We could see an above average hurricane season this year, according to NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center. Halen Doughty has more…:
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Halen Doughty”

The bill that would have banned children from having access to fully automatic weapons failed on the House floor by a wide 21-59 margin. Representative Barbara Norton, who often files anti-gun legislation, said this proposal is about protecting our kids. But opponents said the bill is based on a one-time freak accident that would have been impossible for law enforcement to be present to prevent.

People affected by the Great Flood of 2016 did not give favorable ratings to FEMA or the state government’s response, according to a recent survey by the LSU Public Policy Research Lab. Director Michael Henderson…:
CUT 12 (11) “about the same”
He says the study found that more people were affected by the flooding than we thought.

The circle of politics continues to spin at the Capitol as criminal justice reform bills have been temporarily put on hold because Republicans aren’t happy that Democrats are holding up an unrelated measure dealing with state-financed construction projects.

The 2017 Atlantic Hurricane season is forecast to be above-normal according to NOAA. Forecasters say there is a 70 percent chance 11-17 named storms could form, 5 to 9 could become hurricanes and 2-4 of those could be major. An average season produces 12 named storms of which six become hurricanes, including three major hurricanes.

A state judge has ruled Ronald Gasser’s arrest in a similar road rage incident can be admitted in his trial on the shooting death of former-NFL player Joe McKnight. Legal analyst Tim Meche says like most states, Louisiana allows prior incidents of a similar nature into evidence if it is relevant. But he says in this case, it’s a stretch for the prosecutor:
Cut 3 (11) “incident”
A trial date has not yet been set in the McKnight murder case.

More people were affected by the Great Flood of 2016 than you might think. That’s according to a recent survey by the LSU Public Policy Research Lab. Director Michael Henderson says, while the entire state felt the brunt of the flood, some areas were hurt more than others..:
Cut 11 (07) “as well”
He says the poll found that statewide, about 1 in five people lost income as a result of flooding in March and August.

Some lawmakers say a special session will be needed to address the budget shortfall, as it’s not expected the legislature will pass tax hikes in the current session that must end June 8th. Republican House Speaker Taylor Barras says the public doesn’t want to have their taxes increased which is why the GOP hasn’t had an appetite to consider those bills. Over a billion dollars in temporary taxes are set to expire in July 2018:
CUT 25 (03) “going to happen”
That’s Jeremy Alford with LaPolitics.com.

Not much progress has been made solving the state’s budget woes as there are only two weeks left in the legislative session…
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

The state Senate has passed a resolution calling for a comprehensive study on TOPS. Senate Education Chairman Blade Moorish says the findings will help lawmakers when they consider proposed changes to the scholarship program…
cut 9 (10) “…work with”

More people may have been affected by the Great Flood of 2016 than we thought, according to an LSU survey. Dr. Michael Henderson with the LSU Public Policy Research Lab says 18 percent of residents took on water during the March and August floods, and 30 percent of workers were also impacted…:
Cut 10 (08) “one in three”
The survey also finds the share of low income residents affected by the flood was nearly twice the rate of higher income households.

Authorities arrest a south Louisiana man who allegedly physically abused his ex-girlfriend, stole her vehicle and stalked her by staying in the attic of her Larose home. Twenty-one-year-old Taylor Broussard was taken into custody in Baton Rouge. LaFourche Parish Sheriff’s office spokesperson Brennan Matherne on what they found in the victim’s attic…
cut 15 (10) “…bottles of urine”
Broussard faces multiple charges.

With only two weeks left in the legislative session, lawmakers are not close to agreeing on a budget for next fiscal year. That’s according to Jeremy Alford of LaPolitics.com who says there has been movement with the criminal justice reform legislation. But he says the package that lawmakers will agree on is not as ambitious as what the governor originally proposed…:
Cut 6 (08) “the books”
He says it’s anyone’s guess how this session will end.

The chairman of the Senate Education Committee wants a comprehensive study done on TOPS as a way to help legislators ensure the program has a long lasting future. Jeff Palermo has more…:
Cut 2 (21) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

People affected by the Great Flood of 2016 did not give favorable ratings to FEMA or the state government’s response, according to a recent survey by the LSU Public Policy Research Lab. Director Michael Henderson…:
CUT 12 (11) “about the same”
He says the study found that more people were affected by the flooding than we thought.

The search is over for a south Louisiana man accused of living in his ex-girlfriend’s attic, as 21-year-old Taylor Broussard is behind bars. Brennan Matherne with the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office says on May 3, the victim called police after escaping her home, where Broussard was attacking her…:
Cut 14 (11) “other items”
He says when deputies arrived they found evidence indicating Broussard had been living in the victim’s attic to stalk her. The man faces a host of felony charges.

