10:30 Newcast, July 1st, 2015

In response to the Louisiana ACLU and others challenging a religious liberty executive order, Governor Bobby Jindal says he’s not backing down. The order prohibits state agencies from taking adverse action on someone if they make a decision because their religion doesn’t believe in same sex marriage. Bossier City Representative Mike Johnson calls the lawsuit frivolous..:
CUT 17 (07) “unfortunate it”
The Louisiana ACLU says this order goes beyond the scope of a governor’s constitutional power.

Authorities report two people are dead and two more are injured following a one car crash in Shreveport overnight involving teenagers. Police report the wreck occurred just before 2am in the southern part of the city and there were 5 people in the car, all not wearing seatbelts. One died at the scene, one later at a hospital. No identifications have been made at this time.

AAA expects 42 million people traveling for Independence Day, the most since 2007. Scott Carwile has more….:
CUT 2 (30) “reporting”

Pelicans star forward Anthony Davis will be staying in New Orleans for a while. Davis and the Pels have reportedly come to an agreement on the team’s maximum extension deal that will pay the star forward more $140 million over five years. The reported deal will keep Davis from entering free agency until 2020. Davis still has one year left on his rookie contract that will pay him $7 million next season.

 

09:30 Newscast July 1, 2015

A 50 cent tax increase for a pack of cigarettes starts today. Emelie Gunn finds out how people in the state feel about this….

cut 1 (28) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

A Louisiana justice of the peace has resigned due to the Supreme Court’s ruling legalizing same-sex marriages. Patricia Gunter of Pollock, a justice of the peace in Grant Parish, turned in her resignation Tuesday. Gunter, who is the wife of a church pastor, says she believes in the Bible’s definition of marriage as being between a man and a woman. She says because of the Court’s ruling, she feels she could no longer uphold the oath she swore to uphold the laws of the state and the country.

During a debate at the Farm Bureau Convention, the four major gubernatorial candidates were asked what is the biggest challenge they’ve ever faced in their personal life. Public Service Commissioner Scott Angelle says the biggest challenge in his life was telling his mother he’d witnessed his sister die in a fatal crash as he was following her home from school…

cut 11 (11) “19-years-old”

The gubernatorial primary is slated for October 24th.

The American Automobile Association expects that nearly 42 million Americans will travel for the 4th of July holiday, the most in eight years. AAA Spokesperson Don Redman says the statewide average for a gallon of regular gasoline is $2.55, which is significantly cheaper than it’s been in the past 5 years and that certainly helps the family budget…

cut 13 (09) “year ago”

Redman says most people will travel by car to get to their destination.

08:30 Newscast July 1, 2015

The state legislator who authored a religious freedom bill comes to the defense of Governor Bobby Jindal who faces a lawsuit from the ACLU. Jeff Palermo has the story…

cut 3 (31) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

State Police say a trooper conducting a traffic stop in Rapides Parish was injured and shot at during an altercation with the driver. Authorities say the trooper was hit in the head with an unknown object and they are looking for the individuals who were involved. State Police say the suspects were in a 90s model Chevrolet Caprice with a gray paint job or primer color.

A pack of cigarettes will cost you an extra 50 cents today as the state’s new tax of cigarettes goes into effect. Bill Bailey, owner of Smoker’s Paradise in Pineville, says the legislature also increased taxes on e-cigarettes and vapor products…

cut 5 (11) “down the road”

The state legislature approved a law that raises the tax on a pack of cigarettes from 36 cents to 86 cents.

The four major gubernatorial candidates were asked during a debate at the Farm Bureau Convention what is the biggest challenge they’ve ever faced in their personal life. Amite Representative John Bel Edwards says his biggest challenge in life was when he was in Ranger School in the Army…

cut 10 (10) “what my limits are”

Louisiana’s gubernatorial primary election is October 24th.

