Today, the Governor’s Office hosts an equal pay summit in downtown Baton Rouge. Co-chair of the summit Aprill Springfield says equal pay is good for families, businesses, and the state. She says women make up about half of Louisiana’s workforce but live in the second highest rate of poverty in the US…:
Cut 4 (08) “in the economy”
Springfield says the three panel summit will cover the facts about pay equity, business solutions and practices, and a call to action.

The author of the stripper age requirement bill says he plans to present a similar version in the upcoming legislative session. The law was recently blocked by a federal judge in New Orleans for being unconstitutional as written. Lake Charles Senator Ronnie Johns says Judge Carl Barbier’s ruling was clear about what language violated the constitution…:
Cut 13 (09) “too important”
The mandate states people have to be at least 21 to work as a stripper.

The eastbound lanes of I-10 near Sorrento will close over the weekend as crews move a damaged bridge. Jeff Palermo has more…:
Cut 2 (31) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

The Baton Rouge Advocate is reporting that LSU Athletic Director Joe Alleva is slated to meet with men’s basketball coach Johnny Jones today to relieve him of his duties. The Tigers were eliminated from the SEC Basketball Tournament Wednesday night putting an end to an awful 10-21 season.

Louisiana is set to benefit from ExxonMobil’s $20 billion investment in the Gulf Coast. Baton Rouge Refinery Manager Mark Northcutt says the Grow the Gulf initiative will strengthen and grow Exxon facilities in the Capitol City. He says Baton Rouge is home to one of the world’s largest refineries, as well as world scale chemical operations.

Cut 12 (13) “position of strength”

In response to the financial changes facing the state, the Louisiana Community and Technical College System is consolidating eight of their rural campuses. President of the system, Dr. Monty Sullivan, says the mergers will allow them to focus on these rural campuses and ensure their two-year colleges can stay open.

Cut 4 (07) “create savings”
He says it’s their hope that students in the system will see very little changes.

Non-custodial parents who pay child support can now use MoneyGram at retail stores. Director of Child Support Enforcement with DCFS Lydia Scales says parents do need a few things in order to send support to their children through MoneyGram.

Cut 8 (10) “14695”
She says this is a more convenient way for parents who do not have a bank account to pay child support.

The Louisiana Film and Entertainment Association launches a campaign to urge lawmakers to change to the state’s film tax credit program. Board member Jim Hornbeak says the “Fight for Film” effort is all about putting faces to those Louisianans who thrive when a movie is filmed here.

Cut 10 (08) “tax credits”
To learn more about the campaign, visit FilmLouisiana.com.

Louisiana is set to benefit from ExxonMobil’s $20 billion investment in the Gulf Coast. Baton Rouge Refinery Manager Mark Northcutt says Exxon is looking for site for a new steam cracker facility, and the Bayou State could be a contender, if the state can provide a stable and predictable tax environment.

Cut 14 (10) “in Louisiana”
He says the Grow the Gulf initiative will also strengthen and grow Exxon facilities in Baton Rouge.

The Louisiana Film and Entertainment Association is urging the legislature to change the state’s film tax credit program. Board member Jim Hornbeak says right now there’s no guarantee a movie-maker will receive tax credits, and it negatively impacts many locals.

Cut 9 (05) “restaurant industry”

In 2015, the state’s film tax credit program was capped at $180 million dollars a year.

In response to the financial changes facing the state, the Louisiana Community and Technical College System is consolidating eight of their rural campuses. System President Monty Sullivan says they want to maintain and sustain the mission of two year colleges.

Cut 3 (10) “financial stability”

Sullivan says the mergers will ensure their two-year colleges can stay open.

Parents who pay child support can now use MoneyGram at retail stores if they don’t have a bank account. Director of Child Support Enforcement with DCFS Lydia Scales says this will allow parents to contribute more to their children.

Cut 7 (09) “payments”
She other states are already using MoneyGram for child support payments.

The Louisiana Community and Technical College System is consolidating 8 campuses due to budget problems. System President Monty Sullivan says consolidating these campuses will save money. He says it’s their hope students in the system will see very little change.

Cut 5 (09) “to attend”

The Louisiana Film and Entertainment Association is urging lawmakers to change the state’s film tax credit program. Board member Jim Hornbeak says the film industry has supported 13-thousand jobs with an average salary of $60-thousand a year. He’s hoping to see some tweaks in the existing film tax credit cap.

Cut 11 (10) “standpoint”

In 2015, the film tax credit program was capped at $180 million a year.

