Legislation to extend the state’s film tax credit for a decade beyond 2025 will be heard in the House today. According to LED, there is a $6.00 Return on Investment for every dollar the state puts into the industry and last year filmmakers spent a billion dollars in Louisiana. Jason Waggenspack with the Louisiana Film and Entertainment Association says with more than a third of that billion went directly to the payroll of Louisiana residents…

Cut 12 (06)    “…unfathomable.” 

Seven of the major gubernatorial candidates who attended the Public Affairs Research Council’s annual meeting were asked about their top priorities. PAR President Steven Procopio says they were also asked if they would continue Medicaid expansion in Louisiana.

Cut 13 (05) “…said maybe.” 

Governor Edwards also attended and referred to Medicaid expansion as one of his biggest achievements.

Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries has appointed its first female as head of its Enforcement Division in the agency’s 79-year history. Rachel Zechenelly will oversee 257 game agents and says the leadership from her mentor, Col. Chad Hebert has prepared her for the job.

Cut 6 (09)  “…that road.”

Zechenelly graduated from LDWF cadet class in 1999.

The LSU baseball team swept its second straight SEC series as they took three from Alabama this past weekend. The Tigers scored 33 runs against Crimson Tide pitching and Coach Jay Johnson liked the approach he saw at the plate…

Cut 18 (10) “..was awesome”

The Purple and Gold are 35-8 for the season and 15-5 in the SEC, just a half game behind Vanderbilt.

A bill to extend the state’s film tax credit for another 10 years from the current expiration of July 2025 goes before the full House today.
Cut 3 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Mandina’s Restaurant on Canal Street in New Orleans will re-open today after one of their servers was killed on Friday night as he waited on customers outside of the restaurant. A customer dining inside the restaurant was injured by a stray bullet. Cops say two people got out of a vehicle and killed 23-year-old Hilbert Walker the Third and then drove off.

The House Transportation Committee will consider a bill that would prohibit a driver from handling their phone while driving…..
cut 8 (08) “….phone in-system”
That’s Don Redman with Triple-A. This bill has failed in the past over concerns of the government regulating what happens in a vehicle and there’s also been questions if the proposed law can be enforced.

We learned at a gubernatorial forum hosted by the Public Affairs Research Council that none of the seven major candidates for governor have plans to roll back the state’s expanded Medicaid Program that’s provided health insurance for 500-thousand Louisiana residents….
cut 15 (07) “….their campaign”
That’s PAR President Steven Procopio, who says the expansion of the Medicaid Program is one of Governor Edwards’ biggest achievements.

The seven major candidates for governor who attended the Public Affairs Research Council’s annual meeting were asked about their top priorities for the state. PAR President Steven Procopio says they were also asked if they would continue Medicaid expansion in Louisiana.
Cut 13 (05) “…said maybe.”
Procopio says attorney General Jeff Landry said it’s not the type of thing you can roll back. When Governor Edwards expanded the Medicaid program in his first year in office, it provided health insurance to 500-thousand Louisiana residents, despite concerns it would be too costly for Louisiana.

There’s a concern the state’s film tax credit program is also too costly. A bill to extend the program from 2025 to 2035 is up for debate on the House floor today. Jason Waggenspack with the Louisiana Film and Entertainment Association says passage is vital to stabilizing the industry long-term…
cut 10 (10) “…year over year”

Once again this year, a bill to ban using a hand-held cellphone while driving is scheduled for review before the House Transportation Committee. The measure comes from St. Martin Parish representative Mike Huval. Louisiana AAA’s Don Redman says his organization supports Huval’s bill, as they have in the past…:
Cut 7 (11) “…behind the wheel.”
Opponents to the legislation say it’s too difficult to enforce and there’s already a state law against texting while driving.

Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries has appointed its first female as head of its Enforcement Division. Rachel Zechenelly will oversee 257 game agents and support staff. Zechenelly says she’s ready to lead as the new Chief of Enforcement.
Cut 4 (09) “…and women.”
Zechenelly has worked with the agency for over two decades and has received several awards.

Week number four of the ten-week legislative session begins today. Early this afternoon, the House Transportation Committee will consider a bill that would prohibit the handling of a cell phone while driving. Don Redman with Triple-A says they support this bill and he says passing the legislation could lead to lower auto insurance costs, because the state has so many distracted driving crashes…
cut 9 (11) “….6 and a half”

Also this afternoon, the full House will consider a bill to extend the state’s film tax credit incentive program from 2025 to 2035. Jason Waggenspack with the Louisiana Film and Entertainment Association says a Louisiana Economic Development study estimates a billion dollars was spent by the industry in the state last year and the industry also supports ten-thousand jobs…
cut 11 (08) “…to the state”
But there have been studies to show the film tax credit program does not provide a financial benefit to the state as the movie industry touts.

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries has named Rachel Zechenelly as its first female top game warden in the agency’s history. Cut 1 (31) “I’m Teiko Foxx.”

The Saints selected a quarterback in the NFL draft as they traded up in the fourth round to take Fresno State QB Jake Haener, who was a three-year starter for the Bulldogs. Coach Dennis Allen likes what he sees from Haener…
cut 16 (11) “….timing and accuracy”

Once again this year, a bill to ban using a hand-held cell phone while driving goes before state lawmakers today…
Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

On Saturday, voters in several parishes voted against property tax renewals. Alexandria voters objected to a renewal of a property tax that would go towards road, infrastructure and downtown projects. Natchitoches Parish voters said no to a ten-year-long property tax extension to fund public libraries, roads and bridges.

The candidates running for governor say they have no plans to repeal Governor John Bel Edwards executive order that expanded the Medicaid program, providing an estimated 500-thousand Louisiana residents with health care. Six of the seven candidates made that comment at a gubernatorial forum hosted by the Public Affairs Research Council and PAR President Steven Propcopio says Attorney General Jeff Landry gave his answer after the forum….
cut 14 (07) “….undo it”

Pearl River native Rachel Zehenelly has made history as she’s been named the first female to lead the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries’ Enforcement Division. Zechenelly has worked with the agency for over two decades and has received several awards including numerous Meritorious Service Awards…
cut 5 (11) “….and rescue”