Bills to increase the minimum wage and demand equal pay for men and women were approved by the Senate Labor Committee today. Governor John Bel Edwards was on hand to testify in favor of both measures. He says a higher minimum wage could help solve the child poverty problem in Louisiana.

Cut 10 (08) “and raising”

Baton Rouge business owner Mark Johnson opposes the increase because he says it would impact small businesses production costs.

Cut 11 (09) “bottom line”

On a 4-3 vote the committee approved the minimum wage increase to $8.00 an hour beginning next year. And a 5-2 vote from the panel passed the bill seeking equal pay for women. Both bills head to the Senate floor.

A bill to allow hunters to wear blaze pink in addition to hunter’s orange passes out of the House. Author of the legislation Bogalusa Rep. Malinda White says all this does is give another option that has been proven to be safer. White says the blaze pink attire would be simple and without embellishment to meet the 400 square inches of color requirement. She says pink will stand out in the woods.

CUT 4 (08)  “and yellows”

White says men can wear blazing pink too.

Several tax increases will go into effect tomorrow in Louisiana, including a one-cent increase on the state sales tax.  LSU Marketing Professor Dr. Dan Rice says this likely won’t change consumer’s purchasing habits.

Cut 23 (10)  “quite frankly”

The tax on a pack of cigarettes will increase by 22-cents, and taxes on all types of alcohol will also go up.

The Senate Labor Committee approved bill to increase the state’s minimum wage to $8.00 an hour beginning next year, and then to $8.50 in 2018. Governor John Bel Edwards says Louisiana households are unable to afford their basic necessities. He says it’s not just high school and college students who are working for minimum wage.

CUT 9 (06) “monthly expenses”

Baton Rouge business owner Mark Johnson opposes the increase. Johnson says this would leave business owners with difficult decisions about absorbing the new costs.

cut 12 (06) “your choices”

The bill now heads to the Senate floor for debate.

Several tax increases will go into effect tomorrow in Louisiana, including a one-cent increase on the state sales tax. The tax on a pack of cigarettes will increase by 22-cents, and taxes on all types of alcohol will also go up.

Even though Republican US Senator David Vitter is leaving office at the end of this year, he’s still got things to accomplish in his final year. Vitter says he will be focusing on chemical safety reform and improving infrastructure access. He says he plans on getting out of politics once his term ends in January.

cut 14 (09)  “our lives”

Vitter doesn’t plan on making any endorsements for the US Senate race until after the primaries.

Lafayette’s own local celebrity, 23-year-old MacKenzie Bourg, will find out tonight if he’ll advance to the Top 3 on the final season of American Idol. MacKenzie’s dad, Rudy Bourg, says it’s incredible that five years ago his son was fighting for his life due to a sudden illness, and now he’s where he’s at today…:

CUT 8 (09) “at life”

The bill to increase the state’s minimum wage to $8.00 an hour beginning next year, and then to $8.50 in 2018 passed out of the Senate Labor Committee with a 4-3 vote. Governor John Bel Edwards testified in support of increasing the minimum wage today. Edwards says this is an investment in Louisiana families, which is an investment in our state as a whole. He says this slight increase in minimum wage would help solve the problem of childhood poverty in the state.

cut 10 (08)  “and raising”

Baton Rouge business owner Mark Johnson opposes the increase because he says it would impact small businesses production costs.

Cut 11 (09) “bottom line”

The bill, along with a measure seeking equal pay for men and women, now head to the Senate floor.

Lafayette’s own local celebrity, 23-year-old MacKenzie Bourg, will find out tonight if he’ll advance to the Top 3 on the final season of American Idol. Michelle Southern reports…:

CUT 1 (32)  “I’m Michelle Southern”

Iberia Parish Sheriff Louis Ackal entered a plea of not guilty to charges he violated federal civil rights laws. Prosecutors accuse Ackal of ordering the beatings of at least three pre-trial inmates in 2011. Nine of Ackal’s former deputies have already pleaded guilty in the case.

