after the Senate Health and Welfare Committee rejects a proposal to eliminate it. The administration proposed cutting the program by April 1 to save the state $2.2 million because of cuts to the Department of Health made in the special session. Lake Charles Senator Ronnie Johns is frustrated lawmakers didn’t use more rainy day dollars to avoid this..:
Cut 9 (08) “be here today”

Same sex couples would face equal penalties for domestic violence, under a proposal to be taken up in the regular session next month. Marrero Representative Patrick Connick says all demographics are capable of arguments that go too far…:
Cut 5 (12) “is protected”

Louisiana State Police Major Kevin Reeves, a 27-year veteran of the agency, has been appointed interim superintendent by Governor John Bel Edwards. He’ll replace Col. Mike Edmonson, who announced his retirement last week following a weeks-long controversy over questionable overtime by some troopers. Reeves is also reportedly a candidate for the permanent position to lead the agency.

New Tigers Coach Will Wade laid out his plans for the future of LSU basketball at a press conference in the student union today. Jeff Palermo has more…:
Cut 2 (28) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Louisiana could lose 3.6 billion dollars in homes, businesses, and infrastructure over the next 50 years if action isn’t taken to stop the massive coastal land loss problem. That’s according to Researcher Stephen Barnes with the LSU Economics and Policy…:
Cut 6 (09) “stake here”
The study has determined economic losses between 390-million to 600-million dollars for cities like Lafayette and Baton Rouge if nothing is done.

LSU has officially introduced its new basketball coach, Will Wade. The 34-year-old was greeted at the student union on campus to applause and cheers and he told the crowd he knows LSU can have a successful basketball program…:
CUT 25 (11) “no option to fail”

A federal judge in New Orleans has blocked a law which states people must have a birth certificate in order to get married. A suit was filed on behalf of a man who didn’t have proof of birth because he was born in an Indonesian camp, but has lived in Louisiana his entire life. The judge said the mandate denies the man the fundamental right to marry. The proposal was originally brought to crack down on people marrying only to obtain visas.

Louisiana’s film tax credit would be gone under a bill by Alexandria Senator Jay Luneau…:
Cut 3 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Alexandria Senator Jay Luneau plans to file legislation in the upcoming legislative session to end the state’s 180-million dollar film tax credit program. Luneau says it’s too costly and a recent LSU study showed return of investment is poor, but….
cut 11 (10) “…that’s spent”
That’s Patrick Mulhearn, executive director of the Celtic Media Studios, who plans to fight the legislation.

Marrero Representative Patrick Connick has filed a bill that closes a loophole so that same sex couples could face charges if they violate any of the state’s domestic violence laws. Connick says district attorneys brought the loophole to his attention…
cut 4 (06) “…orientation is”
Connick says Louisiana and South Carolina are the only two states with the opposite sex distinction on the books.

Today and tomorrow, students, faculty and staff at LSU can go to the student union and receive a mumps vaccination. Health officials have already seen a cluster of cases on the Baton Rouge campus and LSU infectious disease specialist, Doctor Fred Lopez, says the mumps can lead to serious complications…
cut 8 (13) “…in fertillity”
Lopez says mumps is spread through salivia, so sharing drinks and utensils is a no-no on a college campus.

Also at LSU’s Student Union today, new men’s basketball coach Will Wade will be introduced to the public. Wade had a 51-20 record at VCU.

In northwest Louisiana, I-20 eastbound near Minden is closed as a result of two wrecks. State Police report minor to moderate injuries.

And the state is expected to rest its case in the Derrick Stafford trial in Marksville.

Alexandria Senator Jay Luneau plans to file legislation that would eliminate Louisiana’s film tax credits, because he says the state can’t afford to subsidize movie stars. He says a recent study by LSU economist Loren Scott shows the return of investment isn’t there when it comes to movie incentives…:
Cut 10 (08) “too long”
But those in the film industry say Louisiana’s film tax credit program has created thousands of jobs and helped boost tourism.

Same sex couples would face equal penalties for domestic violence, under a proposal to be taken up in the regular session next month. Marrero Representative Patrick Connick says currently, domestic violence laws only apply to household members, married or not, of the opposite sex.
Cut 3 (11) “this bill”
Connick says Louisiana and South Carolina are the only two states with the opposite sex distinction on the books.

