A group of anti-tax, pro cut Republicans in the House, named the “Caucus of No” by the governor are standing their ground, defending their move to block any move to renew a portion of a one-penny sales tax that expires June 30th. Jackson Representative Kenny Havard says that group has refused to work with other legislators to find a real, long term solution to the state’s perpetual budget woes.
Cut 13 (13) “this problem”
But Chalmette Representative Ray Garofalo, one of the House members refusing the revenue measures, says the governor can find savings by cutting dollars from a bloated Medicaid program.
Cut 15 (11) “are crazy.”
The governor has yet to to issue the call for a likely third special session.

Working poor families can expect to get some extra cash on their 2019 tax returns. Connor Ferrill has the story.
Cut 2 (30) ” I’m Connor Ferrill”

We are still waiting for the governor to issue the call for a likely third special session.

Democratic Governor John Bel Edwards has vetoed a bill by House Republican Delegation Chairman Lance Harris. Harris owns a chain of gas stations in the Alexandria area and the bill would have allowed independent gas stations to sue larger gas station companies over unfair pricing. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says the veto is part of the partisan games being played in Baton Rouge…
cut 11 (12) “…for him”

Meanwhile, Governor Edwards has labeled a group of anti-tax, pro budget cut hardliners the “caucus of no.” But Erath Representative Blake Miguez says the votes were there for Harris sales tax bill, but the governor wanted even more tax dollars…
cut 7 (10) “….compromise bill”

A south Louisiana man is under arrest after allegedly stalking an ex, and setting a series of fires aimed at harassment.
Cut 1 (29) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Entergy recommends you set thermostat to 78 degrees for maximum savings on your electric bill. For most people…. That’s not going to happen….
Cut 12 (10) “outside”
Entergy says each degree below 78 will add approximately 3-percent to the cost of your electric bill.

We’ve have yet to hear if Governor Edwards will veto the budget approved in the the second special session. Edwards is likely to call a third special session this year to see if legislators can approve a sales tax bill that would generate 500-million dollars, so that TOPS, higher ed, department of corrections and children and family services are fully funded. Shreveport Representative Alan Seabaugh says instead of a third special session, the governor could reduce state spending so TOPS is fully funded…
cut 13 (11) “…on Medicaid”

Meanwhile, Bogalusa Representative Malinda White says she will not accept her pay for a third special session. White says she’ll donate the money to the youth services bureau of Washington and St. Tammany Parish, which helps vulnerable children. White’s donation is expected to be about 15-hundred dollars.

Democratic Governor John Bel Edwards has vetoed House Republican Caucus Chairman Lance Harris’ legislation that would allow independent gas stations to sue large gas station companies over unfair pricing. Edwards said in his veto message the bill would lead to higher prices at the pump. But political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says that was probably not the primary reason for the veto…
cut 10 (11) “…governor’s motives”
Edwards and Harris have clashed over legislation and policy since the governor’s term started.

35-year-old Austin Ceaser has been arrested on multiple counts after he allegedly set three fires over a three-month period. State Fire Marshal spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue says he attempted to light up his ex-girlfriend’s hosue, her father’s truck and her parents house. Rodrigue says Ceasar had been wanted since March….
cut 4 (09) “…be located”
No one was injured in any of the fires.

House GOP leader Lance Harris’ bill that would allow independent gas stations to sue larger gas station companies over unfair pricing has been vetoed by Governor John Bel Edwards. Harris owns a chain of gas stations in the Alexandria area and could have benefited from the measure. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says the move may be political retaliation…
Cut 9 (10) “…by the governor”
Edwards said in the veto message that Harris’ legislation would increase fuel prices.

State Fire Marshal’s office announces the arrest of a south Louisiana man who allegedly set three fires over three months time. Spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue says Austin Blake Ceasar was upset with an ex-girlfriend and the last fire happened at a home in Ville Platte…
cut 5 (12) “…garden hose”
Ceasar faces several charges including aggravated arson.

House Republicans are fighting the Governor’s claims that their “caucus of no” is responsible for the legislative gridlock. Kevin Barnhart.
Cut 2 (30) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

The Livingston Parish Sheriff’s office says a 44-year-old Denham Springs woman was fatally stabbed by 33-year-old Christopher Glenn in a domestic violence attack. Spokesperson Lori Steele says Tosha Smith was stabbed multiple times and another woman was also injured…
cut 15 (08) “…local hosptital”
Steele says multiple children were inside the Denham Springs home too.

There’s still a lot of hard feelings after the second special session ended on a contentious note, and legislators are now prepping for round three…
Cut 3 (31) “Im Matt Doyle”

20-year-old Stephon Perkins of Shreveport has been arrested after he allegedly tried to run over an officer during a pursuit that ended in Bossier City. Police say Perkins failed to stop during an attempted traffic stop and eventually crashed his vehicle into a patrol unit. A Shreveport office fired his weapon, striking Perkins in the elbow. No officers were injured.

