Governor Edwards says reducing minimum mandatory sentences for some nonviolent offense will be part of his criminal justice reform package in the regular session….”
Cut 2 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Sources say Louisiana native Paul Rainwater is one of two candidates to become the next director of FEMA. U.S Senator John Kennedy supports former Governor Bobby Jindal’s Chief of Staff…:
Cut 10 (11) “any better”

The Department of Corrections and the Louisiana Department of Health are teaming up to get health coverage for newly released inmates. DOC Medical Director Dr. Raman Singh says they are helping incarcerated inmates enroll in Medicaid so that once they are released, they can continue to receive the care they need…:
Cut 4 (10) “disorder issues”
Singh says the first phase of the program is being implemented in 7 DOC state facilities, with 230 offenders already linked to a health plan.

A Baton Rouge father who beat his 5-year-old son to death will spend his life behind bars. 39-year-old Vernell Day was sentenced Wednesday. East Baton Rouge DA Hillar more says jail is only place the man who killed 5-year-old Jay’v’une Bergin belongs..:
CUT 14 (09) “different positions”
Police say Bergin was taken to the hospital in August of 2014, and died two days later.

Governor John Bel Edwards plans to present a criminal justice reform plan to lawmakers that looks at reducing minimum sentences for some nonviolent offenses. Edwards says the state is looking at other states’ proven strategies that have worked to reduce the number of inmates behind bars…:
Cut 7 (08) “offenses”
Edwards says Louisiana spends a whopping $600 million a year on the Department of Corrections.

Louisiana native Paul Rainwater is a finalist to become the director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Emelie Gunn has more..:
Cut 3 (27) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

A Baton Rouge man convicted of killing his 5-year-old son will spend the rest of his life behind bars. Last month 38-year-old Vernell Day, Jr. was found guilty of second degree murder for beating his son Jay’v’une Bergin to death in 2014. District Attorney Hillar Moore says with that conviction, there was only one way the sentencing could go.:
Cut 13 (10) “life imprisonment”
Police say Jay’v’une was taken to the hospital in August of 2014 after suffering multiple blows, and the child died two days later.

FEMA has denied federal aid for several parishes impacted by tornadoes in February. Governor John Bel Edwards’ request was approved for Livingston and Orleans, but FEMA will not provide assistance to Ascension, St. James and St. Tammany parishes. The governor intends to appeal this decision.

Louisiana Republicans are encouraged after hearing President Donald Trump’s address to Congress last night. Baton Rouge Congressman Garrett Graves says the speech was a homerun and very patriotic.

Cut 8 (09) “America first”

But Executive Director of the Louisiana Democratic Party Stephen Handwerk remains skeptical and says actions speak louder than words.

Grambling President Rick Gallot is back from his trip to Washington where he met with President Trump on making historically black colleges and universities a priority. Gallot says, from a funding standpoint, it makes a huge difference when the White House has promised to be involved.

Cut 14 (09) “we’re encouraged”

HBCU Presidents are calling for a $25 billion investment.

A man is dead following an officer involved shooting in Houma on Tuesday night. State Trooper Jesse Lagrange says the Houma Police Department was involved in an incident with a barricaded subject when the shooting occurred.

Cut 10 (07) “the shooting”

Lagrange says they are not releasing the any details about the deceased man or what led to the incident at this time.

An escaped work release inmate is once again behind bars after a high speed chase in Webster Parish that ended with a vehicle going airborne. Webster Sheriff Gary Sexton says deputies set up a roadblock to catch 18-year-old Kevonte Austin.

Cut 3 (12) “in the car”

Sexton says the woman was not hurt, and Austin was apprehended.

Louisiana’s Republican delegation approves of President Donald Trump’s message to Congress last night but Democrats are still skeptical. Emelie Gunn has more…

Cut 1 (29) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

A Baton Rouge man convicted of killing his 5-year-old son in 2014 was sentenced today. Vernell Day Jr. was found guilty of second-degree murder last month, and District Attorney Hillar Moore says the sentencing was pretty cut and dry.

