15:30 LRN Newscast April 21st

A poll commissioned by a group that opposes Governor John Bel Edwards tax plan finds most Louisiana residents are concerned about jobs and the economy. Halen Doughty has more…
Voicer 2 (31) “I’m Halen Doughty”

The number of people working in Louisiana dropped by 85-hundred between February and March based on the latest employment survey. Louisiana’s employment total is also lower than at this time last year, a sign of weak economy. The state’s unemployment rate is five-point-seven percent, fourth highest in the country.

Police officers will be out in full force over the next week as the Buckle Up in your Truck campaign is underway to make sure pickup truck drivers wear their seatbelts. State Police Sgt. Jared Sandifer…
Cut 6 (09) “at all times”
According to the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission, pickup trucks account for 25 percent of vehicles on the road. Sandifer says for some reason they see less seatbelt compliance in pickup trucks than other vehicles.

There is a slight chance for a severe thunderstorm on Saturday as the result of a frontal system that will move through. State Climatologist Barry Keim says there’s cool air behind this front. He says it will drop high temperatures for Sunday and Monday by 10-degrees…
cut 16 (12) “….nice weather”

LRN PM Newscall April 21st

U.S. Senators John Kennedy and Bill Cassidy met with a Trump administration official this week to seek an additional two billion dollars in federal flood aid. Don Molino has more…

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Don Molino”

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A poll commissioned by a group that opposes Governor John Bel Edwards tax plan finds most Louisiana residents are concerned about jobs and the economy. Halen Doughty has more…

Cut 2 (31) “I’m Halen Doughty”

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U.S. Senators John Kennedy and Bill Cassidy met with a Trump administration official about providing Louisiana an additional two-billion dollars in federal flood aid. Kennedy says they asked the White House to include the 2 billion dollars in a budget bill that needs to pass to keep the federal government running through September.

Cut 3 (09) “disaster”

Congress has already appropriated Louisiana 1.6 billion dollars in flood recovery dollars. But Congressman Garret Graves says the state has not moved fast enough to get the money in the hands of flooded homeowners. The governor’s office blames federal red tape. Kennedy admits this dispute could hurt the state’s effort in getting the additional two-billion dollars…

Cut 4  (09) “he can”

Kennedy says he’s thankful for the financial assistance Congress has provided to flood victims, but it is not enough to help the middle class and the small businesses fully recover.

Cut 5  (07)  “hand out”

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Law enforcement is teaming up for the Buckle Up in your Truck campaign to make sure pickup truck drivers are wearing their seatbelts. Starting today and lasting until next Thursday, expect to see an abundance of police officers looking for passengers in pickup trucks that are not buckled up. State Police Sergeant Jared Sandifer…

Cut 6 (09) “at all times”

According to the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission, pickup trucks account for 25 percent of vehicles on the road. Sandifer says for some reason they see less seatbelt compliance in pickup trucks than other vehicles. He says some drivers may feel safer in a big vehicle, but they’re not.

Cut 7 (07)  “those pickup trucks”

Pickup trucks are twice as likely to roll over in a crash, according to the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission. Sandifer reminds the public that it’s not just the driver who has to buckle up.

Cut 8 (08) “that seatbelt”

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A group opposing Governor John Bel Edwards tax plan has paid for a poll that shows a majority of Louisiana residents are concerned about the economy and oppose higher taxes on businesses. Truth in Politics Executive Director Kelli Bottgher says respondents listed jobs and the economy as their top concerns.

Cut 9 (09)  “find a job”

Bottgher says respondents also oppose tax hikes on businesses, with over half saying they do not support the governor’s proposed Commercial Activity Tax. She says 60 percent also say they expect business conditions to stay the same or get worse in the next 6 months.

Cut 10 (11) “the trend before”

Bottgher says the public does not want to see their taxes go up anymore. The survey finds 80 percent say government spends too much, taxes too high, or both. She says 75 percent of respondents also oppose a 23 cent hike on the state’s gasoline tax.

