Democratic lawmaker Ted James spoke before the Baton Rouge Press Club to give his thoughts on the legislative session. Emelie Gunn has more..:
Cut 1 (31) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

Some lawmakers are looking to eliminate what they feel are unnecessary tax exemptions. A bill by New Orleans Senator JP Morrell would scrap the education tax credit that parents can claim…:
Cut 10 (10) “in schools”
He estimates doing away with this credit would save $11 million dollars.

The LSU Ag Center’s Sensory Services Lab is seeking food lovers, dubbed Tiger Tasters, to help with analysis on certain products. Manager Ashley Gutierrez says companies are also involved in the tastes tests and are looking for a wide range of subjects to take part…:
Cut 14 (10) “can serve”
If you’re a consumer interested in testing food products, visit the LSU School of Food and Nutrition website.

The St. Landry Parish Sheriff’s Office says, thanks to help from the media and public, the missing priest from Leonville has been found safe. Father Ohiaege had been reported missing after he dropped off a fellow priest Sunday at the airport and failed to return.

Democratic lawmaker Ted James spoke before the Baton Rouge Press Club to give his thoughts on the legislative session. Emelie Gunn has more…

Cut 1 (31) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

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The House Ways and Means Committee will look at proposed changes to the state sales tax today. Jeff Palermo has more on a proposal from Houma Representative Tanner Magee…

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

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LSU’s Sensory Services Lab is seeking food lovers to volunteer as Tiger Tasters on the Baton Rouge campus. Halen Doughty has more…

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Baton Rouge Representative Ted James says he supports Governor John Bel Edwards’ tax reform plan, which includes getting rid of tax incentives on big corporations and reducing personal income taxes. But the Democrat says the governor’s proposals have not gained a lot of traction among Republicans and there no alternatives at this point.

Cut 4  (10) “then what”

James also supports changes to the criminal justice system. James says cutting down on the number of non-violent offenders in prison will save the state millions of dollars. He says 700 million dollars of taxpayer money is spent each year and Louisiana has the highest incarceration rate in the world.

Cut 5  (08)  “tax dollars”

James has filed legislation that would increase the amount of training police officers receive. That’s in response to the fatal officer involved shooting of Alton Sterling last July. James says he’s spoken with many law enforcement officers who want to address ways to improve the force.

Cut 6 (10) “police officers”

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The House Ways and Means continues its review of the various bills to change Louisiana’s tax structure in an effort to provide more budget stability. Today the panel looks at sales taxes. Houma Representative Tanner Magee has a proposal to lower the state sales tax from five to two-percent, and remove the unnecessary exemptions when a sales tax is not collected.

Cut 7 (10)  “as possible”

Magee expects some stiff opposition to removing some of the exemptions. But he says there are plenty of unnecessary cases when sales taxes are exempted at the time of a purchase.

Cut 8 (10) “sales tax”

Magee says Louisiana has the highest combined state and local sales tax in the country. He says lowering the rate could mean expanding the sales tax base to include services and other items that are not currently taxed.

Cut 9 (09)  “even lower”

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As lawmakers look at structural tax reform, a big idea floating around the capitol involves eliminating unnecessary tax exemptions. A bill by New Orleans Senator JP Morrell that would do just that is heading to the Senate floor. The proposal would scrap the education tax credit that parents or guardians are able to claim.

Cut 10 (10) “in schools”

Morrell estimates eliminating this credit would create $11 million in savings for the state budget. He says that money could be more wisely invested in other education programs with more proven results.

Cut 11 (07) “those programs”

Morrell proposes investing those savings into programs like TOPS and the school readiness tax credits.

Cut 12 (08) “kindergarten ready”

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If you love to eat, LSU needs your help. The Sensory Services Lab on the Baton Rouge campus is recruiting Tiger Tasters to sample tasty new foods before they hit the shelves. Sensory Services Lab Manager Ashley Gutierrez says the AgCenter works with food companies around the country developing new healthy food items.

