New Orleans Police Superintendent Michael Harrison says he visited with the wife of former Saints player Will Smith Sunday. Smith was shot to death in an apparent road rage incident and Cardell Hayes is booked in the murder. Harrison says Smith’s wife, Racquel, was also shot and injured…:
CUT 1 (08) “tough time”
Hayes is being held on a million dollars bond.

A 4-year-old and a 6-year-old were killed in a four vehicle fatality crash in Livingston Parish Sunday evening, and State Police say impairment is a suspected factor. They say a man dropped a trash compactor in a roadway, left it there and returned home. 34-year-old Michelle Ramsey and another vehicle stopped to try to remove the object, when a drunk driver drove through hazard triangles and crashed into five people. The 2 young Ramsey children died on the scene. 4 others were seriously injured, including the impaired driver. The man who dropped the trash compactor was located at his home impaired and was arrested on many charges including vehicular homicide.

Today Governor John Bel Edwards declared April as Child Abuse Prevention Month in Louisiana. State Police Major Doug Cain says kids are our most important resource, and everyone needs to do what they can to them…:
CUT 9 (12) “look into it”
According to Prevent Child Abuse Louisiana, there were over 12-thousand victims of child abuse and neglect in 2014, the latest year statistics are available.

An 85-year-old man was killed as he tried to cross the interstate in Westlake, according to cops. They say Walter J. Kibodeaux of Sulphur was pronounced dead at the scene.

The New Orleans Police Department says there are no new updates in the case of the shooting death of former Saints player Will Smith. The suspect in the case, Cardell Hayes, faces second degree murder charges after police say he rear ended Smith’s vehicle and then shot and killed him after an argument. Hayes is being held on a million dollars bond. His attorney claims his client did not start the fight and looks forward to the details of the case coming out.

Baton Rouge Police are looking to arrest another gunman in the shooting that killed two Southern University students and injured another man. 22-year-old Ernest Felton has already been arrested and charged with attempted second Degree murder in the case. Sgt. Don Coppola says investigators are working to determine who fired the gun killing the two women…:
CUT 3 (08) “young ladies”
He believes the 19-year-old women were caught in a crossfire.

Even though lawmakers weren’t able to raise enough to fill the budget hole for next fiscal year which still needs $750 million dollars, it looks like we may end the financial year that ends June 30th with a surplus. State Treasurer John Kennedy says it could happen if tax increases that came out of the special session generate more than what the legislative fiscal analysts predicted…:
Cut 15 (09) “as well”
He says tn December, the state revenues were down 15-percent, but now revenues are only down 6-percent.

The Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s Office arrests a man accused of shooting a killing another man. They say 54-year-old Lorenzo Zeigler of Calhoun allegedly shot the victim, 26-year-old Mario Wiley following an argument. Zeigler is charged with second degree murder.

Longtime WWL radio analyst Hokie Gajan, who has been battling cancer, has been moved into intensive care according to the station.

Bond has been set at one-million dollars for 28-year-old Cardell Hayes. He’s the man accused of fatally shooting former Saints star Will Smith after the two men were involved in a minor car accident. Hayes attorney John Fuller claims his client was not the aggressor in what police have called a road rage incident.

Baton Rouge Police are looking to arrest an additional gunman in connection with a fatal shooting that claimed the lives of two students who attended Southern University. Authorities have already charged 22-year-old Ernest Felton, who is a former member of the Southern football team, with attempted second-degree murder.

Covington Police have called a one PM press conference to announce an arrest has been made in the death of a 17-year-old who was found in a flooded ditch last month. The coroner’s office has suspected that the teenager from Mandeville died after using synthetic marijuana, also known as “Mojo.”

State Treasurer John Kennedy says there’s been a rise in state revenues as a result of increased tax collections…
cut 14 (06) “….personal income”
Kennedy says it’s possible if revenues continue to rise, the state could end up with a surplus once the fiscal year ends on June 30th, despite Louisiana facing a huge shortfall prior to the special session.

The first woman to enlist in the infantry in the US Army is a native of Natchitoches Parish. Emelie Gunn has more…
voicer 1 (30) “…I’m Emelie Gunn”

A lawyer for the man accused of killing former New Orleans Saints defensive end Will Smith says the public will have a much different opinion about what happened once all the facts come to light. 28-year-old Cardell Hayes is charged in the murder which cops say appeared to be sparked by road rage. He is being held on a million dollars bond.

