A measure to be heard before the House Ways and Means Committee would place a flat corporate income tax of 2-percent on the profits of businesses. Emelie Gunn has more…

Cut 1 (26) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

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Civil rights activists say protests can be expected if the Department of Justice chooses not to file charges against the Baton Rouge police officers who fatally shot Alton Sterling. Jeff Palermo has more…

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

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Today the budget for next fiscal year is expected to move out of the House Appropriations Committee. Halen Doughty has more…

Cut 3 (30) “I’m Halen Doughty”

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A measure gaining popularity with lawmakers that will be heard in the House Way and Means Committee today would place a flat corporate income tax from 1 to 2 –percent on the profits a business makes. Jackson Representative Kenny Havard says his bill would generate an estimated 200 million dollars in tax revenue.

Cut 4  (07) “for business”

Havard says the bill would eliminate exemptions and the franchise tax. He says this plan is the farthest thing away from Governor John Bel Edwards’ proposed gross receipts tax, which was pulled due to a major lack of support but he has received positive feedback on his measure.

Cut 5  (10)  “fiscal note”

Business groups like LABI are not supportive, because corporate loopholes will be closed. But Havard says companies or businesses will not have to pay this tax, if they don’t  make a profit.

Cut 6 (09) “your profit”

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The Capitol City is anxiously awaiting a decision from the Department of Justice on whether or not civil rights charges will be handed down against the Baton Rouge police officers involved in last summer’s fatal shooting of Alton Sterling. Former Metro Council member John Delgado says he’s heard the DOJ should announce its decision by Tuesday.

Cut 7 (09)  “civil rights violation”

The Mayor’s Office says speculation that a decision could be made this week is just that. After last July’s fatal incident outside a Baton Rouge convenience store, protestors called for justice. A week after the incident, a Missouri man attacked law enforcement officers in Baton Rouge, killing three and wounding three more. Delgado hopes we don’t see that kind of tragedy again.

Cut 8 (10) “that are the problem”

But President of the Baton Rouge Chapter of the NAACP, Mike McClanahan says without justice, there can be no peace. He expects if DOJ does not bring forth charges, there will be protests and rallies around the city.

Cut 9 (07)  “change happen”

McClanahan doesn’t believe relations have improved between law enforcement and the public since the shooting. He says groups are planning to march if the DOJ doesn’t charge the officers responsible for Sterling’s death, and some are calling for an economic boycott.

Cut 10 (09) “their checkbook”

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President Donald Trump has reached 100 days in office, but what does that mean for Louisiana? ULM political science professor Dr. Joshua Stockley says Mr. Trump’s first 100 days in office have been turbulent and unorthodox. He says there’s been very little direct policy change at the federal level under the new administration.

Cut 11 (07) “100 days”

But Mr. Trump has won the support of Louisiana’s congressional delegation, business leaders, and officials from the oil and gas industry. Stockley says the president hasn’t really done anything at this point to help or hurt them one way or the other.

Cut 12 (11) “reason not to”

Stockley says it’s not surprising policy changes have not yet been made because the federal process takes a while.

Cut 13 (10) “to take time”

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The House Appropriations Committee is expected to approve a spending plan for the next fiscal year today. Chairman Cameron Henry of Metairie says they plan to hold back about 2 percent of the revenue forecast by the Revenue Estimating Conference. He says the REC is usually wrong, and withholding this money could prevent midyear cuts.

Cut 14 (09) “have shortfalls”

Under the governor’s proposed budget, TOPS was only funded at 70 percent for the next fiscal year. Henry says it’s his intention to fully fund the taxpayer funded scholarship program.

Cut 15 (11) “the process”

Henry says that means lawmakers will have to find $81 million from somewhere else to fund the program. He says a lot of legislators feel plenty of agencies have funds to spare. He says some agencies, like the Louisiana Department of Health gain money throughout the year.

Cut 16 (09) “billion dollars”

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The Saints selected five players on defense and two offense with their seven picks in the 2017 NFL draft. The franchise believes they found a lock down cornerback for the next decade with their first round pick of Marshon Lattimore of Ohio State. But Coach Sean Payton says Lattimore will have to earn his spot on the field…

Cut 17 (22)  “outside corner”

Despite recently signing Adrian Peterson, the Saints still drafted a running back in the third round, running back Alvin Kamara.  Payton believes Kamara can coexist on a roster featuring Mark Ingram and A-P….

