The Humane Society of Louisiana says they’ve seen a higher than usual number of animal abuse arrests and seizures over the past six months and they credit teammwork….
voicer 2 (30) “….I’m Michelle Southern”

LSU is advancing to the Super Regionals after a 5-2 win over Rice. Jared Poche came out of the bullpen and pitched six shutout innings to earn his ninth win of the year…
cut 18 (10) “…best chance to win”
LSU’s super regional series with Coastal Carolina begins Saturday night.

Some important votes take place today regarding the future of the Louisiana High School Athletic Association. Member principals are in Baton Rouge to consider four different options that would restructure the playoff brackets for most sports, including football. LHSAA President Vic Bonnaffee says if a new postseason format is approved today, the debate over public verus private will not end…
cut 5 (12) “….it was”

State lawmakers were unable to pass a law that would give convicted teen killers a chance at parole after serving 30 years in prison. The US Supreme Court says states must offer this opportunity and Metairie Senator Danny Martiny says the inability to get a law passed could cost Louisiana a lot of money in court fees….
cut 14 (10) “…expansive proposition”
Martiny says he’ll seek to change the law next year.

Louisiana remains one of 32 states not in compliance with a Supreme Court ruling, as a bill dealing with child killers failed to pass in the final minutes of the regular session. Jeff Palermo has more…:
Cut 3 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Governor Edwards signed the bill into law that would allow patients to have direct access to a physical therapist without a doctor’s referral. Opponents argued this mandate would not be in the patient’s best interest. Supporters say this gives patients easier access to care they need. The change takes effect immediately.

The governor is signing the Ban the Box bill into law today. The measure would prohibit state employers from asking about criminal history until the interview process. Executive Director for the US Justice Action Network, Holly Harris, says many companies that hire people with criminal records will say that those employees are their best workers…:
cut 12 (07) “been given”
She says Louisiana is the incarceration capital of the world and in serious need of criminal justice reform.

LHSAA principals meet today in Baton Rouge to vote on four proposals regarding the public-private playoff split, which is set to expand to other sports beginning next year. LHSAA President Vic Bonnaffee says one reason for this meeting is because the expanded split to other sports has created logistical issues for the venues that host championship events in basketball, baseball and softball…:
cut 4 (11) “the problems”

Today Governor John Bel Edwards will hold a Ban The Box bill signing ceremony. The measure prohibits a state employer from asking about a job applicant’s criminal history until the interview process. US Justice Action Network Director Holly Harris says this is not just about helping those with criminal records, it’s about making our communities safer…:
cut 11 (07) “to prison”
Harris says this bill will impact a lot of people, as most American families are touched by the criminal justice system in some way.

Some lawmakers are frustrated that a measure to give convicted teen killers the chance for parole after 30 years in prison. The Supreme Court ruled convicted minors can’t be sentenced to life without parole. Metairie Senator Danny Martiny says while a lot of inmates will probably try to get parole hearings, he doesn’t think many of them will succeed…:
Cut 15 (07) “of jail”
Louisiana is one of 32 states not in compliance with the Supreme Court ruling.

The Humane Society of Louisiana says new partnerships have been formed with law enforcement agencies, leading to the newly formed Louisiana Animal Cruelty Investigation Task Force. Director Jeff Dorson says now when people report cases of animal abuse, members of the humane society will go out with the law enforcement agencies as they coordinate the arrests, and seize the animals to find them new homes…:
Cut 8 (07) “prices”
Since the beginning of the year, several agencies have been involved in more than 14 arrests, and the seizure of more than 30 animals including horses, pigs, chickens and dogs.

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is looking for new field agents, and they are taking applications through June for up to 23 cadets. They’ll train to enforce the state’s recreational boating laws, the state and federal wildlife and fisheries laws, and general law enforcement work on the stat’s many wildlife management areas. Applicants can apply online through the Department of Civil Service website.

