LSU now says they will let opposing bands perform at halftime shows. Once they announced a new policy citing safety concerns with so many people being on the field, the band community from throughout the nation expressed outrage. LSU Deputy Athletic Director Eddie Nunez responds to the concern…:
CUT 15 (08) “Tiger Stadium”
He says the new plan involves changes to seating so bands have a more direct route to the field.

Cursive writing will be required to be taught in public schools beginning in July 2017. Supporters say children should be able to know how to sign their name in cursive. But LSU English professor Renee Casbergue says it’s rare that people are required to write in cursive…:
CUT 5 (08) “a signature”
She adds cursive is becoming a lost art.

A study from InsuranceQuotes.com finds car insurance premiums for Louisiana parents increase by more than 86-percent when they add a teen driver to their policy…:
Cut 2 (31) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

On the third installment of Ask the Governor, callers inquired about a wide range of issues facing the state. Asked about the state’s film tax credit program, Governor Edwards says the state capped it at 180-million dollars in credits paid out and there are no plans to change it…:
Cut 10 (07) “million dollars”
The next “Ask the Governor” show will be July 20th.

Teachers in public schools will soon have to teach students cursive writing because of a bill signed into law by the governor. LSU English professor Renee Casbergue says writing in cursive is becoming a lost art, and kids may not have much use for it in the future…:
cut 4 (11) “means nothing”
The new law goes into effect in July of 2017.

A heat advisory is in effect for most of the state from 10 this morning to 7 this evening. The National Weather Service says these areas could see head indices of 105-109 degrees.

A House committee and a senate committee approved separate bills that would generate revenue to address a 600-million dollar shortfall. In House Ways and Means, the panel on a 10-9 vote sent a measure to the House floor that would reduce a tax break for those who itemize on their tax returns. It would generate over 100-million dollars.

A new study shows that, In Louisiana, parents average premium for car insurance increases by over 86-percent when they add a teen driver to an existing policy. But Senior insurance analyst with InsuranceQuotes.com Laura Adams rates for teens have been dipping because many young people are waiting to drive until their older…:
CUT 7 (11) “social media”
She advises parents to take advantage of every discount available to them.

The third installment of the “Ask the Governor” call-in radio show featured a wide variety of questions from callers. Asked about gun control in the wake of the Orlando tragedy, Governor Edwards said he supports the 2nd amendment, but that he is in favor of a measure that would prohibit people on terrorist watch lists from purchasing guns:
cut 12 (11) “the public”
The next Ask the Governor is July 20th.

LSU says they will now allow visiting bands to perform during halftime, after not allowing them to do so during football games last season. They said the initial policy was implemented due to safety concerns with having so many people on the sidelines. LSU Deputy Athletic Director Eddie Nunez says their new plan involves changes to seating in the South End Zone…:
Cut 13 (12) “the half”
The change comes admid outrage from the band community across the nation.

While no official identity has been made on the body that was found in Iberville Parish this week, the East Baton Rouge Parish coroner says the victim was pregnant at the time of death and suffered a fatal gunshot wound to the head. Authorities say it’s possible the body is that of the 40-year-old missing teacher, Lyntell Washington. More on this as it develops.

Public school students will soon be required to learn cursive writing, as a bill has been signed into law that takes effect in July of 2017. Halen Doughty spoke with an LSU English professor on whether this legislation is needed:
CUT 1 (27) “I’m Halen Doughty”

Under a measure signed by Governor Edwards, domestic violence victims will be able to get an expedited temporary concealed carry permit. It takes effect in August.

The fines for texting or using social media while driving have been increased from $175 to $500 for a first offense, as a bill has just been signed into law by the governor. Major Doug Cain with State Police says they deal with distracted driving accidents almost every day, and it’s something that’s entirely avoidable. He says using a cell phone while driving can be a deadly decision.

CUT 4 (08)  “everybody else”

The new law is now in effect.

