12:30 Newscast, February 26th, 2016

Governor John Bel Edwards says the special legislative session aimed at solving a 940-million dollar budget deficit this fiscal year is heading in the right direction, but there’s still a long way to go. House republicans are hesitant to raise taxes to fill the budget hole, but Edwards says there’s been no evidence they can reduce the deficit without raising revenues..:
CUT 9 (10) “that is not happening”
Edwards says an 18 month sunset on the one-cent sales tax increase is not realistic.

State Police arrests a second officer assigned to the US Drug Enforcement Administration task force suspected of stealing and selling drugs seized in raids. Karl Newman, a deputy with the Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Office, was booked on counts of conspiracy to distribute cocaine and abuse of office. State police spokesperson, Maj. Doug Cain…:
CUT 6 (07) “the north shore”
Cain says this investigation is very much not over.

One of the items in the supplemental spending bill that the full House approved this week includes a mid-year cut to the state Department of Education which amounts to $52 million dollars, according to the Council for a better Louisiana. CABL President Barry Erwin says this would take away 85% of the DOE’s remaining cash on hand for the current fiscal year…:
CUT 15 (10) “where they’re going”
He says hopefully the Senate can recognize how short sighted these proposed cuts to education are and will fix it.

Thursday on the Jim Engster Show, Democratic Public Service Commissioner Foster Campbell of North Louisiana announces he’s making preparations to run for the US Senate.

 

11:30 Newscast, February 26th, 2016

Lawmakers are back to work today after a day the House approved the one cent sales tax increase and sent it over to the Senate. Governor John Bel Edwards said to reporters today that the provision added in the lower chamber that the clean penny only be added for 18 months is not realistic, and he wants it to last longer. Louisiana is dealing with a current year $940 million dollar shortfall.

The 5th US Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that Louisiana’s admitting privilege law for abortion doctors can be enforced, and the Center for Reproductive Rights plans to take it to the high court.
Cut 2 (25) “I’m Halen Doughty”

Former Monroe TV personality “Mr. Wonder” has been indicted on sexual assault charges. Rapides Parish Assistant District Attorney Brian Mosley says a grand jury indicted 76-year-old Frank Selas on a long list of charges in connection to accusations he sexually assaulted children during a camping trip in the 70s..:
CUT 3 (11) “a juvenile”
He says the Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Office will travel to California were Selas is currently jailed and bring him back to face the charges.

Harrison Lee Riley Junior, the man accused of killing two people in Sunset and injuring two others, has pleaded guilty to two counts of first-degree murder and two counts of attempted first degree murder. The St. Landry Parish DA’s office allowed Riley Jr to enter the plea in exchange for two mandatory life sentences for the murder charges and 50 years each on the attempted murder charges.

 

10:30 LRN Newscast Feb 26

The Louisiana House has sent over to the Senate a bill that would increase the state’s four-cent sales tax by an additional penny. But the House took no action on Thursday regarding bills that would raise cigarette and alcohol taxes. Jeremy Alford is the publisher of la-politics-dot-com…cut 11 (06) “…coming days”

The House is working today and there are reports the lower chamber will vote on bills to increase sin taxes.

The Center for Reproductive Rights plans to appeal to the US Supreme Court a ruling by the 5th US Circuit Court of Appeals that allows Louisiana to enforce a law that requires abortion doctors to have admitting priviledges at nearby hospitals. David Brown is an attorney with the pro-choice rights group..
cut 9 (11) “….it down”
Brown says as a result of this law, there’s only two abortion doctors in the state that can perform abortions.

Early voting for the March 5th Louisiana Presidential Primary ends tomorrow and Secretary of State Tom Schedler says there’s already been more early votes casted this early voting period, compared to four years ago…
cut 15 (09) “…very vigorous”
Schedler says he does not have a break down on how many registered repulican and democratic voters early voted.

The Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation has submitted a bid to the Southeastern Conference to bring the SEC Baseball Tournament to Zephyr Field in Metairie. The Foundation’s CEO and president, Jay Cicero, says believes it would be great to have the annual 12-team tournament in southeast Louisiana…
cut 6 (10) “…VIP services”
It’s been reported the SEC will decide in late May or early June where to hold the SEC baseball tournament from 2017 to 2021.