The Senate Labor Committee approves the bill that would increase the state’s minimum wage to $8.00 an hour in 2017 and then to $8.50 in 2018. Halen Doughty has more:
CUT 2 (30) “I’m Halen Doughty”

A bill that would add blaze pink as an acceptable color hunters can wear advances out of the House. Bogalusa Representative Malinda White says this just gives sportsmen and sportswomen an additional option to hunter orange…:
CUT 3 (07) “safety”
The measure heads to the Senate.

A bill that would have made it illegal for a business to fire a victim of domestic violence for missing work to take care of court proceedings or seek treatment, stalls in the House Labor Committee. Opponents said this is too over reaching into a businesses own practices. The vote was 6-6.

Even though US Senator David Vitter says he’s leaving politics at the end of his term this year, he’s still touring the state to hear from Louisiana citizens. He held a town hall in Ascension and Rapides today. We asked Senator Vitter if he planned on endorsing anyone for his seat…:
CUT 15 (08) “the race”
Vitter says during his final year in office he will be focusing on chemical safety reform and improving infrastructure access.

A woman is accused of taking human remains from a historic New Orleans cemetery and trying to sell them on-line. It’s reported that 24 year old Ender Darling who is described as a witch, has apparently skipped town. She is accused of plucking human bones from graves and trying to get money for them.

Lawmakers advance a bill that would raise the minimum wage in Louisiana to $8 an hour, then $8.50 in 2018. Governor John Bel Edwards spoke in support of the measure in the Senate Labor Committee…:
CUT 28 (05) “our families”
The vote was a close 4-3 and the bill now heads to the Senate Floor. Business groups spoke in opposition saying it would create job losses especially in the service sector.

23-year-old MacKenzie Bourg of Lafayette will find out tonight if he advances to the Top 3 on the final season of American Idol. Acadiana will be on tonight’s show from footage taken at MacKenzie’s homecoming parade last Saturday in Lafayette. Thousands of fans gathered for the celebration his dad Rudy Bourg says it was absolutely surreal…:
CUT 7 (07) “overwhelming”
Tonight’s elimination show begins at 7pm. If MaKenzie advances, you can vote for him again online at american-idol-dot-com-slash-vote.

Even though Republican US Senator David Vitter is leaving office at the end of this year, he’s still holding town hall meetings across the state getting feedback from voters. In Ascension parish this morning, Vitter said he’s hearing primarily about jobs and highway improvements…:
Cut 13 (09) “is important”
He’ll hold another town hall today in Rapides Parish. He still maintains that he intends to leave politics once his term ends.

Attorney General Jeff Landry says IRS phone scams are once again becoming a big problem in the state. He’s reminding residents that the IRS does not initiate contact requesting information electronically, nor demand payment without first sending a notification by mail.

Governor John Bel Edwards spoke today before the Senate Labor committee in support of a bill that would raise the minimum wage to $8.00 an hour, then $8.50 in 2018. The governor says the current minimum wage of $7.25 is not enough to money to make ends meet…:
CUT 30 (10) “expenses”
Those who oppose the increase argue that the higher pay rate would negatively impact small businesses. The Committee approved a bill today that would establish the Louisiana Equal Pay Act.

A bill is heading to the House floor that calls for legislative approval to waive work requirements for food stamp recipients. Monroe Representative Jay Morris says unemployed able-bodied adults should be required to take steps towards getting a job before they receive government assistance…:
Cut 15 (07) “for society”
The state recently estimated 31-thousand able bodies adults would lose their benefits, if they they were required to find work.

Lafayette’s own local celebrity, 23-year-old MacKenzie Bourg, will find out tonight if he’ll advance to the Top 3 on the final season of American Idol. The Fox signing competition show resumes at 7pm where the voting results from last week will be announced, at the contestant with the lowest total will be eliminated. MacKenzie’s dad, Rudy Bourg, says his son is already a winner…:
CUT 6 (08) “last second shot”
Lots of folks from Acadiana will be on tonight’s show from footage taken at Bourg’s homecoming parade last Saturday in Lafayette.

The state sales tax increases by a penny starting tomorrow, and new taxes on cigarettes and alcohol also go into effect. LSU Marketing Professor Dr. Dan Rice says shoppers making big purchases, like vehicles or furniture, will likely see a difference after the sales tax goes up…:
Cut 10 (08) “situation”
He says most people won’t even notice a difference.

