Senator Bill Cassidy is looking to help out parents for the first year of parenthood with paid leave and it’s a bipartisan effort. Cassidy says sometimes a new child may create a situation where a mother must quit working and survive on public assistance.

Cut 11 (09) “…return to work.”

Cassidy says the proposal will also improve the relationship between the parents and the child.

For years the Louisiana Treasury Department has returned unclaimed money to folks, and now they’re looking to do the same thing for lost military medals. Louisiana has an above-average rate of military service, and Treasurer John Schroder says law would allow the Department to collect lost medals and military paperwork from depositories and return them to the owner, or next of kin.

Cut 8 (06) “yet.”

The Saints Michael Thomas has reportedly agreed to a new contract that makes him the highest paid receiver in NFL history. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Jeff Palermo”

Louisiana has lost a sport legend in the boxing community, Beau Williford a professional trainer who once sparred with Muhammad Ali and founder of the Ragin’ Cajun Boxing Club in Lafayette has died. Williford died early Wednesday morning after a brief battle with cancer, he was 69 years old. Services will be held Saturday at First Baptist Church in Lafayette.

Senator Bill Cassidy releases a paid leave proposal for new parents.  Cassidy says with the plan, new parents would be allowed to take $5,000 advance on the child tax credit, reducing the $2,000 annual benefit to $1,500 for ten years after the birth or adoption of a child.  Cassidy says the proposal presents great benefits to families.

Cut 10 (11) “…that great expense.”

Louisiana Tech is investing in building new residence halls and parking by fall of 2021 as they continue to expand. Louisiana Tech assistant VP for student advancement Dickie Crawford says the old halls aren’t unsafe or falling apart, but they are outdated and with interest in the institution growing, they want to show a more modern face.

Cut 6 (09) “…newer.”

The Baton Rouge Area Chamber releases its 2019 legislative and gubernatorial election platform. BRAC Senior VP of Economic Competitiveness Liz Smith says they’d like to see a special session called in 2020. Smith says the platform lays out a plan to pay for infrastructure needs via a gas tax they particularly want to see a new Mississippi River Bridge crossing and BRAC supports a passenger rail between Baton Rouge and New Orleans.

Cut 14 (11) “…to work every day.”

The Saints and Michael Thomas make a historic contract agreement making the wide out the highest-paid receiver in NFL. Thomas led the NFL with 125 catches, no other player in NFL has caught more passes in his first three seasons. The Voice of the Saints, Zach Streif, says Thomas is worth the investment.

Cut 4 (13) “…in the box.”

Senator Bill Cassidy releases a paid leave proposal for new parents. Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 2 (31 ) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart” 

The Tangipahoa Parish father who’s vehicle crash resulted in the death of his five year old son pleads guilty to negligent homicide. 55-year old Toney Gallo was sentence to 18 years in prison with credit for time served. The crash happened in March of 2018. His son died two months later of severe head trauma.

The Saints and Michael Thomas agreed to a contract that makes the wide out the highest-paid receiver in NFL history. Sources say the deal is worth 100-million dollars over five years. The Voice of the Saints, Zach Streif, (Streef) says it’s a huge contract, but it should not prevent the team from re-signing some of its other young stars

Cut 3 (12) “…each era”

Louisiana Tech is investing in building new residence halls and parking by fall of 2021 as the student body continues to expand. Louisiana Tech assistant VP for student advancement Dickie Crawford says they’re having to pull off the aggressive expansion to meet the needs of a student body that has experienced significant growth in recent years.

Cut 5  (08) “…this year” 

Good news Saints fans, the Black and Gold have reportedly signed wide receiver Michael Thomas to a new contract that makes him the highest-paid receiver in the NFL. The massive deal will pay Thomas 100-million dollars over the next five years, which keeps him in New Orleans through the 2024 season.

Brooke Thorington talked to Louisiana Treasurer John Schroder about a new program that aims to return missing military medals to their rightful owners…
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Brooke Thorington ”

Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy has helped craft a bipartisan proposal that would allow new parents to receive a five-thousand-dollar tax credit for family paid leave. Cassidy says sometimes a new child may force a mother to quit working and survive on public assistance…
cut 11 (09) “…return to work”
Parents who take the five-thousand-dollar credit, would be eligible for only a 15-hundred dollar child tax credit after the first year, instead of the maximum credit of $2,000.

The Baton Rouge Area Chamber is calling on the candidates for governor and the state legislature to push for a special session next year to address the state’s long-standing transportation issues. BRAC Senior VP of Economic Competitiveness Liz Smith…
cut 13 (11) “…can be competitive”
Smith says funding for a new Mississippi River bridge would be a priority.

