A benefit lunch/dinner will be held today for St. Charles Parish Sheriff’s Office Cpl. Burt Hazeltine today. Eric Gill has more…

CUT 1 (29) “reporting”

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Cops says a now ex-teacher from Lake Charles Academy is under arrest amid allegations of sexual misconduct with one of her juvenile students. Michelle Southern reports…:

Cut 2 (30) “reporting”

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A bill that attempts to rein in the cost of the TOPS scholarship program received approval from the Senate Education Committee. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 3 (27) “reporting”

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St. Charles Parish Sheriff’s Office Cpl. Burt Hazeltine has been released from the hospital and the sheriff’s office will host a benefit lunch/dinner for him today in Destrehan. Hazeltine was shot last week while directing traffic in a school zone in Paradis. Captain Pat Yoes says they’re holding this fundraiser because Hazeltine has a long road ahead toward recovery…

cut 4  (06) “lessen that burden”

The fundraiser will happen at the Shriner’s Hall in Destrehan from 11AM til 8PM. Yoes says plates are just $10 and you will have three different menu options to choose from. He says all of the proceeds from the benefit will go to Hazeltine and his family to help with expenses while he is out of work…

Cut 5  (07)  “full duty”

Yoes says Hazeltine is very fortunate to have survived the shooting in what law enforcement officials have described as an ambush. He says Hazeltine is doing remarkably well as he begins the road to recovery…

Cut 6 (06)  “all of these”

______________________________________

The state Department of Transportation wants to hear how motorists feel the I-10 through Baton Rouge should be improved. They’ve created a survey you can take online at i10br.com as part of a study to determine the feasibility of any enhancements it could make to the congested area from West Baton Rouge to the I-10/12 split. DOTD spokesman Rodney Mallett…:

CUT 7 (10)  “for them to do that”

Mallett says they will be gathering your answers through the end of May…:

Cut 8  (13)  “this area” 

Mallett says they are going to compile all of the information and hold a series of public meetings in August and provide some concepts based on what was gathered. He says this study is about finding out what will help traffic, safety and enhance the corridor…:

Cut 9 (12)  “to be addressed”

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Cops says a now ex-teacher from Lake Charles Academy is under arrest amid allegations of sexual misconduct with one of her juvenile students. Lake Charles Deputy Chief Mark Kraus says they received a complaint from the mother of the victim that 35-year-old Sommer Nicole Odom of Iowa had inappropriate contact with her juvenile son on several occasions…:

Cut 10 (11) “support the allegation”

Kraus says Odom is charged with 3 counts of oral sexual battery, 4 counts of indecent behavior with a juvenile and 1 count of sexual battery. The suspect’s bond was set at $120,000 which was posted. Kraus says more charges could be coming but right now they have enough evidence to turn over to the DA…:

cut 11 (05) “or not”

______________________________________

Two bills that attempt to address gender inequality when it comes to pay failed to get approval from the House Labor Committee. Natchitoches Representative Kenny Cox says Louisiana has the worst gender pay gap in the nation at 66 percent. Alexandria Representative Lance Harris says employees are hard enough to find and this legislation would be a strain on business owners like himself…:

cut 12 (14)   “it doesn’t matter”

Harris feels the data is skewed when it comes to saying Louisiana is 51st in the nation for gender pay equality because we have a different workforce here. Hammond Representative Chris Broadwater says laws like this would open up floodgates of litigation…:

Cut 13 (09)  “treated unfairly”

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Despite opposition from Governor Bobby Jindal, the Senate Education committee approves legislation designed to control the cost of the TOPS scholarship program. The bill’s author, Mandeville Senator Jack Donahue, says as tuition costs rise, so does the cost for TOPS and something needs to be done to preserve the program…

Cut 14 (10) “in the future”

TOPS is expected to cost the state over 250-million dollars this year and nearly 400-million dollars by fiscal year 2018-19. Donahue’s bill sets a baseline on how much the state will spend on TOPS and it will not automatically increase with the rise in tuition…

Cut 15  (10)  “raise that”

But Jindal’s Deputy Chief of Staff, Stafford Palmieri, says Donahue’s bill breaks a promise Louisiana made to TOPS recipients that the state would fully pay their tuition…

(Donahue’s bill heads to the Senate floor for more discussion.) 

Cut 16  (11)  “education”

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The number one ranked baseball team in the country meets the second ranked team in the country tonight in Baton Rouge as the Tigers host Texas A-and-M. Coach Paul Mainieri admits this isn’t your normal three-game series.

