The small town of Urania in LaSalle Parish has landed a big sawmill that will create 110 jobs and an additional 300 indirect jobs. A joint venture by Hunt Forest Products and Tolko Industries will build a state of the art 115-million-dollar mill in the heart of the state’s 11-billion-dollar forest products industry. Mayor Terri Corley is thrilled they can use the former location of the old Louisiana-Pacific mill…

The mill will supply wood fiber and residuals to Drax Biomass, which occupies part of the property. The project will create 150 jobs when construction starts in April and is expected to be completed in early 2019. Corley hopes they can attract local workers who left after L-P closed…

Cut 4  (07) “to work.” 

Louisiana Senator John Kennedy says he will not support what he terms a “knee-jerk” reaction to additional gun control laws in the wake of the Florida shootings. Kennedy opposes a bill to modify the existing back-ground check systems for firearm purchases because he says that system is broken.

Cut 6 ( :10…”doing nothing.”)

Slidell Senator Sharon Hewitt has weighed in on her opinion of the secretary of state tom shelter sexual harassment allegations. Hewitt, in a statement this morning, says shelter should step down after his admission of an inappropriate relationship with a state worker that reported to him. She called the infraction “indefensible.”

LSU President F. King Alexander announced this morning the adoption of recommendations made from the “LSU Task Force on Greek Life.” Alexander took a hard line by adopting the policies and adding some of his own. Primarily the breakdown is in three sections…No more grey areas, Additional Transparency, and outside expertise.

In other words… any hazing means mandatory expulsion. Alexander says the implementation could be as soon as immediate or wait until the fall semester.

LSU President F. King Alexander announced this morning the adoption of recommendations made from the “LSU Task Force on Greek Life.” Alexander took a hard line by adopting the policies and adding some of his own. Primarily the breakdown is in three sections…No more grey areas, Additional Transparency, and outside expertise. In other words..any hazing means mandatory expulsion. Alexander says the implementation could be as soon as immediate or wait until the fall semester.

Slidell Senator Sharon Hewitt has weighed in on her opinion of the secretary of state tom shelter sexual harassment allegations. Hewitt, in a statement this morning, says shelter should step down after his admission of an inappropriate relationship with a state worker that reported to him. She called the infraction “indefensible.”

Congressman Steve Scalise is remembering the students of Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Florida, as they resume classes today, two weeks after 19-year-old Nikolas Cruz went on a shooting rampage, killing 17 people. Scalise says today will not be easy for students returning to a place where such a horrific tragedy occurred.

Scalise is frustrated the FBI did not investigate Cruz after getting reports from others about his violent nature.  He says the FBI was aware Cruz wanted to become a professional school shooter…

Cut 26 (11)  “people accountable.”

The small town of Urania in LaSalle Parish has landed a big sawmill that will create 110 jobs and an additional 300 indirect jobs. A joint venture by Hunt Forest Products and Tolko Industries will build a state of the art 115-million-dollar mill in the heart of the state’s 11-billion-dollar forest products industry. Mayor Terri Corley is thrilled they can use the former location of the old Louisiana-Pacific mill…

Cut 3 (06) “a sawmill.”

LSU President F. King Alexander announced this morning the adoption of recommendations made from the “LSU Task Force on Greek Life.” Alexander took a hard line by adopting the policies and adding some of his own. Primarily the breakdown is in three sections…No more grey areas, Additional Transparency, and outside expertise. In other words..any hazing means mandatory expulsion. Alexander says the implementation could be as soon as immediate or wait until the fall semester.

Congressman Steve Scalise is remembering the students of Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Florida, as they resume classes today, two weeks after 19-year-old Nikolas Cruz went on a shooting rampage, killing 17 people. Scalise says today will not be easy for students returning to a place where such a horrific tragedy occurred…

The House Majority Whip from suburban New Orleans says he supports the proposal for teachers to arm themselves. Broward County Sheriff’s deputy Scot Peterson resigned after not taking appropriate action during the shooting. Scalise says it upsets him that Peterson didn’t do his job..

Cut 5  (11)  “the shooter.”

=———————————————————————————————————————-

The state Department of Agriculture and Forestry is teaming up with the LSU AgCenter to fight citrus canker disease.  The disease is spread by wind driven rain, causing lesions on the leaves and fruit.  It was first found in the state in 2013 at City Park in New Orleans.  State Ag Commissioner Mike Strain says there is no cure right now, but hopes their research will produce results to slow the disease…

The citrus economy has an over six-million-dollar impact to the Louisiana economy annually.  But unfortunately, once a tree is infected, Strain says the fruit isn’t sellable anymore…If a tree is suspected of carrying citrus canker disease, Strain says the best thing to do is destroy it, but he has these precautions…

Cut 9 (09)  “citrus tree.”

