Governor John Bel Edwards daughter Samantha is getting married tomorrow to Jonathan Ricau (Ree-Coe). The ceremony will be held in Amite at St. Helena Catholic Church and the reception is being held at the Governor’s Mansion. Governor Edwards says the planning is going well and Samantha is excited..:
CUT 9 (07) “the aisle”
Edwards says he wasn’t sure if that would ever happen when Samantha was born because she had spina bifida, so it will truly be a miracle moment for him.

Authorities say someone crashed a stolen 18-wheeler in Caddo parish early this morning. Caddo Parish Sheriff Spokesperson Cindy Chadwick says they got a call around 6am from someone saying an 18-wheeler had overturned on I-49 North at Louisiana Highway Two…:
CUT 6 (06) “its side”
Chadwick says, just before the crash, the mac truck was hijacked from a truck stop in Texarkana, Arkansas, and the driver was nowhere to be found. It’s under investigation.

Jackson Representative Kenny Havard says he’s not sorry about the amendment he brought as a joke then pulled stating strippers should be youthful and skinny. The change was tacked on to a bill targeting human trafficking saying exotic dancers should be no younger than 21. Havard says political correctness is what’s ruined our nation and he doesn’t know why so many female lawmakers are mad because he didn’t even mention women…:
CUT 14 (08) “160 pounds”
But even House Speaker Taylor Barras said on the floor that Havard should apologize to him and the entire body, especially the women.

A student of the year at Amite High was not able to walk for graduation Wednesday night because he had facial hair. School officials took Andrew Jones’ cap and gown and barred him from the stage. The schools superintendent said the rules regarding facial hair stand. Jones never made anything less than an “A” his entire four years at Amite High and his family is livid.

Jackson Representative Kenny Havard is not sorry for his amendment intended as a joke that said strippers in Louisiana must be young and less than 160 pounds. The amendment which was attached to a bill that raises the age of exotic dancers to 21 has received national attention. Havard says he regrets if he offended anyone, but..:
Cut 13 (07) “politically incorrect”
House speaker Taylor Barras of New Iberia said it’s ridiculous he has to ask elected officials to be respectful.

The state legislature is close to passing legislation that would lower the tuition for out-of-state college students. Supporters say this will help boost enrollment. Metairie Senator Conrad Appel sits on Senate Education and says this legislation will not result in out of state students takeing precedence over in state students…
cut 9 (06) “….Louisiana students”
American Sugar Cane League Senior Argonomist Herman Waguespack says the 2016 season looks to be a good one and could possibly surpass last year’s 1.4 million tons of raw sugar….
cut 12 (06) “…we have”
Waguespack adds that Louisiana is now one of three states in the country that produces sugar. Hawaii recently closed its last sugar mill.

For many Louisiana school children summer vacation has started or will begin next week and that means kids will use a pool or public waterway to stay cool. Baton Rouge General family practitioner, Doctor Kristen Ducote, says unfortunately drowning is the third leading cause of unintentional fatalities in kids. Ducote says its also important parents remain sober, when their children are in the water…
cut 6 (08) “….been avoided”

An amendment saying exotic dancers should be young and weigh no more than 160 pounds has outraged female lawmakers at the Capitol, but Jackson Representative Kenny Havard says he’s not going to apologize. He says he has a right to offend and people have a right to be offended. House speaker Taylor Barras of New Iberia spoke on the House floor about the incident. He says it seems ridiculous that he has to ask elected state officials to be respectful:
Cut 15 (12) “to determine”
Havard says we won’t apologize because political correctness has ruined the country.

Measures that would let retired state workers get an increase on their pension checks was signed into law Thursday. Starting July 1st, thousands of retired teachers, troopers and state government employees will see a boost of around $30 on the monthly payments.

A bill that would allow universities to lower their out-of-state tuition to bring in more students from other states is nearing final passage. Jeff Palermo has more…:
Cut 2 (31) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

This year’s sugar cane crop in Louisiana could possibly surpass last year’s 1.4 million tons of raw sugar. American Sugar Cane Senior Agronomist Herman Waguespack says the Bayou State is the second biggest producer of sugar cane in the country…:
cut 11 (05) “in production”
He says Louisiana is now one of only three states that produce sugar.

East Feliciana Parish Representative Kenny Havard says he’s not going to apologize for the joke amendment about skinny young strippers. It was tacked onto a bill targeting human trafficking requiring exotic dancers to be at least 21. The remarks have been called sexist, disrespectful and disgusting. But Havard says the amendment didn’t mention female strippers specifically…:
cut 14 (08) “160 pounds”
New Orleans Representative Helena Moreno says, combined with the failure of the Equal Pay Act bill, it’s been a terrible week for women at the Capitol and she’s launched an #ItsNoJoke campaign on social media to raise awareness on women’s issues.

Nearly 30,000 Entergy customers are without power this morning following a line of storms that moved through south Louisiana last night with strong winds, lightning and heavy rain. Crews are out assessing damage right now including downed trees and power lines.

A measure that would let universities lower their out of state tuition is nearing final legislative passage. It’s an effort to attract more students from across the country. UL-System Vice President for External Affairs, Rachel Kincaid, says this would also help colleges bring in more international students…:
Cut 8 (08) “resident students”
The House approved measure heads to the full Senate.

