11:30 Newscast, February 29th, 2016

Thankfully there haven’t been many flu cases reported in Louisiana so far this season, but we’re not out of the woods just yet according to doctors. With the State Office of Public Health, Dr. Frank Welch says this year the flu shot is a very good match to the virus strain, which means it’s more effective. But he says a flu strain that created a lot of problems a few years ago, is back..:
CUT 4 (11) “its ugly head”
Welch says most insurance covers flu shots and people without insurance should call a public health unit.

A man suspected in a double murder and arson fire in St. Martinville was apprehended after a high speed chase in West Feliciana Parish, according to the state fire marshal’s office. They say 31-year-old Dereke Siner allegedly killed an elderly woman and her daughter before setting their house on fire. His charges include two counts of first degree murder, one count of aggravated arson.

The proposed penny increase to the state’s four-cent sales tax easily clears a Senate committee heads to the Senate floor. Jeff Palermo has the story…:
Cut 3 (28) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

A new museum commemorating Louisiana soldiers for the 25th anniversary of Desert Storm opens today at the Jackson Barracks in New Orleans. Louisiana National Guard Historian Rhett Breerwood says honors at the exhibit include the 159th MASH Unit which played a significant role during the conflict:
Cut 1 (06) “medical unit”
He says 16 Louisiana Army National Guard units were mobilized in Desert Storm.

 

10:30 Newscast Feb 29

The state House convenes this afternoon and one of the bills they are expected to take up is a measure that would raise the state’s tax on alcohol for the first time since 1948. The bill’s author, Natchitoches Representative Kenny Cox, says some legislators might be okay with increasing the alcohol tax because it hasn’t been raised since the 40s…
cut 9 (11) “….like this”
The full House is also anticipated to take up a bill to increase the cigarette tax by 22-cents.

The flu bug has been very quiet this year, but that may change soon. Influenza expert, Doctor Frank Welch, with the state office of public health, says the number of flu cases are starting to rise across the country…
cut 3 (05) “….we’re next”
Welch says it’s still not too late to get that flu shot.

State Senators are hearing about the potential impacts if they approve a House bill that cuts an additional 106-million dollars from this fiscal year’s budget. Superintendent of Education John White says they would close early childhood programs, send voucher students back to public schools and wipe out standardized testing. That led to this question by Senator Wesley Bishop…
cut 6 (08) “…yes sir”
Department of Health and Hospitals Secretary Rebekah Gee says they would have to lay-off restaurant inspectors, which would lead to more cases of foodborne illnesses.

A new water testing laboratory opens in Shreveport today. State department of health and hospitals spokesperson Bob Johannessen says this will help them cut down on shipping costs and improve the time it takes to test samples taken from water samples in north Louisiana…
cut 12 (09) “…as possible”
Johannessen says this new lab is expected to save the state 50-thousand dollars a year.

09:30 Newscast, February 29th, 2016

The House is expected to take up a bill today that would raise the alcohol tax for the first time since 1948. The author of the measure, Natchitoches Representative Kenny Cox, says every dollar we can raise is important and this tax would generate 27 million dollars a year…:
CUT 7 (08) “a shot”
The full house is also anticipated to take up a bill to increase the cigarette tax by 22 cents.

The one cent sales tax increase cleared a Senate committee and now heads to the full Senate with a new sunset time of five years instead of 18 months. Governor John Bel Edwards urged the senate to raise the sunset, because it wouldn’t address the state’s budget needs. Revenue Secretary Kimberly Robinson spoke for the governor…:
Cut 15 (08) “revenue source”
The extra penny on the state sales tax would go into effect on April 1st and raise 210-million dollars.

The Louisiana National Guard at Jackson Barracks in New Orleans opens their Boots in the Sand Desert Storm exhibit today. Emelie Gunn has more…:
CUT 1 (30) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

A new water testing system opens today in Shreveport which state officials say will let the Department of Health and Hospitals take and treat water samples in north Louisiana instead of driving them down to Baton Rouge. DHH spokesperson Bob Johnannessen says the cost savings will be significant…:
cut 11 (07) “a year”
He says this will be especially helpful when communities are under a boil water advisory.

 

08:30 Newscast, February 29th, 2016

The proposed penny increase to the state’s four-cent sales tax easily clears a Senate committee heads to the Senate floor. The panel extended the sunset time on the additional penny from 18 months to 5 years. New Orleans Senator JP Morrell says they need this additional revenue in place long enough so they can perform long-term budget reform…:
Cut 14 (08) “do it”
Morrell says the governor has always said the clean penny is a bridge to restructuring our tax system and getting to a more stable revenue source.

