The religious freedom debate which made national headlines in Indiana and Arkansas is coming to Louisiana. Bossier City Representative Mike Johnson has filed a bill that would prevent state government from penalizing a business or person for decisions made based on their religious views about marriage. Jeremy Alford of la-politics-dot-com, says with the state facing a huge budge deficit, some legislators might not be willing to debate this issue.
CUT 13 (09) “hallways”
Gays rights organization, Equality Louisiana, has already come out in opposition to Johnson’s measure.

The Slidell Police Department is investigating a Friday night shooting that left an officer and suspect injured. Cops say they responded to a call reporting a disturbance and when officers approached a suspect he opened fire and police returned shots. The officer’s injuries are said to be non-life threatening..the suspect was injured by a K-9 unit.

Louisiana State Police are investigating a crash in Iberia Parish which claimed the life of the Mayor of Loreauville. They say last night a Dodge Ram crossed the centerline in a curve and struck a 2013 Ford Mustang head on. Loreauville Mayor Albert Broussard was a passenger in the Mustang and was pronounced dead on the scene. Investigators believe a juvenile in the Dodge grabbed the steering wheel which is why the vehicle entered the opposite lane of travel.

Data from the federal Bureau of Economic Analysis, shows Louisiana’s personal income for the fourth quarter in 2014 grew by just 0.6 percent, which is last in the country. But LSU economist Loren Scott says a reason for the low growth is because Louisiana did not accept federal dollars to expand its Medicaid program…:
CUT 12 (08) “bad thing”
The fourth quarter of 2014 coincides with a drop in oil prices and layoffs in the oil and gas industry.

The author of a bill to require a designated driver before drinks can be served at a bar or restaurant, now plans on not seeking approval of his legislation…
CUT 1 (26) “reporting”

A plea bargain has agreed upon by a former Donaldsonville High School strength coach, who is accused of providing anabolic steroids to an unaware student athlete. Fifty-seven year-old Curtis Tsuruda (sah-ROO-dah) will not have prison time; instead he receives a 5 year suspended sentence, 5 years probation and a 25 hundred dollar fine.
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This Easter weekend in Louisiana is the biggest weekend of the seafood year, where crawfish are in good supply, and reportedly having excellent quality. But even if you’re not a crawish person, Gulf Seafood Institute Chairman Harlon Pearce says there’s plenty of plump shrimp and fresh oysters to go around…:
CUT 8 (06) “fairly tight”
He says it’s been years since he’s seen crawfish this beautiful as this year.

The latest numbers from the federal Bureau of Economic Analysis, shows Louisiana’s personal income growth for the fourth quarter in 2014 grew by just zero-point-6 percent, and that’s the lowest in the nation. LSU economist Dr. Loren Scott says fewer dollars from the feds to help low-income or unemployed workers is what led to the slow growth…
CUT 14 (10) Q: ‘in the country”

The author of the bill requiring bar and restaurant patrons to have a designated driver, is now saying he will not try to seek approval of his measure in this session. Haughton Representative Henry Burns says the stumbling block was the question about enforcement…
CUT 5 (09) “goes from here”
He says filed the legislation after hearing from families who have lost loved ones as a result of drunk drivers.

The numbers from the Federal Bureau of Economic Analysis shows Louisiana’s personal income from the fourth quarter of 2014 shows a growth of just zero-point six percent, which is the lowest in the nation. LSU Economist Loren Scott says even though the fourth quarter coincides with a drop in oil prices, the impact has not been as bad as some other states…
CUT 13 (07) Q: ‘hurt some.”
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Not only is this Easter weekend in the Bayou State, but it is also the biggest weekend of the seafood year. Gulf Seafood Institute Chairman Harlon Pierce says this weekend is the peak of the season and prices tend to drop from here. As far as mudbugs, he says it’s been years since he’s seen crawfish as beautiful as they are this season…:
CUT 7 (08) “really great season”

It’s Spring Festival time in Louisiana, and the calendar is full of events. Jacques Berry with the Lt. Governor’s Office says the greatest thing about these Louisiana gatherings is that they celebrate local communities and Louisiana’s many passions…:
CUT 11 (08) Q: ‘gumbo pot’
Berry says you can log on to LouisianaTravel.com to see a full calendar of events around the state.

