AM Newscall for March 20

The Spring Equinox occurs later today at precisely 5:45pm our time, marking the end of winter and the very beginning of Spring. Michelle Southern reports…:

CUT 1 (30) “reporting”

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A survey by MarblePort Polling shows it could come down to Republican US Senator David Vitter and Democratic state representative John Bel Edwards in a runoff. Eric Gill reports…

Cut 2 (30) “reporting”

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Crawfish season is in full swing in Louisiana and it looks like this weekend will be prime for a boil. Michelle Southern reports…:

Cut 3 (30) “reporting”

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The Spring Equinox occurs later today at precisely 5:45pm our time, marking the end of winter and the very beginning of Spring. State Climatologist Barry Keim says this past winter will go into the record books as a cold and dry one in Louisiana…:

cut 4  (09)  “past three months”

Keim says as far as the Spring outlook, expect more precipitation over the next couple of months than we usually get because of the current El Nino…:(Keim says it would be great if the El Nino would stick around through summer because they tend to mitigate the opportunity for Hurricane activity.)

Cut 5  (10)  “rivers in Louisiana”

Keim says The Bayou State has been getting a lot of rain over the past few weeks and it’s setting the stage for what we can expect this spring. He says the good news is that the Climate Prediction Center says we should have normal temperatures throughout the season…:

Cut 6 (08)  “much much welcome”

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A survey by MarblePort Polling on Louisiana’s governor’s race shows Republican David Vitter leading the field with 34-percent of the vote. Democrat John Bel Edwards is close behind with 31-percent, followed by Republicans Jay Dardenne with 14-percent and Scott Angelle with 7-percent. MarblePort Founder Ethan Zorfas says the early picture in this race is clear…

CUT 7 (09)  “those Republicans”

The automated phone survey polled just over 1000 Louisiana residents. Zorfas says there appears to be a bit of a resurgence of the Democratic Party. He says Edwards is getting support from White Independent voters and looks to be sitting pretty good for a runoff spot…

Cut 8  (08)  “Mary Landrieu did” 

Zorfas says there is still time for Dardenne and Angelle to make an impact in this election. He says both candidates will need to work hard to expand their name recognition and message…

Cut 9 (06)  “media markets”

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Spring is in the air and crawfish season is in full swing in Louisiana. Gulf Seafood Institute Chairman Harlon Pearce says they expected a substantial change in the price of the mudbugs once we got those crazy early March winter temperatures out of the way and you’ll certainly see it this weekend…:

Cut 10 (06) “that’s normal”

Pearce says you could easily see boiled crawfish this weekend at about $3.50 a pound…:

cut 11 (07) “I would believe”

Ray McClain is an aquaculture professor with the LSU Agcenter Rice Research Center in Rayne and he says not only will the prices be down this weekend, there will be plenty of mudbugs out there. He says when the temperatures are up, the catch is up…:

cut 12 (04)  “holds up”

McClain says this could be one of the better crawfish seasons that Louisiana has seen in the past several years…:

Cut 13 (10)  “a good supply”

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The Louisiana National Guard says they’ve gotten 10 bids from companies with ideas on ways to get rid of the 15 million pounds M6 propellant at Camp Minden. The EPA agreed to delay an open tray burn of the explosives and said they would entertain alternative methods. Col Pete Schneider says these 10 companies have all submit proposals on what should be done…:

Cut 14 (10) “these proposals”

Schneider says in addition to various state agencies, area residents who opposed the open tray burning will also be part of the team formed to evaluate the situation…:

Cut 15  (10)  “was on it” (2x)

Not many details are being released about the bids themselves or the ideas being presented. Schneider says based on analysis of all the proposals by all committee members, hopefully a recommendation will be made…:

Cut 16  (11)  “process is thorough”

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The LSU men’s basketball team’s season ended in heartbreaking fashion last night as the Bayou Bengals blew a 16-point lead and lost 66-65 to North Carolina State. LSU missed its last 12 shots from the field and six free throws in the final four minutes to allow the Wolfpack to steal the victory. Head Coach Johnny Jones on the missed free throws

Cut 17 (12)  “tonight”

LSU’s leading scorer was Tim Quarterman, who had 17 points, nine rebounds and seven assists. But the sophomore from Georgia says they were just one play away from advancing to the round of 32….