Cut 17 (20)  “three days”

Jared Poche will start on the mound for the Tigers tonight. Mainieri says he went with Poche instead freshman phenom Alex Lange, because Lange had recent arm trouble and Poche has more experience…

Cut 18 (10) ” for game one’

Texas A&M has the lowest team ERA in the SEC and they’ve hit the most home runs in the league. Mainieri says the Aggies also have several veteran players…

Cut 19 (14)  “very good team “

New employment numbers show Louisiana’s labor force continues to grow while the state’s unemployment rate dropped for a third month in a row. Eric Gill reports…

CUT 1 (28) “reporting”

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The House Education Committee approves legislation to give public colleges and universities more authority to raise tuition and fees. Jeff Palermo has the story…

CUT 2 (29) “reporting”

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New employment numbers show Louisiana’s labor force continues to grow while the state’s unemployment rate dropped for a third month in a row. Louisiana’s unemployment rate currently sits at six-point-six-percent. Louisiana Workforce Commission Executive Director, Curt Eysink, says the unemployment rate dropped because hiring is catching up with the growth in the labor force…

CUT 3 (10)  “find a job”

Data shows that there were almost 2 million nonfarm jobs in Louisiana, the highest March on record. Eysink is hopeful the state’s job market will continue to improve…

CUT 4 (10)  “the job growth”

Eysink says the drop in oil prices has caused some decline in employment in the oil and gas industry. But, he says overall, the state is weathering that storm pretty well…

CUT 5 (07)  “up for that”

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Legislation that would give public colleges the authority to raise tuition and fees without legislative approval advanced out of the House Education Committee today. Hammond Representative Chris Broadwater says this legislation is needed because state funding for universities has been on the decline since 2008

CUT 6 (08)  “some point”

Broadwater says he would rather see more state dollars go into higher education, but that hasn’t been the trend lately, so it’s time give colleges more autonomy to raise fees…

CUT 7 (10) “as a shell”

Many lawmakers are not comfortable with the idea of allowing colleges and universities to raise tuition and fees. Thibodaux Representative Dee Richard says it’s already too costly for some people to attend a four-year university…

CUT 8 (10)  “I support that”

Homer Representative Patrick Jefferson says he’d rather see state funding for higher education increase rather than tuition and fees, but so far a funding source involving state dollars has yet to emerge

CUT 9 (07)  “do something”

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Caddo Parish District Attorney Charles Scott died in his sleep last night in Baton Rouge while in town to meet with lawmakers at the Capitol. Shreveport Representative Thomas Carmody announced the news in the House Education Committee this morning after he and Haughton Representative Henry Burns had just found out. He said they saw Scott Tuesday.

cut 10 (08) “for his family please”

LSU police say Scott was staying at the Lod Cook Hotel on campus. Captain Corey Lalonde says they were called to Scott’s room around 8:15 this morning…:

cut 11 (06)  “was deceased”

Scott was 67 according to public records. Lalonde says by all indications this was just an extremely tragic sudden death…:

cut 12 (06)  “natural causes”

=========================

Now that Blue Bell has pulled all of its product off of supermarket shelves due to the potential they could be contaminated with Listeria, what can we expect next from the company? Tulane Business Professor, Mark Rosa, says, unfortunately, we’ve seen this type of situation before…

cut 13 (09)  “reputation risk”

Federal health officials say three people have died and five others have fallen ill from bacteria that may have come from Blue Bell products. A company spokesperson says they are focusing on cleanup and working to make sure they have a safe product. Rosa says, after all this negative attention, Blue Bell faces a huge undertaking in regaining their reputation and customers…

cut 14 (10) “herculean effort”

A Blue Bell spokesperson says the company could start shipping product to stores again in the next couple of weeks. Rosa says this is something that will stick in the minds of customers…

cut 15 (05) “and so on”

Shreveport Representative Barbara Norton’s bill that would provide equal pay for women is set for a hearing today in the House Labor Committee. Scott Carwile reports…

CUT 1 (28) “reporting”

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The House Criminal Justice Committee advanced the so-called revenge porn bill Tuesday without objection. Michelle Southern reports..:

Cut 2 (30) “reporting”

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The East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s office says they’ve arrested a teacher from Christian Life Academy for allegedly having sex with a student two years ago. Jeff Palermo reports…:

Cut 3 (30) “reporting”

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Shreveport Representative Barbara Norton’s bill that that would provide equal pay for women gets a hearing today in the House Labor Committee. Norton says this bill is necessary since the number of single parent households are on the rise. She says this measure would help these women provide for their families…

cut 4  (11) “families have”

Some critics of Norton’s legislation say that this measure would duplicate existing federal law. Norton says laws regarding equal pay for women may be on the books, but they are not being enforced…

Cut 5  (09)  “at a dollar”

Norton filed similar legislation last year that failed to pass. According to recent Census data, Louisiana women are paid about two-thirds of what men are paid, the largest gender pay gap in the nation. Norton says she’ll fight for as long as it takes to ensure equal pay for women in Louisiana…

Cut 6 (07)  “the right thing”

______________________________________

The House Criminal Justice Committee advanced the so-called revenge porn bill Tuesday without objection. The legislation by Kenner Representative Julie Stokes would make it illegal for someone 17 and older to share a sexual picture of a person without their consent, usually online. She says the measure would make it a crime to cause someone harm or emotional distress in this manner…:

