Funding for the state’s safety net hospitals remained in tact after the House approved next year’s budget bill and sent it over to the Senate. A $72 million dollar cut to TOPS was made in order to give money to the hospitals for the poor. Bogalusa Representative Malinda White argued against an amendment seeking to put money back to TOPS..:
cut 14 (10) “go home”
More changes are expected to be made to House Bill 1 in the Senate.

GOP lawmakers sent a letter to Attorney General Jeff Landry to get his opinion on the executive order signed by Governor John Bel Edwards in April banning discrimination in state government based on sexual orientation and gender identity. 32 Republican House members say the order is troubling and may be against the constitution. They also asked Landry about the federal governments order that schools must allow students to use a bathroom based on their gender identity.

It’s a big graduation weekend and one teen in Ringgold got two diplomas yesterday, one for high school and one from Bossier Parish Community College. So what’s next for 17 year old Azariya McClendon? She says her academic aspirations won’t slow down from here…:
CUT 3 (12) “OBGYN”

Governor John Bel Edwards is at this hour delivering the keynote address at the Southeastern Louisiana University commencement ceremony in Hammond.

After almost 40 years after he was accused of raping young boys, Frank Selas III, aka Mr. Wonder, will be arraigned on Monday. He is being prosecuted by the Rapides District Attorney’s Office and his defense team includes Mike Small, who has made a career of representing what he calls the “underdog.” Selas faces 13 counts including two counts of aggravated rape.

The nearly $26 billion dollar spending bill for next fiscal year is now headed to the Senate for consideration after nearly 14 hours of debate in the lower chamber. It includes a $72 million dollar cut to tops in order to give money to the state’s hospitals that serve the poor and uninsured.

Conservatives are not happy about the US Department of Education’s letter to schools indicating they must allow transgender students to use bathrooms based on their gender identity. Richland Parish Congressman Ralph Abraham says we should be protecting our children…:
CUT 7 (05) “granddaughters”

But Matthew Patterson with Equality Louisiana says people who make statements like that don’t understand the gravity of this action…:

CUT 9 (05) “are about”

Patterson says policies like these are meant to protect the most vulnerable part of our population. Abraham says the state should make the decision regarding transgender bathrooms, not the federal government.

Four people have been arrested by the Gonzales Police Department in connection with a fight that occurred at the East Ascension High School graduation. The fight involved women in the football stands during the ceremony Wednesday, and a now viral video of the incident circled quickly on social media. Destiney Thompson and Delencia Williams, both 17, 18-year-old Rodneisha Patterson and 22-year-old Travonshay Mills were booked on charges including simple battery, disturbing the peace, and disorderly conduct.

Another Union Parish Detention Center inmate is arrested in connection with the rape of a 17 year old female at the center, who was being held as she was high on methamphetamine. Cops say 27-year-old Darandall Boyette left his cell without permission and went to the cell where the teen was being held and raped, allegedly by Demarcus Peyton. Boyette said he also intended to have sex with the female, but decided to leave. Boyette faces an escape charge. Peyton is charged with third degree rape. State Police is investigating.

A passenger fell off a Carnival Liberty cruise ship sailing out of Galvenston, Texas, and the US Coast Guard is searching the Gulf of Mexico. A statement from the Coast Guard out of the New Orleans command center says they were contacted by the master of the ship who said surveillance video showed a woman going overboard. A passenger check indicated 33-year-old Samantha Broberg was missing.

The U.S. Department of Education is letting schools know they are required to allow transgender restrooms or risk losing federal funds. Emelie Gunn has more…:
CUT 1 (31) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

Two people died in a Richland Parish crash after the driver of the vehicle failed to stop at a stop sign. State Police say a Honda Civic, driven by 26-year-old Jade Abshire of Vidalia, did not stop at an intersection in Rhymes and the car was hit by a truck on the driver’s side door. Both Abshire and a passenger in the Civic, 45-year-old Arby Carter, were pronounced dead at the scene.

The House sent a nearly $26 billion dollar budget to the Senate Friday that includes a $72 million dollar cut to the TOPS program, in order to give more money to the state’s safety net hospitals for the poor. An amendment seeking to move $36 million back to the scholarship program failed. Ruston Representative Rob Shadoin says he understands the importance of TOPS funding, but health care for young individuals, who can’t afford to go to a private hospital, is more important…:
cut 15 (10) “to college”
House Bill 1 is likely to be modified further in the upper chamber.

