The Louisiana Office of Alcohol and Tabasco Control begins its annual summer crackdown on underage sales. Michelle Southern reports…

cut 2 (30) “reporting”

The Abbeville Police Department says a Lafayette man has been arrested after leading authorities on a high speed chase. They say, during a traffic stop for reckless operaton, 27-year-old Justin St. Julien, sped away and a chase ensued. St. Julien stopped near the Vermillion River where he tried, unsuccessfully, to flee on foot. St. Julien was arrested on multiple charges including possession of a controlled substance with a firearm.

There are 10 days left in the 2015 legislative session and lawmakers do not appear to be close to balancing the state’s budget. The legislative session ends June 11th. La-Politics-dot-com Publisher Jeremy Alford says the clock is ticking loudly and you can expect things to go down to the wire…

cut 6 (10) “wants to do”

Legislators are tackling a $1.6 billion budget deficit for next fiscal year.

The Grambling State Presidential search has been narrowed to 5 candidates; Dr. Wayne Brumfield, Dr. Gilbert L. Rochon, Dr. Thomas Calhoun, Dr. Willie Larkin, and Dr. Glenda Carter. University spokeswoman Tracy Wright says they will narrow this list down to two on Thursday…

cut 8 (10) “University”

Candidates will begin public interviews today.

We’re in the final 10 days of the legislative session and lawmakers do not appear to be close to agreeing on a revenue-neutral budget as required by Governor Bobby Jindal. La-Politics-dot-com Publisher Jeremy Alford says it seems the key to a revenue-neutral budget is the Senate-passed SAVE tax credit that would provide colleges with a tax credit for raising student fees. He says lawmakers are having a hard time understanding the legislation, especially in the House where the bill is pending…

cut 5 (08) “revenue-neutral”

The SAVE tax credit was to be heard in a House committee Monday, but that hearing has been delayed.

The Grambling State Presidential search has been narrowed to 5 candidates who begin public interviews today. University spokeswoman Tracy Wright says interviewing today are Dr. Wayne Brumfield, Dr. Gilbert L. Rochon, and Dr. Thomas Calhoun. She says tomorrow will be Dr. Willie Larkin and Dr. Glenda Carter. Wright says they are happy with the semi-finalists…

cut 7 (04) “will be”

The interviews will be held at the Betty Smith Nursing Building Auditorium and members of the public and the media are invited to attend.

The Louisiana Office of Alcohol and Tobacco Control announces the start of their 2015 Summer Crackdown on underage sales. ATC Commissioner Troy Hebert says they will be going into businesses with people who are underage trying to buy alcohol or tobacco…:

cut 11 (11) “underage”

Hebert says during last summer’s crackdown, agents issued nearly 900 citations from underage sales.

Baton Rouge Senator Sharon Weston Broome’s bill that would give certain protections to victims of domestic violence when it comes to their housing passes a House committee Monday. Chalmette Representative Raymond Garofalo did not vote in favor of the bill saying he wanted to see it tightened up for the sake of apartment owners…

cut 14 (09) “situations”

Under the measure, a victim could break a lease to escape a violent situation and the landlord could evict an abuser.

There are 10 days left in the 2015 legislative session and lawmakers do not appear to be close to balancing the state’s budget. Legislators are tackling a $1.6 billion budget deficit for next fiscal year. La-Politics-dot-com Publisher Jeremy Alford says lawmakers have serious doubts about being able to produce a revenue-neutral budget as required by Governor Bobby Jindal…

cut 4 (07) “accomplish that”

Alford says it seems the key to a revenue-neutral budget is the Senate-passed SAVE tax credit.

The Louisiana Office of Alcohol and Tobacco Control announces the start of the agency’s annual summer crackdown on underage sales. ATC Commissioner Troy Hebert says with kids out of school, the chances of them drinking or smoking goes up…

cut 10 (10) “people underage”

He says this is the third year they will increase compliance checks statewide during summer months.

A bill that would give certain protections to victims of domestic violence when it comes to their housing passes a House committee Monday. SB174 is by Baton Rouge Senator Sharon Weston Broome. Under the measure, a victim could break a lease to escape a violent situation and the landlord could evict an abuser. Chalmette Representative Raymond Garofalo says his concern with the bill deals with landlords…

cut 13 (09) “abuse victims”

The Senate approved measure now heads to the full House for further consideration.

A bill that would give certain protections to victims of domestic violence when it comes to their housing passes a House committee Monday. SB174 is by Baton Rouge Senator Sharon Weston Broome. Under the measure, a victim could break a lease to escape a violent situation and the landlord could evict an abuser. Chalmette Representative Raymond Garofalo says his concern with the bill deals with landlords…:
CUT 13 (09) “abuse victims”
The Senate approved measure now heads to the full House for further consideration.

