The House Education Committee has approved the Gator Scholarship Program which in a few years would allow families of any income level to receive state dollars to attend a private school. It would replace the state’s current voucher system which helps six-thousand students go to a private school, instead of attending a C, D, or F public school. Carencro Representative Julie Emerson says under her bill, even students at A-and-B public schools would have a choice…
Cut 14 (14) “…curriculum.”

A Senate committee has approved a bill to give judges the sentencing option of surgical castration to someone convicted of sexually assaulting a child under the age of 13. Lake Charles Senator Mark Abraham has a problem with castration if it’s a first offense.
Cut 11 (11) “…I agree.”
The bill’s author Regina Barrow says trusts a judge’s discretion.

The Calcasieu Parish Coroner’s office seeks the public’s help in identifying a murder victim found in 1993 south of Merryville. Colleen Crain has more…
Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

Authorities say the federal, district and city courthouses in downtown Lafayette have been evacuated as a result of a bomb threat. Officials say the threat was called in to all three courthouses. Lafayette Police are asking the public to avoid the area

The House Criminal Justice Committee approves legislation that would make it a crime to panhandle on Louisiana streets. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 2 (31) “I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Coming up later today, the Senate Education Committee is scheduled to take up a bill that would require students to have their cell phones off and stowed away during instructional time. Also, the Senate Transportation Committee considers a bill that would prohibit the use of a handheld cell phone while driving.

A Senate Committee approves legislation that would give judges the option to sentence certain sex offenders to surgical castration if they abuse a child under the age of 13. New Iberia Senator Blake Miguez discussed with the bill’s author, Regina Barrow, how castration can diminish the sexual impulses and aggression of sex offenders…
cut 12 (12) “….prevent that”
The measure heads to the Senate floor.

Southwest Louisiana authorities are making a renewed push to solve an unsolved murder that dates back to 1993. Investigators believe a black man between the ages of 25 to 35 was shot in the head and his hands were bound behind his back. His skeletal remains were found in a wooded area 12 miles south of Merryville. Forensic Investigator Zeb Johnson…
cut 6 (09) “…know that’
Anyone with information should contact the Calcasieu Parish coroner’s office.

The House Education Committee has approved the Gator Scholarship Program which in a few years would allow families of any income level to receive state dollars to attend a private school. But not everyone is for it. Opponents say the Gator Scholarship Program will take millions of dollars away from public schools. LaPlace Representative Slyvia Elanie Taylor is concerned about state dollars going to a school that doesn’t have to be held to the same standards as a public school

Cut 15 (10)  “..accountability.”
A bill to make panhandling a state crime in Louisiana advances from House Criminal Justice. State law already prohibits panhandling on interstates, including off and on ramps and this bill expands. Advocacy director of the Justice Accountability Center of Louisiana, Sarah Whittington opposes the bill because it’s something that local municipalities already cite.

Cut 9 (11)  “…local level.”

A bill to allow judges the option of sentencing a sex offender of a child to surgical castration advances from Senate Judiciary C. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 3 (29) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

The line up of food for the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival has been announced. And some favorites that were gone for a time, are back, including Panorama Foods’ longtime favorite Crawfish Bread. It’s making a comeback along with favorites from Marie’s Sugar Dumplings, Jamila’s Café, and African restaurant Bennachin

The Calcasieu Parish Coroner’s office seeks help to identify a murder victim found in 1993 south of Merryville. Colleen Crain has more…

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”
A calf that was born with two faces in Vermillion Parish and became a viral phenomenon on social media has died. That’s according to its owners at Breaux Farms. In a Facebook post yesterday, they announced that Deaux Face had stopped eating over the weekend and moved on to greener pastures yesterday.

A bill to make panhandling a state crime in Louisiana advances from House Criminal Justice. State law already prohibits panhandling on interstates, including off and on ramps. But this bill expands the law to public streets, that local law enforcement police. Haughton Republican Dodie Horton asked wanted to know if the bill would ban individuals from collecting for charity.

