The first woman to enlist in the infantry in the U.S. army is a native of Robeline. Emelie Gunn has more…
CUT 1 (30) “I’m Emelie Gunn”
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Louisiana is still facing a 750-million budget deficit after the special session, and Governor John Bel Edwards is expected to call another session to close the budget shortfall. Halen Doughty has more…
Cut 2 (30) “I’m Halen Doughty”
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Lawmakers have been scrambling to resolve a historic budget shortfall for months, and now State Treasurer John Kennedy says we may end this fiscal year with a surplus. Jeff Palermo has more…
Cut 3 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”
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A Natchitoches Parish woman is the first female to enlist in an infantry combat position in the U.S. Army. 25-year-old Grace Barnett of Robeline was in law enforcement for three years and has been working to go into the infantry since the department of defense allowed women in this role. She says it’s a great honor to serve her country on the front lines.
cut 4 (10) “larger scale”
Barnett says patriotism runs in her blood. She says it took her as a surprise that she was actually the first woman to enlist in the infantry.
Cut 5 (10) “at me”
Barnett says she’ll spend the next 14 months training and building up her endurance before she ships out. She says she hopes to be an example for other women.
Cut 6 (10) “about doing”
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Governor John Bel Edwards is expected to call another special session to address the state’s 750-million shortfall for the next fiscal year, which begins July 1. Edwards says they have not set a date for the session, but it will likely come before the fall to stave off more cuts to state services.
CUT 7 (05) “for success”
So far two credit rating agencies have downgraded Louisiana’s credit rating. Edwards says that’s hardly an endorsement for how the state handled its business during the previous special session. He says lawmakers need to stabilize the budget, and they need to do it sooner rather than later.
Cut 8 (05) “Louisiana is”
Edwards says legislators simply have to do better, as not enough revenue was raised during the last special session to close the budget gap. He says they must find a way to keep critical programs open.
Cut 9 (06) “to begin with”
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The investigation continues today into the fatal shooting of former Saints defensive end Will Smith. Smith was gunned down after he was involved in a minor car wreck with 28-year-old Cardell Hayes. New Orleans Police Superintendent Michael Harrison says Hayes shot Smith in the city’s Lower Garden District…
Cut 10 (12) “the law”
Court records show Hayes won a settlement with the city of the New Orleans over the fatal shooting of his mentally ill father. Smith reportedly just finished eating with a former New Orleans police officer who was named as a defendant in that suit. Harrison says it’s too early to tell in the investigation if Hayes and Smith knew each other.
cut 11 (08) “right now”
Harrison says Hayes has been charged with second-degree murder..
cut 12 (10) “as such”
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After all the concerns about the budget crisis, State Treasurer John Kennedy says Louisiana may actually end this fiscal year with a surplus. In December, the state revenues were down 15-percent, but now revenues are only down 6-percent. Kennedy says he can’t make any predictions but…
Cut 13 (10) “this year”
Kennedy says a few months ago, he would thought a surplus was impossible. He attributes an increase in tax collections to the rise in state revenue.
Cut 14 (06) “personal income”
Kennedy says a surplus is possible, if revenue figures continue to rise and tax increases that came out of the special session generate more than what the legislative fiscal analysts predicted….
Cut 15 (09) “as well”
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The Saints and their fans are mourning the death of former defensive end Will Smith, who was killed during what police are calling a road rage incident. Smith and another man exchanged words after a fender bender involving their vehicles in New Orleans on Saturday night. Police say the other man pulled out a gun and fatally shot Smith. Saints offensive tackle Zach Strief played with Smith and says he’s been dealing with a lot of different emotions…
Cut 16 (14) “how could this happen”
Strief made his comments on WWL radio in New Orleans. Smith played nine seasons for the Saints. The 34-year-old retired after the 2012 season and remained a resident of New Orleans. Strief hopes Smith’s tragic killing will lead to change…
Cut 17 (09) “is it take”
Twenty-eight-year-old Cardell Hayes was arrested for the fatal shooting of Smith. He’s been charged with second-degree murder. Strief says an argument should never turn into a gun fight and the shooting gives New Orleans a black eye….
Cut 18 (16) “it really does”