Indiana is taking a lot of heat for its new “religious freedom” law. Sarah Jane Brady, with the Forum for Equality, hopes Louisiana can learn from Indiana when they push a law in the upcoming session that protects discrimination against people based on their sexual orientation and gender identity…
cut 12 (10) “…here in Louisiana”

A poll released by LSU shows that there is support for multistate educational standards in math and english, but when Common Core is used to describe those standards, support drops significantly. Michael Henderson, director of the LSU’s Public Policy Research Lab, says the political fighting has tainted the Common Core brand…
cut 8 (11) “…Common Core”

The American Civil Liberties Union of Louisiana says a principal at Walnut Hill Elementary/Middle School in Shreveport is violating the Constitution by sending prayer messages to students. Louisiana ACLU executive director Marjorie Esman says religious references can also be found on the school’s website and they’ve alerted the Caddo Parish School Superintendentf…
cut 11 (08) “….the law”
A spokesperson for the Caddo Parish school system says they are investigation and they’ll take steps to make sure they are not violating Church and State provision of the Constitution.

Baton Rouge representative Dalton Honore files a bill for the upcoming legislative session that would require all law enforcement officers to wear body cameras. He says there have been recent incidents around the country where body cameras would have answered a lot of questions. Honore feels that a body camera is a great tool in keeping everyone honest…
cut 5 (07) “…great protection”

The American Civil Liberties Union of Louisiana alleges that Albert Hardison, principal at Walnut Hill Elementary/Middle School in Shreveport, engaged in unlawful religious coercion by using God, prayer, and Christianity in school publications. Louisiana ACLU Executive Director Marjorie Esman say they recently learned of a newsletter Hardison sent home to parents ahead of standardized testing…

cut 9 (09) “on the test”

In a response, Caddo Parish Public Schools say they are investigating and taking steps to ensure school employees are not violating the Constitution.

As body cameras are being introduced to more law enforcement agencies across the state, Baton Rouge State Representative Dalton Honore wants to make it a requirement that all law enforcement officers are equipped with the new technology. Honore says body cameras can solve a lot of issues between citizens and law enforcement, similar to what dashboard cameras on police vehicles have done…

cut 4 (05) “a vehicle”

He says the use of body cameras can protect both citizens and police officers.

An LSU survey finds Louisiana residents oppose education standards that are called Common Core, but support the concept. Doctor Michael Henderson, director of LSU’s Public Policy Research Lab, says the poll also shows the public is poorly informed on who developed the education standards for common core. He says that’s based on the answers they got when they asked who developed the standards, the federal government or the state…

cut 7 (06) “some guessing”

Henderson says 67-percent of residents support the education standards when the term “Common Core” was omitted from the question.

According to gasbuddy-dot-com, the statewide average for a gallon of regular gas is $2.19 cents a gallon. That’s two cents less than a week ago.

A poll conducted by LSU finds Louisiana residents oppose education standards that are called Common Core, but support the concept. Doctor Michael Henderson, director of LSU’s Public Policy Research Lab, says when citizens were asked if they support Common Core, only 39-percent said yes….

cut 6 (07) “67-percent support it”

Henderson says the survey shows political fighting over Common Core has tainted the Common Core brand.

As body cameras are being introduced to more law enforcement agencies across the state, a Baton Rouge lawmaker wants to make it a requirement that all law enforcement officers are equipped with the new technology. State Representative Dalton Honore says the use of body cameras can protect both citizens and police officers…

cut 3 (08) “down tremendously”

He says there have been recent incidents around the country where the use of body cameras would have answered a lot of questions.

Bond is set at three-million dollars for a Bossier Parish man who faces up to 120 years in prison if convicted on child pornography charges. State Trooper Matt Harris says during a search of 60-year-old Robert Childs’ home they found cameras that were recording houses in the neighborhood where children lived…

cut 10 (08) “to a DVR”

Harris says child pornography was being downloaded as officers searched his residence. Childs was charged with 300 counts of possession of child pornography and three counts of distribution of child porn.

The St. Landry Parish Sheriff’s Office says an Opelousas woman is under arrest on charges of improper sexual contact with juveniles. Authorities were alerted to 35-year-old Francesca Spears after the parents of a teenage boy she was contacting reported her sending inappropriate sexual messages to him. An investigation found that two other juveniles were involved. Spears is charged with two counts of computer aided solicitation of a minor and several other charges. The investigation is ongoing and additional charges may be filed.

The four announced candidates for governor will discuss issues impacting small businesses in a forum hosted by National Federation of Independent Business. Jeff Palermo has more…

cut 1 (27) “reporting”

The Assumption Parish Sheriff’s Office arrested a Donaldsonville woman for allegedly trying to bribe a correctional officer into allowing her to visit an inmate at the Detention Center. They say 37-year-old Latisha Haynes offered cash to the officer. When she was taken into custody, it was discovered Haynes had marijuana-laced cigarettes, a cell phone, and a phone charger she intended to bring into the jail. Haynes is charged with bringing contraband into a penal institution, public bribery, and possession with intent to distribute marijuana.

