U-S Representative Garret Graves of Baton Rouge is touting legislation that he says will open the door for 2016 flood victims to receive federal grant money, even if they low-interest loans.
cut 12 (09) “…penalizing them”
The bill received near unanimous support in the House. Now they wait to see if the Senate approves.

Legislation to give voters an opportunity in November to decide if fantasy sports gambling should be legal in their parish is one step away from final passage. A Senate committee approved River Ridge Representative Kirk Talbot’s proposal.
Cut 14 (12) “the site”
Talbot says if the legislation passes, he bring another bill next year to put in the mechanics on how they can tax this new gaming activity.

First Assistant Kyle Ardoin will take over the agency that handles elections starting May 8th . Ardoin is replacing Secretary of State Tom Schedler, who submitted his resignation papers in the wake of a sexual harassment scandal. Ardoin knows he’s been put in charge during a pivotal time for the department.
Cut 4 (10) “this state”
The Secretary of State’s office is in the process of purchasing new voting machines and they announced today they received bids from three different companies.

If you’ve been outside, you may have noticed that gnats are particularly bad this year. LS Ag Center entomologist Sebe Brown says the cool spring has extended the gnat season, but there are some country tested ways to keep the gnats away….
cut 9 (11) “…work well”
Brown says once we get a few days of 80 degree weather the gnats will go away, but then we’ll have to battle the mosquitoes.