A passenger fell off a Carnival Liberty cruise ship sailing out of Galvenston, Texas, and the US Coast Guard is searching the Gulf of Mexico. A statement from the Coast Guard out of the New Orleans command center says they were contacted by the master of the ship who said surveillance video showed a woman going overboard. A passenger check indicated 33-year-old Samantha Broberg was missing.

The U.S. Department of Education is letting schools know they are required to allow transgender restrooms or risk losing federal funds. Emelie Gunn has more…:
CUT 1 (31) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

Two people died in a Richland Parish crash after the driver of the vehicle failed to stop at a stop sign. State Police say a Honda Civic, driven by 26-year-old Jade Abshire of Vidalia, did not stop at an intersection in Rhymes and the car was hit by a truck on the driver’s side door. Both Abshire and a passenger in the Civic, 45-year-old Arby Carter, were pronounced dead at the scene.

The House sent a nearly $26 billion dollar budget to the Senate Friday that includes a $72 million dollar cut to the TOPS program, in order to give more money to the state’s safety net hospitals for the poor. An amendment seeking to move $36 million back to the scholarship program failed. Ruston Representative Rob Shadoin says he understands the importance of TOPS funding, but health care for young individuals, who can’t afford to go to a private hospital, is more important…:
cut 15 (10) “to college”
House Bill 1 is likely to be modified further in the upper chamber.

Seth Fontenot, the now 21-year-old Lafayette man who killed 15-year-old Austin Rivault in 2013, will walk free tomorrow after serving 10 and a half months in jail for manslaughter. Fontenot’s release comes much sooner than it could have been as his original first degree murder charge was reduced to manslaughter and with a 13 month jail sentence.

The U.S. Department of Education sent a letter to public schools informing them they are required to allow transgendered students to use the restroom that is consistent with their gender identity, or risk losing federal funding. Alto Congressman Ralph Abraham says this is another example of President Obama’s executive overreach. He says this is somewhat of a form of extortion:
CUT 6 (10) “comply with”
Matthew Patterson with Equality Louisiana says this is a big step forward for public school policies. He says transgender kids are at a bigger risk of many mental health issues…:
CUT 8 (06) “implemented”
The state Department of Education says they will provide assistance to Louisiana’s school districts in addressing the needs of their students.

A Pineville man has been arrested after he allegedly went door to door soliciting money he claimed was for a sick child with cancer. Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Office spokesman Lt. Tommy Carnline says residents reported the suspicious activity and authorities began investigating 48-year-old Charles Lowery, acting on the complaints…:

cut 10 (11) “were given”
He says Lowery was arrested for swindling because he didn’t have a sick child.

17-year-old girl Azariya McClendon is getting to diplomas. An Associates Degree from Bossier Parish Community College and a diploma from Ringgold High School. She says she was able to do this through the Accelerated Curriculum of Excellence program at her school:

CUT 5 (10) “for everything”

Another spirited debate broke out on the House floor over funding for TOPS versus hospitals that provide care for the poor. On Thursday night, legislators shifted 72-million dollars from the scholarship program to the safety net hospitals. On Friday, Monroe Representative Jay Morris tried to move some of that money back to TOPS, but he faced opposition from Baton Rouge Representative Patricia Smith…

Cut 13 (12)  “with TOPS”

Public schools could lose federal funding if they do not allow transgender students to use the restroom that is consistent with their gender identity, according to a letter from the U.S. Department of Education. Matthew Patterson with Equality Louisiana says this doesn’t mean it’s okay for a man to go into bathrooms with little girls.

CUT 9 (05) “are about”

But Alto Congressman Ralph Abraham says this is a form of extortion.

A 17-year-old girl from northwest Louisiana participates in two graduation ceremonies today. Azariya McClendon will get her Associates Degree from Bossier Parish Community College this afternoon, then this evening she’ll get her diploma from Ringgold High School. McClendon says she has big academic aspirations after her double graduation.

