Today, State Police Superintendent Col. Mike Edmonson announced his plans to retire March 24. LSP is under investigation by multiple agencies after four troopers made taxpayer funded overnight stops in Las Vegas and the Grand Canyon while heading to a training conference in San Diego. Political analyst Clancy Dubos says all things considered, this announcement shouldn’t come as a surprise…:
Cut 9 (11) “make a change”
Edmonson issued a statement saying Governor John Bel Edwards did not ask him to step down.

Anyone who has questions for Governor John Bel Edwards will have the opportunity to speak with him this afternoon during his monthly call in radio show “Ask The Governor.” Edwards will be joined today by the Executive director of the Office of Community Development, Pat Forbes. You can hear the show on certain affiliates of the Louisiana Radio NEtwork beginning at 2pm and the call in number is 1-877-217-5757.

Jefferson Parish authorities found four people dead at an apartment complex in Metairie early this morning. Sheriff Newell Normand says when authorities arrived they found three people deceased and a woman shot in the face, who was transported to a local hospital. He says as deputies were canvasing the scene, a nearby apartment had an open door…:
Cut 6 (10) “of age”
He says it’s too early in the investigation to speculate about what exactly happened.

WBRZ is reporting that a teacher is accused of assaulting a student during school hours in East Feliciana Parish. They say Jaworski White was arrested Tuesday by Clinton Police and charged for allegedly slapping a student.

State Police Col Mike Edmonson announces he’s stepping down from his post as Superintendent of State Police. Edmonson says he decided it was in the best interests of the state that he retire on March 24th so that the governor and Louisiana can move forward. LSP has been the subject of controversy over allegations of taxpayer funded vacations and illegal campaign contributions involving the Louisiana State Troopers Association. Governor Edwards says that Edmonson’s retirement is the best approach for the department.

A replacement for the Affordable Care Act is at the forefront of issues in Washington right now, and one of Governor Edwards’ biggest concerns about the plan is that it would mean those covered under Medicaid expansion would lose their health insurance. But Republican Congressman Ralph Abraham of Richland Parish says most of the people on Medicaid work for employers who can’t afford it on their own…:
CUT 25 (11) “with this”

A Denham Springs contractor has been arrested after allegedly defrauding two Baton Rouge flood victims. BRPD Sgt. Don Coppola says 48-year-old Andrew Darian contacted two female victims, one of whom was 70-years-old, about doing work on their homes…:
Cut 3 (12) “from them”
Coppola says Darian’s charges include home improvement fraud, felony theft, misapplication of payment, and theft of assets of an aged person.

Rising sea levels are threatening the western side of Louisiana’s coast, according to a Tulane study. Co-author Torbjorn Tornqvist (Tor-bee-on Torn-quist) says they used data from the Coastal Restoration and Protection Authority to determine how fast the sea level is rising…:
Cut 15 (10) “the world”
He hopes officials take note of this issue because something needs to be done.

Sources say State Police Col. Mike Edmonson is expected to announce his retirement today, as several investigations into his agency are ongoing. Both the Governor’s Office and the Legislative Auditor are digging into LSP’s travel spending, while federal agents are looking into possible illegal campaign contributions involving the Louisiana State Troopers Association. Edmonson is the longest serving State Police Superintendent, spending 9 years at the helm.

A Tulane study finds the sea level is rising on Louisiana’s western coast four times faster than the global average. Co-author Torbjorn Tornqvist says that’s because sediment accumulation is not keeping up with the rising sea on the west side of Louisiana’s Gulf coast.

Cut 16 (11) “sea level rise”

He says if nothing is done, 60-percent of their sites on the westernmost coast will go underwater.

Healthcare is the big issue in Washington, as House Republicans are working on their plan to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act. Baton Rouge Congressman Garret Graves hopes to see policies in the bill that keep prescription costs down because right now they’re skyrocketing.

Cut 8 (10) “other countries”

Graves says the individual mandate requiring citizens to purchase insurance will also be removed.

Students in summer classes at Southeastern Louisiana University will enjoy lower tuition and new courses. Director of Marketing and Admissions Mike Rivault says the recommended course load is 15 hours a semester, but many students can’t take on that many classes.

