06:30 Newscast April 28, 2015

The US Supreme court hears arguments today over whether same sex couples have the right to get married. Attorney Kyle Duncan has been hired by the state AG’s office to make Louisiana’s case in the social debate. He says it’s their belief that each state should have the right to determine what is legally defined as marriage. Matthew Patterson with Equality Louisiana says other courts around the nation are not divided on this issue…

cut 4 (10) “in every state”

A ruling is not expected until later this year.

Louisiana’s film tax credits will be discussed by lawmakers today as legislation that would essentially phase out the benefits is set to be taken up in the House Ways and Means Committee. House Bill 276 is by Alexandria Representative Lance Harris who says the movie subsidy has gotten way out of control…

cut 8 (10) “million dollars”

Opponents say if the state’s film tax credit program goes away, then close to 30,000 people would lose their jobs.

After all of the recent bad storms we’ve been dealing with in Louisiana, The American Red Cross wants you to know about a new app which helps you to prepare for severe weather. Spokeswoman Nancy Malone says by taking a few simple steps ahead of time, you can help ensure that you and your family knows what to do when severe weather occurs…

cut 12 (07) “to prepare”

Malone says the free Red Cross Emergency App covers 14 types of disasters including tornado, flood, and severe thunderstorms and also lets you customize more than 35 emergency alerts for yourself and where loved ones live.

AM Newscall, April 28th, 2015

The US Supreme court hears arguments today over whether same sex couples have the right to get married. Michelle Southern reports…:

CUT 1 (30) “reporting”

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A bill that would eventually phase out the state’s film tax credit program will be heard today in the House Ways and Means Committee. Michelle Southern reports…:

Cut 2 (30) “reporting”

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After all of the recent bad storms we’ve been dealing with in Louisiana, The American Red Cross wants you to know about a new app which helps you to prepare for severe weather. Scott Carwile reports…:

Cut 3 (27) “reporting”

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The US Supreme court hears arguments today over whether same sex couples have the right to get married. Attorney Kyle Duncan has been hired by the state AG’s office to make Louisiana’s case in the social debate. He says it’s their belief that each state should have the right to determine what is legally defined as marriage. Matthew Patterson with Equality Louisiana says other courts around the nation are not divided on this issue…:

cut 4  (10) “in every state”

A ruling is not expected until later this year. Patterson says this is not just a mtter of recognition and social standing but it’s a concrete case of people who are not being treated fairly under the law. He says he is ecstatic that this case is finally being heard…:

Cut 5  (11)  “law of the land”

Duncan says states should have authority when it comes to family law including ways to define marriage. He doesn’t think the state’s judiciary should be the ones to decide such a massive issue…:

Cut 6 (09)  “or not”

Duncan says this is a huge political issue that should not be handled in the courts. He says this would be a major change to Louisiana’s family law…:

CUT 7 (09)  “marriage”

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Louisiana’s film tax credits will be talked about by lawmakers today as legislation that would essentially phase out the motion picture benefits is set to be taken up in the House Ways and Means committee. House Bill 276 is by Alexandria Representative Lance Harris. He says the movie subsidy has gotten way out of control…:

Cut 8  (10)  “million dollars” 

Harris says in light of the $1.6 billion dollar budget deficit and the cuts healthcare and higher ed are facing, it’s past time to address the motion picture tax credits. He says this program is costing taxpayers way too much money…:

Cut 9 (09)  “on its own”

Harris’s proposal would put a $50 million dollar cap on the program next fiscal year the completely stop issuing credits in 2019. Celtic Studios Executive Director Patrick Mulhearn says this is not the answer to fixing the 2015-2016 budget…:

Cut 10 (09) “squeezing blood from a turnip”

Mulhearn says they are asking supporters of the film industry in Louisiana to come to the Capitol today wearing red shirts to show their opposition to this legislation. He says they would possibly support bills that would clean up the program, but if it went away then close to 30,000 people would lose their jobs. Mulhearn says Louisianians love having movies filmed here…:

cut 11 (06) “film jobs”

