Partisan politics are complicating state budget talks while the one billion dollar shortfall gets closer.  Chairman of the House Republican Legislative Caucus, Lance Harris, blames Governor Edwards for poor negotiating tactics….

Cut 13 (10) “what happened?”

But the governor blames the House Speaker for abandoning his own plan that was on the table.

A state Department of children and Family Services report says there was a 77-percent increase in the number of juvenile human trafficking victims. 72 of juvenile victims were 12 or younger, which is a 260-percent increase from 2016. Walter Fahr with Child Protective Services says these young victims are easily coerced back to the trafficking lifestyle…
cut 10 (09) “….the juveniles”
Fahr says they need more oganization to help get these children out of the trafficking lifestyle.

Gus Mijalis (Muh-Jail-Us), a well known businessman of Shreveport has died.  His family owned the Farmer’s seafood company that began 100 years ago.   He was beloved by former Louisiana Governor Edwin Edwards who says during his four terms as Louisiana’s governor he met plenty of friends. But few were like Mijalis (Muh-Jail-Us).

Cut 8 (10) “we were very close”

A memorial service is scheduled for Monday and Edwards says he will attend.

A 55 hundred dollar reward could be yours if you have information about who killed 2 black bears in St Mary parish.  L-D-W-F spokesman Adam Einck says they think the same suspects may be involved in both bear killings.

Cut 4  (09) “any information.”

Call 800-442-2511 or the dial Tip 411 app on smartphones .

Gus Mijalis, a Shreveport businessman and noted close friend of former Gov. Edwin Edwards, has died. Jim Shannon talked to Edwards about his longtime friend.

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Jim Shannon”

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Frustrations are high and time is short for lawmakers trying to solve the fiscal cliff. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”.

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The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Enforcement agents are offering a 55-hundred-dollar reward for information about who killed two black bears in St. Mary Parish in the Atchafalaya Basin. It is believed they were killed between February 2^nd and 4^th. LDWF spokesman Adam Einck says both bears were discovered in a fairly remote area…

Cut 3 (09) “from there.”

The Humane Society of the United States, the Acadiana Chapter of Safari Club International and The Safari Club International Foundation are assisting in offering the reward. After an initial investigation, Einck says they believe they are looking for the same suspects in both killings…

Cut 4  (09) “any information.” 

Einck says the Louisiana black bear is protected after nearing extinction and was considered a “threatened species” between 1992 and 2016. Einck says sadly the bears were shot and killed and there’s no evidence as to why…

Cut 5  (05)  “under investigation.”

Anyone with information can call 800-442-2511 or the Tip 411 app on smartphones.

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Gus Mijalis, a Shreveport businessman and noted close friend of former Gov. Edwin Edwards, has died. Mijalis family owned the Farmers Seafood Company which opened in 1918. Former Governor Edwin Edwards remembers Mijalis in an adversarial position when they first met. But things quickly changed.

Cut 6 (10)  “ever since”

Edwards says he never shied away from Mijalis even when Gus was in trouble.

Cut 7 (07)  “a lot of friends”

Edwards says during his four terms as Louisiana’s governor he met plenty of friends. But few like Mijalis.

Cut 8 (10) “we were very close”

A memorial service is scheduled for Monday and he says he will attend.

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A state Department of Children and Family Services report finds there has been a 77-percent increase in the amount of juvenile human trafficking victims aged 12 or less. Juveniles account for over 52-percent of the 681 identified victims in 2017.   Author of the report Walter Fahr says part of the increase has to do with better identification methods…

Cut 9 (07) “reporting this.”

The report found that 72 of human trafficking victims identified in 2017 are 12 and younger, an astounding 260-percent increase over 2016. Fahr says they are vulnerable and easily coerced back to the trafficking lifestyle…

Cut 10 (09) “the juveniles.”

Once a victim is identified, Fahr says they need more organizations to provide services that will help them get these youth away from their trafficker…

Cut 11 (09) “related issues.”