The House Health and Welfare Committee advances a measure that would require legislative approval to waive work requirements for food stamps. Jeff Palermo has more..:
Cut 3 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

In House Criminal Justice, a bill moved unanimously that would make it against the law to spy on someone with a drone. But Baton Rouge Representative Denise Marcelle says she wants to make sure that kids playing with these devices can’t get arrested under this new proposal…:
Cut 13 (07) “with that”
The measure now heads to the House floor for debate.

The full House approved the hunters “blaze pink” bill which would allow ladies another option from hunter orange. Supporters say the measure might encourage more women to hunt, and it heads to the Senate after a 95-5 vote.

Tomorrow the state sales tax will increase from four cents to five cents until June 30, 2018. LSU Marketing Professor Dr. Dan Rice says most consumers are aware of this, but he doesn’t see many stores reducing their prices to offset the higher tax…:
Cut 9 (09) “minority”
Also, state taxes on cigarettes and alcohol will increase on Friday.

Governor John Bel Edwards is slated to appear today before the Senate Committee on Labor and Industrial Relations in order to testify in support of a bill which increases the minimum wage in Louisiana to $8.00, then $8.50 in 2018. The Governor is also expected to give testimony supporting legislation which establishes the Louisiana Equal Pay Act.

The House Health and Welfare Committee advances a measure that could put new conditions on how the state would operate the food stamp program, ultimately with the goal of implementing work requirements. Monroe Representative Jay Morris says able-bodies adults without kids should work or perform community service 20 hours a week in order to receive SNAP benefits…:
CUT 14 (10) “time to time”
The measure would require legislative approval to waive federally mandated work requirements for food stamp recipients.

Today is the official last day at LSU for the legendary voice of the Fighting Tigers, Jim Hawthorne, as he begins retirement. Hawthorne has been on the radio call for thousands of LSU events over the past 35 years, and says he’s enjoyed his work immensely…:
Cut 17 (06) “forget it”
He says he’s looking forward to spending time with family and traveling with his wife.

The state sales tax increases by a penny starting tomorrow, and new taxes on cigarettes and alcohol also go into effect. LSU Marketing Professor Dr. Dan Rice says shoppers making big purchases, like vehicles or furniture, will likely see a difference after the sales tax goes up…:
Cut 10 (08) “situation”
He says most people won’t even notice a difference.

A bill to increase the minimum wage is set to be heard today in the Senate Labor Committee. State Director for the National Federation of Independent Business Dawn Starns says this would be bad for their members…:
CUT 5 (07) “in jobs”
But those in favor say an increase from $7.25 to $8.50 and hour will help pull people out of poverty.
Cut 6 (06) “ends meet”
That’s Louisiana Budget Project director Jan Moller.

Today the Senate Labor Committee is scheduled to hear a proposal that would raise the minimum wage to $8.00 an hour beginning next year, and then to $8.50 in 2018. Halen Doughty has more…:
CUT 1 (30) “I’m Halen Doughty”

Southeast Louisiana is under a tornado watch through 9 this morning, according to the National Weather Service. A Flash Flood Watch remains in effect through tomorrow for the region as 1-2 inches of rainfall are in the forecast. In north Louisiana, heavy rainfall is also expected this afternoon and tonight as Flood Warnings continue.

A bill to prevent peeping Toms from using drones to spy on people received unanimous support from the House Criminal Justice Committee. Monroe Representative Marcus Hunter says his bill will somewhat duplicates existing laws by adding the use of an unmanned aircraft to video surveillance crimes…:
cut 11 (09) “those crimes”
The bill now heads to the House floor for debate.

Tomorrow the state sales tax will increase from four cents to five cents until June 30, 2018. LSU Marketing Professor Dr. Dan Rice expects some people looking to make a major purchase will try to get that out of the way before the increase goes into effect. But he says this likely won’t change consumer’s purchasing habits…:
Cut 8 (10) “quite frankly”
Also, state taxes on cigarettes and alcohol will increase on Friday.