Governor Edwards legislative agenda has not fared well in the regular session. An attempt to raise the state’s minimum wage, equal pay legislation for men and women and efforts to limit charter schools have fallen on deaf ears with a republican controlled legislature. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says the governor faces more difficulties in an anticipated special session that will take place next month to address a 600-million dollar budget defict…
cut 5 (08) “….by the legislature”

Baton Rouge Police are trying to determine who fatally shot a member of the East Feliciana School Board. Thirty-four-year-old Broderick Brooks was found dead in his vehicle with multiple gunshot wounds at around 3:30 this morning. Fellow school board member Beth Dawson says the news of Brooks’ defeath came as a shock to everyone…
cut 11 (04) “…many ways”

LSU’s live mascot, Mike the Tiger, has been diagnosed with an extremely rare form of cancer. His veteriniarn, Doctor Michael Baker, says without treatment Mike would only live another month or two, but the ten-year-old tiger will start radiation treatment soon at a Baton Rouge hospital…
cut 7 (10) “…will be”
Baker says the cancer is not curable, but they believe the treatment can prolong his life for another year or two.

A 20-year veteran of the Bossier City Fire Department was killed when he was accidently electrocuted while riding a horse in a field. Authorities say 41-year-old George William Chambers the Fourth of Benton made contact with a low-hanging power line. The electric shock killed both Chambers and his horse.

A rally is taking place in front of Tangipahoa Parish School Board office in response to the decision to not let Amite High valedictorian Andrew Jones participate in graduation ceremonies because he has a goatee.

Mike the Tiger, the beloved mascot of the LSU Fighting Tigers, has been diagnosed with a rare, life threatening form of cancer, spindle cell sarcoma. Halen Doughty has more…:
CUT 2 (28) “I’m Halen Doughty”

A Benton man was accidentally electrocuted Sunday morning in Bossier Parish, according to the sheriff’s office. They say 41-year-old George William Chambers was riding his horse when he made contact with a low-hanging power line. The horse was also electrocuted. Deputies say Chambers was a 20-year veteran with the Bossier City Fire Department and he leaves behind a wife and two children.

Governor John Bel Edwards hasn’t had the easiest time in office especially when it comes to his legislative agenda. The governor’s attempts to limit charter schools or vouchers has also fallen on deaf ears by a legislative body that has a republican majority. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says Louisiana is a red state and there’s not much support for a higher minimum wage or fewer charter schools…:
CUT 4 (06) “with their base”
He says all this could mean Edwards will have a hard time in an anticipated special session.

The House Transportation Committee gave the green light today to a Senate approved measure that would make it the law for oncoming traffic to stop for a school bus on a two-lane road with a continuous turn left turn lane. New Iberia Representative Terry Landry says this bill is needed because many motorists get confused about the law…:
cut 10 (09) “those lanes”
The measure heads to the House floor.

LSU’s mascot, Mike the Tiger, has been diagnosed with a rare form of cancer. The 11-year-old’s attending vet, Dr. David Baker, says they’ve discovered a tumor in the right side of Mike’s skull, making it inoperable and the condition is incurable. He says Mike will undergo radiation treatment, but there could be complications with the anesthesia…:
CUT 6 (12) “episodes”
He says, with treatment, Mike could leave 1-2 years.

An East Feliciana Parish School Board member and minister was found shot to death in a vehicle in Baton Rouge, according to cops. They say 34-year-old Broderick Brooks of Jackson was located in the drivers seat of the car and suffered multiple gunshot wounds. The case is under investigation.

Governor John Bel Edwards legislative agenda for this regular session has NOT done well. A proposal to increase the state’s minimum wage has been bottled up in the Senate, an effort to require women and men receive equal pay for equal work was killed by a House committee. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says republicans in the legislature have no problem voting against these issues:
CUT 3 (10) “crazy about”
He says this also means Edwards could have a hard time with his efforts during an anticipated special session.

The city of New Orleans has put on hold the process of taking bids to select a contractor to remove four monuments with ties to the Confederacy or white supremacy, WWL-TV reports..

LSU’s live tiger, Mike VI, has been diagnosed with a rare form of cancer. Doctor David Baker, Professor at the LSU School of Veterinary Medicine and Mike’s attending vet, says student caretakers noticed swelling on the right side of the 11-year-old tiger’s face, and he was taken on May 12th to the hospital for physical examination and diagnostic tests…:
CUT 1 (06) “of his skull”
Dr. Baker says Mike will be treated by experts at Mary Bird Perkins in order to extend his life another 1-2 years, but sadly there is no cure.

