Not guilty is the verdict in the case of a former Destrehan high school teacher who allegedly had sex with a teen student in Jefferson Parish. One of the allegations claimed that Shelley Dufrense had a three some with a 16-year-old football player in 2014. The judge who handed down the verdict said Dufrense’s behavior was shameful, but the teen’s testimony was not believable. Dufrense previously pleaded guilty to an obscenity charge in St. Charles Parish.

On a six-to-five vote in a House committee, a bill to ban corporal punishment in Louisiana schools advanced to the House floor. Shreveport Representative Barbara Norton says it shouldn’t be up to educators to punish kids by paddling them….
cut 12 (10) “….their responsiblity”
Corporal punishment is currently allowed in just over half of Louisiana’s school districts.

The House Health and Welfare Committee advances a bill that would limit first-time opioid prescriptions in Louisiana, in the hopes of addressing a growing opioid epidemic. Former Assistant Secretary of Health, Dr. Karen DeSalvo says 90 people die a day nationwide from opioid overdoses.
Cut 8 (11) “in 2014 alone”
The proposal by New Orleans Representative Helena Moreno would limit first-time opioid prescriptions to a 7-day supply.

The House Education committee passed a bill that would require public schools to teach litter prevention and awareness to students from kindergarten to fifth grade. Executive director of the Louisiana School Board Association Scott Richard says they suppport efforts to prevent littering, but…
cut 7 (08) “…and make”
The measure heads to the House floor for more discussion.

The House Education Committee advances a measure that would ban corporal punishment of any kind in public schools. Jeff Palermo reports…:
Cut 2 (28) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

A former Destrehan High School teacher is found not guilty of two counts of carnal knowledge of a juvenile. Prosecutors accused 34-year-old Shelley Dufrense of having sex on two different occasions with a student in Jefferson Parish. But the judge found no evidence that it occurred. Dufrense previously plead guilty to obscenity in St. Charles Parish.

A measure that would man sanctuary city policies passes out of a House Committee on a tight 8 to 7 vote. Baton Rouge native Melissa Yarborough spoke out against the measure and says this bill states that communities are better off without illegal aliens. She says her life was flipped upside down when her fiancé was deported.
Cut 14 (11) “our community”

First-time opioid prescriptions in Louisiana would be limited to a 7 day supply under a bill that advanced out of a House committee. Former Assistant Secretary of Health, Dr. Karen DeSalvo, who supports the measure, says doctors would also have to talk to their patients about the risks involved with taking pain pills to open a dialogue…:
Cut 9 (11) “treatment and recovery”

The measure now heads to the House floor for more discussion.

In a bit of a surprise development in the House Education committee, a bill to ban corporal punishment in Louisiana public schools barely advanced to the House floor on a six to five vote. Based on testimony, corporal punishment is allowed in 38 of the state’s 69 school districts.

Also heading to the House floor, is a measure that would limit first-time opioid prescriptions to a seven-day supply. Michelle Southern has more…
voicer 1 (30) “…I’m Michelle Southern”

A bill that targets New Orleans for its so-called sanctuary city policy received approval from the House Criminal Justice Committee. The NOPD prohibits officers from questioning the immigration status of individuals who commit or report a crime. Attorney General Jeff Landry says this policy puts New Orleans at risk of losing federal dollars…
cut 15 (08) “…funding”
New Orleans officials dispute the sanctuary city claim and say they follow all federal laws when it comes to immigration.

13 UL Lafayette football players were arrested for allegedly breaking into a dorm room and stealing several items totaling 24-hundred dollars. Lt. Billy Abrams with campus police says the student-athletes are charged with conspiracy to commit felony theft…
cut 4 (08) “…that were stolen”
Football Coach Mark Hudspeth has suspended the 13 players from the team indefinitely.

A bill that would ban the policies of sanctuary cities barely passed out of the House Criminal Justice Committee. Denham Springs Representative Valarie Hodges says her measure isn’t about discrimination, but putting America first. She noted she raised her children in Mexico for 18 years…:
Cut 13 (11) “of law”
But those in opposition say deporting people is highly disruptive to families, businesses and communities.

The House Education Committee advances a measure that would ban corporal punishment of any kind in public schools. House Bill 497 is by Shreveport Representative Barbara Norton who says there is no proof that spanking a student has actually worked at changing behavior…:
CUT 11 (10) “in 2011”
Both bills head to the House floor.

The House Health and Welfare Committee advances a bill that would limit first-time opioid prescriptions in Louisiana, in the hopes of addressing a growing epidemic. Former Assistant Secretary of Health, Dr. Karen DeSalvo says the measure also allows patients to request pharmacists not fill the entire quantity of opioid prescription if they don’t need it…:
Cut 10 (09) “using opioids”
The measure now heads to the House floor for more discussion.

More than a dozen UL-Lafayette football players have been suspended indefinitely from the team after allegedly robbing a dorm room on campus. Lt. Billy Abrams with the UL-Lafayette Police Department says 13 football players stole several items from a room in Huger Hall…:
Cut 3 (10) “students were”
He says all of the students are charged with conspiracy to commit felony theft.

