AM Newscall February 1

One of the largest companies in Louisiana may be the most important player on the field Sunday for the Super Bowl. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 1 (29) “I’m Matt Doyle”

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The Louisiana movie industry is seeing a revitalization after lawmakers reworked the state’s film tax credit program in 2016.  Kelley Ray talked with Louisiana Economic Development Secretary Don Pierson…

Cut 2 (29) “I’m Kelley Ray.”

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A task force’s proposal to alter TOPS for lower performing students is running into opposition from Taylor Foundation members. Jeff Palermo was there…

Cut 3 (31) “I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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Monroe-based CenturyLink is being relied upon to keep the lights on, and the broadcast rolling for this year’s Super Bowl. U.S. Bank Stadium is a new stadium built from the ground up with state-of-the-art technology, mostly by CenturyLink. Director of Smart Solutions Jesse Sullivan says it’s a project years in the making.

Cut 4  (12) “the Super Bowl.” 

CenturyLink is responsible for most of the technology infrastructure needs in the stadium. Perhaps most importantly, Sullivan says it’ll be high quality Wi-Fi throughout the stadium.

Cut 5  (10)  “same experience.”

CenturyLink will handle all of the major network video streams coming out of the stadium, as well as the massive data load of 72,000 fans sending snaps, Facebook videos, and Instagram selfies. Sullivan says the raw amount of data is staggering.

Cut 6 (08)  “on Sunday.”

Tech giant CenturyLink employs 2,700 Louisianans, with a payroll over 200- million dollars a year.

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The St. Landry Parish Crime Stoppers program has been awarded the 2017 Best “Crime of the Week” segment in the nation for cities up to 250-thousand people. A 20-minute program airs weekly on Thursday mornings on Lafayette radio station K-P-E-L and shorter segments on other stations including K-E-U-N.  Segments also air on Lafayette TV stations. Major Eddie Thibodeaux on the award from Crime Stoppers USA…

Cut 7 (12)  “the crimes.”

The program is responsible for assisting in 60 arrests in 50 different cases in 2017.  Thibodeaux says the anonymous tips are the reason behind its success…

Cut 8 (12) “the cases.”

Thibodeaux says as the segments have evolved, members of the St. Landry Parish’s Sheriff’s Office have become more involved…

Cut 9 (09)  “out there.”

The awards were presented at a Crime Stoppers USA seminar in Hawaii.

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The Louisiana movie industry is seeing a revitalization after lawmakers reworked the state’s film tax credit program in 2016. The state offers a 150-million-dollars-a-year-cap on credits issued, or 20-million-dollars per production.  Louisiana Economic Development says producers spent an estimated 668-million-dollars in 2017, up from 365-million-dollars the year before. Secretary Don Pierson says the recent uptick bodes well for the economy…

Cut 10 (12) “to Louisiana.”

Oscar winner Tom Hanks has chosen the Capital City to film the World War II movie “Greyhound”.  Pierson says shooting will begin in Mid-March aboard the U.S.S. Kidd and other Baton Rouge locations…

Cut 11 (09) “of that.”

The entertainment industry is looking to Louisiana as the state becomes more focused on television productions and smaller independent movies.  Pierson says they are highlighting to producers and directors, there’s more to Louisiana than just New Orleans…

Cut 12 (10) “will bring.”

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A task force’s recommendations to alter the TOPS scholarship is taking fire from advocates for lower income students. Jennings Senator Blade Morrish’s proposal would cap payments to lower performing high school students. Taylor Foundation Executive Director Dr. James Caillier says Morrish’s proposal will have a negative affect on poor students.

Cut 13 (11)  “the bottom”

Morrish’s proposed cap is 4,000 dollars a year for TOPS Opportunity students, which is 1,600 dollars below the average yearly cost of attending a four-year Louisiana school.

