Three Louisiana State Police Troopers who took a side trip to Vegas during former Superintendent Mike Edmondson’s tenure and allegedly had themselves a night out on the town at the state’s expense have had their disciplinary sentences significantly reduced by the civil service commission. The troopers claimed their actions were justified because of permission granted by Edmonson when they were assigned to training in California, but Metropolitan Crime Commission President Rafael Goyeneche says that defense shouldn’t have held up.

Cut 8 (12)  “was ok.”

Louisiana State Police are investigating a deputy-involved shooting in Livingston Parish.  So far, the investigation reveals the deputies responded to a domestic disturbance when a deputy encountered an armed individual at the residence.  Shots were fired at the individual, who later died at the scene from his injuries.

Governor Edwards is back in town after a trip to New Jersey where he talked criminal justice reform with the President. During an appearance to 107.3’s AM Baton Rouge show, the governor defended what he called the state’s progress with justice reforms that have led to Louisiana losing the title as the world’s incarceration capital. Edwards says the way the state used to do business just wasn’t working.

Cut 3 (12) “as florida”

Louisiana shrimpers say a strike could be coming soon if prices hit thirty cents a pound as they are feeling the effect of cheaper, imported seafood.  Captain Acy Cooper says many of the imported shrimp from countries like Indonesia are flooding the market just before the season kicks off in the Bayou State.  Shrimp talk gotcha hungry? Cooper says to ensure you are purchasing Louisiana shrimp, buy your seafood directly from the local fishermen.  And as far as ways to eat shrimp…

Cut 12 (08) “…we live off of shrimp.”

During a roundtable discussion on criminal justice reform, Governor John Bel Edwards told the President that the 10 laws that went effect last year to reduce the state’s prison population and improve programs to cut down on the recidivism rate have been a major win for the state…
cut 15 (09) “…with you”
Edwards also invited the President to tour the state’s pentitentary at Angola. No word if Mr. Trump will take up the governor’s invitation.

We’re approaching the two-year anniversary of the great flood of 2016 which swamped neighborhoods from Acadiana to the Baton Rouge area. A new law stemming from that incident went into effect this month. Mike Barron with the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission says you can now have your driver’s license suspended for two years for careless operation of a motor vehicle during flood conditions…
cut 6 (11) “….crime now”

A new shrimp season begins Monday, but Louisiana shrimpers are threatening to strike. Kevin Barnhart explains why…
Voicer 3 (33) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

State Police is investigating a fatal police shooting in Livingston parish. According to L-S-P, Livingston Sheriff deputies responded to a domestic disturbance in Denham Springs and encountered an armed subject at a home. Shots were fired and the subject was struck and died from his injuries. No other information is available.

The State Police Commission significantly reduced the discpline three troopers received for their taxpayer funded side trip to Las Vegas in 2016, before arriving at a law enforcement conference in California. State Police Colonel Kevin Reeves went before the Commission arguing for a harsh punishment, as the department seeks to regain the public’s trust. Metropolitan Crime Commission President Rafael Goyeneche had this reaction…
cut 9 (09) “…setback”
The FBI has been investigating former State Police Colonel Mike Edmonson for alleged improprieties during his nine-year tenure, but the probe has yet to result in any charges.

I-10 West is closed at the Scott in Lafayette Parish as a result of a crash involving an 18-wheeler that’s carrying a chemcial. The semi crossed the median and hit another vehicle. No major injuries are reported, but the closure could last several hours.

Democratic Governor John Bel Edwards is back in Louisiana after his visit with President Donald Trump to discuss criminal justice reform. The Republican President is pushing Congress to spend 50-million dollars on drug treatment, education and job skills programs. Edwards told the President the state saved 12-million dollars in the first year of its criminal justice reform effort
Cut 13 (08) “reentry”

New laws went into effect this month regarding DWI convictions. If a breathalyzer is used and the driver is convicted of a DWI, the fine for the use of that breathalyzer has been raised 50-dollars to 125-dollars. Impaired driving consultant with the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission, Mike Barron, says judges are also now allowed to extend probation for for people convicted of multiple DWI offenses…
cut 5 (11) “….as long as eight years’

Three Louisiana State Police Troopers who took a side trip to Vegas during former Superintendent Mike Edmondson’s tenure and allegedly had themselves a night out on the town at the state’s expense, had their disciplinary sentences significantly reduced by the State Police Commission. Metropolitan Crime Commission President Rafael Goyeneche says that’s highly disappointing.
Cut 7 (07) “of Louisiana.”
The commission restored the ranks of two of the troopers who were demoted and overturned a letter of reprimand for another one.

