Memorial Day weekend is here! And more than 45-million Americans will be heading out of town. Don Redman with Triple-A says the vast majority will be traveling by car, with gas prices 45 cents cheaper than last year. He says, however, that gas prices alone usually don’t determine whether people travel.

Cut 9 (12)  “…industry this summer.”

Leaders for a Better Louisiana is looking to restore 30-million-dollars to fund high-dose tutoring after the discovery of an additional 139-million-dollars in available funds for next year’s budget. That’s a top priority for advocates like Chief Policy Officer Barry Erwin to maintain academic progress.

Cut 6 (10) “…a good investment.”

More good news in Louisiana education as the latest Reading Screener shows that grade-level reading proficiency among kids kindergarten through third grade increased by 17-percent. State Superintendent of Education Cade Brumley says this is further testament that the state’s reading strategy is working; and by staying the course, the state can continue to improve.

Cut 15 (16) “…the right direction.”

The number-one ranked LSU baseball team begins play tonight in the SEC Tournament as the Tigers will face 13th seeded Texas A&M. Right fielder Jake Brown says they’ve been waiting for this all year long.

Cut 19 (11) “…this year.”

Leaders for a Better Louisiana is urging the state Legislature to keep funding a 30-million-dollar high-dosage tutoring program. The Louisiana House did not include the funding in their budget proposal, but this week the Revenue Estimating Conference recognized an additional 39-million-dollars in available funds for next fiscal year’s budget. Leaders for a Better Louisiana Chief Policy Officer Barry Erwin…

Cut 4 (08) “…for our kids.”

The Senate Finance Committee has the budget in its hands and they’ll have the first chance at adding more money to various programs.

Kids are out for the summer and the summer travel season is underway with AAA’s Don Redman says this appears to be a good summer for the cruise industry…

Cut 8 (12) “…very popular

LSU may be the talk of the college baseball world here in Louisiana, but they’re not the only ones playing for a championship. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 3 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

WWE fans in Louisiana are disappointed that Wrestlemania will not be held in New Orleans in 2026 as was previously announced. The Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation says the city will still get to host Wrestlemania, but it will happen in a future year. The foundation says it’s part of a new multi-year agreement that will bring UFC 318 to New Orleans in July and WWE’s Money in the Bank in 2026.

On the heels of a 139-million-dollar increase in available funds for next fiscal, an effort is underway to restore 30-million dollars for high-dosage tutoring.  Colleen Crain has more.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

Memorial Day weekend is upon us and it’s the official start of the summer travel season and AAA’s Don Redman says 45-million people will travel 50-miles or more this holiday weekend…

Cut 7 (06) “….traveling for the holiday”

The state department of education says the percentage of students reading on or above grade level increased among K-through-3 graders from 47-percent at the beginning of the year to 64-percent at the end of the year. Superintendent of Education Cade Brumley says he’s pleased with the work of teachers in partnership with parents to prompt this growth…

Cut 16 (06) “…great state”

Lewiston, Idaho is a long way from Louisiana but two schools from Louisiana are there this weekend for the NAIA World Series. LSU-Shreveport is the top seed as the Pilots are a remarkable 54-0 and Loyola of New Orleans is making its first appearance in the NAIA World Series. Wolfpack Coach Jeremy Kennedy says his team has persevered all season long…

Cut 13 (07) “….the job done”

Cole Romero from Acadiana High School is Loyola’s top hitter as he’s hitting .342 with 11 home runs and 71 RBIs.

Triple-A is projecting a busy travel weekend with more than 45-million Americans traveling domestically for Memorial Day. Sean Richardson reports.

Cut 2 (29) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

NOAA is predicting an above-normal hurricane season as the federal agency is forecasting 13 to 19 named storms, six-to-ten hurricanes and three-to-five major hurricanes.

State Police has arrested a third person for helping one of the ten escaped inmates from the Orleans Parish jail. 59-year-old Connie Weeden of Slidell allegedly provided Jeremaine Donald with money. Donald is one of the five escapees still at large.

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More good news in Louisiana education as the school year wraps up. State Superintendent of Education Cade Brumley says the latest Reading Screener shows that grade-level reading proficiency among kids kindergarten through third grade increased by 17-percent.

Cut 14 (07) “…at 64-percent.”

Brumley says this is further testament that the state’s reading strategy is working; and by staying the course, the state can continue to improve.

