A bill set to be heard today in the Louisiana Senate would eliminate the 30-year statute of limitations one can be prosecuted for child molestation. Lafitte Representative Tim Kerner says far too often children are victimized and they repress those memories to survive.
cut 9 (10) “….that opportunity”
The House passed Kerner’s bill unanimously and he is hoping the Senate will approve the bill as well.

What’s predicted to be an above-average active hurricane season begins Saturday. GOHSEP Director Jacques Thibodeaux, says his biggest concern is the coastal residents who refuse to leave when mandatory evacuations are issued…
cut 6 (11) “…to draw”
Thibodeaux says now is the time to finalize evacuation plans.

Ponchatoula Police Corporal Pricilla Dean Pierson was found dead in her patrol car outside a Rouses in west Ponchatoula Tuesday morning. Chief Bry Layrisson says Pierson had several existing health issues and foul play is not suspected.  He says she was much more than an outstanding officer.

Cut 12 (11) “…Ponchatoula.” 

She’s survived by her husband and five children.

Walker Police Chief David Addison says it was divine intervention when he took his daily walk an hour earlier last Friday when three young girls pleaded with him for help because their father was unresponsive in their backyard swimming pool. He was able to get the man out of the water…

Cut 15 (12)  “…he’s alive.”

For the victim’s and the family’s privacy, his name is being withheld.

Among the bills to be heard in the Senate is one to eliminate the 30-year statute of limitations where one can be prosecuted for child molestation. Lafitte Representative Tim Kerner hopes the bill, which passed unanimously in the House, will be heard in the Senate before the session ends.

Cut 7 (09) “…out there (x2).”

Kerner encourages residents who support the bill to call their state Senator and ask them to pass House Bill 453.

The Governor’s Office of Homeland and Security and Emergency Preparedness are encouraging Louisiana residents to get a hurricane plan together before an above-average season starts Saturday. Director Jacques Thibodeaux says in the event of an evacuation, listen to local officials.

Cut 4 (07) “…time to go.”

Thibodeaux encourages Louisiana residents to visit GOHSEP’s website, getagameplan.org, to help stay hurricane ready.

A Ponchatoula city police officer found dead in her patrol car is remembered fondly. Mel Bridges has more.

Cut 3 (32) “…I’m Mel Bridges.” 

The bodies of 27-year-old Macy Richard and 57-year-old Jerilyn Hebert, both of Opelousas, were identified from a fatal boating incident at Toledo Bend Lake on Tuesday.

Survivors say a wave capsized their chartered fishing boat, and all six aboard went into the water. Three customers and the fishing guide clung to the boat until LDWF agents arrived. But Richard and Hebert both drowned.

A bill to eliminate the statue of limitations for a child abuser who committed their crime decades ago is up for a vote in the Louisiana Senate today. Lafitte Representative Tim Kerner says he’s heard from many victims of child sexual abuse and they believe their case should be heard no matter how long ago it happened…
cut 8 (08) “…state of Louisiana”
Right now the statue of limitations is 30 years.

An autopsy on 44-year-old Ponchatoula Police Corporal Pricilla Dean Pierson found that she died from heart failure. Dean was found unresponsive in her police cruiser on Tuesday. Ponchatoula Police Chief Bry Layrisson says Pierson’s death hits hard as she was married to a captain with the police department…..
cut 11 (12) “…together”
Funeral arrangements are pending.

A hurricane season that’s expected to be extremely active starts Saturday. Are you prepared? Mel Bridges has more.
Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Mel Bridges.”

The next threat for severe weather in Louisiana is tomorrow. Forecasters are calling for severe thunderstorms tomorrow morning through tomorrow afternoon for most of north and central Louisiana and southwest Louisiana. Damaging winds, large hail, heavy rainfall and isolated tornadoes are possible.

A bill set to be heard today in the Louisiana Senate is a measure that would eliminate the 30-year statue of limitations where one can be prosecuted for child molestation. Lafitte Representative Tim Kerner believes there should be no limitations on when a person can be prosecuted for sexually abusing a child. Far too often Kerner says children are victimized by someone they know and trust, and they repress the memories of what happened to survive.
cut 9 (10) “….that opportunity”
The House passed Kerner’s bill and he is hoping the Senate will do the same today.

What is expected to be an extremely active hurricane season begins Saturday. Director of the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness Jacques Thibodeaux says the message they have for those who are told to evacuate, head north…
cut 5 (08) “…go north”
An autopsy shows Ponchatoula City Police Corporal Pricilla Dean Pierson who was found dead in her patrol car Tuesday morning, died as a result of significant heart problems. She had 80-percent blockage in one of her arteries. Chief Bry Layrisson says his department is reeling from the loss.
Cut 10 (14) “…arrangements.”
Corporal Pricilla Dean Pierson leaves behind three children and two step-children.

