08:30 Newscast June 15, 2015

After viewing firsthand the flood damage caused by the Red River in northwest Louisiana, Senator Bill Cassidy will look to see what could have been done to minimize the impact. Scott Carwile has the story…

cut 3 (29) “I’m Scott Carwile”

The Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness is keeping an eye on a group of thunderstorms over the Yucatan Peninsula that could develop into a tropical system in the western Gulf. The National Hurricane Center has given the system a 80-percent chance of development within the next 48 hours. Forecast models show the system moving toward the Texas coast and could bring heavy rains into western Louisiana.

Higher education leaders are thankful lawmakers found enough funding to prevent deep budget cuts to public universities and colleges. But Higher Ed Commissioner Joe Rallo says even though significant cuts were avoided this year, the amount of state funding going to colleges and universities has decreased substantially during Governor Jindal’s second term in office…

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Rallo says there is concern that long-term funding for colleges is still not guaranteed.

Louisiana Film and Entertainment Association President Will French believes the legislative passed measure capping the amount of the state’s film tax credit program at 180-million dollars is unconstitutional. He points out that Governor Jindal has yet to sign the measure into law. French says if the governor doesn’t veto the bill, then it will be challenged in court…

cut 12 (09) “stricken down”

French says it’s unconstitutional for the state to treat tax payers differently and this measure would do just that.