Louisiana is now seeing a cluster of mumps cases with students at LSU. Jeff Palermo has more…

CUT 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

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Energy producing areas of the state continue to see large decline in employment. Halen Doughty has more…

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Halen Doughty”

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The state Legislative Auditor’s Office launches an investigation into the travel spending of Louisiana State Police. The inquiry comes amid an ongoing investigation into the agency by the Governor’s Office. Legislative Auditor Daryl Purpera hopes this probe will lead to policy changes.

Cut 3 (09) “in the future”

LSP is under scrutiny after four troopers made stops in Las Vegas and the Grand Canyon on their way to a training conference in San Diego. Reports also indicate at least one trooper may have received overtime pay while on the trip. Purpera says the goal is to uncover the truth.

cut 4  (09) “actually transpired”

LSP is conducting their own internal investigation into the side trips and possible overtime pay. State Police Col. Mike Edmonson hopes the findings of all these probes can be turned into new policy and accountability practices.

Cut 5  (09)  “welcome that”

The results from State Police’s own investigation are expected in the coming weeks. Edmonson is still at the helm of LSP, despite rumors he would step down amid ongoing investigations into his department by multiple agencies. The Superintendent says he has no plans to vacate his position.

Cut 6 (10) “State Police”

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There has been a large outbreak of mumps cases in Arkansas and we’re starting to see cases in Louisiana now. Medical Director of the state Immunization Program Dr. Frank Welch says they’ve been able to confirm at least six cases on the LSU campus. He says mumps is relatively mild but can cause some serious complications…

CUT 7 (10)  “kill people”

Welch says the U.S. used to see less than one thousand cases a year but there were over 5-thousand cases of the mumps in 2016. He says the disease is spread through saliva, so it’s important to wash your hands, cover your mouth when coughing and avoid sharing utensils.

Cut 8 (10) “health center”

LDH encourages everyone to receive two doses of the mumps vaccine which is 90-percent effective and the department has sent alerts to all doctors.  Welch says the outbreak in Arkansas is mostly in school aged children. He says even though the majority of mumps cases in Louisiana have been at LSU, they are also taking every measure to ensure young children are aware of the disease.

Cut 9 (11)  “hygiene”

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The Bureau of Labor and Statistics finds Louisiana’s unemployment rate has seen little change overall in the past year, but manufacturing and the oil and gas industry continue to see big losses. Houma lost 6,000 jobs over the year, and Lafayette lost 9,000. LSU economist Dr. Loren Scott says the loss rate in the Houma and Lafayette areas has slowed, but not enough.

Cut 10 (11) “too low”

However, other employment sectors like construction and education and health services saw tremendous gains. The Lake Charles area in particular saw an increase of 5,600 jobs over the year. Scott says the primary reason for that growth is the industrial expansion.

cut 11 (10) “96 billion”

Louisiana’s unemployment rate is just under 6-percent statewide. Baton Rouge lost 1,300 jobs over the year, but gained 4,100 in the past month. Scott says the Capitol City has a number of projects that are underway and even more that have recently been announced.

cut 12 (09) “growth path”

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Governor John Bel Edwards has sent a letter to congressional leaders urging the protection of Medicaid expansion. The governor’s communications director Richard Carbo says as the debate is underway in the nation’s capital to repeal and replace Obamacare, Edwards is standing behind the program he signed into law on his first day in office…

Cut 13 (10) “number one”

Carbo says with the money generated from the expansion, the state is able to avoid major cuts to TOPS, K-12 education and partner hospitals. He says their biggest concern with the proposed health care legislation is that thousands of Louisiana residents who were recently insured though Medicaid will lose that coverage.

cut 14 (11) “healthcare”

In the letter, Edwards acknowledged the expansion is not perfect, but changes can be made without harming the people who have been positively affected by their new healthcare. Carbo says in addition to saving lives, Medicaid expansion has been good for our economy and budget.

