6:30 LRN Newscast

There’s a lot of bills filed in the Legislature this year aimed at improving the auto and home insurance market for the consumer. How are they coming along? Kevin Gallagher takes a look…:
Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

What a day of softball in Baton Rouge yesterday as the Ragin Cajuns defeated LSU twice to advance to the Super Regionals for the first time since 2016. Meanwhile, heart break in Seattle as McNeese allows seven runs in the seventh and lost to Washington seven to six in the championship round of the regional.

Three weeks left in the legislative session and the major storyline is will lawmakers vote to raise the spending limit, which would result in the appropriation of millions of dollars to fix roads, repair university buildings and put more money towards coastal restoration. Senate President Page Cortez urges the Legislature to raise the spending cap, fiscal conservatives in the House oppose, because of a possible fiscal cliff in a couple of years. House Speaker Clay Schexnayder says there’s time to negotiate…
cut 13 (12) “…always done”

U-S Senator John Kennedy is keeping an eye on what’s happening at the state capitol. Kennedy is urging the state senate to approve a bill that would hold third graders back if they fail multiple literacy tests. Kennedy says similar programs are working in Mississippi and Florida…
cut 5 (09) “….it will”

LRN AM Newscall Updated with sports sound

US Senator John Kennedy urges Louisiana lawmakers to pass House Bill 12. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (31)  “Brooke Thorington.”

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There’s been a lot of bills filed in the Legislature this year aimed at having better and cheaper auto and home insurance. How are they coming along? Kevin Gallagher takes a look…:

Cut 2 (32)  “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

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The House and Senate have three weeks to reach an agreement on funding teacher pay raises. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 3 (33)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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US Senator John Kennedy took to the floor in DC urging state senators in Baton Rouge to pass legislation to hold back third graders who are unable to read on grade level.

Cut 4 (11)  “…that attention.”

Mandeville Representative Richard Nelson’s bill will give students intensive reading instruction and three opportunities to pass the literacy exam before advancing to third grade.

Kennedy says the legislation is modeled after one Mississippi and a similar program in Florida has shown promising results.

Cut 5 (11)   “…it will.”

The legislation passed in the House last year and failed to garner enough votes in the Senate. So far this session it has advanced from the House and Kennedy pleaded with state senators to help the bill cross the finish line this year.

Cut 6 (08)  “…pass this bill.”

If enacted the program would begin implementation in the 2024-2025 school year.

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With just three weeks remaining in the legislative session, how are bills aimed at improving Louisiana’s property insurance environment for consumers coming along? Benjamin Riggs is Executive Director of Real Reform Louisiana; an insurance consumer advocacy group. He says RRL supports House Bill 252, sponsored by Tangipahoa Parish Rep. Robby Carter, which recently cleared committee review…:

Cut 7 (09) “…Louisiana policyholders.”

Riggs says insurance companies make billions and they do not need to pass advertising costs on to their customers. Another bill favored by RRL is Senate Bill 11, from Alexandria Senator Jay Luneau, which Riggs says provides relief on car insurance costs…:

Cut 8 (09) “…insurance rates.”

Riggs says his group is worried that some bills will have a detrimental effect on consumers if they pass. He cites SB 96, from Jefferson Parish Senator Kirk Talbot as one that seems intended to help the state-run insurer of last resort, but could easily hurt the insured…:

Cut 9 (12)  “…insurance corporation.”

Riggs is concerned there may not be enough time remaining to get real beneficial insurance reforms to final passage, before the session ends June 8th.

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State lawmakers have three weeks left to decide how they want to spend two-point-two billion dollars in surplus money. Republican House leaders would like to use 950 million dollars to pay down pension debt. House Speaker Clay Schexnayder

Cut 10 (15) “…next legislature” 

House leaders say by paying down debt in the teacher retirement system it would free up cash for local school systems to give teachers a meaningful pay raise.

But Governor Edwards says there are 296-million dollars available to give teachers a three-thousand dollar pay raise. Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne says the state also has the opportunity also has to make a significant investment toward other priorities…

Cut 11 (07)  “…needed.”

In order to fund teacher pay raises and spend hundreds of millions of dollars on infrastructure projects. The Legislature would have to raise the spending cap. It will take a two-thirds vote in both the House and Senate. Senate President Page Cortez says raising the spending cap, the state can put significant dollars toward some major projects…

Cut 12 (09)    “..pay a toll.” 

Right now the House is reluctant to raise the spending cap. Schexnayder says there’s still plenty of time to negotiate with the Senate…

Cut 13 (12) “Always done”  

The legislative session must conclude on June 8th at 6 PM.

