Early voting for the Presidential Preference Primary is underway, and here’s what Democrats are saying about the two Democratic presidential candidates, Hillary Clinton and Senator Bernie Sanders…

CUT 1 (28) “I’m Halen Doughty”

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 The Department of Health and Hospitals has handed out two million dollars in loans to improve drinking water in Avoyelles Parish. Emelie Gunn has more…

Cut 2 (31) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

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Recent polls have shown the public does not support increasing taxes as a way of solving the state’s budget deficit, but one pollster says these surveys might not tell the whole story. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 3 (27) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

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Early voting for the Louisiana Presidential Preference Primary is underway, and polls remain open until Saturday. Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders are battling for the Democratic nomination. Former US Senator Mary Landrieu supports Hillary Clinton. Landrieu says Clinton has the skills necessary to be an effective leader.

cut 4  (07)  “Senator Sanders”

Landrieu says Sanders is not as well equipped to handle the presidency.

Cut 5  (09)  “us safe”

Sanders’ supporter Gilda Reed, a psychology professor at UNO, says she is “feeling the Bern.” She says he can make crucial changes in the country.

Cut 6 (08)  “the status quo” 

Reed says Sanders is capturing the hearts of everyday Americans and energizing the youth because of his progressive ideas.

CUT 7 (07)  “the long run”

Voting is open from 8:30 am to 6 pm daily at your local Parish of Registrar office and other select locations.

 ______________________________________

The Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals has awarded a 2.1 million dollar loan to assist an Avoyelles Parish water system improve its drinking water. State Health Officer Dr. Jimmy Guidry says the money comes from the state‘s Drinking Water Revolving Loan Fund, which helps improve infrastructure to ensure drinking water stays safe.

Cut 8  (10)  “their system”

Guidry says the project calls for a new pump stations, new ground water storage tank, a new well and chlorination facility at the Yellow Bayou Pump station….

Cut 9 (08)  “in trouble”

Guidry says during the improvement process, the Avoyelles Parish residents might have to go on a water boil notice. He says this is all to ensure that they’re water remains safe to drink.

Cut 10 (08) “notice it”

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Recent polls have shown the public is opposed to the legislature increasing taxes as a way of solving the state’s fiscal crisis. But Michael Henderson, Director of LSU’s Public Policy Research Lab, says these surveys might not tell the whole story, because the polls do not ask the respondents about potential consequences if revenues are not raised….

cut 11 (07) “more stuff”

 Henderson, who puts together the annual Louisiana Survey, says the public usually always opposes proposes to increase taxes. But voters also oppose spending cuts to education or transportation, so that’s why some of the recent polls are not an accurate description of what the legislature is dealing with…

cut 12 (06) “imperfect picture”

Henderson says legislators should take these polls with a grain of salt, because the poll questions don’t take into account what could happen if certain taxes are not raised…

Cut 13 (08)  “public wants”

________________________________________________________

Supermodel Pamela Anderson suggests to Governor John Bel Edwards that Louisiana’s budget could benefit from serving all-vegan food to prisoners. That’s according to the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals. PETA spokesperson Dan Matthews says Anderson has visited other jails around the country that save hundreds of thousands of dollars by not serving meat:

Cut 14 (08)  “with this proposal” 

Anderson is the “honorary director” of PETA and she wrote a letter to Governor Edwards saying enormous savings on freezer costs and prisoners’ healthcare would be made by serving healthy, colorful vegan meals. Matthews says Louisiana taxpayers would save over $620,000 a year by offering inmates beans, rice, lentils, pasta, potatoes and other vegetables…:

Cut 15 (11) “in their life” 

Anderson says if Louisiana switched to meat-free meals in jail, she’d come inaugurate the program by helping cook and serve lunch to the inmates. Matthews says there are numerous studies which show that the less animal products you consume, the healthier you are…:

Cut 16  (10)  “to live“

The ACLU of Louisiana responds to the latest rather aggressive Crime Stoppers viral video by St. Landry Parish’s Captain Clay Higgins looking for wanted Gremlins Gang members. Emelie Gunn reports..:

CUT 1 (28)  “I’m Emelie Gunn”

================

Harper Lee, author of the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel “To Kill A Mockingbird,” has died at the age of 89. Halen Doughty reports…

CUT 2 (31)  “I’m Halen Doughty”

===================

The ACLU of Louisiana has responded to the latest Crime Stoppers video by St. Landry Parish’s Captain Clay Higgins that’s gone ridiculously viral. Higgins is looking for wanted members of the Gremlins Gang and says they each have a $2500 bounty on their head. ACLU of Louisiana Executive Director Marjorie Esman has a problem with that…:

CUT 3 (06)  “summary execution”

Higgins video had nearly 14 million views in just two days. Esman feels like all this does is exacerbate the problem of a public who feels cops are the bad guys….:

CUT 4 (09)  “what police officers do”

Esman says Higgins also shouldn’t be calling these suspects “heathens” which is a religious term that implies he knows something about their beliefs…:

CUT 5 (10)  “they’re committing crimes”

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Harper Lee, author of the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel “To Kill A Mockingbird,” has died at the age of 89. Head of Special Collections at LSU Jessica Lacher Feldman says Lee’s death is the end of an era. Feldman worked at the University of Alabama, where Lee spoke to students once a year. Feldman was Lee’s handler when she visited and says Lee’s novel resonated deeply with many people.

