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• Sheriffs' pay raise bill nears final passage

  May 17, 2012 7:06 AM

  BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - A proposal that would give Louisiana's sheriffs a pay raise opportunity is near final legislative passage. New Orleans Sen. J.P. Morrell's bill would create an "executive management institute" for sheriffs, to teach them management skills and require annual follow-up training. When a sheriff has completed... more »

• Sen. Landrieu Fights for Post Office Reform Bill Play Video

  May 4, 2012 8:59 PM

  The financial woes of the US Postal Service hit home in Lafayette Friday, with a visit from US Senator Mary Landrieu. Landrieu toured the Moss Street Post Office and Processing Center as part of her drive to halt the closing of thousands of post offices. Right now a moratorium... more »

• Jindal early childhood coordination bill passed

  April 18, 2012 6:06 AM

  BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - Louisiana's fragmented system of publicly funded prekindergarten and early childhood education programs will be coordinated and graded on a statewide scale. The state Senate gave final passage to the measure sought by Gov. Bobby Jindal in a 39-0 vote Tuesday, sending it to the governor's... more »

• Family Seeks Public's Help In Finding Missing Elderly Man Play Video

  April 10, 2012 1:36 AM

  The family of 85 year old William "Bill" Heath, is asking for the public's help in finding their loved one. Heath was last seen by a neighbor at his Halcott Drive home in Lafayette on Wednesday, April 4th. Family members who live around the corner became concerned when they noticed... more »

• Teacher Tenure Bill Passes, On Its Way To Governor's Office

  April 5, 2012 8:19 PM

  Both the Louisiana State House and Senate passed the teacher tenure bill and the next stop is the governor's office. After weeks of teacher protests and debate by lawmakers, one part of Governor Bobby Jindal's education reform has passed and it's expected to be signed into law almost immediately.... more »

• Proposed Bill Would Rewrite Louisiana's "Right to Bear Arms" Play Video

  April 4, 2012 7:18 PM

  The right to bear arms, and it's core values, will now go to discussion on Louisiana's state senate floor as part of Senate Bill 303. Senator Neil Riser's bill would change the wording of Louisiana's Constitution, making it harder for lawmakers to pass restrictions on people's right to own... more »

• Bill would require union negotiations to be public

  March 29, 2012 9:32 AM

  BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - The Louisiana House will consider a proposal to open up collective bargaining negotiations between local government agencies and labor unions to the public. The House and Governmental Affairs Committee voted 8-2 Wednesday for the measure by Republican Rep. Tony Ligi. Ligi says he proposed the... more »

• Bill would increase salaries for La. judges

  March 1, 2012 8:36 AM

  BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - A New Orleans area lawmaker is sponsoring a proposal to boost judges' salaries across the state for the next two years, to get them to the average paid to their colleagues across the South. Rep. Jeff Arnold, a Democrat, notes on the bill that he... more »

• Proposed Bill Restricts Use of Welfare Money Play Video

  February 13, 2012 11:31 PM

  Louisiana lawmakers are taking a closer look at how people can spend their welfare dollars. Representative Cameron Henry is proposing House Bill 95, which would restrict how people can use their Family Independence Temporary Assistance Program benefits. The bill would prohibit using the FITAP card in liquor stores, gaming establishments... more »

• School textbook bill stalls in La. Senate

  June 22, 2011 7:39 AM

  BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - Senators have refused to consider a proposal to give local school districts more freedom to choose the textbooks they use, a measure that opponents say is a back-door attempt to introduce creationism in science classes. The measure by Republican Rep. Frank Hoffmann needs a two-thirds... more »

• Bill calls for reauthorization of Medicaid changes

  June 22, 2011 6:24 AM

  BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - A bid to give lawmakers more oversight of Gov. Bobby Jindal's plan to turn over much of Louisiana's Medicaid program to private insurance companies is headed to the governor's desk, with a unanimous Senate vote. Now, lawmakers will wait to see if Jindal vetoes it.... more »

• Lawmakers Have Cost Concerns on School Sports Bill

  May 19, 2011 6:21 AM

  BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - A House committee has sidetracked an Alexandria lawmaker's proposal to require licensed athletic trainers at the football games of junior high and high schools, raising cost concerns and sending it to the House budget committee. Supporters of Democrat Chris Roy's bill say it would prevent... more »

