A statewide poll shows Republican Donald Trump is ahead in the Presidential election without many undecided voters. Emelie Gunn has more…:
CUT 1 (31) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

The Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Office is investigating the murder of two men found in a vehicle in Natalbany early this morning. Spokesperson Dawn Panepinto says they are searching for the killer and there could be a reward for information on the double murder…:
CUT 9 (09) “it’s anonymous”

Pro-choice advocates protested outside the Governor’s Mansion, while pro-life supporters rallied on the steps of the Capitol today. Executive Director for the New Orleans Abortion Fund, Amy Irvin, says they are concerned about the anti-abortion legislation signed into law by the governor. She says these laws could cost the state money, as they may be unconstitutional…:
cut 12 (12) “attention to”
But Legislative Director for the Louisiana Right to Life, Deanna Wallace says they showed up at the Capitol to show their support for Governor John Bel Edwards and the pro-life bills that he’s signed…:
cut 14 (09) “their mothers”
The session must end Monday.

A Southern Media and Opinion Research poll finds in the Presidential race, Republican Donald Trump is ahead with not many voters undecided. Pollster Bernie Pinsonat says in a poll of 500 likely voters, Trump draws in 53-percent of the vote compared to Democrat Hillary Clinton. He says Trump will probably win Louisiana but both candidates have a pretty high unfavorable rating…:
CUT 9 (09) “are 52″
Pinsonat says he’s never seen an election where both candidates had an unfavorable rating over 50-percent.

A $9000 reward is being offered for information leading to the arrest of the person or persons responsible for the shooting deaths of two endangered whooping cranes in Acadia Parish. The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries says the birds were discovered just south of Rayne off Highway 35 the morning of May 20th. Anyone with information on these illegal killings is urged to call the Louisiana Operation Game Thief hotline at 1-800-442-2511, or submit a tip through the LADWF Tips application.

A second suspect has been arrested in the shooting deaths of 2 Southern University students caught in the crossfire. Cpl. L’Jean Mckneely says 25-year-old Brandon Henderson of Baton Rouge has been charged with two counts of second degree murder. 22-year-old Ernest Felton was previously arrested for attempted second degree murder. But Mckneely says that charge could be upgraded, because they believe bullets from his gun fatally struck Lashuntae Benton and Annette January…:
CUT 4 (07) “still pending”
This shooting is still under investigation with additional pending arrests.

Another arrest has been made in the fatal shooting that took the lives of two Southern students in April. Baton Rouge Police Cpl. L’Jean Mckneely says 25-year-old Brandon Henderson of Baton Rouge has been charged with two counts of second degree murder…:
CUT 3 (08) “the shooting”
22-year-old Ernest Felton was previously arrested for attempted second degree murder.

The Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Office is investigating the murder of two men found in a vehicle in Natalbany early this morning. Spokesperson Dawn Panepinto says they received a call around 4 a.m. regarding gunshots in the area. She says when police arrived, they located the men unresponsive..:
CUT 6 (09) “right now”
She says right now, it’s believed the shooter is still on the loose.

A 13-year-old girl died when she was thrown from a Utility Task Vehicle she was driving in Sabine Parish, according to State Police. They say Melissa Anderson lost control of the UTV, exited the roadway and was ejected. She was pronounced dead on the scene. Troopers remind the public that it is dangerous and illegal to operate off-road vehicles on public roadways in Louisiana.

According to the AAA Foundation, 60% of teen crashes involve some sort of distraction. AAA spokesperson Don Redman says this is important information to note as we’re entering the 100 deadliest days for teen drivers…:
Cut 13 (11) “on the road” 2x
AAA found that about 15% of crashes involving teen drivers were due to talking to passengers, and 12% were due to phone usage. Redman says the most dangerous day in the next 100 days will be the Fourth of July.

The number of substance-exposed babies born in Louisiana has tripled since 2008, according to the Department of Children and Family Services. Halen Doughty reports it’s led to a greater demand for foster families…
voicer 1 (31) “…I’m Halen Doughty”

Baton Rouge Police have charged a 25-year-old man with second-degree murder in the shooting deaths of two Southern University students back in April. Authorities say Brandon Christopher Henderson admitting to firing the first shots that initiated the exchange of gunfire that killed Lashuntae Benton and Annette January.