A south Louisiana man has been arrested after he allegedly set three different fires during a three month period. State Fire Marshal office spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue says 35-year-old Austin Blake Ceasar set fire to his ex-girlfriend’s house, her father’s truck and her parents’ house…
cut 5 (12) “…garden hose”
Rodrigue says Ceasar harassed his ex-girlfriend and her family since the first fire in March, even though there there was an active protective order against him.

If you are looking to save on utility costs during this hot summer, Entergy Customer Service Manager Patrick Hamby recommends efficient lighting in your home….
cut 8 (07) “….traditional lighting”
Hamby says also suggests keeping the thermostat at 78-degrees.

We’ve have yet to hear if Governor Edwards will veto the budget approved in the the second special session. Edwards is likely to call a third special session this year to see if legislators can approve a sales tax bill that would generate 500-million dollars, so that TOPS, higher ed, department of corrections and children and family services are fully funded. Shreveport Representative Alan Seabaugh says instead of a third special session, the governor could reduce state spending so TOPS is fully funded…
cut 13 (11) “…on Medicaid”

Meanwhile, Bogalusa Representative Malinda White says she will not accept her pay for a third special session….
cut 4 (10) “…most vulnerable children”
White’s donation is expected to be about 15-hundred dollars.

Livingston Parish deputies arrested 33-year-old Christopher Glenn of Denham Springs after he allegedly stabbed 44-year-old Tosha Smith multiple times…
cut 14 (05) “…in that incident’
That’s Livingston Parish Sheriff’s office spokesperson Lori Steel, who says another woman was also injured and several children were inside the home at the time of the attack in Denham Springs.

Public school teachers in Monroe will receive a two-percent pay raise next school year, their first increase in ten years. Superintendent Brent Vidrine hopes the increase will boost morale. But President of the Monroe Federation of Teachers Sandie Lollie says a tw-percent increase is not a lot of money.

Bossier Parish Sheriff Julian Whittingon says eight-thousand tickets have been issued to drivers for allegedly driving uninsured cars and trucks. The parish installed license plate readers at dozens intersections last year and the citations cost guilty individuals 200-dollars.

One south Louisiana lawmaker plans to donate the pay she receives for an expected third special session. Kevin Barnhart has the details.
Cut 1 (29) I’m Kevin Barnhart“

Governor John Bel Edwards has yet to issue the call for a third special session. The previous two have failed to pass legislation that would generate revenue, but Shreveport Representative Alan Seabaugh believes a third special session is not needed…
cut 12 (06) “…enough money”

The State Fire Marshal’s office has arrested a man accused of setting fire to his ex-girlfriend’s house, her father’s truck and her parents house. Two of the fires were set in Ville Platte, the other in Opelousas. Authorities have been searching for 35-year-old Austin Blake Ceasar since the date of the first fire, which was March 9th. No one was injured in any of the fires.

20-year-old Stephon Perkins of Shreveport has been arrested after he allegedly tried to run over an officer during a pursuit that ended in Bossier City. Police say Perkins failed to stop during an attempted traffic stop and eventually crashed his vehicle into a patrol unit. A Shreveport office fired his weapon, striking Perkins in the elbow. No officers were injured.

Entergy is recommending you keep the thermostat at 78 degrees or higher in an effort to keep summer electricity bills from skyrocketing. Customer service manager Patrick Hamby says more tips can be found at entergy-dot-com-blackslash-save-money….
cut 9 (10) “…could accomplish”

As it stands now, TOPS students will have to pay 30-percent of their tuition next school year, unless more revenue is raised before June 30th. Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne says if students and families want it fully funded, get involved in the legislative process…
cut 11 (11) “…at risk”
A third special session for 2018 is expected this month to see if legislators can muster enough votes to approve a sales tax bill, so that TOPS and higher education is fully funded.

At least one state lawmaker says she will donate the per diem from a third special session to a worthy cause in her district. Bogalusa Representative Malinda White says her constituents are aggravated with the costs of the extra sessions…
cut 5 (09) “….services they want”
The donation she is making is an estimated 15-hundred dollars.

The Livingston Parish Sheriff’s office says a 44-year-old Denham Springs woman was fatally stabbed by 33-year-old Christopher Glenn in a domestic violence attack. Spokesperson Lori Steele says Tosha Smith was stabbed multiple times and another woman was also injured…
cut 15 (08) “…local hosptital”
Steele says multiple children were inside the Denham Springs home too.

Entergy has suggestions to keep electric bills down this summer. Becca Dill has the story.
Cut 2 (30) ” I’m Becca Dill”