Over at the capitol many believe Democrats will agree to a bill that would place the state sales tax rate above four-percent ,if Republicans agree to income tax bracket changes or cutting a tax break for middle and upper income wage earners who itemize their deductions. Scott says it appears an agreement can be reached to reduce most of the shortfall…

Tax bills need 70 votes to pass the House. And they will also need Senate approval, before the special session ends a week from today. There was a lot of tension on the House floor on Monday.  Chairman of the Legislative Black Caucus Joe Bouie hopes there is a spirit of compromise today

Cut 15 (08) “fiscal cliff”

The state Department of Agriculture and Forestry is teaming up with the LSU AgCenter to fight citrus canker disease.  Michael Farrar has more…

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Michael Farrar.”

Will the state House come to an agreement on solving a looming one-billion dollar budget deficit as a result of expiring state sales taxes? President of the Public Affairs Research Council Robert Travis Scott says he

believes Democrats will agree to a bill that would place the state sales tax rate above four-percent, if Republicans agree to income tax bracket changes or cutting a tax break for middle and upper income wage earners who itemize their deductions. Scott says it appears an agreement can be reached to reduce most of the shortfall…

Cut 14 (11) “billion dollar dispute.”

A former school principal at a Christian school in Franklin Parish has been indicted by a grand jury on eleven counts of sexual misconduct. District Attorney Mack Lancaster says 41-year-old Stephen Couch of Winnsboro was a teacher, later a principal, at the Apostolic Tabernacle Christian School in Winnsboro when the crimes allegedly occurred…

All the male victims were aged 14 to 18 at the time the offenses believed to have occurred. Lancaster says he knows many of them along with their families and finds it hard to believe a trusted member of the community would be accused of such crimes…

Cut 12 (12) “these acts.”

Stephen Couch is the son of the Reverend Michael Couch, who serves as the director and president of the church. An arraignment hearing for Stephen Couch will be held in March.

Congressman Steve Scalise wants answers as to why 17 people were killed two weeks ago at a Florida High School.  Kelley Ray has the story.

Cut 1 (31) “I’m Kelley Ray.”

The state Department of Agriculture and Forestry is teaming up with the LSU AgCenter to fight citrus canker disease.  The disease is spread by wind driven rain, causing lesions on the leaves and fruit.  It was first found in the state in 2013 at City Park in New Orleans.  State Ag Commissioner Mike Strain says there is no cure right now and unfortunately, once a tree is infected, Strain says the fruit isn’t sellable anymore…

Cut 8 (08) “look good.”

The Citrus industry contributes 6 million dollars to the state’s economy each year.

A former school principal at a Christian school in Franklin Parish has been indicted by a grand jury on eleven counts of sexual misconduct. District Attorney Mack Lancaster says 41-year-old Stephen Couch of Winnsboro was a teacher, later a principal, at the Apostolic Tabernacle Christian School in Winnsboro when the crimes allegedly occurred…

Lancaster says the crimes with male victims who attended the school, stretch back years…

Cut 11 (11) “and 2016.”

Will the state House come to an agreement on solving a looming one-billion dollar budget deficit as a result of expiring state sales taxes? President of the Public Affairs Research Council Robert Travis Scott says even though Republicans are the majority party in the lower chamber, Democrats are holding firm on their wishes

Cut 13 (12)  “mixture of both.”

Can the different factions in the state House come together on a plan to reduce a looming one-billion dollar deficit? Jeff Palermo has a preview…

Cut 3 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Congressman Steve Scalise is remembering the students of Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Florida, as they resume classes today, two weeks after 19-year-old Nikolas Cruz went on a shooting rampage, killing 17 people. Scalise says today will not be easy for students returning to a place where such a horrific tragedy occurred…

Cut 4  (11) “out there.” 

A former school principal at a Christian school in Franklin Parish has been indicted by a grand jury on eleven counts of sexual misconduct. District Attorney Mack Lancaster says 41-year-old Stephen Couch of Winnsboro was a teacher, later a principal, at the Apostolic Tabernacle Christian School in Winnsboro when the crimes allegedly occurred…

Cut 10 (12) “a student.”

The state Department of Agriculture and Forestry is teaming up with the LSU AgCenter to fight citrus canker disease.  The disease is spread by wind driven rain, causing lesions on the leaves and fruit.  It was first found in the state in 2013 at City Park in New Orleans.  State Ag Commissioner Mike Strain says there is no cure right now, but hopes their research will produce results to slow the disease…

Cut 7 (10)  “this disease.”

Congressman Steve Scalise wants answers as to why 17 people were killed two weeks ago at a Florida High School.  Kelley Ray has the story.

Cut 1 (31) “I’m Kelley Ray.”

