One year ago today, Louisiana Congressman Steve Scalise was fighting for his life after he was shot on a baseball field in Alexandria, Virginia. A bullet went through his hip causing many internal injuries. Several surgeries later, Scalise will play in tonight’s congressional baseball game. While speaking at a Politico sponsored event, the Republican from Jefferson Parish says he was itching to get back during his recovery….
cut 5 (10) “….come back”
Scalise is expected to start at second base in tonight’s charity game.

Great Raft Brewing says their recently released 3-1-8 Golden Ale has exceeded expectations and now they are looking at expanding their brewery in Shreveport. Tasting room manager Bob Thames says it’s rewarding to have a brand that the area can call its own….
cut 9 (05) “….in everbody’s hands”

Good news for Lake Charles-area motorists. The state Department of Transportation says planned construction on the I-210 bridge might only take a year to compete. Earlier estimates had the timetable at three years. Transportation Secretary Shawn Wilson says a start date has yet to be determined and motorists will still be able to use the bridge once work begins…
cut 13 (09) “….between”
The bridge repair is expected to cost 44-million dollars.

A Morgan City bank teller has been arrested in California after she allegedly stole over 25-thousand dollars from her drawer at the bank. Thirty-seven-year-old Stephanie Williams was taken into custody in Long Beach, California.

It’s been one year since the nearly fatal shooting of US Representative Steve Scalise on a baseball diamond in Virginia. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 1 (30)  I’m Matt Doyle“

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A Shreveport craft beer’s popularity has exceeded the expectations of the brewery behind the beverage.  Kevin Barnhart has the story on this wildly sought-after brew.

Cut 2 (29) ”  I’m Kevin Barnhart” 

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A new low bid has come in to fix a vital bridge in Lake Charles, that could have a surprisingly fast build time. Connor Ferrill has the story.

Cut 3 (33) “I’m Connor Ferrill”

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Today is the one year anniversary of the shooting of US Representative Steve Scalise. Scalise was hit in the hip by assault rifle fire in a politically motivated shooting that targeted Republican legislators at a congressional baseball game in Alexandria Virginia. Scalise says his recovery was a tough journey, but he made it through with help from his family.

Cut 4  (11) “really important.”

Scalise’s recovery was fraught, and required a series of dangerous, but ultimately successful surgeries to repair the damage. He says while he was out for months, he was just itching to get back to DC and continue his work as Majority Whip.

Cut 5  (10)  “come back”

Scalise made these comments at a Politico sponsored event.

Political analyst Clancy DuBos says Scalise’s story of recovery has lifted his national profile, and solidified his status as a prominent conservative to watch in Washington.

Cut 6 (12) “the House.”

Rumors are swirling that Scalise could be the next Speaker of the House of Representative, with current Speaker Paul Ryan retiring. At the moment, Scalise has pledged his support to California Representative Kevin McCarthy, but DuBos says the Golden State Republican has some major weaknesses that could leave the door open for a Scalise speakership.

Cut 7 (11)  “ideal speaker”

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A Shreveport craft beer’s popularity has exceeded the expectations of the brewery behind the beverage.  318 Golden Ale, named for the area code where you can find the beer, was released in March.  Great Raft Brewing’s tasting room manager Bob Thames says although you can find other beers from the brewery widely distributed, the idea behind 318 Golden Ale is to have a beer solely for North Louisiana.

Cut 8 (13)  “…move on from there.”

Thames says it’s rewarding to have a brand that the area can call its own.

Cut 9 (05)  “,,,in everybody’s hands.”

What can you expect from the beer’s drinking experience?  Thames explains, it may be light on many things, but flavor is not one of them

Cut 10 (09)   “…do with a craft beer.”

Initially, the brewery expected to sell the equivalent of 4500 cases in the first 90 days.  However, the ended up selling closer to 7000.

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A bid to repair the Lake Prien Bridge on I-210 in Lake Charles has been submitted that claims the work can be done in a surprisingly short time, only 365 days. The 44.5 million dollar repair will address the 54 year old bridge that is vital to transport in the area. Transportation Secretary Shawn Wilson says their own estimations pegged the time at 17 months at best.

Cut 11 (11) “be safe”

Wilson says the bridge is rapidly deteriorating and needs to be addressed soon, before the situation gets worse and the whole thing needs to be shut down.

Cut 12 (09) “traveling public”

The Lake Prien Bridge is a vital throughway that sits just south of Lake Charles and brings gamers from Texas right to the Golden Nugget and L’Auberge Casinos. Wilson says even with repairs, the road will still be driveable.

Cut 13 (09)  “between” 

The bid will have to be reviewed before it is accepted and construction begins.