State Judge Tim Kelley throws out a lawsuit filed by seventeen lawmakers that sought to remove Common Core from Louisiana’s public schools. Judge Kelley says he dismissed the suit, because it should have been filed within two years after BESE approved Common Core in 2010. Despite the judge’s ruling, Lake Charles Representative Brett Geymann says they’ll continue efforts to eliminate Common Core through the courts and the upcoming legislative session…

cut 16 (06) “have that removed”

State Education Superintendent John White applauds Judge Kelly’s decision.

Lafayette State Senator Page Cortez introduces a bill that would require state high school students to pass a test equal to the civics portion of the US Naturalization Test. He says studies have shown that less than 4-percent of US born high school students can pass the test. Cortez says there’s more to this than just smartening up kids in civics class…

cut 9 (06) “public service” (2x)

He says there is a national concern that naturalized citizens know more about our government than natural-born citizens.

A Lafayette legislator proposes a bill that would require state high school students to pass a test equal to the civics portion of the US Naturalization Test. Scott Carwile reports…

cut 2 (30) “reporting”

State Police say a mother and her unrestrained son were killed in a fatal crash in Lafayette Parish. They say 23-year-old Kristin Trimm of Arnaudville crossed the center line and collided head-on with a truck driven by 22-year-old Joey Stelly of Carencro. Trimm and her 7-year-old son, Branson Taylor, were pronounced dead at the scene. Stelly and another passenger in Trimm’s vehicle, 26-year-old Ronnie Touchet of Breaux Bridge, were taken to a local hospital with serious to moderate injuries. The investigation is ongoing.

A state judge dismisses a lawsuit filed by seventeen lawmakers that sought to remove Common Core from Louisiana’s public schools. State Education Superintendent John White says he’s glad the courts dismissed an attempt to force teachers back to the drawing board when there’s solid education standards already in place…

cut 14 (10) “Thursday morning quarterbacking”

Judge Tim Kelley says he dismissed the suit, because it should have been filed within two years after BESE approved Common Core in 2010.

A Bossier Parish man’s bond is set at three-million dollars after his arrest on child pornography charges. 60-year-old Robert Childs was charged with 300 counts of possession of child pornography and three counts of distribution of child porn. State Trooper Matt Harris says Childs faces up to 120 years in prison if convicted on these charges…

cut 12 (06) “number one priority”

He says during a search of Childs’ home, they found cameras that were recording houses in the neighborhood where children lived.

Supporters for Common Core in Louisiana public schools have won a legal battle. Jeff Palermo has more…

Cut 3 (30) “reporting”

Opelousas Police say a total of eight students and one adult were arrested as a result of two separate fights yesterday at or near Opelousas High School. Authorities say the first fight broke out Monday morning with three students and one adult being arrested. A second fight broke out later with five more students taken into custody. They say all nine arrested are female. All were charged with disturbing the peace by fighting.

A Bossier Parish man faces up to 120 years in prison if convicted on child pornography charges. Trooper Matt Harris says State Police had a warrant to search 60-year-old Robert Childs’ home after an IP address located inside his house was found to be downloading child pornography. He says once inside, agents located strategically placed cameras…

cut 11 (10) “were recording”

Childs’ bond is set at three-million dollars.

The four announced candidates for governor will appear in Baton Rouge today at an event hosted by the National Federation of Independent Business. Louisiana NFIB Director Dawn Starns says this is a great opportunity for small business owners to make an informed decision on who they will support in this year’s governor’s race…

cut 6 (08) “of our economy”

During the 90-minute forum, Starns expects the candidates to address several issues regarding small business.

A state judge throws out a lawsuit filed by seventeen lawmakers that sought to remove Common Core from Louisiana’s public schools. Judge Tim Kelley says he dismissed the suit, because it should have been filed within two years after BESE approved Common Core in 2010. Lake Charles Representative Brett Geymann disagrees with Judge Kelley’s ruling, because the adoption of Common Core was done illegally and without public comment….

cut 15 (08) “first place”

Geymann says an appeal is planned.

Lafayette State Senator Page Cortez proposes a bill that would require state high school students to pass a test equal to the civics portion of the US Naturalization Test. He says there is a concern nationally that that naturalized citizens know more about our government than natural-born citizens. Cortez says his bill will ultimately make this test a requirement for graduation…

cut 8 (08) “pass civics”

He says studies have shown that less than 4-percent of US born high school students can pass the test.

