An Infrastructure advocate is speaking out against calls for toll roads to pay for infrastructure, instead of raising the gas tax. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 1 (31) “I’m Matt Doyle”

The arraignment hearing of the five arrested in connection with a murder in Oak Grove in January took place today.  Of those, Wesley Freeman and James Turner were each charged with one count of First Degree Murder, one count of attempted first-degree murder, and two counts of armed robbery with a dangerous weapon.  Both pleaded not guilty. Pretrial is set for next month, with trial is set for October.

The State Fire Marshal and ATF are investigating three church fires in the span of a week, two in St. Landry Parish, the other in Vivian in north Louisiana.  Spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue says the first fire was a significant one and occurred in the early morning hours of March 26^th at the St. Mary’s Baptist Church in Port Barre.
Cut 3 (10) “…go in that.”
The second fire happened over the weekend in the Shreveport area.  The third occurred early Tuesday morning. Both churches destroyed in St. Landry Parish were historically black Baptist churches. Investigators say it’s too early to say if there is a connection between any of the fires.
Motorists traveling on I-10 near Baton Rouge received a surprise this morning when a small plane landed next to the interstate. The plane reportedly took off from Baton Rouge Regional Airport and it was supposed to land at Louisiana Regional near Donaldsonville. But State Police Trooper Taylor Scrantz says during the short flight the Piper Cherokee began to experience engine failure…

Cut 13 (07) “…he could”

The Louisiana Department of Health announces 30-thousand individuals have been removed from the Medicaid program, because they make too much money. LDH spokesperson Robert Johannessen says the people that lost their taxpayer funded health insurance are working adults, who have experienced a rise in income
Cut 9 (08) “…increased”
40-thousand Medicaid enrollees were informed in February they could lose their insurance coverage.
Motorists traveling on I-10 near Baton Rouge received a surprise this morning when a small plane landed next to the interstate. State Police Trooper Taylor Scrantz says the plane landed in a grassy area next to the highway, only clipping an 18-wheeler on the way down…
Cut 14 (07) “…minor injury”
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Investigators are trying to determine if three church fires in the span of a week, two in St. Landry Parish, the other in Caddo Parish are connected. State Fire Marshal’s spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue says the latests fire, the second in St. Landry Parish this week, occurred at the Greater Union Baptist Church in Opelousas.
Cut 5 (11) “…origin and cause.”
Both churches destroyed in St. Landry Parish were historically black Baptist churches.
The Louisiana Good Roads Association says the state should steer clear of toll roads as a way to raise more funds to build highway projects. President Kenneth Perret says He says unlike in Florida and Texas, Louisiana’s issues are not because of abnormally high traffic volume, but because of old roads.
Cut 7 (08) “…originally”

An Infrastructure advocate is speaking out against calls for toll roads to pay for infrastructure, instead of raising the gas tax. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 1 (31) “I’m Matt Doyle”

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30-thousand Louisiana residents have been removed from the Medicaid program because their income is too high. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (31) “I’m Matt Doyle”  

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Investigators are trying to determine if three church fires in the span of a week, two in St. Landry Parish, the other in Caddo Parish are connected.  State Fire Marshal’s spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue says the first blaze caused significant damage and occurred in the early morning hours of March 26^th at the St. Mary’s Baptist Church in Port Barre.

Cut 3 (10) “…go in that.”

Rodrigue says the second fire occurred in the Shreveport area at the Vivian United Pentecostal Church.  Investigators say that fire was set intentionally over the weekend and they are on the hunt for a suspect.

Cut 4 (10) “…the public’s assistance.”

Rodrigue says the final fire, the second in St. Landry Parish this week, occurred at the Greater Union Baptist Church in Opelousas.  Responders got the call to fully-engulfed church early Tuesday morning.

Cut 5 (11) “…origin and cause.”

Both churches destroyed in St. Landry Parish were historically black Baptist churches.

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The Louisiana Good Roads Association says the state should steer clear of toll roads as a way to raise more funds to build highway projects President Kenneth Perret says toll roads have generated a lot of money in places like Houston, but only because that city has a large population

Cut 6 (10) “…in it”

He says unlike in Florida and Texas, Louisiana generally only has rush hour periods of intense traffic volume. Perret says Louisiana’s congestion problems are not because of abnormally high traffic volume, one that could be effectively tolled, but because the roads and bridges we do have were only designed to last for 20 years…

Cut 7 (08) “…originally”

Perret says tolls in Louisiana only have their place in very specific situations, like high traffic bridges.

Cut 8 (07) “…choke point”

This was in response to those who have called for toll roads instead of a proposed increase to the gas tax.

