The House Health and Welfare committee heard hours of testimony on a statewide smoking ban that would include casinos and bars. The bill by Opelousas Democrat Dustin Miller was voluntarily yanked, so he can work on the language of the measure. If passed it would virtually ban smoking in just about every public building in the state. Wade Duty represents casinos.

Cut 11 (:09) “the water”
Reagan Carter is a member of the Louisiana Public Health coalition who supports the bill.

Cut 14 (11) “step outside”
Miller says he will bring the bill back in two weeks.

Winn Parish Sheriff’s deputies were met with gun fire when they were trying to serve a civil warrant in the small community of the Chee Chee Dam area yesterday afternoon. 71-year-old Betty Lemoine was killed by deputies who had just driven up to their home. State Police is also investigating, Trooper Scott Moreau.

Cut 3 (:13) “With fire arms”
Moreau say her son 50 year old Kendall Lemoine was the target of the civil arrest warrant, he was seriously injured as well.

A stand-off in the Caddo (Kay-Dough) Heights neighborhood resulted in the death of a woman and the injury of a Shreveport police officer today. About 35 police units arrived in the area at around 11 this morning. An altercation followed led to gun fire. According to media reports, a shooting suspect, 36 year old Jonathan Robinson is in custody. The officer was shot in the arm and his injury was not life threatening.

US Senator John Kennedy says he’s seriously considering a run for governor next year. Michael Farrar spoke with pollster Bernie Pinsonat…

Cut 2 (29) “I’m Michael Farrar”

The legislative session is one month into it and lawmakers are nowhere close to passing any meaningful legislation. Political observers say the milk-toast session has had very little highlights so far. Jeremy Alford is the publisher of LaPolitics.com…

Cut 4  (11) “significance yet” 

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A Tulane study finds grade school students can benefit from yoga classes to help them manage stress and anxiety. Principal author Alessandra Bazzano (Ba-zon-no) says P.E. time has been reduced at schools nationwide, the study showed that students, no matter what age, need to be allowed other activities that take them out of the classroom…

Cut 12 (07) “it is.”

The Revenue Estimating Conference met this morning to give an update on how big the revenue shortfall is for next fiscal year. Previous estimates put the deficit around a billion dollars, but this morning the r-e-c adopted a revised forecast, adding 345.9 Million to next years budget.
This shrinks the official budget gap from 994 million to 648 million.

The legislative session is one month into it and lawmakers are nowhere close to passing any meaningful legislation. Political observers say the milk-toast session has had very little highlights so far. Jeremy Alford is the publisher of LaPolitics.com…

So will see any significant legislation pass in the regular session? Alford says the bills that will create new forms of gambling and loosen restrictions on the riverboat casinos are the most interesting to watch…

Cut 6 (09) “the 1990′s..”

No exact date has been suggested as to when the session should end.

Speculation continues over who will run against Governor John Bel Edwards as we are 18 months out from the primary. Two Republicans have come to the forefront, U.S. Senator John Kennedy and U.S. Representive Ralph Abraham. Both say they are exploring the idea of running. Pinsonat says in order for the Republican Party to solidify their stance in the Governor’s race, Kennedy needs to make his intentions known soon…

Cut 9 (12)  “a decision.”

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A Tulane study finds grade school students can benefit from yoga classes to help them manage stress and anxiety. Principal author Alessandra Bazzano (Ba-zon-no) says the New Orleans based third grade class was picked for the study since it is a crucial time of transition for them when academic expectations increase…

Bazzano says more schools are participating in yoga sessions and their research finds it can improve a child’s well-being and emotional health…

Cut 13 (10)  “yoga”

The state ethics board has cleared four louisiana state troopers who took an all-expense paid trip to Las Vegas while on their way to a police conference in California. The ethic’s board concluded Former head of state police Mike Edmonson instructed the men to stay at the pricy resorts in route to the convention.

A Tulane University study shows that grade school students can benefit from yoga classes to help them manage stress and anxiety. Kelley Ray has more…

Cut 3 (30) “I’m Kelley Ray.”

The legislative session is one month into it and lawmakers are nowhere close to passing any meaningful legislation. Political observers say the milk-toast session has had very little highlights so far. Jeremy Alford is the publisher of LaPolitics.com…

Alford says the main goal at this point is still to wrap up the regular session early, so they can immediately return in a special session to deal with the budget. But he says there doesn’t seem to be much urgency…

Cut 5  (10)  “fiscal session.”

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Speculation continues over who will run against Governor John Bel Edwards as we are 18 months out from the primary. Two Republicans have come to the forefront, U.S. Senator John Kennedy and U.S. Representive Ralph Abraham. Both say they are exploring the idea of running.

Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says based on what Kennedy has said in the last few months, indicates to him Kennedy will make a run for the Governor’s Mansion…

Cut 8 (10)  “gonna run.”

The Revenue Estimating Conference meets this morning to give an update on how big the revenue shortfall is for next fiscal year. Previous estimates put the deficit around a billion dollars, but Governor John Bel Edwards says it’s likely the R-E-C will recognize an additional 300-million dollars in revenues, because the state is collecting more income taxes as result of the federal tax overhaul…

Edwards says even if the shortfall is reduced to 700-million dollars, a special session is needed to pass a tax plan to fund critical priorities…

Cut 15 (08) “another cut”

US Senator John Kennedy says he’s seriously considering a run for governor next year. Michael Farrar spoke with pollster Bernie Pinsonat…

Cut 2 (29) “I’m Michael Farrar”

The legislative session is one month into it and lawmakers are nowhere close to passing any meaningful legislation. Political observers say the milk-toast session has had very little highlights so far. Jeremy Alford is the publisher of LaPolitics.com…

Cut 4  (11) “significance yet” 

=========================================—————————

A Tulane study finds grade school students can benefit from yoga classes to help them manage stress and anxiety. Principal author Alessandra Bazzano (Ba-zon-no) says P.E. time has been reduced at schools nationwide, the study showed that students, no matter what age, need to be allowed other activities that take them out of the classroom…

Cut 12 (07) “it is.”

The Revenue Estimating Conference meets this morning to give an update on how big the revenue shortfall is for next fiscal year. Previous estimates put the deficit around a billion dollars, but Governor John Bel Edwards says it’s likely the R-E-C will recognize an additional 300-million dollars in revenues, because the state is collecting more income taxes as result of the federal tax overhaul…

Cut 14 (09) “to solve”

Are lawmakers on track to end the regular session early so they can address the fiscal cliff in a special session? Jeff Palermo spoke with a capitol observer…

Cut 1 (28) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Speculation continues over who will run against Governor John Bel Edwards as we are 18 months out from the primary. Two Republicans have come to the forefront, U.S. Senator John Kennedy and U.S. Representative Ralph Abraham. Both say they are exploring the idea of running. Kennedy was asked about it Wednesday…

Cut 7 (12)  “more money.”

=============================——————————–

A Tulane study finds grade school students can benefit from yoga classes to help them manage stress and anxiety. Principal author Alessandra Bazzano (Ba-zon-no) says the New Orleans based third grade class was picked for the study since it is a crucial time of transition for them when academic expectations increase…

Cut 11 (11) “those tests”

The state ethics board has cleared four louisiana state troopers who took an all-expense paid trip to Las Vegas while on their way to a police conference in California. The ethic’s board concluded Former head of state police Mike Edmonson instructed the men to stay at the pricy resorts in route to the convention.

Are lawmakers on track to end the regular session early so they can address the fiscal cliff in a special session? Jeff Palermo spoke with a capitol observer…

Cut 1 (28) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

______________________________________

US Senator John Kennedy says he’s seriously considering a run for governor next year. Michael Farrar spoke with pollster Bernie Pinsonat…

Cut 2 (29) “I’m Michael Farrar”

_______________________________________

A Tulane University study shows that grade school students can benefit from yoga classes to help them manage stress and anxiety. Kelley Ray has more…

Cut 3 (30) “I’m Kelley Ray.”

____________________________________________

The legislative session is one month into it and lawmakers are nowhere close to passing any meaningful legislation. Political observers say the milk-toast session has had very little highlights so far. Jeremy Alford is the publisher of LaPolitics.com…

Cut 4  (11) “significance yet” 

Alford says the main goal at this point is still to wrap up the regular session early, so they can immediately return in a special session to deal with the budget. But he says there doesn’t seem to be much urgency…

Cut 5  (10)  “fiscal session.”

So will see any significant legislation pass in the regular session? Alford says the bills that will create new forms of gambling and loosen restrictions on the riverboat casinos are the most interesting to watch…

Cut 6 (09) “the 1990′s..”

No exact date has been suggested as to when the session should end.

_________________________________________________

Speculation continues over who will run against Governor John Bel Edwards as we are 18 months out from the primary. Two Republicans have come to the forefront, U.S. Senator John Kennedy and U.S. Senator Ralph Abraham. Both say they are exploring the idea of running. Kennedy was asked about it Wednesday…

Cut 7 (12)  “more money.”

Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says based on what Kennedy has said in the last few months, indicates to him Kennedy will make a run for the Governor’s Mansion…

Cut 8 (10)  “gonna run.”

Pinsonat says in order for the Republican Party to solidify their stance in the Governor’s race, Kennedy needs to make his intentions known soon…

Cut 9 (12)  “a decision.”

Abraham has also been critical of Edwards and seems poised to start a campaign. But Pinsonat says if Kennedy decides to run, he’ll be the main GOP challenger…

Cut 10 (09) “raise money.”

_________________________________________________________

A Tulane study finds grade school students can benefit from yoga classes to help them manage stress and anxiety. Principal author Alessandra Bazzano (Ba-zon-no) says the New Orleans based third grade class was picked for the study since it is a crucial time of transition for them when academic expectations increase…

Cut 11 (11) “those tests”

Bazzano says P.E. time has been reduced at schools nationwide, the study showed that students, no matter what age, need to be allowed other activities that take them out of the classroom…

Cut 12 (07) “it is.”

Bazzano says more schools are participating in yoga sessions and their research finds it can improve a child’s well-being and emotional health…

Cut 13 (10)  “yoga”

The announcement of House Speaker Paul Ryan’s decision not to seek re-election has sparked debate over who might be the next Speaker. Political analyst Clancy DuBos says Congressman Steve Scalise has as good a chance as anyone and that Louisiana would greatly benefit if he is House Speaker…

Cut 5  (10) “house speaker”

Scalise told the Associated Press that now is not the time for people to talk about what titles they want.

Senator John Kennedy wants to hold Facebook and it’s CEO Mark Zuckerberg accountable for any breach in privacy. He is testifying before House Energy and Commerce Committee about a data breach by a data firm with ties to President Trump’s campaign.   Kennedy says any trust that those 87-million users placed in Facebook is gone…

Cut 6 (12)  “western hemisphere.”

The House Criminal Justice Committee voted down a bill seeking to end the death penalty in Louisiana. Bossier City Representative Raymond Crews says there needs to be severe consequences for first-degree murder and raping children under the age of 13….

Cut 13 (10) “be expected”

The House Criminal Justice Committee approves legislation on a 10 to 4 vote that would allow fantasy sports players in Louisiana to collect winnings if they win contests hosted by third party groups like Fan Duel and Draft Kings. If the bill is approved, Louisiana could tax businesses that organize fantasy sports contests. And the bill’s author, Kirk Talbot gave fellow Representative Barbara Norton advice, if she decides to draft a fantasy sports team….

Cut 10 (12) “you get”

Senator John Kennedy wants to hold Facebook and it’s CEO Mark Zuckerberg accountable for any breach in privacy. He is testifying before the House Energy and Commerce Committee about a data breach affecting as many as 87-million Facebook users. Kennedy says any trust that users placed in Facebook is no more…

Cut 6 (12)  “western hemisphere.”

The House Criminal Justice Committee approves legislation that would allow fantasy sports players in Louisiana to collect winnings if they win contests hosted by third party groups The bill’s author, Kirk Talbot gave fellow Representative Barbara Norton advice, if she decides to draft a fantasy sports team….

Cut 10 (12) “you get”

In Washington House Speaker Paul Ryan’s announcement that he will not seek re-election has sparked debate over who will run. Jim Shannon has more.

Cut 1 (31) “I’m Jim Shannon”

The number of eligible graduates in Louisiana achieving TOPS reaches an all-time high.    Kelley Ray has more.

Cut 2 (31) “I’m Kelley Ray.”

In Washington the announcement of House Speaker Paul Ryan’s, R-Wisconsin, decision not to seek re-election has sparked debate over who might be the next Speaker. New Orleans area representative Steve Scalise’s name has popped up for consideration. Political analyst Clancy DuBos says if it were up to President Trump, Salise would have the job.

Cut 4 (10) “will decide.”

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Governor John Bel Edwards and state Health Secretary Dr. Rebekah Gee unveiled a report on the economic impact of Medicaid expansion. Edwards says according to the LSU report, Louisiana is saving 317-million dollars in state money and providing medical care to those who can’t afford it…

Governor Edwards says many who have recently diagnosed with cancer, are able to receive medical care with expansion…

Cut 9 (10)  “too late.”

A bill by New Orleans Senator Troy Carter to ban the sale of assault rifles to people under 21 was killed on the Senate floor. The 9 to 26 vote ends that anti-gun legislation for the rest of the session. Baton Rouge area Senator Bodie White says the bill is not strong enough to stop the bad guys.

Cut 16 (:08) the theatre.”