The “Max Gruver Act” is set to be heard on the House floor today. Matt Doyle has the story.
Cut 3 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

The totals are in on how much the special session cost the state. The dollar figure is 643-thousand dollars. Out of that total, legislators were compensated 324-thousand dollars for the 15-day session that failed to produce any legislation to address a looming one billion dollar budget deficit. Another special session is expected in late May or June.

Former LSU football coach Les Miles is dipping his toes into the film industry, looking to take his distinctive character to the silver screen. Patrick Mulhearn a Senior Director at Louisiana Economic Development says the transition from pigskin to productions should be smooth for the Mad Hatter.
Cut 11 (07) “a play”
Miles has been taking acting classes and he’ll appear as a NASA chief in movie called Angry Men, which will be released in June.

Baton Rouge Representative Patricia Smith is pushing legislation that would prohibit a public school from denying a student a meal at lunch, even if the child’s parents has unpaid debts to the school. Smith says her bill was inspired by hearbreaking stories…
cut 8 (12) “….from them”
The measure is scheduled for a hearing on the House floor later this week.

State lawmakers return to the capitol today and so do the parents of Max Gruver as they will see if the full House approves a bill to increase the criminal penalties for those convicted of hazing. Max’s mom, Rae Anne, says the family is still struggling with the loss of their 18-year-old son who was found dead with a blood alcohol content of .495 in a suspected hazing death on LSU’s campus last September….
cut 16 (09) “…our lives”
The measure would make the crime of hazing a felony.

Later this week on the House floor is a bill that would prevent schools from not providing a student a meal at lunch, even if their parents have unpaid debts to the school. Louisiana Association of Educators President Debbie Meaux says if students are hungry, they can’t learn….
cut 9 (08) “….do something”

State Police has issued a Level Two Endangered—Missing Child Advisory as authorities are looking for a 10-year-old girl from northeast Louisiana. Her name is Jazzmyne Taylor and she was last seen yesterday afternoon on Second Street in Lake Providence wearing a gray and white stripled short-sleeve shirt and light blue jeans. She is black, with long black hair and she wears her hair in chocheted braids.

And Natchitoches Police are searching for 21-year-old Tyjuan Ardison of Campti. He’s wanted in the murder of Jamel Haskett. Authorities say Ardison fatally shot Haskett multiple time after an argument broke out between the two at a Shop Rite on Keyser Avenue.

Work is underway on an 18-million dollar construction project on I-10 in St. Martin and Iberville Parishes as crews will be cleaning, painting and repairing concrete and metal bridge structures. Department of Transportation spokesperson Rodney Mallett says if there are any lane closures, they will happen at night….
cut 6 (09) “…those notices”

The parents of Maxwell Gruver, who died last year in an alleged hazing incident at LSU, are backing a bill that would stiffen criminal penalties for those who are found guilty of hazing. The “Max Gruver Act” passed through committee without objection and is set to be heard today on the House floor. Gruver’s father Steve says this is the bill will save lives.

Cut 14 (09) “of them”

The bill would make hazing a felony, carrying with it a 1,000 dollar fine and up to six months in jail in cases involving a hazing death. Gruver says the only way to stop hazing is to send a strong message, backed up with tough penalties.

Cut 15 (08) “real deterent”

The bill is sponsored by Lafayette Representative Nancy Landry, who says the penalties are some of the stiffest in the nation.

Baton Rouge Representative Pat Smith’s legislation that would prevent schools from taking lunches away from students with unpaid school debts is moving to the floor. Smith says her legislation would prevent schools from publicly rejecting lunches for students, and stop them from “shaming” kids whose parents are either negligent or unable for afford the meals.

Cut 7 (08)  “a bill.”

But there were some concerns about the bill being an unfunded mandate for school districts that would require them to feed hungry children without a guarantee of repayment. Louisiana School Board Association Executive Director Scott Richard opposed the bill, saying school lunches don’t grow on trees.

Cut 10 (10) “is free”

The bill was passed 7-4 and has a floor hearing set for Wednesday.

The officer who shot Alton Sterling was fired from the Baton Rouge Police Department after an administrative review determined he violated departmental policies during the incident. Blane Salamoni was not charged by federal or state prosecutors, but Police Chief Murphy Paul says the decision wasn’t about politics.

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Lake was suspended three days.

Along with the results of the administrative review, Paul released evidence that was previously unavailable to the public. Video and audio from the officer’s body cams, as well as the 911 call is now available online. Sterling family attorney Mike Adams says the video dispels the notion that Sterling was at fault.

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Many children will be eager to find eggs during the traditional Easter egg hunts this year. There are things to keep in mind, especially if you plan on eating those eggs that are found. Louisiana Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain says it’s important to note how long they have been outside of a refrigerated environment before stuffing your face.

Cut 10 (12) “food poisoning.”