CUT 6 (10) “the world”

Feldman says Lee’s recently released book “Go Set A Watchman,” broke many publishers records. Feldman says Lee’s first novel was influential because Lee wrote about race and gender issues in a very real, but idealized, way.

CUT 7 (07) “the century”

There has been speculation as to whether Lee wrote any more books that were not published. Feldman says her death may bring more writings to light.

CUT 8 (08) “she’s written”

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A new poll from Invest in a Healthy Louisiana and Public Opinion Strategies finds increasing the tobacco tax is favored by seven out of 10 voters. Pollster Glen Bolger says the survey polled 500 likely Louisiana voters and many people are opposed to hikes in the state’s income, sales or property taxes, but favor an increase to the state’s tobacco tax…

CUT 9 (07)  “strongly favor”

The Invest in a Healthy Louisiana Coaltion is advocating a $1.25 per pack increase in the tobacco tax. So far, only a 22-cent increase has been discussed by the legislature. Bolger says the poll asked people about three different tax levels and found no statistical difference between the options.

cut 10 (09)  “73 percent”

Increasing the cigarette tax by $1.25 would raise more than $200 million a year for Louisiana. Bolger says the increase is popular across party lines…

Cut 11 (11) “percent support”

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Dozens of students marched to the state capitol in efforts to protest the proposed cuts to higher education to offset the massive budget deficit. A graduate of Nicholls State University and LSU, Peter Jenkins, attended the Save our Schools rally to make legislators pay attention and stop these drastic measures…

cut 12 (08) “focusing on”

Jenkins says they want the legislators to do what they need to do to save higher education. He says students are calling for three different things…

cut 13 (10)  “budget cuts”

Jenkins believes legislators understand the situation and don’t have ill-will toward the situation but are only trying to figure out how to solve the deficit. But he says it’s their job as students to be heard…

cut 14 (10)  “come out”

Students chanted at the steps of the Capitol in efforts to prevent future cuts to higher education…

cut 15 (11) “no future” 

The new voice of the Tigers, Chris Blair, will hit the airwaves for the first time tonight on the LSU Sports Radio Network as baseball season gets underway at The Box. Jeff Palermo reports…:

CUT 1 (24) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

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 Apple is fighting the federal government over hacking into iPhones and the ruling could impact a murder case in Baton Rouge. Halen Doughty has the story…

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Halen Doughty”

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Attorney General Jeff Landry has announced he’s terminating outside legal contracts with District Attorneys and their civil practices. Emelie Gunn has more on other changes…

Cut 3 (31) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

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The new voice of the Tigers, Chris Blair, will hit the airwaves for the first time tonight on the LSU Sports Radio Network as baseball season gets underway at The Box. Blair says, on a smaller level, his time at Georgia Southern helped him prepare for dealing with passionate fan bases…:

cut 4  (10)  “won the game”

Former LSU pitcher Doug Thompson will join Blair as the color analyst for broadcasts of Tigers’ home games on Skip Bertman Field. Blair says he’s always had a passion for listening to sports on the radio and he never thought he’d be able to say one day he’d be calling play-by-play for LSU…:

Cut 5  (04)  “pipe dream of mine”

Blair is moving into the spot held by Jim Hawthorne for more than 30 years. Blair says working with Jim these last few months has been phenomenal. Hawthorne is retiring following the conclusion of the men’s basketball season. He says he expects a big crowd for opening night tonight..:

Cut 6 (10)  “something’s wrong with you” 

 ______________________________________

Apple is fighting the federal government over accessing iPhones and the ruling could have implications on murder case in Baton Rouge. 29-year-old Brittney Mills was shot and killed last April after answering a knock at her door. Baton Rouge investigators believe her phone has information that could answer questions surrounding the case, but they are unable to access it. East Baton Rouge District Attorney Hillar Moore is glad the feds are forcing Apple experts to assist in these kind of investigations.

CUT 7 (08)  “looking for”

 The FBI has received a court order for Apple to hack into a phone used by one of the shooters in the San Bernandino terrorist attack. Apple says it could lead to privacy issues for its customers. Moore wonders if this court order could also impact the Mills investigation, because at this point they can’ get in her phone..

Cut 8  (07)  “in the phone”

Police are cautious to keep trying incorrect passcodes, because after 10 failed attempts, the phone will erase all of the stored data. Moore says the inability to check information on Mills’ phone has bogged down their investigation…

Cut 9 (07)  “doesn’t work”

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Attorney General Jeff Landry announces new polices that attempt to rid his department of public corruption. Landry says one new policy eliminates all outside government legal contracts with District Attorneys and their civil practices. And He says fulltime lawyers in his office will no longer take on private legal cases on the side…

Cut 10 (09) “the department”

Landry says he will permit his attorneys to do pro-bono work under circumstances where there are clearly no conflicts of interest. He also announced the termination of existing contracts with outside council in the BP litigation.

cut 11 (08) “incident”

Landry says the responsibility of the Attorney General’s office has not changed. He says they will keep working to find ways to make his office honest and ethical to make the people of Louisiana proud.

cut 12 (10) “ferret out”

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Early voting begins tomorrow for Louisiana’s Presidential Preference Primary which will be held on March 5th. Secretary of State Tom Schedler says only registered Republicans and Democrats will be able to vote in their respective primaries.

