Three days to go in the special session and legislators worked through the weekend. Sunday, the House ended up passing a small increase on alcohol to help plug the state’s massive budget deficit. A three-year expiration on the higher tax was proposed as an amendment to the bill, but Dry Creek Representative Dorothy Sue Hill objected to a sunset date. She says it’s been decades since the last time it was raised..:
Cut 18 (11) “cheers”
That amendment did not pass. If the Senate agrees to a higher alcohol tax, it would raise four-million dollars this fiscal year.

Legislation that would raise the fine for texting and driving is on the table for the regular session. Highway safety advocate Jim Champagne says this distracted driving behavior is extremely dangerous…:
CUT 8 (05) “almost un believable”
The proposed fine is $500, up from $175.

Legislation filed for the regular session would require the governor to review the state’s agreements with the Saints and Pelicans. Emelie Gunn has more…:
CUT 1 (32) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

Republican Donald Trump and Democrat Hillary Clinton were the winners in their respective parties in the Louisiana Presidential Primary on Saturday. Some ballots including local elections including Monroe where incumbent Mayor Jamie Mayo easily gained a victory in the city’s mayoral election.

New Orleans native quarterback Peyton Manning is expected to announce he’s retiring today after 18 seasons in the NFL.

Colfax Representative Terry Brown has filed legislation for the regular session that would require the governor to look over Louisiana’s agreements with the Saints and Pelicans and allow him to renegotiate the contracts to reduce state subsidies. Brown says if we’re cutting public dollars for developmentally disabled children and roadways, state-funding for professional sports teams should be reduced…:
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Brown says since 2002 the Saints and Pelicans have received about 369 million dollars from the state.

Today at the Capitol, with three days left in the special session, lawmakers continue to hammer away at the state’s current $900 million dollar budget shortfall, and the next financial year’s $2 billion dollar deficit. The House approved a small increase in the alcohol tax Sunday, and now there’s talk on a measure that would add an extra half penny to the state sales tax beyond the 1 cent increase, But Governor John Bel Edwards says he doesn’t like that idea.

The Board of Elementary and Secondary Education approves the Louisiana State Student Standards in English and math, which replaces Common Core in these areas. BESE president Jim Garvey says these new standards still uphold high learning expectations and will help students move forward to better prepare for college and careers….:
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State law passed in 2015 provided BESE with the mechanism to develop state standards for English and math.

A 19-year-old from Natcchitoches is in jail for allegedly shooting and killing his 39-year-old father, according to cops. They say Marlon Ray Rachal II is charged with second degree murder.

The National Weather Service says a large storm system could bring heavy bouts of rain to south Louisiana this week. They say some showers and a few thunderstorms are expected to develop Tuesday, but the heaviest rainfall is expected to move into the area Wednesday through Friday. Four to 8 inches of rain is possible according to forecasters.

There are three days left in the special session to address massive budget shortfalls this fiscal year and next. Governor John Bel Edwards is calling on lawmakers to raise revenues to fill the budget holes and he scored a victory last night when the House approved an increase to the state’s alcohol tax. The bill’s author, Natchitoches Representative Kenny Cox, urged his colleagues to support the higher tax…:
Cut 16 (09) “alcohol“
Louisiana has not raised taxes on alcohol since 1948.

Baton Rouge Senator Yvonne Dorsey-Colomb files a bill for the regular session that would increase the fine for texting while driving. It’s currently $175, but this measure seeks to raise that fine to $500. Highway safety advocate Jim Champagne says police are having a hard time getting a handle on the issue..:
CUT 7 (09) “to address”
The regular session convenes on March 14th.

The Board of Elementary and Secondary Education has approved the Louisiana State Student Standards, which changes Common Core. Jeff Palermo has the story…:
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The Republican and Democratic parties in Louisiana congratulate the Presidential Primary candidates who pulled out victories in The Bayou State. After the March 5th election day, Donald Trump won 47 of the state’s 64 parishes for the Republicans, and Hillary Clinton picked up 71% of Democratic votes in Louisiana.

UNO poll shows Donald Trump is the favorite to win the state’s Republican primary today. Halen Doughty has more…

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A Hahnville teacher has been arrested for allegedly having inappropriate conduct with a student. The St. Charles Parish Sheriff’s Office says the arrest of 30-year-old Jeremy Eusea comes from another similar incident where Eusea was texting a 16-year-old student inappropriate pictures and messages in the 2010-2011 school year. He is facing multiple charges, including Computer Aided Solicitation of a Minor and Indecent Behavior with a Juvenile.