Governor John Bel Edwards is signing the Ban the Box bill into law today. Halen Doughty has more…:
CUT 1 (31) “I’m Halen Doughty”

A cop in Shreveport is on administrative leave following an arrest amid allegations of policy violations. Officer Bernice Lefeat of Keithville is charged with a single count each of Possession of Schedule II, Malfeasance in office, possession of a legend drug without prescription and two counts of theft of a firearm.

LHSAA principals meet today in Baton Rouge to vote on four proposals regarding the public-private playoff split, which is set to expand to other sports beginning next year. LHSAA President Vic Bonnaffee says hopefully high school principals understand the importance of this vote…:
Cut 6 (06) “the LHSAA” 2x
The public-private playoff split has been a controversial issue in Louisiana high school sports.

The US Coast Guard is searching for a man who was trying to save two children who were in the water off the shore of Grand Isle. Crews are searching by boat and helicopter. The children he went into the water to help made it safely back to shore.

The LSU baseball team is going back to the Super Regionals after the Tigers rallied to beat Rice 5-2 Tuesday afternoon. It’s LSU’s 22nd NCAA Regional title in 29 all-time appearances — and they’ll host Coastal Carolina in the NCAA Super Regional this weekend.

The LSU baseball team is headed back to the Super Regionals as the Tigers rallied from a two-run deficit to beat to beat the Rice Owls five to two. The most valuable player in this game was Jared Poche, who threw six shutout innings and kept LSU in the contest, until the bats woke up in the 7th. Poche says he felt good going into the game…”
Cut 18 (10) “best chance to win”
The Bayou Bengals advanced to host Coastal Carolina in a best-of-three NCAA Super Regional starting Saturday.

LSU football will kickoff in three prime-time, televised games, according to the early season TV schedule released by the SEC Tuesday. The Tigers’ face Jacksonville State on September 10th at 6:30. The game against Mississippi State on Sept. 17 is scheduled for 6 p.m.. The Tigers face Texas A&M on the road Thanksgiving day at a 6:30 p.m.

Also announced is Louisiana Tech’s season opener time at Arkansas which will kick at 3pm.

The Saints have signed free-agent safety Roman Harper, who spent the first eight seasons of his career NFL career in New Orleans before playing his last two with the Carolina Panthers. NFL analyst Mike Detillier says Harper is a player with high football IQ and depth…:
Cut 16 (15) “Kenny Vaccaro”
Harper started 104 games out of a possible 108 during his first tenure with the Saints.

LHSAA principals meet today in Baton Rouge to vote on four proposals regarding the public-private playoff split. LHSAA President Vic Bonnaffee says one reason for this meeting is because the expanded split to other sports has created logistical issues for the venues that host championship events in basketball, baseball and softball…:
cut 4 (11) “the problems”

The measure that would prohibit state employers from asking about criminal history until the interview process is going to be signed by the governor today. Executive Director for the US Justice Action Network, Holly Harris, says Louisiana is in serious need of criminal justice reform…:
Cut 10 (07) “crime-free lives”
Harris says the Ban the Box bill is about showing that convicts are more than just their one mistake.

A bill that did not get out of the regular session would have given convicted teen killers serving life sentences parole hearings after 30 years in prison. Metairie Senator Danny Martiny says it’s unfortunate they couldn’t pass this measure…:
Cut 13 (09) “6 o’clock”
The bill was a reaction to a Supreme Court ruling that says convicted minors cannot be sentenced to life without the chance for parole.

The Humane Society of Louisiana says they’ve seen a higher than usual number of animal abuse arrests and seizures over the past 6 months. Director Jeff Dorson credits newly formed partnerships between humane societies and law enforcement agencies that work together as a team to investigate cases of animal abuse…:
CUT 7 (09) “this approach”
He says been they’ve been involved in more than 14 arrests and the seizure of some 30 animals including horses, pigs, chickens, and dogs.

The LSU baseball team is headed back to the Super Regionals as the Tigers rally possumed from a two-run deficit to beat to beat the Rice Owls five to two. The Bayou Bengals advanced to host Coastal Carolina in a best-of-three NCAA Super Regional starting Saturday.

