17:30 LRN Newscast ###Legislative Report###

The Louisiana House has approved 220-million dollars in tax increases after approving numerous bills that are part of the governor’s package. But Governor John Bel Edwards says 600-million dollars is needed to avoid large cuts to health care, education and other areas of state government. The biggest revenue generating bill to pass is a measure that raises taxes on H-M-Os.

Florida Governor Rick Scott says he’s coming to Louisiana to encourage businesses here to move to the Sunshine State. In a statement, Scott said Governor John Bel Edwards called the special session for the sole purpose of raising taxes which will burden the job climate here. Edwards’ spokesman Richard Carbo…:
CUT 10 (06) “your own business”
Carbo says they welcome Governor Scott to Louisiana and hope he spends a lot of money while he’s here.

Governor John Bel Edwards has signed into law a measure that will prevent adult entertainment estbalishments from hiring strippers that are under the age of 21. Jim Kelly with the Covenant House in New Orleans supports the legislation, because if a girl has to be 21 to drink at a strip club, then she should have to be 21 to take her clothes off in that establishment…
cut 7 (07) “….strip club”
Supporters of the new law also say it will keep young girls from becoming victims of human trafficking. But Robert Waters who owns Ric’s Cabaret in New Orleans went to the State Capitol to testify against the legislation. Waters says many of the dancers in his club do so for good reasons…
cut 8 (10) “…higher education”
The new law goes into effect August 1st.

16:45 LRN Sportscast June 9th

An up and coming player on the Saints defense could miss the 2016 season. It’s reported that defensive end Hau’oli Kikaha suffered a torn ACL during organized team activities. The former second round pick was expected to be one of the team’s pass rushers this season. Kikaha also suffered two torn ACLs at the University of Washington.

The LSU baseball team worked out today at Alex Box Stadium as they get ready for their Super Regional Series against Coastal Carolina. Coach Paul Mainieri says there’s no overlooking the Chanticleers, because they are not from a Power Five conference…
cut 30 (14) “…100-thousand people”
Mainieri has yet to decide on a starting pitcher for game one.

16:30 LRN Newscast June 9th

Night clubs in Louisiana will soon be prohibited from hiring strippers who are under the age of 21 because of a bill signed into law. Halen Doughty has more…
voicer 1 (28) “…I’m Halen Doughty”

Tangipahoa Parish deputies arrest a 15-year-old in connection with the double homicide that occurred last week in Natalbany. The teenage boy has been charged with two counts of first-degree murder. Authorities say the shooting was drug related and connected to another fatal shooting that took place the next day.

Florida Governor Rick Scott is coming to Louisiana next week and the reason for his trip is to talk with businesses here about re-locating to the sunshine state. Scott says Florida is a more business friendly state, especially since Governor John Bel Edwards has called a special session that’s looking to raise taxes. Edwards communications director, Richard Carbo calls Governor Scott’s trip purely political…
cut 11 (08) “…we stick together”

State Police have confirmed St. Joseph Mayor Ed Prown is the subject of a criminal invesitgation. A legislative audit has accused Brown of mishandling the Tensas Parish town’s finances. Trooper Michael Reichardt says this could be a lengthy investigation…
cut 14 (06) “….attorney’s office”
A judge appointed a fiscal manager for the town earlier this week and St. Joe’s financial problems have kept them from receiving state funds to improve their drinking water, which has been a murky brown color.

15:30 LRN Newscast June 9th

Governor John Bel Edwards responds to the planned visit by Florida Governor Rick Scott to Louisiana in job recruitment efforts. Michelle Southern reports…:
voicer 2 (29) “….I’m Michelle Southern”

The Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Office has announced they’ve charged a 15-year-old with two counts of first-degree murder for participating in a double homicide in Natalabany last week. And Lake Charles police have arrested a 16-year-old in the shooting death of a 79-year-old man on Sunday.

Governor John Bel Edwards has signed into law a bill that says nightclubs are prohibited from hiring strippers under the age of 21. Supporters say it will help young women from becoming victims of human trafficking, but Robert Waters, who owns Rick’s Cabaret in New Orleans, says there are 21-years olds who work as strippers to support themselves financially….
cut 9 (10) “…this business”
The new law goes into effect August 1st.

US Senator David Vitter is pushing legislation that attempts to block the Obama Administration’s overtime rule that would require salary employees not making at least $47,476 a year to receive overtime pay. Supporters say this will put more money in the pockets of low to middle-income earners, but Vitter says this overtime rule is actually a bad thing…
cut 5 (07) “…move up”

LRN PM Newscall June 9th

Night clubs in Louisiana will soon be prohibited from hiring strippers who are under the age of 21 because of a bill signed into law. Halen Doughty has more…

CUT 1 (28)  “I’m Halen Doughty”

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Governor John Bel Edwards responds to the planned visit by Florida Governor Rick Scott to Louisiana in job recruitment efforts. Michelle Southern reports…:

CUT 2 (29)  “I’m Michelle Southern”

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

US Senator David Vitter has joined 44 other Senators in an attempt to block implementation of the Obama Administration’s overtime rule, which doubles the salary threshold under which employees qualify for overtime pay. Vitter says this will drastically impact small businesses, particularly in Louisiana, as well as employees.

