Opening arguments have concluded in Marksville in the Derrick Stafford trial. The former deputy marshal faces murder and attempted murder charges after he and another officer allegedly shot at a vehicle killing a 6-year-old boy and injuring his father. Loyola University Law Professor Dane Ciolino says the main issue is whether the shooting was justified..:
Cut 7 (05) “deadly force”
Governor John Bel Edwards is seeking to give the Louisiana tax system a facelift during the upcoming legislative session. Port Allen Senator Rick Ward supports the effort to repeal many business tax exemptions, so that large companies are paying taxes to the state, instead of getting a big refund.
Cut 14 (10) “pay something”
The idea will be discussed during the legislative session that begins three weeks from today.

U.S. Representative Garret Graves is frustrated over the length of time it’s taking when it comes to allocating federal flood relief dollars to homeowners who sustained damage. Graves says his anger is not about politics….
cut 13 (09) “…people are in”
A spokesperson for the governor’s office says they are still waiting for the federal government to release the flood aid to the state that was appropriated by Congress.

Spring is officially in the air, as the season kicked off at 5:29 this morning with the onset of the vernal equinox. State Climatologist Barry Keim says the Climate Prediction Center forecasts a hot and wet spring for Louisiana. He says that’s because of neutral conditions in the Pacific Ocean.
Cut 3 (10) “three months”

Jurors are hearing arguments this morning for the trial of the Marksvile City Marshal charged with murder in the shooting death of a 6-year-old autistic boy. 33-year-old Derrick Stafford is one of two law enforcement officers charged in the November 2015 incident. Loyola University Law Professor Dane Ciolino says this will be an emotional trial…:
Cut 8 (09) “circumstances”
It took five days for 12 jurors and two alternates to be selected. Stafford and Norris Greenhouse Jr each face charges of murder and attempted murder.

The East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s deputy who was killed in the line of duty has been identified as 43-year-old Sgt. Shawn Anderson. According to authorities, Anderson was conducting a rape investigation with another deputy at a barber shop when they encountered a suspect and shots were fired leading to the eventual death of Anderson and injuring of the suspect. Cops say the as-yet unidentified suspect was in critical condition. State Police is handling the investigation.

The state is taking new bids from companies that want to oversee the homeowner assistance program for flood victims. Halen Doughty has more:
Cut 2 (31) “I’m Halen Doughty”

Prevent Child Abuse Louisiana expands their KIDLINE services to 24 hours a day. PCA Louisiana Executive Director Amanda Brunson says 1-800-CHILDREN offers confidential emotional support, information on child development, and positive discipline tips…:
Cut 5 (09) “and resources”

The case of one of two Marksville City Marshal’s accused in the death of 6-year-old Jeremy Mardis begins opening arguments today. Derrick Stafford faces murder and attempted murder charges. The defense is expected to argue there was another shooter involved, possibly with testimony from experts and video simulation. Legal analyst Bryan Jeansonne says how it’s presented will make a difference…:
Cut 9 (08) “lose interest”
Former Deputy marshal Norris Greenhouse Junior is slated to be tried on the incident in June.

State Police say the injured suspect involved in the shooting that claimed the life of an East Baton Rouge deputy will likely be identified later this morning. Authorities say 43-year-old Sgt. Shawn Anderson was killed in the line of duty while conducting a rape investigating at a barber shop in Baton rouge late Friday night. They say the suspect was also shot in the incident and in critical condition.

The St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office says a 19-year-old was fatally shot in an argument with another man over a woman. The suspect who is also 19, Jake Mills, is charged with second degree murder in the death of Vincent Cuccia.

Governor Edwards hopes to revamp the Louisiana tax system in the upcoming legislative session. Emelie Gunn has more…:
Cut 3 (29) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

Troopers are heading up an investigation into an officer-involved shooting at the Isle of Capri Casino parking lot in Westlake. KPLC reports witnesses indicated a suspect had a knife when an officer fired striking the suspect in the leg. The cop wasn’t harmed.

Opening arguments are scheduled to begin today in the murder trial of a law enforcement officer accused of fatally shooting a six-year-old boy. Jeff Palermo has the story…:
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

The East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s Deputy who was shot and killed in the line of duty at a barber shop Friday was conducting a rape investigation, according to officials. They only say that 43-year-old Sgt. Shawn Anderson was struggling with the suspect with another deputy when shots were fired. Anderson succumbed to his injuries at a hospital. And the suspect was also injured and is being treated. State Police is investigating.

