07:30 Newscast March 4, 2015

State Treasurer John Kennedy says he sees pluses and minuses to Governor Bobby Jindal’s budget proposal. The governor has proposed scaling back certain tax credits and cut spending in other areas to address a $1.6 billion revenue shortfall. Kennedy does question the proposal of closing all health clinics in New Orleans, which will effect about 57,000 people…

cut 8 (12) “us more money”

Kennedy spoke about the budget on Louisiana Radio Network’s Jim Engster show.

Agents with the state office of Alcohol and Tobacco Control say a Ruston woman is under arrest accused of selling booze out of her personal residence. ATC Commissioner Troy Hebert says 21-year-old Bryanna Jackson was taking money for cocktails at her apartment…

cut 13 (07) “two of them”

He says they discovered the illegal activity was going on from ads the woman was posting online.

The Energy Department says there is a shortage of storage space in the US due a major increase in crude oil and some say this could mean another huge drop in the price we’re paying at the pump in Louisiana. David Dismukes says while this will be welcome news for the consumer, the low oil prices will not be good for the service side of the oil and gas industry…

cut 11 (10) “less jobs”

Dismukes is the Director for the Center for Energy Studies at LSU.

A big change in the weather is coming as a strong cold front begins moving through the state today. This front has the potential to produce another round of winter precipitation. Keim says the northern half of the state could see see freezing rain during the overnight hours

cut 5 (12) “of the state”

A Winter Storm Warning has been issued for portions of north Louisiana.

06:45 Sportscast March 4, 2015

The number seven LSU Baseball team blew out Stephen F. Austin last night 8-1 at Alex Box Stadium. The Tigers’ Kyle Bouman struck out a career-high seven in picking up win. LSU’s Danny Zardon had two hits, including a 400 ft. plus solo home run. The Tigers have now won eight in a row to improve to 11-1. LSU hosts Grambling this afternoon at 3PM.

25th ranked Tulane shutout Nicholls State 5-0. The Green Wave’s Patrick Duester gets his second win of the season after pitching six shutout innings and striking out seven. Second baseman Jake Willsey drove in two runs as Tulane improves to 11-2 on the season.

Northwestern State rolled past ULM 7-0. Demons’ sophomore Evan Tidwell threw a complete game two hit shutout. Second baseman David Fry cracked a three-run double to help Northwestern to even up their record at 6-6.

McNeese State beat Sam Houston State five to two. Junior Ethan Stremmel picked up the win for the Cowboys while left fielder Lewis Guilbeau drove in two runs.

Southeastern Louisiana thumped Alcorn State 13 to 3. Outfielder Ryan Byers drove in three runs and Senior Kyle Keller pitched six shutout innings for the Lions.

The LSU men’s basketball team plays its final home game of the year tonight as they host the Tennessee Volunteers at six pm in the Maravich Center. These two teams met in Knoxville on Valentine’s Day and it was all LSU as they won by 18 points. LSU forward Jarell Martin expects a tougher game this time around…

cut 16 (10) “hard fought battle”

The Volunteers bring a five-game losing streak to Baton Rouge.

The Pelicans look to get back to their winning ways tonight when they host the Detroit Pistons. Dallas broke the Pels five game winning streak Monday night and the Pistons come into tonight’s game looking to avoid a fourth straight defeat. Anthony Davis is listed as questionable for tonight’s game. Tipoff is scheduled for 7PM.

And at the Girls Top 28 tournament in Lake Charles…Summerfield and Pleasant Hill have advanced to the Class C title game. North Central and Vermilion Catholic have reached the Class 1-A title.

06:30 Newscast March 4, 2015

The Energy Department says there is a major increase in crude oil and the US is running out of room to store it. Some say this could mean another huge drop in the price we’re paying for gas at the pump in Louisiana. David Dismukes, the director for the Center for Energy Studies at LSU, says refineries are in a transition period right now but it won’t last long…

cut 10 (10) “on prices”

Dismukes says refineries and consumers will be the main beneficiaries so it may end up not having such a major effect on the economy in Louisiana.

