8:30 LRN Newscast

Senate Finance Chairman Bodi White regrets signing off on a budget that slashed state funding to the Louisiana Department of Health by 100-million dollars. On the final day of the session, budget negotiations went right up until a six o’clock deadline and White admits he paid too much attention to the clock and not what was missing from the 45-billion dollar budget plan
Cut 10 (11) “…should not have.”
Among the cuts in a loss of services for Medicaid recipients who need outpatient mental health and substance abuse treatment. Alexandria Senator Jay Luneau says a mental hospital in his district would also see a cut…
Cut 12 (14) “…no sense”
Governor Edwards is expected to act next week by using his line item veto authority to remove the budget cut so the funding can be restored.

State Treasurer John Schroder says it’s time for state agencies to accept digital payments such as Venmo and Paypal. Schroder says it’s more convenient for the public…
cut 5 (11) “…tot he bank”
Schroder is working with the Cash Management Review Board on a plan for shifting to statewide agency electronic payment acceptance. He hopes to get this done before his term ends.

The reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person who killed 29-year-old Donovan Bailey in St. John the Baptist Parish in 2013 has been increased to $17,500. Bailey was gunned down on East 13th Street in Reserve. Crimestoppers of Greater New Orleans president Darlene Causanza says those with information can and will remain anonymous…
cut 9 (12) “….the arrest”

7:30 LRN Newscast

Senate Finance Chairman Bodi White says a big mistake was made as lawmakers rushed to approve a budget on the final day of the session. That mistake resulted in a 100-million dollar cut to the Louisiana Department of Health at a time when the state is enjoying huge surpluses. White says if he had to do it again, he would not have brought the budget bill up for a vote in the waning minutes of the session…
cut 11 (04) “….special session”
Now White is calling on the governor to use his line item authority and remove the cut from the budget so funding could be restored to L-D-H.

According to credit-card-dot-com, Louisiana has the third highest credit card debt burden with an average credit card balance of 54-hundred dollars. Senior Industry Analyst Ted Rossman says six out of every ten people with credit card debt have been in debt for at least a year, up 50-percent from the previous year…
cut 15 (13) “….sooner than that”
Rossman says his top tip is to sign up for a zero-percent balance transfer card.

State Treasurer John Schroder is calling on state agencies to accept electronic payment options like PayPal and Venmo.
Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

In his first start of the season, LSU left-hander Nate Ackenahusen threw six shutout innings as the Tigers blanked Tennessee five to nothing to stay alive in the College World Series. Coach Jay Johnson on why he went with Ack…
cut 28 (05) “…I liked”
LSU faces Wake Forest tonight. Need a win to keep their season alive.

6:45 LRN Sportscast

LSU left-handers Nate Ackenhausen and Riley Cooper combined to limit Tennessee to just six hits in a five-to-nothing shutout of the Volunteers to advance to the semifinal round of the College World Series. Ackenhausen started his first game of the year and Coach Jay Johnson had a feeling he could handle the moment…
Cut 17 (23) “…more than that”
Ackenhausen threw a season-high six innings and struck out a season-high seven hitters. Riley Cooper picked up his second save as he threw three shut out innings, allowing just two hits and striking out one.

LSU was limited to five hits on Monday in a loss to Wake Forest, but the bats woke up last night in the five to nothing win to eliminate Tennessee. Center fielder Dylan Crews had two hits, including a two run homer. He also walked in the first inning and now has reached base 70 consecutive games…..
cut 20 (30) “…every time”
Tre Morgan also had a couple of knocks and Cade Beloso had a three hit night and drove in a run.

LSU gets another shot at Wake Forest tonight. The Tigers will have to beat the top seeded Demon Deacons twice in order to advance to the championship series of the College World Series. First pitch is at 6 PM.