CUT 7 (09)  “the image”

HB 489 now heads to the full House for further consideration. Stokes says there are already laws about this for minors but she thinks something needs to be put in place for young adults…:

Cut 8  (14)  “without consent” 

The offense would be punishable up to a $10,000 fine and/or two years in prison. Stokes says because technology has enabled most young adults to have phones on them with cameras all the time, this form of harassment has become a common problem…:

Cut 9 (08)  “prolific”

______________________________________

The East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s office says they’ve arrested a teacher from Christian Life Academy for allegedly having sex with a student two years ago. Spokeswoman Casey Rayborn Hicks says they received the complaint from the mother of the victim…:

Cut 10 (10) “at her residence”

Hicks says when they brought 27-year-old Amber Anderson in for questioning, she admitted to the relationship and was booked with felony carnal knowledge of a juvenile. She says the mother did not know what the teacher was doing with her son at the time…:

cut 11 (10) “just recently”

Hicks says it’s always a shame when they have to work crimes that involve juveniles…:

cut 12 (06)   “and responsibility”

______________________________________

Smoking is no longer permitted in bars, casinos and most public places in New Orleans as the Big Easy’s new smoke free ordinance went into effect at midnight. Founding Dean of the LSU Health New Orleans School of Public Health, Doctor Elizabeth Fontham (FON-them), says it should have a positive effect on tourism

Cut 13 (07)  “of the smoking”

Doctor Fontham led the largest and most comprehensive study that looked at women, who never smoked, but had lung cancer. She says the study found that long-term exposure to secondhand cigarette smoke could increase a women’s risk of lung cancer as high as 86-percent

Cut 14 (06) “the risk became”

Fontham is a Crowley native and she’s pleased to see the Lafayette city-parish council will consider an ordinance on May fifth to ban smoking in bars and clubs there

Cut 15  (10)  “will greatly benefit”

_______________________________

The Saints 2015 schedule is out and New Orleans will open the season at Arizona on September 13th and then host Tampa on September 20th in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. NFL analyst Mike Detillier says the schedule gets really tough when New Orleans hosts Dallas in a Sunday night game on October 4th…

Cut 16  (20)  “season long”

The Saints will play three primetime games this year, they’ve played more in previous seasons. But Detillier says that’s still a good number considering the team went 7 and 9 last year…

Cut 17 (06)  “the past”

Detillier says the final month of the season shapes up well for the Saints. They have home games against the Lions and Jaguars and visit Tampa and finish the season at Atlanta. He says that should allow New Orleans to make a strong playoff push…

Cut 18 (13) ” ten wins”‘

We’re into week two of the legislative session and nothing has emerged from lawmakers on how to address the one-point-six billion dollar budget deficit. Eric Gill reports…

CUT 1 (30) “reporting”

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Blue Bell Ice Cream has recalled every single one of its products everywhere on continued threats of a Listeria Bacteria. Michelle Southern reports…:

CUT 2 (30) “reporting”

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Walker Police says a man accused of raping a woman at knifepoint at a Livingston Parish laundromat has been arrested. Captain John Sharp says the incident occurred late Sunday night. He says the victim was approached by the suspect asking if she had any spare change…

CUT 3 (10)  “the rape occurred”

He says when the victim told the suspect she had no spare change, he produced a knife and forced the victim into a bathroom where he raped her and stole money from her purse. Sharp says the laundromat has a good surveillance system and authorities were able to review the surveillance video quickly…

CUT 4 (06)  “of Walker”

40-year-old Lionel Myles of Walker was arrested and charged with aggravated rape, aggravated assault, battery, and armed robbery. Sharp says crimes like this are rare in Walker, so when it occurs, they take it very seriously…

CUT 5 (07)  “is owed that”

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We’re into week two of the legislative session and nothing has emerged from lawmakers on how to address the one-point-six billion dollar budget deficit. Jeremy Alford, publisher of la-politics-dot-com, says a key bill to remove the inventory tax credit was shelved, because there’s not enough votes to get it passed out of Senate Revenue and Fiscal Affairs….

CUT 6 (08)  “square one”

Alford says what makes this challenging for the legislature is Jindal’s revenue neutrality policy which they have to follow…

CUT 7 (11) “in savings”

Legislators believe if they repeal the inventory tax credit, they could offset the expected $500 million in tax savings with the same amount in tax increases. Alford says, with eight weeks left in the legislative session, no one really knows what to expect…

CUT 8 (06)  “play out”

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The reward for information about those responsible for the gruesome beheading of a goat, which was recorded with a cell phone, is now $14,000. Louisiana SPCA spokesperson Destinie Hammond says their members are disgusted by the video showing a group of young men cutting off the animal’s head with a machete type sword…:

CUT 9 (09)  “offer donations”

