Data from the federal Bureau of Economic Analysis, shows Louisiana’s personal income for the fourth quarter in 2014 grew by just 0.6 percent, which is last in the country. But LSU economist Loren Scott says a reason for the low growth is because Louisiana did not accept federal dollars to expand its Medicaid program…:
CUT 12 (07) “bad thing”
The fourth quarter of 2014 coincides with a drop in oil prices and layoffs in the oil and gas industry.

Spring festival season is officially underway and there is no shortage of fun filled events happening in Sportsmans Paradise. There is essentially a fair or festival on the calendar every weekend from now until the end of June. Jacques Berry with the Lt. Governor’s Office says Louisiana festivals are loved by locals and tourists…:
CUT 9 (09) “promote the state”

The Louisiana Department of Education announces that 22,972 recent public high school graduates enrolled in college in 2014, an all-time high for the state. Eric Gill reports…:
CUT 4 (30) “reporting”

In his first public comments in quite awhile, Saints Quarterback Drew Brees said that the Jimmy Graham trade shocked all of us. Brees also said he never paid attention to the trade rumors involving him and he hopes to retire as a Saint.

This is the biggest weekend of the seafood year and a distributor says the crawfish are in good supply, but the sooner you get your orders in the better. Gulf Seafood Institute Chairman Harlon Pearce says the product and prices are so good right now, mudbug lovers can’t get enough…:
CUT 6 (07) “get em and enjoy em”
Pearce says the Easter weekend is the peak of the season and prices tend to drop from here.

Haughton Representative Henry Burns, who has filed a bill that would require bar and restaurant patrons to have a designated driver, is now saying he will not try to seek approval of his measure in this session. Burns says his legislation would be difficult to enforce…:
CUT 3 (08) “smooth transition”
Burns says it would make more sense for officials at the local level to come up with some sort of measure that would deter folks from drunk driving.

New Orleans Senator JP Morrell files a package of bills that seeks to reform the state’s film tax credit program. Scott Carwile has the story…:
CUT 3 (31) “reporting”

LSU is now soliciting applications for those interested in becoming the new voice of the Tigers. Play-by-play man Jim Hawthorne retires in about a year and minimum qualifications for his replacement include a history of professional sports broadcasting and at least three years of experience at either the NCAA Division I or professional level. The deadline to submit an application is April 24th.

The Louisiana Department of Education announces that nearly 23,000 recent public high school graduates enrolled in college in 2014, a 6 percent increase from 2013 and an all-time high for the state. Education Superintendent John White says the numbers in this report are very exciting…:
CUT 4 (08) “several years”
He says this year’s gains are fueled by an increase in low-income and minority students attending college.

The Easter bunny will be delivery lots of Elmer’s chocolate this Sunday as the Ponchatoula based company product has become one of the Holiday’s longest running traditions in Louisiana. President Rob Nelson says even though Easter is falling a little early this year, sales have been great.
CUT 8 (10) “this weekend”

The Rapides Parish Sheriff’s office is investigating an officer involved shooting which left one man dead in Pineville. Lt. Tommy Carnline says deputies responded to reports of a disturbance in which someone was threatening another person in the residence and also threatening to do harm to himself…:
CUT 13 (11) “deputies”
Carnline says the subject did not listen to orders to drop the weapon which is when he was shot and killed by cops. The case remains under investigation.

The Ascension Parish Sheriff’s office says at least two people were hurt in a plant fire at the Renewable Energy Group facility in Geismar. They say one of the people injured has moderate injuries and the other minor injuries. Louisiana State Police has taken over the investigation into the cause of the blaze.

The state department of education announces nearly 23-thousand recent public high school graduates enrolled in college in 2014, which is an all-time high for the state. Eric Gill has more…
cut 1 (30) “…reporting”

Two workers are said to be in fair condition after they suffered burns from a fire that erupted at a chemical plant in Ascension Parish. The incident happened at Renewable Energy group last night, but the fire was contained by 7:30. Officials says the blaze may have started as a result of a broken hydraulic pump.

New Orleans Senator JP Morrell has a package of bills that seek to reform the state’s film tax credit program. Morrell says two of his goals are to lower the fiscal cost to the state and rid the program of the fraudulent behavior that’s been reported on….
cut 11 (12) “…is truthful”
Morrell says the legislation is not designed to chase the movie and TV industry out of Louisiana.

It’s a big weekend for the candy industry. Elmer’s chocolates in Ponchatoula has been making their famous Heavenly Hash bar since the turn of the century and company president Rob Nelson says they’ve had success because the Gulf South loves its easter candy…
cut 9 (08) “…family’s tradition”

The state department of education says nearly 23-thousand recent public high school graduates enrolled in college in 2014, a six-percent increase from the prior year. Education Superintendent John White says the numbers are positive, but not surprising as they’ve raised expectations through more challenging standards…
cut 5 (10) “…for our kids”
He says this year’s gains are fueled by an increase in low-income and minority students attending college.

