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.

11:30 LRN Newscast

Winn Parish deputies are investigating a murder that claimed the life of the Calvin High School softball coach who was fatally shot by his son after an altercation Saturday. Sheriff Cranford Jordan (Jur-dan) says 51-year-old Kevin Chad Camp was pronounced dead on the scene.
Cut 6 (09) “…gunshot would.”
Camp’s 17-year-old son has been charged with manslaughter.

A 36-year-old pregnant woman is dead and three 19-year-olds have been charged in her death. Baton Rouge Police Sergeant L’Jean McKneely says Kerisha Johnson was sitting in a vehicle waiting to pick up family members from a party, when shots rang out and then shots were returned towards her vehicle….
cut 4 (09) “…been her”
One of the suspects is reportedly a deputy at the West Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s office.

Legislation to keep film tax incentives in place permanently in Louisiana will be heard in House Ways and Means tomorrow and a statewide poll conducted last month indicates 66 percent of residents are in favor of those incentives. Acting President of the Louisiana Film Entertainment Association Trey Burvant says they commissioned JMC Analytics to poll 600 residents.
Cut 9 (08) “…the numbers.”
The survey also found that 78 percent of those polled are more likely to watch a movie if it was filmed in Louisiana.

LSU baseball remains ranked number one in the polls after taking two of three from Kentucky. Tigers Coach Jay Johnson says winning a series against a team that had the best R-P-I in the country is huge…
Cut 18 (19) “…to.the players.”
The Tigers are back home tomorrow night to host U-L Lafayette.

10:30 LRN Newscast April 17

Baton Rouge Police have arrested three 19-year-old males in the murder of a pregnant woman and her unborn child on Sunday, April 16. Sgt. L’Jean McKneely says minutes before the shooting – the victim dropped off teens at a party in the area.

Cut 3 (11) “…them up.”

36-year-old Kerisha Johnson, who was 9 months pregnant was killed while sitting in her car after returning to pick up the teens. Marques Porch, Gregory Parker, and Derrick Curry have been charged with the shooting.

Last year Shreveport Senator Barry Milligan legislation’s created a commission to assist schools and nonprofits with security and now he wants to make it a permanent office. He says it’s important to have a central point of reference to provide resources and guidance on how to apply for grants.

Cut 15 (08)  “…with this.”

The Center for Safe Schools would operate within GOHSEP.

Of the seven statewide elected positions in Louisiana, only two are seeking reelection this fall. ULM Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says while the big focus is on the governor’s race, getting elected as Secretary of State, Treasurer or AG sets you up for a bigger job in the future…

Cut 8 (12) “…Louisiana politics.”

Independent candidate for Governor Hunter Lundy is keeping an eye on what the legislature will do to fix the state’s property insurance crisis. Lundy is concerned they will approve legislation to restrict the ability to sue insurance companies….

Cut 10 (12) “…unfair.” 

Lundy is for legislation that gives consumers more rights, not less.

9:30 LRN Newscast

The House Ways and Means Committee is expected to hear this morning Mandeville Representative Richard Nelson’s legislation to eliminate the state income tax. To make up for that lost revenue, Nelson proposes lowering the Homestead Exemption and eliminating several different sales tax exemptions….
cut 5 (11) “….sales tax right now”
Nelson’s bill faces long odds of passing.

As the session moves along, lawmakers will look at ways to improve the state’s property insurance market. Independent candidate for governor, Hunter Lundy, says he would like to see legislation that would give the consumer more rights against adjusters who do not do their job…
cut 11 (12) “…moisture meters”

With Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin’s announcement he’s not running for re-election, only two of seven current statewide elected officials will be on the ballot in October.
Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Jeff Palermo”

A search party is looking for a missing special needs teen, 15-year-old Amariya Alise Lewis who was last seen on Thursday morning leaving Bolton High School in Alexandria. Lewis is a Black female, with black hair with long braids and brown eyes. She’s about five-foot-five, 150 pounds. Officials say Lewis left the school on foot after a brief encounter with the school’s administration.

8:30 LRN Newscast

A bill that would end state income tax in Louisiana goes before the House Ways & Means Committee today. Republican Mandeville Representative Richard Nelson says his HB 424 would phase out taxes collected on the income of persons, estates, and trusts. Nelson says Louisiana needs this if it wants to compete with neighboring states with NO income tax, like Florida, Texas, and Tennessee…:
Cut 4 (07) “…compared to Louisiana.”
Nelson says the revenue lost would be offset by lowering the homestead exemption on property taxes and eliminating a number of exemptions to the state sales tax.

A bill that will be debated on later in the session is a measure to make Insurance Commissioner an appointed position instead of elected. Gubernatorial candidate Hunter Lundy opposes the legislation…
cut 12 (11) “…the consumer”
Outgoing Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon also opposes the bill.

Shreveport Senator Barry Milligan has legislation that would establish the Center for Safe Schools within the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness. Milligan says the center can help schools develop plans to respond to active shooter situations, even during times when students are changing classes…
cut 14 (11) “….save lives”
Milligan says the Center for Safe Schools can also help assist schools and non-profits to apply for grants that can be used to increase security.

We’re less than four months away from qualifying for the statewide elections and only two statewide elected officials are running for re-election, Billy Nungesser and Mike Strain. ULM Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says the open statewide elected positions are drawing lots of candidates…
cut 9 (05) “…a position”
Multiple candidates are running for governor, attorney general, Secretary of State and State Treasurer.

7:30 LRN Newscast

Of the seven statewide elected positions in Louisiana, only two are seeking reelection this fall. ULM Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says every now and then we see a big shake up when it comes to these positions…
Cut 7 (10) “…little while.”
Only Billy Nungesser and Mike Strain are running for re-election this year.

