A public hearing is scheduled tonight in Baton Rouge to discuss the proposed Bayou Bridge Pipeline, which will go through 11 parishes from Calcasieu to St. James. Emelie Gunn has more…

CUT 1 (31) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

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So what’s next for Napoleonville Senator Troy Brown now that he’s gotten jail time amid allegations he abused his wife? Michelle Southern reports.

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Michelle Southern”

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A public hearing is scheduled for tonight to discuss the proposed Bayou Bridge Pipeline, which would run across 11 parishes spanning from Calcasieu to St. James. The hearing takes place at 6 p.m. in the Department of Environmental Quality building in Baton Rouge. Director of the Bucket Brigade, Anne Rolfes, says crawfisherman are concerned running a pipeline through this area will hurt their business.

Cut 3 (09) “the water”

But Acting President for the Louisiana Oil and Gas Association Gifford Briggs supports the pipeline and says Louisiana is in the middle of the oil and gas renaissance. He says the pipeline will bring in jobs that are greatly needed in Louisiana.

cut 4  (10) “gas industry”

The pipeline will cost about 670 million dollars. Rolfes says the oil and gas sector claims pipelines are safer than transportation by rail or truck, but the industry is extremely out of touch with their own operations. She says pipelines are not a safer alternative, as they pose a risk for frequent leaks.

Cut 5  (07)  “response center”

Briggs says if the pipeline wasn’t safe, companies would not propose the construction. He says they are committed to safety to protect their workers and the environment.

Cut 6 (07) “for that”

The U.S Army Corps of Engineers will have the final say on whether the pipeline will be built.

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During his monthly call-in radio show, Governor John Bel Edwards defends himself amid questions about whether he’s pushing higher taxes to solve the state’s budget problems. Edwards says while lawmakers raised $1.5 billion in taxes during last year’s sessions, they also cut $850 million from the state budget.

CUT 7 (09)  “to do it” 

Edwards adds more cuts are coming and possibly another special session to resolve a looming $300 million shortfall. He says while cutting the budget sounds like an easy fix, it’s painful for the state agencies and the people they serve.

Cut 8 (11) “deliver education”

Edwards says there isn’t an overnight solution for the state’s budget problems. He says it will take comprehensive tax reform, more spending cuts, and yes, the possibility of raising more revenue. He says he’s committed to taking a balanced approach to resolve Louisiana’s financial issues.

Cut 9 (12)  “pursuing both”

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Louisiana will receive about $18 million as a result of a $4.3 billion Volkswagen settlement, after the company pleaded guilty to cheating on air emissions tests. Department of Environmental Quality Secretary Chuck Brown says the money has to be used to reduce nitrogen oxide emissions.

Cut 10 (11) “tugs and ferries”

Brown says he is considering using the money to replace diesel engines in school buses with engines that burn cleaner fuel.  But he says no definite decision has been reached yet because other state agencies are also weighing in on the plan.

cut 11 (12) “their ferries”

Brown says DEQ is set to split the money with DOTD and the Department of Natural Resources, leaving each agency with $6 million to spend. He says DEQ is leaning towards replacing school bus engines with its share, but how many buses that money would cover depends on how the state goes about it.

cut 12 (12) “dollar range” 

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Some state lawmakers are calling for Napoleonville Senator Troy Brown to resign immediately after he entered a plea of no contest to domestic violence charges. Senate President John Alario says Brown was suspended from serving on committees when he was arrested in July, and that suspension has been extended until the Senate reviews the case and makes a decision. He says the Senate has the power to remove Brown from office.

Cut 13 (07) “would decide”

This is the second time the state legislator has pleaded no contest to domestic abuse charges in four months. Governor John Bel Edwards called for Brown to resign after the July arrest, but Brown said he has no intention of leaving office. Alario says Brown was suspended from serving on committees when he was arrested.

cut 14 (09) “to take”

A survey by the Associated General Contractors of America finds 70% of Louisiana contractors anticipate hiring more workers in 2017. Jeff Palermo has more…

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The U-S Energy Information Administration calls for an average price of 52-dollars per barrel for crude oil in 2017. Michelle Southern looks at what this means for Louisiana…

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2017 is looking good for construction workers in Louisiana, as the Associated General Contractors of America finds 70-percent of Louisiana contractors anticipate hiring workers this year. Chief Economist with AGC, Ken Simonson, says the strongest category appears to be hospital construction, but the industry is expecting plenty of work in other sectors as well.

Cut 3 (12) “port activity”

But he says not everyone will be building this year, as there’s little work forecasted for public schools, higher education, and public buildings. The report also found that 60-percent of the 30 companies polled expect to increase their workforce by up to 25-percent in 2017. But Simonson says they might have a hard time finding qualified workers.

cut 4  (10) “anytime soon”

Simonson says that’s why companies are investing more in training and development to train new employees who do not have construction experience. He says some are even boosting incentives to bring more former-construction workers back to the industry.

Cut 5  (11)  “a job”

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The U.S. Energy Information Administration says the average price of crude oil in 2017 should be 52 dollars and 50 cents per barrel, so what does that mean for Louisiana? Associate Director of the Tulane Energy Institute Eric Smith says this is a nine dollar improvement from last year but likely not enough to support new deep water activity.

Cut 6 (12) “exploration”

Smith says this uptick in the price of crude oil could put a halt to onshore job losses in the industry.

CUT 7 (08)  “type positions” 

The U.S. Energy Information predicts crude oil to be $55.18 in 2018. But Smith says the offshore oil industry would need to see prices in the low 60s to commit to new projects.

Cut 8 (09) “$62”

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The St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office announces the arrest of five people in connection with the murder of a man who was killed during an apparent drug deal gone bad. Sheriff Randy Smith says it all started shortly after two groups of three met up for the deal…:

Cut 9 (06)  “could go bad”

Smith says shots fired by both groups left 19-year-old Javonte Donaldson dead, allegedly at the hands of Christover Davis. It’s the first murder in St. Tammany Parish in 2017. Smith says he wants to send a strong message….:

Cut 10 (06) “not tolerate it”

Davis is charged with first degree murder. The other four are booked with principal to murder and obstruction. Smith said the entire shooting was over a total of about $300 worth of pot. He says those involved were not part of an organized gang…:

cut 11 (09) “six individuals”

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A 27-year-old mother was shot multiple times, while answering the door of her home in Scotlandville last night, according to the Baton Rouge Police Department. Sgt. L’Jean McKneely says Robyn Hale was transported to a local hospital, where she died overnight. He says Hale was not home alone…

cut 12 (07) “has happened” 

The children were not harmed during the incident. McKneely says detectives are still searching for a suspect. He says it doesn’t appear that the home was robbed and they’re working to determine a motive.

Cut 13 (10) “the shooting”

McKneely says this seems to be an isolated incident and Hale was targeted. He asks anyone with information about the case to call BRPD.

cut 14 (09) “a suspect”

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New Orleans Congressman Cedric Richmond urged members of the Senate Judiciary Committee today not to confirm Republican U.S. Senator Jeff Sessions of Alabama as the next United States Attorney General. Richmond says Sessions’ beliefs are discriminatory and so are his actions…

Cut 15 (11) “shared history”

Newly elected U.S. Senator John Kennedy is on the committee and has voiced his support for Sessions. But Richmond, chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus, Sessions’ is someone who has opposed updating the Voting Rights Act and rejected bipartisan criminal justice reform efforts…

Cut 16  (06)  “others today”

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