During the first televised gubernatorial debate, the candidates were asked about reducing the state sales tax back to four-percent now that the state has a surplus of money. Governor Edwards says the additional .45 percent should remain for now…
cut 6 (06) “…came out of”
But Edwards’ republican challengers, Ralph Abraham and Eddie Rispone, say it’s time to lower the state’s sales tax rate.

Tomorrow is National Seat Check Saturday, a chance for parents and caregivers to make sure their child safety seat is installed properly. Registered Nurse at University Medical Center New Orleans Bridget Gardner says nine locations around the state will staff child passenger safety technicians…
Cut 13 (10) “…properly installed.”
Certified technicians will be available at a specific location in Baton Rouge, Kenner, Houma, Lake Charles, Alexandria, Monroe, Shreveport, Scott and Covington.

In a statewide poll funded by the Nexstar Media Group, 47-percent of Louisiana voters surveyed say they support an increase in the gasoline tax, while 33-percent oppose. JMC Analytics Pollster John Couvillon conducted the survey and found out that 58-percent of the respondents support some tightening of gun control laws and 27-percent are for outlawing automatic rifles…
cut 4 (08) “….so to speak”

Louisiana’s private high schools have decided not to play their state championship football games at the Mercedes Benz Superdome. That’s likely disappointing news for many kids from select schools who’ve dreamed of playing on the same field as the Saints. Louisiana Select School Association CEO JP Kelly says they did what they could to make all parties involved satisfied…
cut 11 (08) “…with it”
Kelly says select schools are looking to hold title games the week before the Prep Classic, possibly at UL-Lafayette, Southeastern Louisiana or Yulman Stadium.

Louisiana’s private high schools will not host their football championships in the Superdome this season. CEO of the Louisiana Select Association JP Kelly, the umbrella organization for private schools, says 54 percent of schools voted to not host football championships at the Dome.

Cut 10 (09) “impossible”

“Select” schools now host their own championship games in basketball, football, baseball, and softball.

Polling data indicates 47% of respondents say they’d be in favor of a gas tax if it is channeled toward the $14 billion backlog on transportation projects.  33% are in opposition and 21% are undecided.  JMC Analytics Pollster John Couvillon says voters are more likely to be in favor of a tax with a specific direction.

Cut 3 (10) “…into a pot.”

The two Republican gubernatorial candidates went after Governor Edwards’ tax policy during Thursday night’s debate. Jeff Palermo has the story…

cut  2 (30) “Jeff Palermo”  

Gubernatorial candidates tangled on the issue of the state’s 4.45 percent sales tax last night. Governor Edwards defended maintaining the sales tax at it’s current level to ensure the state’s current budget stability, but Republican challenger Eddie Rispone says the surplus is evidence that taxes are too high.

Cut 9 (10)  “surplus”

Republican Congressman Ralph Abraham echoed those sentiments.

Board of Regents spokesperson Meg Casper Sunstrom says today’s Hazing Prevention Summit will help further the conversation about how to end campus hazing cultures.

Cut 4 (11) “…but also solutions.”

The event will feature a special message the parents of Max Gruver, the LSU student who died as a result of frat hazing.

A Republican Senator from Metairie calls GOP gubernatorial candidate Eddie Rispone’s recent attacks on the 2017 criminal justice reform “disingenuous”…

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington” 

A Cruelty to the Infirm case out of Crowley has been upgraded to Negligent Homicide after a disabled woman who was found with rotting open wounds Saturday at a caregiver’s house dies. 49-year-old Glasarah Welch was rushed to Acadiana General Saturday with wounds that had been infected, and infested with maggots.

The first televised gubernatorial debate featured exchanges between Governor John Bel Edwards and Republican challenger Ralph Abraham. The Congressman from north Louisiana criticized the governor for raising the state sales tax to make up for a budget deficit…
cut 7 (08) “…taxes, taxes, taxes”
But Edwards says claims that the tax bills approved during his time as governor have hurt the economy are untrue…
cut 8 (13) “…right now”
The other candidate on the stage was Republican Eddie Rispone. The Baton Rouge businessman says the state has a spending problem and if Louisiana is collecting too many taxes, then it needs to reduce them. The next televised debate is Thursday, the candidates will also appear at the Baton Rouge Press Club on Monday.

Higher ed leaders gather in Baton Rouge today for a summit to combat hazing on college campuses. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

It’s been a quiet West Nile season as the state has recorded only 12 cases, compared to 79 at this time last year. State Epidemiologist Doctor Raoult Ratard still reminds residents to protect themselves from mosquitos…
cut 11 (08) “…November”

The state’s sales tax rate is 4.45-percent one of the highest in the country. During the first televised gubernatorial debate, the candidates were asked about reducing the state sales tax back to four-percent now that the state has a surplus of money. Governor Edwards says the additional .45 percent should remain for now…
cut 6 (06) “…came out of”
But Edwards’ republican challengers, Ralph Abraham and Eddie Rispone, say it’s time to lower the state’s sales tax rate.