Caillier says the proposal takes money from poor families to line rich student’s pockets…

Cut 14 (08) “of funds”

Another proposal would force students to take a minimum 15 credit hours a semester to keep their scholarship, three more than required now. Caillier says students from poor families have bills that their rich classmates don’t…

Cut 15 (10) “can not”

The TOPS task force will vote on adopting their proposals February 7th, and then those recommendations would need legislative approval later this year.

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LA Tech is taking a three game win streak on the road to Florida with a chance at to crack .500 in conference play if the Bulldogs can get their first road win of the season tonight. After convincing wins over Rice and Southern Miss, Head Coach Eric Konkol is feeling confident in his team’s ability to shut down an FAU team tied with them in conference standings.

Cut 16 (18) “our goal.”   

Bulldogs Senior Guard Jacobi Boykins has been stroking it from downtown the last two games, dropping 6 threes each time out. Konkol says his young team is feeding off that energy.

Cut 17 (14) “had defensively”

The three game win streak came after an extended home stand, and the Bulldogs have been unable to grab a single win on the road this year. Konkel says getting this win would be huge for the team’s development.

Cut 18 (16) “that goal”

The game kicks off 6pm tonight.

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18:30 LRN Newscast January 31

An Amtrak train carrying Republican members of Congress, including Senator Bill Cassidy and Representative Garret Graves, hit a garbage truck near Charlottesville, Virginia today.

Cut 2 (28) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Today is the deadline for retailers to mail notices to Louisiana residents who purchased products online, but did not pay sales tax at the time of purchase.  Louisiana Department of Revenue spokesperson Byron Henderson says if you fail to report these taxes, it’ll cost you…

Cut 5  (05)  “could apply”

I-10 westbound was closed for several hours this morning at the West Pearl River Bridge in Slidell due to multiple accidents involving two 18-wheelers that were hauling live bees. Trooper Dustin Dwight says 8 vehicles were involved in the crash and first responders were dealing with a mess…:

Cut 9 (09) “the cargo”

Gas prices keep going up, which could signal high prices in the future.   Triple A fuel analyst Don Redman says with price increases coming on a daily basis, we may be paying much higher prices during the busy travel season, like around $3.00 a gallon…

Cut 7 (09)  “in Louisiana.”

Regular gas is at 2.43 a gallon on average in Louisiana.

17:30 LRN Newscast January 31

An Amtrak train carrying Republican members of Congress to a retreat in West Virginia, including Senator Bill Cassidy and Representative Garret Graves collided with a garbage truck near Charlottesville, Virginia. Cassidy says he was fortunate and he and his wife Laura were not injured, but says other passengers felt the brunt of the collision, which derailed the train…

Cut 12 (12) “attended to.”

One person in the garbage truck was killed and five others are reportedly injured.

I-10 westbound was closed for several hours this morning at the West Pearl River Bridge in Slidell due to multiple accidents involving two 18-wheelers that were hauling live bees. State Trooper Dustin Dwight…

Cut 10 (09) “plus career”

Eight vehicles altogether were involved in the accident.

With gas prices on the rise, drivers may be wondering if three dollar a gallon gas is on the horizon.  The current average for a gallon of regular gasoline is 2.43, up from six cents a week ago.  Triple A fuel analyst Don Redman says oil is trading at around 64-dollars a barrel.  He says demand is driving the oil market…

Cut 6 (11)  “seen that.”

Oil closed at 64.77 a barrel today.

A new Certified Louisiana logo will soon be on local products.  Ag Commissioner Mike Strain says for a product to be certified Louisiana, it passes state and federal food safety tests and must be made primarily in the Pelican State.  He says there are a couple of certified options for products that pass the test…

Cut 15 (06) “to Table”

4:30PM Newscast January 31

Louisiana Radio Network News, I’m Matt Doyle

An Amtrak train carrying Republican members of Congress to a retreat in West Virginia, including Senator Bill Cassidy and Representative Garret Graves collided with a garbage truck near Charlottesville, Virginia.  Officials says one in the garbage truck is dead and another seriously injured. Cassidy explains what happened…

Cut 11 (06) “got stuck.”