Hammond says the graphic video shows the culprits standing in a circle around a plastic swimming pool with a string tied around the goat’s neck before one of them beheads the animal…:

cut 10 (10) “very horrific”

Hammond says they got the video from a New Orleans University police officer, but they aren’t sure where the incident actually took place. She says if your tip leads to the arrest and conviction of those involved, the money will be paid out and you will be kept anonymous…:

cut 11 (06)  “or Crimestoppers”

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Blue Bell Ice Cream has recalled every single one of its products everywhere on continued threats of a Listeria Bacteria. Authorities now believe there are 10 listeria illnesses linked to the ice cream over the last 5 years. State Epidemiologist Dr. Raoult Ratard says once the CDC put two and two together with these sicknesses, the company has to act..:

cut 12 (08)  “physicians know”

DHH says there have been no recorded illnesses of listeria infections in Louisiana so far. Ratard says if you have any Blue Bell ice cream in your fridge, throw it away and do not eat it. He says the people most at risk of getting an infection caused by listeria are those with low immune systems…:

cut 13 (05)  “very wrong”

The Blue Bell recall includes all of its ice cream, frozen yogurt, sherbet and other frozen treats. Ratard says listeria causes infections which start with high fever and if you think Blue Bell ice cream has made you sick, seek medical attention right away…:

cut 14 (10) “get sick”

This is National Infant Immunization Week and the state Department of Health and Hospitals encourages families to get their infants immunized. Eric Gill reports…

CUT 1 (28) “reporting”

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The number of independent or no party voters is growing fast in Louisiana. Scott Carwile has the story…

Cut 2 (30) “reporting”

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According to an LSU Public Policy Polling survey done for the state’s film industry, 80% of Louisianians agree it’s good for the economy to have movies made here. Michelle Southern reports…:

Cut 3 (30) “reporting”

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This is National Infant Immunization Week and the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals encourages families to get their infants immunized. DHH Immunization Medical Director, Dr. Frank Welch, says people need vaccinations across their lifespans, but this week the focus is on babies…

cut 4  (08) “focus on them”

DHH immunization programs educate parents and health care providers to protect infants and toddlers from vaccine-preventable diseases. Welch says part of National Infant Immunization Week is encouraging parents to contact their pediatrician to not only make sure their babies are protected, but protected on time…

Cut 5  (07)  “exposed to it”

Welch says vaccinations are safe, effective, and potentially life-saving. He says the goal is to have 90-percent of children immunized by 2020 and Louisiana currently sits at about 74-percent. Welch says everyone has an opinion about vaccinations, but in this case you really want an educated opinion…

Cut 6 (07)  “the community”

______________________________________

Secretary of State Tom Schedler says Independent or “No Party” voters is the fastest growing group of registered voters in Louisiana. Schedler says “other” party registration has increased by nearly 75-hundred since last summer…

CUT 7 (12)  “seems to be growing”

Schedler says the “No Party” trend is not just happening in Louisiana…

Cut 8  (10)  “national level” 

Schedler believes the rise in independent or no party voters is the result of the constant bickering between the republican and democratic party on the national level

Cut 9 (10)  “with either group”

______________________________________

According to an LSU Public Policy Polling survey done for the state’s film industry, 80% of Louisianians agree it’s good for the economy to have movies made here. The survey also found that about half of the public isn’t aware that Louisiana is No. 1 in the nation for movie production. Baton Rouge’s Celtic Studios Executive Director Patrick Mulhearn says movies mean jobs…:

Cut 10 (08) “works in the industry”

48% of those polled said they had a positive opinion of the film tax credit program. Mulhearn says while not perfect, the tax benefits are helping put money in people’s pockets..:

cut 11 (08) “for the long term”

Mulhearn says Louisiana has been nicknamed Hollywood South and he believes people like that…:

cut 12 (08)   “for everyone”

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State Police has shared a heartwarming story about their rescue of a dog who was spotted in a swamp under I-10 near I-55 in LaPlace. Trooper Melissa Matey says they were rendering assistance to a stranded motorist who told them there was a trapped dog that was in the swamp below the interstate…:

Cut 13 (09)  “Cajun Pride Swamp tours”

Matey says Captain Brandon with Cajun Pride Swamp Tours offered to help out but they realized that it wasn’t possible to get a boat to the dog’s location due to the area being heavily wooded. She says the swamp tour guide then walked about a half a mile through the swamp to get to the animal…:

Cut 14 (08) “to safety”

Matey says the dog has a severe injury to his front leg and several puncture wounds around his body. She says donations are being accepted and will go to the Jefferson SPCA for the dog’s care. You can find the GoFundMe account like on the LSP Facebook page. Matey says if you witness someone dumping animals on or near the interstate please let them know.:

Cut 15  (09)  “that person”

_______________________________

An already very good basketball recruiting class for LSU gets better with the addition of Mr. Louisiana Basketball, Brandon Sampson.  The MVP in Class One-A this past season has signed his national letter of intent to play at LSU. Tiger Rag Editor Cody Worsham says it’s a big pick-up for Coach Johnny Jones…

