Bobby Jindal turns 50 years old today. Erik Piccoli has more on the former governor who is keeping a low profile
Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Erik Piccoli.”
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The 2021 legislative session comes to a close today and one good-government group says it was a productive two months at the state capitol. Jeff Palermo has the story…
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”
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The first FDA approval in almost 20 years for an Alzheimer’s medication has many asking why when an advisory council advised against it. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”
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Today former governor, Congressman, and presidential candidate Boddy Jindal turns 50. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says the once superstar politician has faded from the limelight ever since his two terms as governor ended.
Cut 4 (08) “…to change Louisiana.”
Jindal served in the US House of Representatives between 2005 to 2008 and as governor from 2008 to 2016. During his second term as governor, Jindal focused on an unsuccessful run for the White House, which many Louisiana residents didn’t support. A UNO poll in 2015 put his approval rating at 20-percent.
Pinsonat says Jindal had a remarkable rise but more remarkable was his exit from politics.
Cut 5 (12) “…boy of politics.”
Jindal has stayed out of the public eye since he left the governor’s office in 2016. Pinsonat says considering his age, it’s still possible he could make a political return
Cut 6 (11) “…a factor in.”
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It’s the final day of the legislative session and state lawmakers are expected to pass a tax reform package that will result in lower individual income tax rates, but eliminate the ability to deduct federal income taxes paid. Council for a Better Louisiana President Barry Erwin says the lower income tax rates could help attract businesses
Cut 7 (09) “…the country.”
The House has approved the tax swap plan, the Senate is expected to do it today and then it will go before voters in the fall.
Erwin says the 2021 session will also be remembered for the change in attitudes regarding marijuana. Erwin says while legislation to legalize recreational marijuana did not pass, legislators approved a bill that takes jail time away as a punishment for those caught with a small quantity of pot…
Cut 8 (06) “…anytime soon.”
In the budget, there’s money for teacher pay raises, TOPS is fully funded and there are also more dollars for Go Grants which will help students from moderate to low-income families attend college. Erwin says it’s the largest investment in higher education in more than a decade
Cut 9 (09) “…step forward.”
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Attorney General Jeff Landry’s lawsuit against President Biden and other government officials will be heard at the Federal courthouse in Lafayette today. Landry says the Biden administration cannot legally halt all lease sales on public lands and it is impacting the cost of fuel.
Cut 10 (11) “…Americans.”
Louisiana along with 12 other states are suing the President for acting beyond the scope of his authority by directing government agencies to stop all lease sales for public lands thus halting all future oil and gas exploration.
Landry says he feels confident about the case.
Cut 11 (08) “…issues.”
Landry says while the administration might try to argue their actions are a temporary pause nothing suggests that the pause is only temporary. Having the case heard by a judge in an oil and gas state, Landry says is much more appropriate versus somewhere else.
Cut 12 (10) “…of Mexico.”
On Wednesday developer of the Keystone XL Pipeline announced the cancellation of the project to carry oil from Canada into the U-S due to the Biden administration’s withdrawal of their permit.
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The FDA approved the first new medication in almost 20 years for the treatment of Alzheimer’s. but Dr Jeffrey Keller with the LSU Pennington Biomedical Institute on Dementia Research and Prevention says Aducanumab (add-yoo-CAN-yoo-mab) was approved even though an advisory committee deemed otherwise.
Cut 13 (11) “…a treatment.”
Aducanumab (add-yoo-CAN-yoo-mab) is a monthly intravenous treatment intended to slow cognitive decline in those with mild memory and thinking problems. Keller says the growing prevalence of Alzheimer’s put added pressure on the FDA to approve the drug.
Cut 14 (07) “…to happen.”
But Keller says there are several clinical trials that he believes will offer hope in the treatment of Alzheimer’s, some of those trials are underway at Pennington Biomedical.
Cut 15 (08)“…effective for.”
The list price for the medication is $56,000 annually and it is still to be determined if insurers will cover the drug.
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Louisiana Tech suffered an early exit from postseason play after failing to win the Ruston regional. Even though the Bulldogs did not advance, Tech coach Lane Burroughs says it was good for his team to feel what it’s like to host in the postseason.
Cut 16 (14) “…taste of it.”
Burroughs says the fan support this season was great and he’s experienced first-hand what a good season can do for a smaller program.
Cut 17 (16) …part of that.”
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The LSU baseball will make its second trip to Rocky Top when they face Tennessee in the super regionals. Game one is set for Saturday night in Knoxville. In late March, the Volunteers swept the Tigers, outscoring LSU by four runs. Coach Paul Mainieri says both teams benefited from that hard-fought series
Cut 18 (16)”..for us.”
LSU won four straight elimination games to advance to the super regionals and they won their first NCAA Regional on the road since 1989. Left fielder Gavin Dugas says his teammates understand the significance of the accomplishment….
Cut 19 (14) “…lives.”
LSU has a 12-and-7 record on the road and they’ve won four road SEC series. Drew Bianco says they’ve nicknamed themselves the Road Dogs…
Cut 20 (27) “…next weekend.”