Governor John Bel Edwards tells lawmakers the administration’s spending plan for the fiscal year that begins July 1st contains $792 million dollars in cuts to state spending. He says health care, TOPS and — in terms of education, higher ed is not the only service looking at cuts. Public schools are included…:
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He says they need another special session and it could begin as early as June 7th.

A Senate committee approves legislation that would increase the age to 18 for a suspect to be prosecuted as an adult. Currently, individuals 17 and over are put into the adult criminal system once charged with a crime. Criminal justice expert Ed Mulvey says a 17 year-old offender is better off in the juvenile justice system…:
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The legislation will now move to the full Senate.

More information keeps coming out about the fatal shooting of former Saints defensive end Will Smith. Surveillance video has surfaced that appears to show Smith was involved in a hit-and-run incident with a vehicle driven by the man that is accused of killing him. Cardell Hayes is facing a second-degree murder charge and his attorney has said Hayes was not the aggressor in this incident.

A Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s deputy has been fired following his arrest for allegedly touching a woman in a sexually inappropriate manner while he was on duty. In a release, the sheriff’s office says they received a complaint that Deputy Cody Onxley, while at work, went to the home of the victim under false pretenses and touched her during the encounter. Onxley was charged with sexual battery and malfeasance in office and was terminated from his job.

Governor John Bel Edwards presented his proposed budget for the next fiscal year to lawmakers today, and it contains 792-million dollars in cuts to state spending. Under the administration’s plan, health care and the TOPS scholarship program would see big reductions in state funding. Edwards says only having a third of the money needed to pay for TOPS is another reason why they need a second special session…:
CUT 4 (07) “fund it”
The governor says a second special session could begin as early as June 7th.

Southern University will hold a candlelight vigil tonight for the two students that were shot and killed outside of a party near the LSU campus. Interim Athletic Director Roman Banks says the 19 year old girls, Annette January and Lashuntae Benton, were student athletes and good kids doing nothing wrong:
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An arrest has been made in connection with the shooting, but nobody has been charged for the murders at this time.

The House Civil Law Committee is hearing testimony at this hour on the “Pastor Protection Act,” which would allow a clergy member or religious organization to deny participation in a same sex marriage. Matthew Patterson with Equality Louisiana believes this bill would expand to any organization with religious affiliations…:
Cut 13 (07) “to people”
But supporters say all this bill does is protects a person’s religious beliefs.

The defense attorney in the Will Smith case believes once all of the evidence comes out, his client will be innocent. Cardell Hayes has been charged with second degree murder in the fatal shooting of the former New Orleans Saints player, who was killed after a three-car fender bender turned violent in New Orleans. Hayes’ lawyer is John Fuller…:
CUT 1 (09) “on that night”
He hopes more details of the incident will come out in a preliminary hearing.

Governor John Bel Edwards presented a proposed budget for next fiscal year that calls for a 792-million dollar reduction in state funding. Under the proposed spending plan, DHH would receive a 409-million dollar cut and higher education’s cut would be 46-million dollars. Edwards says this is not the budget he wanted to present to lawmakers and it’s why another special session is needed…
cut 3 (07) “…revenue needs”
The proposed budget also calls for a 183-million dollar cut in TOPS, which could mean recipients will only have part of their tuition paid for.

In the House Civil Law committee this morning, they’ll discuss the “Pastor Protection Act.” Bossier City Representative Mike Johnson says it will allow a clergy member or religious organiziation to deny participation in a same sex marriage….
cut 11 (07) “….against”

This afternoon, the Senate is expected to vote on a bill to require employers to pay men and women equally for similar work. Governor John Bel Edwards supports the measure. He says it’s a carefully crafted piece of legislation that would not be too onerous on businesses…
cut 5 (10) “…rectify it”
Business groups are opposed to the legislation.

Southern University will hold a memorial tonight for the two students fatally shot while attending an off-campus party in Baton Rouge. Lashuntae Benton and Annette January were killed. Interim athletic director Roman Banks says Benton, who was from Lake Charles, volunteered her time as an athletic trainer.
cut 16 (09) “…eventually”
One person has been arrested in connection with the shooting and police are expecting to make another arrest.