The Baton Rouge Area Chamber is calling on whoever is elected as governor to hold a special session in 2020 to address the state’s transportation problems. BRAC Senior VP of Economic Competitiveness Liz Smith says the special session would produce funding for a new I-10 bridge in Baton Rouge and high-speed rail service between New Orleans and the capitol city…
cut 15 (13) :…things like hurricanes”

For years the Louisiana Treasury Department has returned unclaimed money and now they will do the same thing for lost military medals. Treasurer John Schroder says the state legislature gave his office that authority in the last legislative session…
Cut 7 (08) “of them.”
Medals and military documents left in deposit boxes or other depositories for five years after the lease expires will be handed over to the treasury’s unclaimed property division.

Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy has co-authored legislation that would give parents of a newborn or adopted child the option of receiving a five-thousand-dollar tax credit during the first year of parenthood. Cassidy says the legislation is designed to encourage new parents to spend more time at home…
cut 12 (08) “….bonding is more”
If a parent takes the five-thousand-dollar tax credit, they’ll receive less of the annual child tax credit after the first year.

Louisiana Tech will build new residence halls to replace dormitories that date back to the 1940s. Assistant VP for student advancement Dickie Crawford says 600 new beds will be created, along with a thousand new parking spaces…
cut 4 (09) “….parking”
The new halls will mean Harper, Mitchell, and Cottingham dorms will be discontinued by 2021.

Senator Bill Cassidy releases a paid leave proposal for new parents. Cassidy says with the plan, new parents would be allowed to take $5,000 advance on the child tax credit, reducing the $2,000 annual benefit to $1,500 for ten years after the birth or adoption of a child…
cut 10 (11) “…that great expense”
Cassidy says the legislation has bipartisan support.

New legislative gives State Treasurer John Schroder the authority to return lost military medals to veterans of their families. Schroder’s office already oversees the return of unclaimed property, such as money from old banking accounts, payroll checks, stocks and utility deposits…
cut 9 (09) “…paper”
Schroder says his office would not return medals or military documents until after they go five years sitting in a safety deposit box or another depository after the lease period expires.

The Baton Rouge Area Chamber calls for a special session next year to focus on infrastructure needs. Matt Doyle has the story.  voicer 3 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

It’s National Heatstroke Prevention Day, thankfully not to hot in Louisiana today. Rain chances higher for south Louisiana.

Brooke Thorington talked to Louisiana Treasurer John Schroder about a new program that aims to return missing military medals to their rightful owners…

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Brooke Thorington ”

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Senator Bill Cassidy releases a paid leave proposal for new parents. Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 2 (31 ) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart” 

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The Baton Rouge Area Chamber calls for a special session in 2020 for a renewed focus on infrastructure needs.  Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

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Louisiana Tech is investing in building new residence halls and parking by fall of 2021 as the student body continues to expand year to year.

Louisiana Tech assistant VP for student advancement Dickie Crawford says 600 new beds will be created, along with a thousand new parking spaces in and around the campus.

Cut 4 (09) “…parking.” 

The new halls will mean Harper, Mitchell, and Cottingham halls will be discontinued by 2021.

Crawford says they’re having to pull off the aggressive expansion to meet the needs of a student body that has experienced significant growth in recent years.

Cut 5  (08) “…this year” 

Crawford says the old halls aren’t unsafe or falling apart, but they are outdated and with interest in the Ruston institution growing, they’re pushing to show a more modern face.

Cut 6 (09) “…newer.”

Tech experienced some damage to facilities during the tornado earlier this year, most of which was done to athletic fields and stadiums.

________________

For years the Louisiana Treasury Department has returned unclaimed money to folks, and now they’re looking to do the same thing for lost military medals.

Louisiana has an above-average rate of military service, and Treasurer John Schroder says the proposal flew through the Legislature unanimously.

Cut 7 (08) “of them.”  (2x)

The legislation was sponsored by Abbeville Senator Bob Hensgens.

The law would allow the Department to collect lost medals and military paperwork from depositories and return them to the owner, or next of kin.

Cut 8 (06) “yet.”

That’s Schroder, who says they’ll have to get together and work out the details with banks, safety deposit box companies, and other groups before starting to process.

Generally, when the Department finds “unclaimed property”, they just send you a check, but Schroder says they’ll be learning how to take good care of these precious items before sending them out.

Cut 9 (09) “…paper”

The medals and paperwork would have to had to sit unclaimed for five years before they could be turned over to the state for distribution.

_______________________

Senator Bill Cassidy releases a paid leave proposal for new parents.  Cassidy says with the plan, new parents would be allowed to take $5,000 advance on the child tax credit, reducing the $2,000 annual benefit to $1,500 for ten years after the birth or adoption of a child.  Cassidy says the proposal presents great benefits to families.

Cut 10 (11) “…that great expense.”

