The attorney for the family of Will Smith is expected to make a statement at this hour. The former Saints player was gunned down and the man New Orleans cops say is the shooter, Cardell Hayes, is essentially claiming it was self defense. Legal analyst Chick Foret says the dynamic of the case could change now that cops revealed a loaded 9mm was located in Smith’s vehicle…:
CUT 10 (06) “at best”
Surveillance video also shows that a hit and run that took place prior to the shooting appears to be Smith rear-ending Hayes before driving off.

Lawmakers want to crack down on texting while driving and the Senate sent a bill to the lower chamber that would increase the fine for a first offense to $500. The penalty goes up to $1000 for other offenses. West Monroe Senator Mike Walsworth changed the bill with an amendment aimed at making the penalty stiff enough to get minors’ attention…:
CUT 4 (06) “60 days”

Rayne Police say a second person has died as a result from injuries sustained in a incident where a truck crashed into a lawnmower occupied by three people – the driver, someone on the hood of the tractor and a man in a wheelchair being pulled from behind. They say the driver died at the scene Sunday evening — 41-year-old Wilbert Bourque of Rayne. The second victim is 19-year-old Joshua James Bourque. They have not said whether anyone would be cited in the incident.

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 (27) “I’m Halen Doughty”

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, where it faces an uncertain fate.

The annual debate is underway in a Senate committee over whether raw milk should be sold in Louisiana. This bill has not been able to pass in previous years, because of safety issues. But Audry Salvador of Sulphur says the safety concerns have been exaggerated by the opposition…
cut 6 (10) “….the lies”
Supporters also say Louisiana is one of just eight states that make it illegal.

Legislation is heading to the Senate floor that give motorcyclists 21 and over the option of wearing a helmet. Currently, all motorcycle riders must wear a helmet. Randy Postlewait with a motorcycle group says motorcyclists should make the decision regarding helmets, not the government…
cut 8 (11) “…protected citizens”
Governor John Bel Edwards says he does not support this legislation.

The Senate has approved a bill to increase the fine for texting or using social media while driving from $175 to $500 for the first offense. The fine goes up to $1,000 for subsequent offenses. Baton Rouge Senator Yvonne Colomb says there will not be a fine for voice texting….
cut 3 (06) “…the wheel” (2x)
The bill also calls for the suspension of a minor’s driver license if they are convicted two or more times for this offense.

New information 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 the perspective on the charges against Cardell Hayes may continue to change as more evidence comes to light…:
CUT 12 (07) “to be determined”
And now it’s reported that a passenger in Hayes’ vehicle claims that Hayes was protecting the two because Smith had a gun and was going to shoot it.

The equal pay bill cleared the Senate Tuesday and now heads to the House. New Orleans Senator JP Morrell says women make 65 cents for every dollar a man doing similar work makes, and he quoted former President Dwight Eisenhower when making the case that men and women should receive equal pay for equal work…:
Cut 14 (08) “simple justice”
The measure passed on a 28-10 vote.

A bill to give motorcycle operators 21 and older the choice to wear a helmet is on its way to the full House. Emelie Gunn has more…:
Cut 2 (30) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

The first hatching of a whooping crane chick in Louisiana in more than 75 years occurred this week in Jefferson Parish and the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries says this is a major milestone. They say the baby chick represents another step forward in the whooping crane program to reintroduce the birds back into the state at the White Lake Wetlands Conservation Area in Vermilion Parish.

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.