Governor John Bel Edwards issued an executive order to make changes to a program that gives manufactures big tax breaks. Local governing bodies will now have a say in how the exemptions are handed out, and requires companies applying to show they are creating or retaining jobs. Louisiana Economic Development Secretary Don Pierson says 38 other states give local oversight on the local exemption process.
cut 14 (10) “the table”

The governor has been elected as the chair of the Southern Regional Education Board. Edwards’ Communication Director Richard Carbo says Governor Edwards is very excited about this chance to reinvest in education…
CUT 6 (11) “to succeed”

The US Supreme Court ruled today that the Texas law requiring abortion doctors to have admitting privileges at hospitals is unconstitutional, which could have implications for a Louisiana law as well.
CUT 1 (31) “I’m Halen Doughty”

State Police say a child is dead and 8 people are injured after an a vehicle was passing in a no passing zone and flipped multiple times after being hit by another vehicle this afternoon in Iberville Parish. Trooper Brian Lee says the crash happened off Hwy 75 in Plaquemine and officials are working to determine how many people were at fault.

The Supreme Court struck down a Texas abortion law today that requires abortion doctors to have admitting privileges at hospitals. Louisiana has similar legislation, which coming off the books as well. Loyola law professor Dane Ciolino says the ramifications of this ruling could reach into our state.

CUT 9 (12) “today’s opinion”

But Attorney General Jeff Landry says “our law is both factually and legally different from the Texas law.”

Governor John Bel Edwards has been elected as the chair of the Southern Regional Education Board. Edwards’ Communication Director Richard Carbo this position will give the Governor an audience and a platform to look for new ideas to improve education throughout the region.

CUT 8 (10) “about it”

Gov. Edwards creates changes to the state’s industrial tax program. Michelle Southern has more…

CUT 2 (31)  “I’m Michelle Southern”

Police say the Bossier City woman who falsely accused a man of molesting his 5-month-old daughter has turned herself in. Authorities say Carrie Rivers has been booked into the Bossier Maximum Security facility. Rivers reportedly worked as a babysitter for the family, and when her services were no longer needed, she made up the story to make the family mad.

Today the Supreme Court struck down a Texas law requiring abortion doctors to have admitting privileges at hospitals which could mean a similar Louisiana law is also coming off the books. Attorney General Jeff Landry issued a statement saying our law is factually and legally different from the Texas law. But Loyola law professor Dane Ciolino says our law is just as restrictive…
Cut 11 (09) “Texas law”

State Police say a crash in St. Landry Parish took the life a one-year-old child. Master Trooper Brooks David says 24-year-old Bendel Williams was driving down Highway 182 Sunday when he ran off the road and the infant wasn’t properly restrained. He says they are not sure what caused Williams to veer off the road and the investigation is ongoing.
CUT 4 (08) “that crash”

 
Governor John Bel Edwards issued an executive order to make changes to a program that gives manufactures major tax exemptions. Louisiana Economic Development Secretary Don Pierson says up until now, there was no requirement for a company to make a commitment to jobs or investment. He says all the company had to do was prove to be a manufacturer…
Cut 13 (11) “the table”

He says 38 other states give local oversight on the local exemption process.

Governor John Bel Edwards is now the chair of the Southern Regional Education Board. Edwards says he’s looking forward to strengthening the learning and preparedness of students in all member states. Edwards’ Communication Director Richard Carbo says the governor’s goal is to reinvest in education.
CUT 7 (07) “excited about”

The U.S. Supreme Court decision rejecting the Texas law that requires abortion doctors to have admitting privileges at nearby hospitals means Louisiana’s similar law will likely soon meet a similar fate, according to Loyola School of Law professor Dane Ciolino. He says the justices ruled the law violates the Constitution…:
CUT 10 (10) “to term”
But the AG’s office says they will continue to fight for Louisiana’s pro-life legislation.

A fatal crash took the life of a one-year-old in St. Landry parish. Master Trooper Brooks David with Louisiana State Police says 24-year-old Bendel Williams, the driver, did not have the toddler buckled in correctly. He says it’s extremely important that parents know how to travel with children…:
CUT 5 (08) “properly”
He says charges are pending against Williams.

