Governor John Bel Edwards says solving the state’s budget crisis and the impending second special session are top of mind for him right now. He says there are many policy related issues that are going to be on the back burner until we can deal with the present crisis…:
Cut 8 (09) “and do that”
He says he’s waiting to make the call for the second session when he receives proposals from a panel reviewing the budget.

A 7th grade teacher in Vermillion Parish is under arrest on rape charges for allegedly forcing minors to have sex with him. David Hardy with the Abbeville Police Department says James Harber had child pornography on his computer, and cops were able to locate the girls…:
CUT 5 (07) “Mr. Harber”
Harber has been charged with two counts of second-degree rape and one count of first-degree rape. His bond is $300,000.

The St. Tammany Parish coroner reportedly says a man lost his life when he was struck by lightning while working at a Slidell area construction site. It says 36-year-old Elvin Arturo Castro Santiago was struck Wednesday.

The majority of voters in Louisiana have no problem with letting people with certain diseases be covered under the state’s medical marijuana law. That’s according to a poll commissioned by the Louisiana Cannabis Association. They found 72 percent of people surveyed support letting medical marijuana treat additional ailments. Spokesman Jesse McCormick hopes that this poll encourages more lawmakers to vote in favor of the legalization currently moving through the capitol….:
cut 12 (08) “huge win”

Governor John Bel Edwards will participate in “Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day” by hosting a rally for the children on the Capitol steps with First Lady Donna Edwards.

Governor John Bel Edwards says priority number one for him right now is stabilizing the budget. Jeff Palermo has the story…:
Cut 2 (31) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

The Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office says the man and woman who died in the officer involved shooting in Carlyss were estranged husband and wife, and that the husband shot the wife before turning the gun on himself. The male, 38-year-old Cory McAdams, was allegedly trying to abduct his wife and daughter — then when cops arrived he killed 33-year-old Brandi McAdams, then himself.

An employee at Cabela’s Sporting Goods store in Gonzales shot himself in the hand by mistake while showing a .22 caliber gun to a customer Thursday afternoon, according to cops. The Gonzales Police Department says all indications point to this being incident an accident. No word on why the gun was loaded.

The House has approved two more pro-life measures. One of the bills, authored by Baton Rouge Representative Rick Edmonds, prohibits women from getting abortions just because a child will have a genetic disorder. Edmonds says his son was born with a disorder, and if he’d taken medical advice, he wouldn’t have his grandchildren today….:
Cut 13 (10) “blessed with”
The other proposal that advanced would ban a certain procedure used in 2nd trimester abortions.

Last night in the NFL draft, the New Orleans Saints selected defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins. Defensive tackle Vernon Butler of Louisiana Tech was selected by the Carolina Panthers with the 30th pick.

Governor John Bel Edwards says priority number one for him right now is stabilizing the budget, because we must focus on moving Louisiana forward. He says the vision that he put forth when he was running for governor has not changed, but they have to work on filling the $600 million dollar gap for next fiscal year…:
CUT 7 (09) “to do”
Edwards says he remains very optimistic about his administration and the state as a whole.

A Vermilion parish teacher is facing rape charges. Lt. David Hardy with the Abbeville Police Department says James Harber has been charged with two counts of second-degree rape and one count of first-degree rape. He says a search of Harber’s home indicates that more charges could be coming…:
cut 4 (08) “child pornography”
Harber is accused of raping two minors. His bond is $300,000.

The Louisiana Cannabis Association commissioned a poll showing 72-percent of voters here support the expanding of diseases covered under the medical marijuana law. Halen Doughty has more…:
Cut 3 (30) “I’m Halen Doughty”

A report out of New Orleans indicates that 33-year-old Shelley Dufresne, a teacher at Destrehan High who was involved in a sex scandal with one of her students, engaged in relations with the 16-year-old more than 40 times in 2014. The report indicates the findings were revealed in a lawsuit filed by the victims parents.

The state House approves a measure that would ban a common procedure used in second trimester abortions. Bossier City Representative Mike Johnson calls these “dismemberment” abortions and says every year more than a thousand unborn children are aborted through this process…:
CUT 15 (08) “ripped off”
Opponents of the measure feel restricting abortions only forces women to become desperate and turn to unsafe methods. Johnson’s bill was approved unanimously, and the measure now heads to the Senate.

A bill that would outlaw sex offenders from going door to door to sell product is unanimously approved by the House, and now heads to the Senate. The bill’s author, Alexandria Representative Lance Harris, believes this proposal would protect children who are left home alone. A similar measure has already been approved in the Senate.