Cut 13 (11) “food products”

Gutierrez says anyone over 18 can sign up to be a Tiger Taster. She says the companies involved in the taste tests decide who they want to sample their products.

Cut 14 (10) “can serve”

Gutierrez says all you have to do as a Tiger Tester is come to their state of the art lab and sample foods. She says the great thing about this program is it gives consumers a chance to tell companies what they think about the product before it’s released.

Cut 15 (07) “on the shelf”

To sign up to be a Tiger Taster, visit the LSU School of Food and Nutrition website.

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For the first time in the school’s history, McNeese State baseball is ranked in a top 25 poll. They are ranked by Collegiate Baseball as the 23rd best in the country. The Cowboys are 26-9 and 16-2 in the Southland and in first place in the standings. Head Coach Justin Hill says it’s a great moment for the program…

Cut 16 (14) “little bit”

Rhett Deaton and Austin Sanders have been solid weekend starters for the Cowboys and Hill says the bullpen has been consistent, helping the Pokes become one of the top pitching teams in the Southland…

Cut 17 (11)  “right there”

McNeese will play its first game as a ranked team tonight when they face Louisiana Tech. It’s the start of an eight game road trip for the Cowboys. Hill believes his team is ready for this long stretch away from home

Cut 18 (15)    “care of itself” 

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In New Orleans tonight, Tulane hosts the Ragin Cajuns. UL Lafayette is 21-14-and one this season, but Coach Tony Robichaux is well aware of his team’s troubles in midweek games, especially at the plate…

Cut 19 (19)   “middle of the week”

Tonight’s game against Tulane is the start of a five-game week for the Cajuns. Coach Tony Robichaux says it’s always difficult playing this many games during a week…

Cut 20 (20)   “good defense”

Governor Edwards has made it known that he doesn’t want to see partisan politics as the state looks to reform its tax structure. But GOP House Appropriations Chairman Cameron Henry says any legislation that moves out of the money committees will depend on their merit and not whether its sponsored by a Republican or Democrat….
cut 4 (10) “….that’s laziness”

Edwards is pushing an ambitious tax plan and has said if legislators oppose it, they should come up with alternative proposals.

The Herndon Magnet Parent-Teacher-Student Association president has been arrested for one count of theft. Cindy Chadwick with the Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office says an audit from August of 2016 showed money was missing from the fund. She says 47-year-old Vera Dunfy of Shreveport committed the crime during the school year.
Cut 14 (07) “school year”

Police in North Louisiana have arrested a 17-year-old girl in the stabbing death of her 47-year-old boyfriend. Michelle Southern reports.
Cut 2 (25) “I’m Michelle Southern”

UnitedHealthcare Children’s Foundation is seeking financial assistance applications from families with children that have medical needs not covered or not fully covered by health insurance. Joe Ochipinti (ahki’pinti), CEO of UnitedHealthcare-Gulf States Region, says grants cover up to $5000 annually per child…:
Cut 9 (08) “to be eligible”
Families can apply online at uhccf.org.

It’s the second week of the legislative session and it looks like lawmakers aren’t anywhere close to agreeing on a funding plan for the budget for next fiscal year. House Appropriations Chairman Cameron Henry says legislators must look over about 150 tax bills and many are still missing vital information.
Cut 3 (11) “of legislation”

Baton Rouge Represenative Ted James says he supports Governor John Bel Edwards’ tax reform plan, which includes getting rid of tax incentives on big corporations and reducing personal income taxes. The Democrat says the governor’s proposals have not gained a lot of traction among Republicans and there no alternatives at this point.
Cut 4 (10) “then what”

 
The House Ways and Means Committee will look at proposed changes to the state sales tax tomorrow. Jeff Palermo has more on a proposal from Houma Representative Tanner Magee…
Cut 22 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

A bill heading to the senate floor would scrap the education tax credit that parents or guardians are able to claim. New Orleans Senator JP Morrell says his measure would save the state $11 million. He says that money could be more wisely invested in other education programs.
Cut 30 (07) “those programs”

In the second week of the legislative session, lawmakers are still a long way from putting together a funding plan for next fiscal year. Halen Doughty has more…
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Halen Doughty”

Authorities in St. Landry Parish are searching for a missing priest. Father Juilus Ohiaege of Nigeria, was last seen yesterday dropping a fellow priest off at the Lafayette Airport driving a white 2010 Toyota Camry. Father Ohiaege hasn’t been seen or heard from since. His cell phone last pinged in Baton Rouge and Opelousas but is now off.