Cut 13 (06)  “that primary”

So in other words, Democrats can only vote in the Democratic Presidential Primary and Republicans can only vote in the Republican Presidential Primary.  Other items, mainly local elections, will be on the ballot in 24 parishes for which all registered voters will be able to vote. Schedler encourages people to check out GeauxVote-dot-com to see what will appear on their ballot.

Cut 14 (11)  “this is it” 

Schedler says all voters, no matter what party, should vote in their local elections. He says early voting will be available starting tomorrow, and offices will be open until next Saturday.

Cut 15 (07) “early voting” 

Registered voters can vote everyday with the exception of Sunday.

_____________________________________________________

It’s opening day for college baseball as the 7th ranked LSU Tigers host the Cincinnati Bearkats tonight at Alex Box Stadium. Last year, the Tigers reached the College World Series, but the team that will take the field tonight will look different. LSU will have eight new starters in its batting order and Coach Paul Mainieri is expecting some opening night nerves.

Cut 16  (17)  “highest level“
One of LSU’s new starters is sophomore Greg Deichmann of Metairie, who will start at first base. Deichmann says he’s excited to carry on LSU’s winning tradition….

Cut 17 (14) “winning tradition”

Expectations are also high in Lafayette, where the sixth ranked Ragin Cajuns begin the season tonight by hosting Sam Houston State at Tigue Moore Field. Over three-thousand season tickets have been sold and Coach Tony Robichaux says the players are just as anxious as the fans…

Cut 18 (10) “have an opponent”

Sam Houston’s head coach is Matt Deggs, who is a former assisant at UL Lafayette. Robichaux says Coach Deggs and the Bearkats will provide good competition to start the season…

Cut 19 (08) “which is good”

Marketa Garner Walters, secretary of the Department of Children and Family Services, is concerned about a 15-million dollar hole in her budget. Halen Doughty reports…

CUT 1 (28)  “I’m Halen Doughty”

================

South Louisiana law enforcement are searching for fugitives from the Gremlins Criminal Gang and Michelle Southern says the search is receiving all kinds of attention because of a viral video….

CUT 2 (30)  “I’m Michelle Southern”

===================

The secretary of the Department of Children and Family Services tells legislators her department is in need of resources to care for the more than four-thousand children in foster care in Louisiana. Marketa Garner Walters spoke to the House of Appropriations about a 15-million dollar hole in the DCFS budget. Garner says there is a shortage of foster homes…

CUT 3 (09)  “a placement”

Walters says DCFS helps families in tough times. They deal with things like child abuse investigation, foster care and adoption, food stamps, child support enforcement and disability determinations. Garner says the process of finding a place to stay can be difficult on children from abusive homes.

CUT 4 (10)  “wanted there”

Walters says without sufficient funding, people will be laid off at the affected agencies and Louisiana could receive federal penalties for falling short of the national standards for these agencies…

CUT 5 (09)  “food stamp program”

============================

A federal judge officially rejected Former Saints safety Darren Sharper’s plea bargain in the case where he allegedly drugged and raped multiple women. Legal Analyst Chick Foret says Sharper is facing accusations in three other states and agreed to nine years in jail after pleading guilty in those jurisdictions. But Foret says US District Judge Jane Triche Milazzo believes nine years isn’t enough…

CUT 6 (10) “be convicted”

Judge Milazzo gave Sharper until March 3^rd to withdraw his guilty plea. Foret says Judge Milazzo said this morning, the original plea deal does not reflect the seriousness of the crime. He says the federal sentencing guidelines recommend a sentence of 15 to 20 years…

CUT 7 (09) “plea bargain”

Foret says Darren Sharper is in a bad position and the facts keep getting worse. He says Sharper only has three options…

CUT 8 (10) “sentence”

============================

South Louisiana law enforcement are actively searching for the seven remaining wanted fugitives of the Gremlins Criminal Gang and their search efforts have been boosted by the latest video message from the “Cajun John Wayne.” Captain Clay Higgins with St. Landry’s parish sheriff’s office says the gang is very active in Acadiana and Higgins called out the remaining fugitives in a viral internet video.

CUT 9 (05)  “like you”

The video filmed in front of the police station shows police officers and state leaders standing behind Higgins. It has received over 8 million views on St. Landry Parish’s Facebook page. He says police have arrested 10 Gremlins, and they have warrants for seven more. He says the officers are not afraid of these so-called thugs.

cut 10 (04)  “than you”

Higgins says all of them are armed and dangerous. Authorities say the Gremlins are responsible for violent crimes including murder, armed robbery, witness intimidation, burglary, drug trafficking, extortion, and brutal beatings.  Higgins asks the public to contact police with any information about these crimes of the whereabouts of the wanted fugitives.