For juveniles, Caddo and Orleans Parishes were the most identified as the parishes of origin, while East Baton Rouge Parish was the most mentioned for adult victims.

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The special session is on the verge of collapsing without a tax plan that addresses a looming one billion dollar shortfall. The House has failed to get behind a proposal to raise revenues to replace expiring sales taxes. Republican Barry Ivey of Baton Rouge says GOP legislators are not willing to work with a Democratic governor…

Cut 12 (05) “tax reform”

Chairman of the House Republican Legislative Caucus, Lance Harris, blames the governor for poor negotiating tactics….

Cut 13 (10) “what happened”

A sales tax bill that would have generated 300-million dollars annually was overwhelmingly defeated. After the vote, the governor issued a statement that said he was in disbelief the speaker abandoned the plan that he put on the table and ended the day in such a chaotic fashion. Edwards says some lawmakers are unwilling to negotiate…

Cut 14 (10) “move forward”

Tax negotiations continue today. The special session must end Wednesday.

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The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Enforcement agents are offering a 55-hundred-dollar reward for information about who killed two black bears in St. Mary Parish in the Atchafalaya Basin. It is believed they were killed between February 2^nd and 4^th. LDWF spokesman Adam Einck says.

After an initial investigation, Einck says they believe they are looking for the same suspects in both killings…

Cut 4  (09) “any information.” 

The Humane Society of the United States, the Acadiana Chapter of Safari Club International and The Safari Club International Foundation are assisting in offering the reward.

Gus Mijalis, a Shreveport businessman and noted close friend of former Gov. Edwin Edwards, has died. Mijalis family owned the Farmers seafood company which opened in 1918. Former Governor Edwin Edwards says he never shied away from Mijalis even when Gus was in trouble.

Cut 7 (07)  “a lot of friends”

A memorial service is scheduled for Monday and he says he will attend.

A sales tax bill that would have generated 300-million dollars annually was overwhelmingly defeated. After the vote, the governor issued a statement that said he was in disbelief the speaker abandoned the plan that he put on the table and ended the day in such a chaotic fashion. Edwards says some lawmakers are unwilling to negotiate

Cut 14 (10) “move forward”

Tax negotiations continue today. The special session must end Wednesday.

A State Department of Children and Family Service report finds there has been a 77-percent increase in the amount of juvenile human trafficking victims aged 12 or less. Juveniles account for over 52-percent of the 681 identified victims in 2017.   Author of the report Walter Fahr says part of the increase has to do with better identification methods by service providers…

Cut 9 (07) “reporting this.”

A Mason-Dixon Poll finds voters are satisfied with the job Governor Edwards is doing, but it doesn’t mean he will be re-elected in 2019. Jeff Palermo has more…

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

The special session called to address a looming one-billion budget shortfall is on the verge of getting nothing accomplished. The House overwhelming rejected a sales tax bill that would have generated an additional 300-million in revenues.

Representative James Armes says he has an idea.

Cut 12 (13) “large sales tax rates.”

State Senator Troy Carter has filed a bill for the regular session that raises the age to purchase an assault rifle from 18 to 21. Carter says this is in response to the Florida school shooting which killed 17. The New Orleans Democrat says he believes in the Second Amendment rights, but…

Cut 14 (11) “that matter.”

LSU’s new hazing policy calls for expulsions from campus for those who haze another student. Division of Student Affairs Kurt Keppler says System President F King Alexander did not want to leave a gray area where hazing is concerned and students found guilty of doing so will be banned from campus…

Cut 7 (05)  “a thing.”

A Mason Dixon Polling and Strategy poll finds that Democrat Governor John Bel Edwards has a 55 percent approval rating. 31 percent disapprove and 14 percent answered they were unsure. Pollster Brad Coker says the high approval rating doesn’t give him a pass for 2019, especially if his opponents are either House Majority Whip Steve Scalise or Republican Senator John Kennedy. But…

North Louisiana U.S. Congressman Republican Ralph Abraham has been pondering a run… Coker says his current poll finds Abraham would not do well going head-to-head with Edwards…

Cut 6 (07)  “the state.”

