15:30 LRN Newscast April 17th

Governor Edwards has made it known that he doesn’t want to see partisan politics as the state looks to reform its tax structure. But GOP House Appropriations Chairman Cameron Henry says any legislation that moves out of the money committees will depend on their merit and not whether its sponsored by a Republican or Democrat….
cut 4 (10) “….that’s laziness”
Edwards is pushing an ambitious tax plan and has said if legislators oppose it, they should come up with alternative proposals.

The president of Herndon Magnet Parent-Teacher-Student Association in Caddo Parish is accused of stealing money from the group. Caddo Sheriff’s office spokesperson Cindy Chadwick says authorities arrested 47-year-old Vera Dunfey of Shreveport after examing her personal bank account…
cut 13 (08) “…personal benefit”
Dunfey has been charged with one count of theft.

Police in North Louisiana arrest a 17-year-old girl in the stabbing death of her 47-year-old boyfriend. Michelle Southern reports.
Cut 2 (25) “I’m Michelle Southern”

Nascent Technologies Corporation located on the LSU campus receives two contracts from the Department of Defense totalling nearly five-million dollars. N-T-C will address intelligence gaps between the U.S. and it’s many Caribbean partners. CEO Jeff Moulton says because there are several countries in the Carribean, intelligence gaps can emerge…
cut 8 (09) “….business now”
NTC was established last year with support from the states economic development department.

14:30 LRN Newscast April 17th

It’s a quiet day at the state capitol as only a couple of committee meetings are being held. Tomorrow, the House Appropriations Committee will hear testimony from the public. Chairman Cameron Henry says voters’ opinions do influence lawmakers…
cut 5 (07) “….the administration”
Henry says it remains to be seen which proposals that will help fund next year’s budget have the most support.

Nascent Technologies Corporation on the LSU campus has recieved two cybersecurity contracts totalling nearly five-million dollars from the U.S. Department of Defense. N-T-C president Jeff Moulton says they’ve been contracted to identify and assess the risk and exposure in the energy industry supply chain. Moulton says viruses can attack industrial ….
cut 7 (06) “….about it”

The president of the Herndon Magnet Parent-Teacher-Student Association has been arrested for theft. Caddo Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Cindy Chadwick says 47-year-old Vera Dunfey of Shreveport headed the association and an investigation began in August of 2016 when an audit showed money was missing from the PTSA fund.
cut 12 (07) “…sheriff’s office”
Chadwick says Dunfey stole at least four-thousand dollars from the association.

Wildlife and Fisheries has scheduled a drawdown of Lake Bistineau to combat giant salivina. Emelie Gunn on the May 1st drawdown…
Voicer 5 (30) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

13:30 Newscast, April 17th, 2017

With one week down, lawmakers are still a long way from putting together a funding plan for next fiscal year…:
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Halen Doughty”

The Lincoln Parish Sheriff’s Office has identified they teen they believe stabbed her 47-year-old boyfriend to death in North Louisiana. They say 17-year-old Ronnie Francis is originally from New Orleans but had been living with the victim, Melvin Peterson, in Dubach for 3 months. Francis is charged with Manslaughter and is currently being held in the Lincoln Parish Detention Center.

UnitedHealthcare Children’s Foundation is seeking financial assistance applications from families with children that have medical needs not covered or not fully covered by their commercial health insurance. Joe Ochipinti (ahki’pinti), CEO of UnitedHealthcare-Gulf States Region, says in order to qualify, the child must be 16 years of age or younger…:
Cut 10 (07) “insurance plan”
Families can apply online at uhccf.org.

Nascent (Nay-Cent) Technologies Corporation located on the LSU campus received two cyber security contracts totaling nearly five-million dollars from the U.S. Department of Defense. N-T-C president Jeff Moulton says they will develop real solutions to real worldwide problems..:
Cut 6 (10) “community people”
He says they’ve been contracted to identify and assess the risk and exposure in the energy industry supply chain.

 

12:30 Newscast, April 17th, 2017

Week two of the legislative session is underway and it appears legislators are far from agreeing to a funding plan for next fiscal year’s budget. House Appropriations Chairman Cameron Henry says lawmakers have more than 150 tax bills to look over, and they’re still missing vital information on many of them…:
Cut 3 (11) “of legislation”
Henry says it remains to be seen which proposals have the most support, not just from legislators but from the public as well.

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 25 (08) “we’re having”
This law would also pertain to school buses and tractor trailers.

UnitedHealthcare Children’s Foundation is seeking financial assistance applications from families with children that have medical needs not covered or not fully covered by their commercial health insurance. Joe Ochipinti (ahki’pinti), CEO of UnitedHealthcare-Gulf States Region, says grants cover up to $5000 annually per child…:
Cut 9 (08) “to be eligible”
Families can apply online at uhccf.org.

Police in North Louisiana have arrested a teen from New Orleans for allegedly killing her much older boyfriend. The Lincoln Parish Sheriff’s office booked the teen in the fatal stabbing of a 47-year-old man early this morning.

 

11:30 LRN Newscast april 17th

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.

10:30 LRN Newscast April 17th

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”

09:30 Newscast, April 17th, 2017

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.

 

08:30 Newscast, April 17th, 2017

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.

 

07:30 Newscast, April 17th, 2017

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.

 

06:30 Newscast, April 17th, 2017

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.