LRN Newscast 09:30 02-21-15

Right now the state has temperatures in the 60’s , but that is about to change, as meterologists are keeping an close eye on the next front coming through…
CUT 1 (29) “reporting”

A Beauregard Parish man has been arrested for his fourth DWI after causing a crash that involved a 5 day-old baby on Highway 171 in Moss Bluff. Even though no one was injured in the crash, State Police say that 27 year-old Colby K. Hebert tested 5 times the legal limit for blood alcohol content.
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Yesterday, the Louisiana legislative joint budget committee approved $103 million dollars in cuts to this year’s fiscal budget, but not everyone was happy about that; or Governor Bobby Jindal…
CUT 13 (11) Q: “six months”
That’s Baton Rouge Representative Patricia Smith.

Commissioner of Insurance Jim Donelon is reporting millions in rebates for homeowners, renters and businesses are going unclaimed. Donelon thinks the problem is just knowing about it…
CUT 8 (10) Q: ‘to access’
He says you can also still claim the assessment, even if you failed to do so from 2011 to 2014. for more information you can visit the department website.

LRN Newscast 08:30 02-21-15

Yesterday, the legislative budget committee approved a $103 million dollar cut to this fiscal year’s budget, but not without many concerns being voiced. Crowley Representative Jack Montoucet, expressed concerns with cuts to the Department of Ag, which could result in fewer food inspectors…
cut 14 (10) “my concern”

One item lawmakers will examine closely are the tax credits to the film industry. The Advocate is reporting today a former big player, who went to prison for a bribery scandal, will now be collecting $6.5 million dollars from the state. An independent arbitrator ruling stated that film policy directives on the books should give Malcolm Petal the big paycheck within 10 days. It’s unclear on whether or not the state can appeal. In 2009 Petal went to prison for 5 years for a payoff scheme with the film commissioner.
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Louisiana weather is about to get cold again courtesy of another cold front, and things could get especially dramatic with the possibility of winter precipitation for central and north Louisiana Sunday night and into Monday…
CUT 4 (07) Q; “gonna be”
That’s National Weather Service Office meteorologist Mario Valverde, who says there’s should a pretty good chance of snow, especially along the I-20 corridor.

Public Service Commissioner Scott Angelle is the first 2015 gubernatorial candidate to begin advertising on television. LaPolitics.com publisher Jeremy Alford says Angelle’s spots starting airing Friday as part of the $200,000 buy…:
CUT 9 (08) “quietly”
Alford says now we can expect to see gubernatorial ads non-stop between now and the fall.

LRN Sportscast 07:30 02-21-15

LSU rebounded from a midweek loss to Nicholls State to sweep Boston College in a doubleheader yesterday. The Tigers won the first game 8-3 as Danny Zardon drove in three runs and then won the nightcap seven to four as Jared Foster scored three times.

Louisiana Tech swept a doubleheader from Arkansas Pine-Bluff to extend its win streak to three games. Left-hander Tyler Clancy threw seven innings, allowing just one run to get the victory in game one.

U-L-M also swept its doublehader with Stephen F Austin. Alex Hermeling threw eight scoreless innings in game one. The Ragin Cajuns knocked off Stony Brook seven to three in their home opener. Nick Thurman had a couple of RBIs.

In the Southland…Bradley blanked McNeese State 5-0, Northwestern State split a doubleheader with Creighton, Nicholls State knocked off North Florida 4-3, UT Arlington blanked Southeastern Louisiana 7-0 and Grambling over Southern 6-1.
Saints Owner Tom Benson announces that the franchise will not raise ticket prices for the 2015 seasons. Benson made the announcement with a letter that’s posted on the team’s website. Benson also added that they are currently working on significant investments to enhance the fan experience in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome and will announce those plans shortly.

The Pelicans played a disappointing game in their first contest back from the All-Star break as New Orleans lost to the Orlando Magic 95-84 last night. Anthony Davis returned from an injured shoulder, but was just 5-of-15 from the floor and had 13 points. Former Ragin Cajun Elfrid Payton had 10 points and 11 assists for the Magic.

Today in college basketballl…LSU hosts Florida at noon. Louisiana Tech has a difficult road game at Old Dominion. ULM returns to the hardwood after a week off to face Arkansas State and U-L Lafayette, who has won two in a row is at Texas-Arlington.

