Funeral services for Saints and Pelicans owner Tom Benson concluded a short time ago at St. Louis Chathedral in New Orleans. Archbishop Gregory Aymond delivered the eulogy and spoke about Benson’s dedication which led to him becoming one of the most successful businessmen in Louisiana history…
cut 14 (13) “…genoristy”
Aymond joked that the road Tom Benson Way in front of the Saints and Pelicans team headquarters was a one-way street.

Thirty-five hard individuals worked hard over the last 20 weeks and they are now State Police Troopers as Cadet Class number 97 held a graduation ceremony in Baton Rouge. The newly graduated Trooopers will deploy across the state where they will participate in a 10-14 week field training program supervised by a senior Louisiana State Trooper.

You could be fined up to 900-dollars if you illegally transport feral swine. Don Molino has more.
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Don Malino”

Governor John Bel Edwards celebrated the passage of a criminal justice reform package last year and in this legislative session there are attempts to scale some portions of the overhaul back. Edwards is watching those bills closely….
cut 8 (12) “…able to make”
Edwards says the legislation passed last year will lower prison costs, lower the incarceration rate and provide more help to offenders.

The legislature is looking at a way to spank the wild swine in the state. Feral hogs are a menace for landowners in all 64 parishes and a House committee has moved legislation to fine people up to 900-dollars who illegally transport the hogs. River Ridge Representative Kirk Talbot explained why this legislation is needed..

Cut 3 (11) “so quickly”

An unrestrained Jonesville teenager was killed and two other teens moderately injured in a single vehicle wreck in Catahoula Parish. Master State Police Trooper Scott Moreau says 18-year-old Delicia Ceasor was pronounced dead but they are not sure if she was the driver…

Cut 10 (06) “and ongoing.”

The two other injuries are described as moderate.

LSU’s Manship School for Mass Communication released its second report of the year that surveys Louisianans on pressing state issues. The questions were focused on how to address the billion dollar budget gap the state will face come July. Public Policy Lab Director Michael Henderson says those surveyed believe the state could shave some excess spending, but like many legislators, aren’t exactly sure where those cuts should come from.

Cut 11 (11) “think so.”

Ville Platte Senator Eric LaFleur has a bill in this regular session that would allow 19 and 20-year-olds to purchase alcohol, if they pass a drinking responsbility class and have their parents’ consent. LaFleur says the legal drinking age in most other countries is under 21, so why can’t it be here…
cut 11 (06) “…anywhere else”
LaFleur also believes his legislation can prevent binge drinking behind closed doors by young adults.

The House Criminal Justice Committee has approved a bill that would result in a fine of up to 900-dollars if you illegally transport wild hogs. State Veterinarian Jim LaCour says the feral hogs have infested every parish and by stopping the transportation of the hogs, it will slow the reproduction rates.
Cut 5 (13) “those properties”.
The bill’s author, Kirk Talbot, says people are trapping wild hogs, keeping them alive and then releasing them in a different location.

The Senate Education committee was the site of a testy exchange between lawmakers who were discussing a bill that would impose a moratorium on charter schools. New Orleans Representative Joseph Bouie was testifying on the bill, when Metairie Senator Conrad Appel spoke up…
cut 14 (14) “….I said”
The bill never came up for a vote.

A Jonesville teenager was killed and two others moderately injured following a car accident in Catahoula Parish. 18-year-old Delicia (Da-leash-she-a) Ceasor was killed while 18-year-old Shyonna Jones and another 17-year-old juvenile sustained injuries. Master State Police Trooper Scott Moreau says they believe speeding was a factor…
Cut 9 (10) “it’s roof.”
Moreau says Ceasor was not wearing a seat belt.

Saints and Pelicans owner Tom Benson will be laid to rest today. Jeff Palermo has more…

Cut 1 (29) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

A Jonesville teenager was killed in an accident in Catahoula Parish. 18-year-old Delicia Ceasor was killed and two others sustained moderate injuries. Troopers say all three were not wearing their seat belt and it is unknown who was driving at the time of the accident. The car went off the roadway and flipped over, stopping on the roof of the vehicle. A toxicology report is pending.

A heated exchange between legislators took place during a Senate Education Committee meeting. New Orleans Representative Joe Bouie was discussing a bill placing a moratorium on charter schools since disciplinary programs are cruel and that many persons aged 16 to 24 are either out of work or not in school. Metairie Senator Conrad Appel said the economy is to blame due to a lack of jobs in the Crescent City…

Cut 15 (09) “of work.”

The bill to place a moratorium on charter schools never came up for a vote.

Governor John Bel Edwards says he does not like the idea of arming teachers in the classroom. Edwards says he’s speaking with the Louisiana Sheriff’s Association and State Police Colonel Kevin Reeves on a comprehensive school safety program…

Cut 6 (09)  “properly trained”

Saints and Pelicans owner Tom Benson will be laid to rest today. The 90-year-old died last week from flu complications. Saints Administrative Director, Jay Romig says Benson’s widow, Gayle, has been meeting and greeting well-wishers who have come to the public viewing of her late husband. Romig says she is holding up well…

Cut 6 (11) “their respects.”

35 future State Police cadets will graduate as part of the 97^th Louisiana State Police Cadet class today. Sgt. Jared Sandifer says the class was one of the smaller ones in recent memory. They started with 49, but it’s still a very good success rate with 71 percent of the class graduating…

Sandifer says after their graduation, there will still be much to learn from experienced troopers and the new officers will get hands on training from some of the best…

Cut 9 (11)  “serve safe.”

