New Orleans Police released new information in the Will Smith murder, including that they found a weapon in the former Saints’ defensive end’s vehicle. Cardell Hayes is accused of shooting and killing Smith. Legal analyst Chick Foret says the fact that a loaded 9mm was found in Smith’s vehicle, should help Hayes’ defense, but many questions remain…:
CUT 11 (10) “on the seat”
The Saints are holding an open casket visitation for guests wishing to pay their final respects to Smith on Friday from 2-7 at the team’s indoor practice facility in Metairie.

Strong storms are moving through south Louisiana as a cold front pushes through, causing the closure of some schools and several morning commute delays. Forecasters say the rain will continue through the afternoon, and Thursday looks to be a wet day too. Lots of lightning is reported with this system, as well as high winds and hail in some areas.

The US Department of Labor has provided Louisiana with a $1.7 million disaster assistance grant to create temporary jobs in the state to assist with cleanup efforts. Halen Doughty has more…:
CUT 1 (31) “I’m Halen Doughty”

Got milk? Raw milk that is. A measure that would make it legal for farmers to sell milk straight from their cows is up for debate today in the Senate Health and Welfare committee. Audry Salvador is a mother from Sulphur and strong supporter of legalizing the sale of raw milk. She says everything farmers use in its production is totally clean..:
cut 4 (05) “raw milk”
Opponents say this is a food safety issue.

More information is coming out about the Will Smith murder case after New Orleans police say a loaded 9mm gun was found in the former Saints star’s vehicle. Jeff Palermo has more…:
Cut 3 (28) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

A bill that would allow motorcyclists 21 and up the option to wear a helmet now advanced out of a state house committee. Supporters say riders should decide whether or not they want to wear a helmet, not the government. But Ville Platte Rep. Harvey LeBas is concerned more people will be injured if this law passes…:
Cut 9 (04) “with this”
Governor John Bel Edwards also opposes the legislation which heads to the full House.

Strong storms are moving through the bottom half of the state, and much of them have already been severe with hail reported. Schools are closed in St. Charles and St. John due to severe weather.

A bill that would require businesses to pay men and women the same for similar work passed in the Senate. New Orleans Senator JP Morrell says in Louisiana a woman makes on average 65-cents to every dollar a man earns. He says this contirbutes to the state’s budget problems…:
Cut 13 (11) “additional income”
The vote was 28-10 and now the bill heads to the House.

Funeral arrangements are announced for beloved Saints color analyst Hokie Gajan. The Baker native & former LSU and Saints standout lost his battle with cancer Monday night at the age of 56. A balloon release for Hokie will take place tonight in Madisonville — then visitation will be Friday at St. Anselm Church in Madisonville. A funeral mass will follow at 3 p.m.

A recent discovery could change the whole dynamic of the Will Smith murder case. Police say a loaded 9mm gun was found in the former-Saints defensive end’s vehicle. Legal analyst Chick Foret says this could help alleged shooter Cardell Hayes’ defense that he was not the aggressor…:
Cut 10 (06) “at best”
Foret says the public perspective on the situation may continue to change as more evidence comes to light.

A bill that would allow the sale of raw milk from farmers to consumers is once again set to be heard by lawmakers today, after two failed attempts. Food safety has been cited as the major reason the sale of raw milk on farms is banned, but raw milk supporter Audry Salvador, a mother from Sulphur, says there are far more dangerous things to consume…:
CUT 5 (07) “raw milk”
Testimony is scheduled for debate in the Senate Health and Welfare committee.

A bill that would require businesses to pay men and women the same for similar work passed in the Senate with a 28-10 vote. Businesses groups oppose the bill, saying it could result in unnecessary litigation. New Orleans Senator JP Morrell says he worked with business lobbyists to address those concerns…:
Cut 15 (06) “lawsuits”
The measure heads to the House for more discussion.

Gov. John Bel Edwards and Monsanto announced the company’s decision to expand its Luling manufacturing site with a $975 million capital investment over the next three years. When completed in early 2019, the Louisiana expansion project will create 95 new direct jobs averaging $76,500 per year, plus benefits, and 20 new contractor jobs.

A fully-loaded nine-millimeter handgun was in the vehicle Will Smith was driving the night he was fatally shot in New Orleans. That’s according to the NOPD, who also found a fully loaded revolver inside the Hummer belonging to Cardale Hayes, who has been charged with second-degree murder.

Legislation to protect clergy from sanctions if they refuse to perform a same-sex marriage passes out of a House committee…
voicer 2 (31) “…..I’m Halen Doughty”

Governor John Bel Edwards presented his proposed budget for the next fiscal year and it contains big reductions in state funding for the TOPS scholarship program and hospitals that provide care to the poor. Edwards says only having a third of the money needed to pay for TOPS is another reason why they need a second special session…:
CUT 4 (07) “fund it”
The governor says a second special session could begin as early as June 7th.

A senate committee has advanced to the Senate floor a bill that raises the adult prosecution age from 17 to 18-years-old. A 15-year-old high school student spoke in favor of the bill. She says her brother was arrested at 17 and spent a week in jail without any school…
cut 8 (10) “….my brother”
Louisiana is just one of nine states that has 17-year-olds in their adult criminal justice system.

Governor John Bel Edwards proposed budget for next fiscal year calls for cuts to education funding, as a result of a 750-million dollar revenue shortfall. Michelle Southern has the story…

CUT 1 (30)  “I’m Michelle Southern”

A bill that would require businesses to pay men and women the same for similar work passed in the Senate with a 28-10 vote. New Orleans Senator JP Morrell says studies show in Louisiana a woman makes on average 65-cents to every dollar a man earns. The measure now heads to the House, where it’s expected to face tough opposition.

A bill that allows clergy members to refuse to conduct a same-sex marriage passed in a Senate committee. Opponents are concerned about the potential for backlash as religious freedom bills approved in other states have received. But Bossier City Representative Mike Johnson says those bills are much broader than his proposal, which is strictly limited to churches and religious leaders.

cut 14 (08)  “protection left”

The bill now moves to the House floor.

Another proposal would increase the age at which a person can be prosecuted as an adult form 17 to 18. A high school student went before the committee supporting the legislation because his friend was arrested at 17. He says the adult prison system is not a place for juveniles because his friend lost his pride and it couldn’t be restored.

CUT 7 (09) “is today”

The legislation heads to the full Senate.

The Pastor Protection Act passed in the House Civil Law Committee today on a 7-3 vote. The bill now heads to the House floor, with the support of Governor John Bel Edwards. But he says pastors are already protected under Louisiana law.

cut 15 (07) “under threat” 

Lester Perryman, with the Human Rights campaign, opposes the bill, also questioning why Louisiana needs this legislation.

A bill that would increase the age from 17 to 18 for a person to be prosecuted as an adult was approved by a Senate committee. Criminal justice expert Ed Mulvey says a 17 year-old offender is better off in the juvenile justice system…

CUT 6 (10) “adult system”

The legislation will now move to the full Senate.

Governor John Bel Edawrds presented his proposed budget for the next fiscal year. The proposal has 792-million in cuts to state psending, including a 46-million dollar cut to higher education. Edwards says not only is higher ed receiving looking at another cut in funding, but so are public schools.

CUT 5 (06)  “education”

Edwards is calling for a new task force to help develop long term budget solutions.

Many are remembering the life of former LSU and Saints running back Hokie Gajan, who died from cancer at age 56 last night. LSU’s all-time leading rusher Charles Alexander says Gajan always put the team first and never worried about being in the headlines.

Cut 11 (10) “good guy”

He says Gajan was always eager to be on the football field