6:30 LRN Newscast

During a Tuesday meeting of the Senate Health and Welfare Committee, senators expressed their frustration over approving a state budget that contained a 100-million dollar cut to the Louisiana Department of Health. Franklinton Senator Beth Mizell is alarmed to see LDH is proposing to reduce funding to Our Lady of Angels Hospital in Bogalusa…
cut 13 (11) “…happen”
Governor John Bel Edwards is expected to get his line item veto pen out next week which will lead to restoring the funding.

State Treasurer John Schroder is calling on the Louisiana Cash Management Review Board to develop a plan for all state agencies to accept electronic payment options like PayPal and Venmo. Schroder says the state needs to get on board with this technology.
Cut 4 (11) “…for government.’”
Schroder says the plan will be presented to the full board within 60 days.

A new CreditCards.com report shows Louisiana has the third highest credit card debt in the country relative to income. Teiko Foxx has more…
cut 3 (33) “….I’m Teiko Foxx

LRN AM Newscall June 21

State Treasurer John Schroder is calling on state agencies to accept electronic payment options like PayPal and Venmo. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (32)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

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State senators express regret over approving a state budget that contained a 100-million dollar cut in funding to the Department of Health. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (35)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo”

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As credit card debt continues to become more costly and harder to pay off, a new CreditCards.com report shows Louisiana has the third highest credit card debt in the U.S. Teiko Foxx has more…

Cut 3 (33)  “….I’m Teiko Foxx”

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State Treasurer John Schroder is calling on the Louisiana Cash Management Review Board to develop a plan for all state agencies to accept electronic payment options like PayPal and Venmo. Schroder says the state needs to get on board with the new technology.

Cut 4 (11)  “…for government.’”

In addition to making payments more convenient, Schroeder says electronic payments save time.

Cut 5 (11)   “…the bank.”

Schroder is working with CMRB to craft a plan for state agencies to implement electronic payments.

Cut 6 (10)  “…the taxpayer.”

By law, the state treasurer can make the electronic payment process available to state agencies but cannot require them to use it.

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The parents of 29-year-old Donovan Bailey who was killed in Reserve in 2013  have joined with Crimestoppers of Greater New Orleans to increase the reward amount for new tips in the cold case. President Darlene Causanza hopes increasing the amount will garner new leads in the case.

Cut 7 (13) “…final arrest.”

Bailey was driving his van with his friends when someone opened fire and shot him in the torso in the 300 block of East 13th Street. Causanza says an arrest was made in 2014 …

Cut 8 (13) “…was released.’”

Causanza encourages anyone who knows something to send in any leads.

Cut 9 (12)  “…the arrest”

Anyone with leads should contact Crimestoppers at 504-822-1111, download the  CSGNO app, or visit crimestoppersgno.org to post a tip.

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Senate Finance Chairman Bodi White regrets signing off on a budget that slashed state funding to the Louisiana Department of Health by 100-million dollars. On the final day of the session, budget negotiations went right up until a six o’clock deadline and White admits he paid too much to the clock and not what was missing from the 45-billion dollar budget plan

Cut 10 (11) “…should not have.”

L-D-H leaders told state senators the 100 million dollar cut could result in a 740-million dollar reduction in funding when you factor in federal matching dollars. White says if he had to do it again, he would not have brought the budget bill up for a vote in the waning minutes of the session…

Cut 11 (04)  “…special session.”

LDH officials told the Senate Health and Welfare Committee that the cut will result in a loss of services for Medicaid recipients who need outpatient mental health and substance abuse treatment. There will also be a loss of funding for some nursing homes, a graduate medical education program, and mobile cancer screenings.

Alexandria Senator Jay Luneau says a mental hospital in his district would also see a cut in funding…

Cut 12 (14)    “…no sense” 

Franklinton Senator Beth Mizell is alarmed to see a cut in funding to Our Lady of Angels Hospital in Bogalusa…

Cut 13 (11) “…happen”  

_______________________________________________

A new report finds Louisiana has the third highest credit card debt burden in the country according to CreditCards.com. The report compares credit card debts and household incomes across all fifty states and Washington D.C. Senior Industry Analyst Ted Rossman says people in Louisiana live on a below-average household income.