• Big Bill if Mississippi River Commerce Snagged

  May 13, 2011 9:45 AM

  NEW ORLEANS (AP) - If the lower portion of the flooding Mississippi River is closed to ships, the U.S. economy could face a bill running into the hundreds of millions of dollars a day. In 2008, a 100-mile stretch of the river was closed for six days after a tugboat... more »

• Arizona Legislature OKs Presidential 'Birther' Bill

  April 15, 2011 6:48 AM

  PHOENIX (AP) - The Arizona Legislature gave final approval to a proposal that would require President Barack Obama and other presidential candidates to prove they are U.S. citizens before their names can appear on the state's ballot. Arizona would become the first state to require such proof if Gov. Jan... more »

• Former Avoyelles Parish sheriff, others acquitted

  November 3, 2010 9:42 PM

  ALEXANDRIA, La. (AP) - Former Avoyelles Parish Sheriff Bill Belt, his wife and his sister have been acquitted of all counts in their federal conspiracy trial. Belt, his wife, Tracy and his sister, Julie Bernard, were found not guilty Wednesday afternoon of alleged crimes related to the operation of a... more »

• Pothole Killer Play Video

  October 18, 2010 7:27 PM

  Louisiana is known to top the list of "Worst Roads in the Nation." But, some Lafayette drivers could be in for a smoother ride. New technology to fill potholes is being taken for a test drive in the Hub City. A Philadelphia company has one of it's "Pothole Killer" trucks... more »

• Senate Passed Bill to Require TV Stations to Turn Down Loud Commercials

  September 30, 2010 11:53 AM

  WASHINGTON (AP) - Legislation to turn down the volume on loud TV commercials that send couch potatoes diving for their remote controls looks like it'll soon become law. The Senate late Wednesday unanimously passed a bill to require television stations and cable companies to implement industry standards capping the volume... more »

• Bill Meant to Reduce Costs for U.S. Manufacturers

  August 11, 2010 3:23 PM

  WASHINGTON (AP) - President Barack Obama has signed a bill meant to reduce costs for U.S. manufacturers and help them regain their footing in the shaky economy. The law would reduce and suspend tariffs on certain materials U.S. companies must import to make their products. It passed both houses of... more »

• New Drinking and Driving Laws Play Video

  August 10, 2010 7:17 PM

  Five new laws against people who drink and drive will take effect this year. Karen Stelly lost her son Shawn Lancon three years ago in the hands of a drunk driver. "I have to take something every night or I don't sleep," she said. "I see my son... more »

• President Signs Jobs Bill

  August 10, 2010 6:05 PM

  WASHINGTON (AP) - Summoned back from summer break, the House on Tuesday pushed through an emergency $26 billion jobs bill that Democrats said would save 300,000 teachers, police and others from election-year layoffs. President Barack Obama immediately signed it into law. Lawmakers streamed back to Washington for a one-day session... more »

• Congressional bill to send $400M to Louisiana

  August 6, 2010 9:33 PM

  BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - Louisiana stands to receive more than $400 million in new health care and education aid from a pending $26 billion stimulus bill in Congress, but lawmakers and lobbyists sizing up the cash may be disappointed if they're angling for new spending plans. The money will... more »

• Bill Passed to Prevent Layoffs of Teachers, Police and Other Public Workers

  August 5, 2010 12:40 PM

  WASHINGTON (AP) - Legislation long sought by Democrats to prevent layoffs of tens of thousands of teachers, police and other public workers has passed the Senate. The bill would help states and local school boards deal with severe budget problems. It would preserve the jobs of perhaps 300,000 public employees... more »

• House Approved a Bill To Boost Safety Standards

  July 30, 2010 7:14 PM

  WASHINGTON (AP) - The House approved a bill Friday to boost safety standards for offshore drilling, remove a federal cap on economic liability for oil spills and impose new fees on oil and gas production. Democratic leaders hailed the bill as a comprehensive response to the Gulf of Mexico oil... more »

• Debate on a Bill to Boost Safety Standards for Drilling

  July 30, 2010 4:00 PM

  WASHINGTON (AP) - The House has begun debate on a bill to boost safety standards for offshore drilling and remove a $75 million cap on economic liability for oil spills. Democratic leaders hailed the bill as a comprehensive response to the Gulf of Mexico oil spill and said it would... more »

