A top priority of the 2021 session, a centralized sales tax collection system, receives significant support from the House Ways and Means Committee. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (31) …I’m Jeff Palermo”  

A body has been recovered from the Mississippi River in Reserve, Louisiana, according to St. John the Baptist sheriff’s deputies. Authorities have not released any more information except that the body appears as if it’s been in the river for some time. Over the weekend dive teams searched near the Mississippi River Bridge in Baton Rouge for missing LSU freshman Kori Gauthier

With Congressional efforts to raise the federal minimum wage dead in the water Governor Edwards is looking to the Legislature to increase the state’s 7.25 an hour minimum this session. Edwards says many essential workers don’t make a living wage, and after everything they’ve done for the state since the start of the pandemic, they deserve a raise.

Cut 10 (09) “..needs.” 

The minimum wage hasn’t been raised in the state since 2008.

The state department of health is following guidance from the CDC and FDA halting the use of the Johnson & Johnson COVID vaccine and investigating a possible connection between blood clots in six women and the one-dose vaccine. Tulane School of Medicine Professor Doctor Lisa Morici says this is only with the J& J vaccine this shouldn’t discourage you from being vaccinated.

Cut 4 (10) “…Pfizer vaccines.” 

Hello Affiliates,

Our website issues have been resolved as our broken server has been fixed. Sorry for the inconvenience. If you need anything please don’t hesitate to reach out.

Jeff Palermo

With Congressional efforts to raise the federal minimum wage dead in the water Governor Edwards is looking to the Legislature to increase the state’s 7.25 an hour minimum this session. In past years Edwards would put his weight behind a single bill but this time he says he’ll take any raise he can get, even if it’s below his preferred number.

Cut 9, 7 seconds, sign it

House Speaker Clay Schexnayder’s proposal to centralize Louisiana’s sales tax collection system gets positive reviews from a House committee. Schexnayder proposes using a single board to collect local and sales taxes, which would make it easier on small businesses and assure the right amount of taxes is collected…

Cut 6 (10) “.. our job.”

Lawmakers have until June 10^th to address the nearly 900 bills and resolutions filed.

The state health department, following guidance from the CDC and FDA, is stopping the use of the Johnson and Johnson one-dose vaccine while they review data. Brooke Thorington explains

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

The state department of health is following guidance from the CDC and FDA and halting the use of the Johnson & Johnson COVID vaccine. Both the CDC and FDA are investigating a possible connection between blood clots and the one-dose vaccine. Tulane School of Medicine Professor Doctor Lisa Morici says six women were diagnosed with blood clots six to thirteen days after their injection.

Cut 3 (10)  “…age of 50.” 

A Brown Pelican that was rehabbed after being found covered in oil in 2010 on Queen Bess Island and released into the wild in Georgia has found it’s way back home. LDWF Biologist Casey Wright says this is not the first pelican rehabbed from the oil spill that found its way home.

Cut 9 (09) “…for Texas.”

The Legislative session kicked off yesterday and lawmakers have the next two months to consider about 900 bills and resolutions, including one controversial culture war topic that could result in New Orleans losing the Final Four in 2022. Houma Representative Beryl Amadee’s bill bars transgender athletes from participating in girl’s or women’s sports at public schools. Political Analyst Clancy DuBos says it has a good chance of passing.

Cut 13 (08) “…in Louisiana.”

Governor Edwards wrapped up the first day with a speech on the field at Mumford Stadium on Southern’s campus. Edwards challenged lawmakers not to allow the state to return to the pre-pandemic normal, but to something better…

Cut 10 (13) “..difficult.”

The Louisiana Department of Health following the guidance of the CDC and FDA is halting the use of the Johnson and Johnson one dose COVID vaccine. The CDC and FDA are investigating a possible connection of blood clots and the vaccine. Six women reportedly had blood clots six to thirteen days after the injection and a reduction in platelet count.

Louisiana has seen literacy rates amongst elementary and middle-grade students decline for several years in a row now. Matt Doyle spoke with Superintendent of Education Cade Brumley about how to fix this…

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle.”

The session will run for the next two months and there are a lot of different items on the agenda, including legislation that would bar transgender individuals from participating in girls’ or women’s sports. Political analyst Clancy Dubos says the NCAA is threatening to pull events like the Final Four, which New Orleans is set to host next year, if this bill passes…

Cut 15 (07)“…transgendered student”

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries says a rehabbed brown pelican that was found covered in oil near Queen Bess Island in 2010, and then released in Georgia, has found its way back to the Bayou State. LDWF Biologist Casey Wright says the pelican known as 33Z remains tagged on his right leg and while it’s not known exactly when he returned from Georgia,Wright says it’s not a complete shock that’s he found his way back.

Cut 8 (07) “…banding.”

Tax reform is expected to be a big topic at the legislative session which got underway last week. In his address to lawmakers to open the session, Governor Edwards called on revenue-neutral tax reforms. He says since 2016 they’ve made great strides stabilizing the budget and can’t go back to running deficits…
cut 11 (08) “….positive”
Republican legislative leaders are looking at lower income tax rates in exchange for a reduction in tax break programs.

