With the Louisiana Radio Network Legislative Report, I’m Matt Doyle.

The regular session continued big committee hearings in both chambers, But the big news was Louisiana Secretary of State Tom Schedler’s press conference addressing a scandal involving one of his former employees.

Schedler spoke publicly for the first about the incident that came to light three weeks ago after his former secretary filed a lawsuit claiming he made unwanted advances to her and even sent her a sex tape.

Schedler denied any wrongdoing and says he will fight the allegations…

Cut 13 (08)  “arrest someone.”

There were bipartisan calls for his resignation. Schedler assures the public that the truth will eventually come out after litigation.

Cut 14 (07) “gossip columns.”

The Republican says this is not a good time to leave. Schedler says while he will remain in office, he will not seek reelection in 2019.

Schedler admits to having an affair, but denies ever stalking or harassing.

As the legislature haggles over building a budget that includes a billion dollars of cuts, private companies who work with the state are ringing alarm bells about the effect of potential budget cuts.

Private health care providers warn the consequences would be dire. If the Department of Health sustains the kinds of cuts being discussed, public-private facilities would be on the chopping block. Our Lady of the Lake President Scott Wester says those cuts would mean the end of their partnership with the state, LSU, and LDH.

Cut 10 (07) “our agreement.”

Wester says that would end care for tens of thousands of patients with a variety of health issues.

Cut 11 (11) “Baton Rouge”

Wester says the cuts also eliminate OL’s residency program, which hosts hundreds of LSU Medical students

Zachary Police Chief David McDavid says judges should be more careful about reducing bonds on known criminals. Jim Shannon has more.

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Jim Shannon.”

Thousands of Louisiana students walked out of class today in solidarity with a national youth movement protesting gun violence and gun laws. NET Charter School students were led in a chant calling for an end to shootings of all kinds.

Cut 12 (08) “in peace.”

Drew Brees is back in Black and Gold after agreeing to a two year, 50 million dollar contract one day before the start of free agency. There’s no denying he signed far below his market value after watching journeymen QBs and unproven gunslingers sign more lucrative contracts. Brees says he wanted to make sure the team had the flexibility to make a Super Bowl run.

Cut 10 (10) “more guys.”

An Opelousas woman is in jail after allegedly killing her uncle because of his “constant chattering.”  St. Landry Sheriff Bobby Guidroz says 49-year-old Melissa Ann Credeur (Cra-ter) initially accused, John Ray Gautreaux, of raping her while she slept. Guidroz says she admitted to some mental issues, which may have led to this murder…

Cut 5  (10) “our conversation.”.

An Opelousas woman is in jail after allegedly killing her uncle because of his “constant chattering.”  St. Landry Sheriff Bobby Guidroz says 49-year-old Melissa Ann Credeur (Cra-ter) initially accused, John Ray Gautreaux, of raping her while she slept. Guidroz says Creduer admitted killing him after she failed a test for rape at a hospital. Guidroz says she used a anything at hand in attacking Gautreaux…

Cut 4  (09) “the body.”

Zachary Police Chief David McDavid is still angry about one of his officers being killed in the line of duty this week. Three months ago he was on local television calling out the suspect, 33 year old Albert Franklin. McDavid knew then that Franklin was dangerous and is appalled that District Court Judge Trudy White reduced Franklin’s last bond.

Cut 7 (07)  “it happened.”

Drew Brees will continue with the Black and Gold after agreeing to a two year, 50 million dollar contract one day before the start of free agency. The New Orleans legend will remain with a team that was one play away from the NFC championship and loaded with young talent. Brees says he always planned on returning, but last season’s success made the decision that much easier.

Cut 9 (08) “the future.”

He is guaranteed 27-million-dollars and can opt out after the 2018 seasons if he chooses.

Interest is growing in the legislature for a constitutional convention. Matt Doyle reports,

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle.”

If the legislature decides to cut its way through the billion dollar budget gap, private health care providers warn the consequences would be dire. If the Department of Health sustains the kinds of cuts being discussed, public-private facilities would be on the chopping block. Our Lady of the Lake President Scott Wester says those cuts would mean the end of their partnership with the state, LSU, and LDH.

Cut 10 (07) “our agreement.”
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Livingston Sheriff Jason Ard  says 43-year-old Ricardo Diaz shot and killed 31-year-old Lydia Johnson in Walker, then led police on a chase to the Mississippi River Bridge and jumped. Both left behind seven children. Ard says sadly this case ended in tragedy even with a protective order in place, but it normally gives police an extra layer of defense…

Cut 13 (08) “arrest someone.”
The Ragin Cajuns basketball team seems ready for tonight’s 6 PM N-I-T match-up between UL-Lafayette and LSU. Cajuns coach Bob Marlin says it’s great to play in Baton Rouge, but he believes they should have been seeded higher than LSU and the home team…

Cut 7 (11) “32 teams.”

