9:30 LRN Newscast

Legislation aimed at protecting kids from some of the darker sides of social media will be heard by a Senate committee.  Kevin Gallagher has more:

Cut 2 (31)  “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

A 14-year-old who admitted to shooting a St. Tammany Parish Deputy Sheriff last May was sentenced to serve four years in juvenile detention. Prosecutors say the shooting happened as Deputy Kenneth Doby was responding to a burglary call on Highway 21 in Bush. Doby was shot in the back but was still able to restrain the teen.  The unnamed teenager, who was 13 years old when he shot Doby on May 25 – has been incarcerated in the Florida Parishes Detention Center since being arrested. The teen was charged with several offenses including attempted first-degree murder of a peace officer and illegal possession of a handgun by a juvenile.

It’s tax day and if you’ve been waiting until the last minute to file your federal tax return – you have until midnight to meet the deadline. Metairie CPA Gina Rachel says get an extension if you need more time but file electronically is the more efficient route so you have proof.

Cut 5 (12) “…taxpayer.”

Failure to file a return on time is 5% of your tax bill each month but can increase to $425.

The statewide effort – “Love the Boot” week -is underway and Louisianans are encouraged to pick up trash and help with the state’s litter problem. Keep Louisiana Beautiful spokesperson Melissa Kenyon says around 280 clean-up events took place around the state last year and over 500 events are scheduled for this year.

Cut 14 (11)  “…by Sunday.”

The project was developed to get boots on the ground and to motivate individuals to clean areas in their neighborhoods and businesses.

8:30 LRN Newscast

If you’re one of the estimated 31-percent of taxpayers who wait until the last minute to file your taxes, the deadline is here.
Cut 1 (33) “I’m Teiko Foxx”

A suspect was fatally shot by police in Alexandria yesterday afternoon during an exchange of gunfire with law enforcement near Rapides Avenue and 12th street. The shootout occurred after an attempted traffic stop by Alexandria P-D. No officers were injured and the suspect’s identity has not been released.

The Cordish Companies is attempting to buy the former Diamond Jacks’s Casino in Bossier City. Gaming Control Board Chairman Ronnie Johns says Cordish owns Texas Live in Arlington, Texas. Johns says it’s a large entertainment venue and they are doing a billion dollar expansion on that property which had about nine million visitors last year….
cut 11 (11) “…approved it”
State Police is still examing Cordish’s financial records before the sale goes through.

It’s Love the Boot Week, a week long intensive effort to clean up trash along Louisiana highways and public spaces. Keep Louisiana Beautiful spokesperson, Melissa Kenyon, says when you look at the numbers from a recent study, the amount of litter is staggering…
cut 15 (10) “….to address”
For more information go to Keep Louisiana Beautiful-dot-org.

7:30 LRN Newscast

The deadline to file your federal tax return is today and if you’ve been procrastinating, you’re not alone. Metairie CPA Gina Rachel says if you’re not prepared to file, then you can request an extension….
Cut 4 (09) “…to pay.”
Failure to file a return on time is 5% of your tax bill each month but can increase to $425.

In Senate Commerce this afternoon, Covington Senator Patrick McMath’s bill that would make it a state law for a social media company to require parental consent for a minor to have an account will be heard. McMath knows there’s opposition to his legislation but he believes social media sites are detrimental for juveniles…
cut 9 (08) “…..protecting the public”

It’s Love the Boot Week and that means it’s time to talk trash about the state’s litter problem. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 3 (32) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

An emotional high school softball game took place yesterday in Winn Parish as Calvin High School defeated Castor 13 to 3. On Saturday, Calvin’s head coach, Chad Camp, was fatally shot. Authorities have arrested Camp’s 17-year-old son for manslaughter. Sheriff Jordan Cranford says the juvenile shot his Dad during an argument.

6:30 LRN Newscast

After receiving a hearing in the House Ways and Means Committee, Mandeville Representative Richard Nelson has decided not to move forward with his plan to eliminate the state’s income tax. But Nelson says if elected governor this fall, he’ll make that his priority during his time as the state’s highest elected official.

A Senate committee will hear a bill this afternoon aimed at protecting kids from some of the darker sides of social media. More from Kevin Gallagher…:
Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

There’s news of a prospective buyer for the former Diamond Jack’s Casino in Bossier City. Gaming Control Board Chairman Ronnie Johns says a few months ago Foundation Gaming was approved to build a land-based casino at the property. And now Foundation has been approached by The Cordish Companies and they plan to invest more than $250 million to transform the site.
Cut 10 (11) “…Bossier market.”
Cordish’s gaming division generates more than one-billion in annual revenue and has casinos in Maryland, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Tampa and Hollywood, Florida.