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The Louisiana Department of Health announces 30-thousand individuals have been removed from the Medicaid program, because they make too much money. LDH spokesperson Robert Johannessen says the people that lost their taxpayer funded health insurance are working adults, who have experienced a rise in income

Cut 9 (08) “…increased”

Johannessen says 40-thousand Medicaid enrollees were informed in February they could lose their insurance coverage, unless they could show that they still met the program’s income requirements

Cut 10 (09)“…for Medicaid”

Johanessen says the state has a new computer system that can conduct eligibility checks every quarter, instead of every year and it also uses more wage data…

Cut 11 (06)   “are eligible”

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Motorists traveling on I-10 near Baton Rouge received a surprise this morning when a small plane landed next to the interstate. State Police Trooper Taylor Scrantz says it happened near the Highland Road exit…

Cut 12 (10) “…his hand.”

The plane reportedly took off from Baton Rouge Regional Airport and it was supposed to land at Louisiana Regional near Donaldsonville. But Scrantz says during the short flight the Piper Cherokee began to experience engine failure…

Cut 13 (07) “…he could”

Scrantz says the plane landed in a grassy area next to the highway, only clipping an 18-wheeler on the way down…

Cut 14 (07) “…minor injury”

30-thousand Louisiana residents have been removed from the Medicaid program because their income is too high. Jeff Palermo has the story…
Cut 2 (31) “I’m Jeff Palermo”
Rouses is moving it’s corporate headquarters down the road from Thibodeaux into a new space in Schriever in ten miles away from their current location. The new spot will host the headquarter’s 150 workers at a 32 acre facility that was purchased last week. The company also revealed that they will be opening their first distribution center, which will add up to 300 jobs over the next year.
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The Louisiana Good Roads Association says the state should steer clear of toll roads as a way to raise more funds to build highway projects. President Kenneth Perret says because of the low traffic volume statewide, tolls in Louisiana only have their place in very specific situations, like high traffic bridges.
Cut 8 (07) “…choke point”
This was in response to those who have called for toll roads instead of a proposed increase to the gas tax.
Investigators are trying to determine if three church fires in the span of a week, two in St. Landry Parish, the other in Caddo Parish are connected. State Fire Marshal’s spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue says they have determined the fire set at a Pentecostal Church in Shreveport was intential, and are hunting a suspect.
Cut 4 (10) “…the public’s assistance.”

An Infrastructure advocate is speaking out against calls for toll roads to pay for infrastructure, instead of raising the gas tax. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 1 (31) “I’m Matt Doyle”

Governor Edwards issued a statement today on the passing of Shreveport music icon Maggie Warwick saying “Maggie lived life with everything she had.  There are many great names associated with Louisiana’s musical heritage and Maggie Warwick’s name is certainly in that number.”
Warwick passed away March 29^th from pneumonia.

The State Fire Marshal and ATF are investigating three church fires in the span of a week, two in St. Landry Parish, the other in Vivian in north Louisiana.  Spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue says the first fire was a significant one and occurred in the early morning hours of March 26^th at the St. Mary’s Baptist Church in Port Barre.
Cut 3 (10) “…go in that.”
The second fire happened over the weekend in the Shreveport area.  The third occurred early Tuesday morning. Both churches destroyed in St. Landry Parish were historically black Baptist churches. Investigators say it’s too early to say if there is a connection between any of the fires.
Motorists traveling on I-10 near Baton Rouge received a surprise this morning when a small plane landed next to the interstate. The plane reportedly took off from Baton Rouge Regional Airport and it was supposed to land at Louisiana Regional near Donaldsonville. But State Police Trooper Taylor Scrantz says during the short flight the Piper Cherokee began to experience engine failure…

Cut 13 (07) “…he could”

A 2017 wreck that left a four-year-old girl dead is inspiring legislation for the upcoming session. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Cut 1 (31) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”
The feds have agreed to an April 16th deadline on providing an answer on when, and if RESTORE 2016 flood grant money will be available to those who took out SBA loans, A-K-A the “duplication of benefits” loophole. Congress passed a law last year that allowed those who obtained Small Business Administration loans for the purpose of repairing flood damage access to a federal flood relief grant, known as RESTORE.
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CenturyLink will keep it’s corporate headquarters in Monroe through 2025. The company, which employs over 2,200 workers in the state at a payroll of 200 million dollars, announced the agreement with Governor Edwards earlier today. Economic Development Secretary Don Pierson says keeping CenturyLink in Monroe is vital for the state’s tech economy.
Cut 6 (11) “…importance”
CenturyLink is the second largest US communications provider to global enterprise customers.
The state needs new voting machines and a big election is coming up as we’ll vote on statewide offices and who will represent us at the State Capitol. Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin says they will rent voting machines for early voting and use spare parts to make sure the decades-old voting booths work properly on election day…
Cut 10 (11)“…fall election”

We’ll know by April 16th roughly when, and if the feds will allow those got who SBA loans after the 2016 floods access to RESTORE flood relief grant money. Matt Doyle has more.