 
Nascent (Nay-Cent) Technologies Corporation, on the LSU campus, received two cyber security contracts totalling nearly five-million dollars from the U.S. Department of Defense. N-T-C president Jeff Moulton says they will solve real worldwide problems..:
Cut 6 (10) “community people”

He says they’ve been contracted to identify and assess the risk and exposure in the energy industry supply chain.

UnitedHealthcare Children’s Foundation is looking for applications for financial assistance from families with kids whose medical needs are not covered or fully covered by health insurance. Joe Ochipinti (ahki’pinti), CEO of UnitedHealthcare-Gulf States Region says in Louisiana they have awarded over 30 grants since 2013. He says the grants can pay for treatments associated with conditions such as cancer, spina bifida, among others…:
Cut 11 (10) “hearing aids”

Governor Edwards has made it known that he doesn’t want to see partisan politics as the state looks to reform its tax structure. But GOP House Appropriations Chairman Cameron Henry says any legislation that moves out of the money committees will depend on their merit and not whether its sponsored by a Republican or Democrat….
cut 4 (10) “….that’s laziness”
Edwards is pushing an ambitious tax plan and has said if legislators oppose it, they should come up with alternative proposals.

The president of Herndon Magnet Parent-Teacher-Student Association in Caddo Parish is accused of stealing money from the group. Caddo Sheriff’s office spokesperson Cindy Chadwick says authorities arrested 47-year-old Vera Dunfey of Shreveport after examing her personal bank account…
cut 13 (08) “…personal benefit”
Dunfey has been charged with one count of theft.

Police in North Louisiana arrest a 17-year-old girl in the stabbing death of her 47-year-old boyfriend. Michelle Southern reports.
Cut 2 (25) “I’m Michelle Southern”

Nascent Technologies Corporation located on the LSU campus receives two contracts from the Department of Defense totalling nearly five-million dollars. N-T-C will address intelligence gaps between the U.S. and it’s many Caribbean partners. CEO Jeff Moulton says because there are several countries in the Carribean, intelligence gaps can emerge…
cut 8 (09) “….business now”
NTC was established last year with support from the states economic development department.

It’s a quiet day at the state capitol as only a couple of committee meetings are being held. Tomorrow, the House Appropriations Committee will hear testimony from the public. Chairman Cameron Henry says voters’ opinions do influence lawmakers…
cut 5 (07) “….the administration”
Henry says it remains to be seen which proposals that will help fund next year’s budget have the most support.

Nascent Technologies Corporation on the LSU campus has recieved two cybersecurity contracts totalling nearly five-million dollars from the U.S. Department of Defense. N-T-C president Jeff Moulton says they’ve been contracted to identify and assess the risk and exposure in the energy industry supply chain. Moulton says viruses can attack industrial ….
cut 7 (06) “….about it”

The president of the Herndon Magnet Parent-Teacher-Student Association has been arrested for theft. Caddo Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Cindy Chadwick says 47-year-old Vera Dunfey of Shreveport headed the association and an investigation began in August of 2016 when an audit showed money was missing from the PTSA fund.
cut 12 (07) “…sheriff’s office”
Chadwick says Dunfey stole at least four-thousand dollars from the association.

Wildlife and Fisheries has scheduled a drawdown of Lake Bistineau to combat giant salivina. Emelie Gunn on the May 1st drawdown…
Voicer 5 (30) “I’m Emelie Gunn”