The ACLU of Louisiana is calling on the candidates for Governor to address the state’s massive incarceration problem. Executive Director Marjorie Esman says we are the world’s incarceration leader, jailing more people per capita than any place on earth. She says the gubernatorial candidates are talking about fixes for the state’s budget and overlooking a serious crisis…:
CUT 9 (06) “in the world”
Esman says Louisiana wastes millions in tax dollars paying for inmates who pose little to no threat to our society and the candidates should be addressing that.

Sinkholes will now be recognized as threats in the state’s updated hazard mitigation plan. Louisiana is working on the five year plan which must be in place to receive federal money after natural and man made disasters. This is the first time the state is going to map salt domes and their surrounding 1 mil radius in each parish. Authorities believe a failed salt dome caused a nearly 30 acre sinkhole in Assumption Parish in 2012.

A transgender Lake Charles man has filed a federal sex discrimination lawsuit against his former employer, Tower Loan. Eric Gill reports…:
CUT 1 (30) “reporting”

Governor Bobby Jindal is in Ruston where he’ll be making an economic development announcement this afternoon.

21-year-old Tristan Broussard, a transgender Lake Charles man has filed a federal sex discrimination lawsuit against his former employer. The suit alleges that during a review of Broussard’s employment paperwork at Tower Loan, it was noticed that his driver’s licence listed his sex as female. After the company’s vice president found out, One of Broussard’s attorneys, Amy Whelan, says Broussard was pulled into a meeting…

cut 4 (10) “would be fired”

A Tower Loan spokesman says they do not comment on personnel issues or issues involving pending litigation.

According to the Natchitoches Police Department, the assistant principal at Frankie Ray Jackson Senior Technical Center is under arrest for allegedly paddling a teacher. Captain Chris Payne says they got a complaint in February that a female teacher at the school had a battery committed upon her and they began an investigation…

cut 7 (08) “Goldonna, Louisiana”

Vogel was arrested this week for simple battery.

Louisiana college students will rally at the state capitol today to voice their concerns about a potential 600-million dollar cut in state funding to public colleges and universities. Stephanie Travis, who chairs the Council of Student Body Presidents, says she started at Southeastern Louisiana in 2009 and has seen how previous budget cuts have impacted the Hammond campus..

cut 10 (07) “previous years”

Lawmakers are looking at how they can preserve higher education, but finding ways to raise revenue to prevent drastic cuts will be difficult.

State Police say a single vehicle crash in Concordia Parish has claimed the lives of a man and a child and sent another child to the hospital. Authorities say 28-year-old Zachery Giles of Jonesville lost control of his vehicle, exited the roadway, and struck a tree. Giles and one passenger, 9-year-old Autumn Giles, were pronounced dead at the scene. A 4-year-old boy, who was also in the vehicle, received moderate injuries and transported to an area hospital. Investigators say none of the occupants were restrained and excessive speed is a suspected factor in the crash.

The Natchitoches Police Department says the assistant principal at Frankie Ray Jackson Senior Technical Center is under arrest for allegedly paddling a teacher. Captain Chris Payne says they got the complaint in February that a female teacher at the school had a battery committed upon her…:
CUT 6 (07) “Vogel”
64-year-old Hugo Vogel was arrested this week for simple battery and was later released on $303 bond. Motive for the alleged battery is unclear.

A transgender Lake Charles man has filed a federal sex discrimination lawsuit against his former employer. 21-year-old Tristan Broussard alleges he was fired from Tower Loan when it was discovered he used to be a woman. Attorney Amy Whelan (WAY-lan), says this is a violation of federal law…:
CUT 3 (10) “sex discrimination”
Tower Loan is not commenting on the matter.

Former Florida Governor and possible presidential contender Jeb Bush endorses US Senator David Vitter in this year’s governor’s race. Eric Gill reports…:
CUT 1 (29) “reporting”

Governor Bobby Jindal is making yet another economic development announcement today. Jindal’s office says they’ll be in Ruston for a 1:40pm big report at the Old Central Station.

The New Orleans Pelicans are playing a really big game tonight which if they win they will be in the Western Conference playoffs for the first time since 2011. The Pels take on the Spurs in The Big Easy tonight at 7.

