Bossier City Representative Mike Johnson’s Religious Freedom bill was returned to the calendar after hours of debate and is essentially dead for the session. Johnson argued every state needs a bill like this…:
CUT 8 (11) “5,000 years”
New Orleans Convention and Visitors Bureau President Stephen Perry says this measure goes against what Louisiana tourism believes in…:
CUT 9 (11) “in the marketplace”
Other opponents say this bill legalizes discrimination against the LGBT community. The vote in favor of not taking the measure further for now was 10-2.

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. The suspect is Keavin Keith. Sheriff Brett Stassi says when they were investigating the original complaint, they ended up finding more student victims totaling three. He says they processed a laundry list of charges…:
CUT 14 (09) “and a student”
Keith was named teacher of the year in 2013.

A pro-Governor Bobby Jindal advocacy group has released a television ad in Iowa supporting his candidacy for president. ULM Political Science Professor Joshua Stockley says this is a sure sign that Jindal’s presidential run announcement isn’t speculation but just a matter of time…:
CUT 12 (05) “that end”
The television ad positions Jindal as conservative Republican’s leading voice in the battle over religious freedom.

The bill by Bossier City Representative Mike Johnson dealing with religious freedom was returned to the calendar today by a vote of 10-2. This means it’s essentially dead for the session. Johnson says HB 707 would prevent adverse treatment from the state of any persona or entity on the basis of their religious views on marriage. Johnson says the bill does one simple thing…:
CUT 6 (09) “conscious and religion”
New Orleans Convention and Visitors Bureau President, Stephen Perry spoke against the measure. He says this bill is an early overraction to the Pending US Supreme Court ruling on gay marriage…:
CUT 7 (11) “sanctioned bigotry”
Perry says this bill goes against what the state’s tourism industry believes in. Again it’s not likely to be brought back up this session.

The American Future Project has released a television ad in Iowa supporting Governor Bobby Jindal’s candidacy for president. Jeff Palermo reports…:

CUT 1 (30) “reporting”

The Iberville Parish Sheriff’s Office has booked a 30-year-old teacher on 37 counts of inappropriate behavior with students. They say Keavin Keith’s charges includ 30 counts of sex between student and teacher. Keith was named teacher of the year in 2013.

A pro-Governor Bobby Jindal advocacy group, America Future project, has released a TV ad in Iowa supporting his candidacy for president saying Jindal is a leader in the religious freedom battle. ULM Political Science Professor Joshua Stockley …:
CUT 10 (09) “very evangelical”
This spot comes on the heels of the governor forming an exploratory committee for a run for the presidency.

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”
Stassi says during the course of that investigation they discovered there were two more victims and there could be more out there.

Lynne Marino, an outspoken victims rights advocate and mother of a woman believed to have been murdered by a convicted serial killer, has died. She was 78. Marino’s daughter, Pam Kinamore, was one of several woman likely slain by Derrick Todd Lee. On an appearance on the Jim Engster show earlier this year, Marino recalls her first remarks to Lee…:
CUT 3 (11) “patrol car”
Marino was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer last August.

US Representative Steve Scalise of Metairie, the third highest ranking member in the US House, has endorsed US Senator David Vitter in his bid to become the next governor of Louisiana. This is the fifth endorsement the Senator has received from GOP members of Louisiana’s congressional delegation. Vitter was previously endorsed by Senator Bill Cassidy and Representatives Ralph Abraham, Charles Boustany, and John Fleming.

The House Civil Law Committee is at this hour hearing testimony on the controversial legislation dealing with discrimination against gays and same sex couples. Jeff Palermo reports…:
CUT 1 (30) “reporting”

The Iberville Parish Sheriff’s Office has booked a teacher on 37 counts of inappropriate behavior with students. Their website shows Keavin Keith, who was born in 1985, was charged with 30 counts of sex between student and teacher, 5 counts of carnal knowledge of a juvenile and 2 counts of indecent behavior with a juvenile. He teaches at Arts Academy West in Plaquemine.

The US Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee hears legislation today that seeks to expand offshore drilling and provide Louisiana with additional dollars from oil and gas produced in federal waters off the state’s coast. Senator Bill Cassidy is the author of the bill that supporters say could create over 200-thousand jobs…:
CUT 7 (08) “with that”
Cassidy’s bill would also allow for offshore drilling in the Eastern Gulf of Mexico in 2017.

