As a result of Governor Bobby Jindal’s religious freedom executive order, IBM has reportedly cancelled today’s ribbon cutting for its new National Service Center in downtown Baton Rouge. Soon after the state legislature voted down the “Marriage and Conscience Act”, the governor issued an executive order that mirrored language in the bill. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says the move by Jindal is just politics…:
CUT 3 (08) “don’t agree”
Company executives wrote a letter to the governor saying the legislation opposes what IBM stands for.

The Shreveport Police Department is trying to find the person or persons responsible for shooting a gun in which a stray bullet struck a 4-year-old child in the hand. They say the mother of the victim told investigators the child was hit when they passed a group of feuding men and shots were fired. Anyone with information on this incident is urged to contact authorities. The child sustained only minor injuries.

A preliminary autopsy report could be released today on 32-year-old Kevin Bajoie of Zachary, who died after he was tased by two Baton Rouge police officers. Corporal Don Coppola says officers responded to a call involving a fight outside a home, when units arrived, Bajoie was lying on his back, he unexpectedly jumped up and attempted to attack an officer…:
CUT 9 (11) “tasers”
The officers are on standard paid leave pending the investigation.

LSU announces the new “Voice of the Tigers” will be Georgia Southern play-by-play man Chris Blair replacing Jim Hawthorne who retires after the 2015-16 men’s basketball season. Blair says getting this huge gig is surreal…:
CUT 6 (10) “absolutely amazing”
Blair begins calling at LSU starting with the 2016 LSU baseball season.

A federal trial begins today challenging Louisiana’s law that requires doctors who preform abortions to have admitting privileges at a nearby hospital. Eric Gill reports…:
CUT 1 (29) “reporting”

State Police say a 60-year-old pedestrian was struck and killed by a hit and run vehicle Sunday in St. Mary Parish. Investigators believe the victim, Larry Finister of Berwick, was lying in the road when he was run over and alcohol use on his part is suspected. Cops are trying to locate the vehicle — possibly a late model GMC or SUV.

Despite objections from Hollywood South and several lawmakers in New Orleans, Governor Bobby Jindal signs into law legislation that caps the film tax credit program at 180-million dollars. Mae Chapman owns a casting company in Lafayette and fears the cap will decrease movie production here and kill jobs…:
CUT 13 (10) “exodus”
But others say this directs more money to higher ed and healthcare.

CLECO announces a program which pays customers who get rid of old, working outdated refrigerators and freezers. Spokeswoman Robbyn Cooper says to claim $50, you should clean, empty and defrost your appliance…:
CUT 9 (09) “household”
You can find out more at cleco.com.

LSU Athletic Director Joe Alleva announced over the weekend that Georgia Southern play-by-play man Chris Blair will be the next “Voice of the LSU Tigers.”

A challenge to Louisiana’s law that requires doctors who preform abortions to have admitting privileges to a hospital within 30 miles of where the procedure is performed begins in federal court today. Loyola Law Professor Dane Ciolino says the judge in this case could look at a recent Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals ruling on Texas’s abortion law for guidance…

cut 6 (08) “an abortion”

Opponents of the measure say that abortion is a safe procedure and admitting privileges to a nearby hospital are not needed.

Hollywood South is nervous over the ramifications of the legislature passing and Governor Jindal signing a measure to cap the film tax credit program at $180 million. The bill’s author, Lafayette Representative Joel Robideaux, says by capping the redemption of film tax credits, the state directed more money to health care and higher ed. But Mae Chapman, who owns a casting company in Lafayette, says the legislation is a job killer in an industry that has been growing…

cut 15 (08) “their income”

State Police report a woman was killed in an early morning crash in Lafourche Parish. They say 32-year-old Agnes Rounds of Paradis was driving when her vehicle veered off the roadway in a curve, hitting a ditch and a fence pole. Her vehicle flipped and hit a parked truck before coming to a stop. Rounds, who was not wearing a seat belt, was ejected. She was taken to a local hospital where she later died. The crash is still under investigation.

Bassmasters names the Toledo Bend Reservoir the number 1 bass fishery in the country. Emelie Gunn has more…

cut 2 (30) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

Hollywood South is nervous over the ramifications of the legislature passing and Governor Jindal signing a bill to cap the film tax credit program. Jeff Palermo has more…

cut 3 (29) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

The New Orleans Police Department says the suspect wanted in the killing of Officer Daryle Holloway has been captured. 33-year-old Travis Boys was arrested Sunday after being spotted trying to board a bus in the Lower 9th Ward. Boys is accused of killing Holloway early Saturday morning, as Holloway was transporting Boys to the Orleans Parish Prison.

