Starting April 1st, smokers will have to pay an additional 22-cents on a pack of cigarettes. It’s the result of legislation passed in the special session called to raise state revenues. Bill Bailey owns Smoker’s Paradise in Pineville and he’s seen customers stocking up on cigarettes before the tax hike…
cut 5 (05) “…of product”
The 22-cent tax increase is expected to generate an additional 11-million dollars for the state this fiscal year.

On a four to one vote, the Louisiana Public Service Commission has approved the sale of the Pineville-based utility company, Cleco, to a foreign investment group for nearly five billion dollars. CEO for the Alliance for Affordable Energy, Casey DeMoss, has concerns this deal will turn out to be a bad one for ratepayers…
cut 12 (06) “…not be”
Cleco has agreed not to raise rates until at least 2020 and customers should expect to see credits at around 500-dollars.

The Caddo Parish Sheriff’s office says a Texas dragster driver accidentially ran over and killed his brother at the Thunder Road Raceway in Gillam. Sheriff’s office spokesperson Cindy Chadwick says the accident was investigated by their Traffic Safet unit…
cut 8 (08) “…have been filed”
The incident occurred as the racing crew was conducting test runs and 55-year-old Stuart Smith of Atlanta, Texas, backed hs dragster up and struck his 60-year-old brother.

Transportation Secretary Shawn Wilson says flood damage done to the state’s roads and bridges is an estimated 20-million dolalrs. Wilson says they are still assessing the damage and finding out how many miles roadway need to be repaired…
cut 14 (10) “…an inspection”
Wilson says the state and federal government will share in the costs of the repairs.

On April 1^st the price on a pack of cigarettes will increase 22 cents to $1.08. Emelie Gunn has more on how this effects the tobacco industry….

CUT 1 (27)  “I’m Emelie Gunn”

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The Public Service Commission has approved Cleco’s sale to Macquarie Infrastructure for nearly $5-billion dollars. Halen Doughty has more…

CUT 2 (30)  “I’m Halen Doughty”

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Starting on April 1^st, smokers will pay a $1.08 tax on a pack of cigarettes. A new tax brings the cost of a pack up 22 cents. Bill Bailey is the owner of Smoker’s Paradise in Pineville and he says smokers already get taxed an unfair amount. He says legislators continue to target the tobacco users because they are the minority.

CUT 3 (10)  “for money”

The cigarette tax went up 50 cents last year. Bailey says he hasn’t seen a dramatic decrease in customers since the increase, but it gradually goes down. He says there is a huge trend of cigarette smokers switching to small cigars…

CUT 4 (09)  “the shelf”

It’s expected the 22 cent increase will generate 11 million dollars between April 1^st and June 30^th. Bailey says smokers are stocking up on cigarettes before the tax hike.

CUT 5 (05)     “of product”

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A 60-year-old man from northeast Texas was tragically killed after he was accidentally run over by a dragster driven by his own brother at the Thunder Road Raceway in Gillam. Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office spokeswoman Cindy Chadwick says the two were part of a racing crew that was conducting test runs at the park…:

CUT 6 (08) “of his injuries”

Chadwick says these test runs are required by the National Hot Rod Association as part of the licensure process for drivers. She says the deceased is identified as Steven Smith, and the man behind the wheel of the vehicle was 55-year-old Stuart Smith – both of Atlanta, Texas…:

CUT 7 (05) “they’re brothers”

Chadwick says the accident was investigated by their department’s Traffic Safety Unit…:

CUT 8 (08) “have been filed”

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The Public Service Commission has approved the sale of the Pineville-based utility company Cleco to Macquarie Infrastructure for $4.9 billion. The deal passed with a 4-1 vote by the PSC. Cleco spokesperson Robbyn Cooper says this sale will have great benefits for Cleco’s ratepayers.

CUT 9 (12) “two years”

As part of the deal, Cleco’s 287-thousand Louisiana customers will receive 136-million dollars in rate credits. Cooper says the P-S-C has the final say on when those credits will appear on ratepayers’ bills..

cut 10 (12)  “the money”

Cooper says they feel this transaction is the best option for their company. She says customers should not expect to see a difference in their service from the utility company.

Cut 11 (07) “still Cleco”

CEO for the Alliance for Affordable Energy Casey DeMoss says this deal does not benefit Cleco customers. She says they are concerned about the long-term future of the utility company now that it’s been purchased by a foreign investment group.

cut 12 (06) “not be”

DeMoss says these so-called benefits for customers will not be worth it in the long run, as the company has plans to double their rate case in the future. DeMoss says this puts thousands of ratepayers at risk for having their rates increase.