CUT 3 (10)  “the workplace”

Vitter says there is a motion of disapproval making its way through the Senate that would block the implementation of this rule. He says this is another example of executive overreach by the Obama Administration. He says the salary increase is far too drastic for businesses.

CUT 4 (09)  “administratvely”

The current rule says employees who make less than $23,660 can qualify for overtime if they work more than 40 hours. The proposed rule increases the salary threshold to $47,476. Supporters say this rule will put more money into the pockets of low and middle-income workers. But Vitter says the overtime rule is actually a bad thing for American workers.

CUT 5 (07)  “move up”

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

Beginning August 1, establishments in Louisiana can no longer hire strippers that are under the age of 21, under a law signed by Governor Edwards.  Senior Vice President for Gulf Coast Bank and foster parent, Kim Carver, says this legislation is important because girls who age out of foster programs are at risk of becoming victims of sex trafficking, especially if they go to work in strip clubs.

CUT 6 (07) “young adults”

Jim Kelly with the Covenant House in New Orleans also supports the new law. He says a lot of the girls that come to Covenant House were strippers or victims of sex trafficking. He says if a girl has to be 21 to drink in an establishment, she should have to be 21 to take her clothes off in that same establishment.

CUT 7 (07) “strip club”

Robert Waters owns Rick’s Cabaret in New Orleans opposes this new law. He says not everyone who works in the adult entertainment industry is a victim. He says many of the dancers in his club do so for good reasons.

CUT 8 (10) “higher education”

Waters says he doesn’t know if this law will do any good, but he does know it will hurt a lot of people. He says there are dancers who depend on the money they make by dancing to support themselves.

CUT 9 (10) “this business”

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

Florida Governor Rick Scott says he’s coming to Louisiana to encourage businesses here to move to the Sunshine State. In a statement, Scott said Governor John Bel Edwards called the special session for the sole purpose of raising taxes which will burden the job climate here. Edwards’ spokesman Richard Carbo…:

cut 10 (06)  “your own business”

Carbo says Governor Scott and former Governor Bobby Jindal are one in the same and come with policies that put Louisiana’s budget in the mess that it’s in now. He says this isn’t the first time Scott has been on these job hunting missions and the move is purely political…:

Cut 11 (08) “we stick together”

Carbo says the governor inherited from Jindal a budget with a $2 billion dollar hole, and right now Edwards is focused on putting Louisiana back on a path to prosperity. He says Louisianans will look past this maneuver by Scott…:

cut 12 (08) “are over now”

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The mayor of St. Joseph is at the center of a criminal investigation by Louisiana State Police. Earlier this year a legislative auditor accused Mayor Ed Brown of mismanaging St. Joe’s finances, and the auditor outlined several possible crimes he may have committed. But Trooper Michael Reichardt says Brown has not been arrested yet.

Cut 13 (06)  “very preliminary”

The water in the small Tensas parish town has been murky brown for nearly a decade, and state funds were appropriated to repair the water system. But because of Brown’s failure to submit the required audits, the town cannot access the money. Reichardt says it could be a lengthy investigation.

cut 14 (06)  “attorney’s office”

A judge has stripped Brown of the authority to make financial decisions and appointed a fiscal manager for St. Joe. Reichardt says he can’t say much about the case yet, as the investigation in ongoing.

cut 15 (07) “takes us”

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11:40 LRN Sportscast June 9th

The LSU Baseball team returns to the practice field this afternoon as they’ll begin a Super Regional series against Coastal Carolina on Saturday night. If a third game is necessary, LSU will be the home team. Previously, a coin flip would determine who would bat last. But a new rule went into effect this year that says the host team will be the home team in a third and deciding game.

UL Lafayette’s Nick Lee has been selected as a Louisville Slugger All-American. The Sun Belt Freshman of the Year was 7-1 with a 3.31 ERA with 75 strikeouts. lt’s the fourth straight year the Cajuns had a member of its squad on the Louisville Slugger Fresman All-American Team.

Louisiana Tech athletics has announced they’ve partnered with a company called Now On that will provide a mobile app for Bulldog and Lady Techster fans. The app wil provide bios on athletes, scoring updates it can also support audio and video broadcasts. The Louisiana Tech app should be available for download in early August.

High school principals voted Wednesday to keep the private-public playoff championship format in place, but not everyone is happy about it and this could result in another association forming. LHSAA Executive Director Eddie Bonine says it’s his job to make it work, but with five additional playoff brackets in basketball, schools will be in the postseason that didn’t have a very good year:
cut 24 (07) “damn game”
Most private schools are not happy with the LHSAA current playoff format. John Curtis football coach and athletic director, JT Curtis, anticipates the legislature getting involved in this controversy and talks will ramp up about forming another high school sports organization…:
CUT 7 (06) “into that”
Some say if select schools leave the LHSAA, it would be a big blow to the group.