Cut 15 (09) “hear that” 

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The percentage of people who admit to having a gambling problem in Louisiana went from 2-3% in 2008, to 8% in 2016. Emelie Gunn reports on this growing problem…:

Cut 1 (31) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

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Community leaders participate in statewide litter-a-thon for Keep Louisiana Beautiful’s Leaders Against Litter. Don Molino has more…

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A $10 million investment raised with the help of Saints Quarterback Drew Brees will help expand the Lake Charles founded food delivery platform,  Waitr. Jeff Palermo reports:

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A Loyola law professor releases a report on ways Louisiana can reduce its highest-in-the-world incarceration rate. Professor Bill Quigley says the first step is admitting there’s a problem. He says one way to solve the issue would be to let people out of jail while they’re awaiting trial.

Cut 4  (11) “nonviolent crimes”

Quigley says people that are in jail are much more likely to plead guilty. He says Louisiana is one of only two states that allows people to be convicted with less than a unanimous jury. He says sentencing reform is needed as well, particularly for repeat offenders.

Cut 5  (11)  “of themselves”

Quigley says classifying drug offense as victimless crimes is another step Louisiana could take to reduce prison populations. Governor John Bel Edwards has said criminal justice reform will be a key issue in the upcoming regular session. Quigley hopes lawmakers implement the necessary changes to keep people out of jail because imprisonment ruins lives.

Cut 6 (12) “self-sufficient”

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Gambling addiction has become a growing problem in Louisiana as it affects an estimated 180-thousand people statewide. Executive Director of the Louisiana Association on Compulsive Gambling Janet Miller says directly asking if someone has a problem is the best method to tackle the addition…:

Cut 7 (10)  “in debt”

Miller says compulsive gambling causes extreme depression in addicts who also have trouble concentrating and show a deterioration in work performance. Suicide is also a big problem associated with those who can’t kick the habit. She says gambling addictions in Louisiana were at about the 2-3% mark in 2008…:

Cut 8 (11) “dramatic jump”

To raise awareness about Louisiana’s services for those experiencing problems with gambling, Governor John Bel Edwards has declared March, “National Problem Gambling Awareness Month.” Miller advises anyone affected by gambling to contact the Problem Gambler’s Helpline at 1-877-770-STOP for free assistance.

Cut 9 (09)  “gambling”

She says the helpline handles on average 2400 calls or direct requests for help every month.

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Community leaders around the state are teaming up with Keep Louisiana Beautiful for the fight against litter. Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says Leaders Against Litter are leading the way to a cleaner Louisiana. He says officials gathered Friday for a statewide litter-a-thon to kick off the campaign…:

Cut 10 (12) “in Louisiana”

Nungesser says litter costs the state money, hurts communities, and even hurts tourism. He says when people visit a place, they leave with an experience. He says it’s important we as a state put our best foot forward so tourists leave the Bayou State wanting to return.

Cut 11 (10) “absolutely beautiful”

The litter-a-thon comes ahead of the Great American Cleanup, which takes place April 22. Nungesser says one of the most important things we can do to keep the state clean is educate young people about the importance of picking up litter.

Cut 12 (09) “be proud of”

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The Lake Charles founded food delivery platform Waitr is expanding thanks to a $10 million investment from an investor group led by Saints Quarterback Drew Brees. President and CEO Chris Meaux says Waitr is currently in 18 cities in four states, and this new funding will allow them to open 24 new markets this year.

Cut 13 (10) “of California”

Meaux says Alexandria and Monroe are next to get Waitr, and maybe Houma after that. He says they hire a lot of people in the state, which is something that attracted Brees to work with them. He says the quarterback is also in the restaurant business himself.

Cut 14 (10) “on our team”

The smartphone app, which is available on Google Play and in the Apple Store, allows users to order food from local restaurants for carryout or delivery. Meaux says they try to make ordering as easy as possible for the consumer. He says they call it frictionless dining.

Cut 15 (07) “your door”

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The coaching search is on for the LSU men’s basketball team and Athletic Director Joe Alleva says he’ll be looking for someone who can put the excitement back into the program. After a couple of less-than-stellar seasons, Johnny Jones was released. Tiger Rag Editor Cody Worsham says there are many appealing aspects of this job…:

Cut 16 (13) “spend some money”

Worsham says it’s a little early to predict who could be the next Tigers’ hoops coach, but one of the name’s he’s heard as a top prospect is Notre Dame coach Mike Brey…:

Cut 17 (12)  “Northwestern State”

Worsham also pegs former LSU assistant Eric Musselman who is the head coach at Nevada right now…:

Cut 18 (08) “conference”

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The sixth ranked LSU baseball team completed a three-game sweep of Wichita State with a 9-2 victory over the Shockers on a chilly afternoon at Alex Box Stadium. Left fielder Antoine Duplantis of Lafayette drove in a four runs and freshman Eric Walker pitched six scoreless innings for his second win. Coach Paul Mainieri is pleased with the victory….