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle.”

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 A Shreveport Senator has a bill that would ban Louisiana abortions after a heartbeat is detectable in the fetus. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”  

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The percent of Louisiana residents who feel the state is heading in the right direction is on the rise compared to last year.  Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 3 (30) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

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The Department of Transportation will be holding a public meeting today in Mandeville to discuss widening I-12. This comes after the state received a 25 million dollar grant from the feds.

Four people died on a stretch near the Tchefuncte River on memorial day last year, and Parish President Pat Brister says local residents demanded action.

Cut 4 (11) “…and further.”

Brister hopes they can do a comprehensive overhaul of the I-12 from 1077 to Highway 59, but the grant was capped at 25 million to start, so they’ve divided the project up into three phases.

Cut 5 (11) “to that.”

Brister says to receive the grant the parish and state had to provide matching funds to seal the deal for the first phase of expansion focusing on the Tchefuncte River Bridge and access roads to it.

Cut 6 (11) “…project.”

The meeting will be held at the St. Tammany Parish Council Chambers.

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The feds have agreed to an April 16th deadline on providing an answer on when, and if RESTORE 2016 flood grant money will be available to those who took out SBA loans, A-K-A the “duplication of benefits” loophole.

Senator Bill Cassidy says at that point Louisianans will be told how the law will be interpreted by HUD and the Office of Management and Budget.

Cut 7 (07) “…us up.”

Congress passed a law last year that allowed those who obtained Small Business Administration loans for the purpose of repairing flood damage access to a federal flood relief grant, known as RESTORE.

Cassidy says Housing and Urban Development Secretary Ben Carson supports releasing the money to those in the duplication of benefits loophole, but OMB is still expressing reservations, and…

Cut 8 (10) “…of benefits”

The Senator warned that even if the two agencies agree, it may still be weeks before any checks were sent out.

The Senator says if OMB and HUD were to disagree on how to administer the law, then there’s one last step in the appeals process that will provide some finality to the long running saga.

Cut 9 (07) “…of Congress.″

Cassidy says it’s not clear how the President will decide to rule if a dispute were to take place between OMB and HUD.

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Shreveport Senator John Milkovich is bringing a bill to ban abortions in Louisiana after a fetus’s heartbeat becomes detectable.

The Democrat says if this bill were to be passed, it could result in most women being unable to have the procedure five to six weeks into their pregnancy.

Cut 10 (10) “…acceptable.”

Center for Reproductive Rights Chief Council for State Policy Elisabeth Smith says the law would act as a near total ban on abortions, as many women don’t even know they are pregnant by that point.

Several states including neighboring Mississippi have passed similar laws, but they’ve been frozen by the courts for review and likely would require a long trip to the US Supreme Court for final passage. Milkovich says this fight is worth the effort.

Cut 11 (08) “…wrong thing.”

Like in other states, the law would likely be immediately challenged in court, and face stiff legal opposition. Milkovich says he’s proud to live in a pro-life state, and looks forward to fighting the “abortion lobby” who is only concerned about…

Cut 12 (09) “…generation.″

Smith says to date none of the six week bans have been enforced, and she’s confident the courts will keep it that way.

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Researchers from LSU’s Manship School of Mass Communication release their findings from the 2019 Louisiana Survey.  Director of the Reilly Center for Media Center & Public Affairs Dr. Jenee Slocum says the percentage of people who feel the state is heading in the right direction has increased since last year.

Cut 13 (05) “…39% last year.”

Public confidence in the government to tackle problems effectively is down from last year.  It remains low as on 41% say they are either confident or somewhat confident in the state government’s ability to address its issues.  Slocum says the survey asked what issues were of top concern.

Cut 14 (11) “…the top concerns.”

34% mentioned education while 32% mentioned transportation.

Many residents have a more positive outlook about their own financial situation than that of the state’s economy.

Cut 15 (07) “…a year ago.”

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A global tech giant will keep it’s headquarters in Monroe through 2025. Matt Doyle has more.

Cut 2 (31) “I’m Matt Doyle”  

Researchers from LSU’s Manship School of Mass Communication release their findings from the 2019 Louisiana Survey.  It indicates education and transportation are two of the top concerns, and that public confidence in government to tackle these problems remains low.  Also, 47% of residents feel the state is heading in the right direction, which is up from 39% last year.

Lafourche Parish Sheriff Deputies arrested a Cut Off man accused of stealing thousands from a youth baseball league.  40-year-old Blaine Curole was the president of the league from 2015 until 2017.  Lt. Brennan Matherne says when Curole turned over financial records to the league’s board, there were discrepancies…

Cut 12 (12) “…the intended use.”
Matherne says the investigation continues and more charges could be coming for Curole.

