According to the National Retail Federation’s annual survey, Mother’s Day spending is expected to reach an all-time high. Halen Doughty has more:
Cut 2 (31) “I’m Halen Doughty”

Governor John Bel Edwards gave the commencement address at LSU today. He said while he’s honored to be the governor, he joked about having his fingers crossed for another job…:
Cut 10 (09) “Orgeron”
LSU handed out a record 4,163 degrees today.

Lafayette Police announce they’ve made the largest known cocaine seizure in the history of the department. Investigators said an independent drug interdiction operation with K-9 detected and seized over 11,000 grams of cocaine valued at $1.1 million dollars, as well as over 1800 oxycodone tablets valued at $56,000. A woman from Houston has been arrested.

The popular fast growing food delivery platform Waitr continues to expand operations, and announces they are opening its own permanent facility in Lafayette. CEO Chris Meaux says when they opened its initial Acadiana site at the Opportunity Machine, supported by the Lafayette Economic Development Authority, it allowed them to focus on their growth..:
Cut 7 (10) “a startup”
The app launched in 2015 in Lake Charles and now the company operates over 20 cities in five states and employing more than 1,200 people nationwide.

Governor John Bel Edwards spoke at the commencement ceremony for the graduating LSU class of 2017. Jeff Palermo has more…:
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Consumers are planning to spend more than ever on Mother’s Day this year, according to the National Retail Federation. Spokesperson Anna Serafin Smith says 85 percent of people plan to celebrate the holiday, spending a total of more than $23 billion….:
Cut 12 (07) “Mother’s Day”
She says that’s a record high for the survey’s 14-year history.

An early morning crash in the Village of Tangipahoa claimed the lives of two people, including the former Mayor of the Village of Tangipahoa and retired NFL player Michael Dyson, according to State Police. Trooper Dustin Dwight says the 48-year-old Dyson was traveling down US 51 on his motorcycle at a high rate of speed…:
Cut 15 (11) “motorcycle”
Dyson played for the Browns and Ravens in the 1990s.

Twelve inmates at the Tangipahoa Parish Prison have been indicted for manslaughter after they allegedly beat a fellow inmate to death. The victim is 40-year-old Tommy Joe Smith of Independence, and officials say a witness described the attack as a “shark-feeding frenzy,” meaning it was an extremely brutal and very quick attack. Guards and rescue crews were quickly notified of the attack, but Smith died from his injuries.

Governor John Bel Edwards gave the commencement address at LSU today, as the school is handing out a record 4,163 degrees. Edwards says this class also sets records for diversity…:
Cut 9 (11) “47 states”
The class of 2017 had more TOPS recipients than any other class in the history of the scholarship program.

A statewide poll released by Southern Media and Opinion Research finds 54-percent of the respondents think state government’s problems are primarily caused by too much spending, and 67-percent believe any tax imposed on businesses would be passed on to customers…
cut 26 (11) “…much difference”
That’s pollster Bernie Pinsonat.

An Avoyelles Parish man is behind bars following a standoff with officers that ended with the suspect shooting at the cops. State Trooper Scott Moreau says Brandon Carpenter barricaded himself inside a residence in Moreauville, and during negotiations, fired at officers injuring three of them. He says Carpenter was taken into custody around 7:30 last night.
Cut 4 (12) “maybe likely”
KALB-TV reports that Carpenter is an Army veteran who suffers from PTSD.

Thousands remain without power in southeast Louisiana after a quick but severe storm line moved through the area. The National Weather Service confirmed a tornado touched town in Baton Rouge early this morning.

Entergy reports there are about 6,000 customers without power in Southeast Louisiana after a strong line of storms blew threw this morning where it’s possible at least two tornadoes touched down. The worst of the storms are now in far southeast Louisiana headed into Mississippi.

As Mother’s Day weekend is upon us, WalletHub conducted a studying which found Louisiana is the second worst state for working moms. Analyst Jill Gonzales says they measured the quality of child care and professional opportunities, which really brought Louisiana down. She says although the costs of day-care is relatively low…:
Cut 25 (10) “pay for”
She also says the gender pay gap in Louisiana ranks 44th in the nation with women making about 76 cents every dollar a man makes.

Waitr is growing its presence in Lafayette, as the fast growing food delivery app is opening its own permanent facility. Waitr CEO Chris Meaux says moving into their own facility will create new jobs in the Lafayette area…:
Cut 6 (12) “400 employees”
The app launched in 2015 in Lake Charles and now the company operates over 20 cities in five states, and employs more than 1,200 people nationwide.

A measure that would waive licensing for hair braiding advanced out of the House. Monroe Representative Jay Morris asked the bill’s author, Carencro Representative Julie Emerson, if a proposed amendment to the bill would require him to get a license to cut his own hair…:
Cut 15 (11) “of legislation”
The hair braiding bill debate went on for over half an hour before being approved on an 81-12 vote.