This is the biggest weekend of the seafood year and a distributor says the crawfish are in good supply, but the sooner you get your orders in the better. Jeff Palermo reports…:
CUT 2 (26) “reporting”

A Baton Rouge man is under arrest for child abuse charges, after he allegedly breaking the leg of his 7 month old baby was found to have a broken leg, along with reportedly causing other bodily injuries, that hospital officials said were consistant with child abuse. It was also on the same day when the baby was left with 22 year-old Henry Leboeuf, as the child mother’s was at work. Leboeuf was booked into the EBR present.
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The author of the bill that would require bar and restaurant patrons to have a designated driver now says he will not seek approval, because of enforcement problems. Haughton Representative Henry Burns says he still would like to have a committee hearing on his bill, to raise awareness about the dangers of drinking and driving….
CUT 4 (06) “do some good”

The April Festivals are here in the state, and there is no shortage of events for Louisianians. Most everyone knows about the huge Jazz Fest in New Orleans on the last weekend of the month, but Jacques Berry with the Lt. Governor’s Office says, there’s a lot more…
CUT 10 (15) Q: “last weekend in April”

Data from the federal Bureau of Economic Analysis, shows Louisiana’s personal income for the fourth quarter in 2014 grew by just 0.6 percent, which is last in the country. But LSU economist Loren Scott says a reason for the low growth is because Louisiana did not accept federal dollars to expand its Medicaid program…:
CUT 12 (07) “bad thing”
The fourth quarter of 2014 coincides with a drop in oil prices and layoffs in the oil and gas industry.

Spring festival season is officially underway and there is no shortage of fun filled events happening in Sportsmans Paradise. There is essentially a fair or festival on the calendar every weekend from now until the end of June. Jacques Berry with the Lt. Governor’s Office says Louisiana festivals are loved by locals and tourists…:
CUT 9 (09) “promote the state”

The Louisiana Department of Education announces that 22,972 recent public high school graduates enrolled in college in 2014, an all-time high for the state. Eric Gill reports…:
CUT 4 (30) “reporting”

In his first public comments in quite awhile, Saints Quarterback Drew Brees said that the Jimmy Graham trade shocked all of us. Brees also said he never paid attention to the trade rumors involving him and he hopes to retire as a Saint.

This is the biggest weekend of the seafood year and a distributor says the crawfish are in good supply, but the sooner you get your orders in the better. Gulf Seafood Institute Chairman Harlon Pearce says the product and prices are so good right now, mudbug lovers can’t get enough…:
CUT 6 (07) “get em and enjoy em”
Pearce says the Easter weekend is the peak of the season and prices tend to drop from here.

Haughton Representative Henry Burns, who has filed a bill that would require bar and restaurant patrons to have a designated driver, is now saying he will not try to seek approval of his measure in this session. Burns says his legislation would be difficult to enforce…:
CUT 3 (08) “smooth transition”
Burns says it would make more sense for officials at the local level to come up with some sort of measure that would deter folks from drunk driving.

New Orleans Senator JP Morrell files a package of bills that seeks to reform the state’s film tax credit program. Scott Carwile has the story…:
CUT 3 (31) “reporting”

LSU is now soliciting applications for those interested in becoming the new voice of the Tigers. Play-by-play man Jim Hawthorne retires in about a year and minimum qualifications for his replacement include a history of professional sports broadcasting and at least three years of experience at either the NCAA Division I or professional level. The deadline to submit an application is April 24th.

The Louisiana Department of Education announces that nearly 23,000 recent public high school graduates enrolled in college in 2014, a 6 percent increase from 2013 and an all-time high for the state. Education Superintendent John White says the numbers in this report are very exciting…:
CUT 4 (08) “several years”
He says this year’s gains are fueled by an increase in low-income and minority students attending college.

The Easter bunny will be delivery lots of Elmer’s chocolate this Sunday as the Ponchatoula based company product has become one of the Holiday’s longest running traditions in Louisiana. President Rob Nelson says even though Easter is falling a little early this year, sales have been great.
CUT 8 (10) “this weekend”

The Rapides Parish Sheriff’s office is investigating an officer involved shooting which left one man dead in Pineville. Lt. Tommy Carnline says deputies responded to reports of a disturbance in which someone was threatening another person in the residence and also threatening to do harm to himself…:
CUT 13 (11) “deputies”
Carnline says the subject did not listen to orders to drop the weapon which is when he was shot and killed by cops. The case remains under investigation.

The Ascension Parish Sheriff’s office says at least two people were hurt in a plant fire at the Renewable Energy Group facility in Geismar. They say one of the people injured has moderate injuries and the other minor injuries. Louisiana State Police has taken over the investigation into the cause of the blaze.