Governor John Bel Edwards says he does NOT see recreational marijuana becoming legal anytime soon. But he does support the legislation by Parks Senator Fred Mills that would expand the list of diseases covered under the medical marijuana law…:
CUT 12 (07) “medical conditions”
Mills’ bill has already passed out of the Senate and is awaiting approval by the full House.

More than 35% of Americans will be taking mom out to eat for Mother’s Day, making it the most popular Holiday of the year to visit a restaurant. Louisiana Restaurant Association spokesperson Erica Burns says both fine dining and every day establishments will book up quickly Sunday…:
Cut 8 (09) “at night”
Burns says Valentine’s Day is the next biggest holiday where people go out to eat.

Lawmakers are facing an uphill climb with one month left in the regular legislative session. That’s according to Jeremy Alford of LaPolitics.com who says the top priority is passing a balanced budget with a 600 million dollar shortfall before June 6th. He doesn’t see the minimum wage increase bill gaining much traction in the coming weeks…:
CUT 5 (10) “budget crunch”
The legislature is expected to comb through the proposed budget on Monday and present it to the full House.

Governor John Bel Edwards is delivering the commencement address at the Northwestern State University graduation ceremony this morning. His office says the governor will then visit a school then meet with elected officials in Natchitoches before heading back to Baton Rouge.

And the Powerball jackpot tomorrow night is once again one of the largest in history. $415 million dollars will be up for grabs, with a $267 million dollar cash value.

Senator Fred Mills’ bill, which expands the list of conditions that medical marijuana can be used to treat, has the support of Governor John Bel Edwards. Halen Doughty has more…:
Cut 3 (25) “I’m Halen Doughty”

With a month left to go in the session, Jeremy Alford with LaPolitics.com says one bill that will likely be signed by the governor soon is a measure that could one day lead to TOPS recipients no longer having their full tuition paid for…:
Cut 6 (07) “rate increases”
Lawmakers are expected to make changes to the proposed budget for next fiscal year on Monday and send the spending plan to the House floor.

A measure that would require people to be at least 21 years old to be a stripper, is headed to the House for final legislative approval. Jim Kelly, executive director of the Covenant House in New Orleans, says he knows many young girls who are victims of sex trafficking that end up working in strip clubs at a very young age…:
cut 14 (08) “same establishment”
The bill was unanimously approved by the House Judiciary Committee.

Mother’s Day is the most popular day of the year to dine out, so the Louisiana Restaurant Association says you can expect restaurants to be packed Sunday. Spokeswoman Erica Burns says people see this Holiday as an opportunity to pamper mom….:
CUT 7 (10) “a restaurant”
She says 35% of all Americans will be taking mom out to eat this Mother’s Day.

There is a month left in the legislative session and lawmakers still have a lot to. Jeremy Alford with LaPolitics.com says the budget is the biggest concern for legislators. He says lawmakers are working to pass a balanced budget with a 600 million dollar shortfall before the session ends on June 6th and funding TOPS is a major priority…:
cut 4 (10) “that amount”
Governor John Bel Edwards is expected to call a second special session in June. He is at odds with lawmakers over the timeline. Legislators have said they would like more time to analyze the tax structure before rushing into making more decisions on ways to fix the budget crisis. But Edwards says calls to delay a special session would be irresponsible and allow damaging cuts to kick in to several vital state services.

With Mother’s Day on Sunday, many people will treat Mom to a nice meal. Jeff Palermo has more…:
Cut 2 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Governor John Bel Edwards gave reporters an idea of his stance on marijuana Thursday. He says he supports a bill that would expand the number of diseases medical marijuana would cover, because the state shouldn’t stand in the way of what a doctor says is best for a patient or child with a disorder…:
CUT 11 (07) “to move”
But he says don’t expect recreational pot legalization anytime soon.

With only four more weeks left in the regular session, Emelie Gunn looks at what legislators will be discussing before they adjourn on June 6th…:
CUT 1 (31) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

Strippers in Louisiana could soon be required to be at least 21 years old, as a bill to raise the minimum age is heading to the House for final legislative approval. Lake Charles Senator Ronnie Johns told the House Judiciary Committee he authored the bill to combat sex trafficking….:
Cut 13 (07) “strip clubs”
The bill was unanimously approved by the House Judiciary Committee.

