Bobby Jindal turns 50 years old today. Erik Piccoli has more on the former governor who is keeping a low profile

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Erik Piccoli.”

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The 2021 legislative session comes to a close today and one good-government group says it was a productive two months at the state capitol. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.” 

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The first FDA approval in almost 20 years for an Alzheimer’s medication has many asking why when an advisory council advised against it. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 3 (30)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

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Today former governor, Congressman, and presidential candidate Boddy Jindal turns 50. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says the once superstar politician has faded from the limelight ever since his two terms as governor ended.

Cut 4 (08) “…to change Louisiana.”

Jindal served in the US House of Representatives between 2005 to 2008 and as governor from 2008 to 2016. During his second term as governor, Jindal focused on an unsuccessful run for the White House, which many Louisiana residents didn’t support. A UNO poll in 2015 put his approval rating at 20-percent.

Pinsonat says Jindal had a remarkable rise but more remarkable was his exit from politics.

Cut 5  (12) “…boy of politics.”

Jindal has stayed out of the public eye since he left the governor’s office in 2016. Pinsonat says considering his age, it’s still possible he could make a political return

Cut 6 (11) “…a factor in.”

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It’s the final day of the legislative session and state lawmakers are expected to pass a tax reform package that will result in lower individual income tax rates, but eliminate the ability to deduct federal income taxes paid. Council for a Better Louisiana President Barry Erwin says the lower income tax rates could help attract businesses

Cut 7 (09) “…the country.”

The House has approved the tax swap plan, the Senate is expected to do it today and then it will go before voters in the fall.

Erwin says the 2021 session will also be remembered for the change in attitudes regarding marijuana. Erwin says while legislation to legalize recreational marijuana did not pass, legislators approved a bill that takes jail time away as a punishment for those caught with a small quantity of pot…

Cut 8 (06) “…anytime soon.”

In the budget, there’s money for teacher pay raises, TOPS is fully funded and there are also more dollars for Go Grants which will help students from moderate to low-income families attend college. Erwin says it’s the largest investment in higher education in more than a decade

Cut 9 (09) “…step forward.” 

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Attorney General Jeff Landry’s lawsuit against President Biden and other government officials will be heard at the Federal courthouse in Lafayette today. Landry says the Biden administration cannot legally halt all lease sales on public lands and it is impacting the cost of fuel.

Cut 10 (11) “…Americans.”

Louisiana along with 12 other states are suing the President for acting beyond the scope of his authority by directing government agencies to stop all lease sales for public lands thus halting all future oil and gas exploration.

Landry says he feels confident about the case.

Cut 11 (08) “…issues.”

Landry says while the administration might try to argue their actions are a temporary pause nothing suggests that the pause is only temporary. Having the case heard by a judge in an oil and gas state, Landry says is much more appropriate versus somewhere else.

Cut 12 (10) “…of Mexico.”

On Wednesday developer of the Keystone XL Pipeline announced the cancellation of the project to carry oil from Canada into the U-S due to the Biden administration’s withdrawal of their permit.

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The FDA approved the first new medication in almost 20 years for the treatment of Alzheimer’s. but Dr Jeffrey Keller with the LSU Pennington Biomedical Institute on Dementia Research and Prevention says Aducanumab (add-yoo-CAN-yoo-mab) was approved even though an advisory committee deemed otherwise.

Cut 13 (11) “…a treatment.”

Aducanumab (add-yoo-CAN-yoo-mab) is a monthly intravenous treatment intended to slow cognitive decline in those with mild memory and thinking problems.  Keller says the growing prevalence of Alzheimer’s put added pressure on the FDA to approve the drug.

Cut 14 (07) “…to happen.”

But Keller says there are several clinical trials that he believes will offer hope in the treatment of Alzheimer’s, some of those trials are underway at Pennington Biomedical.

Cut 15 (08)“…effective for.”

The list price for the medication is $56,000 annually and it is still to be determined if insurers will cover the drug.

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Louisiana Tech suffered an early exit from postseason play after failing to win the Ruston regional.  Even though the Bulldogs did not advance, Tech coach Lane Burroughs says it was good for his team to feel what it’s like to host in the postseason.

