In today’s first meeting of the newly formed transportation task force, Governor John Bel Edwards says revenue needs to be raised in order to pay for new roads and maintain existing highways. He says the state’s current 16 cents of the gasoline tax that goes to highways has not been increased in 30 years, and today is only worth about 6-cents in purchasing power…:
CUT 4 (08) “doesn’t work”
The task force will meet throughout the year and will make suggestions to the legislature for the 2017 session on how to increase funding for a better transportation system.

Louisiana Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain heads to Cuba today on a trade mission. He says the goal is to begin the process of exporting agricultural commodities and other products to Pearl of the Antilles…:
CUT 6 (07) “with Cuba”
He says there are many products that Cuba needs that we have.

It’s been one week since the death of Alton Sterling by Baton Rouge Police, and we’re learning more details. Jeff Palermo has more…:
Cut 1 (29) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Louisiana is ranked the third safest state for older drivers. That’s according to a report from Caring.com and Chief Caring Expert Dayna Steele mostly credits the state’s strict rules for elderly motorists…:
Cut 10 (10) “license renewals”

Governor John Bel Edwards tells the newly formed transportation task force that revenue options need to be considered to address the state’s nearly 13-billion dollar backlog in roadway needs. Edwards says this could mean an increase to the state’s gasoline tax in order to pay for new roads and maintain existing highways…
cut 3 (07) “….it happen”
16-cents from the state’s gasoline tax goes into a trust fund for highway projects and Edwards says that amount has not been increased in 30 years.

It’s a been a very busy six months for Governor John Bel Edwards. Historic flooding in March, budget crisis and civil unrest in Baton Rouge,. ULM Political Science Professor, Doctor John Sutherlin, says it remains to be seen how the governor will handle situations he can control and what will come of all the work on the budget…
cut 9 (12) “….certainly next”

Louisiana is ranked the third safest state for older drivers. That’s according to a report from Caring.com. Chief Caring Expert Dayna Steele says she hopes this study sparks conversations and action with family members and loved ones who might not need to be driving anymore.
cut 11 (10) “…driving then”

A bill by Louisiana Congressman Ralph Abraham has won the approval of the US House that seeks to defund a 2015 executive order from President Obama that could drive up the costs of building in Louisiana. Abrham says the President’s the science behind this new floodplain is arbitrary and the order is unnecessary…
cut 14 (10) “…working well”
The measure still needs approval from the US Senate.

Halen Doughty reports Governor John Bel Edwards has had a busy first few months in office to say the least. He’s dealt with massive flooding, a historic budget crisis and now racial tensions and protests…:
Cut 2 (27) “I’m Halen Doughty”

It’s been one week since the fatal shooting of Alton Sterling by cops, and we’re learning more about the Baton Rouge Police Department’s account of what happened. In a warrant, the officers say they saw Sterling reach for a gun in his front pocket while resisting arrest, before shots were fired to stop the threat.

A transportation task force created by Governor John Bel Edwards — a push some say could lead to the most sweeping changes in Louisiana’s roadways and bridges in almost 30 years, holds its first meeting today. State Transportation Secretary Shawn Wilson says with a 13-billion dollar backlog in projects, he needs to be sure there is money there to keep up with existing roads and fund new improvements…:
CUT 6 (11) “revenue stream”

A bill by Louisiana Congressman Ralph Abraham has won the approval of the US House that seeks to defund a 2015 executive order from President Obama that could drive up the costs of building in Louisiana. Abraham says the order scraps the base flood commonly used to determine flood risk and replaces it with a new one that takes into account future flooding from climate change.
Cut 15 (12) “scientific basis”

With a historic budget crisis, torrential flooding in March, three legislative sessions, and now massive protests in the Capital City, Governor John Bel Edwards has had a busy first few months in office. ULM political science professor Dr. John Sutherlin says there likely hasn’t been another governor who’s had so much on his plate, so soon.
CUT 7 (08) “administration”
Sutherlin says Edwards has done a fairly good job of managing situations that he did not create.

The first official account of the Alton Sterling police shooting was revealed in a Monday filing by the Baton Rouge Police Department. It says Sterling resisted arrest after the officers responded to a 911 call about a gun threat outside the store, then the cops saw him reach for a gun before shooting. Also Monday, EBR DA Hillar Moore recused himself from the case indicating he had a relationship with the parents of one of the officers involved.

