A report in the New York Times mentions Democratic New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu as a potential candidate for president in 2020. Jeff Palermo has more…:
Cut 1 (28) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

The news on a decision by the DOJ on the Alton Sterling case is that there is no news. The feds were rumored to announce a decision today on whether or not to charge Baton Rouge cops involved in Sterling’s death. Former US Attorney Don Cazayoux says sometimes things like this take years…:
Cut 8 (08) “easy decisions”

A portion of Governor John Bel Edwards criminal justice reform package received approval from a Senate Committee today. The bills would shorten sentences for non-violent offenders and strengthen their probation and parole requirements. Edwards says too many people are jailed and it’s costing the state a fortune…:
Cut 12 (09) “not less”
The governor also wanted to address changes to the felony class system but that will be heard in the 2018 session.

A brand new driver from Washington died in a crash after she collided with a cow near St. Landry last night. Sgt. Jared Sandifer with State Police says, unfortunately, investigators located 16-year-old Adrian Johnson’s vehicle in a culvert and she wasn’t wearing her seat belt…
Cut 16 (08) “the crash”
Johnson was pronounced dead at the scene.

State leaders at every level seem to have no idea where the Justice Department is with its decision on the Alton Sterling Case. The DOJ would say whether or not to bring civil rights charges to the cops involved in Sterling’s death. New Orleans Congressman Cedric Richmond had this to say during a Twitter town hall…:
Cut 7 (11) “time period”
The community has become restless awaiting the decision from the feds.

A New York Times report names New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu as a potential 2020 presidential contender. Political analyst Clancy Dubos says he hasn’t heard that, but believes the article is insinuating there is a need for generational change within the Democratic Party…:
Cut 9 (13) “of his generation”
He says it’s still too early to guess who could be on the ballot in 2020.

The number of high school seniors in Louisiana applying for federal student aid is at an all time high. Assistant Superintendent for the Office of Student Opportunity Ken Bradford says this is great news because if every student filled out a FAFSA form, millions of dollars would be available for them to go to college…:
Cut 4 (10) “pay back”
The national average for FAFSA completion is 55-percent. With two months before the deadline, Louisiana is already at 51%.

A memorial fund has been set up for the family of the Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s Deputy who died while on-duty in a crash over the weekend. Deputy Justin Beard will be laid to rest on Thursday at Mt. Vernon Baptist Church in West Monroe. Anyone who wants to help out his wife and three children can do so at any Ouachita Independent Bank location.

Rumor has it today is the day the U.S. Department of Justice will issue its decision in the Alton Sterling case, but there’s still no word on how accurate the gossip is. The DOJ will determine whether or not to bring forth civil rights charges against the Baton Rouge cops involved in Sterling’s death. Former US Attorney Don Cazayoux imagines this has been an extensive investigation…:
Cut 6 (10) “ballistic evidence”
Cazayoux was a guest on Talk Louisiana with Jim Engster this morning.

Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser unveils a new initiative called Destination Louisiana to encourage Louisianans to vacation in their home state. Nungesser hopes residents will stay-cation in the Bayou State rather than jumping on a plane. He says there is so much beauty to see right here..:
Cut 13 (08) “in Louisiana”

The number of high school students completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid is the highest in the state’s history. Assistant Superintendent for the Office of Student Opportunity Ken Bradford says students are already at a 51-percent completion rate and the deadline to fill out the form is still two months away…:
Cut 3 (12) “completion rate”
The national average for FAFSA completion is 55-percent.

A 16-year-old driver who wasn’t buckled up has died in a crash after she hit livestock that was standing in the middle of the road near the St. Landry/Evangeline Parish line. State Police Sgt. Jared Sandifer says the female victim is identified as Adrian Johnson of Washington…:
CUT 15 (10) “that crash”
He reminds all motorists that it’s the law to buckle up.

Protestors and anti-protestors came face to face last night at the Jefferson Davis monument in New Orleans, some calling for the statue of the Confederacy president to come down and others demanding it remain in place. Congressman Clay Higgins supports the monuments, but says their future has to be decided by the state.

Cut 7 (07) “there is none”

Higgins sent a letter to Governor Edwards urging him to protect Louisiana’s history.

A Breaux Bridge priest has reportedly entered a guilty plea of not guilty on child pornography charges. Authorities say they found more than 500 images of child pornography on Rev. Felix Broussard’s personal computer last July. Broussard is facing charges of accessing and possessing the pornographic images, and his next court appearance is scheduled for August.

A lack of quality childcare is costing employers and employees billions, according to a recent LSU survey. Executive Director of the Louisiana Policy Institute for Children, Melanie Bronfin says the state needs to stop cutting the Louisiana School Readiness Tax Credits because child care programs are critical.