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After all of the recent bad storms we’ve been dealing with in Louisiana, The American Red Cross wants you to know about a new app which helps you to prepare for severe weather. Spokeswoman Nancy Malone says by taking a few simple steps ahead of time, you can help ensure that you and your family knows what to do when severe weather occurs…:

cut 12 (07)   “to prepare”

Malone says the free Red Cross Emergency App provides instant access to weather and emergency alerts, life saving information and also lets you connect with family and friends…:

Cut 13 (08)  “their direction”

Malone says the app covers 14 types of disasters including tornado, flood and severe thunderstorms and also lets you customize more than 35 emergency alerts for yourself and where loved ones live…:

Cut 14 (08) “allows you to do”

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The Baton Rouge Police Department says they still have no suspects in the case of the pregnant woman who was found shot dead in her apartment. Corporal Don Copolla says they believe 29 year old Brittney Mills opened her door to someone she likely knew…:

Cut 15  (06)  “she was shot”

Copolla says Mills, who was about 8 months pregnant, was shot several times and died on the scene. He says they raced the victim to the hospital…:

Cut 16  (06)  “to survive”

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The number one ranked LSU Tigers are back on the baseball diamond tonight to host Alcorn State. The Bayou Bengals have had a lot of success against schools from the SWAC over the years. But Coach Paul Mainieri says LSU needed extra innings to beat Southern earlier this year and had trouble beating Alcorn last year…

Cut 17 (17)  “baseball”

LSU is coming off an emotional series in which they won two of three from second ranked Texas A-and-M. Mainieri says he’s told the team they need to move past those games and focus on the now….

Cut 18 (18) ” Mississippi State’

If LSU is involved in a close game tonight, Mainieri says he won’t have second thoughts about using Jesse Stallings as his closer, even though Stallings has blown three saves in SEC play. The coach says the Colfax native has great stuff, but has trouble locating his fastball at times…

Cut 19 (14)  “year is over “

 

17:30 Legislative Update, April 27th, 2015

The legislative session’s first revenue raising bill passed out of committee Monday. Bogalusa Representative Harold Ritchie’s measure would raise the state’s cigarette tax from 36 cents per pack to 68 cents — matching the rate in Mississippi. Health advocates lined up to speak in favor. Frances Gilcreast, a volunteer for the American Cancer Society, is a former smoker and told the committee about how smoking has impacted her life…:
CUT 13 (09) “lung cancer”
Jack Casanova is a cigarette wholesaler and he says such an increase will have an impact on jobs and bring security concerns…:
CUT 12 (09) “major issue”
The tax proposal passed on a 11-5 vote. It’s expected to generate an estimated 67-million dollars for the state annually, which could be used towards the one-point-six billion dollar shortfall.

The full House approves legislation that puts an end to the practice of the state transferring money from a transportation fund to State Police. Every year between 65 and 70 million dollars goes from the transportation trust fund to State Police. New Iberia Representative Terry Landry is a former superintendent of State Police…:
CUT 30 (09) “years and years”
The measure now heads to the Senate.

Looking ahead to Tuesday, the House Ways and Means committee will be looking at a bill that seeks to get rid of the state’s film tax credit program by 2019. House Bill 276 is by Alexandria Representative Lance Harris. He says the movie subsidy has gotten way out of control…:
CUT 8 (10) “million dollars”
But others say this is no solution to fixing the state’s budget problems.

 

LRN Sportscast 16:45 April 27

The Pelicans season is over after getting swept by Golden State in their first round playoff series. Even though New Orleans didn’t win a game in the postseason, Anthony Davis showed he’s one of the top players in the league. Davis had 36 points and 11 rebounds in the series finale…
cut 20 (17) “next year”
ESPN reports the Pelicans are offering Davis a max deal which would be a five-year, 140-million dollar contract. Head coach Monty Williams is scheduled to meet with the media tomorrow morning.