The Louisiana Federation of Teachers is very concerned with the cuts to education President Donald Trump is proposing in his executive budget. LFT spokesperson Les Landon says the budget calls for a nine-billion dollar cut to public schools and adds one-point-four billion in funding for “school choice, ” including vouchers. Landon says there’s evidence vouchers do not lead to a better education
cut 16 (09) “…public school”

The state Department of Children Family Services is looking to do more to help children who age out of the foster care system. Foster care program manager Toni Buxton says many times kids who leave the foster care system after the age of 18 have trouble finding a job or a place to live…
cut 6 (11) “…financial resources”
Buxton says they need to do more for these young adults, because many times they turn to life of crime when they have nowhere else to go.

A movie executive isn’t happy about proposed legislation to scrap the state’s film tax credit program. Patrick Mulhearn with Celtic Media Studios in Baton Rouge says the measure is hot garbage and you’d be missing out on tons of employment if you took away movie incentives..:
CUT 12 (08) “are created”
But Alexandria Senator Jay Luneau doesn’t think removing this tax incentive would destroy Louisiana’s film industry. He says there were plenty of great movies made in Louisiana before the state ever offered film tax credits…:
Cut 13 (07) “afford it”
A $180 million back-end cap was placed on the film tax credit program in 2015.

Former Louisiana Congressman John Fleming has found a job within the Trump Administration. He’s named the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Health Technology within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

A recent report by the Department of Children and Family Services finds youth who age out of the foster care program have a hard time getting back into the real world, and they hope to eventually see a change. State manager of the foster care program, Toni Buxton, says these kids just don’t have the resources to thrive:
Cut 5 (11) “homeless shelter”
She says 23 other states have extended the age beyond 18 to stay in foster care.

The US Department of Education would face a $9 billion budget reduction under President Trump’s proposal, and one of the state’s major teacher unions is not happy about it. Les Landon with the Louisiana Federation for Teachers says Louisiana would lose more than $51 million in funds used to recruit, train, support, and pay teachers. He says that’s bad enough, but unfortunately it gets worse…:
Cut 15 (10) “for children”
Education Secretary Betsy DeVos says their goal is to provide an equal opportunity for quality education for all students.

Louisiana’s film tax credit program won’t get a sequel next year under a proposal by Alexandria Senator Jay Luneau. Jeff Palermo has more on proposed legislation to eliminate movie tax incentives…:
Cut 3 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

The father of the slain 6-year-old in Marksville testified Tuesday in the murder trial of former police officer Derrick Stafford, who is one of two accused in the fatal shooting of Jeremy Mardis. Christopher Few said that he never heard a warning before officers open fired at his car, where his son was sitting in the front seat.

Due to the number of mumps cases confirmed on campus, LSU is offering the MMR shot beginning today. Infectious Disease Specialist Dr. Fred Lopez with LSU Health New Orleans recommends that everyone on a college campus get the vaccine to prevent spreading the virus…:
Cut 9 (08) “have immunity”
He says two doses of the MMR vaccine can significantly reduce the chances of a major outbreak.

The Coast Guard says it’s responding to a natural gas and oil spill that left about 840 gallons of crude in the water near Venice. They say boom and skimming vessels are being used to reduce the spread of the oil. The discharge was from an abandoned wellhead owned by Hilcorp Energy.

Governor John Bel Edwards is in North Louisiana today visiting with community leaders and businesses. He is speaking at the Monster Moto Dedication in Ruston, then participate in a groundbreaking ceremony for the North Village Plaza.

A recent report by the Department of Children and Family Services found that many youth who age out of foster care frequently are unprepared to handle realities of the real world, which they say is concerning. DCFS is asking the legislature for additional resources to extend foster care services to youth up to age 21 instead of 18…:
Cut 4 (10) “more years”
That’s Toni Buxton, manager of Louisiana’s foster care program.

The wife of one the slain Baton Rouge Police Officers killed in an ambush last summer has given birth to the couple’s baby boy. Dechia Gerald discovered she was pregnant after the death of Officer Matthew Gerald on July 17th. Falyn Matthew Gerald was born at 4:31 pm  yesterday.

The East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s deputy who was killed in the line of duty Saturday, Sgt. Shawn Anderson, will be laid to rest tomorrow. The suspected killer, 30-year-old Brandon Wiley, died Tuesday from injuries sustained in the incident, according to State Police.