Cut 19 (11)   “the weekend”

LSU went into the weekend on a bit of a slide as they had lost three of their last four. But Mainieri shook up the line-up as moved shortstop Kramer Robertson to lead-off and batted Duplantis third and it helped the Tigers score 27 runs during the three-game series…

Cut 20 (12)   “many runs”

Non-custodial parents are now able to make child support payments through MoneyGram. Emelie Gunn has more…

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The Louisiana Film and Entertainment Association launches the “Fight for Film” campaign. Jeff Palermo reports…:

Cut 2 (29) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

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In response to the financial changes facing the state, the Louisiana Community and Technical College System is consolidating eight of their rural campuses. President of the system, Dr. Monty Sullivan, says they want to maintain and sustain the mission of two year colleges.

Cut 3 (10) “financial stability”

For example, the Northwest Louisiana Technical College in Natchitoches will become part of the Central Louisiana Technical Community College on July 1^st. Sullivan says the mergers will allow them to focus on these rural campuses and ensure their two-year colleges can stay open.

cut 4  (07) “create savings”

Sullivan says consolidating these campuses will save money and continue their mission of helping students move on to a four-year university or prepare Louisianans for technical careers. He says it’s their hope that students in the system will see very little changes.

Cut 5  (09)  “to attend”

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Non-custodial parents in Louisiana can now make child support payments through MoneyGram at retail stores like WalMart, CVS and Albertsons. Director of Child Support Enforcement with the Department of Children and Family Services Lydia Scales says this is a more convenient way to pay rather than purchasing stamps and mailing in money.

Cut 6 (08) “credit card”

Scales says they often hear excuses from parents who don’t have custody, that it’s too difficult to make a payment. She says making cash payments through MoneyGram will allow these people to contribute more to their children.

CUT 7 (09)  “payments”

Other states are already using MoneyGram for cash child support payments. Scales says there is a four-dollars fee, but the convenience pays for itself. She says parents do need a few things in order to send support to their children through MoneyGram…

Cut 8 (10) “14695”

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The Louisiana Film and Entertainment Association has launched a campaign aimed at urging the legislature to make changes to the state’s film tax credit program. Jim Hornbeak sits on the LFEA’s Executive Board. He says right now there’s no guarantee a movie-maker will receive tax credits, and it negatively impacts many locals…:

Cut 9 (05)  “restaurant industry”

The state’s film-tax incentive program was capped in 2015 at $180 million dollars a year, and a lot of the industry left for better deals in other states. Hornbeak says the “Fight For Film” effort is all about putting faces to those Louisianians who thrive when a movie is filmed here…:

Cut 10 (08) “tax credits”

To see the videos associated with the campaign, visit FilmLouisiana.com. Hornbeak, who is also the Chief Marketing Officer of Ranch Film Studios in Chalmette, says the film industry has supported 13,000 jobs with average salary of $60,000 per year. He’s hoping to see some tweaks in the existing cap…:

cut 11 (10) “standpoint”

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Louisiana is set to benefit from ExxonMobil’s $20 billion investment in the Gulf Coast. Baton Rouge Refinery Manager Mark Northcutt says the Grow the Gulf initiative will strengthen and grow Exxon facilities in the Capitol City. He says Baton Rouge is home to one of the world’s largest refineries, as well as world scale chemical operations.

cut 12 (13) “position of strength”

Northcutt says another facility in Baton Rouge produces aviation lubricants. He says they’ve already invested $200 million into this facility, which created 400 construction jobs during development and 45 new permanent jobs at the facility.

Cut 13 (10) “Baton Rouge facility” 

Northcutt says they want to grow these Baton Rouge facilities even more. He the increased supply of natural gas in Louisiana is a big advantage for the chemical industry in the Gulf Coast. He says Exxon is looking for site for a new steam cracker facility, and the Bayou State could be a contender, if the state can provide a stable and predictable tax environment.

cut 14 (10) “in Louisiana”

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