Mandeville Representative Richard Nelson is running for governor and the House Ways and Means Committee will hear his bill that would get rid of the state income tax. To replace the revenue, Nelson is proposing higher property taxes and doing away with numerous sales tax exemptions….
cut 6 (12) “….looking to do”
Today’s Ways and Means Committee will begin at 9 AM.

Shreveport Senator Barry Milligan wants to make the Louisiana Commission on School and Nonprofit Safety to be permanent. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 3 (32) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

New Orleans Senator Gary Carter says he will not move forward with his proposal that would open the door for gun owners to be sued if their gun was stolen from a vehicle and then used in a felony crime. Carter says he’s pulling his bill from consideration because it could result in unintended consequences. Carter says he filed the legislation to address the supply of stolen guns from unlocked vehicles that were later used in murders, armed robberies and other felonies.

6:30 LRN Newscast

A House bill aimed at ending state income tax gets its first hearing by lawmakers today. More from Kevin Gallagher…:
Cut 1 (32) “I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

The Winn Parish Sheriff’s Office has arrested a 17-year-old male in the fatal shooting of 51-year-old Kevin Chad Camp, who was the girls softball coach at Calvin High School. The teenager has been charged with manslaughter. Calvin High won the Class C title last year and is scheduled to play a playoff game today.

Independent candidate for Governor Hunter Lundy is keeping an eye on what the Louisiana Legislature will do to fix the state’s property insurance crisis. Lundy is concerned lawmakers will approve legislation that will restrict the ability to sue insurance companies….
cut 10 (12) “…unfair.”

After creating a commission to assist schools and nonprofits with guidance and training for crisis management last year, Shreveport Senator Barry Milligan wants to make it a permanent entity, and establish the Center for Safe Schools within the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness, and Senate Bill 207 does just that.
cut 13 (11) “…protect ourselves.”
Another reason Milligan says it’s important to have a central point of reference is to assist schools and non-profits with resources and how to apply for grants to increase security.

Legislative Report for Monday April 17

Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Secretary Jack Montoucet has submitted his resignation as it has become public that he’s involved in a bribery scandal. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says this is not a good look for the Edwards administration…:
CUT 10 (11) “…to bribery.”
Federal documents show Montoucet’s signature is on a contract tied to a kickback scheme that’s resulted in one conviction on bribery charges for a man out of Youngsville.

A bill that would end state income tax in Louisiana goes before the House Ways & Means Committee today. The bill is authored by Republican Mandeville Representative Richard Nelson, who says his HB 424 would phase out taxes collected on the income of persons, estates, and trusts. Nelson says Louisiana needs this if it wants to compete with neighboring states with NO income tax, like Florida, Texas, and Tennessee…:
Cut 4 (07) “…compared to Louisiana.”
The bill would phase income taxes out over a four-year period. Nelson says the revenue lost would be offset by lowering the homestead exemption on property taxes and eliminating a number of exemptions to the state sales tax.

Independent candidate for Governor Hunter Lundy is keeping an eye on what the Louisiana Legislature will do to fix the state’s property insurance crisis. Lundy is concerned lawmakers will approve legislation that will restrict the ability to sue insurance companies….
Cut 10 (12) “…unfair.”

10:30 LRN Newscast

Wildlife & Fisheries Secretary Jack Montoucet has resigned abruptly, after it came to light he is implicated in a federal kickbacks investigation. Court documents show Montoucet’s signature is on a contract tied to a kickback scheme that has resulted in a conviction for a Youngsville man. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says it’s yet another tale of public corruption…:
CUT 11(09) “…it continues.”
Montoucet served in the legislature before being appointed as LDWF Secretary by Governor John Bel Edwards.

A stormy day is expected across Louisiana this afternoon and into tonight. LRN Meteorologist John Wetherbee says the greatest risk for severe weather is north of I-20,…
cut 29 (08) “…heavy rainfall”
Sunday looks like a very nice day.

A rapidly spreading fungus, that can be fatal to some, has the medical community concerned. Brooke Thorington has more…:
CUT 01 (30) “…Thorington.”

The top ranked LSU baseball team lost 13 to 10 last night and the series wraps up at 1 PM today. But again the weather forecast does not look. Also, this afternoon, the LSU gymnastics squad goes after its first national title as they are one of four schools who will compete in today’s NCAA Championships at 3 PM on ABC.

9:30 LRN Newscast

Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Secretary Jack Montoucet has submitted his resignation as it has become public that he’s involved in a bribery scandal. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says this is not a good look for the Edwards administration…:
CUT 10 (11) “…to bribery.”
Federal documents show Montoucet’s signature is on a contract tied to a kickback scheme that’s resulted in one conviction on bribery charges for a man out of Youngsville.

The top ranked LSU baseball team lost last night to 12th ranked Kentucky 13 to 10. LSU committed a season-high three errors. Tigers third baseman Tommy White hit his 12th home run, but also committed three errors…
cut 20 (06) “….ourselves”
Final game of the series is today.

Health officials are concerned about a nasty fungus going around, named Candida Auris, which spreads fast and has a high mortality rate. Dr. Fred Lopez says you get it from touching dirty stuff, and when it hits the bloodstream, it can get dangerous…:

CUT 05(12) “…really important.”
Candida auris spreads in healthcare facilities through contact with contaminated surfaces or equipment.

Reaching out to veterans’ organizations to return missing money is the latest push by State Treasurer John Schroder for unclaimed property. The campaign is called “Veterans Cash Claim.” Schroder says they’ve returned close to $280 million since 2017.
Cut 14 (09) “…of Veteran’s Affairs.”
To check if you might have any unclaimed property go to LaCashClaim.org.