According to financial reports, Governor Bobby Jindal raised about $579,000 in his first week as a Republican presidential candidate. Eric Gill has more…

CUT 1 (30) “I’m Eric Gill”

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Gas prices in Louisiana are slowly continuing to drop. Emelie Gunn has more…

CUT 2 (28) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

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State Police announce the arrest of nine people for filing fraudulent insurance claims and keeping the money received. Sgt. James Anderson says the Kemper Home Service Group contacted them concerned that some of their employees in the Lake Charles area were filing false claims…

CUT 3 (07)  “of that investigation”

A majority of the fake claims were for lightning damage losses to electrical appliances. The fraudulent claims totaled over $55,000. Anderson says the nine arrested face various charges…

CUT 4 (07)  “after the fact”

He says charges of the accused range from insurance fraud, theft, to accessory after the fact. Anderson says LSP takes insurance fraud cases seriously and their Insurance Fraud Unit will continue to work these kind of cases…

CUT 5 (09)  “all pay for it” 2X

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Gas prices are slowly falling in Louisiana as the statewide average for a gallon of regular gasoline is $2.53. That’s according to the American Automobile Association. AAA fuel analyst Don Redman says this is about a nickel cheaper than last month.

CUT 6 (05)  “to drop”

Redman says this is not a nationwide trend and the West Coast is currently seeing prices go up by about 20 cents a gallon due to refinery and market issues. He says the Gulf Coast won’t be affected by this increase.

CUT 7 (08) “a gallon”

Redman says the slowing of the economy in Europe strengthens the U.S. dollar which greatly affects the cost of oil. He says he’s seen a drop in the price of crude from 60 to 50 dollars.

CUT 8 (09)  “the summer”

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According to financial reports filed Wednesday by federal regulators, Governor Bobby Jindal raised about $579,000 in his first week as a Republican presidential candidate. ULM Political Science Professor Joshua Stockley says this is not a very strong first step for the governor…

CUT 9 (06)  “presidential field”

He says $579,000 puts Jindal near the bottom of the Republican field. However, the Washington Examiner reports that Jindal also has almost $9 million in his corner thanks to supportive outside groups like the Believe Again Super PAC and America Next. Stockley says Jindal’s short term fundraising goal is to be able to adequately campaign in Iowa, South Carolina, and New Hampshire…

cut 10 (08) “the nomination” 

Stockley says Jindal needs to kick up fund raising efforts so he has enough cash for general advertising to improve his position in the polls, so he’s invited to participate in the upcoming debates…

cut 11 (07) “additional momentum”

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The 76-year-old Huey P. Long Medical  Center in Pineville is now on the National Register of Historic Places. Pineville Mayor Clarence Fields says its a worthy designation for a building that’s meant a lot to the people of central Louisiana

cut 12 (05)  “The Register”

The Huey P. Long Medical Center has been unoccupied since last summer when the hospital closed. Fields hopes this will encourage private investors to take a look at the facility and develop plans to re-purpose the building.

cut 13 (10)  “downtown area”

Fields says from health care perspective, the services provided at the facility meant so much to Pineville residents. He says losing the hospital was upsetting, but he hopes it can be fixed up and used again.

cut 14 (06) “building”

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LABI handed out 94 “F” grades to lawmakers on their yearly scorecard. Scott Carwile has more on why so many failed…

CUT 1 (30) “I’m Scott Carwile”

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A new report finds Louisiana has the third highest average combined state and local sales tax rate in the country. Jeff Palermo has the details…

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

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The national Confederate flag controversy could be causing problems at a Louisiana High School. Emelie Gunn has the story…

Cut 3 (30) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

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The Louisiana Association of Business and Industry has handed out “F” grades to 94 lawmakers in their annual legislative scorecard. LABI’s Vice President for Policy and Research Camille  Conaway says lawmakers who received an “F” grade voted for more than 600 million dollars in new taxes on businesses.

cut 4  (10)  “failing grades”

Lawmakers say the tax increases were necessary to prevent big budget cuts to higher education and health care. But Conaway says this past session was the highest tax increase in Louisiana in decades and it was unnecessary because there were other avenues that the legislature could’ve used to balance the budget.

Cut 5  (10)  “you believe”

Many of the lawmakers who received “F” grades are up for reelection or running for another political office. Conaway says there will certainly be an impact on the election cycle as a result of the tax increase.

