After five days of stalled negotiations, lawmakers are optimistic that legislation will begin moving forward when legislators convene Sunday afternoon. Lake Charles Republican Representative Steven Dwight’s bill to extend a portion of the expiring one penny sales tax will be heard, and he says he’s optimistic about its chances…

Medicaid reform is also on deck, with a proposal from West Monroe Republican Representative Frank Hoffman to implement work requirements for beneficiaries. New Orleans Democratic Representative Walt Leger’s bill to reduce itemized tax deductions will also be heard. Dwight says it’s something for both parties.

Cut 6  (10)  “democrats needed”

Baton Rouge Democratic Representative Ted James says after a week of haggling, the legislature is showing some signs of life.

If the proposals advance out of committee, they would then be heard on the House floor. James says a plan to get back in the black could still be a ways off, with Democrats balking at allowing special sales tax exemptions for certain industries.

Cut 8 (08) “for us”

The governor’s office of homeland security has activated it’s crisis action team due to the threat of severe weather in some portion of the state. In northwest Louisiana a flash flood warning is in effect through 6 p.m. Saturday.

A Baton Rouge Federal judge has closed the valve on construction of the Bayou ridge crude oil pipeline through the Atchafalaya Basin. The lawsuit was at the behest of environmental groups opposed to the project. U.S. District Court Judge Shelly Dick issued the order yesterday halting all work on the pipeline until quote…”the issue can be tried on its merits.”

Police arrested two people they say were involved in a shooting on the Southeastern Louisiana university campus. Spokesperson Tonya Lowentritt said the incident likely involved both students and non-students, but police are still working to determine who was at the scene.

CUT 4 :05   Under investigation.”

Officials say several individuals were near the assembly hall, where basketball games are played when the shooting occurred…

Governor Edwards released a statement that says “the state is ready to mobilize every available resource…to assist in this investigation.”

The 14-year tenure as chairman of the Republican Party ends on Saturday for Roger Villere. Jeff Palermo has more on how the party has changed during that time…

Cut 2 (29) “I’m Jeff Palermo”.

The governor’s office of homeland security has activated it’s crisis action team due to the threat of severe weather in some portion of the state. In northwest Louisiana a flash flood warning is in effect through 6 p.m. Saturday.

Officials are investigating a shooting that injured two people on the campus of Southeastern Louisiana in Hammond early Friday morning. University spokesperson Tonya Lowentritt says the shooting stemmed from a fight involving students and others who do not attend the school…

Cut 3 (13) “life threatening.”

Two people have been arrested in the incident.

After five days of stalled negotiations, lawmakers are optimistic that legislation will begin moving forward when legislators convene Sunday afternoon. Lake Charles Republican Representative Steven Dwight’s bill to extend a portion of the expiring one penny sales tax will be heard, and he says he’s optimistic about its chances…

Cut 5  (10)  “floor monday.”

The special session is coming back to life tomorrow, as lawmakers are convening Sunday to hear a series of tax and Medicaid proposals. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

A Baton Rouge Federal judge has closed the valve on construction of the Bayou ridge crude oil pipeline through the Atchafalaya Basin. The lawsuit was at the behest of environmental groups opposed to the project. U.S. District Court Judge Shelly Dick issued the order yesterday halting all work on the pipeline until quote…”the issue can be tried on it’s merits.”

The governor’s office of homeland security has activated its crisis action team due to the on-going threat of severe weather in some portions of the northern part of the state. The warning was issued in large part due to high river levels caused by heavy rain in the region.

There is a risk for severe weather today over most of the state. Forecaster davyon hill with the national weather service in Shreveport says warm and unstable air could collide with a cooler air mass to cause some grief

Cut 12 : some tornadoes.”

Again most of the state should see some rain but the worst of it will be in the northern part of the state.

Police arrested two people they say were involved in a shooting on the Southeastern Louisiana university campus. Spokesperson Tonya Lowentritt said the incident likely involved both students and non-students, but police are still working to determine who was at the scene.