09:30 Newscast, February 26th, 2016

It’s back to work at the Capitol today as lawmakers keep working to solve the state’s $940 million dollar deficit for this fiscal year. The lower chamber sent to the Senate legislation that cuts government spending by 100-million dollars, and it includes a 44-million dollar reduction for public schools. LaPolitics.com publisher Jeremy Alford says the state department of education is not happy…:
cut 12 (09) “to give”
The Senate now has the one penny sales tax increase bill and the House is set to take up items today including alcohol and cigarette tax raising bills.

North Louisiana Public Service Commissioner Democrat Foster Campbell announced on the Jim Engster Show that he is making preparations to run for the US Senate:
CUT 17 (11) “coming home”

Secretary of State Tom Schedler says heading into Thursday, 47,000 early votes were cast in the March 5th Louisiana Presidential Primary, compared to just 35,000 through the entire early voting period in 2012. He says it’s nice to see republican and democratic voters get involved in the process..:
Cut 14 (09) “the storm”
Early voting remains open through Saturday.

The Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation has submitted a bid to host the SEC baseball tournament at Zephyr Field in Metairie from 2017 to 2021. President Jay Cicero says the Zephyr’s new owners are extremely supportive of the bid…:
Cut 5 (07) “home games”
The SEC baseball tournament has been held in Hoover, Alabama for the last 18 years. It’s expected the SEC will award a bid to host the tournament after the 12 team event is held in late May.

 

08:30 Newscast, February 26th, 2016

The Center for Reproductive Rights says the abortion admitting privileges law, which got the go-ahead this week by the 5th US circuit Court of Appeals, puts women’s health in jeopardy. Attorney David Brown says now there are only two clinics with abortion doctors who can admit patients to a nearby hospital, one in Shreveport and on in New Orleans…:
CUT 8 (05) “remaining clinics”
He believes now woman will turn to unsafe ways to have an abortion. They plan to appeal the ruling to the US Supreme Court.

The man known as Mr. Wonder, a Monroe children’s television host in the 70s, has officially been indicted on rape charges according to an AP report. A grand jury in Rapides Parish indicted 76-year-old Frank John Selas III on two counts of aggravated rape, three counts of sexual batter and 8 counts of indecent behavior with a juvenile.

Louisiana’s budget instability over the last several years has led Moody’s Investors Service to downgrade the state’s credit rating which makes it more expensive to borrow money for construction projects. Lawmakers say they are staying the course as the House sent the one penny sales tax increase bill to the Senate.

A Hammond woman was booked into jail Thursday after East Baton Rouge Parish Sherrif’s office says she was jumping up and down and dancing naked on top of a vehicle parked at the children’s clothing store “Oh Baby” on Jefferson Highway. A report indicates 52-year-old Elizabeth Ferger was cussing and shouting that she wanted to save the world then trashed the store and threw a metal table through a window. Deputies booked her into Parish Prison on several charges.

The SEC is thinking about moving its annual baseball tournament and New Orleans has put in a bid. Emelie Gunn has more…:
CUT 1 (31) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

 

07:30 Newscast, February 26th, 2016

The state House sends to the Senate a bill that will increase the state’s sales tax by another penny for 18 months starting April 1st. It’s expected to generate an estimated 200-million dollars this fiscal year, but Jeremy Alford with la-politics-dot-com says more needs to be done to deal with the 940-million dollar shortfall..:
Cut 10 (08) “to them”
The full House still has revenue generating tax measures to take up.

With two days to go, Secretary of State Tom Schedler says early voting totals for the March 5 Louisiana Presidential Primary have already surpassed 2012 numbers. He says there’s been a lot of interest in this Presidential election…:
Cut 13 (07) “I can tell ya”
Lots of folks are buzzing about the Republican Presidential debate last night where Marco Rubio and, at times, Ted Cruz went on the attack of Donald Trump in an intense showdown.

The 5th US Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that Louisiana’s admitting privilege law for abortion doctors can be enforced, and the Center for Reproductive Rights plans to take it to the high court.
Cut 2 (31) “I’m Halen Doughty”

North Louisiana Public Service Commissioner Foster Campbell announced on the Jim Engster Show that he is making preparations to run for the US Senate. Campbell says if he goes to Washington he’ll bring is populist beliefs with him…:
Cut 16 (08) “Louisiana“

 

06:45 Sportscast, February 26th, 2016

The New Orleans Saints appear to be closing in a contract extension for both Sean Payton and Quarterback Drew Brees. On Pro Football Talk Thursday, Payton says he’s finalizing a new deal with the Black and Gold, and also on the NFL NEtwork that he anticipates a Brees extension will be no problem.