It’s “Love the Boot” week, a statewide initiative to clean up trash and bring about awareness of the state’s ongoing litter problem. Keep Louisiana Beautiful spokesperson Melissa Kenyon says the project was developed to get boots on the ground and to motivate individuals to clean areas in their neighborhoods and businesses.
Cut 13 (07) “…this week.”
Kenyon says there are over 500 clean-up events this week.

5:30 LRN Newscast and Legislative Report

A Senate Committee will discuss a bill to establish certain controls to protect minors on social media Tuesday. Covington Republican Senator Patrick McMath calls his legislation the “SOCIAL Act.” SOCIAL being an acronym for Secure Online Child Interaction and Age Limitation. McMath says his bill would affect any platform with 5 million or more users…:

AM Cut 7 (10) “…16 and under.”

 

McMath’s bill would require social media platforms to restrict certain content from the view of minors and impose an “online curfew” for youths on such apps and websites. He says his bill would impose fines of $2,500 per occurrence for violations…:

AM Cut 8 (12) “…does become law.”

Legislation to keep film tax incentives in place permanently in Louisiana will be heard in House Ways and Means Tuesday and a recent poll indicates 66 percent of residents are in favor of those incentives. Acting President of the Louisiana Film Entertainment Association Trey Burvant says they commissioned the JMC Analytics Poll of 600 residents.

PM Cut 9 (07) “…the numbers.”

And a bill to do away with state income tax appears to have been defeated. The House Ways & Means Committee voted to table Mandeville Representative Richard Nelson’s bill. Among his proposal to offset lost revenues, the bill would have lowered homestead exemptions and removed dozens of sales tax exemptions.  Sulphur Representative Les Farnum says those exemptions are good for his district…:

Cut 14 (10)  “…in your area”

4:30 LRN Newscast April 17

A Winn Parish softball coach was shot and killed over the weekend; allegedly by his own son. Winn Sheriff Cranford Jordan says 51-year-old Calvin High Coach Kevin Camp was pronounced dead at the scene Saturday and his 17-year-old son is now in custody. He says Camp was an outstanding person…:

CUT 07  (08)         “…last year.”

Calvin is scheduled to host Castor High in the opening round of state Division 5 playoffs. The school says the game WILL go on. Sheriff Jordan says father and son had a bad argument that led to the shooting.

Cops in Baton Rouge arrest three 19-year-old men for shooting and killing a pregnant woman and her unborn baby. Spokesman Sgt. L’Jean McKneely says Kerisha Johnson was sitting in her car, waiting to pick up some kids from a party, when gunfire erupted…:

CUT 04  (09)         “…been her.”

All three men are in parish prison; charged with murder and infanticide.

 

Legislation to keep film tax incentives in place permanently in Louisiana will be heard in House Ways and Means tomorrow and a recent poll indicates two-thirds of Louisiana taxpayers are in favor of them. Trey Burvant, with Louisiana Film Entertainment, says a poll by JMC Analytics ranked film incentives higher than tax breaks for oil, gas and chemicals…:

CUT 11(09)      “…positive it is.”

Current film & TV incentives end in 2025. This bill would end the sunset date altogether.

One bill NOT moving forward is Mandeville Rep. Richard Nelson’s proposal to end state income tax. It would have done so by lowering your homestead exemption and eliminating a lot of sales tax exemptions. After an hour of discussion, the committee agreed to table Nelson’s bill with no “yes or no” vote; meaning it is effectively dead for this year. Nelson says he will campaign for Governor on a platform of ending income taxes.

3:30 LRN Newscast April 17

A proposed bill to eliminate state income tax has been stymied by lawmakers. The House Ways & Means Committee voted to table Mandeville Rep. Richard Nelson’s bill without an up or down vote. Nelson says ending income tax would draw more businesses and people to the state. He says it would also help stop outmigration of the best and brightest…:

CUT 13  (12)         “…fix it.”

The bill is effectively dead for the session, but Nelson says he’ll campaign for Governor this fall on a platform of ending state income tax.

A Winn Parish high school sports coach is shot to death – allegedly by his own son. Winn Parish Sheriff Cranford Jordan says the 51-year-old victim was found dead at the scene of the shooting Saturday…:

CUT 06  (09)         “…gunshot wound.”

Camp’s 17-year-old son has been arrested. Jordan says the two had an argument.

 

With legislation afoot to make tax incentives for the film industry permanent, a poll indicates there’s widespread support for them. Brooke Thorington has more…:

CUT 02(33)      “…Thorington.”

