LRN AM Newscall March 27

Will lawmakers rely on modified fossil fuel energy production or jump-start renewable energies? LRN spoke with Congressman Garret Graves on the topic. Teiko Foxx has more.

Cut 1 (33)  “…I’m Teiko Foxx.”

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The federal Bureau of Labor Statistics released data showing Louisiana’s employment numbers are reaching historic levels. Kace Kieschnick has more…

Cut 2 (30)  “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

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If a person wanted to have an issue decided by their peers versus lawmakers they would use the process called a ballot initiative. But that’s not an option in Louisiana. Brooke Thorington explains.

Cut 3 (33) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

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Congressional leaders from both parties are in negotiations on House Majority Leader Steve Scalise’s “Lower Energy Costs Act” which supporters say would restore energy independence instead of relying on foreign countries. Baton Rouge Congressman Garrett Graves is hopeful that with some modifications it will pass in the House this week.

Cut 4 (08)  “…energy needs.”

Graves says the energy bill would mandate offshore lease sales; streamline permitting processes; and increase state shares of the federal government’s royalties for offshore oil and gas production and wind farms.

Cut 5 (11) “…for Louisiana.”

A recent energy outlook by the Department of Energy showed there will be an increase in global demand for oil and gas and an increase in global demand for renewable energy and critical minerals in the next several years. Graves says there are some outstanding concerns, including offshore oil and wind in the Gulf of Mexico.

Cut 6 (10)  “…global demand.” 

A House will meet this week to choose which amendments will be considered.

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The federal Bureau of Labor statistics shows Louisiana is putting up record employment numbers with over 2 million estimated employed for February 2023, the eighth highest in the history of the series. Louisiana added more than 6,000 jobs from January to February which Mark Jones with the Louisiana Workforce Commission says is one of the biggest increases in the nation… 

Cut 7 (10) “…among the nation.”

The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in the state is at 3.6%, up 0.1% from last month but still one of the lowest in series history. Education and Health services saw an increase in 3,400 jobs since January and the leisure and hospitality industry gained 1,200 jobs, and Jones says this is nothing new…

Cut 8 (12) “…in manufacturing.”

Jones says Louisiana has shown gains in manufacturing in 19 of the last 20 months over the past two years and added 400 this February.

New Orleans led the way, adding 2,700 jobs this month especially  in the leisure and hospitality industry. Despite having only the eighth largest job market in the state, Jones says Alexandria’s 600 new jobs were second in the state…

Cut 9 (08)  “…last two years.”

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Should voters have the ability to put an initiative, like raising the minimum wage or legalizing marijuana, on a statewide ballot? New Orleans Representative Mandie Landry says about half of the states have some type of ballot initiative protocol yet Louisiana doesn’t and she’s proposing a change in the state constitution to allow it…

Cut 10 (12)  “…give another option.”

And because a ballot initiative is a constitutional amendment the bill must have a two-thirds majority in both chambers. Landry says then it wouldn’t be automatic, it has to go before voters.

Cut 11 (11)  “…be changed.”

Even though Landry is a Democrat, she says the bill doesn’t favor either party because initiatives to be decided by voters could be from one end of the political spectrum to the other.

Cut 12 (10)  “…us here.”

The fate of House Bill 165 will have to receive a two-thirds majority in both chambers before voters can vote on the right to place their initiatives before voters.

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The Baton Rouge Police Department is mourning the death of two of their officers who were killed when their helicopter crashed in a sugarcane field in West Baton Rouge Parish while pursuing a vehicle running from police. Chief Murphy Paul says they are waiting to release the officers’ names and they are asking for prayers…

Cut 13 (12) “…in prayer.” 

Flight data shows the helicopter took off early Sunday morning and crashed in a field about three miles from the Omni Airport. Paul says the F-A-A is the lead investigator…

Cut 14 (14)  “..community”

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LSU women’s basketball is heading to its sixth final four and its first since 2008 as the Lady Tigers defeated Miami 54-42 in Greenville, South Carolina last night. It’s will be the fifth time Coach Kim Mulkey has made it to the Final Four during her 23-year career as a head coach…

Cut 15 (15)  “..to do.”

Both teams shot the ball poorly last night as the Lady Tigers shot 30-percent from the field. Alexis Morris led the way offensively with 21 points…

Cut  16 (10)  “…our game.” 

All-America forward Angel Reese had her 32nd double-double, an SEC record as she had 13 points and 18 rebounds. Reese arrived on campus last summer after transferring from Maryland….

Cut 17 (17) “… look at us.” 

LSU will play the winner of tonight’s game between Virginia Tech and Ohio State in the national semi-finals on Friday night in Dallas.

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LSU needs to find a new defensive line coach as Jamar Cain has left the program to join Sean Payton in Denver as he’ll be a pass rush specialist for the Broncos. Fourth-year junior Jacobian Guillory says it was tough news to take, but he still thinks LSU’s d-line will be elite, especially when injured players return for preseason camp…

Cut 18 (18) “…in the country.”

On the offensive line, LSU returns its starting tackles from last season, Emery Jones and Will Campbell. Both started as freshmen, a rare feat in the SEC. But Jones says they are not reflecting what they did last season…

Cut 19 (13) “..national championship”