A vote is expected today in the House to raise the state’s gasoline tax to fund more highway construction projects. State Representative Steve Carter originally called for a 17 cent a gallon hike, but plans to push for a 10 cent increase. State Transportation Secretary Shawn Wilson says lowering the proposed tax means fewer mega-projects will be completed.
Cut 7 (10) “spend it”
A senate committee is scheduled to debate whether voters should have a say before military monuments, including confederate statues, are removed. Critics say the state shouldn’t get involved in decisions made by local elected officials, but Shreveport Representative Thomas Carmody says…
Cut 6 (12) “….this decision”
Drug felons would be eligible for food stamps for the first time in decades under a House-approved measure by New Orleans Representative Helena Moreno. In the 1990s offenders with drug related charges were barred from the assistance program, while all other felons remained eligible. Moreno says all but six states have lifted these restrictions because they don’t make sense anymore.

Cut 3 (09) “for success”

The measure passed on a 77-17 vote.

A study involving 11-hundred Australian high school students found increased phone use at night can lead to depressed mood and low self-esteem. LSU Health Sciences Center clinical psychologist Michelle Moore says that’s because teens may only be getting half as much sleep as they need. She encourages parents to set an example for their kids and put their phones away at bedtime too.
Cut 12 (07) “bedroom areas”

The bill to raise the state’s gas tax for roads is slated to be heard in the full House today. The measure originally called for a 17 cent per gallon increase, but backers say they are willing to go down to 10 cents. State Transportation Secretary Shawn Wilson says this means the number of highway projects would have to be scaled back…:
Cut 8 (11) “in Lafayette”
The Republican Party of Louisiana has asked residents to call their legislators and ask them to vote against the gas tax.

The St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office has released a statement about the incident in which a dog was killed after allegedly being dragged by a vehicle in the Slidell area. Authorities are not happy about The Humane Society sending out a news release on the matter saying that it has only hindered the investigation. The sheriff’s Office says the man involved has been identified and is cooperating. The outcome of the investigation will be revealed once complete.

Statewide regulations for Uber and Lyft have been shelved for the session
Cut 3 (27) “I’m Halen Doughty”

A new study out of Australia suggests teenagers who go to bed with their phones are more prone to sleep and even mental problems. Clinical psychologist Michelle Moore with the LSU Health Sciences Center in New Orleans says if kids are checking their phones they aren’t sleeping:
Cut 11 (09) “lot of sleep at night”
She says the best solution is to remove the phone from the bedroom at night.

A House-approved bill requiring voter approval before military monuments can be taken down will be heard in a Senate Committee today. Emelie Gunn reports it’s unlikely the legislation will advance…:
Cut 1 (22) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

A mother and her two young children died in a crash in LaFourche Parish on Tuesday. State Police say 39-year-old Carmen Valle of Galliano and her 5-year-old son and 4-year-old daughter were traveling on a roadway in Larose when for unknown reasons the mother veered into the opposite lane of traffic and struck a box truck. The mom and her kids were all unrestrained, ejected upon impact and eventually succumbed to their injuries.

A vote is expected today in the House to raise the state’s gasoline tax to fund more highway construction projects. State Representative Steve Carter originally called for a 17 cent a gallon hike, but he’s willing to amend it to a 10 cent increase. State Transportation Secretary Shawn Wilson says lowering the proposed tax means fewer mega-projects will be completed…:
Cut 7 (10) “spend it”
The Republican Party of Louisiana has asked residents to call their legislators and ask them to vote against it.

A bill to put statewide regulations on ride-sharing services like Uber and Lyft is dead for the session. Jackson Representative Kenny Havard didn’t have enough votes to get approval from a Senate committee, so he shelved the idea..:
Cut 13 (07) “something else again”
New Orleans lawmakers argued the city would lose $2 million annually without an agreement with the ride sharing services.

Today, the House is slated to debate raising the state’s gasoline tax.
Cut 2 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

A measure to prohibit local or state government from removing military monuments without a vote of the people is set to be heard in a Senate Committee today. Shreveport Representative Thomas Carmody says the votes are not there for it to pass which is disappointing as our veterans fought for our rights to vote…:
Cut 4 (05) “to vote”
He says he’s been told straight up that this bill will not pass.