The National Federation of Independent Business will host a panel discussion today featuring the four announced candidates for governor. Louisiana NFIB Director Dawn Starns expects the candidates to address several issues regarding small business…

cut 5 (09) “incentive programs”

The Louisiana Restaurant Association and the Louisiana Retailers Association are co-hosting the event.

A Bossier Parish man’s bond is set at three-million dollars and he faces up to 120 years in prison if convicted on child pornography charges. State Police trooper Matt Harris says during a search of 60-year-old Robert Childs’ home they found cameras that were recording houses in the neighborhood where children lived…

cut 10 (08) “to a DVR”

Childs was charged with 300 counts of possession of child pornography and three counts of distribution of child porn.

A state judge throws out a lawsuit that sought to remove Common Core from Louisiana’s public schools. Judge Tim Kelley says he dismissed the suit, because it should have been filed within two years after BESE approved Common Core in 2010. State Education Superintendent John White applauds the decision…

cut 13 (09) “five years ago”

Seventeen lawmakers filed the lawsuit and Lake Charles Representative Brett Geymann says they plan to appeal.

Today the National Federation of Independent Business, along with the Louisiana Restaurant Association and the Louisiana Retailers Association, will host a panel discussion featuring the four announced candidates for governor. Louisiana NFIB Director Dawn Starns expects a good crowd to listen to what these candidates have to say…

cut 4 (08) “business in mind”

The 90-minute forum will take place in Baton Rouge.

A Lafayette legislator proposes a bill that would require state high school students to pass a test equal to the civics portion of the US Naturalization Test. Senator Page Cortez says 92-percent of immigrants pass the naturalization test, while studies have shown that less than 4-percent of US born high school students are capable of getting a passing grade…

cut 7 (10) “natural born citizens”

Cortez says this is part of a national movement called the “Civics Initiation Initiative” that hopes to have this implemented in all 50 states by 2017.

A state judge throws out a lawsuit that sought to remove Common Core from Louisiana. Judge Tim Kelley says the suit should have been filed within two years after BESE approved Common Core in 2010. Seventeen lawmakers filed the lawsuit, and Lake Charles Representative Brett Geymann says they plan to appeal, because the adoption of Common Core was done illegally and without public comment…
cut 15 (08) “….first place”
Superintendent of Education John White applauds the ruling.

The Louisiana Democratic Party endorses Amite Representative John Bel Edwards as its candidate in Louisiana’s governor’s race. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat on what Edwards has to focus on next…
cut 8 (10) “Democrats in Louisiana”
Pinsonat says the endorcement will keep other major Democratic candidates, like Mitch Landrieu, from jumping into the race.

Authorites are investigating a fatal boat wreck on the Pearl River in St. Tammany Parish. The accident killed 41 year-old Terry O’Keefe Jr. of Folsom. Three children onboard survived because they were wearing life vests, including one 4 year-old who got stuck under the boat…
CUT 5 (09) Q: “to shore”
That’s LDWF spokesman Adam Eink, who says another passenger-31 year old Jonie Morgan-is still missing.

Sea turtles, dolphins, fish and birds are still suffering from the BP oil spill that occurred nearly five years ago, according to a report from the National Wildlife Federation. Ryan Fikes, lead author, says comprehensive modeling estimates that 32-percent of the laughing gulls in the northern gulf died as a result of the oil spill…
cut 14 (09) “laughing gulls”
He says the exposure to oil has also been shown to cause abnormal development in many species of fish.

The investigation continues into a fatal boat wreck on the Pearl River in St. Tammany Parish that claimed the life of a Folsum man and left his girlfriend -31 year old Jonie Morgan-missing. L-D-W-F spokesperson Adam Einck says a 16-year-old came onto the scene and tried to drag two of the three children and the mother to safety…
CUT 4 (08) “she went under”
The three children survived because they were wearing life jackets. The man who was killed is identified as 41-year-old Terry O’ Keefe Junior.

Amite Representative John Bel Edwards has received the official endorsement from the Louisiana Democratic Party, which many observers say is good news for him…
CUT 7 (08) Q: “the run-off”
That’s Political Analyst Bernie Pinsonat, who says that endorsement is a sign New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu does not want to run.
————————————-
The National Wildlife Federation has released a report with evidence that sea turtles, dolphins, fish and birds are still suffering from the BP oill spill of nearly five years ago. Lead author of the study Ryan Fikes says the oil exposure caused many abnormalities in fish and dolphins, and the mortality rates were four times those of 2014…
CUT 13 (06) Q: ‘Deep Water Horizon”

An overnight mobile home fire in Caddo Parish has claimed the life of a husband and wife. State Fire Marshal Butch Browning says fire investigators did find the remains of somke alarms in the trailer…
CUT 11 (11) Q: ‘know right now’
Fifty-three-year-old Richard Fowler and his wife, 54-year-old Wanda Fowler were pronounced dead at the scene. Browning says the investigation is in its initial stages.