Cut 16  (13)  “to the class”

Sampson averaged nearly 16 points a game as he led Madison Prep High School to the Class One-A Championship. Worsham says the Baton Rouge product is an excellent scorer…

Cut 17 (19)  “day one”

Sampson adds to a class that already boasts the nation’s number player in Ben Simmons, plus five-star guard Antonio Blakeney along with Arizona transfer Craig Victor. Worsham says expectations will be high for men’s basketball at LSU next season…

Cut 18 (07) ” final four”‘

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Today marks the fifth anniversary of the Deepwater Horizon explosion and a documentary filmmaker says the event and aftermath still affect people who were involved. Eric Gill reports…

CUT 1 (29) “reporting”

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According to Gasbuddy.com, the price of gasoline in Louisiana is up 6 cents over last week. Michelle Southern reports…:

CUT 2 (25) “reporting”

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Today marks the fifth anniversary of the Deepwater Horizon explosion and a documentary filmmaker says the event and aftermath still affect the people who were involved. Margaret Brown, director and producer of the documentary “The Great Invisible”, says it was difficult to hear stories from workers on the rig who are still suffering from nightmares and PTSD…

CUT 3 (08)  “to listen to”

But she says these stories are important for people to hear. “The Great Invisible” airs tonight at 9:30 on LPB. Brown says her documentary explores how this disaster has affected more than just the oil industry…

CUT 4 (07)  “are impacted”

Brown, a native of Mobile, AL, says seeing the impact the oil spill had on the Gulf Coast was both fascinating and sometimes really sad. She traveled to small towns and cities to explore the lasting legacy of the disaster on the Gulf Coast region. Brown feels more should be done to prevent another disaster like this…

CUT 5 (07)  “should know”

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Gas prices have been steadily increasing over the past week. According to Gasbuddy.com the current statewide average for a gallon of regular is $2.23. Senior Petroleum Analyst Gregg Laskoski says what we’re paying at the pump today is 6 cents higher in Louisiana than this time last week..:

CUT 6 (10)  “and change”

Laskoski says the good news is that prices today are about $1.24 less than what we were paying a year ago. He says part of the reason for the increase this week in crude oil prices is an overreaction by traders to data that came out from the Department of Energy showing a bump in inventory…:

CUT 7 (10) “this year”

Laskoski believes over the next few months there will be more downward pressure on the market than upward pressure. He says if that happens the price at the pump would start going down again, if not in the next few weeks at least by late May, early June as we get into peak summer driving season…:

CUT 8 (09)  “declining prices”

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US Senator David Vitter announces that he has raised over $5.2 million in his bid to become Louisiana’s next governor. More than $1.1 million dollars was raised in the first quarter of 2015 and the campaign reports it has $4.2 million in cash on hand. ULM Political Science Professor Joshua Stockley says Vitter is off to a good start…

CUT 9 (12)  “15 million”

Vitter held a commanding lead among announced gubernatorial candidates in fundraising at the end of 2014 with $4.1 million raised. Stockley says Vitter has an edge over the other candidates because he’s been able to establish relationships with interest groups across the nation over the last 10 years as a US Senator…

cut 10 (10) “to Louisiana”

A political action committee that’s been set up to help Vitter has another 3.5 million dollars in cash on hand. With about six months before the election, Stockley says it is possible for Jay Dardenne, Scott Angelle, and John Bel Edwards can catch up to Vitter’s fundraising efforts. He says the other candidates need to distinguish themselves from Vitter and use their differences to impress local groups…

cut 11 (10)  “Washington, DC”

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A bill that would taper off the transfer of money from the state’s road and bridge fund to state police clears the House appropriations committee. The measure would limit the of dollars going to LSP from the Transportation Trust Fund to $40 million starting in July, then $25 million next year and $10 million in future years. Lafayette Representative Terry Landry is the bill’s author…:

cut 12 (12)  “for other needs”

Landry, a former state police commander, says he would never do anything which would adversely impact that agency, but robbing Peter to pay Paul is not a good way to do business…:

cut 13 (09)  “$12 billon dollars behind”

The proposal now heads to the House floor for further consideration. Landry says right now the state diverts about $65 million a year from the Transportation Trust Fund to state police. He says citizens are demanding improved travel conditions in Louisiana…:

cut 14 (11) “Transportation Trust Fund”

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This week lawmakers will begin public hearings on how to deal with the state’s $1.6 billion budget deficit. Eric Gill reports…

CUT 1 (30) “reporting”

______________________________________

The chairwoman of the Louisiana House Transportation Committee proposes a one cent sales tax that could generate $7 billion dollars over the next decade to help fund roads and bridges. Michelle Southern reports..:

Cut 2 (30) “reporting”