A transportation task force created by Governor John Bel Edwards holds its first meeting today. The panel will make various recommendations that could lead to major changes for Louisiana’s roadways. State Transportation Secretary Shawn Wilson says taxes are one way to create additional funding, but they plan to look at other revenue raising measures too to present to lawmakers next year..:
Cut 5 (10) “ongoing investment”
He says the state faces a nearly 13-billion dollar backlog in transportation projects.

According to a new report by a senior care resource website, Louisiana is the third safest state for older drivers. Dayna Steele with Caring.com says only 11% of people killed in car crashes in Louisiana are 65 or older. She says elderly drivers in the state can only renew in person, but they also found that some DMV locations let people go even if they fail the test…:
CUT 12 (07) “kind of crazy”

According to filings by the Baton Rouge Police Department Monday, the cops
involved in the shooting death of 37-year-old Alton Sterling say they saw the
“butt of a gun” in the man’s front pocket, and that Sterling tried to reach
for it. It says Sterling did not obey orders to place his hands on a vehicle
and he resisted arrest before being tazed.

Massive flooding, three legislative sessions and now protests in Baton Rouge
are just a few of the major events Governor John Bel Edwards has dealt with
his first few months in office. ULM political science professor Dr. John
Sutherlin says the public seems to be pleased with Edwards’ governing thus
far, and the armchair politicians are staying mostly quiet…:
CUT 8 (10) “and different”
He says it’s not likely another govenor has had so much on his plate so close
to the start of his term.

The new Louisiana transportation task force meets today to discuss
recommendations to improve our roadways. Emelie Gunn has more…:
CUT 1 (31) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

The US House approves Louisiana Congressman’s Ralph Abraham’s bill seeking to
defund a 2015 executive order that could drive up the costs of building in the
Bayou State. Abraham says it also would cause flood insurance to skyrocket…:
Cut 13 (06) “flood insurance”

New details have been released in the death of Alton Sterling. Jeff Palermo has more…:
Cut 3 (29) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

A transportation task force created by Governor John Bel Edwards — a push some say could lead to the most sweeping changes in Louisiana’s roadways and bridges in almost 30 years, holds its first meeting today. State Transportation Secretary Shawn Wilson…:
cut 4 (10) “go forward”

Louisiana is ranked the third safest state for older drivers. That’s according to a report from Caring.com and Chief Caring Expert Dayna Steele mostly credits the state’s strict rules for elderly motorists…:
Cut 10 (10) “license renewals”
She hopes this study sparks conversations and action with family members and loved ones who might not need to be driving anymore.

Ag Commissioner Mike Strain leaves today on a 94-member trade mission to Cuba. He says he’s going there to begin the process of exporting commodities to Pearl of the Antilles, and develop the relationship for trade.

Protests are expected to continue in Louisiana as a call for justice in the fatal police shooting of Alton Sterling. State Police Major Doug Cain says police don’t know how long the protests will go on. But he says law enforcement will continue to protect citizens and their rights…
CUT 5 (11) “if necessary”

Baton Rouge DA Hillar Moore has recused himself and his office from the investigation of Alton Sterling because he has connections with the parents an officer involved in the shooting. A report says Blane Salamoni’s mother was the Violent Crime and Crime Scene Commander and Salamoni’s father has commanded the department’s special operations unit during most of Moore’s time in office. Moore says he wants to give protesters justice.
cut 10 (10) “the community”

The ACLU of Louisiana believe BRPD used excessive and illegal force this weekend on protesters marching for justice after the fatal police shooting of Alton Sterling. Many arrests were made from people obstructing roadways. Executive Director Marjorie Esman says treating peaceful protesters as though they are going to start a riot does not help relations that are already strained…:
Cut 13 (09) “repaired”

EBR DA Hillar Moore says they are going to investigate every arrest case.

A 15-month-old that went missing last night in Rapides Parish has been found. Lt. Tommy Carnline with the sheriff’s office says the parents last saw the child around 3am asleep, and they aren’t sure how the child got out of the house. He says the toddler was responsive when found.
CUT 8 (04) “very weak”

Carnline says the search lasted less than an hour.