Governor John Bel Edwards says he supports Parks Senator Fred Mills’ bill to expand the list of diseases medical marijuana can be used to treat. But Edwards says this is not a step towards legalization of pot in its raw form…:
Cut 10 (09) “that direction”
Mills’ bill has already passed out of the Senate and is awaiting approval by the full House.

Police in Shreveport have released the identities of the people who were shot in an incident that claimed the lives of 2 and wounded 8 others. The fatal victims are 37-year-old Elton Wayne Madison and 37-year-old Leatrick Benjamin. Cops say a group of men were there playing cards after hours at a business, when 3 to 4 people wearing coverings over their faces entered the building and began firing what appeared to be semiautomatic rifles. They urge anyone with information on this incident to come forward.

Louisiana’s five uncommitted Marco Rubio delegates have announced that they will back the presumptive Republican presidential nominee, Donald Trump. Kirk Williamson, a Louisiana delegate, says the delegates are following the voters’ lead.

CUT 3 (06)  “the fall”

A measure to prohibit sanctuary cities from receiving funding for construction projects is moving through the legislature. The bill could hurt Lafayette and New Orleans because New Orleans police do not assist with federal immigration enforcement, and the Lafayette Sheriff’s Office says it won’t hold immigration offenders without a court order. Denham Springs Representative Valerie Hodges says cities should not work against federal agencies.

CUT 7 (09) “federal authorities”

The bill is heading to the Senate after a lengthy debate on the House floor.

A bill to legalize the sale of raw milk died in a House committee today. Wendy Adams with the Libertarian party says she supports the legislation because this bill is about freedom and choice. She says no one is in any danger of walking into a supermarket and accidentally buying raw milk rather than pasteurized milk.

Cut 13 (10)  “your family”

Two people were recently burned in Louisiana when their vaporizing device exploded in their pocket, and the State Fire Marshal is warning people to be careful with these mods. Deputy Chief Brant Thompson warns people against using cheap knock off batteries, as they may be more likely to overheat. He says use the right battery for your mod.

cut 16 (08) “retailers”

Governor John Bel Edwards still intends to hold a second special session in June. House Budget committee chairman Cameron Henry and the leader of the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry believe its too soon to have another session, after lawmakers raised taxes in the first session. But Edwards says if they don’t hold a second special session in June, than large cuts will occur to education and health care.

A House committee spoiled an effort to legalize raw milk. Emelie Gunn has more…
voicer 2 (31) “…reporting”

A measure is making its way through the legislature that would prohibit Louisiana cities from receiving state dollars for construction projects if they don’t enforce federal immigration law. The bill is heading to the Senate after a lengthy debate on the House floor. Denham Springs Representative Valerie Hodges says sanctuary cities are a threat to national security…:
CUT 6 (03) “that’s anarchy”
New Orleans Representative Walt Leger opposes the bill.…:
CUT 8 (10) “immigration laws”
Governor Edwards has expressed concerns about the legislation, especially with Attorney General Jeff Landry having the ability to determine which cities should be labeled as Sanctuary cities.

And the House has unanimously approved a bill that says those under the age of 21 caught with alcohol can not be sent to jail. The measure heads to the Senate.

The five uncommitted Marco Rubio delegates in Louisiana have announced they will support Donald Trump, as he is now the presumptive Republican nominee. Don Molino has more…

CUT 1 (24)  “I’m Don Molino”

Shreveport police say two men are dead and six others are wounded after several masked gunmen burst into a card game at a tire shop early this morning. Authorities say the two men killed were 37 year old males. Detectives are still looking for the gunmen. Witnesses say three to four masked men barged into the room and started shooting with semi-automatic rifles.

A House committee failed to pass a bill to legalize the sale of raw milk. Agriculture Commissioner Dr. Mike Strain says there will continue to be outbreaks of disease if raw milk is legalized. He says raw milk is 150 times more dangerous to drink than pasteurized milk.