Great game last night in New Orleans as the Pelicans post a nice win over the Oklahoma City Thunder. Anthony Davis scored 30 points in the 123-119 victory, while Ryan Anderson added 26. Jrue Holiday put up 22. The Pels host the Minnesota Timberwolves tomorrow night in the Smoothie King Center.

In college hoops, ULM is now on a six game winning streak after picking up a nice 66-59 victory Thursday night over South Alabama. The Warhawks will play their final road game of the regular season on Saturday when they travel to Troy for a 4:15 p.m. Louisiana Tech needed overtime to pick up the 73-62 win over North Texas. The Bulldogs move into a third-place tie with Middle Tennessee in C-USA.

More hoops, the Ragin’ Cajuns rallied from a 12-point halftime deficit to claim a 73-63 win over Troy in a Sun Belt Conference game. The Cajuns will return to action on Saturday against South Alabama.

The Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation has submitted a bid to host the SEC baseball tournament at Zephyr Field in Metairie from 2017 to 2021. Several other cities are also bidding, including Nashville. But GNOSF President Jay Cicero says we have the biggest college baseball fan base of any area in the nation within driving distance, plus other assets….:
cut 4 (06) “time high”

College baseball today: LSU hosts Sacramento State, Northwestern State is at Southern Miss, Troy is at Southeastern, Louisiana Tech hosts UT Arlington, UL-Lafayette plays TCU, Tulane & Arizona, Pittsburgh, Southern @ Auburn, Nicholls State at UMASS Lowell.

 

06:30 Newscast, February 26th, 2016

The House moved legislation that would raise the four-cent sales tax by one penny, but there’s still more work to do to solve the state’s budget crisis. Jeff Palermo has the story…:
Cut 3 (28) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

A Shreveport Police Officer is on paid leave after allegedly driving drunk and crashing into a concrete wall on I-49. Shreveport PD says their patrol was called to the scene of a wreck around 5am Thursday where they located the driver of a truck, 38-year-old John Scheen of Shreveport. Investigators believe Scheen, a Shreveport Police Officer, lost control of his vehicle when he crashed. He was charged with DWI and placed on paid leave.

The Center for Reproductive Rights plans to appeal the ruling by the 5th US Circuit Court of Appeals that says Louisiana’s admitting privilege law for abortion doctors can be enforced. David Brown, an attorney for the Center for Reproductive Rights, says the ruling will make it very difficult for Louisiana women to get a legal abortion…:
CUT 7 (08) “the internet”
He says they are appealing the 5th Circuit’s ruling to the US Supreme Court.

Public Service Commissioner Democrat Foster Campell announces he’s running for the US Senate. The North Louisiana PSC member said on the Jim Engster Show that he has the support of Governor John Bel Edwards and that Louisiana needs someone in Washington who isn’t afraid to speak their mind.

 

LRN AM Newscall February 26, 2016

The SEC is thinking about moving its annual baseball tournament and New Orleans has put in a bid. Emelie Gunn has more…

CUT 1 (31) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

______________________________________

 The 5th US Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that Louisiana’s admitting privilege law for abortion doctors can be enforced, and the Center for Reproductive Rights plans to appeal that ruling to the US Supreme Court. Halen Doughty reports…

Cut 2 (31) “I’m Halen Doughty”

______________________________________

The House has passed legislation to raise the state’s four-cent sales tax by one penny, but there’s still more work to do to solve the state’s budget crisis. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 3 (28) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

______________________________________

The Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation has submitted a bid to host the SEC baseball tournament at Zephyr Field in Metairie from 2017 to 2021. Several other cities are also bidding, including Nashville. But GNOSF President Jay Cicero says we have the biggest college baseball fan base of any area in the nation within driving distance, plus other assets.

cut 4  (10)  “time high”

It’s expected the SEC will award a bid to host the tournament after the 12 team event is held in late May. Cicero says the Zephyr’s new owners are extremely supportive of the bid.

Cut 5  (07)  “home games”

The SEC baseball tournament has been held in Hoover, Alabama for the last 18 years. Cicero says The Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation is excited to have an opportunity to bid and have a strong desire to grow the tournament here.

