The Governor’s Office of Emergency Preparedness is urging Louisiana residents to take precautions as the state is experiencing dangerously high temperatures this week. GOHSEP spokesperson Mike Steele says much of the state is under a heat advisory, as heat indexes are reaching triple digits. He says the biggest concern for people will be heat exhaustion….
cut 3 (09) “…need help”
A new study shows Louisiana parents average premium for car insurance increases by over 86-percent when they add a teen driver to an existing policy. Senior insuance analyst with Insurance-quotes-dot-com, Laura Adams, advises parents to take advantage of every discount available to them…
cut 9 (10) “….student discount”

During Governor John Bel Edwards weekly call-in show, he was asked if increasing the state’s gasoline tax could be used to address the state’s 600-million dollar shortfall. Edwards says he has established transportation task force that will look into revenue raising measures such as gas taxes, tolls, and other ideas. But he says those dollars will have to go towards transportation…
cut 11 (10) “….education”
The governor is hoping the House will pass a bill today that would decrease a state income tax deduction that many citizens who make over 100-thousand dollars enjoy.

Crowley Representative Jack Montoucet is set to be released from the hospital today after he was carried out of the Captiol on a stretcher yesterday. The 68-year-old complained of chest pains before he was rushed to a hospital, but it turned out he did not suffer a heart attack. No word on when he’ll return to the Capitol.

A House committee and a senate committee approved seperate bills that would generate revenue to address a 600-million dollar shortfall. In House Ways and Means, the panel on a 10-9 vote sent a measure to the House floor that would reduce a tax break for those who itemize on their tax returns. It would generate over 100-million dollars.

The Revenue and Fiscal Affairs committee moved a bill to the Senate floor that requires large manufacturing facilities to choose between two different property tax breaks they currently benefit from. Alexandria Senator Jay Luneau says the state is struggling financially and can’t afford to give businesses large tax breaks…
cut 12 (10) “…like this”
Opposition came from business lobbyists who say this bill will hurt economic development efforts.

The governor has signed a bill into law that increases the fine for texting and using social media while driving from $175 to $500. Don Molino has more…
CUT 1 (27) “I’m Don Molino”

And the governor signs into law a measure that will require public and charter schools to teach cursive writing. LSU English professor Renee Casbergue says cursive is becoming a loss art and there might not be much use for it in the future….
cut 25 (09( “…signature”
The mandate goes into effect for the 2017-18 school year.

It’s a hot afternoon across Louisiana and it’s resulted in the National Weather Service issuing a heat advisory for the northern half of the state until Thursday night. State Cliamatolgist Barry Keim says heat indexes could reach 108-degrees over the next couple of days…
cut 10 (09) “…all the time”

East Baton Rouge Coroner, Doctor Beau Clark, says the body found in a ditch in Iberville Parish yesterday was shot in the head, but he’s unable to to make a positive identification because of advance stages of decomposition. Authorities believe the body is that of a pregnant woman from Baton Rouge. Clark says the female victim was pregnant at the time of her death.

LSU announces they’ve developed a plan so that visiting bands can perform halftime shows of the field of Tiger Stadium. The plan involves re-configuring seating areas in the South End Zone.

Motorists caught texting and driving behind the wheel will face a fine of 500-dollars as a result of a new law signed by Governor John Bel Edwards. The fine was previously 175-dollars. State Police Major Doug Cain says they do issue tickets for this offense. He says they are made aware a person is playing with their phone while behind the wheel, based on the driver’s actions…
cut 5 (09) “…stop sign”

Despite objections from business lobbyists, a senate committee approved legislation that would result in a large tax break being taken away from manufacturing facilities. Jim Pattersons with the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry says these tax incentives help our state’s economy…
cut 13 (10) “…this state”
The measure would generate 146-million dollars in tax money.

A Senate panel has approved a bill that would make manufacturing facilities decide between taking an industrial tax exemption or receiving an inventory tax credit. Alexandria Senator Jay Luneau says the state is struggling financially and can’t afford to give businesses large tax breaks…
cut 12 (10) “…like this”
Opposition came from business lobbyists who say this bill will hurt economic development efforts.

FEMA is encouraging Louisiana residents to download a smart phone app that can provide timely information during emergencies. FEMA administration Craig Fugate
cut 8 (10) “…your family”
The app is available in the iTunes store and on Google play.

The northern half of the state is under a heat advisory until 7 o’clock tomorrow night. Emelie Gunn reports it’s hot across the entire state…
voicer 2 (30) “…I’m Emelie Gunn”

A federal hearing took place today in Baton Rouge about the hot conditions at Angola’s Death Row. Several inmates are pushing the state to install air conditioning. But the state is arguing that cold showers, ice and fans are there to help the inmates stay cool. The fifth circuit court of appeals ruled last year that death row inmates are not entitled to air conditioning.

The governor has signed a bill into law that increases the fine for texting and using social media while driving from $175 to $500 for a first offense. Don Molino has more…
voicer 1 (27) “…I’m Don Molino”

A heat advisory is in effect for north Louisiana through Thursday and south Louisiana is feeling the heat too. State Climatologist Barry Keim says a high pressure system is responsible for our first real taste of summer this year…
cut 11 (10) “…high temperatures”

A former deputy with the Ascension Parish Sheriff’s Office is under arrest amid charges he had sex with a juvenile while he was on duty. Cops say 31-year-old William Lanoux of Prairieville is charged with malfeasance in office and 1st degree rape. Deputies say the juvenile was considered a runaway when she allegedly met Lanoux on social media and the two went off to have sex. Upon Lanoux’s arrest he was immediately terminated.

FEMA is encouraging Louisiana residents to download their smart phone app, which they say can be very helpful during an emergency, like when a hurricane is approaching. FEMA administration Craig Fugate says the app gives you a checklist to follow in the palm of your hand even if you lose cell service…
cut 6 (10) “…an emergency”
Fugate says the app will also send you weather alerts for up to five locations.

The House Ways and Means Committee will consider a bill today that would scale back a tax deduction that benefits many upper income wage earners. La-politics-dot-com publisher Jeremy Alford says the legislation would generate an additional 120-million dollars in revenue, but it won’t stay on the books permanently….
CUT 13 (12) “the books”
The Republican Party of Louisiana opposes the legislation, while Governor Edwards says it’s needed to help reduce potential budget cuts.

Governor Edwards has signed a law that increases the fine for texting or using social media while driving from 175-to-500-dollars. Major Dough Cain hopes the increased fines will lead to drivers putting down the phone while behind the wheel…
cut 4 (08) “…everybody else”
Cain says they do issue tickets for this offense.

The National Weather Service has issued a heat advisory for north Louisiana through tomorrow night. Heat indexes will reach 105 to 108 degrees. State Climatologist Barry Keim…
cut 9 (09) “…summer is here”

Lotte (Low-tay) Chemical and Axiall have broken ground on a three billion dollar chemical manufacturing complex in Lake Charles. Louisiana Economic Development Secretary Don Pierson says this joint venture will be investing $3 billion and create more than 2,300 direct and indirect jobs. Pierson expects the plants will be up and running by 2019.