Starting on April 1st, 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”
It’s expected the 22 cent increase will generate 11 million dollars between April 1st and June 30th.

The US Coast Guard says its investigating the cause of an oil spill from a tank into Bayou Teche in St. Mary Parish early this morning. Some residents were told not to leave their homes following the spill, but the order was lifted hours later. It is not clear at this time how much oil was spilled, but rescue crews deployed more than 200 yards of boom to contain the slick in the water.

The sale of CLECO was approved following a special meeting of the Public Service Commission on Monday. This clears the way for the Pineville based utility company to head into the private hands of a foreign investment group. As part of the nearly five billion dollar deal, CLECO spokeswoman Robbyn Cooper says 287-thousand Louisiana customers will receive a credit of about $500 on their bills:
CUT 10 (12) “the money”
PSC Chairman Clyde Holloway was the single nay vote and he says the sale is not in the best interest of customers.

Gas prices jumped another penny from the day before. The current statewide average price at the pump is $1.87, up more than 7 cents from the same time last week, according to AAA.

The Public Service Commission approves 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 ratepayers…:
CUT 9 (12) “two years”
PSC Chairman Clyde Holloway voted against the sale saying he doesn’t believe it’s in the best interest of customers.

At the Capitol Monday, a bill that would limit the amount of money the state can spend on art for public buildings received overwhelming approval from the full House and now heads to the Senate. The measure would cap a program that requires 1 percent of the total amount of a construction project go towards art inside or on the ground near the site.

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”
She says the deceased is identified as Steven Smith, and the man behind the wheel of the vehicle was his brother 55-year-old Stuart Smith. No charges have been filed.

Drilling activity has hit an all-time low in Louisiana. That’s according to Don Briggs, president of the Louisiana Oil and Gas Association. Briggs says 25 rigs are running in the Gulf of Mexico and only five are in operation on land in south Louisiana…:
Cut 13 (06) “that low”
Briggs says it’s a depressing time right now, but the industry will come back.

The head of the Louisiana Oil and Gas Association says it’s very quiet out there when it comes to production. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 3 (24) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

The Public Service Commission has approved the sale of the Pineville-based utility company Cleco to Macqarie Infrastructure for almost $5 million dollars. PSC member Foster Campbell agreed to support the transaction if a Cleco official agreed not to seek a rate increase. Cleco President Darren Olagues agreed the company would not seek an increase until 2019 for a period beginning in 2020.

The Food and Drug Administration is delaying enforcing rules to require chain-restaurants to post calorie content on their menus until 2017. Pennington Biomedical Research Center Professor Dr. Catherine Champagnesays the biggest challenge will be enforcing the calorie content rule. She says often times menus change, so it makes it difficult for businesses to have up to date nutritional information.

cut 11 (10) “all times”

Medicaid expansion will improve mental healthcare in Louisiana, according to a report released by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The report says 81-thousand Louisianans who suffer from mental illnesses or substance abuse would likely qualify for Medicaid after the expansion. Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Richard Frank says states can be expected to have a more productive workforce, because expanding treatment means healthier and more productive citizens.

Cut 6 (05)  “healthy” 

Drilling activity has hit an all-time low in Louisiana. Don Briggs, president of the Louisiana Oil and Gas Association,the bright side of the downturn is that several financial institutions in New York are looking to take advantage of the slow activity and invest in the industry now…:
Cut 15 (08) “buying production”
He says Never in the history if their recording has rig activity been as low as it is now.

A report released by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services finds Medicaid expansion will improve mental healthcare in Louisiana. Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Richard Frank says it brings people into effective treatment and is fully paid for under Obamacare…:
Cut 5 (07) “coverage”

The Food and Drug Administration is delaying enforcing rules to require chain-restaurants to post a calorie content on their menu until 2017. Pennington Biomedical Research Center Professor Dr. Catherine Champagne understands the challenges restaurants face in posting calorie information on their menu, but it would greatly benefit those who watch their calorie intake…:
Cut 10 (10) “in advance”

State health officials are advising flood victims to check their home for mold. Emelie Gunn has some tips…:
CUT 1 (30) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

The oil and gas industry in Louisiana says things have gone from bad to worse. Louisiana Oil and Gas Association President Don Briggs says with oil trading at around 40-dollars a barrel, there’ s not much hope that rig activity will pick up in the near future. Briggs says this could lead to more layoffs…:
Cut 14 (11) “hang on”
He is confident the industry will bounce back.

One brother is dead and another in jail on murder charges after a fight between the two turned deadly in Vernon Parish. Deputies say they arrived on the scene to find 38-year-old Terry Dubois unresponsive on the floor of a residence in Leesville. His brother, Christopher, was originally arrested for battery after admitting to causing the victim to hit his head on the ground. But Terry Dubois later died and Christopher is being held on a million dollars bond for manslaughter.