Get ready for a big change in the weather. State climatologist Barry Keim says high temperatures today will be in the 70s and tomorrow they’ll be back in the 30s and 40s as a result of a strong cold front….

cut 4 (12) “southern parts of the state”

This front has the potential to produce another round of winter precipitation. A Winter Storm Warning has been issued for portions of north Louisiana.

State Treasurer John Kennedy sees pros and cons to Governor Bobby Jindal’s budget proposal. The governor has proposed scaling back certain tax credits and cut spending in other areas to address a $1.6 billion revenue shortfall. Kennedy says some of the proposed reductions in spending make sense, especially in the area of consulting contracts…

cut 7 (11) “point eight million”

Kennedy says the proposed budget looks to reduce 60-percent of the deficit by repealing tax credits and 40-percent by reducing spending. Kennedy spoke about the budget on Louisiana Radio Network’s Jim Engster show.

AM Newscall March 4th, 2015

A strong cold front heading into the state could produce some winter precipitation. Jeff Palermo has more…

CUT 1 (28) “reporting”

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State Treasurer John Kennedy sees pros and cons to Governor Bobby Jindal’s budget proposal. Scott Carwile reports…

Cut 2 (31) “reporting”

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The Energy Department says there is a major increase in crude oil and the US is running out of room to store it. Some say this could mean another huge drop in the price we’re paying for gas at the pump in Louisiana. Michelle Southern reports…:

Cut 3 (28) “reporting”

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Get ready for a big change in the weather. State climatologist Barry Keim says high temperatures today will be in the 70s and tomorrow they’ll be back in the 30s and 40s as a result of a strong cold front….

cut 4  (12)  “southern parts of the state”

This front has the potential to produce another round of winter precipitation. Keim says the northern half of the state could see see freezing rain during the overnight hours

Cut 5  (12)  “of the state”

Keim says enjoy the warm temperatures while you can, because the weather is about to change….

Cut 6 (11)  “on Thursday”

______________________________________

State Treasurer John Kennedy sees pros and cons to Governor Bobby Jindal’s budget proposal. The governor has proposed scaling back certain tax credits and cut spending in other areas to address a $1.6 billion revenue shortfall. Kennedy says some of the proposed reductions in spending make sense, especially in the area of consulting contracts…

CUT 7 (11)  “point eight million”

Kennedy says the proposed budget looks to reduce the 60-percent of the deficit by repealing tax credits and 40-percent by reducing spending. However, Kennedy does question the proposal of closing all health clinics in New Orleans, which will effect about 57,000 people…

Cut 8  (12)  “us more money” 

Kennedy spoke about the budget on Louisiana Radio Network’s Jim Engster show. He says the budget’s biggest revenue increase comes with the repeal of the inventory tax credit, which would add about $525 million dollars to the state’s coffers. Kennedy says he’s not sure this was chosen wisely…

Cut 9 (09)  “small businesses”

______________________________________

The Energy Department says there is a major increase in crude oil and the US is running out of room to store it. Some say this could mean another huge drop in the price we’re paying for gas at the pump in Louisiana. David Dismukes, the director for the Center for Energy Studies at LSU, says refineries are in a transition period right now but it won’t last long..:

Cut 10 (10) “on prices”

Dismukes says once again while this will be welcome news for the consumer, the low oil prices will not be good for the service side of the industry oil and gas industry…:

cut 11 (10) “less jobs”

Dismukes says refineries and consumers will be the main beneficiaries so it may end up not having such a major effect on the economy in Louisiana:

cut 12 (10)  “impacts are going to be felt”

______________________________________

Agents with the state office of Alcohol and Tobacco Control say a Ruston woman is under arrest accused of selling booze out of her personal residence. ATC Commissioner Troy Hebert says 21-year-old Bryanna Jackson was taking money for cocktails at her apartment…:

Cut 13 (07)  “two of them”

Hebert says undercover agents went in one evening and were able to purchase two mixed drinks from the suspect. He says they discovered the illegal activity was going on from ads the woman was posting online…:

Cut 14 (12) “easy on us”

Jackson was booked into the Lincoln Parish Detention Center and charged with operating without a local or state high content permit. A man in central Louisiana was arrested for apparently operating a bar out of his house last week and Hebert says these illegal actions are not necessary…:

Cut 15  (10)  “already”

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The LSU men’s basketball team plays its final home game of the year tonight as they host the Tennessee Volunteers at six pm in the Maravich Center. These two teams met in Knoxville on Valentine’s Day and it was all LSU as they won by 18 points. LSU forward Jarell Martin expects a tougher game this time around

Cut 16  (10)  “hard fought battle”

The Volunteers bring a five-game losing streak to Baton Rouge. LSU guard Keith Hornsby says despite Tennessee’s struggles they can’t look past them

Cut 17 (09)  “battle of course”

LSU has won its last three and they are ten and six in league play. Hornsby says they are trying to close out the regular season on a strong note

Cut 18 (13) “to us’

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LRN Newscast 17:30 March 3rd

The Louisiana Association of Business and Industry says Governor Bobby Jindal’s proposal to eliminate the inventory tax credit will hurt the state’s economy. Jeff Palermo has the story….
cut 2 (30) “….reporting”

Eight parishes in north and northeast Louisiana are under a winter storm watch from Wednesday night through Thursday morning as forecasters say we could see a combination of freezing rain and sleet in Monroe, Ruston, Farmerville and Oak Grove. And several parishes in south Louisiana are under a dense fog advisory tomorrow morning.

The state Department of Revenue announces that tax refunds are now being issued. Spokeswoman Kizzie Payton says there was a slight delay this year due to the increase in fraudulent tax returns across the nation…:
CUT 6 (08) “taxpayer’s accounts”
She says, thus far, over 763,000 tax returns have been filed and about 244,000 have been processed.

An early morning fire claims the life of a 73-year-old woman in Opelousas. State Fire Marshal Butch Browning says firefighters responded to a wood frame dwelling around 4am, which they found fully engulfed in flames. Browning says the victim, Mary Ann Sam, was also located…:
CUT 14 (09) “that’s been done”
They are still working to determine the cause of the blaze.

LRN Newscast 16:30 03-03-15

The state Department of Revenue announces that state tax refunds are now being issued. Eric Gill reports…
CUT 1 (30) “reporting”

The Governor’s Office of Homeland security and Emergency Preparedness continues to monitor another round of dangerous winter weather that should be entering the state by Thursday. The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm watch for North Louisiana as a very strong cold front will combine with an upper level system that could produce sleet, and possible snow with ice.
======================
There’s somewhat of a fight brewing between the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry and Governor Bobby Jindal, as he proposing to repeal the inventory tax credit. Even though it would reportedly save the state about $380 million, LABI Vice President, Jim Patterson, says it’s bad idea…
CUT 9 (09) “to our economy”

The Terrebonne Parish Sheriff’s Office says a 14-year-old student from H.L. Bourgeois High in Gray is under arrest accused of calling in 2 bomb threats to the school. Captain Dawn Foret says last Tuesday and yesterday there were two separate bomb threats they were emailed to the school’s principal…:
cut 12 (10) “could resume”

LRN Sportscast 16:45 March 3rd

ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports that the Saints will likely restructure wide receiver Marques Colston’s contract. Colston’s salary counts nine-point-seven million dollars against the 2015 salary cap and the Black and Gold need to trim about 22-million dollars in salaries to get under the salary cap. Schefter also added that he doesn’t expect Colston to be cut.

The LSU baseball team is set to host Stephen F Austin at Alex Box Stadium tonight. Tigers Coach Paul Mainieri is still looking for a starting third baseman he can count on. Tonight he’ll give Conner Hale a chance at the hot corner. Hale has started at first and second base this season.