This is National Dog Bite Prevention Week and State Farm has put together data which shows Louisiana is number 14 in the US for dog bite claims. Spokesman Roszell Gadson says while an overwhelming majority of interactions with dogs don’t result in injury, most dog bites to children could be prevented. He says parents should teach their kids not to trust strange dogs…:
CUT 14 (10) “from the owner”

Today, the US Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee hears Senator Bill Cassidy’s legislation that seeks to expand offshore drilling and provide Louisiana with additional dollars from oil and gas produced in federal waters off the state’s coast. While the Obama administration has signed off on a plan to drill in the Arctic Ocean north of Alaska, it’s held firm on a ban that prohibits drilling in the Eastern Gulf. Cassidy hopes his legislation can lift that ban…

cut 9 (08) “for you”

Supporters say Cassidy’s bill could create over 200-thousand jobs.

Ruston Police report that an 11-year-old boy was killed yesterday after the car he was riding in got swept away in flash flood waters and he was trapped inside. Deputy Chief Clint Williams says they want to remind the public that you should never travel when there is water on the roadway, especially moving water…

cut 12 (08) “again”

State Police say a single vehicle crash in Jefferson Parish has taken the life of a Houma man. They say 25-year-old Edgard Gonzales lost control of his vehicle and entered a drainage ditch. The vehicle came to rest on its roof, partially submerged in water. Gonzales, who was not wearing a seat belt, was found submerged in the water outside the vehicle. He was pronounced dead at the scene. The investigation is ongoing.

To recognize National Dog Bite Prevention Week, State Farm found that Louisiana ranks 14th in the United States in a 2014 analysis of dog bite injury claims…

cut 3 (30) “reporting”

Senator Bill Cassidy’s bill to expand drilling in the Gulf and increase the revenues Gulf states receive for supporting offshore energy production receives a hearing today on Capitol Hill. Scott Carwile has the story…

cut 2 (29) “reporting”

US Representative Steve Scalise of Metairie, the third highest ranking member in the US House, has endorsed US Senator David Vitter in his bid to become the next governor of Louisiana. This is the fifth endorsement the Senator has received from GOP members of Louisiana’s congressional delegation. Vitter was previously endorsed by Senator Bill Cassidy and Representatives Ralph Abraham, Charles Boustany, and John Fleming.

The House Civil Law Committee will hear two controversial measures today that deal with discrimination against gays and same sex couples, Bossier City Representative Mike Johnson’s controversial religious freedom bill and New Orleans Representative Austin Badon’s anti-discrimination legislation. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says there are already many laws on the books to protect individual rights and passing more of those laws is not popular among Louisiana voters…

cut 6 (08) “feel about it”

He doesn’t think either bill will pass.

The Ruston Police Department says an 11-year-old boy was killed Monday after the car he was riding in got swept away in flash flood waters and he was trapped inside. Deputy Chief Clint Williams says the driver and a 7-year-old passenger were able to remove themselves from the vehicle and were rescued. He says they found the partially submerged car when creek waters began to recede…

cut 11 (05) “the 11-year-old”

Williams says they want to remind the public that you should never travel when there is water on the roadway, especially moving water.

Today the House Civil Law Committee is expected to hear a bill by New Orleans Representative Austin Badon that would protect someone from being fired from a job or denied housing because of their sexual orientation. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat believes this bill will be shot down…

cut 5 (10) “no to this” 2X

The committee is also expected to hear Bossier City Representative Mike Johnson’s controversial religious freedom bill.

An 11-year-old boy was killed in Ruston Monday after the car he was riding in got swept away in flash flood waters and he was trapped inside. Police Department spokesman Deputy Chief Clint Williams says a woman was taking her 11 and 7 year old grandsons to school when their vehicle got swept into a creek. He says they located the driver…:

cut 10 (11) “clinging to a tree”

Williams says the grandmother and the 7-year-old were rescued.

Today, the US Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee hears legislation seeking to expand offshore drilling and provide Louisiana with additional dollars from oil and gas produced in federal waters off the state’s coast. Louisiana and three other gulf states currently receive hundreds of millions of dollars for hosting offshore energy production, but there’s a cap that money. Bill author, Senator Bill Cassidy is calling for a raising of the cap with this bill…

cut 8 (10) “Security Act”

Cassidy’s bill would also allow for offshore drilling in the Eastern Gulf of Mexico in 2017.