Legislation that would allow domestic violence victims to carry a concealed weapon with an expedited permit receives final legislative passage. Denham Springs Representative Valarie Hodges says many concealed carry classes have a wait list, and it can take several weeks to get into the class and then get the permit. She says women could be attacked or murdered during this time…
cut 12 (09) “…have time”

The U.S. Senate election is five months away and Republican State Treasurer John Kennedy has a large lead in a Southern Media and Opinion Research poll of 500 likely voters. Pollster Bernie Pinsonat says Kennedy drew 32-percent of the votes followed by GOP Congressman Charles Boustany with 10-percent. Pinsonat says the poll shows Kennedy’s favorable rating is at 62-percent:
CUT 7 (08) “John Kennedy”

The number of substance-exposed babies born in Louisiana has tripled since 2008, according to the Department of Children and Family Services. DCFS Regional Administrator Michelle Faust says, last year alone, there were almost 15-hundred reported cases of substance-exposed babies. She says DCFS is having a hard time finding foster families for these challenging situations…:
Cut 5 (10) “their behavior”
Faust says over 4-thousand children are in foster care in Louisiana, and DCFS desperately needs more foster parents.

Two people were found dead early this morning in Natalbany in a rare apparent double homicide case in the community, according to the Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Office. Authorities are now searching for the killer. They say the victims were shot to death in an SUV in the area just north of Hammond. State Police is assisting in the investigation.

In the latest Southern Media and Opinion Research poll, State Treasurer John Kennedy has a commanding lead in the US Senate race with 32%. Congressman Charles Boustany is second with 10%. Pollster Bernie Pinsonat says
Democratic candidates Foster Campbell with 9 percent, and Caroline Fayard, who comes in at 4-percent, are still unknown to many voters…:
Cut 9 (10) “be for”
32-percent of those polled are undecided.

We’re entering the 100 most dangerous days for teen drivers, and AAA says teens are most commonly distracted by their passengers or their cell phone..:
cut 14 (12) “the wheel”
AAA spokesman Don Redman says it’s crucial for parents to talk to their kids about putting the phone down when they drive.

Sixty percent of teen crashes involve some sort of distraction, according to the AAA Foundation. Jeff Palermo has more…:
Cut 3 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

An unrestrained woman who was a passenger in a vehicle that crashed sustained fatal injuries in Rapides Parish. State police say a vehicle driven by 19-year-old Mark Eldridge of Cottonport drove off LA Highway 1, lost control and collided with two fences and a tree. His passenger who wasn’t buckled up, 20-year-old Shakira Mingo of Mansura was pronounced dead at the scene. Eldridge was moderately injured.

State Treasurer John Kennedy has a massive lead in the US Senate Race according to Southern Media and Opinion Resarch’s latest survey. Pollster Bernie Pinsonat says in last year’s Governor’s race, David Vitter had a big lead early on but Kennedy is a different kind of candidate…:
Cut 8 (07) “to explode”
Kennedy came in with 32 percent, followed by Republican Congressman Charles Boustany with 10-percent.

Domestic violence victims would be allowed to carry a concealed weapon with an expedited permit under legislation headed to Governor John Bel Edwards desk. Denham Springs Representative Valerie Hodges says this would allow victims to get the permit before they have to complete a concealed carry class..:
CUT 11 (12) “a gun”
Hodges says the permit is only good for 45 days, and you’d have to pass a background check.

A statewide poll shows Republican State Treasurer John Kennedy has a large lead in the U.S. Senate race, which is five months away. Emelie Gunn has more:
Cut 2 (31) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

As we enter the 100 deadliest days for teen drivers, AAA is advising parents to talk to their kids about distracted driving…:
CUT 15 (10) “that vehicle”
That’s AAA spokesman Don Redman.

According to the Department of Children and Family Services, the number of babies born addicted to drugs has tripled since 2008, as there were almost 15-hundred substance-exposed babies born in 2015. DCFS Regional Administrator Michelle Faust says that’s due in part to hospitals doing a better job of reporting these cases, and also because more people are addicts….:
cut 4 (11) “through withdrawals”
She says one of the main issues in cases like these is finding a good foster family willing to care for drug-addicted children.