Cut 13 (05)  “financial risks”

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The Department of Transportation says roadways have suffered nearly 20 million dollars worth of damage due to the recent flooding. DOTD Secretary Shawn Wilson says it will take a lot of time and effort to fix and maintain the damaged roads. He says they’re currently working to assess the damage and find out how many miles of roadway need to be repaired.

cut 14 (10)  “an inspection”

Wilson says the state already has nearly a 13-billion dollar backlog on road repairs before the massive flooding created more damage.

cut 15 (08) ” event” 

Wilson says they’re working with their federal partners to determine who will pay for the repairs…

cut 16 (10) “repair”

The Louisiana Public Service Commission has approved the sale of Cleco to a private investment group for nearly five-billion dollars. Halen Doughty has more…
voicer 2 (30) “…I’m Halen Doughty”

The chief financial officer for the state’s health department says the expansion of Medicaid would save the state 124-million dollars next fiscal year. Jeff Reynolds says that would help avoid some cuts as a result of a 750-million dollar revenue shortfall, but there’s still a concern about the future of privatized LSU hospitals.

State transportation secretary Shawn Wilson says damage to the state’s roods from recent floods is at about 20-million dollars. Wilson says with the state already looking at a nearly 13-million dollar backlog on road repairs, they’re working with their federal partners to determine how they’ll pay for the repairs…
cut 16 (10) “….repair”
Wilson says there’s still about 60 roads or bridges that remained closed as a result of the floods.

Starting on April 1st, the state tax on a pack of cigarettes will go up 22-cents to a $1.08. Bill Bailey owns Smoker’s Paradise in Pineville and he’s already seen customers switch to small cigars…
cut 4 (09) “…the shelf”
The state estimates the higher cigarette tax will generate 11-million dollars between April 1st and June 30th.

On April 1st the price on a pack of cigarettes will increase 22 cents to $1.08. Emelie Gunn has more on how this effects the tobacco industry…:
CUT 1 (27) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

A 60-year-old man was run over and by a dragster at a racetrack in Caddo Parish during test runs required for licenses. Sheriff’s Office spokeswoman Cindy Chadwick says the deceased is identified as Steven Smith, and the man behind the wheel of the vehicle was 55-year-old Stuart Smith – both of Atlanta, Texas…:
CUT 7 (05) “they’re brothers”
No charges are filed in the case.

Louisiana regulators have approved the sale of Pineville based CLECO to Macquarie Infrastructure. The utility company’s spokeswoman Robbyn Cooper says this is great news for their customers who should see a $500 credit on their bill soon. She says ratepayers shouldn’t notice a difference at all with this move…:
CUT 11 (07) “still CLECO”
The sale to the foreign investment company is worth $4.9 billion dollars.

Denham Springs Police arrest a 24-year-old man involved in multiple shootings that resulted in the death of a Walker man and the injuring of another individual. Detective Cpl. Glenn Lemoine says two men were shot multiple times last night. He says a vehicle continued down the road until it crashed into a parked car…:
cut 14 (10) “gunshot wounds”
He says the suspect is 24-year-old Brian Allen and  his charges include First Degree Murder.

Starting on April 1st, smokers will pay a $1.08 tax on a pack of cigarettes. A new tax brings the cost of a pack up 22 cents. Bill Bailey is the owner of Smoker’s Paradise in Pineville and he says smokers already get taxed an unfair amount. He says legislators continue to target the tobacco users because they are the minority…:
CUT 3 (10) “for money”
It’s expected the 22 cent increase will generate 11 million dollars between April 1st and June 30th.

The US Coast Guard says its investigating the cause of an oil spill from a tank into Bayou Teche in St. Mary Parish early this morning. Some residents were told not to leave their homes following the spill, but the order was lifted hours later. It is not clear at this time how much oil was spilled, but rescue crews deployed more than 200 yards of boom to contain the slick in the water.

The sale of CLECO was approved following a special meeting of the Public Service Commission on Monday. This clears the way for the Pineville based utility company to head into the private hands of a foreign investment group. As part of the nearly five billion dollar deal, CLECO spokeswoman Robbyn Cooper says 287-thousand Louisiana customers will receive a credit of about $500 on their bills:
CUT 10 (12) “the money”
PSC Chairman Clyde Holloway was the single nay vote and he says the sale is not in the best interest of customers.

Gas prices jumped another penny from the day before. The current statewide average price at the pump is $1.87, up more than 7 cents from the same time last week, according to AAA.