Governor John Bel Edwards is demanding that the House of Representatives approve additional revenue generating bills. The House and Senate have agreed to some revenue increases and budget cuts that close this fiscal year’s deficit from 940-million dollars to around 147-million. But the governor says more work needs to be done in the last days of the special session…

CUT 9 (11) “that number”

The House did not approve the bill to increase the alcohol tax.

The major candidates running for the 2016 US Senate seat in Louisiana will appear today at the annual police jury association meeting in Shreveport. Political Analyst Elliot Stonecipher says the biggest issue is how other Republicans in the race can relate to the front runner John Kennedy because the State Treasurer’s anti-tax stance has helped to boost his popularity.

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A survey from the University of New Orleans shows billionaire businessman Donald Trump will likely be the favorite in Louisiana’s presidential primary today. Meanwhile in the Democratic primary, former-president Bill Clinton made a couple of campaign stops in Louisiana on behalf of his wife Hillary Clinton. Clinton says his wife is the most qualified candidate for the presidency.
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Governor John Bel Edwards is demanding the House of Representatives approves more bills to generate revenue. Edwards says without new revenues hospitals, universities and other necessary state services could have to close their doors. He says it’s time for the legislature to act.
CUT 8 (06) “none of the three”

Reports say legislatiors are looking to increase the state’s sales tax even more, possibly by one and a half or two cents.

The major candidates running for US Senate in Louisiana in 2016 will appear today at the annual police jury association meeting in Shreveport. Political Analyst Elliot Stonecipher says right now Republican State Treasurer John Kennedy is the frontrunner. But he says having all the candidates together for this meeting kicks off the race.
cut 14 (10) “a difference”

Stonecipher says a big issue is how other Republicans in the Senate race relate to Kennedy because the State Treasurer’s anti-tax stance has helped boost his popularity.

Researchers at Louisiana Tech are working with the New Orleans Police Department to help them select new officers who are the best fit the N-O-P-D’s new community based approach to law enforcement. Louisiana Tech Professor Frank Igou says N-O-P-D is looking for a certain type of officer as the department wants to correct misconduct issues that have occurred in the past.
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Governor John Bel Edwards is demanding that the House of Representatives approves more revenue raising bills to close the state’s 900-million deficit. Jeff Palermo has the story…
CUT 2 (28) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

The House did not approve the bill that would increase the tax on alcohol.
The Board of Elementary and Secondary Education has approved the Louisiana State Student Standards in English language arts and Math, which makes significant changes to Common Core. BESE President Jim Garvey says the new standards give teachers more clarity about what is expected from students and makes the standards less open to different interpretations.

A survey out of the University of New Orleans shows businessman Donald Trump is the favorite to win the presidential primary in Louisiana today. UNO Pollster Edward Chervenack says this isn’t surprising…
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. The polls close at 8 o’clock tonight.

The major candidates running for US Senate in Louisiana in 2016 will appear today in Shreveport at the annual police jury association meeting. Political Analyst Elliot Stonecipher says eight months before the primary, Republican John Kennedy is the front-runner.
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Stonecipher says the Senate race isn’t really on many voters radar just yet with the presidential primary, the current special legislative session and the upcoming regular session.

Governor John Bel Edwards expressed his frustration with the legislature today over a lack of activity on the house floor involving tax increasing bills he says are necessary to close a 940-million dollar budget shortfall. Edwards says time is running out on this special session that was called to address the state’s fiscal crisis…

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But the House is not going along with the governor’s wishes for higher taxes. A bill to increase the state’s alcohol tax failed to get the 70 votes needed for approval.

The major candidates running for US Senate in Louisiana in 2016 will appear tomorrow at the annual police jury association meeting in Shreveport. Political Analyst Elliot Stonecipher says eight months before the primary, Republican John Kennedy is the frontrunner.

Cut 13 (10)  “driver’s seat”

A University of New Orleans survey shows billionaire businessman Donald Trump as the favorite to win Louisiana’s presidential primary. 38-percent of respondents chose Trump, 26-percent support Ted Cruz and 11-percent favor Marco Rubio. UNO Pollster Edwards Chervenak says there is no gender gap in Trump’s supporters, but his support is stronger among middle-aged voters. He says Trump’s views on fiscal issues is winning him support in Louisiana.

