Governor Landry has ordered a temporary hiring freeze for the executive branch of state government. In a statement, Landry’s office says the goal is to save 20-million dollars in the general fund. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says changes to the tax law may have had something to do with the budget shortfall.

Cut 9 (11)  “…the entire budget.”

The world is bracing for a big announcement by President Trump on global tariffs. Trump says one purpose of the tariffs is to bring manufacturing jobs back to the U.S. U-N-O economics professor Dub Lane says if China loses jobs because of the tariffs, those jobs would most likely go to Vietnam or Bangladesh and not the U.S.

Cut 5 (12) “…over other people.”

A warrant is issued for a Slidell man after investigators say he forced his way into a home and assaulted a woman. Investigators say the woman shot 52-year-old Tyrone Mercadel (merk-a-dell) in the leg. Lieutenant Suzanne Carboni  says once Mercadel is released, he will be arrested for aggravated battery.

Cut 8 (12) “…fired upon the vehicle.”

Experian teams up with LSU women’s basketball star Flau’jae Johnson to help relieve five-million dollars of consumer debt for five-thousand families in Louisiana. Christina Roman with Experian says with Louisiana having one of the highest poverty rates in the country, the money could be life changing…

Cut 13 (13)  “…in Louisiana.”

Governor Jeff Landry has issued a statewide hiring freeze. According to his announcement, he is looking to save an annualized $20 million in the state general fund. He said, “To ensure the long-term fiscal health of Louisiana and protect essential services for our most vulnerable citizens, we must take decisive action now to address revenue shortfalls.” All state government departments and agencies are subject to the freeze, but local government entities are not included.

While President Trump is expected to announce global tariffs saying they will bring manufacturing jobs back to the U.S., U-N-O economics professor Dub Lane says there’s a reason that many goods are manufactured overseas in the first place.

Cut 4 (09) “…be more expensive.”

St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s office says a Slidell man was shot after forcing his way into a home and assaulting a woman. Lieutenant Suzanne Carboni says, learning that 52-year-old Tyrone Mercadel (merk-a-dell) kicked in the door and attacked the woman and in self-defense, the woman fired two shots, hitting Mercadel in the leg.

Cut 7 (12) “…shoot out his tires.”

Authorities later located Mercadel and transported him to a hospital. Carboni says once released, he will be arrested for aggravated battery. The woman’s husband was also arrested and booked with aggravated criminal damage to property.

Experian has teamed up with LSU women’s basketball star Flau’jae Johnson to help relieve five-million dollars of consumer debt for five-thousand families in Louisiana. Christina Roman with Experian says the partnership is perfect since Experian and Johnson both promote financial literacy…

Cut 12 (09) “…tangible difference.”

A warrant has been issued for a Slidell man after investigators say he forced his way into a home and assaulted a woman. Lieutenant Suzanne Carboni says St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s deputies responded to the home U-S Highway 190 East, learning that 52-year-old Tyrone Mercadel had kicked in the door and attacked the woman.

Cut 6 (08) “…actively fighting them.”

Carboni says in self-defense, the woman fired two shots, hitting Mercadel in the leg.

A major drug trafficking organization is being dismantled in Claiborne Parish. What started with the arrests of 15 individuals on January 31^st has now grown to 23 people being indicted.  Multiple agencies including Federal, State, multiple Parish, and out of state law enforcement were involved in identifying and apprehending the accused. Authorities confiscated firearms, cash, and drugs including crack cocaine, marijuana, and methamphetamine.

President Trump is expected to make an announcement on global tariffs. He says one purpose of the tariffs is to bring manufacturing jobs back to the U.S. U-N-O economics professor Dub Lane doesn’t believe jobs will come to the U.S. if China loses them because of tariffs. He says those jobs would probably go to Vietnam or Bangladesh.

Cut 5 (12) “…over other people.”

The world is bracing for a big announcement by President Trump on global tariffs. U-N-O economics professor Dub Lane says while countries will pay a tax on the goods they export to the United States, those extra costs will end up being passed along to the consumer.

Cut 3 (10) “…be U.S. citizens.”

Lane says it’s cheaper to make products in other countries but tariffs will raise prices for consumers here.

Senator Bill Cassidy has introduced “The Defining Male and Female Act.”

He and fellow physician, Kansas Senator Roger Marshall say the legislation would codify one of President Trump’s executive orders and make accommodations for people born with chromosomal variations.

Cut 15 (10) “…allows for that.”

This week, execution dates were announced for two death row inmates in Caddo Parish, a parish with a disproportionate number of Louisiana death row inmates.

Cut 1 (36) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

United Way Southwest Louisiana has launched My Free Taxes, a free online tax filing service for U-S tax filers earning up to 84-thousand dollars a year. Associate Director of Community Impact Kimberlie Heckard…

Cut 10 (11) “…My-Free-Taxes-dot-com website.”

