LRN AM Newscall April 26

If the federal Recovering American’s Wildlife Act passes, Louisiana could receive $16 million annually to help preserve 362 species at risk of extinction. Brooke Thorington explains.

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Brooke Thorington”

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It might surprise you to learn that Louisiana is home to a farm of one of the world’s most popular beverages. Brooke Thorington explains

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

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The Louisiana House is expected to debate several tax reform proposals this afternoon as lawmakers look to lower individual income tax rates. Don Molino

Cut 3 (30)  “…I’m Matt Doyle.”

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Passage of the Recovering American’s Wildlife Act in Congress would dedicate $16 million annually to the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries’ efforts to protect endangered species and habitats. LDWF Biologist Director Amity Bass says this could allow them to increase their Statewide Action Plan.

Cut 4 (11)“…declining.”

Bass says the funding will help them address the decline of endangered species in the state like the Louisiana Pearlshell and Pinesnake and recover them.

Cut 5 (07)“… species list.”

If a species becomes threatened or endangered, Bass says there’s been a failure to conserve them on the front end at some level so additional funds have the potential to drastically change that.

Cut 6 (09) “…but nationally.”

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You might not know that Tangipahoa Parish is home to one of the few tea farms in the United States. Owner of the Fleur De Lis Tea Company David Barron says for producers looking to further diversify their crops this might be your cup of tea.

Cut 7 (08)  “…after water.”

Barron says the terrain in general in the Bayou State is ideal for growing tea plants. He says they like well-drained soil…

Cut 8 (08) “…perfect for that.”

Barron says he sees great potential for tea in Louisiana especially on the sites of pine tree farms.

The tea plant is related to the Camilla plant that is popular in the south and Barron says anywhere you can grow a Camilla you can grow tea.

Fleur Des Lis Tea Company has a 160-acre farm in Amite. Barron purchased the pine tree farm more than ten years ago. He ventured into the tea business when a fellow horticulturist offered him a tea plant that he was cultivating.

Cut 9 (08) “…his fault.”

Barron says the U-S League Tea Growers annual meeting will be held in October at the farm in Amite and they will host growers from all over the world.

To learn more about the farm you can visit their website at www.fleurdelisteaco.com/

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The state health department has told vaccine providers to resume using the Johnson and Johnson coronavirus vaccine. The CDC and the FDA say the benefits of the single-dose vaccine outweigh the rare risk of developing blood clots. State Health Officer Doctor Joe Kanter says the 11-day halt of the J-and-J shot was unfortunate but reassuring…

Cut 10 (12) “..cause a pause.”

Kanter says it’s incredible how quickly the FDA and the CDC acted after it was determined the Johnson and Johnson coronavirus vaccine was responsible for blood clots in six American women.

Cut 11 (07) “..it should”

Federal health officials uncovered 15 vaccine recipients who developed the blood clots out of the nearly eight million people who received Johnson and Johnson’s shot. All were women under 50, three of them have died.

Kanter expects there will still be a lot of demand for the J-and-J vaccine and he’s glad its back in circulation

Cut 12 (09) “…various locations.”

Over one-point-one million Louisianans have completed their vaccinations against COVID-19. About 85-thousand Johnson and Johnson doses have been administered in Louisiana and no reported cases of this rare blood clot.

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The Louisiana House is expected to discuss and possibly vote on several tax reform bills today. State lawmakers are looking to reduce the state’s income tax rate, but eliminate other tax breaks. Governor John Bel Edwards says he can back this effort…

Cut 13 (10) “…support it”

House Ways and Means Chairman Stuart Bishop has a proposal that would lower the individual income taxes. For those who make over 50-thousand dollars, their income tax rate will be lowered from six to 4.25 percent. But the measure would eliminate the ability to deduct federal income taxes paid from your state taxes. Edwards says Bishop’s bill has a lot of merit…

Cut 14 (08) “…F-I-T.”

These tax reform proposals will also need voter approval and two-thirds support in the House and Senate. Edwards says he will not support tax bills that result in an overall increase in taxes or a decrease, which could result in future budget deficits…

Cut 15 (10)“…took office”

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Louisiana Tech football completed its spring practice on Saturday in a game spring game that featured nine sacks sacks by the defense. Redshirt freshman linebacker Maki Carabin had a game-high seven tackles. Coach Skip Holtz on what he saw from his defense…

Cut 16 (15) “…positive.”

The offensive line had its struggles on Saturday, but Holtz is optimistic they will be much better once the 2021 regular season starts

Cut 17 (23) “…the fall”

As far as the quarterbacks go, Aaron Allen was 14 of 25 for 216 yards and a touchdown. JD Head was 12 of 25 for 146 yards and a touchdown. Holtz gave up an update on Luke Anthony who broke his fibula in December. He says Anthony is still expected to make a full recovery…

Cut  18 (25)”..his recovery.” 

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LSU baseball has suffered a lot of tough losses this season, but Saturday’s implosion tops them all. The Tigers led by eight runs in the bottom of the eighth and there were two outs in the inning. But the Rebels came back to win 10-9. Shortstop Jordan Thompson tried to provide an upbeat message after the brutal loss…

Cut 19 (19) “…all weekend” 

The Rebels tied the game in the eighth inning on a grand slam by TJ McCants as the ball just sailed over the out stretched glove of LSU center fielder Giovanni DiGiacomo. DiGiacomo says you have to credit the Rebels…

Cut 20 (10) “…either”