13:30 Newscast February 27th, 2015

The Jindal Administration laid out its plan today on how to cope with a one-point-six-billion dollar revenue shortfall for the fiscal year that begins July 1st. Jeff Palermo has the story…:
CUT 2 (30) “reporting”

Gas prices jumped another 2 cents last night to $2.19 as they continue their rapid rise according to the American Automobile Association. That’s up 7 cents already from this time last week as refineries make the shift from the winter to summer blend of gasoline.

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. He says you should see an improvement in the price as temperatures warm up…:
CUT 4 (10) “to springtime”
He says the cold temperatures might also mean smaller mudbugs on your plate.

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 admitted to faking two 911 calls claiming businesses in the area were being robbed. He says the story he gave detectives didn’t fly…:
CUT 15 (07) “prank call”
Kirkland is charged with 2 counts of terrorizing.

 

***Correction on AM Newscall***

Hey guys,

The last name of the woman on the Bill Cosby story is “Tucker” not “Turner.” We apologize for the error.

The embattled comedian Bill Cosby is appearing tonight at the Heymann Performing Arts Center in Lafayette. There are some who aren’t happy about that due to allegations which recently surfaced accusing Cosby of sexually abusing women. Ebony Tucker, Director of the Louisiana Foundation Against Sexual Assault, is concerned people who still buy tickets to Cosby’s show don’t take these alleged victims seriously…:

Cut 13 (08)  “come forward”

The comedian released a statement thanking fans for love, support and trust and added he can’t wait to warm the hearts of the audience with the gift of laughter. Tucker says it’s their hope that people in the audience tonight realize that famous people also have private lives that are very different from who they portray…:

Cut 14 (06) “criminal activity”

The performance is set for 8pm. Tucker says there has been so much victim blaming surrounding the Cosby allegations that people are separating Dr. Huxabtable from someone who is capable of committing a horrible crime…:

Cut 15  (12)  “sexual assault”

PM LRN Newscall February 27

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

CUT 1 (31) “reporting”

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

The Jindal administration laid out its plan today 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”

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

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”

He says you will be able to find crawfish this weekend, but the supply will be below normal. Unfortunately, the decrease in production will see a rise in the price of mudbugs. Shirley says you should see an improvement in the price as temperatures warm up…

CUT 4 (10)  “to springtime”

Because of the cold temperatures, you may see some smaller crawfish on your plate, but Shirley says crawfish are good, no matter what size they are. He says, although the winter weather has slowed the crawfish harvest, it hasn’t shut it down completely…

CUT 5 (08)  “Louisiana crawfish”

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

Republican gubernatorial candidate, US Senator David Vitter, is getting the endorsement of an ex-president. The Vitter campaign sent an e-mail to supporters announcing 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 of Kentucky Senator Rand Paul…

CUT 6 (11)  “hugely critical”

In his endorsement, Bush describes Vitter as an effective, conservative leader and urges people to contribute to his campaign. Stockley says the backing of Bush and Paul are a big boost to Vitter’s quest to become governor…

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. Stockley says Vitter’s opponents will now have to step up their game…

CUT 8 (07)  “behind Vitter”

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

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 shortfalll 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. Nichols offered solutions to further reduce cuts to higher education and one includes 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 “

The potential drop in funding for health care sevices is 235-million dollars according to the proposed budget. Lawmakers who serve on the budget committees seemed like some of the ideas and Delhi Senator Franics Thompson is glad the cuts to higher ed and health care are not as bad as once feared…

cut 11 (06)  “we have”

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

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. Ivey says arrest warrants for the pair were issued yesterday afternoon… (Detectives are expecting more arrests in this investigation.)

cut 13 (07)  “to us”

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

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 reported that 2 masked men were entering a business in Watson to rob it…:

cut 14 (07)  “as themselves”

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”

 

12:30 Newscast February 27th, 2015

Commissioner of Administration Kristy Nichols proposed a budget for next fiscal year that calls for a $211 million dollar cut to higher education. But Nichols 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 spend the next several weeks 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 in the death of Talen.

