The LSU baseball team leaves for Omaha today and the fans won’t be far behind as preparations begin for the Tigers 17th College World Series appearance. Michelle Southern reports…:

CUT 1 (30) “Michelle Southern”

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The rising waters of the Red River have some concerned that could lead to a higher number of mosquitoes this summer. Eric Gill has more…

Cut 2 (25) “I’m Eric Gill”

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Today is the last day for lawmakers to come up with a budget deal as the legislative session must end at 6 PM. Scott Carwile has more…

Cut 3 (30) “I’m Scott Carwile”

______________________________________

The LSU baseball team leaves for Omaha today and the fans won’t be far behind as preparations begin for the Tigers 17th College World Series appearance. LSU will play TCU on Sunday at 2pm. Omaha Convention and Visitors Bureau spokeswoman Deborah Ward says they love it when the Purple and Gold Nation is in town…:

cut 4  (07)  “the country”

There are four SEC teams going to the CWS this year all bringing huge fan bases. Ward says they are expecting a major turnout for the city this year…:

Cut 5  (08)  “between them”

Ward says if you’re still planning a trip, you can go to visitomaha.com to check on hotel availability. She says there are lots of events surrounding the big games at TD Ameritrade Park…:

Cut 6 (10)  “baseball village”

==========================================

The rising waters of the Red River have some concerned that could lead to a higher number of mosquitoes this summer. LSU AgCenter Entomologist Kristin Healy says any time you get more water, you get more mosquitoes. Healy says when a river floods, it floods nearby flood plains and that’s where the problem lies…

CUT 7 (10)  “certainly”

She says mosquito control departments in areas along the Red River will have their hands full as they combat the pests. Healy says the mosquitoes the area will see from the floods will likely not be the “house mosquito” that transmits the West Nile Virus…

Cut 8  (08)  “bite humans” 

Although they may not be the type that transmit West Nile, Healy says the mosquitoes produced by the flood waters will the type that like to bite humans. She says, whether or not it’s a bad or mild mosquito year, personal protection is always important…

Cut 9 (09)  “mosquito bites”

==========================================

The Abbeville Police Department says 8 people are under arrest who were allegedly involved in a cockfighting ring. Detective LeLand Laseter says they got a call mid-May from a concerned citizen who reported they’d seen roosters fighting at a residence in the city. He says cops responded and observed from a distance…:

Cut 10 (09) “betting on the fight”

Laseter says when officers entered the property, they located feathers, wounded roosters and other things associated with cockfighting…:

cut 11 (09) “for admission”

Laseter says they also discovered during the investigation that a juvenile daughter of one of the suspects was illegally selling alcohol to those in attendance. He says the executed arrest warrants on Wednesday morning…:

cut 12 (10)   “is ongoing”

______________________________________

The Ascension Parish Sheriff’s office says 4 people described as gangsters have been arrested in the brutal murder of a 15-year-old boy last year. Sheriff Jeff Wiley says 18-year-old Tyrell Williams, 21-year-old Marcus Ester and two juveniles are charged with 1st degree murder in the death of Brandon Augusta. He believes all 5 were under the influence of synthetic marijuana when a fight took place…:

Cut 13 (10)  “boy”

Augusta went missing in Donaldsonville August 2014 and was found 5 days later along the levee — his body so badly beaten they needed dental records to identify the high school freshman. Wiley says several weapons of opportunity were used in the killing on the bank of the Mississippi River…:

Cut 14 (08) “his body was violated”

Wiley says the 4 suspects involved in the drug induced murder were thugs…:

Cut 15  (09)  “53 times”

=================================================

It’s the last day of the legislative session and lawmakers have until 6 PM to approve a budget for next fiscal year and pass revenue generating bills that would stave off large cuts to higher education and health care. Senate Finance Chairman Jack Donahue says legislators also need to pass a tax offset to prevent Governor Bobby Jindal from vetoing certain tax bills

Cut 16  (12)  “anybody good”

The SAVE tax credit could be used to offset tax increases and satisfy Jindal’s demand for a revenue neutral budget. But House members call the legislation a sham. Donahue hopes the House changes its stance

Cut 17 (11) ” to do” 

LSU President and Chancellor F King Alexander says lawmakers have talked about making higher education a priority, but that doesn’t mean public universities and colleges will not be spared from big cuts

Cut 18 (07) “we’re very concerned’

Hammond Representative Chris Broadwater has told lawmakers that higher education could be cut 282 million dollars, if Jindal vetoes revenue generating bills that are not offset with a tax cut. Alexander says that will be tough to swallow

Cut 19 (08)  “July 1”

