A low pressure system near Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula could bring the Gulf Coast wet weather for the Memorial Day weekend. The disturbance has been given a medium chance of developing into at least a tropical depression in the central or eastern Gulf of Meci. State Climatologist Barry Keim  says at least there’s some good news.

cut 8 (09) “gain strength”

The House Ways and Means committee held its first hearing of the special session today. As a way to generate revenue, the Edwards administration is proposing to keep a portion of an expiring one-cent sales tax and also eliminate certain sales tax breaks that businesses enjoy. Baton Rouge Representative Barry Ivey says he prefers spending reform as a way to address the fiscal cliff…

Cut 15 (14) “support”

A Marshall Project report shows Louisiana saw its largest drop in prison population in a decade between 2016 and 2017. State Corrections Secretary Jimmy LeBlanc says  the good news is, a declining incarceration rate has not led to an increased crime rate in Louisiana.

Cut 10 (10) “thats important”

New Orleans will host the 2024 Super Bowl after being the only team invited to bid this year. Connor Ferrill has more.

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Connor Ferril”

New Orleans will host the 2024 Super Bowl after being the only team invited to bid this year. Connor Ferrill has more.

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Connor Ferril”

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Louisiana had it’s biggest drop in prison population in over a decade from 2016 to 2017. Jeff Palermo has more.

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo “

New Orleans officials say the last Super Bowl, in 2013, had a 480 million dollar economic impact, and Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation President Jay Cicero confirmed that the city and state had to provide an economic incentive package to seal the deal, but says we’ll easily make that money back.

Cut 4 (08) “with that”

Cicero says the NFL changed its bidding process after several years of embarrassing bids for leaders in traditionally successful Super Bowl cities.

Cut 5  (09) “elected officials”

The last time New Orleans hosted the Super Bowl, the power went out, leading to a massive comeback effort from the 49ers that almost toppled the eventual champion Baltimore Ravens.

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A low pressure system near Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula could bring the Gulf Coast wet weather for the Memorial Day weekend. The disturbance has been given a medium chance of developing into at least a tropical depression in the central or eastern Gulf of Meci. State Climatologist Barry Keim

Cut 6 (11)  “whole weekend”

The system is currently in the Caribbean Sea, and is on its way to the Gulf. Keim says we aren’t at risk for any heavy winds or dangerous storm surge, but there’s a good chance we could see a ton of rain.

Cut 7 (07)  “that region”

Despite the threat of a rained out Memorial Day weekend and the potential for a troubling amount of rain, Keim says at least there’s some good news.

cut 8 (09) “gain strength”

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A Marshall Project report shows Louisiana saw its largest drop in prison population in a decade between 2016 and 2017. The 1,943 person decrease is a 5.4 drop in the total population, one of the biggest drops in the nation. State Corrections Secretary Jimmy LeBlanc says it’s a testament to recent criminal justice reforms.

Cut 9 (09) “with it.”

In 2012 Louisiana was named the world’s “Prison Capital” after a report noted that the state has a higher percentage of incarcerated people than any other state, or country, including Iran, China, and Russia.

LeBlanc says the good news is, a declining incarceration rate has not led to an increased crime rate in Louisiana.

Cut 10 (10) “thats important”

While the crime rate has gone down at the same time the state has released more prisoners, the percentage of people who make return trips to prison, or the recidivism rate, has not changed. LeBlanc says the next phase of criminal justice reform includes a set of programs that aims to fix that.

Cut 11 (11) “St. Tammany”

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The House Ways and Means committee held its first hearing of the special session and it became more of a gripe session. Republicans on the panel criticized the Edwards administration for vetoing a budget in the regular session, and expressed concerns about raising revenues, instead of finding savings. Democrats are also frustrated, New Roads Representative Major Thibaut.

Cut 12 (10)   “it permanently”

The state is facing a 648 million dollar shortfall that could lead to mass reductions in healthcare services, higher education funding, and TOPS.

Oil City Representative Republican Jim Morris says he’s concerned that relying on taxes alone to plug the budget gap will just lead to further tax increases in the future if the budget balloons.

Cut 13 (10) “been in”

Baton Rouge Representative Ted James says the Edwards administration is not asking for an overall increase in taxes…

Cut 14 (09)  “a cut”

As a way to generate revenue, the Edwards administration is proposing to keep a portion of an expiring one-cent sales tax and also eliminate certain sales tax breaks that businesses enjoy. Baton Rouge Representative Barry Ivey says he prefers spending reform as a way to address the fiscal cliff…

Cut 15 (14) “support”

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Louisiana had it’s biggest drop in prison population in over a decade from 2016 to 2017. Jeff Palermo has more.

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo “

A low pressure system near Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula could bring the Gulf Coast wet weather for the Memorial Day weekend. State Climatologist Barry Keim.