CUT 3 (12)  “OBGYN”

A Pineville man has been arrested after he allegedly went door to door soliciting money he claimed was for a sick child with cancer.  Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Office spokesman Lt. Tommy Carnline says they were also able to charge Lowery with two counts of cheating and swindling, because the story he told was not true…:

cut 12 (09) “cancer treatment”

The U.S. Department of Education is informing public schools they are required to allow transgendered students to use the restroom that is consistent with their gender identity. Alto Congressman Ralph Abraham says the state should make the decision regarding transgender bathrooms. He says we need to protect the most vulnerable population, young children.

CUT 7 (05) “granddaughters”

But Matthew Patterson with Equality Louisiana says this is a really big step forward in terms of policies in public schools and universities.

A debate broke out on the House floor when lawmakers tried to move funding for safety net hospitals to fund TOPS. Ruston Representative Rob Shadoin spoke out against the idea. Shadoin says he understands the importance of TOPS funding, but health care for young individuals, who can’t afford to go to a private hospital is more important…

cut 15 (10) “to college”

Three people have been arrested in connection with the fight that broke out during graduation ceremonies at East Ascension High School, according to the Gonzales police department. A group of people got into a physical altercation in the stands at the school’s commencement Wednesday, and video of the incident was widely shared on social media.

A Louisiana teen is earning her high school diploma and an Associate’s Degree in the same day. 17-year-old Azariya McClendon says she was able to make this tremendous accomplishment with the help of her high school counselor and the support of her family. She says it was hard at times because she was always busy.

CUT 4 (11)  “4-H”

McClendon plans to attend UL-Lafayette in the fall.

It took 14 hours of debate but the Louisiana House finally approved the budget bill and sent it over to the Senate. The $72 million dollars taken from TOPS funding to safety net hospitals amendment remained in place. Bogalusa Representative Malinda White, who has a public-private hospital in her district, fought against an amendment seeking to put money back to TOPS..:
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A planned special session to address the budget shortfall is slated for June.

Three people have been arrested in connection with the fight that broke out during graduation ceremonies at East Ascension High School, according to the Gonzales police department. A group of people got into a physical altercation in the stands at the school’s commencement Wednesday, and video of the incident was widely shared on social media.

A Louisiana teen graduates from high school and a community college on the same day. Halen Doughty has more…:
CUT 2 (30) “I’m Halen Doughty”

Union Parish sheriff’s investigators have arrested a second detention center inmate in the case involving the rape of a 17-year-old teenager who was being held in an isolation cell because she was reportedly high on methamphetamine. They say 27-year-old Darandall Boyette is charged with simple escape for leaving his cell and witnesses the rape. 28-year-old Demarcus Peyton was charged with third degree rape in the incident.

Another spirited debate broke out on the House floor over funding for TOPS versus hospitals that provide care for the poor. On Thursday night, legislators shifted 72-million dollars from the scholarship program to the safety net hospitals. On Friday, Monroe Representative Jay Morris tried to move some of that money back to TOPS, but he faced opposition from Baton Rouge Representative Patricia Smith…:
Cut 13 (12) “with TOPS”
Morris amendment that would move 36-million dollars back to TOPS failed on a 42-57 vote.

A level II Endangered/Missing Child Media Advisory has been issued by State Police on behalf of the New Orleans Police Department for 11-year-old Anign Keiaya Jordon. They say the child was last seen at school in New Orleans on May 5th, and she was reported missing yesterday. Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Anign Jordan is urged to contact authorities.

The U.S. Department of Education is letting schools know they are required to allow transgender restrooms or risk losing federal funds. Emelie Gunn has more…:
CUT 1 (31) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

17-year-old girl Azariya McClendon is getting to diplomas today. An Associates Degree from Bossier Parish Community College and a diploma from Ringgold High School. She says she was able to do this through the Accelerated Curriculum of Excellence program at her school:
CUT 5 (10) “for everything”

The U.S. Department of Education sent a letter to public schools informing them they are required to allow transgendered students to use the restroom that is consistent with their gender identity, or risk losing federal funding. Alto Congressman Ralph Abraham says this is another example of President Obama’s executive overreach. He says this is somewhat of a form of extortion:
CUT 6 (10) “comply with”
Matthew Patterson with Equality Louisiana says this is a really big step forward in terms of policies in public schools and universities. He says transgender kids are at a huge risk of many mental health issues…:
CUT 8 (06) “implemented”
The state Department of Education says they will provide assistance to Louisiana’s school districts in addressing the needs of their students.