Cut 16 (14) “…taste of it.”

Burroughs says the fan support this season was great and he’s experienced first-hand what a good season can do for a smaller program.

Cut 17 (16) …part of that.” 

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The LSU baseball will make its second trip to Rocky Top when they face Tennessee in the super regionals. Game one is set for Saturday night in Knoxville. In late March, the Volunteers swept the Tigers, outscoring LSU by four runs. Coach Paul Mainieri says both teams benefited from that hard-fought series

Cut  18 (16)”..for us.”

LSU won four straight elimination games to advance to the super regionals and they won their first NCAA Regional on the road since 1989. Left fielder Gavin Dugas says his teammates understand the significance of the accomplishment….

Cut 19 (14) “…lives.” 

LSU has a 12-and-7 record on the road and they’ve won four road SEC series. Drew Bianco says they’ve nicknamed themselves the Road Dogs…

Cut 20 (27)  “…next weekend.” 

Senator Bill Cassidy is calling for an end to enhanced federal unemployment benefits so more people will return to the workforce. The enhanced benefit is set to end in September, but several states including Mississippi have made a decision to no longer give out the extra 300-dollars. Cassidy believes Governor Edwards should do the same…

Cut 8 (8) “…let’s get back to work” 

Governor Edwards requested a study on the matter and will decide after he reviews the report.

In three weeks, landlords can file for the eviction of tenants who have failed to pay rent. As the deadline lingers New Orleans First City Clerk of Court, Austin Badon, says they expect to see an influx of abandoned rentals.

Cut 11 (07) “…go move.”

According to the Louisiana Fair Housing Action Center tenants are still responsible for the entirety of the rent owed and landlords can begin collecting rent on July 1^st.

Financial assistance is available to help pay late fees or past-due utility bills. Cleco spokesperson Fran Phoenix says residents in Caddo, Calcasieu, East Baton Rouge, Jefferson, Lafayette, Orleans and St. Tammany Parishes should contact their parish government about how to apply for this money.

Cut 14 (10) “….state program” 

Other parishes should go to L-A-State-rent-dot-com for assistance.

Parents in Louisiana can enroll their children in free 20-day-long virtual math courses that apply as credit toward their high school transcripts. Senior VP at K-12 Stride Darren Reed says two out of three parents are looking for summer learning opportunities and Stride offers 20-day Algebra one, two, and Geometry classes…

Cut 3 (8) “…suffered the most”

Those interested can visit k12.com to sign up.

The legislative instrument that will result in teachers getting an 800-dollar and school support workers 400-dollars has received final legislative approval.

Cut 2 (30) …I’m Jim Shannon”  

Two Louisiana State troopers were terminated on Friday, months after both were arrested and accused of using excessive force against Black suspects. Dakota DeMoss and George Harper had been on leave pending an internal investigation, DeMoss was also involved in the arrest of Ronald Greene, the black man who died while in police custody in 2019.

In three weeks, landlords can file for the eviction of tenants who have failed to pay rent. A moratorium on evictions began last year during the onset of the pandemic and has been extended numerous times. However New Orleans First City Clerk of Court, Austin Badon, who oversees evections says some landlords have seen their tenants who have failed to pay out at casinos and even driving new cars. He says property owners are fed up.

Cut 10 (03) “…to happen.”

According to the Louisiana Fair Housing Action Center tenants are still responsible for the entirety of the rent owed and landlords can begin collecting rent on July 1^st.

Cleco says assistance is available to help customers pay late fees or past-due utility bills. For more information go to L-A-State-rent-dot-com. Cleco spokesperson Fran Pheonix says the assistance is not exclusive to Cleco customers…

Cut 13 (08) “…water and gas.”

The money comes from the federal government’s emergency rental assistance program.

Senator Bill Cassidy is calling for an end to enhanced federal unemployment benefits. Cassidy says it would be better for an out-of-work individual to get a job with the potential to earn more money down the road, instead of spending the summer collecting unemployment checks…

Cut 7 (9) “…to work”

Governor Edwards says he’s authorized an economic study about the enhanced benefits and will make an informed decision.

