A measure that would give the film tax credit program a face-lift received overwhelming support from the House…:
Cut 2 (29) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

An editorial in the Daily Advertiser says it’s clear that Louisiana’s problems aren’t going to be solved with the House in its current form and it calls for their local Representative, House Speaker Taylor Barras, to step down. UL-Lafayette Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says it seems like the journalists are good government types…:
Cut 15 (07) “the legislature”

State Representative Paul Hollis only had 7 minutes to speak on his bill that sought to make it easier to recall elected officials in Louisiana before it stalled in a Senate Committee. The measure was taken up after the hours long monuments debate. Hollis says he’s disappointed his legislative didn’t get a good debate…:
Cut 12 (10) “voted down”
Hollis says he plans to bring the legislation back next year.

Inmates paying child support would have their payments suspended under a House-approved measure by Gretna Representative Joe Marino. The measure suspends payments for inmates who’ve been incarcerated longer than 180 days and who have no other means of income. Marino says this complies with federal law…:
Cut 5 (08) “is zero”
The measure passed the House on a 68-30 and still needs Senate approval.

A measure to revamp the film tax credit program is nearing final legislative passage as it heads back to the Senate for approval on changes made by the House. The lower chamber overwhelmingly supported this bill, as it passed on an 89-8 vote. But Slidell Representative Kevin Pearson thinks our priorities are not in the right place…:
Cut 7 (08) “health care”
Under the measure, 180 million dollars in tax credits would go to producers each year, but would decrease to 150 million after three years.

A Covington lawmaker is disappointed his bill died in committee without a fair hearing. State Representative Paul Hollis sought to make it easier for large districts to recall an elected official. He says he was only afforded seven minutes to discuss his bill in front of the panel…:
Cut 10 (09) “bipartisan”
He says he plans to bring the legislation back next year.

The Daily Advertiser has called for House Speaker Taylor Barras to step down over the fact that not much has been accomplished in the current legislative session. The Republican from New Iberia is accused by his local publication of not being able to lead lawmakers effectively. UL-Lafayette Political Science Professor Pearson Cross doesn’t think what’s happening at the Capitol is entirely Barras fault…:
CUT 13 (06) “ungovernable”
The editorial says Louisiana’s problems will not come from this House in its present form with Barras at the helm.

Long-term inmates paying child support would have their payments suspended under a measure the House approved. Some of the strongest opposition came from Albany Representative Sherman Mack…:
Cut 3 (08) “their money anyway”
But Baton Rouge Representative Ted James disagrees. He says most good judges wouldn’t put someone back in jail for not paying child support, but some will. He adds it’s hard for inmates to walk out of jail and find a job, and this will give them a chance to get financially stable..:
Cut 4 (10) “it doesn’t happen”
The proposal still needs Senate approval and the legislative session ends Thursday.

The FBI announces a $50,000 reward is being offered for information leading to the arrest of those responsible for the shooting death of an armored truck driver at the Campus Federal Credit Union in New Orleans this week .

The Senate has unveiled its funding plan for next fiscal year, and it does not call for any cuts to higher ed, prisons, and Department of Children and Family Services. The state Department of Health would see a $34 million budget reduction. Deputy Secretary Michelle Alletto says $19 million in cuts will fall primarily on mental health programs, but she doesn’t think that’s anything they can’t handle…:
Cut 16 (11) “the program”
The plan also fully funds TOPS.

The road to Omaha begins for the LSU Tigers as they open the Baton Rouge Regional this afternoon by hosting Texas Southern. Senior left-hander Jared Poche of Lutcher will start on the mound…:
CUT 17 (08) “what happens”
First pitch is at 2:30.

The Senate has unveiled its 29-billion dollar funding plan for next fiscal year, and it does not call for cuts to colleges, prisons, and the Department of Children and Family Services. Senate President John Alario says their proposal also fully funds the TOPS scholarship program…:
Cut 14 (09) “their budgets”
The full Senate is scheduled to debate the budget.

