On the final day of the legislative session, legislators failed to pass a budget, but they approved legislation that would grant inmates who were convicted of murder while they were juveniles a chance at parole after 25 years. Some legislators wanted to push parole eligibility to 30 years, but New Orleans Representative Gary Carter says there’s no law they could pass to give the victims back what they lost….
cut 11 (09) “….victim whole”

Time Magazine lists New Orleans as one of the top five metro areas in the nation for millennials to live. Demographer Greg Rigamer says the cost of living is one reason why the Big Easy attracts 25 to 34 year olds…
cut 9 (09) “…independently”
Rigamer says New Orleans social scene is also attractive to millenials.

I-10 Eastbound between the Sorrento and Gramercy exits in the River Parishes will be shut down tonight at 9 PM as work crews re-install a damaged on-ramp removed for repairs in March. State department of transportaton spokesperson Rodney Mallett advises motorists to check online for updates on the closure and alternative routes….
cut 6 (10) “….out there”
Mallett says I-10 will be re-opened before 5 AM on Monday.

It’s a free fishing weekend, as anyone can fish in fresh or salt public waters without a fishing license on Saturday and Sunday. State Wildlife and Fisheries Outreach Biologist Alayna McGarry hopes this will lead to more recreational fishermen….
cut 3 (10) “….them back”

Another special session has started at the State Capitol, after lawmakers failed to pass a budget for next fiscal year. Governor John Bel Edwards says it’s a sad day in Louisiana, and the options before the Capitol won’t be any different in the special than they were in the regular session…:
Cut 15 (12) “our veterans”
The House wanted to spend less than the Senate in case of a midyear shortfall.

Murderers convicted as juveniles will be eligible for parole after 25 years, as a bill by Baton Rouge Senator Dan Claitor wins final passage. But Albany Representative Sherman Mack said victims prefer 30 years:
Cut 10 (10) “than 25″
The measure with 25 years finally passed on a 67 to 34 vote.

If you’re heading to New Orleans over the weekend, use alternative routes as I-10 East between Sorrento and Gramercy will be closed:
Cut 1 (29) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

A man accused of dragging a pit bull to its death behind a pickup truck in the Slidell area in late May has been arrested, even though authorities believe it was an accident. The St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office says 50-year-old Willis Brailey apparently didn’t know the dog had fallen out of the bed of the truck, and he’s been charged with simple cruelty to animals. The dog was sent to LSU for a necropsy in order to confirm the cause of death.

Governor John Bel Edwards calls yesterday’s ending of the regular session an epic failure as lawmakers were unable to come to a compromise on the House and Senate versions of the spending plan for next fiscal year. The Governor supported the Senate version which he said fully funded TOPS and spared from cuts higher education, prisons and child welfare programs…:
Cut 16 (10) “that budget”
But House Republican leaders wanted to limit spending in the event of a midyear shortfall. The special session resumes Monday.

Both Eastbound lanes of I-10 will be closed between Sorrento and Gramercy from 9 tonight through Monday morning at the latest. DOTD spokesman Rodney Mallet says crews removed a ramp in March to take off for repair and now they’re putting it back, so use an alternate route if you’re going to New Orleans:
Cut 5 (09) “you’re going”

Juveniles serving life sentences for murder will soon be eligible for parole after 25 years. Halen Doughty has more…:
Cut 3 (30) “I’m Halen Doughty”

The Baton Rouge man accused of running over a 12-year-old boy in a police chase during a drug investigation is saying he’s not the one who hit the child. Joshual Hilton’s attorney issued a statement after new charges were announced against the suspect, saying the truth is that their client is innocent in the death of Sammy Lee. State Police say they stand by their charge of manslaughter.

Lawmakers are headed into a special session as there was no budget deal reached in time Thursday. The regular session had to end at 6pm, and the moments leading up to the inevitable sine die were tense and chaotic. The House wanted to withhold spending $100 million in case of a midyear shortfall, while the Senate only wanted to hold back $50 million to avoid deeper cuts to state agencies. Governor Edwards called what happened an epic failure by House Republicans.

