LRN PM Newscall February 4th

Governor John Bel Edwards says cuts to higher ed and health care are not solutions to the budget crisis. Eric Gill spoke with House Appropriations Chairman Cameron Henry to see what he thinks…

CUT 1 (27)  “I’m Eric Gill”

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Three Louisiana cities have been ranked in the top 10 for best places to live and work for filmmakers in 2016. Emelie Gunn has more…

CUT 2 (29)  “I’m Emelie Gunn”

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Governor John Bel Edwards released a column today saying cuts to higher ed and health care are not solutions to the budget crisis, but Republican House Appropriations Committee Chairman Cameron Henry says he’s more interested in where they can make cuts before raising taxes. Henry believes legislators will look at cuts first and do what they can to reduce the size of government…

CUT 3 (06)  “than we make”

Higher education leaders say the state’s colleges and universities can’t afford any more budget cuts. Henry says nobody likes budget cuts, but unfortunately they are necessary…

CUT 4 (11)  “looking at”

He believes legislators will exhaust every measure possible to reduce the size of government before raising taxes. Henry thinks Republican lawmakers are willing to work with Governor Edwards, but they are waiting on detailed budget plans…

CUT 5 (05)  “any steps”

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The plea deal entered by former Saints star Darren Sharper in New Orleans to charges he drugged and raped women, is imploding according to a legal filing this week. Sharper pleaded guilty last year and agreed to a nine-year federal prison sentence in a so called “global deal” to resolve all allegations in multiple states. Legal Analyst Tim Meche is not surprised this isn’t working out…:

CUT 6 (10) “firmed up”

Meche says, even though a written ruling has not been issued, the new filing suggests the judge in New Orleans wouldn’t accept the deal. He says this is not good news for Sharper as he’s already admitted to being a serial rapist in multiple jurisdictions…:

CUT 7 (10) “thought he would get”

The joint motion by Sharper’s attorneys and the US Attorney asked the judge to postpone a March 7th trial date. Meche says it looks like Judge Jane Triche Milazzo isn’t committing to the prison terms which means lawyers have to start over and come up with a sentence she’ll accept while preparing for trial. He says Sharper is in a precarious situation…:

CUT 8 (09) “good for him”

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Three Louisiana cities are in the Top 10 of the best places to live and work as a moviemaker in 2016. New Orleans ranks number two, Baton Rouge comes in at number three and Shreveport-Bossier is ranked ninth. Executive Director of Louisiana’s Film Office Chris Stelly says there was concern with recent changes to film tax credit program this industry would go downhill but that’s not the case…

CUT 9 (10)  “for you”

Stelly says it’s a testament to how these cities have welcomed the film industry. He says New Orleans, Baton Rouge and Shreveport-Bossier all have great infrastructure and staging facilities to invite filming into their cities.

cut 10 (11)  “very easy”

Stelly says Louisiana is currently booming with lots of different film projects. He says we have a variety of television shows and movies being filmed in the state.

Cut 11 (09) “in Shreveport”

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The Louisiana Department of Transportation is surveying an Iberia Parish railroad crossing where five people died right before Christmas. DOTD Spokesperson Rodney Mallett says gates were installed over 10 years ago and a “do not stop on tracks” sign has been installed. He says they’ll see if any additional safety features can be added at this intersection and others in Iberia Parish.

cut 12 (11) “these routes”

Mallett says it’s a tragedy when an accident with a train occurs. He reminds drivers to always look out and listen when coming close to a train track…

cut 13 (10)  “be aware”

Mallett says on average there has been one crash per year at this railroad crossing intersection for the last four years. He says their study involves observing traffic volumes, the speed of vehicles crossing the tracks and additional reports.

cut 14 (10)  “features here”

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