Shreveport Representative Alan Seabaugh said if you eliminate three-thousand state transportation workers, Louisiana would have more money to pay for better roads. Transportation Secretary Shawn Wilson says reducing the department’s workforce wouldn’t be enough, because the average employee makes 40-thousand dollars…
cut 7 (09) “….maintain things”

Centurylink’s current CEO Glen Post will retire in January of 2019. Spokesperson Ann Marie Sartor says Post has been with the Monroe-based company for the last 25 years and has transformed the company. She says Jeff Storey, the current president and CEO of Level 3 communications, will take over for Post…
cut 13 (10) “….the board”
Centurylink and Level 3 are currently working on a merger.

LSU begins NCAA regional play today with Jared Poche on the mound against Texas Southern. If Poche gets the win, he’ll tie the school record for 38 career victories. The Lutcher native says it would be a great honor, but he didn’t do it alone….
cut 18 (08) “….fortunate”
First pitch is at 2:30.

In the plan presented by the Senate Thursday, $220 million dollars in spending the House removed from the budget was not withheld. Senate President John Alario says by not taking out 2 percent of the revenue forecast, they are able to fully fund DCFS which stood to lose 67 child welfare workers…:
Cut 15 (08) “care of that”
The Upper Chamber’s plan also fully funds TOPS. The budget disagreement between the House and Senate will likely be settled in a conference committee.

Monroe based CenturyLink announces it plans to hire a new CEO in 2019. They say current CEO Glen Post will then become executive chairman of the board, and Jeff Storey the new leader. Spokesperson Ann Marie Sartor says the headquarters aren’t moving and workers won’t be affected..:
Cut 12 (07) “do today”
Storey is the CEO of the company CenturyLink recently purchase, Level 3.

The FBI announces a $50,000 reward is being offered for information leading to the arrest of those responsible for the shooting death of an armored truck driver at the Campus Federal Credit Union in New Orleans this week .

Senior left-hander Jared Poche starts on the mound today for LSU as they host Texas Southern to begin the Baton Rouge Regional…:
Cut 3 (29) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

The Powerball jackpot for tomorrow night’s drawing is still rolling from February. It now stands at $337 Million.

The Senate has unveiled its funding plan for next fiscal year, and it does not call for any cuts to higher ed, prisons, and Department of Children and Family Services. The state Department of Health would see a $34 million budget reduction. Deputy Secretary Michelle Alletto says $19 million in cuts will fall primarily on mental health programs…:
Cut 16 (11) “the program”
The plan also fully funds TOPS.

A lawmaker who voted against the failed gas tax bill suggests DOTD should reduce the size of its staff…:
Cut 5 (09) “do the job” (2x)
That’s Shreveport Representative Alan Seabaugh. But DOTD Secretary Shawn Wilson these workers are not expendable..:
Cut 6 (08) “the actual work”

Monroe-based CenturyLink announces plans for a CEO succession. Emelie Gunn has more…:
Cut 2 (31) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

Federal recovery dollars are finally getting into the hands of flood victims, 9 months later. Nick Speyrer with the Restore Louisiana Homeowner Assistance Program says over 2,000 families have already qualified for Phase I, then…:
Cut 10 (11) “the 2016 floods”

Since there won’t be any increase on the gasoline tax, a Shreveport lawmaker recommended firing DOTD employees to pay for highway construction. Halen Doughty has more…:
Cut 1 (31) “I’m Halen Doughty”

Governor John Bel Edwards supports the 29-billion dollar budget plan passed by the Senate finance committee Thursday saying it restores funding for critical services while making responsible cuts in spending. The plan also fully funds the TOPS scholarship program. A conference committee will be needed to iron out differences between the House and Senate.

The forecast is calling for some stormy weather today in Baton Rouge as NCAA regional play begins. LSU is slated to face Texas Southern at 2:30. The Tigers are one of the favorites to win the College World Series and claim their first national championship since 2009. Coach Paul Mainieri believes his team is ready for the journey…:
Cut 19 (14) “out played us”

Monroe based CenturyLink announces a CEO succession plan. Company Spokesperson Ann Marie Sartor says CenturyLink’s current CEO, Glen Post, will remain in his position until January of 2019 and then become the executive chairman of the board. She says the new leader of CenturyLink is coming from the company they recently purchased…:
Cut 11 (10) “this year”
The headquarters will remain in Monroe and this will not affect employees.