House and Senate committees are meeting today to discuss legislation that if adopted would trigger a constitutional convention. Much of the interest is due to the state’s current budgetary law that restricts cuts to only higher ed and health care when faced with a budget deficit. Senator Troy Carter says a constitutional convention would likely take at least a year to complete, which wouldn’t do anything to solve the impending fiscal cliff, but the New Orleans Democrat says it could lead to a more reasonable budgetary process in the future.

Cut 6 (07) “the brunt.”

Representatives Neil Abrahamson, Frank Foil, and Barry Ivey, as well as Senator Page Cortez have also introduced legislation to trigger a convention.
The Ragin Cajuns basketball team seems ready for tonight’s 6 PM N-I-T match-up between UL-Lafayette and LSU. Cajuns coach Bob Marlin says it’s great to play in Baton Rouge, but he believes they should have been seeded higher than LSU and the home team…
This will be the 47th meeting on the hardwood between the two south Louisiana schools, but it’s the first time they’ve played each other since 2009. Marlin says it’s sad that it took a NIT committee to finally pit UL-Lafayette against the Tigers…

Cut 9 (12) “be honest.”
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If the legislature decides to cut its way through the billion dollar budget gap, private health care providers warn the consequences would be dire. If the Department of Health sustains the kinds of cuts being discussed, public-private facilities would be on the chopping block. Our Lady of the Lake President Scott Wester says those cuts would mean the end of their partnership with the state, LSU, and LDH.
Our Lady of the Lake has a robust residency program that allows hundreds of aspiring doctors get the experience necessary to complete their education. Wester says if the cuts go through, hundreds of LSU students would lose that opportunity.

Cut 12 (12) “it self”

Wester says the cuts would also damage rural hospitals and nursing homes.
Livingston Parish Sheriff Jason Ard says 43-year-old Ricardo Diaz shot and killed 31-year-old Lydia Johnson in Walker, then led police on a chase to the Mississippi River Bridge and jumped. Both left behind seven children. Ard says sadly this case ended in tragedy even with a protective order in place, but it normally gives police an extra layer of defense…

Cut 13 (08) “arrest someone.”

For the first time since 2009, the LSU Tigers will take on the UL Lafayette Ragin Cajuns. Kelley Ray has a look at the upcoming first round NIT matchup…

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Kelley Ray.”

House and Senate committees are meeting today to discuss legislation that if adopted would trigger a constitutional convention. Much of the interest is due to the state’s current budgetary law that restricts cuts to only higher ed and health care when faced with a budget deficit. Senator Troy Carter says the world has changed substantially since Louisiana’s last constitutional convention in 1974. He says the state needs to adapt to new economic realities.

Cut 5 (08) “any more”
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If the legislature decides to cut its way through the billion dollar budget gap, private health care providers warn the consequences would be dire. If the Department of Health sustains the kinds of cuts being discussed, public-private facilities would be on the chopping block. Our Lady of the Lake President Scott Wester says that would end care for tens of thousands of patients with a variety of health issues.

Cut 11 (11) “Baton Rouge”

Livingson Parish Sheriff Jason Ard says 43-year-old Ricardo Diaz shot and killed 31-year-old Lydia Johnson in Walker, then led police on a chase to the Mississippi River Bridge and jumped. Both left behind seven children.

Ard encourages anyone in an abusive relationship to work closely with them in putting measures in place to help prevent tragedies such as what occurred this week…

Cut 15 (09) “be done.”

Health care providers are spelling out exactly what would happen if the legislature cuts its way to a balanced budget. Jeff Palermo has more.

Cut 3 (31) “I’m Jeff Palermo.”

House and Senate committees are meeting today to discuss legislation that if adopted would trigger a constitutional convention. Much of the interest is due to the state’s current budgetary law that restricts cuts to only higher ed and health care when faced with a budget deficit. Senator Troy Carter, who has proposed his own bill to tackle the issue, says it’s time to bring our government into 2018.

Cut 4 (07) “21st century”
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Authorities say 43-year-old Ricardo Diaz shot and killed 31-year-old Lydia Johnson in Walker, then led police on a chase to the Mississippi River Bridge and jumped. Both left behind seven children. Livingston Parish Sheriff Jason Ard says there are times even when a restraining order is in place, the victim becomes too scared to notify police if the person they are trying to avoid continues to harass them…

Cut 14 (07) “restraining order.”