Cut 14 (10)  “…it off.”

Louisiana ranked 47th in average household income with an average of $76,000 annually. The average credit card charges a record-high 21 percent. That’s nearly five percentage points higher than the beginning of last year. Rossman says people are making practical purchases with credit cards because of inflation and increasing their debt burden.

Cut 15 (13)  “…than that.”

According to the report, six out of every 10 people with credit card debt have been in debt for at least a year, up from 50 percent a year ago. However, using a personal loan as a form of debt consolidation and working with a reputable nonprofit credit counseling agency can help make payments manageable. Rossman also suggests getting a zero percent balance transfer credit card.

Cut 16 (11) “…tremendous savings.”

Credit card rates rose more in 2022 than any other on record.

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LSU left-handers Nate Ackenhausen and Riley Cooper combined to limit Tennessee to just six hits in a five-to-nothing shutout of the Volunteers to advance to the semifinal round of the College World Series. Ackenhausen started his first game of the year and Coach Jay Johnson had a feeling he could handle the moment…

Cut 17 (23) “…more than that”

Ackenhausen threw a season-high six innings and struck out a season-high seven hitters. The Oklahoma native says his changeup was working well

Cut 18 (20) “…behind me.” 

It’s only the second time LSU has thrown a shutout in the College World Series. 1993 was the other time when Brett Laxton struck out a championship game record 16 hitters in a win over Wichita State.

LSU is still one loss away from elimination and they’ll need to beat Wake Forest twice in order to get to the championship series. Johnson understands it will be a challenge after the Demon Deacons held them to five hits on Monday…

Cut 19 (19) “…right now.” 

5:30 LRN Newscast June 20

The Governor signs into law a bill requiring all high school kids to take and pass a financial literacy course. More from Kevin Gallagher…:

Cut 2 (31)  “….I’m Kevin Gallagher.”  

In Gonzales, a Donaldsonville man was fatally shot while police say he broke a window of his ex-girlfriend’s apartment Saturday. 35-year-old Joshua Jones was shot multiple times as he tried to enter the apartment and later died from his injuries.

Governor John Bel Edwards has signed a bill that creates the Office of the State Child Ombudsman, which will oversee how state agencies are treating children in the state’s care. The legislation comes after multiple toddlers died from overdoses despite warnings. Also, problems at juvenile detention centers. Baton Rouge Senator Regina Barrow says the bill received unanimous support and Louisiana joins 38 other states that have such an office…

Cut 10 (03)  “…much better.”
Barrow says the office will also assist parents or individuals who are facing accusations of child abuse or endangerment.

Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser has been in Australia for over a week promoting the Bayou State as a tourist spot to Aussies…

Cut 5 (13)  “…this far.”
Nungesser is set to return on Saturday.

 

4:45 LRN Sportscast June 20

With LSU’s crushing 3-2 loss to first-seeded Wake Forest yesterday, they’ll have to make it back from the losers bracket and win 3 consecutive games over the next three days for a spot in the championship series. While the odds may seem slim, Coach Jay Johnson has faith in his team’s ability to bounce back. In fact he says he’s seen it first hand, once in 2016 and again in 2017 by your very own Tigers…

Cut 17

Johnson’s Arizona team rallied to win three straight to advance to the finals before dropping a one-game lead to Coastal Carolina. In 2017, LSU won three straight after a 13-1 blowout at the hands of top-seeded Oregon St before losing two games to Florida in the championship series. 

The Tigers’ powerhouse offense struggled against Wake Forest producing 2 runs on just five hits, the lowest mark for this LSU team since their 3-0 victory over Auburn on May 5th and only the third time all season the Tigers have batted less than 6 hits. Their offense will again be put to the test tonight against Tennessee’s bullpen, but Johnson says his team is ready for the challenge…

Cut 15

Beam was named SEC freshman of the year last year and a preseason all-american. He’s 9-4 on the season with a 3.78 ERA and 79 strikeouts. The winner of the LSU-Tennessee matchup will go on to face Wake Forest while the loser says goodbye to Omaha. The Tigers and Vols are set to get underway at 6:00 tonight.