A poll paid for by the Louisiana Cannabis Association finds that 72-percent of Louisiana voters support legalizing medical marijuana as a treatment for more diseases. Jesse McCormick is glad to see a majority of voters support the use of medical cannabis to help relieve pain for people who suffer from different diseases, like cancer and HIV…:
Cut 10 (07) “understand”
Legislators have been conflicted on the matter.

An employee at Cabela’s Sporting Goods Store in Gonzales accidentally shot himself in the hand while showing a .22 caliber to a customer, according to police. Cops are investigating but the incident has been declared an accident.

Governor Edwards pushed back today against a special interest group that’s airing an attack ad claiming he broke promises about keeping the voucher program. Emelie Gunn has more…

CUT 1 (24)  “I’m Emelie Gunn”

The FBI has created a dedicated tip line to gather information about a boy who went missing from his front porch 15 years ago. People can call 1-800-CALL-FBI with any information they have about Wesley Morgan. The FBI is offering a $10,000 reward for any information that leads to Morgan’s location.

A Senate committee has approved the bill to prevent members of the LGBT community from being fired or turned down for jobs because of their sexual orientation or gender identity. New Orleans Senator Troy Carter authored the legislation. He says we need to protect people from discrimination.

Cut 13 (07)  “recourse”

The measure passed on a 4-2 vote and now heads to the Senate floor for more debate.

Two people are dead following a shootout in Calcasieu parish. Calcasieu Parish Sheriff Tony Mancuso says officers met Cody McAdams in a field, while he was attempting to kidnap his estranged wife Brandy and their 5-year-old child. Mancuso says McAdams fired several shots at the deputies before the officers returned fire, then he shot and killed Brandy before turning his gun on himself. The young girl is unharmed. Mancuso says Brandy had filed several domestic violence charges against McAdams.

A bill to prevent members of the LGBT community from being fired because of their sexual orientation or gender identity has won the approval of a Senate committee. Halen Doughty has more…:
CUT 2 (28) “I’m Halen Doughty”

The Louisiana House unanimously passed a bill that would outlaw a procedure commonly used in second-trimester abortions. Supporters call the method a “dismemberment” abortion. But those who oppose say restricting abortions further is a detriment to women’s health. The measure now heads to the Senate after a lower chamber 83-0 vote.

Governor John Bel Edwards says priority number one for him right now is stabilizing the budget, because we must focus on moving Louisiana forward. He says there are many policy related issues that are going to be on the back burner until we can deal with the present crisis — the $600 million dollar budget shortfall…:
Cut 8 (09) “and do that”
He says he doesn’t see any way they could avoid a second special session.

A poll paid for by the Louisiana Cannabis Association finds that 72-percent of Louisiana voters support legislation which legalizes medical marijuana as a treatment for more diseases. Jesse McCormick is glad to see a majority of voters support the use of medical cannabis to help relieve pain for people who suffer from different diseases, like cancer and HIV…:
Cut 10 (07) “understand”
A Senate approved bill expanding diseases the medical marijuana law would cover is awaiting hearing in the lower chamber.

The man who allegedly shot former Saints player Will Smith has been indicted on charges of murder and attempted murder. Cardell Hayes pleaded not guilty and his bond is 1.75 million dollars. His attorney said in court today that the prosecution is trying to jam an indictment down. Legal analyst Tim Meche says the DA is just going through the procedure according to the law….:
CUT 5 (09) “of Louisiana”
Hayes was also indicted on charges of aggravated assault and aggravated damage to property to go along with the murder and attempted murder charge.

A measure that would prevent businesses from firing a person based on their sexual orientation was approved by a Senate committee today. But Lake Charles Senator Ronnie Johns voted against the proposal. He says it could pose problems for business owners…:
cut 15 (12) “of that”

Governor John Bel Edwards says he never said he planned to take vouchers from students who currently have them, as pro voucher groups claim. He says many areas of the state have to take cuts in order to fill a shortfall. Baton Rouge mother Pamela Gauthier says her son Joseph has Down syndrome and struggled in public school because teachers didn’t have adequate resources. But she says thanks to the voucher program, Joseph is now excelling at a private school…:
cut 12 (09) “Fs and Ds”
Edwards is not happy about special interests falsely calling him a liar.

A measure that would prohibit commonly used second trimester abortions received support from the full House today. The bill’s author claims the procedure is a “dismemberment abortion” and should not be allowed because of its torturous nature. Opponents say that description is misleading. The vote was 83-0 and now heads to the Senate.