Officials are keeping a close eye on a broad area of low pressure in the south-central Gulf of Mexico that could affect parts of Texas and western Louisiana tonight into tomorrow. Jonathan Brazzell, with the National Weather Service in Lake Charles, says it’s very possible this system could develop into something stronger before it hits land…:
CUT 3 (08) “meeting the criteria”
He says there is an 80 percent chance this system will develop into a tropical depression or storm before it hits land.

Today in New Orleans Criminal Court, former Saints star Darren Sharper pleaded guilty to rape charges. This is part of the global plea deal where he faces similar charges in three other states and he’ll serve nine years in federal prison. Today Sharper admitted he raped three women in New Orleans in 2013. Once he’s completed his jail time he’ll reportedly be released to California parole officials and lifetime probation in Arizona.

Dozens of vehicles, ATVs and motor homes are still stranded at the Colfax Mudfest Recreational Park after a temporary levee gave way over the weekend, resulting in a considerable amount of water from the Red River entering the park area. Grant Parish Sheriff Steven McCain says thankfully a deputy there on security detail noticed the levee cracking
CUT 9 (09) “that it broke”
Over 110 people had to be rescued when the homemade levee gave way. There were no injuries reported.

The Baton Rouge Police Department says they’ve made an arrest in the case of a man who was calling people and pretending to be Collis Temple while collecting money. They say 59-year-old Calvin Bethley was booked into jail on counts of felony theft charges and identity theft of the former LSU basketball player. Investigators believe the suspect collected about $3,000 but there could be more victims who didn’t come forward.

US Senator Bill Cassidy is looking into why NOAA predictions were off on the crest of the Red River. Originally the agency said the Red would crest at 34 feet but it actually came in at 37 feet. Cassidy says a lot of people will need financial help…:
CUT 15 (08) “for everybody”
He plans to push for federal assistance.

It was an ugly game for the Tigers in Omaha who fell to TCU yesterday 10-3. Coach Paul Mainieri says two throwing errors by pitcher Jared Poche was the turning point…:
CUT 8 (13) “fourth inning”
LSU will now play an elimination game Tuesday afternoon in the College World Series.

Louisiana Film and Entertainment Association President Will French believes the bill that caps the film tax program at 180-million dollars is unconstitutional. Eric Gill reports…:
CUT 2 (27) “reportnig”

The Livingston Parish Sheriff’s office says an Opelousas man drowned over the weekend while tubing on the Amite River. The believe 32-year-old Ketni Thomas was on the river near Watson when he began swimming upstream to help a younger tuber in distress. Investigators indicate Thomas likely became exhausted and went under. The Investigation is ongoing.

After appraising the Red River flooding in the Shreveport area, US Senator Bill Cassidy says he’ll look into why NOAA’s earlier crest predictions were off. Cassidy says he will also look into whether the Army Corps of Engineers could have done anything differently as the water flowed down the Red River from Oklahoma…

cut 14 (08) “is understood”

The crest of the Red River at Shreveport was three feet higher than originally predicted.

The Grant Parish Sheriff’s Office say over 100 people were rescued from the Colfax Mudfest Recreational Park after a personal levee built to keep Red River floodwater off the site failed. They say deputies, working security detail during an entertainment event at the park Saturday night, noticed a crack in the levee and began moving people to higher ground. The Sheriff’s Office, along with State Police and the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, were able to evacuate the people with boats.

The Fighting Tigers play their worst game of the season in a 10-3 loss to TCU in the College World Series. Jeff Palermo has more…

cut 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Governor Bobby Jindal returns to Iowa today. The governor is scheduled to speak in Cedar Falls at the National Security Forum. Later, Jindal will attend an Iowans for Israel event in West Des Moines. Governor Jindal will return to Baton Rouge tomorrow. Jindal is expected to announce his his decision on whether or not he will run for the Republican presidential nomination on June 24th.

After viewing firsthand the flood damage caused by the Red River in northwest Louisiana, Senator Bill Cassidy will look to see what could have been done to minimize the impact. Scott Carwile has the story…

cut 3 (29) “I’m Scott Carwile”

The Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness is keeping an eye on a group of thunderstorms over the Yucatan Peninsula that could develop into a tropical system in the western Gulf. The National Hurricane Center has given the system a 80-percent chance of development within the next 48 hours. Forecast models show the system moving toward the Texas coast and could bring heavy rains into western Louisiana.