Cassidy says he was fortunate and he and his wife Laura were not injured, but says other passengers felt the brunt of the collision, which derailed the train.

Today is the deadline for retailers to mail notices to Louisiana residents who purchased products online, but did not pay sales tax at the time of purchase. Louisiana Department of Revenue spokesperson Byron Henderson says after you receive the notice, you have two options.

Cut 3 (10) “our website.”

LRN

Gas prices are seeing an unusual spike for this time of year, according to AAA. Michelle Southern reports…:

Cut 1 (28) “I’m Michelle Southern”

Louisianans looking to buy local products at their grocery store should look for a new logo. Louisiana Ag Commissioner Mike Strain says they have overhauled their Certified logo program with flashier, more diverse logos to further highlight goods made in the Bayou State. He hopes it spurs more interest in Louisiana goods.

Cut 16  (10)  “buy Louisiana”

Louisiana Radio Network News

16:45 LRN Sportscast January 31

The LSU men’s basketball team will look to pull off the uspet tonight as they visit Tennessee. Because of suspensions, the Tigers will have just nine players available. Reserves Wayde Sims and Brandon Rachal will serve a one-game suspension tonight, while Galen Alexander and Mayan Kiir are on a leave of absence. That leaves LSU with just two players who are six-foot-five or taller, Duop Reath and Aaron Epps.

In other action tonight, Tulane is at East Carolina. The Green Wave have lost four of their last five.

Northwestern State looks for its first Southland win as they visit UNO. The Privateers lead the league with an 8-2 record. Southeastern Louisiana is 7-2 in the Southland and they host Texas A-and-M Corpus Christi at the University Center in Hammond.

The Pelcians fell to 7th place in the Western Conference after losing to Sacramento 114 to 103. New Orleans begins a two-game road trip in Oklahoma City on Friday.

Athlon Sports ranks the Top 50 players in college football for 2018 and two LSU Tigers made the list. Cornerback Greedy Williams, who intercepted six passes in 2017 and linebacker Devin White who made 133 tackles in his first year as a full-time starter.

New Southeastern Louisiana Football Coach Frank Scelfo says he wants to bring a physical style of football to Hammond. Scelfo replaces Ron Roberts, who guided the Lions to two Southland championships. Scelfo says he also wants to run a program where the student-athletes excel in the classroom…
cut 18 (16) “…is unacceptable”

In the preseason USA Today softball coaches poll, the LSU Tigers are ranked 8th and UL Lafayette is ranked 22nd.

15:30 LRN Newscast January 31

An Amtrak train carrying Republican members of Congress to a retreat in West Virginia, including Senator Bill Cassidy and Representative Garret Graves collided with a garbage truck near Charlottesville, Virginia.  One person in the trash truck was killed and at least five others sustained injuries.  Both Cassidy and his wife are doctors and rushed to help…

Cut 13 (06) “serious condition.”

Graves’ office has confirmed he is ok.

Louisiana drivers continue to see higher gas prices and a return to three-dollars a gallon may not be too far off.  The current average for a gallon of regular gasoline is 2.43, up from six cents a week ago.  Triple A fuel analyst Don Redman says refineries will begin the process of changing to summer blend which always tacks on extra cost to consumers…

Cut 8 (06) “over with.”

He says the three dollar a gallon gas may show up by summer.

Today is the deadline for retailers to mail notices to Louisiana residents who purchased products online, but did not pay sales tax at the time of purchase. Customers are required to include these forms so they can pay those taxes when they file this year. Louisiana Department of Revenue spokesperson Byron Henderson says if you fail to report these taxes, it’ll cost you.

Cut 5  (05)  “could apply”

Louisiana customers won’t need to worry about Amazon, since sales tax is added at the time of purchase.

