A bill to require municipalities to post warning signs 500 feet ahead of red light cameras has just received final legislative passage. New Orleans Senator Troy Carter says red light cameras should be about safety, not collecting revenues…:
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The measure now heads to the governor’s desk to be signed into law.

The adult smoking rate in the US is falling faster than is has in the 20 several years. About 5 decades ago, roughly 42% of adults in the US smoked, and that rate has now fallen to about 15%. Renee Underwood with DHH says they launched a statewide campaign last year to help people kick their tobacco habits…:
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The smoking rate in the US typically drops by less than 1% a year, but in 2015 the rate decreased by 2%.

Kids who use the internet to play games could be chatting with predators without knowing it, and a bill headed to the governor’s desk would let parents check online usernames through the sex offender database. Metairie Representative Cameron Henry the penalty for sex offenders not registering their online information would be the same as not for a vehicle or new address
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The measure passed unanimously in both the House and the Senate, and Governor Edwards is expected to sign the bill.

A deputy with the St. John the Baptist Parish Sheriff’s Office is under arrest on many charges after a variety of drugs were allegedly found in his vehicle during a traffic stop while he was off duty. 23-year-old Barry Conner II was booked for drug possession, use of a firearm around a controlled dangerous substance and traffic violation.

If your kids do a lot of social media and gaming online, a measure that’s off to the governor’s desk creates a system where parents could run internet usernames through the sex offender database. Metairie Representative Cameron Henry says the internet highway is an entirely new avenue predators use.:
CUT 7 (08) “online games”
He says this law would require sex offenders to register yearly their online usernames and email as they do their phone number and physical address.

PETA has sent a letter to LSU calling for them to end the live mascot program once Mike VI, who has cancer, passes away. The school issued a statement saying this is not the time to discuss such things. Mike’s attending vet Dr. David Baker says they’re just worried about Mike’s well being…:
Cut 15 (04) “treatment plan”

Employment agencies and colleges have teamed up to launch a new website to help people in the oil and gas industry find jobs. Don Molino has more…:
CUT 1 (29) “I’m Don Molino”

The Mega Millions jackpot is the largest of 2016 as there were no winners in last night’s $203 million dollar jackpot drawing last night. The estimated jackpot for Friday’s drawing is worth an estimated $218 million.

A bill to help parents keep up with who their kids are talking to online is heading to the Governor’s desk. Metairie Representative Cameron Henry says it requires sex offenders to register any email addresses or online user names. He says hopefully this will help parents make sure their children aren’t chatting with predators on the internet….:
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The governor is expected to sign the bill.

A report from Tulane says if the legislature is forced to reduce state funding for TOPS, they hope students most in need of financial assistance are protected first. Policy director of the Cowen Institute Vincent Rossmeier says the program has increasingly awarded scholarships to students who are coming from families who could otherwise afford college…:
cut 1 (08) “or more”
He says they favor need-based changes if cuts are made to the program.

A new website, BayouOpportunity.com, has just been launched to help workers in the oil and gas industry find new jobs, as unemployment in that sector continues to rise. Louisiana Economic Development Secretary Don Pierson says this website should be helpful for many people in Louisiana…:
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More information is available at BayouOpportunity.com.

LSU’s Mike VI, who was diagnosed with terminal cancer this week, has received Get Well Soon flowers from a fellow live mascot. Tusk IV, of the Arkansas Razorbacks, included a note that said he is pulling for Mike to defeat this foe just like he has all these years as LSU’s live mascot. The gesture comes on the heels of a letter LSU received from PETA indicating universities should no longer have live animals as mascots. LSU says Mike’s treatment is the focus at this time.

It wasn’t much of a surprise, but New Orleans will not be hosting Super Bowl 53 in 2019 after losing out to Atlanta. The ATL is building a new stadium and some say that’s what Louisiana needs to do. But former governor Kathleen Blanco, who sits on the Superdome board, says improvements are always being made to the 40-year-old venue…:
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The NFL has now awarded Super Bowls through 2021.

A measure that would require notification signs to be set up to alert motorists of oncoming red light cameras is headed to Governor John Bel Edwards desk. The bill by New Orleans Senator Troy Carter received overwhelming support from lawmakers. Under the proposal, cities would have to post a sign 500 feet before a red light camera to let drivers know.

