AM Newscall September 30, 2014

According to a study by the American Pet Products Association (or APPA), people are spending more money on their furry friends than ever before. Scott Carwile reports.

CUT 1 (31) “reporting”

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Louisiana State Police and the Department of Transportation announce the installation of several “Move Over for Emergency Vehicle” signs across the state. Eric Gill has more…

Cut 2 (30) “reporting”

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The Louisiana Association of Educators has filed a lawsuit challenging the legality of using public school budget money to fund certain types of charter schools. Eric Gill reports…

Cut 3 (32) “reporting”

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According to a study by the American Pet Products Association (or APPA), people are spending more money on their furry friends than ever before. They estimate overall spending on pets for 2014 will reach $58 billion which is up almost 5 percent over last year. Louisiana SPCA spokeswoman Alicia Haefele (Hafe-A-Lee) isn’t surprised…:

Cut 4  (11)  “as family members”

Bob Vetere (Va-Teery) is the president and CEO of APPA. He says over the last several years they’ve seen people “humanizing” their pets and you can date it back to the recession times…:

Cut 5  (11)  “the family pet”

Vetere says people are thinking of their pets almost like they would a child and don’t think of rewarding “Sparky” in pet terms, but rather in human terms…:

Cut 6 (10)  “to go up”

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Louisiana State Police and the Department of Transportation announce the installation of several “Move Over for Emergency Vehicle” signs across the state. Superintendent Col. Mike Edmonson says the signs are a reminder of the state’s “Move Over” law…

CUT 7 (11)  “the left side”

The “Move Over” law requires drivers, when approaching a stopped vehicle utitlizing warning lights, to change to a non-adjacent lane to the parked vehicle. If a lane change is not possible, you should slow down before passing the stopped vehicle. Edmonson says if someone is broken down on the side of the road, that person is owed certain amount of consideration…

Cut 8 (10)   “in that area”

More first responders are killed by traffic crashes than by any other line-of-duty cause. The “Move Over” law not only applies to first responders, but also to highway workers, tow truck operators, and any vehicle utilizing hazard lights. Edmonson says the signs are going up to bring awareness to the “Move Over” law and hopefully save lives…

Cut 9 (08)  “of the road” 

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The Louisiana Association of Educators has filed a lawsuit challenging the legality of using public school budget money to fund certain types of charter schools. $60 million from the budget, also known as the MFP, has been designated to fund those charter schools. LAE President Debbie Meaux says the Louisiana Constitution is clear on this issue…

Cut 10 (13)  “it provides for”

Education Superintendent John White says this lawsuit is a money grab for unions and school boards and an attempt to keep parents from choosing the school they think is best for their children. Meaux says the LAE is not against charter school education…

cut 11 (11)  “parish entities”

She says the charter schools in question are schools not controlled by city or parish school boards and, therefore, not eligible for funds from the public school budget. LAE successfully challenged the funding of voucher schools in 2012. Meaux is hopeful this lawsuit will produce similar results…

cut 12 (10)  “lawsuit upon”

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A federal judge receives an update today on progress abortion providers have made when it comes to obtaining privileges to admit patients at local hospitals. A state law requiring abortion doctors to have admitting privileges has been put on hold. Center for Reproductive Rights attorney, Janet Crepps, says the doctors they represent still have applications pending

Cut 13 (06)  “applications”

Louisiana’s new abortion restrictions law was set to go into effect September first, but a US judge in New Orleans blocked enforcement, so abortion clinic doctors can obtain privileges. Crepps says since the doctors they represent haven’t made any progress, she expects the judge will rule  legal abortions can continue….

Cut 14 (10)  “or February”

There’s five abortion clinics in the state, but Crepps says only one doctor in Shreveport has adequate admitting privileges. She doesn’t suspect hospitals are purposely dragging their feet when it comes to reviewing applications from the other doctors

Cut 15  (10)   “out of the ordinary”

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True freshman Brandon Harris is the new starting quarterback at LSU. Coach Les Miles says Harris deserves a chance to start this Saturday against fifth ranked Auburn after leading the Tigers on seven consecutive touchdown drives against New Mexico State on Saturday. Miles says Harris made quality decisions with the football and likes his ability to ad-lib

Cut 16  (12)   “can happen”

Harris will make his first collegiate start at Auburn and raucous crowd is expected for this SEC West clash. Miles expects Harris and the rest of the team to handle the hostile environment well

Cut 17  (11)   “will get that”

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Saints Coach Sean Payton says there needs to be a sense of urgency this week to correct the mistakes that has led to a 1-and-3 start. On Monday, Payton listed several reasons why the team has struggled. He says a negative turnover ratio of negative six, which is tied for worst in the NFL is near the top of the list

Cut 18 (20)  “to change”

One way to force turnovers is to put pressure on the quarterback. But in four games, the Saints only have five sacks. Payton says stopping opposing offenses from running the football and making them throw more can help improve their sack totals…

cut 19 (09)  “more challenge defensively”