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A federal judge in New Orleans has ordered former LSU football coach Les Miles will need to give a deposition in Sharon Lewis’ lawsuit against the LSU Board of Supervisors. Lewis is a former associate athletic director and claims LSU created a hostile work environment and retaliated against her after she tried to report Miles sexually harassed a student. Tiger Rag Editor Todd Horne says the judge also ordered LSU to provide a bunch of documents that were previously withheld…

Cut 14 (06)  “…more information”

Miles has been out of the public eye since 2021 when it became public knowledge that Miles was investigated for sexual harassment in 2013 while he was still the coach at LSU. Horne says LSU has to be uneasy about Miles answering questions under oath from Lewis’ defense team…

Cut 15 (05)  “..court setting”

Eight current and former LSU Board of Supervisor members have also been ordered to give depositions. Horne says the U-S District Judge Susie Morgan also pushed the trial date back from May to December…

Cut  16 (13)  “..three weeks.” 

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The Ragin Cajuns softball team is heading to the Super Regionals for the first time since 2016 as they rallied back to beat LSU 9-8 in the championship game of the Baton Rouge Regional. UL-Lafayette scored two runs in the seventh inning to win the game. Karly Heath homered in the fifth inning to make it a one-run game and scored the winning run in the seventh…

Cut 17 (17) “…college softball”

UL-Lafayette beat LSU twice on Sunday to advance to the super regionals. In the first game, three different players hit home runs and Sam Landry pitched five shutout innings of relief in a seven-to-four win. In game two, Jourdyn Campbell had 5 RBIs and Chloe Riassetto had three shutout innings of relief to get the win. Coach Gerry Glasco says everyone chipped in…

Cut 18 (17) “…team is”

It’s a disappointing finish for the 11th ranked LSU softball team who went 42-17, but for the second consecutive season lost in the regionals. Coach Beth Torinia could not hide the tears…

Cut 19 (18) “….all they had” 

10:30 LRN Newscast

A bill requiring Louisiana public schools to give students at least 15 minutes of  “supervised, unstructured free play” each day was approved by the House. Bill author, Houma Representative Beryl Amedee says 89 percent of schools in Louisiana currently have recess and 56 percent offer more than 15 minutes of recess for students, however…

Cut 4 (08)  “…of schools.” 

The bill was approved in a 66 to 28 vote.

Legislation that would establish mandatory minimum bail amounts of $50,000 for violent offenses and $100,000 for offenses committed with the use of a firearm advances from House Criminal Justice. Crowley Representative John Stefanski says the majority of the time Judges set bonds accordingly, but this is his attempt to make Louisiana safer.

Cut 8 (11)  “…the crime.” 

The bill passed favorably in committee heads to the House floor.

Legislation that would create age restrictions on social media platforms for children 15 and younger without parental consent was passed in the Senate but it would only go into effect if funds are allocated for enforcement.  Bill author, Covington Senator Patrick McMath says it appears some social media outlets are on board.

Cut 14 (08)  “…is going.”

The Senate passed the bill on a 37-0 vote and it advances to the lower chamber.

Louisiana ranks the fourth least healthiest state for senior citizens according to the United Health Foundation’s 11th America’s Health Rankings Senior Report. Chief Medical Officer for the Medicare and Retirement Division Dr. Phillip Painter says access to healthcare and social and economic factors play a vital role in the ranking but there’s still hope for improvement.

Cut 11 (12)  “…or exercise”

Louisiana falls below Mississippi which is the unhealthiest state in the nation.

9:30 LRN Newscast

Legislation to set minimum bail amounts for crimes of violence and or the use of a firearm advances from House Criminal Justice. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (30)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington”

Former Kenner mayor and Founder of Krewe Endymion – New Orleans’ largest Carnival organization – Ed Muniz has died at age 83. Muniz founded the parade organization in 1966. The Gentilly native also served 10 years on Kenner’s city council from 1980 to 1990 and was elected the city’s mayor in 2006.

A recent report finds Louisiana ranks 49th in overall health for adults 65 and older according to the United Health Foundation’s 11th America’s Health Rankings Senior Report. Chief Medical Officer for the Medicare and Retirement Division Dr. Phillip Painter says poverty among seniors rose statewide from 12 percent to 14 percent but funding for seniors could help.

Cut 10 (10) “…stay healthy.”

Painter says access to healthcare, physical environment, social and economic factors, and healthy behaviors play a vital role in the ranking.