Cut 6 (11)  “scorecard”

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Louisiana has moved past Alabama for the third highest average combined state and local sales tax. That’s according to the Tax Foundation, who puts together a report every July on sales tax rates. Economist Scott Drenkard says Louisiana ranks high on their list, because it has the highest average local tax rate in the country

CUT 7 (11)  “rate”

Drenkard says Louisiana’s average combined state and local sales tax rate is 9.01 percent, which is a little higher than Alabama, who Louisiana surpassed in the last year. He says that’s because a few local governments raised their sales taxes

Cut 8  (10)  “previous tabulation” 

Drenkard says Louisiana has one of the highest average combined state and local sales tax rates, because of its generous homestead tax exemption, which reduces the amount of property taxes homeowners pay

Cut 9 (09)  “in a different tax”

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Livingston Sen. Dale Erdey is asking the Department of Transportation to check the feasibility of turning the inside shoulder of I-12 into a travel lane between Baton Rouge and Walker. The proposal would make the 15 mile corridor grow from six to eight lanes between the I-10/12 split and Walker. Erdey believes this would be a huge help…:

Cut 10 (10) “their employers”

Erdey says the request is contained in a Louisiana Senate approved resolution he has sponsored and is about to get a review by DOTD. He says the process is in the early stages at this time…:

cut 11 (06)  “from DOTD”

Erdey says not only would this help the many motorists who use I-12 through Baton Rouge, it would be good for commerce as well…:

cut 12 (11) “for all of our motorists”

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The controversy over the Confederate flag and monuments has spilled over to whether the “Rebels” mascot is appropriate for West Monroe High School. A Facebook page has been started calling for a new nickname for West Monroe High. But 1989 Alumnus Shane Acree has started a counter page called “Hands off my West Monroe High School mascot.”

Cut 13 (09)  “no different”

The West Monroe High School Rebel Mascot Change Facebook page states their message is: “we have seen the rebel mascot and partnering Confederate flag cause much harm and suffering to many of our friends, family and business associates.” Acree says the mascot has nothing to do with what’s going on with the Confederate flag controversy across the country.

Cut 14 (10) “our mascot”

Acree says he’s heard it isn’t being seriously considered by the School Board Superintendent. He says West Monroe High school has generational pride and students and alumni don’t want their mascot changed.

Cut 15  (09)   “from us”

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Defensive coordinator John Chavis’ move from LSU to Texas A&M was a topic for discussion when Aggies head coach Kevin Sumlin appeared at SEC Media Days. Sumlin admitted he went after Chavis after his LSU defenses kept Aggie offenses in check…

Cut 16  (24)  “needed it”

Chavis takes over a defense that ranked 102nd in the country last season in total defense. The “Chief” will return to Baton Rouge on November 28th, when LSU hosts A&M. Sumlin says Chavis leaving Baton Rouge for College Station is just another chapter in a spicy rivalry between the two schools

Cut 17 (17) ” the field” 

LSU’s SEC opener is September 12th at Mississippi State. The Bulldogs are once again led by Louisiana native Dak Prescott, who led the Bulldogs to a 34-29 win over the Tigers last season. State head coach Dan Mullen says  Prescott has improved in getting rid of the football

Cut 18 (22) “the chains”

Louisiana’s Republican Congressional delegation does not support the Iran nuclear deal President Obama has agreed to. Eric Gill reports…

CUT 1 (30) “I’m Eric Gill”

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The release of Harper Lee’s newest work, “Go Set a Watchman” is stirring up some controversy with “To Kill a Mockingbird” lovers. Emelie Gunn has more on why…

CUT 2 (29) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

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Louisiana’s most popular summer-blooming tree, the crepe myrtle, is blooming later and less than normal this year. LSU AgCenter horticulturist Allen Owings says we’re seeing a decrease flower development because of weather conditions this past spring…

CUT 3 (08)  “this summer”

He says the cooler, wetter spring accompanied by an increase in bacterial leaf spot disease has stunted this summer’s crepe myrtle bloom. Crepe myrtles generally begin blooming between mid-May and early-June and continue flowering through the summer. Owing says these trees like sunshine, above average temperatures, and dry conditions…

CUT 4 (10)  “we are now”

Owing says there’s really not anything that can be done, at this point, to improve the bloom of crepe myrtles for this year. He says spring leaf growth on the trees is key to a healthy blooming tree in the summer…

CUT 5 (08)  “foliage growth”

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Shreveport Police have a man in custody accused of stabbing his teenage nephew to death. Cpl. Marcus Hines says officers learned that 15-year-old Willie Latin III was stabbed following a physical altercation inside his home. He says Latin was transported to a local hospital where he died a short time later…

CUT 6 (09)  “young man”

52-year-old Edward Debrow (de BRO), Latin’s uncle who also resided at the home, has been charged with second-degree murder in the teen’s death. Hines says the investigation is in its early stages but they are beginning to get a picture of what happened…

CUT 7 (08) “becoming physical”

