LSU has made it to the College World Series and now the goal is to win the school’s seventh national championship. The Tigers have the best pitcher in college baseball in Paul Skenes. Skenes is also a good hitter but Coach Jay Johnson says having him focus on pitching has brought out the best in Skenes
Cut 3 (11) “…mastered that”
Skenes is expected to get the start in Saturday night’s game against Tennessee.

Wake Forest and LSU are the betting odd favorites to win the College World Series. D-1 Baseball’s Kendall Rogers says LSU looks like a more complete team after some struggles in May…
cut 18 (18) “….in Omaha”

The Saints completed mini-camp Thursday and now will take some time off until the start of training camp in late July. Coach Dennis Allen says looking ahead to camp there will be some position battles to watch
Cut 19 (18) “…me excited.”
The Saints added more depth to the wide receiver room by signing veterans Lynn Bowden and Keke Coutee.

Omaha is ready to welcome thousands of LSU fans to their city for the College World Series. Jack Barrett, manager of Barrett’s Barleycorn Pub and Grill says there’s just something special about Tiger fans…
cut 12 (08) “….but the city”
LSU will take on Tennessee on Saturday night at 6 PM.

Help to make your house more storm resistant. $30-million in state money has been budgeted for the Fortified Homes Program, to offer grants of up to $10-thousand to reinforce home roofs and structures against hurricane impacts. House Insurance Committee Chairman Mike Huval, of Breaux Bridge, says the recently passed program is an important step to make homes safer…:

CUT 05(13)      “…this session.”

Applications could start within a few months.

High school seniors who fail the LEAP test will have a graduation appeal process set up, under a plan approved by the Board of Elementary & Secondary Education. BESE president Dr. Holly Boffy says some kids just choke on tests, and that shouldn’t necessarily bar them getting their diploma…:

CUT 14(12)      “…standardized test.”

51 of Louisiana’s 57 death row inmates have filed for clemency from the Governor; asking that death be commuted to life behind bars. Governor John Bel Edwards was asked recently if he would commute all of them…:

CUT 09(12)      “…happens.”

Since 1999, nine persons on death row have been proven to be not guilty and released.

A related story: one of those persons was 68-year-old Larry Moses, of New Orleans; wrongly convicted of murder in 1995 and sentenced to life. Moses was released from prison Tuesday, after new evidence cleared him of that crime.

Baton Rouge rapper Boosie Badazz – real name Torrence Hatch – is under arrest again on a federal weapons charge. He was arrested in a San Diego court Wednesday, right after having another illegal weapons charge dismissed.

Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy is a co-sponsor of a Republican plan that seeks to lower college costs and student loan debt. The bills are filed as U-S Supreme Court is expected to rule soon on President Joe Biden’s student loan forgiveness program. Cassidy says the president’s plan does nothing to address the causes of the debt crisis…:

Cut 08  (11)      “…for the Left.”

He says this package of bills WILL address the problem.

The Fortified Homes grant program recently received $30 million in funding and could begin taking applications by October for Louisiana homeowners to strengthen the quality their roofs. House Insurance Chairman Mike Huval says a companion law requires insurers to change existing policies…:

CUT 04(13)      “…replacement.”

A state appeals court has upheld the conviction for former St. Tammany Parish Sheriff Jack Strain on multiple sex crimes. The 1^st Circuit Appeals Court ruled Strain’s appeals lacked merit and unanimously upheld the original jury verdict. Strain was convicted in 2021 of molesting juveniles and given four life sentences with no parole.

Fifty-one death row inmates have filed to have their sentences commuted to life in prison. It was just this year that two-term Governor Edwards made his views on the death penalty known…:

CUT 02(24)      “…Brooke Thorington.”

Concerned about the hurricane season? The Fortified Grant Program, which provides grants to homeowners to reinforce their roofs against bad storms, has received $30-million in funding…and could start taking applications soon…:

CUT 01(32)      “…Teiko Foxx.”

Governor Edwards will leave tomorrow an economic development mission in France and Belgium. He’ll also attend the Paris Air Show on the trip and meet with aerospace industries. In Belgium the topics will be expanding Louisiana’s health sciences industry.

High school seniors who fail the LEAP tests will now have a graduation appeals process; recently approved the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education. BESE President Dr. Holly Boffy says appeals will be administered at the local school level…:

CUT 13(11)      “…employability.”

She says about 4-percent of seniors score too low on the LEAP, and this process could reduce dropouts and increase the number getting a diploma.

Clemency requests have been filed for fifty-one of the state’s fifty-seven death row inmates; asking Governor Edwards to commute their death sentences to life in prison. Mr. Edwards says he will consider each one, after they’ve passed muster with the Board of Pardons…:

CUT 11(12)      “…judgment.”

Edwards has said before he favors ending death penalties in Louisiana.

Governor John Bel Edwards signed legislation to mandate 15 minutes of recess for public school students from kindergarten through 5th grade. State Superintendent of Education Cade Brumley says recess is beneficial to kids in many ways…:

CUT 08 (12)      “…their peers.”

Many Louisiana schools already have recess. This bill assures they all will; starting in the fall.

State lawmakers also approved $44-million for the Early Childhood Education Program’s child care component, to assist low-income families with daycare concerns. Libbie Sonnier is with the Louisiana Policy Institute for Children…:

CUT 03 (13)      “…to childcare.”

She says the state needs to make a bigger commitment in future budget years.

Entergy Corporation applies for $220-million in federal grants to improve Louisiana’s power grid. More from Brooke Thorington…:

CUT 02 (32)      “…Thorington.”

Often on state-by-state list for bad reasons, Louisiana makes a so-called “good list”! “Wallethub.com” ranks the Bayou State among the Top Ten Most FUN States in America. The study used 26 metrics, like weather, entertainment, food, attractions that captivate and overall hospitality.