______________________________________

The state Department of Agriculture and Forestry is teaming up with the LSU AgCenter to fight citrus canker disease.  Michael Farrar has more…

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Michael Farrar.”

_______________________________________

Can the different factions in the state House come together on a plan to reduce a looming one-billion dollar deficit? Jeff Palermo has a preview…

Cut 3 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

____________________________________________

Congressman Steve Scalise is remembering the students of Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Florida, as they resume classes today, two weeks after 19-year-old Nikolas Cruz went on a shooting rampage, killing 17 people. Scalise says today will not be easy for students returning to a place where such a horrific tragedy occurred…

Cut 4  (11) “out there.” 

The House Majority Whip from suburban New Orleans says he supports the proposal for teachers to arm themselves. Broward County Sheriff’s deputy Scot Peterson resigned after not taking appropriate action during the shooting. Scalise says it upsets him that Peterson didn’t do his job..

Cut 5  (11)  “the shooter.”

Scalise is frustrated the FBI did not investigate Cruz after getting reports from others about his violent nature.  He says the FBI was aware Cruz wanted to become a professional school shooter…

Cut 6 (11)  “people accountable.”

____________________________________________

The state Department of Agriculture and Forestry is teaming up with the LSU AgCenter to fight citrus canker disease.  The disease is spread by wind driven rain, causing lesions on the leaves and fruit.  It was first found in the state in 2013 at City Park in New Orleans.  State Ag Commissioner Mike Strain says there is no cure right now, but hopes their research will produce results to slow the disease…

Cut 7 (10)  “this disease.”

The citrus economy has an over six-million-dollar impact to the Louisiana economy annually.  But unfortunately, once a tree is infected, Strain says the fruit isn’t sellable anymore…

Cut 8 (08) “look good.”

If a tree is suspected of carrying citrus canker disease, Strain says the best thing to do is destroy it, but he has these precautions…

Cut 9 (09)  “citrus tree.”

The study is being funded through a USDA Specialty Crop Block Grant Program.

_________________________________________________________

A former school principal at a Christian school in Franklin Parish has been indicted by a grand jury on eleven counts of sexual misconduct. District Attorney Mack Lancaster says 41-year-old Stephen Couch of Winnsboro was a teacher, later a principal, at the Apostolic Tabernacle Christian School in Winnsboro when the crimes occurred…

Cut 10 (12) “a student.”

Lancaster says the crimes with the male victims who attended the school, stretch back years…

Cut 11 (11) “and 2016.”

The House of Representatives was quiet today during this special session as members are taking as one lawmaker termed a “mental health day” off. Fingers have been pointing all over the capitol in explanation of why the budget crunch cannot be fixed. Jonesboro Republican Jack McFarland…

Cut 6  (08)  “in personalities”

But Baton Rouge Black Caucus member Ted James says he and his coalition are not backing down during this session. He says he would rather head to the house first.

Cut 9 (10) “do that.”

Legislators have until March 7^th to come up with a solution to a one billion dollar budget shortfall.  The House of Representatives will reconvene at 10am Wednesday.

LSU has confirmed there is no active investigation on the Tiger basketball program after Yahoo Sports reported there was an NCAA inquiry to learn more about Coach Will Wade’s recruiting efforts across the country.  Wade says the press will say what they want to say, and as the leader of the program, he can’t let that distract him from doing the job at hand…

Cut 11 (11) “it movin’.”

LSU stated they continue to stand for full compliance and partnership with the NCAA and the SEC.

The House of Representatives was quiet Tuesday as members are taking as one lawmaker termed it, a “mental health day” off. Fingers have been pointing all over the capitol in explanation of why the budget crunch cannot be fixed.  Baton Rouge Black Caucus member Ted James says his caucus will not cow-down to pressure of putting a financial burden on the poor by passing a sales tax bill…

Cut 8 (08) “We are serious”

Jonesboro Republican Jack McFarland says a day off was necessary so all sides can take a deep breath as the deadline to pass revenue generating bills to close a billion dollar deficit is a week away…

Cut 7 (09)  “some more compromise”

The House is set to reconvene at 10am Wednesday.

It’s unclear if legislators will find a solution to a looming one billion dollar budget deficit before the special session ends next Wednesday March 7th. Governor John Bel Edwards is meeting with legislative leadership and remains optimistic a deal can be struck

Cut 13 (10) “always said”

When the regular session starts on the following Monday, March 12^th, the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries hopes to have a bill submitted that would consolidate the amount of licenses they issue from 117 to 30.  Under the proposal, some fees would go up, including the regular hunting and fishing licenses for Louisiana residents. Cole Garett, Executive Counsel for the LDWF, says the increase will help them get more money from other sources…

Cut 30 (06) “tax money.”

If approved by the Legislature, the increases would go into effect in 2019.