The state department of education announces nearly 23-thousand recent public high school graduates enrolled in college in 2014, which is an all-time high for the state. Eric Gill has more…
cut 1 (30) “…reporting”

Two workers are said to be in fair condition after they suffered burns from a fire that erupted at a chemical plant in Ascension Parish. The incident happened at Renewable Energy group last night, but the fire was contained by 7:30. Officials says the blaze may have started as a result of a broken hydraulic pump.

New Orleans Senator JP Morrell has a package of bills that seek to reform the state’s film tax credit program. Morrell says two of his goals are to lower the fiscal cost to the state and rid the program of the fraudulent behavior that’s been reported on….
cut 11 (12) “…is truthful”
Morrell says the legislation is not designed to chase the movie and TV industry out of Louisiana.

It’s a big weekend for the candy industry. Elmer’s chocolates in Ponchatoula has been making their famous Heavenly Hash bar since the turn of the century and company president Rob Nelson says they’ve had success because the Gulf South loves its easter candy…
cut 9 (08) “…family’s tradition”

The state department of education says nearly 23-thousand recent public high school graduates enrolled in college in 2014, a six-percent increase from the prior year. Education Superintendent John White says the numbers are positive, but not surprising as they’ve raised expectations through more challenging standards…
cut 5 (10) “…for our kids”
He says this year’s gains are fueled by an increase in low-income and minority students attending college.

New Orleans Senator JP Morrell has filed a series of bills that attempts to make the state’s film tax credit program more financially sustainable. His package of bills also attempt to help college grads gain entry into the movie and TV industry…
cut 12 (11) “…native industry”
Morrell’s legislation will be heard in the legislative session that begins April 13th.

The National Weather Service says there’s a slight chance we could severe weather in the Alexandria, Natchez and Monroe areas today. A cold front will push across the state this afternoon and into tonight.

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.

Ponchatoula-based Elmer’s Chocolates are a must-have for many Louisiana Easter Baskets this Sunday. Michelle Southern reports…
cut 2 (27) “…reporting”

Legislation to reform the state’s film tax credit program has been filed for the upcoming session. The program has made Louisiana a major player in the motion picture industry, but the department of economic development says it costs $4.48 for every dollar of state revenue it creates. New Orleans Senator JP Morrell says one of the goals with his legislation is to make the tax credit more predictable…
cut 10 (09) “…unsustainable”
The state senator says he also has three different bills that attempt to control fradulent behavior.

A deputy with the Rapides Parish Sheriff’s office had to use lethal force yesterday. Lt. Tommy Carnline says deputies responded to a disturbance at a home in Pineville, where they encountered a man who was upset and then after an hour he suddenly left the room and came back with a gun pointed at deputies…
cut 14 (07) “…the scene”
The deceased man has not been publicly identified.

The state department of education reports that the number of public school graduates entering college rose six-percent in 2014. Superintendent of Education John White says the results show that Louisiana is taking the right steps forward and that includes the implementation of Common Core….
cut 6 (08) “….political whims”

A must-have for many Louisiana Easter baskets this Sunday is a candy manufactured in Ponchatoula. Elmer’s chocolates have been around over 160 years and President Rob Nelson says the Easter Sunday tradition is highlighted by their top sellers — Heavenly Hash and Gold Brick…
cut 7 (08) “…turn of the century”
The company started in the Big Easy in 1855 as a pastry business but eventually became Elmer Candy Corporation.

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. That’s a six-percent increase from 2013. 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 fueld by an increase in low-income and minority students attending college.

The Rapides Parish Sheriff’s office is investigating a fatal shooting involving one of their deputies. Lt. Tommy Carnline says they responded to reports of a distrubance at a home in Pineville. Carnline says a subject inside did not listen to orders to drop a weapon, which is when he was shot and killed. He says the deputy involved has been placed on administrative leave…
cut 15 (09) “….choice that we’re given”
The deceased man’s name has not been released.

