Governor John Bel Edwards supports two bills heading to the Senate floor that altar the TOPS scholarship program. Halen Doughty has more…
voicer 3 (30) “…I’m Halen Doughty

The Ponchatoula Strawberry Festival begins today, but it wasn’t a good year for Louisiana strawberry producers. Farmer Eric Morrow says he lost the majority of his crop and so did several other strawberry producers…
cut 8 (06) “….their pocket”
Morrow says federal assistance is unlikely, because government aid doesn’t usually go for specialty crops.

Legislation is heading to the House floor that would make public parks, playgrounds and recreational facilities firearm free zones. New Orleans Representative Jimmy Harris says his bill was not created to infringe on anyone’s rights, but to keep people safe…
cut 15 (09) “…foolishness”
Gun right supporters oppose the legisltions.

Louisiana wildlife officials are increasing their efforts to look for a incurable, brain disease that could impact the state’s deer population. It’s known as chronic wasting disease and it’s already been confirmed in Arkansas and Texas. Jim LaCour, with the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries says they do have a plan in place if the disease is spotted in Louisiana…
cut 6 (12) “…sample it”

Governor John Bel Edwards says the administration is going to present its budget proposal for the fiscal year that begins July 1st, which includes plans on what they’d like to see to close the $750 million dollar shortfall. He says, unfortunately, the state doesn’t have enough money to fully fund TOPS…:
CUT 12 (04) “don’t have it”
He says that’s why another special session is needed to raise more money.

A bill that adds parks, playgrounds, and recreational facilities as a firearm free zone passes out of a House Criminal Justice Committee on an 8 to 6 vote. The legislation faces opposition from gun rights supporters but Baton Rouge Rep. Denise Marcelle understands we have the right to bear arms but the safety of our children and loved ones is more important…:
Cut 14 (09) “do something”
The measure heads to the House floor.

The state Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is monitoring the deer population for chronic wasting disease. LDWF veterinarian Dr. Jim LaCour says this disease, which has been confirmed in Arkansas and Texas, basically eats holes in the deer’s brain. He says infected deer are not symptomatic in the beginning, but they show signs of CWD as it progresses…:
Cut 5 (08) “of weight”
The CDC says there is no evidence that CWD can infect humans, but urges caution when handling venison in the infected region.

The famous Pontchatoula Strawberry Festival kicks off this weekend, but it wasn’t a great year for the crop due to the massive flooding in Tangipahoa & Livingston Parishes. Strawberry farmer Eric Morrow says 90% of his crop was damaged and he doesn’t qualify for federal assistance because government aid doesn’t usually go to specialty crops…:
CUT 9 (04) “our own”
Between four to more than 16 inches of rain fell on parts of southeast Louisiana over a one week period in March.

Governor John Bel Edwards says although legislators did well in the special session, they did not generate enough revenue to fully fund TOPS. He’s supporting the legislation that passed Senate Education which seeks to control the cost of the popular scholarship program. But he still anticipates another special session will be needed…:
CUT 11 (07) “tuition increases”
He says they’ll present a budget proposal for the special session next week and it’s not pretty.

Three people have been arrested in connection with a fatal hit and run which claimed the life of a pedestrian in Terrebonne Parish. State Police say 21-year-old Draven Henden of Bourg was driving when he hit 53-year-old Troy Jackson of Houma who was walking along the roadway. After trying to evade officers, Henden was charged with Felony Hit and Run and Obstruction of Justice. Two other occupants of the vehicle were charged with obstruction for lying to officers about what happened.

Scandal has hit the Louisiana Tech women’s basketball program. Jeff Palermo has the story…:
CUT 1 (28) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Three people accused in the death of a Parieville man at a Baton Rouge strip mall in December have been indicted by a grand jury on murder charges. Authorities say George Reush Jr was gunned down in his vehicle during a suspected drug deal. 27-year-old Glenn Spears, 23-year-old D’Mon Spears and 25-year-old Gabrielle Rogers are all indicted on second degree murder.

