Legislation that looks to reduce the penalties for those convicted multiple times of marijuana possession makes progress in the state legislature. A Senate committee has approved New Orleans Senator JP Morrell’s bill that would change a second-offense from a felony to a misdemeanor charge. He says third or four offenses would still be felonies, but with lower maximum sentences than current law…:
CUT 3 (06) “20 times higher”
The House has also approved its own legislation that will reduces penalties for multiple marijuana offenders.

In the House Education Committee today, a couple of bills that seek to control the cost of the TOPS scholarship program advanced to the full House. One bill would let colleges set their own tuition rates without legislative approve — a measure that’s tied to one that limits TOPS rewards. The Jindal administration issued a card in opposition to the spending restriction on TOPS legislation.

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is making an important announcement at the Governor’s mansion this afternoon…:
CUT 1 (29) “reporting”

A former Baton Rouge teacher Ashley Dowden has been sentenced to seven years probation for having sex with two male students. Dowden must also register as a sex offender. The 43-year-old admitted to having sex with two teenage boys as part of her plea deal.

Governor Bobby Jindal issues an executive order that would accomplish what a so-called religious freedom bill would do. Scott Carwile has the story…:
CUT 3 (31) “reporting”

There’s a press conference at the governor’s mansion today where officials are expected to announce the Louisiana Black Bear is coming off the threatened species list. State Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Secretary Robert Barham says the resurgence in the black bear population is a tribute to their biologists…:
cut 5 (07) “to come”

This morning the House Education Committee advanced a Senate bill which seeks to rein in the cost of the TOPS scholarship program without objection. The Jindal Administration turned in a card in opposition but didn’t testify. The bill heads to the full House.

Tuesday legislation that would allow schools to teach gun safety to elementary school students made it off the House floor. Baton Rouge Representative Blake Miguez says firearm accident prevention and safety is something kids should learn at a young age…
cut 13 (06) “fire safety”
The measure heads to the Senate for more discussion.

The Ascension Parish Sheriff’s Office says an unidentified man was struck and killed by a train overnight. They say the victim was hit on Highway 73 just south of Airline Highway in Gonzales. Deputies know he is a black man with a medium build between 25-35 years of age. Anyone with information regarding this incident is urged to contact authorities.

According to a recent survey by the LSU Public Policy Research lab, voters in Louisiana are still not tuned in to the upcoming Governor’s race. Michelle Southern reports…

cut 2 (31) “reporting”

Governor Bobby Jindal issues an executive order that aims to have the same effect as a so called “religious freedom” bill that failed to pass out of a House committee, but on a smaller scale. The executive order prevents the executive branch of state government only from taking adverse action against people, charities, and family owned businesses who have deep religious beliefs that marriage is between a man and a woman.

Today, the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries will make an important announcement at the Governor’s Mansion regarding the Louisiana black bear. It is expected that the black bear will be officially removed from the threatened species list. Secretary Robert Barham says the black bear was put on the threatened list nearly 25 years ago…

cut 4 (11) “be recognized”

He says the resurgence in the black bear population is a tribute to everyone within the department.

A bill by Baton Rouge Representative Blake Miguez that would allow elementary school students to be taught gun safety has passed the state House. However, Shreveport Representative Barbara Norton doesn’t think that young kids should be learning anything about guns. She says firearm safety education should be left up to parents if they so choose to teach their kids about guns…

cut 14 (06) “or see a gun”

A 93-3 vote sends the measure to the Senate.

Governor Bobby Jindal issues an executive order that would have the same effect as a so called “religious freedom” bill that failed to pass out of a House committee Tuesday. U-L Lafayette Political Science Professor Pearson Cross predicts there will be a lawsuit…

cut 11 (07) “anyway”

Jindal says his executive order prevents the executive branch of state government from taking adverse action against people, charities and family owned businesses who have deep religious beliefs that marriage is between a man and a woman.

According to a recent survey by the LSU Public Policy Research lab, voters in Louisiana are still not engaged in the upcoming Governor’s race. The numbers show only 25% of people here are following news about the election. PPRL Director Dr. Michael Henderson says voters ages 18-29 are paying the least amount of attention…

cut 7 (10) “less in politics” (2x)

Henderson says they also found that 38% of voters say they are satisfied with the current slate of candidates running for governor in the October 24 election.

