Raising the minimum wage and closing the gender wage gap will be big issues for Governor John Bel Edwards in the regular session. Jeff Palermo has more…:
Cut 2 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

The governor is in D.C. today and his Deputy Cheif of Staff, Julie Baxter Payer, says he’ll testify before a Congressional panel about improvements that can be made to make disaster recovery processes shorter and homeowner friendly…:
Cut 8 (10) “a disaster”
She says the state faced challenges in administering every federally funded program.

Leaders representing the business community announce a new statewide coalition, BUILD IT, to advocate for significant transportation funding, mostly through an increase in the gas tax. The state has a $13 billion backlog of road and bridge needs, and more than $10 billion in megaprojects. More than 20 organizations have joined BUILD IT, including One Acadiana and its president Jason El Koubi…:
Cut 11 (12) “our people”
BUILD IT Coalition members represents 21 statewide, regional, and local economic development and industry groups.

It’s Pro Day at LSU, a chance for every professional football franchise to get a look at the former Tigers eligible for next month’s NFL draft. Some mock drafts have running back Leonard Fournette’s stock falling, but NFL analyst Mike Detillier doesn’t see it:
Cut 16 (09) “off teeth”

Raising the minimum wage and closing the gender wage gap will be big issues for Governor John Bel Edwards in the regular session. Jeff Palermo has more…:
Cut 2 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

The governor is in D.C. today and his Deputy Chief of Staff, Julie Baxter Payer, says he’ll testify before a Congressional panel about improvements that can be made to make disaster recovery processes shorter and homeowner friendly…:
Cut 8 (10) “a disaster”
She says the state faced challenges in administering every federally funded program following the August floods.

Leaders representing the business community announce a new statewide coalition, BUILD IT, to advocate for significant transportation funding, mostly through an increase in the gas tax. The state has a $13 billion backlog of road and bridge needs, and more than $10 billion in mega-projects. Baton Rouge Area Chamber President Adam Knapp on their mission…:
Cut 11 (12) “our people”
BUILD IT Coalition members represent 21 statewide, regional, and local economic development and industry groups.

It’s Pro Day at LSU, a chance for every professional football franchise to get a look at the former Tigers eligible for next month’s NFL draft. Some mock drafts have running back Leonard Fournette’s stock falling, but NFL analyst Mike Detillier doesn’t see it:
Cut 16 (09) “off teeth”

Business leaders in Louisiana are coming together to support the passage of a higher gas tax. Baton Rouge Area Chamber President Adam Knapp says BUILD IT will back proposals to increase the state’s gasoline tax to fund highway construction…:
Cut 10 (11) “this session”
Build It stands for Businesses United for Improving Louisiana’s Development by Investing in Transportation.

Governor John Bel Edwards is once again asking lawmakers to increase the state’s minimum wage and guarantee equal pay for equal work. Both measures failed in last year’s session. Political analyst Clancy Dubos says raising the minimum wage is never easy…:
Cut 13 (11) “uphill battle”
Some say the equal pay bill has even less of a chance at passing than raising the minimum wage.

The Louisiana State Police Academy graduates 46 men and women today who are now full-fledged State Troopers. Emelie Gunn has more…:
Cut 1 (27) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

Rough job news in Ruston. LifeCare Specialty Hospital of North Louisiana is closing its doors and all employees laid off by June. The Louisiana Workforce Commission says the closure will affect all 167 employees and the first employees will be released April 15th. LWC’s Rapid Response team is in the process of scheduling re-employment workshops.

Business leaders support a higher gas tax if they know how the dollars are being spent. Halen Doughty has more on the coalition that will be known as Build It…:
Cut 3 (29) “I’m Halen Doughty”

46 men and women graduate this morning from the Louisiana State Police Training Academy. Sgt. Jared Sandifer says they made it through the vigorous 22-week training program…:
Cut 4 (08) “next level”
This is L-S-P’s 95th Cadet Class.

