Governor Edwards and Republican state senator Sharon Hewitt call on Secretary of State Tom Schedler to resign because of sexual harassment allegations.…
Cut 2 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”.

Nine Louisiana parishes along the I-20 corridor are under a flash flood watch through tomorrow morning. Aaron Stevens is with the National Weather Service in Shreveport….
cut 9 (09) “…pretty quicly quickly”

Republican U-S Senator John Kennedy says he doesn’t plan on voting for any of the gun control bills that may come before the Senate in reaction to the deadly mass shooting at a Florida school two weeks ago. Kennedy says statistically gun owners are not the problem…
cut 8 (10) “…danger to anyone”
Kennedy says if we enforced the laws on the books many of the shootings, including the one in Florida would not have happened.

The small town of Urania in LaSalle Parish has landed a big sawmill that will create 110 jobs and an additional 300 indirect jobs. A joint venture by Hunt Forest Products and Tolko Industries will build a state of the art 115-million-dollar mill in the heart of the state’s 11-billion-dollar forest products industry. Urania Mayor Terri Corley is thrilled they can use the former location of the old Louisiana-Pacific mill…
ut 3 (06) “a sawmill.”

Democratic Governor John Bel Edwawds joined Republican state senator Sharon Hewitt in calling for Secretary of State Tom Schedler to step down. An employee in the Secretary of State’s office has filed a harassment suit against the official who oversees elections in this state. Edwards says the alleged harassment casts doubt on the integrity of the Secretary of State’s office…
cut 12 (11) “…to resign”
Schedler has no comment on the calls for his resignation.

Governor Edwards says the next 24 hours critical for the state House to pass tax bills to address a looming one billion dollar deficit. With one week to go in the special session, the House has yet to pass any revenue generating proposals. Houma Representative Tanner Magee says he sees a lack of urgency in the House
Cut 15 (07) “right now”

Louisiana Senator John Kennedy opposes a bill to modify the existing back-ground check systems for firearm purchases because he says that system is flawed.Kennedy sympathizes with the victims of the latest mass school shooting in Florida but , as he says, he will not be sucked into a pro temporary gun-control law we don’t need.
Cut 7 (11) “ones we have”
The proposed legislation does not expand background checks but rather requires officials to do a better job of screening.

Ruston-based Hunt Forest Products and Tolko Industries will build a state of the art 115-million-dollar mill in the LaSalle Parish town of Urania. heart of the state’s 11-billion-dollar forest products industry. Mayor Terri Corley Corley says the sawmill will employee 110 people…
Cut 5 (07) “had before.”
Construction is expected to begin in April and operations will begin next year.

Governor John Bel Edwards is calling on Secretary of State Tom Schedler to resign immediately as a result of a lawsuit filed that accuses the state’s top election official of sexual harassment. Edwards says sexual harassment in the workplace should not be tolerated…
Cut 11 (06) “sexual harrassment.”
An employee in the Secretary of State’s office filed the suit. Schedler admits to having what he calls a consensual sexual relationship with the accuser.

The House was scheduled to vote on tax bills today as there’s a week to go in the special session that was called to address a looming one billion dollar budget deficit. Houma Representative Tanner Magee says any tax bill will need 70 votes to pass and he doesn’t see it happening…
cut 16 (12) “…get there”
U.S. Senator John Kennedy is bucking his Washington colleagues as he’s threatening to be the fly in the ointment on gun control. Jim Shannon has more.
Voicer 1 (31) “I’m Jim Shannon”

LSU System President F King Alexander says the school’s hazing policy will not leave any gray area, if you haze, you’ll be expelled. Alexander says this policy is part of 28 recommendations that the university will put in place as a result of the death of a fraternity pledge last September. Authoities say Maxwell Gruver drank himself to death in a hazing incident.

Republican state senator Sharon Hewitt is calling on Louisiana’s Secretary of State Tom Schedler to resign because of sexual harassment allegations. Jeff Palermo has the story…
Cut 2 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”.

And Governor Edwards just told reporters a few minutes ago that he believes Schedler should step down as well.