The Public Service Commission approves the sale of the Pineville-based utility company CLECO to Macquarie Infrastructure for $4.9 billion. The deal passed with a 4-1 vote by the PSC. CLECO spokesperson Robbyn Cooper says this sale will have great benefits for ratepayers…:
CUT 9 (12) “two years”
PSC Chairman Clyde Holloway voted against the sale saying he doesn’t believe it’s in the best interest of customers.

At the Capitol Monday, a bill that would limit the amount of money the state can spend on art for public buildings received overwhelming approval from the full House and now heads to the Senate. The measure would cap a program that requires 1 percent of the total amount of a construction project go towards art inside or on the ground near the site.

A 60-year-old man from northeast Texas was tragically killed after he was accidentally run over by a dragster driven by his own brother at the Thunder Road Raceway in Gillam. Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office spokeswoman Cindy Chadwick says the two were part of a racing crew that was conducting test runs at the park…:
CUT 6 (08) “of his injuries”
She says the deceased is identified as Steven Smith, and the man behind the wheel of the vehicle was his brother 55-year-old Stuart Smith. No charges have been filed.

Drilling activity has hit an all-time low in Louisiana. That’s according to Don Briggs, president of the Louisiana Oil and Gas Association. Briggs says 25 rigs are running in the Gulf of Mexico and only five are in operation on land in south Louisiana…:
Cut 13 (06) “that low”
Briggs says it’s a depressing time right now, but the industry will come back.

The head of the Louisiana Oil and Gas Association says it’s very quiet out there when it comes to production. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 3 (24) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

The Public Service Commission has approved the sale of the Pineville-based utility company Cleco to Macqarie Infrastructure for almost $5 million dollars. PSC member Foster Campbell agreed to support the transaction if a Cleco official agreed not to seek a rate increase. Cleco President Darren Olagues agreed the company would not seek an increase until 2019 for a period beginning in 2020.

The Food and Drug Administration is delaying enforcing rules to require chain-restaurants to post calorie content on their menus until 2017. Pennington Biomedical Research Center Professor Dr. Catherine Champagnesays the biggest challenge will be enforcing the calorie content rule. She says often times menus change, so it makes it difficult for businesses to have up to date nutritional information.

cut 11 (10) “all times”

Medicaid expansion will improve mental healthcare in Louisiana, according to a report released by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The report says 81-thousand Louisianans who suffer from mental illnesses or substance abuse would likely qualify for Medicaid after the expansion. Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Richard Frank says states can be expected to have a more productive workforce, because expanding treatment means healthier and more productive citizens.

Cut 6 (05)  “healthy” 

Drilling activity has hit an all-time low in Louisiana. Don Briggs, president of the Louisiana Oil and Gas Association,the bright side of the downturn is that several financial institutions in New York are looking to take advantage of the slow activity and invest in the industry now…:
Cut 15 (08) “buying production”
He says Never in the history if their recording has rig activity been as low as it is now.

A report released by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services finds Medicaid expansion will improve mental healthcare in Louisiana. Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Richard Frank says it brings people into effective treatment and is fully paid for under Obamacare…:
Cut 5 (07) “coverage”

The Food and Drug Administration is delaying enforcing rules to require chain-restaurants to post a calorie content on their menu until 2017. Pennington Biomedical Research Center Professor Dr. Catherine Champagne understands the challenges restaurants face in posting calorie information on their menu, but it would greatly benefit those who watch their calorie intake…:
Cut 10 (10) “in advance”

State health officials are advising flood victims to check their home for mold. Emelie Gunn has some tips…:
CUT 1 (30) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

The oil and gas industry in Louisiana says things have gone from bad to worse. Louisiana Oil and Gas Association President Don Briggs says with oil trading at around 40-dollars a barrel, there’ s not much hope that rig activity will pick up in the near future. Briggs says this could lead to more layoffs…:
Cut 14 (11) “hang on”
He is confident the industry will bounce back.

One brother is dead and another in jail on murder charges after a fight between the two turned deadly in Vernon Parish. Deputies say they arrived on the scene to find 38-year-old Terry Dubois unresponsive on the floor of a residence in Leesville. His brother, Christopher, was originally arrested for battery after admitting to causing the victim to hit his head on the ground. But Terry Dubois later died and Christopher is being held on a million dollars bond for manslaughter.

The F.D.A. has pushed back the date to enforce calorie content menu labeling. Emelie Gunn has more…:
Cut 2 (24) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

The Public Service Commission approved the sale of CLECO. During a special hearing Monday, the vote was 4-1 for the Pineville based utility company to be acquired by Macquarie Infrastructure for nearly $5 billion dollars.

State health officials have tips to clean up and remove mold from flooded homes. Gina Lagarde, with the state Department of Public Health, says if you smell a musky order or earthy scent, you likely have mold…:
Cut 8 (08) “the home”