An LSU study finds 86-percent of black residents believe the country should continue to make changes to move towards racial equality. But Mike Henderson, director of LSU’s public policy research lab, says there’s not a tremendous sense of optimism those changes will be made…
cut 8 (09) “…never be made”
A former personal assistant to U-S District Court Judge Patricia Minaldi has been arrested on charges he stole from her as she was attempting to recover from a condition caused by alcohol abuse. Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s office spokesperson Kim Myers says 28-year-old Justin Gray’s bond was set at 56-thousand dollars..’
cut 12 (06) “….of forgery”
Court records unsealed last week revealed Minaldi was required to get treatment for alcoholism.

Democratic Governor John Bel Edwards and Republican U.S. Representative Garret Graves have continued their verbal squabble. During his monthly call-in radio show, Edwards says he’s tried to meet with Graves to discuss the disperal of federal flood relief dollars, but a meeting between the two hasn’t happened yet….
cut 14 (10) “…interested in doing”
But during an appearance this morning on Talk Louisiana, Graves told Jim Engster it’s the governor’s fault the two haven’t sat down for a discussion….
cut 15 (10) “…rejected it”
The federal government opened a line of credit for the state on April 10, giving state officials access to the money. Graves is frustrated the state is still not ready to dispense the funds.

Today marks 7 years since an explosion on the Deepwater Horizon oil rig killed 11 people off the coast of Louisiana. Twenty-eight-year-old Gordon Jones was one of those. His father, Keith Jones, told Jim Engster on Talk Louisiana there were lots of protections against blowouts on the well, but greed caused BP officials to strip those to save money…:
Cut 5 (09) “these bad decisions”
Jones says unfortunately, this kind of tragedy could happen again.

Race relations are worsening in eyes of the public, according to a recent LSU survey. Dr. Michael Henderson with the LSU Public Policy Research Lab says the found 75 percent of white residents trust police not to use excessive force. He says whites are also twice as likely to think police will treat blacks and whites equally…:
Cut 7 (09) “excessive force”
He says most black residents don’t feel there is racial equality while most whites believe there is.

Even after the state finally gains access to federal flood recovery dollars, the feud continues between Democratic Governor John Bel Edwards and Republican Congressman Garret Graves. Graves said he would resign if the federal government was the hold up in dispersing the funds. But Edwards says the state didn’t have access to the money until last week…:
Cut 13 (10) “that we need”
Both Edwards and Graves maintain they’ve tried to meet up to chat about this, but the other side wasn’t interested.

North Louisiana is known for its incredible fishing spots which has inspired Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser, who oversees the state Department of Tourism, to launch the Louisiana Bass Trail. Anglers who sign up at louisianabasstrail.com will be sent, for free, a Louisiana Bassport that they may take to seven lakes at any of eight Louisiana State Parks…:
Cut 5 (08) “state parks”

According to an LSU survey, perceptions of race relations are worsening, but there’s a stark divide along racial lines. Halen Doughty has more from the LSU Public Policy Research Lab…:
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Halen Doughty”

State Police say charges are pending in the case of a fiery 5-vehicle, 18-wheeler involved crash on I-10 in West Baton Rouge Parish that claimed the life of a man from Alexandria. Trooper Bryan Lee says 26-year-old Ronald Allen was hit by an 18 wheeler from behind while in traffic, then became trapped between two of the big rigs. He says the DA has the case:
CUT 11 (06) “played a factor”

A man who was helping a judge in Lake Charles recover from a condition caused by alcohol abuse is under arrest for allegedly using the woman’s credit cards and checks. Kim Myers with the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office says 28-year-old Justin Gray is accused of racking up charges without permission in excess of $64,000…:
CUT 11 (07) “2017”
Gray, who was an assistant to U.S. District Judge Patricia Minaldi, is charged with three counts of unauthorized use of a credit card and 41 counts of forgery. Court records reveal Minaldi was required to get treatment for alcoholism.

Governor John Bel Edwards signed an emergency proclamation declaring the state’s coast to be in “a state of crisis and emergency.” It’s being sent to the White House and Congress to underline the importance of restoration projects.

Race relations are worsening in eyes of the public, according to a recent LSU survey. Dr. Michael Henderson with the LSU Public Policy Research Lab says the share of people who believe race relations are getting worse rose by almost 20 percent since 2014. He says there’s a racial divide in opinions on whether racial equality exists today…:
Cut 6 (08) “to that point”
Henderson says views are equally split in regards to confidence in local police.

A man who was helping a judge in Lake Charles recover from a condition caused by alcohol abuse is under arrest for allegedly using the woman’s credit cards and checks. The Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office says 28-year-old Justin Gray is accused of racking up charges without permission in excess of $64,000. He is charged with three counts of unauthorized use of a credit card and 41 counts of forgery.

Today marks 7 years since an explosion on the Deepwater Horizon oil rig killed 11 people off the coast of Louisiana. Twenty-eight-year-old Gordon Jones was one of those. His father, Keith Jones, told Jim Engster on Talk Louisiana that dealing with the loss of his son isn’t any easier 7 years later…:
Cut 3 (08) “reminded of him”
Gordon’s wife, Michelle, was due to have their child, Max, just weeks after Gordon was supposed to come home.

