The Powerball jackpot has jumped up to 403 million dollars. Emelie Gunn has more….

Cut 1 (27) “I’m Emelie Gunn” 

______________________________________

A new movie is being filmed in Monroe that highlights the importance of mentorship and fatherhood. Halen Doughty has more…

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Halen Doughty”

______________________________________

Lawmakers have until midnight tonight to come to an agreement on how many rainy day dollars to use to address a $304 million midyear deficit. Jeff Palermo has more…

Cut 3 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

______________________________________

Tonight’s Powerball jackpot has reached a whopping 403 million dollars, with a cash value of 244 million dollars. Louisiana Lottery Spokesperson Kimberly Chopin says this is the 10^th largest Powerball jackpot ever. She says this drawing is the 19^th in the current run…

Cut 4  (10) “Powerball frenzy”

Chopin says every time the jackpot reaches these high numbers, more and more people start to play. She says although Louisianans haven’t won the jackpot in a while, a lot of people still win smaller Powerball prizes.

Cut 5  (10)  “winners”

Chopin says the last time the Powerball jackpot was won in Louisiana was in May 2013, where the jackpot was split between two other states.

Cut 6 (12) “or more”

______________________________________

The state Office of Group Benefits is considering a 50 dollar a month surcharge on health insurance premiums for state employees who use tobacco products. OGB chief executive officer Tommy Teague says individuals who receive health insurance through the state would be required to self-report if they are a smoker.

Cut 7 (09)  “random basis”‘

The proposal would need to receive approval from a legislative oversight committee. Teague says this type of surcharge is already being used in the private sector.

Cut 8 (10) “to implement”

Teague says they are considering a surcharge against smokers and other possible surcharges because the Office of Group Benefits is facing a shortfall and they do want to raise premiums on all employees. Teague hopes these benefits will be in place by January 1^st 2018. He says the proposal could produce about 7.5 million dollars.

Cut 9 (10)  “increases”

_________________________________________________________

A movie is being filmed in Monroe that highlights the importance of mentorship and fatherhood. Executive Producer Rodney Ray says “Cowboy & Indiana” follows a troubled bull rider named Tulsa as he chases a million dollar bounty on a killer bull no one has been able to ride. He says Tulsa’s life spins out of control as he struggles with an addiction to pain pills and finds himself charged with a DUI.

Cut 10 (11) “named Indiana”

Ray says the filming process takes about 30 days, and they plan to begin in late May. He says from there it will take 6 to 9 months to edit the film. He says filming the bulls will undoubtedly be the biggest challenge they face during production.

Cut 11 (11) “a unique challenge”

Ray says over 1,000 actors from all over the country have applied for roles in the film. He says the support from the local community has also been tremendous. He says everything that goes into the film, from pre-production to post-production and editing, happens in Monroe.

Cut 12 (10) “to our community”

To learn more about “Cowboy & Indiana” and find out how to get involved, visit r2films.net.

_________________________________________________________

It’s the final day of the special session and the major sticking point is how much of the rainy day fund to tap to resolve a $304 million midyear deficit. Governor Edwards and the Senate proposes using $99 million from the state’s savings account, but LaPolitics.com publisher Jeremy Alford says House Republicans want the Senate to pass a bill that frees up statutory dedications in future budgets.

Cut 13 (09) “bend first”

It will take a two-thirds vote in the House to approve using money from the Rainy Day Fund, which means 70 yes votes. Some House GOP members say $99 million is too much to take from the state’s savings account and suggest $90 million. Alford says the deadline to reach an agreement is midnight.

Cut 14 (11) “or you don’t”

Alford says it’s a possibility lawmakers will fail to pass a budget cutting plan by midnight. He says if that happens, the governor could call them back for yet another special session, or the budget shortfall could be resolved in other ways.

Cut 15 (10) “on thier own”

State lawmakers are moving close to agreeing to a plan that would close a 304-million dollar midyear budget deficit. Jeff Palermo has the story…

CUT 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

______________________________________

Restaurant Brands International, the owner of Burger King, has placed a 1.8 billion dollar bid to buy Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen. Emelie Gunn has more…

Cut 2 (28) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

______________________________________

In the final two days of the special session, lawmakers are close to reaching a compromise on how many rainy day dollars to use versus what cuts to make to resolve a $304 million midyear deficit. The Senate approved a plan that would tap $99 million from the state’s savings account. Senate President John Alario says it’s a fair compromise that would protect vital services from deep cuts.