It’s alleged that during an argument with Latin, Debrow grabbed a sharp edged object that he used to stab the teenager. Hines says investigators are still trying to determine what started the argument that lead to the fatal stabbing…

CUT 8 (10)  “that we received”

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Republicans in Louisiana’s Congressional delegation don’t like the Iran nuclear deal that the president has agreed to. Essentially this would mean that in exchange for limits on nuclear activities, Iran gets billions in relief from international sanctions. 1st District Congressman and House Majority Whip Steve Scalise…:

CUT 9 (09)  “high cost”

If Congress rejects the deal, it’s not likely they have the required two-thirds vote to override the veto President Obama has promised. Scalise says this is a bad deal and if it’s allowed to go forward it would mark the beginning of Iran’s path to a nuclear weapon…:

cut 10 (06) “we have” 

Richland Parish Congressman Ralph Abraham believes lifting sanctions against Iran puts America, Israel, and all of our allies in the Middle East in danger…

cut 11 (11) “on Israel”

Congress has 60 days to review the Iran accord. Abraham believes this deal with Iran is a bad move on President Obama’s part…

cut 12 (11)  “United States”

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With the release of Harper Lee’s long lost “To Kill a Mockingbird”  sequel, many readers aren’t happy Atticus Finch can be seen as a racist in “Go Set a Watchman.” Jessica Lacher-Feldman, head of LSU Libraries’ Special Collections division, says we never expected to see another book in Lee’s life time and suggests people avoid reviews and read the book to form their own opinion.

cut 13 (11)  “racism”

Harper Lee wrote “Go Set a Watchman” before “To Kill a Mockingbird” but was advised by her agents and editors to stick with the book from a child’s perspective. Lacher-Feldman says readers need to take the book as a piece of literature written in the 1950’s and understand it represents 1950’s Alabama.

cut 14 (12) “Atticus Finch”

Lacher-Feldman says for those disappointed into the way Atticus Finch turned out, remember we are all human. She says to take away lessons from “Go Set a Watchman” to help improve you in the future.

cut 15 (10) “from it”

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Affiliates the newscall had to be updated as a result of the federal disaster declaration made by the President late on Monday. As a result cut 7 is no longer good. 

In an effort to raise additional funds, the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is looking at selling advertising on its properties. Scott Carwile reports…

CUT 1 (30) “I’m Scott Carwile”

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According to a recent study by WalletHub, Louisiana is the 10th least energy expensive state, but we use the most electricity in the country. Michelle Southern reports…:

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Michelle Southern”

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An LSU AgCenter study shows Louisiana farmers suffered about 30 million dollars in feral hog damage in 2013. Emelie Gunn has more…

Cut 3 (30) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

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In an effort to raise additional funds, the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is looking into selling advertising on its properties. LDWF spokesman Bo Boehringer says legislation passed in this year’s legislative session allows the department to take advantage of this revenue stream opportunity…

cut 4  (11)  “assistance vehicles”

The state Department of Transportation receives $250,000 annually from State Farm Insurance for ads placed on their Motorist Assistance Program vehicles. Boehringer says the ads will be tastefully done and people shouldn’t expect to see ads pop up in middle of wildlife areas…

Cut 5  (09)  “don’t forsee that”

He says there is still a lot of work to be done to determine what is made available on an ad sales basis. Boehringer says these ad sales are an effort for LDWF to stay self-sufficient…

Cut 6 (07)  “in that process”

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Five parishes that were impacted by flooding from the Red River have been declared a federal disaster area. The declaration means federal dollars will be available to local government agencies in Caddo, Bossier, Grant, Natchitoches and Red River.

CUT 7 (10)  “everyday”   (Sorry affiliates this soundbite isn’t good anymore)

Director of the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness Kevin Davis says police, fire and public work departments who had paid overtime during the disaster will benefit from this assistance.  Davis says whether individual citizens affected by the flood will be eligible for federal aid, is still being determined….

Cut 8  (09)  “give I.A.” 

Damage from the Red River flood was estimated at more than 17 million dollars.  Hundreds of home were flooded in the Caddo and Bosier Parishes.  Davis says when they looked into personal damage assistance they found most residents had insurance, which could effect if this type of aid will be approved.

