A gubernatorial candidate forum was held today, with the four candidates discussing some of the issues. The lone democrat, Amite representative Jon Bel Edwards, says Louisiana needs to spend more money on much needed highway repairs, and make sure all earmarked highway funds don’t go anywhere else…
cut 14 (12) “and bridges”

A tense hostage situation in Evangeline Parish turned deadly as an unnamed hostage taker was shot dead by police. Master Trooper Brooks David says a neighbor reported a domestic violence situation and when deputies arrived, there was no answer at the door of the residence. Once Troopers arrived to help, gunshots were fired from inside…
cut 11 (05) “to kill her”
David says the woman did escape with minor injuries.
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The Joint Legislative Committee on the budget approved a 20% pay raise for State Troopers today, but not everyone was on board with the plan. Benton Senator Robert Adley, who voted against it, saying they should not use designated funds until the dollars are appropriated by the legislature. But Edmonson says that is not accurate…:
CUT 6 (10) “be honest with these people”
The vote from the House side was 24-5 and the Senate side 13-3.

The EPA has agreed to delay the open tray burn of the more than 15 million pounds of M6 propellant at Camp Minden for at least 90 days, and they would support any decision on an alternative method to get rid of the explosives by the DEQ and the National Guard…:
CUT 7 (09) “that’s progress”
That’s Minden Representative Gene Reynolds.

A 20% pay raise for State Troopers has been approved today by a Joint Legislative Committee. Col. Mike Edmonson says it will be be the first pay raise for State Troopers since 2002, and Monroe Representative Katrina Jackson agreed it was the right thing to do…
CUT 4 (11) Q: “a pay grid”
There was some pushback as some lawmakers said the process was too rushed. Mandeville Senator Jack Donahue voted against the measure, and told Edmonson that – while he supports troopers, the state simply can not afford to speed through making a decision on so much money…:
CUT 5 (11) “affect is”
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Minden Representative Gene Reynolds says the EPA has agreed to delay the open tray burn of the more than 15 million pounds of M6 propellant at Camp Minden for at least 90 days. Michelle Southern reports…:
CUT 2 (30) “reporting”

With the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals yet to rule on Louisiana’s ban on same-sex marriage, the US Supreme Court says they will review an appellate ruling in four states on their bans. The high court also adds they will make the decision on a nationwide basis by late June. Arguments are expected to begin in April.

Lawmakers approved a 20% pay raise for State Troopers today during a Joint Legislative Budget Committee meeting…
CUT 1 (32) “reporting”

Production for a $65 million dollar start-up auto maker that will produce new three-wheeled vehicles in Shreveport will be delayed once again. Elio Motors had expected to start production in March, now founde Paul Elio says it will be in the first half of 2016.
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A hostage situation in Evangeline Parish turned deadly with the suspect being shot and killed by police. They say the unidentified man took his girlfriend hostage in a trailer park in Pine Prairie. State Police Master Trooper Brooks David says the Evangeline Parish Sheriff’s office got the call from a neighbor…
cut 10 (06) “the residence”
The female hostage was screaming she about to be killed, but she was able to escape.

A governor’s candidate forum was held in Baton Rouge today, and the four candidates discussed what needs to be done for Louisiana. Front-runner Senator David Vitter says one of his priorities would be to develop a targeted highway building plan…
CUT 16 (09) Q: “as possible”

All four announced candidates attended today’s forum.

The Joint Legislative Committee on the budget approved a 20% pay raise for state troopers. The original request from Col. Mike Edmonson was for a 30% increase but the measure was amended down to reduce the cost from about $14 million to about $10 million. Opelousas Senator Elbert Guillory says this is an easy item to support…

cut 3 (05) “of Louisiana”

But Benton Senator Robert Adley, who voted against the measure, says it’s against the law to give troopers money out of the designated fund until the dollars are appropriated by the legislature. But Edmonson says that is not accurate…

cut 6 (10) “be honest with these people”

The vote from the House side was 24-5 and the Senate side 13-3. This will be the first pay raise for Louisiana State troopers since 2002.

The four announced candidates for governor met in Baton Rouge today to discuss ways Louisiana can have a better highway system. The idea of raising the gasoline tax was not discussed, but republican Public Service Commissioner Scott Angelle says he would look into toll roads if elected…

cut 13 (12) “the traffic”

The lone democrat in the race, Amite representative Jon Bel Edwards, says tolls are not feasible, because of congestion on major highways. Republican candidates Senator David Vitter and Lt. Governor Jay Dardenne also participated.

Minden Representative Gene Reynolds says the EPA has agreed to delay the open tray burn of the M6 propellant at Camp Minden for at least 90 days. He says this is “half time” and now is not the time to let up because the town hasn’t won yet…:

cut 9 (06) “that would be great”

Reynolds says there will now be more meetings and further discussions on the way this 15 million pounds of M6 should be disposed of in a way that does not harm the environment.

