Juveniles tried and convicted as adults must be given a shot at parole, the US Supreme Court ruled today on a case out of Baton Rouge. Jeff Palermo reports…:
CUT 1 (29) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

LSU has released its plan for how it would have to deal with a 65 million dollar cut that the Edwards Administration told them to prepare for in order to help repair Louisiana’s $750 million dollar midyear shortfall. $131 million would be cut across all universities. LSU says the plans include potential of cutting faculty and staff and increasing student fees.

A LaPlace man who allegedly failed to render aid to his 90-year-old grandmother as she laid on the floor is charged with negligent homicide in her death. The St. John the Baptist Parish Sheriff’s Office says 33-year-old Neil Oberoi admitted he saw his grandmother on the floor Friday evening and she was calling for help, but he ignored her pleas. Several hours later he called 911 to report his grandmother was not waking up, and she was pronounced dead on arrival. Oberoi is also booked with cruelty to the infirmed.

The Barksdale Air Force Base airman fatally stabbed during a fight at a Bossier City night club is identified as 34-year-old Technical Sergeant Zechariah Casagranda. Bossier City PD spokesman Mark Natale says 21-year-old Benjamin William Shaw of Killeen, Texas is charged with second degree murder:
CUT 5 (08) “incarcerated up there”

People who were sentenced to life without parole for convictions received when they were under 18 will now have the opportunity for a chance at freedom. A Baton Rouge man who’s been at Angola for over 50 years argued he was a changed man and should be allowed parole eligibility because he was 17 when he murdered a cop. Loyola law professor Dane Ciolino says the high court has consistently limited states’ ability to impose harsh sentences on juveniles…:
CUT 6 (10) “and unusual”

Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne says Louisiana will no longer use an online booking portal that state employees were required to use under the Jindal administration. Dardenne said, as Lt. Governor, he opposed the use of HotelPlanner.com because it was an out of state booking company and didn’t produce budget savings. Dardenne says state workers should be able to choose an option that is the least expensive and most convenient.

Bad electrical work in the attic of a West Monroe duplex is what investigators believe started a fire that left a family of 4 all on life support. The parents, including a pregnant mother, were in their mid 20s and had a 5-year-old and a 7 month old — all are in critical condition. Brant Thompson with the State fire Marshal’s office said the home had no working smoke alarms…:
CUT 11 (05) “a fire”
The investigation into the fire is ongoing.

Although the state faces a $750 million mid-year budget deficit, state employees in four departments are getting raises that former Governor Bobby Jindal approved just before leaving office. LaPolitics-dot-com publisher Jeremy Alford says Governor John Bel Edwards is determined to get to the bottom of this issue…:
cut 14 (09) “back to him”
The state is liable for the raises, which have already gone into effect.

The state Fire Marshal’s Office says a family of four is on life support following a Sunday fire in West Monroe. Eric Gill reports…:
CUT 2 (29) “I’m Eric Gill”

We’re continuing to see the price of gasoline go down, by almost a penny a day. Monday’s statewide average for a gallon of regular was $1.64, down a nickel from the same time last week.

It will be Carolina and Denver in Super Bowl 50. For New Orleans native, Peyton Manning, it will be his fourth appearance in the Super Bowl . The game will also feature former LSU Tiger, Trai Turner, who is a starting guard for the Panthers.

Governor John Bel Edwards inherited fresh pay raises for employees at four departments that were granted by former Governor Bobby Jindal “at the 11th hour,” even though the state faces a $750 million dollar deficit. LaPolitics.com publisher Jeremy Alford, who first reported the news, says these pay raises add up to at least $19 million for the remainder of this fiscal year and next fiscal year…:
CUT 13 (10) “next fiscal year”

On a case out of Baton Rouge, the US Supreme Court rules juvenile offenders serving life must be given the chance at parole. Henry Montgomery was 17 in 1963 when he killed an East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s deputy, and he’s argued that he is now a changed man since being at Angola all this time. Loyola law professor Dane Ciolino says juvenile offenders serving life who are now adults have the opportunity to argue they have been reformed…:
CUT 8 (11) “50 years ago”

Juveniles tried and convicted as adults must be given a shot at parole, the US Supreme Court ruled today on a case out of Baton Rouge….:
CUT 1 (29) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Although the state faces a $750 million dollar budget deficit, state employees in four departments are getting raises that former Governor Bobby Jindal okayed just before leaving office. LaPolitics-dot-com publisher Jeremy Alford says these pay hikes really add up…:
CUT 12 (05) “pay raises”

A young West Monroe family is clinging to life after sustaining critical injuries from a house fire, according to the State Fire Marshal’s office. The victims are a 26-year-old man, his 24 year old pregnant wife, and their 5 year old and 7 month old children. Deputy Chief Brant Thompson says they believe faulty wiring in the attic sparked the blaze and the family couldn’t get out…:
CUT 10 (07) “bedroom unit”
The investigation into the fire is ongoing.