• Judge Blocks Arizona's Immigration Law

  July 28, 2010 1:24 PM

  PHOENIX (AP) - A federal judge on Wednesday blocked the most controversial parts of Arizona's immigration law from taking effect, delivering a last-minute victory to opponents of the crackdown. The overall law will still take effect Thursday, but without the provisions that angered opponents... more »

• New Bill Will Divide Offshore Regulators Agency Into 3 Parts

  July 15, 2010 11:30 AM

  WASHINGTON (AP) - A House panel has approved legislation that would overhaul the government agency responsible for regulating offshore drilling. The bill would divide the agency into three parts: one for leasing and permitting; another for inspections and investigations; and a third to collect revenue. It also seeks to clamp... more »

• Fourth Bill To BP

  July 13, 2010 2:59 PM

  WASHINGTON (AP) - The Obama administration says it has sent a fourth bill to BP and other parties seeking $99.7 billion for costs related to the response and cleanup of the Gulf oil spill. The administration says three earlier bills, totaling $122.2 million, have been paid in full. The White... more »

• Bill Passed To Extend Tax Credit to Homebuyers

  June 29, 2010 3:47 PM

  WASHINGTON (AP) - The House has passed a bill giving homebuyers an extra three months to complete their purchases and still qualify for a generous tax credit. Under current law, homebuyers who signed purchase agreements by April 30 have until Wednesday to close on the sale to qualify for tax... more »

• Jindal Vetoed Bill That Would Have Made Economic Development Disclose More Info.

  June 24, 2010 11:53 AM

  BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - Gov. Bobby Jindal has rejected a bill aimed at getting more information about the numbers of jobs and types of businesses being recruited by the state's economic development office. Jindal vetoed the measure by Chalmette Rep. Nita Hutter on Wednesday, at the urging of his... more »

• Jindal Signs Abortion Regulation Bill

  June 23, 2010 8:51 PM

  BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - Louisiana's health secretary now has more discretion to shut down an abortion clinic for safety or health concerns. Gov. Bobby Jindal signed the bill into law Wednesday that gives the head of the Department of Health and Hospitals the ability to quickly suspend a license... more »

• Jindal Vetoes Econ. Development Reporting Bill

  June 23, 2010 8:30 PM

  BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - Gov. Bobby Jindal has rejected a bill aimed at getting more information about the numbers of jobs and types of businesses being recruited by the state's economic development office. Jindal vetoed the measure by Chalmette Rep. Nita Hutter on Wednesday, at the urging of his... more »

• Tucker Denies Deliberate Killing of Lawyer Bill

  June 22, 2010 8:21 PM

  BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - House Speaker Jim Tucker said Tuesday that last-minute haggling over a bill to let the attorney general use contingency fee contracts for oil spill litigation wasn't designed to kill the bill, as Senate President Joel Chaisson contends. The issue sharply divided the two chambers, with... more »

• Bill Would Give Subpoena Power to Panel Investigating Oil Spill

  June 22, 2010 12:23 PM

  WASHINGTON (AP) - House Democratic leaders plan to pass a bill this week that would give subpoena power to the panel investigating the BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer said House leaders plan to vote on the bill as early as Wednesday and... more »

• $4.7B Construction Budget Bill Approved

  June 21, 2010 9:56 PM

  BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - The state's annual construction budget bill, which details $4.7 billion in multiyear spending plans, received final passage before lawmakers ended their regular session. Louisiana has a cap on annual borrowing that will limit spending on construction projects to an estimated $320 million in the 2010-11... more »

• 'Contingency Fee' Bill Fails as Session Ends

  June 21, 2010 8:40 PM

  BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - A bill that would have allowed Louisiana's attorney general to hire outside lawyers on a "contingency fee" basis to handle state government lawsuits arising from the Deepwater Horizon disaster died in the final minutes of the 2010 legislative session. The bill would have allowed law... more »

• Guns in Church Bill Headed to Jindal

  June 18, 2010 5:00 AM

  BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - Concealed weapons will be allowed inside some of Louisiana's churches. The House gave final passage to the proposal with a 64-26 vote Thursday, sending the measure to Gov. Bobby Jindal, who supports it. Churches, synagogues and mosques choosing to allow concealed carry will have to... more »

• Slemco Storm-Rider Charge Play Video

  June 16, 2010 6:32 PM

  Slemco costumers are seeing a new charge on their bill. It's called "Gustav-Ike Storm-Rider" and is suppose to help the electric company replenish funds used during those 2008 hurricanes. Communications Manager at Slemco, Mary Laurent, says other electric companies implement charges like this after storms all the time. But,... more »

