The Louisiana Public Service Commission has approved the Wind Catcher plan from SWEPCO, saving customers billions over the next quarter century.  Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 1 (30)  I’m Kevin Barnhart“

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Will the House agree to a sales tax rate above four-percent in an effort to avoid significant cuts to state services. Connor Ferrill says we’ll find out today…

Cut 2 (31) ”  I’m Connor Ferrill” 

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Over a hundred students from around the state congregated at the state capital in an effort to let their voices be heard on the topic of funding for higher ed and TOPS. Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 3 (30) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

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US Representative Ralph Abraham of Richland Parish has cosponsored legislation to expand I-14 into Central Louisiana and Mississippi. I-14 currently ends a few miles west of Temple, Texas. Abraham says the legislation is waiting for a hearing in a House committee and it has the support of congressmen from Texas and Mississippi…

Cut 4  (08) “….into the economy”

Abraham says now there is money for the project but it will also take state dollars to get it done…

Cut 5  (11)  “…finish line”

Abraham believes he can get congressional approval for this project because of the expansion would provide bases like Fort Polk and Beauregard with quicker and easier access to the deployment port in Beaumont, Texas…

Cut 6 (10) “…ideal solution”

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The Louisiana Public Service Commission has approved the Wind Catcher plan from SWEPCO to purchase the nation’s largest wind-power project that is currently under construction in the Oklahoma panhandle.  North Louisiana Commissioner Foster Campbell led the argument in favor of proposed project.

Cut 7 (05)  “…wind is free.”

The wind farm being built in Oklahoma requires no fuel to run and is projected to save SWEPCO customers billions of dollars over the life of the 25 year project. Campbell says it’s important for Louisiana residents to have more alternate energy options.

Cut 8 (09)  “…we have to diversify”

Campbell also says that customers are guaranteed cost savings with this clean energy option.

Cut 9 (08)  “…clean in Louisiana.”

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A vote on the House floor is expected today on three different sales tax bills that raise different amounts of money and they renew up to a half-cent of an expiring one-cent sales tax. Governor John Bel Edwards remains optimistic one of those bills will reach his desk, if not significant cuts will occur…

Cut 10 (11)   “…cut”

During his monthly call-in show, Edwards told listeners the discussions he’s having with lawmakers are different during this third special and better than they were before….

Cut 11 (10) “…conclusion too”

The fiscal cliff arrives on July 1st and this third special session must conclude Wednesday. It will take 70 votes on the House floor today for these sales tax bills to advance to the Senate. Edwards says its anxious times….

Cut 12 (07) “…the cliff”

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Over a hundred students from around the state congregated at the state capital in an effort to let their voices be heard on the topic of funding for higher ed and TOPS.  Among them, Kayla English of Delgado Community College, says she has optimism for funding and hopes others will make their voices heard.

Cut 13 (09)  “…students like me.” 

Another participant, LSU SGA president Stewart Locket says the lack of funding may have students finding they can’t complete what they started with their educational endeavors.

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”

Five star cornerback and the nation’s number one recruit according to Rivals-dot-com, Derek Stingley Junior of Baton Rouge, announced today he plans on signing with LSU in in December. Instead of holding a press conference, with hats of different schools in front of him, the Dunham High football star announced his decision with a video message on Twitter.
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. But Edwards says in no way does he support removing families from their children.
Cut 12 (12) “…they are not criminals.”
President Trump signed an executive order to stop the seperation of immigrant families trying to cross illegally.

59-year-old Gerald Manning is a free man today after spending 41 years in prison for the 1977 murder of Vonda Harris. Manning was just 17 years old at the time of the homicide and his attorney Kristen Wenstrom says recent DNA testing has exonerated him of the murder that even the victim’s family doesn’t think he committed…
cut 8 (13) “….the real perpetrator”
Manning plans to live with his mother in Monroe.

A House committee approved three sales tax bills today that would reduce the state’s budget deficit for next fiscal year. Baton Rouge Representative Paula Davis’ legislation to renew an expiring one-cent sales tax by four-tenths passed on a 12-5 vote as 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 can get 70 votes for House approval….
cut 14 (07) “….right bill”
The full House is expected to vote on the revenue raising bills tomorrow.

A State Police trooper has been arrested and placed on administrative leave for allegedly raping a 16-year-old girl in New Orleans. Thirty-six-year-old Lander Journee faces a charge of third-degree rape. Journee has been with L-S-P since 2007.