Voters do not want to see their taxes go up, according to a survey from Southern Media and Opinion Research. Emelie Gunn has more…
Voicer 1 (29) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

A deployment ceremony will take place tomorrow in Pineville as over 160 soldiers in the Louisiana National Guard’s 1086th Transportation Company will provide logistic transportation support Kuwait. Colonel Ed Bush says they were also activated last year…
cut 8 (07) “….of emergencies”

A 35-year-old man is facing three counts of attempted first degree murder after shooting at law enforcement during a standoff in Avoyelles Parish yesterday. State Trooper Scott Moreau says Brandon Carpenter of Elizabeth barricaded himself inside a residence in Moreauville and during negotiations, Carpenter fired at officers…
cut 3 (12) “…flying debris”
The Trooper and the Marksville Police Officers were transported to a local hospital where they received treatment for non-life threatening injuries.

The former Mayor of the Village of Tangipahoa and retired NFL player Michael Dywane Jackson was killed in motorcycle wreck Tangipahoa Parish early this morning. State Police say Jackson was driving a motorcyle at a high rate of speed on US 51 and smashed into another vehicle killing the driver in that car.

A 35-year-old man who allegedly shot a gun at officers, wounding three of them, has been charged with three counts of attempted first degree murder. Brandon Carpenter is in custody at the Avoyelles Parish Detention Center. Carpenter barricaded himself in a home near Moreauville yesterday after a police chase. A State Trooper and a Marksville officer that were shot were treated for non-life threatening injuries.

Raising taxes is not popular among voters, according to a survey from Southern Media and Opinion Research. Lawmakers have proposed increasing taxes on everything from a pack of cigarettes to a gallon of gasoline to help generate more revenue. Pollster Bernie Pinsonat says two-thirds of voters say they do not want a higher gasoline tax.
Cut 4 (12) “17 percent”
Also, 67-percent say higher taxes on businesses would be passed on to customers.

The personal finance website, Wallethub, ranks Louisaina as the second worst state in the country for working moms. Analyst Jill Gonzales says there are two main factors, a high female unemploymenent rate and a large gender pay gap…
cut 11 (09) “….the country”

The budget isn’t fixed, but you could braid hair without a license if a measure passed by the House wins approval in the Senate. Halen Doughty has more…
Voicer 3 (31) “I’m Halen Doughty”

A statewide poll released by Southern Media and Opinion Research finds there’s an anti-tax sentiment in Louisiana. 54-percent of the respondents think state government’s problems are primarily caused by too much spending and 67-percent believe any tax imposed on businesses would be passed on to customers…
cut 6 (11) “…much difference”
That’s pollster Bernie Pinsonat, who says the survey also found 67-percent of respondents oppose raising the gasoline tax by 17-cents.

Three police officers, including a State Trooper, were wounded during a standoff in Avoyelles Parish. The man who allegedly fired his gun at officers has been identified as Brandon Carpenter. He was taken into custody at around 7:30 last night after a standoff at a home in Moreauville. The officers sustained non-life threatening injuries. A local TV station reports Carpenter is an Army veteran who suffers from PTSD.

A study from the personal finance website, WalletHub, finds Louisiana is the 2nd worst state for working moms. Michelle Southern has more….
Cut 2 (29) “I’m Michelle Southern”

Amid debates on the budget, taxes, and education, lawmakers in the House spent over half an hour debating licensing for hair braiding. A measure by Carencro Representative Julie Emerson waives the licensing requirement to braid hair. Baton Rouge Representative Patricia Smith says it’s ridiculous that the state would regulate something like braiding hair.
Cut 13 (09) “to braid hair”
Emerson’s bill passed on a 81-12 and heads to the senate.

Governor John Bel Edwards has been pushing lawmakers to increase funding to pay for critical state services. But a new statewide poll from Southern Media and Opinion Research finds that a majority of voters believe state government has enough cash….
cut 5 (11) “…enough revenue”
That’s Pollster Bernie Pinsonat, who says the anti-tax sentiment has also been seen in the voting booth. He says numerous increases in taxes proposed by local governments have been rejected in recent weeks.

The suspect in the shooting of three police officers, including a Lousiaina State Police Trooper is in custody. Avoyelles Parish Sheriff Doug Anderson says 35-year-old Brandon Carpenter, barricaded himself in a home after a police chase. That’s when Carpenter reportedly opened fire. Officers were attempting to execute a warrant against him for domestic abuse battery. The injuries the officers sustained are not considered life threatening.

Over 160 soldiers in the Louisiana National Guard’s 1086th Transportation Company are being sent to Kuwait. Col. Ed Bush during their one year deployment, the soldiers will provide logistic transportation support.
Cut 7 (08) “as well”
The 1086th deployed in support of Operations Desert Storm in 1991, Iraqi Freedom in 2003 and Enduring Freedom in Kuwait in 2011.

The full House has approved a bill that says you don’t need a license to braid hair professionally in Louisiana. Current law calls for 500 hours of training to obtain a license in “alternative hair design.” Hammond Representative Chris Broadwater told the bill’s author, Julie Emerson, he’s baffled this kind of profession would be regulated…
cut 14 (11) :,,,received any”
The measure was approved on an 81-12 vote and heads to the senate for more discussion.