In three weeks, landlords can file for the eviction of tenants who have failed to pay rent. A moratorium on evictions began last year during the onset of the pandemic and has been extended numerous times. However New Orleans First City Clerk of Court, Austin Badon, who oversees evections believes June 30^th is a hard date.

Cut 9 (04) “…extended.”

Badon says they are bracing for an onslaught of thousands of evictions and some landlords have gone without payment for over a year.

Parents in Louisiana can enroll their children in free 20-day-long virtual math courses that apply as credit toward their high school transcripts. Senior VP at K-12 Stride Darren Reed says each class lasts four hours per day and the 20-day components begin today, June 23rd, and July 7th. Reed says Stride offers other opportunities for students including free summer camps…

Cut 4 (10) “…camps etc”

Those interested can visit k12.com to sign up.

A bill to raise the age to vape, smoke, or use any tobacco or nicotine product in Louisiana from 18 to 21 won final passage Tuesday. Louisiana Campaign for Tobacco-Free Living Associate Director Shawna Shields says this allows the state to have parity with federal law in an effort to deter young people from starting.

Cut 13 (08) “…to start”

Senator Bill Cassidy is calling for an end to enhanced federal unemployment benefits. Cassidy says the employment numbers in the latest national jobs report didn’t meet expectations for a second consecutive month. He says the extra 300-dollars jobless workers are receiving is a reason why…

Cut 6 (9) “…to work”

Governor Edwards says he’s authorized an economic study about the enhanced benefits and will then make an informed decision on benefits.

Parents in Louisiana can enroll their children in free 20-day-long virtual math courses that apply as credit toward their high school transcripts. Senior VP at K-12 Stride Darren Reed says two out of three parents are looking for summer learning opportunities and Stride offers 20-day Algebra one, two, and Geometry classes…

Cut 3 (8) “…suffered the most”

Legislation requiring the Louisiana Legislative Auditor to review local, state, and federal elections has received final legislative passage. Ville Platte Senator Heather Cloud says it was over 20 years ago when there was an in-depth examination of elections. It resulted in the conviction of former elections commissioner Jerry Fowler who was involved in a kickback scheme in the selling of voting machines.

Cut 9 (07) “…but we verify.” 

The bill also calls for parish registrars of voters to keep and maintain all records relating to absentee by mail and early voting 2 years following the election.

The legislative instrument that will result in teachers getting an 800-dollar and school support workers 400-dollars has received final legislative approval.

Cut 2 (30) …I’m Jim Shannon”  

The Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s office confirms remains found in the woods last week in Golden Meadow are that of a missing Galliano woman. Sheriff Craig Webre says the remains are that of 42-year old Michelle Griffin who went missing May 19^th. The investigation is ongoing and there are no signs of foul play at this time.

A bill to increase hunting and fishing license fees in the state is on its way to the Governor’s desk. Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Undersecretary Bryan McClinton says the bill is an effort to restructure fees to help the department become self-sufficient again due to a loss in revenue from oil and gas royalties. McClinton says the legislature had to earmark $17 million to keep the agency afloat.

Cut 11 (07) “…this country.”
Fee increases go into effect July of 2022.

Intermittent fasting has become a popular diet but it’s not for everyone. LSU nutritionist Elizabeth Gollub says it isn’t recommended for children, pregnant or lactating women, shift workers, those with Type 1 diabetes, or people with certain health conditions. Gollub says those who are underweight also shouldn’t fast…

Cut 6 (08) “…work for them.”

Legislation requiring the Louisiana Legislative Auditor to review local, state, and federal elections has received final legislative passage. Ville Platte Senator Heather Cloud says the legislative auditor already reviews numerous other state agencies and our elections should also undergo an independent review.

Cut 8 (05) “…between parishes.”

A bill to raise the age to vape, smoke, or use any tobacco or nicotine product in Louisiana from 18 to 21 won final passage Tuesday. Louisiana Campaign for Tobacco-Free Living Associate Director Shawna Shields says this allows the state to have parity with federal law in an effort to deter young people from starting.

Cut 13 (10) “…and under”

All but 17 states have already raised the age to 21 to comply with federal law.