A father of three is alive today thanks to Walker Police Chief David Addison and the work of other Walker Police officers. Addison rushed to this man’s aid after his three daughters ran up to him as he was walking down the street and the girls told the chief their father was unresponsive in their pool…
cut 14 (07) get attention”
Addison says he got the man out of the pool and started resuscitation efforts, other officers also arrived to assist with life saving efforts. The victim is now recovering in a hospital.

With just a few days left in the legislative session, the full Senate is expected to take up a bill today that would remove the 30-year statue of limitations one can be prosecuted for child molestation.
cut 2 (31) “….I’m Brooke Thorington”

Legislation that removes the requirement that employers must give 16 and 17-year-olds a 20-minute break if they work five consecutive hours has received final legislative passage. House Bill 156 by Denham Springs Republican Representative Roger Wilder heads to the governor’s desk.

What is expected to be a super active hurricane season begins Saturday. Director of the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness, Jacques Thibodeaux, says one of his biggest concerns is that there are many coastal residents who refuse to evacuate when local officials issue mandatory evacuations…
cut 6 (11) “…to draw”
Thibodeaux says now is the time to finalize evacuation plans.

Walker Police Chief David Addison was at the right place at the right time last Friday. He says it was divine intervention he took his daily walk an hour early, because three young girls came rushing up to him, pleading for help because their father was unresponsive in their backyard pool.
Cut 13 (11) “…babies’ daddy.”
Addison says he quickly rushed to the man’s aid and provided life-saving measures on him. The father of three is alive, but remains hospitalized.

An above-average hurricane season starts this Saturday. Are you prepared for the worst? Mel Bridges has more.

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Mel Bridges.”

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A bill yet to be heard in the Senate would remove the 30-year statute of limitations one can be prosecuted for child molestation.  Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 2 (31)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

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A Ponchatoula city police officer found dead in her patrol car is remembered fondly. Mel Bridges has more.

Cut 3 (32) “…I’m Mel Bridges.” 

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The Governor’s Office of Homeland and Security and Emergency Preparedness are encouraging Louisiana residents to get a hurricane plan together before an above-average season starts Saturday. Director Jacques Thibodeaux says in the event of an evacuation, listen to local officials.

Cut 4 (07) “…time to go.”

Thibodeaux says now is the time to finalize evacuation plans if a major hurricane threatens Louisiana’s coast. He says they are advising coastal residents against trying to beat a hurricane by going east or west on I–10.

Cut 5 (08) “…go north.” 

Thibodeaux says he’s concerned about the coastal residents who refuse to evacuate even if a major hurricane is threatening their home and life.

Cut 6 (11) “…fight to a draw.”

Thibodeaux encourages Louisiana residents to visit GOHSEP’s website, getagameplan.org, to help stay hurricane ready.

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Among the bills to be heard in the Senate is one to eliminate the 30-year statute of limitations where one can be prosecuted for child molestation. Lafitte Representative Tim Kerner hopes the bill, which passed unanimously in the House, will be heard in the Senate before the session ends.

Cut 7 (09) “…out there (x2).”

Since he authored the bill, Kerner says he’s heard from too many victims, and he believes they deserve to have their case heard no matter how long ago it happened.

Cut 8 (08) “…State of Louisiana.” 

Far too often Kerner says children are victimized by someone they know and trust, and they repress the memories of what happened to survive. And in some cases, it’s someone in their own family.

Cut 9 (10)  “…that opportunity.”

Kerner encourages residents who support the bill to call their state Senator and ask them to pass House Bill 453.

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Ponchatoula City Police Corporal Pricilla Dean Pierson was found dead in her patrol car outside a Rouses in west Ponchatoula on Tuesday morning. Chief Bry Layrisson says his department is still reeling from the loss.

Cut 10 (14) “…arrangements.”

Bystanders noticed Pierson’s car had been parked overnight, and a store employee who checked on her found her unresponsive. Autopsy reports show an 80 percent blockage in one of her arteries. Pierson is survived by her loving family.

Cut 11 (12) “..together.”

Layrisson says Pierson had a number of existing health issues and no foul play is suspected. To Ponchatoula, he says, she was more than just an outstanding officer.

Cut 12 (11) “…Ponchatoula.” 

Funeral services have not yet been finalized.

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Walker Police Chief David Addison was at the right place at the right time last Friday. He says it was divine intervention when he took his daily walk an hour earlier when three young girls pleaded with him for help because their father was unresponsive in their backyard swimming pool.