New Orleans representative Helena Moreno has a started a campaign to raise the level of awareness regarding women issues in this state. Moreno started the “It’s No Joke” campaign after a House committee voted against an equal pay bill and a joke amendment was proposed saying that strippers need to be young and skinny. She wants supporters of women’s rights to get involved:
Cut 15 (08) “and supporters”

New Orleans officials are getting ready to make their presentation tomorrow to host the Super Bowl in 2019. Emelie Gunn has more…:
Cut 2 (31) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

The House Transportation Committee gave the green light today to a Senate approved measure that would make it the law for oncoming traffic to stop for a school bus on a two-lane road with a continuous turn left turn lane. Metairie Senator Danny Martiny…:
CUT 9 (09) “has to stop”
The measure passed without objection and now heads to the House floor.

And it’s being reported the Saints have signed veteran wide receiver Vincent Brown, who has only caught 13 passes for the Raiders and Chargers the last two years.

A press conference is taking place at this hour at LSU to discuss a rare form of cancer that’s been found near the nose of Mike the Sixth, the school’s live mascot. His doctors say with treatment Mike could live another year or two, but the cancer is not curable. They also believe he’s not in pain.

There are big concerns about the potential for a Zika Virus outbreak in the New Orleans area, which is why LSU Health is hosting a public meeting tonight that will feature a panel of experts to talk about the topic. Doctor Ralph Maupin, with LSU Health New Orleans says the CDC has released a report showing the number of Zika cases in the US, but local transmission has yet to occur in the states…
cut 10 (11) “…mainland US”
Maupin says the biggest risk for contracting the disease right now is still in countries where it is prevalent, such as South America and the Caribbean.

The Tangipahoa chapter of the NAACP plans to rally outside of the Tangipahoa Parish School Board office this afternoon in reaction to Superintendent Mark Kolwe not allowing Amite High School valedictorian Andrew Jones to participate in his graduation because he had a goatee. The chapter reportedly discovered pictures of white students with facial hair participating in previous Amite High ceremonies.

New Orleans representative Helena Moreno has a started a campaign to raise the level of awareness regarding women issues in this state. Moreno started the “It’s No Joke” campaign after a House committee voted against an equal pay bill and a joke amendment was proposed saying that strippers need to be young and skinny. Moreno says supporters of women’s rights can get involved…
cut 15 (08) “….and supporters”
For more information go to moreno-campaign-dot-com.

LSU announces its live mascot, Mike the Tiger, has a rare form of cancer impacting his face, but he does not appear to be in pain. He will undergo a form of radiation therapy that will reduce complications, but eventually the tumor will resume growth. LSU says it is estimated that without treatment Mike VI could live 1-2 months; with treatment, perhaps 1-2 years. A news conference will be held at 10:30 for questions.

The regular legislative session must end by 6pm, two weeks from today. Jeremy Alford with lapolitics.com says legislators are working on funding all of the public-private hospitals that care for the poor, and parents of TOPS students are also paying close attention to the debate over the funding for the scholarship program…:
Cut 5 (06) “doing that”
He says there is just as much uncertainty today about the budget and the $600 million dollar shortfall as their was in January.

New Orleans is presenting a bid to the NFL today to host the Super Bowl in 2019. President and CEO of the Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation Jay Cicero says Atlanta, Miami and Tampa Bay are also in the running, so The Crescent City is going in as the underdog. But he says even though New Orleans doesn’t have a new stadium, it’s still a great Super Bowl destination…:
Cut 8 (10) “Superdome”
Those presenting the bid are already in Charlotte putting the finishing touches on their presentation for Tuesday.

Between one representative’s not-so-funny joke about strippers and the legislature shooting down a proposal to get equal pay for men and women, it hasn’t been a good week for women in Louisiana. New Orleans Representative Helena Moreno hopes that once legislators hear from constituents about this her campaign, #ItsNoJoke, it could bring about real change.

cut 14 (11)  “for women”

There are two weeks left in the regular session. Jeff Palermo has more…:”
CUT 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Two more people have been arrested in connection with the double homicide at a residence in St. Francisville, according to authorities, bringing the total number of people charged in the slayings to 5. Longtime friends 56-year-old Clinton Nicholson and 55-year-old Brian Mooney were shot to death around 3am Saturday in a mobile home. 22-year-old Paul Bourque of Youngsville and 19-year-old Kristofer Cockerham are booked with first degree murder. Three other women were already charged with principal to murder.

With the temperatures rising, concerns about the spread of the Zika virus heightens, though officials say there has been no evidence of local transmission in mainland US. Dr. Robert Maupin, Gynecology Professor at LSU Health New Orleans, says they are holding a public meeting today to discuss Zika and answer questions. He says the biggest risk is travelers…:
CUT 11 (10) “current evidence”
Maupin says the biggest risk for contracting the disease is South America and the Caribbean.