Legislation that would prohibit social media platforms from allowing children 15 and younger to have their own account without their parent’s permission passed in the Senate but it would only go into effect if funds are allocated for enforcement.  Bill author, Covington Senator Patrick McMath says if enacted, the Attorney General’s Office would be tasked with investigating and enforcing Senate Bill 162, and…

Cut 13 (12) “…this law” 

The Senate passed the bill on a 37-0 vote and it advances to the lower chamber.

8:30 LRN Newscast

A bill that would require public schools statewide to schedule at least 15 minutes of supervised, unstructured free play time of recess for grades kindergarten through fifth was approved by the House in a 66 to 28 vote. Houma Representative Beryl Amedee says under this legislation no special accommodations are required.

Cut 3 (12) “…funded mandate.”

The bill heads to the Senate.

Legislation to set minimum bail amounts for crimes of violence and or the use of a firearm advances from House Criminal Justice. Crowley Representative John Stefanski’s bill would set a minimum bail of $50,000 for a violent crime and $100,000 for one that involves the use of a firearm.

Cut 6 (10)  “…did that.” 

Stefanski says the majority of the time Judges set bonds accordingly, but this is his attempt to make Louisiana safer.

Louisiana ranks the fourth unhealthiest state for adults 65 and older for the second year according to the United Health Foundation’s 11th America’s Health Rankings Senior Report. Chief Medical Officer for the Medicare and Retirement Division Dr. Phillip Painter says there are a number of challenges that weigh against seniors living in the Bayou State.

Cut 9 (12) “…should be”

Louisiana falls below Mississippi which is the unhealthiest state in the nation.

A bill to ban social media platforms from allowing minors to have their own account without parental consent passed in the Senate but it would only go into effect if funds are allocated for enforcement.  Bill author, Covington Senator Patrick McMath…

Cut 12 (11) “…health crisis.” 

Minors in the bill are defined as ages 15 and younger.

7:30 LRN Sportscast

The fifth-ranked LSU Tigers got a strong start from Ty Floyd and defeated Georgia eight to four to win the series versus the Bulldogs. Floyd fanned seven hitters in seven innings and allowed four runs. Freshman Gavin Guidry pitched two innings to earn the save. Tommy White hit his 19th home run of the season. The regular season finale is at noon today in Athens. LSU could win an SEC regular season title with a win today and an Arkansas loss.

Today at noon at Tiger Park, LSU will battle instate rival U-L Lafayette in a winner’s bracket game of the Baton Rouge Softball Regional. Yesterday, the Tigers trounced Prarie View A-and-M 12 to 2. Taylor Pleasants had three hits and drove in three runs.

The Cajuns blanked Omaha five to nothing to open up the Baton Rouge Regional. LSU and U-L Lafayette played each other twice during the regular season, the Cajuns won in Baton Rouge and the Tigers won in Lafayette.
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The McNeese softball team moved into the winner’s bracket of the Seattle regional with a four-to-three win in 13 innings yesterday. The game took four hours and 14 minutes to complete. Whitney Tate earned the win in relief.

The Nicholls Baseball team is Southland regular season champs for the first time in program history as they defeated UNO 10-to-4 yesterday. Austin Cain clobbered a three-run homer to give the Colonels the lead for good in the third inning.

Big road win for the Ragin Cajuns last night as they defeated Southern Miss ten to one. Carson Fluno was fantastic as he struck out eleven in eight innings. U-L-M snapped a 12-game Sun Belt Conference losing streak with a six-to-one win over Texas State.

Other scores, Louisiana Tech fell to U-T-S-A five to three, Southeastern Louisiana over Northwestern State seven to five, Miami of Ohio upended McNeese 13 to six, and Grambling was a six to two winner over Prairie View.

5:30 LRN Newscast May 19

Legislation to set minimum bail amounts for crimes of violence and/or the use of a firearm advances from House Criminal Justice. Crowley Representative John Stefanski’s bill would set a minimum bail of $50,000 for a violent crime and $100,000 for one that involves the use of a firearm.

Cut 8 (11)  “…the crime.” 

The bill passed favorably in committee heads to the House floor.

A requiring public schools schedule at least 15 minutes of recess for grades K thru 5 was approved by the House in a 66 to 28 vote. Houma Representative Beryl Amedee says her bill will help promote social and emotional well-being among students…:

Cut 5 (08) “…learn better.”

A bill to ban social media platforms from allowing minors to have their own account without parental consent passed in the Senate but it would only go into effect if funds are allocated for enforcement. Bill author Covington Senator Patrick McMath…

Cut 14 (08)  “…is going.”

US Senator John Kennedy took to the floor in DC urging state senators in Baton Rouge to pass legislation to hold back third graders who are unable to read on grade level.

