Universities would be required to implement an action plan to address unplanned teen pregnancies under a proposal approved by the Senate Education Committee. New Orleans Senator Wesley Bishop spent decades working in higher education and says many young women dropped out of school for so-called medical reasons…:
Cut 3 (09) “happens a lot”
SB 106 now heads to the full Senate.

The State Fire Marshal’s office is investigating a burning car in DeSoto Parish where the body of a woman was found inside. Fire Marshal Butch Browning says they responded to a call from the Sheriff’s Office at 2 a.m. reporting a vehicle fire on Interstate 49 near Stonewall…:
Cut 6 (06) “the road”
Browning says the victim has been identified and they are notifying next of kin before releasing her name to the public.

The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival is underway in The Big Easy.
Cut 3 (27) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Governor John Bel Edwards today announced Graphic Packaging International will make a combined $274 million dollar capital investment in Northeast Louisiana and develop a folding carton plant and logistics center in Monroe. He says the company will continue to invest in its paper mill in West Monroe, retaining over 800 jobs and the new project creating 93 new jobs.

A new drug called ‘pink’ is hitting the streets in Louisiana and is more deadly than heroin. East Baton Rouge Parish Coroner Dr. Beau Clark says pink is a synthetic opioid combined with Fentanyl. He says this drug has all of the same effects as heroin…:
Cut 7 (09) “Baton Rouge area”
Pink originally gained media attention when a child overdosed from the drug in Colorado.

The state House approves legislation that says public school students can bring sunscreen to school and apply it with no prescription needed. State Representative Patricia Smith voted “no”, because she raised concerns about younger kids having to apply the sunscreen themselves, but Baton Rouge Representative Barry Ivey says that shouldn’t be a concern, because if they can use a smart phone, they can put on sun screen…
cut 14 (09) “…five years old”
The bill heads to the senate for more discussion.

The University of Louisiana Monroe is looking to bring a new medical school to northeast Louisiana. Halen Doughty has more…
Voicer 1 (30) “I’m Halen Doughty”

Governor John Bel Edwards will be in Monroe this morning at 11 AM for an economic development announcement and then he’ll attend a luncheon at the Mt Zion Baptist Church Family Life Center.

And the state announces that Louisiana Cat is expanding its New Iberia operations and they plan to add 60 jobs over the next five years.

Officials are sending out warnings about a dangerous drug that is making appearances in Louisiana. It’s known as Pink — a synthetic opioid much stronger than heroin or prescription pain meds. That’s according to East Baton Rouge Parish Coroner Dr. Beau Clark who say access to these illicit drugs needs to stop sooner than later…:
Cut 9 (10) “overdose”
Pink originally gained media attention when a child overdosed from the drug in Colorado.

Hundreds of thousands of people will pack out the New Orleans Fair Grounds beginning this weekend for Jazzfest. How does the event get bigger and attract more people and big name artists every year? Festival producer Quint Davis says the secret is keeping it family friendly…:
Cut 11 (09) “to go too”
Hitting the big stages this weekend are Harry Connick Junior, Maroon 5 and Tom Petty.

It looks like ULM will soon be getting a new medical school in a deal with a private New York based institution. The College of Osteopathic medicine would start accepting up to 110 students for the 2019 fall semester. But first, ULM President Nick Bruno says they still have to work out a lot of details….:
Cut 4 (10) “school’s demand”
The school would have about 200 students on campus after two years, with 200 more doing clinical rotations in the community.

LSU running back Leonard Fournette was taken as the 4th pick in the NFL draft last night, going to the Jacksonville Jaguars. He becomes the highest sleeted player from LSU since 1963 when West Monroe’s Jerry Stovall was selected number 2 in the first round. LSU safety Jamal Adams was picked with the sixth selection of the first round by the New York Jets. The Saints used their first pick in the first round to take the top cornerback, Ohio State’s Marshon Lattimore.