In a recent TV ad, Rispone criticized the Edwards administration for the criminal justice reforms approved by the legislature in 2017. But Republican Metairie Senator Danny Martiny says the reforms have been good and cost-effective…
cut 8 (08) “…the jail”
The Department of Corrections reported nearly 18 million dollars in savings in the last fiscal year due to the reforms.

The state health department reports only a handful of human West Nile virus cases, 12 this year compared to 79 at this time last year. State Epidemiologist Raoult Ratard says heavy rainfall this past spring may have helped reduce the mosquito population.
Cut 10 (11) “…mosquitos.”
Ratard still urges residents to protect themselves from mosquito bites.

A hazing prevention summit takes place this afternoon in Baton Rouge. The event will feature a special message from the parents of Max Gruver, the LSU student who died as a result of fraternity hazing. Board of Regents spokesperson Meg Casper Sunstrom says since Gruver’s death anti-hazing policies have been put in place…
Cut 5 (11) “…to be interactive.”
Sunstrom says bringing awareness to the dangers of hazing is just the first step in the fight against the activity.

Governor John Bel Edwards spent last night’s gubernatorial debate defending his record. Republican Congressman Ralph Abraham blamed Edwards for the state’s struggling economy, .
Cut 14 (08) “…killed it.”
GOP businessman Eddie Rispone says the Edwards administration is chasing jobs away…
cut 30 (04) “…in Louisiana”
But Edwards says the reason why the state has a projected 500-million dollar surplus is because the state’s economy is strong…
cut 13 (10) “…is just false”
The next televised debate is next Thursday.

Severe weather from the remnants of tropical storm Imelda has led to power outages in northwest Louisiana. SWEPCO reports hundreds are without electricity in Natchitoches and Shreveport.

The Board of Regents hosts a hazing prevention summit today in downtown Baton Rouge. Higher ed leaders will learn about the state’s new anti-hazing laws, they’ll also hear from the founder of stop-hazing-dot-org. Board of Regents spokesperson Meg Casper Sunstrom says they are trying to put an end to the hazing culture…
cut 6 (09) “…our childhood”
Those attending the summit will also hear from the parents of former LSU student Max Gruver, who died from a hazing activity.

The state health department is reporting West Nile activity is down this year with only 12 reported human cases, compared to 79 at this time last year. State Epidemiologist Raoult Ratard says West Nile can produce a severe headache, fever, disorientation or sudden weakness, which require immediate medical attention….
cut 12 (11) “…season”

Governor John Bel Edwards and Republican Congressman Ralph Abraham exchange jabs at each other during the first gubernatorial televised debate. Matt Doyle has more…
voicer 1 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

In a Nexstar Media Group poll, 47-percent of Louisiana voters surveyed say they support an increase in the gasoline tax, while 33-percent oppose. 58-percent support some limitations on the second amendment.

The criminal justice reform package pushed by Governor Edwards in 2017 has been a topic in the governor’s race, with Republican challenger Eddie Rispone claiming it has led to the release of violent criminals and it’s resulted in an increase in murders. But Republican Senator Danny Martiny points out that seven of the 10 bills that make up the criminal justice reform plan were authored by Republicans…
cut 9 (08) “…disingenuous”
The Edwards campaign says no violent criminals have been granted parole early and statistics show crime is actually down in Louisiana’s biggest cities.

The Board of Regents hosts a Hazing Prevention Summit today in Baton Rouge. Board spokesperson Meg Casper Sunstrom says the state’s higher ed leaders will continue the conversation about eliminating the hazing culture.
Cut 4 (11) “…but also solutions.”
The event will feature a special video message from Max Gruver’s parents. Gruver is the former LSU student who drank himself to death in a hazing incident.

Last night’s gubernatorial debate had Democratic Governor John Bel Edwards and Republican Congressman Ralph Abraham attacking each other. Abraham brought up the higher taxes passed during Edwards term, but the governor said he turned a budget deficit into a surplus. The third candidate, Republican Eddie Rispone sold himself as a businessman but did take a shot at Abraham for asking Donald Trump to withdraw from the presidential race…
cut 15 (10) “…Clinton”
There’s another televised debate next Thursday

It’s been a quiet West Nile season as the state has recorded only 12 cases, compared to 79 at this time last year. State Epidemiologist Doctor Raoult Ratard still reminds residents to protect themselves from mosquitos…
cut 11 (08) “…November”

Metairie Senator Danny Martiny says Republican gubernatorial candidate Eddie Rispone’s attacks on the 2017 Legislative criminal justice reform package are off-base, and not true. A Rispone TV ad claims“John Bel Edwards’” criminal justice reform put dangerous criminals back on the street, but Martiny, a Republican, says no inmates convicted of a violent crime got out early.
Cut 7 (12) “…offenders”
Martiny says thanks to the reform, Louisiana is no longer the top incarcerator in the world.