A mother from Baton Rouge brought her baby to a fire station saying she could no longer care for the child, and no questions were asked under Louisiana’s Safe Haven law. Rhenda Hodnett with the Department of Children and Family Services says newborns up to 60 days old can be taken to a Safe Haven location and the mother given a number to call for more information…:
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She says over 40 babies have been brought to Safe Havens since the law went into effect.

Crime Stoppers in Shreveport are offering a $1,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of the person responsible for murdering a 23-year-old man. Cops say the responded to a home and located Javonte Taylor suffering what appeared to be a gunshot wound to the chest. Investigators gathered information that Taylor got into a fight with someone at the home when he was shot. A large amount of suspected drugs were found at the residence. Anyone with information on this incident is urged to contact authorities.

The People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals wants LSU to stop using live tigers as mascots once Mike VI dies. Mike was diagnosed with terminal cancer this week. Lewis Crary with PETA, says locking up another tiger is not the way to promote team spirit…:
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LSU says right now the focus is on Mike’s treatment.

As more changes are made to TOPS in the legislature, a recent study finds the scholarship program should be need based and not merit based to save the state money and not leave lower income students out. Tulane University Cowen Institute Policy director Vincent Rossmeier…:
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He says even raising the GPA requirement from 2.5 to 2.7 would leave 22 percent of Louisiana students with no way to pay for college.

New Orleans lost out to Atlanta, who is building a new stadium, to host Super Bowl 53 in 2019, and some are asking if it’s time for New Orleans to get a new stadium. Jeff Palermo has more…:
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Governor John Bel Edwards will travel to Monroe today for his next stop on the statewide Medicaid expansion tour. He will be joined by Department of Health and Hospitals Secretary Dr. Rebekah Gee in a tour of Conway Hospital.

LSU fans are hailing the rally possum again today following the Tigers miracle come from behind 5-4 victory over Tennessee in the SEC Tournament Tuesday. LSU advances to play Florida today.

A recent study out of Tulane finds the state would benefit from making TOPS needs based instead of merit based. The popular scholarship program is facing changes including cuts in light of Louisiana’s budget problems, and Tulane Cowen Institute Policy director Vincent Rossmeier says if the academic conditions are raised, many college worthy students won’t get TOPS…:
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He says education is the main vehicle to long term economic prosperity.

A woman in Baton Rouge gave up her infant anonymously to a fire station under the state’s Safe Haven law, saying she couldn’t take care of the baby. Rhenda Hodnett with DCFS says hospitals, police stations, and child advocacy centers are examples of locations where a child can be handed over…:
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She says the child is in good health.

On the heels of Mike the Tiger’s recent cancer diagnosis, PETA sent a letter to LSU calling for them to end the live mascot program. Halen Doughty has more…:
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The floor is laid and the stage is going up in Tiger Stadium ahead of this weekend’s big Bayou Country Superfest in Baton Rouge. But ticket sales are reportedly struggling for the three-day country music festival. Seats are still available at Ticketmaster, and the secondary ticket market has tickets for sale at lower than face value. Headliners this year include Luke Bryan, Eric Church and Jason Aldean.

A report from Tulane says if the legislature is forced to reduce state funding for TOPS, they hope students most in need of financial assistance are protected first. Policy director of the Cowen Institute Vincent Rossmeier says the program has increasingly awarded scholarships to students who are coming from families who could otherwise afford college…:
cut 4 (08) “or more”
He says they favor need-based changes if cuts are made to the program.

PETA wants LSU to stop using live tigers as mascots. Mike VI was diagnosed with a rare form of terminal cancer this week, and the organization says they don’t want to see LSU lock up another tiger. Lewis Crary with PETA says wild animals are not meant to live in captivity on a college campus…:
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LSU says they are focusing on Mike’s treatment right now.

The state Department of Children and Family Services says a Baton Rouge mother took the appropriate steps when she left her newborn baby at a Safe Haven fire station, instead of abandoning the child. Rhenda Hodnett with DCFS says the infant was placed in the arms of a fireman and, under the Safe Haven law, no questions are asked…:
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Hodnett says newborns up to 60 days old can be relinquished in the hands of an employee at an emergency care facility.

