AM Newscall, May 7th, 2015

Today House leaders will vote on various proposals that will go towards filling a massive budget shortfall. Jeff Palermo reports…

CUT 1 (29) “reporting”

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New Orleans Representative Austin Badon’s bill to reduce penalties for simple marijuana possession will be heard on the House floor. Eric Gill has more…

Cut 2 (30) “reporting”

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Legislation that would legalize the sale of raw milk in Louisiana did not make it out of a Senate Committee. Michelle Southern reports…:

Cut 3 (29) “reporting”

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Today is decision making day for House leaders as they will vote on what changes to make when it comes to tax hikes and scaling back incentives in order to balance the state’s budget. LaPolitics-dot-com Publisher, Jeremy Alford, says this entire legislative session is about the budget and filling a $1.6 billion shortfall. He says today we’ll find out which way the budget will lean…

cut 4  (08)  “fill those holes”

Among the issues up for debate are repealing of tax breaks for businesses and an increase in the state’s cigarette tax. Alford says today’s House session will be a long one and something we have not seen in recent history…

Cut 5  (10)  “the House floor”

Alford says the House could meet well into the night. He says the absolute linchpin this legislative session is the inventory tax. Whether the tax credit is scaled back or the tax is repealed altogether, Alford says lawmakers must do something to the inventory tax system…

Cut 6 (11)  “the House side”

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New Orleans Representative Austin Badon’s bill to reduce penalties for simple marijuana possession will be heard on the House floor. Jill Trahan’s son is currently serving a 15-year prison sentence for simple marijuana possession. Trahan wants lawmakers to really consider the penalties imposed on marijuana possession convictions…

CUT 7 (07)  “and strong”

The measure passed the House Criminal Justice Committee on a 10-4 vote. Livingston Representative Sherman Mack questioned the need for Badon’s bill since judges and district attorneys already have the ability to shorten a sentence for simple marijuana possession…

Cut 8  (12)  “could possibly get” 

Louisiana ACLU Executive Director Marjorie Esman voiced her opposition to Badon’s measure saying this bill doesn’t do enough…

Cut 9 (10)  “not retroactive”

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Legislation that would legalize the sale of raw milk in Louisiana did not make it out of a Senate Committee. The bill’s author, Ville Platte Senator Eric LaFleur, says there are many who believe purchasing raw milk is a basic human right and not something for government to be involved in…:

Cut 10 (09) “raw milk”

The same measure made it out of the house last year but died in the Senate. Opponents argue there are dangers associated with consuming raw milk but LaFleur doesn’t think it’s bad enough to warrant government regulation…:

cut 11 (09) “against the law”

The vote was 5-3 and the issue is essentially dead for the session. Many people believe the nutrition found in raw milk is far better than what’s in pasteurized milk. State Health Officer Dr. Jimmy Guidry says he struggles with this issue because he drank raw milk as a kid, but knows the risks are much greater now…:

cut 12 (09)   “pasteurized”

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Two bills that seek to control the wild hog population in Louisiana pass the House Natural Resources Committee. One measure would approve year-round hunting seasons on razorbacks and the other would create a lifetime hunting license for the animal. Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Secretary Robert Barham says something must be done…:

Cut 13 (11)  “static”

The bills now head to the Full House. Barham says the razorbacks destroy farm land and are tearing up levees. He says it’s a rural problem that’s about to become an urban one…:

Cut 14 (12) “one day”

Barham supports the lifetime license bill saying they want to be able to choose the price. Ouachita Parish DA Jerry Jones says it will be easier on farmers to have a one-time permit…:

Cut 15  (09)  “price”

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There’s been reports the Pelicans will hire former McNeese State star and Detroit Piston Joe Dumars. Dumars is a former team president of the Pistons and built a roster that won an NBA championship in 2004. Jake Madison, a writer for Bourbon Street Shots dot com says Dumars could be an asset to the Pelicans front office…