New Orleans Senator JP Morrell has filed a series of bills that attempts to make the state’s film tax credit program more financially sustainable. His package of bills also attempt to help college grads gain entry into the movie and TV industry…
cut 12 (11) “…native industry”
Morrell’s legislation will be heard in the legislative session that begins April 13th.

The National Weather Service says there’s a slight chance we could severe weather in the Alexandria, Natchez and Monroe areas today. A cold front will push across the state this afternoon and into tonight.

In his first public comments in quite awhile, Saints Quarterback Drew Brees said that the Jimmy Graham trade shocked all of us. Brees also said he never paid attention to the trade rumors involving him and he hopes to retire as a Saint.

Ponchatoula-based Elmer’s Chocolates are a must-have for many Louisiana Easter Baskets this Sunday. Michelle Southern reports…
cut 2 (27) “…reporting”

Legislation to reform the state’s film tax credit program has been filed for the upcoming session. The program has made Louisiana a major player in the motion picture industry, but the department of economic development says it costs $4.48 for every dollar of state revenue it creates. New Orleans Senator JP Morrell says one of the goals with his legislation is to make the tax credit more predictable…
cut 10 (09) “…unsustainable”
The state senator says he also has three different bills that attempt to control fradulent behavior.

A deputy with the Rapides Parish Sheriff’s office had to use lethal force yesterday. Lt. Tommy Carnline says deputies responded to a disturbance at a home in Pineville, where they encountered a man who was upset and then after an hour he suddenly left the room and came back with a gun pointed at deputies…
cut 14 (07) “…the scene”
The deceased man has not been publicly identified.

The state department of education reports that the number of public school graduates entering college rose six-percent in 2014. Superintendent of Education John White says the results show that Louisiana is taking the right steps forward and that includes the implementation of Common Core….
cut 6 (08) “….political whims”

A must-have for many Louisiana Easter baskets this Sunday is a candy manufactured in Ponchatoula. Elmer’s chocolates have been around over 160 years and President Rob Nelson says the Easter Sunday tradition is highlighted by their top sellers — Heavenly Hash and Gold Brick…
cut 7 (08) “…turn of the century”
The company started in the Big Easy in 1855 as a pastry business but eventually became Elmer Candy Corporation.

The Louisiana Department of Education announces that 22,972 recent public high school graduates enrolled in college in 2014, an all-time high for the state. That’s a six-percent increase from 2013. Education Superintendent John White says the numbers in this report are very exciting…
cut 4 (08) “….several years”
He says this year’s gains are fueld by an increase in low-income and minority students attending college.

The Rapides Parish Sheriff’s office is investigating a fatal shooting involving one of their deputies. Lt. Tommy Carnline says they responded to reports of a distrubance at a home in Pineville. Carnline says a subject inside did not listen to orders to drop a weapon, which is when he was shot and killed. He says the deputy involved has been placed on administrative leave…
cut 15 (09) “….choice that we’re given”
The deceased man’s name has not been released.

New Orleans Senator JP Morrell files a package of bills that seeks to reform the state’s film tax credit program. Scott Carwile has the story…
cut 3 (31) “….reporting”

State Police say a fire at a plant in Ascension Parish injured two people. The blaze was extinguised around 8 P-M. Authorities say a broken hydraulic pump seal is the likely cause of the fire.

For the third year in a row, Louisiana has increased the number of tourists and set another record for the industry…
cut 2 (30) “…reporting”

A civil judge in New Orleans has received a confidential mental health report on Saints and Pelicans Owner Tom Benson. Judge Kern Reese has set a hearing for June first to discuss the implications of the report. Spurned heirs to Benson’s estate say Benson is not mentally competent to make important business decisions.

In the state’s governor’s race — US Senator David Vitter has picked up a couple of significant endorsements in Republican Lafayette Congressman Charles Boustany and three-term Lafayette City-Parish President Joey Durrel. UL-Lafayette Political Science Professor Pearson Cross…:
CUT 4 (05) “to beat”
Cross says this is kind of a slap in the face for gubernatorial candidate Public Service Commissioner Scott Angelle as these endorsements come from his home region.

Former four-term governor Edwin Edwards is now a licensed real estate agent. Edwards says he got his broker’s licence last week and he’s excited at the prospect of getting back to work.…:
CUT 9 (09) “obvious reasons”
Edwards says that while he wants to focus on commercial properties, he’s just getting started and all options are open.