DCFS says sex trafficking cases reported in Louisiana rose by 25-percent last year. Child Welfare Consultant Walter Fahr says of that number, 45-were juvenile victims….:
Cut 13 (09) “urban areas”
The report identified 447 victims statewide. Fahr says the report is beneficial because it helps to determine sex trafficking hot spots.

A report on human trafficking showed a 25 percent increase in victims over the past year. That’s according to the Department of Children and Family Services. Child Welfare Consultant Walter Fahr says the primary reason for the jump could be a better job of identifying victims..:
Cut 14 (10) “help them”
Caddo and Orleans Parishes were the two most frequently identified areas for trafficking and parish of origin.

State Police have identified the man killed in yesterday’s five-vehicle crash on Interstate 10 in West Baton Rouge Parish. Twenty-six-year-old Ronald Allen of Alexandria was pronounced dead at the scene. Authorities say allen’s Impala was crushed between two 18-wheelers causing a fire that fully engulfed three vehicles. State Polcie says an 18-wheeler that failed to reduce his speed as he approached slower moving traffic led to the fatal wreck. Charges are pending.

College student leaders from around the state are asking lawmakers to fully fund TOPS. Southeastern Louisiana University student president Erin Fernandez says with all the uncertainty surrounding the state budget, it’s hard for students and parents to plan…:
Cut 12 (08) “pay for it”
TOPS is currently only funded at 70 percent.

State Tourism officials have established the Louisiana Bass Trail, which includes seven lakes at state parks in north Louisiana. Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says they will have prizes for winners who complete the trail, and they hope to add more stops in the future. He says kids can use an app on their phones to log their catches while enjoying the world class fishing Louisiana has to offer…
cut 6 (08) “…great outdoors”
For more information visit Louisiana-Bass-Trail-dot-com.

College student leaders are concerned about the funding of the TOPS program moving forward, and urge lawmakers to bring the scholarship back up to 100%. Northwestern State University student president John Pearce says he’s worried as that money dissipates, so will the students…:
Cut 11 (11) “somewhere else”
TOPS is only funded at 70 percent under the governor’s proposal.

Sex trafficking cases reported in Louisiana rose by 25-percent last year. That’s according to a report by the state Department of Children and Family Services. Child Welfare Consultant Walter Fahr says they are more easily identifying victims and getting them help…:
Cut 15 (10) “outreach”
The report identified 447 victims statewide.

State Police say they have more of an idea of what may have happened in the fiery fatal crash involving five vehicles on I-10 in West Baton Rouge Parish. They believe an 18 wheeler didn’t reduce his speed when approaching slow traffic and smashed into a vehicle causing a chain reaction. A vehicle driven by 26-year-old Ronald Allen of Alexandria was crushed between two big rigs that caught fire, and Allen died at the scene. Charges are pending.

The new Louisiana Bass Trail is promoting north Louisiana’s world renowned bass fishing to kids. Halen Doughty has more…:
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Halen Doughty”

A report by the state Department of Children and Family Services finds the number of reported sex trafficking cases in Louisiana rose 25-percent last year. Emelie Gunn has more…:
Cut 3 (29) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

College student leaders from around the state are asking lawmakers to fully fund TOPS. Southeastern Louisiana University student president Erin Fernandez says with all the uncertainty surrounding the state budget, it’s hard for students and parents to plan…:
Cut 12 (08) “pay for it”
TOPS is currently only funded at 70 percent.

Governor John Bel Edwards said on his monthly call-in radio show that he doesn’t think the state should be involved in decisions about removing Confederate monuments in New Orleans. He says this is an issue that was brought forward by New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu, who wants to see the monuments removed…:
Cut 9 (09) “seen on TV”
It was Edwards’ first public comments on the controversial issue in several months.

North Louisiana is known for its incredible fishing spots which has inspired Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser, who oversees the state Department of Tourism, to launch the Louisiana Bass Trail. Anglers who sign up at louisianabasstrail.com will be sent, for free, a Louisiana Bassport that they may take to seven lakes at any of eight Louisiana State Parks…:
Cut 5 (08) “state parks”
Once they fish four of the lakes, they’ll receive a T-shirt. Anglers who fish all seven get #OnlyLouisiana swag.

Student leaders from Louisiana universities went before the House budget committee to plead with lawmakers not to cut funding for TOPS. Jeff Palermo has more…:
Cut 2 (29) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Governor John Bel Edwards is staying out of the New Orleans Confederate monuments situation saying it’s a city matter, not one for the state level….:
Cut 8 (09) “city of New Orleans”
The comments were made on the governor’s monthly call in radio show.

A report on human trafficking showed a 25 percent increase in victims over the past year, with 447 reports in 2017, compared to 357 in 2016. That’s according the the Department of Children and Family Services. Child Welfare Consultant Walter Fahr says the primary reason for the jump could be that the state is doing a better job of identifying victims..:
Cut 14 (10) “help them”
Caddo and Orleans Parishes were the two most frequently identified areas for trafficking and parish of origin.

The northern regions of the state are known for great bass fishing, which is why Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser announces the launch of the Louisiana Bass Trail. He says it includes 7 lakes at 8 state parks and he believes this will help attract recreational fishermen from all over…:
Cut 4 (10) “in Louisiana”
Anglers can sign up at louisianabasstrail.com.