Baton Rouge Congressman Garret Graves says it’s disappointing the state is reopening the bidding process to find a company to oversee the homeowner assistance program for flood victims. He says Congress approved one-point-six billion dollars last year, and this is just another delay…:
Cut 12 (09) “out the door”
But the governor’s office says they weren’t pleased with the initial offers, and the second round of bidding will be expedited.

Prevent Child Abuse Louisiana expands their KIDLINE services to 24 hours a day. The hotline services parents, victims of child abuse, and others who need a listening ear. PCA Louisiana Executive Director Amanda Brunson says a grant from the Louisiana Commission on Law Enforcement provided dollars to have counselors available around the clock…:
Cut 4 (09) “chat online”
The 24 hour hotline is 1-800-CHILDREN.

The East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s deputy who was killed in the line of duty has been identified as 43-year-old Sgt. Shawn Anderson. According to authorities, Anderson was conducting an investigation with another deputy at a barber shop when they encountered a suspect and shots were fired leading to the eventual death of Anderson and injuring of the suspect. State Police is handling the investigation.

The Office of Community Development is seeking new offers from companies that want to oversee the homeowner assistance program for flood victims. The Governor’s Deputy Chief of Staff, Julie Baxter Payer says they’re reopening the bidding process because they weren’t pleased with the initial offers…:
Cut 10 (09) “best cost”
But Baton Rouge Congressman Garret Graves feels this is just slowing down the process when Congress approved 1.6 billion dollars last year and the money still isn’t in the hands of those who need it.

Opening arguments in the Derrick Stafford trial are set for 9 a.m. in Marksville. The former deputy marshal faces murder and attempted murder charges after he and another officer allegedly shot at a vehicle killing a 6-year-old boy and injuring his father. Loyola University Law Professor Dane Ciolino says the main issue is whether the shooting was justified..:
Cut 7 (05) “deadly force”
The shooting happened in November of 2015.

Governor John Bel Edwards is seeking to give the Louisiana tax system a facelift during the upcoming legislative session. But Shreveport Representative Alan Seabaugh is skeptical of the plan he feels could propose higher taxes…:
Cut 16 (09) “gas tax”
Other lawmakers say they support the effort to repeal many business tax exemptions, so that large companies are paying taxes to the state, instead of getting a big refund.

Governor John Bel Edwards hopes to revamp the Louisiana tax system in the upcoming legislative session. Emelie Gunn has more…
Cut 3 (29) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

An effort to recall Jefferson Parish President Mike Yenni has unsuccessfully ended. Attorney Robert Evans the Third had six-months to get 90-thousand signatures to force a recall and three weeks before the deadline he only had 55-thousand signatures. Evans sought a recall after Yenni reportedly sent sexually explicit texts to a 17-year-old boy.

As federal lawmakers devise a plan to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act, US Senator John Kennedy says he will vote for any plan that’s better than Obamacare. Halen Doughty has more…
Voicer 2 (31) “I’m Halen Doughty”

What a night at Alex Box Stadium for Lafayette native Antoine Duplantis. The sophomore left fielder drove in seven runs on a single-game school record six hits as the 6th ranked LSU Tigers belted Georgia 22-9. Duplantis was 6-for-6 on the night. LSU and Georgia meet again tonight at 6:30.

20-year-old Armande Stephen Tart faces four counts of first degree murder. Jefferson Parish investigators believe he’s the man who killed four people at a Metairie apartment complex earlier this week. Three of the victims were fatally shot and the fourth victim was reportedly stabbed over 40 times. Sheriff Newell Normand calls Tart a cold-blooded killer, who murdered these people over drugs.

There are 12 confirmed cases of the mumps and it will likely keep rising, according to Dr. Frank Welch with the state Department of Health. He says the viral infection has a long incubation period which is why it’s important to know how to prevent the spread of mumps this St. Patrick’s Day weekend…:
cUT 5 (11) “through saliva”
He says know the symptoms, such as headache, fever, fatigue, and jaw swelling just below your ear.

The St. Landry Sheriff’s office announces three teenagers have been arrested for the hanging of a noose on the campus of Westminster Christian Academy. Major Eddie Thibodaux says one of the juveniles involved performed well in school, but made a very bad decision…
cut 14 (10) “….his life”
The school says all three students are no longer enrolled at Westminster.

A Washington Parish man is behind bars after police say he shot and killed five abandoned puppies in February. Chief Deputy Mike Haley with the Sheriff’s Office says a concerned citizen contacted the Humane Society after seeing the abandoned puppies on the side of the road:
Cut 9 (10) “they were dead”
25-year-old Shawn Glen Jones of Angie faces animal cruelty charges.