The centerpiece to Governor John Bel Edwards fiscal reform plan is expected to be introduced to the legislature today. Jeff Palermo has the story…
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

The Lincoln Parish Sheriff’s office has arrested a 17-year-old woman originally from New Orleans in the fatal stabbing of a 47-year-old man in Lincoln Parish. The victim, Melvin Peterson, was found lying on the ground near an intersection in Dubach. Media reports indicate the suspect is victim’s girlfriend.

Baton Rouge Representative Steve Carter has filed a bill that would require any trucks over a certain weight, including school buses and 18-wheelers, go ten miles below the posted speed limit on interstate highways. He says it’s a safety issue and could also help traffic problems..:
Cut 9 (11) “enhance safety”
He says he got the idea after the highly traveled Atchafalaya Spillway reduced speed for big rigs.

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries plans to lower the water level on Lake Bistineau in northwest Louisiana in an effort to reduce gian salvina. LDWF Biologist Manager Jeff Sibley says the drawdown dries out large areas of the lake and takes away the places that are the best habitat for the plant to grow….
cut 14 (10) “…two weeks”
The drawdown is scheduled to go on until November 30th.

The State Police troopers under investigation for an unnecessary trip to Las Vegas that was funded with public dollars have reportedly deleted every text message they sent or received while they were in Sin City. That’s according to a report from the New Orleans Advocate. It has not been determined if the text messages were intentionally deleted.

The state Department of Wildlife and Fisheries will be lowering the water level on Lake Bistineau in northwest Louisiana in an effort to combat the giant salvinia. LDWF biologist manager Jeff Sibley says the giant salvinia limits recreational boating and most importantly, degrades the aquatic habitat making it unsuitable for fish or wildlife….
cut 15 (09) “…so quickly”
The drawdown will begin May 1st and the lake will remain open to the public.

Big rigs would have to travel 10 miles less than the posted speed limit on Interstates under a measure by Baton Rouge Representative Steve Carter. He says he filed the legislation after the speed limits were reduced on the Atchafalaya Basin Bridge…:
Cut 7 (10) “has occured”

Ochsner Cancer Institute in Jefferson Parish is giving Louisiana cancer patients new hope through its Precision Cancer Therapies Program…
Voicer 2 (30) “I’m Halen Doughty”

The centerpiece of Governor John Bel Edwards’ plan to overhaul’s Louisiana tax code is expected to be filed today. Under the so-called gross receipts plan, any business with sales over 1.5 million dollars would have a portion of transactions taxed. But even members of the governor’s own party are skeptical of this idea…:
Cut 5 (10) “this thing”
That’s LaPolitics.com Publisher, Jeremy Alford.

A program that would let cancer patients participate in clinical trials as another treatment option is now being offered at Ochsner Cancer Institute in Jefferson Parish. Program Medical Director Dr. Marc Matrana (Muh-tron-ah)…:
Cut 12 (10) “that we have”
You can find out more at ochsner.org/earlyphase.

LDWF has scheduled a drawdown of Lake Bistineau in Webster Parish to combat the giant watermoss problem. Emelie Gunn reports…:
Cut 3 (31) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

The Ouchita Parish Sheriff’s Office has made an arrest in the case of an officer involved shooting in Monroe. They say 21-year-old Brady Gauthier is accused of getting into a physical altercation with a deputy during a routine traffic stop when a shot was fired. Both the cop and suspect were injured in the incident, but it is not known who is responsible for discharging the weapon. Upon release from the hospital, Gauthier was booked on charges including attempted first degree murder.

Lawmakers get back to work today and it’s expected that the focal point of the Edwards Administration’s plan to reform the state’s tax code will be filed. Publisher of la-politics-dot-com, Jeremy Alford, doesn’t think the governor will have much support for the so-called Commercial Activity Tax because no one saw this idea coming..:
Cut 6 (11) “sponsor is”
He says even members of the governor’s own party are skeptical of the plan.

A new program at Ochsner Cancer Institute in Jefferson Parish will bring early-phase clinical trials to cancer patients. Medical Director of the Precision Cancer Therapies Program, Dr. Marc Matrana (Muh-tron-ah) says this means patients can receive cutting-edge treatment, and more options, closer to home:
Cut 11 (09) “and innovative will”

Baton Rouge Representative Steve Carter has filed a bill that would require any trucks over a certain weight, including school buses and 18-wheelers, go ten miles below the posted speed limit. He says it’s a safety issue and could also help traffic problems..:
Cut 9 (11) “enhance safety”
He says he got the idea after the highly traveled Atchafalaya Spillway reduced speed for big rigs.

LDWF has scheduled a drawdown of Lake Bistineau in Webster Parish to control rapidly growing watermoss. LDWF Biologist Manager Jeff Sibley says the drawdown, set for May 1st, is a little bit earlier this year in order to get the situation back under control. He says summer temperatures promote giant salvinia growth…:
Cut 13 (09) “the lake”
The drawdown is scheduled to go on until November 30th.

The centerpiece to Governor John Bel Edwards fiscal reform plan is expected to be introduced to the legislature today. Jeff Palermo has the story…:
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Big rigs would have to travel 10 miles less than the posted speed limit on Interstates under a measure by Baton Rouge Representative Steve Carter. He says he filed the legislation after the speed limits were reduced on the Atchafalaya Basin Bridge…:
Cut 7 (10) “has occured”

Ochsner Cancer Institute in Jefferson Parish will provide more treatment options, thanks to the hospital’s new Precision Cancer Therapies Program. Medical Director of the program, Dr. Marc Matrana (Muh-tron-ah) says it connects Louisiana cancer patients with access to cutting-edge, early-phase clinical trials, which isn’t available here right now…:
Cut 10 (11) “of innovations”
For more information on the Ochsner Precision Cancer Therapies Program, visit ochsner.org/earlyphase or call 504-800-6370.