• Focus of Contingency Bill Narrowed to Oil Spill

  June 14, 2010 8:10 PM

  BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - A House committee substantially reworked a bill that would allow Louisiana Attorney General Buddy Caldwell to hire outside lawyers on contingency - limiting the proposal only to cases related to the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. The measure, passed by the committee without objection, now heads... more »

• Concealed Weapons In Church Bill Shot Down

  June 8, 2010 2:34 PM

  BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - A Senate committee has shot down a bill that would have allowed concealed weapons to be carried inside churches. The bill, which had passed the House in a 74-18 vote, found no support in a Senate judiciary committee Tuesday. The measure by Rep. Henry Burns,... more »

• Federal Government Is Sending BP A $69 Million Bill

  June 3, 2010 3:18 PM

  WASHINGTON (AP) - The White House says the federal government is sending BP a $69 million bill Thursday for costs so far in its response to the Gulf of Mexico oil spill. Obama spokesman Robert Gibbs says the bill is the first to be sent to the oil company, which... more »

• More Than $10 Million in Earmarks Added to Budget Bill

  May 30, 2010 3:25 PM

  BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - As they cut colleges and charity hospitals, budget-crafters in the House slipped in dollars for local festivals, cattle fences, playgrounds, museums, town fire stations and pages of pet projects in their districts back home. More than $10 million in legislative earmarks were quietly added to... more »

• Cockfighting Bill

  May 27, 2010 7:57 AM

  BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - Attending a cockfight could get a person sent to jail, if Gov. Bobby Jindal agrees to a bill that is headed to his desk. The House gave final passage to the measure with a 73-13 vote Wednesday. Republican Sen. Danny Martiny, of Kenner, says he... more »

• Bill Fails: Equal Pay For Men And Women

  May 13, 2010 5:42 PM

  Legislation to help ensure women and men are compensated equally died in a House committee Thursday, marking two years in a row the bill has failed to make it out of the House. Rep. Barbara Norton, D-Shreveport, said her bill (House Bill 673) would make employers provide equal compensation for... more »

• Iguana Bill Stalled 8-3 vote

  May 11, 2010 3:41 PM

  A proposal to require caretaker education for anyone who buys an iguana at a pet store had been the subject of jokes in the Capitol, where the razzing extended to the purchase of a temporary pet iguana for the Senate. But on Tuesday, the House Commerce Committee stalled the Senate-approved... more »

• Bill Would Reverse License Price Hike

  May 11, 2010 11:04 AM

  BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - A debate over whether to reverse a $15 increase in the price of a Louisiana driver's license is hitting the state Senate floor. Lawmakers were caught unaware when the Department of Public Safety ordered the increase- and several lawmakers say they should have to approve... more »

• House Committee Backs Gov. Jindals Education Bill

  May 7, 2010 9:37 AM

  BATON ROUGE, La. - A House committee has backed one of Gov. Bobby Jindal's signature education bills that would let public schools function more like charter schools, allowing them to waive state laws and education policies. The bill by Bossier City Rep. Jane Smith would let school superintendents apply for... more »

• Spill's Effect on Climate Bill

  April 29, 2010 1:55 PM

  Obama administration officials say the Gulf Coast oil rig spill will be considered in the expansion of offshore drilling and will become part of the debate on climate change in Congress. White House press secretary Robert Gibbs said Thursday that the cause, still not... more »

• Bill to be Debated by House to Allow Guns in Church

  April 29, 2010 1:39 AM

  BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - Concealed weapons would be allowed inside churches, synagogues or mosques - if the religious leaders agree - under a bill headed to the House floor for debate. The measure sponsored by Rep. Henry Burns, R-Haughton, passed out of the House Criminal Justice Committee in an... more »

• Bill Would Rewrite Evaluation Process for Public School Teachers

  April 28, 2010 5:08 PM

  BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - A bill pushed by Gov. Bobby Jindal that would rewrite the evaluation process for public school teachers is headed to debate in the Louisiana House. The proposal would rate teachers in part on student test scores and make it easier to dismiss them if they... more »

