Former state lawmaker Elbert Guillory, who is black, has been tabbed to recruit more minority voters to the Republican Party. Guillory says his pitch to traditional non-Republicans is that the G-O-P is more concerned about creating jobs and tackling crime…
cut 9 (11) “…except us”
Guillory switched parties in 2013 and became the first black state senator in Louisiana’s history.

A police officer in Livingston Parish has been suspended for three days without pay after hanging a noose in the department’s squad room. Walker Police Capt. John Sharp says the makeshift noose was hung on a pipe in public view…
cut 3 (09) “in the noose”
It is against state law to display a noose in public to intimidate.

It’s March Madness time, and a survey conducted by a staffing firm found companies who hold bracket competitions have happier employees. Michelle Southern reports…:
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Michelle Southern”

It was a late night for a few baseball teams around the state last night. LSU and UNO played 15 innings and the Privateers beat the Tigers seven to four. It was the longest game in the history of the new Alex Box Stadium. UL Lafayette and Louisiana Tech went 13 innings and the Bulldogs defeated the Cajuns six to five.

The governor’s task force aimed at reducing the state’s incarceration rate released it’s recommendations for the state legislature. The panel believe its comprehensive plan that will be discussed at the capitol today will reduce the state’s prison population by 13 percent over the next decade and save taxpayers 305-million dollars.

Former state lawmaker Elbert Guillory, who is black, has been chosen by the Louisiana GOP to lead an outreach effort to bring more minorities to the Republican Party. Emelie Gunn has more….
Voicer 2 (30) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

Legislation is expected to be filed for the upcoming regular session that would raise the state’s gasoline tax by up to 17-cents. Republican Representative Steve Carter of Baton Rouge is heavily involved in thos discussions, because his constitutents are particulary concerned about traffic conditions…
cut 15 (10) “…a nightmare”
If the state’s gas tax was increased by 17-cents, it would mean an extra 500-million dollars a year to fund the state’s transportation needs.

With March Madness kicking off today, a staffing firm finds that nearly one in four companies organize activities tied to sporting events and it actually boosts morale. Office Team District President Brandi Britton says managers who do things like hold a bracket competition tend to have happier employees…:
Cut 4 (07) “March Madness”

With the legislative session approaching, lawmakers are working on a bill that would raise the state’s gasoline tax for the first time in 30 years. Democratic Representative Sam Jones of Franklin says he would like to see a proposed gas tax increase go before the voters this fall, but the discussion continues over how many additional tax cents the tax hike should go.
Cut 13 (09) “talked about”
Some of the worst traffic congestion in the country is in the Capital City. That’s why Baton Rouge Representative Steve Carter supports a higher gas tax…
cut 16 (10) “…we may have”
Officials say every penny the gasoline tax goes up, an additional 30-million dollars can be spent on transportation needs.

Former legislator Elbert Guillory will lead an outreach effort to bring more minorities to the GOP. Guillory became the first black Republican state senator in 2013 when he switched from the Democratic Party. He says his hope is to convince African-American voters the Republican Party has their interest in mind.
Cut 7 (10) “do better”
Louisiana Republican Party Chairman Roger Villere says Guillory can help the GOP reach one-million registered voters in the state.

It’s the first full day of the NCAA Tournament and workers could be districted by March madness. Office Team District president Brandi Britton says employers should capitalize on major sporting events to bring employees together and have more fun at work…
cut 6 (09) “…expectations are”
Britton says their survey shows 66-percent of employees feel that celebrating sporting events can boost their overall hapiness at work.

State lawmakers are putting together a bill for the regular session that would increase the state’s gasoline tax for the first time in decades. Halen Doughty has more…
Voicer3 (31) “I’m Halen Doughty”

A study from the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission finds the state’s seat belt usage rate is at an all-time high of 88-percent. That’s nearly a two-percent point increase over the previous year. The report shows the increase is mostly attributable to more minority drivers and passengers buckling up.

Governor Edwards must find a new leader for State Police. Colonel Mike Edmonson’s last day as superintendent is March 24th as he is retiring with the department under fire for a travel scandal. Edwards says Edmonson also oversees the Office of Motor Vehicles, the Fire Marshal’s office, and highway safety…
cut 12 (11) “…law enforcement community”

Workplace productivity might be down today, because it’s the first full day of the NCAA Men’s basketball tournament. Office Team District President Brandi Britton says employers who incorporate fun activities surrounding March Madness can promote healthy mix of work and play, but managers still need to be organzied about it…
cut 5 (10) “…after work”

Governor Edwards believes State Police Superintendent Colonel Mike Edmonson’s retirement is the best approach for the department. The governor accepted Edmonson’s retirement yesterday as the L-S-P has been the center for controversy because of travel scandal involving four troopers. Edwards says he and the Colonel discussed the issue for the past few days…
cut 10 (08) “….to retire”
Edmonson’s last day is March 24th.