Cut 6 (11)  “whole weekend”

A big win for the Big Easy as the city has been awarded the 2024 Super Bowl. New Orleans officials say the last Super Bowl, in 2013, had a 480 million dollar economic impact, and Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation President Jay Cicero confirmed that the city and state had to provide an economic incentive package to seal the deal.

Cut 4 (08) “with that”

The House Ways and Means committee held its first hearing of the special session and it became more of a gripe session. Republicans on the panel criticized the Edwards administration for vetoing a budget in the regular session, and expressed concerns about raising revenues, instead of finding savings. Oil City Representative Republican Jim Morris says he’s concerned that relying on taxes alone to plug the budget gap will just lead to further tax increases in the future if the budget balloons.

Cut 13 (10) “been in”

The House Ways and Means committee held its first hearing of the special session and it became more of a gripe session. Republicans on the panel criticized the Edwards administration for vetoing a budget in the regular session, and expressed concerns about raising revenues, instead of finding savings. Democrats are also frustrated, New Roads Representative Major Thibaut.
Cut 12 (10) “it permanently”
No votes were taken today. The special session must end June 4th.

We are waiting to see what will happen with a tropical disturbance that’s expected to move into the Gulf of Mexico later this weekend and possibly dump several inches of rain on Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Florida….
cut 7 (07) “….that region”
The National Hurricane Center gives the system a medium chance of developing intoa tropical depression or storm.

A Marshall Project report shows Louisiana saw its largest drop in prison population in a decade between 2016 and 2017. The 19-hundred person decrease is a five-percent drop in the total population, one of the biggest drops in the nation. State Corrections Secretary Jimmy LeBlanc says it’s a testament to recent criminal justice reforms.
Cut 9 (09) “with it.”

A big win for the Big Easy as the city has been awarded the 2024 Super Bowl. For years teams bid against each other, but the NFL changed the bidding process and the Saints were the only team invited to compete for Super Bowl 58. NFL owners unanimously chose New Orleans and Saints Owner Gayle Benson is glad they got it.
Cut 3 (10) “legacy alive”
New Orleans officials say the last Super Bowl in New Orleans, in 2013, had a 480-million dollar economic impact.

New Orleans will host the 2024 Super Bowl after being the only team invited to bid this year. Connor Ferrill has more.
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Connor Ferril”

The House Ways and Means committee began discussion on solving the fiscal cliff, which is a 648-million dollar revenue shortfall that threatens to cut state services. Republicans are not excited about passing tax bills, but Baton Rouge Representative Ted James says the Edwards administration is not asking for an overall increase in taxes…
cut 14 (09) “….a cut”
The special session must end June 4th.

The National Hurricane Center says a tropical depression could form this weekend over the eastern or central Gulf of Mexico. State Climatologist Barry Keim says…
cut 8 (09) “…gain strength’
Keim says we could see heavy rain from the Central to the Eastern Gulf Coast through the Memorial Day weekend.

A Marshall Project report says Louisiana’s prison population dropped five-percent from 2016-17, one of the largest drops in the country. State Corrections Secretary Jimmy LeBlanc says it’s a sign criminal justice reform measures are working, but the key is to make sure released inmates do not re-offend….
cut 11 (11) >…St. TammanY”

Forecasters continue to watch a low pressure system near Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula that could bring the Gulf Coast wet weather for the Memorial Day Holiday. Invest 90L is being given about a 60 percent chance of developing into at least a tropical depression in the central or eastern Gulf. State Climatologist Barry Keim
Cut 6 (11) “whole weekend”
Keim says there’s no anticipation of this storm developing into a hurricane.

A new report shows Louisiana’s prison population had one of the biggest declines in the nation at five percent from 2016-2017. State Department of Corrections Secretary Jimmy LeBlanc is proud to report that it has not led to an increase in crime…
cut 10 (10) “…that’s important”

New Orleans will host a record-tying 11th Super Bowl in 2024 after an unanimous vote by the N-F-L’s owners. The Big Easy was the only city asked to bid and Saints Owner Gayle Benson made the official presentation this morning. Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation President Jay Cicero says the NFL used to have multiple teams bidding for one Super Bowl, but they changed its bidding process, because…
cut 5 (09) “….elected officials”
2013 was the last time New Orleans hosted a Super Bowl and the economic impact that year was 480-million dollars.

With an 8-5 victory over Mississippi State last night, the LSU Tigers are now in the double elimination portion of the SEC Tournament. They’ll face top ranked Florida later today. Ma’Khail Hilliard starts on the mound for LSU.

A big win for the Big Easy as the city has been awarded the 2024 Super Bowl. New Orleans officials say the last Super Bowl, in 2013, had a 480 million dollar economic impact, and Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation President Jay Cicero confirmed that the city and state had to provide an economic incentive package to seal the deal.