The Toledo Bend Reservoir is named the number 1 bass fishery in the country for 2015 by Bassmaster. Director of the Sabine Parish Tourist Commission Linda Curtis-Sparks says Toledo Bend is worthy of this honor considering the experience that many fisherman have when it comes to reeling in the big catch on daily basis…

cut 12 (10) “more believable”

She says they’ve never dropped below the top 15 in Bassmaster’s top 100 lakes.

Pineville based Cleco has launched an energy saving program which pays customers $50 for getting rid of outdated refrigerators and freezers. Spokeswoman Robbyn Cooper says many households have an additional refrigerator or freezer outside of the home to store food and drinks, but many of those units are older and require as much as three times more energy to operate than newer models…

cut 8 (11) “you electric bill”

A federal trial begins today challenging Louisiana’s law that requires doctors who preform abortions to have admitting privileges to a hospital within 30 miles of where the procedure is performed. Loyola Law Professor Dane Ciolino says the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals took up that issue earlier this month in a ruling on Texas’ abortion law…

cut 5 (09) “abortion providers”

The plaintiffs claim the law will shut down all but one abortion clinic in the state and that would create an undue hardship for women seeking an abortion.

Governor Bobby Jindal signs into law legislation that caps the film tax credit program at 180-million dollars, despite objections from Hollywood South and several lawmakers in New Orleans. Mae Chapman owns a casting company in Lafayette and says some will have to look to other states to find jobs…

cut 14 (10) “missed the ball”

She fears the cap will decrease movie production in the state.

Cleco has launched an energy saving program which pays customers $50 for getting rid of outdated refrigerators and freezers. Spokeswoman Robbyn Cooper says this will also help people save money on their power bills…

cut 7 (11) “for customers”

To learn more about this new program, visit cleco.com.

Bassmaster has named the Toledo Bend Reservoir as the number 1 bass fishery in the country for 2015. Director of the Sabine Parish Tourist Commission Linda Curtis-Sparks says what sets Toledo Bend apart from the rest is the amount of fish that are over 10 pounds and their certification process.

cut 11 (11) “like this”

She believes this will lead to an influx of out of state anglers to the reservoir.

Despite objections from Hollywood South and several lawmakers, Governor Bobby Jindal signs into law legislation that caps the film tax credit program at 180-million dollars. Mae Chapman owns a casting company in Lafayette and fears the cap will decrease movie production in this state, which means less opportunity to work for those in the industry…

cut 13 (10) “exodus”

Chapman doesn’t understand why Jindal and the legislature would want to restrict an industry that creates thousands of jobs.

A federal trial begins today challenging Louisiana’s law that requires doctors who preform abortions to have admitting privileges to a hospital within 30 miles of where the procedure is performed. Loyola Law Professor Dane Ciolino says there is one key issue the judge will have to determine…

cut 4 (07) “an abortion”

Opponents of the measure say that abortion is a safe procedure and admitting privileges to a nearby hospital are not needed.

The Toledo Bend Reservoir is named by Bassmaster as the number 1 bass fishery in the country for 2015. Director of the Sabine Parish Tourist Commission Linda Curtis-Sparks says this is a great honor and she believes this will lead to an influx of out of state anglers to the reservoir…

cut 10 (08) “those individuals”

Curtis-Sparks says they’ve never dropped below the top 15 in Bassmaster’s top 100 lakes.

LSU Athletic Director Joe Alleva announced over the weekend that Georgia Southern play-by-play man Chris Blair will be the next “Voice of the LSU Tigers.” Blair will replace Jim Hawthorne who will retire after the 2015-16 men’s basketball season.

Three LSU football players have been indefinitely suspended from the team after being charged with unauthorized entry into a residence. Jeff Palermo has more

cut 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Governor Bobby Jindal vetoes legislation that would have put control costs on the TOPS Scholarship program. Under the proposed law, TOPS recipients next year would have 100-percent of tuition costs paid for, but the amount of the award would not automatically go up when tuition rises. Supporters say the bill is needed so the state can afford TOPS in future years, but Jindal says the legislation violates a promise that TOPS will cover a student’s tuition.

With Governor Jindal expected to announce he’s running for president on Wednesday, Chief of Staff Kyle Plotkin and Deputy Communications Director Shannon Dirmann will be joining his national campaign team. LA Politics dot-com’s Jeremy Alford says one of the most important goals for his staff is to get Jindal in presidential debates…

cut 14 (11) “point bump”

LaPolitics.com also reports one of Jindal’s most trusted political advisors, Timmy Teepell will serve as manager of the national campaign.

