The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries has named Rachel Zechenelly as its first female top game warden in the agency’s history. Teiko Foxx has more…
Cut 1 (31) “I’m Teiko Foxx.”
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Once again this year, a bill to ban using a hand-held cell phone while driving goes before state lawmakers today. Kevin Gallagher reports…:
Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”
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A bill to extend the state’s film tax credit for another 10 years from the current expiration of July 2025 goes before the full House today. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 3 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”
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Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries has appointed its first female as head of its Enforcement Division in the agency’s 79-year history. Rachel Zechenelly will oversee 257 game agents and support staff. Zechenelly says she’s ready to lead as the new Chief of Enforcement.
Cut 4 (09) “…and women.”
Zechenelly has worked with the agency for over two decades and has received several awards including the LDWF Meritorious Award for Hurricanes Katrina, Rita, Harvey, Irma, and Ida, the 2016 Flood, and BP Oil Spill. The Pearl River native says the agency’s main responsibility is protecting commercial fisheries, hunting, and fishing, however…
Cut 5 (11) “…and rescue.”
Zechenelly graduated from LDWF Cadet Academy in 1999, where she served as a field agent in the southeast region before being promoted to Headquarter staff in 2005. She was also named the LDWF Agent of the Year for Headquarters Staff in 2008. She believes the leadership from her mentor, Col. Hebert has prepared her for the future.
Cut 6 (09) “…that road.”
Zechenelly will succeed Col. Chad Hebert, who was promoted to Colonel in 2020 but has decided to retire.
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Once again this year, a bill to ban using a hand-held cellphone while driving is scheduled for review before the House Transportation Committee. The measure comes from St. Martin Parish representative Mike Huval. Louisiana AAA’s Don Redman says his organization supports Huval’s bill, as they have in the past…:
Cut 7 (11) “…behind the wheel.”
Similar bills have been filed for many years, by Huval and other lawmakers before him, but the bill has never made it to final passage. Redman says Huval’s bill would only restrict HOW you use your phone while driving…:
Cut 8 (08) “…phone in-system.”
Huval’s HB 580 would mandate one could only use a cell phone hands-free while behind the wheel. A first offense would mean a fine of $50 to $100, but subsequent offenses could mean fines up to $300 with community service and possible license revocation. Redman says AAA is behind the bill, and passing it could even mean a break on your auto insurance, because we have so many distracted driving crashes…:
Cut 9 (11) “…to 6 and a half.”
Huval’s bill is scheduled today in House Transportation.
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House Bill 562 to extend tax credits for the film industry in Louisiana will be heard in the lower chamber today. The bill would extend the current tax credits set to expire in July 2025 to July 2035. Jason Waggenspack with Louisiana Film and Entertainment Association says passage is vital to stabilizing the industry long-term.
Cut 10 (10) “…year over year.”
A Louisiana Economic Development study estimates a billion dollars spent by the industry in the state last year and of that $350 million was on the payroll of residents. Waggenspack says the industry also supports 10,000 jobs.
Cut 11 (08) “…to the state.”
The state film tax incentive started in 2002 and Waggenspack says Louisiana is among the first states to have the initiative. He says other states have followed Louisiana’s lead and now more than 38 states have a film tax program, and more are in the works. According to LED, there is a $6.00 Return on Investment for every dollar the state puts into the industry. Waggenspack says with more than a third of that billion is going directly to Louisiana payroll…
Cut 12 (06) “…unfathomable.”
Speaker of the House Clay Schexnayder’s legislation also calls for productions who receive incentives to have a Louisiana logo promoting the state in the end credits.
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Seven of the major candidates for governor who attended the Public Affairs Research Council’s annual meeting were asked about their top priorities for the state. PAR President Seven Procopio says they were also asked if they would continue Medicaid expansion in Louisiana.
Cut 13 (05) “…said maybe.”
During rapid-fire questioning of the candidates, Procopio says they ran out of time to ask Attorney General Jeff Landry about Medicaid, but they caught up with him after the meeting.
Cut 14 (07) “…undo it.”
Governor John Bel Edwards also attended the conference and Procopio says Edwards refers to Medicaid expansion as one of his biggest achievements.
Cut 15 (07) “…their campaign.”
Procopio says the candidates all agree that crime, the economy, and education are topics that need attention in Louisiana.
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The Saints selected seven players in the three-day NFL draft, including a quarterback. Six-foot Jake Haener from Fresno State, was a three-year starter for the Bulldogs and last season threw for nearly 29-hundred yards, 20 touchdowns, and three interceptions. Coach Dennis Allen likes what he sees from Haener
Cut 16 (11) “…timing and accuracy”
The Saints used their last pick to pick wide receiver A-T Perry from Wake Forest. He’s six-foot-three, 195 pounds and had 28 touchdowns during his career with the Demon Deacons. Allen calls Perry an intriguing prospect…
Cut 17 (25) “…football players”
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The top ranked LSU baseball team swept its second straight SEC weekend as they took three from Alabama this past weekend. The Tigers scored 33 runs against Crimson Tide pitching and Coach Jay Johnson liked the approach he saw at the plate…
Cut 18 (10) “..was awesome”
LSU completed a sweep of Bama with a 13-11 win yesterday. Number nine hitter Alex Milazzo drove in the go-ahead run with an RBI single in the seventh. Milazzo learned after the game he had the trust of Johnson to get the job done…
Cut 19 (17) “ play the game“
LSU is now 35-8 overall, 15-5 in the SEC, half a game back of Vanderbilt for the best conference. Milazzo is enjoying his fourth season in Purple and Gold…
Cut 20 (13) “… right now”