State lawmakers are looking at increasing title fees when a person purchases a new or used vehicle by another 50-dollars. Senate Transportation Chairman Robert Adley says the additional revenue will go towards State Police operations, so they can stop taking money away from a fund designed to pay for road and bridge work…:
cut 9 (04) “right thing to do”
The proposed title fee increase has been amended to a bill already passed by the House that’s awaiting a vote in the Senate.

There’s a bill moving through the legislature that would put a hold on Louisiana’s sales tax Holidays as a way to plug the budget hole — at least temporarily, but Senators did not want to temporarily suspend the one in September for firearms. The committee voted 7-2 to remove the gun sales tax holiday from the suspension legislation.

The House Ways and Means Committee delayed Monday’s meeting due to issues with a bill that would establish the SAVE program giving colleges a tax credit for raising fees on students. Chairman Joel Robideaux says he wants to give the administration time to address concerns. The bill faced harsh criticism in the Senate by Karen Carter Peterson who implies that all this proposal does is help the governor’s personal ambitions…:
CUT 1 (11) “unnecessary”

The National Weather Service says floodwaters draining from Texas and Oklahoma continue to cause rising waters in the Red River in Louisiana. Mario Valverde with the National Weather Service in Shreveport says there is already flooding in the area…
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The Red River is expected to crest in Shreveport Saturday at 34 feet.

The City of Baton Rouge has been named the most obese city in America, according to a recent Gallup Poll. Louisiana’s report card is not much better, being ranked as the third most obese state in the nation. Pennington Biomedical Research Center Assistant Professor, Dr. Amanda Staiano (sty-ANN-oh), says if healthier options are offered to students and workers, it would help a lot…
CUT 10 (07) Q: “really help people”
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The LSU Baseball team and U-L Lafayette took care of business this afternoon in the NCAA tournament; both advancing to the Super Regionals. The Tigers defeated UNC Wilmington 2 to nothing, while the Ragin’ Cajuns beat Rice 5-2 at the Houston Regionals. This sets the stage for a huge game between the two South Louisiana powerhouses this weekend at Alex Box Stadium.

Starting today, anyone who buys a saltwater fishing license could win a number of different prizes, including the grand prize of a 22 foot bay boat and trailer. Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Assistant Secretary of Fisheries Randy Pausina says License to Win is a way they are working to gather a very accurate database with angler contact information…
CUT 14 (11) Q: “the best data”
He says they will be holding monthly drawings for an ice chest and a host of gift cards.

Here on this first day of the 2015 Hurricane Season, the Colorado State University forecast team continues to predict tropical activity will be well-below average. Here’s Michelle Southern with more…:
CUT 1 (27) “reporting”

The LSU baseball team has advanced to the NCAA Super-Regionals, as they defeated UNC-Willimgton 2-0 this afternoon. The Tigers will host the game at Alex Box Stadium this weekend against the winner of the UL Lafayette-Rice game at the Houston Regional.
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The Red River is on the rise, and already some farmland and parks along the river are seeing some flooding, stemming from draining floodwaters in Texas and Oklahoma. The Red River will crest Saturday in Shreveport, then it will crest at close to 38 feet next Monday in Alexandria. That’s in the moderate flood category…
CUT 4 (08) Q: “considerable flooding”
That’s Montra Lockwood with National Weather Service in Lake Charles.

A recent Gallup Poll shows Louisiana has the third highest obesity rate in the country. At 33-percent, that tops the national average of nearly 28-percent. Pennington Biomedical Research Center Assistant Professor, Dr. Amanda Staiano (sty-AH-no), says the combination of rich food and sedentary lifestyles contribute to the problem…
CUT 9 (06) “the pounds off”
The City of Baton Rouge is listed as the most obese city in the nation with a rate of nearly 36 percent.

Floodwaters from Texas and Oklahoma are causing the Red River to rise. Mario Valverde with National Weather Service says the Red River is above 30 feet for the first time since 1990 in Shreveport, with most flooding this time around northeast of the river and some homes downriver in the Pineville area. He says the high water could stick around…
CUT 5 (05) “of August”
The crest will happen Saturday in Shreveport.

The Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is updating databases, and offering incentives for anglers to buy a saltwater fishing license with a variety of monthly prize drawings. LDWF Assistant Secretary of Fisheries Randy Pausina says they will be holding monthly drawings, and all fisherman have to do is buy the saltwater fishing license, and provide contact information…
cut 13 (07) “drawing”
Prizes include giftcards and even a 22 foot boat and trailer.
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Today is the first official day of Hurricane Season, the Colorado State University forecast team continues to predict a well-below average season. Report lead author Dr. Phil Klotzbach says there’s about a 15% chance of a strike…
CUT 8 (09) Q: “for you”
He adds the El Nino effect is affecting the low probability forecast.

