The FBI is re-investigating the case of a 2-year-old that went missing in Clinton 15 years ago. Avery Davidson is a former WAFB reporter who covered Wesley Morgan’s disappearance in 2001. Davidson says the child was playing on the front porch when his mother went inside and came back outside to find the little boy was gone….:
Cut 13 (10) “he was”
The FBI is offering up to a $10,000 reward for information leading to Morgan’s location.

New York real estate heir Robert Durst was sentenced by a federal judge in New Orleans today who accepted the plea agreement to serve 7 years and 1 month in prison on a weapons charge. Durst, who still faces a separate murder charge in California for allegedly killing a friend to keep her quiet and the disappearance of the 72-year-old’s wife, pleaded guilty to the weapons charge in New Orleans in February.

A bill to extend the waiting period for getting an abortion to 72 hours has been approved by the Senate Health and Welfare Committee. Sancha Smith, the State Director for Concerned Women for America, supports the measure…:
CUT 10 (07) “a life”
Amy Irvin of the New Orleans Abortion Fund opposes the bill and says women already can take as much time as they need after the initial consultation before having the procedure…:
CUT 12 (09) “the clinic”
The measure passed on a five to two vote and heads to the Senate floor.

Investigators continue to seek information with regard to the abduction of 12-year-old Jalon Bradley of Mamou. The vehicle involved in the abduction is thought to be a white Chevrolet or GMC crew cab pickup truck with chrome wheels occupied by Bradley, his non custodial mother Elaine Freeman, and an unidentified black male.

A bill that would extend the waiting period for getting an abortion to 72 hours has been approved by the Senate Health and Welfare Committee. Sancha Smith, the State Director for Concerned Women for America, spoke in favor of the measure and sharing her experience getting an abortion at 16-years-old”
CUT 9 (11) “better decision”
In opposition is Angela Adkins with the Louisiana Organization for Women. She shared stories of women who died or suffered complications from illegal abortions and attempts to self-abort, because of restrictions to abortions:
Cut 11 (09) “more desperate”
The measure passed on a five to two vote and heads to the Senate floor.

The Humane Society of Louisiana has issued its first ever “Animal Abuse Alert” for a dog that was found cooked in a fire pit in New Orleans’ City Park. Director Jeff Dorson says the pictures are horrifying and they have got to find the people responsible for such a gruesome act…:
CUT 4 (06) “of time”
He urges anyone who might know something about this to contact authorities.

The metal detectors in movie theaters bill did not pass today and the bill’s author, Representative Barbara Norton of Shreveport, is not happy about it.
CUT 7 (04) “our children”
Opponents argued the legislation is unnecessary and would present a financial burden on theater owners.

A bill that would require movie theaters to use metal detectors was shot down in a House committee today. Prairieville Rep. Tony Bacala says this legislation creates a false sense of security. He says if someone wants to shoot up a movie theater, the first person to be killed is the 18-year-old minimum wage worker manning the metal detector…:
CUT 6 (10) “to react”
Norton says by rejecting this bill, lawmakers are putting children at risk.

The case of a 2 year old child who went missing in Clinton in 2001 is being re-investigated by the FBI, and digital billboards to bring awareness to his disappearance are popping up all over the state. Wesley Morgan was playing in on his front porch 15 years ago, when authorities say he just vanished. The FBI is offering up to a $10,000 reward for information leading to Morgan’s location.

A horrifying display of animal abuse is breaking hearts across the state. A small dog was brutally beaten and thrown into a fire in New Orleans’ City Park. That’s according to Jeff Dorson, Executive Director of the Louisiana Humane Society, who says this is one of the most tragic cases of abuse he’s ever seen. He says the dog was beaten around the head, the muzzle and the jaw:
CUT 3 (11) “the pit”
He says they are still trying to find the people responsible for this gruesome crime.

The National Weather Service says a strong line of thunderstorms will affect parishes in southeast Louisiana and along the Mississippi State line. A severe thunderstorm watch is in effect until 3pm. Forecasters say winds in excess of 30 miles per hour and pea size hail are possible with this system.

The House Criminal Justice Committee is hearing legislation this morning that would require movie theathers to install metal detectors. Last summer a gunman walked into a Lafayette movie theater and killed two people and injured nine. Shreveport Representative Barbara Norton says nothing changes until you put something in place….
cut 5 (10) “….an effort”

A national report says Louisiana is not ready to handle a major health crisis. State Department of Health and Hospitals spokesperson Bob Johannessen says the report is a bit misleading. He says for instance, Louisiana gets penalized for using state agencies to man emergency shelters, while other states hire private contractors….
cut 9 (10) “….of work”

State Police have arrested an Amite man after he allegedly struck a bicyclist near Hammond and then fled the scene. The man on the bicycle ended up dying. Trooper Dustin Dwight says 32-year-old Brandon Fowler was taken into custody yesterday afternoon and he says Fowler’s Chevy pick-up has damage on the passenger side as the head light is busted out…
cut 16 (11) “…a bicycle”
The victim is 30-years-old and from Hammond.