ExxonMobil announces a $20 billion investment in the Gulf that has implications for Louisiana. Baton Rouge Refinery Manager Mark Northcutt says they’ve already invested $200 million in Baton Rouge facility that produces aviation lubricants.

Cut 13 (10) “Baton Rouge facility”

Northcutt says they hope to grow their facilities in the Bayou State.

Louisiana parents can now make child support payments through MoneyGram at retail stores like WalMart, CVS and Albertsons. Director of Child Support Enforcement with DCFS Lydia Scales says this is a more convenient way to pay rather than purchasing stamps and mailing in money.

Cut 6 (08) “credit card”

Other states are already using MoneyGram for cash child support payments.

The Louisiana Film and Entertainment Association has launched a campaign aimed at urging the legislature to make changes to the state’s film tax credit program. Jim Hornbeak, who sits sits on the LFEA’s Executive Board, says the “Fight For Film” effort is all about putting faces to those Louisianians who thrive when a movie is filmed here…:
Cut 10 (08) “tax credits”
Hornbeak says the film industry has supported 13,000 jobs with average salary of $60,000 per year.

The mother accused of giving birth and leaving the baby in a New Rhodes Wal-Mart bathroom has been indicted. 34-year-old Kyandrea Thomas is charged with attempted second-degree murder and cruelty to a juvenile by a Pointe Coupee Parish Grand Jury.

FEMA has once again extended the Transitional Sheltering Assistance program. Eligible survivors affected by the August floods may stay in participating hotels now until April 10th.

The Department of Children and Family services has teamed up with MoneyGram to allow non-custodial parents to pay child support at retail stores. DCFS’s Director of Child Support Enforcement Lydia Scales says parents do need a few things in order to send support to their children through MoneyGram…:
Cut 8 (10) “14695″
She says you can find additional information on DCFS’s website.

Still no word on the fate of LSU men’s basketball coach Johnny Jones. His son is playing for a state title with U-High tomorrow and TigerRag reports Jones is planning to go to Lake Charles. The Tigers were eliminated last night from the SEC Tournament and it’s expected that Athletic Director Joe Alleva will fire Jones after a 10-21 season.

Louisiana is set to benefit from ExxonMobil’s $20 billion investment in the Gulf Coast. Baton Rouge Refinery Manager Mark Northcutt says the Grow the Gulf initiative will strengthen and grow Exxon facilities in the Capitol City. He says Baton Rouge is home to one of the world’s largest refineries, as well as world scale chemical operations…:
cut 12 (13) “position of strength”
He the increased supply of natural gas in Louisiana is a big advantage for the chemical industry in the Gulf Coast.

In response to the financial changes facing the state, the Louisiana Community and Technical College System is consolidating eight of their rural campuses. President of the system, Dr. Monty Sullivan, says the mergers will allow them to focus on these rural campuses and ensure their two-year colleges can stay open…:
cut 4 (07) “create savings”
He says it’s their hope that students in the system will see very little changes.

Non-custodial parents are now able to make child support payments through MoneyGram. Emelie Gunn has more…:
CUT 1 (31) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

The Pelicans new center, All-Star Demarcus Cousins, has been fined $50,000 by the NBA for cussing at fans during two different games, according to reports. It happened in the Pels victory over the Lakers on March 5th, then the next night in New Orleans loss to the Jazz. Cousins joined New Orleans last month in a huge trade with Sacramento.

The Louisiana Film and Entertainment Association launches the “Fight for Film” campaign. Jeff Palermo reports…:
CUT 2 (29) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Parents who pay child support and don’t have a bank account can now use MoneyGram at retail stores. Director of Child Support Enforcement with the Department of Children and Family Services Lydia Scales:
CUT 7 (09) “payments”
She says there is a four-dollar fee, but the convenience pays for itself.

Louisiana is set to benefit from ExxonMobil’s $20 billion investment in the Gulf Coast. Baton Rouge Refinery Manager Mark Northcutt says the Grow the Gulf initiative will strengthen and grow Exxon facilities in the Capitol City. He says new sites could be on their way in if the Louisiana can provide a stable and predictable tax environment…:
cut 14 (10) “in Louisiana”
He the increased supply of natural gas in Louisiana is a big advantage for the chemical industry in the Gulf Coast.

The lawmaker who authored the measure that would prohibit people under 21 from getting a job as a stripper says he’s disappointed a federal judge ruled to block the law until the case can be heard. The decision was based on the constitutionality of the mandate, but Senator Ronnie Johns said this was always about human trafficking control and the problem is not going away — so he plans to continue the fight.