State Police Col Mike Edmonson retires this week, and there is a state law that says the next superintendent must be a State Police officer who graduated from the LSP academy. But President of the Metropolitan Crime Coalition Rafael Goyeneche says a nationwide search should be conducted..:
Cut 4 (10) “in Louisiana”
Governor Edwards is expected to announce the interim head of LSP this week as Edmonson is set to retire on Friday.

Baton Rouge Representative Barry Ivey is once again bringing back his proposal to the legislature that would allow non-felons over the age of 21 to carry a concealed gun without a permit. He says the Constitution guarantees our right to carry guns, and it doesn’t dictate how they should be carried…:
Cut 10 (10) “to choose”
Opponents say the bill would eliminate certain safeguards such as having to take a safety course before you receive a permit.

The confirmation hearings for President Trump’s Supreme Court Justice nomination are underway in the nation’s capital and he has the support of U.S. Senator John Kennedy. Emelie Gunn has more…:
Cut 2 (28) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

At the start of the murder trial for one of two Marksville City Marshal’s accused in the death of a 6-year-old boy, prosecutors argued that the men were in no danger when they opened fire at the vehicle Jeremy Mardis and his father were in. But Derrick Stafford’s attorney said Christopher Few was “the author of his child’s fate”; for leading his client and the other suspect, Norris Greehouse Jr, on a dangerous high speed chase.

The man accused in the shooting death of an East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s deputy was wanted for questioning in the rape of a teen. Michelle Southern reports…

Cut 1 (28) “I’m Michelle Southern”

On the first day of the murder trial for former-Marksville police officer Derrick Stafford, jurors watched the 14 minute long body cam video of the encounter that resulted in the death of a 6-year-old autistic boy. Several jurors were reportedly seen wiping away tears, as the footage showed the shooting that killed the boy ad critically wounded his father after a car chase in 2015. Stafford is one of two officers accused in the death of Jeremy Mardis.

After years of midyear budget cuts, Jonesboro Senator Jim Fannin has filed a bill for the regular session that seeks to limit the amount of money lawmakers can spend each year.The proposal would limit the budget to only 98-percent of the revenue forecast for that year. Fannin says he expects some opposition.

Cut 16 (10) “discussion about it”

Fannin says Governor Edwards supports the plan.

Forty-four percent of children under 5 in New Orleans are living in poverty, according to the latest census data. Demographer Greg Rigamer says that’s because the median household income is very low. He says improving education could help solve this problem.

Cut 13 (10) “good jobs”

Rigamer says living in extreme poverty makes it hard for these children to get ahead in life.

State Police has identified the suspect accused in the shooting death of Sgt. Shawn Anderson with the East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s office. Trooper Bryan Lee says 30-year-old Brandon Wiley is still in critical condition as he was also injured. Lee says Anderson was conducting a rape investigation with another deputy at a hair salon.:
Cut 9 (09) “shots were fired”
The East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s Office is mourning the loss of the 43-year-old sergeant, who is the second EBR deputy to be killed in the line of duty in the last year. Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Casey Hicks…
cut 7 (09) “…for everyone”
Sergeant Anderson is a father of two and served as an EBR deputy for 18 years.

A north Louisiana lawmaker believes he has the solution to preventing midyear budget cuts. Jonesboro Senator Jim Fannin says the Revenue Estimating Conference consistently overestimates how much money the state will bring in, which leads to midyear cuts every year…:
Cut 14 (10) “the reduction”
Fannin plans to propose a bill in the upcoming fiscal session that says the state can only spend 98-percent of what the R-E-C estimates in state revenues.

Today is the first day of Spring and it’s certainly in the air. State Climatologist Barry Keim says the long range forecast calls for above average temperatures and rainfall over the next three months, and the rainy spring weather has already started…:
Cut 4 (06) “to continue”
He says we should be done with freezes until next fall.

State Police announced today that the suspected shooter in the death of East Baton Rouge Parish sheriff’s deputy Shawn Anderson is 30-year-old Brandon Wiley of Baton Rouge. The shooting took place Saturday night at a barber shop and deputies went there to talk with Wiley, because he is a suspect in the rape of a 15-year-old girl. A struggle ensued between Wiley and Anderson. Both men were shot, Wiley remains in critical condition, while Anderson was pronounced dead at a hospital.

Sheriff’s office spokesperson Casey Hicks says Sergeant Anderson was a true public servant who did whatever needed to be done…
cut 6 (10) “…of the road”
Sergeant Anderson had been with the East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s office for nearly 18 years and had received numerous awards. He leaves behind two children.