New Orleans lost out to Atlanta to host the Super Bowl in 2019. The ATL will have a new stadium by then and many say that’s what Louisiana needs. But former Governor Kathleen Blanco, who sits on the board that oversees the Superdome, believes New Orleans will get at least one more Super Bowl in the venue…:
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It would have been the 11th Super Bowl for New Orleans.

LSU once again had the Rally Possum there in spirit after a come-from-behind win over Tennessee in an elimination game at the SEC Tournament. The Tigers were down 4-0 at one point, but the team’s frustration in the error-filled contest dissipated following a game-tying homer by Greg Deichmann in the bottom of the 9th, then Kramer Robertson’s bases loaded walk-off RBI single to clinch the win. LSU plays Florida today in Hoover in a double elimination game.

New Orleans lost a second straight bid to host a Super Bowl, as Atlanta ended up getting the 2019 championship game. Former-governor Kathleen Blanco, who sits on the board which oversees the Dome, is confident the Big Easy will be be the site of another Super Bowl. She doesn’t think a new stadium is needed at this time…:
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It would have been the 11th Super Bowl for New Orleans.

In light of LSU’s Mike the Tiger’s recent cancer diagnosis, PETA sent a letter to the university calling for them to end the live mascot program. Halen Doughty has more…:
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In the ACC tournament, Tulane kicked things off with a 4-3 win in the first round over UCF. The Green Wave will play Houston Thursday.

Today in the Southland, Southeastern takes on UNO in the first round of the conference tournament. McNeese will take on Northwestern State.

Louisiana Tech and Rice will meet today in the Conference USA Baseball Tournament.

The top-seeded Ragin Cajuns will face Arkansas State in the Sun Belt.

A report out of Tulane University says it would be more beneficial to state if TOPS was needs based instead of merit based. Emelie Gunn has more…:
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PETA has sent a letter to LSU calling for them to end the live mascot program once Mike VI, who has cancer, passes away. The school issued a statement saying this is not the time to discuss such things. Mike’s attending vet Dr. David Baker says they’re just worried about Mike’s well being…:
Cut 15 (04) “treatment plan”

After New Orleans finished second to Atlanta to host the Super Bowl in 2019, some are wondering if it’s time for a new stadium. This is the second straight time the Superdome has lost to a city that was in the process of building a state-of-the art venue. Former-governor Kathleen Blanco, who sits on the board which oversees the Dome, says a new site in Louisiana is not needed at this time…:
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Blanco remains optimistic that the Mercedes Benz Superdome will be able to host at least one more Super Bowl.

The Rally Possum strikes again for the LSU baseball team. The No. 7 Tigers came back from a 4-0 deficit to eliminate Tennessee from the SEC Tournament following a 5-4 win. LSU will play Florida tonight in Hoover in a double-elimination contest.

A House-approved bill that would have punished so called “sanctuary cities” for implementing policies that are deemed to protect illegal immigrants, failed to get enough votes to pass out of a Senate committee. The Louisiana Sheriffs Association opposed the bill and Jefferson Parish Sheriff Newell Normand was vocal in his dislike…
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Normand added that it’s the federal government’s job to combat illegal immigration. The proposal could have hurt New Orleans and Lafayette’s ability to borrow money for construction projects.

A House-committee voted against a proposed program that would allow law enforcement agencies to automatically scan motorists license plates. Supporters say the program would be used to catch car thieves and uninsured motorists, but opponents raised concerns about a private vendor making a nice profit from the fine money.

The Pastor Protection Act, which gives legal protections for clergy members who refuse to marry a same sex couple, failed to get enough votes to pass out of a Senate committee. Halen Doughty has more…
voicer 1 (30) “…reporting”

The Senate Health and Welfare Committee voted for legislation that would ban abortions in cases where the fetus is determined to have a genetic abnormality. The House-approved measure passed on a three to one vote. Baton Rouge Senator Dan Claitor raised concerns the proposed law is unconstitutional, but despite his objection, the panel advanced the measure to the full senate.