Today the Louisiana National Guard at Jackson Barracks in New Orleans opens a Desert Storm exhibit to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the conflict. Louisiana National Guard Historian Rhett Breerwood says many enemy weapons captured by Guardsman will be on display…:
Cut 6 (08) “as well”
He says honored at the exhibit will be the 16 guard unites that were mobilized in Desert Storm.

The state Department of Health and Hospitals will open a water testing lab in Shreveport, which will help speed up the testing process from samples taken in north Louisiana. Jeff Palermo has more on the story…:
Cut 2 (31) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

A man who led police on a high speed chase which ended in West Feliciana Parish Saturday admits that he killed two women in St. Martinville, then sent their home on fire. The State Fire Marshal’s Office says 31-year-old Dereke Siner knew the victims, 68 year old Adeline Etienne and 30-year-old Jamie James. Siner is charged with two counts of first degree murder, one count of aggravated arson and one count of obstruction of justice in St. Martinville.

 

07:30 Newscast, February 29th, 2016

With the clock ticking on the special session, a state Senate worked over the weekend to push to the floor a one cent sales tax to go towards filling the $940 million dollar mid year budget deficit. The panel changed the sunset date of the additional penny from 18-months to five years. New Orleans Senator JP Morrell says an 18-month sunset won’t help their current budget problems, because it couldn’t be used for ongoing expenses like higher education…:
Cut 13 (08) “revenues”
The full House is set to take up so called sin tax measures today. Natchitoches Representative Kenny Cox, says increases on cigarettes and alcohol would stave off cuts to higher ed…:
CUT 8 (07) “that much”
The proposed increase on the cigarette tax is 22 cents. The alcohol tax hasn’t been raised since 1948.

The Louisiana National Guard at Jackson Barracks in New Orleans opens a Desert Storm exhibit today to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the conflict. Louisiana National Guard Historian Rhett Breerwood says 16 of the guard’s units were mobilized and nine were sent to the war zone. He says the Boots in the Sand exhibit honors multiple units, one being the 527th Engineer Battalion out of Bossier City…:
cut 4 (10) “afterwards”
Breerwood says as visitors tour the exhibit, they can expect to see original equipment, uniforms and pictures taken by soldiers overseas from 1990 to 1991.

Ahead of Super Tuesday primaries, GOP presidential candidates are using the endorsement of former KKK leader and Louisiana gubernatorial candidate David Duke for front-runner Donald Trump to hammer the billionaire businessman. Trump asserts he doesn’t know anything about Duke, which prompted Marco Rubio to tell supporters that the Republican party can’t be one that refuses to condemn white supremacists and the KKK.

 

06:45 Sportscast, February 29th, 2016

Solid pitching and plenty of offense led to an 11-1 victory for the 5th ranked LSU baseball team against Sacramento State on Sunday. Starting pitcher John Valek allowed one run in seven innings and struck out six. The Akron transfer says he felt more comfortable in his second start in an LSU uniform…:
Cut 16 (17) “and comfortable“

After a homerun by All American Stefan Trosclair, UL-Lafeyette was hoisted to a 4-2 win over Rice Sunday, ending a three-game skid. Southern edged Auburn 6-5. ULM beat Western Carolina 16-10. Southeastern beat Troy 7-2. Louisiana lost, as did McNeese, Nicholls State, Northwestern State, Tulane and Grambling.

In his final regular season game at the Thomas Assembly Center, senior guard Alex Hamilton messed around and recorded a triple-double to help Louisiana Tech beat Rice 88-69 on Saturday night in front of 55-hundred fans. Hamilton had 25 points, 11 rebounds, and 11 asssits to register the progam’s first triple-double since 1991. Hamilton says to do it on senior night made the accomplishment even sweeter…:
Cut 19 (14) “better ending”

The ULM men’s basketball team got their seventh win in a row after a 66-51 victory over Troy on Saturday. This is the longest winning streak for the Warhawks since the 1998-99 season.

McNeese State is looking to qualify for the Southalnd Conference tournamnet heading into tonight’s contest against Lamar.

Nicholls State hosts UNO. NOrhtwestern State is at Southeastern, and Grambling hosts MVSU.

The New Orleans Pelicans had a tough loss to Minnesota on Saturday losing 112-110.