Cut 11 (11) “repair infrastructure”

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Governor John Bel Edwards admits there’s not a lot of legislative support for his controversial Commercial Activity Tax, which would raise hundreds of millions dollars to help stave off a looming budget crisis. But Edwards says he’s disappointed an alternative plan hasn’t been proposed by House Republican leaders….

Cut 12 (09) “not agreement”

The Commercial Activity Tax is a corporate sales tax on businesses. It would generate at least 400-million dollars and replace tax revenue scheduled to fall of the books next year, when a one-cent sales tax expires. Edwards says the CAT will make sure businesses pay their fair share…

Cut 13 (10) “work for”

The Commercial Activity Tax will get its first legislative hearing on Monday, but public support is low and business groups staunchly opposed it. Edwards says with one-point-three billion dollars in temporary taxes set to expire next year, another special session maybe called if an adequate funding plan is not approved

Cut 14 (12) “or another”

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There is a threat for severe weather on Saturday as a result of a cold front that will provide the state with cool temperatures on Sunday. State Climatologist Barry Keim says eastern portions of Louisiana are under a slight risk of severe weather….

Cut 15 (07) “eye out”

Keim says there’s cool air behind this front. He says it will drop high temperatures for Sunday and Monday by 10-degrees…

Cut 16  (12)  “nice weather”

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14:30 LRN Newscast April 21st

The legislative session is about two weeks old and there’s been very little movement on coming up with a plan to address the loss one of one-point-three-billion dollars in revenue from temporary taxes that expire next year. Governor John Bel Edwards says he’s proposed a plan to reduce taxes on individuals and calls on businesses to pay their fair share. He says if legislators don’t like it, they should present their own proposals.
cut 14 (12) “…or another”
Law enforcement over the next week will aggressively enforce the state’s seat belt laws when it comes to pickup drivers. State Police Sergeant Jared Sandifer says they see less seatbelt compliance with pickup trucks than other vehicles…
cut 8 (08) “…that seatbelt”

There is a threat for severe weather on Saturday as a result of a cold front that will provide the state with cool temperatures on Sunday. State Climatologist Barry Keim says eastern portions of Louisiana are under a slight risk of severe weather..
cut 15 (07) “…eye out”
Keim says high temperatures may stay in the 60s for some parts of the state on Sunday.

U.S. Senators John Kennedy and Bill Cassidy have met with a Trump official about getting another two billion in federal flood recovery dollars. The state has already recieved one-point-six billion dollars, but the governor and Congressman Garret Graves have argued about getting the money into the hands of the public. Kennedy says this dispute could hurt the state’s effort in getting the additional two-billion dollars…
cut 4 (09) “…he can”

11:40 LRN Sportscasts April 21st

Because of the likelihood of rain on Saturday in Lexington, the LSU baseball team will play a doubleheader today against Kentucky starting at 1 PM. Both games today will be nine innings. There’s no game on Saturday and the series will conclude on Sunday at noon. Coach Paul Mainieri is fine with the schedule change…
Cut 16 (21) “next week”
Kentucky leads the SEC East with a record of 10-5 in league play. The Tigers are 9-6.

Other series of note, the Ragin Cajuns are at Little Rock, Tulane visits Houston, McNeese State is at Northwestern State and Grambling hosts Alabama State.

There will be a football game played inside Tiger Stadium tomorrow night as the Tigers will take the field for the annual spring game. There will be a bunch of inexperienced wide receivers on the field. Senior DJ Chark is the only one with a lot of experience catching passes on Saturdays in the fall. Quarterback Danny Etling says the young wide outs have made progress during the spring…
Cut 19 (17) “go a long”

The Saints will not have the opportunity to ease into the 2017 season. The Black and Gold will kick-off the regular season with a Monday night matchup against the Minnesota Vikings. New Orleans will return home the next week to host the defending Super Bowl champion Patriots. In week 3, the Saints visit NFC South rival Carolina.

