Alexandria Senator Jay Luneau plans to file legislation in the upcoming legislative session to end the state’s 180-million dollar film tax credit program. Luneau says it’s too costly and a recent LSU study showed return of investment is poor, but….
cut 11 (10) “…that’s spent”
That’s Patrick Mulhearn, executive director of the Celtic Media Studios, who plans to fight the legislation.

Marrero Representative Patrick Connick has filed a bill that closes a loophole so that same sex couples could face charges if they violate any of the state’s domestic violence laws. Connick says district attorneys brought the loophole to his attention…
cut 4 (06) “…orientation is”
Connick says Louisiana and South Carolina are the only two states with the opposite sex distinction on the books.

Today and tomorrow, students, faculty and staff at LSU can go to the student union and receive a mumps vaccination. Health officials have already seen a cluster of cases on the Baton Rouge campus and LSU infectious disease specialist, Doctor Fred Lopez, says the mumps can lead to serious complications…
cut 8 (13) “…in fertillity”
Lopez says mumps is spread through salivia, so sharing drinks and utensils is a no-no on a college campus.

Also at LSU’s Student Union today, new men’s basketball coach Will Wade will be introduced to the public. Wade had a 51-20 record at VCU.

In northwest Louisiana, I-20 eastbound near Minden is closed as a result of two wrecks. State Police report minor to moderate injuries.

And the state is expected to rest its case in the Derrick Stafford trial in Marksville.

Alexandria Senator Jay Luneau plans to file legislation that would eliminate Louisiana’s film tax credits, because he says the state can’t afford to subsidize movie stars. He says a recent study by LSU economist Loren Scott shows the return of investment isn’t there when it comes to movie incentives…:
Cut 10 (08) “too long”
But those in the film industry say Louisiana’s film tax credit program has created thousands of jobs and helped boost tourism.

Same sex couples would face equal penalties for domestic violence, under a proposal to be taken up in the regular session next month. Marrero Representative Patrick Connick says currently, domestic violence laws only apply to household members, married or not, of the opposite sex.
Cut 3 (11) “this bill”
Connick says Louisiana and South Carolina are the only two states with the opposite sex distinction on the books.

The Louisiana Federation of Teachers is very concerned with the cuts to education President Donald Trump is proposing in his executive budget. LFT spokesperson Les Landon says the budget calls for a nine-billion dollar cut to public schools and adds one-point-four billion in funding for “school choice, ” including vouchers. Landon says there’s evidence vouchers do not lead to a better education
cut 16 (09) “…public school”

The state Department of Children Family Services is looking to do more to help children who age out of the foster care system. Foster care program manager Toni Buxton says many times kids who leave the foster care system after the age of 18 have trouble finding a job or a place to live…
cut 6 (11) “…financial resources”
Buxton says they need to do more for these young adults, because many times they turn to life of crime when they have nowhere else to go.

Sources say the Saints have signed veteran linebacker Manti Te’o to a two-year contract. After a standout career at Notre Dame, Te’o has played his first four seasons in the NFL with San Diego, but he’s missed 26 games during that time because of injuries. He missed most of last season with a torn Achillies tendon.

New Orleans is also bringing back cornerback Sterling Moore on a one-year deal. Moore joined the franchise right before the start of the regular season and led the team in pass break-ups and had two interceptions to go along with 56 tackles.

LSU and McNeese will play each other in football in 2021. The two schools are scheduled to play on September 11th in Tiger Stadium. LSU opens that season by playing UCLA in the Rose Bowl.

Southern Football Coach Dawson Odums has signed a contract extension through 2019 and he received a modest pay raise.

New LSU basketball coach Will Wade is on his way to Baton Rouge after agreeing to become the next head coach of the Tigers. It’s been reported Wade agreed to a six-year deal. Tiger Rag Editor Cody Worsham says the Clemson grad has a reputation as someone who eats, sleeps and breathes basketball…
cut 5 (08) “…10 years”
Wade led VCU to the NCAA Tournament the last two seasons.

In the NBA tonight, the Pelicans host the Grizzlies. There are 12 games left in the regular season and New Orleans trails Denver by four games for the final playoff spot in the Western Conference.

In college baseball…the 15th ranked Cajuns host a red hot Houston team tonight. The Cougars have won five in a row, while Louisiana went 2-and-2 last week. ULM hosts Grambling, McNeese State, which has won nine of its last ten is at Tulane and Louisiana Tech visits Stephen F Austin.

The Louisiana Housing Corporation launches the Housing Heroes initiative to get flood victims into affordable rental housing. Michelle Southern has more…
voicer 2 (29) “…I’m Michelle Southern”

Former Louisiana Congressman John Fleming has found a job within the Trump Administration. Fleming has been hired as deputy assistant secretary for health technology within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Fleming will seek ways to improve how doctors can use technology to practice medicine.