Governor John Bel Edwards has made changes to a program that gives manufactures significant tax exemptions. His executive order lets local governing bodies have a say in how the exemptions are handed out, and requires companies applying to show they are creating or retaining jobs. Louisiana Economic Development Secretary Don Pierson…:
cut 12 (11) “a voice”
Pierson says LED wants to make sure we’re attracting manufacturing companies that are good for the local communities.

Despite rumors to the contrary, sources say the New Orleans Saints do plan to still hold mini camp at the Greenbrier in West Virginia, following devastating flooding at the site of the team’s practice facility. The Saints say they feel the practice complex and all other necessary facilities will be ready for them when camp opens late next month.

The US Supreme Court ruled today that the Texas law requiring abortion doctors to have admitting privileges at hospitals is unconstitutional, which could have implications for a Louisiana law as well. Halen Doughty has more:
CUT 1 (31) “I’m Halen Doughty”

Slidell Police believe foul play is a factor in the case of a missing 25-year-old man. They say Co Robert was last seen on Friday, and authorities located his vehicle burned vehicle in Lafourche Parish the next day. Authorities are asking anyone with information about Robert’s whereabouts to please contact authorities.

Governor John Bel Edwards has been elected as the chair of the Southern Regional Education Board. Edwards says he’s looking forward to strengthening the learning and preparedness of students in all member states. Edwards’ Communication Director Richard Carbo says the governor is passionate about education and has been since he first started out in the legislature…:
CUT 6 (11) “to succeed”
He says this new position will give Governor Edwards an audience and a platform to look for new ideas to improve education throughout the 16 state region.

Authorities in Ascension Parish say a motorcyclist who wasn’t weather a DOT approved helmet lost his life in a St. Amant crash. They say 55-year-old Jim Thoman failed to negotiate a left hand curve and ran off the side of the roadway. He was ejected and struck a utility poll. Thoman sustained fatal injuries in the crash that remains under investigation.

The US Supreme Court today struck down the Texas abortion law that would put more restrictions on clinics, meaning it’s very likely they will rule the same on a similar law in Louisiana. Loyola law professor Dane Ciolino…:
CUT 9 (12) “today’s opinion”
Attorney General Jeff Landry says they are reviewing today’s decision and despite it remain committed to moving forward with Louisiana’s case.

A fatal crash took the life of a one-year-old in St. Landry parish. Trooper Brooks David says 24-year-old Bendel Williams was driving down Highway 182 Sunday when he ran off the road. He says one-year-old Jamaika Johnson was not properly restrained in the back seat…:
CUT 3 (09) “the hospital” 2x
He says charges are pending against Williams who is in the hospital.

Governor John Bel Edwards made it through three grueling legislative sessions, but ULM political science professor John Sutherlin says his work is far from over. Jeff Palermo has the story…:
Cut 2 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Health officials have posted beach advisories along the Gulf Coast as many people put the finishing touches on their 4th of July Holiday plans. They advise folks planning to head the ocean in Louisiana, Florida, Mississippi, Alabama and Texas to not get into the water at certain locations due to high levels of a harmful bacteria. You can get Louisiana water advisories online at dhh.louisiana.gov.

After three grueling legislative sessions, Louisiana’s budget is still in bad shape. Barry Erwin with the Council for a Better Louisiana hopes lawmakers will be able to work towards reform across party lines in next year’s session, because it’s something both Democrats and Republicans recognize the state needs. He says the question still remains if they will agree to work together:
cut 14 (12) “some revenue”
He says next year lawmakers will have more time to get the job done.

Two men are behind bars in Lafayette in connection to the murders of two people who were found in two separate burned out vehicles. Deputies say 31-year-old Joshua Willis and 21-year-old Joseph Sylvester face charges including two counts of first degree murder in the deaths of 23-year-old Ashley Metz and her boyfriend, 22-year-old Walter Hill. The case remains under investigation.

Residents in the Monroe area are wondering when the state will build a new bridge over the Ouachita River the way they are the Red River in Shreveport. Ouachita parish police juror Walt Caldwell says the Monroe project would require a lot of federal funding, and that money doesn’t appear to be available…:
Cut 5 (11) “dwindle dramatically”
The cost for the new Shreveport bridge is projected between $80 and $100 million.