Cut 18 (14) “tonight’

Jarell Martin and Jordan Mickey each posted double-doubles, but Mickey was four of nine from the free throw line and missed a lay-up with 22 seconds left that would have given LSU a three-point lead. Martin finished with 16 points in what could be his last game as a Tiger…

Cut 19 (10)   “great shot”

17:30 Newscast, March 19th, 2015

LSU’s Public Policy Research Lab says more and more Louisianians are starting to say that the state is headed in the right direction. In the results of their 2015 Louisiana survey, Director Michael Henderson also says 26-percent of citizens say the state business climate is better than it was a year ago…:
CUT 10 (10) “things are going”
He says public confidence in state government to effectively deal with the most pressing issues has increased for the first time in five years.

State Economic Development Secretary Stephen Moret tells lawmakers it’s time to reign in the state’s film tax credit program. Moret says the state’s film program has created an estimated ten-thousand jobs and brought positive attention to the state, but it only produces 20-cents in revenue for every dollar of tax credit…:
CUT 12 (09) “state priorities”

Secretary of State Tom Schedler says the Jindal Administration’s budget for next fiscal year doesn’t fund a presidential preference primary for Louisiana in 2016. It would cost three and a half million dollars and Schedler says he’s telling lawmakers that unless they command another way, the state intends to move forward…:
CUT 8 (08) “to give me”
A spokesperson from the Division of Administration says they have spoken with Schedler and they will work with his office to come up with a funding solution so that the state can have a Presidential Primary next year.

The Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s office says an 85-year-old man is booked with vehicular homicide charges for allegedly running over his long time female companion in a driveway. They say when deputies responded to medical emergency in DeQuincy they found 56-year-old Mary Franklin laying near the driveway and she was pronounced dead at the scene. It was determined she was run over by James Abdalla Jr. He is in the Calcasieu Correctional Center on $60,000 bond.

 

LRN Sportscast 16:45 March 19

The LSU men’s basketball team plays in its first NCAA Tournament game since 2009 when they face North Carolina State tonight in Pittsburgh. Tiger Rag Editor Cody Worsham says LSU needs to be concerned about North Carolina State’s guards….

cut 19 (15) “….the perimeter”
The six-foot-three Lacey is averaging a team-high 16 points a game.

It’s been a good day in the NCAA Tournament for Conference USA and the Sun Belt. UAB, who beat Louisiana Tech in the CUSA tourney, upset third-seeded Iowa State 60-59. And Georgia State, who won the Sun Belt Tourney, knocked off another three-seed, Baylor 57 to 56.

Tonight in Natchitoches, Northwestern State hosts U-T Martin in the College Insider-dot-com Tournament. Tip-off is at 6:30.

The Saints have reportedly restructured cornerback Keenan Lewis’ contract, which will give the veteran more guaranteed money, which is what he wanted. The restructuring also gives the team more salary cap relief.

Former Saints first round pick, cornerback Patrick Robinson, has signed a free-agent deal with San Diego. Robinson received a lot of blame from Saints fans over the defense’s troubles last season.

The number one LSU baseball team begins a three-game series tonight in Arkansas. Jared Poche, who is 5-and-0 will get the start on the mound for the Tigers. Jared Foster is expected to start at second base, after making a couple of errors against Southern on Tuesday and Conner Hale is expected to play third base after missing Tuesday’s game with a shoulder injury.

Pelicans star Anthony Davis rolled his ankle during shoot around this morning and he’s questionable for tonight’s game against Phoenix. New Orleans is a half-game back of O-K-C for eighth place in the Western Conference.