Cut 23 (04) “…life imprisonment”

Education Secretary Betsy DeVos is under fire after saying historically black colleges and universities are pioneers in school choice, when in fact many were established because they were the only option for black students. Grambling State University President Rick Gallot says he understands DeVos is committed to school choice, but perhaps her comments were misguided.

Cut 16 (09) “white schools”

Gallot just returned from a meeting with President Trump to discuss making HBCU’s a priority.

An escaped work release inmate has been captured after a high speed chase ended with the vehicle going airborne and landing in a parking lot in Webster Parish. Sheriff Gary Sexton says even after the crash, 18-year-old Kevonte Austin wasn’t giving up without a fight.

Cut 4 (11) “to the ground”

Sexton says it’s a miracle no one was hurt.

Republicans are pleased with President Trump’s address to Congress last night, Democrats are not. Mr. Trump laid out his plans to overhaul the nation’s healthcare system, increase military spending and create jobs. Congressman Ralph Abraham of Richland Parish says the President’s speech should ease the minds of many skeptics…:
Cut 6 (10) “picture”
The Louisiana Democratic Party still doesn’t believe President Trump will make America great.

A Baton Rouge man convicted of beating his 5-year-old son to death was sentenced to life in prison today. 38-year-old Vernell Day Jr. was found guilty of second degree murder in the death of Jay’v’une Bergin in February, and learned his jail time today. One of the doctors who treated the child testified his injuries were as bad as what you might see in a car crash. Bergin died in August of 2014.

Two Sulphur residents are dead after a fire broke out in their home early this morning. Sulphur Fire Chief Dan Selph says they suspected the two were inside, but they had to make the difficult decision not to get aggressive and enter the burning home…:
Cut 13 (10) “to go inside”
The victims were a 58 year old woman and a 68 year old man.

Grambling President Rick Gallot is back from his trip to Washington where he met with President Donald Trump on the administration’s commitment to making historically black colleges and universities a priority. He says they’re hoping Congress will will bolster Mr. Trump’s action…:
Cut 15 (09) “be welcome”
HBCU Presidents are calling for $25 billion dollars for infrastructure, college readiness, financial aid and other priorities.

Louisiana HBCU leaders are pleased with the president’s commitment to making historically black institutions a priority. Jeff Palermo reports…:
Cut 2 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

A video of an escaped inmate flying through the air in a truck while trying to evade Webster Parish cops is going viral. Sheriff Gary Sexton says it’s a miracle nobody was hurt, especially considering the truck landed on top of a vehicle occupied by a woman…:
Cut 5 (09) “this today”
He says thankfully 18-year-old Kevonte Austin is back in custody.

Two Sulphur residents are dead after a fire broke out in their home early this morning. Sulphur Fire Chief Dan Selph says the fire was called in by a neighbor and a witness who saw it from the interstate. He says when crews arrived it was evident that entering the home was not an option. He says it was a full blown defensive attack…:
cut 12 (11) “later confirmed”
The victims were a 58 year old woman and a 68 year old man.

Early national polls indicate that a majority of viewers approved of the speech by President Donald Trump last night before Congress. But executive director of the Louisiana Democratic Party Stephen Handwerk still doesn’t believe President Trump will make America great again:
CUT 7 (11) “that bar”
Louisiana’s Republican delegation believes President Donald Trump sent the right message.

Louisiana Republican elected officials are encouraged by the message President Donald Trump delivered to Congress and a nationwide television audience last night. Baton Rouge Congressman Garret Graves says Mr. Trump hit a home run…
cut 8 (09) “…America first”
But executive director of the Louisiana Democratic Party Stephen Handwerk says while the President spoke with a measured tone, actions speak louder than words….
cut 9 (10) “….last night”
Handwerk says he remains unconvinced that the Republicans in Washington will be able to install a better health care system that’s currently in place.

It’s a much quiter atmosphere on Bourbon Street in New Orleans on this Ash Wednesday. Mardi Gras 2017 concluded at midnight last night with no major incidents on Fat Tuesday.

