We’re about halfway through the legislative session and lawmakers still have a lot of work to do on the budget. Jeff Palermo has the story…

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State Police say a crash in Vernon Parish killed one toddler and seriously injured another who were improperly restrained. They say 21-year-old Josee Curtis of Leesville, who was traveling with three children, was turning onto a highway when she entered the path of a pickup truck that could not avoid a collision. A five- and three- year old were not properly restrained and recived serious injuries. The three-year-old, identified as Crimson Oikle, died at a local hospital. The crash remains under investigation.

Construction is underway to build a “lazy river” on the LSU campus in the shape of the letters L-S-U and some wonder if this is appropriate considering the potentially large budget cuts that are facing the school. Professor Kevin Cope, LSU Faculty Senate President, says this shows a flaw in how colleges prioritize funds…

cut 5 (09) “their work”

In 2011, students passed a resolution asking for a student recreation fee increase to expand the recreation center, which includes the building of the “lazy river.”

Legislation is heading to the House floor that would provide free HIV tests for inmates being released from prison. Natchitoches Representative Kenny Cox says that in 9 state prisons, about 3 percent of inmates are HIV positive. He says the Department of Corrections has already started testing people as they enter the prison system…

cut 16 (08) “should be tested”

Testing for parolees would not be required under the measure.

There’s about a month left for state lawmakers to pass a budget for next fiscal year. Governor Bobby Jindal says there’s still time to come up with a budget that everyone can live with….

cut 12 (09) “doesn’t raise taxes”

The House has approved legislation to raise the cigarette tax by 32-cents and reduce tax refunds or tax breaks that businesses currently enjoy. These bills now head to the Senate.

Construction is underway to build a “lazy river” on the LSU campus in the shape of the letters L-S-U and some wonder if this is appropriate considering the potentially huge budget cuts facing the school. Student Body President, Andrew Mahtook, says the funding for this project is completely separate from any state appropriations…

cut 4 (10) “assessment fee”

Those opposed to constructing the “lazy river” say this shows a flaw in how colleges prioritize funds.

A bill that would provide free HIV tests for inmates being released from prison will be discussed on the House floor. Natchitoches Representative Kenny Cox says this would help prevent AIDS from spreading further in the state. He says Louisiana has the fourth highest number of men and women living with AIDS in the nation…

cut 15 (06) “be treated”

Cox says that in 9 state prisons, about 3 percent of inmates are HIV positive.

Cancer Center of Acadiana at Lafayette General Medical Center is looking for adult multiple myeloma patients to participate in a clinical trial for patients not eligible for stem cell transplants. CCA Oncologist Sal Malad says there seems to be a disproportionate number of patients in south Louisiana who have multiple myeloma…

cut 9 (10) “transplant”

Call 337-289-8658 for more information on this clinical trial.

State lawmakers have about a month left to pass a budget for next fiscal year. The House has approved a package of bills that raises 664-million dollars that will go towards mitigating budget cuts to higher education and health care. Governor Bobby Jindal says when the session concludes, he expects lawmakers to approve legislation to offset the measures that he considers to be tax increases…

cut 11 (07) “and health care”

The House has approved legislation to raise the cigarette tax by 32-cents and reduced tax refunds or tax breaks that businesses currently enjoyed.

A bill headed to the House floor would provide free HIV tests for inmates being released from prison. Natchitoches Representative Kenny Cox says before a person leaves a state jail for parole, they should be tested and if needed, treated as a way to help prevent AIDS from spreading further…

cut 14 (09) “think it is”

The testing for parolees would not be required under the measure.

Center of Acadiana at Lafayette General Medical Center is looking for adults diagnosed with multiple myeloma to participate in a clinical trial for patients not eligible for stem cell transplants. CCA Oncologist Sal Malad is the principle investigator and he says the trial seeks to compare the effectiveness of a combination of drugs with standard therapy…

cut 8 (07) “daratumumab”

CCA conducts these trials and studies to help improve patient care and disease prevention. For more information on this clinical trial, call Lafayette General Medical Center at 337-289-8658.

It’s an early start to the Atlantic Hurricane season as tropical storm Ana intensifies and approaches the east coast. Forecasters say Ana should hit the shores of North or South Carolina by early tomorrow morning. State Climatologist Barry Keim says it’s unusual for the season to start so early but not unheard of…:
CUT 8 (12) “the right time”
The Atlantic Hurricane Season officially begins June 1st.

The Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s office says a deputy shot and killed a suspect last night. They say the incident began when cops responded to an aggravated assault at a grocery store between a man and his ex-girlfriend, then the suspect went to his home. Investigators say when deputies arrived, the suspect pointed a semi-automatic handgun at them. An officer then fired one shot, killing the suspect. The investigation is ongoing.