LRN Newscast 16:30 03-19-15

Governor Bobby Jindal’s budget for next fiscal year does not fund a presidential primary for Louisiana in 2016. Secretary of State Tom Schedler says by law, he has to to conduct elections, unless otherwise instructed…
CUT 7 (07) Q: “the election”
If they don’t, Schedler says he will have to cut costs for voter outreach, state museum hours, and consolidating election dates.

State Economic Development Secretary Stephen Moret tells lawmakers it’s time to reign in the state’s film tax credit program. Moret says the state’s film program has created an estimated ten-thousand jobs and brought positive attention to the state, but it only produces 20-cents in revenue for every dollar of tax credit….
cut 12 (09) “state priorities”
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LSU’s Public Policy Research Lab’s 2015 Louisiana Survey shows more Louisianians feel the state is heading in the right direction. Eric Gill reports…
CUT 2 (30) “reporting”

According to the Louisiana National Guard, they have received a total of 10 bids from companies to destroy about 75 hundred tons of M6 artillery propellant near Camp Minden. An evaluation team is being formed with a dialog committee, after some residents spoke out against the open burning method. The Guard says they may consider other methods.

LRN Newscast 15:30 03-19-15

State Treasurer John Kennedy says the Jindal Administration is considering selling the Louisiana Lottery as a way to help the huge state budget shortfall. The Administration is denying it, but Kennedy says he knows differently…:
CUT 3 (10) “considered”
Commissioner of Adminstation Kristy Nichols issued a statement saying -quote- “we are not considering it this year.”

According to LSU’s Public Policy Research Lab’s 2015 Survey, 44 percent of Louisianians feel the state is heading in the right direction. But Research Director Michael Henderson says, the survery was made before the upcoming legislative session with a huge budget deficit to face…
CUT 11 (10) Q: “back down again”
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There’s more talk about more control over the state’s film industry tax credits, as the Louisiana legislature faces a big budget deficit. State Economic Development Secretary Stephen Moret tells lawmakers it’s time to reign in that tax program, and Covington Representative John Schroder says that he favors a cap…
CUT 14 (09) Q: “about now”

The Jindal administration’s budget for next fiscal year does not fund a presidential preference primary for Louisiana in 2016. Secretary of State Tom Schedler says he was assured that elections would be covered by the state through the spring of next year. He says when his office looked at the budget, he found that there was no money for the primary…
CUT 6 (05) “leave office”
Commissioner of Administration Kristy Nichols says they are working with Secretary of State Tom Schedler to find a solution, so that a presidential primary can be held next year.

LRN Newscast 14:30 03-19-15

State Treasurer John Kennedy says the Jindal Administration is considering selling the Louisiana Lottery as a way to help plug the state’s massive budget hole. Commissioner of Administration Kristy Nichols says they have never entertained this option…
CUT 1 (30) “reporting”

it’s the first time the LSU Men’s Basketball team has been to the NCAA Tournament since 2009, and tonight, the ninth seeded Tigers hit the court against NC State for a first round match-up. Tiger Rag Editor Cody Worsham says it’s hard to determine the favorite. Tip-off at 8:20 PM on TBS.
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Governor Bobby Jindal’s budget for next fiscal year does not include money for a presidential primary in the state for 2016. In a statement, the Jindal administrations says Secretary of State Tom Schedler should find other ways to balance his budget and fund the primary. Schedler says he’s told legislators that unless they say differently, the state will move forward with it…
CUT 8 (08) “to give me”

The State Economic Development Secretary Stephen Moret tells lawmakers it’s time to reign in the state’s film tax credit program. The current return is about 20 cents on the dollar, and he says the most important thing is limiting the program’s benefits, so the state has a greater control…
CUT 13 (09) Q: ‘the industry”
Moret also suggests tighter controls on should get the tax credits, as there have been reports of fraud in the program.