Louisiana HBCU leaders are pleased with the president’s commitment to making historically black institutions a priority….
Cut 2 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

State Police is investigating a fatal police shooting. Trooper Jesse Lagrange says last night Houma Police was involved in a standoff with a man who barricaded himself inside a home and shots were fired..
cut 11 (09) “…becomes available”
The identity of the man who was killed has not been released.

Louisiana’s Republican delegation approves of President Donald Trump’s message to Congress last night but Democrats are still skeptical…:
CUT 1 (31) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

A man is dead following an officer involved shooting in Houma on Tuesday night. State Trooper Jesse Lagrange says the Houma Police Department was involved in an incident with a barricaded subject..:
Cut 10 (07) “the shooting”
He says no other details are being released while the investigation is ongoing.

Grambling President Rick Gallo is back from his trip to Washington where he met with President Donald Trump on the administration’s commitment to making historically black colleges and universities a priority. Gallo says, from a funding standpoint, it makes a huge difference when the White House has promised to be involved…:
CUT 14 (09) “we’re encouraged”
HBCU Presidents are calling for $25 billion dollars for infrastructure, college readiness, financial aid and other priorities.

With today marking the start of Lent, it’s a big time time of the year for the state’s seafood industry. Chairman of the state’s seafood promotion and marketing board, Chalin DeLaune, says there’s a good supply of crawfish and oysters, but shrimp production is down in this state….
cut 26 (10) “…as well”

Louisiana’s Republican delegation believes President Donald Trump sent the right message in last night’s address in front of Congress. Mr. Trump laid out his plans to overhaul the nation’s healthcare system, increase military spending and create jobs. Congressman Ralph Abraham of Richland Parish says this should ease the minds of skeptics..:
Cut 6 (10) “picture”
But the Louisiana Democratic Party says they still don’t believe that President Trump will truly make America great again.

Making the rounds on a social media is a claim by Saints running back Mark Ingram that he and several other New Orleans’ players were turned away from a club in London for being, “too urban.” Ingram said they had reservations, but the establishment issued a statement saying they would never dismiss anyone based on race, however they’re an exclusive members club where entry is not guaranteed to anyone.

An escaped work release inmate is once again behind bars after a high speed chase in Webster Parish that ended with a vehicle going airborne. Webster Sheriff Gary Sexton says they caught up with the suspect and set up a road block to try to stop him from racing down the road…:
Cut 3 (12) “sitting in the car”
18-year-old Kevonte Austin faces numerous charges including attempted murder for allegedly trying to run over a deputy. No one was injured in the incident, and the entire thing was captured on video that is quickly going viral.

At the NFL Scouting Combine, former LSU running back Leonard Fournette weighed in at 240 pounds. During his time at LSU, Fournette’s listed weight was 235 pounds. He’ll run the 40 and perform in other skill drills on Friday.

There’s been another call for State Police Superintendent Col. Mike Edmonson to resign. Halen Doughty has more…:
Cut 2 (30) “I’m Halen Doughty”

The man accused of driving drunk when he plowed through a crowd of parade goers during Endymion in New Orleans has had his bail quadrupled. 25-year-old Neilson Rizzuto had 22 additional counts stacked onto his booking including 10 new aggravated charges based on how severe the victims’ injuries were. Total bail went from $125,000 to $545,000.

The State Fire Marshal’s Office is investigating the case of a man who died in a house fire in St. Mary Parish on Mardi Gras Day. They say initial indications are that the deadly blaze was caused by an electrical wall outlet in the wood-framed home, and claimed the life of 79-year-old Lionel Bonin Jr. The victim’s wife told investigators that her husband saved her first, then ran back into the residence.

The Texas agriculture commissioner has approved a poison that farmers and ranchers can use to kill destructive feral hogs, so when will Louisiana get on board? Ag Commissioner Mike Strain says Kaput Feral Hog Lure could become available here in a month or two, but it will only be sold to those individuals who receive proper training…:
Cut 14 (09) “this product”
It’s estimated there are 500-thousand feral hogs in Louisiana and they are known for destroying fields and pastures.