LSU’s new hazing policy says fraternities will no longer be able to tailgate before home football games on the parade grounds, which they hope will eliminate fighting and other accusations of hazing that previously occurred…

Cut 9 (12)  “one knows.”

President F. King Alexander says the timeline to implement these recommendations is between now and the fall.

The House overwhelming rejected a sales tax bill that would have generated an additional 300-million in revenues.

The special session must end March 7th and it looks like there’s very little chance anything of substance can come out of this special session. There’s been some accusations that legislators were not willing to go along with substantial tax reform, because it would make Governor Edwards look good when he runs for re-election. Rep Lance Harris R-Alexandria,Chairman of the GOP House Caucus, strongly denies that claim

Cut 13 (10)  “in the pasture”

State Senator Troy Carter has filed a bill for the regular session that raises the age to purchase an assault rifle from 18 to 21. Carter says this is in response to the Florida school shooting which killed 17. The New Orleans Democrat says he believes in the Second Amendment rights to a degree.

If approved, the legislation would allow those who sell weapons to those under 21 to be fined up to a thousand dollars and up to one year in jail. Carter says this law would not ban assault rifles completely, but the weapons shouldn’t be available for everyone…

Cut 16 (03) “AR-15s.”

New Orleans Senator Troy Carter has filed a bill for the regular session that raises the age to purchase an assault rifle from 18 to 21. Kelley Ray has more.

Cut 3 (30) “I’m Kelley Ray.”

A Mason Dixon Polling and Strategy poll finds that Democrat Governor Edwards has a 55 percent approval rating. 31 percent disapprove and 14 percent answered they were unsure. But Pollster Brad Coker says the high approval rating doesn’t mean he’ll be re-elected in 2019.

Coker says his approval rating among Republicans may not mirror their feelings come Election Day…

Cut 5  (06)  “for him.”

LSU’s new hazing policy calls for expulsions from campus for those who haze another student. Division of Student Affairs Kurt Keppler says System President F King Alexander did not want to leave a gray area where hazing is concerned and students found guilty of doing so will be banned from campus.

Many of the new rules come from a task force that was formed after LSU student Maxwell Gruver died in an alleged hazing incident. Gruver had a blood alcohol content of .495. Keppler says as part of the new rules hard alcohol will no longer be allowed at on campus or off campus fraternity parties…

Cut 8 (08) “and wine.”

The special session called to address a looming one-billion budget shortfall is on the verge of getting nothing accomplished. The House overwhelming rejected a sales tax bill that would have generated an additional 300-million in revenues.

Lake Charles Representative Stephen Dwight says his sales tax bill is part of the solution towards closing the budget deficit, but Leesville Representative James Armes says he told his constituents he would not vote for another bill to raise the sales tax rate above four-percent…

Cut 12 (13) “large sales tax rates.”

LSU students guilty of hazing will be expelled from campus. Jeff Palermo has more on the school’s new zero tolerance policy against hazing…

Cut 2 (29) “I’m Jeff Palermo.”

A Mason Dixon Polling and Strategy poll finds that Democrat Governor Edwards has a 55 percent approval rating. 31 percent disapprove and 14 percent answered they were unsure. But Pollster Brad Coker says the high approval rating doesn’t mean he’ll be re-elected in 2019, if his opponents are either House Majority Whip Steve Scalise or Republican Senator John Kennedy…

Cut 4  (11) “46-43.” 

The special session called to address a looming one-billion budget shortfall is on the verge of getting nothing accomplished. The House overwhelming rejected a sales tax bill that would have generated an additional 300-million in revenues.

Democrats strongly oppose legislation that proposes a sales tax rate of four and a quarter percent. Before the governor took office, the sales tax rate was four percent. New Orleans Representative Gary Carter says he can’t support this bill, unless there are also changes to income tax brackets which would lead to higher wage earners paying more taxes…

Cut 11 (10) “in this state.”