LSU-Shreveport will try to improve to 55-0 as they begin play in the NAIA World Series in Lewiston, Idaho. Pilots head coach Brad Neffendorf says it’s an incredible accomplishment, but the job is not done yet…

Cut 10 (06) “….and win one”

The Pilots take on Grand View this morning and Loyola of New Orleans has also made the NAIA World Series for the first time in school history.

On the heels of a 139-million-dollar increase in available funds for fiscal year 2026, an effort is now underway to restore 30-million dollars for high-dosage tutoring.  Colleen Crain has more.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

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Triple-A is projecting a busy travel weekend with more than 45-million Americans traveling domestically for Memorial Day. Sean Richardson reports.

Cut 2 (29) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

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LSU may be the talk of the college baseball world here in Louisiana, but they’re not the only ones playing for a championship. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 3 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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Leaders for a Better Louisiana is looking to restore 30-million-dollars to fund high-dose tutoring after the discovery of an increase of 139-million-dollars in available funds for next year’s budget. Chief Policy Officer Barry Erwin says its crucial to restoring those funds for high-dosage tutoring, previously cut from the budget by the House.

Cut 4 (08) “…for our kids.”

Erwin questioned changing this effective strategy midstream, highlighting its importance for student success.

Cut 5 (07) “…those results continue.”

Lawmakers now face decisions on allocating extra revenue, with tutoring restoration being a top priority for advocates like Erwin to maintain academic progress.

Cut 6 (10) “…a good investment.”

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Memorial Day weekend officially begins today, and Don Redman with Triple-A says more than 45-million Americans will be traveling domestically.

Cut 7 (06) “…traveling for the holidays.”

Triple-A says air travel had a slight two-percent increase from last year, but Redman says the big uptick was in the cruise industry.

Cut 8 (12) “…that’s very popular.”

Redman says the vast majority of people will be traveling by car, with gas prices 45 cents cheaper than last year. Redman says, however, that gas prices alone usually don’t determine whether people travel.

Cut 9 (12)  “…industry this summer.”

In the southern region alone, Triple-A projects nearly 10-million travelers, so drive safely and expect traffic.

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As LSU continues its march towards Omaha and the College World Series, two Louisiana teams will be competing in the NAIA World Series, which starts today in Lewiston, Idaho. The big story has been LSU Shreveport – 54 games, 54 wins. That’s the longest winning streak in all levels of college baseball among four-year schools. Head Coach Brad Neffendorf says it’s an incredible accomplishment, but the job is not done yet.

Cut 10 (06) “…and win one.”

The Pilots can take that first step towards their ultimate goal this morning by beating Grand View, out of Iowa. Coach Neffendorf says the way to beat them is not to worry about their opponent’s game, but rather to play their own game.

Cut 11 (07) “…done all year.”

LSU Shreveport is not the only Louisiana team playing in the World Series. Loyola New Orleans is the tournament’s eighth seed, and they face Tennessee Wesleyan at three this afternoon. Coach Jeremy Kennedy says his team will have its work cut out for itself.

Cut 12 (06) “…juggernaut as well.”

This is the first ever NAIA World Series appearance for the Wolfpack, and Coach Kennedy says the team has persevered all season long.

Cut 13 (07)  “…the job done.”

Like the big one in Omaha, the NAIA World Series is a double-elimination tournament. The champion will be crowned either on May 30th or May 31st.

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More good news in Louisiana education as the school year wraps up. State Superintendent of Education Cade Brumley says the latest Reading Screener shows that grade-level reading proficiency among kids kindergarten through third grade increased by 17-percent.

Cut 14 (07) “…at 64-percent.”

Brumley says this is further testament that the state’s reading strategy is working; and by staying the course, the state can continue to improve.

Cut 15 (16) “…the right direction.”

Brumley says a great deal of the credit goes to the teachers.

Cut 16 (06) “…the great state”

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The media had a chance to watch the Saints OTA practice on Thursday and the first-string offensive line looked like this….first round pick Kelvin Banks at left tackle, Trevor Penning at left guard, Erik McCoy at center, Cesar Ruiz at right guard and last year’s starting left tackle, Taliese Fuaga playing right tackle. Coach Kellen Moore says it should be a seamless transition to Fuaga…

Cut 17 (20)  “…easy as it can be”

Saints quarterback Jake Haener will miss the rest of the OTA sessions after suffering an oblique strain.  ESPN’s Adam Schefter says the injury will sideline Haener for multiple weeks, but he should be available for the start of training camp. Moore was asked if the injury is a significant setback for Haener, who is competing for starting quarterback…

Cut 18 (17)  “…continue to build.”

