LRN AM Newscall April 26

If Governor John Bel Edwards budget proposal is approved by lawmakers, there could be an 11-percent cut in retail food inspectors. Emelie Gunn has more…

CUT 1 (31) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

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Prices are going up at the pump, as the statewide average for a gallon of gas is up to $1.92. Halen Doughty has more.

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Halen Doughty”

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 Iberville Parish investigators head to Texas to find out more about the woman found dead under interstate 10 by Whiskey Bay. Jeff Palermo has more…

Cut 3 (22) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

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There is the chance of a reduction in retail food inspectors if lawmakers approve of the governor’s proposed budget for next fiscal year. This would result in an 11-percent reduction in inspectors. Department of Health and Hospital spokesperson Bob Johannessen says this means they will not be able to inspect as many grocery stores and restaurants as they should.

cut 4  (09)  “the state”

 Johannessen says a reduction in food inspectors will result in more than 20-thousand fewer inspections after July 1st. He says this could impact people’s health and hurt tourism in Louisiana because we’re known for our great food.

Cut 5  (09)  “get sick”

 Johannessen says they’re working now to let lawmakers know the risks associated with cutting 16 sanitarians.. He says food retailers welcome the inspections.

Cut 6 (09)  “in general”

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Prices at the pump continue to rise. Gregg Laskowski with GasBuddy-dot-com says the national average for a gallon of gas is up three-cents since last week, and Louisiana is seeing similar price increases, as the statewide average is nearing two-dollars for a gallon of regular gasoline.

CUT 7 (10)  “nationwide” 

Laskowski says consumer demand is up 4% compared to this time last year. He says that and other factors are driving up gas prices.

Cut 8  (09)  “going up”  2x

Laskowski says even with the slight uptick in gas prices, Louisiana’s statewide average is 36 cents lower than it was at the same time last year. But he says prices will keep rising for at least another month…

Cut 9 (05)  “or June”

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Investigators from Iberville Parish are in Humble, Texas today to find out more information about the woman who was found dead under I-10 near Whiskey Bay. Sheriff Brett Stassi says the body of 28-year-old Elizabeth Ferrell of Humble was discovered by a fisherman over the weekend….

Cut 10 (06) “from Texas”

Stassi says an autopsy found the cause of death to be asphyxiation by strangulation and blunt force trauma to the head. He says they’ve talked to some of Ferrell’s friends from Humble but she doesn’t have much family.

cut 11 (10) “to Texas”

 Stassi hopes they’ll get some new information to tell them which direction to go. He says at this time they have very few leads…

cut 12 (09) “quick recovery”

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The full House rejects a bill that attempted to put an end to the public-private school playoff split in the Louisiana High School Athletic Association. The lower chamber voted 51-34 against the legislation authored by River Ridge Representative Kirk Talbot. Stonewall Representative Larry Bagley says the legislature shouldn’t get involved in the LHSAA.

Cut 13 (11)  “the LHSAA”

Breaux Bridge Representative Mike Huval says the principals of the schools in the LHSAA is meeting on June 8 to discuss the split, and lawmakers should give them the chance to make things right.

Cut 14 (05)  “passing laws” 

But Talbot says the split is discriminatory, which means the legislature has a right to step in.

Cut 15 (05) “that hunt”