Ville Platte Senator Eric LaFleur has filed a bill that would allow 19 and 20- year- olds to purchase alcohol by themselves, if they pass a drinking responsibility class and have their parents’ consent. LaFleur says binge drinking by young adults is a dangerous trend that’s made worse by laws that try, and often fail to bar young people from getting their hands on booze.

The drinking age in most western countries is 18 to 19, and the Ville Platte Democrat says you don’t hear nearly as many stories about binge drinking sessions from those countries as you do from the U.S.

LaFleur says current law allows underage adults to consume alcohol, if they’re with a legal guardian. He says his bill is just an obvious extension of that same idea.

Cut 12 (07) “be there”

The Senator says his bill would be a good first step to changing a drinking culture that can destroy young people’s lives. It could receive a hearing next week.

A Ville Platte Senator wants to give families of 19 and 20 year olds the ability to let their kids purchase alcohol legally. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 3 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

35 future State Police cadets will graduate as part of the 97^th Louisiana State Police Cadet class today. Sgt. Jared Sandifer says the class was one of the smaller ones in recent memory. They started with 49, but it’s still a very good success rate with 71 percent of the class graduating…

Sandifer says this is the second class they’ve graduated in recent months. But he says they are still hiring and looking ahead to a 98^th class in the near future…

Cut 8 (10)  “to us.”

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A heated exchange between legislators took place during a Senate Education Committee meeting. New Orleans Representative Joe Bouie was discussing a bill placing a moratorium on charter schools and what Tulane University research showed.  He said charter schools disciplinary programs are cruel and that many persons aged 16 to 24 are either out of work or not attending a school.

After calling for an audit of these charter schools, Senator Conrad Appel went on a tirade telling Bouie he was trying to make this a racial issue…

Cut 14 (14) “I said.”

Saints and Pelicans owner Tom Benson will be laid to rest today. The 90-year-old died last week from flu complications. Saints Administrative Director, Jay Romig, along with Pelicans General Manager Dell Demps and Head Coach Alvin Gentry will stand behind the casket. Sports stars Drew Brees, Anthony Davis and Coach Sean Payton will serve as honorary pall bearers. Romig says the service gets underway at noon at St. Louis Cathedral in the French Quarter….

Cut 5  (08)  “exciting day.”

35 future State Police cadets will graduate as part of the 97^th Louisiana State Police Cadet class today. Kelley Ray spoke with Sgt. Jared Sandifer.

Cut 2 (29) “I’m Kelley Ray.”

Saints and Pelicans owner Tom Benson will be laid to rest today. The 90-year-old died last week from flu complications. Saints Administrative Director, Jay Romig, says today will be a celebration of a man who was committed to the community and was proud to be a part of it.

Cut 4  (08) “we’re doing.” 

Ville Platte Senator Eric LaFleur has filed a bill that would allow 19 and 20- year- olds to purchase alcohol by themselves, if they pass a drinking responsibility class and have their parents’ consent.

The drinking age in most western countries is 18 to 19, and the Ville Platte Democrat says you don’t hear nearly as many stories about binge drinking sessions from those countries as you do from the U.S. He says kids are going to be kids no matter what the law says.

Cut 11 (06) “anywhere else”

A heated exchange between legislators took place during a Senate Education Committee meeting. New Orleans Representative Joe Bouie was discussing a bill placing a moratorium on charter schools and what Tulane University research showed.  He said charter schools disciplinary programs are cruel and that many persons aged 16 to 24 are either out of work or not attending a school. Metairie  Senator Conrad Appel became highly offended…

Cut 13 (11)  “this state.”

Saints and Pelicans owner Tom Benson will be laid to rest today. Jeff Palermo has more…

Voicer 1 (29) “…I’m Jeff Palermo”

Mr. Benson would be proud of what the Pelicans accomplished this week, winning three straight games in as many nights. That hasn’t been done in the NBA since 1979. New Orleans completed the trifecta with a come from behind 128 to 125 win over the Lakers. The Pels rallied back from a 11-point, fourth quarter deficit to get the victory.

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LSU is seeking its first series victory in Nashville since 2005 as they begin a three-game series against Vanderbilt. Coach Paul Mainieri admits they’ve had trouble beating the Commodores at their park, but overall his teams usually play well from Alex Box Stadium….

Cut 17 (18) “…some success”

Late start tonight as first pitch is at 8 PM.

In other college baseball action, Louisiana Tech looks to stay undefeated in Conference USA play as the Bulldogs visit U-A-B. Tech has won 12 of 14, including a sweep over Rice last weekend.

UL-Lafayette and ULM are both home this weekend. The Cajuns take on Troy and the Warhawks face Arkansas State.

McNeese is at Nicholls, while the 28^th ranked Southeastern Louisiana host Houston Baptist.

Saints and Pelicans owner Tom Benson will be laid to rest today. Jeff Palermo has more…

Cut 1 (29) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

35 future State Police cadets will graduate as part of the 97^th Louisiana State Police Cadet class today. Sgt. Jared Sandifer says the class was one of the smaller ones in recent memory. They started with 49, but it’s still a very good success rate with 71 percent of the class graduating…

Cut 7 (06)  “Louisiana safe.”

Ville Platte Senator Eric LaFleur has filed a bill that would allow 19 and 20- year- olds to purchase alcohol by themselves, if they pass a drinking responsibility class and have their parents’ consent. LaFleur says binge drinking by young adults is a dangerous trend that’s made worse by laws that try, and often fail to bar young people from getting their hands on booze.

Cut 10 (12) “like that.”

The drinking age in most western countries is 18 to 19, and the Ville Platte Democrat says you don’t hear nearly as many stories about binge drinking sessions from those countries as you do from the U.S.