Governor John Bel Edwards says he’s not sure when a call will be made for a second special session to address next fiscal year’s $750 million dollar deficit. He says not enough revenue was raised during the last special session to close the budget gap and lawmakers must find a way to keep critical programs open…:
CUT 9 (06) “to begin with”
So far two credit rating agencies have downgraded Louisiana’s credit rating.

Lafayette Police arrest a man in connection with an accidental shooting that claimed the life of a Baton Rouge man. They say 21-year-old Kenneth Mills is charged with negligent homicide in the death of Colin Norwood who is also 21.

A man is under arrest in connection with a shooting that left two Southern University students dead and another man injured near LSU Sunday. According to the Baton Rouge Police Department, say 22-year-old Ernest Felton allegedly exchanged gunfire with the male victim when 19-year-old Annette January and Lashuntae Benton were caught in the crossfire and killed. Felton is charged with attempted second degree murder and investigators are still working to determine who is responsible for the shooting deaths of the women.

In surprising news, State Treasurer John Kennedy says we may end this fiscal year with a surplus. Jeff Palermo has more…:
Cut 3 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

A memorial at the site where former New Orleans Saint Will Smith was shot and killed is getting bigger with flowers and sports memorabilia. New Orleans Police Superintendent Michael Harrison says 28-year-old Cardell Hayes is charged with murder in the incident that could have been sparked by road rage:
CUT 12 (10) “as such”
Bond for Hayes is set at $1 million dollars and according to a warrant read in court, Smith was shot in the back and side.

Governor John Bel Edwards says a second special session is needed to address next fiscal year’s $750 million dollar shortfall. He says lawmakers need to stabilize the budget, and they need to do it sooner rather than later…:
Cut 8 (05) “Louisiana is”
They plan to present a proposed budget to lawmakers tomorrow for next fiscal year.

After all the concerns about the budget crisis, State Treasurer John Kennedy says Louisiana may actually end this fiscal year with a surplus. In December, the state revenues were down 15-percent, but now revenues are only down 6-percent, according to Kennedy…:
Cut 13 (10) “this year”
He attributes this move to an increase in tax collections.

A woman from northwest Louisiana becomes the first in the nation to enlist in an infantry combat position in the US Army. 25-year-old Grace Barnett says patriotism runs in her blood and is excited about the challenge that lies ahead:
Cut 5 (10) “at me”
She says she hopes to be an example for other women.

Bond has been set for $1 million dollars for Cardelle Hayes, the man accused of killing former Saints player Will Smith over the weekend in an apparent road rage incident. According to a warrant read in court last night, Smith was shot in the back and side. New Orleans Police Superintendent Michael Harrison says it’s too early to tell in the investigation if Hayes and Smith knew each other…:
cut 11 (08) “right now”
Saints offensive tackle Zach Strief told WWL Radio an argument should never turn into a gunfight and this incident gives New Orleans black eye…:
CUT 1 (06) “like this”

Also according to WWL Radio, former Saints and LSU running back Hokie Gajan is in intensive care as his battle with cancer intensifies. The color analyst for the Black and Gold has been facing a dire diagnoses since late last year.

Louisiana is still facing a 750-million budget deficit and Governor John Bel Edwards is expected to call another session. Halen Doughty has more…:
Cut 2 (30) “I’m Halen Doughty”

A Natchitoches Parish woman is the first female to enlist in an infantry combat position in the U.S. Army. 25-year-old Grace Barnett of Robeline, who was in law enforcement, says it’s a great honor to serve her country on the front lines…”
cut 4 (10) “larger scale”

The investigation continues today into the fatal shooting of former Saints defensive end Will Smith. Smith was gunned down after he was involved in a minor car wreck with 28-year-old Cardell Hayes. New Orleans Police Superintendent Michael Harrison says Hayes shot Smith in the city’s Lower Garden District…:
Cut 10 (12) “the law”
Court records show Hayes won a settlement with the city of the New Orleans over the fatal shooting of his mentally ill father. Smith reportedly just finished eating with a former New Orleans police officer who was named as a defendant in that suit.

And there’s more rough news for another prominent figure within the Saints organization. Former LSU and Saints star, and current Black and Gold radio analyst Hokie Gajan, who is battling cancer, is in ICU according to WWL.

Governor John Bel Edwards is expected to call another special session to address the state’s 750-million shortfall for the next fiscal year, which begins July 1. Edwards says they have not set a date for the session, but it will likely come before the fall to stave off more cuts to state services…:
CUT 7 (05) “for success”
He says lawmakers need to stabilize the budget, and they need to do it sooner rather than later.