Cut 4 (10) “five days”

A Marshall Project report shows Louisiana saw its largest drop in prison population in a decade between 2016 and 2017. The 1,943 person decrease is a 5.4 drop in the total population, one of the biggest drops in the nation. State Corrections Secretary Jimmy LeBlanc says it’s a testament to recent criminal justice reforms.

Cut 9 (09) “with it.”

In 2012 Louisiana was named the world’s “Prison Capital”.

Vacation once held the luxury of being offline, but more workers are admitting they cannot stop checking into the office. A recent study by staffing firm Accountemps reports that 56-percent of vacationing workers check in with the office. Spokesperson Carrie Lewis advises we set our own limits.

Cut 6 (10) “set limits”

Speaker Taylor Barras ripped into the Governor for holding his special session opening speech at ULL, calling it a political stunt. Barras accused the Governor of resisting bipartisan offers, and being personally responsible for legislative gridlock of the regular session. He went after the governor, who he says is trying to scare Louisianans into higher taxes, with a little one liner.

Cut 12 (11) “heard taxes”

The session is set to run until June 4^th.

A big win for the Big Easy as the city has been awarded the 2024 Super Bowl. For years teams have been required to big against each other each year for the honor, but the NFL made a big change this time when New Orleans was the only city that was invited to compete for the league’s biggest economic gift. Saints owner Gayle Benson says Tom would have been proud.

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The special session is underway and lawmakers can now replace one-point-four-billion dollars in sales taxes that are set to expire June 30th. Those expiring sales taxes are at the heart of the impending fiscal cliff that threatens to wreck healthcare and higher ed. But LaPolitics.com Publisher Jeremy Alford says don’t expect a deal to be reached any time soon.

Cut 10 (11)   “possibility”

Reports say a consensus is building around a compromise plan to renew a portion of the one cent sales tax that was raised two years ago to plug the last fiscal cliff.

CGI, an international tech company, has announced a big expansion, bringing 400 new jobs to the Lafayette area as part of its IT Center of Excellence. Another Lafayette Parish site will add an additional 100 jobs, bringing the company’s total to 900 employees in Acadiana. Louisiana Secretary of Economic Development Don Pierson says the expansion comes down to ULL’s partnership with the company.

Cut 14 (08) “paying jobs”

Vacation once held the luxury of being offline, but more workers are admitting they cannot stop checking into the office. A recent study by staffing firm Accountemps reports that 56-percent of vacationing workers check in with the office.  Spokesperson Carrie Lewis says 70-percent of respondents ages 18-34 will keep in touch with work, while only 39-percent of 55 and older respondents staying plugged in.

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Another special session is back on after a failed attempt in February to solve the fiscal cliff. Michael Farrar has more.
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New Orleans will host the Super Bowl in 2024 for a record tying 11th time. NFL owners made the decision after hearing a presentation from Saints owner Gayle Benson.

LSU legendary football player Billy Cannon will be laid to rest today. A public vistiation begins at noon at the Maravich Center on the LSU campus.

An LSU Pennington Biomedical Research study finds improved blood pressure and blood sugar in individuals who eat all of their meals in a six-hour period and finish by mid-afternoon. Researchers found their fasting diet improved insulin sensitivity, but co-author of the report, Doctor Eric Ravussin says this type of dietary plan may not work for everyone, specifically those who engage in strenuous early morning activity.
cut 9 (08) “…fitting all”

Canadian tech giant C-G-I announces it will hire over 400 more workers in Lafayette by 2023, bringing C-G-I’s total employment to 900. State Economic Development Secretary Don Pierson says the jobs will be located at UL Lafayette’s Research Park facility….
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Today is the first full day of the special session that’s been called to address the fiscal cliff and Republican House Speaker Taylor Barras says Governor John Bel Edwards’ scare tactics will not lead to new taxes….
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Over a billion dollars in temporary taxes are set to expire June 30th, Governor Edwards hopes legislators will approve legislation to replace about 650-million dollars in expiring taxes.

Meanwhile, Governor Edwards has a big economic development announcement involving a global technology firm in Lafayette…
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C-G-I solves complex business and I-T challenges for clients.

A new study out of LSU’s Pennington Biomedical Research Center shows health benefits for people who only eat early in the day….
Cut 2 (30) I’m Matt Doyle”

Saints Owner Gayle Benson goes before the NFL owners today, asking them to approve New Orleans has a Super Bowl host site in 2024.

The National Hurricane Center says a sub-tropical or tropical depression could form this weekend over the eastern or central Gulf of Mexico. Forecasters say we could see heavy rain from the Central to the Eastern Gulf Coast through the Memorial Day weekend.