Louisiana spends almost 3 billion dollars on medical costs that are directly related to our high obesity rate. A recent Gallup Poll shows Louisiana with third highest obesity rate in the nation, and Pennington Biomedical Research Center Assistant Professor, Dr. Amanda Staiano (sty-AN-oh) says that there is a link between obesity and financial hardship. Staiano says healthier options are needed…
cut 11 (08) “poorer neighborhoods”

Here on this first day of the 2015 Atlantic Hurricane Season, the Colorado State University forecast team continues to predict activity will be well-below average. Their summary is based on the likely development of a strong El Nino event as well as continued unfavorable hurricane formation conditions. Report lead author Dr. Phil Klotzbach says it doesn’t mean there will be no impacts…:
CUT 7 (07) “that year”
They predict 8 named storms, three hurricanes and one major hurricane

Louisiana has the third highest obesity rate in the country at 33-percent according to a recent Gallup Poll. Pennington Biomedical Research Center Assistant Professor, Dr. Amanda Staiano (STY-ano), says obesity is a complex issue because it involves the foods we eat and the activity we get, not to mention genetics. She says when healthy options are encouraged, it really makes a difference…:
CUT 10 (07) “really really help people”
The survey lists Baton Rouge as the most obese city in the nation.

The National Weather Service says draining floodwaters from Texas and Oklahoma continue to cause waters to rise in the Red River in Louisiana. Eric Gill reports…:
CUT 2 (29) “reporting”

Legislation that would allow victims of domestic abuse to break a housing or apartment lease to get away from abusers moves closer to final legislative passage after advancing a house committee today. Baton Rouge Senator Sharon Weston Broome says someone could also be automatically evicted if they are named abusers by a state welfare agency. The Senate bill now moves to the full house for further consideration.

A recent Gallup Poll shows Louisiana has the third highest obesity rate in the country. The Bayou State’s obesity rate stands at 33-percent, compared to the national average of nearly 28-percent. Pennington Biomedical Research Center Assistant Professor, Dr. Amanda Staiano (STY-ano), says the combination of tasty food and sedentary pastimes contribute to the state’s obesity rate…:
CUT 9 (06) “the pounds off”
The survey lists Baton Rouge as the most obese city in the nation with an obesity rate of nearly 36-percent.

The Colorado State University Forecast team predicts 8 named storms, three hurricanes and one major hurricane for the 2015 Atlantic Hurricane Season which begins today. This is well below-average and they say it’s driven by the likely formation of a strong El Nino.

Residents in northwest Louisiana are dealing with a swollen Red River. The National Weather Service says the Red is expected to crest in Shreveport Saturday at 34 feet and close to 38 feet Monday in Alexandria.

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries says, starting today, anyone who buys a saltwater fishing license could win various prizes including a 22 foot bay boat and trailer. LDWF Assistant Secretary of Fisheries Randy Pausina says License to Win is a way they are working to gather a very accurate database with angler contact information.
CUT 12 (11) “entered to win”
Pausina says the prizes include YETI ice chests, Shimano gear and gift cards from Whole Foods, Academy Sports and Outdoors and Texaco.

Nobody won the Mega Millions jackpot on Friday so tomorrow night’s drawing is worth an estimated $253 million.

Here on this first day of the 2015 Atlantic Hurricane Season, the Colorado State University forecast team continues to predict activity will be well-below average. Report lead author Dr. Phil Klotzbach says they call for eight named storms, three hurricanes and one major hurricane…:
CUT 6 (09) “this year”
He says the highly likely development of an El Nino event reduces hurricane formation conditions in the tropical Atlantic.

LSU athletic director Joe Alleva criticized the NCAA decision Sunday night to postpone the Baton Rouge Regional finals between LSU and UNCW until Monday at noon. He called it a “ridiculous decision” and added they could’ve easily gotten the game in. UL-Lafayette is in the final round of the Houston Regional. The Cajuns are one win away from the championship. They’ll face Rice at 1PM this afternoon.

The National Weather Service says floodwaters draining from Texas and Oklahoma continue to cause rising waters in the Red River in Louisiana. Mario Valverde with NWS in Shreveport says the river is above 30 feet for the first time since 1990 in Shreveport. The Red is expected to crest there Saturday at 34 feet. Valverde says there is already flooding in the area…:
CUT 3 (10) “water’s too high”
He says normal levels likely won’t return for the river until late July, early August.

The Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s office says they arrested three people over the weekend each for their 4th DWI. They say 29-year-old Cody Heiman of Lumberton, Texas, who ws also found to be in possession of an open pint of vodka, has a $16,000 bond. 44-year-old David Robertson of Sulpher has a $35,000 bond and 50-year-old Reco Arecenueaux of Lake Charles had bond set of $17,000.