AM Newscall Monday March 2, 2015

NBC’s hit show “The Voice” begins its second week of the new season tonight and Louisiana already has ties to three contestants who made it through the blind auditions. Michelle Southern reporting.

CUT 1 (30) “reporting”

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As the Louisiana filmed blockbuster “Focus” opened over the weekend, a group of lawmakers is looking at ways we can improve the film tax credits in the state. Michelle Southern reports…:

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A south Louisiana lawmaker believes a student should not be punished if he or she opts out from taking the Common Core exam. Scott Carwile has the story…

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NBC’s hit show “The Voice” begins its second week of the new season tonight and Louisiana already has ties to three contestants who made it through the blind auditions. 22-year-old Rob Taylor, who was raised in Baton Rouge and now lives in Donaldsonville, gets to move on to the battle rounds which take place next month. Taylor says he never thought he would get such an opportunity…:

cut 4  (08)  “never gave up”

The Voice’s blind auditions continue tonight at 7. Taylor says when he graduated high school he was offered a partial scholarship to Boston’s Berklee College of Music, but he chose to stay home to care for his mother who was sick. He says his biggest musical influence is his grandmother…:

Cut 5  (07)  “with everything”

Also vying to win a recording contract this season is Tonya Boyd-Cannon who’s from Jackson, Mississippi but currently lives in Chalmette. And Meghan Linsey who’s from The Big Easy but currently lives in Nashville. Taylor says one of the things that influences him the most musically from Louisiana is that styles here are so eclectic…:

Cut 6 (06)  “to everyone I guess”

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As the Louisiana filmed blockbuster “Focus” opened over the weekend, a group of lawmakers is looking at ways we can improve the state’s film tax credits. Some have argued that the movie credits here are corrupt and too generous. New Orleans Senator JP Morrell, who is working on reform legislation, says he fully supports the program but it has major issues.:

CUT 7 (12)  “who are paying for it”

Economic impact numbers revealed Focus filmed here for 43 days and spent over $8.3 million on local labor at in-state businesses and on location. Morrell says they don’t want to lose the fact that Louisiana has become an industry film leader in the country and earned the name Hollywood South. But he says there are things that must be done to restore taxpayer confidence in the film tax credit program…:

Cut 8  (12)  “credit programs” 

Morrell says drafts of possible legislation will be discussed on Wednesday in a meeting with the Entertainment Industry Development Advisory Commission. He says in addition to legislators, that group also is made up of stakeholders in the industry and the goal is a “comprehensive reform” of the film tax credit program…:

Cut 9 (13)  “on the right track”

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In two weeks, students will take Common Core exams and a state lawmaker has introduced a bill that will prohibit penalties if a student decided to opt out of the testing. Abbeville Representative Bob Hensgens’ bill would protect students, schools, and school systems from non-participation penalties. He says there is no law that levies penalties for not taking the tests, but that’s not what he’s hearing from school districts…

Cut 10 (09) “intended to do”

Currently students who opt-out of the testing will be given a score of zero, which will be transferred to the performance score of schools and school districts. Hensgens says the decision for a student to take these tests belong to the parent and not the government…

cut 11 (10) “in the future”

Education Superintendent John White says they will address opt-outs when they see how many students actually opt-out of the exams. Hensgens says it shouldn’t be left up to White to determine if penalties should be levied if someone decides not to take the Common Core tests…

cut 12 (11)  “to decide this”

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The Jindal administration has said they are willing to scale back 526-million dollars in tax credits for businesses, but Chairman of the republican house delegation, state Representative Lance Harris of Alexandria is disappointed the governor didn’t suggest reeling back some of the film tax credits

Cut 13 (10)  “someone else”

As a way to help reduce cuts to higher education, The Jindal administration proposes higher fees to attend public college, but provide a tax credit to offset those costs, which would be paid for by raising the cigarette tax. But Harris doesn’t like the idea of a cigarette tax

Cut 14 (09) “right now”

The governor has highlighted 12 tax credits that could become non-refundable which would give the state more money to spend. But the chairman of the House Democratic Caucus, Amite representative John Bel Edwards, says legislators should look beyond those tax credits as a way to raise revenue…

Cut 15  (08)  “comprehensive job”

Edwards says he’s not a fan of Jindal’s proposal  to raise cigarette taxes and have that money pay for a tax credit for those individuals who pay higher fees at colleges

Cut 16  (10)  “Tax reform”

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ULM officials will break ground today on a new end zone building at Malone Stadium. It’s the first new athletic facility built on campus in 1983 and it will feature a new locker room, a Hall of Fame area and new coaches’ offices. Coach Todd Berry says the project has been a long time coming for the program….