FEMA has released a smartphone app to help residents get prepared for potential natural disasters. FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate says it gives you a checklist to follow in the palm of your hand even if you lose cell service.

CUT 6 (10) “an emergency”

He says app is available in the iTunes store and on Google Play.

The northern part of the state is under a heat advisory until 7 o’clock tomorrow night. Emelie Gunn reports it’s hot across the entire state…

CUT 2 (30)  “I’m Emelie Gunn”

LSU says they will now allow visiting bands to perform during halftime, after not allowing them to do so during football games last season. LSU Deputy Athletic Director Eddie Nunez says their plan involves changes to seating in the South End Zone to allow bands to take a more direct route onto the field. He says there were safety concerns with having two bands along the sidelines before the end of the first half.

A House committee and a senate committee approved seperate bills that would generate revenue to address a 600-million dollar shortfall. In House Ways and Means, the panel on a 10-9 vote sent a measure to the House floor that would reduce a tax break for those who itemize on their tax returns. It would generate over 100-million dollars.

The Revenue and Fiscal Affairs committee moved a bill to the Senate floor that requires large manufacturing facilities to choose between two different property tax breaks they currently benefit from. Alexandria Senator Jay Luneau says the state is struggling financially and can’t afford to give businesses large tax breaks…
cut 12 (10) “…like this”
Opposition came from business lobbyists who say this bill will hurt economic development efforts.

The governor has signed a bill into law that increases the fine for texting and using social media while driving from $175 to $500. Don Molino has more…
CUT 1 (27) “I’m Don Molino”

And the governor signs into law a measure that will require public and charter schools to teach cursive writing. LSU English professor Renee Casbergue says cursive is becoming a loss art and there might not be much use for it in the future….
cut 25 (09( “…signature”
The mandate goes into effect for the 2017-18 school year.

The governor has signed a bill into law that increases the fines for texting or using social media while driving from $175 to $500 for a first offense. State Police Major Doug Cain says unfortunately, they see a lot in crashes caused by distracted driving.

CUT 3 (10)  “pulling out”

Cain says troopers do write tickets for this offense.

The Senate Revenue and Fiscal Affairs committee approves a bill that would make industries choose between taking an industrial tax exemption or receiving an inventory tax credit. Business groups expressed concerns about losing one of these tax credits. But New Orleans Sen. Karen Peterson says the state can’t afford these large tax breaks, when it’s facing cuts to higher ed, public schools and healthcare…

cut 14 (09)  “we have”

The measure is heading to the Senate floor.

A heat advisory is in effect for the upper half of Louisiana until 7 o’clock Thursday night. State Climatologist Barry Keim says the summer is off to a hot start, with temperatures reaching into the mid and upper 90s. He says on top of that, humidity levels are running high leading to high heat index values.

CUT 9 (09) “is here”

Keim says the lack of rain the state will see this week is contributing to the extreme heat.

FEMA has released a smartphone app to help residents get prepared for potential natural disasters. It also allows users to receive safety and preparedness tips, including practicing a fire escape plan and updating emergency tips. FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate says many tools are built in to the app.

CUT 7 (06) “anything else”

The app is available in the iTunes store and on Google Play. 

It’s a hot afternoon across Louisiana and it’s resulted in the National Weather Service issuing a heat advisory for the northern half of the state until Thursday night. State Cliamatolgist Barry Keim says heat indexes could reach 108-degrees over the next couple of days…
cut 10 (09) “…all the time”

East Baton Rouge Coroner, Doctor Beau Clark, says the body found in a ditch in Iberville Parish yesterday was shot in the head, but he’s unable to to make a positive identification because of advance stages of decomposition. Authorities believe the body is that of a pregnant woman from Baton Rouge. Clark says the female victim was pregnant at the time of her death.

LSU announces they’ve developed a plan so that visiting bands can perform halftime shows of the field of Tiger Stadium. The plan involves re-configuring seating areas in the South End Zone.

