A recent LSU Public Policy Research Lab poll finds support for legally recognized same-sex marriage in Louisiana lags well behind the national average, but the gap between supporters and opponents is shrinking. Director Michael Henderson says national support for same-sex marriage is between 55- and 60-percent…:
CUT 3 (09) “as the nation”
He says the disparity between supporters an opponents is down to 9-percent, compared to 17-percent two years ago.

There has been somewhat of a surprise turn in the Darren Sharper case. The former New Orleans Saints star was expected to plead guilty to drug and rape charges in state court today in New Orleans, but the judge decided to hold off the arraignment until the federal case was resolved. Some analysts say this could be a sign that there’s been a “snag” in Sharper’s global plea deal which would reportedly send him to jail for 9 years to cover the similar charges in four states.

The state Department of Education says Louisiana’s four-year high school graduation rate was at a record high in 2014 and increased for the fourth straight year. Superintendent John White says about 75% of students who entered 9th grade, graduated in 2014 which is a 1.1% increase over the prior year…:
CUT 10 (07) “four years ago”
White says this increase is a great sign for our state and a true testament to the hard work and devotion of teachers, principals and families.

The story of the Monroe girl who was reportedly told she wouldn’t be allowed to attend prom at Carroll High School if she for a tuxedo is making national headlines. Claudetteia Love, who is openly gay, claims the principal told her the dance dress code does not permit girls to wear a tux. Spring break is underway but apparently the Department of Justice has said they are going to get involved when people get back in town because they say it’s illegal to prohibit a girl from wearing a tux to the dance.

A lawmaker from Kenner is sponsoring legislation for the upcoming session that would criminalize so-called “revenge porn.” The measure would make it illegal to disclose a sexual image of someone without their consent. Representative Julie Stokes says House Bill 489 would ensure that people who spread private pictures without permission are held accountable…:
CUT 6 (05) “in Louisiana”
Penalties for this offense include a fine of up to $10,000 and up to two years in jail or both.

Former New Orleans Saints star Darren Sharper was expected to plead guilty today in state court to charges related to drugging and raping women but the judge decided to delay the arraignment until federal issues are resolved. The new state hearing was set for June 15th. It’s expected Sharper will enter a guilty plea for federal drug charges in district court on May 21st.

Republican US Senator David Vitter begins to unveil his plan on leading Louisiana into the future as governor. Eric Gill reports…:
CUT 1 (30) “reporting”

According to a report from the LSU AgCenter, Louisiana agriculture as a whole contributed $12.7 billion dollars to the state’s economy in 2014. The summary indicates net value for all sectors was up 7.6 percent, or $900 million dollars, from 2013. It’s the third year in a row Louisiana farmers broke records in the value of their commodities.

The state Department of Education says Louisiana’s four-year high school graduation rate was at a record high in 2014 and increased for the fourth straight year. Scott Carwile reports…

cut 2 (30) “reporting”

Four underage college students from Louisiana were arrested in Alabama hauling a trailer full of alcohol to spring break. Mobile County Sheriff’s Deputies say they pulled over the truck because of expired tags. A subsequent search of the trailer found over 100 18-packs of beer and numerous containers of hard liquor. Authorities say the teens were not drunk and will be charged with minor in possession of alcohol. Their names have not been released.

Republican US Senator David Vitter begins revealing his plan on leading Louisiana into the future as governor. It’s called “Together, Louisiana Strong” and the first two chapters have been released with others following in the coming weeks. Vitter says his education plan includes getting Louisiana out of Common Core and enhancing technical and skills training for high school students…

cut 9 (09) “a four-year degree”

You can get more information at DavidVitter-dot-com.

A study commissioned by the Louisiana Film Entertainment Association shows that movies made in the state created up to $4 billion dollars in economic output in 2013. LFEA executive director David Tatman says the economic impact of film tax incentives are felt throughout the entire state of Louisiana…

cut 15 (10) “healthy industry”

Changes to the state’s film tax credit program have been proposed for the upcoming legislative session.

The Louisiana Film Entertainment Association says a study they commissioned found that movies made here created up to $4 billion dollars in economic output in 2013. Michelle Southern reports…

cut 3 (30) “reporting”

Alexandria Police have arrested a woman in connection with a hit and run that sent a teenage girl to the hospital. Authorities say the 16-year-old victim was assisting in pushing a stalled vehicle off the roadway when they were struck by another vehicle that then fled the scene. Officers later arrested 36-year-old Dana Piper on multiple charges including DWI and hit and run. The victim remains hospitalized in serious condition.