The budget committee met today and voted in favor of a 20% pay increase for state troopers. The original request from Col Mike Edmonson was for a 30% raise. Much of the pushback came from lawmakers who argued the request came as somewhat of a surprise and the process was too rushed. Mandeville Senator Jack Donahue told Edmonson the state simply can not afford to speed through making a decision on so much money…:
CUT 5 (11) “affect is”
The increase passed from the House side on a 24-5 vote and the Senate side 13-3. Monroe Representative Katrina Jackson says supporting a pay hike for troopers is the right thing to do…
CUT 4 (11) “a pay grid”

Minden Representative Gene Reynolds is pleased with the EPA’s decision to delay the open tray burn of M6 propellant by at least 90 days. He says the 15 million pounds of explosives at Camp Minden is on Louisiana soil so they have the right to decide an alternative method for getting rid of it like incineration. But time is of the essence…:
CUT 8 (07) “to a certain point”
The propellant was found improperly stored at Camp Minden back in 2012.

And the Louisiana Lottery says the $1 million dollar Powerball Prize winner in Pearl River has come forward to claim his ticket.

The Joint Legislative Committee on the budget today approved a 20% pay raise for state troopers. The original request from Col Mike Edmonson was for a 30% increase but the measure was amended down to 20% reducing the cost from about $14 million to about $10 million. Opelousas Senator Elbert Guillory…:
CUT 2 (06) “Louisiana”
The vote from the House side was 24-5 and the Senate side 13-3.

Minden Representative Gene Reynolds says the EPA has agreed to delay the open tray burn of the M6 propellant at Camp Minden for at least 90 days. He says they also have now said they would support any decision on an alternative method to get rid of the explosives…:
CUT 1 (09) “that’s progress”
The propellant was found improperly stored at Camp Minden back in 2012.

The four announced candidates for governor are meeting at this hour and discussing how to solve the state’s transportation issues. Scott Carwile has a preview…:
CUT 3 (29) “reporting”

State Police say a hostage situation in Evangeline Parish turned deadly with the suspect being shot and killed by police. They say the unidentified man took his girlfriend hostage in a trailer park in Pine Prairie. Authorities say shots were fired at police from the home and they responded with deadly force. The woman, who also has not been identified, was not injured in the incident.

State Senate President John Alario says forthcoming budget cuts to higher education would be disastrous to institutions across the state. Eric Gill reports…:
CUT 2 (31) “reporting”

After a lot of backlash from the community, the EPA has decided to hold off at least for 90 days on the open tray burn of more than 15 pounds of M6 propellant stored at Camp Minden. Representative Gene Reynolds says he got a letter also indicating the federal government would explore other options of disposing the explosives.

After a cold and cloudy week in Louisiana, get ready for some warmer temperatures and sunshine. Gary Chatelain, with the National Weather Service in Shreveport, says we’re going to see a January thaw over the next few days…:
CUT 13 (10) “for a while”
He says normally high temps are near 60 this time of year so the warmer weather will be most welcome.

The 4 major candidates in the 2015 Governor’s race are participating in a forum at this hour addressing transportation and infrastructure issues. The event is sponsored in part by The Louisiana Associated General Contractors and CEO Ken Naquin says all of the candidates agree that improving airports and roadways is important:
CUT 10 (07) “central discussion”
Participating in the forum are Amite Representative John Bel Edwards, US Senator David Vitter, Public Service Commission Scott Angelle and Lt. Governor Jay Dardenne.

The four announced candidates for governor meet today to discuss how to solve the state’s transportation issues. Scott Carwile has a preview…

cut 3 (29) “reporting”

Lafayette Police say a shooting has left one man hospitalized after he allegedly tried to burglarize a home. The home owner told authorities he fired several shots after some men broke into his home Thursday afternoon. Police found one man, who was shot in the back, at a local hospital. Authorities are also questioning two other men about the burglary. The investigation is ongoing.

The chair of the state House Appropriations committee, Jim Fannin, says he does not support the proposed 30-percent pay increase for State Troopers. Fannin says the request from Col. Mike Edmonson is just a very small piece of a much larger fiscal issue legislators are facing. He also says a 30% increase is unreasonable…

cut 6 (08) “at this time”

Fannin says lawmakers have bigger fish to fry right now than pay raises.

Warmer temperatures and sunshine are expected this weekend across the Bayou State. Gary Chatelain, with the National Weather Service in Shreveport, says we normally see high temperatures near 60 at this time of the year, so after a week with highs in the 40s, we are due for some warmer weather…

cut 15 (06) “going on now”

He says we’re going to see a January thaw over the next several days.