The season begins Monday for Louisiana shrimpers, but they are threatening to strike, because cheap imports have flooded the market, causing prices to drop. Louisiana Shrimpers Association President Acy Cooper says tariffs are only a temporary fix. He says a better soultion is a cap on imported shrimp….
cut 11 (04) “…where we at now”
Cooper urges consumers to buy Louisiana shrimp.

Several new traffic laws went into effect as of August 1. Kevin Barnhart has the details on a few of them.
Cut 1 (33) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

The Saints opened preseason play by scoring two touchdowns in the 4th quarter to beat Jacksonville 24-20 last night. But Coach Sean Payton is not happy the Jaguars scored on their first three possessions.

And after hearing his appeal, the NCAA has upheld LSU cornerback Kristian Fulton’s two-year suspension for tampering with a drug test, so he’s still ineligible to play this season.

John Bel Edwards was the only elected Democrat to participate in a roundtable discussion on criminal justice reform with President Donald Trump. In the portion open to the media, Edwards told the President about the efforts in the Bayou State to lower the state’s inmate population…
cut 14 (13) “…yes sir”
Edwards also invited the President to take a tour of the State’s Penitentiary at Angola.

Louisiana shrimpers say a strike could be coming soon if prices hit thirty cents a pound, because of cheaper, imported seafood. Louisiana Shrimpers Association President Acy Cooper says many of the imported shrimp from countries like Indonesia are flooding the market just before the season kicks off in the Bayou State.
Cut 10 (04) “…run our prices down.”
The shrimp season is set to begin on Monday.

Several new traffic laws went into effect as of August 1. Among those laws, were stiffer penalties for DWI convictions, new laws on driving in flooded areas, and the use of off-road vehicles on public roads. Act 198 levies an additional $50 fine for the use of a breathalyzer if the traffic stop results in a DWI conviction. The increase raises the fine to $125. Impaired driving consultant, with the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission Mike Barron, says that money is being reinvested into traffic safety.
Cut 4 (10) “…the DWI laws.”
Barron says lawmakers also changed existing law to give judges the ability to sentence a third and fourth-offense DWI driver to probation for up to eight years.

Several new traffic laws went into effect as of August 1.  Kevin Barnhart has the details on a few of them.

Cut 1 (33)  “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

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Former LSP Superintendent Mike Edmondson’s Side Trip Troopers got a sharply reduced disciplinary sentence from the Civil Service Commission. Matt Doyle has more.

Cut 2 (30) ”I’m Matt Doyle” 

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Louisiana shrimpers on strike?  It could happen very soon.  Kevin Barnhart has the details.

Cut 3 (33) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

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Several new traffic laws went into effect as of August 1. Among those laws, were stiffer penalties for DWI convictions, new laws on driving in flooded areas, and the use of off-road vehicles on public roads.  Act 198 levies an additional $50 fine for the use of breath-testing in a DWI conviction, with the increase bringing the price tag up from the original $75 to $125.  Impaired driving consultant, Mike Barron, says that money is being reinvested into traffic safety.

Cut 4 (10) “…the DWI laws.”

Barron says as the result of the criminal justice reform, the length of time a judge can sentence a repeat DWI offender to probation was shortened accidentally.  As a result the law needed to be amended to allow judges to extend the time an offender’s treatment takes place, which is what Act 508 does.

Cut 5 (11) “…as long as eight years.”

Barron says another law put onto the books applies to careless driving in conditions many Louisiana residents are all too familiar with:  flood water.

Cut 6 (11) “…a separate crime now.”

The law carries a penalty of up to 250 hours community service and a two-year driver’s license suspension.

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Three Louisiana State Police Troopers who took a side trip to Vegas during former Superintendent Mike Edmondson’s tenure and allegedly had themselves a night out on the town at the state’s expense have had their disciplinary sentences significantly reduced by the civil service commission. Metropolitan Crime Commission President Rafael Goyeneche says, that’s highly disappointing.

Cut 7 (07) “of Louisiana.”

The troopers had their original displaces handed down by the new Superintendent, which involved demotions and pay cuts for the trip that occurred when they were assigned to go to California for training, but received permission from Edmondson to take a detour. The troopers claimed their actions were justified because of that permission, but Goyeneche says that defense shouldn’t have held up.

Cut 8 (12)  “was ok.”

Goyeneche says the whole ordeal is a blow to a department looking for rebound and rebuild after a tenure he says was marked with corruption and malfeasance.