Cut 17 (16)  “excited about it”

Berry says the facility will have an impact on their current players and recruiting…

Cut 18 (15) “period of time’

Today is also the first day of spring football for the Warhawks. ULM has to find a new starting quarterback. Brayle Brown is listed number one on the team’s depth chart, after completing 12 passes last year, but Berry says Brown will compete against a couple of other quarterbacks….

Cut 19 (22)   “grow up”

10:30 Newscast February 28, 2015

Republican gubernatorial candidate, US Senator David Vitter, is getting the endorsement of an ex-president. Michelle Southern reports…

cut 1 (31) “reporting”

A state Attorney General’s Office investigation has lead to the arrest of a former St. Martin Parish Sheriff’s deputy on multiple charges. They say 39-year-old Michael Barber of Breaux Bridge was booked into the St. Martin Parish jail on counts of malfeasance in office, indecent behavior with a juvenile, and attempted production of child pornography. Barber was a school resource officer at St. Martinville High.

The Jindal administration has laid out a plan to close a one-point-six billion dollar budget shortfall. It doesn’t call for any tax increases, but Governor Bobby Jindal proposes the scaling back of some corporate tax credits and raising the cigarette tax, to reduce drastic cuts to higher ed and health care. Lawmakers who serve on the budget committees seemed like some of the ideas. Delhi Senator Francis Thompson…

cut 11 (06) “we have”

Lawmakers will spend the next several weeks discussing budget solutions before passing a spending plan in June.

The Livingston Parish Sheriff’s office says a man is under arrest accused of prank calling 911 because he was bored. Sheriff Jason Ard says 27-year-old Brandon Kirkland admitted he did this as a prank two times and that’s two counts of felony terrorizing. Ard says the suspect’s story to detectives obviously didn’t fly…

cut 15 (07) “prank call”

Kirkland allegedly told dispatchers that 2 masked men were entering a business in Watson to rob it.

09:30 Newscast February 28, 2015

The Jindal administration presented a proposed budget that provides a starting point on how to prevent drastic cuts to health care and higher education, despite a one-point-six billion revenue shortfall for next fiscal year. Commissioner of Administration Kristy Nichols says they want lawmakers to scale back a dozen refundable tax credits which would save the state 526-million dollars…

cut 9 (14) “take in”

Even with a cap on certain tax credits, the cut in the proposed budget to higher ed is 211-million dollars.

The New Orleans Police Department has arrested a 13-year-old boy accused of raping three relatives on several occasions. They say the incidents happened over the last two years. The alleged victims include two girls, ages 13 and 11, and a 7-year-old boy. The names of the victims and the suspect were not released because of their ages.

The Jefferson Davis Sheriff’s Office has arrested two men in connection with the homicide of a Lake Arthur man. Spokesman Christopher Ivey says deputies were dispatched to the home of 73-year-old Charles Talen, Sr. to notify him that his stolen vehicle had been found burned…

cut 12 (06) “inside his home”

18-year-old Roderick Cawthrone, Jr. and 26-year-old Brett Hebert, both of Lake Arthur, face first degree murder charges in the death of Talen. Detectives are expecting more arrests in this investigation.

Republican gubernatorial candidate, US Senator David Vitter, has received the endorsement from former President George H.W. Bush. Vitter is the front runner in this year’s governor’s race, ahead of Republicans Lt. Governor Jay Dardenne, Public Service Commissioner Scott Angelle, and Democratic state Representative John Bel Edwards. Stockley says Vitter’s opponents will now have to step up their game…

cut 8 (07) “behind Vitter”

Stockley says the backing of Bush and Kentucky Senator Rand Paul are a big boost to Vitter’s quest to become governor.

08:30 Newscast February 28, 2015

The Jindal administration has laid out its plan on how to cope with a one-point-six billion dollar revenue shortfall for the fiscal year that begins July first. Jeff Palermo has the story…

cut 2 (30) “reporting”

In Baton Rouge, an eighth-grader is being hailed a hero after he quickly stopped a moving school bus after the driver was punched unconscious by another student. 14-year-old Tay’veon Slaughter quickly stopped the bus, preventing it from crashing, and called authorities after the bus driver was unresponsive. The 15-year-old alleged attacker was arrested and booked on numerous charges including second degree battery.

In his quest to become governor, Republican US Senator David Vitter, is getting the endorsement of former President George H.W. Bush. ULM Political Science Professor Joshua Stockley says this is significant, especially on top of the endorsement Vitter received from Kentucky Senator Rand Paul…

cut 6 (11) “hugely critical”

Vitter is considered the front runner in this year’s governor’s race.