PM Newscall, March 19th, 2015

State Treasurer John Kennedy says the Jindal Administration is considering selling the Louisiana Lottery as a way to help plug the state’s massive budget hole. Commissioner of Administration Kristy Nichols says they have never entertained this option. Michelle Southern reports…:

CUT 1 (30) “reporting”

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LSU’s Public Policy Research Lab’s 2015 Louisiana Survey shows more Louisianians feel the state is heading in the right direction. Eric Gill reports…

CUT 2 (30) “reporting”

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State Treasurer John Kennedy says the Jindal Administration is considering selling the Louisiana Lottery as a way to help plug the state’s massive budget hole. The Administration is denying this. But Kennedy says he knows for a fact that it’s being actively studied…:

CUT 3 (10)  “considered”

Commissioner of Administration Kristy Nichols has issued a statement regarding the Louisiana State Lottery: “We are not considering selling the lottery. Periodically, firms pitch revenue-generating ideas to the state and a lottery bond sale has been pitched several times over the past few years. However, we have never entertained this option and are not considering it this year. “

Kennedy says getting rid of the state’s Lottery would be a bad idea because it would only be non-recurring revenue we wouldn’t have next year which would add to the problem. He says he hopes this comes to light before the legislative session is over…:

CUT 4 (09)  “to talk about it”

The comments were made on the Jim Engster Show. Kennedy says he has reports from CitiGroup and Goldman Sachs which essentially say that selling the Louisiana Lottery would provide significant general fund relief. He says these documents are irrefutable evidence that these discussions are ongoing…:

CUT 5 (11)  “sale of your lottery”

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The Jindal administration’s budget for next fiscal year does not fund a presidential preference primary for Louisiana in 2016. Secretary of State Tom Schedler says he was assured that elections would be covered by the state through the spring of next year. He says when his office looked at the budget, he found that there was no money for the primary…

CUT 6 (05)  “leave office”

Schedler says budget cuts to his office will force him to close a voter outreach program, limit most state museums to one day weeks, and not hold elections in the first half of 2016. He says, by law, he has to conduct elections unless instructed otherwise…

CUT 7 (07)  “the election”

A presidential primary election would cost the state approximately $3.5 million. In a statement, the Jindal administrations says Schedler should find other ways to balance his budget and fund the primary. Schedler says he’s told legislators that unless they command differently, the state will move forward with the primary…

CUT 8 (08)  “to give me”

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LSU’s Public Policy Research Lab’s 2015 Louisiana Survey shows more Louisianians feel the state is heading in the right direction. The survey indicates that 44-percent of residents feel Louisiana is moving forward, up from 38-percent two years ago. Director Michael Henderson says this year’s survey has bucked the trend…

CUT 9 (06)  “up ticks”

The survey shows that education and the economy continue to be most important problem facing the state. Henderson says 26-percent of Louisianians say the state business climate is better than it was a year ago…

cut 10 (10) “things are going”

Public confidence in state government to effectively deal with the most pressing issues has increased for the first time in five years. But legislators are facing a huge budget crisis heading into the legislative session and Henderson thinks there could be another shift as the session unfolds…

cut 11 (10)  “back down again”

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State Economic Development Secretary Stephen Moret tells lawmakers it’s time to reign in the state’s film tax credit program. Moret says the state’s film program has created an estimated ten-thousand jobs and brought positive attention to the state, but it only produces 20-cents in revenue for every dollar of tax credit….

cut 12 (09)  “state priorities”

Moret also suggests tighter controls on who is getting the tax credits as there have been recent reports of fraud in the program. But he says the most important thing is limiting the program’s benefits so the state has a greater control of how much they are spending on it

cut 13 (09)  “the industry”

Legislation is expected to be filed soon that addresses the money spent on film tax credits. Covington Representative John Schroder told Moret in the House Appropriations Committee that he favors a cap on spending for the film tax program…

cut 14 (09)  “about now”

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13:30 Newscast March 19th, 2015

State Economic Development Secretary Stephen Moret tells lawmakers it’s time to reign in the state’s film tax credit program. Moret says the state’s film program has created an estimated ten-thousand jobs and brought positive attention to the state, but it only produces 20-cents in revenue for every dollar of tax credit…:
CUT 12 (09) “state priorities”
Legislation is expected to be filed soon that addresses the money spent on film tax credits.

