Governor John Bel Edwards says if you are vaccinated against COVID-19 you can visit a state park or a historic site through July 31st for free. Edwards says many of these facilities got overhauls and renovations over the course of the last year and are more family-friendly than ever before.
Cut 8 (09) “…sites.”
The state has vaccinated 32-percent of its population.

Legislation to make kindergarten mandatory for five-year-olds is closing in on final legislative passage after it received House approval yesterday. Houma Representative Beryl Amedee voted against it. She believes the mandatory age to start school should be seven and kindergarten a choice…
cut 11 (10) “…parental rights”

The 2021 regular legislative session will be over by this time next week and while there are still a few issues left most of the heavy lifting is done. Matt Doyle has more…
Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

The NCAA Baseball Tournament gets underway today. LSU faces Gonzaga in Oregon at 9 PM. Louisiana Tech hosts a Regional for the first time ever and will match-up with Rider at 6 PM. McNeese is at TCU and Southern plays Texas in Austin this afternoon.

Those who are vaccinated against COVID-19 can visit Louisiana’s 21 state parks and 18 historic sites for free through July 31st. Matt Doyle has the story.
Cut 2 (29) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

Governor Edwards has announced the state has hired economist Jim Richardson to study whether Louisiana will opt-out of the extra 300-dollars the federal government is making available to unemployed workers. Business groups say employers are struggling to find workers, because of the enhanced unemployment benefits.

State lawmakers have returned to their districts as there is no legislative activity at the capitol today. The legislative session ends next Thursday and LA-politics-dot-com publisher Jeremy Alford says tax reform and gaming bills still need final legislative approval…
cut 5 (09) “….betting”
A senate bill that sets up the protocols and oversight for sports gambling is nearing final legislative passage after the House voted for it yesterday.

A Baton Rouge nurse is on a mission to vaccinate two thousand people by July 4th. Carla Brown’s husband died from the virus last year after she unknowingly brought COVID into her home. Brown says so far she’s vaccinated nearly one-thousand people…
cut 14 (11) “…not available”
Only 32-percent of Louisianans are fully vaccinated, one of the lowest percentages in the country.

Governor Edwards announces that vaccinated individuals can now gain free entry into all Louisiana State Parks and historic sites through July 31st. Edwards says it doesn’t matter when you got your shot, if you have proof, you get in free.
Cut 7 (11) “…state parks.”
The state health department says nearly one-point-five million residents are fully vaccinated or about 32-percent of the state’s population.

At the governor’s press briefing, Baton Rouge nurse Carla Brown told her story of vaccinating nearly one-thousand people after she unknowingly brought the coronavirus home last year, which resulted in the death of her husband…
cut 13 (13) “…in vain”
Brown is asking for every American to get vaccinated.

A Senate-approved bill to make kindergarten mandatory beginning at age five is nearing final legislative approval after the Louisiana House voted for the measure….
Cut 3 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

The 2021 regular legislative session will be over by this time next week and while there are still a few issues left most of the heavy lifting has already been completed. Matt Doyle has more…

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

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 Those who’ve been vaccinated will be able to visit Louisiana’s 21 state parks and 18 historic sites for free through July 31st. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 2 (29) “…I’m Matt Doyle” 

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A bill to make kindergarten mandatory beginning at age five passed in the House and now returns to the Senate. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 3 (31)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

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There’s just under a week left in the legislative session and while most of the heavy lifting is done there are still a few hot topics left for lawmakers to debate before 6 PM on June 10^th.

The budget is wrapped up and several controversial culture war bills are headed to the Governor, but LaPolitics.com publisher Jeremy Alford there’s one major hold up…

Cut 4 (08)”…weekend.”

Edwards is expected to veto any legislation removing the need to have a permit or training to concealed carry and legislation removing the ability for trans athletes to participate in women’s sports.

Alongside the tax reform issues, Alford says lawmakers still have some major gaming-related bills to finish.

Cut 5 (09)”…betting.”

The Slidell casino vote recently escaped a Senate committee it had been stuck in for weeks and is headed to the Senate floor.

Lawmakers also need to pass the taxation portion of legislation that allows the use and sale of the raw form of medical marijuana, but it’s been amended to include an infrastructure-related tax proposal.

Cut 6 (09)”…passing.”

The Conservative Caucus has vowed to block any efforts to use the point four-five percent of the sales tax that is expiring in 2025 to permanently pay for infrastructure projects.

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Governor Edwards announces that vaccinated individuals can now gain free entry into all Louisiana State Parks and historic sites through July 31^st.

Edwards says it doesn’t matter when you got your shot, if you have proof, you get in free.

Cut 7 (11)  “…state parks.”

Louisiana has 21 state parks and 18 historic sites.

Edwards says many of these facilities got overhauls and renovations over the course of the last year and are more family-friendly than ever before.

Cut 8 (09) “…sites.”