If you’re looking for something fun and unusual to do this weekend, travel to Evangeline Downs in Opelousas for real live camel and zebra races. The races are scheduled for 5:30 this Saturday and will be free to the public. For information, visit Evangeline Downs on Facebook.

2:30 LRN Newscast April 17

A Winn Parish father and high school sports coach is shot dead – allegedly by his own son. Teiko Foxx has more…:

CUT 01  (30)        “…Foxx.”

Police in Shreveport seek the man who robbed the downtown Red River Bank branch. The man made off with an undisclosed amount of cash at about 8:40 today. SPD says the suspect is a tall, slender black man with a deformity of the left eye. Caddo Crimestoppers will gladly take tips; (318) 673-7373.

 

At the Capitol, a bill to do away with state income tax appears to have been defeated. The House Ways & Means Committee voted to table Mandeville Representative Richard Nelson’s bill. Among his proposals for offsetting the lost revenues, Nelson’s bill would have lowered homestead exemptions and done away with Industrial Tax Exemption Plans (also called ITEPS). Sulphur Representative Les Farnum says ITEPs are good for his district…:

CUT 14(10)      “…in your area.”

Nelson, who is running for governor, believes he would have a better chance at getting this tax reform passed if he was in the Governor’s Mansion.

Baton Rouge Police have arrested three 19-year-old men for the murder of a pregnant woman and her unborn child early Sunday morning. Sgt. L’Jean McKneely says minutes before the shooting – the victim dropped off teens at a party in the area…:

CUT 03(11)      “…them up.”

The teens are charged with second-degree murder and first-degree feticide. The investigation is ongoing.

1:30 LRN Newscast April 17

In Winn Parish they are investigating the murder of Calvin High School’s softball coach 51-year-old Kevin Camp. Sheriff Cranford Jordan (Jur-dan) says Camp and the 17-year-old got into an argument about returning home late and that’s when the teen allegedly shot his father. He says the juvenile has been charged with manslaughter in the death of his father.

Cut 8 (08)  “…man with.” 

The teenager is being held at the Winn Parish Sheriff’s Office.

Baton Rouge Police have arrested three 19-year-old men in the murder of a pregnant woman and her unborn child early Sunday morning. Sgt. L’Jean McKneely says one of the shooters was injured by gunfire, transported to a local hospital and then booked into the East Baton Rouge Parish Prison.

Cut 5 (09) “…year old.”

19-year-old Marques Porch, 19-year-old Gregory Parker, and 19-year-old Derrick Curry were charged with second-degree murder and first-degree feticide.

It appears Mandeville Representative Richard Nelson’s proposal to eliminate the state’s income tax is dead for the session. Nelson’s major tax reform idea is to do away with the income tax and replace the revenue lost by eliminating dozens of sales tax exemptions and lowering the homestead exemption. But Metairie Representative Laurie Schlegel says her constituents like the 75-thousand dollar homestead exemption

Cut 12 (10) “…oppose.” 

The bill was tabled.

12:30 LRN Newscast April 17

In Winn Parish they are investigating the murder of 51-year-old Kevin Camp, Calvin High School’s softball coach, after he was fatally shot allegedly by his son Saturday. Sheriff Cranford Jordan (Jur-dan) says Camp and the 17-year-old got into an argument about returning home late. He says Camp was well thought of.

Cut 7 (08)  “…last year.” 

The teenager is being held at the Winn Parish Sheriff’s Office.

Legislation to make film tax incentives permanent in Louisiana will be heard in House Ways and Means and a poll indicates 66 percent of residents are in favor of them. Acting president of the Louisiana Film Entertainment Association Trey Burvant says the JMC Analytics Poll of 600 residents found 78 percent are more likely to watch a movie if it was here.

Cut 10 (12) “…years later.” 

It appears Mandeville Representative Richard Nelson’s proposal to eliminate the state’s income tax is dead for the session. Nelson’s major tax reform idea is to do away with the income tax and replace the revenue lost by eliminating dozens of sales tax exemptions and lowering the homestead exemption. But Metairie Representative Laurie Schlegel says her constituents like the 75-thousand dollar homestead exemption

Cut 12 (10) “…oppose.” 

Nelson’s main argument for getting rid of the state’s income tax is that it will make Louisiana a more attractive state to businesses and people. He believes it would stop the brain drain…

Cut 13 (12) “…fix it”

Nelson who is running for governor believes he would have a better chance at getting this tax reform effort passed if he was in the governor’s mansion.