The defense attorney in the murder case of former New Orleans Saints player Will Smith believes once all of the evidence comes out, his client will be innocent. Cardell Hayes has been charged with second degree murder in the fatal shooting, stemming from what cops call a road rage incident. Hayes’ lawyer John Fuller hopes more details of the incident will come out in a preliminary hearing…:
CUT 7 (11) “knowledge of”
Fuller has filed a motion to preserve all ballistic evidence.

Beloved former Saints and LSU player Hokie Gajan lost his battle with cancer on Monday. He was 56. The longtime Saints color analyst and Baker High alum first announced he had a rare form of cancer in November. Gajan was drafted by the Saints in 1981, and injuries forced him to retire in 1987. But he spent 13 years as a scout for New Orleans and another 16 in the broadcast booth. Funeral arrangements are pending.

The equal pay bill will be heard on the Senate floor this afternoon. It has the support of Governor John Bel Edwards and the matter was a big part of his gubernatorial campaign. Edwards says women in the state earn only 65 cents for every dollar a man makes and that has to change…:
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Business interests strong oppose saying the measure would open up floodgates of litigation.

The Southern University community is mourning after the death of two students. Jeff Palermo has more…:
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A television station in New Orleans has obtained surveillance video which they say shows a vehicle matching the description of the one driven by Will Smith possibly hitting the back of the suspect in his murder’s Hummer before the shooting incident. Cardell Hayes’ lawyer stands by his claims that there was another gun at the scene and Hayes was not the aggressor.

A bill that would allow clergy members and religious organizations to decline to participate in a same sex marriage will be heard in the House Civil Law Committee today. Halen Doughty has more..:
Cut 2 (30) “I’m Halen Doughty”

Longtime Saints radio analyst and a man who had been involved with sports in Louisiana for more than 40 years, Hokie Gajan, died at the age of 56 Monday. Gajan was diagnosed with cancer last year, and his daughter, Kristin Gajan Sell told WWL he’d been moved to ICU over the weekend. She says the outpouring of affection from everyone has been a true blessing…:
Cut 19 (10) “for him”
Arrangements are pending.

A bill will be heard on the Senate floor today to address equal pay. Governor John Bel Edwards supports the legislation and says Louisiana comes in dead last in the country when it comes to the wage gap between men and women. He says women in the state earn only 65 cents for every dollar a man makes…:
cut 4 (10) “top of”
A recent study finds Louisiana’s pay gap is costing women close to 11 billion dollars a year.

New Orleans Police say they plan to add a charge to Cardell Hayes in the shooting and injuring of former Saints star Will Smith’s wife, Racquel. Hayes is already charged with second degree murder in the death of Smith. But his lawyer, John Fuller, says the public doesn’t know the full story in this incident. He says this was Hayes’ first encounter with Smith..:
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Fuller stands by his claims that there was another gun at the scene and Hayes was not the aggressor.

Southern University will hold a candlelight vigil tonight for the two students that were shot and killed outside of a party near the LSU campus. Interim Athletic Director Roman Banks says 19-year-old Annette January of Indiana and 19-year-old Lashuntae Benton of Lake Charles were both athletes…:
Cut 14 (09) “our support”
One person has been arrested in connection with the case but no one has been charged with the murders.

A bill to address equal pay in Louisiana will be heard on the Senate floor today. Emelie Gunn has more…:
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Louisiana sports fans woke up to the news that Hokie Gajan, who played for Baker High, LSU and the Saints — and took pride in the fact that his football career was distinctively Louisiana, lost his battle with cancer Monday at the age of 56. Gajan was diagnosed with cancer just in December of 2015 and was moved to ICU over the weekend after his condition took a turn for the worse. Arrangements are pending.

The defense attorney in the Will Smith case believes once all of the evidence comes out his client will be innocent. Cardell Hayes has been charged with second degree murder in the fatal shooting of the former-Saint, who was killed after a three-car fender bender turned violent in New Orleans. His lawyer is John Fuller…:
CUT 8 (09) “on that night”
He hopes more details of the incident will come out in a preliminary hearing.