Edwards says they’re still offering their shot for shots program to those who are still on the fence about getting vaccinated…

Cut 9 (10) “…future” 

Only 32 percent of Louisianans are fully vaccinated.

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A bill to make kindergarten mandatory beginning at age five passed in the House on a 59-31 vote. New Orleans Representative Jason Hughes presented the bill for Baton Rouge Senator Cleo Fields and says he’s tired of Louisiana consistently being ranked towards the bottom of the list in education.

Cut 10 (08) “…our kids.”

The bill faced opposition from Houma Representative Beryl Amedee, she believes the mandatory age to begin school should remain at seven and kindergarten a choice.

Cut 11 (10) “…parental rights.”

Mississippi, Alabama, Florida, Georgia, and Texas have mandatory kindergarten laws and Hughes says it’s time to make an investment for a better future for children in Louisiana.

Cut 12 (12) “…sense.”

The original bill required children who turn five by September 30th to attend but was amended to March 31st for the school calendar year. The amended bill now returns to the Senate where it passed in the upper chamber on a 34-1 vote. If passed would go into effect for the 2022-23 school year.

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A Baton Rouge nurse began a door-to-door campaign earlier this year to educate and vaccinate people for COVID. Carla Brown lost her husband to COVID after she exposed him to the virus, a man who survived a gunshot wound to the head as a child and cancer twice, only to succumb to the virus.

Cut 13 (13) “…in vain.”

Brown along with the assistance of Baton Rouge pharmacy has vaccinated just shy of a thousand residents. Her goal is to reach two thousand by the 4^th of July.

Cut 14 (11) “…not available.”

When Brown’s husband contracted COVID he ended up at the hospital and due to visiting restrictions, died alone. Brown is now a Hospice Nurse in an effort to comfort patients in their last moments, something she couldn’t do for her husband.

Cut 15 (08)“…one lives.”

Brown shared her story last month on ABC’s talk show The View.

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Louisiana Tech announces the Ruston Regional has sold out of its entire inventory of all-session tickets available to the general public. It’s the first time the Bulldogs are hosting a regional in baseball. Tech Coach Lane Burroughs says he’s seen teams hosting their first regional tighten up

Cut 16 (24) “…let it rip.”

The Bulldogs will host Rider tonight at 6 PM. Burroughs says staff ace Jonathan Fincher will get the start…

Cut 17 (16) thinking things.” 

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Tonight at 9 PM, it will be LSU and Gonzaga facing off in the Eugene Regional. The Bulldogs will send seven-game winner Alek Jacob to the hill. He has 103 strikeouts on the season. Jacob doesn’t throw hard, but he has a lot of swing and miss to his game. First baseman Tre Morgan on their approach…

Cut  18 (08)”..to this guy.”

LSU will send Landon Marceaux to the mound. Coach Paul Mainieri wants Marceaux to pitch to contact…

Cut 19 (11) “…the end.” 

Morgan on playing for Mainieri who is retiring at the end of the season…

Cut 20 (14)  “…high note.” 

The Legislature sends Governor Edwards a bill that would allow the use of medical marijuana in the raw, smoke-able form, a bill the Governor is expected to sign into law. The only forms of medical marijuana you can buy in Louisiana right now are awful expensive and Houma Representative Tanner Magee says his legislation addresses that…

Cut 12 (10)   “…tremendously” 

Legislation establishing the tax rate for raw medical marijuana is still working through the Legislature.

A bill to make kindergarten mandatory beginning at age 5 passes the House on final approval. New Orleans Representative Jason Hughes presented the bill by Baton Rouge Senator Cleo Fields and says he’s tired of Louisiana consistently being ranked towards the bottom of the list in education.

Cut 10 (09) “…our kids.”

Opponents argue it takes the choice out of parents’ hands.

A bill to remove the state sales tax from feminine hygiene products along with diapers is heading to the full Senate for final passage. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (31) “ …I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

There’s less than a week left in the session and lawmaker have until 6 PM June 10^th to wrap up their business. Still left to be resolved is a major piece of tax reform legislation that would ultimately have to be decided on by the voters, sports gaming taxation and regulation, a proposal to utilize some sale tax to pay for infrastructure, and a St. Tammany Parish casino vote.

An effort to remove the state sales “pink tax” from feminine hygiene products and diapers is heading to the Senate floor for final passage. Gonzales Senator Eddie Lambert questioned New Orleans Representative Aimee Freeman about the bill and how much removing the state sales tax would cost the state.

Cut 7 (12) “…tax exempt.” 

If approved by the Senate and signed by the governor, it would go into effect July 2022.

The Legislature gave final passage to a bill that would allow the use of medical marijuana in the raw, smoke-able form. Governor Edwards indicated he will sign the bill and Houma Representative Tanner Magee notes, unlike the push for recreational pot, it did not face any opposition from law enforcement groups.

