LRN AM Newscall, April 1, 2016

Legislation to allow drivers to park on the wrong side of the road in residential areas passed in the Senate Transportation Committee. Emelie Gunn has more…

CUT 1 (26) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

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A proposed bill that seeks equal pay for men and women was approved by the Senate Labor Committee. Halen Doughty has more…

Cut 2 (31) “I’m Halen Doughty”

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According to AAA, quarterly gas prices are lower than they’ve been in over a decade, as the average price for a gallon of gas in the state is $1.88. Jeff Palermo has more…

Cut 3 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

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Three weeks into the regular legislative session and things are still moving slow. The biggest piece of legislation so far has been the minimum wage bill clearing the Senate Labor Committee. Political Analyst Bernie Pinsonat says legislators were burnt out after a tough special session.

cut 4  (08)  “school reform”

Pinsonat expects the voucher program along with teacher reforms to be big issues discussed during this session. He says the TOPS program is also another topic that will be heard.

Cut 5  (08)  “have TOPS”

Pinsonat says legislators have raised various taxes like on alcohol and cigarettes but still haven’t raised enough revenue for the next fiscal year. He says anything that has to do with the budget will be a hot topic in the coming weeks before the session ends on June 6th.

Cut 6 (10)  “next year” 

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A bill to make it legal to park on the wrong side of the road in residential areas has passed in the Senate Transportation Committee. Metairie Senator Danny Martiny says currently it’s illegal to park in the opposite direction, but he believes the law was intended for highways only. He says it doesn’t pose a public safety hazard in residential areas.

CUT 7 (10)  “an hour”

Martiny says parking the wrong way on a residential street is not a safety problem. He says ticketing drivers parked like this is subject to abuse by local officials for economic gain.

Cut 8  (09)  “budget problem”

Martiny says uniformly parked cars look nicer, but it isn’t the government’s place to make sure everything looks pretty in your subdivision.

Cut 9 (08)  “statute”

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A bill seeking equal pay for men and women in Louisiana has been approved by the Senate Labor Committee. According to data from the US Census Bureau, women make 65-cents for every $1 a man makes, and that gap is even wider for minority women Author of the bill, New Orleans Senator JP Morrell, says this is not acceptable.

Cut 10 (10) “than men”

Governor John Bel Edwards went before the committee to tout his support for the measure. He says women deserve equal pay for equal work to their male counterparts.

cut 11 (07) “of us”

Dawn Starns, with the National Federation for Independent Business, opposes the legislation. She says legislation is already in place to protect equal pay.

cut 12 (07) “business owners”

Renee Amar, with the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry, says determining what is “comparable work” could pose a problem for employers. She also says things like education, experience, and market prices determine how much an employee is paid.

Cut 13 (06)  “their wages”

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Drivers are paying the cheapest quarterly gas prices in 12 years. That’s according to Triple-A, who says Americans have saved almost $10-billion on gas this year compared to the same period in 2015.  AAA spokesperson Mike Right says people are well on their way to significant savings on gas this year.

Cut 14 (06)  “gasoline bill” 

Right says this is leading to a record-breaking number of motorists out on the roads, according to US Department and Transportation numbers. The average price for a gallon of gas in Louisiana is about $1.88. Right says we could see prices at the pump increase in the coming months.

Cut 15 (08) “Memorial Day”

Right says greater demand for gas and refineries’ annual maintenance are driving up prices. But he says even with those factors, gas prices will not get as high as they were this time last year.

Cut 16  (06)  “last year”

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The 14th ranked LSU Baseball team looks for its first series win in SEC play this weekend as they visit Auburn for a three-game series that starts tonight. The Tigers are 2-and-4 in league play and have lost three of their last four overall. Sophomore right-hander Alex Lange will start tonight on the mound tonight for the Tigers.

Cut 17 (10) “as possible”

LSU enters this weekend’s action, tied for fifth place in the SEC West. Starting shortstop Kramer Robertson says they are trying to remain loose.

Cut 18 (12) “good results”

Southeastern Louisiana takes a 15-game winning streak into this weekend’s home series against Nicholls. The Lions are led on the mound by senior left-hander Kyle Cedotal, who is 4-2 with a 1.15 ERA. S-L-U Coach Matt Riser says Cedotal will get the start tonight.

Cut 19 (17) “go out”

The Lions are 20-6 on the season, 9-0 in the Southland Conference. Riser says his team is motivated to reach the NCAA Tournament after missing it last year.

Cut 20 (18) “ballclub”

 

18:30 LRN Newscast March 31, 2016

The bill to increase the state’s minimum wage to $8.00 an hour beginning next year, and then to $8.50 in 2018 passed out of the Senate Labor Committee with a 4-3 vote. Governor John Bel Edwards testified in support of increasing the minimum wage today. Edwards says Louisiana households are unable to afford their basic necessities. He says it’s not just high school and college students who are working for minimum wage.

