There is an expanded presence of state police troopers in New Orleans for Mardi Gras weekend. They have 165 troopers working the French Quarter and surrounding areas. Senior Trooper Melissa Matey says they will perform a variety of assignments…
Cut 6 (11) “New Orleans.”
Last year, State Police confiscated dozens of firearms along parade routes.

House Republicans are interested in extending the temporary one-cent sales tax approved in 2016 past its June 30th expiration date. But Democratic Representative Ted James of Baton Rouge says he can’t vote for that proposal, becuase he says a high sales tax hits the poor the hardest…
cut 14 (07) “….in Louisiana”
Governor Edwards could issue the call for a special session devoted to tax reform tomorrow.

Mandeville Representative Paul Hollis has filed legislation that would make it easier for voters to recall their elected officials. Hollis says Louisiana makes it very difficult to recall a politician in a densely populated district.
Cut 3 (11) “its impossible”
Currently, 33 percent of registered voters in districts with more than 100,000 voters must sign the recall petition before a special election is triggered. Hollis’ bill would lower that number to 20 percent.

The Humane Society of Louisiana is working to help in the adoption of 19 horses that will participate in Mardi Gras parades. HSL Director Jeff Dorson…
Cut 9 (10) “for Adoption.”
Dorson says the program started last year to ensure that none of the horses used in the parade would be sold for slaughter.

House Republicans are expressing interest in extending all or some of the one-cent state sales tax that legislators approved in 2016. The revenue from that penny, which is set to expire at the end of June, would help prevent a billion dollar shortfall in July. But Democrat Ted James of Baton Rouge says he can’t support that tax policy….
cut 13 (12) “….we reneged”
Democratic Governor John Bel Edwards is also NOT in support of renewing the temporary sales tax, because he says a higher sales tax hurts the poor more than middle and upper income earners. But Houma Republican Tanner Magee disagrees…
cut 15 (09) “…sales tax”

Mandeville Representative Paul Hollis is bringing back his recall reform bill for the upcoming regular session. The legislation reduces the percentage of registered voters needed to recall an elected official. He says the measure was inspired by a failed recall effort in St. Tammany…
cut 4 (10) “…get close”
Hollis’ bill passed the House last year, but died in a Senate committee.

The Humane Society of Louisiana has a facebook page where you can adopt 19 horses that will participate in Mardi Gras parades. Director Jeff Dorson says the facebook page is New Orleans Mardi Gras Horses Available for Adoption…
cut 11 (10) “…and photo”
Dorson says 17 horses were adopted lat year, instead of sold for slaughter.

House Republicans are looking at renewing at least some or all of the temporary one cent sales tax as a way to address a looming one billion dollar shortfall. Houma Representative Tanner Mcgee…
Cut 12 (07) “bit longer.”
But the governor says he will not support any plan that maintains the current sales tax rate, which is currently five-cents.

The Humane Society of Louisiana has a facebook page where you can adopt a horse that will participate in Mardi Gras parades this week. H-S-L Director Jeff Dorson says 19 horses are up for adoption this year after 17 horses were adopted last year instead of heading to a slaughter house…
cut 10 (12) “…tragic endings”
The facebook page is New Orleans Mardi Gras Horses Available for Adoption.

A Mandeville lawmaker has filed legislation to make it easier to recall elected officials…
Voicer 2 (30) “I’m Don Molino.”

State Police has brought in an additional 165 State Troopers for this weekend’s big Mardi Gras celebrations in New Orleans. Last year, L-S-P confiscated dozens of weapons and Senior Trooper Melissa Matey says it’s something they will look out for again…
cut 7 (10) “…quarter area”

Louisiana Radio Network News, I’m Matt Doyle.

Mandeville Representative Paul Hollis filed legislation today that would make it easier for Louisianans to recall their elected representatives. Currently, 33 percent of registered voters in districts with more than 100,000 voters must sign the recall petition before a special election is triggered. Hollis says his bill would that number down to 20 percent. If adopted, Hollis says it’ll still take a serious effort to unseat an official.

Cut 5  (09)  “be imposible”

The Humane Society of Louisiana is working to help in the adoption of 19 horses that will participate in Mardi Gras parades this week.  HSL Director Jeff Dorson is pleased at the success they have had working with Cascade Stables.

Cut 9 (10) “for Adoption.”

Dorson says the program started last year to ensure that none of the horses used in the parade would be sold for slaughter.

LRN

State police will be out in full force during Mardi Gras’ final days in New Orleans.  Kelley Ray spoke with Senior Trooper Melissa Matey…

Cut 1 (31) “I’m Kelley Ray.”

LSU had the 15^th ranked recruiting class this year according to 247sports.com, their worst performance since Les Miles took over the team in 2005, but head coach Ed Orgeron says he’s proud of the work his staff did to dominate Louisiana recruiting.

Cut 15 (09) “of it”

LRN

Mandeville Representative Paul Hollis has filed legislation again this year to make it easier to recall elected officials. Hollis says in jurisdictions with over a thousand people, it takes 33-percent of the registered voters to sign a petition for a recall election to happen…
cut 3 (11) “….it’s impossible”
Hollis’ proposal will lower the signature requirement to 20-percent in large cities and parishes. His recall reform bill will be heard in next month’s regular session.

