State Representative Robert Johnson is the new House Democratic Caucus Chair. Jeff Palermo spoke with the Avoyelles Parish lawmaker on how the Caucus can bring a divided House back together…

Cut 3 (31) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Louisiana and Oregon are the only states that allows for ten out of twelve jurors to agree on a guilty verdict. Loyola University Law Professor Dane Ciolino expects the Louisiana District Attorneys Association tol argue against this proposed amendment in front of the legislature today.

Cut 5  (11)  “for concern.”

Louisiana weather has produced two snow events this year and a warmer than usual February. State Climatologist Barry Keim says spring can bring severe weather in the form of tornadoes and severe thunderstorms. Today marks the first day of spring and He says the clashing of the seasons can be expected once again…

Cut 9 (10)  “and May.”

Shreveport-Bossier will play host to both this year’s Miss USA and Miss Teen USA pageants, with Miss USA confirmed for May 21st. It’ll be the first time both pageants have ever been held at the same location back to back, and Miss USA will air live on FOX at the Hirsch Memorial Coliseum. Shreveport Chief Administrative Officer Bryan Crawford the crush of tourists will be a big boost to the region.

Cut 11 (10) “being here”

Miss USA and Miss Teen USA are rolling into Shreveport-Bossier, with Miss USA confirmed for May 21^st. Matt Doyle reports.

Cut 2 (29) “I’m Matt Doyle.”

A Senate Committee hears a constitutional amendment today from New Orleans Democrat J-P Morrell that will require a jury’s verdict in a felony trial to be unanimous for conviction. Louisiana and Oregon are the only states that allows for ten out of twelve jurors to agree on a guilty verdict. Loyola University Law Professor Dane Ciolino .

Cut 4  (10) “by jury.” 

Today marks the start of spring in Louisiana. Our winter produced two snow events and a warmer than usual February. State Climatologist Barry Keim says A very rainy February left the Mississippi, Ouachita and Red rivers inundated. Keim says the record rainfall amounts will benefit many…

Cut 8 (09)  “right now.”

Marksville Representative Robert Johnson is the new House Democratic Caucus Chairman. The third-term legislator says his caucus has to look beyond short-term problems – including the massive budget deficit. Johnson says Governor Edwards push for tax revenues in order to keep some services in place, would only cost the average taxpayer around $40.00 annually. He says it’s a small price to pay…

Cut 14 (07) “that nature.”

A senate committee is expected today to discuss a proposed constitutional amendment that would require unanimous jury verdicts for felony cases. Kelley Ray has more….

Cut 1 (31) “I’m Kelley Ray.”

Today marks the start of spring in Louisiana. Our winter produced two snow events and a warmer than usual February. State Climatologist Barry Keim says the La Nina effect will dictate our weather the next few months, as it pushes all the rain and colder temperatures to the north…

Cut 7 (10)  “the state.”

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Shreveport-Bossier will play host to both this year’s Miss USA and Miss Teen USA pageants, with Miss USA confirmed for May 21st. It’ll be the first time both pageants have ever been held at the same location back to back, and Miss USA will air live on FOX at the Hirsch Memorial Coliseum. Shreveport Chief Administrative Officer Bryan Crawford says the city is perfect for Miss USA.

Cut 10 (09) “Bossier region.”

Marksville Representative Robert Johnson is the new House Democratic Caucus Chairman. The third-term legislator says his caucus has to look beyond short-term problems – including the massive budget deficit. Johnson says the key to a better Louisiana is a united House that’s separated by party lines…

Cut 13 (09)  “years ago.”

A senate committee is expected today to discuss a proposed constitutional amendment that would require unanimous jury verdicts for felony cases. Kelley Ray has more….

Cut 1 (31) “I’m Kelley Ray.”

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Miss USA and Miss Teen USA are rolling into Shreveport-Bossier, with Miss USA confirmed for May 21^st. Matt Doyle reports.

Cut 2 (29) “I’m Matt Doyle.”

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State Representative Robert Johnson is the new House Democratic Caucus Chair. Jeff Palermo spoke with the Avoyelles Parish lawmaker on how the Caucus can bring a divided House back together…

Cut 3 (31) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

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A Senate Committee hears a constitutional amendment today from New Orleans Democrat J-P Morrell that will require a jury’s verdict in a felony trial to be unanimous for conviction. Louisiana and Oregon are the only states that allows for ten out of twelve jurors to agree on a guilty verdict. Loyola University Law Professor Dane Ciolino says the nations’ highest court has heard numerous challenges to Louisiana’s “majority rule” standard…

Cut 4  (10) “by jury.” 

Ciolino expects the Louisiana District Attorneys Association will argue against this proposed amendment, but….

Cut 5  (11)  “for concern.”

Ciolino says its unclear why Louisiana only requires 10 out of 12 jurors for a guilty verdict. He says some say it was established to diminish the affect African-Americans would have on a jury, but there’s another theory as well…

Cut 6 (07) “more efficient.”

Oregon is also looking at a possible amendment in 2018 or 2020 to abolish the “majority rule” standard.

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Today marks the start of spring in Louisiana. Our winter produced two snow events and a warmer than usual February. State Climatologist Barry Keim says the La Nina effect will dictate our weather the next few months, as it pushes all the rain and colder temperatures to the north…

Cut 7 (10)  “the state.”

A very rainy February left the Mississippi, Ouachita and Red rivers inundated. Keim says the record rainfall amounts will benefit many…

Cut 8 (09)  “right now.”