• Bill Would Allow Concealed Handguns Near School Campuses

  April 27, 2010 4:54 PM

  BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - A bill that would allow concealed handguns near schoolyards and college campuses was approved Tuesday by a Senate committee after supporters argued the current law is too murky. State law bans concealed handguns within 1,000 feet of a school campus. A proposal (Senate Bill 81)... more »

• Bill Would Rename & Reorganize Depart. of Social Services

  April 26, 2010 7:13 PM

  BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - The Department of Social Services would be renamed and reorganized, under a bill that received unanimous approval Monday from the state Senate. The changes would eliminate layers of midlevel management that were targeted by a government streamlining panel as inefficient and unnecessary bureaucracy in the... more »

• Cyberbullying Bill Proposed in Louisiana

  April 20, 2010 9:53 AM

  BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - Harassing or intimidating someone by text message, e-mail or posts on social networking sites like Facebook would be deemed "cyberbullying" and would be a crime under a bill proposed by a Shreveport lawmaker. The House Criminal Justice Committee is scheduled... more »

• Bill Would Ban Texting While Driving

  April 15, 2010 4:32 PM

  BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - Louisiana's ban on text messaging while driving would be toughened, under a bill approved Thursday by the Senate Transportation Committee. Currently, a driver can only be cited for texting while driving if a police officer stops the driver for another alleged violation. Sen. Butch Gautreaux,... more »

• Proposed Bill May Save Money on Energy Play Video

  April 12, 2010 3:18 PM

  One local lawmaker is pushing for a way to make energy costs lower. This session Senator Mike Michot of Lafayette brings his alternative energy bill to the table. "Using the natural flow of the river and harnessing that and converting it into electricity is the general idea," Michot... more »

• Bill Would Revamp School Board

  April 5, 2010 3:24 PM

  BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - A Baton Rouge lawmaker is back again this year with his proposals to revamp local school board laws by limiting board members' authority and their elected terms. Republican Rep. Steve Carter of Baton Rouge has tweaked the bills after they... more »

• Louisiana Legislative Session Begins Today at Noon

  March 29, 2010 12:32 PM

  BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - Louisiana lawmakers begin their annual regular session Monday, grappling with a set of deep budget problems and nearly 2,000 pieces of legislation that propose everything from college tuition increases and looser gun restrictions to bans on energy drink sales to... more »

• Vitter Offers Amendments To Reconciliation Bill

  March 24, 2010 6:42 PM

  From Senator Vitter's Office: U.S. Sen. David Vitter today offered the following amendments to the Senate's health care reconciliation bill. The first of several amendments offered by Vitter would provide for comprehensive prescription drug reform and allow for the reimportation of prescription medicines. "If we are truly serious about health... more »

• Letters ask Landrieu to oppose Senate bill

  December 17, 2009 10:23 AM

  WASHINGTON - One day after U.S. Sen. Mary Landrieu committed to supporting the Senate health-care bill, 14 Louisiana chambers of commerce and trade associations sent her a letter Wednesday asking her to change her mind. Meanwhile, the White House and U.S. Senate Democrats are continuing to try to woo... more »

• Healthcare Reform has Employers Concerned Play Video

  December 15, 2009 7:14 PM

  Owners of Acadiana Business both big and small, fear what they face if health care reform passes. It could mean everything from paying more for employee insurance to possibly cutting staff to keep up with increasing cost. Small business owners say they have it the worst. In 2007 average... more »

• Arnaudville man indicted for aggravated kidnapping and burglary

  October 30, 2009 2:14 PM

  From: Earl Taylor, District Attorney OPELOUSAS, LA- The St. Landry Parish Grand Jury reported to and filed the following with the 27th Judicial District Court, Judge Ellis Daigle presiding: 1. A True Bill (indictment) was filed against Calvin James Catalon, 30, Meche Road, Arnaudville, LA., for two counts... more »

• President to give pay raise to troops

  October 28, 2009 9:28 AM

  Troops are about to get a hefty pay raise. It's contained in a defense bill being signed today (October 28, 2009) by President Obama. The military pay increase of 3-point-4 percent exceeds inflation and is a half-percent more than even the president asked for. The 680-billion dollar package also includes... more »

• Cleco bills expected to shrink by year's end services

  October 15, 2009 7:52 AM

  BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - Electricity customers with Cleco Power LLC are expected to see their utility bills drop by the end of the year. That's when the company's Rodemacher 3 power plant goes on line, a petroleum coke-fired generator in central Louisiana that will offer a cheaper... more »