The LSU Baseball team will look to keep Paul Mainieri’s coaching career going as the Tigers take on Oregon tonight in the Eugene Regional championship game. Jim Shannon has more…
Cut 2 (30) …I’m Jim Shannon”

Louisiana Tech’s dream season ended last night with a 14-7 defeat to North Carolina State. The Bulldogs finished with a record of 42-20. But LSU-Eunice won the Division Two National Junior College World Series, beating Western Oklahoma five to four in 14 innings.

The Louisiana Senate has given final approval to a bill that would result in no jail time for an individual caught with a small amount of marijuana. The decriminalize pot bill is headed to the governor’s desk. Meanwhile, we are waiting to see if the Senate will act on legislation that would make a temporary sales tax permanent and use that money to pay for improved roads and bridges. Governor Edwards admits something must be done to generate more infrastructure dollars…
cut 11 (09) “…fund”

Louisiana State Troopers are still searching for a vehicle involved in the May 26th fatal hit in run in St. Helena Parish that killed a two-year-old girl and injured three others. Trooper Will Huggins says a family of four was outside of their vehicle on LA Highway 1045 near LA Highway 43 due to a previous car accident…
Cut 3 (7) “…the suspect vehicle”
Huggins says the vehicle has been described by witnesses as a light-colored van or SUV.

Louisiana Tech’s dream season ended yesterday with a 14-7 loss to North Carolina State, but the LSU Tigers are still alive in the Eugene Regional after winning two games yesterday over Gonzaga and Oregon. In the four to one win over the Ducks, Gavin Dugas homered and also took a trip around the bases when he banged one off the wall and Dugas says he was not stopping when he got to third…
cut 12 (12) “….go from there”
LSU will play Oregon again tonight.

The legislative session ends Thursday so legislation that would dedicate .45 percent of the state sales tax that will expire in 2025 to infrastructure has only four days left to get over the finish line. Conservative lawmakers oppose it and Governor Edwards says he likes the idea, but the devil is in the details.
Cut 10 (12) “…expire”
The Senate Finance Committee has approved a couple of House-approved pieces of legislation that could result in more money going to roads and bridges.

The state legislature has overwhelmingly passed a bill to cover bariatric surgeries for state employees after a long-fought battle. Baton Rouge Senator Regina Barrow says her legislation can extend the life of overweight state employees and reduce the costs spent on morbidly obese-related illnesses.
Cut 13 (09) “…were on.”
Despite Louisiana’s high obesity rate, it is one of a few states that does not cover bariatric surgery for severely obese state employees.

Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser is in Alaska this week as part of a partnership between our two states to jointly promote domestic seafood. Nungesser says Louisiana and Alaska are the two biggest producers of domestic seafood and the partnership is a natural fit.
Cut 4 (12)”…takeovers”
Alaska and Louisiana combine to produce about 6.5 million pounds of seafood annually.

Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser is in Juneau, Alaska this week as part of a partnership between our two states to jointly promote domestic seafood. He says Louisiana and Alaska are the two biggest producers of domestic seafood in the US and the partnership is a natural fit. Nungesser says after visiting Alaska he will be hosting their Lt. Governor on a trip to New Orleans later on.
Cut 6 (12)”…winning that”

LSU’s AgCenter is seeking volunteers to participate in a study of an insect repellant. Medical Entomologist Kristen Healey says they are helping a company rate the effectiveness of an existing product. Before insect repellants are available to the general public, Health says they are thoroughly tested so what you read on the EPA label is backed by proper research and that’s what they are doing with these forms of the product.
Cut 9 (06) “…by science”
Healey says the manufacturer picked the right state to test their product because Louisiana has more than 60 individual species of mosquitos.
——————————————————————————
Governor Edwards reiterated his commitment to vetoing a bill that’s been sent to him by the Legislature that would remove the requirement for those over 21 to have a permit to concealed carry.
Edwards says the current requirement that anyone concealed carrying be trained on marksmanship, carrying laws, safety, and law enforcement interactions is not burdensome.
Cut 12 (11) “…problems.”