______________________________________

It’s the five year anniversary of the Deepwater Horizon explosion, which sent millions of barrels of oil into the gulf. Scott Carwile reports one LSU researcher says the Gulf has had a remarkable recovery

Cut 3 (29) “reporting”

______________________________________

This week lawmakers will begin public hearings on how to deal with the state’s $1.6 billion budget deficit. Legislation that would raise more revenue will get their first hearing today in the Senate Revenue and Fiscal Affairs Committee. Governor Bobby Jindal says dealing with this deficit will be complicated, but feels conversations so far have been very positive…

cut 4  (09) “and health care”

The House Ways and Means Committee will begin hearing tax bills tomorrow. One proposed tax to generate more revenue that has received a lot of talk would raise the cigarette tax in Louisiana to the national average. Jindal says he remains opposed to raising taxes, but recognizes that the state tax code is not written in stone…

Cut 5  (09)  “different combinations”

Jindal says he would support raising taxes in one area as long as there are tax cuts to offset the increase. He says the state could raise over half a billion dollars by taking away refunds given to businesses for 12 different taxes. Jindal says it would be wrong to protect these tax credits and then make deeper cuts to higher ed and health care…

Cut 6 (10)  “and health care”

______________________________________

The chairwoman of the Louisiana House Transportation Committee proposes a one cent sales tax that could generate $7 billion dollars over the next decade to help fund roads and bridges. Pierre Part Representative Karen St. Germain says the state needs to free up money needed for preservation and maintenance because we need to take care of what we have…:

CUT 7 (11)  “isn’t quite there yet”

St. Germain also has a bill that would increase the state tax on gasoline based on the price at the pump to help offset depletion of revenues that are supposed to be dedicated to improving highway capacity and infrastructure. She says the $12 billion dollar backlog of construction and capacity projects all over the state is not a DOTD problem…:

Cut 8  (05)  “and those things” 

St. Germain says the state is facing serious problems and current revenue sources will never provide enough funding to keep up with needed highway construction much less address future needs. She says there are many important issues being discussed this session and this should be one of them…:

Cut 9 (06)  “to get there”

______________________________________

The USDA says honey production in the United States was up 19 percent from 2013 to 2014 and continues to climb. A study indicates there were 2.74 million colonies producing honey in 2014, up 4 percent from the prior year. Thomas Rinderer is the head of the USDA’s Baton Rouge Honey Bee Breeding, Genetics and Physiology Research…:

Cut 10 (11) “their bees”

Rinderer says this is a good sign as there was a long period of time honeybee colonies were on the decline. He says in the last 20 years the number of commercially kept colonies is down by about half but that has a lot to do with the economy of keeping bees…:

cut 11 (10) “stay in business”

Rinderer says honeybees are essential to food production throughout the world. He says most of what we eat is dependent upon pollination by inspects, primarily bees…:

cut 12 (11)   “salt of agriculture”

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Today marks the five year anniversary of the Deepwater Horizon spill, which is considered America’s worst environment disaster ever. An estimated three to four million barrels of oil spewed into the Gulf for 87 days after the Deepwater Horizon explosion. But LSU department of environmental sciences professor Ed Overton is impressed with how well the Gulf has bounced back..

Cut 13 (10)  “unbelieveable”

Overton says we’re lucky the oil that discharged from the damaged well was highly degradable and the gulf is well acclimated to degrade oil….

Cut 14 (09) “the oil”

Overton also says it doesn’t look there’s been a lasting impact with the shrimp and crab populations. But scientists have recorded an increase in deaths for dolphins and sea turtles, but Overton says the higher morality rate for dolphins began before the spill and he doesn’t think the spill will wipe out the sea turtle population

Cut 15  (10)  “build back”

______________________________________

LSU quarterbacks Anthony Jennings and Brandon Harris combined to throw for 420 yards and four touchdowns in Saturday’s spring game. Harris threw for 178 yards and two scores, Jennings had 242 passing and two TDs. Coach Les Miles likes how the two developed over the spring, but they still need to get more consistent…

Cut 16  (15)  “are improved”

LSU offensive coordinator Cam Cameron likes the direction the offense is heading…

Cut 17 (15)  “good running backs”

Who will be LSU’s starting quarterback is still a mystery at this point and Miles says both players can still get much better

Cut 18 (14) ” could be”‘

______________________________________

Louisiana Tech also completed spring practice on Saturday and three quarterbacks for the Bulldogs threw touchdown passes. Jeff Driskel threw for 269 yards and four touchdowns, Ryan Higgins had 214 passing yards and one TD and Price Wilson threw for 181 yards and a TD. Coach Skip Holtz says all three of them showed they are capable…

Cut 19 (16)  “that stadium “

On defense, former West Monroe standout Michael Mims had an excellent game as he racked up nine tackles. Holtz has been impressed with Mims, who has made the move from safety to outside linebacker…

Cut 20 (20)  “on the field”

Oilfield services giant Schlumberger has announced plans to lay off approximately 11,000 additional employees due to the reduction in oil prices. Eric Gill has more…

