Governor Edwards says he’ll look closely at a bill that would increase funding for roads and bridges by an additional 300-million dollars. Edwards is concerned the money will come from the general fund, potentially creating shortfalls in other areas of state government, especially after federal coronavirus aid is spent.

Cut 6 (09) “…surely won’t”

Supporters of the proposal say the state has made major investments in education, health care, and other areas while roads and bridges continue to deteriorate.

In the final hour of the session, lawmakers passed a bill that would end the enhanced 300-dollar federal unemployment benefit. The legislation would also raise the state’s unemployment benefits by 28-dollars a week starting next year. Abita Springs Representative Larry Frieman says he initially opposed higher state benefits, but the business lobby accepts this compromise…

Cut 14 (09) “…thing.”

The Legislature gave final approval to the last piece of legislation needed to get sports betting online, potentially as early as fall. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 2 (29) “…I’m Matt Doyle.” 

The Advocate reports that it is unlikely LSU will hire retired Oregon State Coach Pat Casey to replace Paul Mainieri. The 62-year-old Casey won three national titles during a 24-year run with the Beavers. The search is said to be wide open. The Tigers will play Tennessee Saturday at 6pm in the Super Regional NCAA tournament.

The Legislature gave final passage to a bill that would increase state unemployment benefits by 28 dollars a week next year if the governor ceases accepting federally enhanced benefits by July 31st. Many Democrats opposed the legislation, but State Representative Chad Brown, a Democrat from Plaquemine, agreed with business groups who support the legislation…
Cut 13 (10) “…to work.”
Governor Edwards indicated that he’s leaning towards signing the bill.

The governor says 10 of the 13 bills in his legislative package passed, including new reporting requirements on college campuses when allegations of sexual misconduct are made….
cut 12 (12) “…this legislation”
Edwards also says he’s interested in signing a bill to lessen penalties for possession of 14 grams or less of marijuana.

Lawmakers approved the bills that set up the rules for sports betting. It authorizes sports betting parlors at casinos, racetracks and kiosks at select restaurants and bars. Crowley Representative John Stefanski says mobile sports betting can also take place…
cut 8 (07) “…as well”
Wagers would be taxed at 15-percent for betting online and 10-percent at casinos.

LSU Health Shreveport has received a 730-thousand dollar grant to enhance its sequencing of COVID-19. Director for Emerging Viral Threats at LSU Health Shreveport Doctor Andrew Yurochko (U-rotch-co) says sequencing in layman’s terms is discovering the fingerprint for a virus and each variant has its own code…
cut 5 (11) “…that vaccine”

In the final hour of the 2021 legislative session, lawmakers approved a bill that would result in an additional 300-million dollars for highway construction projects. The money would come from the general fund, which would reduce funding in other areas of the state budget. Governor Edwards has concerns with this legislation.

Edwards seems to be pleased with a bill that would end the enhanced 300-dollar federal unemployment benefits on July 31st. But New Orleans Representative Mandie Landry doesn’t like it…
cut 15 (10) “….district’
But the governor says the legislation will also increase the state’s weekly minimum unemployment benefits by 28-dollars…
cut 29 (14) “…trade off”

Will legalized sports betting be in place in Louisiana before the start of the football season? That’s the goal after lawmakers approved the necessary bills to make it happen. The legislation approved would allow anyone 21 and older to place bets on their mobile device, computer or at select locations in any of the 55 parishes that voted to approve the activity. Crowley Representative John Stefanski….
cut 7 (10) “….Louisiana”

LSU Health Shreveport has received a 730-thousand dollar grant to enhance its efforts to detect variants of COVID-19. The school has already detected seven of them. Director for Emerging Viral Threats at the Shreveport school says the award is indicative of their work to this point…
cut 6 (10) “…the country”

There was a flurry of activity in the final hour of the legislative session, which came to a close last night. Legislators approved a bill that would result in an additional 300-million dollars a year to improve roads and bridges. But Governor Edwards may not sign the legislation, because the proposal takes money away from other government services.

Also approved in the final hour. a bill that would end the 300-dollar federal unemployment boost
cut 3 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

Legislation that sets up the framework for Louisiana adults to legally bet on sporting events is heading to the governor’s desk. Betting parlors would be allowed at the state’s casinos, racetracks and the Louisiana Lottery can set up kiosks at bars and restaurants. Crowley Representative John Stefanski says there will also be mobile sports betting…
cut 9 (11) “…participate”
Sports betting will be allowed in 55 of the state’s 64 parishes that approved it.

