The Slidell Police Department identifies the two victims in the Tuesday evening plane crash as 68-year-old Wayne Fisher of Slidell, and 59-year-old Donald Pechon of Covington. Sgt. Daniel Seuzeneau says the two were in a mosquito abatement plane when it malfunctioned and went down. He says this is an extremely tragic incident…:
CUT 8 (10) “swallow”
The NTSB and the Federal Aviation Administration are investigating the crash.

Family members confirm that the oldest man in the nation, Felix Simoneaux Jr. of LaPlace, died Tuesday at the age of 110. It is believed that Simoneaux was the oldest man in the country for three months, according to a group that verifies such claims. Simoneaux, who was born in 1905, was going to turn 111 on May 24th. He suffered a small stroke last week.

The director of the famed Golden Band from Tigerland has been fired from LSU. Roy King had been the subject of an internal investigation and was placed on leave earlier this month. His attorney, Jill Craft says King was notified by mail that he was being released due to policy and financial violations. She says King is also being accused of nepotism…:
CUT 4 (06) “nepotism violation”
Craft calls the allegations ridiculous and the result of a witch hunt. LSU says Dr. Dennis Llinas will serve as interim band director.

The state House overwhelmingly approves legislation that would protect pastors who refuse to conduct same-sex weddings. The vote was 80-18 and it now heads to the Senate for consideration.

Two people died in plane crash in Slidell last night, according to cops. Police Sgt. Daniel Seuzeneau says the mosquito abatement aircraft had just finished spraying when it began rolling and struck a power line near the Slidell Airport before coming down in a wooded area. He says they had a hard time getting to the crash site…:
CUT 6 (10) “ATVs”
He says the bodies of the two pilots were eventually discovered. The crash investigation is ongoing.

The bill that would expand medical marijuana to cover more illnesses did not pass out of the Senate 19-16. Parks Senator Fred Mills wanted to add seizure disorders, HIV, epilepsy and other diseases to the medical marijuana law passed last year which allowed people suffering from cancer, glaucoma and severe forms of cerebral palsy. Mills says he plans to try the bill again.

The band director of LSU’s Tiger Band, Roy King, is no longer employed at the university after an investigation led to several allegations. Halen Doughty has more…:
CUT 1 (32) “I’m Halen Doughty”

There’s a new addition to the Governor’s Mansion since John Bel Edwards moved in…:
CUT 1 (07) “shortly”
Edwards says he paid for the chicken coop out of his own pocket.

Legislation is heading to the House that would make sure that TOPS recipients would receive at least some money for their tuition, if the state is unable to fully fund the scholarship program. Jonesboro Senator Jim Fanin says the bill also allows TOPS-qualified students to keep their scholarship, if they are unable to afford their portion of tuition, until a time the program is fully funded…
cut 13 (11) “….understand that”
Governor Edwards is in support of this legislation.

The latest addition to the Governor’s mansion is a chicken coop. Governor John Bel Edwards says he has 16 new hens in a coop behind the mansion. Edwards says the project was NOT paid for by taxpayers…
cut 9 (03) “….my pocket”
Edwards says he checks on the birds every night when when he gets home.

Roy King, the band director of the Golden Band from Tigerland for the last five years, is out of job today. LSU put him on administrative leave earlier this month to conduct an internal investigation and he was notified of his dismissal in a letter from the university. King’s attorney, Jill Craft, says King was shocked when he was notified….
cut 3 (10) “….was terrible”
LSU is not saying much about his firing, but confirm it was done so after an investigation.

The 30th annual Festival International de Louisiane begins today and runs through Sunday in downtown Lafayette. About 400-thousand people attend the festival every year. Festival spokesperson April Courville says there will also be tons of vendors with unique art, food and craft beers…
cut 6 (10) “….for everyone”
And the festival is completely free to attend.

Two men died in a plane crash in Slidell last night. Police say it was a mosquito plane that appeared to have just sprayed before the tragic crash near the Slidell Airport. The victims are not being identified at this time.

