New crime prevention measures will be put in place throughout the Crescent City and they call for big changes on Bourbon Street. New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu says this $40 million plan will increase the flexibility of police manpower and improve crime deterrence…:
cut 11 (09) “the entire city”
Another part of the plan would require bars to close their doors at 3am, but not closing for business.

US Senator John Kennedy wants Louisiana Department of Health Secretary Dr. Rebekah Gee to reduce state spending on Medicaid…:
Cut 8 (10) “any better”
LDH says Kennedy’s facts are wrong and that Louisiana may rank in the bottom for health, but you can’t improve things if people don’t have access to care; and that they can’t believe how out of touch he is with how the state spends money.

CC’s Coffee House plans to expand to 50 locations by the end of the year. Jeff Palermo has more…:
CUT 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

The state fire Marshal’s Office says a 28-year-old man who got into a family fight allegedly poured gasoline all over the house which started a fire that killed him and injured his twin brother and father. They say the father has burns over 85% of his body and the injured brother is expected to recover. The dead man is tentatively identified as James Kellum, but tests need to confirm that.

CC’s Coffee House plans to expand to 50 locations by the end of the year. Jeff Palermo has more…

CUT 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

______________________________________

US Senator John Kennedy has written a letter calling for the Louisiana Department of Health and Secretary Dr. Rebekah Gee to do their job. Halen Doughty has more…

Cut 2 (27) “I’m Halen Doughty”

______________________________________

Bourbon Street is known for being party central, and unfortunately also a hotspot for crime. Emelie Gunn has more on the Crescent City’s plan to cut down crime…

Cut 3 (28) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

______________________________________

CC’s Coffee House is expanding, with plans to have 50 locations open by the end of 2017. There are currently 33 stores, mostly in Baton Rouge, New Orleans, and Lafayette and the plan is to triple the number of shops in three to five years. Director of licensing expansion with CC’s, Mark Verges, says the company takes pride in what they do…

cut 4  (09) “that experience”

Verges says new locations in Youngsville, Carencro and Alexandria are opening up within the next two weeks and stores in Covington, Houma and Port Allen are right behind. He says there is one location in Mississippi with plans to continue to expand into Texas and Alabama.

Cut 5  (10)  “surrounding markets”

Verges says the company believes they have the right partners to continue to successfully expand their brand…

Cut 6 (10) “grow in”

______________________________________

US Senator John Kennedy wants Louisiana Department of Health Secretary Dr. Rebekah Gee to reduce state spending on Medicaid. Kennedy says Medicaid accounts for 41% of this year’s budget, which is why TOPS has been cut, teachers can’t be paid more money, and congestion remains a problem on I-10.

CUT 7 (10)  “to do”‘

Kennedy says the Medicaid budget has increased by 81% in less than a decade. But he says even though the health budget is going up every year, health outcomes aren’t improving. He says Louisiana still ranks third for cancer deaths, fourth in cardiovascular deaths, and second in infant mortality.

Cut 8 (10) “any better”

Kennedy’s recommendation to the state legislature is to decide how much the state can afford to spend on Medicaid, which will then be matched by federal funds. He says Dr. Gee then needs to design a budget around that amount of money.

But Gee says the facts in Kennedy’s letter are just plain wrong. She says it’s surprising that as a recent State Treasurer, Kennedy is so out of touch with how the state spends its money. She says Medicaid expansion is actually saving the state money.

Cut 9 (12)  “state programs”

Gee adds that health outcomes can’t be fixed overnight. She says Louisiana ranks at the bottom in the nation for health, but you can’t improve health if people don’t have access to care.

Cut 10 (10) “health outcomes”

________________________________________

New crime prevention measures will be put in place throughout the Crescent City and it calls for big changes on Bourbon Street. The announcement was made by New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu, who says this $40 million plan will increase the flexibility of police manpower and improve crime deterrence.

cut 11 (09) “the entire city”

Landrieu NOPD is getting 300 more police cruisers for officers to park at home, as a means of crime deterrence. He says much of Bourbon Street will be closed off to vehicle traffic during busy times. He says they’re also putting more security measures in place on Bourbon.

cut 12 (07) “better lighting”

Landrieu says security cameras will also be posted in 20 hotspots around the city, as well as a mobile booking center for big events. He says they even considered closing Bourbon Street bars down at 2 a.m., but they came up with a better plan to make bars safer.

Cut 13 (10) “their door”

_______________________________________

Congressman Garret Graves has been named the Chairman of House Water Resources Subcommittee. Graves says this panel has jurisdiction over the Army Corp of Engineers, EPA, and other issues that greatly effect Louisiana. The Baton Rouge Republican says he’ll be in position to speak up for Louisiana during times of natural or manmade disasters…

cut 14 (09) “their policies”

Graves will use this position to push for the construction of flood control projects. He says while many people say money is saved by not building flood mitigation programs, that’s not the case in Louisiana.