Cut 9 (07)  “shortly”

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According to a recent study by WalletHub, Louisiana is the 10th least energy expensive state, but we use the most electricity in the country. Spokeswoman Jill Gonzalez says in these hot summer months, utility bills are through the roof..:

Cut 10 (10) “highest in the country”

Gonzalez says The Bayou State placed 4th in the country for the price of electricity, but 51st in total consumption per housing unit. She says another factor they looked at in this study was how much motorists pay for gas and how much they consume…:

cut 11 (09)  “low there”

The numbers show that, on average, Louisianians pay $284 a month total on energy coming within the top 10. Gonzalez says they also looked at natural gas for the study and Louisiana is in the top 10 for the least amount of natural gas used due to our relatively mild winters. She says it’s important to note that cheap electricity doesn’t mean we’re paying less

cut 12 (12) “out of pocket”

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An LSU AgCenter study finds feral hogs caused at least 30 million dollars worth of damage to Louisiana farms in 2013. Hogs are known to spread fatal diseases to livestock and root up crops.  AgCenter economist Shaun Tanger says they are growing rapidly and destroying everything in their path.

Cut 13 (12)  “livestock”

The Louisiana soybean, hay, rice and corn crops suffer the most from hog damage. Tanger says the population in the state is about 500-thousand. He says hog hunting is allowed year round, day and night, to help reduce the population but that’s not enough.

Cut 14 (09) “anything else”

Tanger says about 75 percent of feral hogs would need to be eliminated to keep up with the current population. He says there is talk about changing policies on different ways of controlling the animals, like poison baiting and trapping.

Cut 15  (10)  “profile issue”

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The LSU football team will have two tough conference games in the month of September. On September 12th, the Tigers will visit Mississippi State and then on the 19th, they’ll host Auburn at 2:30. Auburn has a new quarterback, six-foot-five Jeremy Johnson from from Montgomery, Alabama. The junior signal caller says SEC defenses will have trouble slowing down Auburn’s offense…

Cut 16  (12)  “feel comfortable”

Third year head football coach Gus Malzahn says he expects Johnson to have success right away as their starting quarterback…

Cut 17 (18) ” team leader” 

The newest coach in the Southeastern Conference is Jim McElwain. He’ll bring his Gators to LSU on October 17th. McElwain takes over for Will Muschamp, who struggled to put together a quality offense at Florida. McElwain says there’s talent on his roster to win games

Cut 18 (19) “help us develop”

It appears the Louisiana High School Athletics Association has avoided a work stoppage involving its game officials. Jeff Palermo has the story…

CUT 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

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The Smoking Cessation Trust saw its highest monthly enrollment in June with over 2,000 Louisianians signing up for its free smoking cessation program. Eric Gill has more…

CUT 2 (29) “I’m Eric Gill”

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The LHSAA and its officials have reached a tentative agreement that will prevent a work stoppage by referees this fall. Louisiana High School Officials Association President Paul LaRosa says they were able to come to terms after a four hour plus meeting in Baton Rouge on Sunday

CUT 3 (09)  “the meeting”

LaRosa says they are holding off on releasing any details of the agreement to the public, until they can speak with their officials…

CUT 4 (09)  “for them”

Officials threatened to strike and not show up when volleyball and football games started in August, unless they received a pay raise and other stipulations, like improved security at games. LaRosa is not saying publicly whether the agreement struck on Sunday will result in more pay for refs…

CUT 5 (10)  “we did”

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The Smoking Cessation Trust saw its highest monthly enrollment in June with over 2,000 Louisianians signing up for its free smoking cessation program. CEO Mike Rogers attributes the jump in soon-to-be ex-smokers, in part, to the state’s 50-cent tax increase for a pack of cigarettes. He says CDC statistics back up this theory…

CUT 6 (12)  “adolescent smokers”

He adds that recent smoking bans enacted in cities across the state, as well as on public college and university campuses, could be another reason for the enrollment increase. The Smoking Cessation Trust was set up in 2012 as the result of a class-action lawsuit against tobacco companies. Rogers says the goal is to help more than 210,000 Louisianians kick the habit…

CUT 7 (06) “program ends”

He says almost 35,000 residents have signed up for the program. To be eligible, you must be a Louisiana resident who began smoking before September 1, 1988. You can find more information at www-dot-smokefreela-dot-org. Rogers says roughly half of the smokers in the state are eligible to get free help…

CUT 8 (04)  “prime targets”

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The Baton Rouge Police Department is investigating an apparent murder/suicide which left three dead and one injured in an incident which took place in front of a 1-year-old child. Corporal L’Jean McKneely says they believe 20-year-old Marquiles Whaley is the shooter and he was involved in some sort of argument at the home..:

CUT 9 (10)  “shot himself”

McKneely says Whaley is suspected of shooting his girlfriend, 18-year-old Makayla Jones and her mother, 36-year-old Romander Jones (who survived) and her boyfriend, 38-year-old Shawyn Lollis before turning the gun on himself…:

cut 10 (06) “part of the three” 

McKneely says Romander Jones remains hospitalized but she has been able to talk to investigators…:

cut 11 (08) “as we can”