The latest U.S. Census report on income finds 44-percent of children under the age of 5 in New Orleans, are living in poverty. Demographer Greg Rigamer says we’ve seen statistics like this for a while…:
Cut 11 (09) “a trend”
He says focusing on improving education could help put an end to young children living in poverty.

Today is the first day of spring and the climate prediction center is calling for above-normal temperatures over the next three months and above-average rainfall. State Climatologist Barry Keim says we’re probably done with the cold weather…
cut 5 (08) “…has to offer”

And LSU along with the state office of public health will provide all students and faculty with free mumps vaccinations on Wenesday and Thursday. About a dozen LSU students have been diagnosed with the mumps.

Midyear budget cuts have become the norm in Louisiana, which is why state senator Jim Fannin plans to file a bill that calls on the state only spending 98-percent of the revenue that’s been forecasted by the Revenue Estimating Conference. Fannin believes this strategy can reduce the need for midyear cuts…
cut 15 (08) “…with excess”
Governor Edwards has signaled his support for this legislation.

The latest U.S. Census report on income finds 44-percent of children under the age of five in New Orleans are living in poverty. Demographer Greg Rigamer says the median income for a household in Orleans Parish is very low, in the upper 30-thousands. He says focusing on improving education could help put an end to young children living in poverty….
cut 13 (10) “…good jobs”

The man accused in the shooting death of an East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s deputy was wanted questioning in the rape of a teen….
voicer 1 (28) “….I’m Michelle Southern”

Meanwhile, the East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s office is dealing once again with a deputy who was killed in the line of duty. The second time it’s happened in the last eight months. EBR sheriff’s office spokesperson Casey Hicks…
cut 8 (10) “….get throw this”
Sergeant Anderson was with the department for nearly 20 years.

The East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s Office is mourning the loss of 43-year-old Sgt. Shawn Anderson, who was killed in the line of duty Saturday night. Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Casey Hicks says this is a devastating loss only 8 months after Deputy Brad Garafola was killed in an ambush on police.

Cut 7 (09) “for everyone”

Hicks says before last July, it had been 30 years since an East Baton Rouge deputy was killed in such a manner.

The murder trial of Derrick Stafford is underway in Avoyelles Parish, as the prosecution called their first witness today. Prosecutors are trying to portray Stafford as having a violent history before he allegedly shot a 6-year-old boy after a car chase in 2015. Aleathia Barbin testified the former Marksville police officer shocked her with a stun gun while she was handcuffed in the back of a patrol vehicle in 2011. The witness says the officer then spoke casually with her as he drove her to a hospital.

A bill to be taken up in the upcoming regular session seeks to end the cycle of midyear budget cuts by limiting the amount of money lawmakers could spend each year. Jonesboro Senator Jim Fannin’s proposal would limit the legislature to spending only 98-percent of the revenue forecast for that year, and he expects to encounter some opposition.

Cut 16 (10) “discussion about it”

Fannin says Governor John Bel Edwards supports the plan.

According to census data, 44-percent of children under 5 in New Orleans live in poverty. Demographer Greg Rigamer says living in extreme poverty makes it hard for these children to get ahead in life, and more can be done to address this daunting problem.

Cut 12 (05) “educational facilities”

Rigamer says improving education could help end childhood poverty.

State Police say the injured suspect involved in the shooting that claimed the life of an East Baton Rouge deputy is identified as 30-year-old Brandon Wiley. Authorities say 43-year-old Sgt. Shawn Anderson was killed in the line of duty while questioning Wiley about an alleged rape of a 15-year-old girl. Trooper Bryan Lee says Wiley has not been arrested yet in connection with the murder of Anderson…:
Cut 10 (09) “from there”
Wiley, who is in critical condition, was remotely booked by EBRSO on the initial charges: first-degree rape, resisting an officer and with tattooing of minors.

The lawyer for the man on trial for allegedly shooting and killing a 6-year-old boy during a traffic stop says the child’s father is the one to blame. Prosecutors argue former Marksville City Marshal Derrick Stafford and another deputy opened fire on the victim’s vehicle as he clearly had his hands in the air. But Stafford’s attorney said if Christopher Few had stopped the vehicle to begin with, his child would still be alive.

The latest U.S. Census report on income finds 44-percent of children under the age of 5 in New Orleans, are living in poverty. Demographer Greg Rigamer says we’ve seen statistics like this for a while…:
Cut 11 (09) “a trend”
He says focusing on improving education could help put an end to young children living in poverty.