 

4:30 LRN Newscast June 20

Governor Edwards has signed legislation to create an office to advocate on behalf of children under the care of the Department of Children and Family Services and the Office of Juvenile Justice. Bill author Baton Rouge Senator Regina Barrow says the Office of State Child Ombudsman will be an independent office serving under the Legislative Auditor’s Office.

Cut 9 (07) “…intended it to be.”

The office is expected to go into effect in the fall.

And the governor has also signed into law a bill requiring all Louisiana high school juniors and seniors pass a financial literacy course. The bill was authored by Tangipahoa Parish Rep. Nicholas Muscarello, who says it’s a good step forward for kids, who are Louisiana’s future…:

Cut 6 (09)  “…in financial literacy.” 

Passage is a requirement for TOPS recipients

Louisiana Department of Health officials provided lawmakers with information on what a 100-million dollar cut in funding will mean for the agency. L-D-H Secretary Stephen Russo told the Senate Health and Welfare Committee when he left the capitol on the final day of the session, he believed the agency was in good financial shape.

Cut 12 (08) “…honest with you” 

He says the cut goes deeper than 100 million because of matching federal funds.

Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser has been in the land down under for a little over a week to promote international travel to the Bayou State. Nungesser says the mission is to build relationships to get Aussies to see what we have to offer.

Cut 3 (13) “…we have.”

Nungesser will return on Saturday.

3:30 LRN Newscast June 20

In the 2024-25 school year, Louisiana high school juniors and seniors will be required to pass a financial literacy course.  Students who do not pass the course will not be able to graduate and will be ineligible for TOPS college tuition grants. Tangipahoa Parish Rep. Nicholas Muscarello explains why…:

Cut 8 (08)  “…financial literacy.” 

Governor Edwards has signed a bill to create an office to advocate on behalf of children under the care of the DCFS and the Office of Juvenile Justice. In addition to protecting children, bill author Baton Rouge Senator Regina Barrow says the Office of State Child Ombudsman will help parents’ facing accusations of child abuse navigate the system.

Cut 11 (11)  “…falsely accused.”

In Farmerville, an oil tank explosion has killed one person and injured four others. The Union Parish explosion happened just off Johnson Road and Highway 15. Several agencies have responded to the scene and the incident is under investigation.

It’s been a week full of recruiting Aussies to visit the Sportsman’s Paradise for Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser. Teiko Foxx has the story.

Cut 1 (33)  “…I’m Teiko Foxx” 

 

2:30 LRN Newscast

Louisiana Health Secretary Stephen Russo told the Senate Health and Welfare committee today he thought it was joke when he was told the state health agency received a 100-million dollar cut. The reduction in state funding came in the final hours of the legislative session as lawmakers finalized a budget deal. Russo says the cut could be deeper when you take into account matching federal dollars…
cut 13 (10) “come from”
Assistant Secretary of Behavioral Health Karen Stubb says that means thousands of Medicaid recipients would lose outpatient treatment for mental health and substance abuse, which could be detrimental…
cut 14 (12) “….yes sir”
It’s expected Governor Edwards will restore the funding through the use of his line item veto authority.

Governor John Bel Edwards has signed a bill that creates the Office of the State Child Ombudsman, which will oversee how state agencies are treating children in the state’s care. The legislation comes after multiple toddlers died from overdoses despite warnings. Also problems at juvenile detention centers. Baton Rouge Senator Regina Barrow says the bill received unanimous support and Louisiana joins 38 other states that have such an office…
cut 10 (03) “…..much better”
Barrow says the office will also assist parents or individuals who are facing accusations of child abuse or endangerment.

Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser has been in Australia for over a week promoting the Bayou State as tourist spot to Aussies…
cut 5 (13) “….this far”
Nungesser is set to return on Saturday.