As to what DID happen yesterday was final passage on a bill by Baton Rouge Senator Dan Claitor that makes murderers convicted as juveniles eligible for parole after 25 years. Crowley Representative John Stefanski says this puts Louisiana in line with federal law…:
Cut 12 (10) “have to do”
This was the last piece of Edwards’ criminal justice overhaul.

New Orleans is one of the top five cities for millennials to live, according to a report from Time Magazine. Jeff Palermo has more..:
Cut 2 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

One person is dead after a wreck in Baton Rouge that was believed to have happened when two vehicles were drag racing. Officials say at least three people were taken to the hospital, one in critical condition who later died.

An 18-wheeler carrying mangoes lost its load after it overturned on I-10 east 2am Thursday between Gross Tete and Lobdell, and crews weren’t able to clean up the mess that closed the left lane and caused a traffic nightmare until late yesterday.

Another special session has started at the State Capitol, after lawmakers failed to pass a budget for next fiscal year. Democratic Governor John Bel Edwards calls it an epic failure by House Republican leadership…:
Cut 13 (12) “special session”
The standoff ended up being over $50 million dollars in spending. That’s how much the Senate & Edwards agreed to hold back, but the House wanted to save $100 million in case of a midyear shortfall. House Appropriations Chair Cameron Henry…:
Cut 14 (11) “for that”
The House will begin holding meetings Monday. The Senate has to wait for the lower chamber so they return to the Capitol Wednesday.

A report from Time Magazine finds New Orleans is one of the top five metro areas in the country for millennials to live. Demographer Greg Rigamer says that’s the 25-34 age group…:”
Cut 7 (07) “positive draw”
The recent survey finds the city saw a nearly 9-percent increase in millennials from 2010 to 2015.

If you’re headed that way this weekend, know that I-10 East between the Sorrento and Gramercy exits will be closed for construction starting tonight at 9. DOTD spokesman Rodney Mallet says crews will install a repaired on-ramp bridge…:
Cut 4 (09) “back on”
It will re-open Monday morning at the latest.

Lawmakers are entering another special session because the legislature failed to pass a spending plan for next fiscal year during the regular session. Publisher of La-politics-dot-com, Jeremy Alford says House Republican leaders do not want to spend all of the dollars that are available.

Cut 12 (09) “do not”

Governor John Bel Edwards says it was a failure of leadership in the House that led to this unnecessary special session because lawmakers put partisan politics ahead of the people’s business. The governor says he will keep the legislature in Baton Rouge as long as it takes to pass a budget that fully funds state services. This is the fourth special session of Edwards term, and it must end by June 19.

The US Inspector General reviewed 225 cases of suspected Medicaid fraud in Louisiana, and the state had a 100% compliance rate. That’s according to Chief of Staff with the Louisiana Department of Health, Andrew Tuozzolo. He credits the use of state-of-the-art software to look for potentially fraudulent billing practices.

Cut 10 (10) “for that service”

Louisiana is one of only four states to pass this audit since 2014.

We can expect to see more mosquitos out and about after more than a week of continued rain. LSU AgCenter entomologist Kristen Healy says a lot of rainfall can lead to hatching of so-called flood water mosquitos.

Cut 6 (09) “for example”
 

Lawmakers failed to pass a spending plan for next fiscal year during the regular session. House Appropriations Chairman Cameron Henry expressed his disappointment in the final minutes of the session.

Cut 23 (06) “…for that”

The legislature convenes for a special session to pass a budget and address a looming fiscal cliff.

Louisiana has been recognized as one of the toughest states on fighting Medicaid fraud. Michelle Southern has more…

Cut 1 (29) “I’m Michelle Southern”

Governor Edwards signs a bill into law that allows gamblers to use $50 and $100 bills in video poker machines, instead of the current $20 limit. Video Poker Lobbyist Alton Ashy says the only reason for this measure is so a patron is not required to ask a cashier for smaller bills.

Cut 5 (08) “dollar bill”

Critics say upping the amount would increase the chances for an addiction.

We can expect to see more mosquitos out and about after more than a week of continued rain. LSU AgCenter entomologist Kristen Healy says more rain equals more mosquitos, and different types of mosquitos at that. She says a lot of rainfall can lead to hatching of so-called flood water mosquitos.

Cut 6 (09) “for example”