Cut 16  (20)  “key contributor”

Madison says if Dumars joins the Pels, Dell Demps will likely remain as the general manager. He says Demps did a terrific job this past season, making a key trade to reshape the roster with enough talent to get into the playoffs…

Cut 17 (18)  “that wasn’t playing”

It’s been reported Dumars is friends with Saints Head Coach Sean Payton and General Mickey Loomis. Loomis also has a role in the Pels front office and Madison could see Dumars joining the Pels in some type of role

Cut 18 (20) ”   a lot of success”‘

 

 

17:30, Legislative Update

Baton Rouge Representative Dalton Honore has decided to pull his bill from further discussion that would have put recreational marijuana legalization on an upcoming ballot for voters to decide. Honore says maybe in the future, Louisiana residents should have the option to decide, but not right now…
cut 14 (08) “…this bill”
In the same committee room, New Orleans Representative Austin Badon’s bill to reduce penalties for simple marijuana possession passed. Jill Trahan’s son is currently serving a 15-year prison sentence for simple marijuana possession. Trahan wants lawmakers to really consider the penalties imposed on marijuana possession convictions…:
CUT 7 (07) “and strong”
The vote was 10-4 and now heads to the House Floor.

Legislation that would legalize the sale of raw milk in Louisiana did not make it out of a Senate Committee. The bill’s author, Ville Platte Senator Eric LaFleur, says there are many who believe purchasing raw milk is a basic human right and not something for government to be involved in…:
CUT 10 (09) “raw milk”
But State Health Officer Dr. Jimmy Guidry says it’s far too risky to consume raw milk and he testified in opposition.

A bill that would prohibit sex-selection abortions in Louisiana receives the approval of the House Health and Welfare Committee. Houma Representative Lenar Whitney says in several Asian countries, abortions are performed when the mother finds out she’s having a girl. Natchitoches Representative Kenny Cox says Louisiana should not follow what China does…
cut 10 (10) “…their population”
The bill heads to the House floor for more discussion.

 

16:30 Newscast, March 6th, 2015

The House Health and Welfare committee clears legislation prohibiting an abortion, if the decision to terminate the pregnancy is based on sex selection. Houma Representative Lenar Whitney is the author of the bill and she says the use of abortion as a means for sex selection is a social problem in a number of Asian countries where male children are widely preferred over females…:
CUT 9 (09) “baby girls”
There was no objection and the measure heads to the full House.

The Terrebonne Parish Sheriff’s office says a man is under arrest for allegedly beating his pregnant girlfriend so badly, the unborn child’s heart stopped beating. Captain Dawn Foret says they received a complaint that 36-year-old Tyson Cheavis of Gibson repeatedly abused his 27-year-old pregnant girlfriend…:
CUT 3 (08) “pregnancy recently”
Cheavis was arrested and charged with second degree feticide and two counts of second degree battery.

A man who applied to be a youth baseball coach in Bossier Parish ended up making off with nearly $3000 in payments from players and sponsors. Lt. Bill Davis says 25-year-old Robert Martin III is wanted for felony theft. Detectives believe Martin may have fled the area or the state. Davis says they hope somebody comes forward who knows the whereabouts of Martin…
CUT 8 (10) “pretty low down”
He says it’s obvious Martin had no intention of every coaching the children.

The Lafayette Parish Sheriff’s office has arrested the former school bus driver who got into a crash on March 12th for operating while intoxicated. They say John Bernard was booked into jail on $40,000 bond. No students were seriously injured in the crash. Investigators say tests showed Bernard had a blood alcohol level of .04 percent at the time of the crash.

 

16:45 LRN Sportscast May 6

The Pelicans announce forward Quincy Pondexter has undergone arthroscopic surgery on his left knee. The team says the procedure was succesful, but a timetable on when Pondexter can return to “basketball activities” was not given. New Orleans acquired Pondexter in a three-team trade and the 27-year-old averaged seven points a game.