 

06:30 Newscast, February 29th, 2016

The proposed penny increase to the state’s four-cent sales tax easily clears a Senate committee heads to the Senate floor. Jeff Palermo has the story..:
Cut 3 (28) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

A man from Lafayette is facing two counts of first degree murder, aggravated arson and obstruction of justice in connection with the brutal death of an elderly woman and her daughter, then the torching of their home. The State Fire Marshals’ Office say firefighters responded to a blaze at a St. Martinville residence where they discovered the badly beaten bodies of a 68-year-old woman and a 30 year old woman. 31 year old Dereke Ross Siner was taken into custody following a high speed chase that ended in West Feliciana.

The Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals opens a new water testing laboratory in Shreveport on Monday. The lab is expected to speed up the time it takes to test samples from drinking water systems in north Louisiana. Currently water samples from the northern part of the state are shipped to Baton Rouge. DHH spokesperson Bob Johannessen says this will be especially helpful when communities are under a boil water advisory…:
Cut 10 (07) “as well”
The Shreveport lab will cost $18,300 initially, but is expected to save money in the long run.

The state house has two major tax bills they are slated to take up today. One would increase the cigarette tax, the other raises the tax on alcohol.

 

LRN Am Newscall Feb 29

The Louisiana National Guard at Jackson Barracks in New Orleans opens their Boots in the Sand Desert Storm exhibit today. Emelie Gunn has more…

CUT 1 (30) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

______________________________________

The state Department of Health and Hospitals will open a water testing lab in Shreveport, which will help speed up the testing process from samples taken in north Louisiana. Jeff Palermo has more on the story…

Cut 2 (31) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

______________________________________

The proposed penny increase to the state’s four-cent sales tax easily clears a Senate committee heads to the Senate floor. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 3 (28) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

______________________________________

The Louisiana National Guard at Jackson Barracks in New Orleans opens a Desert Storm exhibit today to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the conflict. Louisiana National Guard Historian Rhett Breerwood says 16 of our guard’s units were mobilized and nine were sent to the war zone. He says the Boots in the Sand exhibit honors multiple units, one being the 527th Engineer Battalion out of Bossier City….

cut 4  (10)  “afterwards”

A closing date has not been set for the Desert Storm display. Breerwood says the 159th MASH Unit is also being honored in the exhibit. He says they played a significant role during the conflict and they were the last ones to leave.

Cut 5  (06)  “medical unit”

Breerwood says as visitors tour the exhibit, they can expect to see original equipment, uniforms and pictures taken by soldiers overseas from 1990 to 1991. He says also many enemy weapons captured by Guardsman will be on display.

Cut 6 (08)  “as well” 

_________________________________________________________

The House is expected to take up a bill today that would raise the alcohol tax for the first time since 1948. The author of the measure, Natchitoches Representative Kenny Cox, says every dollar we can raise is important and this tax would generate 27 million dollars a year.

CUT 7 (08)  “a shot”

Cox says there are a few legislators against raising the alcohol tax, but many are more willing to increase “sin taxes” than sales or income taxes. He says we can’t keep making drastic cuts to higher education.

Cut 8  (08)  “you know”

The full house is also anticipated to take up a bill to increase the cigarette tax by 22 cents. Cox believes some legislators might be okay with increasing the alcohol tax because it hasn’t been raised since the 40s.

Cut 9 (11)  “like this”

______________________________________

The Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals opens a new water testing laboratory in Shreveport on Monday. The lab is expected to speed up the time it takes to test samples from drinking water systems in north Louisiana. Currently water samples from the northern part of the state are shipped to Baton Rouge. DHH spokesperson Bob Johannessen says this will be especially helpful when communities are under a boil water advisory…

Cut 10 (07) “as well”

The Shreveport lab will cost $18,300 initially. However, the lab is expected to save the state even more money each year by eliminating water sample shipping costs. Johannessen says the savings will be significant…

cut 11 (07) “a year”

Johannessen also says this project is one of many ways DHH is trying to increase efficiency across the state to benefit Louisiana communities…

cut 12 (09) “as possible”

_________________________________________________________

A Senate committee sends to the Senate floor a bill that would raise the state’s four-cent sales tax by a penny. The panel changed the sunset date of the additional penny from 18-months to five years. New Orleans Senator JP Morrell says an 18-month sunset won’t help their current budget problems, because it couldn’t be used for ongoing expenses like higher education…

Cut 13 (08)  “revenues”

The extra penny on the state sales tax would go into effect on April 1st and raise 210-million dollars. Morrell says they also need this additional revenue in place long enough so they can perform long-term budget reform..

Cut 14 (08)  “do it” 

The House put the 18-month sunset on the additional penny. But Governor John Bel Edwards urged the senate to raise the sunset, because it wouldn’t address the state’s budget needs. Revenue Secretary Kimberly Robinson spoke for the governor..