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The number one ranked LSU baseball team begins play tonight in the SEC Tournament as the Tigers will face 13th seeded Texas A&M. Right fielder Jake Brown says they’ve been waiting all year for this event…

Cut 19 (11) “…this year”

LSU will need to win three games to win the SEC Tournament. Coach Jay Johnson wants to make it a memorable weekend…

Cut 20 (19) “…what’s ahead.”

Now that state lawmakers have discovered an additional 139-million dollars in available funds for the next fiscal year, there are calls to restore 30-million dollars for high-dosage tutoring that was previously cut from the budget. Barry Erwin is the chief policy officer for Leaders for a Better Louisiana.

Cut 4 (08) “…going for our kids.”

Erwin questioned changing this effective strategy midstream, highlighting its importance for student success.

Cut 5 (07) “…see those results continue.”

Lawmakers now face decisions on allocating extra revenue, with tutoring restoration being a top priority for advocates like Erwin to maintain academic progress.

Cut 6 (10) “…a good investment.”

High-dosage tutoring may be credited in part with a significant improvement in reading proficiency. In fact, State Superintendent of Education Cade Brumley says the latest Reading Screener shows that grade-level reading proficiency among kids kindergarten through third grade increased by 17-percent.

Cut 14 (07) “…at 64-percent.”

We now know the price tag for moving the University of New Orleans back to the LSU system from the U-L system – 80-million dollars over five years. Whether the legislature can come up with that money remains to be seen. New Orleans Democratic Senator Jimmy Harris’ bill to implement the move has made it through two Senate committees and is expected to come up for a vote in the full Senate next week.

The House has passed a resolution asking the SEC not to schedule LSU home football games before six p-m in the month of September. It comes after several fans were overcome by brutal afternoon heat in their game against UCLA last September 21st.

A former Secretary for the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is facing bribery and fraud charges. A five-count indictment was handed down against Jack Montoucet for allegedly receiving kickbacks in awarding a state contract to a business that provided online educational boating courses. Sportsman could take the courses to resolve citations issued by Wildlife and Fisheries.  Montoucet faces up to 20 years in prison and a one-million dollar fine. Two others have already pleaded guilty for their involvement.

Five of the ten escapees from the Orleans Parish jail remain on the run. Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill conducted a tour of the jail to see for herself what improvements are needed. Afterwards she said having the right locks and hinges on the doors is a top priority…

Cut 8 (11) “…want them to be.”

Get ready for another active hurricane season. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

If you’re into trivia games, this is your weekend. Trivia Nationals are being held at the Hyatt Regency New Orleans. Organizer Lee-Ann Whitlock says along with the trivia games, there will be a game show boot camp Saturday afternoon and an awards banquet Sunday night.

Cut 14 (07) “…for a weekend.”

It will cost you 275 dollars for all the games you wish to compete in during the event weekend. More information is available at trivia nationals-dot-org.

Attorney General Liz Murrill is looking into what contributed to last week’s jail break at the Orleans Parish Jail. She says a critical piece in preventing future escapes is making sure the Orleans Parish criminal justice system is moving cases through in an effective manner. She adds, housing inmates at a parish jail for several years is asking for trouble…

Cut 7 (11) “…doors”

Five of the ten inmates who escaped last week are still at large.

Get ready for another active hurricane season. NOAA is predicting an above-average season, with 13 to 19 named storms. Of them, they predict six to ten hurricanes, with three to five being major hurricanes – Category Three or higher. National Weather Service Director Ken Graham says even a storm that does not rise to the level of a major hurricane can still be very devastating.

Cut 3 (11) “…care the category.”

He says, start building your emergency kits now.

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, along with ten other Southeastern states launched the website, Gator-Wise-dot-org to educate the public on safely coexisting with alligators. LDWF Alligator Program Manager Jeb Linscombe says alligator attacks are rare here with fewer than 25 since the 1970’s but three to four thousand nuisance complaints are filed every year.

Cut 11 (08) “…harvested or relocated.”

Linscombe says the initiative aims to foster realistic perceptions about alligators.

This is the weekend for trivia lovers. Trivia Nationals are being held at the Hyatt Regency New Orleans, just east of the Superdome. Organizer Lee-Ann Whitlock says there are many kinds of trivia competitions.

Cut 12 (09) “…puzzle-type activities.”

The cost to attend is 275 dollars for the entire weekend for all the games you wish to compete in. More information is at trivia nationals-dot-org.