This week’s wintry weather that hit Louisiana could result in a lower supply of crawfish this weekend. Mark Shirley, with the LSU AgCenter, says pond water temperatures dropped into the 40′s this week, which keeps crawfish from crawling into traps. Shirley says if you want some crawfish this weekend, you may want to get them early…

cut 3 (09) “be there”

Unfortunately, you’re likely to pay more for mudbugs this weekend.

07:30 Sportscast February 28, 2015

LSU and former defensive coordinator John Chavis have filed lawsuits against each other. At issue is whether Chavis owes LSU 400-thousand dollars. LSU claims he does, based on a buyout clause in his contract, but Chavis says he took the proper steps to avoid the buyout when he accepted the defensive coordinator position with Texas A & M.

On the baseball diamond…LSU opened a three-game series with Princeton with a three to two victory over the Ivy League school last night. Jake Fraley had a couple of hits and drove in a run and Jared Poche picked up the win on the mound. LSU and Princeton will play a doubleheader today at 4 pm, because of anticipated rainy weather on Sunday.

In other action yesterday…Alabama beat the Cajuns six to four and McNeese State defeated Texas San Antonio six to five in ten innings. For the second time in as many games Connor Lloyd had the game winning hit.

The 2015 football schedules have been released for UL Lafayette and ULM. The Ragin Cajuns will have two road games in a five day span as they’ll visit Georgia State on November 7th and then play South Alabama in Mobile on November 12th.

ULM has a non-conference game at Hawaii. So they’ll play 13 games this season, including road trips to Alabama and Georgia to begin the season on September 5th.

In the NBA…the Pelicans won their fourth straight last night as they defeated the Miami Heat 104-102. New Orleans won without Anthony Davis, but his back-up filled in nicely. Alexis Ajinca had a career-high 24 points and eight rebounds and also scored the winning bucket after getting a nice feed from Eric Gordon, who had 20 points.

College hoops….LSU hosts Ole Miss at one o’ clock today. Louisiana Tech hosts Texas-San Antonio, ULM is at Appalachian State, the Cajuns host Georgia Southern. And McNeese State hosts Nicholls State.

LRN Newscast 17:30 2-27-15

Commissioner of Administration Kristy Nichols proposed a budget for next fiscal year that calls for a $211 million dollar cut to higher education. But she told lawmakers they could further reduce those cuts by raising the cigarette tax and using those revenues to provide families with a tax credit to help offset the costs for higher fees at public colleges…:
CUT 10 (07) “100 million dollars”
Lawmakers will be discussing budget solutions before passing a spending plan in June.

The Jefferson Davis Sheriff’s Office has arrested two men in connection with the homicide of a Lake Arthur man. Spokesman Christopher Ivey says deputies were dispatched to the home of 73-year-old Charles Talen, Sr. to notify him that his stolen vehicle had been found burned…:
CUT 12 (06) “inside his home”
18-year-old Roderick Cawthrone, Jr. and 18-year-old Brett Hebert, both of Lake Arthur, face first degree murder charges.
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In the race for Governor US Senator David Vitter got the endorsement of former President George H.W. Bush. ULM Political Science Professor Joshua Stockley says the backing of Bush and Kentucky Senator Rand Paul is a big boost in Vitter…:
CUT 7 (09) “on your side”
Vitter is the front runner in this year’s governor’s race, ahead of Republicans Lt. Governor Jay Dardenne, Public Service Commissioner Scott Angelle, and Democratic state Representative John Bel Edwards.

If you are out on the road this weekend, you’ve probably already noticed that gas prices are continuing their rapid rise, as the price jumped another 2 cents a gallon to an average of $2.19 . According AAA, that’s up 7 cents already from this time last week as refineries make the shift from the winter to summer blend of gasoline.

16:45 LRN Sportscast Feb 27

The question over whether former LSU defensive coordinator John Chavis owes LSU money for leaving the Tigers following the 2014 season will be decided in the courts. Chavis has filed a lawsuit to determine if either him or Texas A-and=M owes LSU a 400-thousand dollar buyout. The suit claims Chavis doesn’t owe LSU the money, because he wasn’t officially hired by A-and-m until 30 days after he left LSU.

The 2015 Sun Belt Football schedules were finalized today. The Ragin Cajuns will play twice on national television. On a Tuesday night, October 20th, at Arkansas State and Thursday November 12th at South Alabama. ULM also has a road mid-week game on its schedule and that’s November 19th against Texas State and that’s a Thursday night.

