Republican State Treasurer John Kennedy is the front-runner in the race to replace outgoing US Senator David Vitter, according to a new poll. Halen Doughty reports…

CUT 1 (31)  “I’m Halen Doughty”

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A Metairie Senator has written a letter to Higher Education Commissioner Joseph Rallo to create a plan of organization reform. Emelie Gunn has more…

CUT 2 (31)  “I’m Emelie Gunn”

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The first independent poll on the 2016 US Senate race has Republican State Treasurer John Kennedy as the favorite. In the Southern Media and Opinion Research Survey of 500 likely Louisiana voters, Kennedy received 22% of the vote that’s 12% more than Republicans Charles Boustany and Scott Angelle. Pollster Bernie Pinsonat says Kennedy’s reputation is boosting his campaign.

CUT 3 (05)  “so well”

Republicans John Young, Rob Maness, and John Fleming each have less than 8% of voters’ support. At this time, only Fleming and Maness have announced they are running. But so far Pinsonat says Kennedy is the favorite to make the run-off.

CUT 4 (06)  “with him”

Pinsonat says if four or five Republicans who are well-financed run for Senate, it could guarantee a Democrat being in the runoff. Democrats Foster Campbell and Caroline Fayard have support from 7% and 4% of voters respectively. Fayard is in the race, while Campbell is still thinking about it. He says a loaded ballot will hurt candidates with low-name recognition…

CUT 5 (07)  “to many choices”

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Louisiana Tech University has announced plans to demolish Wyly Tower and Prescott Memorial Library, but LA Tech spokesperson Dave Guerin says this demolition will not happen any time soon. Guerin says for the time being, Wyly Tower is still open.

CUT 6 (08) “24 months”

Guerin says Wyly Tower and Prescott Memorial Library will be replaced with new up to date facilities for students.

CUT 7 (09) “university center”

The new university center will offer an information commons and a research and collaboration center. Guerin says the university will have to wait to see how the state’s budget crisis is resolved before moving forward.

CUT 8 (08) “this project”

Guerin says it will be more cost effective to replace Wyly Tower than to renovate it due to the tower’s infrastructural issues, including problems with the elevators, stairwells, fire alarms, windows, and mechanical control systems.

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Metairie Senator Conrad Appel has written a letter to Higher Education Commissioner Joseph Rallo calling on the Board of Regents to construct a plan for organization reform.  Appel says it’s clear we have grossly underfunded higher education but there is no prospect of that changing in years to come. He says additional money isn’t going to fall from the sky…

CUT 9 (09)  “the future”

Appel says redesigning the system doesn’t necessarily mean the closing of campuses but all options should be on the table.

cut 10 (10)  “that’s wrong”

Appel says funding for higher education in Louisiana is pretty much stagnant as far as we can see in the future. He says it’s the duty of the Board of Regents to plan the big picture strategy and decide what actions need to be taken.

Cut 11 (08) “not realistic”

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The House Ways and Means Committee began hearing various tax bills today that would raise revenue to close a massive budget deficit. One of the measures would increase the state sales tax on a pack of cigarettes by 22-cents to $1.08 per pack. Fred Hoyt, a convenience store owner, spoke in opposition. He says adult tobacco users already pay their fair share of taxes and the tax was raised 50-cents last year.

cut 12 (05) “again please”

Bill Shepherd, owner of Churchpoint Wholesale, is also against raising the tax on a pack of cigarettes. He says raising this tax will negatively impact tobacco retailers across the state. Shepherd says if this bill passes Louisiana smokers could save 73-cents per pack by purchasing cigarettes across the state line in Mississippi, which is $266 annually for the average smoke. Louisiana would then collect less revenue.

cut 13 (10)  “the internet”

New Orleans Representative Walt Leger is authoring one of the bills seeking to raise the cigarette tax.  Leger says the higher price for cigarettes will discourage people from smoking.

cut 14 (05)  “the product”

Leger says that the 50-cent increase on a pack of cigarettes last year was not enough. He says the increased tax would still keep Louisiana in the lower 50% in the nation.

cut 15 (12)  “other states”

The committee is waiting to hear on all the proposed taxes before deciding which ones to approve.

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The first independent poll on the 2016 US Senate race shows Republican State Treasurer John Kennedy is the favorite. In the Southern Media and Opinion Research Survey, Kennedy received 22% of the vote, which is 12% more than Republican Congressman Charles Boustany and GOP PSC member Scott Angelle. Pollster Bernie Pinsonat says Kennedy is the favorite to make the run-off.

CUT 4 (06)  “with him”

Republicans John Young, Rob Maness, and John Fleming each have less than 8% of voters’ support.