Seth Fontenot, the now 21-year-old Lafayette man who killed 15-year-old Austin Rivault in 2013, will walk free tomorrow after serving 10 and a half months in jail for manslaughter. Fontenot’s release comes much sooner than it could have been as his original first degree murder charge was reduced to manslaughter and with a 13 month jail sentence.

The U.S. Department of Education sent a letter to public schools informing them they are required to allow transgendered students to use the restroom that is consistent with their gender identity, or risk losing federal funding. Alto Congressman Ralph Abraham says this is another example of President Obama’s executive overreach. He says this is somewhat of a form of extortion:
CUT 6 (10) “comply with”
Matthew Patterson with Equality Louisiana says this is a big step forward for public school policies. He says transgender kids are at a bigger risk of many mental health issues…:
CUT 8 (06) “implemented”
The state Department of Education says they will provide assistance to Louisiana’s school districts in addressing the needs of their students.

A Pineville man has been arrested after he allegedly went door to door soliciting money he claimed was for a sick child with cancer. Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Office spokesman Lt. Tommy Carnline says residents reported the suspicious activity and authorities began investigating 48-year-old Charles Lowery, acting on the complaints…:

cut 10 (11) “were given”
He says Lowery was arrested for swindling because he didn’t have a sick child.

17-year-old girl Azariya McClendon is getting to diplomas. An Associates Degree from Bossier Parish Community College and a diploma from Ringgold High School. She says she was able to do this through the Accelerated Curriculum of Excellence program at her school:

CUT 5 (10) “for everything”

Another spirited debate broke out on the House floor over funding for TOPS versus hospitals that provide care for the poor. On Thursday night, legislators shifted 72-million dollars from the scholarship program to the safety net hospitals. On Friday, Monroe Representative Jay Morris tried to move some of that money back to TOPS, but he faced opposition from Baton Rouge Representative Patricia Smith…

Cut 13 (12)  “with TOPS”

Public schools could lose federal funding if they do not allow transgender students to use the restroom that is consistent with their gender identity, according to a letter from the U.S. Department of Education. Matthew Patterson with Equality Louisiana says this doesn’t mean it’s okay for a man to go into bathrooms with little girls.

CUT 9 (05) “are about”

But Alto Congressman Ralph Abraham says this is a form of extortion.

A 17-year-old girl from northwest Louisiana participates in two graduation ceremonies today. Azariya McClendon will get her Associates Degree from Bossier Parish Community College this afternoon, then this evening she’ll get her diploma from Ringgold High School. McClendon says she has big academic aspirations after her double graduation.

CUT 3 (12)  “OBGYN”

A Pineville man has been arrested after he allegedly went door to door soliciting money he claimed was for a sick child with cancer.  Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Office spokesman Lt. Tommy Carnline says they were also able to charge Lowery with two counts of cheating and swindling, because the story he told was not true…:

cut 12 (09) “cancer treatment”

The U.S. Department of Education is informing public schools they are required to allow transgendered students to use the restroom that is consistent with their gender identity. Alto Congressman Ralph Abraham says the state should make the decision regarding transgender bathrooms. He says we need to protect the most vulnerable population, young children.

CUT 7 (05) “granddaughters”

But Matthew Patterson with Equality Louisiana says this is a really big step forward in terms of policies in public schools and universities.

A debate broke out on the House floor when lawmakers tried to move funding for safety net hospitals to fund TOPS. Ruston Representative Rob Shadoin spoke out against the idea. Shadoin says he understands the importance of TOPS funding, but health care for young individuals, who can’t afford to go to a private hospital is more important…

cut 15 (10) “to college”

Three people have been arrested in connection with the fight that broke out during graduation ceremonies at East Ascension High School, according to the Gonzales police department. A group of people got into a physical altercation in the stands at the school’s commencement Wednesday, and video of the incident was widely shared on social media.

A Louisiana teen is earning her high school diploma and an Associate’s Degree in the same day. 17-year-old Azariya McClendon says she was able to make this tremendous accomplishment with the help of her high school counselor and the support of her family. She says it was hard at times because she was always busy.

CUT 4 (11)  “4-H”

McClendon plans to attend UL-Lafayette in the fall.

It took 14 hours of debate but the Louisiana House finally approved the budget bill and sent it over to the Senate. The $72 million dollars taken from TOPS funding to safety net hospitals amendment remained in place. Bogalusa Representative Malinda White, who has a public-private hospital in her district, fought against an amendment seeking to put money back to TOPS..:
cut 14 (10) “go home”
A planned special session to address the budget shortfall is slated for June.