Governor John Bel Edwards testifies before a Congressional panel today looking at FEMA’s response to the deadly flooding last August. The Governor’s Deputy Chief of Staff, Julie Baxter Payer says Edwards will be accompanied by local officials…:
Cut 7 (10) “federal level”
She says the governor will discuss improvements that can be made to the recovery process.

Looking ahead to the session that begins Monday, the governor says he plans to try out equal pay and minimum wage increase proposals again. Both measures didn’t go far last year…:
Cut 14 (09) “don’t like them”
That’s political analyst Bernie Pinsonat’s take.

Criminal justice reform will be a big topic in the regular session. Director of the LSU Public Policy Research Lab, Dr. Michael Henderson says the Louisiana survey found a big difference between blacks and whites over the fairness of the criminal justice system. He says 71-percent of black respondents say the system is not fair, and only 44-percent of white respondents agree.

Cut 4 (09) “the motivations”

A bill by River Ridge Representative Kirk Talbot seeks to address the opioid epidemic in Louisiana by addressing workers compensation. Talbot’s bill is similar to a Texas law that he says has done a great job of getting people back to work and off opioid medications.

Cut 8 (09) “hurts families”

Shreveport restaurant owner Mark Colby will spend the rest of his life behind bars after killing his girlfriend and business partner Angela Godley. Caddo Assistant DA Brittney Green says the 2014 murder rocked the community, because Godley was well known business owner and a former cardiac care nurse.

Cut 13 (10) “wonderful nurse”
Godley was found dead in the laundry room of the couple’s home in September of 2014.

A Ruston hospital is closing, which is bad news for employees and patients. LifeCare Specialty hospital employs 167 people and has a total of 175 hospital beds between its Ruston and Shreveport campuses. Firing will reportedly begin next week, with final terminations taking place in June.

Governor Edwards announced today he supports legislation that seeks to reduce opioid abuse. River Ridge Representative Kirk Talbot says research indicates the Bayou State has more opioid prescriptions than people. Talbot is co-authoring a bill that would limit first-time prescriptions of opioids for acute pain to a seven-day supply for adults.

The 2017 Louisiana Survey indicates 75% of voters support criminal justice reform when it comes to shorter sentences for non-violent crimes. But Michael Henderson, Director of the LSU Public Policy Research Lab, says support for shorter sentences declines when respondents were asked about crimes involving fraud, burglary or selling illegal drugs…:
Cut 3 (09) “on the table”
Criminal justice reform is a part of Governor Edwards’ legislative agenda.
Business leaders support a higher gas tax if they know how the dollars are being spent. Halen Doughty has more on the coalition that will be known as Build It…
Voicer 5 (29) “I’m Halen Doughty”

A Shreveport restaurant owner who murdered his longtime-partner and prominent business women will spend the rest of his life behind bars. Caddo Assistant DA Brittney Green says Mark Colby fatally shot Angela Godley…:
CUT 12 (05) “Judge Mosely”
Godley was found dead in the laundry room at the couple’s Shreve Island home in 2014.

Legislation to stop the opioid epidemic has been filed for the upcoming session with the support of Governor Edwards’. Emelie Gunn has more…
Voicer 2 (30) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

The governor is also backing legislation that would increase the minimum wage in Louisiana, which is currently $7.25 an hour. Edwards says he supports a Senate bill that raises the minimum wage to $8.50 over a two year period. The legislative session begins Monday.

Criminal justice reform is part of Governor Edwards’ legislative package. A survey out of LSU says 65-percent of respondents say crime has increased over the past five years. That’s a 10-percent increase from the last time they asked this question. Doctor Michael Henderson is with the LSU Public Policy Research Lab…
cut 5 (12) “…some of this”
The survey also found support for criminal justice reform measures, including shorter sentences for non-violent crimes.

A WalletHub report finds Louisiana is the 2nd most stressed state in the nation. Michelle Many (Main-ee) with LSU Health New Orleans School of Medicine says there is a high crime rate here which can take a toll on a person’s mental health…:
Cut 28 (07) “more stressed”