A Benton couple has once again been honored as Louisiana’s longest known married couple. Don Molino has more…
Cut 1 (27) “I’m Don Molino”
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Two state Senators file a resolution to expel Napoleonville Senator Troy Brown after being convicted of two separate domestic abuse charges. Halen Doughty has more…
Cut 2 (30) “I’m Halen Doughty”
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Governor Edwards kicked-off the special session by explaining to legislators why it’s important to use rainy day dollars to address a 304-million dollar budget deficit. Jeff Palermo has the story…
Cut 3 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”
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For the third straight year, a couple from Bossier Parish is known as the longest known married couple in the state. Louisiana Family Forum President Gene Mills says 103-year-old Lawrence Player and 97-year-old Varrie Player of Benton have been married for 82 years and they celebrated the terrific accomplishment this past weekend with a cake.
Cut 4 (10) “great grandchildren”
Mills says the Players were married on January 27, 1935 and they have no intention of slowing down. He says they shared some of their secrets for a long lasting marriage.
Cut 5 (09) “by themselves”
Every year Louisiana Family Forum honors the top ten longest married couples in the state. Mills says Will Henry and Virginia Teasley of Bienville Parish are this year’s runners up, married for 80 years. He says Virginia is in hospice care, so on the way to Benton they stopped in to visit and deliver a king cake.
Cut 6 (11) “for a lifetime”
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A resolution has been filed for the special session that seeks to expel Napleonville Senator Troy Brown from the legislature, because of two recent domestic abuse convictions. Slidell Senator Sharon Hewitt filed the measure along with Baton Rouge Senator Dan Claitor. Hewitt says anytime an elected official breaks the law, it erodes the public’s trust in all elected leaders.
Cut 7 (08) “Senator Brown”‘
Hewitt says it’s time that we raise the standards for what we expect from our elected officials. She says for too long we’ve been tolerant of elected leaders who’ve been guilty of corruption, scandal, and general disregard for the citizens they were chosen to represent.
Cut 8 (10) “elected leaders”
Claitor says the Louisiana Constitution allows the legislature to discipline members, and it happens in the form of a resolution. He expects the first hearing will occur within two or three days, and in a week the committee will have another hearing with evidence and testimony, before it goes to the floor.
Cut 9 (11) “ought to go”
It will take 26 out of 39 votes to expel the senator. Brown issued a statement last month saying expulsion is the political equivalent to execution. He went on to say that only 8 states have ever expelled a Senator, and it was always over more serious matters.
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On the opening night of the special session, Governor John Bel Edwards laid out his reasons on why the state legislature should use 119-million dollars from the rainy day fund to address a 304-million dollar shortfall. Edwards says without using it, cuts will likely have to be made to higher education, public schools and social services like foster care
Cut 10 (06) “public service”
Edwards says the Rainy Day fund was tapped four times during former Governor Bobby Jindal’s administration. There’s concern by some lawmakers of draining the fund down to zero, but Edwards says that won’t happen thanks to BP settlement dollars
Cut 11 (09) “budget stabilization fund ”
There have been several Republican lawmakers who have advocated for more cuts to the budget. Edwards says if here’s there’s another option out there, let’s discuss it…
Cut 12 (11) “proposals”
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A new website seeks to reduce wasteful spending in state government. Covington Representative John Schroder launched StopLouisianaWaste.com to allow individuals to anonymously report state government waste.
Cut 13 (08) “the case”
Schroder says given the state’s budget problems, lawmakers have to make sure they’re spending every penny of taxpayer money wisely. He says he will personally investigate each incident and provide the information to the proper agency.
Cut 14 (06) “anonymously”
Schroder stresses that people can post to the website anonymously. He says he’s interested to see what people will say in private that they wouldn’t say in public.
Cut 15 (09) “to do”
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Quarterback Brandon Harris is looking for a new school. The one-time starting Q-B for the Tigers says he’s transferring and head coach Ed Orgeron will allow Harris to transfer to any school he chooses. Tiger Rag Associate Editor James Moran says this is not a surprise, since Danny Etling is the likely starting signal caller in 2017
Cut 16 (06) “next year”
Harris started the first two games of the 2016 season, but was benched during the Jacksonville State game. He appeared in just four games on the season and threw for only 139 yards after starting all 12 games in his sophomore campaign. Moran says if Harris wants to play, he needs to find another school…
Cut 17 (13) “terribly surprising “
Moran says with Harris’ departure it opens the door for three other quarterbacks, who will compete in the spring, to battle for the number two spot in the depth chart….
Cut 18 (21) “make a case”