Three people have been arrested in connection with the fight that broke out during graduation ceremonies at East Ascension High School, according to the Gonzales police department. A group of people got into a physical altercation in the stands at the school’s commencement Wednesday, and video of the incident was widely shared on social media.

A Louisiana teen graduates from high school and a community college on the same day. Halen Doughty has more…:
CUT 2 (30) “I’m Halen Doughty”

Union Parish sheriff’s investigators have arrested a second detention center inmate in the case involving the rape of a 17-year-old teenager who was being held in an isolation cell because she was reportedly high on methamphetamine. They say 27-year-old Darandall Boyette is charged with simple escape for leaving his cell and witnesses the rape. 28-year-old Demarcus Peyton was charged with third degree rape in the incident.

Another spirited debate broke out on the House floor over funding for TOPS versus hospitals that provide care for the poor. On Thursday night, legislators shifted 72-million dollars from the scholarship program to the safety net hospitals. On Friday, Monroe Representative Jay Morris tried to move some of that money back to TOPS, but he faced opposition from Baton Rouge Representative Patricia Smith…:
Cut 13 (12) “with TOPS”
Morris amendment that would move 36-million dollars back to TOPS failed on a 42-57 vote.

A level II Endangered/Missing Child Media Advisory has been issued by State Police on behalf of the New Orleans Police Department for 11-year-old Anign Keiaya Jordon. They say the child was last seen at school in New Orleans on May 5th, and she was reported missing yesterday. Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Anign Jordan is urged to contact authorities.

The U.S. Department of Education is letting schools know they are required to allow transgender restrooms or risk losing federal funds. Emelie Gunn has more…:
CUT 1 (31) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

17-year-old girl Azariya McClendon is getting to diplomas today. An Associates Degree from Bossier Parish Community College and a diploma from Ringgold High School. She says she was able to do this through the Accelerated Curriculum of Excellence program at her school:
CUT 5 (10) “for everything”

The U.S. Department of Education sent a letter to public schools informing them they are required to allow transgendered students to use the restroom that is consistent with their gender identity, or risk losing federal funding. Alto Congressman Ralph Abraham says this is another example of President Obama’s executive overreach. He says this is somewhat of a form of extortion:
CUT 6 (10) “comply with”
Matthew Patterson with Equality Louisiana says this is a really big step forward in terms of policies in public schools and universities. He says transgender kids are at a huge risk of many mental health issues…:
CUT 8 (06) “implemented”
The state Department of Education says they will provide assistance to Louisiana’s school districts in addressing the needs of their students.

A Pineville man has been arrested after he allegedly went door to door soliciting money he claimed was for a sick child with cancer. Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Office spokesman Lt. Tommy Carnline says residents reported the suspicious activity and authorities began investigating 48-year-old Charles Lowery, acting on the complaints…:
cut 10 (11) “were given”
He says they learned Lowery was a sex offender and his vehicle wasn’t registered so he was arrested for that and for swindling because he didn’t have a sick child.

A 22-year-old man from Webster Parish is facing murder charges amid allegations he beat his father to death with a baseball bat. Authorities say the body 57-year-old Billy Joiner, who lived with his son, was found around 2am…and later, John Joiner confessed to the crime saying it was the result of an ongoing dispute and he just snapped. John Joiner is charged with second degree murder.

The US Department of Education sent a letter to all school systems today directing them to grant specific rights to all children based on their gender identity — or face the loss of federal funds. Conservatives are outraged including Alto congressman Ralph Abraham…:
CUT 1 (05) “school funding”
But Equality Louisiana says this step is necessary to protect the vulnerable transgender population.

A Rapides Parish man who was allegedly soliciting money he claimed was for a sick child with cancer has been arrested after Alexandria residents reported suspicious activity to the sheriff’s office. Authorities say they discovered 48-year-old Charles Leon Lowery was a convicted sex offender and that none of his children were sick. He is charged with two counts of Cheating and Swindling due to the unlawful solicitation of money and one count Failure to Register as Sex Offender.

A 17-year-old girl from northwest Louisiana participates in two graduation ceremonies today. Azariya McClendon will get her Associates Degree from Bossier Parish Community College this afternoon, then this evening she’ll get her diploma from Ringgold High School. McClendon says she has big academic aspirations after her double graduation…:
CUT 3 (12) “OBGYN”
McClendon is the first student in her parish to earn two diplomas at the same time.