The Senate has unveiled its funding plan for next fiscal year, and it does not call for any cuts to higher ed, prisons, and the Department of Children and Family Services. Senate President John Alario says their proposal also fully funds the TOPS scholarship program…:
Cut 14 (09) “their budgets”
The budget was approved by the Senate Finance Committee and heads to the Senate floor for their approval.

Federal disaster recovery dollars appropriated by Congress are finally getting into the hands of flood victims. Nick Speyrer ( s p ay uh r ) with the Restore Louisiana Homeowner Assistance Program says Governor Edwards passed out the first handful of reimbursement checks to those who already completed their rebuilding…:
Cut 8 (12) “to come”
Speyrer says the first step for flood victims to receive federal aid is to complete the survey at restore.la.gov.

After a proposal to increase the state’s gasoline tax was tabled for the session, one lawmaker proposed firing thousands of DOTD workers to pay for better roads. Shreveport Representative Alan Seabaugh says the department has plenty of money, but they aren’t responsible with it..:
cut 4 (08) “of em”
But state Transportation Secretary Shawn Wilson says that’s not a practical solution.

The road to Omaha begins for the LSU Tigers as they open the Baton Rouge Regional this afternoon by hosting Texas Southern. Senior left-hander Jared Poche of Lutcher will start on the mound…:
Cut 17 (08) “what happens”
The Tiger softball team won their first game Thursday in the Women’s College World Series.

Hurricane season begins today, and Colorado State University has upgrade their forecast for the season. In April, CSU called for a slightly below average season. State Climatologist Barry Keim explains why the forecast now calls for 13 named storms.

Cut 3 (09) “this year”

The CSU forecast calls for six hurricanes with two of them becoming major.

Oakdale Elementary School in Allen Parish was ravaged by a massive fire overnight. Deputy Chief Brant Thompson with the state Fire Marshal’s Office says they’re investigating what led to the huge blaze that left most of the school destroyed. He says thankfully the school was already out for the summer.

Cut 11 (10) “blessing here”

State Police say they have arrested the Baton Rouge man who allegedly struck and killed a 12-year-old boy during a police chase. Michelle Southern reports…

Cut 2 (31) “I’m Michelle Southern”

A Shreveport man has been arrested after police say he put a 2-year-old in a refrigerator as a form of punishment. Police say 30-year-old Steven Funderburk is also accused of slapping the child across the face. He is charged with cruelty to a juvenile, and his bond was set at $100,000.

Senate Finance approves a 29-billion dollar budget plan for next fiscal year. It fully funds TOPS and it calls for more state spending than what the House proposed. So colleges, prisons and the department of children and family services will not see cuts. Governor John Bel Edwards says the Senate’s version of the budget makes responsible cuts to the Department of Health. A conference committee will be needed to iron out differences between the House and Senate.

Baton Rouge Representative Franklin Foil halts his effort to make it harder for high school students to get the TOPS scholarship. Foil told Senate Education a task force will be formed to examine TOPS and he’ll wait to see their findings…
Cut 15 (09) “that reason”
Foil’s bill would have raised the minimum high school GPA from 2.50 to 2.75.

Shreveport Representative Alan Seabaugh says Louisiana can pay for better roads if it fired three-thousand state transportation workers. DOTD employs 47-hundred. Seabaugh says that would free up a couple hundred million dollars and the state agency wouldn’t even notice the employee reduction.
Cut 5 (09) “do the job” (2x)
But Transportation Secretary Shawn Wilson says that’s not a practical solution to fund transportation infrastructure. He says all of the employees he was referring to are people that perform routine maintenance and road closures during disasters.
Cut 6 (08) “the actual work”
Seabaugh’s comments came during discussion of a proposed gasoline tax hike that died on the House floor.