Law enforcement is preparing for the Mardi Gras weekend. An additional 165 state troopers are in New Orleans and they need the public’s help stop criminal behavior. L-S-P spokesperson Melissa Matey says you can report potential problems to a special phone app called “See Send…”
cut 8 (06) “…of lives”

The AP is reporting Governor Edwards is flexible on most tax ideas to close a $1 billion budget gap and stave off deep cuts to services. But he opposes extending the temporary one cent sales tax which expires at the end of June. But one republican lawmaker says most residents don’t even notice the extra penny on the state sales tax.

The Humane Society of Louisiana has set up a facebook page for those who would like to adopt one of 19 horsts that will participate in Mardi Gras parades. Director Jeff Dorson says the facebook page is New Orleans Mardi Gras Horses Available for Adoption…
cut 11 (10) “…and photo”
Dorson says the program started last year to ensure that none of the horses used in the parades would be sold for slaughter.

There will be an expanded presence of state police troopers in New Orleans as Mardi Gras ramps up for the final weekend. They have committed 165 troopers to working the French Quarter and the metro area. Senior Trooper Melissa Matey says they will perform a variety of assignments…
Cut 6 (11) “New Orleans.”
Last year, State Police and New Orleans Police confiscated dozens of firearms along parade routes.

LSU had the 15th ranked recruiting class this year, according to 247sports.com, its lowest ranking since 2005. Top cornerback Patrick Surtain Jr. who flipped from the Bayou Bengals to Alabama, because as he put it “They win championships.” LSU Head coach Ed Orgeron…
cut 13 (12) “…at LSU’

A Rapides Parish child day care center is shut down after children are seen wandering outside the facility. Jeff Palermo has more.
Cut 2 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Even though Valentine’s Day falls on Ash Wednesday, it’s still the second busiest day to dine out. Erika Burns with the Louisiana Restaurant Association says get your reservations now…
cut 9 (12) “…a restaurant”

An LSU biologist has figured out a way to make Mardi Gras beads biodegradeable. His solution involves growing large ponds of algae that will develop oils that can be refined into degradeable material. Professor Nahohir Kato says the biggest hurdle will be making the production process economically viable…
cut 6 (08) “…make sense”
Kato says his biodegradeable beads will disintergrate over time if put in soil, so this would be usefull for when beads are put into landfills.

Baton Rouge based Raising Cane’s says they plan to open 80 restaurants this year in the U.S. and the Middle East. They are in 23 states now with 360 locations with plans to expand to New Mexico, Alaska and Hawaii. They expect to run 600 stores and employ 35-thousand by 2020.

Valentine’s Day falls the day after Fat Tuesday. What will that mean for Louisiana Restaurants? Matt Doyle has a look.
Voicer 1 (28) “I’m Matt Doyle.”

LSU’s 15th ranked recruiting class features 23 players, 13 from the state of Louisiana. The Tigers could have signed as many as 25, but head coach Ed Orgeron is not overly concerned they didn’t sign the maximum number of players allowed…
Cut 14 (09) “…the plan” (2x)
Orgeron says they could use the two scholarship spots on transfers or save them for the 2019 recruiting class.

Jumpin’ Jacks Development Center in Alexandria day care’s license has been revoked by the state Department of Education after receiving several reports of children escaping or nearly escaping the facility. DOE Spokesperson Sydni Dunn says the center failed to report 55 incidents of non-compliance over the last two years, which served as a warning for them…

Cut 11 (11) “the children.”

They were shut down on Tuesday.

With Mardi Gras on Tuesday, and Valentine’s Day the next day, it may prove to be interesting for restaurants to get couples to eat out on the second most popular holiday.  Erika Burns with the Louisiana Restaurant Association says some are already getting creative…

Cut 7 (10)  “Mardi Gras.”

It’s not the best recruiting class for LSU.  In fact it’s the lowest since Les Miles took over the Tiger program in 2005.  LSU did come away with eight of the top ten Louisiana players.  Head coach Ed Orgeron says he is proud to keep this talent at home…

Cut 15 (09) “of it”

The 5^th US Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans is considering whether or not a 2016 Louisiana law that would ban women under 21 from dancing naked at strip clubs is too broad in its application. Opponents are concerned that the law was so vaguely written that it could outlaw 18, 19, and 20-year-olds from some theatrical or ballet productions that involve nudity. Proponents argue that the law protects young women from sex trafficking. The court has not indicated which way it is leaning.

A Rapides Parish daycare is shut down after reports of children wandering outside the facility unsupervised.  Jumpin’ Jacks Development Center in Alexandria was closed on Tuesday by the Department of Education and will not be able to reopen.   DOE spokesperson Sydni Dunn says they will have to go through an appeal process if the desire to reopen…

Cut 12 (07) “department’s decision.”

If they appeal and lose, Jumpin’ Jacks will be ineligible to apply for another license for two years.

A biologist at LSU is working to develop biodegradedable beads in a push to stop the environmental damage that occurs after millions of pounds of Mardi Gras beads end up in landfills every year.  Professor Naohiro Kato has a plan to grow algae in polls that are about the size of a football field.  Each acre can produce a staggering amount…

Cut 5  (07)  “Gras beads.”

According to 247 Sports LSU had it’s lowest ranked recruiting class since 2005, and missed out on the top cornerback in the nation at the last second. Matt Doyle takes a look at a disappointing day in Tigerland.

Cut 3 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

The AP is reporting Gov. John Bel Edwards is flexible on tax ideas to close a $1 billion budget gap and stave off deep cuts to services, except for a proposal that renews the 1 percent sales tax whose expiration is creating most of the shortfall.  He said a tax hike affects the poor and a task force of Louisiana economists says it’s a bad policy and out of step with other states.