A senate committee approves legislation that would give domestic abuse victims the ability to break a lease or get their abuser out of a home without penalty from their landlord. Scott Carwile has the story….

cut 3 (31) “reporting”

The National Weather Service has confirmed that five tornadoes touched down in south Louisiana during Monday’s storms. They have determined that tornadoes hit Kenner, Pierre Part, Napoleonville, Chackbay, and Bayou Gauche in St. Charles Parish. At the peak of the storms, Entergy reported approximately 176,000 customers were without power. As of this morning, less than 30,000 customers remain without service.

A case challenging the constitutionality of the use of midazolam in Oklahoma’s lethal injection protocol will be heard in the US Supreme Court today. There are questions about midazolam, which is also part of Louisiana’s lethal injection protocol, and its effectiveness as a sedative. Loyola Law Professor Dane Ciolino says it will be interesting to see what the Supreme Court will do…

cut 6 (09) “from this case”

This lawsuit was filed after four apparently botched executions that made national headlines last year.

The Caddo Parish Sheriff’s office says one is under arrest and they are looking for 10 others as part of a million dollar theft scam involving Comcast Cable customers. Spokeswoman Cindy Chadwick says the victims in this case have seen their credit reports ruined by this scam because their social security numbers were tied to fake accounts that weren’t being paid…

cut 12 (09) “investigation”

She says the now former Comcast employee under arrest is charged with 107 counts of identity theft.

The granddaughter of Saints owner Tom Benson made an appearance at the state capitol Tuesday in support of the state’s film tax program. Rita Benson Leblanc says it’s paramount Louisiana differentiate itself when attracting major events. She says the state’s film tax program helps major events like the Super Bowl with their visual and media elements…

cut 8 (09) “networks themselves”

The bill was amended to put a $200 million dollar cap on the program and other cap bills were also approved in committee.

Legislation that would allow a domestic abuse victim to immediately move out an apartment or rented home without facing a penalty for violating the lease was approved by a senate committee. Cashuana Hill, executive director of the Greater New Orleans Fair Housing Center, says this legislation is needed, because there are numerous cases where a domestic abuse victim is evicted from their home, because the apartment complex has a policy against domestic violence…

cut 14 (05) “for that abuse”

The bill will now be heard on the Senate floor.
The Caddo Parish Sheriff’s office says one person is under arrest and they are looking for 10 others as part of a million dollar theft scam involving Comcast Cable customers. Spokeswoman Cindy Chadwick says the scheme involved out of state cable contractors who would use real Comcast customers information to open up fake accounts in order to get commission…

cut 10 (09) “they would make a commission”

Chadwick says the now former Comcast employee involved in this scheme is in jail and booked with 107 counts of identity theft and one count of criminal conspiracy.

The US Supreme Court begins hearing a case today challenging the constitutionality of Oklahoma’s lethal injection procedure. The case wants to end the use of midazolam as a sedative in Oklahoma’s lethal injection protocol. Loyola Law Professor Dane Ciolino says protocols changed when the makers of sodium thiopental and pentobarbital refused to sell to states that use it for corporal punishment…

cut 4 (08) “in the alternative”

There are questions in midazolam’s effectiveness as a sedative.

A senate committee approves legislation that would allow a domestic abuse victim to immediately move out an apartment or rented home without facing a penalty for violating the lease. Baton Rouge Senator Sharon Weston Broome says her legislation also has a provision in cases where the victim doesn’t want to leave the home…

cut 13 (10)  “is evicted”

The measure now heads to the Senate floor.

Rita Benson Leblanc made an appearance at the state capitol Tuesday in support of the state’s film tax program. During testimony, LeBlanc identified herself as a former sports executive who said the film tax credit program helped New Orleans get the Super Bowl in 2013…

cut 7 (11)  “in that”

The bill was amended to put a $200 million dollar cap on the program and it now heads to the House floor.

The US Supreme Court begins hearing a case today challenging the constitutionality of Oklahoma’s lethal injection procedure. The case argues to end the use of midazolam as a sedative in Oklahoma’s lethal injection protocol. Midazolam, which is also part of Louisiana’s protocol, is an anti-anxiety drug that has no pain relieving properties and there are questions in its effectiveness as a sedative. Loyola Law Professor Dane Ciolino says this case raises the issue of whether midazolam does what states claim that it does…

cut 5  (11)  “of serious pain”

This lawsuit was filed after four apparently botched executions that made national headlines last year.