CUT 9 (06) “monthly expenses”

Baton Rouge business owner Mark Johnson opposes the increase because he says this would leave business owners with difficult decisions about absorbing the new costs.

cut 12 (06) “your choices”

This bill, and a measure seeking equal pay for men and women, heads to the Senate floor.

Lafayette’s own local celebrity, 23-year-old MacKenzie Bourg, will find out tonight if he’ll advance to the Top 3 on the final season of American Idol. Michelle Southern reports…:

CUT 1 (32)  “I’m Michelle Southern”

State and local officials broke ground on an 88 acre technology park in Monroe that will feature an IBM facility that will employ 400 workers. The IBM Client Innovation Center will provide software technology services to clients across the US and partner with CenturyLink on research.

17:30 LRN Newscast, March 31, 2016

Bills to increase the minimum wage and demand equal pay for men and women were approved by the Senate Labor Committee today. Governor John Bel Edwards was on hand to testify in favor of both measures. He says a higher minimum wage could help solve the child poverty problem in Louisiana.

Cut 10 (08) “and raising”

Baton Rouge business owner Mark Johnson opposes the increase because he says it would impact small businesses production costs.

Cut 11 (09) “bottom line”

On a 4-3 vote the committee approved the minimum wage increase to $8.00 an hour beginning next year. And a 5-2 vote from the panel passed the bill seeking equal pay for women. Both bills head to the Senate floor.

A bill to allow hunters to wear blaze pink in addition to hunter’s orange passes out of the House. Author of the legislation Bogalusa Rep. Malinda White says all this does is give another option that has been proven to be safer. White says the blaze pink attire would be simple and without embellishment to meet the 400 square inches of color requirement. She says pink will stand out in the woods.

CUT 4 (08)  “and yellows”

White says men can wear blazing pink too.

Several tax increases will go into effect tomorrow in Louisiana, including a one-cent increase on the state sales tax.  LSU Marketing Professor Dr. Dan Rice says this likely won’t change consumer’s purchasing habits.

Cut 23 (10)  “quite frankly”

The tax on a pack of cigarettes will increase by 22-cents, and taxes on all types of alcohol will also go up.

16:30 LRN Newscast March 31

The Senate Labor Committee has approved a bill to increase the state’s minimum wage to $8.50 by 2018. Halen Doughty has more…
voicer 2 (30) “…I’m Halen Doughty”

Before lawmakers went home for the weekend, the State House approved a measure that would allow hunters to also wear blaze pink, instead of the traditional orange. The bill is by Bogalusa Representative Malinda White…
cut 5 (09) “,…that here
The measure heads to the Senate for more discussion.

Even though Republican US Senator David Vitter is leaving office at the end of this year, he’s still holding town hall meetings across the state getting feedback from voters. In Ascension parish this morning, Vitter said he’s hearing primarily about jobs and highway improvements…:
Cut 13 (09) “is important”
The senator still maintains that he intends to leave politics once his term ends.

We’ll find out soon if Louisiana native MacKenzie Bourg will advance to the Top 3 on the final season of American Idol. Voting results from last week will be announced tonight and the contestant with the lowest total will be eliminated. MacKenzie’s dad, Rudy Bourg, says his 23-year-old son is already a winner…:
CUT 6 (08) “last second shot”
Tonight’s show will feature footage taken at Bourg’s homecoming parade last Saturday in Lafayette.

15:30 LRN Newscast, March 31, 2016

The Senate Labor Committee approved bill to increase the state’s minimum wage to $8.00 an hour beginning next year, and then to $8.50 in 2018. Governor John Bel Edwards says Louisiana households are unable to afford their basic necessities. He says it’s not just high school and college students who are working for minimum wage.

CUT 9 (06) “monthly expenses”

Baton Rouge business owner Mark Johnson opposes the increase. Johnson says this would leave business owners with difficult decisions about absorbing the new costs.

cut 12 (06) “your choices”

The bill now heads to the Senate floor for debate.

Several tax increases will go into effect tomorrow in Louisiana, including a one-cent increase on the state sales tax. The tax on a pack of cigarettes will increase by 22-cents, and taxes on all types of alcohol will also go up.

Even though Republican US Senator David Vitter is leaving office at the end of this year, he’s still got things to accomplish in his final year. Vitter says he will be focusing on chemical safety reform and improving infrastructure access. He says he plans on getting out of politics once his term ends in January.

cut 14 (09)  “our lives”

Vitter doesn’t plan on making any endorsements for the US Senate race until after the primaries.