LSU Health Shreveport is one of four universities to be awarded a grant of 730-thousand dollars to enhance gene sequencing of COVID-19. Director for Emerging Viral Threats at the Shreveport school Dr. Andrew Yurochko (U-rotch-co) says the school’s role in the pandemic is why they received the grant.
Cut 4 (10) “…we’ve done.”
LSU Health Shreveport has already identified seven new COVID variants.

The 2021 regular Legislative session ended last night. Governor John Bel Edwards says the nine-week session resulted in a historic increase in funding for education, both for K-through-12 and higher ed, including raises for professors and an 800-dollar K-12 teacher pay raise.
Cut 10 (11) “…that goal.”

In the final hour of the session, lawmakers passed a bill that would end the enhanced 300-dollar federal jobless benefit unemployed individuals are receiving. The legislation would also raise the state’s unemployment benefits by 28-dollars a week starting next year. Abita Springs Representative Larry Frieman says he initially opposed higher state benefits, but the business lobby accepts this compromise…
cut 14 (09) “…good things”
Governor Edwards calls the legislation a good compromise as well.

LSU Health Shreveport’s work during the pandemic with genetic sequencing receives national recognition and the school is receiving a Rockefeller grant. Brooke Thorington explains.
Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

The session came to a close Thursday at 6 PM with a mad scramble to cross the finish line.

A last second addition was legislation that could signal Governor Edwards’ willingness to end federally enhanced unemployment benefits early. Under the bill by Plaquemines Democratic Representative Chad Brown state benefits would go up 28 dollars a week next year if the Governor agrees to stop accepting federally boosted unemployment by July 31^st. Brown says while he understands some sectors of the economy have not bounced back yet…

Cut 13 (10) “…to work.” AM

And the final piece of the sports gambling puzzle was approved Thursday as lawmakers agreed to rules and regulations that would allow residents of the 55 parishes that approved sports betting to place bets from sportsbooks, select kiosk locations, and on the go or at home through phone via an app or website. Crowley Representative John Stefanski…

Cut 7 (10) “…Louisiana.” AM

Edwards is expected to sign legislation headed to his desk that would mandate kindergarten attendance for all children who turn five on or before September 30^th starting in Fall of 2022. Senate Education Chairman Cleo Fields says his bill doesn’t force you to send your kid to school…

Cut 4 (10) “…early age.” PM

Fields bill has long been supported by Edwards, who closed out the session with a speech from the Capitol. He in particular he highlighted the historic increase in funding for education at both the K-12 and higher education levels, including higher ed faculty raises and an 800 dollar K-12 teacher pay raise…

***EDWARDS CUT***

It’s unknown whether there will be a veto override session to overturn Edwards’ expected vetoes of controversial legislation involving transgender athletes and the concealed carry of handguns.

LSU Health Shreveport’s work during the pandemic with genetic sequencing receives national recognizing and the school is receiving a Rockefeller grant. Brooke Thorington explains.

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

_______________________________

The Legislature gave final approval to the last piece of legislation needed to get sports betting online, potentially as early as fall. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 2 (29) “…I’m Matt Doyle.” 

____________________________

Compromise legislation that would slightly increase state unemployment benefits in exchange for ending federally enhanced benefits five weeks early is headed to the Governor’s desk. Matt Doyle has more…

Cut 3 (30)  “…I’m Matt Doyle.”

____________________________________

LSU Health Shreveport is one of four universities to be awarded a grant to study gene sequencing from the prestigious Rockefeller Foundation. Director for Emerging Viral Threats at LSUHS Dr. Andrew Yurochko (U-rotch-co) says the school’s role in the pandemic is why they have received the honor.

Cut 4 (10) “…we’ve done.”

Yurochko says sequencing in layman’s terms is discovering the fingerprint for a virus, or any other disease, and it is that fingerprint in which they are able to detect new variants and provide a code of what vaccine creators use as a roadmap.

Cut 5  (11) “…that vaccine.”

The objective of the grant is to strengthen global capabilities to detect and respond to pandemic threats in the future. Yurochko says the award is indicative of LSU Health Shreveport’s strides in detecting variants and assisting with vaccine rollout.

Cut 6 (10) “…the country.”

Harvard and MIT also received Rockefeller grants.

___________________________

The Legislature gave final passage to a bill setting the rules and regulations for legalized sports betting.

The bill lets anyone 21 and older place bets on their mobile device, computer, or at select locations in any of the 55 parishes that voted to approve the activity. Crowley Representative John Stefanski…

Cut 7 (10) “…Louisiana.”