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US Senator John Kennedy’s call on a Lafayette radio station for Governor John Bel Edwards’ resignation came as a bit of a surprise. Kennedy is widely reported to be preparing a run for Governor next year, and this could be the first of many salvos between the two parties. ULM Political Science Professor Dr. Josh Stockley says calling for a resignation is usually reserved for major violations, not budget disputes.

The final act of this year’s special session trilogy is less than a week away, with the administration and many legislators scrambling to find some extra cash for programs like TOPS, which is facing a 30 percent cut. House Appropriations Chairman Cameron Henry recommended a gradual fade out of whatever taxes are passed to lead to more manageable budget situation.
Cut 5  (09) “dollar amount”

The session starts Monday

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It’s a disciplinary action that has been around for years, but now a study involving Tulane University researchers finds that about three out of four pediatricians are saying spankings are no longer recommended.  Tulane associate professor Catherine Taylor says it’s important to remember that even though spankings are no longer recommended, discipline in a child’s life is still crucial.
cut 8 (09) “…it always has been.”

Taylor recommends consulting with your pediatrician for advice at to see what the best disciplinary actions are for your child.
The feds are pumping 40 million dollars into the state’s Childcare Assistance Program, that helps working and middle class parents pay for child care services. That means 4,000 more families will get help finding a safe environment for their pre-kindergarten age children while they’re at work.  The program has had to cut back dramatically in the last decade, as the state cut off all funds for Childcare Assistance after years of budget cuts. Louisiana Policy Institute for Children Executive Director Melanie Bronfin says those cuts kicked 25 thousand families out of the program.
Cut 11 (12) “years ago”

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US Senator John Kennedy is weighing in on President Donald Trump’s historic summit meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. He says it took a certain kind of person to break through the Hermit kingdom’s tough outer shell, after decades of failed attempts.
Cut 12 (09)   “baby step.”

The final act of this year’s special session trilogy is less than a week away, with the administration and many legislators scrambling to find some extra cash for programs like TOPS, which is facing a 30 percent cut. House Appropriations Chairman Cameron Henry says the Department of Health is one place the state should look if it wants to plug the budget gaps.

Cut 3 (11) “they need”

The Metairie Republican says LDH has 110 million dollars in funded vacant positions, which are jobs that have money allocated, but are not currently filled. The Representative says it would take roughly 90 million dollars to fund the remainder of TOPS. Henry says the legislature could also consider taking away state workers’ pay raises to fill part of the budget gap.

Cut 4  (09) “next year”

The session starts Monday

US Senator John Kennedy’s call on a Lafayette radio station for Governor John Bel Edwards’ resignation came as a bit of a surprise. Kennedy is widely reported to be preparing a run for Governor next year, and this could be the first of many salvos between the two parties. ULM Political Science Professor Dr. Josh Stockley says calling for a resignation is usually reserved for major violations, not budget disputes.

Cut 14, 12 seconds, happened

Kennedy call for Edwards to step down, saying his lack of leadership has resulted in the ongoing budget crisis. Stockley says Kennedy bills himself as a bipartisan problem solver, but this attack was pure partisan politics.

Cut 16, 11 seconds, responsible budget

Running back Mark Ingram has been with the Saints during their mandatory three-day mini-camp. It’s the first time Ingram has been with the team during the offseason as he skipped the O-T-As. Ingram says he wanted to work out on his own this year and spent time trying to get faster…
cut 18 (18) “….right now”
The Saints have reportedly signed another running back. It’s Terrance West, who started four games with the Ravens last year. He can provide the team with a little depth as Ingram has to sit out the first four games for violating the N-F-L’s P-E-D policy.

Back to the Saints mini-camp. Wide receiver Michael Thomas has been absent and Coach Sean Payton says its excused. Defensive end Cam Jordan has also been excused from mini-camp as he’s with his wife for the birth of their second child.

Three LSU Tigers will join coach Paul Mainieri on the USA Collegiate National Team. Outfielder Antoine Duplantis, right-handed pitcher Zack Hess and outfielder Zach Watson have been added to the USA Roster, which will be coached by Mainieri. The USA Baseball Collegiate National team will participate in three international freindship series summer,. starting with the Chinese Taipei International Friendship Series later this month in June. The US will also compete against Japan and Cuba.

Also, the scoreboard has been taken down at Alex Box Stadium. The LSU baseball twitter feed showed a picture with the scoreboard a skeleton of its former self. No word on what the new scoreboard will look like.

Two significant rule changes were announced today by the NCAA. Players will now be allowed to transfer to another school without permission from the school or coach they are leaving. It gives athletes more freedom on where they want to continue their college career.

And the NCAA will now allow division one college football players to play in up to four games and not use up a year of eligibility. It’s effective starting this season and it’s a move that Head Coach Ed Orgeron had previously said he was in favor of.

