LRN AM Newscall for June 12

The Red River has crested in the Shreveport area and now it’s moving toward Alexandria. Michelle Southern has more…

CUT 1 (30) “I’m Michelle Southern”

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The legislature passes a bill that increases the tax on cigarettes by an additional 50-cents a pack. Scott Carwile has the story…

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Scott Carwile”

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The key piece of the legislation that was needed to prevent a veto of revenue generating bills  made it through in the final hours of the session. Jeff Palermo has more

Cut 3 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

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The Red River has crested in the Shreveport area and now it’s moving toward Alexandria. Jonathan Brazzell, with the National Weather Service in Lake Charles, says residents can expect waters to continue to rise for the next few days…

cut 4  (06)  “next week”

Brazzell says the Red is predicted to crest at 38 feet late Sunday night or early Monday morning and that crest could last a day or so before it begins receding. Brazzell says property in Alexandria, Pineville, and areas north of the levee system are at risk of flooding. He says the biggest issue facing residents is backwater flooding…

Cut 5  (09)  “Rigolette area”

Brazzell says it’s estimated that about 100 homes are at risk of flooding in the Alexandria area. He says there are several roads closed due to flooding in the area and more could be closed as the crest nears. Brazell says it will take a while for the water to drain out…

Cut 6 (11)  “of the lakes”

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State lawmakers have voted to increase the state’s cigarette tax by 50-cents. If the measure is not vetoed, the tax on a pack of cigarettes will go up from 36-cents to 86-cents on July first. Leesville Representative James Armes voted against the tax hike, he says Louisiana benefits from having the third lowest tax in the country on cigarettes…

CUT 7 (12)  “restaurants”

At 86-cents, Lousiana’s cigarette tax would surpass Mississippi’s tax rate, but it will remain lower than Arkansas and Texas. Revenue raised from the higher cigarette tax will go towards Medicaid funding. During debate on House floor, Armes stood up for smokers…

Cut 8  (08)  “wanna smoke” 

The measure passed on the House on 75-29 votes. Shreveport Representative Barbara Norton was one of the lawmakers who voted in favor of the tax increase ….

Cut 9 (05)  “healthcare”

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In Louisiana Radio Network’s 4th week of Governor Q&A, we asked the four major candidates how they would handle transportation issues in the state. US Senator David Vitter says he’s sick and tired of sitting in hours of traffic instead of spending time being productive or with family….:

Cut 10 (09) “change that”

Public Service Commissioner Scott Angelle says building roads and bridges are fundamental to our economic development. He says it’s time we put the trust back into the Transportation Trust Fund…:

cut 11 (09) “other areas of government”

Lt. Governor Jay Dardenne says with our growing economy and population it’s crucial that we address the transportation projects piling up, but it must be done as part of overall budget reform…:

cut 12 (09)   “for the state”

Amite Representative John Bel Edwards says the state needs to take the money it gets for roads and bridges and use it for its intended purpose…:

Cut 13 (09)  “on those items”

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In the waning hours of the legislative session, lawmakers approved the SAVE tax credit, which is needed to prevent Governor Bobby Jindal from vetoing revenue generating bills. Amite Representative John Bel Edwards called the legislation a gimmick and only proposed to help Jindal’s presidential ambitions

Cut 14 (11) “right thing”

Hammond Representative Chris Broadwater told House members a vote against the SAVE fund will result in a 282-million dollar cut to higher education…

Cut 15  (11)  “trained work force”

Governor Bobby Jindal calls it a very successful session, since the legislature passed a balanced budget

Cut 16  (12)  “taxes”

During the debate of the SAVE credit, there was plenty of criticism of the legislation directed towards Jindal. But the governor doesn’t take any of those remarks personally

Cut 17 (09) ” raising taxes” 

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A major story line for this College World Series will be whether we’ll see an increase in home runs in Omaha this year. Last there were only three long balls. This season college baseball is using a flat-seam ball, but Coach Paul Mainieri still doesn’t expect to see many home runs in the spacious TD Ameritrade Park…

Cut 18 (13) “first base”

Mainieri has yet to unveil his pitching plans, but freshman Alex Lange is expected to start on Sunday against TCU. Mainieri says he has the confidence that Lange can get the Tigers off to a good start

Cut 19 (09)  “as he can

LSU is searching for its seventh national championship and first since 2009. Mainieri says the team is ready for a long stay in Omaha

Cut 20 (13)  “anybody”