17:30 Newscast February 20th, 2015

The Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness is closely monitoring the chance of severe winter weather across portions of the state. According to the National Weather Service, showers will gradually increase across much of the area with a few thunderstorms possible through Saturday night as a cold front begins to approach the region from the north. A mixture of freezing rain and sleet appears probable Sunday night into Monday for central to norther parts of the state.

Public Service Commissioner Scott Angelle is the first 2015 gubernatorial candidate to begin advertising on television. LaPolitics.com was the first to deliver the report about the ads and publisher Jeremy Alford Friday is the first day Angelle’s spots starting airing as part of the $200,000 buy…:
CUT 9 (08) “quietly”
Alford says now we can expect to see gubernatorial ads non-stop between now and the fall.

The Legislative Budget Committee approved the Jindal’s Administration’s plan to cut $103 million dollars from this fiscal year’s budget. Baton Rouge Representative Patricia Smith expressed her frustration that the governor’s office only received a ten-thousand dollar cut in funding…:
CUT 12 (06) “by example”
Smith suggested Jindal should work without pay.

Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon encourages taxpayers to file for an insurance rebate available to any person who pays for a homeowners, renters or business property insurance policy. Donelon says eligible taxpayers should check the box on their returns for the Louisiana Citizens Property Insurance Assessment rebate…:
CUT 6 (12) “tax return”
He says if you have any questions you can visit the Department of Insurance’s website.

 

LRN Newscast 16:30 02-20-15

One-hundred-three million dollars worth of cuts was approved by the Legislative Joint Budget Committee today, but not without concerns and even criticisms being expressed. Commissioner of Administration Kristy Nichols pushed lawmakers to approve the governor’s plan, because if any proposed cuts are restored, it could lead to deeper cuts next fiscal year….
cut 15 (10) “higher education”

Here comes the cold weather. Again. And things could get especially dramatic with the possibility of winter precipitation for central and north Louisiana Sunday night and into Monday…
CUT 4 (07) Q; “gonna be”
That’s National Weather Service Office meteorologist Mario Valverde says there is a chance of snow Monday night for North Louisiana.
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In the Louisiana Governor’s race, the first TV ads started today, and they belong to Public Service Commissioner Scott Angelle. LaPolitics-dot-com was the first to reveal the report today, and publisher Jeremy Alford said the Angelle campaign kept things quiet about the media buy of $200 thousand dollars…
CUT 11 (11) Q: ‘was celebrating’
The Angelle campaign line is “workhorse; not a showhorse”

Following some recent bad economic business news for Pineville, there is good news to report, as a firm announces an opening that will create hundreds of jobs in Central Louisiana. The Town Talk is reporting the American Specialty Alloys company will build an aluminum alloy plant that is targeting to begin operations in 2016. That plant will be located on the former site of International Paper on Highway 165.

LRN Newscast 15:30 02-20-15

Today, the legislative budget committee approved a $103 million dollar cut this fiscal year’s budget, but not without many concerns being expressed. Crowley Representative Jack Montoucet, expressed concerns with cuts to the Department of Ag, which could result in fewer food inspectors…
cut 14 (10) “my concern”

Commissioner of Insurance Jim Donelon is reporting millions of dollars in rebates for homeowners, renters and businesses are going unclaimed. Donelon’s thinks the problem is just knowing about it…
CUT 8 (10) Q: ‘to access’
Donelon says you can also still claim the assessment, if you failed to do so from 2011 to 2014. for more information you can visit the department website.
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the National Weather Service is keeping an eye on the potential for winter precipitation in north Louisiana Sunday night and into Monday…:
CUT 1 (29) “reporting”

The State Bond Commission has given permission to Ragin Cajun Facilities to sell bonds to help upgrade the Cajundome in Lafayette. Officials say those upgrades are expected to cost around $16.7 million dollars. For basketball, the new improvements will increase seating from 11,200 seats up to 12 thousand.

LRN Newscast 14:30 02-20-15

With today’s legislative joint budget committee approval of the $103 million dollar cut to this year’s fiscal budget, there were several complaints being offered about how the governor handled things.
CUT 13 (11) Q: “six months”
That’s Baton Rouge Representative Patricia Smith.