In other college baseball action tonight…Northwestern State hosts ULM. The Demons are five and six on the year, while the Warhawks are six and three.

McNeese State is at Sam Houston, Tulane travels to Nicholls State, who is 7-3-and-1 on the season. And Southeastern Louisiana hosts Alcorn State.

Spring football gets underway today for the Ragin Cajuns. There will be a battle for quarterback as Terrance Broadway has used up all of his elgibility. Coach Mark Hudspeth has hinted that Brooks Haack has a slight edge over two other Q-B’s in camp, Jalen Nixon and Jordan Davis.

Spring football also got underway today for Nicholls State and its new head coach Tim Rebowe. Grambling State spring football starts tomorrow.

You can make the case that Tim Quarterman is the most improved player on LSU’s basketball team. He’s averaging 12 points a game , compared to just three points a contest last year. The Georgia native says positive conversations with Coach Johnny Jones during the offseason gave him the confidence he could have a big impact on this year’s team….
cut 18 (15) “….mindset”
LSU hosts Tennessee tomorrow night.

LRN Newscast 15:30 03-03-15

The state tax refunds are rolling out after a delay from the Department of Revenue to address some fraud concerns. The refunds actually began being issued on Friday, and LDR spokesperson Kizzy Payton says about 244,000 have been processed. But, that’s just the beginning…
CUT 8 (05) Q: “each year”

One of the items that Governor Bobby Jindal wants to do away with to help the state’s budget crisis, is to repeal the inventory tax credit. Even though it’s reported it could save the state millions, Louisiana Association of Business and Industry Vice-President Jim Patterson says it would still cost us…
CUT 11 (06) Q: ‘to consumers’

East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s Office are investigating a fatal shooting just past 10 am that happened on Summer Breeze Drive just off Burbank Tuesday morning. One of the intruders was shot by the homeowner. That investigation is on-going.
————————————–
Shreveport Police says they’re on the hunt for a suspect following an overnight fatal home invasion. Corporal Marcus Hines says they believe two armed individuals entered the home…
CUT 3 (10) Q: ‘shot the man’
The other suspect fled, and they arrested two people inside the home because they found illegal drugs inside.

There was another fatal house fire today; this time in Opelousas killing a woman. State Fire Marshall Butch Browning says 73 year-old Mary Ann Sam was living alone in the wood frame home, and someone who was driving by around 4 am this morning, saw the fire and called in. He says the investigation is continuing.
CUT 15 (06) Q: “those things out”

LRN Newscast 14:30 03-03-15

The Louisiana Association of Business and Industry plans to fight Governor Bobby Jindal’s proposal to repeal the inventory tax credit. Such a move would save the state an estimated $380 million to help the budget crisis. But LABI Vice President, Jim Patterson, says the vast majority of states do not have inventory taxes, so if the refund went away…
cut 10 (08) “such a tax”
And that, he says, could cause the loss of jobs.

After being delayed, the state tax refunds are now being issued by the Department of Revenue. The department had said that it would not issue refunds until security concerns regarding fraud were addressed. They have, according to LDR Spokesperson Kizzy Payton…
CUT 7 (08) Q: ‘anti-fraud initiative’
———————————–
A student from H.L. Bourgeois High School in Gray is under arrest accused of emailing in 2 bomb threats to the school. Terrebonne Parish Sheriff’s Office Captain Dawn Foret says they began an investigation and were able to track the email address that determined both threats came from the same student at the school…
CUT 13 (06) Q: ’emails’
The suspect is charged with two counts of False Communication of a Bomb Threat.

Shreveport Police Department is investigating a overnight home invasion, where one of the suspects was shot and killed. Corporal Marcus Hines says they believe two men wearing masks, and entered the home with guns. Further evidence indicated there may have been illegal drugs present…
CUT 5 (09) Q: “degree of involvement”
There were children inside the home, but they were not injured.

