Leaders of Louisiana’s LGBT community say they are reeling in pain today over the worst mass shooting in America’s history. At least 50 people were killed when a gunman attacked a gay nightclub in Orlando. Forum for Equality executive director Sara Jane Brady says the shooting demonstrates there’s still much hatred and prejudice aimed towards homosexuals…:
CUT 6 (10) “our expression”
It’s been reported that New Orleans native, 39-year-old Leonel Melendez, was at the nightclub at the time of the mass shooting, but remains missing.

Police in Baton Rouge are still hopeful they will be able to find out what happened to the pregnant mother who went missing after her child was found alone near a vehicle filled with blood. They say the search of swamps near Ramah was suspended for 40-year-old Lyntell Washington, and now cops are looking for other leads or a break in the case. Police arrested 39-year-old Robert Marks for allegedly abandoning the child.

A Transportation Infrastructure Investment task force has been formed by the governor to figure out how to fund critical road projects. DOTD Secretary Shawn Wilson says they already have a plan for what needs to be completed…:
CUT 12 (07) “the governor”

The Desoto Parish Sheriff’s office says they are still searching for answers in the death of a 21-year-old woman, as the murder charges against the suspect were dropped. Sheriff Rodney Arbuckle says they originally had booked 33-year-old Jarrod Earl Johnson of Logansport for the murder of Maranda Whitton, but they let him go after the autopsy’s findings…:
CUT 3 (10) “cause of death”
He says in the meantime this is still a very active investigation.

Legislators return to Baton Rouge today as they continue this special session that’s attempting to solve a 600-million dollar revenue shortfall. So far many republicans are taking a strong stance against additional taxes. Republican Kenner Representative Julie Stokes hopes a compromise can be reached…
cut 15 (09) “…founded on”

A Transportation Infrastructure Investment Task Force has been formed by the governor that will come up with suggestions on how to fund critical roadway projects. Transportation Secretary Shawn Wilson…
cut 11(11) “…to act”
Wilson says they’ll make their recommendations to Governor Edwards.

The US House has passed legislastion that seeks to block President Obama’s proposed $10.25 tax on every barrel of oil. Louisiana Oil and Gas Association Chairman Brian Hanks says the tax would be a job killer…
cut 8 (08) “…of bankruptcy”
Hanks is hopeful the Senate approves a similiar piece of legislation.

A poll on the third district Congressional race shows Public Service Commissioner Scott Angelle is getting 39-percent of the vote, while law enforcement officer Clay Higgins is receiving 18-percent. UL Lafayette Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says Higgins is in good position to make the runoff…
cut 5 (10) “….is everything”
All other candidates in the race are receiving eight percent or less.

The US House has approved a bill that seeks to block President Obama’s proposed $10.25 tax on every barrel of oil. The proposed tax is an effort to pay for green initiatives and alternative energy research. Louisiana Oil and Gas Association Chairman Brian Hanks calls it another attack on the oil industry by the Obama Administration…:
Cut 9 (08) “his administration”
A study by the Tax Foundation found this would cost 137-thousand American jobs.

Governor John Bel Edwards and other state leaders will participate in a Moment of Unity today in the rotunda of the State Capitol at 1pm to honor the victims and families in Sunday’s shooting massacre at a club in Orlando. 50 people died, and another 53 injured according to authorities, and it’s the worst mass shooting in US history. It’s reported that a New Orleans native was among those in the club at the time of the shooting and the family still has not heard from him. He’s 39-year-old Leonel Melendez.

The LSU baseball season is over as Coastal Carolina completes a two-game sweep of the Tigers by beating the Bayou Bengals 4-to-3. Jeff Palermo has more…:
Cut 3 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Today is the last day that Louisiana residents, who suffered losses to the flooding from March 8th to April 8th, have to register to disaster relief. FEMA is urging those who think they may quality for help to get signed up before the Monday deadline. You can do so online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov.

A Transportation Infrastructure Investment task force has been established by the governor to identify priority projects throughout the state. Halen Doughty has more…
Cut 2 (30) “I’m Halen Doughty”

Legislators return to the State Capitol today as they look to solve the state’s budget issues. The governor wants to raise revenues by 600-million dollars to avoid cuts to critical programs. Democratic New Orleans Representative Walt Leger…:
CUT 14 (07) “this year”

The US House has approved a bill that seeks to block President Obama’s proposed $10.25 tax on every barrel of oil. Louisiana Oil and Gas Association Chairman Brian Hanks is pleased with the House’s action, because any additional burden would be a devastating blow to an already struggling industry….:
CUT 7 (10) “energy independent”
He is hopeful the Senate approves a similar piece of legislation.

An infant died in a Red River Parish crash, according to State Police. Troopers say 23-year-old Desmond Scarborough of Natchitoches was traveling during heavy rainfall, when he traveled off the road, down a steep embankment and struck a tree. 4-month old Miracle Scarborough, who was restrained at the time of the crash, was pronounced dead at the scene. A routine toxicology sample was obtained from the driver and will be submitted for analysis. The crash remains under investigation.