Governor John Bel Edwards supports legislation passed out of a Senate committee that attempts to control the cost of the TOPS scholarship program. One of the bills would cap the amount a TOPS recipient receives at next year’s level and it stays there even if tuition rises. Edwards says it’s a bill he voted for as a legislator last year and he favors its passage this year…:
Cut 10 (12) “tuition increases”

A bill that adds parks, playgrounds, and recreational facilities as a firearm free zone passes out of a House Criminal Justice Committee on an 8 to 6 vote. Prairieville Rep. Tony Bacala disagrees with the legislation. He says the majority of tragic shootings happen by people should be in jail…:
Cut 13 (10) “the innocent”

The Ponchatoula Strawberry Festival starts today but recent flooding ruined a lot of the state’s berry crop. Emelie Gunn has more…:
Cut 2 (30) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

Avoyelles Parish has been added to the list of approved federal disaster areas, due to massive storms and flooding in March.

Governor John Bel Edwards today is traveling to Camp Minden to get an update on the contained burn disposal of the millions of pounds of improperly stored explosives. This evening he will speak at the Shreveport-Bossier African American Chamber of Commerce Annual Meeting and Gala.

The City Council in Denham Springs approves the mayor’s request to fire police chief Scott Jones over what’s being called his improper handling of a domestic abuse case which also involved a city councilman.

With the support of Governor John Bel Edwards, a Senate committee passed two bills that alter the TOPS scholarship program. Halen Doughty has more…:
Cut 3 (30) “I’m Halen Doughty”

The Ponchatoula Strawberry Festival begins today but it wasn’t a great year for strawberries, because of the massive flooding in Tangipahoa and Livingston Parishes last month. Strawberry farmer Eric Morrow says 90% of his crop was damaged and he won’t have much to show for this year’s harvest…:
CUT 7 (07) “of that”

The Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is monitoring the deer population for chronic wasting disease, which has been confirmed in Arkansas and Texas. Dr. Jim LaCour with LDWF says CWD is a fatal, progressive neurological disease that affects deer, including the white-tailed deer in Louisiana….:
cut 4 (11) “disease”
LaCour says currently there have not been any cases of CWD in Louisiana.

Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne will present recommendations next week on how the state plans to deal with a $750 million dollar shortfall. Governor John Bel Edwards said the budget cut proposals will be very sobering.

Two bills that attempt to resolve the TOPS funding problems were approved by the Senate Education Committee today. Michelle Southern has more…

CUT 2 (29)  “I’m Michelle Southern”

Louisiana Tech women’s basketball coach Tyler Summit has resigned. There’s been speculation about inappropriate behavior involving Summit and in his statement, the married 25 year-old says he is profoundly disappointed in himself for engaging in a relationship that hurt the people he loves and respects the most.

The massive March flooding across the state has cost the agriculture industry up to 15 million dollars. That’s according to LSU AgCenter economist Kurt Guidry, who says corn was impacted the most, as about 40-thousand acres were covered in water and some fields are still underwater.

Cut 11 (09) “excessive rains”

Guidry says about 3 to 4 million dollars in corn was lost

A Natchez man is now in custody after fatally shooting his estranged wife and another man multiple times in their Vidalia home while the woman’s two children slept nearby. Vidalia Assistant Police Chief Bruce Wiley says witnesses saw the suspected gunman fleeing the home in the early morning hours on Wednesday…

CUT 3 (09) “a motorcycle”

Wiley says 35-year-old Curt Thornton was arrested after a Mississippi police officer pulled Thorton over for riding his motorcycle without a helmet.

Two bills that attempt to resolve funding problems for TOPS have been approved by the Senate Education Committee. One of the bills would cap the award amount at the current level and would no longer meet tuition increases. Mandeville Senator Jack Donahue says this bill is similar to one that passed last year.

Cut 14 (11) “…of the bill”

Governor John Bel Edwards supports this proposal.

The other approved TOPS funding bill would reduce the amount each TOPS recipient receives in the event the state cannot fully fund the program. Jennings Senator Blade Morrish says this ensures that all of the students who earn TOPS get at least part of their scholarship.

Cut 16 (10) “…million dollars”

Both of these measures now head to the Senate floor.

A bill that would extend the waiting period for an abortion from 24 to 72 hours has been approved by the House. West Monroe Representative Frank Hoffman says women have a lot to consider when making this decision.