Cut 15 (08) “revenue source” 

________________________________________________________

Solid pitching and plenty of offense led to an 11-1 victory for the 5th ranked LSU baseball team against Sacramento State on Sunday. Starting pitcher John Valek allowed one run in seven innings and struck out six. The Akron transfer says he felt more comfortable in his second start in an LSU uniform…

Cut 16  (17)  “and comfortable“

LSU blew a three-run lead on Saturday to the Hornets and loss. The Tigers made sure that didn’t happen yesterday. After scoring five runs in the third, LSU kept adding runs in the 5th, 6th and 7th innings. Coach Paul Mainieri liked seeing that…

Cut 17 (18) “to a play

Mainieri says Valek was the story of the game by throwing strikes and keeping Sac State’s hitters off balance…

Cut 18 (20) “the game”

_________________________________________________

In his final regular season game at the Thomas Assembly Center, senior guard  Alex Hamilton messed around and recorded a triple-double to help Louisiana Tech beat Rice 88-69 on Saturday night in front of 55-hundred fans. Hamilton had 25 points. 11 rebounds, and 11 asssits to register the progam’s first triple-double since 1991. Hamilton says to do it on senior night made the accomplishment even sweeter…

Cut 19 (14) “better ending”

By scoring 25 points, Hamilton is now fourth in school history for points scored. Louisiana Tech has now won five of its last six games as they enter the final week of the regular season. Hamilton says they need to stay focused…

Cut 20 (15) “conference tournament”

11:30 LRN Newscast, Feb 27, 2016

The Council for a Better Louisiana says the cuts to the Department of Education made in the House-approved spending bill would take away 85% of their remaining cash on hand for the current school year. Michelle Southern reports…:

CUT 2 (29)  “I’m Michelle Southern”

 

Governor John Bel Edwards says the special legislative session aimed at the budget deficit is heading in the right direction, but there’s still a long way to go. House republicans are hesitant to raise taxes to fill the budget hole, but Edwards there’s been no evidence they can reduce the deficit without raising revenues

CUT 9 (10) “that is not happening”  

The special session ends March ninth. 

 

A second officer assigned to the US Drug Enforcement Administration task force has been arrested for allegedly stealing and selling drugs seized in raids. Karl Newman, a deputy with the Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Office, was booked on counts of conspiracy to distribute cocaine and abuse of office.  State police spokesperson, Maj. Doug Cain says investigators will get to the bottom of the allegations.

CUT 8 (06) “their officers”

Newman’s arrest comes just weeks after another Tangipahoa parish deputy, Johnny Domingue, was booked on drug distribution charges.

 

A campaign launched by the Southwest Louisiana Economic Development Alliance aims to build support for a new I-10 bridge over the Calcasieu River. George Swift, president and CEO of the alliance, says the bridge endures heavy traffic every day, and it will only get worse as more industrial projects move to the area in the next few years.

cut 14 (10)  “and safer”

It will take millions of dollars from the federal government to replace the bridge.

10:30 LRN Newscast Feb 27, 2016

The House has passed legislation that’s a combination of budget cuts and tax increases to the Senate, including a one-cent increase on the state’s 4-cent sales tax. Governor John Bel Edwards is disappointed the House didn’t move the tax bills sooner, but is optimistic there’s enough time for the Senate to act…

Cut 11 (09) “be modified”

 

One of the items in bill includes a $52 million mid-year cut to the state Department of Education, according to the Council for a better Louisiana. CABL President Barry Erwin says this would also take away payments for mandated student testing for the current school year. He says some deals were made and essentially the House just wanted to make a statement that they wanted to cut the budget further…:

cut 16 (09)  “I suppose”

The special session to address the state’s budget deficit ends March ninth.

The Southwest Louisiana Economic Development Alliance has launched a campaign to build support for a new I-10 bridge over the Calcasieu River. The bridge was built in 1952, and the National Bridge Inventory deemed it “basically intolerable” in 2009. George Swift, president and CEO of the alliance, says the community cannot wait any longer for a new bridge.

cut 13 (08)  “and region”

 

A jury indicted former Monroe TV personality “Mr. Wonder” on sexual assault charges. According to the Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Office, investigators have identified 7 alleged victims as a result of a 1979 investigation. Selas has been living in California since 1985. He is currently being held in a San Diego jail. Rapides Parish Assistant District Attorney Brian Mosley says Selas will be brought back to Louisiana to face the charges.

CUT 5 (11)  “Rapides parish”