Meanwhile, at the state capitol we are still waiting to see if the House will vote on any legsiation to address a looming one billion dollar budget. So far all of the discussions today have taken place behind closed doors. Some legislators are concerned nothing will get done this special session.

Republican U-S Senator John Kennedy says he doesn’t plan on voting for any of the gun control bills that may come before the Senate in reaction to the deadly mass shooting at a Florida school two weeks ago. Kennedy says statistically gun owners are not the problem…
cut 8 (10) “…danger to anyone”
Kennedy says if we enforced the laws on the books many of the shootings, including the one in Florida would not have happened.

A flash flood watch has been issued for a good part of north Louisiana, because more heavy rainfall is on the way. Shreveport National Weather Service Forecaster Aaron Stevens says the area can’t take any more water…
cut 10 (10) “…really fast”
Several rivers are already above flood stage and officials are watching for flooding conditions.

Louisiana Democratic Party Executive Director Stephen Handwerk and Slidell Republican Senator Sharon Hewitt are both calling for the resignation of Secretary of State Tom Schedler. Last week, Schedler was named in a sexual harassment suit brought on by his former secretary Dawn Ross. Political analyst Jay Connaughton (Con-au-tin) says Hewitt is saddened by the allegations, but she wants to make sure this behavior is not tolerated…

Cut 11 (08) “believes in.”

The small town of Urania in LaSalle Parish has landed a big sawmill that will create 110 jobs and an additional 300 indirect jobs. A joint venture by Hunt Forest Products and Tolko Industries will build a state of the art 115-million-dollar mill in the heart of the state’s 11-billion-dollar forest products industry. Mayor Terri Corley is thrilled they can use the former location of the old Louisiana-Pacific mill…

The mill will supply wood fiber and residuals to Drax Biomass, which occupies part of the property. The project will create 150 jobs when construction starts in April and is expected to be completed in early 2019. Corley hopes they can attract local workers who left after L-P closed…

The new mill will require 850-thousand tons of wood per year and produce 200-million board feet of lumber annually. Corley says her community is ready for the challenge…

Cut 5  (07)  “had before.”

Hunt is getting a performance based forgivable loan of one-million-dollars under the Economic Development Award Program. The proceeds will be used to construct a rail spur to the mill.

Louisiana Senator John Kennedy says he will not support what he terms a “knee-jerk” reaction to additional gun control laws in the wake of the Florida shootings. Kennedy opposes a bill to modify the existing back-ground check systems for firearm purchases because he says that system is flawed.

Kennedy sympathizes with the victims of the Florida shootings but will not, as he says, be sucked into a pro temporary gun-control law we don’t need.

Cut 7 (11)  “ones we have”

Parts of North Louisiana are bracing for more rain tonight into Thursday.  Flood Warnings have been issued for the Ouachita and Red Rivers until further notice.  Governor Edwards has declared nine Parishes along those rivers due to flooding.  Shreveport National Weather Service Forecaster Aaron Stevens says the area can’t take any more water…

Cut 9 (09) “real quickly.”

The small town of Urania in LaSalle Parish has landed a big sawmill that will create 110 jobs and an additional 300 indirect jobs. A joint venture by Hunt Forest Products and Tolko Industries will build a state of the art 115-million-dollar mill in the heart of the state’s 11-billion-dollar forest products industry. Mayor Terri Corley is thrilled they can use the former location of the old Louisiana-Pacific mill…

The mill will supply wood fiber and residuals to Drax Biomass, which occupies part of the property. The project will create 150 jobs when construction starts in April and is expected to be completed in early 2019. Corley hopes they can attract local workers who left after L-P closed…

Cut 4  (07) “to work.” 

Louisiana Senator John Kennedy says he will not support what he terms a “knee-jerk” reaction to additional gun control laws in the wake of the Florida shootings. Kennedy opposes a bill to modify the existing back-ground check systems for firearm purchases because he says that system is broken.

Cut 6 ( :10…”doing nothing.”)

Slidell Senator Sharon Hewitt has weighed in on her opinion of the secretary of state tom shelter sexual harassment allegations. Hewitt, in a statement this morning, says shelter should step down after his admission of an inappropriate relationship with a state worker that reported to him. She called the infraction “indefensible.”