With the legislative session set to end on Thursday at 6 PM, lawmakers are scrambling to come up with a budget proposal that Governor Jindal will sign. Eric Gill reports…

CUT 1 (28) “I’m Eric Gill”

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Three bills that are a compromise in the dispute over the Common Core Education standards head to the governor’s desk. Jeff Palermo has the story…

CUT 2 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

===================

New Orleans Police say a man is dead after his truck crashed through a parking garage and fell to the street. Paul Colce, an eyewitness, says he was standing at Camp and Poydras streets when he heard the sound of glass breaking…

CUT 3 (07)  “five stories up”

Police say the pickup truck was on the fifth or sixth level when it crashed through a steel cable barrier and a glass window before falling to the street. Colce says he and others ran to help, but quickly realized there was nothing they could do…

CUT 4 (08)  “couldn’t do it”

The driver of the truck was pronounced dead at the scene. Colce says it’s a stroke of luck that nobody else was hurt…

CUT 5 (08)  “by fractions”

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With the legislative session set to end on Thursday at 6 PM, lawmakers are scrambling to come up with a budget proposal that Governor Jindal will sign. LaPolitics-dot-com Publisher Jeremy Alford says all major negotiations are occurring behind closed doors…

CUT 6 (10)  “conference committees”

Revenue raising bills that are critical to funding higher education and health care have been sent to Conference committees to hammer out differences between the House and Senate in closed door meetings. Alford says the big battle is the legislature versus the governor…

CUT 7 (09) “to accomplish”

Lawmakers have struggled to come up with a budget that is revenue neutral, as required by Governor Jindal. Alford doesn’t think anyone at the State Capitol knows how this session will wind up…

CUT 8 (08)  “for this session”

============================

The St. Landry Parish Sheriff’s office says a teenager from Opelousas tragically lost her life after a tree fell on top of her car. Spokesman Lt. Clay Higgins says the incident happened around 2pm Tuesday and they presume there were strong storms in the area when 17-year-old Gaberielle Lajack was backing out of her own driveway…:

CUT 9 (08)  “at that time”

Higgins says the coroner pronounced Lajack dead at the scene. He says Lajack was a beautiful young lady, niece to one of their deputies and the incident has everyone in total shock…:

cut 10 (09) “could happen'” 

Higgins says he stayed at the house until late last night along with other responders who were moving the tree away from the house…:

cut 11 (07)  “witness again”

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The governor’s office says Bobby Jindal plans to sign the three bills that have been described as a compromise in the battle over Common Core. Council for a Better Louisiana President Barry Erwin says the bottom line is that the Common Core education standards stay in Louisiana public school classrooms…

cut 12 (10)  “Common Core”

Four panels, mostly be made up of teachers, will review Common Core and make recommendations to BESE. Erwin says a key component is that the next governor will have the ability to reject any proposed changes to Common Core

cut 13 (10)  “anti-Common Core side”

Council for a Better Louisiana is a supporter of Common Core and Erwin says they don’t have a problem with the legislation lawmakers approved this session…

cut 14 (08) “that’s a win”

============================

SLU and LSU’s Pennington Biomedical Research Center have partnered up to offer a program which teaches college students how to work with overweight kids. Michelle Southern reports..:

CUT 1 (28) “Michelle Southern”

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Governor Bobby Jindal turns 44 years old today and the question is what does the future hold for him? Eric Gill reports…

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Eric Gill”

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Two more days left in the legislative session and lawmakers are still trying to agree on a budget deal. Scott Carwile has the story…

Cut 3 (29) “I’m Scott Carwile”

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Southeastern Louisiana University has partnered with LSU’s Pennington Biomedical Research Center to create a new program helping college students prepare for careers working with children who are overweight. Pennington Assistant Professor, Dr. Amanda Staiano, says Project I-PAL is an interactive physical activity lab in Hammond…:

cut 4  (08)  “more exciting”

Staiano says Project I-PAL will provide unique opportunities for children to engage in physical activity to address possible issues associated with their weight such as self-esteem and body image. She says they are going to work with children and get them on some exercise equipment that is especially designed for them…:

Cut 5  (11)  “these children”

Staiano says the program is going to launch this fall when the kids head back to school. She says the primary purpose is to try to prepare college students for their future jobs…:

Cut 6 (10)  “or obese”

==========================================

Governor Bobby Jindal turns 44 years old today and the question is what does the future hold for him? Jindal is finishing his second term as governor and a possible presidential campaign is ahead of him. UL-Lafayette Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says the governor is at a crossroads, career-wise…

CUT 7 (08)  “for Jindal”

He says if Jindal’s presidential aspirations don’t pan out in 2016, he still has some good career prospects. Cross says it’s possible Jindal could be appointed to a cabinet post, be an ambassador, take a major position at a think tank, or even wind up on television…