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The Lake Charles Police Department says two officers are on administrative leave after a burglary suspect shot himself inside a squad car. Lt. Kevin Kirkum says 18-year-old Stacy Lamb of Lake Charles was arrested after a burglary attempt at a local business. Kirkam says officers placed Lamb in the back seat of their police unit…

cut 12 (08)  “of the weapon”

He says Lamb shot himself twice in the foot with a department issued weapon that had been left in an equipment bag in the back seat of the police car. Kirkum says detectives are working to determine the intent of the shooting…

cut 13 (08)  “as we speak”

Kirkum says criminal and internal investigations are underway as a result of this incident. The names of the officers involved have not been released citing the ongoing investigation. Kirkum says Lamb was taken to a local hospital for treatment of his injuries…

cut 14 (07) “was arrested for”

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The Avoyelles Parish Sheriff’s office says cops are searching for a woman being held on double homicide charges who escaped from prison over the weekend. Sheriff Doug Anderson says 25-year-old Melissa Hayes, who was arrested in February in Alexandria, busted a lock in the dorm of the Cottonport facility and went into the rec yard…:

cut 15 (11) “down from the fence”

Anderson says they believe Hayes could be in the Alexandria area where she’s from. He says they know she got into a vehicle near the prison at a gas station with a someone who didn’t realize she was an escapee…

cut 16 (11) “in Mansura”

Governor Bobby Jindal ranks 13th in an Iowa poll for the Republican presidential nomination. Emelie Gunn has more…

CUT 1 (28) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

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Louisiana’s four candidate for governor provide their thoughts on possible changes to the state’s film tax credit program. Scott Carwile has the story…

Cut 2 (30) “I’m  Scott Carwile”

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It’s described by some as the unofficial start to the college football season, SEC Media Days gets underway today in Hoover, Alabama. Jeff Palermo has the story..

Cut 3 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

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Starting today, the eastbound side of the Mississippi River Bridge in Natchez, Mississippi and Vidalia will see lane closures for the placement of concrete barriers. State Department of Transportation Spokesperson Rodney Mallet says starting on July 20th, the westbound side of the bridge will be closed for seven weeks.

cut 4  (06)  “the bridge”
Mallet warns drivers to anticipate delays. He says to be patient while going through this traffic.

Cut 5  (05)  “accordingly”

Mallet says during this seven week period, no vehicles wider than 14 feet will be allowed to cross the bridge.

Cut 6 (04)  “the bridge”

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A republican presidential nomination poll conducted by KBUR/WAA in Iowa, places Governor Bobby Jindal in 13th with 2 percent from likely caucus goers . Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker leads with 18 percent. Robin Johnson ,with KBUR, says because he just announced a couple of weeks ago, it’s a little early to judge Jindal’s polling records at this point.

CUT 7 (07)  “primary”

The Iowa caucuses on February 1st are the first of the contests for the 2016 Presidential election. Johnson says there is a lot of pressure on candidates now and Jindal needs to do something big to get more name recognition to place in the top 10 for the August debates.

Cut 8  (08)  “candidates” 

Johnson says with so many candidates competing for so much of the vote, Jindal could be fighting for the evangelical vote. He says Jindal is having some success in Iowa but time is ticking.

Cut 9 (11)  “had anticipated”

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The Louisiana Film and Entertainment Association will ask the next governor to make changes to the state’s film tax credit program, after lawmakers placed a 180-million dollar cap on credits redeemed in a fiscal year. Lt. Governor and republican gubernatorial candidate Jay Dardenne says the cap was set too low

Cut 10 (06) “cameras rolling”

The lone democrat in the race, Amite representative John Bel Edwards, says he supports a cap on this program in the range of 180-million dollars

cut 11 (09)  “entire year”

Republican Senator David Vitter says he doesn’t agree with what the legislature did, when it capped the amount of film tax credits redeemed, instead of issued. He says it creates too much uncertainty and he plans to address this issue during a special session after he’s sworn in

cut 12 (10) “very inviting”

If elected governor, Republican Public Service Commission member Scott Angelle says plans to examine all of the tax credits on the books to determine if they creating jobs and growing our economy…

Cut 13 (07)  “reconsideration”

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SEC football media days get underway today in Hoover, Alabama, which is the unofficial start to the college football season. Hundreds of reporters attend this event to hear from SEC coaches and players. Braden Gall, with Athlon Sports, says new SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey, who replaced Mike Slive, kicks off the festivities by speaking with the media…

Cut 14 (10) “they happened”

Gall says the handling of discipline when players get in trouble off the field will likely be a topic Sankey gets into. LSU football coach Les Miles and three of his players will go before the large contingent of media on Thursday. Leonard Fournette will be there and Gall says the running back will find out what its like to be a star football player in the SEC

Cut 15  (12)  “totally different”