Cut 8 (13) “…giving law.” 
The House Education Committee has approved the Gator Scholarship Program which in a few years would allow families of any income level to receive state dollars to attend a private school It would replace the state’s current voucher system which helps six-thousand students go to a private school, instead of attending a C, D, or F public school. The bill’s author, Carencro Representative Julie Emerson

Cut 14 (14)  “…curriculum.”

The Calcasieu Coroner’s office hopes to solve a 31-year-old mystery and identify the body of a man found bound and shot to death in Merryville in 1993. Forensic Investigator, Zeb Johnson says DNA shows a connection to the late Emma and Reuben Ardoin. Investigators reached out to the but no one knew of a missing family member.

Cut 5 (09) “…genetic material.” 

A bill to give judges the sentencing option of surgical castration to someone who sexually assaults a child under the age of 13 has advanced at the capitol. Lake Charles Senator Mark Abraham says he has a problem with castration if it’s a first offense.

Cut 11 (11) “…I agree.”
The bill’s author Regina Barrow says she trusts a judge to decide if surgical castration is warranted.

—————————-

Legislation to make panhandling a state crime advance from House Criminal Justice. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 2 (31)  “I’m Brooke Thorington.” 
Hey all you football fans, NFL owners have approved a new rule that will dramatically change kick-offs. The idea is to encourage more returns but also reduce big collisions. The kick-off team will now line up at the opposing team’s 40-yard line and can’t take off until the ball is caught or hits the ground.
 

A bill to make panhandling a state crime in Louisiana advances from House Criminal Justice. Baton Rouge Representative Dixon McMakin says House Bill 97 is an effort to improve both motorist and pedestrian safety.

Cut 7 (05) “…in them.”

State law already prohibits panhandling on interstates, including off and on ramps and this bill expands the law to public streets, that local law enforcement police.

A bill to give judges the discretion to punish individuals who sexually assault a child with surgical castration advances from Senate Judiciary C. Baton Rouge Senator Regina Barrow’s bill allows for the sentencing of surgical castration if the victim is under the age of 13.

Cut 10 (11) “…from prison.”

————————–

The House Education Committee has approved the Gator Scholarship Program which in a few years would allow families of any income level to receive state dollars to attend a private school. Governor Landry’s deputy chief of staff Andree’ Miller says the legislation will give every child the chance to receive a quality education.

Cut 13 (08)  “…much better.”

The Calcasieu Coroner’s office hopes to solve a 31-year-old mystery and identify a body found south of Merryville in 1993 with 2-gun shots to the head and hands bound behind his back. Investigators recently obtained a DNA profile linking the victim to families in southwest Louisiana and southeast Texas. Forensic Investigator, Zeb Johnson…

Cut 4 (11) “…some closure.”

House Education approves the Gator Scholarship Program which in a few years would allow families of any income level to receive state dollars to attend a private school. Governor Landry’s deputy chief of staff Andree’ Miller says the legislation will give every child the chance to receive a quality education.

Cut 13 (08)  “…much better”

The Gator Scholarship Program will replace the state’s current voucher system.

House Criminal Justice approves legislation to make it a crime to be within 25-feet of a working law enforcement officer who told the person to stop or retreat. The bill was approved last year but vetoed by then Governor John Bel Edwards. Policy Strategist for the Louisiana ACLU, Stephanie Willis, believes this law will be difficult to enforce…

Cut 12 (08) “…25ft away” 

A bill to give judges the discretion to punish individuals who sexually assault a child with surgical castration advances from Senate Judiciary C. Baton Rouge Senator Regina Barrow’s bill allows for the sentencing of surgical castration if the victim is under the age of 13.

Cut 10 (12) “…from prison.”

Lake Charles Senator Mark Abraham says he has a problem with castration if it’s a first offense and that he believes in second chances.

Cut 11 (13) “…I agree.”

The bill also allows a female offender to be castrated.