Cut 11 (04) “our knees”

============================

A debate broke out at the state capitol over a tax credit that benefits working individuals with low incomes. Prairieville Representative Tony Bacala has legislation to do away with the state’s Earned Income Tax Credit, which he says will save the state about 50-million dollars a year

cut 12 (12) “through revenue increases”

But Democratic state representative Walt Leger says the Earned Income Tax Credit helps the working poor pay for daily life expenses

cut 13 (09)  “out of the year”

Leger says in parishes like East Carroll and Madison,  over 50-percent of the state’s tax filers receive the earned income tax credit. The New Orleans lawmaker is actually proposing to double the earned income tax credit, which would actually help the state and local economy

cut 14 (12)  “necessities of life”

A Republican lawmaker from Hammond says the one cent sales tax increase proposal is facing significant debate in the special session. Jeff Palermo reports…:

CUT 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

______________________________________

 The Louisiana Supreme Court delays the execution of the so-called River Parish serial killer. Emelie Gunn reports Daniel Blank was scheduled to die next month for the murder of an elderly woman in 1997…

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

______________________________________

 Lawmakers are considering raising the tax on alcohol for the first time since 1948 to help solve the state’s budget crisis. Halen Doughty has more…

Cut 3 (30) “I’m Halen Doughty”

______________________________________

Republican Representative Chris Broadwater of Hammond, who serves on the House Ways and Means Committee, says lawmakers are taking a hard look at the Edwards Administration’s proposed one cent sales tax increase. He says the reason it’s such a pivotal issue is because they are trying to close a massive $950ish million dollar gap in the current fiscal year budget…:

cut 4  (06)  “were it to pass”

Broadwater says there is concern about whether or not the one penny sales tax hike would be utilized as a short term approach, or if it would stay long term….:

Cut 5  (10)  “that need to be made”

Broadwater says it remains to be seen if lawmakers will decide to make this part of the solution to the budget crisis. He says they are also discussing other tax measures such as on cigarettes and alcohol, but the one penny sales tax hike does continue to be a significant part of the discussion….:

Cut 6 (05)  “associated with it” 

 ______________________________________

A north Louisiana lawmaker doesn’t like hearing the threat that there will be no LSU football next season because of budget issues facing higher education. Republican State Representative Steve Pylant of Winnsboro says Governor John Bel Edwards’ statement about the possibility there will be no LSU football next year is an empty threat.

CUT 7 (06)  “this fall”

Pylant’s comments came during a full day’s worth of testimony about funding for higher education. Many lawmakers expressed frustration about threats that college campuses could close this spring, unless they receive more money. But Pylant is against higher taxes to solve the problem and compares the situation to feeding hogs…

Cut 8  (09)  “a fight”

But Democrat State Representative Pat Smith of Baton Rouge says legislators have to do whatever they can to keep universities open.

Cut 9 (07)  “doors open”

Smith says she’s in favor of approving tax measures to make sure schools remain open for students.

Cut 10 (07) “to school”

_________________________________________________________

The Louisiana Supreme Court delays the scheduled March 14^th execution of the so-called River Parishes serial killer Daniel Blank. He was sentenced to death for the brutal beating death of a 71-year-old Ascension Parish woman in 1997. Blank’s attorney, Gary Clements, says an execution date should have never been set, because his client had yet to exhaust all of his appeals…

cut 11 (10) “after that”

 Blanks execution could not have been carried out next month anyways, because the state Department of Corrections doesn’t have the necessary drugs to follow through with Blank’s execution. Clements also says Blanks is innocent. He says his client’s admission that he killed six people came towards the end of a 12-hour interrogation…

cut 12 (10) “physical reality”

Clements says the Louisiana Supreme Court needs time to look at Blank’s case.

Cut 13 (08)  “this case”

________________________________________________________

State Representative Kenny Cox of Natchitoches is proposing a higher tax on alcohol as a means for closing the state’s huge budget deficit. The proposed bill would raise Louisiana’s alcohol tax to the Southern regional averages. Cox says raising taxes is not his first option…

Cut 14 (05)  “do something” 

Under this bill, taxes would increase $3 per gallon for hard liquor and 34-cents per gallon for wine. The tax would go into effect April 1, although it is unclear how much revenue it would generate. Unlike other taxes proposed during this special session, this increase would be permanent.

Alcohol taxes in Louisiana have not been raised since 1948. John Williams with the Beer Industry League of Louisiana says the tax increase in 1948 devastated the beer brewing industry in Louisiana. He says Louisiana still has one of the highest alcohol taxes in the country.

Cut 15 (05) “excise tax” 

 Craft beer breweries are a growing industry in Louisiana. Louisiana currently has 16 operating breweries, and another 5 or 6 are expected to open by the end of the summer. If the alcohol tax is raised, brewery operators fear that beer drinkers will switch to more affordable options as opposed to the expensive beers brewed in Louisiana.  State Representative Mike Huval of Breaux Bridge says this tax could hurt people that are trying to build their business in an already fragile economy.

Cut 16  (05)  “upcoming business“

_____________________________________________________

______________________________________

LSU Football head coach Les Miles introduced two new additions to his coaching staff.  The new additions have a strong ties to Louisiana. Jabbar Juluke has been named running backs coach while Dameyune Craig has been named as the wide receivers coach. Miles is thrilled they are on his staff…

Cut 17 (12) “special things”

Prior to coming to LSU, Juluke served in the same capacity at Texas Tech. This was preceded by a three year stint as the running backs coach at Louisiana Tech. Juluke is also a graduate of Southern University. The New Orleans native coached Edna Karr High School for nine years where he led the Cougars to one state championship and three consecutive state championship appearances. Juluke says he couldn’t be happier

Cut 18 (10) “be here”