Bossier Police have identified 34-year-old Technical Sergeant Zechariah Casagranda as the Barksdale Air Force Base airman who was killed over the weekend following an argument at a night club. Police spokesman Mark Natale says they believe alcohol was a contributing factor in the fight which led to the victim’s stabbing…:
CUT 4 (07) “a homicide”
21-year-old Benjamin William Shaw of Killeen, Texas has been arrested in connection with Casagranda’s death.

People who were sentenced to life for crimes they committed as juveniles now must be given the chance at parole. The US Supreme court ruled on a case out of Baton Rouge today. Loyola law professor Dane Ciolino says Henry Montgomery, convicted at 17 in 1963, will now get his case back in Louisiana and likely before a parole board hearing…:
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The Supreme Court ruled in 2012 that because children have a heightened capacity for change, states can not automatically sentence them to life in prison.

The Army Corps of Engineers have begun closing the Bonnet Carre Spillway. The process started today, will end in February when the final pins are put back in place. The spillway was opened January 10th to help divert water out of the swollen Mississippi River and into Lake Pontchartain.

The state Fire Marshal’s Office says a family of four is on life support following a Sunday fire in West Monroe. Deputy Chief Brant Thompson says 26-year-old Jeremiah Owojori (oh-wa-jor-ee), his 24-year-old pregnant wife Ashley, and their two sons, aged 5-years and 7-months are clinging to life. He says they believe the fire started in the attic…:
CUT 9 (11) “to this fire”
He says the family was unable to escape the blaze and are all struggling to stay alive.

Juveniles tried and convicted as adults must be given a shot at parole, the US Supreme Court ruled today on a case out of Baton Rouge. When Henry Montgomery was 17, he killed an East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s deputy and has been at Angola since the 1963 murder. Legal analyst Dane Ciolino says the high court has consistently limited states ability to impose harsh sentences on juveniles…:
CUT 6 (10) “and unusual”
Montgomery believes his rehabilitation in prison should make him eligible for parole. The Louisiana Supreme Court rejected his claim, but the decision is now reversed.

Fire investigators believe faulty electrical wiring is what caused a blaze in West Monroe which left a family of four, including a pregnant woman, on life support. The State Fire Marshals office say the critical victims are a 26-year-old man, his 24-year-old pregnant wife, and their 5-year-old and 7 month old sons.

34-year-old Technical Sergeant Zechariah Casagranda has been identified as the Barksdale Air Force Base airman who was fatally stabbed in Bossier City. Police say Casagranda was killed during an incident over the weekend involving two groups of men outside a night club. Mark Natale with Bossier City PD says it began when the airman and suspect bumped into each other on the dance floor, but became physical when the club closed…:
CUT 3 (10) “stabbed the victim”
Casagranda died at a local hospital shortly after the incident.

The wife of the late New Orleans chef Paul Pruhomme has donated about 600 personal cookbooks to a museum in The Big Easy which is dedicated to southern cuisine. The Southern Food & Beverage Museum says the donation also includes Pruhomme’s wine and food documents and books on food science.

New Louisiana Economic Development Secretary Don Pierson begins meeting with local economic development groups emphasizing small business success. Eric Gill reports…:
CUT 1 (29) “I’m Eric Gill”

Fire officials believe a wood burning stove caused a deadly fire in Ponchatoula over the weekend. They say it happened at a camp on the Tangipahoa River that had no electrical power and was only accessible by boat. 54-year-old Elizabeth Piner was able to flee on a vessel, but once the fire was extinguished, investigators located the body of her friend, 57-year-old Joel Hall.