WDSU-TV in New Orleans is reporting the Pelicans are interested in hiring former McNeese State star and Detroit Piston Bad Boy Joe Dumars. Current Pelicans General Manager Dell Demps’ contract expires this summer and the team holds an option for him to return next season.

Louisiana Tech would like to see the Conference USA men’s and women’s basketball tournament at the Century Tel Center in Shreveport-Bossier City. They plan to present a bid at next week’s league meetings in Florida.

LSU basketball is reportedly trying to secure a home-and-home series with Memphis. The first game between the two schools will be next season in Baton Rouge.

There’s just a couple of college baseball games on the schedule tonight. Nicholls State will host Alabama A-and-M. The Colonels have won four in a row, allowing just six runs in their last three games. Southeastern Louisiana is at Southern. The Lions have won 10 of their last 12.

A big series is coming up for the Ragin Cajuns. U-L Lafayette will host Sun Belt leader South Alabama. The Jaguars have a 2.5 game lead over the Cajuns for first place. U-L-L has been starting three freshmen in their weekend rotation and Coach Tony Robichaux says they’ll have to grow up a lot this week and pitch well…
cut 18 (18) “…three things”
Game one of this series is Friday at 6 PM.

15:30 Newscast, May 6th, 2015

Legislation has been passed without objection that would prohibit someone from getting an abortion based on sex selection. Houma Representative Lenar Whitney says she filed this bill because there are major problems in Asia where males are preferred over girls in birth. Committee Chairman Joe Lopinto read off the list of groups and individuals who oppose the bill, but none of them spoke out against the measure….
CUT 11 (12) “for choice”
The bill heads to the House floor for more debate.

St. Bernard Parish President Dave Peralta has been indicted for three counts each of perjury and also filing false campaign reports. The charges were handed up today which essentially accuse Peralta of gambling campaign donations at casinos in New Orleans. He claims the money spent at casinos was campaign related and not gambled.

The Shreveport Police Department says two men have been charged after a four year old was shot and killed presumably by a 6 year old by a in a hotel room earlier this week. They say 19-year-old Anthony Perot and 25-year-old Jeveara Johnson are each booked with a single count of felon in possession of a firearm. Investigators believe these two were in the room at the time of the incident but they are not charged in the death of the child.

Baton Rouge Representative Dalton Honore has pulled his legislation that would have put recreational marijuana legalization on a ballot. Honore says times are changing and he’s glad the conversation about marijuana has been started this session, but his particular measure had too much opposition and he knew it wouldn’t pass…:
CUT 12 (09) “opposed to it”
Honore says he talked to everyone on the House Criminal Justice Committee who agreed this might be something to do one day, but not at this time.

 

14:30 Newscast, May 6th, 2015

The issue of whether or not recreational marijuana should be legal in Louisiana won’t be on a ballot in 2016. Baton Rouge Representative Dalton Honore pulled his measure at the Capitol today. He doesn’t think the people of Louisiana are ready for pot to be legal here, but he’s glad the conversation is starting…:
CUT 13 (06) “little farther”

Bossier Parish Sheriff’s deputies are searching for a Haughton man wanted for swindling nearly $3000 from a youth baseball league. Lt. Bill Davis says 25-year-old Robert Martin III applied to be a coach and collected money for the job but had no intention of supporting the league or players…:
CUT 7 (05) “with our children”
When league officials discovered Martin had a criminal record which made him ineligible to coach the children, they asked him to return the money and any equipment but he never showed up. If you know where this man is please contact authorities.

The House Health and Welfare Committee approves a bill that would prohibit abortions in Louisiana that are based on the gender of the unborn baby. Jeff Palermo has the story…:
CUT 2 (28) “reporting”

TMZ is reporting that former LSU Tiger La’el Collins told police that he was in New Orleans attending a Pelicans playoff game the night his former girlfriend, who was eight months pregnant, was murdered. Sources say his GPS records on his cell phone will back up his story. Authorities spoke with Collins on Monday.