07:30 Newscast July 1, 2015

The state’s new tax that raises the tax on a pack of cigarettes from 36 cents to 86 cents goes into effect today. The American Heart Association’s Louisiana Advocacy Director Stasha Rhodes pushed for the tax increase and says the money generated from the additional tax will go to health care in Louisiana…

cut 6 (08) “tobacco illness”

Those against the tax say it could hurt business.

During a debate at the Farm Bureau Convention, the four candidates for Governor were asked what is the biggest challenge they’ve ever faced in their personal life. Jay Dardenne says while he was a candidate for Lt. Governor he was diagnosed with prostate cancer…

cut 9 (12) “you need to do that”

The gubernatorial primary is October 24th.

Governor Bobby Jindal says he will not back down from a lawsuit filed by the Louisiana ACLU and others who are challenging his religious freedom executive order that seeks to protect those who oppose same-sex marriage. Bossier City Representative Mike Johnson, who is an attorney, says all the executive order attempts to do is protect religious liberty…

cut 16 (10) “executive order does”

The order prohibits state agencies from taking adverse action on a person, business or non-profit if they make a decision based on their religious belief that marriage is between a man and a woman.

The American Automobile Association projects nearly 42 million Americans will travel for the 4th of July holiday, the most since 2007. AAA Spokesperson Don Redman says the fact that Independence Day falls on a weekend helps but that’s not the only reason people are out on the road…

cut 12 (05) “this summer”

Redman says the statewide average for a gallon of regular gasoline is $2.55.

06:45 Sportscast July 1, 2015

It appears that Pelicans star forward Anthony Davis will be staying in New Orleans for a while. Davis and the Pels have reportedly come to an agreement on the team’s maximum extension deal that will pay the star forward more $140 million over five years. The reported deal will keep Davis from entering free agency until 2020. Davis still has one year left on his rookie contract that will pay him $7 million next season. The new deal begins for the 2016-17 season.

Former LSU All-American Blake Dean has been tapped as the new head baseball coach of the UNO Privateers. Dean was a member of the LSU National Championship Baseball team in 2009. At the age of 27, he will become one of the youngest head coaches in Division-I baseball. Dean takes over a program that has won just 27 games over the last two years.

Around this time of the year, LSU fans are counting the days to the start of the football season. But this year, there’s also a lot of excitement for the Tigers men’s basketball team. They are coming off a trip to the NCAA Tournament and they bring in one of the top recruiting classes in the country, led by Ben Simmons who is considered the top player coming out of high school. Coach Johnny Jones says he can tell expectations are higher…

cut 28 (24) “…during my time here”

LSU will get to play some exhibition games in Australia in August. They’ll play games in Sydney, Queensland, Newcastle and Melbourne.

LSU sports information director Michael Bonnette told the Baton Rouge ESPN radio affiliate that running back Leonard Fournette will represent the Tigers at next month’s SEC media days. Fournette, head coach Les Miles, and other players will meet with hundreds of reporters in Birmingham on July 16th.

06:30 Newscast July 1, 2015

Governor Bobby Jindal says he will not back down from religious liberty. Jindal made the statement in reaction to a lawsuit filed by the Louisiana ACLU and others who are challenging an executive order signed by the governor back in May that seeks to protect those who oppose same-sex marriage. Bossier City Representative Mike Johnson supports Jindal on this issue…

cut 15 (08) “completely unfounded”

Jindal’s executive order was signed, after Johnson’s religious freedom bill was defeated in a House committee.

A pack of cigarettes will cost you an extra 50 cents today as the state’s new tax of cigarettes goes into effect. The state legislature approved a law that raises the tax on a pack of cigarettes from 36 cents to 86 cents. Bill Bailey, owner of Smoker’s Paradise in Pineville, is concerned it could hurt his business.

cut 4 (10) “whatever reason”

Proponents of the tax increase say revenue generated will go to health care in Louisiana.