Former Saints & LSU star, Hokie Gajan, has succumbed to his illnesses. He was 56 years old. Gajan was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer in December of 2015, and he had to miss the final games of last season as he underwent chemo. The Saints color analyst’s daughter, Kristin Gajan Sell, told WWL her father did not get depressed and he remained in good spirits till the end….:
Cut 18 (11) “to be Hokie”

The House Civil Law Committee will hear testimony today on the “Pastor Protection Act,” which would allow a clergy member or religious organization to deny participation in a same sex marriage. Bossier City Representative Mike Johnson, says the bill should not create a lot of controversy…:
Cut 10 (06) “essential”
But Matthew Patterson with Equality Louisiana says if this law really only pertained to ministers and religious organizations, it would not be necessary because they are already protected under the First Amendment…:
cut 12 (08) “to do”

A legal expert says a claim of self-defense will be hard to prove in the murder of former Saints standout Will Smith. Cardell Hayes is facing a charge of second-degree murder, but he claims he was not the aggressor. Legal Analyst Chick Foret says the investigation is still ongoing, but at this point forensic evidence seems to tell a different story than what Hayes is suggesting.

cut 14 (08)  “the defendant”

Hayes is being held on a one million dollar bond.

Southern University is mourning over the death of two of its students who were killed when gunfire rung out an apartment complex early Sunday morning. Baton Rouge Sergeant Don Coppola…

cut 5 (04) “….hospital”
One person has been arrested and police hope to make another arrest in the near future.

Two children were killed in Livingston Parish after being hit being struck by an apparent drunk driver. Emelie Gunn has more…

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A 22-year-old has been booked by Covington Police for his role in the death of a teen who smoked synthetic marijuana. Jabari Pea allegedly sold the drug to two teenagers, and one of them, 17-year-old Alexander Shelby, later died from using the drug. Pes has been charged with second degree murder and is being held in St. Tammany Parish Jail on a $200,000 bond.

A bill to address equal pay in Louisiana will be heard on the Senate floor Tuesday. Emelie Gunn has more…
voicer 5 (27) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

The Edwards administration will also present to lawmakers on Tuesday the proposed budget for next fiscal year. The governor has already described the spending plan as “very sobering,” because of a 750-million dollar revenue shortfall for the financial year that begins July 1st. This means higher ed and health care are subject to more cuts.

The House Civil Law Committee will hear testimony Tuesday on the “Pastor Protection Act,” which would allow a clergy member or religious organization to deny participation in a same sex marriage. Bossier City Representative Mike Johnson says the bill should not create a lot of controversy….
Cut 30 (06) “essential”
But Matthew Patterson, with Equality Louisiana says what the bill actually does is give organizations with any sort of religious affiliation to deny service to people in same sex relationships. He says this could include places like hospitals, homeless shelters and food banks that are typically associated with a religious group….
cut 23 (07) “…harm to people”
However, Johnson is confident that once people read the legislation and understand it, any opposition will be withdrawn.

The man who is accused of shooting and killing former-Saints defensive end Will Smith is claiming he was not the aggressor. Michelle Southern has more…

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Autopsies of the two 19-year-old Southern University students who were fatally shot reveal that one of the women was shot in the head and the arm, and the other was hit in the torso. A ballistics test that could prove which of the two shooters involved fired the deadly shots will not be released until later this week or possibly next week.

A fatal accident in Livingston parish left two Baton Rouge children dead. Trooper Bryan Lee says the vehicle that struck five people on the side of the road was driven by 26-year-old Jerry Ervin, who is believed to have been impaired. He says they also believe 50-year-old Travis Rose was drunk and left a garbage compactor in the road after it fell out of his truck, which started the series of tragic events.

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Lee says the two children were pronounced dead at the scene.

Pinwheels lined the front of the state capitol today as a display of child abuse prevention awareness, and Governor John Bel Edwards declared April as Child Abuse Prevention Month. State Police Major Doug Cain says the public can get involved in raising awareness about this issue.

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