Following a thrilling win over Southeastern Louisiana last night, the LSU baseball team is back at it tonight as they open a three game series against Princeton.

In the NBA tonight…the Pelicans host the Miami Heat. New Orleans has won three straight as recently acquired Norris Cole has been a good addition to the Pels. Cole will be facing his former team for the second time in a week.

The LSU men’s basketball team looks for its 10th conference win of the season tomorrow when they host Ole Miss. In Coach Johnny Jones first two seasons in Baton Rouge, LSU won nine league games each year…
cut 18 (18) “…important”
Tip-off is at 1 PM.

And Louisiana Tech can clinch at least a share of the Conference USA regular season title tomorrow night when the Bulldogs host Texas San Antonio. Tech has won 27 straight home games.

LRN Newscast 16:30 2-27-2015

Today, the Jindal administration laid out its plan on how to cope with a one-point-six billion dollar revenue shortfall for the fiscal year that begins July first…
CUT 2 (30) “reporting”

This week’s cold weather will be giving us a lower supply of crawfish this weekend, since those temperatures kept the mudbugs from crawling into the traps. But, the LSU AgCenter reports crawfish are available in smaller sizes and at a slightly higher price.
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US Senator David Vitter is getting the endorsement of an ex-president. His gubenatorial campaign sent out an e-mail announcing the endorsement of former President George H.W. Bush. ULM Political Science Professor Joshua Stockley says it’s significant, especially on top of the endorsement of Kentucky Senator Rand Paul…
CUT 6 (11) “hugely critical”

The Livingston Parish Sheriff’s office says a man is under arrest accused of pranking 911 calls because he was bored. Sheriff Jason Ard says 27-year-old Brandon Kirkland allegedly called 911 dispatchers and twice reported that 2 masked men were entering a business in Watson to rob it…:
cut 14 (07) “as themselves”
Kirkland faces 2 counts of felony terrorizing.

LRN Newscast 15:30 2-27-15

The Jindal administration presented a proposed budget today that provides a starting point on how to prevent drastic cuts to health care and higher education, despite a one-point-six billion revenue shortfall for next fiscal year. Commissioner of Administration Kristy Nichols says they want lawmakers to scale back a dozen refundable tax credits which would save the state 526-million…
CUT 9 (14) “take in”
Higher ed is facing a two-hundred-eleven million dollar cut.

The 2014 numbers from the US Department of Commerce show that merchandise exports from the state show an almost three percent increase to 65 -point one-billion dollars. It is the sixth consecutive year of growth.
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The front runner in Louisiana’s governor’s race got a rather significant campaign boost, as former president George H. W. Bush has given the Republican senator his endorsement. ULM Political Science Professor Joshua Stockley says Republicans Lt. Governor Jay Dardenne, Public Service Commissioner Scott Angelle, and Democratic state Representative John Bel Edwards have to step up their game…
CUT 8 (07) Q: ‘ behind Vitter’

The Jeff Davis Parish Sheriff’s Office has arrested two men in connection with the murder of a Lake Arthur man. Spokesman Christopher Ivey says 18-year-old Roderick Cawthrone, Jr. and 26-year-old Brett Hebert face first degree murder charges in the death of 73 year-old Charles Talen, Sr.
CUT 13 (07) Q: “to us”
Detectives say they expect more arrests in the investigation.

LRN Newscast 14:30 02-27-15

The Jindal administration laid out a plan today to close a one-point-six billion dollar shortfall. It doesn’t call for any tax increases, but Governor Bobby Jindal proposes the scaling back of some corporate tax credits and higher fees on college students, to reduce drastic cuts to higher ed and health care. Delhi Senator Francis Thompson…
cut 11 (06) “….we have”
Legislators will discuss over the next few weeks and pass a budget in June.

This week’s wintery weather did more than made things difficult on the roads; it has made for a lower supply of crawfish. But Mark Shirley, with the LSU AgCenter, says crawfish are good, no matter what size they are…
CUT 5 (08) “Louisiana crawfish”
Until then, the price will be a bit higher.
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Republican gubernatorial candidate, US Senator David Vitter, is getting the endorsement of an ex-president…
CUT 1 (31) “reporting”

Bill Cosby will be appearing for an 8 pm show tonight at the Heymann (Hi-men) Center in Lafayette, but not without controversy, as allegations of sexual abuse against women still remain. Cosby released a statement thanking the fans for their support, but critics point out that – just because he’s a talented celebrity – doesn’t mean he cannot commit sexual assault.