A federal judge officially rejected Former Saints safety Darren Sharper’s plea bargain in the case where he allegedly drugged and raped multiple women. Legal Analyst Chick Foret says Sharper is facing accusations in three other states and agreed to nine years in jail after pleading guilty in those jurisdictions. But Foret says US District Judge Jane Triche Milazzo believes nine years isn’t enough…:
CUT 6 (10) “be convicted”
Judge Milazzo gave Sharper until March 3rd to withdraw his guilty plea.

South Louisiana law enforcement are actively searching for the seven remaining wanted fugitives of the Gremlines Crimingal Game and their search efforts have gone viral with the Cajun John Wayne. St. Landry Parish Sheriff’s OFfice Captain Clay Higgins called out fugitives in the video:
CUT 9 (05) “like you”
The video had over 8 million views in less than 24 hours.

Marketa Garner Walters, secretary of the Department of Children and Family Services, spoke to legislators about a $10 million hole in the DCFS budget. Halen Doughty reports…:
CUT 1 (31) “I’m Halen Doughty”

The State Bond Commission has approved $375 million dollars in funding for projects across the state, and more than $35 million in interest savings.

The secretary of the Department of Children and Family Services tells legislators her department is in need of resources to care for the more than four-thousand children in foster care in Louisiana. Marketa Garner Walters spoke to the House Appropriations Committee about the $10.9 million dollar hole in the DCFS budget. She says there is a shortage of foster homes…:
CUT 3 (09) “a placement”
She says Louisiana could face federal penalties if it falls short of meeting required standards for the agency.

Today a federal judge in New Orleans did not accept the plea deal set forth by former NFL & Saints star Darren Sharper on charges he drugged and raped several women. The ruling indicated that the 9-10 year prison sentence Sharper agreed to in exchange for pleading guilty in four states was too lenient. Sharper now has to decide before his sentencing hearing on March 3rd whether or not he wants to withdraw the guilty plea.

Lawmakers are considering raising the tax on alcohol for the first time since 1948 to help solve the state’s budget crisis. Halen Doughty has more:
Cut 3 (30) “I’m Halen Doughty”

Tough second half for the LSU men’s basketball team as they lost their first home game in SEC play last night. The Tigers shot 32-percent in the second half against the Crimson Tide and lost to Alabama 76 to 69. LSU was outscored 45-33 in the final 20 minutes. Free throw shooting was a problem as they missed 15.

The House Ways and Means Committee is taking up several tax measures today for debate, but not yet vote. Republican Representative Chris Broadwater of Hammond says, in regards to the one cent sales tax, there is concern about whether or not it would be utilized short term or something that would stick…:
CUT 5 (10) “that need to be made”
Broadwater says it remains to be seen if lawmakers will decide to make this part of the solution to the budget crisis.

A federal judge in New Orleans did not accept the guilty plea put forth by former Saints player Darren Sharper in the drug and rape case. Last year Sharper said he was guilty of drugging and raping women in four states in exchange for a 9 year prison sentence, but today the judge said she didn’t think that the punishment reflected the seriousness of the alleged crime. Sharper must decide before a sentencing hearing next month whether he wants to withdraw his guilty plea.

Folks who are in the business of alcohol in Louisiana are not happy the state is considering an increase in the taxes on spirits. Alcohol taxes in Louisiana have not been raised since 1948. John Williams with the Beer Industry League of Louisiana says the tax increase in 1948 devastated the beer brewing industry in Louisiana. He says the state still has one of the highest alcohol taxes in the country…:
Cut 15 (05) “excise tax”
The measure to increase the tax on alcohol would go into effect beginning in April if it passes.

Attorney General Jeff Landry is expected to make a major policy change announcement this afternoon at the state capitol. In a release, Landry says the new guideline is aimed at ending the appearance of corruption as he’s committed to running an honest, ethical agency.

LSU Football coach Les Miles introduced two new additions to his coaching staff Wednesday. Jabbar Juluke is the new Tigers running backs coach while Dameyune Craig will be in charge of wide receivers.

A Republican lawmaker from Hammond says serious tax discussions are taking place in committee today including the one cent sales tax increase.
CUT 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Some lawmakers aren’t happy about threatening LSU football unless taxes are raised. But Democratic Baton Rouge Representative Pat Smith says lawmakers should be doing whatever possible to make sure schools stay open for students…:
CUT 10 (07) “to school”

State Representative Kenny Cox of Natchitoches is proposing a higher tax on alcohol as a way to help close the state’s huge budget deficit. But if it happens, local craft beer breweries are worried that people while opt for cheaper alcohol as opposed to beverages made in Louisiana. State Representative Mike Huval of Breaux Bridge says this tax could hurt people that are trying to build their business in an already fragile economy..:
Cut 16 (05) “upcoming business“
Alcohol taxes in Louisiana have not been raised since 1948.

