The Storm Prediction Center is calling for an enhanced risk for severe weather across north Louisiana today. State Climatologist Barry Keim hopes this is not a repeat of the devasting flooding that occurred three weeks ago…
cut 6 (11) “….heavy rainfall”
A flash flood watch is in effect until seven PM for much of north Louisiana.

A House committee approves legislation that would require women seeking an abortion to wait at least 72 hours before the procedure can be done after their initital meeting with the doctor. Current law calls for a 24-hour waiting period. Deanna Wallace with Louisiana Right to Life supports this measure…
cut 8 (10) “….that child”
The bill heads to the House floor for more discussion.

A new poll paid for by Rebuild Louisiana, which is a group that supports Governor John Bel Edwards, finds strong support among voters for some of the governor’s core initatives in this legislative session. That includes an increase to the state’s minimum wage. But ULM Political science professor Joshua Stockley says the republican-controlled legislature has a different stance…
cut 14 (09) “….to doing”
So far, lawmakers have yet to discuss raising the mininum wage to above eight dollars an hour in this session.

In two days, a higher state tax on alcohol goes into effect. Executive director of the Beer Industry League of Louisiana, John Williams, says unfortunately someone will have to absorb these costs, either consumers or alcohol retailers…
cut 11 (05) “….obviously”
The new state tax is expected to provide the state with an additional five million dollars in revenues through June 30th.

State transportation secretary Shawn Wilson estimates flooding caused 20-million dollars worth of damage to the state’s road and bridges. Wilson says some of the roads damaged were already in the need of repairs and make up a 13-billion dollar backlog the state currently faces…
cut 15 (08) “…high water event”
Wilson says a combination of state and federal dollars will be needed to fix these roads.

The Louisiana Public Service Commission has approved the sale of the utility company Cleco to a foreign investment group. But the Alliance for Affordable Energy is not happy about the transaction. Casey DeMoss says the sale puts customers at risk for having their rates increased in the future…
cut 13 (05) “….financial risks”
But Cleco says customers will share in 136-million dollars in rate credits under the new owners.

On April 1st the price on a pack of cigarettes will increase 22 cents to $1.08. Emelie Gunn has more on the impacts…:
CUT 1 (27) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

A 60-year-old man was run over in drag racing accident at a racetrack in Caddo Parish during a test run. Sheriff’s Office spokeswoman Cindy Chadwick says the deceased is identified as Steven Smith, and the man behind the wheel of the vehicle was 55-year-old Stuart Smith – both of Atlanta, Texas…:
CUT 7 (05) “they’re brothers”
No charges are filed in the case.

Starting April 1st, smokers will have to pay an additional 22-cents on a pack of cigarettes. It’s the result of legislation passed in the special session called to raise state revenues. Bill Bailey owns Smoker’s Paradise in Pineville and he’s seen customers stocking up on cigarettes before the tax hike…
cut 5 (05) “…of product”
The 22-cent tax increase is expected to generate an additional 11-million dollars for the state this fiscal year.

On a four to one vote, the Louisiana Public Service Commission has approved the sale of the Pineville-based utility company, Cleco, to a foreign investment group for nearly five billion dollars. CEO for the Alliance for Affordable Energy, Casey DeMoss, has concerns this deal will turn out to be a bad one for ratepayers…
cut 12 (06) “…not be”
Cleco has agreed not to raise rates until at least 2020 and customers should expect to see credits at around 500-dollars.

The Caddo Parish Sheriff’s office says a Texas dragster driver accidentially ran over and killed his brother at the Thunder Road Raceway in Gillam. Sheriff’s office spokesperson Cindy Chadwick says the accident was investigated by their Traffic Safet unit…
cut 8 (08) “…have been filed”
The incident occurred as the racing crew was conducting test runs and 55-year-old Stuart Smith of Atlanta, Texas, backed hs dragster up and struck his 60-year-old brother.

Transportation Secretary Shawn Wilson says flood damage done to the state’s roads and bridges is an estimated 20-million dolalrs. Wilson says they are still assessing the damage and finding out how many miles roadway need to be repaired…
cut 14 (10) “…an inspection”
Wilson says the state and federal government will share in the costs of the repairs.

On April 1^st the price on a pack of cigarettes will increase 22 cents to $1.08. Emelie Gunn has more on how this effects the tobacco industry….