It was all LSU last night in its matchup with Texas as the Tigers trounced the Longhorns 13-4 at Alex Box Stadium. The Bayou Bengals bats came out hitting in the first inning, scoring five runs off Texas ace Nolan Kingham. Kingham lasted just three innings and gave up eight runs.

Offensively, the Tigers were led by second baseman Brandt Broussard who was 4-for-4 with 4 runs driven in. Lead off man Daniel Cabrera drove in three runs as the Tigers had 16 hits. Zack Hess gave up two runs in the 2nd inning, but pitched six strong innings and struck out a career-high 10. Game two of the series is tonight at 6:30 with Caleb Gilbert pitching.

Elsewhere, Louisiana Tech thumped S-I-U Edwardsville 13-1. Chris Clayton drove in three runs. ULM swept a doubleheader Northern Kentucky. The Ragin Cajuns lost to Wright State 8-2 in the first game in the completely renovated Tigue (Teague) Moore Field.
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The Pelicans returned from the All-Star break and they were pushed to limit but came away with a 124-123 overtime victory over the Miami Heat last night. Anthony Davis gave an MVP performance with 45 points, 17 rebounds, five blocked shots and five steals. During this four game winning streak, A-D has scored at least 38 points. New Orleans will be in Milwaukee to face the Bucks on Sunday afternoon.

The LSU Tigers are in Athens to take on the Georgia Bulldogs this afternoon at 1 PM. The Bayou bengals are looking to snap a five-game losing streak on the road. A win will give LSU an 8-8 record in the SEC and 17 wins on the year.

UL Lafayette can win an outright Sun Belt crown tonight as they visit South Alabama.

Grambling State goes after its 12th straight win as they host Arkansas Pine-Bluff. Other games of note, Nicholls State has a big game against UNO. and ULM goes after its fifth straight win when they take on Troy.

After five days of stalled negotiations, lawmakers are optimistic that legislation will begin moving forward when legislators convene Sunday afternoon. Lake Charles Republican Representative Steven Dwight’s bill to extend a portion of the expiring one penny sales tax will be heard, and he’s optimistic about its chances…

Cut 5  (10)  “floor monday.”

The Storm Prediction Center has north Louisiana under a slight risk for severe weather for Saturday. Forecaster Davyon Hill with the National Weather Service in Shreveport says warm unstable air will collide with a cooler air mass

Cut 12 (10) “some tornadoes”

Flooding is also a concern.  Several boat ramps along the Red River have been closed.

The 14-year tenure as chairman of the Republican Party ends on Saturday for Roger Villere. Jeff Palermo has more on how the party has changed during that time…

Cut 2 (29) “I’m Jeff Palermo”.

A recent report by the LA Times states that an actor in the popular series Breaking Bad was investigated by New Orleans police last year for sexual assault.  Dean Norris was investigated after a woman said he sexually assaulted her. Prosecutors decided not to file charges, spokesman for Orleans Parish District Attorney Leon Cannizzaro says there wasn’t enough evidence to merit prosecution.

There are signs of progress on a compromise to solve a looming one-billion dollar budget deficit. Lake Charles Representative Stephen Dwight says the House will re-convene on Sunday and he expects legislation dealing with Medicaid reform, reducing federal excess itemized tax deductions and his sales tax proposal will start moving through the legislative process…

cut 6 (10) “….democrats needed”

The special session ends March 7th.

Long time Louisiana Republican Leader Roger Villere will relinquish his role Saturday after 14 years.  When he took over as GOP Chair, the only Republican statewide official was the late Secretary of State Fox McKeithen. Now it has completely flipped the other way. Villere says there’s also been an increase in registered Republican voters…

Cut 10 (08) “than double.”

The Storm Prediction Center says there is a slight risk for severe weather Saturday.  Forecaster Davyon Hill with the National Weather Service in Shreveport says the entire state should see rain on Saturday, but most of the nasty weather will remain in the north.

