06.20.18
by

LRN PM Newscall June 20th

A Monroe man who spent 41 years in prison serving a life sentence for murder is now a free man. Kevin Barnhart has more…

Cut 1 (32) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

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With a week to go in the special session, the House Ways and Means committee approves three different sales tax bills. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo” 

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A major employer near the town of Simsboro in Lincoln Parish is expected to lay off about 200 employees next month.  Ardagh Glass says the layoffs will take effect July 23rd.  Simsboro Mayor Sybil Foster says the move will hit the community hard.

Cut 3 (04) “…some effect of it.”

Ardagh Glass produces glass containers for brands including Tabasco, Smucker’s, Tito’s Vodka, and others at the facility in Simsboro.  What is chipping away at the glass industry? The mayor says it is demand for other materials.

 

Cut 4  (04) “…need for glass.”

The mayor says the layoffs are expected to last for months and expressed her concern that production levels may not return to what they once were.

Cut 5  (07) “…reduced or what.”
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A 59 year old man walked out of prison as a free man for the first time in his adult life after serving over 40 years for a murder in Monroe.  Gerald Manning was exonerated of his conviction in the 1977 death of Vonda Harris.  His attorney, Kristin Wenstrom, says he accepted an opportunity to speed up the process of his freedom.

Cut 6 (11)  “…walk out of prison.”

Wenstrom says years of DNA testing contributed to ensuring that Manning could once again have his freedom.

Cut 7 (10)  “…by the perpetrator.”

Wenstrom says the family of Vonda Harris has always supported Manning.

cut 8 (13) “…the real perpetrator.”

Manning plans to live with his mother in Monroe. As a result of the plea agreement, he left prison with no compensation and only the clothes on his back.  A freedom fund and an Amazon wishlist have been set up for those that would like to help in his transition to the outside world.  Find the details at laccr.org.

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The separation of families coming into the United States illegally is causing a firestorm of controversy across the nation.  President Trump has signed an executive order to allow children to stay with parents attempting to cross the border unlawfully.  US Representative Ralph Abraham says he supports President Trump’s efforts.

cut 9 (13)  “…parents accompanying them.”

Abraham says he co-sponsored the Goodlatte-McCaul Bill.  While he believes it could solve many of the border issues, he feels that there may not be enough support to pass the bill.

Cut 10 (13) “…and for all.”

Governor John Bel Edwards announced today he’s not removing a three-member Louisiana National Guard air team from the Mexico border that assists with border patrol. On his monthly call-in show the governor says removing the team would risk the lives of law enforcement along the border.

Cut 11 (14) “…as a result of that”

Governor Edwards says in no way does he support removing families from their children.

Cut 12 (12)   “…they are not criminals.”

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Three sales tax bills that raise revenue to different amounts are heading to the House floor for debate tomorrow after they received approval by the House Ways and Means tomorrow. Baton Rouge Representative Paula Davis received the most support as it renews an expiring one-cent penny by four-tenths of a cent. She calls it a great compromise…

Cut 13 (12) “…this out” 

Davis’ bill passed on a 12-5 vote. Members of the legislative black caucus didn’t vote for it, because they want a sales tax bill that renews half of the expiring one cent sales tax. Davis is optimistic her legislation has the 70 votes to get approval by the full House….

Cut 14 (07)  “right bill.”

The other sales tax proposals to pass would renew .33 of the expiring one-cent sales tax. Another measure renews half of the tax, but scale it down over time. Chairman Neil Abramson of New Orleans is optimistic the House can behind one of the bills…

Cut 15 (09) “…current situation.”