Rumor has it today is the day the U.S. Department of Justice will issue its decision in the Alton Sterling case, but there’s still no word on how accurate the gossip is. The DOJ will determine whether or not to bring forth civil rights charges against the Baton Rouge cops involved in Sterling’s death. Former US Attorney Don Cazayoux imagines this has been an extensive investigation…:
Cut 6 (10) “ballistic evidence”
Cazayoux was a guest on Talk Louisiana with Jim Engster this morning.

Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser unveils a new initiative called Destination Louisiana to encourage Louisianans to vacation in their home state. Nungesser hopes residents will stay-cation in the Bayou State rather than jumping on a plane. He says there is so much beauty to see right here..:
Cut 13 (08) “in Louisiana”

The number of high school students completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid is the highest in the state’s history. Assistant Superintendent for the Office of Student Opportunity Ken Bradford says students are already at a 51-percent completion rate and the deadline to fill out the form is still two months away…:
Cut 3 (12) “completion rate”
The national average for FAFSA completion is 55-percent.

A 16-year-old driver who wasn’t buckled up has died in a crash after she hit livestock that was standing in the middle of the road near the St. Landry/Evangeline Parish line. State Police Sgt. Jared Sandifer says the female victim is identified as Adrian Johnson of Washington…:
CUT 15 (10) “that crash”
He reminds all motorists that it’s the law to buckle up.

Protestors and anti-protestors came face to face last night at the Jefferson Davis monument in New Orleans, some calling for the statue of the Confederacy president to come down and others demanding it remain in place. Congressman Clay Higgins supports the monuments, but says their future has to be decided by the state.

Cut 7 (07) “there is none”

Higgins sent a letter to Governor Edwards urging him to protect Louisiana’s history.

A Breaux Bridge priest has reportedly entered a guilty plea of not guilty on child pornography charges. Authorities say they found more than 500 images of child pornography on Rev. Felix Broussard’s personal computer last July. Broussard is facing charges of accessing and possessing the pornographic images, and his next court appearance is scheduled for August.

A lack of quality childcare is costing employers and employees billions, according to a recent LSU survey. Executive Director of the Louisiana Policy Institute for Children, Melanie Bronfin says the state needs to stop cutting the Louisiana School Readiness Tax Credits because child care programs are critical.

Cut 12 (09) “childcare”

The report finds one in six Louisiana workers quit their jobs because of trouble with child care.

Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser is encouraging Louisianans to vacation in their home state in a new initiative called Destination Louisiana. He says they’ll be promoting the parish of the month on radio commercials and digital billboards.

Cut 15 (10) “to offer”

For more information, visit LouisianaTravel.com.

Congressman Clay Higgins has sent a letter to Governor John Bel Edwards urging him to take action to keep Louisiana’s confederate monuments where they are. Higgins says these statues are a part of Louisiana’s history, and they deserve to be protected…:
Cut 8 (12) “that we are”
New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu says the structures belong to the city.

A study conducted in-part by the LSU Public Policy Research Lab finds a lack of quality childcare costs employers and employees over a billion dollars a year. Dr. Belinda Davis says they found one in six workers in Louisiana quit their jobs because they don’t have a place for the kids…:
Cut 11 (08) “tax revenue”
She says Louisiana has cut funding to early child care programs 70-percent since 2008.

LSU and a news organization have created a website which would let the public give an opinion on how Louisiana’s budget woes could be repaired. LSU Mass Communications Professor Len Apcar says “solve-the-budget-dot-org” asks participants a number of different options related to revenue and spending, with the dollar amounts included for each..:
Cut 5 (10) “close the gap”
The poll was also developed by The Advocate newspaper.

Lawmakers are grappling with a $440 million dollar budget deficit, and The Advocate news organization and LSU have developed a simplistic website that allows the public the opportunity to weigh in on how to repair the state’s finances. LSU Mass Communications Professor Len Apcar says “solve-the-budget-dot-org could shed some light on what the masses would really like to see happen at the Capitol…:
Cut 6 (10) “we’ll find out”
He hopes a number of people respond between now and the end of the session.