Metairie Senator Conrad Appel has written a letter to Higher Education Commissioner Joseph Rallo calling on the Board of Regents to construct a plan for organization reform. Appel says redesigning the system doesn’t necessarily mean the closing of campuses but all options should be on the table.

cut 10 (10)  “that’s wrong”

Appel says funding for higher education in Louisiana is pretty much stagnant for now.

Louisiana Tech University announced plans to demolish two buildings on campus- Wyly Tower and Prescott Memorial Library. LA Tech spokesperson Dave Guerin says the university will have to wait to see how the state’s budget crisis is resolved before moving forward.

CUT 8 (08) “this project”

Guerin says it will be more cost effective to replace Wyly Tower than to renovate it due to the tower’s infrastructural issues.

The House Ways and Means Committee began hearing various tax bills today that would raise revenue to close a massive budget deficit. One of the measures would increase the state sales tax on a pack of cigarettes by 22-cents per pack. Fred Hoyt, a convenience store owner, spoke in opposition, saying adult tobacco users already pay their fair share of taxes and the tax was raised 50-cents last year.

cut 12 (05) “again please”

Republican State Treasurer John Kennedy is the favorite in the race for the Senate seat that will be vacated by David Vitter, according to a new poll by Southern Media and Opinion Research. Halen Doughty reports…:
CUT 1 (31) “I’m Halen Doughty”

Louisiana Tech University announces plans to demolish Wyly Tower and Prescott Memorial Library due to infrastructure issues. But LA Tech spokesperson Dave Guerin says this demolition will not happen any time soon:
CUT 6 (08) “24 months”
He says the tower has a host of issues with elevators, stairwells, fire alarms, windows, and mechanical control systems.

Metairie Senator Conrad Appel has written a letter to Higher Education Commissioner Joseph Rallo calling on the Board of Regents to construct a plan for organization reform. Appel says it’s clear we have grossly underfunded higher education but there is no prospect of that changing in years to come. He says additional money isn’t going to fall from the sky..:
CUT 9 (09) “the future”
He says this doesn’t mean closing campuses but all options are on the table.

The state Senate is kind-of hanging out right now as tax measures get discussed in the lower chamber where they must originate. Louisiana’s Senators did vote to tap $128 from the state rainy day fund and redirect $200 million dollars in Gulf Oil spill money to the operating budget.

The first independent poll on the 2016 US Senate race shows Republican State Treasurer John Kennedy is the favorite. In the Southern Media and Opinion Research Survey of 500 likely Louisiana voters, Kennedy received 22% of the vote which is 12% more than Republican Congressman Charles Boustany and GOP PSC member Scott Angelle. Pollster Bernie Pinsonat says Kennedy’s reputation across the state is boosting his campaign….:
CUT 3 (05) “so well”
Republicans John Young, Rob Maness, and John Fleming each have less than 8% of voters’ support. Democrats Foster Campbell and Caroline Fayard have support from 7% and 4% of voters respectively.

The same poll found 72% of people said “no” to raising taxes and fees. Pinsonat says that’s because state government has lost credibility with the people of Louisiana….:
CUT 7 (04) “properly”

A Lake Charles man has developed a new way of keeping athletes hydrated during a game. Joseph Tucker created the Hydra-Guard, which is the first re-hydrating mouth guard in the world. Tucker says the mouth guard will be released online February 25th and you can fill up the hands free system with water or your favorite sports drink…:

cut 4 (10) “the court”
The mouth guard will retail for $34.99.

The Mercedes-Benz Superdome has been added to the National Register of Historic Places, despite objections from the state. Owners felt the designation, though prestigious, could delay maintenance and improvements. A student from Tulane nominated the Superdome in December, and the National Parks Service announced the structure was listed earlier this month.

The House Ways and Means Committee is hearing bills today that would raise taxes on tobacco, alcohol, Internet sales and car rentals. Jeremy Alford, publisher of la-politics.com, says the public is typically more receptive to raising these so-called “sin taxes” and even Republicans are starting warm to the idea that revenue has to be raised. He says passing any of the proposed bills will take compromise from both sides…:
CUT 15 (05) “to move”
The committee will reportedly not hear corporate and personal income tax bills until next week.

Shreveport Representative Barbara North is proposing a bill for the regular session that would require metal detectors in movie theaters…:
CUT 11 (05) “are safe”
She says the measure comes as a response to the deadly shootings that occur at movie theaters around the country, including one in Lafayette last year. The regular session convenes March 14th.