LSU will offer the mumps vaccine to all students, faculty, and staff following the Department of Health’s confirmation of a dozen cases:
Cut 2 (29) “I’m Halen Doughty”

The US Department of Education would face a $9 billion budget reduction under President Trump’s proposal, and one of the state’s major teacher unions is not happy about it. Les Landon is with the Louisiana Federation for Teachers..:
Cut 14 (08) “public schools”
Landon says under the proposed budget, Louisiana would lose more than $51 million in funds for K-12.

Alexandria Senator Jay Luneau plans to file legislation that would cut Louisiana’s film tax credits, saying lawmakers need to assess the return on investment of state funded programs. He says a recent study by LSU economist Loren Scott shows the ROI isn’t there when it comes to movie incentives…:
Cut 10 (06) “too long”
But Executive Director of Celtic Media Studios in Baton Rouge, Patrick Mulhearn, discredits Scott’s analysis…:
Cut 11 (10) “that’s spent”
A $180 million back-end cap was placed on the film tax credit program in 2015.

The man accused of killing the East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s deputy has died from injuries he sustained in the incident. State Police say 30-year-old Brandon Wiley was shot when struggling with slain Sgt Shawn Anderson, and had been in critical condition since Saturday. Anderson will be laid to rest at Healing Place Church tomorrow morning.

Today and tomorrow, LSU will offer the mumps vaccine to all students, faculty, and staff, after the Louisiana Department of Health confirmed at least dozen cases of mumps, several of them on the Baton Rouge campus. Infectious Disease Specialist Dr. Fred Lopez with LSU Health New Orleans says two doses of the MMR vaccine can significantly reduce the chances of a major outbreak…:
Cut 7 (09) “not perfect”
The vaccines will be offered today and tomorrow from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. in the Student Union.

The 30 day ban on the harvesting of blue crabs ends today. Commercial and recreational crabbers were allowed to return to their traps before sunrise this morning.

A state law limits the search for the new State Police superintendent, as Col. Mike Edmonson is set to retire on Friday. Jeff Palermo has more on the restriction…

Cut 23 (31) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Former Louisiana Congressman John Fleming has found a job within the Trump Administration. Fleming has been hired as deputy assistant secretary for health technology within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Fleming will seek ways to improve how doctors can use technology to practice medicine.

Rental property owners in Louisiana are stepping up to help flood victims struggling to find housing. Governor John Bel Edwards says one in four flood victims are renters. He says federal dollars will be available to help these people get back into rental properties.

Cut 10 (08) “to recover”
HUD says 373 flood victims are still living in hotels.

Today is Ag Day — one to celebrate the abundance provided by agriculture; and recognize the contribution of the industry in our everyday lives. Ag Commissioner Mike Strain says today is also a celebration of the fact that we enjoy the lowest cost of food in of the industrialized world.

Cut 12 (06) “every day”
Strain says, given the floods in March and August, 2016 was a difficult year for many farms across the state.

The Housing Heroes initiative by the Louisiana Housing Corporation encourages rental property owners to house flood victims at affordable rates. Charmaine Roddy manages Fairway View Apartments in Baton Rouge and says they opened 45 units to flood victims after the August flood.

Cut 11 (09) “rent free”

According to HUD 373 flood victims are still in hotels, and 45-thousand are staying with relatives.

Two suspects are in critical condition after they tried to rob a house in Breaux Bridge and left with gunshot wounds courtesy of the homeowner. Major Ginny Higgins with the St. Martin Parish Sheriff’s Office says the two were also involved in a similar crime a few hours earlier.

Cut 7 (05) “yesterday evening”

The suspects are identified as 26-year-old Joseph Broussard and 31-year-old Drewe Schexnider.

The father of the slain 6-year-old in Marksville testified today in the murder trial of former police officer Derrick Stafford, who is accused of fatally shooting 6-year-old Jeremy Mardis after a car chase in 2015. Christopher Few testified that he never heard a warning before officers open fired at his car, where his son was sitting in the front seat. Few was also critically wounded in the shooting.

New LSU basketball coach Will Wade is on his way to Baton Rouge after agreeing to become the next head coach of the Tigers. It’s been reported Wade agreed to a six-year deal. Tiger Rag Editor Cody Worsham says the Clemson grad has a reputation as someone who eats, sleeps and breathes basketball.

Cut 5 (08) “10 years”

Wade led VCU to the NCAA Tournament the last two seasons.