10:30 LRN Newscast April 21st

Louisiana lost out to Texas to become the home of the world’s largest ethane cracker plant. Don Molino has reaction from an industry official…
Voicer 2 (29) “I’m Don Molino”

Changes have been made to the centerpiece of Governor Edwards plan to overhaul Louisiana’s tax structure. Edwards is proposing to tax companies gross receipts, but according to the Associated Press the measure will bring in much less revenue than originally proposed, after it was changed to reduce the opposition from the business community.

Louisiana is known as having the world’s largest incarceration rate. Governor Edwards legislative package contains bills that he says can reduce the state’s prison population by at least 13-percent. Former Angola inmate Norris Henderson says now is the time for legislators to act…
cut 8 (09) “…vocabulary”
That’s Henderson speaking on the state capitol steps.

A Shreveport man is behind bars after he allegedly claimed to be a State Trooper while also working as a traveling steak salesman. Trooper Matt Harris says 47-year-old Lester Wells’ fradulent portrayal of an officer led him to receiving free auto parts and law enforcement discounts…
cut 12 (08) “…over someone else”
Harris says is someone comes to your door claiming to be a police officer, ask to see their credentials.

09:30 LRN Newscast April 21st

Cardell Hayes, the man convicted in the fatal road rage shooting of former Saints star Will Smith, was sentenced to 25 years in prison. He was facing up to 60 years. Prosecutors and the Smith family are disappointed in the length of the sentencing, but Legal analyst Tim Meche says the judge believes Smith could have done more to diffuse the situation…
cut 15 (11) “…Mr Hayes”
An attorney for the Hayes family says they are hurt, but not broken by the sentencing.

The state is set to receive eight-point-one million dollars from the U.S. Dpeartment of Health and Human Services that can be used to combat the opioid epidemic. The money will go towards prevention, treatment and recovery services. Research indicates Louisiana has the sixth highest opioid pain reliver prescribing rate in the nation.

ExxonMobil will build the world’s largest ethylene cracker plant near Corpus Christi. Exxon said Ascension and St. James Parishes were other potential locations, but the company chose Texas because it has a stronger business climate. Louisiana Chemical Association President Greg Bowser…
cut 5 (09) “…gonna do”

A door to door salesman in Shreveport is behind bars after police say he falsely claimed to be a state trooper. Emelie Gunn has more…
Voicer 3 (29) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

08:30 LRN Newscast April 21st

The Associated Press reports changes have been made to Governor John Bel Edwards business tax plan that cuts in half the amount of revenue the proposed Commercial Activity Tax would bring in. When Edwards first proposed the plan, he expected the tax would generate between 800 to 900-million dollars. Changes were made to the proposal, after businesses complained they would be hit too hard by this new gross receipts tax.

Louisiana lost the fight to become the home to the world’s largest ethane cracker plant, as ExxonMobil announces the $10 billion plastics complex will be built in Texas instead. Louisiana Chemical Association President Greg Bowser says the Bayou State lost out because of its poor business climate.
Cut 4 (09) “in Louisiana”
The plant is expected to create 650 permanent jobs .

Louisianans for Prison Alternatives made their case for criminal justice reform during a rally on the State Capitol steps. Flozell Daniels sat on the governor’s Justice Reinvestment Task Force and he supports legislation to reduce the incarceration rate and save the state millions of dollars.
Cut 7 (08) “decarcerate”
Governor Edwards says legislative package can reduce the state’s prison population by at least 13-percent.

A Shreveport man has been arrested for impersonating a state trooper. He allegedly did so while selling steaks door-to-door. LSP spokesperson Matt Harris says 47-year-old Lester Wells confessed to detectives that claiming to be a trooper helped boost his sales and he also got other benefits…
cut 11 (09) “…law enforcement officer”
Wells has been charged with one count of fraudulent portrayal of a law enforcement officer.