A synthetic drug called ‘pink’ has made its way to Bayou State and is more potent than heroin. Emelie Gunn has more…:
Cut 2 (24) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

Public school students could apply sunscreen on themselves — and their teachers would be allowed to help under a House approved measure that’s headed to the Senate. It’s currently on a list of items not allowed and Baton Rouge Representative Barry Ivey was upset a bill like this was even necessary…:
Cut 15 (08) “on sunscreen”
But Baton Rouge Representative Patricia Smith doesn’t think it’s a good idea for teachers to apply sunscreen to students. The vote was 99-1.

Jazz Fest is back beginning today at the New Orleans Fairgrounds. This year’s acts include Stevie Wonder, Tom Petty, Maroon 5, Dave Matthews, Harry Connick Jr, and first timers Lorde and Snoop Dog. Festival Producer Quint Davis says the festival at the Fairgrounds Race Track really is like a mini version of the Big Easy…:
Cut 12 (08) “pumping away”
Davis says the two-weekend festival has a $300 million annual economic impact.

A jury hands down a unanimous guilty verdict against a Homer man accused of fatally shooting a Webster Parish Sheriff’s Deputy in 2016. It took the jury nearly an hour to find Andrew Critton at fault in the death of 69-year-old Sulyn Prince, who prosecutors say was buried in a shallow grave after Critton used a fire extinguisher to bludgeon her in the head.

Nicholls State University says they’ve received a very generous pledge from longtime supporter Tommy Meyer to enhance several Colonel athletic facilities.

The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival gets underway today in the Big Easy…:
Cut 3 (27) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

East Baton Rouge Parish Coroner Dr. Beau Clark says a drug more deadly than heroin is hitting the streets in Louisiana. He says it’s called pink and wants the public to be aware that drug dealers aren’t concerned with what they are selling when it comes to this drug’s potency…:
Cut 8 (10) “get involved”
He says pink is a synthetic opioid combined with Fentanyl.

North Louisiana is reportedly getting a new medical school at ULM, and it’s expected that enrollment would begin in the fall semester of 2019. Word is that the school signed with a New York based institution for the The College of Osteopathic medicine. ULM President Dr. Nick Bruno says this new med school could offer a lot of opportunities to students…:
Cut 5 (08) “their preference”
He says this partnership could help improve the health sciences programs already offered at ULM.

The Jacksonville Jaguars have drafted former LSU running back Leonard Fournette with the 4th pick of the first round. The New Orleans native left LSU as one of the all-time greats in the program, rushing for 3,380 yards, a 6.2 yard per carry average and 40 touchdowns. Two picks later, the New York Jets took safety Jamal Adams. It’s the first time since 2007 that two LSU players were selected within the first six picks of the NFL draft.

A new drug called ‘pink’ is hitting the streets in Louisiana and is more deadly than heroin. East Baton Rouge Parish Coroner Dr. Beau Clark says pink is a synthetic opioid combined with Fentanyl. He says this drug has all of the same effects as heroin…:
Cut 7 (09) “Baton Rouge area”
Pink originally gained media attention when a child overdosed from the drug in Colorado.

The House overwhelmingly approved a measure to allow children to bring sunscreen to school and apply it themselves. The lone dissenting vote came from Baton Rouge Representative Patricia Smith, who raised concerns about teaching putting lotion on students…:
Cut 13 (08) “touch me right”
It would also allow parents to designate someone at the school to help their children put on the sunblock.

Music lovers from all over the country are gathering in New Orleans for the Jazz & Heritage Festival that kicks off today. Producer Quint Davis says they have 580 musical acts over a two-weekend period. Harry Connick Junior, Maroon 5, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers are headliners this weekend and 2nd weekend performers are just as good…:
cut 10 (07) “in a row”
Davis says the two-weekend festival has a $300 million annual economic impact.

The federal decision in the Alton Sterling police shooting case out of Baton Rouge could be imminent, according to several sources close to the investigation. City leaders say they’ve been told the decision will be announced on or before next Tuesday.

The University of Louisiana Monroe is looking to bring a new medical school to northeast Louisiana. Halen Doughty has more…

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Halen Doughty”

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A synthetic drug called ‘pink’ has made its way to Bayou State and is more potent than heroin. Emelie Gunn has more….