A Baton Rouge man facing murder charges reaches a plea deal. Three years ago, 23-year-old Brynnen (BRIN-in) Murphy shot and killed his pregnant girlfriend, 24-year-old Kaylen Johnson, and he threw her two-year-old son, Kaden, off a bridge. East Baton Rouge District Attorney Hillar (HILL-er) Moore says Johnson’s family wanted to avoid a trial.

Cut 7 (15) “…for some time.”

Murphy will be sentenced to a total of 95 years in prison – essentially a life sentence.

Despite having a Democratic district attorney, Caddo Parish has a disproportionate number of inmates on death row. LSU Shreveport political science professor Jeff Sadow (SAD-ow) points out that many of those death row inmates were sentenced years ago.

Cut 4 (09) “…anti-death penalty.”

Certain Louisiana tax filers can use United Way Southwest Louisiana’s My Free Taxes app, a free online tax filing service. Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 3 (33) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

A Hollywood A-lister with ties to New Orleans has passed away. Val Kilmer died of pneumonia yesterday. In 2006, Kilmer filmed Deja Vu in New Orleans, and he served as Bacchus the 41st during Mardi Gras in 2009. Val Kilmer was only 65 years old.

Caddo Parish has a disproportionate number of inmates on death row – despite the fact that its district attorney belongs to the political party that generally opposes capital punishment. LSU Shreveport political science professor Jeff Sadow (SAD-ow) says Democratic District Attorney James Stewart will not stand in the way of judges signing death warrants, like what Judge Donald Hathaway did this week in setting execution dates for Darrell Draughn and Marcus Reed.

Cut 6 (07) “…in the past”

Senator Bill Cassidy has introduced “The Defining Male and Female Act.”

Cut 13 (16)  “…to chest-feed.”

Cassidy introduced the bill with Kansas Republican Senator Roger Marshall.

A Baton Rouge man who killed his pregnant girlfriend and her two-year-old son reaches a plea deal with prosecutors. 23-year-old Brynnen (BRIN-in) Murphy pleaded guilty to two counts of manslaughter and one count of feticide and was sentenced to a total of 95 years in prison. East Baton Rouge District Attorney Hillar (HILL-er) Moore says he would have had no trouble convicting Murphy of the second-degree murder charges he was originally facing.

Cut 8 (11) “…and their future.”

United Way Southwest Louisiana has launched My Free Taxes, a free online tax filing service for taxpayers earning up to 84-thousand dollars a year. Kimberlie Heckard with UWSLA says the program guarantees secure and accurate tax filing.

Cut 12 (14) “…the tax client.”

Two death row inmates in Caddo Parish have learned their execution dates this week. Andrew Greenstein reports Caddo Parish has a disproportionate number of death row inmates in the state – despite it having a Democratic district attorney.

Cut 1 (36) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Senator Bill Cassidy has has introduced “The Defining Male and Female Act”…establishing legal definitions for male and female.  It would basically codify one of President Trump’s orders.  Senator Cassidy says the legislation does make accommodations for people born with chromosome variations.

Cut 15 (10) “…allows for that.”

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A Baton Rouge man who shot his pregnant girlfriend two death and threw her two year old son off a bridge killing him, has reached a plea deal with prosecutors. Brynnen Murphy was originally facing second degree murder charges, but was convicted on two counts of manslaughter and and a single count of feticide.  East Baton Rouge District Attorney Hillar (HILL-er) Moore.

Cut 9 (14)  “…a life sentence.”

United Way Southwest Louisiana has launched My Free Taxes, a free online tax filing service for U-S tax filers earning up to 84-thousand dollars a year. The platform helps users file federal and state taxes quickly. United Way Southwest Louisiana Associate Director of Community Impact Kimberlie Heckard…

Cut 11 (12) “…forms that you get”

Baton Rouge prosecutors reach a plea deal with a man who killed his pregnant girlfriend and her two-year-old son three years ago. Colleen Crain reports…

Cut 2 (36) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

United Way Southwest Louisiana has launched My Free Taxes, a free online tax filing service for U-S tax filers earning up to 84-thousand dollars a year. The platform helps users file federal and state taxes quickly. United Way Southwest Louisiana Associate Director of Community Impact Kimberlie Heckard

Cut 10 (11) “…My-Free-Taxes-dot-com website.”

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Despite having a Democratic district attorney, Caddo Parish, has a disproportionate number of inmates on death row. LSU Shreveport political science professor Jeff Sadow (SAD-ow) says many of those death row inmates were sentenced years ago. But current D-A James Stewart, fully supports the judgement of his predecessors.

Cut 5 (08) “…to capital sentences.”

Senator Bill Cassidy has introduced “The Defining Male and Female Act.”

Cut 13 (16)  “…to chest-feed.”

Senator Cassidy says the legislation would codify one of President Trump’s executive orders but also make accommodations for people born with chromosome variations.