Meteorologists are keeping an eye on the potential for winter precipitation in north Louisiana Sunday night and into Monday. Mario Valverde with the National Weather Service in Shreveport says that could lead to some problems
CUT 3 (09) “hazardous”
And he says on Monday some parts of the state will be lucky to barely get above freezing.
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Public Service Commissioner Scott Angelle is the first 2015 gubernatorial candidate to begin advertising on television. Here’s Michelle Southern with more…;
CUT 2 (30) “reporting”

A new Gallup survey shows Louisiana ranks among the top 5 states in the nation for church attendance. That survey reveals almost half of Louisianians say they attend church regularly. The top three state are Utah, Mississippi, along with Alabama who is tied with Louisiana at 46 percent.

13:30 Newscast February 20th, 2015

The Legislative Budget Committee has been discussing the Jindal’s Admintrations plan to cut $103 million dollars from this fiscal year’s budget. Baton Rouge Representative Patricia Smith expressed her frustration that the governor’s office only received a ten-thousand dollar cut in funding…:
CUT 12 (06) “by example”
Smith suggested Jindal should work without pay.

Public Service Commissioner Scott Angelle is the first 2015 gubernatorial candidate to begin advertising on television. Jeremy Alford of LaPolitics.com says there are three commercials in rotation feature Angelle’s “Workhorse Not a Showhorse” line and in one of the ads he speaks in Cajun French…:
CUT 10 (09) “the spicket has been opened”
He says you can expect non-stop ads now through the fall.

North Louisiana is bracing for another winter weather event but the National Weather Service in Shreveport says this late-weekend freeze potential could be the worst of the season. Meteorologist Mario Valverde says cold air is going to be combined with some precipitation late Sunday night into Monday. As for snow he says there is a better chance for the white stuff on Monday night as the cold air builds deeper…:
CUT 5 (10) “the air gets”

The University of Louisiana System hopes it will name a new president at Grambling State in June. The Grambling presidential search committee is expected to meet next week and approve the timeline. Officials originally planned to name a new president in April, but concerns over deep cuts in state funding to Grambling has hampered search efforts.

 

12:30 Newscast February 20th, 2015

Public Service Commissioner Scott Angelle is the first 2015 gubernatorial candidate to begin advertising on television. LaPolitics.com was the first to deliver the report about the ads and publisher Jeremy Alford says (today) Friday is the first day Angelle’s spots starting airing as part of the $200,000 buy…:
CUT 9 (08) “very quietly”
He says they put this together in secret during Mardi Gras while everyone else was out celebrating. Alford says now you can expect the ads to be non-stop through the fall.

State Police say a 35-year-old man from Hineston was killed late last night in Vernon Parish. They say Gregory Smith was traveling on roadway when he lost control, drove off the side and collided with a large tree. Smith was not wearing a seat belt and died at the scene.

This tax filing season Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon is encouraging taxpayers to file for an insurance rebate available to any person who pays for a homeowners, renters or business property insurance policy. He says unfortunately millions of dollars in rebates connected to this assessment are unclaimed every year and you can also still claim it, if you failed to do so from 2011 to 2014…:
CUT 7 (10) “refund for”
Donelon says if you have questions, go to the insurance department’s website or call 1-800-259-5300.

We continue to see gas prices steadily rise. The current statewide average for a gallon of regular is $2.12 which is 22 cents higher than this time last month.

 

10:30 Newscast February 20th, 2015

Meteorologists are keeping an eye on the potential for winter precipitation in north Louisiana Sunday night and into Monday. Mario Valverde with the National Weather Service in Shreveport says cold is expected along with rain…:
CUT 3 (09) “hazardous”
He says this precipitation is likely to continue into Monday with many areas struggling to get much above freezing during the day down into central Louisiana.

Former Governor Edwin Edwards sys he’s gotten the go-ahead to take his real estate license test. He says this is something he’s wanted to do since he got out of prison…:
CUT 11 (11) “back burner”
Edwards says there is a major industrial boom coming along the I-10, I-12 corridors with developing communities from Lake Charles to Slidell and he’d like to take advantage of the opportunity to be involved in real estate.

A Kenner woman has filed a civil lawsuit against Saints linebacker Junior Gallette, claiming he was physically and emotionally abusive to her during their 2-year relationship. Eric Gill reports…:
CUT 2 (30) “reporting”

The Cajundome in Lafayette has gotten final approval from the State Bond Commission to begin renovations. Officials say the construction project, including the addition of lower-level seating inside, will cost about $16.7 million dollars. The roofing will be re-done and there were be major work done to bathrooms and concession stands.