According to a new report, Louisiana receives significantly more from the federal government than it sends back in tax dollars. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 1 (31) “I’m Matt Doyle.”

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A man wrongly imprisoned for life at Angola since the age of 21 is now a free man at the age of 58.  Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart.”  

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The national spotlight is on the Big Easy as President Trump addresses the American Farm Bureau Convention today in New Orleans.  Kevin Barnhart speaks with political analyst Bernie Pinsonat on what to expect.

Cut 3 (30) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

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A Rockefeller Institute of Government study shows Louisiana receives $1.52 in federal spending for every tax dollar it sends to D.C. Director of Fiscal Analysis Laura Schultz says the Pelican State as a whole doesn’t pay a lot in federal taxes, compared to other states, because of the high percentage of low wage earners.

Cut 4 (07) “…federal goverment.” 

That means the state receives $3,785 more in federal money per person than it sends, good for 17^th lowest in the nation. Schultz says most of that comes from programs for older residents.

Cut 5 (10) “…two programs.”

Schultz says despite the lopsided give and take, Louisiana still receives fewer contracting dollars on average than most states.

Cut 6 (09) “…new technology.”

Kentucky had the highest taxes out to revenue in ratio, at $2.35 received for every one dollar sent. Connecticut had the lowest at 72-cents received for every dollar sent.

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The Saints are heading to the NFC Championship game after beating the defending Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles 20-14. New Orleans climbed back from an early 14-to-0 deficit for a hard fought six point win in front of a jubilant Superdome crowd. Coach Sean Payton

Cut 7 (12) “…that today”

After giving up two first quarter touchdown drives, the Black and Gold defense took control of the game, only allowing 97 yards after the first quarter. Cornerback Marshon Lattimore had two interceptions, including one to seal the victory late in the fourth quarter

Cut 8 (12) “…the receivers”

Quarterback Drew Brees threw an interception on his first pass, after that he threw for 301 yards and two touchdowns. The first T-D pass came in the second quarter on fourth and goal to Keith Kirkwood, the second went to Michael Thomas to cap off a massive 18-play, 92-yard drive in the third quarter. Brees on the importance of going ahead at that time

Cut 9 (12) “…get the win″

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Eric Prudholm was serving a life sentence for an aggravated rape and armed robbery that happened in a Bossier City motel in 1981, but he’s now a free man, after a DNA test of bed linens and the victim’s nightgown led to the courts deciding his original conviction and sentence should be vacated. Innocence Project New Orleans Executive Director Jee Park says Prudholm gained his freedom by pleading no contest to robbery with credit for time served…

Cut 10 (05) “…several more years.” 

Given the weakness of previous evidence, the Bossier Parish DA reached an agreement for an Alford plea, allowing him to maintain his innocence and be freed immediately. Park says a lesson from this case is the importance of preservation of evidence.

Cut 11 (07) “…decades from now.”

Due to the agreement, Park says Prudholm will not receive compensation for his time behind bars. He was 21 when he went to prison, and has a daughter who was born in the months following his incarceration that will help him as he begins his new life at age 58.  Park says Prudholm is hoping to land a job in food service.

Cut 12 (11) “…many many years.”

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President Donald Trump is in New Orleans today to speak at the American Farm Bureau Convention. Rice and soybean farmers say the tariffs and now the government shutdown have hurt their ability to make money off their crop. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says despite the tariff issues, he expects the crowd to welcome the President.

Cut 13 (12) “…hurting some farmers.”

This is Trump’s first visit to New Orleans since a 2016 campaign stop.   Pinsonat says the President is popular in the Bayou State.

Cut 14 (11) “…the deep south.”

Pinsonat says to expect plenty of media attention on the Big Easy.

Cut 15 (09) “…great for Louisiana.”