The state House voted down a proposal that would put someone behind bars at least three years if they commit a felony with a weapon that results in a manslaughter conviction. The bill was being pushed by the family of slain Lafayette teen Austin Rivault who was shot by Seth Fontetnot. Fontenot spent just over 10 months in jail, which some thought was too lenient. Opponents didn’t think discretion should be taken away from judges.

According to the AAA Foundation, 60% of teen crashes involve some sort of distraction. AAA spokesperson Don Redman says this is important information to note as we’re entering the 100 deadliest days for teen drivers….:
Cut 13 (11) “on the road” 2x
Redman says on average over one thousand people die in crashes involving teen drivers each year.

The U.S. Senate election is five months away and Republican State Treasurer John Kennedy has a large lead in a Southern Media and Opinion Research poll of 500 likely voters. Pollster Bernie Pinsonat says Kennedy drew 32-percent of the votes followed by GOP Congressman Charles Boustany with 10-percent. Pinsonat says the poll shows Kennedy’s favorable rating is at 62-percent:
CUT 7 (08) “John Kennedy”
Democratic candidate PSC member Foster Campbell follows at 9%.

The bill to allow domestic violence victims to carry a concealed weapon with an expedited permit has received final legislative passage. Denham Springs Representative Valerie Hodges says women who feel threatened can get this temporary permit if they receive a protective order from a judge…:
Cut 10 (09) “a deterrent”
The measure now heads to the governor’s desk to be signed into law.

As LSU’s Mike VI continues his treatment for terminal cancer, the 420 pound live mascot made another trip to Baton Rouge’s Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center for radiation treatment Wednesday. Mike was back in his house later in the day recovering from anesthesia, according to a release by the LSU School of Veterinary Medicine.

Today Louisianans can start enrolling in the newly expanded Medicaid program. Governor John Bel Edwards says the expansion will provide coverage for an estimated 375-thousand Louisiana workers, and it will save money by bringing more federal dollars back to the state and reducing state spending.

Cut 11 (08) “million dollars”

More information and enrollment can be found at heathy.la.gov

A bill has been signed into law that bans a common second-trimester abortion procedure. Pro-choice advocates say a dilation and evacuation abortion is the most common and the safest second-trimester abortion procedure. But Louisiana Right to Life Legislative Director, Deanna Wallace, disagrees.

CUT 4 (07)  “more convenient”

Louisiana is the sixth state to outlaw this practice.

A blind man from Metairie is suing McDonald’s for being refused service after walking up to a drive-thru window. Michelle Southern has more…

CUT 2 (30)  “I’m Michelle Southern”

Final passage has been granted to a measure that allows patients direct access to physical therapists without a doctor’s referral. Opponents of the legislation believe therapists don’t have the training of a doctor and could misdiagnose health problems. But Doctor Amanda Brewer with the Louisiana Physical Therapy Association says there has been extensive research showing direct access to a physical therapist isn’t dangerous

The full Senate has approved the state’s 26-billion dollar spending plan for the next fiscal year. It does not fully fund the TOPS scholarship program and it also cuts state funding for safety-net hospitals that provide care for the poor. Governor Edwards will push legislators to restore the cuts in a special session that begins next week.

Final passage has been granted to a bill that would allow patients direct access to a physical therapist rather than getting a doctor’s referral first. Dr. Amanda Brewer with the Louisiana Physical Therapy Association says this allows patients to able to get into physical therapy sooner and result in decreased cost for the patients and an increased quality of life.

CUT 7 (09) “country have”

Opponents of the legislation believe therapists don’t have the training of a doctor and could miss diagnose a life threatening health problem. Despite opposition, the measure now heads to the Governor’s desk.

Governor Edwards signs into law a measure that prohibits a common second trimester abortion procedure called dilation and evacuation. Louisiana Right to Life Legislative Director, Deanna Wallace, says this legislation ends a brutal practice known as dismemberment abortion, where an abortionist tears body parts from a live, unborn child….

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But Amanda Allen with the Center for Reproductive Rights says they are concerned it’s getting more difficult for women in Louisiana to receive safe and legal care.

CUT 6 (11) “ever seen”

State courts have blocked similar legislation in two other states. Despite opposition, the law goes into effect on August 1.