In college football…Louisiana Tech released its post-spring depth chart and it lists Jeff Driskel or Ryan Higgins as the number one quarterback for the Bulldogs.

A nasty thunderstorm moved through Baton Rouge today, knocking down the left field and right field foul poles. But they will be able to play their regularly scheduled game against Alcorn State tomorrow. LSU is ranked number one in the five polls that were released this morning. It marks the seventh week this season the Tigers are number one in at least one poll.

The Ragin Cajuns are one of the hottest teams in Louisiana. UL Lafayette won its sixth straight yesterday beating UT-Arlington four to one. The Cajuns are now just a half game back of Georgia State for first place in the Sun Belt. U-L-L junior outfielder Kyle Clement has been named a Louisville Slugger Player of the Week. Clement was 10-for-21 at the plate with three home runs and nine RBIs.

And Southeastern Louisiana’s Jacob Seward has been named Southland Hitter of the Week. Seward was 11-for-16 at the plate last week, including a five-for-five performance against Houston Baptist. He has a 22-game hitting streak, which ties a school record.

LRN Newscast 16:30 04-27-15

Very strong storms with high winds and heavy rain pounded South Louisiana, causing widespread damage and power outages affecting thousands. Frank Rivette (REE vet), with the National Weather Service, says those areas are not out of the woods yet…
CUT 6 (11) Q: ‘overnight’
Entergy spokesman Tom Peters says it may be quite a while before everyone gets their power back.

There’s one less name in contention for the Louisiana governor’s race as New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu has officially ruled out a run for the fall election. Today he told reporters during a speech the Baton Rouge Press Club, if he HAD decided to run, he would win. That still leaves Amite Representative John Bel Edwards as the lone democrat in the race. Landrieu has not announced any endorsements as of yet.
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The House Ways and Means Committee approves a bill that increases he state’s cigarette tax from 36-cents to 68-cents per pack, to match the rate in Mississippi. The bill’s author, Bogalusa Representative Harold Ritchie, originally proposed an increase of over one-dollar, but agreed to the lower tax, so the measure would be approved…
cut 10 (06) “….trying to do”
Opposition came from cigarette wholesalers and convenience store owners, saying it will have negative impact on jobs.

Today is the start of Navy Week in Shreveport/Bossier, and with it, comes the opportunity for the ArkLaTex to meet sailors face-to-face and learn about their missions…
cut 16 (07) “as well”
That’s lead Navy week planner Gary Ross, who says events include free concerts, demonstrations, commemorative events, school visits and participation in service projects. More information is online at NavyOutreach-dot-org.

LRN Newscast 15:30 04-27-15

The strong storm activity that swept through southeast Louisiana has resulted in high wind damage and street flooding. Frank Rivette (REE vet), with the National Weather Service, says numerous trees and power lines went down, and thousands were without power…
CUT 5 (10) “squall line moved”
Many of those areas are still expecting more rain before things improve tomorrow.

A Pineville man is dead following a big storm that ripped through Mobile Bay during a regatta competition. The wife of 27 year-old Kris Beall reported his death in a Facebook post Sunday. Coast Guard Petty Officer 2nd Class Seth Johnson says the storm appeared very quickly during the race…
CUT 9 (10) “that took place”
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A bill to raise the state’s cigarette tax to 68-cents a pack gets approval from the House Ways and Means Committee. Jeff Palermo has the story…
CUT 1 (29) “reporting”

Since the privatization of the state’s charity hospital system, lawmakers are getting an earful about financial gaps that need to be filled. Besides the care needs for the poor, the deficit dollars total about $159 million short in Governor Bobby Jindal’s budget for the fiscal year that begins July 1st. LSU Medical Schools in New Orleans and Shreveport are stuck with millions in costs, which officials say they cannot afford.