The Louisiana Supreme Court delays the scheduled March 14th execution of the so-called River Parishes serial killer Daniel Blank. He was sentenced to death for the brutal beating death of a 71-year-old Ascension Parish woman in 1997. Blank’s attorney, Gary Clements, says his client admitted to a crime after a 12-hour interrogation…:
CUT 12 (10) “physical reality”

The state alcohol tax hasn’t been raised since the late 1940s but that could change as lawmakers working to solve the state’s budget crisis…:
Cut 3 (29) “I’m Halen Doughty”

Republican Representative Chris Broadwater of Hammond, who serves on the House Ways and Means Committee, says the proposal to increase the state sales tax by a penny is a significant part of the discussion at the capitol:
CUT 6 (05) “associated with it”
The measure gets its first committee hearing today.

A lawmaker from north Louisiana rolls his eyes at the notion that there would be no college football in the spring because of potential cuts to higher ed. Republican State Representative Steve Pylant of Winnsboro says campuses shouldn’t be threatening to shut down unless they get more money. He’s says he’s against raising taxes to solve the problem and compares the matter to feeding hogs…:
CUT 8 (09) “a fight”
But others say lawmakers should be doing whatever is necessary to make sure schools remain open for students.

The state Supreme Court delays the scheduled March 14th execution of the so-called River Parishes serial killer Daniel Blank. His attorney, Gary Clements, says his client is innocent and the state needs to give the case another look…:
CUT 13 (06) “an execution”
He says the corrections department doesn’t have lethal injection drugs anyway.

Republican Representative Chris Broadwater of Hammond, who serves on the House Ways and Means Committee, says lawmakers are taking a hard look at the Edwards Administration’s proposed one cent sales tax increase. He says the reason it’s such a pivotal issue is because they are trying to close a massive $950ish million dollar gap in the current fiscal year budget…:
cut 4 (06) “were it to pass”
He says the amount of revenue associated with the proposed one penny sales tax hike is keeping this a significant part of the discussion.

State Representative Kenny Cox of Natchitoches is proposing a higher tax on alcohol as a means to help close the deficit. It would be the first time since 1948. The measure would raise Louisiana’s beer, wine and liquor tax to the Southern regional averages..:
Cut 14 (05) “do something”
Under Cox’s bill, a gallon of liquor would be taxed an additional $3, and wine 34 cents more.

The Louisiana Supreme Court delays the scheduled March 14th execution of the so-called River Parishes serial killer Daniel Blank — who was sentenced to die for the brutal murder of a 71-year-old Ascension Parish woman in 1997. Blank’s attorney, Gary Clements, says an execution date should have never been set, because his client had yet to exhaust all of his appeals…:
cut 11 (10) “after that”
Apparently Blanks’ execution could not have been carried out next month either way, because the state doesn’t have the necessary drugs.

Retiring Voice of the Tigers Jim Hawthorne has been named a recipient of the 2016 Distinguished Service Award in Sports Journalism from the Louisiana Sports Writers Association. Longtime Alexandria sportswriter Bob Tompkins is receiving the same honor. Both men will be enshrined in the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame.

A north Louisiana lawmaker doesn’t like hearing the threat that there will be no LSU football next season because of budget issues facing higher education. Republican State Representative Steve Pylant of Winnsboro says Governor John Bel Edwards’ statement about the possibility there will be no LSU football next year is an empty threat…:
CUT 7 (06) “this fall”
But Democrat State Representative Pat Smith of Baton Rouge says legislators have to do whatever they can to keep universities open…:
Cut 9 (07) “doors open”
The comments came during a full day’s worth of testimony about funding for higher education.

Meanwhile the state Senate says they’ve done all they can, by law, to help balance the state’s budget as they await bills from the House side where tax increases and most financial measures must originate. The upper chamber has approved about $328 million dollars in patchwork funding to fill gaps in this year’s budget.

The Louisiana Supreme Court delays the execution of the so-called River Parish serial killer. Emelie Gunn reports Daniel Blank was scheduled to die next month for the murder of an elderly woman in 1997…:
Cut 2 (30) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

LSU was knocked out of the tie for first place in Southeastern Conference standings last night after falling to Alabama 76-69 at the PMAC. The Tigers visit Tennessee on Saturday.

