Louisiana ranks 48th in overall child well-being, according to the KIDS COUNT Data Book released by the Agenda for Children. KIDS COUNT Coordinator Theresa Falgoust says the Bayou State ranks 47th in education, which examined three and four year olds who don’t go to school, and 4th graders who are below proficient in reading…:
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Falgoust says one of the positives in the report is that 96 percent of children now have health insurance.

Governor John Bel Edwards has introduced interim State Police Superintendent Kevin Reeves to the position permanently. Reeves has already been serving in that role since the retirement of Col. Mike Edmonson earlier this year. Edwards says Reeves has done an excellent job at State Police and has won the praise of his colleagues and law enforcement across Louisiana.

Construction has begun on the I-10 widening project between I-49 and the Atchafalaya Basin, so DOTD has introduced Motorist Assistance Patrols to the area to help with traffic flow. Deidrea Druilhet with DOTD says with 60,000 drivers traveling that stretch daily, the department will have three map program trucks patrolling the area..:
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If you are ever on the road and need assistance dial *LSP.

The Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission approves a proposal to open the recreational red snapper fishing season in federal waters for the next 12 weekends as part of a compromise with the federal government and four other Gulf Coast states. Assistant Secretary for LDWF, Patrick Banks..:
Cut 13 (08) “located”
The agreement could begin this weekend.

A new law seeks to curb the state’s growing opioid epidemic. Governor Edwards signed the bill by New Orleans Representative Helena Moreno that limits first time opioid prescriptions to a 7-day supply. Moreno says she’s glad this legislation made it through the process.

Cut 4 (08) “this year”

Moreno says this is a step in the right direction toward savings lives.

It’s been 17 years since the legislature failed to approve a budget in the regular session, and Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne says we’re having many of the same discussions now. He says the one-penny sales tax enacted last year was supposed to be a bridge to fiscal reform, and lawmakers did not accomplish that in the fiscal session.

Cut 9 (10) “fiscal reform session”

A bill by Baton Rouge Congressman Garret Graves seeks to give flood victims some financial relief. Graves says his bill waives extra costs for those who had to withdraw from their retirement savings to rebuild.

Cut 11 (10) “additional penalty”

The bill would help victims of both the March and August floods, as well as those affected by the tornado outbreak in February.

Louisiana fishermen are pushing for a change in federal regulations to give them more access to fish in federal waters. Assistant Secretary with LDWF Patrick Banks says not many red snapper live in state waters.

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A proposed change would end snapper fishing in state waters on weekdays.

Governor John Bel Edwards signs three bills designed to stop the growing opioid epidemic. Jeff Palermo has more…:
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Today the governor is slated to announce the permanent head of the Louisiana State Police. Sources say it will be Kevin Reeves, who has held the interim post since the retirement of Col. Mike Edmonson. Edwards will hold a news conference at 11am to name his appointment to lead the state’s top law enforcement agency.

A soldier from Louisiana was killed Sunday in Afghanistan, and he leaves behind a wife and 2 children. 23-year-old Sgt. Christopher P. Soderlund of Pineville died from his injuries after his unit was hit by enemy forces using a rocket-propelled grenade.

17-years ago was the last time the state legislature didn’t pass a budget in the regular session, and Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne was a Senator at the time. He says lawmakers were facing a similar problem then as they are today with temporary taxes set to expire in 2018…:
Cut 8 (08) “sound familiar”
He’s hoping lawmakers can get a spending plan for next fiscal year passed soon in the special session.

The NCAA announces LSU will play Florida State Saturday night at 7pm in the College World Series. The Tigers get the prime time spot following Cal. State-Fullerton vs. Oregon State at 2pm. The games will air on ESPN.

A new law signed by the Governor requires doctors issuing a first time pain pill prescriptions for outpatient use to limit the amount of the drug to a seven-day supply. New Orleans Representative Helena Moreno says this strikes a balance between preserving access, and reducing the number of opioids out there..:
Cut 5 (04) “to prevent”
Three bills were signed into law Monday aimed at combating the state’s opioid epidemic.

Baton Rouge Congressman Garret Graves files legislation aimed at providing financial relief to 2016 flood victims. Congress has appropriated $2 billion for flood recovery so far, and Governor Edwards is seeking an additional $1 billion in federal aid. But Graves says for many that still won’t be enough…:
Cut 12 (10) “as we can”

Recreational anglers in Louisiana would get an extended 27 day, weekends-only recreational red snapper season in federal waters this summer starting Saturday under a proposal approved by the Wildlife and Fisheries Commission. Assistant Secretary for LDWF Patrick Banks says this is a good compromise with the federal government..:
Cut 15 (08) “involved”
The order is pending approval and acceptance by the four other Gulf state’s fisheries directors and the U.S. Department of Commerce.