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”

State Police say a fire at a plant in Ascension Parish injured two people. The blaze was extinguised around 8 P-M. Authorities say a broken hydraulic pump seal is the likely cause of the fire.

For the third year in a row, Louisiana has increased the number of tourists and set another record for the industry…
cut 2 (30) “…reporting”

A civil judge in New Orleans has received a confidential mental health report on Saints and Pelicans Owner Tom Benson. Judge Kern Reese has set a hearing for June first to discuss the implications of the report. Spurned heirs to Benson’s estate say Benson is not mentally competent to make important business decisions.

In the state’s governor’s race — US Senator David Vitter has picked up a couple of significant endorsements in Republican Lafayette Congressman Charles Boustany and three-term Lafayette City-Parish President Joey Durrel. UL-Lafayette Political Science Professor Pearson Cross…:
CUT 4 (05) “to beat”
Cross says this is kind of a slap in the face for gubernatorial candidate Public Service Commissioner Scott Angelle as these endorsements come from his home region.

Former four-term governor Edwin Edwards is now a licensed real estate agent. Edwards says he got his broker’s licence last week and he’s excited at the prospect of getting back to work.…:
CUT 9 (09) “obvious reasons”
Edwards says that while he wants to focus on commercial properties, he’s just getting started and all options are open.

US Senator David Vitter has picked up the endorsement of fellow Republican Lafayette Congressman Charles Boustany in this year’s governor’s race. Here’s Eric Gill with more…
CUT 1 (27) “reporting”

State Education Superintendent John White is reporting there’s been about a 6 percent increase in the number of public high school seniors entering college. Based on the numbers released today almost 23,000 public high school graduates enrolled in college last year. According to the Education department, that’s an increase of more than 1,200 students from the previous year.

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For the third year in a row, Louisiana has increased the number of tourists and set another record for the industry. Lt. Governor Jay Dardenne says there were 27.7 million people who visited Louisiana in 2014 which is a 5 percent increase over the year before…:
cut 12 (09) “who don’t live here”
And he says marketing had over a 38 to one return on investment.

He lost his bid for Louisiana’s 6th District Congressional Seat in a run-off, so now former Governor Edwin Edwards has become a licensed real estate agent, forming a team with his wife Trina, who is also a licensed agent. Edwards says he’s ready to go to work…
CUT 11 (10) Q; ‘to list it”
Edwards says his focus will be on commercial real estate.

US Senator David Vitter has picked up the endorsement of fellow Republican Lafayette Congressman Charles Boustany in this year’s governor’s race. Vitter is one of three Republicans eyeing the job. UL-Lafayette Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says being endorsed by a sitting congressman is a good thing…
CUT 3 (05) “means something”
Vitter has also picked up the endorsment of Lafayette City-Parish President Joey Durel.

A guard at a mental facility in East Feliciana Parish has been arrested in connection with the escape of a man charged with murder. State Trooper Melissa Matey says this arrest came after some fact-finding from other employees at the Eastern Louisiana Mental Health Hospital housing prisoner Lorenza Connor…
CUT 8 (12) Q: ‘to his escape’
Webb has been charged with Malfeasance in Office.
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It’s another record year for the Louisiana tourism industry, as the visitor numbers went over 27 million in 2014, which was a five percent increase over the previous year. Lt. Governor Jay Dardenne says, it’s fairly obvious the reasons why…
cut 14 (10) “major conventions”
There was $11.2 billion dollars in total visitor spending in 2014, and Dardenne says they had more than a 38 to one return on investment for state funding in marketing.

A Pineville man is dead following an incident with Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Deputies inside a residence this morning. Reports say the man threatened another person inside with a gun, then threatened to do harm to himself. After talking withe deputies for almost an hour, the subject returned with a firearm; pointing it at the officers. When he refused to lower the weapon, he was shot in the chest, and pronounced dead at the scene. the investigation continues.