There is a Louisiana connection with today’s funeral for evangelist Billy Graham. Michael Farrar has the story.

Cut 1 (28) “I’m Michael Farrar.”

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Drivers in Lake Charles will see the start of a four month project this weekend on I-10 that includes the World War Two Memorial Bridge. Kelley Ray has more.

Cut 2 (31) “I’m Kelley Ray.”

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The House will try again today to pass tax proposals that would generate revenue to replace the loss of a billion dollars in temporary taxes. Jeff Palermo has a preview…

Cut 3 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

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The Reverend Billy Graham will be laid to rest today in North Carolina.  There is a Louisiana connection. The 99-year-old evangelist will be buried in a coffin made by prisoners at Angola. Former inmate David Bacon says Graham was so impressed with the caskets they made for those who died while in prison, he ordered one on the spot…

Cut 4  (10) “simple casket.” 

Bacon recalls the time when there wasn’t much use for religion at Angola, but former warden Burl Cain opened the door for churches to come in and Graham helped to satisfy the prisoner’s spiritual needs…

Cut 5  (11)  “several chapels.”

Bacon says his life wouldn’t be what it is today, had it not been for him to meet Graham while he was at Angola…

Cut 6 (11)  “everyone else.”

Graham’s wife Ruth, who died in 2007, is also buried in one of the Angola caskets.

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Four months of construction work will begin Saturday on the I-10 bridge in Lake Charles. DOTD spokesman Rodney Mallet says 8.5 million dollar project will initially close the inside eastbound lane so crews can replace expansion joints on the nearly 60-year-old structure…

Cut 7 (10)  “section work.”

The joints need to replaced because the I-10 Lake Charles bridge will take on more traffic when a re-decking project gets underway on I-210. Mallett says it’s also just time to replace the joints, because they’ve been known to go out over the years…

Cut 8 (10) “these repairs.”

Yahoo Travel in 2013 rated the bridge the number 7 “Most Dangerous Bridge in the Country”, due to the wear and tear 72,000 cars put on it daily. Mallet says this work will make the bridge stronger and safer…

Cut 9 (10)  “that bridge.”

Motorists are advised to use I-210 as a detour while work takes place. Additionally, drivers can use LA 12 via LA 27 and US Highway 171.

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We will find out Sunday if two movies filmed in Louisiana will win an Oscar.  Mudbound was filmed in New Orleans and rural St. James Parish, while Logan was filmed in several locations including Amite, Ferriday, Hammond and New Orleans. Louisiana Entertainment Executive Director Chris Stelly says these projects had far reaching impacts in the state’s economy…

Cut 10 (09) “59-million-dollars.”

Typically, movies that are nominated get a second life after their initial release. Stelly says this puts Louisiana on the silver screen to many more fans…

Cut 11 (07) “the state.”

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

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”.

House Speaker Taylor Barras says the House will reconvene at 10am tomorrow to consider tax bills. He says there is some progress, but there is still plenty of work to do and stressed that the clock is ticking. The special session is nearly through it’s second week and it must end no later than next Wednesday.

Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Enforcement agents are offering a 55-hundred-dollar reward for information about who killed two black bears last month in St. Mary Parish in the Atchafalaya Basin. Spokesman Adam Einck says the bears were about a half mile apart. There’s no evidence as to why they were killed…

Cut 5  (05)  “under investigation.”

Anyone with information can call 800-442-2511 or use the Tip 411 phone app.

A state Department of Children and Family Services report finds there has been a 77-percent increase in the amount of juvenile human trafficking victims aged 12 or less. Juveniles account for over 52-percent of the 681 identified victims in 2017.   Author of the report Walter Fahr says once a victim is identified, they ask qualified organizations to help provide services they need…

Cut 11 (09) “related issues.”

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

Cut 12 (05) “tax reform”

Legislators have been meeting today behind closed doors.  It’s unclear if they are any closer to resolving the fiscal cliff.

State Senator Troy Carter has filed a bill for the regular session that raises the age to purchase an assault rifle from 18 to 21. Opponents could say you can join the military under the age of 21 and carry an assault rifle, so why couldn’t you buy one? Carter argues….

Cut 15 (08) “or none.”

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

Cut 6 (10)  “ever since”

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

A judge who halted the construction of the Bayou Bridge oil pipeline says her decision was designed to prevent further irreparable harm to wetlands.   U.S. District Judge Shelly Dick issued a temporary injunction after environmentalists, including the Louisiana Bucket Brigade expressed concerns about it’s effect on the economy and wildlife.  The line would pass through the Atchafalaya Basin between Lake Charles and St. James.

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

Cut 13 (10) “what happened?”

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

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

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

Cut 8 (10) “we were very close”

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

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

Cut 4  (09) “any information.”

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

Governor John Bel Edwards issued a statement saying he was in disbelief after a sales tax bill was soundly defeated. The legislation is a critical piece towards addressing a looming one billion dollar budget deficit. Edwards says some lawmakers are unwilling to negotiate
Cut 14 (10) “move forward”
The House is set to meet again this afternoon, but time is running out as the special session must end Wednesday.