Cut 11 (10) “post contamination”

The State Fire Marshal has put out a warning about electronic cigarettes, after two people were recently burned in Louisiana when their vaporizing device exploded. Deputy Chief Brant Thompson says in both cases the batteries in the vaping mods overheated…

cut 14 (11)  “caught fire”

Shreveport Police are looking for three to four gunmen who busted into a card game and fatally shot two people and injured eight others. The ambush style attack occurred early this morning at a tire shop. Corporal Marcus Hines says masked gunmen shot their victims with semi-automatic rifles and fled the scene.

Governor Edwards said today he has concerns about a bill that would prohibit a Sanctuary city from borrowing state dollars for construction projects. New Orleans and Lafayette are considered Sanctuary Cities because of policies they have regarding illegal immigrants. Attorney General Jeff Landry would decide if a city should be labeled as a Sanctuary City. Speaker Pro Tem of the House, Walt Leger, also has concerns….
cut 9 (11) “…in infracturue”
The bill is awaiting a hearing in the Senate.

A resolution was approved by House today that would make the town of Welsh, in southwest Louisiana as the “Home of the Cajun Dictionary.” A priest in Welsh for 44 years published a “Dictionary of the Cajun Language’ and it’s currenlty housed at the Welsh Museum.

Two Louisiana residents have been serverly burned this year after the battery inside their electronic cigarette exploded. That’s according to the State Fire Marshal’s Office, who has put out a warning to consumers about the product. Deputy Chief Brant Thompson says make sure the batters in your vaporizing device are in good condition…
cut 15 (11) “….for use”
One of the individuals injured suffered second and third-degree burns to his leg and hand after the battery in his mod overheated.

The man believed to be the oldest Wold War Two Veteran has passed away and funeral services are scheduled for next week in his hometown of Cotton Valley, which is in Webster Parish. Frank Levingston lived to be 110 years old and enlinsted in the army shortly after the attack on Pearl Harbor.

The State Fire Marshal has issued a warning about batteries inside electronic cigarettes and vapor devices exploding and injuring users. Deputy Chief Brant Thompson says cheap knock off batteries are more likely to overheat…
cut 16 (08) “…retailers”
Two people have recently been burned in Louisiana when their vaping mods exploded.

The House has approved legislation that would prohibit cities from receiving state dollars for construction projects if they didn’t follow federal immigration policies. The measure could hurt Lafayette and New Orleans, which have been called Sanctuary cities. Denham Springs Representative Valarie Hodges, says cities should not work against federal agencies…
cut 7 (09) “…federal authorities”
Governor Edwards says he has concerns with the legislation.

Louisiana’s five uncommitted Marco Rubio delegates have announced that they will back the presumptive Republican presidential nominee, Donald Trump. Kirk Williamson is one of those and says the most important thing right now is party unity. He thinks one way to achieve that would be for Trump to choose Rubio as his running mate…
cut 4 (10) “….vice president”

A measure to legalize the sale of raw milk gets bottled up in a House committee. Ville Plate Senator Eric LaFleur is the author of the measure…
cut 12 (10) “…your neighbor”
The bill passed the Senate but failed to get out of the House Ag committee on an eight to seven vote. Opponents are concerned about illnesses from people drinking unpastuerized milk.

A Senate approved bill to legalize the sale of raw milk was shot down in a House committee. Emelie Gunn has more…:
CUT 2 (31) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

Louisiana’s five uncommitted Marco Rubio delegates says they are supporting Donald Trump, as he’s the presumptive presidential nominee. Delegate Kirk Williamson says although all Republicans may not like Trump, it’s better than the alternative…:
CUT 5 (08) “nominee”

The State Fire Marshal has put out a warning about electronic cigarettes, after two people were recently burned in Louisiana when their vaporizing device exploded. Deputy Chief Brant Thompson says the battery was to blame in both cases…:
cut 14 (11) “caught fire”
A Baton Rouge man suffered second and third-degree burns to his leg and hand after the battery in his device overheated, and a Houma man also suffered serious burns when his mod exploded.

The body of a female found in the Bonnet Carre Spillway is believed to be the result of a homicide, according to the St. Charles Parish Sheriff’s Office. They say the victim was located in the spillway near Norco. She is described as an African American between 45-60 years of age, and it is believed she was in the water for 2-3 days. The Sheriff is asking for the public’s held in identifying this victim. Citizen’s do not have to give their name to Crimestoppers and could receive up to $2500 in reward money.