LRN Newscast 14:30 04-27-15

The strong storm activity that swept through southeast Louisiana earlier today has resulted in wind damage and street flooding in the area. Eric Gill reports…
CUT 2 (30) “reporting”

In Shreveport/Bossier, it’s the start of Navy Week — an opportunity for the ArkLaTex to meet Sailors and learn about their missions. Scheduled events include free concerts, demonstrations, commemorative events, school visits and service projects. The schedule of events can be found at NavyOutreach-dot-org.
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Powerful storms along the Gulf Coast had tragic results in Mobile Bay causing several sailboats to capsize. A Pineville man also died competing in a regatta Saturday afternoon. The family of 27 year-old Kris Beall confirmed that one of the bodies recovered was his. Coast Guard Petty Officer 2nd Class Seth Johnson says the storm caught boaters by surprise…
CUT 8 (10) Q: ‘at the time’

That state bill for a tax increase on cigarettes has cleared the House Ways and Means Committee. That tax would move the tax from 36 cents to 68 cents. The measure passed 11-5, but not without opposition like former state senator Fred Hoyt, who is a convenient store owner…
CUT 11 (09) Q: ‘and food”

LRN PM Newscall April 27

A bill to raise the state’s cigarette tax to 68-cents a pack gets approval from the House Ways and Means Committee. Jeff Palermo has the story…

CUT 1 (29) “reporting”

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The strong storm activity that swept through southeast Louisiana earlier today has resulted in wind damage and street flooding in the area. Eric Gill reports…

CUT 2 (30) “reporting”

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The severe weather that ripped though the state this morning has left thousands of residents without power. Entergy spokesman Tom Peters says, with storm activity like today, there are several factors that can cause power outages….

CUT 3 (10)  “event like this”

He says it could be a while before power is fully restored…

CUT 4 (09)  “straight line winds”

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The strong storm activity that swept through southeast Louisiana earlier today has resulted in wind damage and street flooding in the area. Frank Rivette, with the National Weather Service, says trees and power lines are down throughout the region. He says the damage caused by these storms is fairly widespread…

CUT 5 (10)  “squall line moved”

He says they still have to survey the area to determine if any damage was the result of tornadoes. Rivette says downpours with these storms has caused street flooding in several communities. He says the area may not be out of the woods just yet…

CUT 6 (11)  “severe weather overnight”

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The family of 27-year-old Kris Beall of Pineville, who was competing in a regatta in Mobile Bay when a powerful storm capsized several sailboats, says he is among the dead. Coast Guard Petty Officer 2nd Class Seth Johnson says the incident happened Saturday afternoon…

CUT 7 (12) “Bay off guard”

The family says Beall’s body was one of two recovered, although authorities have yet to release names of the victims. Over 100 sailboats and more than 200 people were participating in the regatta when the storm hit. Johnson says the storm was quite powerful…

CUT 8 (10)  “at the time”

Beall’s wife reported his death in a Facebook post Sunday. Four people remain missing and officials say they are focused on finding them. Johnson says the storm caught boaters by surprise…

CUT 9 (10)  “that took place”

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The House Ways and Means Committee approves a bill that increases he state’s cigarette tax from 36-cents per pack to 68-cents, to match the tax rate in Mississippi. The bill’s author, Bogalusa Representative Harold Ritchie, originally proposed a tax increase of over one-dollar, but agreed to the lower tax, so the measure would be approved…

cut 10 (06) “….trying to do”

The tax proposal passed on a 11-5 vote. It’s expected to generate an estimated 67-million dollars for the state annually, which could be used towards the one-point-six billion dollar shortfall. Opposition came from convenience store owners, like former state senator Fred Hoyt…

cut 11 (09)  “and food”

Ritchie’s bill originally proposed a tax increase from 36-cents per pack to $1.54, which is a national average. Jack Casanova is a cigarette wholesaler and he says such an increase will have an impact on jobs and bring security concerns…

cut 12 (09)  “major issue”