It’s a bipartisan effort as the Republican is working alongside Arizona Democrat Senator Kyrsten Sinema.  Cassidy says sometimes a new child may create a situation where a mother must quit working and survive on public assistance.

Cut 11 (09) “…return to work.”

Cassidy says the proposal will also improve the relationship between the parents and the child.

Cut 12 (11) “…bonding is more.”

_____________________________

The Baton Rouge Area Chamber releases their 2019 legislative and gubernatorial election platform that calls for a major focus on making south Louisiana competitive for business growth with reinvestment in infrastructure.  BRAC Senior VP of Economic Competitiveness Liz Smith says they’d like to see a special session called in 2020.

Cut 13 (11) “…can be competitive.”

Smith says the platform also lays out a plan to pay for infrastructure needs via a gas tax.

Cut 14 (11) “…to work every day.”

In addition to a new bridge to cross the Mississippi River in the Baton Rouge area, Smith says in order to make south Louisiana a more competitive super-region, a high-speed rail system is needed to connect Baton Rouge to New Orleans.

Cut 15 (13) “…things like hurricanes.”

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Now that LSU football has its newly renovated operations building, LSU basketball coach Will Wade says the Tigers basketball practice facility needs a major upgrade. Wade says he’s met with Tiger Athletic Foundation officials and they’ve raised about 25-percent of what they need

Cut 16  (13) “…with our time”   

The 28-million dollar renovation to the football ops building gives players a chance to work out, eat, sleep, play video games, study and meet with coaches in one building. Wade says he’s looking for the same type of efficiency for his basketball players and recruits are looking for that as well

cut 17 (09) “the year”” 

LSU’s basketball practice facility opened in 2010. But Wade says it doesn’t include a weight room and he would like to improve the players’ locker room and office space for coaches. Wade says the upgrade will cost 15-million dollars

GOP governor’s race candidate Eddie Rispone is set to start spending five million-plus dollars on an ad buy that Rispone campaign communications director Anthony Ramirez says will let the voters know exactly who the Baton Rouge business magnate is.

Cut 9 (10) “…electorate”

Ramirez says expect to see the candidate’s message on everything from nightly news to Monday Night Football.

48-year-old James William Eaton of West Monroe is in jail after posing online as a woman and luring another man to drive from California to Ouachita Parish thinking he was marrying that woman.  Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Glen Springfield…

Cut 5 (13) “…was a scam.”

It is unclear how long the relationship had been going on.

Three people are dead including a toddler, all from Olla, after an 18-wheeler rear-ended the Ford Fiesta they were traveling in, causing the vehicle to overturn. State Trooper Scott Moreau says no one was properly restrained in the Ford being driven by a 17-year-old girl, the only survivor in the vehicle.

Cut 10 (09) “…on the scene.”

The two of the deceased were identified as 45-year-old Vicki Sears, 24-year-old Brittany Martin, and the toddler was unnamed.

The St. John Sheriff’s Office is investigating a double homicide. Sheriff Mike Tregre says the victims are cousins, 18 and 20-years old and they were found in a vehicle on West Airline Highway and East 22nd Street in Reserve, and says violence like this involving young men is far too common

Cut 14 (07) “…in my parish”

They’re currently hunting for suspects.

48-year-old James William Eaton of West Monroe is in jail after posing online as a woman and luring another man to drive from California to Ouachita Parish thinking he was marrying that woman.  When questioned, Eaton allegedly told deputies he did not know the victim and never received anything from him. But Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Glen Springfield says investigators found a box mailed to Eaton’s alter ego “Rose Williams” from the victim.

Cut 4 (13) “…in the box.”

It is unclear how long the relationship had been going on.

The GOP side of the governor’s race is starting to heat up with Eddie Rispone opening a substantial statewide advertisement blast and Congressman Abraham securing a major endorsement from a legislative heavyweight, House Republican Chairman Lance Harris.

Cut 6 (09) “…with him”

The St. John Sheriff’s Office is investigating a double homicide. Sheriff Mike Tregre says the victims are cousins, 18 and 20-years old and they were found in a vehicle on West Airline Highway and East 22nd Street in Reserve. Tregre says they are looking for the suspects

Cut 13 (06) “…executed”

Tregre is confident his deputies will make an arrest.
Three people are dead including a toddler, all from Olla, after an 18-wheeler rear-ended the Ford Fiesta they were traveling in, causing the vehicle to overturn. State Trooper Scott Moreau says some of the worst accidents for troopers to see are those involving small children. On Thursday, a new car seat law goes into effect aims to reduce child injuries and fatalities.

Cut 12 (09) “…time for us.”

The driver of the 18-wheeler was Joseph Pardue, who was wearing his seat belt, sustained moderate injuries. The crash remains under investigation.