The F.D.A. has pushed back the date to enforce calorie content menu labeling. Emelie Gunn has more…:
Cut 2 (24) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

The Public Service Commission approved the sale of CLECO. During a special hearing Monday, the vote was 4-1 for the Pineville based utility company to be acquired by Macquarie Infrastructure for nearly $5 billion dollars.

State health officials have tips to clean up and remove mold from flooded homes. Gina Lagarde, with the state Department of Public Health, says if you smell a musky order or earthy scent, you likely have mold…:
Cut 8 (08) “the home”

Drilling activity has hit an all-time low in Louisiana. That’s according to Don Briggs, president of the Louisiana Oil and Gas Association. Briggs says 25 rigs are running in the Gulf of Mexico and only five are in operation on land in south Louisiana…:
Cut 13 (06) “that low”
Briggs says it’s a depressing time right now, but the industry will come back.

The Coast Guard responded to an oil spill near Bayou Teche Monday evening at PSC Industrial Outsourcing, where response crews had to deploy more than 200 yards of boom. Some residents in St. Mary Parish were advised to shelter in place as a result of the spill, but have since been told it is safe to leave their homes.

At the Capitol Monday, a bill that would limit the amount of money the state can spend on art for public buildings received overwhelming approval from the full House and now heads to the Senate. The measure would cap a program that requires 1 percent of the total amount of a construction project go towards art inside or on the ground near the site.

The Food and Drug Administration is delaying enforcing rules that require chain-restaurants to post a calorie content on their menu until 2017. Pennington Biomedical Research Center Professor Dr. Catherine Champagne says enforcing of the rule is the biggest challenge, but those that are health conscious will still pay attention to what they’re eating…:
cut 12 (09) “the population”

A report released by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services finds Medicaid expansion could improve mental healthcare in Louisiana. Director for the Center for Medicaid and CHIP Services Vikki Wachino says several states that accepted the federal dollars have seen more residents seek care regularly, and a decrease in those who stop taking their meds due to cost…:
cut 4 (09) “their economy”
The report says 81-thousand Louisianans who suffer from mental illnesses or substance abuse would likely qualify for Medicaid after the expansion.

The head of the Louisiana Oil and Gas Association says it’s very quiet out there when it comes to production. Jeff Palermo has the story…:
Cut 3 (24) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

The sale of Cleco was approved following a special meeting of the Public Service Commission on Monday. This clears the way for the Pineville based utility company to head into the private hands of a foreign investment group. The 4-1 vote reveres the PSC’s rejection last month. CLECO & Macquarie agreed not to raise rates until 2020 and also pay each customer about $500 each. The revisions to the proposal were good enough for the PSC to give the sale a green light.

State health officials have tips to clean up and remove mold from flooded homes. Gina Lagarde, with the state Department of Public Health, says mold can cause coughing, itchy eyes and headaches. She advises when you’re cleaning up mold to wear protective gear, because spores can be released into the air…:
CUT 7 (08) “the mold”

A Baton Rouge woman suspected of driving drunk who cops say sped through a red light, caused a two vehicle crash that injured five people including four young children. The East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s Office says 27-year-old Whitney Wilson had three kids in her car at the time and they all sustained serious injuries. The driver of the other vehicle and a 5-year-old passenger were also seriously injured.

Hollywood South is in bad shape after a law was passed last year essentially puts a cap on Louisiana’s film tax incentives….
CUT 2 (29) “I’m Michelle Southern”

Republican presidential front-runner Donald Trump tweeted a lawsuit is coming over the possibility he might receive fewer delegates from Louisiana than Senator Ted Cruz, even though he won the Presidential Primary. Louisiana GOP executive director Jason Dore says they’ve followed the rules when it comes to allocating the delegates.

A woman has died after ATV crash at Muddy Bottoms in Webster Parish, and three others are injured. Sheriff’s Office spokesman Bobby Igo says two four-wheelers slammed into each other at the park Friday evening, and killed 40-year-old Alissa Wiley of Dry Prong. He says the park is on private property and visitors pay to go to the events and sign consent forms before they ride…:
Cut 13 (08) “private business”

Igo says this is the fourth fatality at the park since 2014.

Four more parishes have been added to the Presidential Disaster Declaration area, which allows victims of historic flooding to be eligible for federal assistance. Rapides Parishes is included and their homeland security director Sonya Wiley-Gremillion says 60 homes were flooded along the Red River and she says affected families there will likely take advantage of the assistance.
cut 10 (10) “damages”