Craig joins LSU after serving as Auburn’s co-offensive coordinator and wide receivers coach. In the 2013 season, Craig helped Auburn win the SEC title game and make an appeareance in the BCS National championship. He played quarterback at Auburn from 1994-1997, where he broke many school passing records. Craig began his coaching  career in 2004 as a graduate assistant for LSU and is glad he’s back in Baton Rouge

Cut 19 (18) “that sells”

A Republican lawmaker from Hammond says the one cent sales tax increase proposal is facing significant debate in the special session. Jeff Palermo reports…:

CUT 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

______________________________________

The Louisiana Supreme Court delays the execution of the so-called River Parish serial killer. Emelie Gunn reports Daniel Blank was scheduled to die next month for the murder of an elderly woman in 1997…

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

______________________________________

Lawmakers are considering raising the tax on alcohol for the first time since 1948 to help solve the state’s budget crisis. Halen Doughty has more…

Cut 3 (30) “I’m Halen Doughty”

______________________________________

Republican Representative Chris Broadwater of Hammond, who serves on the House Ways and Means Committee, says lawmakers are taking a hard look at the Edwards Administration’s proposed one cent sales tax increase. He says the reason it’s such a pivotal issue is because they are trying to close a massive $950ish million dollar gap in the current fiscal year budget…:

cut 4  (06)  “were it to pass”

Broadwater says there is concern about whether or not the one penny sales tax hike would be utilized as a short term approach, or if it would stay long term….:

Cut 5  (10)  “that need to be made”

Broadwater says it remains to be seen if lawmakers will decide to make this part of the solution to the budget crisis. He says they are also discussing other tax measures such as on cigarettes and alcohol, but the one penny sales tax hike does continue to be a significant part of the discussion….:

Cut 6 (05)  “associated with it” 

______________________________________

A north Louisiana lawmaker doesn’t like hearing the threat that there will be no LSU football next season because of budget issues facing higher education. Republican State Representative Steve Pylant of Winnsboro says Governor John Bel Edwards’ statement about the possibility there will be no LSU football next year is an empty threat.

CUT 7 (06)  “this fall”

Pylant’s comments came during a full day’s worth of testimony about funding for higher education. Many lawmakers expressed frustration about threats that college campuses could close this spring, unless they receive more money. But Pylant is against higher taxes to solve the problem and compares the situation to feeding hogs…

Cut 8  (09)  “a fight”

But Democrat State Representative Pat Smith of Baton Rouge says legislators have to do whatever they can to keep universities open.

Cut 9 (07)  “doors open”

Smith says she’s in favor of approving tax measures to make sure schools remain open for students.

Cut 10 (07) “to school”

_________________________________________________________

The Louisiana Supreme Court delays the scheduled March 14^th execution of the so-called River Parishes serial killer Daniel Blank. He was sentenced to death for the brutal beating death of a 71-year-old Ascension Parish woman in 1997. Blank’s attorney, Gary Clements, says an execution date should have never been set, because his client had yet to exhaust all of his appeals…

cut 11 (10) “after that”

Blanks execution could not have been carried out next month anyways, because the state Department of Corrections doesn’t have the necessary drugs to follow through with Blank’s execution. Clements also says Blanks is innocent. He says his client’s admission that he killed six people came towards the end of a 12-hour interrogation…

cut 12 (10) “physical reality”

Clements says the Louisiana Supreme Court needs time to look at Blank’s case.

Cut 13 (08)  “this case”

________________________________________________________

State Representative Kenny Cox of Natchitoches is proposing a higher tax on alcohol as a means for closing the state’s huge budget deficit. The proposed bill would raise Louisiana’s alcohol tax to the Southern regional averages. Cox says raising taxes is not his first option…

Cut 14 (05)  “do something” 

Under this bill, taxes would increase $3 per gallon for hard liquor and 34-cents per gallon for wine. The tax would go into effect April 1, although it is unclear how much revenue it would generate. Unlike other taxes proposed during this special session, this increase would be permanent.

Alcohol taxes in Louisiana have not been raised since 1948. John Williams with the Beer Industry League of Louisiana says the tax increase in 1948 devastated the beer brewing industry in Louisiana. He says Louisiana still has one of the highest alcohol taxes in the country.

Cut 15 (05) “excise tax” 

Craft beer breweries are a growing industry in Louisiana. Louisiana currently has 16 operating breweries, and another 5 or 6 are expected to open by the end of the summer. If the alcohol tax is raised, brewery operators fear that beer drinkers will switch to more affordable options as opposed to the expensive beers brewed in Louisiana.  State Representative Mike Huval of Breaux Bridge says this tax could hurt people that are trying to build their business in an already fragile economy.

Cut 16  (05)  “upcoming business“

A Lake Charles native has invented the first re-hydrating mouth guard. Emelie Gunn has more on the hands free system…

CUT 1 (31) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

______________________________________

A new poll from Southern Media and Opinion Research shows a majority of Louisiana residents are not in favor of raising taxes to solve the state’s budget deficit. Halen Doughty has the story….

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Halen Doughty”

______________________________________

Legislators have started proposing bills for the regular legislative session, one of which aims to keep citizens safe at movie theaters. Jeff Palermo has the story….

