The Senate Labor committee passed a bill that would raise the minimum wage to eight dollars an hour on January 1st and 8.50 an hour beginning January 1st, 2020. The vote was 4-3 along party lines. Governor John Bel Edwards appeared before the panel and says right now, $7.25 can barely buy you enough to eat.
Cut 15 (11) “not enough.”
The Senate panel also approved bills to promote equal pay. Dawn Starns, state director of the National Federation of Independent Business, spoke out against that legislation…
cut 16 (10) “…base it on”
The bills head to the Senate floor for more debate. Previous attemps to raise the minimum wage have failed in the legislature.

The annual LSU survey on how the state’s doing has just been released. Jim Shannon has a look.
Voicer 2 (31) “I’m Jim Shannon.”

It was an electric and tense atmosphere inside the PMAC last night as LSU defeated UL Lafayette 84-76 as the Tigers advanced to the second round of the NIT. Cajuns Coach Bob Marlin said before the game the two schools should meet more often on the hardwood and he still believes that…
cut 6 (10) “….good thing”

Governor John Bel Edwards appeared before the Senate Labor committee this morning to support a bills that would raise the minimum wage, mandate equal pay for women, and allow employees to openly discuss pay with other employees without retribution. Edwards says the gender pay gap in Louisiana is a disgrace.

Cut 14 (11) “truly offensive.”

New Orleans Senator JP Morrell’s equal pay bill that would expand the Louisiana Equal Pay Act to private employers.

A new survey by LSU shows Louisiana residents are not particularly happy with state government as it stands now. Michael Henderson with the Manship school at LSU says they have been doing the same survey since 2003 and found something interesting that they have not seen in the past.

Cut 11 (:11) “fellow residents.”

Spicy comments were made during the postgame press conferences following LSU’s 84-76 win over UL Lafayette in the first round of the NIT. Tigers Coach Will Wade took exception to what Cajuns Coach Bob Marlin said before the game, Marlin says he stands by the comments he made on Monday when he said the Cajuns should have hosted the game, because they had the better season and had more wins…

Cut 4  (10) “27.”

The man convicted in the road rage shooting death of former NFL player Joe McKnight was sentenced to 30 years in prison today. 56-year-old Ronald Gasser was facing 40 years for his manslaughter conviction. Legal Analyst Tim Meche believes it’s a fair sentence.

Cut 8 (08) “their life”

McKnight was one of the best high school football players in the country coming out of John Curtis High School in 2006. He starred at USC and played for three seasons in the NFL.

Governor John Bel Edwards appeared before the Senate Finance committee this morning to support a bill to raise the minimum wage to eight dollars an hour on January 1st and 8.50 an hour beginning January 1st, 2020. Edwards made a campaign promise that he would push for a higher minim wage…
cut 13 (10) “….pay bills”
Minimum wage bills haven’t had much success in previous sessions.

The man convicted in the road rage shooting death of former NFL player Joe McKnight was sentenced to 30 years in prison today. 56-year-old Ronald Gasser was facing 40 years for his manslaughter conviction. McKnight’s mother spoke to reporters following the sentencing…
Cut 9 (11) “no how”
Gasser’s attorneys are seeking a new trial.

A fired up LSU men’s basketball coach Will Wade went on a rant last night following the Tigers 84-76 win over UL Lafayette in the first round of the NIT. Cajuns Coach Bob Marlin believed the game should have been played in Lafayette, because his team had the better record and a higher R-P-I, but Wade says the N-I-T did the right thing by scheduling the game inside the Maravich Center…..
cut 5 (11) “…Xavier New Orleans”
The Cajuns season is over, while the Tigers will play Utah on Monday night in the second round of the NIT.

11
A new survey by LSU shows Louisiana residents are not particularly happy with state government as it stands now. Michael Henderson with the Manship school for Mass communications says the survey reveals half of the state’s population disagree with the direction of the state government.
(cut 10 “wrong direction.”)

