A bill has passed out of the House Transportation Committee to increase the penalty for violating the state’s seat belt law. Author of the bill is New Orleans Rep. Walt Leger and he says under the proposed law, the fine would double to 50 dollars for the first offense of not wearing a seat belt. He says the higher the penalty, the better the compliance..

CUT 6 (09) “a year”

Leger says under this legislation, the second and third offense would increase to 75 dollars from 50 dollars.

LSU Vice President for Agriculture Bill Richardson says the school is debating whether or not it will grow medical marijuana. He says several proposed bills in this regular session outline the regulations that could help them make a decision. Richardson says they are still a ways away from offering medical marijuana to the public…:
CUT 3 (09) “years away”

A federal judge has reached a $20-billion settlement with BP over the 2010 Gulf oil spill. Don Molino has more…
CUT 1 (30) “I’m Don Molino”

Governor John Bel Edwards is speaking at this hour at Disability Rights Day along with Oil and Gas Day in Baton Rouge at the Capitol.

Attorney General Jeff Landry says, as so many people in Louisiana are working to put their lives back together following devastating flooding, residents are urged to beware of price gouging. He says it is outrageous and unlawful for merchants to wrongfully profit from the horrific events.

Today a senate committee will hear a proposal by Metairie Senator Conrad Appeal that would allow people to have their pets buried next to them in cemeteries. Haley Doughty has more…
voicer 2 (31) “….reporting”

And in House Transportation, the panel has approved a bill that would double the fine to 50-dollars for not wearing a seat belt. State Police spokesperson, Sergeant Nick Manale, says not wearing a seatbelt can turn a fender bender into a fatal accident…
cut 6 (07) “….laws of physics”

Five more parishes have been added to the exisiting federal disaster declaration in Louisiana as result of last month’s historic flooding. The five parishes added are Catahoula, East Carroll, Franklin, Lincoln and St. Helena Parishes. These parishes are now eligible for government assistance to help those impacted by the flooding.

An entrepenuer from Louisiana has created a Seafood Locator App. Sheldon Williams says once you launch the app, you can see 15 affiliate seafood shops and see what their prices are for boiled crawfish, shrimp, crabs, raw oysters and more…
cut 14 (13) “…all on the app”
Williams says the app works well for those living in Baton Rouge and New Orleans, but they are looking to expand it to other areas like in Lafayette and Thibodaux.

A federal judge Monday approved BP’s civil settlement over its 2010 Gulf oil spill for an estimated $20 billion dollars. Eric Smith, Director of the Tulane Energy Institute said this should put a stop to any potential litigation against the oil giant…:
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The money will go towards Clean Water Act penalties and to cover environmental damage, and it will be paid out over 16 years.

If you’d like to be buried with your pet, it could soon be a possibility in Louisiana, as a Senate Committee takes up such a proposal today at the Capitol. Patrick McCausland, president of Heaven’s Pets in Metairie, says the measure would give cemeteries the option to allow this…:
CUT 12 (09) “from there”

A New Orleans entrepreneur has developed an app which consumers can use to find the best price on seafood in town. Sheldon Williams says the Seafood Locator App does the searching for you…:
Cut 13 (12) “favorite places”
You can get Seafood Locator for free on Apple and Android devices.

A cost-of-living increase for retired state workers measure advanced out of a Senate committee on Monday. Lawmakers tied the raise to two other bills that would revamp state retirement systems, and officials say all three proposals would have to pass the Legislature and be signed by the governor in order for the raise to take effect. It would mean a 1.5 percent-2 percent increase in their monthly pension checks.

The fine for texting or posting on Facebook while driving would go from $175 to $500 under a bill set to be heard in the Senate Transportation Committee today. State Police Sgt. Nick Manale says this is a huge problem in Louisiana…:
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A House Committee will hear a measure today to double the fines for not wearing a seat belt.

A federal court has approved a $20 billion dollar settlement that was announced last year in the 2010 BP oil spill. Coastal marshes were damaged by the oil in Louisiana, and the decision clears the way for the state receive restoration funding. Associate Director of the Tulane Energy Institute, Eric Smith, says the settlement isn’t even close to what BP has actually paid…:
Cut 8 (06) “double that”

A New Orleans entrepreneur has developed an app which consumers can use to find the best price on seafood in town. Jeff Palermo reports…:
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A Senate committee is set to debate a bill today that would allow pets to be buried with their owners. It’s currently illegal in Louisiana, but Patrick McCausland, president of Heaven’s Pets in Metairie, says a few states have already started allowing this…:
CUT 11 (04) “this decision”
He says if the measure passes, cemeteries would have the option to allow this, not forced.

