AM Newscall July 17,2015

The chairman of the Republican Legislative Delegation is providing an avenue for residents to provide suggestions on how to improve Louisiana. Jeff Palermo reports…

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Expect more traffic delays on the I-10 corridor in Slidell. Emelie Gunn has more….

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Governor Bobby Jindal begins his “Believe Again Tour” today in Iowa. Scott Carwile has more….

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The chairman of the Republican Legislative Delegation is providing an avenue for residents to provide suggestions on how to improve Louisiana. Alexandria Representative Lance Harris says the effort is called “Take Back Louisiana.” Harris says this is an attempt to engage voters before the 2016 legislative session…

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Harris says the initial Facebook page is up now, with a website being launched at the end of the month. He says the goal of this initiative is to correct the state’s structural issues, focusing on the budget, education, transportation, and state’s rights. Harris says tax reform is at the top of the list…

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He is hopeful voter input through “Take Back Louisiana” will give legislators ideas on how to fix issues that boxed lawmakers in last session. Harris says this is a true grassroots effort with no donations being accepted from anyone…

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The state department of transportation says there’s the potential for more traffic delays in the Slidell area as a result of lane closures on Interstate 10. DOTD Spokesperson Rodney Mallett says a lane on westbound I-10, near the Louisiana welcome center, will close at 6 tonight and will reopen on Monday afternoon. He says travelers heading on I-10 east in that area will face morning and nighttime lane closures throughout the weekend.

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The last few weekends drivers have experienced delays in eastern St. Tammany Parish because of an ongoing 40-million dollar construction project. Last weekend there were delays up to 13 miles in the Slidell area. Mallett says drivers should use U.S. 90 as an alternate route and they are taking steps to reduce the traffic nightmare.

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The ongoing construction has frustrated drivers, especially those who are either leaving or returning from Mississippi and Alabama. Mallett says DOTD chose to do construction during the summer months because school is out and it’s the least busiest time of year.

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Governor Bobby Jindal announces he’ll visit all 99 counties in Iowa as part of his “Believe Again” presidential campaign. Jindal started the tour last night in Waterloo. LSU Political Science professor Robert Hogan says many candidates use this strategy to get more name recognition.

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Other GOP candidates have also committed to visiting each Iowa county. Hogan says Jindal’s main goal is to create an intense following at the grassroots level.

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The tour means that Jindal will not spend much time in Louisiana. Hogan says the governor has more time on his hands, now that the legislative session is over. Hogan says that gives Jindal more time to get his conservative message out to Iowa caucus goers…

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The Louisiana High School Athletic Association announces it has finalized a four-year agreement with the officials association, which means high school sporting events will go on as scheduled this fall. LHSAA Executive Director Eddie Bonine says this is an agreement that needed to be done and he’s happy they were able to take the final step…

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This agreement prevents a threatened work stoppage by Louisiana High School Officials Association referees. Bonine says he is happy that a multi-year deal was struck…

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The LHSAA says the agreement results in raises for officials in seven sports, including football. The deal still needs to be approved by state principals during their January meeting.  Bonine says the agreement also allows for the establishment of a sports officials sub-committee to discuss future negotiations for fee schedules and other items…

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