A Pineville man has been arrested after he allegedly went door to door soliciting money he claimed was for a sick child with cancer. Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Office spokesman Lt. Tommy Carnline says residents reported the suspicious activity and authorities began investigating 48-year-old Charles Lowery, acting on the complaints…:
cut 10 (11) “were given”
He says they learned Lowery was a sex offender and his vehicle wasn’t registered so he was arrested for that and for swindling because he didn’t have a sick child.

A 22-year-old man from Webster Parish is facing murder charges amid allegations he beat his father to death with a baseball bat. Authorities say the body 57-year-old Billy Joiner, who lived with his son, was found around 2am…and later, John Joiner confessed to the crime saying it was the result of an ongoing dispute and he just snapped. John Joiner is charged with second degree murder.

The US Department of Education sent a letter to all school systems today directing them to grant specific rights to all children based on their gender identity — or face the loss of federal funds. Conservatives are outraged including Alto congressman Ralph Abraham…:
CUT 1 (05) “school funding”
But Equality Louisiana says this step is necessary to protect the vulnerable transgender population.

A Rapides Parish man who was allegedly soliciting money he claimed was for a sick child with cancer has been arrested after Alexandria residents reported suspicious activity to the sheriff’s office. Authorities say they discovered 48-year-old Charles Leon Lowery was a convicted sex offender and that none of his children were sick. He is charged with two counts of Cheating and Swindling due to the unlawful solicitation of money and one count Failure to Register as Sex Offender.

A 17-year-old girl from northwest Louisiana participates in two graduation ceremonies today. Azariya McClendon will get her Associates Degree from Bossier Parish Community College this afternoon, then this evening she’ll get her diploma from Ringgold High School. McClendon says she has big academic aspirations after her double graduation…:
CUT 3 (12) “OBGYN”
McClendon is the first student in her parish to earn two diplomas at the same time.

Thousands of college students receive their degree today and will be set to enter the workforce. Recruiting consultant with the Eastman Group, Tom Hanson says hiring for entry level positions has increased since last year.:
cut 14 (08) “three months”
Today, LSU will hand out a record number of degrees, with over four-thousand students participating in commencement ceremonies.

It’ll be easier than ever to donate food tomorrow as the Letter Carriers Food Drive gets underway, and all you have to do is leave items by your mailbox. U.S. Post Office Spokesperson Boyd McKinney says the mailman will collect it during their route…:
Cut 5 (09) “the mail”
Toiletries and other personal items can also be donated Saturday during the Letter Carriers Food Drive.

As debates on the budget continue to at the Capitol, things got heated Thursday when lawmakers took up debate on TOPS funding versus healthcare. Shortly before 9, members narrowly voted to shift 72 million dollars from the popular scholarship program to the state’s safety net hospitals. The House is expected to wrap up the budget bill today then it will head to the Senate.

The Blue Lives Matter bill that seeks to include police, firefighters and EMS as protected groups in hate crime laws is becoming a controversial topic. Halen Doughty has more…:
CUT 1 (30) “I’m Halen Doughty”

Thousands of college students across the state are graduating, and many maybe wondering what’s next. Jeff Palermo has more…
voicer 2 (30) “….I’m jeff Palermo”

On a 49-43 vote, the Louisiana House voted to move 72-million dollars away from the TOPS scholarship program and put that money towards safety net hospitals, which provide care for the poor. The House is still going over the proposed spending plan today and then it will be the Senate’s turn.

The New Orleans Chapter of the Black Youth Project objects to a bill that seeks to charge individuals with a hate crime if they target a police officer or firefighter. The group says police violence against residents is a bigger problem, but the bill’s author, representative Lance Harris, says an officer was recently shot while pumping gas in Houston…
cut 9 (09) “…police officers”
The Blue Lives Matter bill is set for final passage in the senate.

An LSU Health New Orleans doctor is recommending residents should wear UV protection inside cars as well as outside. Doctor Jayne Weiss cites a study demonstrating that left-sided skin cancer was more common in those who spent a lot of time driving….
cut 12 (08) “…your eyes’
Weiss also says side windows do not provide as much UV blockage as front windows.