Governor John Bel Edwards still has a lot on his plate even though the legislative sessions are over. ULM political science professor John Sutherlin believes one of the things the governor will look to do is improve broadband internet service throughout the state…:
cut 12 (08) “development”

Lawmakers just wrapped up the second special session without closing the deficit, and they’ve got some time to recover be for the fiscal session in 2017. Halen Doughty has more…:
Cut 3 (30) “I’m Halen Doughty”

Meanwhile Governor Edwards has this week to decide what areas of the budget he plans to cut. Ahead of that, ULM political science professor John Sutherlin believes the Edwards will be busy trying to bolster the state’s ports, roads and bridges, while also working on some job creation projects…:
cut 11 (08) “under Jindal”

Louisiana’s major goal of stopping wetland erosion and rebuilding the coast is not going to happen as previously anticipated due to higher than projected rises in sea level. Director of the National Wildlife Federation’s Gulf Restoration Program David Muth says the most important step is for Louisiana to use sediment from the Mississippi River to build up the marshes…:
Cut 8 (10) “very soon”
Muth says the state is using funding from the Deepwater Horizon oil spill to build barrier islands, marshes and dredging to limit coastal land loss.

WWL in New Orleans is reporting that the Metairie native who was shot at the Orlando gay club two weeks ago, came out of his coma and is recovering well. Leonel Melendez had been in a coma until this week. He was shot in the head and leg while at the Pulse nightclub the night of the shooting by Omar Mateen. The family is accepting donations for Melendez’s medical expenses.

Two special sessions later, Louisiana’s budget is still not in good shape. Barry Erwin with the Council for a Better Louisiana says he’s optimistic that in the 2017 fiscal session lawmakers can start looking at long term budget reform. He says otherwise they will still be dealing with midyear cuts…:
Cut 13 (11) “fiscal cliff”
He says with next year’s fiscal session, lawmakers will have more time to get the job done.

State Police say a 1-year-old child who was not properly restrained, died in a St. Landry Parish crash. They say 24-year-old Bendel Williams of Carencro ran off the right side of the roadway around 6:30am Sunday, struck an embankment and overturned. Investigators determined 1-year-old Jamaika Johnson was only buckled in with a shoulder/lap belt and suffered fatal injuries. Officials say charges against Williams, who is in the hospital, are pending.

Sea levels are expected to rise higher than previously thought in Louisiana, which is changing the plan when it comes to rebuilding the coast. Director of the National Wildlife Federation’s Gulf Restoration Program David Muth is optimistic they can reduce the amount of land Louisiana loses every year and that’s through sediment diversions…:
Cut 9 (10) “way out”
Muth says he’s not surprised that the prediction of reversing coastal land loss in a few decades isn’t possible anymore.

Residents in the Monroe area are wondering when the state will build a new bridge over the Ouachita River the way they are the Red River in Shreveport. West Monroe Senator Mike Walsworth says the money isn’t there right now and
Monroe-West Monroe already has three bridges essentially within two miles of each other…:
Cut 6 (10) “thousand”

The second special session is over, but ULM political science professor John Sutherlin says Governor John Bel Edwards won’t be taking a breather anytime soon…:
Cut 10 (07) “to cut”
The governor will have to make at least $300 million dollars in cuts to the state budget for next fiscal year.

Two men in Lafayette are under arrest in connection with the burned bodies that were located in separate vehicles in Acadiana last week. Officials say 31-year-old Joshua Willis and 21-year-old Joseph Sylvester face charges including two counts of first degree murder in the deaths of 23-year-old Ashley Metz and her boyfriend, 22-year-old Walter Hill. The motive in the cases is not being released at this time.

Several people, including a police officer and ambulance medics, were injured after a suspected drunk driver plowed through the group helping to clear another wreck in I-10 in Baton Rouge early Sunday. Cops say 26-year-old William Smith faces several charges.

The state’s goal of one day adding land to Louisiana’s coast will not happen as hoped. Emelie Gunn tells us why…:
CUT 1 (28) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

Plans are in the works for Shreveport-Bossier to get a new bridge over the Red River, and Monroe residents want to know when the state will pay for a new bridge over the Ouachita. Walt Caldwell, a Ouachita parish police juror, says a new bridge in Monroe would cost around $300 million, and there isn’t enough money in the state capital outlay budget to cover the cost…:
cut 4 (08) “outlay budget”
The cost for the new Shreveport bridge is projected between $80 and $100 million.