Baton Rouge based Explosive Service International signs a 19-million dollar contract with the Louisiana National Guard which allows them to begin the process of disposing 15 million pounds of M-6 propellant from Camp Minden in Webster Parish. Guard Spokesman Colonel Pete Schneider…

cut 6 (08) “several months”

Schneider says it’s unsure of the exact date of when the disposal will begin.

A 19 million dollar contract has been signed to destroy the M6 propellant that is illegally stored at Camp Minden in Webster Parish. Emelie Gunn has more….

cut 2 (30) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

Governor Bobby Jindal has signed the 24.5 billion dollar budget and a package of tax bills sent over from the legislature, including a 50-cent increase on a pack of cigarettes. Jindal says it is a balanced budget that will protect higher ed and health care. There were several line item vetoes, including one that would have prevented State Police from paying for his security detail on campaign trips.

Three LSU football players, including quarterback Anthony Jennings, were suspended from the team indefinitely after being charged with the unlawful entry into a residence. The players say they went in to recover some items they say were stolen from Jennings. Legal analyst Chick Foret says their defense attorney will need to know their wishes before going to the DA…

cut 4 (11) “all charges”

Foret says there is still a long way to go before these players’ football future is decided.

A one million dollar federal grant has been given to aid veterans and the unemployed in north Louisiana in joining the workforce. Louisiana Workforce Commission spokesperson Aaron Caffarel says he was pleased, as the money could go towards a parish, police jury, or municipality depending on the type of industries in the area…

cut 10 (09) “those funds”

Cafarrel says the grant will target the areas of Alexandria, Monroe, and Shreveport.

LSU Quarterback Anthony Jennings and two other players are charged with unauthorized entry into an inhabited dwelling. Police say the players went to an on-campus apartment to retrieve items that were taken from Jennings. Legal analyst Chick Foret says that’s not a valid defense and District Attorney Hillar Moore is left with a decision…

cut 3 (07) “filed”

Jennings, cornerback Dwayne Thomas and defensive lineman Maquedius Bain have been suspended indefinitely from the team.

A one million dollar job training grant from the federal government is planned to be used to help unemployed workers and veterans find work in north Louisiana. Louisiana Workforce Commission spokesperson Aaron Caffarel says the money will target the areas of Shreveport, Monroe and Alexandria…

cut 11 (09) “they need”

The grant will assist dislocated workers, veterans, and those who have been unemployed for an extensive time period.

The process of disposing 15 million pounds of M-6 propellant at Camp Minden can begin as Baton Rouge based Explosive Service International signs a $19 million contract with the Louisiana National Guard. Guard spokesman Col. Pete Schneider says they aren’t sure of the exact date of when the disposal will begin, but they are hosting public meetings to keep the Webster Parish community up to date…

cut 7 (07) “take place”

Schneider says it will take the company a few months to build the closed container to burn the explosives.

Governor Bobby Jindal announces that his chief of staff, Kyle Plotkin and Deputy Communications Director Shannon Dirmann are leaving his administration. Jeremy Alford, with LApolitics-dot-com says they will be joining Jindal’s presidential campaign…

cut 12 (09) “research roles”

Jindal is expected to announce his candidacy for the presidency on Wednesday.

Governor Bobby Jindal vetoes legislation that would have put control costs on the TOPS Scholarship program. Under the proposed law, TOPS recipients next year would have 100-percent of tuition costs paid for, but the amount of the award would not automatically go up, when tuition rises. Supporters say the bill is needed, so the state can afford TOPS in future years, but Jindal says the legislation violates a promise that TOPS will cover a student’s tuition.

But the governor has signed the 24.5 billion dollar budget and a package of tax bills, including a 50-cent increase on a pack of cigarettes.

Governor Bobby Jindal’s Chief of Staff and Deputy Communications Director are leaving his administration. It is fully expected that Kyle Plotkin and Shannon Dirmann will join with one Jindal’s most trusted political advisors, Timmy Teepell, on his presidential campaign team…
CUT 13 (10) Q: “this campaign”
That’s Jeremy Alford with LA-politics-dot-com.

Louisiana has received a one million dollar job training grant from the federal government that will be used to help unemployed workers and veterans join the workforce in North Louisiana. Louisiana Workforce Commission spokesperson Aaron Caffarel says the commission is excited to get this money that will expand employment opportunities…
cut 9 (08) “apprenticeship programs”

LSU Quarterback Anthony Jennings and two other players have been suspended from the team after being charged with unauthorized entry into an inhabited dwelling as a result of an incident that occurred at an on-campus apartment. Legal analyst Chick Foret says it is possible the charges could eventually be dropped…
cut 5 (09) “change of heart”
Foret says there is still a long way to go before these players’ football future is decided.