According to the state Department of Education, Louisiana’s four-year high school graduation rate was at a record high in 2014 and increased for the fourth straight year. Superintendent John White says of the nearly 1600 additional students graduating in 2014, more than 1200 are of a minority racial group and more than 1230 are from low income homes…

cut 12 (09) “backgrounds”

White says this increase is a great sign for our state and a true testament to the hard work and devotion of teachers, principals and families.

Funeral services are scheduled this afternoon for Loreauvile Mayor Albert Broussard. Broussard was killed in a car crash Friday night. New Iberia State Representative Taylor Barras says Broussard loved Loreauville and loved serving his community…

cut 5 (09) “the same time”

Broussard is survived by his fiancee, a son, and two daughters.

The state Department of Education says Louisiana’s four-year high school graduation rate has increased for the fourth straight year. Superintendent John White says in the class of 2014, nearly 1600 more students graduated than did in the class of 2013 and nearly 3,440 more students than in 2011…

cut 11 (09) “annually”

Louisiana’s four-year high school graduation rate was at a record high in 2014.

Republican US Senator David Vitter begins unveiling “Together, Louisiana Strong”, his plan on leading Louisiana into the future as governor. Vitter says he would immediately call a special legislative session to deal exclusively with the budget crisis, if elected. He says one of the key areas of focus in that session would be to protect and enhance the Transportation Trust Fund…

cut 8 (05) “roads and bridges”

Vitter calls his plan a blueprint for building a brighter future for all Louisianians.

Funeral services will be held today for Loreauvile Mayor Albert Broussard. Broussard was killed in a car crash Friday night. New Iberia State Representative Taylor Barras says it’s a sad day for the small, tight-knit community…

cut 4 (10) “the village forward”

Services are scheduled for 1PM at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Loreauville.

A study commissioned by the Louisiana Film Entertainment Association found that movies made here created up to $4 billion dollars in economic output in 2013. HR&A Advisors Partner Shuprotim Bhaumik says based on a survey of nearly 1400 recent visitors to Louisiana, 14.5% said they were spurred to visit Louisiana because of a television show or movie that was filmed here…

cut 14 (08) “activities”

Changes to the film tax credit program will be considered in the upcoming legislative session.

Republican US Senator David Vitter begins to unveil his plan on leading Louisiana into the future as governor. Vitter calls the plan “Together, Louisiana Strong”. He has released the first two chapters; one dealing with staying in touch with Louisiana citizens while governor and the second focusing on stabilizing the budget through spending and tax reform…

cut 7 (09) “crisis level”

You can get more information at DavidVitter-dot-com.

The state Department of Education says Louisiana’s four-year high school graduation rate was at a record high in 2014 and increased for the fourth straight year. Superintendent John White says about 75% of students who entered 9th grade, graduated in 2014 which is a 1.1% increase over the prior year…

cut 10 (07) “four years ago”

White says this increase is a great sign for our state and a true testament to the hard work and devotion of teachers, principals and families.

The Louisiana Film Entertainment Association says a study they commissioned found that movies made here created up to $4 billion dollars in economic output in 2013. HR&A Advisors Partner Shuprotim Bhaumik says over 33,000 jobs and over $1.2 billion in personal income can be attributed to the state’s film tax credits. He also says the movie industry attracts tourists…

cut 13 (09) “induced tourists”

The study surveyed nearly 1400 recent visitors to Louisiana. Changes to the state’s film tax credit program have already been proposed for the upcoming legislative session. Those include capping the program and making administrative changes to help prevent fraud.

On NBC’s “Meet the Press,” Governor Bobby Jindal discussed the religious freedom bills debates that has created some controversy in the past weeks. Jindal says forcing businesses to participate in a same-sex wedding ceremony, when they have a religious objection, is a Constitutional issue…
CUT 5 (06) “their religious beliefs”
Bossier City Representative Mike Johnson has already filed a religious freedom bill for our state.

Even though it’s been common knowledge that Lt. Governor Jay Dardenne is running for governor, he made it official today. He says Louisiana is in horrible financial shape right now and he plans to go to work on budget matters from day one…:
CUT 13 (09) “to celebrate”
Dardenne says his office will work to end the practice of using one-time money to pay for ongoing expenses.