Cut 13 (11)  “…babies’ daddy.”

Addison and responding officers were able to get the man out of the pool and begin life-saving measures. Addison says the victim remains hospitalized.

In the small Livingston Parish city of 7,000 Addison says while he’s responded to a variety of calls this one is an emotional one because he didn’t want the young girls ages 3, 4, and 5 to go without a father.

Cut 14 (12)  “…but uh.”

Addison says he also called his wife to calm the three girls while EMS worked to revive their father.

Cut 15 (12)  “…he’s alive.”

For the victim’s and the family’s privacy, his name is being withheld.

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The defending national champion LSU Tigers begin play tomorrow in the Chapel Hill Regional as they will play the Wofford Terriers, champions of the Southern Conference Tournament. Left-hander Gage Jump is a potential game-one starter as he’s allowed just nine earned runs in his last six starts. LSU pitching coach Nate Yeskie says Jump is a more confident pitcher after getting hitting around during the first half of SEC play…

Cut 16 (16) “…do this.” 

Jump and Luke Holman have become a difficult one-two punch as far as starting pitchers go. Yeskie says Jump and Holman are pushing each other to be great…

Cut 17 (11) “…do better.”

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Nicholls has arrived in Corvallis, Oregon for its regional game against U-C Irvine on Friday afternoon. Coach Mike Silva says the Anteaters have a loaded pitching staff and a dynamic line-up…

Cut 18 (20)  “…steal bags.”

Nico Saltaformaggio is one of Nicholls top pitchers. He’s 7-and-4 with a 3.88 ERA as he’s made 27 appearances out of the bullpen.  Silva says they don’t get this far without Nico…

Cut 19 (17) “…for us.” 

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Wofford faces a big test in trying to defeat LSU on Friday in the Chapel Hill Regional. Terriers Baseball Coach J-J Edwards says his players understand the challenge…

Cut 20 (14) “…slow them down.”

Wofford won six games in five days to win the Southern Conference Tournament and receive an automatic berth into the NCAA Tournament. They rank second in the country in runs per game, as they average 10 runs a contest.

This could be the final week of Governor Jeff Landry’s first regular legislative session. While lawmakers are hoping to wrap up business on Friday, they must adjourn by 6 PM on June 3^rd. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says the Senate has decided not to take up the Constitutional Convention bill.

Cut 7 (10) “…unanswered questions.” 

There is a push among legislators to end the session on Friday because they’ve been at the capitol for the most part since the end of January. Baton Rouge Senator Cleo Fields says there are bigger priorities for the Senate to address than a constitutional convention.

Cut 11 (04) ” …that now.”

The Senate Governmental Affairs Committee met today for what was likely the last time in this session and they never reviewed the House-approved Constitutional Convention bill.

Thibodaux Representative Bryan Fontenot’s bill to give law enforcement a twenty-five-foot buffer from the public when they are attempting to make an arrest or performing an investigation is signed into law.
Cut 24 (36) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

Legislative leaders are looking to divert $700 million from a state savings account to go towards infrastructure projects. Among the projects are road improvements, updating and maintenance needs at colleges and universities, repairs to water systems and retrofitting prisons, due to the anticipated increase in prisoners after tough on crime legislation passed earlier this year.

We’re in what could be the final week of Governor Jeff Landry’s first regular legislative session. While lawmakers are hoping to wrap up business on Friday, they must adjourn by 6 PM on June 3^rd. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says there are still some big items left to tackle.

Cut 6  (09) “…this Friday. ” 

Earlier this month, the Louisiana House approved a bill calling for a constitutional convention to take place in August. But several lawmakers were concerned over the lack of specifics on how the convention would be held and what would exactly be changed in the constitution. Senate Governmental Affairs Chairman Cleo Fields says his committee opted not to hear the bill because there is not a consensus among state senators on holding a convention…

Cut 10 (04) “…is done.”

The 18-year-old Ruston woman who was killed Saturday in a drive-by shooting has been identified. Police say Haleei (Haley) Newton, the Ruston High School student, who graduated last Tuesday, was shot and killed as she and a male friend traveled eastbound on I-20 between the Tarbutton Road interchange and Tech Drive just after midnight Saturday morning. Ruston Police Chief Steve Rogers says one of the rounds entered the trunk and struck Newton. The male passenger was uninjured and steered the car off the road. Police have not yet identified a suspect.

The St. Aug Marching 100 is heading to Normandy, France. to commemorate the 80th anniversary of D-day. School President Aulston Taylor says the students are excited and ready for this incredible journey.

Cut 3 (12) “…over on Monday.” 

Bandmembers have also visited the WWII Museum to learn more about the significance of D-Day.