A daycare center in St. Tammany Parish had to shut its doors this week after the state Department of Education found out they let four unsupervised toddlers roam the street, then fail to report the incident. DOE spokesman Ken Pastorek says thankfully the toddlers, between the ages of 1 and 2, are all okay…:
CUT 11 (10) “for these children”
He says officials can not and will not allow child care facilities like The Abita Church Christian Daycare in Abita Springs to operate in Louisiana.

Longtime LSU band director Roy King was fired Tuesday, following being placed on administrative leave earlier this month.

Folks are buzzing today over the news that Governor John Bel Edwards has a chicken coop at the Governor’s Mansion. He says with 16 hens and two dogs, he’s still trying to be considerate of the neighbors..:
CUT 8 (05) “a rooster”
Questions are being raised about how the chicken coop was funded, and Edwards says he’s pays for it out of his own pocket.

Downtown Lafayette will be packed with visitors beginning today as the 30th Annual Festival International De Louisiane gets underway. The Acadiana festival was first held in 1987 and has become very popular, attracting musicians, artists, and craftsmen from around the world. Festival spokeswoman April Courville says a lot of work goes into putting this event together…:
CUT 5 (10) “so successful”
She says over 400,000 people are expected to attend the event over the 5 days.

The state’s budget problems were a popular topic on Governor John Bel Edwards first monthly radio call-in show. Jeff Palermo has the story…:
Cut 2 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Two Louisiana companies that serve the oil and gas industry have issued notices to employees about potential layoffs. Carbo Ceramics told 61 employees that its New Iberia plant would be closing by June 17th due to market conditions. As many as 227 employees of Gulf Island LLC in Houma could lose their jobs if the company doesn’t win bids on upcoming projects, according to the LWC.

The state Senate unanimously approves a bill that would make sure every TOPS recipient would receive at least part of their award if the state funding for the program is cut next year. New Orleans Senator Karen Peterson says right now, the chance of TOPS being fully funded this year is nil…:
Cut 15 (11) “left out”
The measure now heads to the House for consideration.

The 30th annual Festival International de Louisiane begins today and runs through Sunday in downtown Lafayette. The Acadiana celebration is a music and arts festival which celebrates the French heritage of the region. Festival spokeswoman April Courville says over 400-thousand people are expected to attend…:
cut 4 (07) “great energy”
Courville says local performers and international artists from 25 different countries are performing over the five days.

The Senate sends a bill to the House that would ensure every TOPS recipient receives at least something if the state can’t fund the program…:
Cut 3 (30) “I’m Halen Doughty”

LSU Tiger marching band director, Roy King, was fired Tuesday after he was placed on administrative leave earlier this month, according to his lawyer. LSU confirmed King was informed via letter that he would no longer be employed by the university due to policy violations. King was the subject of an internal audit but his lawyer said the move was a witch hunt being conducted by jealous colleagues.

Two men died following a plane crash in Slidell last night. Fire investigators believe the plane was performing mosquito abatement duties when it crashed shortly before arriving at the Slidell airport. Police Chief Randy Smith confirmed crews located the bodies of two people. Their identities have not been released.

The Louisiana Department of Education revokes the child care license of Abita Church Christian Daycare in St. Tammany Parish after four unsupervised toddlers were found roaming near a busy street. Department of Education spokesperson Ken Pastorick says the children left through an opening in the fence enclosing the center’s playground…:
Cut 10 (08) “serious issue”
The children were unharmed from the incident.

There’s a new addition to the Governor’s Mansion since John Bel Edwards moved in…:
CUT 7 (07) “shortly”
Edwards says the project was not paid for by taxpayers.

Two men were killed in a mosquito plane crash last night in Slidell. Police say fire fighters were called to the scene in a wooded around just north of the airport’s runway around 9:20pm Tuesday. Investigators indicate the plane had engine trouble and flipped over and hit a power line.

The state Senate unanimously approves a bill that would make sure every TOPS recipient would receive at least part of their award, if the state is not able to fully fund the scholarship program. West Monroe Senator Mike Walsworth says it isn’t fair to tell students for four years that they will get TOPS, then suddenly take it away because they cannot fund the program…:
CUT 14 (08) “they are”
The cost of TOPS for the next fiscal year is about 300-million dollars.

