The third special session begins tonight, on the eve of the anniversary of the first one called by Governor John Bel Edwards. Jeff Palermo has more…
CUT 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”
______________________________________
A poison that would kill wild hogs could soon make its way to Louisiana. Michelle Southern reports…:
Cut 2 (31) “I’m Michelle Southern”
______________________________________
Tonight Louisiana lawmakers will convene for their third special session in just one year, as they attempt to resolve a $304 million midyear budget deficit. ULM political science professor Dr. Joshua Stockley says one of the biggest battles will be whether or not to tap into the rainy day fund, and how much. He says if they do not use the fund, lawmakers will face tough decisions.
Cut 3 (08) “state services”
The governor supports using the fund, but it has gotten pushback from some Republican lawmakers. But Stockley says there appears to be enough support from the GOP to tap into the state’s savings account.
cut 4 (12) “being underfunded”
It will take a two-thirds vote in both the House and Senate for the legislature to use the rainy day fund. Stockley says whether or not the votes are there remains to be seen.
Cut 5 (07) “it seems”
The special session begins tonight at 6:30 p.m. and must end by midnight on February 22.
_________________________________________________________
A new website has launched that seeks to help Louisianans find jobs in the restaurant industry. Wendy Waren with the Louisiana Restaurant Association says LouisianaHospitalityJobs.com is designed to meet the needs of the state’s ever-expanding hospitality sector.
Cut 6 (09) “currently filled”
Waren says Louisiana has 83-hundred restaurants and bars, which employ more than 205-thousand workers. She says the site currently has 500 available positions. She says they are excited to connect employers with their ProStart program, which helps people without restaurant experience get the training they need to embark on this career path.
CUT 7 (11) “college level”
Waren says while the site helps employers fill vacancies with competent workers, it’s also a huge help to those looking to find the right job for them.
Cut 8 (10) “industry-based certifications”
_________________________________________________________
A school bus overturned in St. Helena Parish this morning, sending dozens of children to area hospitals. State Trooper Dustin Dwight says the bus was travelling on LA 43 about to make a left hand turn near Greensburg when it was hit by another vehicle.
Cut 9 (10) “left turn”
Dwight says the impact caused the bus to overturn on its right side. He says all of the children on the bus were transported to local hospitals for evaluation, some by Acadian Ambulance and other by their parents.
Cut 10 (08) “injuries reported”
Dwight says the drivers of both the school bus and the other vehicle were taken to hospitals. He says the investigation is ongoing, and they do anticipate traffic charges on the driver of the Chevy Silverado. He says this goes to show the importance of making safe decisions behind the wheel.
cut 11 (08) “were fortunate”
_________________________________________________________
A poison that would kill wild hogs could soon be available in Louisiana. The population of the feral animal is nearly 700,000 and they are a major nuisance in many areas of the state. Jim LaCour is a veterinarian with LDWF. He says the Environmental Protection Agency has approved a product called Kaput…:
cut 12 (07) “consecutive days”
LaCour says more tests are needed before they’ll use Kaput here because the major concern is that other non-target animals, especially the Louisiana Black Bear, could eat it and die. He says the bears were recently removed from the federal Endangered Species List…:
Cut 13 (07) “especially“
Kaput will be released to the public in Texas in May. LaCour says the poison would be placed in a feeder, and you basically have to train the hogs how to open the door. He says raccoons are very strong and could also get inside the feeder, so it’s not that LDWF isn’t in favor of using an effective bait-poison…:
cut 14 (10) “in the state”
______________________________________________________________
Phillips 66 says the fire at the Paradis Pipeline Station in St. Charles Parish is finally out. Company spokesperson Dennis Nuss says the blaze was extinguished this morning…
Cut 15 (06) “is investigated”
A missing worker from Thursday’s blast is presumed dead. He’s been identified as Josh Helms. Nuss says this remains a difficult time Phillips 66…
Cut 16 (07) “thoughts and prayers”