 

13:30 LRN Newscast May 6

A bill that would prohibit sex-selection abortions in Louisiana receives the approval of the House Health and Welfare Committee. Houma Representative Lenar Whitney says in several Asian countries, abortions are performed when the mother finds out she’s having a girl and Whitney doesn’t want to see that practice in Louisiana. Natchitoches Representative Kenny Cox says Louisiana should not follow what China does…
cut 10 (10) “…their population”
The bill heads to the House floor for more discussion.

Baton Rouge Representative Dalton Honore has decided to pull his bill from further discussion that would have put recreational marijuana legaliziation on an upcoming ballot for voters to decide. Honore says maybe in the future, Louisiana residents should have the option to decide, but not right now…
cut 14 (08) “…this bill”

The Terrebonne Parish Sheriff’s office says a man is behind bars accused of beating his pregnant girlfriend so badly, she lost their baby. Michelle Southern reporting…
cut 1 (30) “…reporting”

And in Alexandria, the parents of twins who were killed in a fire last December have been indicted on criminal charges. Andrea Aaron, the mother of the two-year-old twins, faces two counts of second degree murder and the father has been charged with two counts of accessory after the fact.

LRN PM Newscall for Wednesday May 6

The Terrebonne Parish Sheriff’s office says a man is behind bars accused of beating his pregnant girlfriend so badly, she lost their baby. Michelle Southern reporting…:

CUT 1 (30) “reporting”

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The House Health and Welfare Committee approves a bill that would prohibit abortions in Louisiana that are based on the gender of the unborn baby.  Jeff Palermo has the story…

CUT 2 (28) “reporting”

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The Terrebonne Parish Sheriff’s office says a man is behind bars accused of beating his pregnant girlfriend so badly, she lost the baby. Captain Dawn Foret says they received a complaint from a concerned citizen that there were multiple instances of abuse involving 36-year-old Tyson Cheavis of Gibson and his 27-year-old girlfriend…:

CUT 3 (08)  “pregnancy recently”

Foret says the victim admitted she went to a local hospital after being attacked by Cheavis and during an examination was informed her unborn child did not have a heartbeat…:

CUT 4 (08)  “with his girlfriend”

Foret says Cheavis admitted to beating his girlfriend when he was aware that she was pregnant with his child in her second trimester. She says he also confessed to causing multiple injuries to the victim that ultimately lead to the death of their unborn child…:

CUT 5 (07)  “feticide”

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Bossier Parish Sheriff’s deputies are searching for a Haughton man wanted for swindling nearly $3000 from a youth baseball league. Lt. Bill Davis says 25-year-old Robert Martin III applied to be a coach for a team in a local league and began accepting payments from sponsors and parents for uniforms and other items. Davis says it’s apparent that everything with Martin was not on the up and up…

CUT 6 (09)  “out the door”

When league officials discovered Martin had a criminal record which made him ineligible to coach the children, they asked him to return the money and any equipment but he never showed up. Davis says it’s obvious Martin had no intention of supporting the league or the players…

CUT 7 (05) “with our children”

Martin is wanted for felony theft. Detectives believe Martin may have fled the area or the state. Davis says they hope somebody comes forward who knows the whereabouts of Martin…

CUT 8 (10)  “pretty low down”

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The House Health and Wefare committee unanimously approves legislation that prohibits an abortion, if the decision to terminate the pregnancy is based on sex selection. Houma Representative Lenar Whitney is the author of the bill and she says the use of abortion as a means for sex selection is a social problem in a number of Asian countries where male children are widely preferred over females…

CUT 9 (09)  “baby girls”

According to the Louisiana Right to Life, sex selection is a significant problem in India and China. Natchitoches Representative Kenny Cox says  Louisiana should not follow what China does…

cut 10 (10) “their population”