During his weekly media conference, Senator Bill Cassidy was asked about the recent indictment against former President Donald Trump. Cassidy says partisan persecution of Trump has been obvious, but this indictment doesn’t look good for Trump…:

CUT 13  (12)        “…incredibly concerning.”

Cassidy says no one should be prosecuted for political purposes, but also no should be above the law.

Entergy has asked for federal grants to harden the utility’s power grid in Louisiana. They’ve asked for $220-million in bipartisan Infrastructure Grants. Public Service Commission member Devonte Lewis says the feds should recognize the importance of the matter…:

CUT 11  (07)        “…higher bills.”

Grant recipients will be announced in a few months.

Louisiana public schools will now have to schedule 15-minutes of recess for students in kindergarten through fifth grade under a new law signed by Governor John Bel Edwards…:

CUT 01(32)      “…Teiko Foxx.”

Two women from Boutte, in St. Charles Parish, are under arrest, after one of them lied about her age to enroll in Hahnville High. Deputies in St. Charles says 28-year-old Martha Gutierrez-Serrano posed as a teen with the help of her mom, 46-year-old Marta Serrano-Alvarado. Injuring Public Records is the charge. Their motive is, as yet, unknown.

During his weekly media conference, U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy was asked his feelings on the multicount indictment against former President Donald Trump. Cassidy says it’s clear to see the actions against Trump have been politically motivated…:

Cut 12   (08)        “…above the law.”

Trump faces more than three dozen federal charges related to his retention of classified documents at his home in Florida.

Lawmakers approve $44-million in new funding for the Child Care Assistance Program to provide financial assistance to low-income families statewide. Louisiana Policy Institute for Children Director Libbie Sonnier says that level of funding is good, but it could be a lot better…:

CUT 05(13)      “…when they’re young.”

She hopes they can get more funding in the future.

Frozen fruit sold at Walmart stores in Louisiana has been recalled because of the potential risk of Hepatitis A contamination. The FDA says look out for the Great Value brand and buy with caution, while the potentially bad product is removed from the shelves.

Entergy has applied for $220-million in grant funds to improve the state’s power grid. Brooke Thorington has more…:

CUT 02(32)      “…Thorington.”

House and Senate leaders are facing criticism for cutting 100-million dollars from the Louisiana Department of Health’s budget. House Appropriations Chairman Jerome Zeringue says LDH’s budget is over 15-billion dollars and a majority of the Legislature believes they can handle a cut this relatively small. Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne says the Governor might line-item veto that cut. Zeringue says he’s aware of that…:

CUT 08(09)      “…address that.”

Fort Polk officially changed its name to Fort Johnson today; a move aimed at ending Confederate references at U.S. military installations. Brigadier General David Gardner says all signage will be quickly replaced…:

CUT 11(13)      “…as well.”

State lawmakers approved legislation that would provide a $500 tax break to gun owners for purchases of gun-safe storage devices. Teiko Foxx has more…:

CUT 01(30)      “…Foxx.”

Lawmen in Baton Rouge were called to the parking lot of a local 4-star restaurant to deal with an alligator that wandered up. The gator had shown up at Mansur’s before and was taken back to woods not far away…but he came back. Officers had to destroy the animal because they saw it had been previously hit by a car and badly hurt.

Among bills passed last week, was a measure to give a $500 tax break to Louisiana gun owners for purchases of safes, locks, and other gun storage devices. Bill author & New Orleans Representative Mandie Landry says her legislation was inspired by a bill passed earlier this year in Virginia…:

CUT 03(12)      “…as well.”

That bill awaits the Governor’s signature.

The state Department of Natural Resources is adding some energy. Literally. Under a bill passed by lawmakers, DNR will officially change its name to the Department of Energy AND Natural Resources. DNR’s Patrick Courges says federal Energy Department funds will be re funneled through DNR for rebates on energy-efficient changes to homes…:

CUT 13(10)      “…the DOE.”

That name change takes effect with the swearing in of the next Governor.

House & Senate leaders are taking some heat over cutting $100-million from the Department of Health’s budget for the fiscal year that starts July 1^st. Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne says that $100-million will be costly…:

CUT 07(08)      “…to the department.”

The Governor could use his line-item veto to remove the big cut to LDH.

Fort Polk officially became Fort JOHNSON during ceremonies today. The state’s biggest military facility was renamed for World War I hero Sgt. William Henry Johnson. Here’s Brigadier General David Gardner talking about the transition…:

CUT 10(10)      “…name of the base.”

The former Fort Polk is one of nine army facilities to change their names to remove references to the Confederacy.

House and Senate leaders are facing criticism for cutting 100-million dollars from the Louisiana Department of Health’s budget. House Appropriations Chairman Jerome Zeringue says LDH’s budget is over $15-billion and a majority of the Legislature believes they can handle this cut…:

CUT 06(14)      “…of the funding.”

The cut faces the real possibility of a line-item veto from the Governor.

Among other bills passed by lawmakers is one that offers a $500 tax credit to gun owners who buy safes, locks and gun safety equipment. The bill was authored by New Orleans Rep. Mandie Landry, who says it’s all about preventing accidents…:

CUT 05(13)      “…harm someone.”

That bill awaits the Governor’s signature.

Starting next January, the state Department of Natural Resources will go by a new moniker. Brooke Thorington has more…:

CUT 02(30)      “…Thorington.”

Louisiana’s largest military base Fort Polk officially changed its name to Fort Johnson today. The Army base in Vernon Parish has been named after World War I hero Sgt. William Henry Johnson, a Black U.S. soldier who fought in France in 1918 and 1919.