Keim says spring can bring severe weather in the form of tornadoes and severe thunderstorms. He says the clashing of the seasons can be expected once again…

Cut 9 (10)  “and May.”

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Shreveport-Bossier will play host to both this year’s Miss USA and Miss Teen USA pageants, with Miss USA confirmed for May 21st. It’ll be the first time both pageants have ever been held at the same location back to back, and Miss USA will air live on FOX at the Hirsch Memorial Coliseum. Shreveport Chief Administrative Officer Bryan Crawford says the city is perfect for Miss USA.

Cut 10 (09) “Bossier region.”

The competition will bring contestants from all 50 states and DC together in Shreveport, and draw in a national TV audience. Crawford says the crush of tourists will be a big boost to the region.

Cut 11 (10) “being here”

Bossier City mayor Lo Walker fondly remembers the first time the competition rolled into town, back in 1998.

400,000 state returns have been sent out to Louisiana taxpayers, but if you haven’t seen your money yet, it doesn’t mean something went wrong. Matt Doyle has more.
Cut 2 (31) “I’m Matt Doyle.”

New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu’s book about removal of four Confederate Monuments comes out tomorrow. It’s called “In the Shadows of Statues.” The outgoing mayor WWL TV he never expected the statue controversy to be stirred up for so long and he said he’s not using the book as a launch towards a run for president.

The Senate Finance committee will soon discuss legislation that would provide the families of teachers and school employees with 250-thousand dollars if they are killed while performing their duties at school. Columbia Senator Neil Riser hopes the state never has to appropriate this money…
cut 5 (13) “…use it”
Families for first responders like fire and police officers are covered by a similiar law.

A Ruston man has been arrested and charged with 7 counts of attempted second degree murder after allegedly plowing his truck into a crowd of people Saturday night. Steven Williams with the Lincoln Parish Sheriff’s office…
cut 7 (10) “…the vehicle”
Two people suffered minor injuries and 47-year-old Jason Rockett was arrested later that night.

A Senate bill set to be heard in Senate Finance would provide 250-thousand dollars in state money to the families of any teacher or school employee killed while performing their job. Columbia Senator Neil Riser is the author…
cut 4 (09) “…our people”
Currently fire and police officers are covered under a similar law.

Marksville Representative Robert Johnson is the new House Democratic Caucus Chairman. The third-term legislator says his caucus has to look beyond short-term problems – including the massive budget deficit. Johnson says the key to a better Louisiana is a united House that’s separated by party lines…
Cut 13 (09) “years ago.”
Johnson replaces Gene Reynolds who stepped down at the end of the latest special session.

Budget hearings continued Monday in the House. Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain expressed concern about not having enough money to fight wildfires across the state….
cut 14 (08) “….significant game”
Strain says the most pressing issue is outdated equipment.

A senate committee is expected on Tuesday to discuss a proposed constitutional amendment that would require unanimous jury verdicts for felony cases. Kelley Ray has more….
Cut 1 (31) “I’m Kelley Ray.”

The Senate Finance committee is scheduled to hear Senate bill 423 in the near future. If passed, it would provide 250-thousand dollars to the families of any teacher or school employee that’s killed while performing their job. Cynthia Posey is with the Louisiana Federation of Teachers

Cut 3 (12) “more important”

The House Appropriations Committee resumed its review of the proposed budget for next fiscal year by hearing from various state agencies, including the Department of Agriculture and Forestry. Ag Commissioner Mike Strain raised concerns and says the state’s firefighting capacity is already stretched thin, and that a particularly nasty season could exceed his department’s budget…

Cut 13 (09) “fighting capacity”

Strain says the most pressing issue facing state firefighters is outdated equipment.

A Ruston man has been arrested and charged with 7 counts of attempted second degree murder after allegedly plowing his truck into a crowd of people Saturday night. 47-year-old Jason Rockett fled the scene after the incident at the North Village Mobile Home, and was arrested later that night. Lincoln Parish Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy Steven Williams says it was a crime of passion.

Cut 6 (08)  “than that”

A Thibodaux man faces attempted murder and other charges after Lafourche deputies say he attacked another man with a pitchfork and then led them on a chase Saturday night.  The Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office says 28-year-old Colby Perez was spotted by deputies and began a pursuit, which he ignored. He finally surrendered after he hit a spike strip. He was charged with battery about four months ago in an incident involving the same victim, and Perez was ordered to stay away from him.

A bill to put teachers on the same plane as firefighters and police when working is being heard today at the legislature. Jim Shannon has more.

Cut 1 (31) “I’m Jim Shannon”

New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu is promoting his book about removal of the Confederate Monuments with appearances and signings in the coming days. Landrieu’s book, “In the Shadows of Statues” hits stores tomorrow.  He’s been doing national media and local interviews promoting the release. He told WWL TV he never expected the statue controversy to be stirred up for so long.

That new car in the neighbor’s driveway probably has you thinking that their tax return came in, but if you’ve filed and are getting worried about where your money is, the Department of Revenue wants to remind you not to worry, it’s on its way. Spokesperson Byron Henderson says even if you filed on day one, your return won’t technically be late until the end of this month.

Cut 9 (11) “60 days.”

Those who filed a paper return could have to wait up to 14 weeks.

A Ruston man has been arrested and charged with 7 counts of attempted second degree murder after allegedly plowing his truck into a crowd of people Saturday night. 47-year-old Jason Rockett fled the scene after the incident at the North Village Mobile Home park, and was arrested later that night. Lincoln Parish Deputy Steven Williams says Rockett got into his truck, and aimed it at the crowd.

Cut 7 (10)  “the vehicle”