CUT 1 (27)  “I’m Emelie Gunn”

================

The Public Service Commission has approved Cleco’s sale to Macquarie Infrastructure for nearly $5-billion dollars. Halen Doughty has more…

CUT 2 (30)  “I’m Halen Doughty”

===================

Starting on April 1^st, smokers will pay a $1.08 tax on a pack of cigarettes. A new tax brings the cost of a pack up 22 cents. Bill Bailey is the owner of Smoker’s Paradise in Pineville and he says smokers already get taxed an unfair amount. He says legislators continue to target the tobacco users because they are the minority.

CUT 3 (10)  “for money”

The cigarette tax went up 50 cents last year. Bailey says he hasn’t seen a dramatic decrease in customers since the increase, but it gradually goes down. He says there is a huge trend of cigarette smokers switching to small cigars…

CUT 4 (09)  “the shelf”

It’s expected the 22 cent increase will generate 11 million dollars between April 1^st and June 30^th. Bailey says smokers are stocking up on cigarettes before the tax hike.

CUT 5 (05)     “of product”

============================

A 60-year-old man from northeast Texas was tragically killed after he was accidentally run over by a dragster driven by his own brother at the Thunder Road Raceway in Gillam. Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office spokeswoman Cindy Chadwick says the two were part of a racing crew that was conducting test runs at the park…:

CUT 6 (08) “of his injuries”

Chadwick says these test runs are required by the National Hot Rod Association as part of the licensure process for drivers. She says the deceased is identified as Steven Smith, and the man behind the wheel of the vehicle was 55-year-old Stuart Smith – both of Atlanta, Texas…:

CUT 7 (05) “they’re brothers”

Chadwick says the accident was investigated by their department’s Traffic Safety Unit…:

CUT 8 (08) “have been filed”

=========================================================

The Public Service Commission has approved the sale of the Pineville-based utility company Cleco to Macquarie Infrastructure for $4.9 billion. The deal passed with a 4-1 vote by the PSC. Cleco spokesperson Robbyn Cooper says this sale will have great benefits for Cleco’s ratepayers.

CUT 9 (12) “two years”

As part of the deal, Cleco’s 287-thousand Louisiana customers will receive 136-million dollars in rate credits. Cooper says the P-S-C has the final say on when those credits will appear on ratepayers’ bills..

cut 10 (12)  “the money”

Cooper says they feel this transaction is the best option for their company. She says customers should not expect to see a difference in their service from the utility company.

Cut 11 (07) “still Cleco”

CEO for the Alliance for Affordable Energy Casey DeMoss says this deal does not benefit Cleco customers. She says they are concerned about the long-term future of the utility company now that it’s been purchased by a foreign investment group.

cut 12 (06) “not be”

DeMoss says these so-called benefits for customers will not be worth it in the long run, as the company has plans to double their rate case in the future. DeMoss says this puts thousands of ratepayers at risk for having their rates increase.

Cut 13 (05)  “financial risks”

===========================================================

The Department of Transportation says roadways have suffered nearly 20 million dollars worth of damage due to the recent flooding. DOTD Secretary Shawn Wilson says it will take a lot of time and effort to fix and maintain the damaged roads. He says they’re currently working to assess the damage and find out how many miles of roadway need to be repaired.

cut 14 (10)  “an inspection”

Wilson says the state already has nearly a 13-billion dollar backlog on road repairs before the massive flooding created more damage.

cut 15 (08) ” event” 

Wilson says they’re working with their federal partners to determine who will pay for the repairs…

cut 16 (10) “repair”

The Louisiana Public Service Commission has approved the sale of Cleco to a private investment group for nearly five-billion dollars. Halen Doughty has more…
voicer 2 (30) “…I’m Halen Doughty”

The chief financial officer for the state’s health department says the expansion of Medicaid would save the state 124-million dollars next fiscal year. Jeff Reynolds says that would help avoid some cuts as a result of a 750-million dollar revenue shortfall, but there’s still a concern about the future of privatized LSU hospitals.

State transportation secretary Shawn Wilson says damage to the state’s roods from recent floods is at about 20-million dollars. Wilson says with the state already looking at a nearly 13-million dollar backlog on road repairs, they’re working with their federal partners to determine how they’ll pay for the repairs…
cut 16 (10) “….repair”
Wilson says there’s still about 60 roads or bridges that remained closed as a result of the floods.

Starting on April 1st, the state tax on a pack of cigarettes will go up 22-cents to a $1.08. Bill Bailey owns Smoker’s Paradise in Pineville and he’s already seen customers switch to small cigars…
cut 4 (09) “…the shelf”
The state estimates the higher cigarette tax will generate 11-million dollars between April 1st and June 30th.