Governor John Bel Edwards made his case to a joint session of the state legislature to raise millions of dollars in additional taxes so Louisiana can avoid cuts health care services and education programs, like TOPS. Edwards says the budget is in bad shape and the situation needs to be addressed now….
cut 6 (12) “…afford to wait”
The governor is giving lawmakers several different options to address the shortfall. They include higher taxes on middle and upper income taxpayers and reducing tax breaks for businesses….
cut 7 (10) “…overall”
Many lawmakers have said they are not in favor of additional taxes, after approving a series of hikes in a special session earlier this year.

Because it wasn’t done in the regular session, legislators will be asked to approve a four-billion dollar budget bill that finances construction projects around the state. Ways and Means Chairman Neil Abramson says he didn’t bring the construction budget bill up for a vote in the regular season, because the senate made changes to the measure that brought upon technical and legal concerns. Several state senators were upset the House didn’t vote on the proposal, including Metairie Senator Danny Martiny…
cut 5 (07) “….we do”
A new version of the construction budget bill has begun to move in the special session as the House Ways and Means committee approved one without objection, sending it to the full House.

The Senate and House education committees have agreed to revisions to the Common Core education standards. A 26-member review panel recommended changing 21-percent of English and math standards used in public schools and now Governor Edwards will decide whether they should be implemented in the classroom.

LSU and Rice are underway at Alex Box Stadium. The winner will advance to the Super Regionals and play Coastal Carolina, who defeated North Carolina State in the Raleigh Regional Championshp game. Coastal Carolina scored four runs in the ninth inning to win. The game was halted last night because of rain, with the bases loaded and one out and Coastal Carolina down by two in the ninth.

The super regional series between Coastal Carolina and the winner of the LSU-Rice contest will begin Saturday night at 8 PM. Game Two will be Sunday at 8 PM. A game three if necessary will take place Monday at either 1, 4 or 7 PM.

Safety Roman Harper is back with the Saints. The 33-year-old has spent the last two years with the Carolina Panthers and had four interceptions in 2014, but didn’t pick off a pass last year. Before his time in Carolina, Harper spent eight years with the Saints and was a Pro Bowl Player the year the Saints won their Super Bowl.

Tough finish for what was a good season by the UL Lafayette baseball team. The Cajuns were defeated twice by Arizona to win the Lafayette Regional and advance to play Mississippi State in the Super Regionals. Cajuns Coach Tony Robichaux says Arizona’s pitchers threw the ball well and his team had trouble putting runs on the board…
cut 20 (16) “….deficit down”
The Cajuns finish with a record of 43-21.

LSU’s first two home football games will be played at night. ESPN-U will televise the September 10th contest against Jacksonville State and the September 17th game in Tiger Stadium versus Mississippi State will kick off at 6 PM and it will be shown on ESPN and ESPN Two.

Louisiana Tech’s season opener at Arkansas will kick-off at 3 PM.

During a joint session of the legislature kicking off the special session, Governor John Bel Edwards called on lawmakers to raise enough revenue to reduce cuts to state services. Jeff Palermo has more…

CUT 1 (29)  “I’m Jeff Palermo”

West Monroe native and former-astronaut Jim Halsell has been charged with murder after a fatal crash in Alabama took the life of two young girls. 11-year-old Niomi James and 13-year-old Jayla Parler were ejected from the vehicle and died when Halsell crashed into their vehicle. Two adults were also injured.

Several lawmakers are upset after they failed to approve the construction budget for next fiscal year. It will be taken up again in the special session, but Marrero Representative Patrick Connick says it should have been done in the regular session…

CUT 4 (11)  “the Senate”

The construction budget funds road projects, repairs to public buildings and improvement to state parks.

The state Department of Environmental Quality has resumed mercury testing in public waterways after the program was halted in 2008 because of budget cuts. DEQ environmental scientist Al Hindrichs says mercury poisoning can cause neurological damage, particularly in children, and it can lead to birth defects if consumed by pregnant women. He says they need to update some of the advisories in effect because some of them are as much as 14 years old.

cut 14 (08)  “out there”