The US House has passed a bill that seeks to block President Obama’s proposed $10.25 tax on every barrel of oil. Halen Doughty has more…:
CUT 1 (31) “I’m Halen Doughty”

Governor John Bel Edwards and First Lady Donna Edwards have released a statement in response to the tragic mass shooting over the weekend in Orlando which authorities say claimed the lives of 50 people and injured 53 more. They say this is a senseless incident on an unimaginable scale. They say we stand ready to support the state of Florida in any way that we can to bring justice for those whose lives were lost.

Lawmakers get back to work today as they continue to see ways to fill the state’s $600 million dollar budget hole in place for the fiscal year that begins next month. Many republicans say taxes have been raised enough and Republican Kenner Representative Julie Stokes says she would like to see long-term tax reform as part of the fix…:
Cut 16 (11) “12 months”
This session must end next Thursday.

A recent independent poll of 800 voters shows Republican Scott Angelle is leading in the 3rd Congressional District race as 39% of the respondents support the Public Service Commissioner. The Traflagar Group poll has Clay Higgins, who recently joined the race, at 18%. UL Lafayette Political Science Professor Pearson Cross the poll shows 24% are undecided…:
cut 4 (07) “nothing more”

The US House has passed a bill that seeks to block President Obama’s proposed $10.25 tax on every barrel of oil. Halen Doughty has more…:
CUT 1 (31) “I’m Halen Doughty”

Governor John Bel Edwards and First Lady Donna Edwards have released a statement in response to the tragic mass shooting over the weekend in Orlando which authorities say claimed the lives of 50 people and injured 53 more. They say this is a senseless incident on an unimaginable scale. They say we stand ready to support the state of Florida in any way that we can to bring justice for those whose lives were lost.

Lawmakers get back to work today as they continue to see ways to fill the state’s $600 budget hole in place for the fiscal year that begins next month. Many republicans say taxeshave been raised enough and Republican Kenner Representative Julie Stokes says she would like to see long-term tax reform as part of the fix…:

Cut 16 (11) “12 months”
This session must end next Thursday.

A recent independent poll of 800 voters shows Republican Scott Angelle is leading in the 3rd Congressional District race as 39% of the respondents support the Public Service Commissioner. The Traflagar Group poll has Clay Higgins, who recently joined the race, at 18%. UL Lafayette Political Science Professor Pearson Cross the poll shows 24% are undecided…:
cut 4 (07) “nothing more”

Legislators return to the State Capitol today as they look to solve the state’s budget issues. The governor has asked legislators to raise revenues by 600-million dollars in this special session to avoid cuts to health care, higher education, public schools and TOPS. But so far the House has only agreed to 220-million dollars in tax increases. Democratic New Orleans Representative Walt Leger…:
Cut 13 (08) “revenue in”
GOP lawmakers are taking a strong stance against additional taxes saying money can be freed up by cutting out the waste in state government.

Governor John Bel Edwards, Senate President John Alario, House Speaker Taylor Barras, and other lawmakers will participate in a “Moment of Unity” at 1pm today at the Capitol in response to the tragic terrorist attack at an Orlando night club over the weekend. Authorities say 50 people died and at least 53 injured in the mass shooting.

A Transportation Infrastructure Investment task force has been formed by the governor to identify priority projects throughout the state. State Department of Transportation Secretary Shawn Wilson says the average driver pays about $108 a year in gas taxes to Louisiana, and they want to make sure those dollars go towards repairing roads, bridges and ports…:
Cut 10 (08) “infrastructure system”
Wilson says they will spend the next six months touring the state and getting input on priority projects from the public.

The LSU baseball team’s season is over following 2 losses to Coastal Carolina this weekend in the Super Regional at Alex Box Stadium in Baton Rouge. It’s the third time in five years the Tigers see ball end for the year on their home field.

Sea lice has been producing rashes for some Gulf Coast swimmers. Texas A&M-Corpus Christi biology professor, Dr Kim Withers, says sea lice are actually jelly fish larvae and they tend to sting people when they get trapped under a person’s clothes. Withers says the irritation caused by the bites usually goes away after 24 hours, but it can become severe.
cut 8 (06) “….and vomiting”
Withers says the best thing people can do is limit the amount of clothes they wear in the water.

A license is not required to fish this weekend on Louisiana waterways. The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries does this every year to attract new anglers for recreational fishing. LDWF biologist Meghan Macmenamin says some popular fishing areas have been stocked with extra fish.
cut 5 (06) “….the weekend”
The LDWF is also hosting some fishing rodeos as part of the two-day license free weekend.

A Luling man has been arrested after he allegedly shot his neighbor’s cat with a bow and arrow. St. Charles Parish Sheriff Greg Champagne says Cody Dupre has been charged with an aggravated cruelty to an animal charge, because the arrow did hit any of the feline’s vital organs.
cut 14 (07) “…be okay”
Champagne says Dupre apparently shot the cat, because he didn’t want it on his property.

Coastal Carolina stands in LSU’s way from reaching the College World Series. The Tigers and the Chanticleers (Shon-ta-kleers) begin their Super Regional Series today at Alex Box and the winner advances to Omaha. Tiger Rag Associate Editor James Moran says Coastal Carolina have hit a whopping 91 home runs, but they are more than just a power hitting team.

cut 15 (05) “pitching staff”

Coach Paul Maineri says he would like to start Jared Poche in Game Two on Sunday, but wants to make sure he feels okay after two extended outings in last weekend’s regional.