A bill to cover bariatric surgeries for state employees passes overwhelmingly in the legislature after a long-fought battle.
A fiscal note attached to the bill estimates that covering the surgeries will cost more than $5 million in the first year but decrease to half that by 2026 due to savings on prescription drug benefits and other medical costs like diabetes, heart disease, and cancer. Bill sponsor Sen. Regina Barrow
Cut 15 (09)“…go down.”

The LSU Ag Center is participating in a trial to show the effectiveness of a new form of insect repellant, Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington”

Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser is in Juneau, Alaska this week as part of a partnership between our two states to jointly promote domestic seafood.
Nungesser says the partnership will certainly boost the profile of Louisiana seafood and help promote tourism into the Bayou State, but it will also spread another important message.
Cut 5 (08)” …country.”

The legislative session ends Thursday so legislation that would dedicate .45 percent of the state sales tax that will expire in 2025 to infrastructure has only four days left. Port Allen Senator Rick Ward would begin shifting that sales tax money into an infrastructure sub-fund starting in 2022. The bill is waiting to be heard on the Senate floor and it needs a two-thirds vote to pass.
Edwards says he understands the idea behind the bill and admits something must be done to generate more infrastructure funds.
Cut 11 (09) “…fund.”

A bill to cover bariatric surgeries for state employees passes overwhelmingly in the legislature after a long-fought battle. Bill author Baton Rouge Senator Regina Barrow says she hopes this is just the beginning.
Cut 14 (07) “…as well.”

Opposition from the Conservative Caucus and a lack of outright support from Governor Edwards may end up dooming an effort to dedicate a portion of the state sales tax to infrastructure. Matt Doyle has more.
Cut 2 (29) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

LSU’s AgCenter is seeking volunteers to participate in a study of an insect repellant. Medical Entomologist Kristen Healey says participants will be outfitted in scrubs, like those in healthcare wear, and enter a mosquito area to test the repellant.
Cut 8 (09) “…comparison.”

A bill to cover bariatric surgeries for state employees passes overwhelmingly in the legislature after a long-fought battle. Bill author Baton Rouge Senator Regina Barrow says this is welcome news for state employees in an effort to extend their life and reduce the costs spent on morbidly obese-related illnesses.
Cut 13 (09) “…were on.”

Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser is in Juneau, Alaska this week as part of a partnership between our two states to jointly promote domestic seafood.
Nungesser says Louisiana and Alaska are the two biggest producers of domestic seafood in the US and the partnership is a natural fit.
Cut 4 (12)”…takeovers”

LSU’s AgCenter is seeking volunteers to participate in a study of an insect repellant. Medical Entomologist Kristen Healey says they are helping a company rate the effectiveness of an existing product but not available yet in the forms of a wipe and lotion.
Cut 7 (10) “…formulation.”

The legislative session ends Thursday so legislation that would dedicate .45 percent of the state sales tax that will expire in 2025 to infrastructure has only four days left to get over the finish line. Conservative lawmakers oppose it and Governor Edwards says he likes the idea, but the devil is in the details.
Cut 10 (12) “…expire”

Severely obese state employees will soon be eligible for bariatric surgery after legislation that has been in the works for almost 20 years passes this session. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Business groups are calling on an early end of enhanced unemployment benefits but Governor Edwards says he wants to make an informed decision as to not end benefits too early. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 2 (31) “I’m Brooke Thorington”

A flash flood watch is in effect this weekend across south Louisiana.  The National Weather Service says there’s the potential for two to five inches of rain with localized higher amounts. Professor of Research at LSU Dr. Vinny Brown says that rain will fall on already saturated soil…

Cut 16 (09) “soil saturation”

The House rejected an attempt to extend the state’s 180 million dollar film tax credit out to 2028 from its current sunset date of 2025.

Mandeville Representative Richard Nelson hammered the bill, saying we can only afford a meager 800 dollar teacher pay raise for 60 million dollars while giving Hollywood 180 million a year. He adds…

Cut 6 (12) “system”

LSU, McNeese and, Southern all lost in game one of their respective regionals and will be fighting to keep their seasons alive today.  LSU lost 3-0 to Gonzaga and will play Central Connecticut at 3 p.m.  McNeese lost to TCU 12-4 and will face off against Oklahoma State at noon.  Southern fell to Texas 11-0 and will battle it out with Fairfield at 1 p.m.