Some spicy comments were made during the postgame press conferences following LSU’s 84-76 win over UL Lafayette in the first round of the NIT. Tigers Coach Will Wade took exception to the comments made prior to the game by Cajuns Coach Bob Marlin…

Cut 3 (10) “my mind”
—================================
The man convicted in the road rage shooting death of former NFL player Joe McKnight was sentenced to 30 years in prison today. 56-year-old Ronald Gasser was facing 40 years for his manslaughter conviction. Legal Analyst Tim Meche says the publicity around the case led to a longer sentence…

Cut 7 (07) “figured in this thing”.
U.S. Senator John Kennedy got his wish before the pardon board this morning.
…convicted killer Clyde Giddens was denied his request to be released through the state’s early release program. Giddens was convicted in the brutal murder of Urline Bamburg in Red River. Giddens was sentenced to life in prison in 1964 after pleading guilty. Kennedy says the crime is so grotesque that Giddens does not deserve a second chance.

Embattled Secretary of State Tom Schedler will not seek reelection, but will not resign despite being named in a lawsuit alleging sexual harassment. Jeff Palermo has more…
Cut 3 (31) “I’m Jeff Palermo”
The severe flu season in Louisiana has relented, as health officials report fewer cases, than in late December and January. Over one in ten doctor visits were flu related at one point. State Immunization Director Dr. Frank Welch says it’s now down to 3.5 percent. He credits an aggressive flu shot drive for the decrease…

Cut 4 (10) “less flu.”
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Public Service Commission staffer Hunter Coleman is being hailed as a hero, after he dove into cold water in Shreveport to pull a motorist out of vehicle that crashed into a pond on Monday night. Four people, including three children, were saved, but the driver died at nearby hospital. Coleman says he doesn’t remember much, from heroic effort.

Cut 7 (12) “the pond”

The severe flu season in Louisiana has relented, as health officials report fewer cases, than in late December and January. Over one in ten doctor visits were flu related at one point. State Immunization Director Dr. Frank Welch says it’s now down to 3.5 percent.
Louisiana seems to have been hard hit with the flu bug this year, but Welch says the state is faring better than other areas…
Cut 6 (11) “flu cases.”
He adds if you are sick with the flu, stay at home and isolate yourself while contagious.
US Senator John Kennedy is urging the pardon board not to grant a medical furlough today to convicted killer Clyde Giddens, who was convicted in the brutal murder of Urline Bamburg in Red River. Giddens was sentenced to life in prison in 1964 after pleading guilty.
Kennedy says this case shows the governor’s criminal justice program is flawed.
Cut 12 (06) “be revamped”
Gidden’s parole hearing will be held today.
==————————————————————-
Embattled Secretary of State Tom Schedler spoke publicly for the first time Wednesday about sexual harassment allegations made against him. An employee filed a lawsuit claiming Schedler made unwanted advances to her, and even sent her a sex tape. Schedler admits to an affiar with the accuser, but denies the claim of stalking or harassment. The state’s election chief intends to fight the allegations and not step down. In closing, Schedler said he knows he has disappointed his family and the people of Louisiana…
Cut 15 (10) “the allegations.”
Schedler says he will not seek reelection in 2019.
The LSU Tigers basketball team advanced in the NIT with an emotionally charged 84-76 victory over the Ragin Cajuns inside the Pete Maravich Assembly Center. UL Lafayette Coach Bob Marlin said they should have been the home team, but LSU Coach Will Wade fired back in the postgame press conference and said the Tigers played a much tougher schedule and in the end they were the better team…
Wade called a timeout with 12 seconds left in the game and he got into a shouting match with Marlin. Each coach received a technical foul. LSU’s first year head coach wouldn’t say what was said…

Cut 18 (13) “said though”

The severe flu season is easing up in Louisiana. Jeff Palermo found out by how much…

Cut 1 (27) “I’m Jeff Palermo.”
Public Service Commission staffer Hunter Coleman is being hailed as a hero, after he dove into cold water in Shreveport to pull a motorist out of vehicle that crashed into a pond on Monday night. Four people, including three children, were saved, but the driver died at nearby hospital. Coleman says he doesn’t remember much, from heroic effort.
Coleman says the rescue was a reminder about the power of community in the face of disaster.

Cut 9 (11) “in need.”