A new poll shows of 500 likely voters shows 72% of people are saying “no” to raising taxes and fees as a way to help state government solve its huge budget deficit this fiscal year. But Southern Media and Opinion Research pollster Bernie Pinsonat says over 60% are in favor of increasing taxes on cigarettes and alcohol…:
Cut 9 (04) “sin tax”
He says the public is wary of raising taxes on businesses because of concern about the economy.

Parents of athletes will appreciate a new mouth-guard created in Lake Charles that’s designed to keep players hydrated. Joseph Tucker invented the Hydra-Guard. He says it’s pressurized so the athlete can just push their tongue against the roof of their mouth to release a liquid — and it can be refilled quickly. He predicts this will be a big hit during games and practices in Louisiana’s sweltering heat:
CUT 6 (09) “healthy”
The mouth guard will retail for $34.99 and be available online starting February 25th.

Citizens in Louisiana don’t want to see their taxes raised, according to a recent poll on the current budget deficit. Southern Media and Opinion research pollster Bernie Pinsonat found 72% of voters said “no” to raising taxes and fees, and 61% said the state government is spending too much money. He says the results from survey show lawmakers could have a tough time balancing the budget and keeping folks happy…:
Cut 8 (06) “revenue problem”
He says 54% of people say the state budget can be balanced without raising taxes. But 60% said they are fine with boosting taxes on cigarettes.

Vice President Joe Biden is in New Orleans today meeting with leaders including Governor John Bel Edwards and Mayor Mitch Landrieu. Biden is slated to tour the Port of New Orleans and give a speech before noon to commemorate the 7th anniversary of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

Legislators have started proposing bills for the regular legislative session, one of which aims to keep citizens safe at movie theaters. Jeff Palermo has the story…:
Cut 3 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

A Lake Charles man has developed a new way of keeping athletes hydrated during a game. Joseph Tucker created the Hydra-Guard which has a pouch holding liquid to a mouth guard sealed so it doesn’t get in the way:
CUT 5 (08) “breathability”
Tucker says the mouth guard will be released online February 25th.

A new poll from Southern Media and Opinion Research shows a majority of Louisiana residents are not in favor of raising taxes to solve the state’s budget deficit. Halen Doughty has the story…:
Cut 2 (30) “I’m Halen Doughty”

A bill that would require metal detectors to be installed at movie theaters will be up for debate in the regular session. Shreveport Representative Barbara Norton says despite the cost, added safety measures at the movies are well worth the price of protecting a person’s life…:
CUT 12 (07) “or safer”

The Mercedes-Benz Superdome has been added to the National Register of Historic Places, despite objections from the state. Owners felt the designation, though prestigious, could delay maintenance and improvements. A student from Tulane nominated the Superdome in December, and the National Parks Service announced the structure was listed earlier this month.

Lawmakers will hear bills discussing the raising of so called “sin taxes” today in the House Ways and Means Committee. Lapolitics.com publisher Jeremy Alford says Republicans have been hesitant about raising taxes, but they may consider it on alcohol, tobacco, Internet sales and car rentals…:
CUT 14 (05) “be created”
The tax writing committee has 22 bills on today’s agenda.

The Mystic Krewe of Apollo in Lafayette says their member who fell from the top of a Mardi Gras float during their February 5th parade, has died. They say Quinn Dejean passed away Tuesday afternoon.

The House Ways and Means Committee will hear testimony today for tax increases on tobacco, alcohol, Internet sales and car rentals. Jeremy Alford, publisher of la-politics.com, says that legislators will not be voting on these proposed taxes yet…:
Cut 13 (04) “eventually vote”
The committee will reportedly not hear corporate and personal income tax bills until next week. A recent poll conducted by Southern Media and Opinion research found the majority of people are opposed to raising income and state sales taxes, but over 60% are in favor of increasing so called “sin taxes.”

Shreveport Representative Barbara Norton proposes a bill for the regular session, which convenes March 14th, that would require metal detectors to be installed at movie theaters…:
Cut 10 (07) “a weapon”

A Natchitoches man has set up a GoFundMe page to raise money for the state’s nearly $1 billion budget deficit. Eric Boleyn’s online donation page reads “Help Louisiana, Need $900 million.” The description explains that any donations will be put towards the crippling budget deficit the state is facing. The page has been shared by thousands of people and has brought in a total of $40 in the past four days.

A Lake Charles man has developed a new way of keeping athletes hydrated during a game. Joseph Tucker created the Hydra-Guard, which is the first re-hydrating mouth guard in the world. Tucker says the mouth guard will be released online February 25th and you can fill up the hands free system with water or your favorite sports drink…:
cut 4 (10) “the court”
The mouth guard will retail for $34.99.