LRN PM Newscall May 11

Wine consumers in Louisiana could soon have their favorite beverage shipped directly from the manufacture. Brooke Thorington explains

Cut 1 (31) “ …I’m Brooke Thorington” 

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A cyber-attack against one of the nation’s largest pipelines threatens to increase gas prices locally and potentially result in fuel shortages elsewhere in the country. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 2 (30) …I’m Matt Doyle.”  

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A bill to allow Louisiana consumers to have their favorite wine shipped directly from the manufacturer passes in the House.  Current law prohibits manufacturers from sending vino directly to a connoisseur in Louisiana. Larose Representative Joseph Orgeron says 44 other states allow this but in Louisiana, a wholesale agreement with distributors hinders the sale.

Cut 3 (12)  “…stipulation.” 

Opponents like Baton Rouge Representative Denise Marcelle say it could hurt wine wholesalers and retailers in the state.

Cut 4 (09) “…consumers.” 

Orgeron says due to the current law wineries do not file appropriate paperwork to ship directly to consumers in the state because the agreement with wholesalers and retailers hinders them from shipping most of their product.

Cut 5  (11)  “…ship to Louisiana.”

House bill 393 passed 53-40 and now heads to the Senate.

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Gas prices look likely to rise nationwide after a cyber-attack shut down the Colonial Pipeline, one of the nation’s largest fuel veins.

AAA Fuel Analyst Don Redman says Louisiana likely won’t be as impacted as other states due to our local production, but to the east of us…

Cut 6 (11) “…gallon.”

The pipeline carries fuel from Texas up to the East Coast.

The average cost of a gallon of gas in Louisiana sits at two dollars and 66 cents, but Redman says nationally that number is just under three dollars and expected to rise quickly…

Cut 7 (07) “…2014.”

The price is up a dollar and six cents from this time last year when the futures price of a barrel of oil dropped below zero.

Redman says this attack comes at a particularly bad time given the fact that prices were already beginning their slow summer march upward…

Cut 8 (09) “…lockdowns”

According to the FBI, the ransomware attack came from a Russian hacking collective that was attempting to extort money from the pipeline’s operators.

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The Louisiana House has passed legislation that puts in place the fee and tax structure for sports betting, which has been approved in 55 of the state’s 64 parishes. Crowley Representative John Stefanski’s bill also allows the Louisiana Lottery to oversee sports betting at bars and restaurants, where alcohol is served

Cut 9 (10) “…kiosk”

The legislation calls for a ten-percent tax on the net proceeds of an operator for on-premise sports wagering and an 18-percent tax on net proceeds from mobile betting. Stefanski says most of the tax money from bets placed at kiosks run by the Louisiana Lottery will go towards education…

Cut 10 (09) “.in children 

Stefanski says a Senate bill allows for sports betting to also take place at the state’s riverboat casinos, Harrah’s in New Orleans, and the five-horse racing tracks. That bill also allows for full mobile sports betting on your phone. He says his legislation sets up the kiosks at restaurants and bars

Cut 11 (12) “…the lottery”

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New Orleans Democrat Troy Carter was sworn in as Louisiana’s newest U-S House member today, replacing Cedric Richmond who represented the second district until taking a job with the Biden administration. The former New Orleans City Councilman and state lawmaker understands the importance of public service.

Cut 12 (09)   “…the people” 

Carter will represent New Orleans in the U-S House, along with portions of the River Parishes and the Baton Rouge area. He says his district has a lot of needs…COVID recovery, economic development, infrastructure investment, criminal justice reform, education, and environmental justice

Cut 13 (10)“…being addressed”

Carter defeated New Orleans Senator Karen Carter Peterson in a special election. The 57-year-old says he’s honored to be given this opportunity to serve…

Cut 14 (11) “..great country”