Louisiana college students are expected to rally on the state capitol steps today against proposed deep budget cuts to higher education. Jeff Palermo has the story…

cut 3 (30) “reporting”

The Natchitoches Police Department has arrested an assistant principal accused of paddling a female teacher. After an investigation, authorities allege that Hugo Vogel, Assistant Principal of Frankie Ray Jackson, Sr. Technical Center, struck a teacher with a paddle on the buttocks in a February incident. Vogel has been charged with simple battery.

Today is tax day and even though many have already settled up with Uncle Sam, there are still millions who have yet to file and are waiting till the last minute. Bill Potter, a CPA in Baton Rouge, says a lot of people procrastinate because they owe money, but most taxpayers get refunds so it’s always better to file and the sooner the better…

cut 9 (06) “get their refund”

Only federal returns are due today. The deadline for filing state taxes is May 15th.

During a speech on the House floor, Bossier City Representative Mike Johnson tried to clear up some of the misconceptions of his so-called religious freedom bill. Johnson’s bill seeks to prevent the state from denying a resident a business license or tax deduction because of that person’s religious belief about marriage…

cut 14 (10) “regardless of their views”

Johnson says his bill does not promote discrimination against gays and lesbians.

Former Florida Governor Jeb Bush endorses US Senator David Vitter in this year’s governor’s race. Bush will appear with Vitter today at a fundraising event in New Orleans. Political analyst Clancy Dubos says this is not a surprise as the senator has contacts at the national level to secure endorsements like this…

cut 4 (10) “some momentum”

Bush is considering a run for the Republican presidential nomination.

Today is tax day and there are still millions who are waiting till the last minute to file. Bill Potter, a CPA in Baton Rouge, says one of the most common mistakes people make is getting their social security number wrong. He says it’s also important to report ALL your income…

cut 8 (11) “IRS super computers”

If you make less than $60,000 a year you can log on to irs-dot-gov and choose from several different commercial software companies that let you file your taxes for free.

Bossier City Representative Mike Johnson spoke on the House floor Tuesday to try and clear up some of the misconceptions of his so-called religious freedom bill. Johnson says his bill does not promote discrimination against gays and lesbians. He says ideas about marriage change with the times and it’s up to lawmakers to figure out how we’re going to coexist…

cut 15 (04) “to live freely”

Johnson says he plans to change the language in his bill, when it gets its first hearing in the House Civil Law committee.

Louisiana college students will gather at the state capitol today to express their concerns about a potential 600-million dollar cut in state funding to higher ed. Stephanie Travis, who chairs the council of student body presidents, is concerned that legislators will realize that the easiest solution is to raise tuition and fees, but they’ve already gone up enough…

cut 12 (10) “70-percent”

So far in previous budget hearings, lawmakers have talked about the importance of finding a way to stop the cuts to higher ed.

Federal taxes are due today and Michelle Southern has some tips for last-minute filers..
cut 2 (30) “…reporting”

Former Florida governor Jeb Bush, a presidential hopeful, will be in New Orleans today for a fundraiser for Republican Senator David Vitter, who is running for governor. Political analyst Clancy Dubos says Vitter is not the only one to benefit from this endorsement…
cut 6 (06) “….a favor”

College students are expected to be at the state capitol today to urge lawmakers not to make significant cuts to higher education, despite a one-point-six billion dollar shortfall. Southeastern Louisiana student body president Stephanie Travis says raising tuition is not the answer either…
cut 11 (08) “…an increase in tuition”

Bossier City Representative Mike Johnson says his religious freedom bill has been misunderstood. During a speech on the House floor, Johnson says it does not promote discrimination against gays and lesbians, but it prevents the government from taking action against people who oppose same-sex marriage….
cut 13 (08) “…involved it’
The House Civil Law committee will likely debate the bill at a future date and Johnson says he’ll amend the legislation in an attempt to lessen the opposition against his measure.

Louisiana college students will rally at the state capitol today to express their concerns about a potential 600-million dollar cut in state funding to public universities. Stephanie Travis, who chairs the council of student body presidents, says she started at Southeastern Louisiana in 2009 and has seen how previous budget cuts have impacted the Hammond campus….
cut 10 (07) “….previous years”

Former Florida governor Jeb Bush is in New Orleans today for a fundraiser to help Republican Senator David Vitter’s gubernatorial campaign. Presidential hopefuls Rand Paul and Chris Christie have also endorsed Vitter. Political analyst Clancy Dubos says these endorsements will help Vitter’s campaign, but endorsements alone will not get him elected…
cut 5 (10) “….the linchpin”
Today is tax day and there are still millions who have yet to file and are waiting till the last minute. If you file electronically, it must be done by midnight. But Bill Potter, a CPA in Baton Rouge, says if you don’t think you’re gonna make it, then you can file an extension….
cut 7 (11) “…with that form”
And remember only federal returns are due today. The state filing deadline is May 15th.