Cut 14 (11) “the state”

Planned Parenthood wants a federal judge to force Louisiana’s health department to allow its New Orleans clinic to perform abortions.  The Associated Press says the lawsuit filed claims the Edwards’ administration, through the Louisiana health department, has put up unconstitutional roadblocks to prevent them from moving forward.  Planned parenthood says the legal fight has lasted nearly a year and a half. The lawsuit challenges as unconstitutional both the delays in approval of the abortion clinic license and a 2016 law pushed by Edwards to block Medicaid financing for entities that perform abortions in Louisiana.

Louisiana Radio Network, I’m Kelley Ray…

A shooting injured two people on the campus of Southeastern Louisiana in Hammond early Friday morning. University spokesperson Tonya Lowentritt says the shooting stemmed from a fight involving students and others who do not attend the school…
cut 3 (13) “…life threatening”
No arrests have been made.

The state has activated its crisis action team, because of the threat of severe weather and rising river levels. Multiple locations have already seen several inches of rain and Davyon Hill, with the National Weather Service in Shreveport, says a flash flood watch is in effect until 6 PM Saturday for that region of the state….
cut 13 (11) “…the area”
After five days of stalled negotiations, lawmakers are optimistic legislation will begin moving forward when legislators convene Sunday afternoon. Lake Charles Republican Representative Steven Dwight’s bill to extend a portion of the expiring one penny sales tax will be heard, and he’s optimistic about its chances…
Cut 5 (10) “floor monday.”
But Vice-chair of the legislative Black Caucus Ted James of Baton Rouge says a plan to solve the fiscal cliff could still be a ways off, with Democrats balking at allowing the state to maintain special sales tax exemptions for certain industries.
Cut 8 (08) “for us”
Louisiana faces a budget deficit of nearly one billion dollars on July 1st when temporary sales taxes expire.

The special session is coming back to life, as lawmakers are convening Sunday to hear a series of tax and Medicaid proposals. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

Officials are investigating a shooting which injured two people on the campus of Southeastern University in Hammond.  Several people were near the assembly hall when a fight started and shots rang out.  University spokesperson Tonya Lowenritt…

Cut 4 (05) “under investigation.”

There is no official word on if the injuries involve students…

A new party chairman will be elected on Saturday at the Old State Capital in Baton Rouge, where the Republican State Central Committee will meet.  Outgoing chairman Roger Villere says the goal for the new chairman should work on getting more Republican mayors elected…

Cut 11 (08) “are terrible.”

Villere has served for 14 years.

The Storm Prediction Center has north Louisiana under a slight risk for severe weather for Saturday. Forecaster Davyon Hill with the National Weather Service in Shreveport says warm unstable air will collide with a cooler air mass.

Cut 12 (10) “some tornadoes”

Flooding is also expected.  Officials say boat launches on the Red River in Bossier and Caddo Parishes are closed..

Louisiana Radio Network, I’m Kelley Ray

There are signs the gridlock could be ending on tax negotiations in the special session. Legislators haven’t made much progress on closing a nearly one-billion dollar budget gap, but Vice Chairman of the Legislative Black Caucus, Ted James, says the lines of communication are finally open…

cut 7 (06) “…significant strides”
Two House committees are set to meet Sunday and lawmakers are hoping proposals dealing with state sales and income taxes, along with Medicaid reform can be voted on and sent to the House floor.

Law enforcement this week have announced the arrests of numerous individuals who allegedly made threats to do harm at local schools. Those convicted of the state’s terrorizing law can be fined up to 15-thousand dollars, but legal analyst Tim Meche says…
cut 16 (11) “…on that”

The 14-year tenure as chairman of the Republican Party ends on Saturday for Roger Villere. Jeff Palermo has more on how the party has changed during that time…
Voicer 2 (29) “I’m Jeff Palermo”.

LSU and Texas meet tonight for the first time since the 2009 College World Series. Zack Hess will start on the mound for the Tigers and Coach Paul Mainieri says he’ll face Nolan Kingham, who threw eight shutout innings last week…
cut 18 (09) “…of Zack”
First pitch is at 7 PM.