An assistant football and softball coach at Sterlington High School in Ouachita Parish cruelty to juveniles. They say Jack Goode allegedly allowed minors to drink alcohol at his home, then got a verbal fight with one of them, that eventually turned physical.

The centerpiece of Governor John Bel Edwards’ plan to overhaul Louisiana’s tax code is expected to be filed today. The measure has been referred to as a gross receipts or Commercial Activity Tax. Publisher of la-politics-dot-com, Jeremy Alford, says there’s very little support for this new tax on businesses…:
Cut 4 (10) “somehow”
He says the plan came out of left field for most which is why he feels the governor faces an uphill battle.

Baton Rouge Representative Steve Carter is pushing for 18-wheelers to be required to drive at least 10 miles lower than the posted speed limit on Interstates. He says his bill is all about safety..:
Cut 8 (08) “we’re having”
This law would also pertain to school buses and tractor trailers.

Ochsner Cancer Institute in Jefferson Parish is giving Louisiana cancer patients new hope through its Precision Cancer Therapies Program. Halen Doughty has more…:
Cut 2 (30) “I’m Halen Doughty”

The LSU gymnastics team closed out a historic season with an impressive comeback to finish second at the NCAA Championships. The Tigers posted the second highest score at a title meet in school history.

A yearly survey from the National Retail Federation finds 80-percent of consumers will celebrate Easter this year and spend a record total of 18 billion dollars. Anna Serafin Smith with NRF says 87-percent of shoppers will spend 6 billion dollars on food and clothing spending is its highest level in a decade with 50-percent of people buying new Easter outfits.
Cut 13 (08) “Easter Sunday”

The Louisiana SPCA advising parents to do their research if they decide to purchase a bunny as a pet for Easter. Spokesperson Deepak Saini says they live up to 15 years and they require as much care as a cat or dog. He says plus your home needs to be bunny-proofed…
Cut 8 (08) “on things”
Saini recommends giving kids a basket with marshmallow chicks or candy rabbits.

The Humane Society of Louisiana is trying to figure who dragged a pit bull by a moving vehicle near St. Landry Parish. Michelle Southern reports…:
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Michelle Southern”

Authorities in Baton Rouge are investigating another break in at LSU’s Tiger Stadium. Officials with the school say there were reports of people in the stadium yesterday but have not released details about if any items were stolen or damaged.

Spending for Easter is expected to reach a record high, as the holiday came a few weeks later this year. Anna Serafin Smith with the National Retail Federation says their yearly survey finds 80-percent of consumers will celebrate and spend a record total of over 18-billion dollars.
Cut 12 (09) “happy Easter”
Smith says customers will spend an average of $152 per person on Easter, including food, clothing, candy and gifts.

The Louisiana SPCA advising families to put chocolate bunnies over real bunnies in Easter baskets this year. Spokesperson Deepak Saini recommends giving kids a basket with marshmallow chicks or candy rabbits. He says hundreds of rabbits are abandoned after Easter each year.
Cut 7 (10) “of work”

The Humane Society of Louisiana is searching for who is responsible for apparently dragging a pit bull from a moving vehicle in Acadia Parish. Executive Director Jeff Dorson says they have no idea who could have done such a thing to a helpless animal…:
Cut 4 (07) “activity”

Dorson says the owner didn’t have the resources to care for the dog, so their members raised over $800 to help pay for the dog’s care.

Although the buring of M6 propellant at Camp Minden in Webster Parish is finised, the job might not be over yet. The Louisiana National Guard could extend their contract with ESI to continue buring hazardous substances there but LSU Shreveport science professor Brian Salvatore wants it to stop. He says the Webster Parish Police Jury passed a resolution in December for the company to remove the burn chamber. But he says they voted again last week and decided to rescind the resolution.
Cut 10 (08) “their heads”

According to an annual survey from the National Retail Federation, Easter spending is expected to reach an all-time high. Halen Doughty has more…
Cut 2 (30) “I’m Halen Doughty”

The Louisiana SPCA advises parents to put chocolate bunnies instead of real bunnies in Easter baskets. Spokesperson Deepak Saini (Dee-pahk San-ee) says giving a child a rabbit for Easter sounds like a good idea, but many don’t realize the huge responsibility and the amount of care these animals need.
Cut 6 (06) “long time”

 
The Humane Society of Louisiana is trying to determine who apparently dragged a pit bull from a moving vehicle Acadia Parish near St. Landry. Executive Director Jeff Dorson says the 3-year-old dog was found by its owner in a ditch with horrible injuries..:
Cut 3 (08) “terrible shape”

Dorson says the dog has a long road to recovery, but he is expected to pull through.

The burning of M6 propellant at Camp Minden in Webster Parish is now complete, but the job might not be over just yet. The Louisiana National Guard could extend their contract with ESI and allow them to continue to burn off hazardous substances there. But LSU Shreveport science professor Brian Salvatore, who sits on the concerned citizens’ advisory board, wants the burning to stop now.
Cut 9 (11) “explosives business”