Meanwhile, regional host Louisiana Tech rolled over Rider 18-2 in game one of the Ruston Regional.  Tech will play NC State tonight at 6 p.m.

An effort to extend the state’s 180 million dollar film tax credit program into 2028 was rejected by the House and appears unlikely to pass by the end of the session next week. Matt Doyle has more.

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

LSU, McNeese, and Southern will all be fighting to keep their seasons alive as each team lost game one of regional play yesterday.  LSU will take on Central Connecticut at 3 p.m.  The Cowboys will face off against Oklahoma State at noon and the Jaguars will do battle with Fairfield at 1 p.m.

The Louisiana Tech Baseball team has a lot more breathing room as they grabbed an easy win over Rider in game one.  The Bulldogs will play NC State at 6 p.m.

Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser will be in Juneau, Alaska next week as part of a partnership between our two states to jointly promote domestic seafood.  Nungesser says after visiting Alaska he’ll be hosting their Lt. Governor on a trip to New Orleans later on.

Cut 6 (12) “winning that”

A bill to cover bariatric surgeries for state employees passes overwhelmingly in the legislature after a long-fought battle. Bill author Baton Rouge Senator Regina Barrow says this is welcome news for state employees in an effort to extend their life and reduce the costs spent on morbidly obese-related illnesses.

Cut 13 (09) “were on”

Business groups are calling on an early end of enhanced unemployment benefits but Governor Edwards says he wants to make an informed decision as to not end benefits too early. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 2 (31) “I’m Brooke Thorington”

A flash flood watch is in effect this weekend across south Louisiana.  The National Weather Service says there’s the potential for two to five inches of rain with localized higher amounts. Professor of Research at LSU Dr. Vinny Brown says that rain will fall on already saturated soil…

Cut 16 (09) “soil saturation”

The House rejected an attempt to extend the state’s 180 million dollar film tax credit out to 2028 from its current sunset date of 2025.

Mandeville Representative Richard Nelson hammered the bill, saying we can only afford a meager 800 dollar teacher pay raise for 60 million dollars while giving Hollywood 180 million a year. He adds…

Cut 6 (12) “system”

LSU, McNeese and, Southern all lost in game one of their respective regionals and will be fighting to keep their seasons alive today.  LSU lost 3-0 to Gonzaga and will play Central Connecticut at 3 p.m.  McNeese lost to TCU 12-4 and will face off against Oklahoma State at noon.  Southern fell to Texas 11-0 and will battle it out with Fairfield at 1 p.m.

Meanwhile, regional host Louisiana Tech rolled over Rider 18-2 in game one of the Ruston Regional.  Tech will play NC State tonight at 6 p.m.

After receiving several letters and complaints from numerous business groups and owners to end the federally enhanced unemployment benefits before they expire in September.  Governor John Bel Edwards says as of yet he doesn’t have the benefit of the study, but he does know that Louisiana is heavily dependent on tourism.

Cut 10 (09) “not jobs”

The Gulf of Mexico “Dead Zone” is expected to cover an area of 4,761 square miles this summer ranging from Louisiana to Texas. That’s according to LSU scientist Dr. Nancy Rabalais who says the low oxygen area in the gulf, where it’s hard for living resources to survive, is about 500 square miles less than previous years but still a disappointing number.

Cut 3 (07) “might come through”

Two men were struck and killed while changing a tire on the shoulder of I-10 westbound in St. James Parish on Thursday afternoon.  33-year-old Jermaine Irvine of St. Francisville’s vehicle veered off the roadway as 33-year-old Daniel Thomas was assisting 50-year-old James Breaux of Donaldsonville.  State Trooper Taylor Scrantz says Breaux and Thomas were pronounced dead at the scene and toxicology samples have been taken from all three parties…

Cut 13 (06) ‘be filed as well”

Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser will be in Juneau, Alaska next week as part of a partnership between our two states to jointly promote domestic seafood.

Nungesser says Louisiana and Alaska are the two biggest producers of domestic seafood in the US and the partnership is a natural fit.

Cut 4 (12) “taleovers”