LRN PM Newscall Feb 16

It’s day three of the special session aimed at trying to resolve the state’s $957 million shortfall for the fiscal year that ends June 30th. Halen Doughty has an update…

CUT 1 (30)  “I’m Halen Doughty”

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One month into office and Governor John Bel Edwards approval rating is  below 50-percent. Jeff Palermo has the story…

CUT 2 (29)  “I’m Jeff Palermo”

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It’s day three of the special session that’s attempting to resolve the state’s $957 million deficit. Barry Erwin, Head of the Council for a Better Louisiana, says legislators will be looking for both short-term and long-term solutions. Erwin says he is unsure if lawmakers will be able to completely fix the budget problems in only three weeks.

CUT 3 (05)  “of time”

Erwin says this session may only provide short-term solutions for this fiscal year, which ends June 30. He says legislators know that some money will be coming in from BP and the rainy day fund, but it may not be enough. Erwin says the budget has been in trouble for several years and lawmakers should have addressed it sooner.

CUT 4 (08)  “started happening”

Erwin says lawmakers will make cuts to the budget in addition to generating new revenues. He says some revenue raising measures they are considering will not provide immediate solutions.

CUT 5 (07)  “years ago”

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A new poll gives Governor John Bel Edwards an approval rating of 42-percent. The survey was conducted by Southern Media and Opinion Research. Pollster Bernie Pinsonat says he hasn’t seen an approval rating that low for a new governor, since Edwin Edwards last term which started in 1992…

CUT 6 (06) “50s or 60s”

The survey was conducted earlier this month and paid for by subscribers. Pinsonat says 25-percent respondents disapprove of Edwards performance so far, while 34-percent are undecided

CUT 7 (12) “difficult time”

Pinsonat says to make matters worse for Governor Edwards, the statewide elected official with the highest approval rating is Treasurer John Kennedy, who is arguing against the tax increases that the governor is pushing for…

CUT 8 (10) “reduce spending”

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Former Saints safety Darren Sharper has received a new plea hearing set for Thursday, as he faces charges where he allegedly drugged and raped multiple women. Legal analyst Tim Meche says the original agreement Sharper accepted isn’t likely to be accepted by the two female Louisiana judges he’s in front of now, US District Judge Jane Triche Milazzo and state District Judge Karen Herman.

CUT 9 (11)  “longer sentence”

The new trial date is set for May 16th. Meche says Sharper’s attorneys believed the Louisiana judges would go along with the nine year prison deal. He says they didn’t realize who they were up against…

cut 10 (08)  “jurisdiction”

Meche says Sharper could possibly plead guilty without a guaranteed sentence that he was hoping to get or go to trial. He says things could get far worse for Sharper.

Cut 11 (09) “behavior”

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A reward is now being offered for information about whomever stole a birdhouse from a residence in Lafourche Parish. Sergeant Brennan Matherne says they have surveillance video which shows an unknown female exit a vehicle from the passenger’s side, walk onto the victim’s property and remove the birdhouse. He says this may not seem like a big deal…:

cut 12 (10) “stole something”

The alleged incident took place the morning of February 8th in Gray. Matherne says regardless of the severity of the crime, they hope this shows the public that anytime anything is stolen from your property, you should let authorities know about it…:

cut 13 (08)  “involved in”

The victim described the birdhouse as having a bronze colored “church-style” design with a decorative metal roof and white post. He says if you know something about this incident, please contact authorities…:

cut 14 (10)  “Bayou Region”

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