CUT 1 (29) “reporting”

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A new poll on the Republican presidential primary in New Hampshire says Governor Bobby Jindal has the best favorability rating among all the presidential hopefuls. Jeff Palermo reports…

CUT 2 (24) “reporting”

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Oilfield services giant Schlumberger has announced plans to lay off approximately 11,000 additional employees due to the reduction in oil prices. LSU Economist Loren Scott says oil companies are dealing with oil prices roughly half of what they were a year ago and they’re asking these service companies for a break in the fees they charge…

CUT 3 (06)  “what’s going on”

He says the drop in oil prices has led to a decline in exploration and production, mainly on land rigs. When those rigs aren’t drilling, there is less need for service companies. Scott believes a majority of these layoffs will occur in states that depend on drilling on land…

CUT 4 (10)  “and Pennsylvania”

In January, Schlumberger announced they were reducing their workforce by 9,000 employees. There is some land drilling in northwest and eastern Louisiana. But Scott says since most of Louisiana’s oil and gas jobs are offshore, the extent of the layoffs should be less here…

CUT 5 (08)  “planning horizons”

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A new poll on the Republican presidential primary in New Hampshire says Governor Bobby Jindal is someone to keep an eye on after receiving the best favorability rating out of all the presidential hopefuls. Tom Jensen with Public Policy Polling says Jindal’s favorability rating was 43-percent. He says it really stuck out on this poll…

CUT 6 (09)  “him back in”

Jensen says Jindal has recently been excluded from their Republican presidential polls after consistently polling in last place. He says these new favorability numbers could see Jindal’s name thrown back in the mix…

CUT 7 (10) “where he is“

Jindal will speak this weekend at the Republican Leadership Summit in New Hampshire which features other potential presidential candidates. Jensen says Jindal’s stock could rise even more if he touts his conservative agenda at this event…

CUT 8 (08)  “conservative principles”

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Four to six inches of rain fell during a two hour period Thursday afternoon in Alexandria, flooding about 50 homes. Police also say there were numerous car crashes and the fire department participated in about 50 water related rescues. Lance Escude, with the National Weather Service, says more rain is on the way

CUT 9 (10)  “to redelop”

Escude says the southern half of the state remains under a flash flood watch through Saturday afternoon…

cut 10 (08) “definitely possible”

Escude says it looks like this rainy weather pattern will end Sunday as rain chances decrease on that day

cut 11 (06)  “dry out”

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The former Knight Oil Tools employee that authorities say was involved in a conspiracy to plant drugs on another person has turned himself in. Captain John Babin, with the Lafayette Parish Sheriff’s office, says Russell Manual is the fourth person to be arrested as part of this investigation….

cut 12 (11)  “intimidating witness”

Authorities say Manual, along with a state trooper and a Lafayette Sheriff’s deputy, who have both been arrested, were involved in a plot to have Brian Knight arrested on drug charges. Babin says Knight’s brother Mark, the former CEO of Knight Oil Tools, was also arrested this week….

cut 13 (09)  “the appropriate manner”

An arrest warrant was issued for Manual earlier this week and Babin says he eventually gave himself up to the authorities

cut 14 (05) “eventually booked”

The St. Charles Parish Sheriff’s Office believes the shooting ambush of one of their deputies Thursday stemmed from a man upset over traffic in a school zone. Sheriff Greg Champagne says 36-year-old Cpl. Burt Hazeltine was confronted by 56-year-old John Paul Devillier who left the scene then returned to a nearby gas station and began dangling a gun out of his truck…

cut 15 (10) “three times”

It’s expected Devillier will be charged with attempted first degree murder.

Critics are not backing down in opposition to Bossier City Representative Mike Johnson’s controversial religious freedom bill. Johnson says he plans to amend the bill, but Forum for Equality Director Sarah Jane Brady says the intent of HB 707 has always been to discriminate against the LGBT community…

cut 11 (13) “of all people”

Johnson announced he’s going to change the measure to designate the “institution of marriage” as the “union of one man and one woman.”

The number of Formosan subterranean termites are rising in Louisiana and homeowners should take precautions against them. LSU AgCenter Entomologist Gregg Henderson says these termites build shelter tubes as they move up a home’s foundation. He says if you think your home may have termites, you should get an inspection or inspect the home yourself…

cut 7 (10) “they come up”

Henderson says if you do find termites in your home, you should call a pest control operator to get rid of them.