Congressman Clay Higgins is asking Governor John Bel Edwards to intervene in the removal of Confederate monuments in New Orleans. The Liberty Place structure has already been removed. Higgins believes this is a cowardly move by New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu…:
Cut 9 (10) “be known for”
Mayor Landrieu has said the monuments are the city’s property, not the state’s.

A memorial fund has been set up for the family of the Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s Deputy who died while on-duty in a crash over the weekend. Deputy Justin Beard will be laid to rest on Thursday at Mt. Vernon Baptist Church in West Monroe. Anyone who wants to help out his wife and three children can do so at any Ouachita Independent Bank location.

Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser announces an initiative to get Louisianans to vacation right here in the Bayou State. Emelie Gunn has more…:
Cut 3 (31) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

LSU and a news organization have created a website which would let the public give an opinion on how Louisiana’s budget woes could be repaired. LSU’s Reilly Center for Media and Public Affairs and The Advocate, together developed “solve-the-budget-dot-org.” LSU Mass Communications Professor Len Apcar says the poll has two sections..:
Cut 4 (10) “and spending cuts”
That’s solve-the-budget-dot-org.

Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser unveils a new initiative called Destination Louisiana to encourage Louisianans to vacation in their home state. Nungesser hopes residents will stay-cation in the Bayou State rather than jumping on a plane. He says there is so much beauty to see right here..:
Cut 13 (08) “in Louisiana”
Over the next six months, six different parishes will receive multi-platform coverage from the Louisiana Office of Tourism.

A first of its kind study finds childcare issues costs the state over a billion dollars a year in the economy. Halen Doughty has more…:
Cut 2 (31) “I’m Halen Doughty”

A GOP dominated House panel advanced the state’s operating budget proposal including a change that would fully fund the TOPS scholarship program. Democrats objected. It heads to the full House.

Also headed to the lower chamber floor is a bill to set up statewide rules for ride sharing services like Uber and Lyft. Supporters say this would be better for consumers if rates didn’t vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction.

Congressman Clay Higgins has sent a letter to Governor John Bel Edwards urging him to take action to keep Louisiana’s confederate monuments in place. The Liberty Place monument in New Orleans was already removed. Higgins says this is something that has to be done at the state level…:
Cut 7 (07) “there is none”
New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu maintains the city has a right to control its own property.

A study by the LSU Public Policy Research Lab and the Louisiana Policy Institute for Children finds a lack of quality childcare costs employers and employees over a billion dollars a year. LPIC Executive Director Melanie Bronfin says Louisiana has cut funding to early child care programs 70-percent since 2008….:
Cut 10 (09) “their employer”
Bronfin says a way to solve these problems is to stop cutting money to pay for the Louisiana School Readiness Tax Credits.

LSU and a news organization have created a website which would let the public give an opinion on how Louisiana’s budget woes could be repaired. Jeff Palermo reports…:
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Today Governor John Bel Edwards is slated to testify before a Senate Judiciary committee in support of his legislative agenda on criminal justice reform.

The House Appropriations Committee has voted to fully fund the TOPS scholarship program for the next fiscal year. Baton Rouge Representative Franklin Foil amended the state’s proposed budget to take 82-million dollars from the Department of Health’s budget to fund it.
Cut 14 (11) “percent”
New Orleans Representative Walt Leger raised concerns about how these cuts would impact LDH. He says the only areas of the health budget that can be cut are optional Medicaid programs that will greatly impact Louisiana residents.
Cut 16 (12) “on the streets”
The budget plan heads to the House floor.

An 83-year-old LaRose man will be sentenced next month for a sex crime he committed over 30 years ago. Lafourche Assistant District Attorney Kristine Russell says the victim was seven years old at the time and this is a huge victory for her…
cut 12 (11) “…years ago”
Warren Danos was convicted of sexual battery and faces at least 25 years behind bars.