Cut 13 (09) “as possible”

He says the new course offerings include hybrid courses that combine in class and online instruction.

State Police Col Mike Edmonson will reportedly announce his retirement this morning amid a series of probes into the department in recent weeks.

Anyone who has questions for Governor John Bel Edwards will have the opportunity to speak with him this afternoon during his monthly call in radio show “Ask The Governor.” Edwards will be joined today by the Executive director of the Office of Community Development, Pat Forbes.

In Washington, the matter of the Affordable Care Act is the big discussion this week. Republican Congressman Ralph Abraham of Richland Parish says eliminating the individual and employer mandates under Obamacare is also a key goal for the GOP…:
Cut 6 (11) “they can afford”
Democrats argue this would mean the loss of health insurance for millions.

The sea level is rising on Louisiana’s western coast at a rate that’s four times higher than the global average. Emelie Gunn has more…:
Cut 3 (30) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

Southeastern Louisiana University revamps its offerings for the summer semester by lowering tuition cost and adding high demanded courses. SLU spokesman Mike Rivault says the summer semester will provide the highest education value with the lowest cost of four-year colleges in south Louisiana…:
Cut 14 (10) “another university”

The big conversation dominating Washington this week is on healthcare. Baton Rouge Congressman Garret Graves says his biggest concern with the current Affordable Care Act is that it’s unaffordable. He says it’s the largest tax increase in US history, and…:
Cut 7 (11) “their doctors”
House and Senate Democrats said Tuesday they would be willing to work on health insurance reform but only if Republicans withdraw a proposal that would repeal Obamacare.

A Tulane study indicates rising sea levels are threatening the western side of Louisiana’s coast, and if something isn’t done more than 60 percent of the sites they track will go under water. Co-author Torbjorn Tornqvist (Tor-bee-on Torn-quist) says significant coastal restoration is the only hope, but…:
CUT 17 (11) “in the future”

The Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s office says three people are dead in a quadruple shooting incident in Metairie that sent another woman to the hospital. They say deputies arrived to find two males deceased in the kitchen of a residence and an additional female pronounced dead at the scene. The investigation into this incident is ongoing.

Charges are expected to be filed against a Westminster Christian Academy student who hung a noose at the school’s baseball field. Halen Doughty has more…:
Cut 2 (30) “I’m Halen Doughty”

Plans to replace the Affordable Care Act are dominating conversations in Washington. Jeff Palermo has more on the proposal…:
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Today Governor John Bel Edwards is schedule to cut the ribbon for the McKay Automotive Training Center at Baton Rouge Community College. Then he will appear on his monthly call in radio show, “Ask The Governor” beginning at 2pm. Edwards will be joined in studio today by special guest Pat Forbes, executive director of the Office of Community Development.

Arrests are anticipated in the case of a Westminster Christian Academy student who hung a noose at the school’s baseball field. St. Landry Parish Sheriff Bobby Guidroz says three white boys and three black boys, all teammates, got into a huge argument…:
CUT 10 (09) “we are today”
He says the only 18 year old in the group is accused of fashioning the noose which is a felony. But right now both victims and suspects are refusing to speak without attorneys.

Southeastern Louisiana University revamps its offerings for the summer semester by lowering tuition cost and adding high demanded courses. Director of Marketing and Admissions Mike Rivault says they wanted to have a wider variety of classes available for current students and students home for the summer from other universities…:
Cut 12 (10) “have risen”
For more information visit southeastern.edu/summersmart.

Healthcare is the big issue in Washington this week. Republican Congressman Ralph Abraham of Richland Parish feels federal lawmakers are heading in the right direction of repealing and replacing the Affordable Care Act….:
Cut 4 (11) “fix it”
But Democrats feel the GOP plan would cause millions of people to lose coverage, and older Americans see their premiums skyrocket.

Rising sea levels are threatening the western side of Louisiana’s coast, according to a Tulane study. Co-author Torbjorn Tornqvist (Tor-bee-on Torn-quist) says they used data from the Coastal Restoration and Protection Authority to determine how fast the sea level is rising…:
Cut 15 (10) “the world”
He says if nothing is done, more than 60-percent of the sites they track in the westernmost coast will go under water.