It’s agriculture day in Louisiana. Agriculture is a 13-billion dollar industry in this state with 60-percent of Louisiana’s ag income generated by crops and another 40-percent is produced by livestock and livestock products. Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain says farmers do important work to keep our families healthy and productive, especially when that work is most challenging…
cut 14 (10) “…bountiful harvest”

The St. Martin Parish Sheriff’s office says two armed robbery suspects were shot by a homeowner in Breaux Bridge early this morning. Major Ginny Higgins says it appears at this time to be justified shooting…
cut 8 (08) “…short time later”
Higgins says both suspects, who were also wanted in Baton Rouge for an armed robbery, are hospitalized in critical condition.

For the third time, Baton Rouge Representative Barry Ivey is bringing a bill to the legislature that would allow non-felons and those over the age of 21 to conceal carry a firearm without a permit. Opponents say the bill would eliminate certain safeguards, but Ivey argues gun owners should always be responsible, no matter how they possess a firearm…
cut 11 (11) “…proper training”

A state audit has not been able to determine what happened to 22-thousand dollars that were supposed to be used so students at West Ridge Middle in West Monroe could go to Disney World. Ouachita Parish Superintendent Doctor Don Coker….
cut 16 (07) “…parties are responsible”
The Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s office is investigating the incident.

State law will prevent Governor Edwards from going outside of Louisiana to find the next permanent leader of State Police. Edwards has to appoint someone that’s a commissioned State Police officer who graduated from the L-S-P academy. President of the Metropolitan Crime Coaltion Rafael Goyeneche says because of the recent travel scandal, L-S-P could really use a fresh face to change the department’s culture…
cut 6 (10) “….organiziation”

Will Wade is the new men’s basketball coach at LSU. He’s 34-years-old and the last two seasons he led VCU to the NCAA Tournament. Tiger Rag Editor Cody Worsham says Wade will bring some much needed energy to the program…
cut 3 (11) “…get a kid”
It’s been reported Wade has agreed to a six-year deal.

State Police has identified the suspect accused in the shooting death of Sgt. Shawn Anderson with the East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s office. Trooper Bryan Lee says 30-year-old Brandon Wiley is still in critical condition as he was also injured. Lee says Anderson was conducting a rape investigation with another deputy at a hair salon.:
Cut 9 (09) “shots were fired”
The East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s Office is mourning the loss of the 43-year-old sergeant, who is the second EBR deputy to be killed in the line of duty in the last year. Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Casey Hicks…
cut 7 (09) “…for everyone”
Sergeant Anderson is a father of two and served as an EBR deputy for 18 years.

A north Louisiana lawmaker believes he has the solution to preventing midyear budget cuts. Jonesboro Senator Jim Fannin says the Revenue Estimating Conference consistently overestimates how much money the state will bring in, which leads to midyear cuts every year…:
Cut 14 (10) “the reduction”
Fannin plans to propose a bill in the upcoming fiscal session that says the state can only spend 98-percent of what the R-E-C estimates in state revenues.

Today is the first day of Spring and it’s certainly in the air. State Climatologist Barry Keim says the long range forecast calls for above average temperatures and rainfall over the next three months, and the rainy spring weather has already started…:
Cut 4 (06) “to continue”
He says we should be done with freezes until next fall.

State Police announced today that the suspected shooter in the death of East Baton Rouge Parish sheriff’s deputy Shawn Anderson is 30-year-old Brandon Wiley of Baton Rouge. The shooting took place Saturday night at a barber shop and deputies went there to talk with Wiley, because he is a suspect in the rape of a 15-year-old girl. A struggle ensued between Wiley and Anderson. Both men were shot, Wiley remains in critical condition, while Anderson was pronounced dead at a hospital.

Sheriff’s office spokesperson Casey Hicks says Sergeant Anderson was a true public servant who did whatever needed to be done…
cut 6 (10) “…of the road”
Sergeant Anderson had been with the East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s office for nearly 18 years and had received numerous awards. He leaves behind two children.

The latest U.S. Census report on income finds 44-percent of children under the age of 5 in New Orleans, are living in poverty. Demographer Greg Rigamer says we’ve seen statistics like this for a while…:
Cut 11 (09) “a trend”
He says focusing on improving education could help put an end to young children living in poverty.

Today is the first day of spring and the climate prediction center is calling for above-normal temperatures over the next three months and above-average rainfall. State Climatologist Barry Keim says we’re probably done with the cold weather…
cut 5 (08) “…has to offer”

And LSU along with the state office of public health will provide all students and faculty with free mumps vaccinations on Wenesday and Thursday. About a dozen LSU students have been diagnosed with the mumps.