A family in LaFourche Parish is grieving today over the death of a three-year-old child who fell into a drainage canal and was swept away by the strong current brought on by heavy rainfall. The child’s father located the boy about 15 minutes later, 75 yards downstream.

Bossier City Representative Mike Johnson took to the House floor today to try and clear up some of the misconceptions of his so-called religious freedom bill. Johnson says his bill does not promote discrimination against gays and lesbians. He says it’s only an attempt to safe guard religious freedom…
cut 13 (08) “…involved in it”
Johnson’s bill seeks to prevent the state from denying a resident a business license or tax deduction because of that person’s religious belief about marriage. But state representative John Bel Edwards says the legislation is vaguely written…
cut 14 (08) “….interracial marriage”
Johnson plans to change the language in his bill, when it gets its first hearing in the House Civil Law committee.

Louisiana college students will rally at the state capitol tomorrow afternoon to express their concerns about a potential 600-million dollar cut in state funding to public colleges and universities. Stephanie Travis, who chairs the council of student body presidents, says she started at Southeastern Louisiana in 2009 and has seen how previous budget cuts have impacted the Hammond campus
Cut 10 (07) “previous years”
Lawmakers are looking at how they can preserve higher education, but finding ways to raise revenue to prevent drastic cuts will be difficult. Travis says raising tuition on students is NOT the answer

State Representative Paul Hollis was not in Baton Rouge today as he continues to recover from an automobile accident that occurred with the new security system installed at the state capitol. State Police Lt. J-B Slaton says they are investigating, but it appears the security system worked properly.

Rock and Roll and Louisiana Hall of Fame musician Percy Sledge has passed away at the age of 73. Sledge, who had been battling liver cancer, died shortly after midnight Tuesday in Baton Rouge. Louisiana Music Hall of Fame Director Mike Shepherd says it’s a sad day…:
CUT 6 (08) “wanna meet”

At the State Capitol, Covington Representative Paul Hollis had a pretty rough first day of the legislative session. He was driving his car through a parking lot, when the new security system went off and two bollards shot up from the ground through the front of his car. State Police spokesman Lt. JB Slaton says it appears Hollis was following a delivery truck that was exiting the lot…
CUT 3 (07) “the same time”
Hollis suffered a concussion, and a broken hand.
—————————
Heavy showers and thunderstorms have been moving through South Louisiana since early this morning and it appears that more rain is on the way…
CUT 2 (30) “reporting”

The Miss USA Pageant announces they will be returning to Louisiana for the July 12th, 2015 live broadcast from the Baton Rouge River Center at 7 pm on NBC. Last year, the pageant attracted about 5.5 million viewers and created over two and a half million dollars in hotel revenue.

A Louisiana music legend has left us. Percy Sledge passed away at his Baton Rouge home early this morning. The man who recorded “When A Man Loves A Woman” was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2005. Louisiana Music Hall of Fame Director Mike Shepherd says they inducted the R&B singer into the in 2007 and his reaction to the award was memorable…:
CUT 7 (10) “that’s how he felt”
Percy Sledge was 73.

There’s a little less state-wide coverage of rain through this evening, but forecasters are telling us that’s only temporary, especially in the south…
CUT 9 (09) Q: ‘this morning’
That’s Donald Jones, with the National Weather Service in Lake Charles.
———————-
It was as rough day at the office for Covington Representative Paul Hollis, at the parking area at the State Capitol, attempting to get behind a moving delivery truck. State Police spokesman Lt. JB Slaton says-with the new security system-only one vehicle can go through at a time. Two bollards shot up from the ground through the front of his car.
CUT 4 (10) Q: “bollards re-engage.”
Hollis broke his right hand and suffered a concussion.

Representative Mike Johnson’s Religious Freedom Bill is facing some uncertainty in the House, as it was the only bill not assigned to a committee to hearing. Governor Bobby Jindal says he supports the bill, while State representative and gubernatorial candidate John Bel Edwards says as of right now the legislation is vaguely written….
cut 14 (08) “interracial marriage”