Cut 3 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

______________________________________

A Lake Charles man has developed a new way of keeping athletes hydrated during a game. Joseph Tucker created the Hydra-Guard, which is the first re-hydrating mouth guard in the world. Tucker says the mouth guard will be released online February 25^thand you can fill up the hands free system with water or your favorite sports drink.

cut 4  (10)  “the court”

Tucker says the mouth-guard is pressurized so the athlete just push their tongue against the roof of their mouth to release the liquid and can be refilled quickly. He says the pouch holding the liquid is sealed to the mouth-guard by a mechanical and chemical bond so it won’t get in the way while playing the game.

Cut 5  (08)  “breathability”

The mouth guard will retail for $34.99. Tucker says it holds just enough liquid to prevent athletes from getting dry mouth while playing. He anticipates the Hydra-Guard to be a big hit in Louisiana especially with our intense heat.

Cut 6 (09)  “healthy” 

 ______________________________________

A new poll shows that a vast majority of Louisiana residents do not support increasing taxes to help state government solve its huge budget deficit this fiscal year. Southern Media and Opinion Research surveyed 500 likely voters and 72% of them said “no” to raising taxes and fees. Pollster Bernie Pinsonat says that’s because state government has lost credibility with the people of Louisiana.

CUT 7 (04)  “properly”

Pinsonat says his poll also shows 61% of the voters say the state government is spending too much money. He says the results from survey could make it tough for the governor to push for higher taxes…

Cut 8  (06)  “revenue problem”

The survey asked votes their opinions on certain taxes and a majority of people oppose raising income and state sales taxes, but Pinsonat says over 60% are in favor of increasing taxes on cigarettes and alcohol.

Cut 9 (04)  “sin tax”

Pinsonat says “sin taxes” are the easiest to pass, but he is unsure whether they would generate enough revenue. He says the public is wary of raising taxes on businesses because of concern about the economy. 54% of people say the state budget can be balanced without raising taxes.

_________________________________________________________

Shreveport Representative Barbara Norton has proposed a bill for the regular session that would require metal detectors to be installed at movie theaters. This would prevent people from bringing weapons into theaters.

Cut 10 (07) “a weapon”

The bill comes as a response to the deadly shootings that occur at movie theaters around the country, including one in Lafayette last year. Norton says lawmakers need to keep Louisiana residents safe.

cut 11 (05) “are safe”

Under Norton’s proposed bill, movie theaters would face fines for not having metal detectors. Movie theaters across the country have been hesitant to install metal detectors because of costs. Norton says the added safety measure is well worth the price of protecting a person’s life.

cut 12 (07) “or safer”

________________________________________________________

The House Ways and Means Committee will hear testimony today for tax increases on tobacco, alcohol, Internet sales and car rentals. Jeremy Alford, publisher of la-politics.com, says that legislators will not be voting on these proposed taxes yet.

Cut 13 (04)  “eventually vote”

Legislators will begin voting on these tax proposals, after they hear from supporters and opponents of each of the proposed taxes. Alford says Republicans have been hesitant about raising taxes, but it might be something they have to consider.

Cut 14 (05)  “be created” 

Legislators will examine carefully the fiscal notes for each proposal, which detail how much money each measure would raise. Alford says passing any of the proposed bills will take compromise from both sides.

Cut 15 (05) “to move” 

The committee will reportedly not hear corporate and personal income tax bills until next week.

Louisiana’s budget deficit has called into question the future of the TOPS scholarship program…

CUT 1 (28) “I’m Halen Doughty”

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A former department of children and family services case worker faces charges for claiming to check on foster care children while employed by the state, but didn’t. Emelie Gunn has more…

Cut 2 (31) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

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 President Obama is expected to nominate a replacement for Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia, but Louisiana’s Republican Senators think we should wait. Jeff Palermo has more…

Cut 3 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

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Parents may not be able to count on the TOPS scholarship in the future, according to certified financial planner Anne Osestriecher. The state funded scholarship program has run into funding troubles as part of the state’s budget crisis. Osestriecher, who works out of Alexandria, says parents who have students that could be eligible for TOPS need to prepare for tuition costs…

cut 4  (05)  “can have”

Osestriecher says it could make more financial sense for parents to have their children live at home, while attending college. She says that will cut down on costly room and board expenses. She says applying for other scholarships is also an option.

Cut 5  (03)  “for them”

She says many scholarships go unclaimed every year because students simply do not apply for them. Osestriecher says community college and part-time jobs for students are things parents should think about as well. She says students may also need to consider what they can do to help finance their education.

Cut 6 (04)  “always loans” 

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An arrest warrant has been issued for a former Department of Children and Family Services case worker, who allegedly falsified records regarding foster home visits when she worked for the state. 49-year-old Kimberly Lee of Calhoun is facing several criminal counts, including malfeasance in office. Inspector General Stephen Street says Lee is expected to surrender herself this week….

CUT 7 (08)  “occurred”

 Street says over a period of a year, between July of 2013 and August of 2014, Lee falsified documents on 20 separate occasions. He says after being interviewed by investigators, she admitted to falsifying the reports.

Cut 8  (10)  “buzzwords”

In a statement, DCFS says they have zero tolerance for any employee who puts children at risk or purposefully deceives the Department by falsifying documents. Street says child welfare has to be our first priority. He says the stakes are just too high to let incidents like this happen.

