The House Transportation Committee voted against a bill that would allow residents to vote on whether they want traffic enforcement cameras…:
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

Senator Bill Cassidy is slated to appear on Jimmy Kimmel Live today after calling for a “Kimmel test” a new healthcare bill would need to pass. Kimmel gave an emotional monologue last week about the birth of his son who was born with a heart disease, but surgery saved his life. Cassidy said the Obamacare replacement must cover pre-existing conditions adequately.

A Covington man is facing a slew of charges amid allegations he tried to run over the 8 year old son of his girlfriend. Capt. Daniel Seuzeneau with the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office says 34-year-old Shawn Porrovecchio also threw baseballs at the child then led cops on a high speed chase on I-12.:
CUT 12 (10) “to crash”
Porrovecchio’s charges including attemted first degree murder.

A Tulane University professor has filed suit in Orleans Parish Civil District Court to keep the Beauregard statue in place stating that it is not owned by the city. Richard Marksbury argues that the City Park Improvement Association is the true owner of the monument, Mayor Mitch Landrieu would need their approval before taking it down…:
Cut 14 (08) “those two”
He is seeking a temporary restraining order from a judge to halt its removal.

A bill that would leave it up to voters whether the state should allow traffic enforcement cameras died in the House Transportation Committee. Covington Representative Paul Hollis he conducted a poll on support for the devices and only 11-percent of respondents were in favor of keeping red light and speed cameras…:
Cut 8 (09) “about money”
But opponents say getting rid of them would promote bad behavior. The measure failed 14 to 1.

Also in House Transportation today, lawmakers advanced a bill that would require training in driver’s ed on how to act when you get pulled over. Plaquemine Representative Chad Brown says this is just common sense legislation…:
Cut 7 (07) “occupant bill”
The measure now heads to the full House.

FEMA is hiring. Supervisor of Human Resources Specialist, Carisa Berkeley says they’re looking to hire 100 reservists from southeast Louisiana to work in the agency’s public assistance program. She says the more robust of a workforce they can create in these areas, the better the response they can offer…:
Cut 4 (09) “type of response”
You can view the job openings and apply at LaWorks.net.

The Monumental Task Committee today presented what it calls new evidence to prevent New Orleans from tearing down one of the three Confederate statues slated from removal. The group says they filed a suit because they have proof that the monument to Confederate General P.G.T. Beauregard is on private land, not land owned by the city.

A bill that requires specific training during driver’s education courses on how motorists should behave during a traffic stop received approval from the House Transportation Committee. Plaquemine Representative Chad Brown is the author of the measure…:
Cut 6 (10) “traffic stop”
The measure now heads to the full House.

A Covington man is behind bars after police say he tried to run over an 8-year-old then rammed a sheriff’s deputy on I-12. Capt. Daniel Seuzeneau with the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office says they received a 911 call about a domestic dispute between 34-year-old Shawn Porrovecchio and his girlfriend…:
Cut 11 (09) “inside the vehicle”
He says Porrovecchio lead cops on a chase and crashed into a deputy patrol vehicle. He faces many charges including attempted first degree murder.

The regular session ends in one month and Jeff Palermo tells us where legislators are with two big issues…:
Cut 2 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

FEMA is looking for Louisiana workers to help during disaster response. Supervisor of Human Resources Specialist, Carisa Berkeley says want to hire people with a range of work experience…:
Cut 3 (11) “and response”
Find out more at careers.fema.gov.

Voters would decide whether to eliminate speed and red light enforcement cameras under a bill before the House Transportation Committee this morning. Covington Representative Paul Hollis believes the public doesn’t think these devices are a safety issue — but something else…:
Cut 12 (10) “right”
Similar bills have not fared well in the past.

On the House floor this afternoon, a bill is up for a vote that would prohibit corporal punishment in public schools. Shreveport Representative Barbara Norton says allowing children to be paddled leaves schools open to lawsuits…
cut 5 (10) “…corporal punishment”
Opponents to Norton’s measure say parents can sign a form to opt their children out of spankings.