AM Cut 4 (11)  “…that attention.”

Mandeville Representative Richard Nelson’s bill will give students intensive reading instruction and three opportunities to pass the literacy exam before advancing to third grade.

 

 

4:45 LRN Sportscast

The fifth ranked LSU baseball team goes for the series victory tonight against the Georgia Bulldogs. The Tigers won in dramatic fashion last night, eight to five in 12 innings. Josh Pearson’s first home run of the season broke a five-five tie. Jordan Thompson followed that up with his second home run of the year. Thatcher Hurd gave up two home runs in the ninth, but redemeed himself by not giving up a run in the 10th, 11 and 12th innings to get the win.

How many runs will be scored in Ruston tonight? Last night, U-T-S-A and Louisiana Tech combined to score 34 runs, but it was the Roadrunners who came out on top, winning 18=16 in 11 eleven innings.

The Ragin Cajuns would like to get on the scoreboard tonight. They were shuout by Southern Miss four to nothing last night. ULM looks to break a seven game losing streak as they face Texas State tonight.

Nicholls is at UNO and Northwestern is at Southeastern Louisiana looking to rebound from an extra inning loss last night.

At the NCAA Softball Regional in Baton Rouge, the Cajuns blanked Omaha five to nothing to advance to the winner’s bracket. Sam Landry was the winning pitcher and Karly Heath homered for the 15th time.

UL-Lafayette will play the winner of tonight’s game between LSU and Prairie View. The Tigers are the top seed and expected to win, which will set up a matchup between the Tigers and Cajuns at noon tomorrow. LSU and U-L Lafayette used to have a heated rivalry in softball, but Yvette Girouard, who coached at both schools, says it has calmed down over the years…
Cut 18 (13) “…fans love it.”

McNeese is also in the NCAA Softball tournament and will play Minnesota in Seattle at 5:30 PM. The Cowgirls have won 18 of their last 20 and they’ve won a school-record 44 games. The Golden Gophers are 37-and=17.

 

4:30 LRN Newscast May 19

Legislation that would require public schools statewide to schedule at least 15 minutes of supervised, unstructured free play time of recess for grades kindergarten through fifth was approved by the House in a 66 to 28 vote. Houma Representative Beryl Amedee says under this legislation no special accommodations are required…:

CUT 03(12)      “…funded mandate.”

A recent study finds 89 percent of schools in Louisiana currently have recess and 56 percent offer more than 15 minutes of recess.

District 3 Congressman Clay Higgins responded to uproar over internet video showing him physically removing a heckler from an outdoor press conference. In a written statement, Higgins office says the activist (quote) “became very disruptive and threatening in violation of the law” and goes on to say Higgins “successfully de-escalated the situation.”

 

Legislation to raise – or in some cases SET – minimum bail amounts for crimes of violence and/or the use of a gun in a crime advances from House Criminal Justice. Crowley Representative John Stefanski’s bill would set a minimum bail of $50-thousand for a violent crime and $100-thousand for one that involves the use of a firearm…:

CUT 06(10)      “…did that.”

The bill passed favorably in committee heads to the House floor. Stefanski is also running for Attorney General this fall.

Our state ranks 4th unhealthiest in the nation for seniors, according the Unite Health Foundation’s report. UHF’s Dr. Phil Painter says despite that poor showings, there is always hope for improvement for older residents…:

CUT 11(12)      “…or exercise.”

3:30 LRN Newscast May 19

At the State Capitol, legislation to hike up minimum bail amounts for those accused of violent and/or gun crimes has cleared a House Committee. Brooke Thorington has that story…:

CUT 01(30)      “…Thorington.”

After a catastrophic computer systems failure, the state Office of Motor Vehicles remains closed statewide until Monday. This also includes using the OMV website for applications and renewals. State officials say they’ll have new hardware installed soon and expect to be A-OK by Monday.

 

Louisiana ranks the fourth unhealthiest state for senior citizens for the second year, according to the United Health Foundation’s America’s Health Rankings Senior Report. Chief Medical Officer for the Medicare and Retirement Division Dr. Phillip Painter says increasing poverty among older citizens is a big part of that…:

CUT 10(10)      “…stay healthy”

Access to healthcare, physical environment, social and economic factors, and healthy behaviors play a vital role in the ranking as well.

A bill to ban social media platforms from allowing minors to have their own account without parental consent passed in the Senate. It’s sponsored by Covington Senator Patrick McMath, who says – if passed – the Attorney General would be tasked with investigation and enforcement…:

CUT 13(12)      “…this law.”

Utah and Arkansas have already put such laws into effect.