Motorists caught texting and driving behind the wheel will face a fine of 500-dollars as a result of a new law signed by Governor John Bel Edwards. The fine was previously 175-dollars. State Police Major Doug Cain says they do issue tickets for this offense. He says they are made aware a person is playing with their phone while behind the wheel, based on the driver’s actions…
cut 5 (09) “…stop sign”

Despite objections from business lobbyists, a senate committee approved legislation that would result in a large tax break being taken away from manufacturing facilities. Jim Pattersons with the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry says these tax incentives help our state’s economy…
cut 13 (10) “…this state”
The measure would generate 146-million dollars in tax money.

A Senate panel has approved a bill that would make manufacturing facilities decide between taking an industrial tax exemption or receiving an inventory tax credit. Alexandria Senator Jay Luneau says the state is struggling financially and can’t afford to give businesses large tax breaks…
cut 12 (10) “…like this”
Opposition came from business lobbyists who say this bill will hurt economic development efforts.

FEMA is encouraging Louisiana residents to download a smart phone app that can provide timely information during emergencies. FEMA administration Craig Fugate
cut 8 (10) “…your family”
The app is available in the iTunes store and on Google play.

The northern half of the state is under a heat advisory until 7 o’clock tomorrow night. Emelie Gunn reports it’s hot across the entire state…
voicer 2 (30) “…I’m Emelie Gunn”

A federal hearing took place today in Baton Rouge about the hot conditions at Angola’s Death Row. Several inmates are pushing the state to install air conditioning. But the state is arguing that cold showers, ice and fans are there to help the inmates stay cool. The fifth circuit court of appeals ruled last year that death row inmates are not entitled to air conditioning.

The governor has signed a bill into law that increases the fine for texting and using social media while driving from $175 to $500 for a first offense. Don Molino has more…
voicer 1 (27) “…I’m Don Molino”

A heat advisory is in effect for north Louisiana through Thursday and south Louisiana is feeling the heat too. State Climatologist Barry Keim says a high pressure system is responsible for our first real taste of summer this year…
cut 11 (10) “…high temperatures”

A former deputy with the Ascension Parish Sheriff’s Office is under arrest amid charges he had sex with a juvenile while he was on duty. Cops say 31-year-old William Lanoux of Prairieville is charged with malfeasance in office and 1st degree rape. Deputies say the juvenile was considered a runaway when she allegedly met Lanoux on social media and the two went off to have sex. Upon Lanoux’s arrest he was immediately terminated.

FEMA is encouraging Louisiana residents to download their smart phone app, which they say can be very helpful during an emergency, like when a hurricane is approaching. FEMA administration Craig Fugate says the app gives you a checklist to follow in the palm of your hand even if you lose cell service…
cut 6 (10) “…an emergency”
Fugate says the app will also send you weather alerts for up to five locations.

The House Ways and Means Committee will consider a bill today that would scale back a tax deduction that benefits many upper income wage earners. La-politics-dot-com publisher Jeremy Alford says the legislation would generate an additional 120-million dollars in revenue, but it won’t stay on the books permanently….
CUT 13 (12) “the books”
The Republican Party of Louisiana opposes the legislation, while Governor Edwards says it’s needed to help reduce potential budget cuts.

Governor Edwards has signed a law that increases the fine for texting or using social media while driving from 175-to-500-dollars. Major Dough Cain hopes the increased fines will lead to drivers putting down the phone while behind the wheel…
cut 4 (08) “…everybody else”
Cain says they do issue tickets for this offense.

The National Weather Service has issued a heat advisory for north Louisiana through tomorrow night. Heat indexes will reach 105 to 108 degrees. State Climatologist Barry Keim…
cut 9 (09) “…summer is here”

Lotte (Low-tay) Chemical and Axiall have broken ground on a three billion dollar chemical manufacturing complex in Lake Charles. Louisiana Economic Development Secretary Don Pierson says this joint venture will be investing $3 billion and create more than 2,300 direct and indirect jobs. Pierson expects the plants will be up and running by 2019.