The community surrounding Camp Minden is thrilled that the EPA approves an alternative method to the open burn of the 15 million pounds of M6 propellant. Representative Gene Reynolds says not everyone is happy about the incineration method, but you have to live within the parameters of what you have…:
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He says he hopes the explosives will be gone sooner than later.

Louisiana Tech men’s basketball coach Michael White has accepted the head coaching job at the University of Florida. “Bleed Tech Blue” Publisher Jonathan Ford believes there will be plenty of interest in the opening at Tech…:
CUT 10 (06) “in America”
In White’s four years leading the Bulldogs, he accumulated a 101-40 record.

The EPA approves the Louisiana Military Department’s recommended incineration method to dispose of 15 million pounds of M6 propellant at Camp Minden. Eric Gill reports…:
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The St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s office says a teacher is under arrest for allegedly telling one of his students to punch another one. They say 34-year-old Randy Louis of Baldwin, a teacher at the St. Mary Parish Alternative Program school, restrained a 9-year-old male student while instructing another student to strike him. Louis is charged of contributing to the delinquency of juveniles and simple battery.

New Orleans Police say an alligator on I-10 caused a fatal accident Friday morning. Officer Frank Robertson says a van was trying to avoid hitting the gator and slammed on his breaks before getting hit from behind by a Mitsubishi Eclipse…:
CUT 4 (03) “on the scene”
The driver of the van and a passenger in the Eclipse were transported to a local hospital with undisclosed injuries. The dead alligator was found underneath the van.

LSU confirms senior second baseman Jared Foster is no longer going to play ball as he’s been ruled academically ineligible for the remainder of the season. Foster is tied for the team lead with eight home runs. LSU now has the best team in the SEC after beating Missouri 8-3 last night.

Tomorrow is Mother’s Day and the National Retail Federation says Americans will spend an average of $173 on mom this year. That’s up nearly $10 from last year.

The Camp Minden community calls it a victory that the EPA has approved an alternative to the open burn method of getting rid of the 15 million pounds of explosives stored at Camp Minden. Representative Gene Reynolds says the recommendation to incinerate the M6 was deemed an acceptable method by the federal government…:
CUT 13 (08) “best answer”
He says they hope things can start moving now and they can get rid of the explosives sooner than later.

State Police say a crash in St. Martin Parish claimed the life of a motorcyclist. They say 27-year-old Tressie Coupel of Pierre Part was turning into a private drive on LA Highway 70 directly into the path of a motorcycle. The man on the bike, 26-year-old Blake Melancon, was unable to avoid hitting the vehicle and suffered critical injuries in the crash. Coupel was cited with failure to yield.

An East Baton Rouge Parish jury has recommended the death penalty for a man convicted of killing two auto parts store workers during a robbery in 2011. Attorneys gave their closing arguments Friday in the sentencing phase of the Lee Turner Jr. trial. The killer will be formally sentenced in August.

The surprising first named storm of the Atlantic Hurricane Season has been upgraded to a tropical storm. Ana is moving closer to the Carolinas and threatens to push dangerous surf and rains against the southeast coast. State Climatologist Barry Keim says May storms are unusual here three weeks away from the official start of the hurricane season, but he doesn’t think it’s a sign of what’s coming…:
CUT 7 (13) “50 or 60 years”

This year’s Atlantic hurricane season is off to an early start. 2015′s first named Sub-tropical storm Ana is now bringing an unusual threat to the east coast. State Climatologist Barry Keim says Ana is southeast of South Carolina and is expected to make landfall on Sunday…:
CUT 6 (09) “the gulf coast”
He still thinks the Atlantic Hurricane season will be a quiet one.

New Orleans Police say an alligator is to blame for a fatal accident on I-10 early Friday. Officer Frank Robertson says the gator was attempting to cross the interstate at around four Friday morning…:
CUT 3 (04) “in the road”
Investigators says the driver of that vehicle either hit or was trying to avoid hitting the gator when he slammed on his brakes. The second vehicle then rear ended the first one. The driver of the second vehicle died on scene. The alligator died.

The EPA has approved the Louisiana Military Department’s recommended method of disposal of the 15 million pounds of M6 propellant at Camp Minden. Representative Gene Reynolds says this is a victory for the community who had strong objections to the original plan of the federal government to conduct an open burn to get rid of the explosives…:
CUT 12 (10) “conditions”
He realizes everyone might not still be happy about the incineration method but feels this is the best answer for now to get it done as quickly as possible.

Louisiana Tech men’s basketball coach Michael White has accepted the head coaching job at the University of Florida. In White’s four years leading the Bulldogs, he accumulated a 101-40 record. “Bleed Tech Blue” Publisher Jonathan Ford says White left a positive legacy at Tech…:
CUT 9 (11)”that’s their goal”
Tech says they are immediately searching for a replacement.