Lots of kids are getting out of school today, and summertime means pool and beach time. But sadly, drowning is the third leading cause of unintentional fatalities in kids 14 and under. Baton Rouge General family practitioner Dr. Kristen Ducote says if you’re at the beach, your children should swim with a buddy, never alone…:
Cut 5 (07) “and under”
Ducote says it’s important to always keep an eye out on your kids even if they’re swimming in shallow water.

Governor Edwards has signed a bill into law that extends the waiting period for and abortion from 24 to 72 hours. This is the longest waiting period for an abortion in the country.

Jackson Representative Kenny Havard says he won’t apologize for his joke that strippers should be young and skinny. Halen Doughty has more…:
Cut 3 (27) “I’m Halen Doughty”

Severe weather rolled through south Louisiana last night, causing damage in several parishes that are seeing downed trees and power lines. Entergy is reporting over 30,500 people are without power, after a line of strong storms hit with lots of lightning, heavy ran and gusty winds. Several baseball games in the region were suspended and postponed due to the weather.

With summer vacation already underway for most schools,experts are providing some tips to make sure your kids stay safe this break. Baton Rouge General family practitioner Dr. Kristen Ducote warns parents that drowning is the third leading cause of unintentional fatalities in kids 14 and under. She says it’s important to invest in swimming lessons for your children…:
cut 4 (07) “the water”
She also warns parents with Memorial Day coming up, stay sober when your children are around the water.

The American Sugar Cane League says the 2016 Louisiana sugar cane crop is showing great potential and could possibly surpass last year’s 1.4 million tons of raw sugar. Senior Agronomist Herman Waguespack says we had a mild winter and hopes hurricane season will be quite so it doesn’t disrupt the crops…:
Cut 10 (08) “somewhat”

Jackson Representative Kenny Havard is not sorry for his amendment intended as a joke that said strippers in Louisiana must be young and less than 160 pounds. The amendment which was attached to a bill that raises the age of exotic dancers to 21 has received national attention. Havard spoke with reporters after adjournment and says he regrets if he offended anyone, but..:
Cut 13 (07) “politically incorrect”
House speaker Taylor Barras of New Iberia said it’s ridiculous he has to ask elected officials to be respectful.

A bill is nearing final legislative passage that would allow universities to lower their out of state tuition in an effort to attract more students from neighboring states. There was concern about lowering tuition in light of the budget deficit. But Ruston Representative Robert Shadoin says bringing in more students could help curb those losses…:
CUT 7 (08) “we’re experiencing”

With many kids already out on summer vacations, Emelie Gunn spoke with a doctor on some tips to keep your children safe while in the water..:
CUT 1 (30) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

Nearly 30,000 are without power in southeast Louisiana following storms that brought lots of lightening, heavy rain and gusty winds. At the height of the bad weather, Entergy reported nearly 75,000 customers without electricity.

More lawmakers and even the governor are still talking about the “joke” amendment that ended up hitting the House Floor Wednesday. The change was added to a human trafficking bill stating strippers should be no younger than 21, but Jackson Representative Kenny Havard suggested strippers should also be young and skinny.  Governor Edwards said he knows this was intended as a joke, but it was in bad taste…:

Cut 11 (06) “unfortunate incident”

People diagnosed with things like cancer, AIDS, and seizure disorders will soon be able to get medical marijuana in Louisiana because of a bill signed into law by Governor Edwards. The state is still seeking a grower for the drug. Edwards says signing this bill is one of this easiest decisions he’s made during this session, but also one of the most important.

CUT 8 (10) “of Louisiana”

Attorney General Jeff Landry is telling public schools they do not have to comply with President Obama’s transgender bathroom mandate. Emelie Gunn has more…

CUT 1 (29)  “I’m Emelie Gunn”

Governor Edwards has signed a bill into law that extends the waiting period for and abortion from 24 to 72 hours. Five other states have similar waiting periods. The only exception to the wait time if for women who live more than 150 miles from an abortion clinic. This is also the longest waiting period for an abortion in the country.

Jackson Representative Kenny Havard’s joke that strippers should be young and skinny is making national headlines and sparking outrage from people across the country. New Orleans Sen. Karen Peterson says this is embarrassing and Havard should realize how many people he’s hurt and offended…:

cut 10 (09)  “I made a mistake”

Havard spoke with reporters after adjournment and says he regrets if he offended anyone, but….

Cut 23 (07) “…politically incorrect”

Governor John Bel Edwards has signed a bill into law that allows patients with a wider variety of medical conditions to receive medical marijuana once it becomes available in Louisiana. People diagnosed with things like cancer, AIDS, and seizure disorders will soon be able to get medical marijuana in Louisiana.

A Senate-approved bill seeking equal pay for men and women who perform the same job failed to make it out of the House Labor Committee. Louisiana has the biggest pay gap in the nation. New Orleans Representative Helena Moreno says this wage discrimination is hurting women in Louisiana.

cut 14 (09)  “and women”

Vermillion Parish Representative Blake Miguez voted against the legislation. He says it interferes with how companies conduct their business.

cut 15 (08) “his employment”

Governor John Bel Edwards supports this proposal, and it is a significant defeat for his legislative agenda. The measure failed on a 10-5 vote.