LSU President F. King Alexander announced this morning the adoption of recommendations made from the “LSU Task Force on Greek Life.” Alexander took a hard line by adopting the policies and adding some of his own. Primarily the breakdown is in three sections…No more grey areas, Additional Transparency, and outside expertise.

In other words… any hazing means mandatory expulsion. Alexander says the implementation could be as soon as immediate or wait until the fall semester.

LSU President F. King Alexander announced this morning the adoption of recommendations made from the “LSU Task Force on Greek Life.” Alexander took a hard line by adopting the policies and adding some of his own. Primarily the breakdown is in three sections…No more grey areas, Additional Transparency, and outside expertise. In other words..any hazing means mandatory expulsion. Alexander says the implementation could be as soon as immediate or wait until the fall semester.

Slidell Senator Sharon Hewitt has weighed in on her opinion of the secretary of state tom shelter sexual harassment allegations. Hewitt, in a statement this morning, says shelter should step down after his admission of an inappropriate relationship with a state worker that reported to him. She called the infraction “indefensible.”

Congressman Steve Scalise is remembering the students of Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Florida, as they resume classes today, two weeks after 19-year-old Nikolas Cruz went on a shooting rampage, killing 17 people. Scalise says today will not be easy for students returning to a place where such a horrific tragedy occurred.

Scalise is frustrated the FBI did not investigate Cruz after getting reports from others about his violent nature.  He says the FBI was aware Cruz wanted to become a professional school shooter…

Cut 26 (11)  “people accountable.”

The small town of Urania in LaSalle Parish has landed a big sawmill that will create 110 jobs and an additional 300 indirect jobs. A joint venture by Hunt Forest Products and Tolko Industries will build a state of the art 115-million-dollar mill in the heart of the state’s 11-billion-dollar forest products industry. Mayor Terri Corley is thrilled they can use the former location of the old Louisiana-Pacific mill…

Cut 3 (06) “a sawmill.”

LSU President F. King Alexander announced this morning the adoption of recommendations made from the “LSU Task Force on Greek Life.” Alexander took a hard line by adopting the policies and adding some of his own. Primarily the breakdown is in three sections…No more grey areas, Additional Transparency, and outside expertise. In other words..any hazing means mandatory expulsion. Alexander says the implementation could be as soon as immediate or wait until the fall semester.

Congressman Steve Scalise is remembering the students of Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Florida, as they resume classes today, two weeks after 19-year-old Nikolas Cruz went on a shooting rampage, killing 17 people. Scalise says today will not be easy for students returning to a place where such a horrific tragedy occurred…

The House Majority Whip from suburban New Orleans says he supports the proposal for teachers to arm themselves. Broward County Sheriff’s deputy Scot Peterson resigned after not taking appropriate action during the shooting. Scalise says it upsets him that Peterson didn’t do his job..

Cut 5  (11)  “the shooter.”

=———————————————————————————————————————-

The state Department of Agriculture and Forestry is teaming up with the LSU AgCenter to fight citrus canker disease.  The disease is spread by wind driven rain, causing lesions on the leaves and fruit.  It was first found in the state in 2013 at City Park in New Orleans.  State Ag Commissioner Mike Strain says there is no cure right now, but hopes their research will produce results to slow the disease…

The citrus economy has an over six-million-dollar impact to the Louisiana economy annually.  But unfortunately, once a tree is infected, Strain says the fruit isn’t sellable anymore…If a tree is suspected of carrying citrus canker disease, Strain says the best thing to do is destroy it, but he has these precautions…

Cut 9 (09)  “citrus tree.”

Over at the capitol many believe Democrats will agree to a bill that would place the state sales tax rate above four-percent ,if Republicans agree to income tax bracket changes or cutting a tax break for middle and upper income wage earners who itemize their deductions. Scott says it appears an agreement can be reached to reduce most of the shortfall…

Tax bills need 70 votes to pass the House. And they will also need Senate approval, before the special session ends a week from today. There was a lot of tension on the House floor on Monday.  Chairman of the Legislative Black Caucus Joe Bouie hopes there is a spirit of compromise today

Cut 15 (08) “fiscal cliff”