PM Newscall March 3rd

###Changes made to the newscall as a result of two arrests in the fatal home invasion in Shreveport#####

 

The state Department of Revenue announces that state tax refunds are now being issued. Eric Gill reports…

CUT 1 (30) “reporting”

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The Louisiana Association of Business and Industry says Governor Bobby Jindal’s proposal to eliminate the inventory tax credit will hurt the state’s economy. Jeff Palermo has more…

CUT 2 (30) “reporting”

===================

The Shreveport Police Department says they are looking for a suspect following an overnight fatal home invasion. Corporal Marcus Hines say officers were called to the scene at around one AM…

(At this point officers believe a resident in the home fatally shot one of the suspects, the other fled.)

CUT 3 (10)  “shot the man”

There were  children inside the home at the time of the shooting, but they  were not injured . Hines says they believe the two men entered the home wearing masks and one of them was armed with a semi-automatic rifle…:

CUT 4 (11)  “not been captured”

Hines says evidence seized during a search of the residence suggest illegal narcotics may have been a motivating factor in the attempted robbery…:

(Officers have arrested two people living inside the home, because of illegal drugs inside the home.)

CUT 5 (09)  “degree of involvement”

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The state Department of Revenue announces that state tax refunds are now being issued. The department had said that it would not issue refunds until March 2nd, but actually began last Friday. Spokeswoman Kizzy Payton says the delay was due to the increase of the filing of fraudulent tax returns across the nation…

CUT 6 (08)  “taxpayer’s accounts”

She says the department issued additional security measures so they would more easily detect suspicious activity around taxpayer’s accounts. Payton says the department strives to make sure they are not handing out tax refunds to people who do not deserve them…

CUT 7 (08)  “anti-fraud initiative”

Payton says some may have already received their refund, depending on the method of payment they chose. She says, thus far, over 763,000 tax returns have been filed and about 244,000 have been processed. But Payton says that’s just the beginning…

CUT 8 (05)  “each year”

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The Louisiana Association of Business and Industry plans to fight Governor Bobby Jindal’s proposal to repeal the inventory tax credit. Such a move would save the state an estimated $380 million which could be used for health care and higher education. But LABI Vice President, Jim Patterson, says a repeal of this tax credit would be devastating to business across the state…

CUT 9 (09)  “to our economy”

Patterson says the vast majority of states do not have inventory taxes, so if the refund went away, jobs could leave as well…

cut 10 (08) “such a tax”

Patterson says businesses could decide to shift inventories to states that do not have such a tax and those warehouse jobs would be lost. He says Louisiana is one of only 13 states that have an inventory tax on the books. Patterson says if the inventory tax credit is repealed, then business will have to make up that money somewhere…

cut 11 (06)  “to consumers”

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The Terrebonne Parish Sheriff’s Office says a 14-year-old student from H.L. Bourgeois High in Gray is under arrest accused of calling in 2 bomb threats to the school. Captain Dawn Foret says last Tuesday and yesterday there were two separate bomb threats they were emailed to the school’s principal…:

cut 12 (10)  “could resume”

Foret says they began an investigation and were able to track the email address that the suspect had sent both threats from to the H.L. Bourgeois student…:(The suspect is charged with two counts of False Communication of a Bomb Threat. Foret says it does not appear the teen had any access to items that would let him carry out his threats.)

cut 13 (06)  “emails”

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The State Fire Marshal’s Office says  a 73-year-old woman died in a house fire in Opelousas today. Fire Marshal Butch Browning says St. Landry Parish firefighters responded to a wood frame dwelling around 4am which they found fully engulfed in flames. He says the 73 year old victim, Mary Ann Sam, was also located…

cut 14 (09)  “that’s been done”

They are still working to determine the cause of the blaze. Browning says they know the woman was living alone in the home and the fire was discovered by someone who was driving by…:

cut 15 (06) “those things out”