Legislation set to be debated during this legislative session would cap the number of billboards in the state. Currently, there are seven-thousand billboards and Jonesboro Representative Jack McFarland says the billboards are a distraction for drivers and makes highways less scenic…
cut 14 (08) “….and federal highways
But a spokesperson for Lamar Advertising calls the legislation anti-business.

The Louisiana ACLU is asking the state legislature to change state law to end mandatory life sentences in prison without the possibility of parole. Executive Director Alanah Odoms Hebert says this doesn’t mean those serving life sentence for second-degree murder should be released…
cut 11 (11) “…considered”
Louisiana is one of six states where adults serving life sentences are never eligible for parole.

Construction has started on the Center for Molecular Imaging and Therapy on a $14- million dollar expansion in Shreveport. Economic Development Secretary Don Pierson says the company works in the next generation of radiopharmaceutical treatment for diseases like cancer. The expansion will result in two dozen new jobs…
Cut 4 (08) “…these research scientists.”
The center will be operated by the Biomedical Research Foundation of Northwest Louisiana and Governor Edwards says they are a leader in the field of molecular imaging and research.

There are 16 senators and 31 House members serving their last year of their 12-year term in the state legislature as term limits will create a huge turnover. Alexandria Senator Jay Luneau says the Senate will lose some influential members…
cut 8 (12) “….to fill”
Voters approved term limits for lawmakers in 1995.