A state Department of Children and Family Services report finds there has been a 77-percent increase in the amount of juvenile human trafficking victims aged 12 or less over the past year. Author of the report Walter Fahr says part of the increase has to do with better identification methods…
Cut 9 (07) “reporting this.”
72 of the human trafficking victims identified in 2017 are 12 and younger, an astounding 260-percent increase over 2016.

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Enforcement agents are offering a 55-hundred-dollar reward for information about who killed two black bears in St. Mary Parish in the Atchafalaya Basin. It is believed they were killed between February 2nd and 4th. LDWF spokesman Adam Einck says both bears were discovered in a fairly remote area…
Cut 3 (09) “from there.”
Einck says they believe they are looking for the same suspect in both killings.

A massive manhunt has been ongoing in south Natchitoches Parish for Rapides Prison escapee Brandon Clark. Authorities say the 39-year-old white male stole a 2018 Ford F-250 and led State Police and Rapides deputies on pursuit into Natchitoches Parish, where he ditched the vehicle and fled in the woods near the Marco -Lena areas.

The state House is set to convene again at 3:00. Will they be able to pass a tax proposal to help close a nearly one-billion dollar budget gap that’s the result of expiring state sales taxes. A key sales tax bill was overwhelmingly voted down last night and time is running out in this special session.

Gus Mijalis, a Shreveport businessman and noted close friend of former Gov. Edwin Edwards, has died. We have reaction from Edwards…
Voicer 1 (30) “I’m Jim Shannon”

A 55-hundred dollar reward has been offered for information leading to the conviction of the person or persons responsible for the shooting deaths of two adult male Louisiana black bears. It’s believed the bears were killed during the first weekend of February about 10 miles south of Franklin in St. Mary Parish. Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries spokesperson Adam Einck….
cut 5 (05) “…under investigation”
It is illegal to hunt bears.

A new report on human trafficking showed a 77-percent increase in juvenile victimes identified over the past year, including more than three times as many victims age 12 or younger, compared to 2016. Walter Fahr with D-C-F-S Child Protective Services says the report shows more needs to be done to help juvenile human trafficking victims, get out of that lifestyle…
cut 11 (09) “…related issues”
For juveniles, Caddo and Orleans parishes were the most identified as the parishes of orgin.

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

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Jim Shannon”

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

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”.

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

Cut 3 (09) “from there.”

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

Cut 4  (09) “any information.” 

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

Cut 5  (05)  “under investigation.”

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

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

Cut 6 (10)  “ever since”

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

Cut 7 (07)  “a lot of friends”

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

Cut 8 (10) “we were very close”

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

_________________________________________________________

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

Cut 9 (07) “reporting this.”

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

Cut 10 (09) “the juveniles.”

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

Cut 11 (09) “related issues.”

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

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

Cut 12 (05) “tax reform”

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

Cut 13 (10) “what happened”

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

Cut 14 (10) “move forward”

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

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Frustrations are high and time is short for lawmakers trying to solve the fiscal cliff. Jeff Palermo has the story…
Cut 2 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Chairman of the House Republican Legislative Caucus, Lance Harris, blames the governor for poor negotiating tactics….
Cut 13 (10) “what happened”
Despite all of the animosity tax negoitations continue.

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

Shreveport businessman and confidante of former Louisiana Governor Edwin Edwards, Gus Mijalis, has passed away at the age of 83. His family owns Farmers Seafood and he was an influential person during Edwards’ four terms. The former governor says there was no one like Mijalis…
cut 8 (10) “…we were very close”
Mijalis’ memorial service is Monday.

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

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

Cut 4  (09) “any information.” 

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

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

Cut 7 (07)  “a lot of friends”

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

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

Cut 14 (10) “move forward”

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

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

Cut 9 (07) “reporting this.”

The special session is on the verge of collapsing without a tax plan that addresses a looming one billion dollar shortfall. This week the House has failed to get behind a proposal to raise revenues to replace expiring sales taxes. Republican Barry Ivey of Baton Rouge says GOP legislators are not willing to work with a Democratic governor……
cut 12 (05) “…tax reform”
A sales tax bill that would have generated 300-million dollars annually was overwhelmingly defeated, but tax negotiations continue today. The special session must end Wednesday.

State Senator Troy Carter has filed a bill for the regular session that raises the age to purchase an assault rifle from 18 to 21. Opponents could say you can join the military under the age of 21 and carry an assault rifle, so why couldn’t you buy one? Carter argues….
Cut 15 (08) “or none.”
Carter says he’s a second Amendment supporter, but believes the framers of our constitution didn’t envision teenagers using assault rifles on their classmates.

Gus Mijalis, a Shreveport businessman and noted close friend of former Gov. Edwin Edwards has died. Mijalis family owned the Farmers seafood company which opened in 1918. Former Governor Edwin Edwards remembers Mijalis in an adversarial position when they first met. But things quickly changed.
cut 6 (10) “…ever since”
A memorial service is scheduled for Monday.

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Enforcement agents are offering a 55-hundred-dollar reward for information about who killed two black bears in St. Mary Parish in the Atchafalaya Basin. It is believed they were killed between February 2nd and 4th. LDWF spokesman Adam Einck says both bears were discovered in a fairly remote area…
Cut 3 (09) “from there.”
Anyone with information can call a hotline at 800-442-2511 or it can be submitted through the Tip 411 app on smartphones.