Lafayette’s own local celebrity, 23-year-old MacKenzie Bourg, will find out tonight if he’ll advance to the Top 3 on the final season of American Idol. MacKenzie’s dad, Rudy Bourg, says it’s incredible that five years ago his son was fighting for his life due to a sudden illness, and now he’s where he’s at today…:

CUT 8 (09) “at life”

14:30 LRN Newscast, March 31, 2016

The bill to increase the state’s minimum wage to $8.00 an hour beginning next year, and then to $8.50 in 2018 passed out of the Senate Labor Committee with a 4-3 vote. Governor John Bel Edwards testified in support of increasing the minimum wage today. Edwards says this is an investment in Louisiana families, which is an investment in our state as a whole. He says this slight increase in minimum wage would help solve the problem of childhood poverty in the state.

cut 10 (08)  “and raising”

Baton Rouge business owner Mark Johnson opposes the increase because he says it would impact small businesses production costs.

Cut 11 (09) “bottom line”

The bill, along with a measure seeking equal pay for men and women, now head to the Senate floor.

Lafayette’s own local celebrity, 23-year-old MacKenzie Bourg, will find out tonight if he’ll advance to the Top 3 on the final season of American Idol. Michelle Southern reports…:

CUT 1 (32)  “I’m Michelle Southern”

Iberia Parish Sheriff Louis Ackal entered a plea of not guilty to charges he violated federal civil rights laws. Prosecutors accuse Ackal of ordering the beatings of at least three pre-trial inmates in 2011. Nine of Ackal’s former deputies have already pleaded guilty in the case.

13:30 Newscast, March 31st, 2016

The Senate Labor Committee approves the bill that would increase the state’s minimum wage to $8.00 an hour in 2017 and then to $8.50 in 2018. Halen Doughty has more:
CUT 2 (30) “I’m Halen Doughty”

A bill that would add blaze pink as an acceptable color hunters can wear advances out of the House. Bogalusa Representative Malinda White says this just gives sportsmen and sportswomen an additional option to hunter orange…:
CUT 3 (07) “safety”
The measure heads to the Senate.

A bill that would have made it illegal for a business to fire a victim of domestic violence for missing work to take care of court proceedings or seek treatment, stalls in the House Labor Committee. Opponents said this is too over reaching into a businesses own practices. The vote was 6-6.

Even though US Senator David Vitter says he’s leaving politics at the end of his term this year, he’s still touring the state to hear from Louisiana citizens. He held a town hall in Ascension and Rapides today. We asked Senator Vitter if he planned on endorsing anyone for his seat…:
CUT 15 (08) “the race”
Vitter says during his final year in office he will be focusing on chemical safety reform and improving infrastructure access.

A woman is accused of taking human remains from a historic New Orleans cemetery and trying to sell them on-line. It’s reported that 24 year old Ender Darling who is described as a witch, has apparently skipped town. She is accused of plucking human bones from graves and trying to get money for them.

 

PM Newscall, March 31st, 2016

Lafayette’s own local celebrity, 23-year-old MacKenzie Bourg, will find out tonight if he’ll advance to the Top 3 on the final season of American Idol. Michelle Southern reports…:

CUT 1 (32)  “I’m Michelle Southern”

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The Senate Labor Committee has approved the bill to increase the state’s minimum wage to $8.00 an hour in 2017 and then to $8.50 in 2018. Halen Doughty has more…

CUT 2 (30)  “I’m Halen Doughty”

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A bill to allow hunters to wear blaze pink in addition to hunter’s orange passes out of the House. Author of the legislation Bogalusa Rep. Malinda White says all this does is give another option that has been proven to be safer. She says Wisconsin has already passed this law and other states are looking into doing the same…

CUT 3 (07)  “safety”

White says the blaze pink attire would be simple and without embellishment to meet the 400 square inches of color requirement. She says pink will stand out in the woods.

CUT 4 (08)  “and yellows”

White says men can wear blazing pink too.

CUT 5 (09)  “that here”

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Lafayette’s own local celebrity, 23-year-old MacKenzie Bourg, will find out tonight if he’ll advance to the Top 3 on the final season of American Idol. The Fox signing competition show resumes at 7pm where the voting results from last week will be announced, at the contestant with the lowest total will be eliminated. MacKenzie’s dad, Rudy Bourg, says his son is an inspiration…:

CUT 6 (08) “last second shot”

If MacKenzie makes it through tonight, fans can vote for him by texting “7″ to 21523, call 1-866-IDOLS-07 or online at american-idol-dot-com-slash-vote. Lots of folks from Acadiana will be on tonight’s show from footage taken at MacKenzie’s homecoming parade last Saturday in Lafayette. Thousands of fans gathered for the celebration and Mr. Bourg says it was absolutely surreal…:

CUT 7 (07) “overwhelming”

Mackenzie made local headlines when he made it onto “The Voice” during season 3, but was eliminated in the live rounds. Mr. Bourg says it’s incredible that five years ago his son was fighting for his life due to a sudden illness, and now he’s where he’s at today…:

CUT 8 (09) “at life”

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The bill to increase the state’s minimum wage to $8.00 an hour beginning next year, and then to $8.50 in 2018 passed out of the Senate Labor Committee with a 4-3 vote. Governor John Bel Edwards testified in support of increasing the minimum wage today. Edwards says Louisiana households are unable to afford their basic necessities. He says it’s not just high school and college students who are working for minimum wage.