10:30 LRN Newscast June 9th

The East Baton Rouge Parish man who is charged with negligent homicide after he allegedly accidentally left his eight month old daughter in a hot car for two hours has been released from jail after posting a 10-thousand dollar bond. 31-year-old Marvin Mercer told police he found his child in his car during his lunch break and drove her to a hospital, but doctors were not able to save her. Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services Secretary, Marketa Walters, says in the past 10 years, the state has seen 24 heat-related deaths like this one…
cut 17 (07) “…back seat”

Authorities are looking for a pregnant inmate who escaped from the Sabine Parish Women’s Facility in Many. Officials say 33-year-old Olive Ashtine Somersall gained access to an elevator while an on-duty deputy was distracted with other inamates. Somersall is six months pregnant.

Louisiana ranks second in the country for the percentage of people who drink soda on a daily basis. State department of health and hospitals dietician Rebecca Guidroz says this is part of the reason why Louisiana is considered an unhealthy state as one 12 ounce can of soda has 39 grams of sugar…
cut 13 (08) “…a day”
Guidroz recommends drinking fruit infused water as an alternative.

The LHSAA vote to keep the expanded public-private school championship split means there will be 12 title games each for the sports of basketball, baseball and softball. LHSAA Director Eddie Bonine says this causes problems for the sites that host these championship events and they may have to eliminate semifinal games from taking place at these locations…
cut 5 (07) “…one night”

18:30 LRN Newscast June 8th

One of Governor John Bel Edwards’ main bills to raise revenue in the special session failed to get out of the House Ways and Means Committee. The bill would have lessened a tax break that many upper-income earners enjoy. The proposal would have raised 117-million dollars. The governor is asking legislators to increase revenues by 600-million dollars to prevent cuts to health and education programs.

Baton Rouge Police arrest a Zachary man after he left his eight month old daughter in a hot vehicle for approximately two hours. Authorities say 31-year-old Marvin Mercer arrived at work and then realized a couple of hours later that her daughter was still in the vehicle. The infant was pronounced dead at a local hospital and Marvin has been charged with negligent homicide.

The Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s office has charged three Grand Isle police officers with malfeasance in office. Two of them are also accused of extortion. Sheriff Newell Normand said earlier this year that there was evidence of sloppy handling and storage of drug evidence.

The Louisiana High School Athletic Association voted to keep expanded split championships during a special meeting held in Baton Rouge. Michelle Southern has more…
voicer 2 (29) “…I’m Michelle Southern”

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Department is looking for new field agents as they plan to hold a cadet class in September. Adam Einck with L-D-W-F says if you like law enforcement and the outdoors, this is the perfect job for you…
cut 14 (09) “….entire career”
You can apply online through the Department of Civil Service website.

17:30 LRN Newscast ###Legislative Report###

A bill that would reduce an income tax break that many upper-income earners enjoy failed to get out of the House Ways and Means Committee. Chairman Neil Abramson cast the tie-breaking vote to kill the legislation that would have reduced how much of a federal deduction individuals can claim on their personal state income taxes. The proposal would have raised 117-million dollars. La-politics-dot-com publisher Jeremy Alford says based on early action, he doesn’t see the legislature raising the 600-million dollars needed to close the budget gap…
cut 7 (12) “….Means Committee”
The governor has said if the legislature doesn’t raise 600 million dollars, the TOPS scholarship program will not be fully funded. But there are many in the state legislature who can’t support additional taxes on residents.

Starting August 1st, signs will be required to be posted 500 feet ahead of intersections that have red light cameras, because of a bill signed into law by the governor. New Orleans Senator Troy Carter is the author…
CUT 5 (08) “our citizens”
He says if you get a ticket and there is no sign you don’t have to pay the ticket.

Orthopedists are raising concerns about the new law that allows patients to see physical therapists without getting a diagnosis from a doctor first. Don Molino has more…
voicer 5 (30) “…Don Molino”

16:45 LRN Sportscast June 8th

The Louisiana High School Athletic Association has voted to keep the split playoffs, which means there will be nine champions crowned in football and starting in the upcoming school year, 12 champions in basketball, baseball and softball. John Curtis Football Coach JT Curtis is disappointed one of the other proposals that sought to cut down on the number of trophies handed out at the end of the season…
cut 30 (15) “…was my hope”
Curtis fears the state legislature will get involved and force the public and private schools to come together again and he believes talks will ramp up on forming a new association.

The Sun Belt Conference announces it will hold its first ever football championship game following the 2018 regular season.

LSU fans are still buzzing about the Greg Deichmann home run in the eighth inning yesterday to help the Tigers beat Rice five to two. Deichmann’s two run-shot went 417 feet, even longtime coach Paul Mainieri was impressed…
cut 20 (16) “…with your team”
Deichmann was named the MVP of the regional.

The Tigers are now getting ready for their super regional series against Coastal Carolina. It will begin Saturday night at 8 PM. The Chanticleers won the Raleigh Regional and the Big South school is 47-16 on the year.

The Pelicans have hired Danny Ferry as a Special Advisor. Ferry last served as the President of Basketball Operations and General Manager of the Atlanta Hawks.