Last fiscal year’s budget surplus is now anticipated to hit 500 million dollars, and opponents of the Edwards Administration say the surplus is evidence that the Governor’s .45 percent sales tax increase in 2018 was ultimately unnecessary. House Republican Chairman Lance Harris…

Cut 11 (06) “…year.” 

The administration defended the surplus saying it was larger than expected do to better than expected economic performance from the state, and the federal tax reform.

The Louisiana Craft Brewers Guild wants to see more local brews sold at Tiger Stadium. Currently, the only Louisiana beer on sale inside Death Valley is Abita’s Strawberry Lager. And Guild executive director Cary Koch says of the seven beers offered, two are from a neighboring state.

Cut 6 (10) “…tell you that.”

Governor Edwards continues to pace his Republican challengers in fundraising. New campaign finance reports show Edwards raised one-point-seven-million dollars in the latest quarter and has nearly six-million dollars available as he tries to avoid a runoff. UL-Lafayette Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says he’s in a good spot.

Cut 3 (08) “…runoff.”

Edwards raised twice as much as top polling Republican challenger Ralph Abraham. 

A statewide charity is encouraging those hunters that need to clear their freezers of last year’s bounty to donate that meat to those that may be less fortunate.  Hunters for the Hungry executive director Julie Grunewald says the sportsman’s paradise sees a huge variety in meats donated every year.

Cut 15 (10) “…those less fortunate.”

For more details on drop off locations, visit cleanoutyourfreezer.com.

The state budget surplus for the last fiscal year has risen to an anticipated 500 million dollars…
cut 2 (30) I’m Matt Doyle”

If you’re heading towards Mississippi be advised the eastbound lanes of I-12 are closed at the Walker exit due to a fiery wreck in Albany. State Police say two people are dead and one person is injured in the multiple-vehicle crash. No word on what happened, but a cloud of black smoke was seen rising to the sky from where the crash occurred.

Governor Edwards is outpacing his gubernatorial challengers in fundraising, pulling in over twice as much as the top polling Republican in the race Ralph Abraham. UL-Lafayette Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says the latest campaign finance reports shows Abraham with one-point-four million dollars on hand and he’ll have to spend nearly all of that to secure a spot in the run-off.
Cut 4 (08) “…gets there.”
Fellow GOP challenger Eddie Rispone has six-point-three million dollars on hand, most of it is his own, while Edwards has five-point-seven million dollars to spend.

The group, Hunters for the Hungry, is asking Louisiana residents looking to make room for the hunting and fishing season to clean out their freezer this weekend and donate the food to a local food bank. Hunters for the Hungry executive director Julie Grunewald says they hope to double the massive amount of donations received last year….
cut 14 (09) “…4,000 punds”
For more info, go to clean-out-your-freezer-dot-com.

New campaign finance numbers show Governor Edwards is collecting more cash than his opponents. Jeff Palermo has the story…
Cut 1 (32) “..I’m Jeff Palermo”

The projected surplus for the fiscal year that ended in June has grown from 300-to 500-million dollars. Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne credits higher-than-expected corporation and personal income tax collections. Republican lawmakers say now that the state keeps coming up with extra revenues, it’s time to look at tax cuts.

It will be another hot night in Tiger Stadium tomorrow when LSU hosts Northwestern State and fans now have the option to purchase cold beer, but LSU is only offering one beer from Louisiana, Abita’s Strawberry Lager. Louisiana Craft Brewers Guild executive director Cary Koch says it would be a win-win, if LSU offered more homegrown beers…
cut 7 (09) “…for sale”
LSU says they plan on expanding their beer choices soon.

A statewide charity is encouraging those hunters that need to clear their freezers of last year’s bounty to donate that meat to those that may be less fortunate. Hunters for the Hungry executive director Julie Grunewald says Clean Out Your Freezer Day will be held this weekend, with various donation points around Louisiana.
Cut 13 (08) “they service”
For more information go to clean-out-your-freezer-dot-com.

An updated forecast shows Louisiana will run an anticipated 500 million dollar surplus for the last fiscal year, up from the previously expected 300 million dollar surplus. Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne says they plan to use some of the funds to help replenish the state’s depleted “Rainy Day” savings fund, which was drained in the Jindal years.

Cut 10, 7 seconds, need

Critics say the surplus shows the state’s tax burden is unnecessarily high.

New campaign finance reports show Republican Eddie Rispone, who’s in third place in the gov’s race according to two recent independent polls, has six-point-three-million dollars in cash on hand after loaned his campaign another one-point-five million dollars.  UL-Lafayette Political Science Professor Pearson Cross…

Cut 5 (09) “…Eddie Rispone”

The Louisiana Craft Brewers Guild wants to see more local brews sold at Tiger Stadium, and LSU responds saying fan input, The Tiger Athletic Association, and Aramark made the call on what beers will are offered, but different beers will soon be added. Guild executive director Cary Koch says he hopes LSU will make the right decision.

Cut 8 (06) “to do so.”

Only one Louisiana beer, Abita Strawberry, is currently offered.

Texas coach Tom Herman’s wife, Michelle Herman, released video on twitter of an apparent phone call she received from LSU fans prior to last weekend’s game where the fans berated her using racial slurs and other profanity after she answered the phone call in Spanish.