The Rayne Police Department says a man driving a lawn mower along a roadway, with another man on the hood of the mower and another being pulled behind in a wheelchair, died after the three were hit by a truck. The other two men were sent to a local hospital. The investigation is ongoing.

Voters in 41 Parishes have until 8 tonight to cast a ballot. That’s because it’s a little known election day. Secretary of State Tom Schedler saays you can check the GeauxVote app to see exactly what’s on the ballot in your precinct…:
CUT 4 (08) “G-E-A-U-X”

Communities in north Louisiana are still in disbelief over the abrupt resignation of Louisiana Tech women’s basketball coach Tyler Summitt, who admitted he had an affair…:

CUT 2 (29) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

State Police say it was the Assistant Police Chief of Grand Isle who ran over a sunbather while patrolling the beach in a department pickup. Sgt. Nick Manale says it’s too early to determine if charges are warranted against Norris Esponge Jr. He says the victim’s injuries are not life threatening…:
CUT 15 (06) “several surgeries”

The Ponchatoula Strawberry Festival is underway and hundreds of thousands have gathered Saturday morning for the famous parade associated with the festival. . Festival Spokesperson Shelley Matherne says they’ll be selling delicious food,
revelers can enjoy a giant midway, and live entertainment…:
CUT 6 (09) “Mardi Gras”
Tonight’s final concert is slated to end at 10:30, and tomorrow the festival hours are 12-6. Admission is free.

Napoleonville Senator Troy Brown pleaded not guilty on a simple battery charge out of Orleans Parish. He is accused of punching a female “side friend” following the Bayou Classic.

Louisiana Tech Athletics Director Tommy McClelland announced Mickie DeMoss will serve as the interim coach of the Lady Techsters basketball team. The decision was announced Friday following the resignation of Tyler Summitt who stepped down due to engaging in an inappropriate relationship. Summitt, who is married, reportedly impregnated one of his players. Gene Ponti is the Sports Director at KTVE in Monroe. He says everyone is totally shocked at this news…:
CUT 9 (09) “and for the program”

Governor John Bel Edwards says he’ll unveil his propose budget plan for next fiscal year on Tuesday, and he’s using this weekend to finalize the difficult task of ways to plug the $750 million dollar shortfall. He says many state services will receive much less funding this year because of the massive budget deficit…:
Cut 13 (08) “priorities”

State Police are urging those attending the Ponchatoula Strawberry Festival today to visit their Facebook Page to review an April 5th post that contains several alternate routes into Memorial Park. With over 300,000 people expected to be headed into the Strawberry Capital of the World on this beautiful weekend, troopers say traffic volume quickly overloads the interstate system and causes dangerous backups on ramps and exits.

The polls are open today. That’s because, believe it or not, it is an election day in 41 parishes. Secretary of State Tom Schedler says this election typically has a low voter turnout because so many people don’t know about it…:
CUT 3 (08) “in March”
He says you can check the GeauxVote app to see exactly what’s on the ballot in your precinct. Polls close at 8pm.

The New Orleans Pelicans dominated the Los Angeles last night in New Orleans, picking up a 110-102 victory over the Lakers and future hall of famer Kobe Bryant…who played his last game in The Big Easy.

Today is an election day. Halen Doughty reports on why you should go out and cast this little known ballot…:
CUT 1 (30) “I’m Halen Doughty”

So head to the polls before you head to the Ponchatoula Strawberry Festival today. Over 300,000 people are expected to attend the massive event which kicked off on Friday. Festival Queen Danielle Rodriguez says the festival is near and dear to her heart because her family has a history of strawberry farming…:
CUT 8 (10) “second home”

Tyler Summitt, the 25-year-old son of Hall of Fame coach Pat Summitt, stepped down as head coach of the Louisiana Tech women’s basketball team, and admitted he’d engaged in an inappropriate relationship. Multiple media outlets are reporting Summitt, who is married, got one of his players pregnant. Sports Director at KTVE in Monroe, Gene Ponti says says a scandal like this is a black eye on any sports program, and on women’s basketball as a whole…:
cut 10 (10) “are in a hole”

Governor John Bel Edwards says he’ll spend the weekend putting the finishing touches on the proposed budget for next year, which will contain a 750-million cut in state spending. Edwards says the spending plan he’ll present to lawmakers on Tuesday will be very sobering…:
cut 12 (08) “of Louisiana”
Healthcare, higher ed, TOPS and social services are expected to receive cuts.