Cut 9 (09)  “is a setback”

Edmonson’s case will be heard later this year in federal court.  

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Louisiana shrimpers say a strike could be coming soon if prices hit thirty cents a pound as they are feeling the effect of cheaper, imported seafood.  Captain Acy Cooper says many of the imported shrimp from countries like Indonesia are flooding the market just before the season kicks off in the Bayou State.

Cut 10 (04)   “…run our prices down.”

Cooper says tariffs are only a temporary fix and suggests possibly putting a cap on imported shrimp so local shrimps can continue to make a living.

Cut 11 (04) “…where we at now.” 

If all this talk of shrimp is making you hungry, Cooper says to ensure you are purchasing Louisiana shrimp, buy your seafood directly from the local fishermen.  And as far as ways to eat shrimp…

Cut 12 (08) “…we live off of shrimp.”

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Democratic Governor John Bel Edwards visited with President Donald Trump in New Jersey yesterday to talk criminal justice reform, a topic that is reportedly under consideration by the Republican President for a major congressional push. Edwards celebrated the state’s savings of 12.2 million dollars from the first year of new laws.

Cut 13 (08) “reentry” 

One result of the reforms was a major drop in the total prison and supervised population in the state, which lost Louisiana one of its more infamous monikers. When Edwards relayed that bit of information, the President perked up….

Cut 14 (13) “good…yes sir”

The reforms have come under fire from two of Edwards’ potential gubernatorial opponents for the 2019 governor’s race. Senator John Kennedy sent a letter to the president ahead of the meeting warning him not to believe the governor’s message, but Edwards stuck to his guns and told the president about what he sees as a major win for the state.

Cut 15 (09) “with you”

Edwards was the only elected Democrat at the meeting of governors, attorney generals, and other officials from across the country.

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The Youth Infrastructure Coalition has launched an effort to get the federal government to approve funding for a proposed new interstate that would run from Texas to Georgia and cut through central Louisiana. It would be called Interstate 14. Frank Lumpkin the Fourth, president of the organization, says the project will mostly be upgrading existing roads to interstate standard, which will cut down on the costs.

Cut 8 (09) “…was initially built.”

A team of 40 UL Lafayette students and their instructor are releasing a podcast chronicling the 2016 floods through the eyes of those who experienced the disaster first hand. UNDERWATER: Memories of the 2016 Floods is the result of over a hundred interviews. Assistant History Professor Dr. Liz Skilton says the program weaves together a narrative that reveals just how widespread the problems were, and how communities responded in the aftermath.

Cut 4 (11) “of us”

NOAA has lowered its prediction for the number of named storms for  this hurricane season. Back in May, government forecasters estimated as many as 16 storms, now they say the 2018 total could be between 9 and 13. State Climatologist Barry Keim says despite this dialed down long-range forecast, there are more storms to come…

Cut 14 (08) “…the forecast.”

A report shows a record number of Louisiana high school students are now earning AP credits. 12 percent more students scored a 3 for the tests that allow them to get some early college credit. Louisiana Education Department Assistant Superintendent Ken Bradford says the results come down to increased incentives for high school students to enroll in the optional courses.

Cut 9 (08)  “credit”

A team of 40 UL Lafayette students and their instructor are releasing a podcast chronicling the 2016 floods through the eyes of those who experienced the disaster first hand. UNDERWATER: Memories of the 2016 Floods is the result of over a hundred interviews. Assistant History Professor Dr. Liz Skilton says each podcast takes a look at a different flood zone.

Cut 3 (10) “acadiana.”

The Youth Infrastructure Coalition has launched an effort to get the federal government to approve funding for a proposed new interstate that would run from Texas to Georgia and cut through central Louisiana. It would be called Interstate 14. Frank Lumpkin the Fourth, president of the organization, says new infrastructure has been swept under the rug for far too long and the addition of the interstate would have a positive impact on residents in surrounding communities.

Cut 7 (09) “…you’re located on.”

A report shows a record number of Louisiana high school students are now earning AP credits. 12 percent more students scored a 3 for the tests that allow them to get some early college credit. The program has grown from 2,747 total students passing in 2012, to 7,330 this year.  Louisiana Education Department Assistant Superintendent Ken Bradford says the jump in African American student participation has been substantial as well.

Cut 11 (10) “or higher”

NOAA has lowered its prediction for the number of named storms for this hurricane season. Back in May, government forecasters estimated as many as 16 storms, now they say the 2018 total could be between 9 and 13. State Climatologist Barry Keim says the likelihood of an El Nino during the second half of the season is growing

Cut 12 (06)   “…to form.”