This week the SEC will release who the media thinks will play in the conference title game. Alabama and Auburn are the favorites in the west. Gall says LSU will get some consideration

Cut 16  (07)  “so loaded”

The Louisiana Film and Entertainment Association drops plans to file a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of a new law that capped the film tax credit program. Michelle Southern has the story…

CUT 1 (30) “I’m Michelle Southern”

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A new poll on the governor’s race shows Republican David Vitter and Democrat John Bel Edwards in a statistical tie. Emelie Gunn has more…

CUT 2 (30) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

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An automated telephone survey conducted by Mississippi-based Triumph Campaigns finds Republican US Senator David Vitter and Democratic State representative John Bel Edwards neck and neck in the governor’s race. Vitter received 31-percent of the vote, while Edwards had 30-percent in a poll of 16-hundred voters. Jeremy Alford of la-politics-dot-com says this poll resembles previous surveys…

CUT 3 (06)  “for a runoff”

The automated poll did not reach cell phone users and it did not ask voters who they would vote for in a run-off. Republican PSC member Scott Angelle garnered 14-percent in this poll, while GOP Lt. Governor Jay Dardenne had 11-percent. Alford says it appears Angelle’s TV commercials are working, because he previously polled in the single digits

CUT 4 (06)  “to folks”

The gubernatorial primary is set for October 24th. Alford says a lot can still change as the candidates have yet to do anything to get the voters’ attention….

CUT 5 (10)  “this race”

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The Louisiana Film and Entertainment Association announces they will not move forward with a lawsuit challenging the law recently passed that caps the state’s film tax credit program. L-F-E-A President Will French says a constitutional challenge is not needed, because they are pleased with how the Jindal administration is interpreting the new law

CUT 6 (05)  “doing that”

French says instead of engaging in a legal battle, they believe their efforts are better served working with state agencies to make sure the film industry can still thrive…

CUT 7 (08) “new law”

French says there are several problems with the legislation that reformed the motion picture incentive program. He says they hope to fix those glitches when a new governor is sworn in

CUT 8 (10)  “endorse it”

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Louisiana State Police is alerting motorists to expect delays when traveling between Lafayette and Baton Rouge on Interstate 10 this weekend. Heavy backups are anticipated as a result of lane closures on the Mississippi River bridge. Trooper Bryan Lee says construction will begin at 8 o’clock tonight.

CUT 9 (11)  “afternoon (2x)”

I-10 westbound at Grosse Tete will remain closed until 6:00 am Monday morning. Lee advises drivers to take an alternate route rather than sitting in traffic.

cut 10 (07) “Baton Rouge” 

Lee says the lane closures are for road improvement work. He says construction crews will be present, so drive with caution…

cut 11 (11) “distractions”

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The Department of Children and Family Services is implementing  policy changes after a 15-year-old Baton Rouge boy was found in a home weighing just 47 pounds and with insect bites.  DCFS Secretary Suzy Sonnier says children who are not able to speak and live in terrible conditions will now be assessed by a group of medical professionals.

cut 12 (12)  “the child”

Sonnier says this is an important step to prevent similar situations  from happening again. She says they’re still investigating this child’s living conditions and is hopeful this change will help decide if DCFS needs to take on additional policies to improve the process of future investigations.

cut 13 (09)  “themselves”

Sonnier says adding medical experts to case examinations can determine allegations of abuse and neglect and better decide what actions to take during a follow up with a special needs child.

cut 14 (07) “do that”

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Former Florida Governor Jeb Bush is scheduled to visit the Ruston area on Saturday. Scott Carwile has the story…

CUT 1 (30) “I’m Scott Carwile”

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Lt. Governor Jay Dardenne is hopeful the Miss USA Pageant will still be a success even after the Donald Trump controversy. Emelie Gunn has more….

Cut 2 (28) “I’m  Emelie Gunn”

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The Louisiana High School Officials Association executive committee meets on Sunday as referees plan to strike over pay and other work conditions. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 3 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

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Republican presidential contender Jeb Bush is scheduled to visit the Ruston area this weekend for a fundraiser, hosted by Bush-family supporter James Davison. ULM Political Science Professor Joshua Stockley says this visit is not surpsising to him, as many candidates are using this time to travel the nation to receive endorsements and financial backing…

cut 4  (09)  “in Louisiana”

Stockley says Bush’s visit means that Governor Bobby Jindal does not hold the support of many Louisiana residents, including prominent Republican supporters…

Cut 5  (09)  “positive thing”

Because of his family name and finanical strengths, Stockey considers the former Florida governor to be one of the top Republican candidates for the 2016 presidential election…

Cut 6 (05)  “reflects that”

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Despite all the controversy surrounding Donald Trump, his Miss USA pageant goes on as scheduled this Sunday night in Baton Rouge. It won’t be shown on NBC as previously scheduled but it will be shown on the Reelz network and locally in Baton Rouge. Lt. Governor Jay Dardenne says the ladies are still enjoying their time in the Capitol City and around Louisiana.