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’s quest to become governor…:
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.

The football scheduled for Sunbelt Conference teams came out today, and UL-Lafayette and ULM will play each other on Halloween at Cajun Field. The Warhawks are also scheduled to play at Hawaii.

 

11:40 LRN Sportscast Feb 27

Over five-thousand fans were inside the Thomas Assembly Center last night as Louisiana Tech extended its home winning streak to 27 games with a 77-60 win over UTEP. Redshirt sophomore Erik McCree had his second career double-double 14 points and 12 rebounds. The Bulldogs are now 13-and-3 in Conference USA and in first place.

ULM remains in a tie for first place in the Sun Belt after beating South Alabama 75-57 last night. Junior Justin Roberson had 18 points for the Warhawks, while Majok Deng had a double-double 14 points and 13 rebounds.

Wild game at Alex Box Stadium last night as second ranked LSU blew a six run lead but rallied with two runs in the eighth inning to beat Southeastern Louisiana nine to eight. Jake Fraley’s two run triple was the big hit in the eighth innings. The Seven and one Tigers host Princeton tonight at the Box.

The Pelicans will host the Miami Heat tonight at the Smoothie King Center. New Orleans trails Oklahoma City by one game in the loss column for the final playoff spot in the Western Conference. O-K-C lost in overtime to Phoenix last night, despite a triple-double from Russell Westbrook.

The LSU men’s basketball team will host Ole Miss tomorrow at one o’ clock. Jarell Martin is averaging 16.5 points a game for the Tigers and had 25 points against Auburn on Tuesday night. LSU Coach Johnny Jones likes how the sophomore is playing…
cut 17 (19) “….vast improvement”
A win on Saturday will give LSU ten conference wins and a chance to get a top four seed and a double-bye in the SEC tournament in a couple of weeks.

11:30 Newscast February 27th, 2015

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 dollar 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 to higher ed is 211-million dollars.

The Louisiana filmed movie Focus hits theaters today and according to the Motion Picture Association of America, the movie spent over $8.3 million dollars in 43 days here. The say that money went to local labor at in state businesses and on location costs.

Republican gubernatorial candidate, US Senator David Vitter, is getting the endorsement of former President George H.W. Bush according to his campaign. ULM Political Science Professor Joshua Stockley says this is significant, especially on top of the endorsement of Kentucky Senator Rand Paul…:
CUT 6 (11) “hugely critical”
Bush describes Vitter as an effective, conservative leader.

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 reported that 2 masked men were entering a business in Watson to rob it…:
CUT 14 (07) “as themselves”
Kirkland admitted he did this as a prank two times and that’s two counts of felony terrorizing.

 

10:30 Newscast February 27th, 2015

Commissioner of Administration Kristy Nichols has unveiled the governor’s proposed budget for next year. It calls for a 211 million dollar cut to higher education, which is less than anticipated. The governor is proposing to make 12 refundable tax credits non-refundable which would save the state 526-million dollars and the administration proposes an increase in student fees.

The new movie “Focus”, featuring Will Smith, hits theaters today and it’s just one of many major Louisiana shot movies to be released this year. Scott Carwile reports…:
CUT 2 (30) “reporting”

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”
He says unfortunately the decrease in production will mean the price of the mudbugs will be a bit higher.

Cops are investigating a two-vehicle fatal crash that killed one person and seriously injured two others Thursday evening in East Baton Rouge Parish. The Zachary Police Department says the wreck happened as a car was turning off Old Scenic when it collided with a truck. Two people in the car were sent to the hospital and another died. The names of those involved have not been released.

 

09:30 Newscast February 27, 2015

Governor Bobby Jindal’s proposed budget for next fiscal year, which is expected to include significant cuts to higher education and health care, will be presented to lawmakers today. La-politics-dot-com publisher Jeremy Alford says once lawmakers have a chance to see the proposed budget and how bad the cuts will be, ideas will start flowing on how to deal with it….

cut 6 (08) “session starts”

Drastic cuts are needed as the state faces a one-point-six billion dollar revenue shortfall.

