Gas prices are going up, in preparation for the summer season, a five cent per gallon rise in the last week. Becca Dill has more.

Cut 2 (30) I’m Becca Dill”

Public School teachers are hitting the hip when it comes to paying for school supplies for their students. A new survey released says teachers are spending about 250 dollars a year on notebooks, pens, and other supplies without reimbursement. Les Landon is a spokesperson for the Louisiana Federation of Teachers.

Cut 4  (09) “That’s ashame” 

The House passed a 15 week abortion ban bill with amendments on a 78-9 vote, clearing one of the last hurdles before it arrives on the Governor’s desk for his likely approval. The Senate has already approved one version of the legislation. Denham Springs Representative Valerie Hodges says abortions after 15 weeks are dangerous for mothers.

Cut 11 (09) “objected to”

A bill that would allow riverboat casinos to come up out of the water passed is heading to the governor’s desk. The legislation would “modernize” riverboat casino regulations, allowing them to expand onto land near where they are berthed, and it changes the rules on gambling space. Gaming advocates have brought up the fact that the “riverboats” haven’t taken a ride down waterways in years. Baton Rouge Representative Denise Marcelle brought up the safety concerns that come with forcing facilities to exist over water.

Cut 14 (09) “the boats”

The LSU Tigers finished off the home schedule by scoring eight runs in the first three innings on their way to a 9-5 win over Northwestern State. Austin Bain in his final game at Alex Box Stadium, went 3-for-5 with two runs scored and two runs driven in. Daniel Cabrera continued to swing a hot bat as he hit a two-run homer.

The Ragin Cajuns led 5-0 after two innings and held on to beat Tulane seven to six. Designated Hitter Todd Lott came through with two home runs, including one in the bottom of the eighth that proved to be the winning run.

Southeastern Louisiana hit four home runs and beat South Alabama 12-9. Alabama native Drew Avans hit one of those home runs and had four hits on the night.

Owen Magee hit a three-run homer and UNO upset 14^th ranked Southern Miss 14-9 for the Privateers who have won five in a row.

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Joe Provenzano had his 248^th career hit last night to become the all-time hits leader in McNeese history. But the Cowboys lost to ULM 10-7, as Chad Bell had a couple of triples.

In football news, Ohio State transfer quarterback Joe Burrow, who visited LSU this past weekend, will reportedly visit North Carolina this week and is expected to make a decision by the end of the week. Burrow also visited Cincinnati last week.

Hedge fund manager David Tepper will reportedly purchase the Carolina Panthers for an NFL record two-point-two billion dollars. The 60-year-old Tepper is currently a minority owner of the Steelers. He plans to keep the team in Charlotte.

The annual charity softball game put on by the Saints will take place June 6^th at Turchin Stadium. Linebacker A-J Klein and tight end Benjamin Watson will serve as hosts. Tickets are on sale now, but if you are a teacher or first responder you get in free.

And in the NBA playoffs…Boston beat Cleveland 107-94 to take a two games to noting lead in the Eastern Conference Finals.

Public School teachers are hitting the hip when it comes to paying for school supplies for their students. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 1 (31) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

A recent 5-cent rise in gas prices puts the state average at $2.59 a gallon.  AAA fuel analyst, Don Redman, says multiple factors are all conspiring against the consumer. Redman says recent withdrawal from the Iran deal has negatively affected the market.

Cut 7 (11)  “country”

The House passed a 15 week abortion ban bill with amendments on a 78-9 vote, clearing one of the last hurdles before it arrives on the Governor’s desk for his likely approval. The Senate has already approved one version of the legislation. Denham Springs Representative Valerie Hodges says the legislation’s enactment is contingent on the results of a legal challenge to a similar bill in Mississippi.

Cut 10 (07) “ineffective”

A bill that would allow riverboat casinos to come up out of the water passed is heading to the governor’s desk. The legislation would “modernize” riverboat casino regulations, allowing them to expand onto land near where they are berthed, and it changes the rules on gambling space.

To convince the legislature to pass a bill that requires unanimous jury verdicts was considered a long shot in March. Now as Jim Shannon reports the measure is one vote away from becoming law.
Voicer 1 (30) “I’m Jim Shannon”

The Senate approved a spending plan for next fiscal year, but it’s never expected to become law as legislators will be asked to raise additional revenues in a special session to soften the deep cuts the House and Senate budget plans currently propose.

The legislature took a step closer to passing a law in Louisiana that would ban abortions after 15 weeks. The House approved the proposal on a 78-9 vote. Denham Springs Representative Valarie Hodges….
cut 11 (06) “….subjected to”
The measure goes back to the Senate for concurrence on minor changes made by the House. Mississippi passed a similar law, but a federal judge’s ruling has put a hold on the legislation.

House Republican lawmakers are criticizing the Edwards administration for sending out letters to Medicaid recipients, warning them they could lose their benefits after July 1st because of a lack of state dollars for health care funding. Lafayette Representative Nancy Landry says the letters were completely unwarranted as the budget process is not yet finished…
cut 7 (09) “….day weekend”
Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne says the feds require Medicaid recipients to be informed of program cancellations ahead of time, so that they can try to find other programs to qualify for.