Governor John Bel Edwards said today on his montly call-in show that he’s keeping a three-member Louisiana National Guard air team on the Mexico border. Edwards says removing them would risk the lives of law enforcement….
Cut 11 (14) “…as a result of that”
But Edwards criticized the Trump administration for separating families that were caught trying to cross into the United States illegally. President Trump signed an executive order today stopping family separation.

Ardagh Glass has notified the state that it’s planning to lay off just over 200 workers at its glass making facility in Lincoln Parish, because many of the companies they work with are using plastic containers instead. Simsboro Mayor Sybil Foster says the layoffs are an economic blow to her town…
cut 5 (07) “…reduced or what”
An estimated 450 people currently work at the facility.

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. 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” 
The other sales tax proposals to pass would renew a third 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.”

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 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.”

On his monthly call-in show, Governor Edwards says in no way does he support removing families from their children.

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

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” 

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.”

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.  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”

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.”

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” 

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.”

Three sales tax bills got out of a House committee today and now head to the House floor for more discussion. The bill that receive the greatest support is a measure by Baton Rouge Representative Paula Davis, which would renew an expiring one-cent sales tax by four-tenths. 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 can get 70 votes for House approval….
cut 14 (07) “….right bill”
The full House is expected to vote on the revenue raising bills tomorrow. The special session ends a week from today.

Governor John Bel Edwards announced today he’s not removing a three-member Louisiana National Guard team from the Mexico border that’s assisting with border patrol. He says they will remain there until mid-July. The governor says they are not involved in the separating of families who enter the country illegally.

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 years of DNA testing contributed to ensuring that Manning could once again have his freedom….
cut 7 (10) “…by the perpetrator”
Manning plans to live with his mother in Monroe. 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.

A State Police trooper has been arrested on allegations that he raped a 16-year-old girl in New Orleans. Thirty-six-year-old Lander Journee was booked on third-degree rape and posted a 25-thousand dollar bond. He’s been placed on administrative leave.

Three sales tax bills made it out of the House Ways and Means Committee today, which would generate hundreds of million dollars, but the proposals do not completely close the 500-million dollar deficit. TOPS and higher ed are facing cuts as of July 1st and LSU student government president Stewart Lockett says college students will rally at the state capitol at 5:30 …
cut 12 (12) “…different stories”

President Trump now plans to sign 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.”

Ardagh Glass has notified the state that it’s planning to lay off just over 200 workers at its glass making facility in Lincoln Parish, because many of the companies they work with are using plastic containers instead. Simsboro Mayor Sybil Foster says the layoffs are an economic blow to her town…
cut 5 (07) “…reduced or what”
An estimated 450 people currently work at the facility.

59-year-old Gerald Manning is a free man today after spending 41 years in prison for the 1977 murder of Vonda Harris. Manning was just 17 years old at the time of the homicide and his attorney Kristen Wenstrom says recent DNA testing has exonerated him of the murder that even the victim’s family doesn’t think he committed…
cut 8 (13) “….the real perpetrator”
Manning plans to live with his mother in Monroe.

LSU Student Government hosts a rally at the State Capitol today to call on the state legislature to fully fund TOPS and higher education.
cut 10 (09) “….as a whole”
That’s LSU student government president Stewart Lockett who says if lawmakers do not act before the end of the fiscal year on June 30th, students will face a 30% cut to TOPS and a $21 million dollar reduction in funding for LSU.

A 59 year old man walked out of the state penitentiary as a free man for the first time in his adult life after serving over 40 years for a murder in Monroe. DNA testing helped exonerate Gerald Manning of his murder conviction in the 1977 death of Vonda Harris. His attorney, Kristin Wenstrom, says Manning then worked out a deal with the Ouachita Parish District Attorney’s office…
Cut 6 (11) “…walk out of prison.”
Manning plans to live with his mother in Monroe.

Governor John Bel Edwards says the National Guard air support team will remain at the Mexico border. In a statement released, the governor says the troops are not participation in the separation of families and he condems that policy. President Trump has signed an executive order to end family separations at the border.

A major employer in north Louisiana is set to lay off as many as 227 employees next month. Simsboro Mayor Sybil Foster says Ardagh Glass produces glass containers, but the companies they serve like Tabasco, Smucker’s and others are demanding other materials…
cut 4 (04) “…need for glass”
Around 450 people work at the plant, which received tax incentives during the Jindal administration to retain its workforce.