Cut 7 (07) “…mother’s decision”

Hoffman says the waiting period does not apply to women more than 150 miles from an abortion clinic

A new study shows if Louisiana lawmakers loosen the restrictions on the dispensing of medical marijuana it could be a multi-million dollar industry. Cannabis Association spokesperson Jesse McCormick says the report also shows medical marijuana could generate between 5 and 13-million dollars in revenue, if a four-percent tax was placed on the sale of the product.
cut 9 (12) “….are doing”

The Senate Education Committee approved a measure that would cap the amount TOPS scholars currently receive, and it would no longer match tuition increases. West Monroe Senator Mike Walsworth says students in his district are worried about the future of TOPS….

cut 15 (08) “our students” 

This bill now heads to the Senate floor.

The director LSU’s marching band, Roy King, has been placed on paid administrative leave, pending an investigation. It’s been reported that there’s a dispute between King and the School of Music over athletic funds. King’s attorney Jill Craft has a huge problem someone being irresponsibly placed on paid administrative leave.

cut 10 (08)  “he hasn’t”

In a statement, LSU denies an alleged dispute between King and the School of Music.

The massive flooding the state experienced in March has caused up to 15 million dollars in damages to the agriculture industry. Emelie Gunn has more…

CUT 1 (30)  “I’m Emelie Gunn”

Authorities have been searching for a 22-year-old Natchitoches woman, who has been missing at the Grand Canyon National Park since Saturday. According to a release, the National Park Service is currently conducting a search and rescue operation for 22-year-old Diana Zacarias.

Two bills that attempt to resolve TOPS funding problems were approved by the Senate education committee today. Michelle Southern has the story…
voicer 2 (29) “….I’m Michelle Southern”

The House approves legislation to extend the waiting period to get an abortion from 24 to 72 hours. West Monroe Representative Frank Hoffman says the extra time gives women facing crisis pregnancies time to examine their options…
cut 6 (06) “…later regret”
The bill heads to the senate for more discussion.

Agriculture losses from the March flooding could reach 15 million dollars. That’s according to LSU agcenter economist Kurt Guidry, who says livestock took a hit, as hundreds of cattle died after their pastures were flooded…
cut 13 (11) “…be moved’
Cattle production is a 663-million dollar industry in this state.

LSU’s band director, Roy King, has been placed on administrative leave and his attorney is calling it a witch hunt. Lawyer Jill Craft says a lot of King’s troubles started when the School of Music’s administration tried to get some of the athletic funds that go toward the Tiger Band…
cut 9 (10) “….purposes”
But LSU says this is not a result of any alleged dispute between King and the School of Music and gave no further comment.

The Senate Education Committee approves two bills addressing the funding issues around the TOPS scholarship program. One measure would cap the amount students currently receive and it won’t go any higher if even tuition increases. West Monroe Senator Mike Walsworth opposed this bill last year, but he’s heard from many of students worried about the future of TOPS….
cut 15 (08) “our students”

Governor Edwards supports the legislation.

The director of the famous LSU Golden Band from Tigerland, Roy King, has been placed on paid administrative leave, and his lawyer says it’s because of a witch hunt. King’s attorney Craft says it isn’t clear what the probe hopes to uncover, and there is a big problem with placing someone irresponsibly on paid administrative leave…
cut 10 (08) “he hasn’t”

Craft says King has been there for 18 years and is well liked by his students.

 
The extreme flooding across Louisiana last month has cost the agriculture industry close to 15 million dollars. LSU AgCenter economist Kurt Guidry nearly 4 million dollars in corn was lost and it’ll cost farmers about 150 dollars per acre to replant. He says another commodity affected was wheat.
cut 12 (08) “and flooding”

He says hundreds of cattle died after their pastures were flooded.

A Natches man has been arrested after killing his estranged wife and another man multiple times in their Vidalia home, while the woman’s children were sleeping. Vidalia Assistant Police Chief Bruce Wiley says Curt Thornton and his estranged wife Angela Thornton were reportedly having problems, so Thornton allegedly shot her and 36-year-old Ken Tibbs.
CUT 5 (09) “the situation”

Wiley says the female child called 911 at 7 a.m. when she found her mom dead.