It’s been ten years this month since Louisiana banned smoking in public buildings, schools, and places of employment through the Smoke-Free Air Act. Halen Doughty has more…
CUT 1 (30) “I’m Halen Doughty”
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A report by Smart Growth America ranks Louisiana the third most dangerous state for pedestrians. Emelie Gunn has more…
Cut 2 (30) “I’m Emelie Gunn”
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After a challenging first year in office, Governor John Bel Edwards will also have a lot on his plate in year two. Jeff Palermo has more…
Cut 3 (31) “I’m Jeff Palermo”
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January marks the 10 year anniversary of the Louisiana Smoke-Free Air Act, which prohibited smoking in public buildings and places of employment- most significantly restaurants. Director for the Louisiana Campaign for Tobacco-Free Living, Tonya Moore, says the law has improved public health and it’s been good for the state’s economy.
cut 4 (10) “this passage”
Moore says unfortunately, the ban did not include bars and casinos. But she says the Smoke-Free Air Act approved by the state legislature a decade ago has opened the door for stronger anti-smoking measurers locally.
Cut 5 (08) “air policies”
Former-state Senator Robert Marionneaux authored Senate Bill 742 in 2006. He says the passage of this bill is one of the better things that’s happened at the state capitol in a long time. He says it’s one of the most memorable pieces of legislation he was involved in because it’s saving lives.
Cut 6 (11) “Louisiana lives”
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Louisiana is the third most dangerous state for pedestrians, according to a report by Smart Growth America. Director the National Complete Streets Coalition Emiko (EM-mee-koh) Atherton says this means Louisiana has a lot of work to do to increase pedestrian safety. She says many of these deaths are preventable…
CUT 7 (07) “street lighting”‘
Atherton says state and local transportation officials can add features to certain roadways in order to improve pedestrian safety.
Cut 8 (10) “the road”
Florida and Alabama came in first and second for the most dangerous states for pedestrians. Atherton says a possible reason the top three states rank this high is due to the age of the roads and many of them were built for just a vehicle….
Cut 9 (07) “of transportation”
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A Luling man has been arrested in connection with an armed robbery gone wrong. St. Charles Parish Sheriff Greg Champagne says 31-year-old Jerel Smith encountered the victim, Ryan Dubuc of Metairie, on Monday morning at a gas station, where he got into the victim’s truck.
Cut 10 (10) “helps people”
Champagne says at some point, police believe Smith shot Dubuc multiple times in the head at close range, before dumping his body on the side of the road. Authorities say Dubuc was robbed for about $80. He says Smith faces multiple charges in this case.
cut 11 (08) “armed robbery”
Champagne says they believe Smith was involved in another armed robbery attempt at the same gas station on December 29. He says eyewitness testimony led to Smith’s arrest in that incident, as well as Dubuc’s murder.
cut 12 (12) “came forward”
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Stabilizing the budget, flood recovery, criminal justice reform and coastal restoration are among John Bel Edwards’ goals as he begins his second year in the governor’s office. Edwards says last year he tackled a historic budget deficit with 850-million dollars in cuts and urging the legislature to raise taxes to protect higher education and health care. He says comprehensive tax reform is needed this year.
Cut 13 (10) “in April”
Edwards says he’ll continue to push for adequate funding for healthcare, higher ed, and TOPS. He says another big concern in year two of his term will be helping flood victims put their lives back together. He says he’s planning more trips to Washington to secure additional funds for Louisianans affected by the Great Flood of 2016.
cut 14 (10) “on their feet”
Edwards says Louisiana has the highest incarceration rate in the nation, and there’s no good reason for that because we don’t have the safest streets, and we don’t have the lowest recidivism rate. He says that’s way criminal justice reform will be another key item on his 2017 agenda.
Cut 15 (09) “come back in”
Coastal restoration will be a big issue for the governor this year. Edwards says it’s critically important that we protect and restore our vanishing coastline. He says this year the state will finalize a revised coastal restoration masterplan.
Cut 16 (07) “our buck”