The 30th annual Festival International de Louisiane in downtown Lafayette kicks off. Emelie Gunn has more…:
CUT 1 (32) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

The LSU band director, Roy King, who was placed on administrative leave earlier this month, has been fired by the university. King was informed via letter that he would no longer be employed by the university based on an investigation related to adherence of policies, procedures and financial safeguards meant to protect the Tiger Band and LSU.

The state Senate unanimously approves a bill that would make sure every TOPS recipient would receive at least part of their award, if the state is not able to fully fund the scholarship program. Under the current law, students with lower ACT scores or who do not have financial need would not get a scholarship at all. West Monroe Senator Mike Walsworth says it isn’t fair to tell students for four years that they will get TOPS, then suddenly take it away because they cannot fund the program. He says lawmakers need to ensure that everyone who earns the scholarship gets something.

Cut 14 (08) “they are” 

The cost of TOPS for the next fiscal year is about 300-million dollars.

Legislation that would expand the number of diseases that medical marijuana can be used to treat failed to get enough votes to pass out of the Senate. Under current law, once medical cannabis becomes available in Louisiana, it can only be used for three different diseases. But several senators expressed concerns with the legislation, claiming it would be a gateway to the complete legalization of marijuana.

The state’s budget problems were a popular topic on Governor John Bel Edwards first monthly radio call-in show. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

The House approved the Pastor Protection Act, which would allow a minister or clergy member to refuse to perform a same-sex marriage. Opponents of the bill claim it is not necessary because pastors are already protected under the first amendment and some state legislation. Supporters say it just protects their fundamental right of conscience. The bill passed on an 80-18 vote.

Governor John Bel Edwards is celebrating 100 days in office today. Michelle Southern has more on what the governor has achieved so far and what still remains to be done.

CUT 2 (31)  “I’m Michelle Southern”

LSU’s band director, Roy King, has been fired after being on administrative leave for several weeks. The temporary brand director will be Dr. Dennis Llinas, who has been the associate director of bands. King’s attorney, Jill Craft, says King was notified via a letter mailed to his house.

The bill to allow for the sale of raw, unpasteurized milk has been approved by the Senate, despite health risk concerns. Ville Platte Senator Eric LaFleur says consumers should be allowed to choose if they want to drink raw milk. He says it’s absurd that we can trust doctors to perform surgeries, but we can’t trust local farmers to produce safe milk.

CUT 3 (10)  “America”

The bill now heads to the House for more discussion

A former police officer in St. Martin Parish plead guilty to his part in a ticket-writing scheme on Interstate 10. Ex-Henderson assistant police chief, Oliver Mack Lloyd, received a suspended sentence of six months in jail. St. Martin Parish prosecutor Chester Cedars says Lloyd orchestrated a plan where officers received bonuses for writing traffic tickets…

cut 12 (09) “Louisiana law”

Governor John Bel Edwards has been in office 100 days today. Edwards’ numerous accomplishments in the first hundred days, includes banning discrimination against the LGBT community in state offices and raising over $1 billion in revenue during the special session. Edwards says he is most proud of the healthcare coverage that over 300,000 people in the state will receive as a result of Medicaid expansion.

cut 10 (07)  “Medicaid program”

Edwards says his biggest immediate goals are resolving the state’s budget problems and getting equal pay for men and women. He says one of the most important bills he is pushing seeks to raise the state’s minimum wage.

Cut 11 (10) “in 2016″

Edwards has also installed a chicken coop at the Governor’s Mansion that is home to 16 hens.

Legislation that would expand the number of diseases that medical marijuana can be used to treat failed to get enough votes to pass out of the Senate. Under current law, once medical cannabis becomes available in Louisiana, it can only be used for three different diseases. St. Martin Parish senator Fred Mills says he wants to give cancer and AIDS patients the ability to use it…

Cut 28 (11) “…AIDS 22 states”

But several senators expressed concerns with the legislation. Delhi Senator Francis Thompson says passing this bill could lead to other legislation that will legalize marijuana…

Cut 29 (15) “…gateway”

The vote on the bill was 19 yes, 16 nays. But a bill needs 20 votes to pass the senate. It can be brought up again.