According to the United States Public Interest Research Group, federal data from 2014 indicates that over 1,800 bridges in Louisiana need repairs. Eric Gill reports…:
CUT 1 (30) “reporting”

There’s somebody on Craigslist who is selling what appears to be an authentic 2009 Saints Superbowl ring. The ad says the ring is currently owned by a former Saints player and is in perfect condition — but it does not say who is selling the jewelry other than it’s location being in Atlanta, Georgia. Asking price is $45,000.

On NBC’s Meet The Press Sunday, Governor Bobby Jindal was asked some questions about the religious freedom debate that’s created a national controversy in the past couple of weeks. The Louisiana bill from Bossier City Representative Mike Johnson, would permit private businesses to deny the same benefits to same-sex couples as other married couples based on a religious objection. Jindal says the question is about religious liberty…
CUT 4 (11) “held beliefs”

Facing charges that he drugged women in order to rape them, former New Orleans Saints star Darren Sharper entered a plea of not guilty today in US District court in New Orleans. In reality, it’s just a formality, since a magistrate judge cannot accept a guilty plea for a felony. Sharper has a multi-state pleas deal in the works for his crimes.
———————————————-
Lt. Governor Jay Dardenne officially kicked off his campaign for Governor today. In his announcement, Dardenne said he’s already logged thousands of Louisiana miles in his current job, which he says will continue for his new one…:
cut 12 (08) “and Shreveport”
Dardenne says he’d work out of an existing state office in each location so it wouldn’t cost any more money.

A Louisiana State Trooper has been injured in a drunk driving stop in East Baton Rouge Parish on I-12 Sunday morning. The unidentified trooper was taking care of one drunk driving crash, when he was hit by another drunk driver, 24 year-old Magen Hall of Zachary. Trooper Dustin Dwight says these cases are unacceptable…
CUT 11 (10) Q: “Megen”

Governor Bobby Jindal made an appearance on NBC’s Meet The Press to talk about the religious freedom debate that’s created a national controversy. When asked, Jindal says this issue is about business owners that don’t want to have to choose between their religious beliefs and being able to operate their businesses…
CUT 3 (09) “those ceremonies”

It’s official, Lt. Governor Jay Dardenne is running for governor, as he announced today. In the campaign playing field, Dardenne has significantly less campaign cash on hand than fellow Republican front-runner US Senator David Vitter. But he says he’s OK with that…
CUT 14 (08) Q: ‘the best idea’
He says the first thing to tackle is to fix the huge state budget shortfall .
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According to the US Public Interest Research Group, federal data from 2014 indicates that over 1,800 bridges in Louisiana need repairs. The Federal Highway Administration lists these bridges in Louisiana as “structurally deficient”. Louisiana Department of Transportation spokesman Rodney Mallett says motorists should not be frightened by this designation…
CUT 6 (07) “for repairs”

State Police say one of their troopers was injured in a crash involving a drunk driver Sunday morning while investigating another DWI related accident in East Baton Rouge Parish. Trooper Dustin Dwight says the unidentified trooper had the first DWI suspect inside his vehicle parked on the side of I-12 and was finishing up the paperwork for that accident report…:
CUT 9 (06) “back of him”
That car was driven by 24-year-old Magen Hall of Zachary.

Lt. Governor Jay Dardenne officially kicked off his campaign for Governor today…:
CUT 2 (30) “reporting”

The man who founded the Catholic Diocese of Shreveport has passed away. Seventy-three year-old Bishop William Friend passed away at his home in Coral Springs, Florida. Friend founded the Shreveport Diosese in 1989 under Pope John Paull II, and remained bishop until his retirement, logging 47 years of active priesthood.
—————————-
On NBC’s “Meet the Press” yesterday, Governor Bobby Jindal discussed the Religious Freedom bills debates that has created some controversy in the past weeks. Jindal says forcing businesses to participate in a same-sex wedding ceremony, when they have a religious objection, is a Constitutional issue…
CUT 5 (06) “their religious beliefs”
Here in Louisiana, Bossier City Respresentative Mike Johnson has already filed a religious freedom bill for our state.

The Federal Highway Administration is showing a list of over 1,800 bridges in Louisiana are reportedly “structurally deficient”, as the state faces a $12 billion backlog in delayed road and bridge maintenance projects. DOTD spokesman Rodney Mallet…
CUT 8 (09) Q; “address those”
This could take some time, given the state budget crisis.