State Senator Troy Carter has filed a bill for the regular session that raises the age to purchase an assault rifle from 18 to 21. The New Orleans Democrat says he believes in the Second Amendment rights

Opponents to this legislation could say that you can join the military under the age of 21 and carry an assault rifle, so why couldn’t you buy one? Carter argues….

Cut 15 (08) “or none.”

A Mason-Dixon Poll finds voters are satisfied with the job Governor Edwards is doing, but it doesn’t mean he will be re-elected in 2019. Jeff Palermo has more…

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

LSU’s new hazing policy calls for expulsions from campus for those who haze another student. Division of Student Affairs Kurt Keppler says System President F King Alexander did not want to leave a gray area where hazing is concerned and students found guilty of doing so will be banned from campus…

Cut 7 (05)  “a thing.”

The special session called to address a looming one-billion budget shortfall is on the verge of getting nothing accomplished. The House overwhelming rejected a sales tax bill that would have generated an additional 300-million in revenues.  Ruston Representative Rob Shadoin expressed disappointment over not coming together on a solution towards the state’s constant fiscal woes…

Cut 10 (10) “gotta stop”

State Senator Troy Carter has filed a bill for the regular session that raises the age to purchase an assault rifle from 18 to 21. Carter says this is in response to the Florida school shooting which killed 17. The New Orleans Democrat says he believes in the Second Amendment rights, but…

Cut 14 (11) “that matter.”

LSU President F. King Alexander announced this morning the adoption of recommendations made from the “LSU Task Force on Greek Life.” Alexander took a hard line by adopting the policies and adding some of his own. There will be no more grey areas, any hazing means mandatory expulsion. Alexander says the implementation could be as soon as immediate or wait until the fall semester.

Parts of North Louisiana are bracing for more rain tonight into Thursday.  Flood Warnings have been issued for the Ouachita and Red Rivers until further notice. The Red River at Shreveport is above flood stage at nearly 32 feet, while downstream at Grand Ecore, it is over 35 feet and expected to hit 39 feet by Friday. Shreveport National Weather Service Forecaster Aaron Stevens says the forecast is dire for the area…

Cut 10 (10) “really fast.”

U.S. Senator John Kennedy is bucking his Washington colleagues as he’s threatening to be the fly in the ointment on gun control. Jim Shannon has more.

Cut 1 (31) “I’m Jim Shannon”

The small town of Urania in LaSalle Parish has landed a big sawmill that will create 110 jobs and an additional 300 indirect jobs. The project will create 150 jobs when construction starts in April. Mayor Terri Corley hopes they can attract local workers who left after Louisiana-Pacific closed…

Cut 4  (07) “to work.” 

Governor John Bel Edwards calls the next 24 hours critical for the state House to get behind tax bills to address a looming one billion dollar deficit. With one week to go in the special session, the House has yet to pass any revenue generating proposals. Houma Representative Tanner Magee says he sees a lack of urgency in the House

Cut 15 (07) “right now”

A billion dollars worth of temporary sales taxes will expire June 30th and Edwards called lawmakers into a 17-day special session to replace the revenue that will be lost. Magee says any tax bill will need 70 votes to pass and he doesn’t see it happening…

Cut 16  (12)  “get there”

Governor John Bel Edwards is calling on Secretary of State Tom Schedler to resign immediately as a result of a lawsuit filed by his former secretary accusing one of the top state officials of sexual harassment. In a statement to the press, Edwards says sexual harassment in the workplace should not be tolerated…

Cut 11 (06) “sexual harrassment.”

Republican state senator Sharon Hewitt also believes Schedler should step down. Hewitt’s political consultant Jay Connaughton (Con-au-tin) says she believes there will be a negative impact on the Secretary of State’s office if he remains…

Cut 14 (08) “is indefensible”

Hewitt is the first Republican asking for Schedler’s resignation. Schedler has no comment about the calls for his resignation.