House Appropriations Chairman Cameron Henry is looking at shuffling some budget money around to fill the TOPS gap. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

three out of four pediatricians are saying spankings are no longer recommended.  Tulane associate professor Catherine Taylor says there are increased risks in multiple unfavorable behaviors later in life.

Cut 7 (09)  “…risks are raised.”

The feds are pumping 40 million dollars into the state’s Childcare Assistance Program, that helps working and middle class parents pay for child care services. That means 4,000 more families will get help finding a safe environment for their pre-kindergarten age children while they’re at work. Louisiana Policy Institute for Children Executive Director Melanie Bronfin says that’s big for working parents.

Cut 9 (08)  “great need”

The program provides, on average, three to four thousand dollars in assistance. the average cost for childcare can run 6,000 dollars.

US Senator John Kennedy is weighing in on President Donald Trump’s historic summit meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. The Republican says if the talks do not lead to a firm commitment to allow inspectors to verify the 70-year-old regime’s nuclear and missile sites have been destroyed, then he hopes President Trump would respond accordingly.

Cut 14 (08)  “have tried”

The final act of this year’s special session trilogy is less than a week away, with the administration and many legislators scrambling to find some extra cash for programs like TOPS, which is facing a 30 percent cut. House Appropriations Chairman Cameron Henry says the Department of Health is one place the state should look if it wants to plug the budget gaps.

Cut 3 (11) “they need”

The session starts Monday

US Senator John Kennedy is weighing in on President Donald Trump’s historic summit meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. Kennedy says past threats were laughed off, and with Trump, threats of military action are taken seriously.

Cut 13 (11) “in Syria.” 

Bashar Al Assad is the current President of Syria, who has sustained his military rule through nearly a decade of civil war.

40 million dollars in federal money is being sent to the state to help more parents pay for childcare. Connor Ferrill has more.

Cut 2 (31) “I’m Connor Ferrill” 

Three out of four pediatricians say is not the way to handle an unruly kid. Tulane associate professor Catherine Taylor says that the widely accepted punishment can have a negative outcome.

Cut 6 (07)  “…than good for kids.”

Legislators return to Baton Rouge next week to consider revenue raising measures that would go towards closing a large budget deficit. But House Appropriations Chairman Cameron Henry says there’s other ways they can reduce the deficit. He says taking away automatic pay raises for state workers is one possible solution….
cut 4 (09) “…next year”
Henry says he’ll bring the head of the Civil Service Board before the Appropriations Committee next week to talk about pay raises.

US Senator John Kennedy is weighing in on President Donald Trump’s historic summit meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. He says it took a certain kind of person to break through the Hermit kingdom’s tough outer shell, after decades of failed attempts.
Cut 12 (09) “baby step.”
President Trump tweeted out this morning that North Korea is no longer nuclear threat.

After years of cuts, the taxpayer Childcare Assistance Program is getting some much needed federal funding, which will allow four-thousand more low-income families receive financial assistance for pre-k education. Currently enrollment is at 15-thousand children, but Louisiana Policy Institute for Children Executive Director Melanine Bronfin says at one time, enrollment was much higher….
cut 11 (12) “…years ago”
Go to the state department of education’s website for more information on the program.

A potentially deadly brain-eating amoeba has been found in Terrebonne Parish. The Terrebonne Consolidated Waterworks District issued a notification to residents in Pointe-aux-Chenes and they have taken steps to kill the organism in the water system. Officials says they will test the water in two weeks to make sure its eradicated.

The executive director of the Patrick Taylor Foundation says the uncertainty of TOPS funding could sway some college students to get their education out of state. Doctor James Caillier says that’s not good news for our economy when our best students are going elsewhere….
cut 15 (09) “…brain drain”
Lawmakers return to Baton Rouge next week to see if they can come up with a way to fully fund TOPS. House Appropriations Chairman Cameron Henry says if extra revenues are needed, he’d like to see a gradual phase out of any sales tax bill approved in the upcoming special session…
cut 5 (09) “…dollar amount”
Legislation are expected to debate renewing a portion of an expiring one-cent sales tax.

Good news for low income parents waiting to take advantage of a taxpayer funded Child Care Assistance Program. Because of an increase in federal funding, an additional four-thousand children under the age of four can join the program. Louisiana Policy Institute for Children Executive Director Melanie Bronfin says helping working families figure out what to do with their children is not only good for the kids, but great for the economy.
Cut 9 (08) “great need”
About 15-thousand students are currently enrolled.

A study involving Tulane researchers finds three out of four pediatricians do not approve of hitting children for corrective purposes, because it can lead to more harm than good. Tulane associate professor Catherine Taylor says while spankings are not recommended, discpline is still crucial…
cut 8 (09) “…has been”
Taylor says talk with your pediatrician on what are the best disciplinary actions for your child.