Republican State Treasurer John Kennedy is the favorite in the race for the Senate seat that will be vacated by David Vitter, according to a new poll by Southern Media and Opinion Research. Halen Doughty reports…:
CUT 1 (31) “I’m Halen Doughty”

Louisiana Tech University announces plans to demolish Wyly Tower and Prescott Memorial Library due to infrastructure issues. But LA Tech spokesperson Dave Guerin says this demolition will not happen any time soon:
CUT 6 (08) “24 months”
He says the tower has a host of issues with elevators, stairwells, fire alarms, windows, and mechanical control systems.

Metairie Senator Conrad Appel has written a letter to Higher Education Commissioner Joseph Rallo calling on the Board of Regents to construct a plan for organization reform. Appel says it’s clear we have grossly underfunded higher education but there is no prospect of that changing in years to come. He says additional money isn’t going to fall from the sky..:
CUT 9 (09) “the future”
He says this doesn’t mean closing campuses but all options are on the table.

The state Senate is kind-of hanging out right now as tax measures get discussed in the lower chamber where they must originate. Louisiana’s Senators did vote to tap $128 from the state rainy day fund and redirect $200 million dollars in Gulf Oil spill money to the operating budget.

The first independent poll on the 2016 US Senate race shows Republican State Treasurer John Kennedy is the favorite. In the Southern Media and Opinion Research Survey of 500 likely Louisiana voters, Kennedy received 22% of the vote which is 12% more than Republican Congressman Charles Boustany and GOP PSC member Scott Angelle. Pollster Bernie Pinsonat says Kennedy’s reputation across the state is boosting his campaign….:
CUT 3 (05) “so well”
Republicans John Young, Rob Maness, and John Fleming each have less than 8% of voters’ support. Democrats Foster Campbell and Caroline Fayard have support from 7% and 4% of voters respectively.

The same poll found 72% of people said “no” to raising taxes and fees. Pinsonat says that’s because state government has lost credibility with the people of Louisiana….:
CUT 7 (04) “properly”

A Lake Charles man has developed a new way of keeping athletes hydrated during a game. Joseph Tucker created the Hydra-Guard, which is the first re-hydrating mouth guard in the world. Tucker says the mouth guard will be released online February 25th and you can fill up the hands free system with water or your favorite sports drink…:

cut 4 (10) “the court”
The mouth guard will retail for $34.99.

The Mercedes-Benz Superdome has been added to the National Register of Historic Places, despite objections from the state. Owners felt the designation, though prestigious, could delay maintenance and improvements. A student from Tulane nominated the Superdome in December, and the National Parks Service announced the structure was listed earlier this month.

The House Ways and Means Committee is hearing bills today that would raise taxes on tobacco, alcohol, Internet sales and car rentals. Jeremy Alford, publisher of la-politics.com, says the public is typically more receptive to raising these so-called “sin taxes” and even Republicans are starting warm to the idea that revenue has to be raised. He says passing any of the proposed bills will take compromise from both sides…:
CUT 15 (05) “to move”
The committee will reportedly not hear corporate and personal income tax bills until next week.

Shreveport Representative Barbara North is proposing a bill for the regular session that would require metal detectors in movie theaters…:
CUT 11 (05) “are safe”
She says the measure comes as a response to the deadly shootings that occur at movie theaters around the country, including one in Lafayette last year. The regular session convenes March 14th.

A new poll shows of 500 likely voters shows 72% of people are saying “no” to raising taxes and fees as a way to help state government solve its huge budget deficit this fiscal year. But Southern Media and Opinion Research pollster Bernie Pinsonat says over 60% are in favor of increasing taxes on cigarettes and alcohol…:
Cut 9 (04) “sin tax”
He says the public is wary of raising taxes on businesses because of concern about the economy.

Parents of athletes will appreciate a new mouth-guard created in Lake Charles that’s designed to keep players hydrated. Joseph Tucker invented the Hydra-Guard. He says it’s pressurized so the athlete can just push their tongue against the roof of their mouth to release a liquid — and it can be refilled quickly. He predicts this will be a big hit during games and practices in Louisiana’s sweltering heat:
CUT 6 (09) “healthy”
The mouth guard will retail for $34.99 and be available online starting February 25th.

Citizens in Louisiana don’t want to see their taxes raised, according to a recent poll on the current budget deficit. Southern Media and Opinion research pollster Bernie Pinsonat found 72% of voters said “no” to raising taxes and fees, and 61% said the state government is spending too much money. He says the results from survey show lawmakers could have a tough time balancing the budget and keeping folks happy…:
Cut 8 (06) “revenue problem”
He says 54% of people say the state budget can be balanced without raising taxes. But 60% said they are fine with boosting taxes on cigarettes.