Lawmakers are discussing legislation that would raise the state’s gasoline tax 17-cents per gallon, which would generate over 500-million dollars that can be used to improve roads. Franklin Representative Sam Jones would like to see the issue go to the voters this fall, because there are unmet transportation needs around the state…
cut 14 (11) “…to be addressed”
A gasoline tax will be discussed more in the upcoming session.

Former state lawmaker Elbert Guillory has been picked to lead an effort by the Republican Party to attract more minority voters to the G-O-P. Guillory, who is black, believes the Democratic Party is not addressing important issues facing blacks and hispanics, like jobs and crime
cut 8 (08) “…today”
Guillory switched from the democratic party to the republican party in 2013.

Former Lafayette Congressman Charles Boustany has a new job. The Republican doctor has joined the Capitol Counsel Washington D-C lobbying firm, which focuses on health care, tax and trade issues.

After spending nine years as the leader of State Police, Superintendent Col. Mike Edmonson announces he’ll retire from his post on March 24th. The agency has been the center of controversy regarding questionable travel by four state troopers. Edmonson says he loves his job, but stepping down will bring normalcy back to the department…:
Cut 9 (10) “any distractions”
Edmonson says he will work with Governor John Bel Edwards and his successor to make the transition as seamless as possible.

A 33-year-old New Iberia man has pleaded guilty to sending threatening letters to government offices, including one that was sent to Governor John Bel Edwards. Prosecutors say Kyle Dore put white powder in several of the letters and implied the sustance was toxic, but tests showed it wasn’t. He’ll be sentenced on June 9th.

The Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office is investigating a quadruple homicide at an apartment complex in Metairie. Emelie Gunn has more…
Voicer 1 (30) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

Another contractor has been arrested for defrauding flood victims. Baton Rouge Police Sergeant Don Coppola says one of the victims was 70-years-old…
cut 4 (11) “….to rebuild”
Andrew Darian is facing several charges including home improvement fraud.

Today, State Police Superintendent Col. Mike Edmonson announced his plans to retire March 24th. LSP is under investigation by multiple agencies after four troopers made taxpayer funded overnight stops in Las Vegas and the Grand Canyon while attending a training conference in San Diego. Political analyst Clancy Dubos says this announcement shouldn’t come as a surprise…:
Cut 11 (11) “make a change”
Edmonson says he decided to step down so the agency can return to normalcy.

Former Lafayette Congressman Charles Boustany has a new job. The Republican doctor has joined the Capitol Counsel Washington D-C lobbying firm, which focuses on health care, tax and trade issues. The 61-year served in the U.S. House of Representative for 12 years and had an unsuccessful run for U-S Senate last year.

Jefferson Parish authorities found four people dead at an apartment complex in Metairie early this morning. Sheriff Newell Normand says originally they were investigating a triple homicide, but they found another body in an apartment where the door was open……:
CUT 7 (07) “original scene”
The four fatal victims range in ages from 40-to-61-years-old. One of the victims is a female. It remains a very active investigation.

Baton Rouge Police have arrested a contractor from Denham Springs who allegedly took deposits and payments from two homeowners but never completed the work. 48-year-old Andrew Darian faces several charges. Baton Rouge Police Sergeant Don Coppola…
cut 5 (10) “…help you out”

Colonel Mike Edmonson has stepped down as superintendent of State Police. Edmonson has led state police for two governors, but he leaves as multipe investigations are ongoing into a travel scandal involving four state troopers. Edmonson says he wouldn’t have done anything differently….
cut 10 (12) “…move forward”
Over a dozen members of State Police have also been subpoenaed as part of a federal investigation into illegal campaign contributions involving the Louisiana State Troopers Association and its executive director. Political Analyst Clancy Dubos says Edmonson’s retirement is the best move for everyone..
cut 12 (11) “…that organization”
Edmonson’s last day is March 24th.

New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu is no longer pushing a proposal to have all bars in the city close their doors at 3AM every day. French Quarter Business League President Alex Fein says they were concern that proposal would negatively affect businesses…
cut 1 4 (09) “….we’re changing”

Jefferson Parish authorities found four people dead at an apartment complex in Metairie early this morning. Sheriff Newell Normand says when authorities arrived they found three people deceased and a woman shot in the face, who was transported to a local hospital. He says as deputies were canvasing the scene, a nearby apartment had an open door…:
Cut 6 (10) “of age”
Authorities say that man died of multiple stab wounds.