The Louisiana shot film “Focus”, featuring Will Smith, opens today and it’s just one of many prominent movies to be released this year that were shot in the Bayou State. Chris Stelly, Executive Director of Louisiana Entertainment, thinks this summer is going to be a blockbuster season for films shot in Louisiana…

cut 12 (07) “of films”

“Terminator Genisys” starring Arnold Schwarzenegger and the reboot of the “Fantastic Four” franchise are just a couple of the films scheduled for release this year.

The US Department of Commerce says merchandise exports from Louisiana hit a record $65.1 billion in 2014. That’s a 2.8-percent increase from 2013. The Bayou State’s leading export markets for last year were China, Mexico, and Canada. It’s reported that last year’s gain marked the sixth consecutive year of export growth for Louisiana.

Comedian Bill Cosby is appearing tonight at the Heymann Performing Arts Center in Lafayette and not everyone is laughing. Michelle Southern reports.

cut 3 (32) “reporting”

08:30 Newscast February 27, 2015

The Jindal administration will propose a budget for next fiscal year to lawmakers that’s expected to include significant cuts to higher education and health care. Jeff Palermo has the story…

cut 1 (31) “reporting”

The Jefferson Davis Sheriff’s Office has arrested two men in connection with the homicide of a Lake Arthur man. They say 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 73-year-old Charles Talen, Sr. Talen was found dead in his home Sunday. Authorities say more arrests are expected.

The new movie “Focus”, featuring Will Smith, hits theatres today and it’s just one of several major Louisiana shot movies to be released this year. Chris Stelly, Executive Director of Louisiana Entertainment, says other Louisiana films scheduled to open this year include “Pitch Perfect 2″ in May and “Jurassic World” in June. Stelly says he’s looking forward to seeing “Get Hard” starring Will Farrell and Kevin Hart that will open next month…

cut 11 (11) “see that one”

This summer will also see the release of “Terminator Genisys” starring Arnold Schwarzenegger in July and the reboot of the “Fantastic Four” franchise in August.

CLECO shareholders have approved the sale of the Pineville-based utility company, but the Public Service Commission still has to give its consent. PSC Commissioner Clyde Holloway says he expects a vote before the PSC during the latter part of the third quarter of this year…

cut 9 (07) “their findings are”

A North American investor group led by Macquarie Infrastructure and Real Assets and by British Columbia Investment Corporation is seeking to purchase CLECO.

07:30 Newscast February 27, 2015

Governor Bobby Jindal’s will present a proposed budget for next fiscal year to lawmakers today and significant cuts to higher education and health care are expected. La-politics-dot-com publisher Jeremy Alford says the governor opposes any tax increase to close the deficit, but Jindal is open to changing the rules for refundable tax credits to increase revenue, but the budget ax will likely still fall hard…

cut 5 (08) “budget hole”

He says during today’s joint legislative budget committee there will be discussion on how to mitigate those cuts.

The new movie “Focus”, featuring Will Smith, hits theatres today and it’s just one of many major Louisiana shot movies to be released this year. Chris Stelly, Executive Director of Louisiana Entertainment, says “Focus” could top the box office this weekend…

cut 10 (09) “really well”

Stelly thinks this summer is going to be a blockbuster season for films shot in Louisiana.

Shareholders have approved the sale of the Pineville-based utility company CLECO, but the Public Service Commission still has to give its consent. PSC Commissioner Clyde Holloway says he knows what they have now with CLECO, but they don’t know what they’d be getting with Macquarie Infrastructure and Real Assets — a company outside of the US…

cut 8 (09) “and for the employee”

A North American investor group led by Macquarie and by British Columbia Investment Corporation is seeking to purchase the utility company.

Embattled comedian Bill Cosby, who’s accusing of sexually abusing women, will perform tonight at the Heymann Performing Arts Center in Lafayette. Ebony Turner, Director of the Louisiana Foundation Against Sexual Assault, says it’s their hope that people in the audience tonight realize that famous people also have private lives that are very different from who they portray…

cut 14 (06) “criminal activity”

The performance is set for 8pm.