We now know the time LSU will open play in the College World Series. The Tigers will take on Florida State Saturday night at 7pm in Omaha. LSU is considered one of the heavy favorites to win the CWS, as they’ve won 16 in a row. Coach Paul Mainieri likes his team’s chances..:
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Congressman Garret Graves of Baton Rouge files legislation to give flood victims a tax break…:
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Ronald Gasser, the man accused of shooting former NFL player Joe McKnight in Jefferson Parish, is scheduled to go on trial August 7th. Gasser has pleaded not guilty to second degree murder in the December 1st apparent road rage incident.

The pairings and game times for the first two days of the College World Series have been announced. LSU will take on Florida in the second game in Omaha on Saturday at 7pm.

Prescriptions for highly addictive opioid drugs in Louisiana will be more difficult to obtain under bills signed into law by Governor John Bel Edwards. One will limit first-time prescriptions for acute pain to seven days, down from 30. State Department of Health Secretary Dr. Rebekah Gee believes this legislation will slow down opioid abuse in our state…:
Cut 6 (07) “we’ve made”
Another measure requires physicians to consult a statewide monitoring system before prescribing opioid drugs to patients, some of whom may be “doctor-shopping.”

The Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission approves a proposal to open the recreational red snapper fishing season in federal waters for the next 12 weekends as part of a compromise with the federal government and four other Gulf Coast states. Assistant Secretary for LDWF, Patrick Banks..:
Cut 13 (08) “located”
The agreement could begin this weekend.

Governor John Bel Edwards signed three bills aimed at helping the state’s growing opioid epidemic. One of new laws prohibits a doctor from prescribing more than a seven day supply of pain killers for a first time prescription. New Orleans Representative Helena Moreno is happy at least something came out of the regular session this year..:
Cut 4 (08) “this year”
She says this is a step in the right direction for saving lives.

It’s been 17 years since the legislature adjourned a regular session without passing a budget, until this year. Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne was there nearly two decades ago, and says it’s the same old song and dance…:
Cut 7 (09) “and universities”
Dardenne says it’s frustrating that we’re in that place again today, but he’s confident the budget issue will be resolved soon.

Baton Rouge Congressman Garret Graves files legislation aimed at providing financial relief to 2016 flood victims. Graves says even after Congress appropriated billions of dollars for flood recovery, there are thousands and thousands of flood victims who are far from whole following the floods…:
Cut 10 (08) “they still have”
He says his bill also provides some financial relief for extra costs associated with drawing from retirement savings prematurely.

We now know the time LSU will open play in the College World Series. The Tigers will take on Florida State Saturday night at 7pm in Omaha.

Democratic Caucus Chairman Gene Reynolds of Minden wants to see a more balanced representation on the Republican-dominated House Appropriations and Ways and Means Committees. He believes more Democrats or even moderate Republicans could change some of the voting patterns.

Cut 7 (08) “solve the problem”

Reynolds says currently these committees are not structured for success.

The LSU Tigers are Omaha bound, and they’ll take on Florida State in the opening round of the College World Series this weekend. LSU won 16 straight and scored 10 or more runs in half those games. Head Coach Paul Mainieri says his team can do more than just hit.

Cut 5 (08) “try and do”

This is the fifth time Mainieri has led the Tigers to Omaha.

Police say a Baton Rouge man fatally stabbed another man with a broken beer bottle after a verbal argument downtown. Sergeant Don Coppola says 59-year-old Elvis Graham turned himself into authorities today in connection with the death of 52-year-old Vinell Easley.

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Coppola says the stabbing took place on Saturday night in downtown Baton Rouge.

A Shreveport man in serious condition getting shot while driving on Interstate 20 this morning. Shreveport police corporal Marcus Hines says detectives are still searching for a shooter and a motive.

Cut 14 (10) “that experience”
Hines says 23-year-old Perdarius Marshall suffered a gunshot wound to the midsection.

Lawmakers are back at the state capitol trying to iron out a budget for next fiscal year. Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne went before the House Appropriations Committee and said he doesn’t understand why they didn’t support the Senate’s spending plan, which would not lead to cuts in many areas, like public colleges…
cut 11 (09) “….to cut em”
But Covington Representative John Schroder says needs and wants are not relevant, but this is about what the state can afford…:
Cut 10 (09) “money or not”
A budget must be approved before the special session ends, which is June 19th. The spending plan will be discussed on the House floor Wednesday.

The chair of the House Democratic caucus, Minden Representative Gene Reynolds, hopes lawmakers are able to get more accomplished in the special session than what they they did in the regular session…:
Cut 8 (07) “get this done”
Reynolds is hopeful more Democrats or moderate Republicans can get seats on the two money committees to help end the gridlock.

Governor John Bel Edwards signs three bills designed to stop the growing opioid epidemic. Jeff Palermo has more…
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