Cut 15 (09) “disaster occurs”

Graves, who once served as the chairman of the coastal protection and restoration authority, says he plans to use his experience to make sure the Army Corp of Engineers delivers on flood protection and coastal restoration projections or give the funds to a local agency.

Cut 16 (08) “be built”

_________________________________________________

A state audit alleges that former-Angola Warden Burl Cain misused public funds while he was employed at the prison. Michelle Southern has more…

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Michelle Southern”

The state Supreme Court has suspended a Covington attorney’s license for one year after he told a client he would accept marijuana as payment for his legal services. The client reported to police that she had paid James Mecca with cannabis once before. The St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office then set up a sting, which led to Mecca pleading guilty to possession of marijuana and losing his license for a year.

A tornado left a path of destruction in Bossier Parish, including 29 damaged homes. Lt. Bill Davis with the Sheriff’s Office says the community came together to clear roadways, and they’re doing what they can to help those who lost everything.

Cut 11 (08) “their lives”

Davis says a tornado with 115 mph winds made a 6 mile trek through the northern part of the parish.

A Mandeville High School ROTC instructor is accused of sleeping with two different students on multiple occasions. Police Chief Gerald Sticker says 48-year-old Hosea McGhee is charged with computer solicitation of a minor and felony carnal knowledge of a juvenile. He says they believe the acts were carried out on school grounds for quite some time.

Cut 13 (06) “ongoing”

At this time, the chief doesn’t think there are additional victims.

Republican U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy presented a health care plan this morning on Capitol Hill that would give states the ability to decide if they want to keep Obamacare. Cassidy says this would make the Patient Freedom Act easier to pass in the Senate…:
CUT 7 (10) “get us to 60″
He says Republicans believe that if you like your health insurance, than you should keep it.

An ROTC teacher at Mandeville High is under arrest amid allegations he had sex multiple times with two different students on campus. Mandeville Police Chief Gerald Sticker says the victims are ages 15 and 16:
CUT 12 (10) “sexual acts”
He says 48-year-old Hosea McGhee is charged with computer solicitation of a minor and felony carnal knowledge of a juvenile.

Officials are in major cleanup mode in parts of the state that saw tornadoes touchdown over the weekend. Lt. Bill Davis with the Bossier Parish Sheriff’s Office says a tornado with 115 mph winds made a 6 mile trek near Plain Dealing. He says about 29 homes were damaged, including three that were a total loss and seven that sustained extensive damage:
Cut 10 (09) “after all that”
The National Weather Service believes at least 5 tornadoes touched down in Louisiana on Saturday.

Beauregard parish residents have started a petition to get better internet in the DeRidder area, as residents say satellite service is down more days than not. Beatrice Teague started the petition and says lines are in place, but they’re outdated…:
Cut 14 (11) “their turf”
Teague plans to present the petition to the Public Service Commission.

Republican U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy says state’s should have the right to keep the Affordable Care Act. Jeff Palermo has the story…:
Cut 2 (28) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Crews are dealing with clean up in several parishes after at least five tornadoes touched down in Louisiana on Saturday. Grant Parish Sheriff Steven McCain says a twister hit near Colfax that left a wake of destruction, damaging 5 homes and injuring one person…:
Cut 9 (07) “were in it”
Other twisters were reported in LaSalle and Bossier Parishes.

An audit accuses former-Angola warden Burl Cain of improperly using state funds during his tenure at the helm of the state’s largest prison. State legislative auditor Daryl Purpera says Angola’s maintenance director, Tim Byrd, made trips to Cain’s home in Baton Rouge to refinish the gates…:
cut 4 (08) “public dollar”
Cain’s lawyer says the report is flawed. The findings are in the hands of the US Attorney.

A Mandeville High School ROTC instructor has been booked on additional charges for allegedly having sex on numerous occasions with 2 different teenagers, ages 15 and 16, on campus. They believe that Hosea McGhee had relations with the two female students, and that most of the incidents took place on school grounds.

Republican U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy presented a health care plan this morning on Capitol Hill that would give states the ability to decide if they want to keep Obamacare. Cassidy says Republicans believe that if you like your health insurance, than you should keep it..:
Cut 6 (10) “by Washington D.C.”
He says giving states the power to decide on a healthcare system gives the Patient Freedom Act more of a chance to pass in the Senate.

A government audit finds former Angola Warden Burl Cain may have illegally used public funds for personal reasons. State legislative auditor Daryl Purpera says several state employees helped renovate Cain’s private home in Baton Rouge while on the clock, including Angola’s maintenance director Tim Byrd…:
Cut 3 (10) “21 days”
Cain’s lawyer says the report is flawed. The findings are in the hands of the US Attorney.