LSU’s Public Policy Research Lab’s 2015 Louisiana Survey shows more Louisianians feel the state is heading in the right direction. And Director Michael Henderson says 26-percent of Louisianians say the state business climate is better than it was a year ago…:
CUT 10 (10) “things are going”

State Treasurer John Kennedy says the Jindal Administration is considering selling the Louisiana Lottery as a way to help plug the state’s massive budget hole. Commissioner of Administration Kristy Nichols says this has never been an option. Kennedy says these documents are irrefutable evidence that these discussions are ongoing…:
CUT 5 (11) “sale of your lottery”
Kennedy says getting rid of the state’s Lottery would be a bad idea.

An appeals court judge has thrown out the sentence of former Jonesboro Mayor Leslie Thompson and ordered a re-sentencing. Thompson was convicted in 2013 on three counts of malfeasance in office. The court ruled that Thompson’s sentence of six years in prison, combined with having to pay restitution of almost $52,000, was excessive. It is unknown when the re-sentencing will take place.

 

12:30 Newscast, March 19th, 2015

LSU’s Public Policy Research Lab’s 2015 Louisiana Survey shows more Louisianians feel the state is heading in the right direction. Eric Gill reports…:
CUT 2 (30) “reporting”

The Louisiana National Guard says they’ve gotten 10 bids to get rid of the M6 artillery propellant at Camp Minden. Not many details are being released about the bids. They do say a team is being formed to evaluate the situation to address protests by residents who oppose the open tray burning.

The Jindal administration’s budget for next fiscal year does not fund a presidential preference primary for Louisiana in 2016. Secretary of State Tom Schedler says budget cuts to his office will force him to close a voter outreach program, limit most state museums to one day weeks, and not hold elections in the first half of 2016. He says, by law, he has to conduct elections unless instructed otherwise…:
CUT 7 (07) “the election”
In a statement, the Jindal administrations says Schedler should find other ways to balance his budget and fund the primary.

The NCAA Tournament is underway and 9th seeded-LSU faces 8th seeded North Carolina State tonight. Tipoff will be around 8:20pm.

 

11:30 Newscast March 19th, 2015

BESE President Chas Roemer says Governor Bobby Jindal’s plan to rid Common Core from Louisiana is a disgrace. Jinda announced he wants to replace the education standards with one developed by Louisiana teacherls and parents. He says many are frustrated with the way their children are being taught:
CUT 16 (09) “our classrooms”
State Superintendent of Education John White says turning back from Common Core will create problems for Louisiana teachers.

LSU’s Public Policy Research Lab’s 2015 Louisiana Survey shows more citizens feel the state is heading in the right direction. The survey indicates that 44-percent of residents feel The Bayou State is moving forward which is up from 38 percent two years ago. Director Michael Henderson says this year’s survey has bucked the trend…:
CUT 9 (06) “up ticks”
State Treasurer John Kennedy says he has proof that the state is looking at selling the Louisiana Lottery. But Commissioner of Administration Kristy Nichols says they get lots of revenue generating pitches and this has never been entertained as an option. Kennedy hopes this is cleared up before the legislative session is over…:

CUT 4 (09) “to talk about it”
The comments were made on the Jim Engster Show.

State Police say a Wisner man is dead after a two-vehicle crash in Franklin Parish. They say an 18-wheeler, driven by 71-year-old David Minor of Natchez, Mississippi, crossed the center line and struck a vehicle driven by 61-year-old Alex Brown, Jr. Brown suffered fatal injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene. Minor was cited for careless operation. The investigation is ongoing.