The state needs new voting machines and a big election is coming up as we’ll vote on statewide offices and who will represent us at the State Capitol. Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin says he expects later this year they will re-do the bid process as they attempt to legally find a vendor that can supply the state with new voting machines. He says interested vendors will have the opportunity to present what they can offer…

Cut 11 (11)   “to offer”

A fatal wreck in 2017 that killed a four-year-old girl is inspiring a Bossier City legislator to change state law so that even drug tests are required for drivers involved in auto and boating accidents that result in serious injury.  The current law only mandates toxicology tests in fatal wrecks. Representative Raymond Crews says because the child died a week after the accident, toxicology tests were not performed on the driver at fault.

Cut 4 (10) “…a serious accident.”

The state needs new voting machines and a big election is coming up as we’ll vote on statewide offices and who will represent us at the State Capitol. Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin told the House Appropriations Committee today that about two-million dollars will be spent to rent voting machines…

Cut 9 (11) “…fall election”

CenturyLink will keep it’s corporate headquarters in Monroe through 2025. The company, which employs over 2,200 workers in the state at a payroll of 200 million dollars, announced the agreement with Governor Edwards earlier today. As part of the deal, Economic Development Secretary Don Pierson says the state also agreed to invest two million dollars in education grants to enhance the STEM and IT curriculum.
Cut 8 (10) “…companies”

Lafourche Parish Sheriff deputies arrested a Cut Off man accused of stealing thousands from a youth baseball league.  40-year-old Blaine Curole was the president of the league from 2015 until 2017.  Lt. Brennan Matherne says in addition to the board’s findings of financial discrepancies, investigators found even more.

Cut 13 (10) “…for the league.”

Matherne says the investigation continues and more charges could be coming for Curole.

A 2017 wreck that left a four-year-old girl dead is inspiring legislation for the upcoming session.  Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 1 (31) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

____________________________

 A global tech giant will keep it’s headquarters in Monroe through 2025. Matt Doyle has more.

Cut 2 (31) “I’m Matt Doyle”  

_____________________________________________

A fatal wreck in 2017 that killed a four-year-old girl is inspiring a Bossier City legislator to change state law law so that even drug tests are required for drivers involved in auto and boating accidents that result in serious injury.  The current law only mandates toxicology tests in fatal wrecks. Representative Raymond Crews.

Cut 3 (13) “…toxicology was performed.”

Crews says because the 4-year-old child died a week after the accident, toxicology tests were not performed on the driver at fault.

Cut 4 (10) “…a serious accident.”

Crews says the mother of the child plans to testify when the bill is heard during the legislative session that begins April 8th

Cut 5 (08) “…like this again.”

____________________

CenturyLink will keep it’s corporate headquarters in Monroe through 2025. The company, which employs over 2,200 workers in the state at a payroll of 200 million dollars, announced the agreement with Governor Edwards earlier today. Economic Development Secretary Don Pierson says keeping CenturyLink in Monroe is vital for the state’s tech economy.

Cut 6 (11) “…importance”

CenturyLink is the second largest US communications provider to global enterprise customers.

Pierson says the deal was secured through an incentive package, and a commitment to continue building the worker pipeline that feeds the workforce needs of big tech companies.

Cut 7 (11) “…community”

The incentive package includes a performance based grant based on the CenturyLink’s payroll performance.

As part of the deal, Pierson says the state also agreed to invest two million dollars in education grants to enhance the STEM and IT curriculum.

Cut 8 (10) “…companies”

_____________________

The state needs new voting machines and a big election is coming up as we’ll vote on statewide offices and who will represent us at the State Capitol. Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin told the House Appropriations Committee today that about two-million dollars will be spent to rent voting machines…

Cut 9 (11) “…fall election”

Ardoin’s office attempted to buy new voting machines last year, but the process was halted over allegations the bidding process was rigged. The Secretary of State says they will rent voting machines for early voting and use spare parts to make sure the decades-old voting booths work properly on election day…

Cut 10 (11)“…fall election”

Ardoin expects later this year they will re-do the bid process as they attempt to legally find a vendor that can supply the state with new voting machines. He says interested vendors will have the opportunity to present what they can offer…

Cut 11 (11)   “to offer”

_____________________________________

Lafourche Parish Sheriff deputies arrested a Cut Off man accused of stealing thousands from a youth baseball league.  40-year-old Blaine Curole was the president of the league from 2015 until 2017.  Lt. Brennan Matherne says when Curole turned over financial records to the league’s board, there were discrepancies…

Cut 12 (12) “…the intended use.”

The board met with Curole in January 2018 to disclose their findings.  Curole admitted to using the funds for personal use and requested additional time to pay the money back, but that didn’t happen. Matherne says in addition to the board’s findings, investigators found even more discrepancies.

Cut 13 (10) “…for the league.”

Matherne says the investigation continues and more charges could be coming for Curole.

Cut 14 (10) “…of $10,000”