Cut 13 (11)“…problem”

The White House has approved Louisiana’s request for a Major Disaster Declaration for five parishes following the flash flooding in mid-May which damaged several thousand homes in Ascension, Calcasieu, East Baton Rouge, Iberville, and Lafayette parishes. FEMA spokesperson Stuart Lewis says residents in these parishes can apply for disaster assistance…

Cut 3 (07)  “…uninsured.” 

The Colorado State University hurricane research team is continuing to call for 18 named storms this hurricane season. C-S-U Graduate Research Assistant Jhordanne Jones says they still do not see an El Nino developing, which can hinder tropical storm development.

Cut 9 (11) “…north Atlantic.”

2020 produced a record number of storms with 30 and a record five named storms made landfall in Louisiana.

The state health department reports 54-thousand more doses of COVID vaccines have been administered in the past week as nearly one-point-five million residents are fully vaccinated or about 32-percent of the state’s population. The Louisiana Health Department is also reporting eight more COVID deaths.

A bill to remove the state sales tax from feminine hygiene products along with diapers is heading to the full Senate for final passage. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 1 (31) “ …I’m Brooke Thorington.”

The White House has approved Louisiana’s request for a Major Disaster Declaration in Ascension, Calcasieu, East Baton Rouge, Iberville and Lafayette parishes as a result of last month’s flash flooding that damaged at least 29-hundred homes. FEMA spokesperson Stuart Lewis homeowners in these parishes who suffered damage can receive grants for home repairs, low-cost loans, and temporary housing…
cut 4 (11) “…those things”

The Colorado State Hurricane Forecast Team is sticking with its prediction of 18 named storms this hurricane season as we are in the first week of the hurricane season. CSU researcher Jhordanne Jones says Gulf coast residents should have plans in place if a storm threatens their area…
Cut 11 (11) “…informed.”

One-half of the legislative effort to allow the use and sale of raw, smoke-able medical marijuana has gained final legislative passage and is expected to be signed by the Governor. Matt Doyle has more.

Cut 2 (31) …I’m Matt Doyle”  

Waitr announces the launch of a corporate rebranding initiative. The Lafayette based on-demand food ordering and delivery service says as they continue to expand, they want to change their name that better reflects their new business model. The company currently is interviewing branding firms.

An effort to remove the state sales “pink tax” from feminine hygiene products and diapers is heading to the Senate floor for final passage. Denham Springs Senator Rogers Pope asked New Orleans Representative Aimee Freeman how her bill would impact the collection of local sales for municipalities and parishes.

Cut 8 (07) “…an option.” 

If approved by the Senate and signed by the governor, the sales tax would end in July 2022.

The White House has approved Louisiana’s request for a Major Disaster Declaration for five parishes following the flash flooding in mid-May which damaged several thousand homes in Ascension, Calcasieu, East Baton Rouge, Iberville, and Lafayette parishes. FEMA spokesperson Stuart Lewis says residents in these parishes can apply for disaster assistance…

Cut 3 (07)  “…uninsured.” 

So far, more than 2,900 homes have reported damage from the severe weather.

The LSU baseball team is in Oregon getting ready for the Eugene Regional in what could be Paul Mainieri’s final weekend as the coach of the Tigers. Mainieri says he’s not trying to think about how his career is ending soon…
Cut 19 (18) “…Super Regional.”

LSU announces it has parted ways with offensive line coach James Cregg. In 2019, the Tigers offensive line received the Joe Moore Award which goes to college football’s best offensive line. But the o-line didn’t play well last season and Cregg is not known for his recruiting.

LSU running back Keontre Bradford has entered the NCAA transfer portal.

For the first time ever, Louisiana Tech will host an NCAA Baseball Regional. Bulldogs Coach Lane Burroughs says after a grueling Conference USA Tournament where they played six games in five days, his guys are ready to play a game again…
cut 30 (27) “…go down’
Tech will host Rider tomorrow night at 6 PM at J-C Love Field at Pat Patterson Park.

Also at 6 Pm tomorrow, Louisiana Tech will face T-C-U in the Fort Worth Regional opening round. The Cowboys are making their sixth appearance in a Regional and they are two and ten all-time. They went 0-2 in the Nashville Regional in 2019.

An effort to remove the state sales “pink tax” from feminine hygiene products and diapers is heading to the Senate floor for final passage. Gonzales Senator Eddie Lambert questioned New Orleans Representative Aimee Freeman’ about the bill and how much removing the state sales tax would cost the state.

Cut 7 (12) “…tax exempt.” 

If approved by the Senate and signed by the governor, it would go into effect July 2022.

The Legislature gave final passage to a bill that would allow the use of medical marijuana in the raw, smoke-able form. Houma Representative Tanner Magee says his legislation will make medical marijuana more accessible by significantly reducing the cost of the treatment.

Cut 12 (10)   “…tremendously” 

Governor Edwards has indicated he will sign the bill.

Legislation dedicating a portion of the state sales tax that is set to expire in 2025 cleared a Senate committee 7-4 and is headed to the Senate floor. Matt Doyle has more.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”