A 5-year-old child died in LaPlace after shooting herself when playing with her father’s handgun, according to cops. The St. John the Baptist Sheriff’s Office says Haley Moore fired the weapon in front of her siblings.

A 56-year-old man from Clarence is dead following a Natchitoches Parish crash where State Police believe was caused, in part, because the driver was drunk. They say John Turner lost control of the vehicle and ran off the road before crashing into a ditch and overturning several times. Turner was not restrained and was pronounced dead on the scene.

The regular session ends 2 weeks from today on June 6th and the budget is still a major issue lawmakers are dealing with. Jeremy Alford with LaPolitics.com says, with a $600 million dollar shortfall in the state’s finances for next fiscal year, legislators may not be able to address everything during this session…:
Cut 6 (11) “there about”

Health experts will share information about the Zika Virus with the public today at LSU Health New Orleans. Dr. Robert Maupin,Professor of Clinical Obstetrics and Gynecology says pregnant women, in particular, need to take precautions to prevent getting infected…:
cut 12 (09) “birth defects”
The panel will meet at 5:30 at the LSUHNP Human Development Center.

A state legislator is launching an online campaign to raise awareness about gender inequality and sexism in Louisiana, using the hashtag #ItsNoJoke. Halen Doughty has more…:
Cut 3 (30) “I’m Halen Doughty”

New Orleans is seeking to host the Super Bowl in 2019 and those who will present a bid to the NFL owners on Tuesday are already in Charlotte putting the finishing touches on their presentation. New Orleans competition to host the 2019 Super Bowl is Atlanta, Miami and Tampa Bay. President and CEO of the Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation Jay Cicero says they go in as the underdogs..:
CUT 7 (10) “Super Bowl”

Just two weeks are left in the regular session, and the budget is still the biggest issue for lawmakers. Jeremy Alford with LaPolitics.com says legislators are trying to fund priorities like TOPS and safety net hospitals with a $600 million budget shortfall…:
cut 4 (08) “gonna be”
He says matters are complicated further by the fact that there could be a second special session after the regular session which adjourns June 6th.

Between one representative’s not-so-funny joke about strippers and the legislature shooting down the Equal Pay ACt, it hasn’t been a good week for women in Louisiana. In response, New Orleans Representative Helena Moreno launched a new campaign for women’s issues called “It’s No Joke.” She’s started this campaign to combat gender inequality…:
Cut 13 (12) “significant changes”

A 36-year-old Baton Rouge man died after being run over by a suspected drunk driver as he was helping at the scene of another accident, according to BRPD. They say William Warren was hit by 41-year-old Gregory Hamilton of Baton Rouge. Police say Warren had stopped to assist people involved in an earlier crash on Jefferson Highway. Hamilton faces many charges including vehicular homicide and second-offense DWI.

A 5-year-old child from LaPlace died after she shot herself while playing with her father’s gun, according to the St. John the Baptist Sheriff’s Office. They say Haley Moore fired the weapon in front of her siblings, while her father, Eric Moore, was taking a shower. No charges have been filed at this time.

The White House issued a new rule that goes into effect December 1 that requires employers to pay their workers overtime if they work more than 40 hours a week and make less than $47-thousand a year. LSU Economist Stephen Barnes says some workers may feel more pressure to get more work done in a 40 hour period. But he says for the most part, workers should enjoy this.

CUT 5 (09)  “about that”

Governor John Bel Edwards has signed two pro-life bills into law, one measure increases the wait time for a woman to receive an abortion to 72 hours and the second requires doctors performing abortions to be board certified. Louisiana Right to Life Legislative Director Deanna Wallace says the legislation increasing wait time gives women more of a chance to reach out before being forced to have an abortion if they don’t want to have one.

Cut 11 (10) “unborn children”

Wallace says this truly is a victory for women in the state.

Sulphur Police have released the name of the armed man who was shot by an officer yesterday afternoon. 48-year-old Roy Bauer was shot once and is reportedly in stable condition at a local hospital. Sulphur police received a call around 4pm about a drunken man who was playing with firearms. When officers arrived, Bauer pointed the gun at them and police fired one shot.

The governor’s daughter Samantha is getting married today to Johnathan Ricau. Samantha and Jonathan met in 2012 and both graduated from Southeastern Louisiana University. She is the oldest daughter of the governor and First Lady Donna. Governor Edwards says it’s a miracle he gets to walk Samantha down the aisle.

cut 10 (09)  “might be”

The wedding ceremony will be in Amite at St. Helena Catholic Church, and the reception will follow hours later at the Governor’s Mansion.