A bill to increase hunting and fishing license fees in the state is on its way to the Governor’s desk. Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Undersecretary Bryan McClinton says while license fees will increase, they also add more privileges. For example, a hunting license goes from $29 to $34 but that includes archery and primitive hunting so that will save hunters who use those styles $15 annually.

Cut 10 (10) “…fishermen.”

The fee increases go into effect in July of 2022.

Intermittent fasting has become a popular diet, but is it for everyone? LSU nutritionist Elizabeth Gollub says the diet allows individuals to decide when and how they’ll fast based on their personal schedules, and it’s shown to improve blood pressure and glucose control…

Cut 5  (07) “…we don’t know.”

The diet isn’t recommended for children, pregnant or lactating women and those with Type 1 diabetes.

A bill to raise the age to vape, smoke, or use any tobacco or nicotine product in Louisiana from 18 to 21 won final passage Tuesday. Louisiana Campaign for Tobacco-Free Living Associate Director Shawna Shields says this allows the state to have parity with federal law in an effort to deter young people from starting. For those under the age of 21, Shields says there’s free assistance to help you give up nicotine.
Cut 15 (07)“…and quit.”

A bill to increase hunting and fishing license fees in the state is on its way to the Governor’s desk. Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Undersecretary Bryan McClinton says while license fees will increase, they also add more privileges. Another added benefit in the restructuring of fees is for the life of the license, for example, a current fishing license expires June 30th of each year, when the bill takes effect, McClinton says you’ll get more bang for your buck.
Cut 12 (07) “…for 365 days.”

Legislation requiring the Louisiana Legislative Auditor to review local, state, and federal elections has received final legislative passage. Evangeline Parish Senator Heather Cloud says her legislation will help bring election integrity.
Cut 7 (11) “…shortfalls here.”

A diet that calls for periods of fasting and feasting has become more popular. Erik Piccoli has the story on who and how this diet should be practiced…
Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Erik Piccoli”

Legislation requiring the Louisiana Legislative Auditor to review local, state, and federal elections has received final legislative passage. Evangeline Parish Senator Heather Cloud says it was over 20 years ago when there was an in-depth examination of elections. It resulted in the conviction of former elections commissioner Jerry Fowler who was involved in a kickback scheme in the selling of voting machines.
Cut 9 (07) “…but we verify.”

The bill also calls for parish registrars of voters to keep and maintain all records relating to absentee by mail and early voting 2 years following the election.

Preservation hall, the famous New Orleans music venue, will re-open it’s doors for in-person audiences tomorrow. It’s ironic that June 10th is the 60th anniversary of the day preservation hall first opened it’s doors in 1961. The club has been closed for 15 months which is the longest closure for the site.

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A bill to increase hunting and fishing license fees in the state is on its way to the Governor’s desk. Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Undersecretary Bryan McClinton says while license fees will increase, they also add more privileges.
McClinton says the bill is an effort to restructure fees to help the department become self-sufficient again due to a loss in revenue from oil and gas royalties. McClinton says the legislature had to earmark $17 million to keep the agency afloat.
Cut 11 (07) “…this country.”

A bill that will increase hunting and fishing licenses awaits the Governor’s signature. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington”

Legislation requiring the Louisiana Legislative Auditor to review local, state, and federal elections has received final legislative passage. Evangeline Parish Senator Heather Cloud says the legislative auditor already reviews numerous other state agencies and departments on how they operate and where they can improve. She says our elections should also undergo an independent review.
Cut 8 (05) “…between parishes.”

A bill to raise the age to vape, smoke, or use any tobacco or nicotine product in Louisiana from 18 to 21 won final passage Tuesday. Louisiana Campaign for Tobacco-Free Living Associate Director Shawna Shields says this allows the state to have parity with federal law in an effort to deter young people from starting.
Cut 13 (10) “…and under”

Intermittent fasting has become a popular diet, but is it for everyone, and is it sustainable?
LSU nutritionist Elizabeth Gollub says the diet, which allows for 500 calories or fewer to be consumed on certain days, gives dieters more liberties than usual…
Cut 4 (09) “…the other diets.”