More Louisiana students are graduating high school than ever before, as the Louisiana Department of Education has announced the graduation rate has climbed to an all-time high of 78-percent…
CUT 1 (31) “I’m Don Molino”

An arrest warrant has been obtained for the boyfriend of the mother of 16-year-old Jorion White of Kenner — whose body was found in a drainage ditch in St. Charles Parish on April 24th. The St. Charles Parish Sheriff’s Office says Daniel Beckley is wanted for second degree murder and obstruction of justice.

South Louisiana is under flash flood watch until seven o’ clock tonight. State Climatologist Barry Keim says much of the state is already water logged after severe storms dumped several inches of rain along the I-10 corridor…:
CUT 3 (08) “been hammered”
Keim says the heavy rainfall is expected to move out of the state tomorrow.

St. Tammany Parish officials are starting a program called Operation Angel where drug addicts could turn in their drugs and get treatment instead of jail. Covington Police Chief Tim Lentz says chemically dependent people would need to surrender any drugs they have, then they’ll be escorted by an “angel” to walk them through the recovery process at Giving Hope Retreat in Lacombe…:
CUT 13 (07) “a week”
Law enforcement agencies across the Northshore are participating.

The state Department of Education announces Louisiana’s high school graduation rate is at an all-time high, as 78-percent of the Class of 2015 received their diplomas. Superintendent John White, says that’s almost a 3-percent increase over the previous year, and is the second largest annual gain in 10 years…:
CUT 9 (09) “high expectation”
Louisiana still lags behind the national graduation rate which was 82-percent in 2014.

Officials across the Northshore announced today the beginning of “Operation Angel” – a program whereby a person addicted to drugs can walk into a police station and ask for help instead of being charged with a crime. Covington Police Chief Tim Lentz says it’s time law enforcement changes the way they do business…:
CUT 12 (08) “not a crime”
He says the only requirement of Operation Angel is that an addict ask for help and want to change their life.

Beginning in July, CLECO customers can expect to get a $475 credit on their bills because of the Pineville based company’s sale to foreign investors. Cleco spokesperson Jennifer Cahill says the credit will be applied until it runs out, meaning some customers will not have to pay a utility bill for a couple of months..:
CUT 7 (09) “fifth month”
She says this will benefit both residents and businesses.

Governor John Bel Edwards says FEMA has denied Louisiana’s appeal for a major disaster declaration after severe storms and tornadoes devastated several communities in late February. He says the agency indicated in decision that the impact from the event is not of the severity and magnitude that warrants a major disaster declaration.

The state Department of Education says Louisiana’s high school graduation rate is at an all time high at 77.5 percent in 2015. They say that’s a 2.9 percent growth from the previous year.

The bottom half of the state remains under a flash flood watch through this evening. The National Weather Service says rainfall amounts of two to four inches is possible in the watch areas, with locally higher amounts possible.

Cleco utility customers can expect a $475 credit on their bills beginning in July, as a result of the Pineville-based company’s sale to foreign investors. Cleco spokesperson Jennifer Cahill says the Louisiana Public Service Commission created this credit as a part of their transaction…:
CUT 6 (06) “from Cleco”
Cahill says the credit will be applied until it runs out, meaning some customers will not have to pay a utility bill for a couple of months.

The LSU AgCenter has developed an eye-drop to prevent and treat cataracts. Professor Cristina Sabliov (sab-lee-of) says lutein (loo-teen) is currently prescribed as an oral treatment for cataracts, but she says LSU AgCenter researchers have developed a solution to drop it directly into your eyes…:
cut 12 (08) “daily”
The AgCenter is working to patent the drop.

Governor John Bel Edwards has formed a task force to come up with budget reform recommendations, as the state grapples with a $600 million dollar shortfall. Council for a Better Louisiana President Barry Erwin is on the task force and says it’s key that any revenue raising measure that could be passed in a second special session doesn’t further hurt the state economy…:
cut 14 (06) “a structure”
He says options are extremely limited now that the sales tax has already been raised.

Governor John Bel Edwards and Department of Health and Hospitals Secretary Doctor Rebekah Gee will hold a press conference early this afternoon to discuss the roll out of Medicaid expansion. The program will be called “Healthy Louisiana” as the state seeks to improve health outcomes for the poor and uninsured.

The LSU AgCenter has deveoped an eye-drop to prevent and treat cataracts. Professor Cristina Sabliov says lutein is currently prescribed as an oral treatment for cataracts and eye diseases, but she says LSU AgCenter researchers have developed a solution to drop it directly into your eyes….
cut 11 (09) “…the eye”
The AgCenter is working to patent the drop.