The legislative session must end in one month, and lawmakers still have a long way to go. Political analyst Clancy Dubos says legislators are the most productive as they get closer to a deadline…:
Cut 13 (10) “gotten done”
The budget remains the biggest priority and we should learn today or tomorrow what kind of tax changes we’ll be supported by the House Republican leadership.

At this hour, Chris Maggio is being formally introduced as the new president of Northwestern State University. Maggio says his goal is to make sure the Natchitoches campus is warm and inviting, creating the perfect atmosphere for students…
cut 9 (11) “…on campus”
Maggio succeeds Jim Henderson, who was recently named as president of the University of Louisiana System.

We’re nearing the halfway point of the legislative session, and lawmakers still have a long way to go. While the biggest matter is the budget, another key agenda item is criminal justice reform. Political analyst Clancy Dubos expects lawmakers to focus primarily on nonviolent crime during this session. He says it will take the 2018 session to accomplish the goal of overall reform…:
Cut 15 (08) “to tackle”
The session ends June 8th.

Today the full House is scheduled to take up a proposal to ban corporal punishment in public schools. Shreveport Representative Barbara Norton says asking teachers to spank their students puts an additional strain on the educators…:
Cut 6 (10) “the parent”
She also argues that there is no proof that paddling is an effective form of discipline.

A measure to be heard before the House Transportation Committee today would give residents the chance to vote on removing red light or speed cameras that issue traffic tickets. Covington Representative Paul Hollis says the devices are scams and trample on drivers’ first amendment rights. because motorists don’t get a chance to confront their accuser…:
Cut 11 (10) “a fine”
Local government say they help reduce crashes, especially at intersections.

Dr. Chris Maggio has been appointed the new president of Northwestern State University by the UL-System Board of Supervisors. He says the plan is to continue to prioritize higher education given the uncertainty in the legislature…:
Cut 8 (09) “education”
The appointment is effective May 12.

The legislative session has reached its halfway mark, and there is still plenty of work to be done, particularly on the budget. The House has sent next fiscal year’s spending plan over to the Senate for approval. It appropriates 97.5 percent of the revenues that the State Treasury will make available. The governor says this will lead to difficult cuts, and Political analyst Clancy Dubos expects the Senate will add revenue…:
Cut 14 (08) “own ideas”
Another key agenda item is criminal justice reform.

The search has resumed for a 14-year-old who reportedly went under when his boat capsized around 7pm Saturday on Black Bayou, according to the Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office. There were three other teens on the vessel at the time and all were spilled into the lake — none wearing a life jacket. The friends couldn’t rescue the missing boy. Today is day three of the search.

A bill that would give residents the chance to vote on whether to remove traffic enforcement cameras will be heard before the House Transportation Committee…:
Cut 3 (25) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

The University of Louisiana System Board of Supervisors names Dr. Chris Maggio the new president of Northwestern State. Maggio says he’s honored and humbled to accept the position as he’s been with the school for 29 years…:
Cut 7 (11) “forward”

The legislative session must end in one month, and lawmakers still have a long way to go. Political analyst Clancy Dubos says legislators are the most productive as they get closer to a deadline…:
Cut 13 (10) “gotten done”
The budget remains the biggest priority.

The big protesting story over the weekend was not in Baton Rouge over the Alton Sterling shooting, but instead hundreds faced off in New Orleans on both sides of the highly charged Confederate monument matter. It took place at Lee Circle and NOPD says other than three arrests, the dueling demonstration remained peaceful.

In the Capitol City, one arrest was made of man who brought a gun to a protest outside BRPD headquarters Saturday afternoon. Cops say 30-year-old Paul Richey of Denham Springs was walking on private property without permission and was within 1000 feet of two schools with the firearm. Baton Rouge protests were non-violent.

The House takes up a bill today that would ban corporal punishment in Louisiana schools….:
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Halen Doughty”

Voters would get to decide whether to eliminate speed and red light enforcement cameras under a bill before the House Transportation Committee today. Covington Representative Paul Hollis believes the public doesn’t think these devices are a safety issue — but something else…:
Cut 12 (10) “right”