Homelessness is down 68-percent in Louisiana over the past seven years based on an estimate from the federal government. Emelie Gunn has more.:
Cut 2 (27) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

The National Weather Service says at least 5 tornadoes touched down in Louisiana over the weekend leaving a path of destruction across several parishes. The Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Office said officials believe between 10 and 18 homes were damaged, along with vehicles, outbuildings and downed trees. No major injuries have been reported in the state.

The state is sending a plan to the federal government on how they propose to spend one-point-two billion dollars in flood aid. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Cleanup continues following at least five tornadoes that touched down over the weekend, leaving a wake of destruction in several parishes. The first and strongest tornado hit Natchitoches Parish near the town of Natchez and left one person injured and five homes damaged. Two twisters touched down in Grant Parish near Colfax and Georgetown, one in LaSalle Parish around Jena, and one in Bossier Parish.

The US Department of Housing and Urban Development finds homelessness is down 68-percent in Louisiana over the last 7 years. Louisiana Housing Corporation Executive Director Keith Cunningham credit the hard work of his agency for the decrease.

Cut 7 (11) “of society”

The report shows there were less than 4-thousand homeless people in the state last year, down from more than 12-thousand in 2009.

Beauregard parish residents have started a petition to get better internet in the DeRidder area, as residents say satellite service is down more days than not. Beatrice Teague started the petition and says lines are in place, but they’re outdated.

Cut 14 (11) “their turf”

Teague plans to present the petition to the Public Service Commission.

The Restore Louisiana Task Force approves a proposal for how to spend $1.2 billion in federal flood aid allocated by Congress. Deputy Chief of Staff for the Governor’s Office, Julie Baxter Payer, says they hope these dollars will get into the hands of flood victims soon…:
Cut 5 (11) “as possible”.
She says the website Restore.La.Gov will provide information as it becomes available on how flood victims can take advantage of this assistance.

It’s officially tax season, and Louisiana residents have until April 18th to file a federal return while state taxes must be filed by May 15th. Baton Rouge CPA Brandon Lagarde says if you were affected by the flooding in 2016, you can claim casualty losses…:
CUT 12 (11) “give you that”

Homelessness in Louisiana is down 68-percent over the last seven years. That’s according to the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s yearly Point-in-Time count. Louisiana Housing Corporation Executive Director Keith Cunningham last August’s devastating floods could become a problem, as many victims are stilling living in hotels or with family members…:
Cut 9 (09) “them before”
Cunningham says drug abuse and mental illness are some factors that play into homelessness.

The Mandeville Police Department says a Mandeville High ROTC instructor is under arrest accused of having inappropriate relationships with two female students. They identify the suspect as 48-year-old Hosea McGhee. He is charged with computer-aided solicitation of a minor, and two counts of felony carnal knowledge of a juvenile.

Over the last 7 years, the number of people who don’t have homes in Louisiana is down nearly 70 percent. That’s according to the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s yearly Point-in-Time count. Louisiana Housing Corporation Executive Director Keith Cunningham credits the state for making homelessness more of a priority…:
Cut 8 (10) “it done”

The Restore Louisiana Task Force approves a proposal for how to spend $1.2 billion in federal flood aid allocated by Congress. Deputy Chief of Staff for the Governor’s Office, Julie Baxter Payer, says the website Restore.La.Gov will provide information as it becomes available on how flood victims can take advantage of this assistance…:
Cut 6 (12) “their homes”

Frustration over the lack of reliable high-speed internet in the DeRidder area has led to a petition that will ask the Public Service Commission to help out. Halen Doughty has more…:
Cut 3 (28) “I’m Halen Doughty”

Tax season begins today and Louisianians can begin filing federal and state income returns. Baton Rouge CPA Brandon Lagarde says refunds may be delayed this year because identity theft preventative measures tend to slow things down…:
CUT 11 (07) “get refunds”
Federal returns are due April 18th this year, while state taxes must be filed by May 15th.

The state is sending a plan to the federal government on how they propose to spend one-point-two billion dollars in flood aid. Jeff Palermo has the story…:
CUT 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

The National Weather Service in Shreveport confirms an EF2 tornado with winds between 111 and 135 mph ripped through northern Bossier Parish late Saturday afternoon, leaving a trail of destruction in its path. Authorities say 29 homes or recreational vehicles were people lived were damaged or loss, but fortunately there was no loss of life or major injuries.

Homelessness in Louisiana is down 68-percent over the last seven years. That’s according to the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s yearly Point-in-Time count. Louisiana Housing Corporation Executive Director Keith Cunningham credits this decrease to hard work by his agency to help individuals living on the street…:
CUT 7 (11) “of society”
The count showed there was just below four-thousand homeless people in the state in 2016, down from 12,500 in 2009.

Residents in the greater DeRidder area are making a push to get high speed internet in the rural Beauregard Parish town. Beatrice Teague started a petition because she and her neighbors are unable to get broadband connections in their homes. She says they have to use satellite internet, which is expensive and unreliable…:
Cut 13 (10) “your kids”
You can sign the petition online at moveon.org.