07:30 LRN Newscast April 21st

Cardell Hayes has been sentenced to 25 years in prison following the road rage shooting in New Orleans that left former Saints star Will Smith dead. Halen Doughty has more…
voicer 1 (30) “…I’m Halen doughty”

Republican U-S Representative Mike Johnson said at a town hall meeting in Caddo Parish that he’s confident Congress will pass a healthcare bill. Johnson says there’s a lot of interest in a proposal to place cancer patients and those with chronic illnesses in a government funded market place, therefore lowering premiums for everyone else.

Texas beats out Louisiana for a multi-billion dollar petrochemical plant. Exxonmobile has announced they will build this facility in the Lone Star State which will bring six-hundred new jobs and thousands will be employed during the construction phase. Louisiana Chemical Association President Greg Bowser says unfortunately Texas has a better business climate than Louisiana….
cut 6 (09) “….work to do”

Louisiana is known as having the world’s largest incarceration rate. Governor John Bel Edwards legislative package contains bills that he says can reduce the state’s prison population by at least 13-percent. Former Angola inmate Norris Henderson says now is the time for legislators to act…
cut 8 (09) “…vocabulary”
That’s Henderson speaing on the state capitol steps.

06:45 LRN Sportscast April 21st

The LSU baseball team begins the second half of the SEC schedule with a weekend series against Kentucky. The Wildcats lead the SEC East with a 10-5 record in league play. The Tigers are 9-6 and they’ve won seven of their last nine overall. Closer Hunter Newman credits the nice work from the bullpen…
cut 17 (10) “…score runs”
Because of rain in the forecast on Saturday, LSU and Kentucky will play a doubleheader today starting at 1 PM. The series will conclude on Sunday with a first pitch at noon.

In other action this weekend, the Cajuns, who have a slight lead over UT Arlington for first place in the Sun Belt Western Division, will be at Little Rock for a three-game set. McNeese leads the Southland and the Cowboys are at Northwestern State. Tulane is the top team in the American Athletic Association and the Green Wave will face the Houston Cougars.

Cardell Hayes has been sentenced to 25 years in prison following the road rage shooting in New Orleans that left former Saints star Will Smith dead. Halen Doughty has more…
voicer 1 (30) “…I’m Halen doughty”

The Saints 2017 schedule is out and the first four games will not be easy for the Black and Gold. They kick-off the year with a Monday night match-up at Minnesota. Then host the Super Bowl champion Patriots, followed by a road game at Carolina and then they’ll play the Dolphins in London. New Orleans will play the Falcons twice in December.

06:30 LRN Newscast April 21st

A state judge has sentenced Cardell Hayes to 25 years for killing former Saints star Will Smith and wounding his wife following a traffic crash in April 2016. Judge Camille Buras handed the sentence down after two days of emotional testimony that included Saints Coach Sean Payton. Legal analyst Tim Meche…
cut 14 (09) “…under these circumstances”
Hayes had faced up to 60 years.

Reducing lengthy sentences for those who commit non-violent crimes was on the mind of the hundreds who rallied on the steps of the state capitol yesterday. They are calling on the legislature to pass a justice reform package. Former Angola inmate Norris Henderson…
cut 9 (09) “…present themselves”
The Louisiana Sheriffs Association says they oppose reductions in sentences of violent offenders.

A Shreveport man has been arrested for pretending to be a state trooper. LSP spokesperson Matt Harris says they received a complaint about a door to door steak salesman impersonating a trooper. He says after detectives obtained a warrant for his arrest, they requested 47-year-old Lester Wells’ service at the criminal investigations division in Bossier City.
Cut 10 (11) “police officer”
Harris says Wells confessed to the crime, claiming it helped his sales to portray himself as a state trooper.

It’s another big weekend for festivals across Louisiana. In Lafayette Parish, they’ll be celbrating the fifth annual Boudin Festival in Scott.