Coleman serves as an enforcement agent in the office of PSC member Foster Campbell. The woman who died has been identified as 40-year-old Megan Victoria Brown of Shreveport.
==————
US Senator John Kennedy is urging the pardon board not to grant a medical furlough today to convicted killer Clyde Giddens, who was convicted in the brutal murder of Urline Bamburg in Red River. Giddens was sentenced to life in prison in 1964 after pleading guilty. While Giddens’ case has not been decided, Kennedy blames Governor John Bel Edwards for the murderer’s chance at freedom.

Cut 11 (08) “free program”—-
Embattled Secretary of State Tom Schedler spoke publicly for the first time Wednesday about sexual harassment allegations made against him. An employee filed a lawsuit claiming Schedler made unwanted advances to her, and even sent her a sex tape. Schedler admits to an affiar with the accuser, but denies the claim of stalking or harassment.
Schedler says since this suit is in litigation, he can’t comment, but assures the public the truth will eventually come out…

Cut 14 (07) “gossip columns.”

US Senator John Kennedy is calling on the pardon board today to reject convicted murderer Clyde Giddens’ appeal for a medical furlough. Matt Doyle spoke to the senator.

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle.”
Public Service Commission staffer Hunter Coleman is being hailed as a hero, after he dove into cold water in Shreveport to pull a motorist out of vehicle that crashed into a pond on Monday night. Four people, including three children, were saved, but the driver died at nearby hospital.
Coleman says the vehicle wrecked 30 yards from the shore, in water that was nearly 15 feet deep. He says he and a few other good Samaritans swam out and immediately began retrieving people from the car. Coleman grabbed 64-year-old Kathy Brown.
Cut 8 (09) “I could.”
==——————————————
Embattled Secretary of State Tom Schedler spoke publicly for the first time Wednesday about sexual harassment allegations made against him. An employee filed a lawsuit claiming Schedler made unwanted advances to her, and even sent her a sex tape. Schedler admits to an affiar with the accuser, but denies the claim of stalking or harassment. The state’s election chief intends to fight the allegations and not step down…

Cut 13 (07) “my legs.”
The severe flu season in Louisiana has relented, as health officials report fewer cases, than in late December and January. Over one in ten doctor visits were flu related at one point. State Immunization Director Dr. Frank Welch says it’s now down to 3.5 percent. The CDC says the flu season can last as late as May. Welch says if you have so far avoided the flu, don’t count yourself out just yet…

Cut 5 (05) “get vaccinated.”

The LSU Tigers basketball team advanced in the NIT with an emotionally charged 84-76 victory over the Ragin Cajuns inside the Pete Maravich Assembly Center. UL Lafayette Coach Bob Marlin said they should have been the home team, but LSU Coach Will Wade fired back in the postgame press conference and said the Tigers played a much tougher schedule and in the end they were the better team…

Cut 16 (19) “…three type matchup”

Duop (Dew-op) Reath led the Tigers with 26 points and 11 rebounds. The Tigers will play Monday night in Utah against the Utes who beat U-C Davis 69-59. The Cajuns finish with a record of 27-7.

_________________________________________________________________________

The Pelicans are at San Antonio tonight.

The Saints were busy on the first day of NFL free agency, New Orleans signed linebacker DeMario Davis from the New York Jets to a three-year deal. He’s a six-year vet who had 97 solo tackles and five sacks last season.

Cornerback Patrick Robinson is back with the Saints on a four-year, 20-million dollar deal. Robinson spent his first four seasons in the NFL with the Saints. Last year, he played well as a nickel corner for the Super Bowl champion Eagles.

With Chase Daniel signing with the Bears, New Orleans needed a veteran back-up QB and they agreed to terms with Houston’s Tom Savage. Savage has started nine games with the Texans.

The recently released Jordy Nelson is expected to visit the Saints. The wide receiver was cut by Green Bay to clear salary cap space to sign Jimmy Graham.

And Tyrann Mathieu has been released by the Arizona Cardinals after reportedly refusing to take a pay cut.

In college baseball, LSU thumped South Alabama nine to four as AJ Labas (Lay-biss) threw six shutout innings for his first win. Southeastern Louisiana upset Mississippi State 11-5.