Higher education leaders are thankful lawmakers found enough funding to prevent deep budget cuts to public universities and colleges. But Higher Ed Commissioner Joe Rallo says even though significant cuts were avoided this year, the amount of state funding going to colleges and universities has decreased substantially during Governor Jindal’s second term in office…

cut 6 (9) “720-million”

Rallo says there is concern that long-term funding for colleges is still not guaranteed.

Louisiana Film and Entertainment Association President Will French believes the legislative passed measure capping the amount of the state’s film tax credit program at 180-million dollars is unconstitutional. He points out that Governor Jindal has yet to sign the measure into law. French says if the governor doesn’t veto the bill, then it will be challenged in court…

cut 12 (09) “stricken down”

French says it’s unconstitutional for the state to treat tax payers differently and this measure would do just that.

Some believe the state legislature passed measure capping the amount of the state’s film tax credit program at 180-million dollars is unconstitutional. Louisiana Film and Entertainment Association President Will French says it’s unlawful for the government to take something of value, like a tax credit, and devalue it or take away the person’s ability to use it…

cut 11 (05) “that, constitutionally”

French also says it’s unconstitutional for the state to treat tax payers differently and by denying a tax credit that was honored for someone else, that’s what would happen.

In the wake of the legislative session, Higher ed leaders are concerned that long-term funding for public colleges and universities is still not guaranteed. Higher Ed Commissioner Joe Rallo says they will ask the next governor to put some budget reforms into place that will give higher ed leaders more assurances that they’ll have a certain amount of money available every year…

cut 5 (08) “is protected”

Rallo says they are thankful lawmakers found enough funding to prevent deep budget cuts this year.

After assessing the Red River flooding in the Shreveport area, US Senator Bill Cassidy says he’ll look into why NOAA’s earlier crest predictions were off. Cassidy says the federal agency’s prediction of a 34-feet crest resulted in an unpleasant surprise when the eventual crest came in at 37-feet…

cut 13 (10) “much higher”

Cassidy says he’ll push for federal assistance once the request for help is formally made the state level.

The LSU Tigers lost their first game in the College World Series 10-3 to TCU Sunday. The Bayou Bengals committed four errors, two of them by starting pitcher Jared Poche, who misfired on two throws to first base in the fourth inning that started the rout for TCU…

cut 7 (10) “my fault”

LSU will play an elimination game tomorrow against the loser between Cal State-Fullerton and Vanderbilt.

Higher education is appreciative lawmakers found enough funding to prevent deep budget cuts to public universities and colleges. But Higher Ed Commissioner Joe Rallo says long-term funding for colleges is still not guaranteed…

cut 4 (10) “every year”

He the amount of state funding going to colleges and universities has decreased substantially during Governor Jindal’s second term in office.

The LSU Tigers played their worst game of the season in a 10-3 loss to TCU on Sunday in the College World Series. The Bayou Bengals committed four errors, two of them by starting pitcher Jared Poche, who misfired on two throws to first base in the fourth inning that started the rout for TCU. Coach Paul Mainieri hopes the Tigers’ bad play is out of their system…

cut 9 (08) “describe it”

LSU will face the loser between Cal State-Fullerton and Vanderbilt tomorrow at 2PM.

The state legislature passed a measure capping the amount of the state’s film tax credit program at 180-million dollars, but some believe the bill is unconstitutional. Louisiana Film and Entertainment Association President Will French says the legislation doesn’t address the issuing of film tax credits, but the redemption of those credits. He says the problem comes when one film tax credit is honored and another is not…

cut 10 (05) “constitutional law”

He also says it’s unlawful for the government to take something of value, like a tax credit, and devalue it or take away the person’s ability to use it. The measure awaits the governor’s signature.

Both the business community and the film industry are hot happy with what came out of the legislative session. Here’s Jeff Palermo with more…
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The flood waters from the Red River have receded somewhat, but local officials say the battle is still not over in some Shreveport and Bossier neighborhoods. Sandbags are in place, but some of those have begun to leak. The water is down about a foot, but it’s still above flood stage right now.
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Governor Bobby Jindal says it was a very successful legislative session, since lawmakers passed a balanced budget. Jindal says he’s proud of the work done on K-12 education reform, including a School Voucher Program that will ultimately be a big help for students and their parents who really need it…
cut 10 (09) “children’s education”

In the wake of the arrest of two day care workers following the death of a 22-month old child, the State Department of Education is posting a list of unlicensed day care centers on their website, to help avoid tragedies in the future. The infant died in the care of a Baton Rouge day care center operator, who had her license revoked.
CUT 3 (10) “of a child”
That’s State Superintendent of Education John White.