The Ragin Cajuns basketball team seems ready for tonight’s 6 PM N-I-T match-up between UL-Lafayette and LSU.

This will be the 47th meeting on the hardwood between the two south Louisiana schools, but it’s the first time they’ve played each other since 2009. Cajuns coach Bob Marlin says he’s tried to schedule LSU more often and even tried to get the Louisiana Association of Basketball Coaches involved…

Cut 8 (11) “that either.”

Interest is growing in the legislature for a constitutional convention. Matt Doyle reports,

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle.”

If the legislature decides to cut its way through the billion dollar budget gap, private health care providers warn the consequences would be dire. If the Department of Health sustains the kinds of cuts being discussed, public-private facilities would be on the chopping block. Our Lady of the Lake President Scott Wester says those cuts would mean the end of their partnership with the state, LSU, and LDH.

Cut 10 (07) “our agreement.”
==————————————-
Livingston Sheriff Jason Ard urges persons in an abusive relationship to have a restraining protection order in place. Authorities say 43-year-old Ricardo Diaz shot and killed 31-year-old Lydia Johnson in Walker, then led police on a chase to the Mississippi River Bridge and jumped. Both left behind seven children. Ard says sadly this case ended in tragedy even with a protective order in place, but it normally gives police an extra layer of defense…

Cut 13 (08) “arrest someone.”
The Ragin Cajuns basketball team seems ready for tonight’s 6 PM N-I-T match-up between UL-Lafayette and LSU. Cajuns coach Bob Marlin says it’s great to play in Baton Rouge, but he believes they should have been seeded higher than LSU and the home team…

Cut 7 (11) “32 teams.”

Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne is warning that lawmakers will not be able to cut their way to a balanced budget for next fiscal year. He reiterated the governor’s call to wrap up the regular session in early May, so that a special session that addresses revenue can be called to tackle the fiscal cliff. He says he’s already seeing the effects of the legislature’s inability to find a budget deal

Cut 16  (12)  “to them”

Residents of the small town of St. Joseph in Tensas parish are soaked with joy over a new water system that goes on-line today. Governor John Bel Edwards is in St. Joseph to celebrate. Shauna Sanford is the Governor’s communications director.

Cut 3 (11) “something about.”

Star quarterback Drew Brees has agreed to a 50-million-dollar two-year-deal with the saints. A reported 27-million-dollars is guaranteed. After just coming up short in making it to the NFC Championship Game, Saints analyst and former running back Deuce McAlister says Brees feels like the team still has a chance of making it to the Super Bowl

Cut 10 (10) “more guys.”

Reserve Zachary Police Officer 41-year-old Christopher Lawton was killed after two suspects allegedly ran over him in a Wal Mart parking lot in Baker. East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff Sid Gautreaux says Lawton was trying to make an arrest when the suspects fled the scene.

Cut 11 (10) “the scene.”

Lawton was attempting to arrest 33-year-old Albert Franklin

Reserve Zachary Police Officer 41-year-old Christopher Lawton was killed after two suspects allegedly ran over him in a Wal Mart parking lot in Baker. East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff Sid Gautreaux says Lawton was attempting to arrest 33-year-old Albert Franklin on active felony warrants.  30-year-old Ashley Chaney was also in the U-Haul when they fled the scene…

Cut 11 (10) “the scene.”

Louisiana State Police say a 12-year-old shot and killed his seven-year-old brother in Lake Providence Monday. The seven-year-old was pronounced dead at the scene. Six children were at home at the time of the shooting while their mother was at work. Trooper Michael Reichardt says it’s an active and on-going investigation…

Cut 7 (08)  “that’s pending.”

Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne is warning that lawmakers will not be able to cut their way to a balanced budget for next fiscal year. He testified in front of the House Appropriations Committee today and reiterated the governor’s call to wrap up the regular session in early May, so that a special session that addresses revenue can be called to tackle the fiscal cliff. Dardenne has a challenge for lawmakers who disagree.

Cut 14 (07) “the budget.”

Residents of the small town of St. Joseph in Tensas parish are soaked with joy over a new water system that goes on-line today. The town had been under a perpetual public health emergency declaration because of their old system. Those days are now gone according to Governor’s communication director Shauna Sanford.

Cut 5  (12) “the community.” 

The Governor was on hand for the ribbon cutting. The 8-million dollar project was funded by the state.