CUT 9 (06) “monthly expenses”

The bill now heads to the Senate floor. Edwards says this is an investment in Louisiana families, which is an investment in our state as a whole. He says this slight increase in minimum wage would help solve the problem of childhood poverty in the state.

cut 10 (08)  “and raising”

Baton Rouge business owner Mark Johnson opposes the increase because he says it would impact small businesses production costs.

Cut 11 (09) “bottom line”

Johnson says this would leave business owners with difficult decisions about absorbing the new costs.

cut 12 (06) “your choices”

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Even though Republican US Senator David Vitter is leaving office at the end of this year, he’s still holding town hall meetings across the state getting feedback from voters. Vitter held a town hall meeting in Ascension parish this morning, and he will have another one today in Rapides parish. Vitter says he’s hearing primarily about jobs and highway improvements.

Cut 13 (09)  “is important”

Vitter says during his final year in office he will be focusing on chemical safety reform and improving infrastructure access. He says he still plans on getting out of politics once his term ends in January.

cut 14 (09)  “our lives”

There are eight well-known candidates that are running for the open seat. Vitter doesn’t plan on making any endorsements for the US Senate race until after the primaries.

cut 15 (08) “the race” 

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12:30 Newscast, March 31st, 2016

Lawmakers advance a bill that would raise the minimum wage in Louisiana to $8 an hour, then $8.50 in 2018. Governor John Bel Edwards spoke in support of the measure in the Senate Labor Committee…:
CUT 28 (05) “our families”
The vote was a close 4-3 and the bill now heads to the Senate Floor. Business groups spoke in opposition saying it would create job losses especially in the service sector.

23-year-old MacKenzie Bourg of Lafayette will find out tonight if he advances to the Top 3 on the final season of American Idol. Acadiana will be on tonight’s show from footage taken at MacKenzie’s homecoming parade last Saturday in Lafayette. Thousands of fans gathered for the celebration his dad Rudy Bourg says it was absolutely surreal…:
CUT 7 (07) “overwhelming”
Tonight’s elimination show begins at 7pm. If MaKenzie advances, you can vote for him again online at american-idol-dot-com-slash-vote.

Even though Republican US Senator David Vitter is leaving office at the end of this year, he’s still holding town hall meetings across the state getting feedback from voters. In Ascension parish this morning, Vitter said he’s hearing primarily about jobs and highway improvements…:
Cut 13 (09) “is important”
He’ll hold another town hall today in Rapides Parish. He still maintains that he intends to leave politics once his term ends.

Attorney General Jeff Landry says IRS phone scams are once again becoming a big problem in the state. He’s reminding residents that the IRS does not initiate contact requesting information electronically, nor demand payment without first sending a notification by mail.

 

11:40 LRN Sportscast March 31

Southeastern Louisiana won its 14th straight game last night as they defeated Alcorn State 21-0. The Lions scored in every inning they batted. Northwestern State won a rain-shortened contest over ULM 6-2. Daniel Garner hit his 1st homer to help the Demons win their third straight. And Nicholls edged South Alabama five to four. A throwing error by the Jaguars allowed the winning run to score.

The LSU baseball team leaves today for Auburn. Coach Paul Mainieri says Alex Lange will pitch in game one.

The so-called LSU Miles clause has reportedly been removed from the restructured contracts of assistant coaches Ed Orgeron and Jeff Grimes. According to the Baton Rouge Advocate, the clause allows LSU to terminate a contract six months after Miles’ employment with the school ends. This clause was one of the things that upset former LSU defensive coordinator John Chavis.

LSU safety Jalen Mills tells CBS Sports that an NFL team has asked him whether he we would use a gun or knife to kill someone. Mills is expected to be a second or third round pick in the draft. He did not reveal which team asked him this question.

The voice of the Tigers for the last three-plus decades officially retires today. Jim Hawthorne, who was on the mic for all six of LSU national championships in basketball, two national titles in football and three Final Four appearances in basketball, leaves the LSU campus today for retirement. Hawthorne’s last game was an ugly loss by the basketball team in the SEC Tournament…
cut 18 (12) “…so be it”
Hawthorne’s first big event during his retirement is a three-week vacation to Australia with his wife.