A House bill by Baton Rouge Representative Blake Miguez that would allow elementary school students to be taught gun safety clears the House and now heads to the Senate. Hammond Representative Chris Broadwater says he supports the measure because very often parents are not teaching their children proper safety measures when it comes to things like guns…

cut 15 (13) “that education”

The legislation passed on a 93-3 vote.

Today, the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is expected to announce that the Louisiana black bear will be officially removed from the threatened species list. The Louisiana black bear is the the inspiration for the Teddy Bear that was created after a hunting trip in the area by then President Teddy Roosevelt. LDWF Secretary Robert Barham says Roosevelt’s great-grandson, Theodore Roosevelt IV, will be on hand for the announcement…

cut 6 (08) “was president”

The announcement will take place at the Governor’s Mansion.

A survey from the LSU Public Policy Research Lab finds only 25-percent of the respondents are following news about the 2015 governor’s race. The lab’s director, Michael Henderson, says that should change as we move into late summer, and as it stands now, the four major candidates do have favorable ratings….
cut 9 (06) “….going forward”
The gubernatorial primary is set for October 24th.

After watching a House committee fail to approve legislation referred to as a religious liberty bill, Governor Bobby Jindal issued an executive order to enact the law, but on a smaller scale, only impacting the executive branch. U-L Lafayette Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says it’s not a surprise lawmakers didn’t pass the religious objections law…
cut 12 (10) “….he likes”
Opponents of the legislation that failed say the bill promotes discrimination against L-G-B-T couples.

The state Department of Wildlife and Fisheries makes a big announcement today involving Louisiana’s Black Bear. Eric Gill reports…
cut 1 (29) “…reporting”

The full House approves legislation that would allow schools to teach gun safety to elementary school students. Baton Rouge Representative Blake Miguez says firearm accident prevention and safety is something kids should learn at a young age…
cut 13 (06) “….fire safety”
The measure heads to the senate for more discussion.

Governor Bobby Jindal issues an executive order that aims to have the same effect as a so called “religious freedom” bill that failed to pass out of a House committee. U-L Lafayette Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says there is irony in this move…
cut 10 (11) “…Louisiana”
Jindal’s order is only limited to the executive branch of state government.

There’s a big press conference at the governor’s mansion today where officials are expected to announce the Louisiana Black Bear is coming off the protected species list. State Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Secretary Robert Barham says the resurgence in the black bear population is a tribute to the biologists within the department…
cut 5 (07) “….to come”

A poll from the LSU Public Policy Research Lab finds that most voters are not paying much attention to this year’s governor’s race. The lab’s director, Doctor Michael Henderson, says only a third of older voters are even engaged at this point, but that will change come late summer-early fall…
cut 8 (08) “…that point”
The gubernatorial primary is set for October 24th.

A former Baton Rouge teacher Ashley Dowden has been sentenced to seven years probation for having sex with two male students. Dowden must also register as a sex offender. The 43-year-old admitted to having sex with two teenage boys as part of her plea deal.

After a lengthy debate over Bossier City Representative Mike Johnson’s religious freedom bill, the House Civil Law Committee overwhelmingly voted to return the bill to the calendar, essentially killing it for the session. Johnson told the panel that his legislation is designed to protect business owners who have deep religious beliefs concerning traditional marriage…
cut 6 (09) “…conscience and religion”
Opposition to the legislation came from the business community and the head of the New Orleans Convention and Visitors Bureau. Stephen Perry called the bill radioactive….
cut 9 (11) “….in the marketplace.”
After the vote, Governor Bobby Jindal issued an executive order that will do the same thing as the bill.

Governor Jindal issued an executive order that he says will protect religious liberty in Louisiana. The order came down following a overwhelming vote in a House committee that defeated a religious freedom bill. UL Lafayette Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says it’s not a surprise lawmakers did not bend over backwards to get this law passed…
cut 12 (10) “…he likes”

A House bill that would allow elementary school students to be taught gun safety is headed to the Senate. The legislation is by Baton Rouge Representative Blake Miguez, who says firearm accident prevention and safety is something kids should learn at a young age…
cut 13 (06) “…fire safety”
Shreveport Representative Barabara Norton was one of three “No” votes against the bill. Norton says young kids should not learn anything about guns.