New polling data puts Governor John Bel Edwards approval rating at 49-percent. Jeff Palermo has the story…
voicer 1 (30) “…I’m Jeff Palermo”

The administrator of the Louisiana Tax Commission is facing 65 criminal counts related to payroll fraud. State Police investigators say 51-year-old Charles Abels of Baton Rouge was paid for time he did not work. Authorities also say Abels used a state rental vehicle for personal use and submitted unauthorized fuel requests.

The Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s office says a Lake Charles married couple were found dead in their home early this morning. Sheriff Tony Mancuso says deputies were sent to the home after receiving a call that a man stabbed his son. He says when officers gained access into the home, they saw a horrific scene…
Cut 4 (06) “…murder suicide”
52-year-old David Pendley and his 59-year-old wife, Katherine were pronounced dead at the scene from stab wounds. The son was treated and released.

The Lafayette Economic Development Authority estimates the Acadiana area lost 11-thousand oil and gas jobs from 2008 to 2018. LEDA President Greg Gothreaux says much of the loss is linked to the drop in oil prices, a thousand jobs were also lost because of changes to the industry….
cut 10 (11) “…in oil prices”

Morning Consult, which polls the popularity of governors, found Governor Edwards has a 49-percent approval rating, while 30-percent disapprove and 21-percent are undecided. Edwards is up for re-election in October and there are two announced Republican challengers. ULM Political Science Professor Joshua Stockley says a positive approval rating is one thing, but getting re-elected as a Democrat in a red state is a whole different story…
Cut 8 (09) “…on his hands”

A red hot Eagles team arrives in Crescent City this weekend to face the New Orleans Saints in an NFC divisional round playoff game on Sunday. Philly quarterback Nick Foles is playing well again after earning Super Bowl MVP honors last season. But Saints running back Alvin Kamara says the Black and Gold have Drew Brees…
cut 13 (12) “….up too”
Kick-off is at 3:40 Sunday.

New data shows that the Acadiana area lost 11-thousand jobs from 2008 to 2018…
Voicer 2 (30) “Im Jeff Palermo”

The Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux released the names today of 14 priests who admitted or were convicted of sexual misconduct with children. That list contains the names of five priests who were credibly accused outside of court setting. Houma-Thibodaux Bishop Shelton Fabre sent a letter to parishioners, apologizing for the egregrious sings that have taken place.

New poll data shows Governor John Bel Edwards approval rating at 49-percent. The survey comes from Morning Consult, who polls the popularity of governors nationwide. ULM Political Science Professor Joshua Stockley says Edwards is doing well as a Democrat in a red state, because of his pro-gun and pro-life stance and budget stability…
Cut 7 (09) “surplus year”
The poll found 30-percent of respondents disapprove of Edwards’ performance, while 21-percent are undecided.

It’s the Saints and the Eagles in an NFC divisional round playoff game on Sunday in the Dome. It looked like Philadelphia’s season was over when the Black and Gold dismantled them 48-7 in November. Saints linebacker Demario Davis says he’s not surprised to see the Eagles again in the postseason…
Cut 12 (11) “…shoulder”
Kick-off Sunday is at 3:40.

A 52-year-old Lake Charles man and his 59-year-old wife are dead in what authorities believe was a murder suicide early this morning. Calcasieu Sheriff Tony Mancuso says they believe David Bendley stabbed his wife and son and then fatally stabbed himself. Mancuso says the son survived the attack, but this family will never be the same…
cut 5 (09) “….unfortunate”
Mancuso would not speculate on what sparked the attack.

The Lafayette Economic Development Authority has determined that the Acadiana area has lost 11-thousand oil and gas jobs from 2008 to 2018. LEDA President Gregg Gothreaux says many of these laid off workers found employment in the petrochemical industry and may never work in the oil industry again….
cut 11 (09) “….changed so much”

New polling data puts Governor John Bel Edwards approval rating at 49-percent. Jeff Palermo has the story…
voicer 1 (30) “…I’m Jeff Palermo”

The administrator of the Louisiana Tax Commission is facing 65 criminal counts related to payroll fraud. State Police investigators say 51-year-old Charles Abels of Baton Rouge was paid for time he did not work. Authorities also say Abels used a state rental vehicle for personal use and submitted unauthorized fuel requests.