Several lawmakers have tried to make changes to the TOPS program in recent years, but there doesn’t seem to be much of an appetite to alter the way the scholarships are handed out. That’s why Senator Blade Morrish says members in the Upper Chamber today will discuss whether a task force is needed to examine the program’s long-term liability…:
Cut 8 (06) “to ask”

A south Louisiana man is behind bars after police say he stalked, beat up his ex-girlfriend and secretly stayed in her attic. Halen Doughty has the disturbing story…:
Cut 3 (31) “I’m Halen Doughty”

More people were affected by the Great Flood of 2016 than you might think. That’s according to a recent survey by the LSU Public Policy Research Lab. Director Michael Henderson says, while the entire state fell the brunt of the flood, some areas were hurt more than others..:
Cut 11 (07) “as well”
He says the poll found that statewide, about 1 in five people lost income as a result of flooding in March and August.

The legislative session must end June 8th, and lawmakers still aren’t close to agreeing on a budget for next fiscal year and addressing the loss of over a billion dollars in temporary taxes that are set to expire in July 2018. That’s according to Jeremy Alford of LaPolitics.com. He says there is no clear path for where this session will end..:
Cut 5 (11) “to happen”
He believes next year’s $1.3 billion fiscal cliff isn’t likely to be addressed in full this session.

Not much progress has been made solving the state’s budget woes as there are only two weeks left in the legislative session. Emelie Gunn has more:
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

The family of Alton Sterling is demanding the immediate termination of the cops involved in the man’s death. Lawyers sent a letter Wednesday to Baton Rouge Mayor Sharon Weston Broome and Police Chief Carl Dabadie contending the officers violated the department’s policy regarding de-escalation. Broome responded to the letter saying she believes the cops should be “removed from paid administrative leave and disciplined consistent with the severity of their actions.”

The crazed ex-boyfriend of a woman the South Louisiana man allegedly stalked by living in her attic for a period of time has been arrested. That’s according Brennan Matherne with the LaFourche Parish Sheriff’s Office. He says after beating up his ex, 21-year-old Taylor Broussard fled in her vehicle and hadn’t been located since the May 3rd incident:
Cut 13 (09) “May 24”
Broussard is facing several felony charges including stalking, domestic abuse battery, vehicle theft, and home invasion.

More people may have been affected by the Great Flood of 2016 than we thought, according to a recent LSU survey. Dr. Michael Henderson with the LSU Public Policy Research Lab says 18 percent of residents took on water during the March and August floods, and 30 percent of workers were also impacted…:
Cut 10 (08) “one in three”

The Senate Education Committee will discuss today whether a task force should be formed to study the TOPS scholarship program’s long-term liability. Senate Education Chairman Blade Morrish says the taxpayer funded award has not been examined since it was created over 20 years ago…:
Cut 7 (10) “come to”
He says this information would be useful when it comes to drafting proposals that would alter the program.

With only two weeks left in the legislative session, lawmakers are not close to agreeing on a budget for next fiscal year and addressing the loss of over a billion dollars in temporary taxes that are set to expire in July 2018. That’s according to Jeremy Alford of LaPolitics.com:
Cut 4 (08) “in full”
The session must end June 8th.

A south Louisiana man is behind bars after police say he stalked, beat up his ex-girlfriend and secretly stayed in her attic…:
Cut 3 (31) “I’m Halen Doughty”

Nobody won the Powerball jackpot last night and it now climbs to $275 million dollars for Saturday night’s drawing. That’s a cash value of over $170 million dollars.

The Affordable Care Act was a big topic of discussion when Vice President Mike Pence visited Port Allen today. He says the Obamacare nightmare is about to end because it’s putting a burden on job creators and driving up premiums across the country.

Cut 14 (12) “dollars more”

Pence says President Trump remains committed to repealing and replacing the ACA.

Governor John Bel Edwards is calling on the congressional delegation to reject the President’s proposed budget. The governor’s communications director Richard Carbo says the budget repeals the Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act, which entitles Louisiana to a portion of offshore drilling revenue for oil leases.

Cut 3 (09) “every year”

Louisiana is set to receive its first GOMESA payment in October 2018.

Louisiana’s crawfish harvest is being threatened by a deadly virus. Michelle Southern has more…

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Michelle Southern”

The search is over for a south Louisiana man accused of living in his ex-girlfriend’s attic, as 21-year-old Taylor Broussard is behind bars. The Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office says a Larose woman reported her ex had stolen her vehicle after brandishing a knife. State troopers located the suspect in Baton Rouge Wednesday. Broussard faces 9 charges in Lafourche Parish including stalking, domestic abuse battery, vehicle theft, and home invasion.