Cut 8  (07)  “compared to most” 

He says Jindal has a really strong upside for future job opportunities. As far as presidential politics go, Cross says Jindal is still relatively young at 44…

Cut 9 (07)  “should choose it”

==========================================

The Sterlington Police Department says they’ve arrested a man who allegedly set his pregnant girlfriend on fire during an argument over bills. Chief Barry Bonner says 23-year-old Darren Lambert is charged with aggravated domestic abuse involving the burning of a victim…:

Cut 10 (10) “her chest”

Bonner says the victim was transported to the burn center in Jackson, Mississippi with second and third degree burns all over her body. He says cops were told by family members that the victim was 9 weeks pregnant…:

cut 11 (07) “lost the baby”

Bonner says Lambert’s charge is a new statue that DA Jerry Jones helped establish along with Monroe Senator Bob Kostelka..:

cut 12 (10)   “50 years”

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The Louisiana legislature has only two more days left to reach a compromise on the budget. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says all eyes are on the House, who refuses to go along with a tax break that really doesn’t do anything, but it would keep Governor Bobby Jindal from vetoing several revenue generating bills that are close to final passage….

Cut 13 (08)  “override his veto”

The main focus of this legislative session has been the budget and a one-point-six billion dollar shortfall that if not resolved will result in big cuts to higher education and health care. Pinsonat says budget discussions will go down to the wire…

Cut 14 (10) “this time”

By law, the legislative session must end on Thursday at 6 PM. As of now, the House does not support a Jindal backed tax credit that allows him to keep his no-tax pledge. Pinsonat says without the tax credit, Jindal will veto several revenue generating bills, putting higher ed and health care at risk

Cut 15  (06)  “huge risk”

=================================================

LSU will leave tomorrow for Omaha as they’ll make their 17th trip to the College World Series. There are a handful of guys who were on the team that went to the C-W-S in 2013. But a vast majority of the players will make their first trip. Coach Paul Mainieri has let them know what they can expect

Cut 16  (19)  “to be like”

LSU will play TCU on Sunday at 2 PM. The other two teams on the Tigers side of the bracket are Cal State Fullerton and Vanderbilt. They also play on Sunday. Mainieri says each team in their bracket has a team ERA below three, so pitching and defense will be critical in Omaha

Cut 17 (14) ” giving them a base hit” 

Since the College World Series has moved to the new TD Ameritrade Park, runs have been at premium at the spacious park, where the win blows in. Reliever Zac Person says the pitchers have confidence their fielders can track balls down in the gaps…

Cut 18 (17) “we’ll be fine’

A Baton Rouge federal judge has ordered the unconditional release of 68-year-old Albert Woodfox, the last imprisoned member of the Angola 3. Eric Gill reports…

CUT 1 (29) “I’m Eric Gill”

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The state House has sent legislation that would raise the tax on cigarettes to a conference committee to work out the differences between the two chambers. Jeff Palermo has more…

CUT 2 (29) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

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A Baton Rouge federal judge has ordered the unconditional release of 68-year-old Albert Woodfox, the last imprisoned member of the Angola 3. Woodfox has spent over 40 years in solitary confinement for the 1972 killing of Angola prison guard Brent Miller. Amnesty International’s Jasmine Heiss says it’s time for the state to stop blocking Woodfox’s release…

CUT 3 (07)  “to do so”

The state’s Attorney General’s Office has filed a notice of appeal with the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals. Woodfox was convicted twice of the murder of Miller, but both convictions have been overturned. Heiss says this is a case of injustice, compounded…

CUT 4 (10)  “for four decades”

An Attorney General spokesperson says US District Judge James Brady’s ruling sees it fit to set free a twice convicted murderer. Heiss says, in their opinion, the state is seeking vengeance rather than justice. She says the only humane action the state can take, at this point, is to ensure Woodfox’s immediate release…

CUT 5 (09)  “way of justice”

============================

Widespread flooding in Northwest Louisiana continues as the Red River finally hits it crest at 37 feet where it is expected to remain today. CS Ross, hydrologist with the National Weather Service in Shreveport says they predict the water will finally start to go down a bit by tonight…:

CUT 6 (08)  “upcoming weekend”

The reading mark today has not been exceeded since April 1945. Authorities say over 300 structures and nearly 40 roads have been affected by floodwaters. Ross says residents in Caddo and Bossier Parish should not expect the flooding to get any worse than it is now. He says areas further south are about to get more water…:

CUT 7 (11) “Louisiana”