Calcaseiu Parish Sheriff’s deputies are investigating what appears to be a murder suicide that left a married couple dead, and their son injured. Sheriff Tony Mancuso says deputies were dispatched to a home in south Lake Charles early Friday morning regarding a man stabbing his son.
Cut 3 (12) “…in danger inside.”
When deputies entered the home, they found 52-year-old David Pendley dead along with his 59-year-old wife, Katherine. The son has been released from the hospital.

The Lafayette Economic Development Authority estimates the Acadiana area lost 11-thousand oil and gas jobs from 2008 to 2018. LEDA President Greg Gothreaux says much of the loss is linked to the drop in oil prices, a thousand jobs were also lost because of changes to the industry….
cut 10 (11) “…in oil prices”

New poll data shows Governor John Bel Edwards approval rating at 49-percent. The survey comes from Morning Consult, who polls the popularity of governors nationwide. ULM Political Science Professor Joshua Stockley says Edwards is doing well as a Democrat in a red state, because of his pro-gun and pro-life stance and his ability to bring budget stability…
Cut 7 (09) “surplus year”
The poll found 30-percent of respondents disapprove of Edwards’ performance, while 21-percent are undecided.

Louisiana has purchased 515-acres of farmland in Terrebonne Parish so they can move residents of Isle De Jean Charles from their vanishing island along the Gulf Coast. Office of Community Development Director Pat Forbes says the planning of their new community continues…
cut 12 (13) “….the highway frontage”
At last count about 100 people still lived on the island that’s being swallowed up by the Gulf.

Calcasieu Parish sheriff deputies found two people dead at a home in Lake Charles early this morning. Investigators believe 52-year-old David Pendley stabbed himself to death and his wife. His 24-year-old son was also stabbed, but he’s been released from a hospital.

State health officials are seeking a pharmaceutical partner to purchase drugs at a lower cost that can be used to treat hepatitiis C, which is a disease that damages the liver and can lead to death. At least 39-thousand people in Louisiana’s Medicaid program and prison system suffer from hepaititis C infection. Alex Billioux with the state office of public health says the plan also includes increased training for physicians, aimed at helping them identify patients who may be infected.
Cut 15 (09) “…Hepatitis C.”
The state hopes to have a contract in place by July.

Louisiana health officials aim to have a contract in place by July to offer Medicaid patients and inmates unrestricted access to drugs to treat Hepatitis C, which is a disease that damages the liver…
Cut 13 (08) “…infection.”
That’s Governor John Bel Edwards who says Louisiana has started the process in finding a pharmacuetical partner so they can treat 10-thousand individuals by the end of 2020.

A man who had been serving a life sentence for rape since 1981 is now a free man. Eric Prudholm walked out of Angola yesterday after a state judge vacated his convictions and sentence for aggravated rape and armed robbery. The Innocence Project says new DNA evidence in the case out of Bossier Parish conclusively proved that Prudholm did not rape the victim. Prudholm is now 58-years-old. He was 21 when he was thrown in jail.

Louisiana Office of Community Development Director Pat Forbes hopes the state can begin construction later this year on a new community for the residents of Isle De Jean Charles, which are in jeopardy of losing their homes on an island because of coastal erosion. Forbes says inhabitants of the island have been offered interim housing.
Cut 11 (10) “…the project done.”
The state has paid 11.7 million dollars in federal money on a 515-acre property of land in Terrebonne Parish about 40 miles north of the island to resettle the residents of Isle De Jean Charles in a new community.

A study shows the University of Louisiana System contributes nearly 11-billion dollars to the state’s economy. Economic Modeling Specialists International conducted the study. UL System President Jim Henderson…
cut 8 (09) “…these studies”