Three people are dead after a quadruple shooting in Metairie that also sent one person to the hospital, according to cops. The Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s office says the woman survivor called 911 reporting she had been shot in the head. When deputies arrived on the scene they found two males and a female dead on the scene.

Arrests are anticipated in the case of a Westminster Christian Academy student who hung a noose at the school’s baseball field. St. Landry Parish Sheriff Bobby Guidroz says three black boys were arguing with three white boys at the ball field last week when things escalated…:
Cut 9 (10) “a felony”
Guidroz says fashioning a hangman’s noose is a felony that carries a penalty of a $5-thousand fine and at least a year in jail.

Governor John Bel Edwards has sent a letter to federal leaders urging them to keep Medicaid expansion, as discussions are ongoing about plans to repeal and replace Obamacare. The governor’s spokesperson Richard Carbo says their biggest concern is that the thousands of Louisianans who gained coverage will lose it.

Cut 14 (11) “healthcare”

The Legislative Auditor has launched an investigation into Louisiana State Police’s travel spending. The probe comes amid inquiries by LSP and the Governor’s Office after four troopers made taxpayer funded side trips on their way to a training conference in California. Despite rumors he would step down, State Police Col. Mike Edmonson is still the superintendent of LSP.

Cut 6 (10) “State Police”

Louisiana is now seeing a cluster of mumps cases with students at LSU. Jeff Palermo has more…

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

The investigation is ongoing into what may have caused the fire that destroyed the home of Tyler Perry’s father. Authorities say Emmitt Perry reported hearing popping sounds coming from the attic at his home in St. Helena Parish before the fire broke out. The Sheriff’s Office says crews had to let the fire burn itself out because there was nothing they could do.

Job growth in Louisiana remains slow and, in some cases, does not exist. LSU economist Dr. Loren Scott says Lake Charles has seen a boom…:
CUT 11 (10) “96 billion”
But due to a struggling oil and gas industry, Houma lost 6,000 jobs over the year, and Lafayette lost 9,000.

Governor John Bel Edwards has sent a letter to federal Congressional leaders urging them to keep Medicaid expansion as lawmakers debate replacing the current federal health care law . The governor’s spokesperson, Richard Carbo, says in addition to saving lives, the expansion is good for the state’s economy and budget.
Cut 15 (09) “hear that”
In the letter, Edwards says changes can be made without harming people who now have healthcare.

Car insurance rates in the Bayou State are on the rise again and a few factors could be the major culprits. Emelie Gunn has more…
Voicer 4 (23) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

Dr. Frank Welch with the state Department of Health says they’ve confirmed nearly 10 cases of the mumps on the LSU campus, which is why they’ve sent a health alert out to other college campuses and schools…
Cut 9 (11) “good hygiene”
Welch says the virus spreads through coughing and sneezing.

Governor John Bel Edwards has sent a letter to congressional leaders urging the protection of Medicaid expansion. The governor’s communications director Richard Carbo says with the debate underway in the nation’s capital to repeal and replace Obamacare, Edwards is standing behind the program he signed into law on his first day in office…:
Cut 13 (10) “this year’s budget”

The U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics finds Louisiana’s unemployment rate has seen little change overall in the past year, but manufacturing and the oil and gas industry continue to see big losses. LSU economist Dr. Loren Scott says Houma lost 6,000 jobs over the year, and Lafayette lost 9,000…:
CUT 10 (11) “too low”
Louisiana’s unemployment rate is just under 6-percent statewide.

The state Legislative Auditor’s Office launches an investigation into the travel spending of Louisiana State Police. The inquiry comes amid an ongoing investigations into the agency by the Governor’s Office. Legislative Auditor Daryl Purpera hopes this probe will lead to policy changes…
Cut 3 (09) “in the future”
LSP is conducting their own internal investigation into the side trips and possible overtime pay. State Police Col. Mike Edmonson hopes the findings of all these probes can be turned into new policy and accountability practices…:
Cut 5 (09) “welcome that”
There’s speculation Edmonson may resign, but the Colonel says he has no plans to do so.