CUT 7 (07)  “in Baton Rouge”

When NBC announced it will no longer air the Miss USA pageant because of Trump’s comments about Mexican immigrants, many people were disappointed, including Dardenne. He says the state planned on paying the pageant 50-thousand dollars for the national TV exposure and it’s unclear if they will still make that payment…

Cut 8  (05)  “completed” 

Dardenne says the 51 contestants are focused on their performance in the pageant and are putting the controversy behind them.

Cut 9 (11)  “Sunday night”

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Country music superstar Garth Brooks and wife Trisha Yearwood arrive today to start the first of four World Tour shows in New Orleans this weekend. New Orleans Convention and Visitors Bureau spokesperson Kristian Sonnier says this tour should bring in large numbers of  visitors in what is typically a slow month for tourism in the city…

Cut 10 (03) “here in town”

Sonnier says Garth Brooks’ concerts will likely draw in visitors from the surrounding states with many choosing to extend their stay. He says there’s other events in the Big Easy that will add to the big weekend…

cut 11 (10)  “tales of the cocktails”

Brooks announced his New Orleans shows back in May, exciting Louisiana residents as he appears for the first time in the state in nearly two decades…

cut 12 (07) “gone anywhere”

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The executive committee of the Louisiana High School Officials Association meets on Sunday as referees plan to strike, jeopardizing the upcoming high school football and volleyball seasons. The association’s president Paul LaRosa says officials are looking for a pay increase, but that’s not the only reason why they are upset

Cut 13 (08)  “trying to fix”

LaRosa says they want signed contracts with individual schools that stipulate referee pay and other conditions, including security at games. He says refs are tired of promises of more pay, which is why a work stoppage maybe necessary…

Cut 14 (09) “our officials”

LHSAA Executive Director Eddie Bonine schools can not legally enter into a contract with officials and he’s asking for more time to discuss this issue with high school principals and superintendents…

Cut 15  (10)  “on this”

Bonine says he’ll attend the officials association executive committee meeting on Sunday. He hopes something can be worked out to prevent a ref work stoppage, because student-athletes shouldn’t have to worry about whether they’ll play games this year…

Cut 16  (05)  “the way”

An online portal set up by the Department of Education is accepting public comments about Common Core. Emelie Gunn spoke with a state lawmaker about the review process…

CUT 1 (27) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

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The Army announce 388 soldiers will be cut from Fort Polk. Jeff Palermo has more on how people feel about this…

CUT 2 (29) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

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The State Department of Education has set up an online portal to accept comments from the public about Common Core. This is part of the extensive review process of the controversial English and math standards. Lake Charles Rep. Brett Geymann helped set up this public comment period…

CUT 3 (10)  “development”

Geymann says the comments made on the online portal will be reviewed next month by 101 educators and other experts who have been charged to provide BESE with possible changes to Common Core….

CUT 4 (11)  “moving forward”

As part of the review process, Geymann says the new governor, legislature and BESE will  have a say on what changes could be made. He say to provide public comments visit louisiana.statestandards.com.

CUT 5 (10)  “their opinion”

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The Avoyelles Parish Sheriff’s Office says a man shot and killed his 7-year-old daughter, then turned the gun on himself in an apparent murder/suicide. Sheriff Doug Anderson says they got a 911 call around 8:50pm Wednesday evening in reference to two bodies laying in a field in the Vick area…:

CUT 6 (08)  “shot to death”

Anderson says they determined that 28-year-old Ryan Recktenwald killed his young daughter and then killed himself. He says they have no idea what caused this man to do such a thing…:

CUT 7 (09) “only 7-years-old”

Anderson says the call came from from the residence next to the field where Recktenwald and his daughter lived with his ex-girlfriend. He says investigators interviewed people that knew the father…:

CUT 8 (10)  “last week or so”

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The Jefferson Davis Parish Sheriff’s office says a man has died after he tried to steal copper from a utility pole. Chris Ivey, commands the sheriff’s office criminal investigations division, says 51-year-old Jesse Jones III of Reeves was electrocuted while trying to yank down copper wire from pols near U-S Highway 165…

CUT 9 (09)  “your heart”

Jones was pronounced dead at a Lake Charles hospital and three others were arrested on theft charges. Ivey says Entergy officials report the four men performed 10-thousand dollars in damages to eight power lines

cut 10 (07) “of utilities” 