First-time opioid prescriptions in Louisiana would be limited to a 7 day supply under a bill that advanced out of a House committee. Former Assistant Secretary of Health, Dr. Karen DeSalvo, who supports the measure, says doctors would also have to talk to their patients about the risks involved with taking pain pills to open a dialogue…:
Cut 9 (11) “treatment and recovery”
The measure now heads to the House floor for more discussion.

Kids would be required to be taught litter prevention and awareness in science class under a measure also headed to the full House. Executive Director of Keep Louisiana Beautiful Susan Russell says the purpose of educating young students is to prepare them for tomorrow’s world…
Cut 6 (06) “about it”

A bill that would prohibit the use of corporal punishment on children with disabilities in public schools passes out of the House Education Committee. Michelle Hurst with the state Developmental Disabilities Council says unfortunately students with ailments are often on the receiving end of this kind of discipline…:
Cut 11 (07) “behaviors”
This legislation is part of Governor Edwards’ legislative agenda.

Two teachers in St. Landry Parish are in trouble for allegedly asking other students to punish an 11-year-old classmate by fighting, or receive failing grades if they didn’t. The Washington Elementary teachers face charges including encouraging or contributing to child delinquency and simple battery.

The House Health and Welfare Committee advances a bill that would limit first-time opioid prescriptions in Louisiana, in the hopes of addressing a growing opioid epidemic. Former Assistant Secretary of Health, Dr. Karen DeSalvo says 90 people die a day nationwide from opioid overdoses.
Cut 8 (11) “in 2014 alone”
The proposal by New Orleans Representative Helena Moreno would limit first-time opioid prescriptions to a 7-day supply.

Governor Edwards remains hopeful a budget plan can be approved to address the loss of one-point-three billion dollars in temporary taxes that expire next year. Edwards says there are still multiple tax bills waiting to be discussed…:
Cut 13 (08) “task force report”

A bill to require public schools to teach litter prevention and awareness to students from kindergarten to fifth grade passed out of the House Education Committee. Executive Director of Keep Louisiana Beautiful Susan Russell says educating young children on litter will help them become good environmental stewards.
Cut 5 (06) “Louisiana”
The proposed law would require litter instruction be integrated into the existing science curriculum.

13 UL Lafayette football players are going through a learning experience after they were arrested for allegedly breaking into a dorm room and stealing several items totaling 24-hundred dollars. Lt. Billy Abrams with campus police says the student-athletes are charged with conspiracy to commit felony theft…
cut 4 (08) “…that were stolen”
Football Coach Mark Hudspeth has suspended the 13 players from the team indefinitely.

After the governor’s proposed commercial activity tax was tabled for the session, Governor John Bel Edwards says it’s time for GOP leaders to propose their own plan.
Voicer 3 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

The National Weather Service has issued a tornado watch until 5 PM for northwest Louisiana. Strong thunderstorms are expected during the afternoon hours across north Louisiana, with damaging winds, large hail and possibly tornado. There’s a slight to marginal risk of severe weather for south Louisiana.

The House rejects a bill to shorten the waiting period for a divorce for parents with minor children. The proposal by Homer Representative Patrick Jefferson would reduce the waiting period from one year to six months. Livingston Representative Sherman Mack didn’t like the measure…:
Cut 10 (10) “worth saving”
The legislation failed on a 52-44 vote.

Coming up for discussion today in the House Education committee is a bill that would prohibit the use of tobacco products anywhere on public or a private school campus. West Monroe Representative Frank Hoffman says the use of smoking cessation products would still be allowed under the measure….
cut 9 (09) “….be allowed”
Louisiana made it illegal to smoke in schools in the 90s, but this legislation will expand on that law.

Governor John Bel Edwards remains hopeful lawmakers can pass a budget plan to address the loss of one-point-three billion dollars in temporary taxes that expire next year. He says since the GOP dominated House Ways and Means committee didn’t like his tax reform plan, House Republican leaders should unveil their own proposal….:
Cut 14 (06) “to say no”
But Republicans say their plan is to let the legislative process play out.

The House rejects a bill to shorten the waiting period for a divorce for parents with minor children. Homer Representative Patrick Jefferson is disappointed his measure failed saying the longer separation time isn’t fair to couples who just want the stress of the divorce to be finalized:
Cut 12 (10) “best household”
But the opposition says people should be given plenty of time to ensure they are making the right decision.

A measure that would prohibit smoking anywhere on a public or private school campus is scheduled to be heard in the House Education Committee today. West Monroe Representative Frank Hoffman says the measure also includes e-cigarettes and similar devices…:
Cut 8 (06) “other vehicles”
He says in the 90’s, Louisiana made it illegal to smoke in schools, but this legislation will expand on that law.

The state’s online public charter school, now called University View, is expanding to offer high school students a free two-year degree when they graduate. Superintendent Dr. Lonnie Luce says now that UView is a K-14 public school, they can grow enrollment…:
Cut 5 (09) “college program”
Information sessions are being held throughout the state this week and you can find out more online at University-view-dot-academy.