Louisianans looking to buy local products at their grocery store should look for a new logo. Louisiana Ag Commissioner Mike Strain says they have overhauled their Certified logo program with flashier, more diverse logos to further highlight goods made in the Bayou State.

Cut 14 (10) “of Louisiana”

The program also features a new website.

2:30PM Newscast January 31

An Amtrak train carrying Republican members of Congress to a retreat in West Virginia, including Senator Bill Cassidy and Representative Garret Graves collided with a garbage truck near Charlottesville, Virginia.  Officials says one in the garbage truck is dead and another seriously injured. Cassidy says he and his wife were not injured, but says other passengers felt the brunt of the collision.

Cut 12 (12) “attended to.”

Cassidy and his wife are doctors and provided aid. Congressman Graves was not injured.

The Coast Guard about 1,300 gallons of pol spilled from a facility into the southwestern Louisiana Wetlands. The area where the spill occured is currently used to released endangered whooping cranes back into the wild. The spill was linked to Peak Operating Company.

The Coast Guard is reporting that as of now, the spill is contained.

LRN

Today is the deadline for retailers to mail notices to Louisiana residents who purchased products online, but did not pay sales tax at the time of purchase. Customers are required to include these forms so they can pay those taxes when they file their taxes this year. Louisiana Department of Revenue spokesperson Byron Henderson says it’ll be easy to track down those who fail to file.

Cut 4  (11) “tax returns” 

Louisianans looking to buy local products at their grocery store should look for a new logo. Louisiana Ag Commissioner Mike Strain says they have overhauled their Certified logo program with flashier, more diverse logos to further highlight goods made in the Bayou State. Strain says there’s a couple of different certified options for products that pass the test.

Cut 15 (06) “to Table”

Louisiana Radio Network

LRN PM Newscall January 31

Gas prices are seeing an unusual spike for this time of year, according to AAA. Michelle Southern reports…:

Cut 1 (28) “I’m Michelle Southern”

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An Amtrak train carrying Republican members of Congress, including Senator Bill Cassidy and Representative Garret Graves, hit a garbage truck near Charlottesville, Virginia.  Jeff Palermo has more.

Cut 2 (28) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

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Today is the deadline for retailers to mail notices to Louisiana residents who purchased products online, but did not pay sales tax at the time of purchase. Customers are required to include these forms so they can pay those taxes when they file their taxes this year. Louisiana Department of Revenue spokesperson Byron Henderson says after you receive the notice, you have two options.

Cut 3 (10) “our website.”

Henderson says if you’re thinking of skipping out on the taxes, just know the state now has an easy way to double check that you’ve paid them.

Cut 4  (11) “tax returns” 

Henderson says if you fail to report these taxes, it’ll cost you.

Cut 5  (05)  “could apply”

Louisiana customers won’t need to worry about Amazon, as they charge sales tax at the time of purchase.

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Louisiana drivers continue to see higher gas prices and a return to three-dollars a gallon may not be too far off.  The current average for a gallon of regular gasoline is 2.43, up from six cents a week ago.  Triple A fuel analyst Don Redman says oil is trading at around 64-dollars a barrel.  He says demand is driving the oil market…

Cut 6 (11)  “seen that.”

Redman says drivers should be concerned about where oil may end up by summer.  He says with increases coming on a daily basis, we may be paying much higher prices during the busy travel season…

Cut 7 (09)  “in Louisiana.”

Redman also says refineries will begin the process of changing to summer blend which always tacks on extra cost to consumers…

Cut 8 (06) “over with.”

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I-10 westbound was closed for several hours this morning at the West Pearl River Bridge in Slidell due to multiple accidents involving two 18-wheelers that were hauling live bees. Trooper Dustin Dwight says 8 vehicles were involved in the crash and first responders were dealing with a mess…:

Cut 9 (09) “the cargo”

Dwight says thankfully they were able to contain the bees fairly quickly, but it was quite a task…:

Cut 10 (09) “plus career”

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An Amtrak train carrying Republican members of Congress to a retreat in West Virginia, including Senator Bill Cassidy and Representative Garret Graves collided with a garbage truck near Charlottesville, Virginia.  Officials says one in the garbage truck is dead and another seriously injured. Cassidy explains what happened…

Cut 11 (06) “got stuck.”