Two out of state residents are dead after a private plane crashed in a field in Morehouse Parish. Sheriff Mike Tubbs says the National Transportation Safety Board and the Federal Aviation Administration will conduct an investigation into what caused the crash….
cut 4 (06) “….on the scene”

Funeral services will take place Thursday for Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s deputy Justin Beard. He was killed in a single vehicle wreck on Sunday while responding to a burglar alarm.

The Appropriations Committee, which is dominated by Republicans, approves a spending plan for next fiscal year that fully funds the TOPS scholarship program. The House GOP plan calls for an 82-million dollar cut in state funding to the Department of Health, so that the state can fully cover tuition payments for TOPS students.
cut 23 (02) “…our state”
That’s Baton Rouge Representative Franklin Foil who authored the amendment that passed on a on a 19-5 vote. Democrats on the panel voted against it. New Orleans Representative Gary carter….
cut 29 (17) “…100,000 dollars a year”
More debate will take place on the House floor when the full 28-billion dollar budget will be discussed.

LSU and a news organization create a website which would let the public give an opinion on how Louisiana’s budget woes could be repaired. Jeff Palermo reports…:
Voicer 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Legislation that would regulate car-sharing services like Uber and Lyft received approval from the House Commerce committee. Uber and Lyft support having standard rules across the state, so they don’t have to negotiate agreeements with local jurisdictions. They say it could help expand their service into smaller communities. The measure heads to the House floor for more discussion.

The House Appropriations Committee approves a spending plan for next fiscal year and it provides the necessary dollars to fully fund the TOPS scholarship program. Baton Rouge Representative Franklin Foil moved to 81-million dollars from the Louisiana Department of Health, so that TOPS students have their tuition costs completely covered….
cut 15 (09) “….a priority”
The state’s spending plan moves to the full House as the budget bill still has several steps before it gets through the legislative process.

The Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s office is mourning the death of deputy Justin Beard, who was killed in a single vehicle wreck while responding to a burglar alarm. O-P-S-O spokesperson Glenn Springfield…
cut 7 (10) “…Deputy Beard”
Beard was a deputy at OPSO for over three years and leaves behind a wife and three young children.

A child sex abuse victim finally gets justice 30 years later. Halen Doughty has the story…:
Cut 1 (31) “I’m Halen Doughty”

The Diocese of Lafayette says the Reverend Felix David Broussard is expected to enter a guilty plea tomorrow in court on charges of accessing and possessing child pornography. Louisiana State Police arrested the Acadia Parish native last July after investigators allegedly found over 500 images of child porn his personal computer. Broussard served as a priest for the Diocese of Lafayette for over 20 years.

The House Appropriations Committee has voted to fully fund the TOPS scholarship program for the next fiscal year. Baton Rouge Representative Franklin Foil amended the state’s spending plan to take 82-million dollars from the Department of Health’s budget to fund it.

Cut 14 (11) “percent”

New Orleans Representative Walt Leger raised concerns about how these cuts would impact LDH. He says the only areas of the health budget that can be cut are optional Medicaid programs that will greatly impact Louisiana residents.

Cut 16 (12) “on the streets”

The budget plan heads to the House floor.

The Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s Office is mourning the loss of 26-year-old Deputy Justin Beard, who was killed in a crash Sunday morning. State Trooper Michael Reichardt says Beard was responding to a call on Highway 34 when he veered off the roadway.

Cut 5 (08) “this crash”

Beard leaves behind a wife and three young children.

Evangeline Parish is battling flooding that’s occurring as a result of a severe weather system. Office of Emergency Preparedness Director Liz Hill says although the water wasn’t as high as it was in the August flood, some people had to be rescued from their flooded homes.

Cut 10 (07) “higher ground”

Flooding impacted about 60 homes in Mamou, along with the schools, hospital, and city hall.