There’s a bill in the legislative session that would bar transgender athletes from participating in girls or women’s sports at public schools. Political analyst Clancy Dubos says there’s a chance the legislation will pass,,,
cut 13 (08) “…in Louisiana’
The NCAA has threatened to remove events from states that pass this legislation. New Orleans is set to host the men’s Final Four next year.

The Louisiana Department of Education is launching a new campaign to boost the state’s shockingly poor levels of literacy among young students. Right now only half of the third-graders are reading on or above their grade level. Superintendent Cade Brumley says that number has been declining for several years.
Cut 4 (09)“…successful”
The state is launching a new series of training programs for teachers and administrative staff in elementary and middle grades to boost literacy rates.

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries says a rehabbed brown pelican that was found covered in oil near Queen Bess Island in 2010 following the BP spill, and then released in Georgia, has found its way back to the Bayou State. LDWF Biologist Casey Wright says this is the first pelican released from the Coast Guard Station in Brunswick to return home.
Cut 7 (12) “…I saw it.”
Wright says brown pelicans are hard-wired genetically to return to their birth colony to breed, even when they move long distances.

Governor John Bel Edwards encourages lawmakers to use the legislative session to solve some of the inequities that have plagued the state. Matt Doyle has the story…
cut 2 (32) “….I’m Matt Doyle”

Edwards says he’s also asking for lawmakers to approve another pay increase for K-12 teachers and support staff. The governor is also proposing a faculty increase for higher education professors and his budget proposal also fully funds TOPS.

The NCAA has announced its support for transgender athletes and threatens to pull events from states that pass anti-transgender laws. There’s a bill in the legislative session that would prohibit transgender athletes from participating in women’s sports in this state. Political commentator Clancy Dubos says the state legislature may end up creating problems that do not currently exist…
cut 14 (10) “….of the problem”
New Orleans is set to host the NCAA Final Four next year.

State Superintendent of Education Cade Brumley says literacy is an issue in Louisiana and he says the state is starting a new initiative to help spark a reading revival…
cut 5 (10) “….books”
Brumley says they have several online resources on the state department of education’s website including, classroom libraries.

Today is the first full day of the legislative session and approving a new budget for the fiscal year that begins July 1st is a top priority. During his State of the State address last night, Governor Edwards says the state is receiving over three billion dollars in federal stimulus aid, but the money must be spent wisely…
cut 12 (12) “…debt”
But there could be a push to use some of this money on recurring expenses.

The state department of education has announced plans to increase the state’s literacy rates. Superintendent of Education Cade Brumley says it’s concerning that by the end of third grade only 46-percent of students have achieved mastery of English Language Arts…
cut 6 (08) “…dropouts”
Schools and families can now access resources on early literacy and foundational skills on the state department of education’s website.

A number of antitransgender bills have been filed that one political analyst says could be costly for the state if any pass. Brooke Thorington explains.
Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

The Advocate is reporting that four LSU Health Shreveport employees have filed complaints with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission alleging that Chancellor Doctor G-E Ghali covered up harassment claims made by medical students and disciplined faculty who raised the allegations. An LSU Health Shreveport spokesperson says the school is ready to defend itself against these latest allegations.

Governor John Bel Edwards wrapped up the first day of the Legislative session Monday with a speech at Southern University’s Mumford Stadium outlining his hopes for the next two months. Edwards challenged lawmakers not to allow the state to return to the pre-pandemic normal, but to something better, highlighting his support for equal pay, minimum wage increases, and other reforms.
Cut 10 (13) “..difficult.”
The session will run for the next two months and there are a lot of different items on the agenda, including legislation that would bar transgender individuals from participating in girls’ or women’s sports. Political analyst Clancy Dubos says the NCAA is threatening to pull events like the Final Four, which New Orleans is set to host next year, if this bill passes…
cut 15 (07) “…transgender student”

Louisiana has seen literacy rates among elementary and middle-grade students decline for several years in a row. Matt Doyle spoke with Superintendent of Education Cade Brumley about the state’s plan to fix this…
Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle.”

The first day of the Legislative session wrapped up with Governor Edwards calling for bold reforms in a speech on the field at Mumford Stadium on the campus of Southern University.

Edwards reiterated prior calls for an increase in the minimum wage, passage of equal pay for women, teacher pay raises, and mandatory sexual misconduct reporting at colleges. Edwards challenged lawmakers not to allow the state to return to the pre-pandemic normal, but to something better.

Cut 10 (13) “..difficult.”

Edwards also laid out his plans for spending 3.2 billion dollars in federal aid the state is set to receive…

Cut 12 (12) “…debt”

Edwards also warned lawmakers he will reject any tax reform that is not revenue neutral.

Over 900 bills are set to be heard over the next two months, and sports betting legalization is towards the top of the list of priorities for many. Metairie Senator Cameron Henry says there are two big questions, just how expansive sports betting should be, and how it should be taxed…

Cut 14 (07) “…significant hurdle.”  (PM)

Voters in 55 of 64 parishes said yes to legal sports betting in their parish last November.

The NCAA warns New Orleans could be stripped of hosting the Final Four in 2022 if legislation by Houma Representative Beryl Amadee barring trans people from participating in girl’s or women’s sports passes. Political commentator Clancy DuBos says this culture war bill could cost the state hundreds of millions of dollars…

Cut 15 (07)“…transgendered student”