Today is the official first day of Spring and it’s certainly in the air. State Climatologist Barry Keim says it looks to be a hot and wet few months. He says we’ve been in warm conditions throughout the winter, and the rainy spring weather has already started…:
Cut 4 (06) “to continue”
He says another freeze in Louisiana isn’t likely, but residents can expect an early start to the growing season.

Authorities say the East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s Deputy killed in the line of duty was the epitome of public service. Police say 43-year-old Sgt. Shawn Anderson was fatally shot Saturday night after he encountered a rape suspect at a barber shop. EBRSO spokesperson Casey Hicks says Sheriff Sid Gautreaux was at the hospital with the family throughout the night…:
Cut 8 (10) “get through this”
30-year-old Brandon Wiley is identified as the suspect and cops say he remains in critical condition. Wiley was wanted for questioning in a reported rape by a 15-year-old girl. EBRSO has remotely charged Wiley in that incident but State Police have not officially charged the man in the murder of Anderson.

Opening arguments have concluded in Marksville in the Derrick Stafford trial. The former deputy marshal faces murder and attempted murder charges after he and another officer allegedly shot at a vehicle killing a 6-year-old boy and injuring his father.

As of 5:29 this morning, spring has officially sprung in the Bayou State. Jeff Palermo has more on the spring forecast…:
Cut 2 (31) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

A north Louisiana lawmaker believes he has the solution to Louisiana’s ongoing midyear budget cuts. Jonesboro Senator Jim Fannin says the Revenue Estimating Conference consistently overestimates how much money the state will bring in, which leads to midyear cuts every year…:
Cut 14 (10) “the reduction”
Fannin says he plans to propose a bill in the upcoming fiscal session to limit the amount of money the state budgets each year.

State Police has identified the suspect accused in the shooting death of Sgt. Shawn Anderson with the East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s office. Trooper Bryan Lee says 30-year-old Brandon Wiley is still in critical condition as he was also injured in the incident. Lee says Anderson was conducting a rape investigation with another deputy at a hair salon.:
Cut 9 (09) “shots were fired”
Casey Hicks with the sheriff’s office says Anderson was a true public servant who did whatever needed to be done…:
Cut 6 (10) “of the road”
LSP says Wiley is in critical condition and has not yet been officially charged in the death of Anderson.

A bond of $475,000 has been set for the man accused of sexually abducting an LSU student. 20-year-old Frank Herrera Jr. is booked on numerous charges including kidnapping and 2nd degree rape.

Spring is officially here and forecasters indicate we’ve got a hot wet season ahead. State Climatologist Barry Keim says that’s because of neutral conditions in the Pacific Ocean…:
Cut 3 (10) “three months”
He says we can expect an early start to the growing season.

Governor John Bel Edwards is looking to talk tax reform in the upcoming session, and according to Representative Alan Seabaugh, the plan includes eliminating many business tax exemptions. But the Shreveport lawmaker says this would hurt economic development efforts…:
Cut 17 (08) “for everybody”
Others say Louisiana’s tax structure is a mess and something needs to change.

Opening arguments have concluded in Marksville in the Derrick Stafford trial. The former deputy marshal faces murder and attempted murder charges after he and another officer allegedly shot at a vehicle killing a 6-year-old boy and injuring his father. Loyola University Law Professor Dane Ciolino says the main issue is whether the shooting was justified..:
Cut 7 (05) “deadly force”
Governor John Bel Edwards is seeking to give the Louisiana tax system a facelift during the upcoming legislative session. Port Allen Senator Rick Ward supports the effort to repeal many business tax exemptions, so that large companies are paying taxes to the state, instead of getting a big refund.
Cut 14 (10) “pay something”
The idea will be discussed during the legislative session that begins three weeks from today.

U.S. Representative Garret Graves is frustrated over the length of time it’s taking when it comes to allocating federal flood relief dollars to homeowners who sustained damage. Graves says his anger is not about politics….
cut 13 (09) “…people are in”
A spokesperson for the governor’s office says they are still waiting for the federal government to release the flood aid to the state that was appropriated by Congress.

Spring is officially in the air, as the season kicked off at 5:29 this morning with the onset of the vernal equinox. State Climatologist Barry Keim says the Climate Prediction Center forecasts a hot and wet spring for Louisiana. He says that’s because of neutral conditions in the Pacific Ocean.
Cut 3 (10) “three months”