Health advocates lined up to speak in favor of a higher tax on cigarettes.  Frances Gilcreast, a volunteer for the American Cancer Society, is a former smoker and told the committee about how smoking has impacted her file…

cut 13 (09)  “lung cancer”

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Today is the start of Navy Week in Shreveport/Bossier — an opportunity for the community to meet Sailors and learn about their missions. Lead Navy week planner Gary Ross says events include free concerts, demonstrations, commemorative events, school visits and participation in service projects…:

cut 14 (11) “contact”

Ross says this is one of 12 Navy Weeks their Office of Community Outreach is hosting in 2015. He says the US Navy Parachute team, the Leapfrogs, are also in town for the week…:

cut 15 (09) “jump into”

You can get a full list of the Navy Week events online at navy-outreach-dot-org. Ross says Shreveport/Bossier is such an Airforce town that it’s good to bring in the Navy to let everybody know what they are all about:

cut 16 (07) “as well”

13:30 Newscast, April 27th, 2015

Entergy says crews are responding to extensive outages along south Louisiana as a strong line of storms packed strong wind gusts, hail and lightning strikes causing damage to the state’s power grid. There are over 170,000 Entergy customers currently without power and over 100,000 DEMCO residents in the dark. Entergy spokesman Tom Peters says, with storm activity like today, there are several factors that can cause power outages…:
CUT 3 (10) “event like this”
He says they are working to get everybody back up but some customers might remain without power through tomorrow.

A House Panel approves a 68 cent cigarette tax increase. The vote was 11-5 in the House Ways and Means Committee. Opposition came from Jack Casanova, a cigarette wholesaler who says such an increase will have an impact on jobs and bring security concerns…:
CUT 12 (09) “major issue”
Supporter say the money from the tax increase could go to fill the state’s budget deficit.

The family of 27-year-old Kris Beall of Pineville, who was competing in a regatta in Mobile Bay when a powerful storm capsized several sailboats, says he is among the dead. Coast Guard Petty Officer 2nd Class Seth Johnson says the incident happened Saturday afternoon…:
CUT 7 (12) “Bay off guard”
Beall’s wife reported his death in a Facebook post Sunday. Officials say there are still people missing and the search is ongoing.

Cops say two LSU students died after being found at the bottom of a swimming pool in an apartment complex. They believe the two died early in the morning. Police pulled them out of the water and indicate there are no obvious signs of foul play. Apparently the two got inside by climbing around a fence because the pool was closed.

 

12:30 Newscast, April 27th, 2015

Entergy and DEMCO say thousands of customers are without power after a horrible storm blew through south Louisiana this morning. Entergy spokesman Tom Peters says it could be a while before they get everybody back up…:
CUT 4 (09) “straight line winds”
They say power could be out for some areas until tomorrow. Cops are urging folks to stay off the roads if possible.

The House Ways and Means Committee approves a bill that increases the state’s cigarette tax from 36 cents per pack to 68 cents to match the tax rate in Mississippi. The bill’s author, Bogalusa Representative Harold Ritchie, originally proposed a tax increase of over one-dollar, but agreed to lower the tax so the measure would be approved…:
CUT 10 (06) “trying to do”
The bill advanced on an 11-5 vote and it’s expected to generate an estimated 67 million dollars for the state annually, which could be used towards the state’s one-point-six billion dollar shortfall.

Today is the start of of Navy Week in Shreveport Bossier…an opportunity for the community to meet Sailors and learn about their missions. Lead Navy week planner Gary Ross says events include free concerts, demonstrations, commemorative events, school visits and participation in service projects;
CUT 14 (11) “contact”
Ross says this is one of 12 Navy Weeks the their Office of Community Outreach is hosting in 2015.

Gas prices keep going up. The current statewide average for a gallon of regular is $2.30 which is 6 cents up from this time last week according to AAA.