A $20-billion settlement has finally been reached regarding the BP oil spill in 2010. The money, paid over 16 years, will go towards Clean Water Act penalties and to cover environmental damage. Associate Director of the Tulane Energy Institute, Eric Smith, says Louisiana will get some money out of the deal…:
CUT 7 (06) “restoration efforts”
Smith says with all the uncertainty surrounding the state’s operating budget, it’s unclear if the money will still go towards the coast.

If you love Louisiana seafood and you’re always on the lookout for the best price, there’s an app for that. New Orleans Entrepreneur Sheldon Williams developed an app called Seafood Locator. He says once you launch it, you’ll see the 15 affiliate establishments closest to you that sell your favorite seafood…:
Cut 15 (09) “in the app”
Seafood Locator is free for Android and Apple devices.

Today a Senate Committee will hear a proposal by Metairie Senator Conrad Appel that would allow people to have their pets buried next to them in cemeteries. Halen Doughty has more…:
Cut 2 (31) “I’m Halen Doughty”

Mandeville Police say a deadly shooting Monday morning at a gas station appears to have been in self-defense. Police said video from the scene shows the man who ended up fatally shot, berating the clerk and then getting into a huge fight and continuously attacking the shooter. No charges have been filed against the shooter, and the case will now be turned over to the DA’s Office for further review.

A federal judge has reached a $20-billion settlement with BP over the 2010 Gulf oil spill. Don Molino has more…:
CUT 1 (30) “I’m Don Molino”

Today a Senate committee will hear testimony on a proposed bill that would increase the fine for texting or using social media while driving from $175 to $500. Sgt. Nick Manale with Louisiana State Police says distracted driving causes accidents every day…:
cut 4 (03) “behind the wheel”

A Senate committee will hear a proposal today that would allow people to be buried next to their pets in cemeteries. Patrick McCausland, president of Heaven’s Pets in Metairie, says he knows this is something many pet owners would like to do for their pets…:
Cut 10 (08) “as well”
If the measure gets through the legislative process and signed by the governor, it would take effect January 1st.

Governor John Bel Edwards says 5 more parishes have been declared federal disaster areas so residents are able to receive flood assistance. The total number of parishes now approved stands at 30.

Former LSU star Shaquille O’Neal has been added to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame as part of a 10 member class announced Monday.

Kenner police are investigating a double murder that took place at a home with three young children inside. Michelle Southern has the story…

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A federal judge in New Orleans approves a 20-billion dollar settlement that BP will have to pay for its role in the 2010 oil spill. The oil giant will pay five-point-five billion dollars in civil Clean Water Act penalties and Louisiana is one of five states that will also be compensated.

Authorities say a Sulphur man drowned in the Calcasieu River while participating in a triathlon. Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s office spokesperson Kim Myers says 25-year-old Taurean Blake swam about 100 yards out when he started to struggle. Myers says Blake was revived and taken to the hospital, where he later died.

Cut 13 (07)  “the drowning”

Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser told lawmakers today that he might have to close several state parks and historic sites because of budget cuts to the Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism. He says with all the money problems Louisiana is facing, the state needs tourism dollars.

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Nungesser says they are looking into private-public partnerships, naming rights, increasing fees, and even using prison workers to save money.

Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser told lawmakers that further budget cuts to the Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism could force him to close several state parks and historic sites. He says with all the money problems Louisiana is facing, the state needs tourism dollars.

cut 14 (10)  “the tracks”

Nungesser says they are looking into private-public partnerships, naming rights, increasing fees, and even using prison workers to save money. Leesville Representative James Armes voiced his concerns for our parks and historic sites, saying all the budget cuts put them at risk. He says lawmakers have cut the budget as much as they can, but tourism can’t take any more cuts.

cut 16 (10) “million dollars”

Nungesser says tourism is looking at a 30-percent cut in state funding.

Three proposed bills aim to help ex-prison inmates reintegrate into society are set to be heard on the House floor this week. One would create a certificate of employability that former-felons could show potential employers. Holly Harris, Executive Director for the US Justice Action Network, says people getting out of jail need opportunities to help reduce the recidivism rate.

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A Senate committee will hear a proposal that would allow people to be buried next to their pets in cemeteries. Patrick McCausland, president of Heaven’s Pets in Metairie, says he knows this is something many pet owners would like to do for their pets.

Cut 24 (08) “…as well”

The proposal by Metairie Senator Conrad Appeal, specifies that pets would have to be interred with their owners in a specific area of the cemetery.