Ivey says three men who were also involved in stealing of the copper wire, were the ones that alerted the authorities about the electrocution…

cut 11 (10) “the ground”

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The US Army has announced a soldier reduction of 388 at Fort Polk. It’s part of a troop reduction of 40-thousand that’s impacting Army bases across the country. Fort Polk Progress Chairman Michael Reese is glad the Army spared major cuts to the Vernon Parish military base…

cut 12 (10)  “6,500”

Reese says the Joint Readiness Training Center on the base will not be touched by the reduction. He says their main concern was cuts to the depolyable combat brigade, which also will not lose any soldiers.

cut 13 (08)  “that value”

Reese says their main focus now is to prevent future reductions. He says Louisiana delegates are paving the way nationally to stop the Army from making any more cuts.

cut 14 (11) “of service”

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An official announcement is expected later today, but Fort Polk is expected to lose 350 soldiers as part of the US Army’s effort to reduce troop numbers by 40-thousand. Jeff Palermo has the story…

CUT 1 (28) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

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The Lafayette Parish District Attorney says an appeal is coming over the length of sentence Seth Fontenot received in the shooting death of a 15-year-old. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (30) “I’m  Scott Carwile”

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Anti-abortion advocates gather in New Orleans for a three-day convention that begins today. Emelie Gunn has the story…

Cut 3 (30) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

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The National Right to Life convention begins a three day conference in New Orleans today that will feature Republican presidential hopefuls including Governor Bobby Jindal who will make an appearance tonight. Ben Clapper, Executive Director of Louisiana Right to Life says tomorrow there will be a forum with some big names.

cut 4  (07)  “presidential candidates”

Rick Perry and Rick Santorum will also be at the forum. Clapper says The Duck Dynasty family will join the conference for a prayer breakfast on Saturday.  He says delegates from all 50 states come together to celebrate a festival of life and feature speakers to educate individuals of the Right to Life movement.

Cut 5  (06)  “our country”

Clapper says their mission is to restore the culture of life in America by bringing an end to abortion and all action to destroy innocent life.

Cut 6 (06)  “the impotent”

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An official announcement from the US Army is expected today, but 5th District US Representative Ralph Abraham has learned Fort Polk will lose 358 soldiers from its Vernon Parish military base, as part of a plan to cut 40-thousand troops nationwide. Abraham says Fort Polk should add soldiers, not lose them, because of the growing threat from ISIS and countries like Iran and North Korea…

CUT 7 (10)  “defies logic”

Abraham says Fort Polk did not get hit as hard as others, as one base will lose three-thousand troops, but the loss of one soldier is tough to take…

Cut 8  (09)  “adding troops” 

Fort Polk has 81-hundred troops stationed at its base and it’s located in the district of U-S Representative John Fleming. The republican from Minden says Fort Polk and the surrounding area has worked hard to stave off any troop reductions

Cut 9 (11)  “dollars in”

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The Lafayette Parish District Attorney will seek through an appeal to have 21-year-old Seth Fontenot spend more than 13 months in prison for the shooting death of a 15-year-old. Fontentot , who was convicted on manslaughter and two counts of aggravated battery, was sentenced to three years in prison, but most of the sentence was suspended. Lafayette D-A Keith Stutes says they will argue to the appeals court that none of his sentence should be suspended

Cut 10 (09) “at all”

Fontenot shot at a moving truck in 2012. One of the bullets killed Austin Rivault and two other teens were also wounded. Austin’s father asked the judge during the sentencing hearing for the maximum 40-year sentence. Stutes agrees the final sentence handed down was light…

cut 11 (09)  “higher sentence”

Fontenot has admitting to shooting at the truck that had three teens inside, but he says he did so, because he thought they were breaking into his vehicle. Stutes says they will file a write with the Third Circuit Court of Appeal challenging the sentence

cut 12 (08) “will be”

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The University of Louisiana System has approved tuition and fee increases at their four-year universities. The highest increase is at UL Lafayette, 20-percent, while Nicholls State’s tuition hike is less than two percent . U-L System President Doctor Sandra Woodley says before tuition hikes were approved, they looked at how many students at a particular school received the TOPS scholarship, plus other factors…

Cut 13 (10)  “to the state”

Woodley says UL Lafayette’s was allowed to raise its tuition by 20-percent, because of the GRAD Act legislation approved in 2010, which gave campuses more autonomy if it met certain goals. She says the school’s 2014-15 tuition was also well below the Southern Regional Average

Cut 14 (10) “others had”

Woodley says Nicholls State and Grambling are the only schools in the system that will not see a tuition hike of 10-percent or more. She says Nicholls is struggling with its enrollment and there was a concern not to price out prospective students…

Cut 15  (10)  “increase”