Vice President Joe Biden is in New Orleans today meeting with leaders including Governor John Bel Edwards and Mayor Mitch Landrieu. Biden is slated to tour the Port of New Orleans and give a speech before noon to commemorate the 7th anniversary of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

Legislators have started proposing bills for the regular legislative session, one of which aims to keep citizens safe at movie theaters. Jeff Palermo has the story…:
Cut 3 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

A Lake Charles man has developed a new way of keeping athletes hydrated during a game. Joseph Tucker created the Hydra-Guard which has a pouch holding liquid to a mouth guard sealed so it doesn’t get in the way:
CUT 5 (08) “breathability”
Tucker says the mouth guard will be released online February 25th.

A new poll from Southern Media and Opinion Research shows a majority of Louisiana residents are not in favor of raising taxes to solve the state’s budget deficit. Halen Doughty has the story…:
Cut 2 (30) “I’m Halen Doughty”

A bill that would require metal detectors to be installed at movie theaters will be up for debate in the regular session. Shreveport Representative Barbara Norton says despite the cost, added safety measures at the movies are well worth the price of protecting a person’s life…:
CUT 12 (07) “or safer”

The Mercedes-Benz Superdome has been added to the National Register of Historic Places, despite objections from the state. Owners felt the designation, though prestigious, could delay maintenance and improvements. A student from Tulane nominated the Superdome in December, and the National Parks Service announced the structure was listed earlier this month.

Lawmakers will hear bills discussing the raising of so called “sin taxes” today in the House Ways and Means Committee. Lapolitics.com publisher Jeremy Alford says Republicans have been hesitant about raising taxes, but they may consider it on alcohol, tobacco, Internet sales and car rentals…:
CUT 14 (05) “be created”
The tax writing committee has 22 bills on today’s agenda.

The Mystic Krewe of Apollo in Lafayette says their member who fell from the top of a Mardi Gras float during their February 5th parade, has died. They say Quinn Dejean passed away Tuesday afternoon.

The House Ways and Means Committee will hear testimony today for tax increases on tobacco, alcohol, Internet sales and car rentals. Jeremy Alford, publisher of la-politics.com, says that legislators will not be voting on these proposed taxes yet…:
Cut 13 (04) “eventually vote”
The committee will reportedly not hear corporate and personal income tax bills until next week. A recent poll conducted by Southern Media and Opinion research found the majority of people are opposed to raising income and state sales taxes, but over 60% are in favor of increasing so called “sin taxes.”

Shreveport Representative Barbara Norton proposes a bill for the regular session, which convenes March 14th, that would require metal detectors to be installed at movie theaters…:
Cut 10 (07) “a weapon”

A Natchitoches man has set up a GoFundMe page to raise money for the state’s nearly $1 billion budget deficit. Eric Boleyn’s online donation page reads “Help Louisiana, Need $900 million.” The description explains that any donations will be put towards the crippling budget deficit the state is facing. The page has been shared by thousands of people and has brought in a total of $40 in the past four days.

A Lake Charles man has developed a new way of keeping athletes hydrated during a game. Joseph Tucker created the Hydra-Guard, which is the first re-hydrating mouth guard in the world. Tucker says the mouth guard will be released online February 25th and you can fill up the hands free system with water or your favorite sports drink…:
cut 4 (10) “the court”
The mouth guard will retail for $34.99.

A new poll shows that a vast majority of Louisiana residents do not support increasing taxes to help state government solve its huge budget deficit this fiscal year. Southern Media and Opinion Research surveyed 500 likely voters and 72% of them said “no” to raising taxes and fees. Pollster Bernie Pinsonat says that’s because state government has lost credibility with the people of Louisiana….:
CUT 7 (04) “properly”
Today at the Capitol, measures proposed by the governor’s office to raise taxes on things like tobacco, alcohol, Internet sales and car rentals will get their first hearing.

Governor John Bel Edwards will meet with Vice President Joe Biden today at the Port of New Orleans. The Vice President is on a three state tour and this morning’s discussion with Edwards will include transportation and development projects and the accomplishments of the Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery Grant program in the region.

A Lake Charles native has invented the first re-hydrating mouth guard. Emelie Gunn has more on the hands free system…:
CUT 1 (31) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

The LSU men’s basketball team faces one of the hottest teams in the Southeastern Conference tonight as the Tigers host Alabama. Tip-off is at 8pm.