Representatives with the Alzheimer’s Association of Louisiana were at the state capitol this week to let lawmakers know Alzheimer’s is health care crisis in this state. Spokesperson Adrienne Mullens says the number of families dealing with this disease is staggering

Cut 12 (12)   “affected”

The officer who shot Alton Sterling was fired from the Baton Rouge Police Department after an administrative review determined he violated departmental policies during the incident. Blane Salamoni was not charged by federal or state prosecutors, but Police Chief Murphy Paul says the officer clearly did not follow procedure.

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Lake was suspended three days.

Along with the results of the administrative review, Paul released evidence that was previously unavailable to the public. Video and audio, as well as the 911 call is now available online. Sterling family attorney Chris Stewart says police shootings shouldn’t be local authority’s jurisdiction.

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After a slow start, the crawfish supply is ready to match the Easter weekend demand. Freezing temperatures in January temporarily halted production, but LSU Crawfish expert Doctor Greg Lutz says the mudbugs have bounced back….

Cut 3 (07) “started to eat”

Lutz says Easter is prime crawfish eating season but that doesn’t mean the prices won’t be good and the size won’t be big.

NBA and LSU legend Shaquille O’Neil is helping Lafayette High School athletes get ripped with a big donation to the school’s weight room renovation project. The school is looking to raise 42,000 dollars to give the Mighty Lions a better room to pump iron in. Shaq kicked off the fund drive off with a message of encouragement to the students.

Cut 6 (12)  “bye bye”

The officer who shot Alton Sterling was fired from the Baton Rouge Police Department after an administrative review determined he violated departmental policies during the incident. Blane Salamoni was not charged by federal or state prosecutors, but Police Chief Murphy Paul says he acted recklessly while fellow officer Howie Lake tried to get control of the situation.

Cut 23

Lake was suspended three days.

Along with the results of the administrative review, Paul released evidence that was previously unavailable to the public. There is footage and audio, now available online, from the officer’s body cameras and the convenience store, as well as a recording of the 911 call that drew the officers to the scene. Sterling family attorney Chris Stewart…

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Representatives with the Alzheimer’s Association of Louisiana were at the state capitol this week to urge state legislators to approve funding to help families who have loved ones suffering from this horrible disease. Jim Shannon has more…

Cut 1 (26) “I’m Jim Shannon”

Many children will be eager to find eggs during the traditional Easter egg hunts this year. There are things to keep in mind, especially if you plan on eating those eggs that are found. Louisiana Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain…

Cut 9 (09) “human consumption.”

After scoring 10 runs on Thursday, LSU was held to just four hits in a four to one loss to Mississippi State last night. Bulldogs left-hander Ethan Small struck out nine over eight innings and the Tigers allowed a couple of unearned runs to score. Rubber contest of the three-game series is today at 2 PM.

After blowing a late lead on Thursday, Louisiana Tech held on for a seven to six win over F-I-U. Tanner Huddleston hit two home runs and drove in six runs.

Richard Ortiz hit a grand slam as Grambling clobbered Texas Southern 10-5.

UT Arlington shutout ULM 5-0 to win the series and Arkansas State has claimed its series with the Cajuns as the Red Wolves walloped UL Lafayette 14-2. Tulane was also on the wrong end of a blowout as they fell to South Florida 14-3.

McNeese beat Southeastern 5-2, while Central Arkansas blanked Northwestern 3-0 and UNO topped Texas A-and-M Corpus Christi 2-0.

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The Pelicans losing streak is up to three after losing to the Cavaliers 107 to 102. Anthony Davis had just 16 points and recorded a plus-minus of negative 20. Jrue Holiday led New Orleans with 25 points on 12 of 18 shooting. Nikola Mirotic had 20 points and drained four 3-pointers. But LeBron James nearly had a triple-double, 27 points, 11 assists and 9 rebounds. New Orleans will host the Thunder on Sunday.

Lafayette High School is receiving financial assistance from Shaquille O’ Neal to help renovate their weight room. The school is looking to raise 42-thousand dollars and head football coach Rob Pool says Shaq has come forward and has pledged to help attain that goal with a financial contribution….

cut 8 (08) “…great day”
O’ Neal’s donation will come during a South Louisiana Giving Day Event, which is May 10th.

Baton Rouge Police Chief Murphy Paul has announced that officer Blane Salamoni has been fired, while Howie Lake has been suspended for three days after an internal review into the shooting of Alton Sterling. Paul says Salamoni violated the use of force policy and displayed poor temperment. Graphic body camera video has been released and it shows a violent struggle before Salamoni fired six gun shots into the body of Sterling.

Shaquille O’Neil is offering a helping hand to the Lafayette High athletics program after the school reached out to him for fundraising help. Matt Doyle has more.
Cut 2 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

After a slow start, the crawfish supply is ready to match the Easter weekend demand. Freezing temperatures in January temporarily halted production, but LSU Crawfish expert Doctor Greg Lutz says the mudbugs have bounced back….
cut 3 (07) “…started to eat”
Lutz says not only is the crawfish plentiful, the quality is good too.

And if you plan on decorating hard boiled eggs or eating devil eggs for Easter, Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain says prices are up slightly from last year….
cut 11 (09) “…..good value”
Strain says use F-D-A approved dye for decorating hard boiled eggs.