The bill heads to the House floor for more debate. Committee Chairman Joe Lopinto read off the list of groups and individuals who oppose the bill, but none of them spoke out against the measure….

cut 11 (12)  “for choice”

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Baton Rouge Representative Dalton Honore has pulled his legislation that would have put recreational marijuana legalization on a ballot. Honore says times are changing and he’s glad the conversation about marijuana has been started this session, but his particular measure had too much opposition and he knew it wouldn’t pass…:

cut 12 (09)  “opposed to it”

The use of pot for recreational purposes is legal in Colorado and Honore says he recently visited with lawmakers there. He says marijuana generated 76 million dollars in taxes for Colorado in the first year and the incarceration rate went way down, but he doesn’t think the people of Louisiana are ready…:

cut 13 (06)  “little farther”

Honore says he talked to everyone on the House Criminal Justice Committee who agreed this might be something to do one day, but not at this time…:

cut 14 (08) “defer this bill”

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12:30 Newscast, May 6th, 2015

The House Health and Welfare committee unanimously approves legislation that would prohibit a doctor from performing an abortion if the decision to terminate the pregnancy was based on sex selection. It’s Houma Representative Lenar Whitney’s bill and she says this is a major problem in Asian countries where males are preferred over females…:
CUT 9 (09) “baby girls”
The bill heads to the House floor for more debate.

The Terrebonne Parish Sheriff’s office arrests a man who allegedly beat his pregnant girlfriend up so badly she lost their baby. Captain Dawn Foret says the victim admitted she went to a hospital after an assault and ws told her unborn child did not have a heartbeat…:
CUT 4 (08) “his girlfriend”
Cheavis is charged with second degree feticide and two counts of second degree battery.

Baton Rouge Representative Dalton Honore has pulled his legislation that would have put recreational marijuana legalization on a ballot. Honore says times are changing and he’s glad the conversation about marijuana has been started this session, but his particular measure had too much opposition and he knew it wouldn’t pass…:
CUT 12 (09) “opposed to it”
Honore says he talked to everyone on the House Criminal Justice Committee who agreed this might be something to do one day, but not at this time.

A bill that would loosen penalties for people convicted of simple marijuana possession did pass out of the same committee today.

 

11:40 LRN Sportscast May 6

TMZ is reporting that former LSU Tiger La’el Collins told police that he was in New Orleans attending a Pelicans playoff game the night his former girlfriend, who was eight months pregnant, was murdered. Sources say his GPS records on his cell phone will back up his story. Authorities spoke with Collins on Monday.

If you love college football bowl games, there’s more coming in 2015. According to ESPN, new bowl games have been approved for Tuscon, Arizona, Austin, Texas and Orlando, Florida. A team from the Sun Belt would play against a team from the American Conference in the bowl games in Austin and Orlando. And Conference USA would play a team from the Mountain West Conference in the bowl game in Tuscon on December 29th.

The Monroe News Star reports Louisiana Tech plans to put a bid for Shreveport-Bossier City to host the 2016 Conference USA men’s and woman’s basketball championships. The bid will be discussed at next week’s Conference USA meetings.

There’s just a couple of college baseball games on the schedule tonight. Nicholls State will host Alabama A-and-M. The Colonels have won four in a row, allowing just six runs in their last three games. Southeastern Louisisiana is at Southern. The Lions have won 10 of their last 12 and coming off a three-game sweep over Lamar.

Last night, Houston beat McNeese State nine to two and Alcorn State beat Grambling.

This weekend the Ragin Cajuns host Sun Belt leader South Alabama. UL Lafayette Coach Tony Robichaux says the Jaguars are the top hitting team in the Sun Belt, even though they’ve only hit nine home runs on the year…
cut 17 (12) “…in walks”
The Cajuns have been starting three freshmen in their weekend rotation and Robichaux says they’ll have to grow up a lot this week and pitch well.