Cut 12 (09) “childcare”

The report finds one in six Louisiana workers quit their jobs because of trouble with child care.

Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser is encouraging Louisianans to vacation in their home state in a new initiative called Destination Louisiana. He says they’ll be promoting the parish of the month on radio commercials and digital billboards.

Cut 15 (10) “to offer”

For more information, visit LouisianaTravel.com.

Congressman Clay Higgins has sent a letter to Governor John Bel Edwards urging him to take action to keep Louisiana’s confederate monuments where they are. Higgins says these statues are a part of Louisiana’s history, and they deserve to be protected…:
Cut 8 (12) “that we are”
New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu says the structures belong to the city.

A study conducted in-part by the LSU Public Policy Research Lab finds a lack of quality childcare costs employers and employees over a billion dollars a year. Dr. Belinda Davis says they found one in six workers in Louisiana quit their jobs because they don’t have a place for the kids…:
Cut 11 (08) “tax revenue”
She says Louisiana has cut funding to early child care programs 70-percent since 2008.

LSU and a news organization have created a website which would let the public give an opinion on how Louisiana’s budget woes could be repaired. LSU Mass Communications Professor Len Apcar says “solve-the-budget-dot-org” asks participants a number of different options related to revenue and spending, with the dollar amounts included for each..:
Cut 5 (10) “close the gap”
The poll was also developed by The Advocate newspaper.

Lawmakers are grappling with a $440 million dollar budget deficit, and The Advocate news organization and LSU have developed a simplistic website that allows the public the opportunity to weigh in on how to repair the state’s finances. LSU Mass Communications Professor Len Apcar says “solve-the-budget-dot-org could shed some light on what the masses would really like to see happen at the Capitol…:
Cut 6 (10) “we’ll find out”
He hopes a number of people respond between now and the end of the session.

Congressman Clay Higgins is asking Governor John Bel Edwards to intervene in the removal of Confederate monuments in New Orleans. The Liberty Place structure has already been removed. Higgins believes this is a cowardly move by New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu…:
Cut 9 (10) “be known for”
Mayor Landrieu has said the monuments are the city’s property, not the state’s.

A memorial fund has been set up for the family of the Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s Deputy who died while on-duty in a crash over the weekend. Deputy Justin Beard will be laid to rest on Thursday at Mt. Vernon Baptist Church in West Monroe. Anyone who wants to help out his wife and three children can do so at any Ouachita Independent Bank location.

Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser announces an initiative to get Louisianans to vacation right here in the Bayou State. Emelie Gunn has more…:
Cut 3 (31) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

LSU and a news organization have created a website which would let the public give an opinion on how Louisiana’s budget woes could be repaired. LSU’s Reilly Center for Media and Public Affairs and The Advocate, together developed “solve-the-budget-dot-org.” LSU Mass Communications Professor Len Apcar says the poll has two sections..:
Cut 4 (10) “and spending cuts”
That’s solve-the-budget-dot-org.

Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser unveils a new initiative called Destination Louisiana to encourage Louisianans to vacation in their home state. Nungesser hopes residents will stay-cation in the Bayou State rather than jumping on a plane. He says there is so much beauty to see right here..:
Cut 13 (08) “in Louisiana”
Over the next six months, six different parishes will receive multi-platform coverage from the Louisiana Office of Tourism.

A first of its kind study finds childcare issues costs the state over a billion dollars a year in the economy. Halen Doughty has more…:
Cut 2 (31) “I’m Halen Doughty”

A GOP dominated House panel advanced the state’s operating budget proposal including a change that would fully fund the TOPS scholarship program. Democrats objected. It heads to the full House.

Also headed to the lower chamber floor is a bill to set up statewide rules for ride sharing services like Uber and Lyft. Supporters say this would be better for consumers if rates didn’t vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction.

Congressman Clay Higgins has sent a letter to Governor John Bel Edwards urging him to take action to keep Louisiana’s confederate monuments in place. The Liberty Place monument in New Orleans was already removed. Higgins says this is something that has to be done at the state level…:
Cut 7 (07) “there is none”
New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu maintains the city has a right to control its own property.

A study by the LSU Public Policy Research Lab and the Louisiana Policy Institute for Children finds a lack of quality childcare costs employers and employees over a billion dollars a year. LPIC Executive Director Melanie Bronfin says Louisiana has cut funding to early child care programs 70-percent since 2008….:
Cut 10 (09) “their employer”
Bronfin says a way to solve these problems is to stop cutting money to pay for the Louisiana School Readiness Tax Credits.

LSU and a news organization have created a website which would let the public give an opinion on how Louisiana’s budget woes could be repaired. Jeff Palermo reports…:
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Today Governor John Bel Edwards is slated to testify before a Senate Judiciary committee in support of his legislative agenda on criminal justice reform.