Cut 9 (09)  “accountable”

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President Barack Obama is expected to nominate a successor to Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia, but Louisiana’s Republican US senators say the next President should select Scalia’s replacement. Senator David Vitter, who is a member of the judiciary committee, says the next Justice debate should be part of the presidential election…

Cut 10 (10) “tug of war”

Vitter says any nomination made by the President goes through the Judiciary Committee. He says the committee holds a hearing and then votes on the President’s choice, then it goes to the full Senate for a vote.

cut 11 (11) “American people”

 Republican Senator Bill Cassidy agrees with Vitter. He says let the next President nominate a new Supreme Court Justice.

cut 12 (08) “president”

Cassidy says the Supreme Court is fairly centrist right now but President Obama would like to shift it to the left. He says if the President nominates a replacement for Scalia, he doesn’t expect it to pass.

Cut 13 (10)  “to speak”

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The Republican Party is raising money to promote an ad that shows Governor John Bel Edwards saying on several occasions he would not raise taxes. The comments were taken when Edwards was running for governor. Louisiana Republican Party Executive Director Jason Dore says Governor Edwards campaigned on a platform of not raising taxes.

Cut 14 (05)  “the opposite.” 

Dore says the governor promised to balance the budget by having fiscal responsibility and growing the economy, not by increasing taxes. With oil prices falling and the state entering into a recession, Dore says now is not the time to raise taxes for Louisiana residents.

Cut 15 (04) “and businesses” 

The 30 second ad, titled “Don’t Raise Taxes,” was released on Sunday. The Republican Party’s goal is to raise enough funds so they can air it on TV and radio stations.

Louisiana Democratic Party executive director Stephen Handwerk is disappointed by the the GOP’s tactics….

Cut 16  (05)  “in Baton Rouge“

Handwerk says that there are no good answers, and the GOP wants to make cuts that just are not possible.

Cut 17 (03) “the bone”

Handwerk says “there is no more fat to cut” in many programs, especially not fast enough to resolve the huge budget shortfall.

As part of Governor John Bel Edwards plan to fix the state budget, he’s proposing roughly $160 million dollars in cuts. Michelle Southern reports…:

CUT 1 (29)  “I’m Michelle Southern”

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Former state lawmaker Troy Hebert outlined 15 suggestions to resolve the state’s budget issues in a letter to lawmakers…

CUT 2 (28)  “I’m Halen Doughty”

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As part of Governor John Bel Edwards plan to fix the state budget, he’s proposing roughly $160 million dollars in cuts. Republican Representative Cameron Henry of Metairie says with a $957 million dollar deficit you have to look at more ways to manage spending…:

CUT 3 (06)  “to do there”

Henry says GOP lawmakers will look at every way to cut before anyone agrees to raise taxes. He says Louisiana can not continue spending more money than it makes…”

CUT 4 (09)  “concerned”

Edwards spoke with reporters following his opening remarks to lawmakers Sunday and said he’s leaving everything on the table…:

CUT 5 (07)  “as well”

Edwards says it’s impossible to operate on nothing…:

CUT 6 (13) “to happen”

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The Edwards Administration began detailing today its tax proposals that will be debated during the special session. Governor Edwards recommends a combination of budget cuts and revenue raising measures as a way to solve a $957 million deficit. State Department of Revenue Secretary Kimberly Robinson spoke to the House Ways and Means Committee about a proposed 1-cent state sales tax increase.

CUT 7 (09) “FY-17”

The tax increase, which would take effect by April 1, would generate an estimated $200 million for this fiscal year.

The current state sales tax is 4%. Robinson says even with the proposed one-cent sales tax increase, the amount of taxes Louisiana citizens pay, is below average when compared to other states….

CUT 8 (08) “in general”

The Edwards administration is also proposing changes to income taxes, plus seeking legislative support for higher alcohol and cigarette taxes as part of their revenue raising package. Robinson says the additional penny on the state sales tax would be temporary, until the deficit is resolved.

CUT 9 (10)  “phasing out”

Robinson said the so-called “clean penny tax” would not apply to areas of exemption including groceries, residential utilities, prescription medications and gas.

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A published report says Nicholls State is considering closing its doors for 12 days because of a lack of state funds. But Nicholls president, Doctor Bruce Murphy, says closing the campus for several days is the last option they would ever take. University of Louisiana System president, Doctor Dan Reneau, encouraged the Senate education committee to do what they can to keep college campuses open…

cut 10 (08)  “three weeks”

Lawmakers have until March ninth to come up with a funding solution that would spare higher education from deep budget cuts. Metairie Senator Conrad Appel is upset to see a headline that Nicholls plans to close, when that’s not the case…

Cut 11 (12) “down schools”

Reneau says depending on the size of the cut in state funding, mid-year closures could occur as some universities. But Appel warns higher ed leaders that these kinds of threats could become a “self fulfilling prophecy”…

cut 12 (10) “their problem”

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Former state lawmaker Troy Hebert recommends putting GPS devices on state vehicles and requiring state employees, including college professors, to be on a time clock while at work. Hebert provided other suggestions on how to control government spending in a letter to lawmakers. 

cut 13 (05)  “needed services”

Hebert says it is not fair to taxpayers for state workers to be paid for more work than they actually do. He believes using time clocks would resolve this issues.

cut 14 (07)  “day’s pay”

Hebert recently served as commissioner of Alcohol and Tobacco Control. At ATC, Hebert says he cut the number of employees in half, reduced the budget and increased services. Hebert says when he used GPS and time clocks at ATC, he made troubling discoveries about the employees.

cut 15 (06)  “an hour early”

Hebert’s other suggestions include tying pay to performance, monitoring civil service actions and settlements, stopping across-the-board cuts, and changing state supervisor-to-worker ratios.