The four candidates for Governor were asked during a debate at the Farm Bureau Convention what is the biggest challenge they’ve ever faced in their personal life. Senator David Vitter made reference to his prostitution scandal that lead to him apologizing for a “serious sin.” He says it caused issues in his marriage many years ago…

cut 8 (09) “stronger”

Louisiana’s gubernatorial primary election is October 24th.

The American Automobile Association says almost 42 million Americans will hit the road for the Fourth of July holiday, which is the most in eight years. They say the statewide average price for a gallon of regular gasoline is $2.55.

LRN Newscast 16:30 06-30-15

A lawsuit has been filed challenging Governor Bobby Jindal’s “Marriage and Conscience Order”, saying it creates a class of persons who are protected over others; due to their opposition to same-sex marriage. Louisiana ACLU Executive Director Marjorie Esman says -with Jindal’s order- he clearly went against the state constitution…
CUT 15 (07) Q: “to do that”

Wal-Mart has apologized for making a cake at its Slidell store with the ISIS flag on it after denying a man’s request to design one with the Confederate flag. Chuck Netzhammer originally ordered a “Heritage Not Hate” Confederate flag cake, but the bakery did not honor the request, as his Youtube video outlines…:
CUT 6 (10) “printed”
Which, they granted.
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Governor Bobby Jindal has signed into law legislation that reduces the penalties for simple marijuana possession…
CUT 1 (28) “I’m Eric Gill”

First, it was NBC that pulled the plug on the broadcast of the Miss USA Pageant, resulting from major shareholder Donald Trump’s comments against Mexican immigrants. Now there are no hosts on stage, as professional dancer Cheryl Burke and MSNBC anchor Thomas Roberts have both withdrawn from the competition which is to be held in Baton Rouge July 12th. No comment from NBC as of yet.

LRN Newscast 15:30 06-30-15

Governor Bobby Jindal’s “Marriage and Conscience Executive Order” is facing a lawsuit, that alleges it creates a class of persons who are protected over others due to their opposition to same-sex marriage. The Louisiana ACLU, Forum for Equality, and several others filed the suit against the governor…
CUT 14 (07) Q: “to protect you”
The governor released a statement saying “religious liberty is fundamental to our freedom, and I will not back down from it.”

A Louisiana man who was refused a requested Confederate flag design on a cake at a Slidell Walmart, is speaking out after his follow-up request for a cake with an ISIS battle flag was granted. Chuck Netzhammer outlined what happened in a Youtube video…
CUT 8 (10) Q: “not allowed”
Walmart has issued an apology.
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Governor Bobby Jindal has signed into law legislation that reduces the penalties for simple marijuana possession. New Orleans State Representative Austin Badon is thrilled his measure was signed into law. Badon says this legislation will help a lot of people in Louisiana…
CUT 3 (12) “periods of time”
Badon says he likes the fact that the law will give people a second chance.

Even though Louisiana drivers will now only have to renew their licenses every six years instead of the previous four years, the price tag for a vehicle title will go up $50 beginning Wednesday. That change, along with the official driving record fee increase of 10 dollars and the new cigarette 50 cent-per-pack tax hike will be in place when the new state laws take effect July 1st.

LRN Newscast 14:30 06-30-15

A lawsuit has been filed by the Louisiana ACLU, Forum for Equality, and 6 individuals challenging Governor Bobby Jindal’s “Marriage and Conscience Order”.…
CUT 2 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

The civilian labor force in Louisiana set a record in May, growing by over 91 hundred jobs over the month and by 68,168 over the year. According to the Louisiana Workforce Commission those employed in the state grew to 2 million, 65 thousand, 471.
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Pot possession penalties in Louisiana have been reduced after Governor Bobby Jindal signed the bill from New Orleans representative Austin Badon into law. The legislation drops the maximum sentence from 20 years in prison down to eight. Badon says people arrested for simple possession need counseling, not jail time…
CUT 5 (06) “lot of people”
Now, a first offense with 14 grams of marijuana would carry up to 15 days in jail.