The Centers for Disease Control says if women take at least 18 months between birth and conception, it could lessen problems for both mom and baby. Medicaid Medical Director for Louisiana, Dr. Rebekah Gee, says a shorter time span between pregnancies can impact the emotional and mental health of the mother…

cut 5 (09) “hormonal shifts”

She says a shorter time span could also lead to premature births.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says many women aren’t taking enough time between birth and conception which could lead to problems for both mom and baby. Michelle Southern reports…:

CUT 1 (30) “reporting”

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The number of Formosan subterranean termites are rising in Louisiana and homeowners should take precautions against them. Eric Gill reports…

Cut 2 (30) “reporting”

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A St. Charles Parish Sheriff’s deputy continues to recover today in a hospital after getting shot three times. Scott Carwile has more…

Cut 3 (30) “reporting”

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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says many women aren’t taking enough time between birth and conception which could lead to problems for both mom and baby. Dr. Rebekah Gee is the Medicaid Medical Director for Louisiana. She says most research suggests that at least 18 months are needed between pregnancies…:

cut 4  (10) “between pregnancies”

Gee says in Louisiana, the CDC report shows nearly 30% of women don’t wait longer than 18 months before having their next child. She says not only could this lead to more pre-mature births, but a short time span between pregnancies also impacts the emotional and mental health of the mother…:

Cut 5  (09)  “hormonal shifts”

Gee says failure to space, may affect the risk of pregnancy complications such as preterm birth, low birth weight and small gestational age. She says Louisiana has one of the highest prematurety rates in the nation..:

Cut 6 (12)  “spacing occurs”

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The number of Formosan subterranean termites are rising in Louisiana and homeowners should take precautions against them. LSU AgCenter Entomologist Gregg Henderson says these termites build shelter tubes as they move up a home’s foundation. He says if you think your home may have termites, you should get an inspection or inspect the home yourself…

CUT 7 (10)  “they come up”

Henderson says if you do find termites in your home, you should call a pest control operator to get rid of them. May is the beginning of the swarm season for these Formosan termites. He says one way you can help prevent an infestation is to change the lighting around your home. Henderson says most insects are attracted to the blue spectrum of light…

Cut 8  (09)  “yellow lights” 

He says the movement of infested wood-based items is the primary method of distribution of these termites. Henderson says these pests are responsible for more than $300 million in losses a year in the Greater New Orleans Area alone. He says it’s definitely important to check any trees around your home for termites…

Cut 9 (08)  “termite infestation”

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Even though Bossier City Representative Mike Johnson says he plans to amend the controversial religious freedom bill, critics are not backing down in opposition. Forum for Equality Director Sarah Jane Brady says the gay and transgender community in Louisiana already doesn’t have protections when it comes to housing and employment at the state level..:

Cut 10 (11) “behalf of its citizens”

Some lawmakers criticized the bill in its original form saying it was so broad in protecting any belief about marriage which could mean many things. Johnson announced he’s going to change the measure to designate the “institution of marriage” as the “union of one man and one woman.” Brady says the intent of HB 707 has always been to discriminate against the LGBT community…:

cut 11 (13) “of all people”

Governor Bobby Jindal says passing a religious freedom bill is one of his priorities for this session. He says the measure is narrowly focused on making sure the state can not discriminate against businesses for their religious belief in traditional marriage…:

cut 12 (11)   “for their beliefs”

Jindal says he can’t see how someone can make the case that the state should intervene on someone’s personal religious beliefs…:

Cut 13 (12)  “view of marriage”

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The St. Charles Parish Sheriff’s Office says it appears the motive behind the shooting ambush of one of their deputies Thursday stemmed from a man upset over traffic. 56-year-old John Paul Devillier, a native of the parish but resident of Gulfport, has been identified as the shooter. Sheriff Greg Champagne says 36-year-old Cpl. Burt Hazeltine was directing buses near a school crossing…:

Cut 14 (10) “stop traffic for him”

It’s expected Devillier will be charged with attempted first degree murder. Champagne says Hazeltine was confronted by the suspect who left the scene then returned to a nearby gas station and began dangling a gun out of his truck…:

Cut 15  (10)  “three times”

Champagne says Hazeltine was hit three times and one of the bullets got lodged behind his left eye which he may never see out of again. He says Devillier has a violent past including getting fired from a TSA job in 2013 for conduct unbecoming…:

Cut 16  (08)  “aggravated assault”

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The LSU football team completes spring practice on Saturday with the annual spring game. The scrimmage will give quarterbacks Anthony Jennings and Brandon Harris another opportunity to show whether they should be the starting quarterback next season. Coach Les Miles on what he’s looking for from his signal callers…

Cut 17 (14)  “it aggressively”

LSU’s quarterback play was not the only thing wrong with the Tigers passing game last season. LSU’s young wide receivers also had their growing pains, but Miles says spring practice has been good for those guys…

Cut 18 (17) ” this fall’

Miles says as the Tigers conclude spring practice, the goal looking ahead to next fall is to make it into the four-team college football playoff. He says building depth will be a key to reaching that goal

Cut 19 (20)  “little younger “

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Louisiana Tech will hold its spring game on Saturday. The coaching staff has divided the team into two squads and Coach Skip Holtz says Saturday is like a final exam, especially for the younger players on the roster…

Cut 20 (12)  “do what they’re doing”