The House Ways and Means Committee began hearing various tax bills today that would raise revenue to close a massive budget deficit. One of the measures would increase the state sales tax on a pack of cigarettes by 22-cents per pack. Bill Shepherd, owner of Churchpoint Wholesale, says if this bill passes Louisiana smokers could save money by purchasing cigarettes across the state line and Louisiana would then collect less revenue.

cut 13 (10)  “the internet”

New Orleans Representative Walt Leger says the higher price for cigarettes will discourage people from smoking.

Louisiana Tech University has announced plans to demolish Wyly Tower and Prescott Memorial Library, but LA Tech spokesperson Dave Guerin says this demolition will not happen any time soon. Guerin says the university will have to wait to see how the state’s budget crisis is resolved before moving forward.

CUT 8 (08) “this project”

The first independent poll on the 2016 US Senate race has Republican State Treasurer John Kennedy as the favorite. In the Southern Media and Opinion Research Survey of 500 likely Louisiana voters, Kennedy received 22% of the vote that’s 12% more than Republicans Charles Boustany and Scott Angelle. Republicans John Young, Rob Maness, and John Fleming each have less than 8% of voters’ support. Pollster Bernie Pinsonat says Kennedy is the favorite to make the run-off.

CUT 4 (06)  “with him”

Pinsonat says if four or five Republicans who are well-financed run for Senate, it could guarantee a Democrat being in the runoff.

Metairie Senator Conrad Appel has written a letter to Higher Education Commissioner Joseph Rallo calling on the Board of Regents to construct a plan for organization reform.  Appel says funding for higher education in Louisiana is pretty much stagnant as far as we can see in the future. He says it’s the duty of the Board of Regents to plan the big picture strategy and decide what actions need to be taken.

Cut 11 (08) “not realistic”

The House Ways and Means committee discussed raising taxes on items like cigarettes and alcohol. There’s a proposal to increase the tax on a pack of cigarettes by another 22-cents, after the legislature raised the tobacco tax 50-cents last year. Convenience store owner Fred Hoyt spoke out in opposition…
cut 12 (05) “…again please”
But state representative Walt Leger of New Orleans supports a higher cigarette tax…
cut 14 (05) “…the product”
The panel ended its day by talking about raising taxes on beer, wine and alcohol to the southern regional average. Breaux Bridge representative Mike Huval expressed concerns, because it would hurt the state’s growing craft beer industry
cut 16 (10) “…upcoming business”
The panel did not vote on any of these measures that will occur in the near future.

A Metairie Senator has written a letter to Higher Education Commissioner Joseph Rallo to create a plan of organization reform. Emelie Gunn has more…
voicer 2 (31) “…reporting”

And here’s the quote of the day. It comes from Winnsboro Representative Steve Pylant, who expressed skepticism over the threat there will be no LSU football next fall, if college campuses close this spring because of a lack of funding…
cut 27 (06) “…this fall”

Republican State Treasurer John Kennedy is the favorite in the first independent poll on the 2016 US Senate race. Kennedy received 22% of the vote in the Southern Media and Opinion Research Survey of 500 likely Louisiana voters. Republicans Charles Boustany and Scott Angelle each got 10% of the vote. Pollster Bernie Pinsonat says Kennedy’s statewide recognition is boosting his campaign.

CUT 3 (05)  “so well”

Republicans John Young, Rob Maness, and John Fleming each have less than 8% of voters’ support. At this time, only Fleming and Maness have announced they are running.

Metairie Senator Conrad Appel has written a letter to Higher Education Commissioner Joseph Rallo calling on the Board of Regents to construct a plan for organization reform.  Appel says redesigning the system doesn’t necessarily mean the closing of campuses but all options should be on the table.

cut 10 (10)  “that’s wrong”

Appel says it’s the duty of the Board of Regents to plan the big picture strategy and decide what actions need to be taken.

The Louisiana Supreme Court has delayed the scheduled execution of Daniel Blank, who was convicted of beating and stabbing a 71-year-old woman to death while robbing her home in 1997. The state corrections department said Monday that it doesn’t have the necessary drugs for Blank’s execution. Blank was accused of killing 6 people in 1996 and 1997.

The House Ways and Means Committee began hearing various tax bills today that would raise revenue to close a massive budget deficit. One of the measures would increase the state sales tax on a pack of cigarettes by 22-cents to $1.08 per pack. New Orleans Representative Walt Leger says that the 50-cent increase on a pack of cigarettes last year was not enough. He says the increased tax would still keep Louisiana in the lower 50% in the nation.

cut 15 (12)  “other states”

Opponents of the tax say it would hurt tobacco retailers throughout the state. The committee is waiting to hear on all the proposed taxes before deciding which ones to approve.