Now that NBC has pulled the TV broadcast plug on the Miss USA Pagent on July 12th, one Baton Rouge Councilman is upset that city and state will lose much needed national exposure. On the Jim Engster Show, John Delgado says it’s unfortunate…
CUT 10 (11) Q: “the line”

PM Newscall, June 30th, 2015

Governor Bobby Jindal has signed into law legislation that reduces the penalties for simple marijuana possession. Eric Gill has more…

CUT 1 (28) “I’m Eric Gill”

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A lawsuit has been filed by the Louisiana ACLU, Forum for Equality, and 6 individuals challenging Governor Bobby Jindal’s “Marriage and Conscience Order”. Jeff Palermo reports…

CUT 2 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

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Governor Bobby Jindal has signed into law legislation that reduces the penalties for simple marijuana possession. New Orleans State Representative Austin Badon is thrilled his measure was signed into law. Badon says this legislation will help a lot of people in Louisiana…

CUT 3 (12)  “periods of time”

Under the new law, a first offense of simple possession of less than 14 grams of marijuana would face up to 15 days in jail. A second conviction drops from a felony to a misdemeanor. Badon says what he likes about the measure is that it gives people a second chance…

CUT 4 (10)  “educational facilities”

The legislation drops the maximum sentence from 20 years in prison to eight. Badon says people arrested for simple marijuana possession need counseling, not jail time…

CUT 5 (06)  “lot of people”

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Wal-Mart has apologized for making a cake at its Slidell store with the ISIS flag on it after denying a man’s request to design one with the Confederate flag. Chuck Netzhammer originally ordered a “Heritage Not Hate” Confederate flag cake, but the bakery did not honor the request. He outlines what happened in a YouTube video…:

CUT 6 (10)  “printed”

Netzhammer says he can’t fathom why the Confederate flag cake would be denied, but the ISIS image ended up being printed and sold.

CUT 7 (08) “beheading Christians”

A spokesman for Wal-Mart told ABC News that the store associate did not know what the design meant and it was a misunderstanding. In the video, Netzhammer was asking for an explanation…:

CUT 8 (10)  “not allowed”

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A Baton Rouge City Councilman is upset over the Capitol City losing out in international television exposure as a result of NBC’s decision not to broadcast the Miss USA Pageant. Last year the pageant, which was held in Baton Rouge for the first time, was shown in 70 countries. As a guest on the Jim Engster Show, Councilman John Delgado says the broadcast was a big infomercial for the city.

CUT 9 (11)  “this year”

As of now, the July 12 pageant will not be televised. NBC decided not to air the pageant after Miss Universe owner Donald Trump made controversial comments regarding Mexican immigrants.  Delgado says it’s an unfortunate situation for Baton Rouge….

cut 10 (11) “the line” 

Lt. Governor Jay Dardenne issued a statement today that they are still moving forward with the events planned for the MISS USA contestants including a welcome reception at a Downtown Baton Rouge restaurant on July 2nd.

cut 11 (09)”the broadcast”

Dardenne says the state office of tourism is also withholding a 50-thousand dollar payment to the pageant, if the event goes untelevised.

cut 12 (09)  “the broadcast”

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A lawsuit has been filed challenging Governor Bobby Jindal’s “Marriage and Conscience Order”. The suit alleges it creates a class of persons who are protected over others due to their opposition to same-sex marriage. Louisiana ACLU Executive Director Marjorie Esman says this order goes beyond the scope of what the state constitution allows a governor to do…

cut 13 (12)  “to uphold”

The Louisiana ACLU, Forum for Equality, and 6 individuals are the plaintiffs in this lawsuit. The governor’s office has yet to comment on this case. Esman says the governor violated the Louisiana Constitution by setting up special protections for those who share his belief on same-sex marriage…

cut 14 (07) “to protect you”

Jindal’s controversial order prevents the executive branch of state government from taking adverse action against a person or a business for their belief in traditional marriage. Esman says the State Constitution clearly states what a governor can do and what the legislature can do…

cut 15 (07) “to do that”

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