The state department of education says the state’s high school graduation rate for the class of 2015 hit an all-time high of 78-percent, nearly a three-percent gain over the previous year.

ULM students, alumni and faculty have organized a mass emailing campaign that will take place around noon today to let state legislators know they are not happy about potential cuts to TOPS and higher education. ULM Online Program Coordinator Katherine Odom says one email from one person may not make much of a difference, but they hope hundreds of emails will….
cut 8 (10) “…an impact”
The full house is set to vote on a Senate-approved bill this afternoon that would lock the value of the TOPS scholarship at its current price and it would not go up automatically, even if tuition rises. Which means TOPS students would be forced to pay a portion of their tuition.

The southern half of the state is under a flash flood watch until seven o’ clock tonight. Much of the region is already water logged.

As Louisiana deals with a $600 million dollar shortfall, Governor John Bel Edwards is asking a group of individuals to present ideas on ways to fix this crisis. Council for a Better Louisiana President Barry Erwin is on the task force and says they will be looking at corporate and personal income taxes to see if enough revenue can be raised by removing some exemptions and deductions…:
Cut 15 (06) “bottom line”
Their deadline is May 15th.

ULM students are getting together today to collectively email lawmakers expressing concerns about the future of higher education in the face of possible budget cuts. The governor’s proposed budget calls for a 183-million dollar cut to TOPS, and this is an opportunity for people to make their voice heard. ULM Online Program Coordinator Katherine Dawson is asking people to use their hashtags today…:
CUT 9 (07) “maroon”
She hopes hundreds of emails will make a difference.

Most of southeast Louisiana is under a flash flood watch until 7pm today. Forecasters say rainfall amounts of 2-4 inches with isolated 6+ are possible, especially south of I-10. This wet weather is hitting already saturated soils which could lead to quick flooding.

A teenager from Rapides Parish was killed in a high speed crash in Rapides Parish. State Police say troopers responded around 12:15 am Sunday and determined that 18-year-old Guillermo Maldonado-Ramos was speeding when he exited the road and smashed into a culvert. He was pronounced dead.

Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser is traveling the state this week to get the word out about National Tourism Week. He says in 2015 nearly 29-million people visited the state, which was a record, but…:
Cut 5 (10) “hit parishes”
He says he’ll be in in West Baton Rouge, Lafayette, and St. Francisville today and then head to the northern part of the state later in the week.

Governor John Bel Edwards has formed a task force to come up with budget reform recommendations, as the state grapples with a $600 million dollar shortfall. Council for a Better Louisiana President Barry Erwin is on the task force and says it’s key that any revenue raising measure that could be passed in a second special session doesn’t further hurt the state economy…:
cut 14 (06) “a structure”
He says options are extremely limited now that the sales tax has already been raised.

More than 6 inches of rain fell in southwestern Louisiana before dawn Sunday, forcing the closure of Interstate 49 in the morning. More than 9,000 people in the state were without power at one point yesterday as the line of storms moved east, according to Entergy. The weather brought the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival to an early close on Saturday, but many loyal braved the flooded track on Sunday. And today there are still severe thunderstorm and flash watches posted throughout the state as more rain moves in.

Today ULM students, alumni, and faculty are gathering on campus to email their state legislators about their concerns for the future of higher ed. Jeff Palermo has more…:
Cut 2 (29) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Lt. Governor Bill Nungesser is touring the state to promote tourism as part of National Tourism Week. Nungesser says he’ll be in in West Baton Rouge, Lafayette, and St. Francisville today and then head to the northern part of the state later in the week. He says this is an important route…:
cut 6 (08) “our people”

Governor John Bel Edwards wants a list of budget reform recommendations in two weeks from a special task force. Some of the proposals will likely be utilized in a June special session in June to address a 600-million dollar shortfall. Council for a Better Louisiana President Barry Erwin is on the task force and says, with the sales tax already increased, they are left with limited options to fill the budget gap…:
Cut 13 (10) “you have”

Many parishes spanning southwest to north Louisiana are under a severe thunderstorm watch, even after a massive deluge early Sunday flooded houses and cut off roads in those areas. The National Weather Service says radar indicated more than 6 inches of rain feel in parts of Calcasieu and Jefferson Davis Parish, and most of Acadiana over 5 inches. Southeast Louisiana is looking at flash flood watches through 7 tonight where weekend already rain forced The Zuric Classic and Jazzfest to shutdown.

Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser is traveling the state to highlight different areas in Louisiana. Emelie Gunn has more…:
CUT 1 (29) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

State Police say a victim trapped in a car after it crashed in Denham Springs Sunday afternoon has been rescued. They say a driver and a passenger were involved in the crash. Reports indicate the emergency crews spent more than four hours getting the person out of the car.

A giant sink hole on Canal Street in New Orleans is causing massive traffic problems. The hole came out of nowhere at around 3 o’clock yesterday in between Harrah’s and Canal Place. The sink hole is located near an underground tunnel that was built during the 1960s. Mayor Mitch Landrieu says the repair could take anywhere between 3 to 6 months to fix. He says engineers are working to reroute traffic in the meantime.

A Grand Isle man was arrested for trying to purchase a child for sexual purposes .State Police trooper Jesse Lagrange who says 30-year-old Wade Perkins asked someone to locate a 6 to 8-year-old child so Perkins could pay for a sexual encounter. He says Perkins is a registered sex offender in Michigan for criminal sexual conduct. Lagrange says more charges are expected to be filed against Perkins.

Cut 13 (07)  “like that”

A Sheriff’s Deputy with Bossier Parish left his job with the Medium-Security Facility to play professional minor league baseball.  26-year-old Randy Zeigler was a pitcher for LSU and caught the eye of a Chicago White Sox scout. Zeigler says he’s going to be playing for the Lincoln Nebraska Saltdogs.

cut 14 (10)  “his purpose”

Zeigler says he was just messing around with a radar gun, when he discovered he was throwing at the same speed he was three years ago.

Massive thunderstorms are moving across the state and have already caused damage to public and private property. Golf-ball sized hail was reported in Morehouse and Union Parishes. Nearly 26-hundred Entergy customers were left without power for a while. Monroe Meteorologist Don Wheeler says the storms are expected to continue into Sunday and Monroe is likely to see about three to four inches of rain.

The Saints used both of its draft picks Friday night to select former Ohio State players. Michael Thomas was selected as the 16th pick in the second round. Thomas was the Buckeyes leading receiver for the last two seasons. The Black and Gold also picked former Ohio State safety Vonn Bell. The Atlanta Falcons took former LSU Tiger linebacker and New Orleans native Deion Jones.

State Police says a Grand Isle man was arrested for attempting to buy a child for sex.  Trooper Jesse Lagrange says 30-year-old Wade Perkins asked a friend to find a 6 to 8-year-old child so Perkins could pay for a sexual encounter. Lagrange says that person then called the police.

cut 12 (09) “a meeting”

Lagrange says when Perkins met up with an undercover trooper, he was arrested for attempt and conspiracy to commit first-degree rape.

Police have arrested a suspect in the murder of a Texas woman whose body was found in the water off of I-10 near the Whiskey Bay exit. Iberville Parish detectives arrested the victim’s husband 28-year-old Jonathan Allee is charged with second degree murder. Sheriff Brett Stassi says 29-year-old Elizabeth Ferrell’s cause of death was strangulation and they believe she was killed somewhere else before her body was dumped.

Thunderstorms traveled through the northern part of the state dropping golf-ball sized hail. The hail caused damage to public and private property and caused a number of downed power lines and trees. Monroe Meteorologist Don Wheeler says 15-hundred lightning strikes were generated during the storm. More severe weather is expected throughout the weekend. Three to four inches of rain is expected through early Sunday. The thunderstorms left thousands of Entergy customers without electricity in Ouachita Parish.

Officials with the U.S. Department of Agriculture are investigating the number of animal deaths that have recently occurred at the Baton Rouge Zoo. Curator Sam Winslow says they asked for the USDA and the American Zoo Association to send in investigators to assess the situation after 18 animals died within the last year…
CUT 6 (10) “our procedures”

Winslow says the 2-year-old Malayan tiger that died earlier in the month likely suffered from gastric dilation.

A sink hole on Canal Street in New Orleans is expected to cause serious traffic problems over the weekend. The hole is is between Harrahs and Canal Place. Mayor Mitch Landrieu expects it to take anywhere between three and six months to fix the massive sink hole. Landrieu says engineers are working on a plan to re-route traffic.

The LaSalle Parish Sheriff’s Office arrests two people in connection with the double homicide investigation in a small Louisiana town. Michelle Southern reports…:
CUT 2 (28) “I’m Michelle Southern”

The National Weather Service in Shreveport has issued a a tornado warning for parts of Northwestern and north central Louisiana. This includes Jackson, Bienville, Natchitoches, Winn and Red River Parish. Winds are blowing 50 miles per hour and tornadic thunderstorms are expected in rural areas of these parishes.