The House Ways and Means Committee approves three different bills that would cap the state’s film tax credit program anywhere from 150 to 223 million dollars a year. Alexandria Representative Lance Harris says the state faces big cuts to higher ed and health care, it’s time to put restraints on a program that costs the state 256-million dollars this year…
cut 6 (06) “…do it now”
Harris’ original proposal would have phased out Louisiana’s film tax incentive program. But Will French, president of the Louisiana Film and Entertainment Association, says Harris’ bill will put thousands of people out of work and not help the budget…
cut 8 (11) “…2016″
Harris bill was turned into a 200-million dollar cap that will be debated more by the full house.

A senate committee approves legislation that would give domestic abuse victims the ability to break a lease or get their abuser out of a home without penalty from their landlord. Scott Carwile has the story….
voicer 3 (31) “…reporting”

In other legislative news….the House Commerce Committee pulled the plug on a bill that would have given the Public Service Commission the authority to regular cable and video service providers. Supporters say it could lead to better customer service, but members on the panel say cable and video services are already regulated.

During the intense south Louisiana storms yesterday, there were reports of tornadoes in the Kenner, Belle Chasse and Labadieville areas, with wind gusts in excess of 100 mph. Thousands were left without power, but Entergy Spokesman Will Johnson says – with the better weather conditions-crews are making progress…
CUT 4 (08) “as we can” (2X)
He says about 90 percent of customers should have the lights on by tonight.

Not everyone is happy about the three bills to cap the tax credits for the Louisiana film industry that was approved by House Ways and Means Committee. Supporters of the tax credit, like Will French with the Louisiana Film and Entertainment Association, say they won’t take the cap lying down…
CUT 9 (10) Q: ‘not productive’
——————————-
The Springfield Police Chief accused of conspiring to to hide a woman’s DWI citation has agreed to a plea of guilty today to a single count of criminal mischief. Attorney General Buddy Caldwell says Chief James Jones is required to resign immediately, and receive a six-month suspended sentence with one year of probation.

In the latest campaign finance numbers for Louisiana’s governor’s race, US Senator David Vitter has $4.2 million cash on hand, more than the other three candidates combined.
CUT 2 (28) “reporting”

Entergy is reporting about 90% of customers should have power restored by tonight, following the strong storms that blasted South Louisiana Monday and damaged the power grid. Entergy spokesman Will Johnson says they have made progress since the storm…:
CUT 3 (09) “yesterday’s storm”
He adds nearly all customers should have electricity restored by Wednesday.

The woman allegedly shot in the head by her ex-boyfriend in St. Tammany Parish is going to survive. She was able to driver herself to the hospital after being shot, and Sheriff Jack Strain says-after reports of the man’s truck being seen in the area, officers were able to find and arrest 56 year-old Ronald Brown of Pearl River…
CUT 14 (09) Q: ‘armed suspect’
————————————-
Three bills to place a cap on the Louisiana film industry, has passed through the House Ways and Means Committee. Many lawmakers have expressed-with big cuts facing education and health care-it was time for the cap, which could run anywhere from 150 to 223 million dollars a year. But, Will French, president of the Louisiana Film and Entertainment Association, says the cap is not the answer.
CUT 8 (11) “2016″
He says the Louisiana film industry employs thousands.

A Prairieville man remains missing following the sinking of a 12 foot flat-bottomed boat in Bayou Manchac about 3 miles upstream from the Amite River. LDWF enforcement and Ascension Parish Deputies searched overnight, and continue the search for 24 year-old Allen Fitzgerald of Prairieville.

About 2,000 workers have been assembled by Entergy to help restore power as quickly as possible, following the severe storms across South Louisiana yesterday. Enteregy Spokesman Will Johnson says it could take a little longer for customers where damage is more severe…
CUT 5 (08) “those numbers down”
Johnson adds most Louisiana customers should have power back by Tuesday night.

The House Ways and Means Committee approves three different bills that would cap the state’s film tax credit program. Alexandria Representative Lance Harris, says when the credits began in 2002, it was based on the understanding that the industry would be self-sufficient…
CUT 7 (10) Q; ‘and parties’
Some supporters of the credit say that a cap on the program will chase away future TV and film production.
———————————-
According to the latest campaign finance numbers, gubenatorial candidate Republican Senator David Vitter has $4.2 million cash on hand, and that’s more than the other three candidates combined. UL-Lafayette Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says money talks in political races…
CUT 11 (10) Q: “almost always wins”

In St. Tammany Parish, authorities say the woman who was shot in the head allegedly by her ex-boyfriend–then drove herself to the hospital–is going to survive. Sheriff Jack Strain says she’s in the lucky-to-be-alive department…
CUT 15 (08) Q: ‘in my book’
56-year-old Ronald Brown of Pearl River is being held without bond in the St. Tammany Parish Jail.