PM Newscall, December 4th, 2015

Governor-elect John Bel Edwards has formed a higher education transition committee to make policy recommendations on ways to improve Louisiana’s colleges and universities. Jeff Palermo reports…:

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As many holiday parties kick off this weekend, there are some etiquette tips to make sure you follow when attending. Eric Gill has more…

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Governor-elect John Bel Edwards has formed a higher education transition committee to make policy recommendations on ways to improve Louisiana’s colleges and universities. Edwards says he wants the state put more money into higher ed and also make it more affordable for students to go to college. CABLE President Barry Erwin is on the committee…:

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Erwin says Edwards is seeking more of a balance between tuition investment and state investment than we have right now, which will be a challenge. He says the committee will be working to try to identify where changes can be made in the higher ed budget itself…:

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Erwin says part of their job will be to try to find how they can pump more dollars out of existing funds into scholarships or grants aimed to help lower income students. He says that’s a tall order because after 7 straight years of cuts, they are down to the bone…:

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This weekend kicks off holiday office parties. Tulane Business Professor Dr. Mark Rosa says these parties are put together by the company to show thanks to the employees during the holiday season for their hard work. He says there are some etiquette reminders to follow when attending a party with your bosses and co-workers.

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Rosa says employees don’t have to spend a lengthy time but dropping by to say hello and thanks to your co-workers is a nice gesture. He says holiday parties are an extension of the workplace, so make sure you limit your alcohol intake.

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Rosa says any work gathering is an extension of the work place. He advises all employees, especially managers and supervisors, to watch their behavior at a holiday work party.

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A state judge has dismissed the lawsuit filed by the Tangipahoa Parish School System on behalf of Amite High School in an effort to lift the football team’s suspension from the Class 3A playoffs. The LHSAA removed the Amite team from the playoffs after a bench clearing brawl broke out in their quarterfinal win. Legal analyst Tim Meche says he’s not surprised by Judge WIlliam Morvant’s decision…

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In his dismissal of the lawsuit, Judge Morvant says the court has no jurisdiction to second guess a private organization’s decision. Meche says typically courts around the country have consistently deferred getting involved in matters of high school athletics…

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The decision means that St. James High will automatically advance to the Class 3A championship game. Meche says the school system can appeal the decision, but Tangipahoa Parish School System attorney Chris Moody says the legal battle is over…

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A jury in Ouachita Parish handed down a guilty verdict to the man accused of shooting at two Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries agents. In the May 21st incident, 32-year-old Sgt. Scott Bullitt was shot while on patrol on the Russell Sage Wildlife Management Area. LDWF spokesman Adam Einck says the jury handed down the guilty verdict to 29-year-old Luke Hust after about four hours of deliberation…

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Hust was convicted on two counts of attempted first degree murder and a count of illegal possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. A sentencing hearing is scheduled for February 11th. Einck says not much of a defense was offered during the trial and Hust never took the stand…

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Hust’s attorney says he will appeal the convictions. Sgt. Bullitt continues to rehab from his injuries. Einck says LDWF is satisfied with the verdict and thanks everyone involved in getting these convictions…

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A national credit reporting agency says Louisiana has multiple challenges ahead, as much of the Jindal Administration’s plan to solve the $487 million midyear shortfall are only temporary fixes. Fitch ratings says stop-gap measures were used that do not address the state’s persistent budget problems. State Treasurer John Kennedy says this is a warning shot:

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Kennedy says if Louisiana’s credit rating is lowered, tax payers will have to dish out more when the state borrows money to build roads, bridges and restore our coastline. He says Fitch anticipates Governor-elect John Bel Edwards and lawmakers will get the state’s fiscal house in order. Kennedy says a drop in our credit rating would be a blow to the state’s status.:

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