Cut 6 (10)  “VIP services” 

_________________________________________________________

The Center for Reproductive Rights plans to appeal the ruling by the 5th US Circuit Court of Appeals that says Louisiana’s admitting privilege law for abortion doctors can be enforced. David Brown, an attorney for the Center for Reproductive Rights, says the ruling will make it very difficult for Louisiana women to get a legal abortion.

CUT 7 (08)  “the internet”

The 5th Circuit’s action means abortion doctors must have admitting privileges at a hospital within 30 miles. Brown says as a result there are now only two clinics available in Louisiana where an abortion can be performed, one in Shreveport and one in New Orleans…

Cut 8  (05)  “remaining clinics”

Brown says the abortion doctor in Shreveport with admitting privileges is part-time. Brown says they are appealing the 5th Circuit’s ruling to the US Supreme Court…

Cut 9 (11)  “it down”

______________________________________

The state House has sent to the Senate a bill that will increase the state’s four-cent sales tax by another penny for an 18-month period beginning on April 1st. The higher sales tax is expected to generate an estimated 200-million dollars this fiscal year, but Jeremy Alford with la-politics-dot-com says more needs to be done to deal with the 940-million dollar shortfall…

Cut 10 (09) “to them”

Measures to increase cigarette and alcohol taxes and legislation to reduce tax breaks for businesses has yet to be taken up by the full House. Alford says those are other revenue generating items that the House could send over to the Senate…

cut 11 (06) “coming days”

The House also sent to the Senate legislation that cuts government spending by 100-million dollars and it includes a 44-million dollar reduction in state funding for public school education. Alford says the state department of education has some serious concerns about what the House has done…

cut 12 (09) “to give”

_________________________________________________________

Secretary of State Tom Schedler says early voting totals for the March 5 Louisiana Presidential Primary have already surpassed 2012 numbers, and there’s still two days left to early vote. Schedler says there’s been a lot of interest in this Presidential election and the early voting totals so far reflect that….

Cut 13 (07)  “I can tel ya”

Schedler says heading into Thursday, about 47-thousand early votes were casted. In 2012, only 35-thousand votes were recorded during the entire early voting period. Schedler says it’s nice to see republican and democratic voters get involved in the process…

Cut 14 (09)  “the storm” 

Schedler says he does not have a break down on how many registered republican and democratic early voters. But while the turnout has been encouraging, it can always be better…

Cut 15 (09) “very vigorous” 

Early voting remains open through Saturday.

________________________________________________________

North Louisiana Public Service Commissioner Foster Campbell announced on the Jim Engster Show that he is making preparations to run for the US Senate. Campbell says if he goes to Washington he’ll bring is populist beliefs with him…

Cut 16  (08)  “Louisiana“

Campbell would join a crowded field of candidates seeking to replace Republican David Vitter, who is not running for re-election. The race currently only has one Democrat in it and that’s New Orleans businesswoman Caroline Fayard. Campbell says….

Cut 17 (11) “coming home”

18:30 LRN Newscast

The Louisiana House of Representatives has voted 76 to 27 in support to raise Louisiana’s sales tax by a penny. This is a huge victory for Governor John Bel Edwards as part of his plan to balance the state’s budget deficit. The legislation is now on its way to the Senate and is expected to generate more than 210 million dollars for this fiscal year, which ends June 30. The current budget deficit is about $900 million dollars.

Lafayette Congressman Charles Boustany’s PROTECT Act to help the Louisiana seafood industry has been signed by President Barack Obama. Boustany says the PROTECT Act will help Louisiana producers expand their markets around the country. He says if other countries want to sell seafood in the United States, they need to play by our rules…

Cut 11 (10) “chemicals”

 

A new study from AAA shows 87% of drivers engaged in at least one risky behavior while driving in the past month. AAA spokesperson Don Redman says the data is not surprising because about 30 to 40 thousand people die in car crashes each year in the US.

CUT 3 (11) “or impaired”

 

Felons in Louisiana face more employment obstacles that any other state, according to a new study. Louisiana has 389 job restrictions but the average number in the US is 123. Allyson Fredericksen, with the Alliance for a Just Society, says this problem can often lead ex-inmates to return to a life of crime to make ends meet. She says some of these restrictions need to be lifted….

cut 14 (06)  “even harder”

Fredericksen says the Alliance for a Just Society is seeking to eliminate the lifetime legislative bans to employment and review the restrictions to see if they are all still applicable.