Cut 2 (24) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

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The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival gets underway today in the Big Easy. Jeff Palermo has more on this year’s big attractions…

Cut 3 (27) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

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Northeast Louisiana could become the future home of a new medical school. University of Louisiana Monroe President Dr. Nick Bruno says the university is actively engaged in discussions with a private medical school they hope to partner with, but they still have to work out a lot of details.

Cut 4  (10) “school’s demand”

Bruno says the school could begin accepting students as early as the fall of 2019. The school would have about 200 students on campus after two years, with 200 more doing clinical rotations in the community. He says this new med school could offer a lot of opportunities to students.

Cut 5  (08)  “their preference”

Bruno says this partnership could help improve the health sciences programs already offered at ULM. He says it also has a tremendous potential impact on economic development if it brings more health professionals to the area.

Cut 6 (10) “that come here”

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A new drug called ‘pink’ is hitting the streets in Louisiana and is more deadly than heroin. East Baton Rouge Parish Coroner Dr. Beau Clark says pink is a synthetic opioid combined with Fentanyl. He says this drug has all of the same effects as heroin.

Cut 7 (09)  “Baton Rouge area”

Pink originally gained media attention when a child overdosed from the drug in Colorado. Clark says drug dealers aren’t concerned with what they are selling so the buyer is unaware of the drug’s potency.

Cut 8 (10) “get involved”

Clark says opioid addiction typically starts with abuse of prescription drugs. He says addicts are patients and need to be treated but access to these illicit drugs needs to be shut down.

Cut 9 (10)  “overdose”

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Music lovers from all over the country are gathering in New Orleans for the Jazz & Heritage Festival that kicks off today. Producer Quint Davis says they have 580 musical acts over a two-weekend period. Harry Connick Junior, Maroon 5, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers are headliners this weekend and 2^nd weekend performers are just as good.

Cut 10 (07) “in a row”

Davis says they have a new attraction this year called Cuba Comes to Jazz Fest, which features 150 Cuban musicians and artisans with their own stage and tent. He says there’s even a kids food area that serves peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. He says keeping Jazz Fest family friendly is one of the secrets to its success for the last 48 years.

Cut 11 (09) “to go too”

Davis says the two-weekend festival has a $300 million annual economic impact. He says since the festival ends at 7 PM each day, French Quarter restaurants benefit in a big way. He says the festival at the Fairgrounds Race Track really is like a mini version of the Big Easy.

Cut 12 (08) “pumping away”

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The House overwhelmingly approved a measure to allow children to bring sunscreen to school and apply it themselves. It would also allow parents to designate someone at the school to help their children put on the sunblock. The lone dissenting vote came from Baton Rouge Representative Patricia Smith, who raised concerns about teaching putting lotion on students.

Cut 13 (08) “touch me right”

Baton Rouge Representative Barry Ivey says he’s always amazed at the items that become controversial on the House floor. He says there are spray and stick sunscreen that could be easier for young children. But he says nowadays young kids can work iPhones, so they can surely apply sunblock.

Cut 14 (09) “5-years-old”

Students are not currently allowed to apply sunscreen at school. It must be administered by a nurse because it’s categorized in the same way as prescription medications. Ivey was upset a bill like this was even necessary.

Cut 15 (08) “on sunscreen”

The measure was approved on a 99-1 vote and now heads to the Senate.

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Many analysts say the Saints used their first pick in the first round to take the top cornerback in the draft. Ohio State’s Marshon Lattimore was expected to be a top 10 pick, but fell to the Saints, who took him with the 11th overall pick. Lattimore says he’s ready to make the jump to the NFL…

Cut 16 (13) “can do”

The Saints had a big need at cornerback. They had a lot of injuries at that position last season and he’ll team up Delvin Breaux as the team’s starting cornerbacks. Lattimore believes he can get up to speed quickly when it comes to learning what it takes to play in the NFL…

Cut 17 (13)  “ready to do it”

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The former Destrehan High School teacher accused of having sex with a student still has legal issues as there’s still a civil suit pending against her. Michelle Southern has more…

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Michelle Southern”

A jury hands down a unanimous guilty verdict against a Homer man accused of fatally shooting a Webster Parish Sheriff’s Deputy in 2016. It took the jury nearly an hour to find Andrew Critton guilty in the death of 69-year-old Sulyn Prince, who prosecutors say was buried in a shallow grave after Critton used a fire extinguisher to bludgeon her in the head.