State Police have issued a Level II Endangered Missing Child Advisory seeking 12-year-old Jalon Bradley who they say was taken from Mamou High School by his non-custodial mother and is believed to be in imminent danger. The woman is 34-year-old Elaine Freeman, a black female possibly driving a white SUV.

A severe thunderstorm watch is up until 3 PM for much of the southern half of the state and parishes along the Mississippi delta.

State legislators are dealing with the repercussions of a Supreme Court ruling that says juveniles cannot be sentenced to life in prison without the chance for parole. But opponents, like this family member of victims who were murdered by a 15-year-old, don’t want to ever see killers go free…:
CUT 12 (09) “kill someone”
But authors of the legislation say the Supreme Court has dictated to us that we have to do something. The bill was approved by a Senate committee.

The FBI has reopened the case of a Louisiana boy who has been missing for 15 years. Investigators say 2-year-old Wesley Morgan of Clinton disappeared in 2001, and they’re trying to raise awareness to hopefully located him. Digital billboards will be put up throughout Louisiana and parts of Mississippi. Investigators said new technology and additional resources will help in trying to solve the case.

This year’s National Health Security Preparedness Index finds Louisiana is the least prepared state to respond to a major health emergency. Bob Johannessen with the Department of Health and Hospitals says different measures were asked to determine preparedness, like if Louisiana uses an electronic surveillance system to monitor diseases and report it and the answer was yes…:
Cut 8 (09) “is yes”
Johannessen says this report also shows we have poor access to healthcare in Louisiana.

State Police say a 52-year-old woman lost her life in an Iberia Parish crash, and impairment is suspected to be a factor. They say the victim’s vehicle crossed a center line in a roadway, lost control and overturned. Troopers located the woman a few feet from the SUV, and she was pronounced dead on the scene. Investigators believe the driver was impaired at the time of the crash.

A strong line of storms is moving through the state and thunderstorm watches and warnings are posted in many parishes.

The Supreme Court has ruled that juvenile offenders cannot be sentenced to life without the chance for parole, and Louisiana lawmakers are trying to figure out the implications of that ruling. Halen Doughty has more…:
Cut 3 (30) “I’m Halen Doughty”

A cold case to recover a child who went missing 15 years ago in Clinton, Louisiana is being re-investigated by the FBI’s Child Abduction Rapid Deployment Team. Officials say they are looking in to the 2001 disappearance of Wesley Dale Morgan once again because of technology that is available now.

A bill that would require movie theaters to install metal detectors is scheduled to be heard in the House Criminal Justice committee today. Shreveport Rep. Barbara Norton wants to ensure movie goers are safe. Norton says she’s received many positive phone calls supporting this proposal…:
cut 4 (10) “done something”
She says the price of getting a metal detector is far less than someone losing their life.

Almost the entire state is under a severe thunderstorm watch until this afternoon, while parishes in southwest and central Louisiana are under severe thunderstorm warning. The National Weather Service says these intense storms could produce tornadoes and widespread wind damage.

A 32-year-old Amite man has been arrested in the fatal hit and run of a bicyclist Tuesday morning. State Police Trooper Dustin Dwight says they were able to locate Brandon Fowler yesterday afternoon…:
CUT 15 (09) “the story”
The bicyclist is 30-year-old Anand Asi.

Legislation being considered in the state could mean certain juveniles who were sentenced to life without parole would be given hearings and a chance to be released. It’s the result of a Supreme Court ruling. Metairie Senator Danny Martiny says they have to do something because of the high court’s ruling…:
CUT 13 (10) “remedy is”
Nathan Allbritton of Natchitoches Parish spoke in opposition as his wife and son were murdered by a 15-year-old…:
CUT 11 (09) “of em”
In order to qualify for release, juveniles would have to have a good behavioral record and take part in educational programs, under the proposal.

A squall line is moving into Louisiana from Texas causing the National Weather Service to issue severe thunderstorm watches and warnings. The system is currently at the state line and it’s moving through the state today.

A bill to require movie theaters to use metal detectors will be heard in a House committee today. Emelie Gunn has more…:
CUT 1 (24) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

Louisiana is the least prepared state to respond to a major health emergency, according to the latest National Health Security Preparedness Index. Bob Johannessen with the Department of Health and Hospitals says the survey is somewhat misleading. But he says some aspects used to determine this ranking are true…:
CUT 7 (10) “an issue”

The State House voted 53-39 for the Ban the Box bill which would require state agencies to remove the requirement that applicants disclose criminal history.