LSU is reportedly set to release a budget cut plan today after receiving news from the Edwards administration it could be losing $65 million dollars as part of a $131 million dollar cut across higher ed institutions in Louisiana. Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne…:
CUT 10 (09) “shortfall”
Dardenne says the governor is open to suggestions from others who have a different approach to the budget problems.

Govenor John Bel Edwards says one possible way to help with the state’s $750 million dollar mid-year deficit is to raise the cigarette tax. He sent out a proposal of a 22 cent increase, but Randy Hayden with Invest in a healthy Louisiana says that’s not enough. He says compared to our surrounding southern states, we still have very low taxes on tobacco products…:
Cut 8 (10) “on it”

Governor John Bel Edwards is proposing to raise the cigarette tax by 22 cents but one organization doesn’t think that’s enough. Emelie Gunn has more…

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For the week ending January 16th, initial unemployment insurance claims in Louisiana dropped by over 700 claims. In figures released by the state labor department Friday, initial claims fell to 3,485 from 4,203 the week before. Continued unemployment claims rose by over 550 claims during the same time period.

The Edwards administration has told higher education leaders that a cut in state funding to public colleges and universities is likely this fiscal year because of the budget crisis. Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne says their goal is to come up with a plan that will not burden taxpayers but at the same time prevent drastic cuts in state funding…

cut 12 (08) “are provided”

Darden says higher ed could face a cut of up to $131 million.

New Louisiana Economic Development Secretary Don Pierson starts a statewide tour today, emphasizing small business growth. Pierson says economic development starts small and on the local level. He says LED stands ready to help small business flourish with 10 Small Business Development Centers throughout the state…

cut 6 (07) “these centers”

He says 97-percent of employers across Louisiana are small businesses.

The Edwards Administration has informed public universities in Louisiana that cuts are likely to come this fiscal year. Jeff Palermo has more…

cut 3 (29) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

The state Fire Marshal’s Office says a fire in West Monroe has critically injured a family of four, including a pregnant mother. 26-year-old Jeremiah Owojori and his 7-month old son were transported to an area hospital where they remain on life support. His pregnant wife, 24-year-old Ashley and their 5-year-old son were transported to LSU Medical Center in Shreveport where they remain in critical condition. Authorities suspect faulty wiring led to the fire. The investigation is ongoing.

A former teacher’s aide was acquitted of molestation of a juvenile by a St. Tammany Parish jury. Wendell Troullier was arrested in 2014 after a 10-year-old boy claimed he was inappropriately touched while at the man’s house. Defense attorney Robby Gill says Troullier was never arrested before this case and he maintained his innocence throughout, even during intense interrogation at police headquarters…

cut 14 (06) “period”

Troullier, who was employed by the St. Tammany Parish School System for 11 years, was fired following his arrest.

Governor John Bel Edwards has proposed a 22 cent hike in the cigarette tax to help with the state’s budget crisis. Consultant with the Invest in a Healthy Louisiana campaign Randy Hayden says right now it looks like this proposed tax could go up or down, depending on negotiations…

cut 9 (11) “health outcomes”

He says studies show cigarette tax increases start to impact health when they’re raised over a dollar.

The Edwards administration says a cut in state funding for higher education is likely this fiscal year. Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne says, unfortunately, this is just the reality of where we are as a state…

cut 11 (11) “next year”

He says at this point the cut could be as much as 131 million dollars.

Governor John Bel Edwards has suggested a 22 cent cigarette tax increase to help with the state’s budget deficit. Consultant with the Invest in a Healthy Louisiana campaign Randy Hayden says compared to our surrounding southern states, we still have very low taxes on tobacco products…

cut 8 (10) “on it”

The campaign suggests raising the cigarette tax another $1.25 per pack.

Today, new Louisiana Economic Development Secretary Don Pierson begins a statewide emphasizing small business success in the state. Pierson says the state’s current budget crisis will certainly be topic of discussion in how it could impact small business…

cut 5 (08) “point for us”

Pierson will visit 10 cities through February 5th.

A St. Tammany Parish jury acquits a former teacher’s aide of molestation of a juvenile. Wendell Troullier was arrested by Slidell Police in 2014 after a 10-year-old boy said Troullier touched him inappropriately while at the man’s house. Defense attorney Robby Gill says the lead detective said during the trial that they never took DNA from the child, which led to the jury finding Troullier not guilty…

cut 13 (12) “penetration”

Troullier was facing a minimum 25-year prison sentence if found guilty.