Earlier this month Governor Edwards signed legislation setting the tax rates for sports betting with a 15 percent tax on mobile betting and a ten percent tax for betting at authorized locations.

The ability to place bets anywhere in approved parishes is a major expansion from initial proposals that would have only allowed betting at casinos. Stefanski says it was necessary.

Cut 8 (07) “…as well.”

Bars and restaurants will have the option of paying a 10,000 dollar fee to establish a sports betting kiosk at their business, meaning bets will be taxed at the lower rate. Bets can also be placed at sportsbooks in casinos.

Stefanski says allowing mobile betting was a question of equity for many of the rural parishes that approved the activity.

Cut 9 (11) “…participate.” 

Governor Edwards is expected to sign the bill into law, which could mean sports betting could be online for the fall football season.

__________________

The 2021 regular Legislative session has come to an end and Governor John Bel Edwards closed out the session with a speech from the Capitol where he highlighted the historic increase in funding for education at both the K-12 and higher education levels, including higher ed faculty raises and an 800-dollar K-12 teacher pay raise.

Cut 10 (11) “…that goal.”

Edwards thanked congressional members and the President’s administration for federal relief dollars that the state has received but reminded citizens that long-term budget decisions did not need to be based on monies received for pandemic relief.

Cut 11 (12) “…go away.”

Ten of the 13 bills in the Governor’s legislative agenda passed during the session. He referred to House Bill 409 which strengthens and clarifies Title IX violations reporting procedures on higher education campuses.

Cut 12 (12) “…this legislation.”

Edwards also says he’s interested in signing a bill to lessen penalties for possession of 14 grams or less of marijuana.

__________________

The Legislature gave final passage to a bill that would increase state unemployment benefits by 28 dollars a week if the Governor ceases accepting federally enhanced benefits by July 31^st.

Plaquemines Democratic Representative Chad Brown says while he understands some sectors of the economy have not bounced back yet…

Cut 13 (10) “…to work.”

The 28 dollar boost would take effect in January of 2022, but only if the state does not resume accepting federally enhanced benefits before then.

Abita Springs Republican Representative Larry Frieman says he was initially against increasing state benefits but says the business lobby accepts this compromise.

Cut 14 (09) “…thing.”

The bill has the backing of the state’s largest business lobby, the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry, which had been calling for the end of federally enhanced benefits.

New Orleans Democratic Representative Mandie Landry says this bill takes free federal money away from the poorest people in the state when many jobs have yet to return.

Cut 15 (10)“…district”

Representative Brown says the Governor is waiting for an economist’s report on the impact of ending the federally enhanced unemployment benefits before making a final decision.

___________________________________________

After getting swept in three close contests to Tennessee earlier this season, is revenge on the mind of the Tigers as they face the Volunteers in the super regionals. Left fielder Gavin Dugas is just glad they are still playing

Cut 16 (17) “…at a time.”

After that series in an interview with a Baton Rouge radio station, Mainieri said the Tennessee fans were nasty based on things they were saying to the Tiger players. When asked, Dugas didn’t want to repeat some of the stuff he heard…

Cut 17 (19) …part of the game.” 

Coach Paul Mainieri admits Tennessee’s home ballpark is not an easy place to play…

Cut  18 (21)”..low 3s.”

Legislation mandating that children who turn five on or before September 30th must attend kindergarten receives final legislative passage. The bill faced some opposition, but bill author Baton Rouge Senator Cleo Fields says they were able to work it out…

Cut 4 (10) “…early age.”

Governor Edwards is expected to sign the bill that goes into effect for the 2022 school year.

On the final day of the legislative session, lawmakers approved tax swap plan that will lower individual income tax rates, but eliminate the ability to deduct on state taxes, federal income taxes paid. Pelican Institution CEO Daniel Erspamer says this proposal simplifies Louisiana’s complex tax code…
cut 6 (12) “…structure”
Voters will be asked to approve the plan on the October ballot.

Baton Rouge Police arrest two teenagers who they believe fatally shot three people, including a one-year-old on May 31st at an apartment complex. BRPD Sergeant Don Coppola says 19-year-old David Williams and a 15-year-old suspect were taken into custody this morning.

Cut 9 (12) “…same charges”

Live music returns to the historic Preservation Hall in New Orleans tonight. After closing its doors last March due to the pandemic, it’s reopening and on a historic day for the venue, its 60th anniversary. Preservation Hall Creative Director Ben Jaffe says it’s a significant night for not only the city but also the state.
Cut 12 (11) “..in general”

The investigation is ongoing.