It’s National Dog Bite Prevention Week, State Farm data shows that Louisiana ranks 14th in the United States in a 2014 analysis of dog bite injury claims. Spokesman Roszell Gadson says having the proper insurance coverage for your pet situation is an important aspect to being a responsible dog owner…

cut 15 (07) “have a pet”

Today the House Civil Law Committee will hear Bossier City Representative Mike Johnson’s controversial religious freedom bill. Johnson says HB 707 would prevent adverse treatment from the state of any person or entity on the basis of their religious views on marriage, while opponents feel this bill legalizes discrimination. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat doesn’t think the outlook for this bill is good…

cut 4 (07) “probably not”

On the flip side, the committee is also expected to hear New Orleans Representative Austin Badon’s anti-discrimination bill.

The US Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee hears legislation today that seeks to expand offshore drilling and provides Louisiana with additional dollars from oil and gas produced in federal waters off the state’s coast. Recently elected Senator Bill Cassidy is the author of the bill that supporters say could create over 200-thousand jobs

cut 7 (08) “with that”

Louisiana and three other gulf states currently receive hundreds of millions of dollars for hosting offshore energy production.

To recognize National Dog Bite Prevention Week, State Farm compiled claims data and found that Louisiana ranks 14th in the United States in a 2014 analysis of dog bite injury claims. The company says it paid out nearly $3 million dollars here for dog bite claims last year. Spokesman Roszell Gadson says they want people to be mindful of safety when it comes to unfamiliar animals…

cut 13 (10) “proper shots”

Gadson says while an overwhelming majority of interactions with dogs don’t result in injury, most dog bites to children could be prevented.

Eleven revenue generating bills previously approved by the House were also passed by the Senate Revenue and Fiscal Affairs Committee. The measures raise an estimated 615-million dollars. Benton Senator Robert Adley on why they need this legislation to pass…
cut 12 (10) “…hospitals and universities”
The senate panel also agreed to increase Louisiana’s cigarette tax by 32-cents, to 68-cents for a pack of cigarettes. But New Orleans Senator JP Morrell indicated the proposed tax could go up even more as the bill moves through the legislative process…
cut 14 (09) “…final disposition”
The bills head to the Senate Finance committee for more discussion.

Tuesday the House Civil Law Committee will hear Bossier City Representative Mike Johnson’s controversial religious freedom bill. Johnson says HB 707 would prevent adverse treatment from the state of any person or entity on the basis of their religious views on marriage, while opponents say it legalizes discrimination. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat doesn’t think the outlook for this bill is good…
cut 4 (07) “…probably not”
The committee is also expected to hear a bill by New Orleans Representative Austin Badon that would protect someone from being fired from a job or denied housing because of their sexual orientation. Pinsonat feels this bill will be shot down as well…
cut 5 (09) “…no to this”
The committee hearing gets underway at 9 AM.

Flash Flood Watches and Warnings have been issued across north Louisiana as heavy rains have pounded the area throughout the morning. Jason Hansford with the National Weather Service says they’ve had reports in the Shreveport area of up to six inches of rain this morning…
CUT 3 (07) Q: “Bossier City area”
In Ruston, an unidentified 11 year-old boy died in a car that was swept away by rushing water. The driver and another child occupant were able to escape.

Governor Bobby Jindal has formed an exploratory committee to help him decide on whether or not to make a presidential run. He has been considering a run for several months and has stated he will make a final decision by the end of June. Michael Henderson, Director of LSU’s Public Policy Research Lab, says this is not a surprising move…
CUT 6 (08) “of the moments”
=========================
Four arrests by the East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s Office have been made in connection of the death of a 54 year-old woman reported missing in April. Those arrested included her ex-husband, 64 year-old Hamid Ghassemi who alleged planned the murder for hire scheme to kill his 54 year-old wife Teherah, whose body was found in St. Helena Parish…
CUT 10 (09) Q; “a human body”
That’s State Police Col. Mike Edmunson. Daniel Richter of Walker, Skyler Williams and Tyler Ashpaul, both of Denham Springs, are all charged with first-degree murder.

The Louisiana cigarette tax increase of 32 cents has passed a Senate Panel, but as the legislative process continues to deal with the budget crisis, at least one lawmaker says that tax amount could go up even more…
CUT 14 (09) q” final disposition”
That’s New Orleans Senator JP Morrell.