State leaders are locked in combat over the Governor’s decision to mail a cancellation warning to 37,000 Medicaid recipients. Jeff Palermo has more.
Cut 2 (30) I’m Jeff Palermo”

In House floor action, the lower chamber overhwhelmingly approved a 15 week abortion ban. The legislation is similiar to a Mississippi law that’s currently blocked by a federal judge. The House also agreed with the Senate that students should be allowed to bring a bulletproof backpack into a school.

It was called the “Hail Mary” bill when Senator J.P. Morrell filed it in March, but unanimous jury verdicts are a public vote from becoming reality in Louisiana. The mood shifted rapidly once the legislation was taken up, gathering major support from liberal groups, and neutral opinions from D-As. Louisiana is just one of two states that do not require unanimous verdicts.
Cut 4 (12) “bill of rights”
Voters will get to decide in November.

One of Angola’s most restrictive housing units, Camp J, has been closed due to the facilities crumbling infrastructure. The cells at Camp J were used to house inmates in solitary for 23 hours a day. Department of Corrections Secretary James LeBlanc says the camp was no longer safe for use.
Cut 10 (06) “place open”
Camp J housed 400 inmates at its peak.

The Edwards administration and GOP legislators continue to exchange barbs over the decision to mail benefit cancellation warnings to 37,000 Medicaid patients. Lafayette Representative, Republican Nancy Landry, blamed the Medicaid budget cuts on John Bel Edwards.
Cut 6 (12) “nursing homes”
But the Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne pushed back, arguing that the feds require Medicaid recipients to be informed of program cancellations ahead of time. Dardenne says Republican House legislators approved a budget that called for deep cuts in funding for health care services…
Cut 9 (11) “get out”
A special session is set to begin next Tuesday so lawmakers can pass revenue measures to avoid deep budget cuts.

Camp J, which is where Angola housed inmates in solitary confinement for 23 hours a day, has been closed and the prisoners have been moved to other facilities. Department of Corrections Secretary James LeBlanc says the decision is in part due to new standards that were adopted while working with criminal justice reform organiziations….
cut 12 (09) “…reputation”

Louisiana is known for its hot summers, but we are already seeing temperatures in the mid 90s in mid-May. Michael Hill, with the National Weather Service in New Orleans on why it’s been so hot this week…
cut 15 (08) “….been hot”
Hill says temperatures should be a little cooler tomorrow as the chance for rain increases. Northwest Louisiana is under a marginal risk for severe weather.

To convince the legislature to pass a bill that requires unanimous jury verdicts was considered a long shot in March. Now as Jim Shannon reports the measure is one vote away from becoming law.
Voicer 1 (30) “I’m Jim Shannon”

The Senate approved a 28-billion dollar spending plan for next fiscal year that Governor John Bel Edwards has no plans of endorsing, because it reduces money for public colleges, eliminates the food stamp program, allocates fewer dollars for child welfare and TOPS.

The Louisiana Department of Corrections has shut down Camp J at Angola. That’s where the state used to house inmates in solitary confinement for 23 hours a day. D-O-C Secretary James LeBlanc says Camp J’s infrastructure was crumbling, so the prisoners had to be moved…
cut 11 (12) “…housing areas”

Another record high was set in New Orleans today as the temperature hit 93-degrees at Louis Armstrong International Airport, breaking the previous record set in 1995. National Weather Service forecaster Michael Hill…
cut 14 (12) “…warm temperatures”
There is a marginal risk for severe weather tomorrow afternoon and night for northwest Louisiana.

Unanimous jury verdicts in criminal cases are a public vote away from becoming law in Louisiana. At first liberal advocacy groups like the ACLU and Southern Poverty Law Center were all for it. Then other groups like Louisiana Family Forum joined and the District Attorneys took a neutral stand. New Orleans Senator JP Morrell says that’s when things began to change.
Cut 3 (08) “tremendous momentum”
It passed the House yesterday on a 82-15 vote and will appear on the ballot this November, where a majority of voters will have to approve before it becomes law.

If you think it’s a little to hot for the middle of May, you are right. Records high temperatures were broken yesterday and more could go down today….
cut 13 (06) “…ninety-six”
That’s Michael Hill with the National Weather Service in New Orleans, who says we’ll see some cooler temperatures tomorrow as rain chances increase.

House Republican lawmakers are criticizing the Edwards administration for sending out letters to Medicaid recipients, warning them they could lose their benefits after July 1st because of a lack of state dollars for health care funding. Lafayette Representative Nancy Landry says the letters were completely unwarranted as the budget process is not yet finished…
cut 7 (09) “….day weekend”
Some 20-thousand nursing home residents received this letter. Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne pushed back, arguing that the feds require Medicaid recipients to be informed of program cancellations ahead of time, so that they can try to find other programs to qualify for.
cut 8 (10) “for medicaid”
The Edwards administration is optimistic revenue measures will be approved in a special session set to begin next Tuesday that will provide the state with adequate funding.