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Meanwhile in the Democratic primary, former-president Bill Clinton made two campaign stops in Louisiana on behalf of his wife Hillary Clinton. Mr. Clinton says his wife has a history of standing up for Louisianans.

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With only 5 days left in the special legislative session, Governor John Bel Edwards is calling for the legislature to approve more revenue raising bills. The House and Senate have agreed to some revenue increases and budget cuts that closes the deficit for this fiscal year from 940-million dollars to about 147-million. But the governor says there’s more work to be done in the final days of the special session…

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The New Orleans Police Department is getting help from Louisiana Tech researchers to select new officers who will best fit the NOPD’s new community based approach to law enforcement. Louisiana Tech Professor Frank Igou says they will formulate test questions for the applicants to judge their aptitude and personality.

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Billionaire businessman Donald Trump is the favorite to win Louisiana’s presidential primary tomorrow, according to a survey from the University of New Orleans. UNO Pollster Edward Chervenak says it’s not surprising Trump is leading the polls in Louisiana.

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38-percent of those polled chose Trump, 26-percent support Ted Cruz and 11-percent favor Marco Rubio.

The major candidates running for US Senate in Louisiana in 2016 will appear tomorrow at the annual police jury association meeting in Shreveport. Political Analyst Elliot Stonecipher says eight months before the primary, Republican John Kennedy is the frontrunner. Stonecipher says the big issue is how other Republicans in the race relate to Kennedy because the State Treasurer’s anti-tax stance has helped boost his popularity.

cut 15 (10) “the lead” 

Governor John Bel Edwards expressed his frustation with lawmakers today over the lack of activity on the House floor involving tax bills that could be used to close a 940-million dollar deficit this year. House members are reluctant to raise taxes, but the governor says he hasn’t seen an alternative plan that addresses the problem….
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Edwards says without new revenues, colleges, health care services for the poor and the disabled face deep cuts.

Most of the major candidates for Louisiana’s 2016 US Senate race are expected in Shreveport on Saturday as they’ll attend the annual policy jury association meeting. Political analyst Elliot Stoncipher says this acts as the kick-off to the campaign…
cut 14 (10) “….a difference”
Stonecipher says at this point Republican State Treasurer John Kennedy is the front-runner.

The US Supreme Court has told Louisiana it can NOT enforce its abortion clinic law. The law requires abortion doctors to have admitting priviledges at nearby hospitals. A federal appeals court in New Orleans said the state can enforce the law, even though it was being challenged in the courts. But the US Supreme Court says the law should not be enforced, until there’s a ruling on its constituationality.

Louisiana’s presidential primary is tomorrow, and a UNO poll shows Donald Trump is the favorite to win the state’s Republican primary….
voicer 1 (31) “….I’m Halen Doughty

Governor John Bel Edwards is demanding that the House of Representatives approves more revenue generating bills including a measure that would increase the state’s tax on alcohol for the first time since 1948. Edwards says time is running out on this special session that was called to address the state’s fiscal crisis…

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Edwards says without new revenues hospitals, universities and other necessary state services may have to close their doors.

Louisiana Tech researchers are working with the New Orleans Police Department to help them select new officers who will best fit the N-O-P-D’s new community based approach to law enforcement. Louisiana Tech Professor Frank Igou says believes New Orleans P-D contacted Louisiana Tech because they have an intensive research and consulting group. He says researchers traveled to New Orleans to sit in on police academy sessions, ride along with on-duty officers, and to meet with officials to determine who is needed on the force.

Cut 11 (08) “doesn’t”

A University of New Orleans survey shows billionaire businessman Donald Trump as the favorite to win Louisiana’s presidential primary tomorrow. UNO Pollster Edward Chervenak says there is no gender gap in Trump’s supporters, but his support is stronger among middle-aged voters. He says Trump’s views on fiscal issues is winning him support in Louisiana.

CUT 4 (10)  “in Louisiana”

UNO surveyed nearly 19-hundred registered Republicans and 38-percent chose Trump, 26-percent support Ted Cruz and 11-percent favor Marco Rubio.

The major candidates running for US Senate in Louisiana in 2016 will appear tomorrow at the annual police jury association meeting in Shreveport. Political Analyst Elliot Stoneciper says eight months before the primary, Republican John Kennedy is the frontrunner.

Cut 13 (10)  “driver’s seat”