Cut 18 (23)    “those guys” 

The Saints had a big need to draft a pass rusher and they waited until the sixth round to take one, defensive end Al-Quadin Muhammad. The 6-3, 253-pounder had his issues at Miami. He was suspended for a fight during spring practice and later kicked off the team after allegedly receiving improper benefits from a car rental company. Payton says Muhammad has made some mistakes, but he’s been a good teammate…

Cut 19 (13)   “if he fell”

A measure heading to the Senate floor would require higher ed institutions to put together an action plan for preventing unplanned pregnancies. Michelle Southern has more…

Cut 1 (31) “I’m Michelle Southern”

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Governor Edwards alongside with DHL and Graphic Packaging International announced 274-million dollar folding carton operation and logistic center will be built in Monroe. Emelie Gunn has more…

Cut 2 (31) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

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Universities would be required to make an action plan to prevent unplanned teen pregnancies, under a proposal approved by the Senate Education Committee. New Orleans Senator Wesley Bishop spent decades working in higher education. He says he’s talked with many young women who dropped out of school for so-called medical reasons.

Cut 3 (09) “happens a lot”

The measure would require all universities, community colleges, and trade schools to have a plan to help students prevent unplanned pregnancies to keep students in school. Bishop says only 40 percent of teen mothers finish high school, and just two percent complete college by age 30.

Cut 4  (09) “is pregnant”

Bishop says that’s because often times the responsibility of raising that child falls on the mother. He says pregnancy prevention is something that should be taught along with time management and study habits. He is confident if young people knew better, they would do better.

Cut 5  (08)  “very difficult”

The proposal now heads to the full Senate.

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The State Fire Marshal’s office is investigating a burning car in DeSoto Parish where the body of a woman was found inside. Fire Marshal Butch Browning says they responded to a call from the Sheriff’s Office at 2 a.m. this morning reporting a vehicle fire on Interstate 49 near Stonewall.

Cut 6 (06) “the road”

Browning says the victim has been identified as Kelly Jo Brunettin of Frierson. He says her vehicle was the only one at the scene and the investigation is ongoing.

Cut 7 (10)  “is involved”

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The Storm Prediction Center is calling for an enhanced risk of severe weather for northwest Louisiana tomorrow. C.S. Ross with the National Weather Service in Shreveport says a cold front will bring the potential for severe weather as early as Saturday afternoon.

Cut 8 (08) “or two”

Forecasters say the severe weather threat will shift to the eastern side of the state after midnight on Saturday. The Mississippi River Delta and southeast Louisiana will be under a slight risk on Sunday. He says heavy rainfall is also possible with this system.

Cut 9 (09)  “four inches”

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Many folks aren’t aware, but Saturday is an election day in Louisiana. Voters in 46 parishes will be deciding on vacancies in the state House, the 3rd Circuit Court of Appeal and the Lake Charles Mayor’s office. Secretary of State Tom Schedler says there is also a big Senate race:

Cut 10 (08) “it touches”

Schedler says there are also many local propositions of tax renewals or new taxes to be decided throughout the state. He says if you aren’t sure if there’s an election in your area Saturday, check out the GeauxVote app…:

Cut 11 (07) “early voting”

Schedler says, unfortunately, he is not expecting a good turnout. He says the early voting turnout was a dismal 14%..:

Cut 12 (11) “17-18%”

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Governor John Bel Edwards along with DHL and Graphic Packaging International broke ground on a 1.27 million-square-foot folding carton plant and logistics center outside of Monroe. The expansion is estimated to be about 274 million dollars.

Cut 13 (10) “logistics center”

The project will create 93 new direct jobs and 74 indirect jobs. Edwards says GPI will continue to employ 800 workers at their mill in West Monore. He says Graphic Packing will move their folding cartons operation from West Monroe to the new facility in Monroe.

Cut 14 (11) “new projects”

The facility will be the size of six Mercedes Benz Superdomes. Edwards says not only will this expansion create more jobs at the logistics center but around north Louisiana.

Cut 15 (10) “be created”

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