Cut 3 (08) “of this state”

While $99 million is far short of the $119 million the governor requested, it is more than the $74 million House Republicans wanted. The deal hinges on a plan by House Speaker Taylor Barras that would free up statutory dedicated funds in the future, including about $97 million next year. Barras’ bill would not affect the current deficit, but it’s what Republicans say it will take to get their vote for using 99 million rainy day dollars. Alario is wary this proposal would take dollars away from the Transportation Trust Fund and TOPS.

cut 4  (08) “make it work”

Alario says if $99 million rainy day dollars were used, it would mean a $60 million cut to the Department of Health and budget reductions for some statewide elected officials, including Attorney General Jeff Landry. Alario is hopeful lawmakers are close to reaching a compromise.

Cut 5  (07)  “under that assumption”

Alario says if everything goes well, things could wrap up around noon tomorrow, but he’s not packing his bags just yet. The special session must end by midnight on Wednesday.

_________________________________________________________

A Baton Rouge contractor is now facing a slew of charges in multiple parishes after allegedly scamming dozens of August flood victims. Baton Rouge Police say the owner of Complete Construction, Matthew Morris, was arrested this morning for home improvement fraud, felony theft, theft of assets of an aged person, and exploitation of the infirmed.  Legal analyst Tim Meche says there’s a chance Morris won’t serve any jail time.

Cut 6 (11) “some jail time”

Today’s arrest comes less than two weeks after Morris was booked in Ascension Parish after 13 flood victims claimed he overcharged them and failed to complete work. Morris is also wanted in Walker and Livingston Parish on charges of residential fraud and theft of assets of an aged person. Meche says the Attorney General will likely consolidate Morris’ charges.

CUT 7 (09)  “these cases”

Meche encourages flood victims who have dealt with Morris to contact authorities and file a complaint about any questionable behavior. He says unfortunately these arrests aren’t shocking because we typically see this kind of fraud after disasters.

Cut 8 (10) “to see this happening”

_________________________________________________________

The owners of Burger King could soon be in the fried chicken market, as Restaurant Brands International says they’re buying Popeyes for 1.8 billion dollars. The company also owns the coffee shop chain, Tim Horton’s. Tulane Business Professor Dr. Mark Rosa says it’s obvious Restaurant Brands International sees a bright future in Popeyes.

Cut 9 (09)  “healthy premium”

Rosa says around the globe, everyone recognizes Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen as a place to get fried chicken that tastes like it’s home cooked. He says Popeyes recently revamped their brand to potentially attract a larger restaurant chain, and it appears it worked.

Cut 10 (04) “aggressively”

Popeyes started in New Orleans in 1972. Rosa believes Restaurant Brands International will aggressively expand Popeyes to get a big return on their investment.

cut 11 (09) “like it”

_________________________________________________________

Governor John Bel Edwards orders a full investigation into trips made by State Police officers, amid a report 4 troopers took side excursions during a business trip on the taxpayer’s dime. The Division of Administration’s auditor will conduct the probe. Political analyst Clancy Dubos…:

cut 12 (10) “will show”

In response to the allegations against the troopers in question, Col Mike Edmonson announced a number of disciplinary actions and policy changes that will take place. Dubos says it will be interesting to see what happens following the Governor’s investigation as obviously the buck stops with the man in charge…:

Cut 13 (11) “happen“

The Governor’s Office says their investigation will also look at trips dating back to the previous administration. Dubos says considering Louisiana’s current financial troubles, this incident doesn’t look good for anybody in state government…:

cut 14 (11) “the consequences”

________________________________________________________

The former Avoyelles Correctional Center’s business manager has turned herself in after being indicted on charges of malfeasance, theft, and injuring public records. Tonia Cain is the wife of former-Avoyelles Warden Nate Cain, who is the eldest son of former-Angola Warden Burl Cain. Avoyelles District Attorney Charles Riddle says a warrant for her arrest was issued after her January indictment.

Cut 15 (07) “in April”

Tonia Cain resigned in May 2016 amid investigations into her and her husband’s actions at the prison. A legislative audit alleges Tonia Cain told a prison employee to shred public records to hide the fact that more than $30-thousand in concession sales was missing. Riddle says his office does not tolerate acts of public corruption.

Cut 16  (06)  “lightly”

Tonia Cain’s attorney, Jill Craft, issued a statement saying, “Tonia voluntarily turned herself in and has continued to cooperate fully in this process. While we respect the process, we also look forward to presenting the facts and justice.”

________________________________________________________