After some rather intense debate, the House Civil Law Committee has voted 10-2 to return the controversial Religious Freedom Bill to the legislative calendar, which will probably kill it for this session. Some say the law will deter outside businesses from coming here, but Bossier City Representative Mike Johnson says the bill is important, because it provides protection for people and businesses…
CUT 8 (11) Q: “5,000 years”
Governor Bobby Jindal says he will issue an executive order that will in essence accomplish the intent of House Bill 707.

Legislation is headed to the Louisiana House floor that impose a new one-cent sales tax, with the monies from that revenue going toward the funding of 15 major transportation projects. If the bill makes it to the legislature, it is expected to be vetoed by Governor Bobby Jindal.
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A man who was once a Teacher of the Year in Iberville Parish is under arrest on multiple counts of having sex with students from Plaquemine. Sheriff Brett Stassi says they got the first complaint about the MSA-West Academy teacher late Monday, and the charges against 30 year-old Keavin Keith turned into a laundry list…
CUT 14 (09) Q: “and a student”
Authorities know of 3 victims so far, and they may be more.

A pro-Governor Bobby Jindal advocacy group has released a television ad in Iowa supporting his candidacy for president. The American Future Project says the ad will run on cable television in Iowa and online for one week, and ULM Political Science Professor Joshua Stockley observes that it’s about positioning…
cut 10 (09) “very evangelical”

Following a 10-2 vote, the House Civil Law Committee has voted to place the controversial Religious Freedom Bill back on the legislative calendar, which could kill it for the session. Some say it’s business owner protection for what they believe, while others like New Orleans Convention and Visitor’s Bureau President Stephen Perry, say it gives Louisiana a black eye…
CUT 7 (11) Q: “bigotry”
Meanwhile Governor Bobby Jindal says he will issue an executive order that will in essence accomplish the intent of House Bill 707.

We don’t know what the NBC ratings for “The Voice” will be in Louisiana tonight, but best guess says they will be very strong. Seventeen year-old finalist Koryn Hawthorne from Abbeville dazzled the crowd last night on the live show, and tonight she’s up against three other finalists on the season finale for the Republic Records recording contract.

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The Iberville Parish Sheriff’s office says a man who was once named Teacher of the Year, has been arrested on 30 counts of sex with students. Sheriff Brett Stassi says they got a complaint late Monday about 30-year-old Keavin Keith, who teaches at MSA-West Academy in Plaquemine…:
cut 13 (08) “developed some charges”
And more could be added, as authorities seek other victims.

Lynne Marino, an outspoken victims rights advocate and mother of a woman believed to have been murdered by convicted serial killer Derrick Todd Lee, has died. Her daughter, Pam Kinamore disappeared in july of 2002. Marino recalled – in recent comments on the Jim Engster show- her learning of having pancreatic cancer…
CUT 5 (10) Q: “to my daugher’
Marino was 78.

After a lengthy debate, Bossier City Representative Mike Johnson’s religious freedom bill was put back on the calendar, essentially killing the legislation for this session.
cut 2 (30) “…reporting”

The man who serves as Governor Bobby Jindal’s personal butler at the governor’s mansion is looking to have his life sentence reduced for second-degree murder. Harrison Cage is a prison trusty, who has worked at the mansion for eight years. Cage says he would like a sentence of 45 to 50 years, so he can seek parole.
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An advocacy group that supports Governor Bobby Jindal has released a television ad in Iowa. The commercial portrays Jindal, who is considering a Presidential run, as defender of religious freedom. ULM Political Science Professor Joshua Stockley says this is just the tip of the iceberg for Jindal…
cut 11 (12) “….in the newspaper”

A man who named “Teacher of the year” in Iberville Parish in 2013 has been arrested on 30 counts of having sex with students. Thirty-year old Keavin Keith from MSA-West Academy in Plaquemine was arrested on numerous charges. Sheriff Brett Stassi says they know three victims with several accusations against against Keithm and there’s possible more….

CUT 15 (10 Q: “with this teacher”