An updated forecast shows Louisiana will run a 500 million dollar surplus for the last fiscal year, up from the previously expected 300 million dollar surplus. Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne says there’s two reasons for the rising surplus, starting with the 2017 federal tax reform.

Cut 9, 11 seconds, well

Critics say the surplus is evidence that the Governor’s .45 percent sales tax increase was ultimately unnecessary.

Governor Edwards is pacing his gubernatorial challengers in fundraising, pulling in over twice as much as the top polling Republican in the race Ralph Abraham.  UL-Lafayette Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says this could tank Abraham’s chances in a potential run-off.

Cut 4 (08) “…gets there.”

Congressman Abraham has one-point-four million in cash on hand.

The Louisiana Craft Brewers Guild expresses their concerns about Tiger Stadium’s local craft beer selection being limited to Abita Strawberry Lager at a small portion of sales kiosks. Guild executive director Cary Koch says of the seven beers offered, two come from a neighboring state.

Cut 6 (10) “…tell you that.”

LSU senior associate athletic director Robert Munson says the beverages that are available in the stadium were selected LSU athletics, it’s vendor Aramark, and a fan input.

New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell is touring the state in an effort to drum up support for constitutional amendment 4 on the October ballet that she says would help to combat the affordable housing shortage.

Cut 15 (09) “…we’re not alone.”

Cantrell will be visiting Alexandria and Lafayette today.

Governor Edwards continues to raise more money than his two Republican challengers. New campaign finance reports show Edwards raised one-point-seven-million dollars in the latest quarter and has nearly six-million dollars available as he tries to avoid a runoff. UL Lafayette Political Science Professor Pearson Cross…
Cut 3 (08) “…runoff.”
Edwards raised twice as much as Republican challenger Ralph Abraham, while Republican businessman Eddie Rispone has loaned his campaign another one-point-five million dollars

Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne says the state has a 500-million dollar surplus from last fiscal year. Previous estimates were for a 300-million dollar surplus. Dardenne credits higher-than-expected corporation and personal income tax collections. Republican lawmakers say the state can afford to give out tax cuts.

The Tropical Disturbance over the hurricane-ravaged Bahamas is not a threat to Louisiana, but the heat continues.…
voicer 1 (30) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”

The Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs is holding its second annual suicide prevention summit today in Baton Rouge. L-D-V-A spokesperson Alex Juan says the attendees are learning more about the risk factors for veteran populations, plus suicide prevention and intervention…
cut 12 (09) “…do that”
The National Suicide Prevention hotline is 1-800-273-8255.

More hot weather today and through the weekend. High temperatures will reach the mid-to-upper 90s for central and north Louisiana. Mid-90s across south Louisiana. But state climatologist Barry Keim says the high pressure system producing this hot and dry weather is keeping the tropics quiet in the Gulf of Mexico….
cut 9 (11) “….with that accordingly”
A developing storm in the Bahamas is expected to stay out of the Gulf.

A statewide poll shows voters are for the most part undecided on who they’ll cast their ballot for Insurance Commissioner in October. Incumbent Jim Donelon polled with just 35-percent compared to his challenger Tim Temple’s 20-percent. Pollster Bernie Pinsonat says for a long-time incumbent it’s not ideal.
Cut 4 (10) “…Louisiana.”
45-percent of voters surveyed are undecided.

New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell has spent the last couple of days visiting numerous Louisiana cities to speak with faith-based leaders, affordable housing advocates and mayors as she looks to drum up support for Constitutional Amendment 4 on the October 12 ballot. The amendment would allow New Orleans to establish property tax exemptions for residential properties that provide affordable housing…
cut 14 (11) “….rest of the state”
It takes statewide approval because the proposal will change the state’s constitution.

The Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs is holding a suicide prevention summit today in Baton Rouge. L-D-V-A spokesperson Alex Juan says for each suicide, over 100 people are directly impacted…
cut 11 (10) “….suicide”

New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell is pleading her case to get voters to Vote Yes on Constitutional Amendment number 4 on the October ballot. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”

Numerous parishes are under a burn ban as a result of the hot and dry weather. Caldwell, Franklin, LaSalle, Lincoln, Richland, Sabine, Union and West Carroll parishes are all under the ban. Meanwhile, the tropical disturbance over the Bahamas could make landfall in Florida as a tropical storm over the weekend and not enter the Gulf

The Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs hosts the Second Annual Suicide Prevention Summit today in Baton Rouge. L-D-V-A spokesperson Alex Juan says the event is open to everyone and not limited to veterans. Juan says a simple small act of support can have a big impact.

Cut 10 (10) “…don’t know.”
Juan says they are trying to get the word out that anyone can help prevent suicide.

A statewide poll on the Insurance Commissioner’s race shows that Republican Incumbent Jim Donelon is receiving 35-percent of the vote, while his GOP challenger Tim Temple has 20-percent, 45-percent are undecided. Pollster Bernie Pinsonat says Temple has to increase his name recognition…
cut 6 (12) “….better job”
Early voting for this election begins two weeks from tomorrow.