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The budget crisis in Louisiana has called into question the future of the TOPS scholarship program. Halen Doughty reports…

CUT 1 (31) “I’m Halen Doughty”

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A state health director says Louisiana residents use caution when it comes to the Zika Virus, but they should not be alarmed. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

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Governor John Bel Edwards urges lawmakers to work with his administration on solving this fiscal year’s 940-million dollar budget deficit. Jeff Palermo has more…

Cut 3 (31) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

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Louisiana’s budget problems have raised concerns about the future of the state’s taxpayer funded college scholarship known as TOPS. The highly popular program has run into money issues, as the state may not have enough money to fully pay a recipients scholarship. Senate Education Chairman Blade Morrish says the legislature will look at options to control TOPS spending during the regular legislative session….

cut 4  (07)  “on TOPS”

According to Governor John Bel Edwards, TOPS is only funded at 25% for the next fiscal year, which begins July 1, unless the legislature acts to change that, which means fewer scholarships would be awarded next year. Morrish says he believes limiting the amount a TOPS recipient receives might be their best course of action.

Cut 5  (05)  “number is”

Morrish has proposed bill to cap TOPS in the past, and he plans to propose bills on the TOPS issue in the upcoming regular session.

Morrish says if the legislature elects to make dramatic changes to TOPS, they will likely not take effect immediately, because it would be unfair to students who are already counting on the program.

Cut 6 (10)  “in high school” 

LOSFA has announced they will pay 80% of tuition, and universities will have to absorb the remaining 20%. No students will be billed for the current semester.

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Louisiana’s two largest public school teacher unions, the Louisiana Federation of Teachers and the Louisiana Association of Educators, announced they are teaming up in an effort to prevent cuts to public school funding. LAE President Debbie Meaux believes they can achieve powerful results by working together…

CUT 7 (06)  “of Louisiana”

Meaux says the unions also want to make sure that the accountability and evaluation systems are in place for both students and teachers in Louisiana. Meaux says the unions are afraid the legislature won’t go along with the governor’s plan to increase taxes and public schools could lose funding.

Cut 8  (06)  “is possible”

The governor’s proposed budget for the fiscal year that starts July 1st does not call for a reduction of state funding for public schools and Meaux says the LFT and LAE would like for that to remain the case….

Cut 9 (05)  “our children”

The special legislative session began Sunday and must end by March 9^th. Lawmakers will attempt to resolve a 940-million dollar deficit this fiscal year.

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The Zika virus may be cause for caution but not alarm. That’s according to state health director, Doctor Frank Welch, with the state department of health and hospitals. Welch says The Zika virus is transmitted by a certain kind of mosquito that is not active in Louisiana at this time and he says the mosquito borne disease is not harmful to most who get it….

Cut 10 (07) “they’re sick”

The Zika virus is not new. It has been around since the late 1970s in South America and has since moved into the Caribbean. Two Louisiana residents who recently traveled to the Caribbean, were recently diagnosed with the Zika virus, after complaining about a minor illness. Welch says when people are infected, the illness usually does not last very long.

cut 11 (05) “five days”

People travelling to the Caribbean, where the disease is prevalent, should also take extra precautions. Welch says that while the virus is not cause for alarm among most people, pregnant women should take extra precautions.

cut 12 (07) “defects happen”

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Governor John Bel Edwards tells lawmakers that the state can’t cut its way out of its fiscal problems. That’s how a three and a half week long special session got underway last night as Edwards told House and Senate members that some tax increases will be needed to address a 940-million dollar budget deficit this fiscal year…

Cut 13 (10)  “so massive”

Many republican lawmakers have already expressed reservations about raising taxes. Edwards says he doesn’t want partisan politics to get in the way of doing what’s right for the state

Cut 14 (12)   (applause building)

Republican West Monroe Senator Mike Walsworth is optimistic the GOP legislature can work with the Democratic Edwards administration on a solution to fixing the state’s budget problems

Cut 15 (10) “I believe” 

Walsworth believes there’s some departments in state government that is overspending. The special session must conclude by March 9th and republican Bossier City Representative Mike Johnson wants to use this time to look at ways to reduce spending…

Cut 16  (08)  “uninformed“

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A big second half helped LSU pick up a quality win at home to help boost its NCAA tournament resume. The Tigers outscored Texas A&M by nine points in the second half to beat the Aggies 76-71. Coach Johnny JOnes says his team executed well in the final 20 minutes of this game…

Cut 17 (17) “game today”

The victory improves LSU’s overall record to 16-9, 9-3 in the SEC and tied with Kentucky for first place in the league standings. We are about a month away from NCAA Tournament selection Sunday and Coach Johnny Jones says wins like this can help LSU’s at-large bid, but they need to keep piling up victories.

Cut 18 (11) “about that”

LSU is considered to be on the bubble when it comes to getting in the NCAA Tournament. Jones doesn’t want his team focusing on the tournament projections, instead the team should remain concentrated on getting as many wins as possible…

Cut 19 (14) “for us”