Cassidy says he was fortunate and he and his wife Laura were not injured, but says other passengers felt the brunt of the collision, which derailed the train.  Doctors on board began assisting the passengers in the garbage truck immediately…

Cut 12 (12) “attended to.”

Both Cassidy and his wife are doctors.  They rushed to the garbage truck and describes the scene of the collision…

Cut 13 (06) “serious condition.”

Graves’ office has confirmed he is ok.

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Louisianans looking to buy local products at their grocery store should look for a new logo. Louisiana Ag Commissioner Mike Strain says they have overhauled their Certified logo program with flashier, more diverse logos to further highlight goods made in the Bayou State.

Cut 14 (10) “of Louisiana”

The program also features a new website.

For a product to be Certified Louisiana, it has to pass state and federal food safety tests, and be made primarily in the Pelican State. Strain says there’s a couple of different certified options for products that pass the test.

Cut 15 (06) “to Table”

Strain says the logos are bigger and flashier than in the past. He hopes it spurs more interest in Louisiana goods.

Cut 16  (10)  “buy Louisiana”

Businesses or individuals interested in applying for Certified Louisiana can apply at the LDAF website. The program has a 25 dollar application fee.

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13:30 Newscast, January 31st, 2018

An Amtrak train carrying Republican members of Congress, including Senator Bill Cassidy and Representative Garret Graves, hit a garbage truck near Charlottesville, Virginia….:
Cut 2 (28) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Gas prices keeping on rising. The current statewide average for a gallon of regular is $2.43, up 6 cents from last week. AAA Fuel Analyst Don Redman says prices will be even higher during busy travel months…:
Cut 7 (09) “in Louisiana”

I-10 westbound was closed for several hours this morning at the West Pearl River Bridge in Slidell due to multiple accidents involving two 18-wheelers that were hauling live bees. Trooper Dustin Dwight says thankfully they were able to contain the bees fairly quickly, but it was quite a task…:
Cut 10 (09) “plus career”
He said no one was seriously injured in the crashes.

Louisianans looking to buy local products at their grocery store should look for a new logo. Ag Commissioner Mike Strain says the new, certified images are bigger and flashier than before, which he hopes spurs more interest in home grown products…:
Cut 16 (10) “buy Louisiana”
The certified logos include: Certified Louisiana, Certified Cajun, Certified Creole and Certified Farm to Table.

12:30 Newscast, January 31st, 2018

 

An Amtrak train carrying Republican members of Congress to a retreat in West Virginia, including Senator Bill Cassidy and Baton Rouge Representative Garret Graves, collided with a garbage truck near Charlottesville, Virginia. Cassidy says one of the occupants of the garbage truck died. He explains what happened…:
Cut 11 (06) “got stuck”
Cassidy and his wife, and Graves’ office says they are all okay.

Today is the deadline for retailers to mail notices to Louisiana residents who purchased products online, but did not pay sales tax. Customers are required to include these forms so they can pay those taxes when they file this year. Louisiana Department of Revenue spokesperson Byron Henderson:
Cut 3 (10) “our website”
Amazon already charges sales tax at the time of purchase.

The state Department of Agriculture announces a new logo to look for if you’re interested in purchasing home grown products at the grocery store.
Ag Commissioner Mike Strain says they have overhauled their Certified logo program with a flashier, more diverse image to further highlight goods made in the Bayou State…:
Cut 14 (10) “of Louisiana”
Visit ldaf.la.gov to check out the new logo.

A Jefferson Parish man imprisoned for nearly four decades is free after being cleared in a 1979 rape. 58-year-old Malcolm Alexander’s conviction and life sentence were thrown out Tuesday by a state judge in Gretna.