US Senator Bill Cassidy says President Donald Trump’s tax reform plan will simplify the tax code, create jobs and incentivize investment and growth. Cassidy says he likes that Trump is engaged and following through with his campaign promises.

Cut 12 (09) “American workers”

Cassidy serves as a member of the Senate Finance Committee and will play a role in the passage of any tax reform plan.

Over 30 dogs were rescued after Webster Parish authorities raided three alleged dogfighting rings. Anna Ware is with an Atlanta-based group that investigates animal cruelty cases. She says they received an anonymous tip about an operation in North Louisiana so they contacted police.

Cut 6 (10) “34 dogs”

Four people have been arrested in connection with the case.

A bill to provide parole eligibility for juveniles convicted of murder has been approved by the state Senate. Baton Rouge Senator Dan Claitor’s measure calls for parole after 25 years. He says that would apply to a handful of jailed offenders..:

Cut 4 (08) “for consideration”

Claitor says his proposal would bring Louisiana in line with a Supreme Court decision that prohibits juvenile offenders from receiving life sentences without parole.

A House panel approved two bills that would expand who is covered under domestic violence laws. One measure by New Orleans Representative Helena Moreno would include couples who are dating. She says currently the laws only apply to couples who are living together or married.

Cut 15 (07) “in our laws”

The other measure headed to the full House would include same sex couples.

D+ is the grade Louisiana gets on its roads, bridges and drinking water on a report card by the American Society of Civil Engineers. Executive Director of the project, Dr. Kam Movassaghi (Mo-vuh-sah-gee) says there are several bills filed for the session that could help address these problems, but that means getting the legislature to shell out more money:

CUT 20 (09) “function better”

There is a bill to increase the state gasoline tax by as much as 17-cents.

The House overwhelmingly approved a measure to allow children to bring sunscreen to school and apply it themselves, or parents could designate someone at the school to help. The lone dissenting vote came from Baton Rouge Representative Patricia Smith, who raised concerns about teachers putting lotion on students.

Cut 13 (08) “…touch me right”

The measure was approved on a 99-1 vote and now heads to the Senate.

Speculation is growing the U.S. Department of Justice is close to announcing whether civil rights charges will be handed down against the two Baton Rouge Police officers who were involved in last summer’s fatal shooting of Alton Sterling. John Delgado is a lobbyist for the Baton Rouge Union of Police and he told two media outlets that people close to the situation say a decision will be announced on or before next Tuesday.

Juveniles convicted of murder would be eligible for parole after 25 years under a Senate approved bill headed to the House. If enacted, 14 inmates would be immediately eligible for parole consideration. Metairie Senator Danny Martiny says a parole hearing would then determine if that offender has become a better person…:
Cut 5 (11) “for parole”
This bill advanced out of the Senate on a 22-13 vote.
U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy is confident Congress can approve a tax reform package, because President Donald Trump is committed to the effort. Cassidy says there hasn’t been a significant tax reform since the Reagan administration. He says although it took a while to pass, President Reagan was thoroughly engaged, just as Trump is.
Cut 14 (08) “he’s engaged”
Cassidy serves as a member of the Senate Finance Committee and will play a role in the passage of any tax reform plan.

The former Destrehan High School teacher who allegedly had sex with a 16-year-old student isn’t out of the woods yet. Shelley Dufrense was found not guilty of carnal knowledge of a juvenile in Jefferson Parish, but the teen’s family has a civil suit pending in St. Charles Parish against the 34-year-old….:
Cut 9 (09) “a deposition”
That’s legal analyst Tim Meche.