A study out of Australia finds late night phone usage could hurt teens’ sleep quality and mental health. Clinical psychologist Michelle Moore with the LSU Health Sciences Center in New Orleans says the bright light on the screen isn’t the only thing keeping them awake…:
Cut 10 (09) “good sleep at night”
She says the best solution is to take the phone away from your kid at night.

With no winners in more than three months, the Powerball jackpot now stands at a whopping 302 million dollars for tonight’s drawing. Louisiana Lottery spokeswoman Kimberly Chopin…:
CUT 25 (05) “this year”
The jackpot tonight has a 187.3 million dollar cash Value.

A bill to put statewide regulations on ride-sharing services like Uber and Lyft is dead for the session. Jackson Representative Kenny Havard filed the bill in an effort to have standard rules, with the hope these companies would expand to smaller cities. The measure passed the House, but it didn’t have enough votes to get approval from a Senate committee so Havard shelved the idea for the session.

Cut 13 (07) “something else again”

A bill seeking to end the so-called sanctuary cities in Louisiana died in a Senate Judiciary Committee. One supporter argued that if an illegal immigrant gets arrested with no identification, police officers would let them go. New Orleans Senator JP Morrell says that’s nonsense.

Cut 10 (11) “get out quickly”

Police say they’ve identified a man accused of killing a pit bull by dragging it behind a truck on Sunday night in Slidell. Director Jeff Dorson says a passing car pulled over and asked the man what happened, he claimed it was an accident, unchained the dog and fled the scene without the pit bull.

Cut 6 (10) “his dog”

Authorities say the un-identified man is cooperating with authorities.

Deaths from Alzheimer’s disease have increased 55 percent in 15 years, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Dr. Patrick Gahan with Pennington Biomedical Research Center says this is the most costly disease we face as a country, and it has no treatment options. But he says Pennington has multiple ongoing drug trials.

Cut 5 (10) “to 10 years”

The so-called sanctuary city bill failed in a Senate Judiciary Committee. Halen Doughty has more…
Cut 2 (29) “I’m Halen Doughty”

Baton Rouge lawmaker Barry Ivey has ended his attempt to change the state’s tax laws. Ivey says his legislation would improve a tax structure that’s complicated and features too many loopholes. But the majority of lawmakers are not in the mood this session to pass any tax bills.

A vote is expected in the House tommorrow to raise the state’s gasoline tax to fund more highway construction projects. State Representative Steve Carter originally called for a 17 cent a gallon hike, but he’s willing to amend it to a 10 cent increase. State Transportation Secretary Shawn Wilson says lowering the proposed tax means fewer megaprojects will be completed.
Cut 7 (10) “spend it”
The Republican Party of Louisiana is lobbying against the tax hike.

A bill to put statewide regulations on ride-sharing services like Uber and Lyft is dead for the session. Jackson Representative Kenny Havard filed the bill in an effort to have standard rules, with the hope these companies would expand to smaller cities. Opposition came from New Orleans lawmakers, who were concerned the city would lose out in two-million dollars as part of existing agreements they have with Lyft and Uber.

Alzheimer’s disease deaths have increased 55 percent in the last 15 years, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Medical investigator for Alzheimer’s analysis, Dr. Patrick Gahan is with LSU’s Pennington Research Center. He says one reason for the uptick, people are living longer…:
Cut 3 (11) “one of those”
He says Pennington has multiple drug trials ongoing that are exploring whether they can prevent the disease or delay its onset.

An investigation is ongoing in St. Tammany Parish, after witnesses claim a man dragged a pit bull to death. Humane Society of Louisiana Director Jeff Dorson says obeservers saw the dog being pulled behind the unknown man’s pick-up truck…
cut 8 (10) “…it’s death”
A St. Tammany deputy says the man involved has been identified and is cooperating with deputies.

A 23-year-old woman has been arrested after allegedly attempting to use a hacksaw blade on her ex-girlfriend. Thibodaux Police spokesperson David Melancon says Lechelsea Jenkins pushed passed a male in the home to get to the victim in a back room, punched the wall and broke a TV…:
Cut 12 (10) “outside”
Jenkins faces a slew of charges.

A Texas Girl Scout group needed help from federal, state and local officers after they were stranded at Saline Bayou in Natchitoches Parish. Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries spokesperson Adam Einck says the group left around 4 PM Sunday afternoon and few hours into their journey, a strong thunderstorm hit and then it got dark and they were not able to get back…
cut 16 (10) “…destination”
The group was found early Monday morning.