Ross says there is a chance of showers and thunderstorms today, decreasing overnight. Wednesday rain chances are just 20 percent increasing to 30 percent Thursday and Friday. He says thunderstorms will only be in isolated amounts…:

CUT 8 (12)  “on the Red River”

============================

The state House has sent legislation that would raise the tax on cigarettes to a conference committee to work out the differences between the two chambers. The House passed the measure raising the tax to 68 cents per pack. The Senate amended the bill to raise the tax to $1.08. Alexandria Representative Lance Harris says the Senate hike is just too much…

CUT 9 (10)  “amendment on this”

Monroe Representative Jay Morris agrees with Harris. Morris says that cigarette taxes do need to be raised, but lawmakers shouldn’t rely solely on this to raise revenue…

cut 10 (08) “good tax policy'” 

An 81-15 House vote sends the measure to a conference committee. Bogalusa Representative Harold Ritchie is in favor of the Senate amendment. He says the tax hike would save lives. Ritchie argued that the House approved budget protected higher education, but not health care…

cut 11 (11)  “for health care”

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The Alexandria Police Department says a man is under arrest on murder charges accused of killing someone at a tattoo shop. Spokesman Lt. Bruce Fairbanks says they responded to the Sacred Art tattoo shop Monday afternoon and located the victim who’d been shot and was unresponsive…:

cut 12 (06)  “immediately”

Fairbanks says they arrested the suspect, 43-year-old Daymein Boyd of Alexandria…:

cut 13 (07)  “drug paraphernalia”

Fairbanks says the victim has been identified as 42-year-old John Williams of Alexandria…:

cut 14 (09) “at this time”

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It looks as if Lafayette Congressman Charles Boustany is considering a run for the US Senate if Senator David Vitter is elected governor this year. Eric Gill reports…

CUT 1 (28) “Eric Gill”

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According to a new report, abortions in Louisiana have jumped in number since 2010, while nearly everywhere else they’ve gone down. Michelle Southern reports…:

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Michelle Southern”

______________________________________

The state legislature will continue to have authority over tuition costs. Jeff Palermo explains…

Cut 3 (30) “Palermo”

______________________________________

It appears that Lafayette Congressman Charles Boustany is considering a run for the US Senate if Senator David Vitter is elected governor this year. Boustany says that could be an option after this year’s statewide election, but right now he’s focusing on the job at hand…

cut 4  (10)  “to our delegation”

Boustany currently sits on the US House Ways and Means Committee and has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars in recent months. Boustany says he’ll make a decision on his political future at a later time…

Cut 5  (08)  “presents itself”

UL-Lafayette Political Science Professor Pearson Cross thinks it’s a really strong possibility that Boustany would vie for Vitter’s seat…

Cut 6 (07)  “frontrunner, initially”

Cross says other potential candidates could include Minden Congressman John Fleming and state Treasurer John Kennedy. If elected governor, Vitter will be able to appoint someone to replace him until the November 2016 election. Cross says whoever would receive that appointment would have a real advantage in that Senate election…

CUT 7 (07)  “as the incumbent”

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A higher education tax credit that provides an offset to revenue generating bills, receives a cold shoulder from House members. The legislation is called the SAVE ACT. But democrats, like Amite Representative John Bel Edwards, says the measure makes no sense for the legislature to pass it

Cut 8  (10)  “what are you assessing” 

Even Shreveport Representative Alan Seabaugh, who was pushing the House to pass the SAVE Act, admitted the legislation was peculiar…

(Seabaugh eventually withdrew his attempt to add the SAVE Act to another bill.)

Cut 9 (08)  “makes sense”

But without the SAVE Act, Jindal is expected to veto revenue generating bills that restore cuts to higher ed and health care.  New Orleans Representative Jeff Arnold says there are other bills that could provide the offset needed for Jindal to keep his no tax pledge…

Cut 10 (09) “using this”

______________________________________

According to a new report, abortions in Louisiana have jumped in number since 2010, while nearly everywhere else they’ve gone down. But Louisiana Right to Life Executive Director Ben Clapper says numbers of out of state women coming here to have an abortion are dramatically increasing…:

cut 11 (09) “abortions”

Louisiana was recently honored by Americans United for Life as the top state taking steps to reduce access to abortion, but the study indicates the number of women ending pregnancies here is up 12 percent between 2010 and 2014. Clapper says Texas laws have closed one third of their abortion facilities and there is only one clinic in Mississippi.

cut 12 (10)   “income”

Clapper says abortions for non-residents jumped by more than 1200 between 2010 and 2012. He says even though lawmakers have tried to make it harder to end a pregnancy in Louisiana, the five clinics here only sell abortions and all they care about is collecting the $450…:

Cut 13 (09)  “off the procedure”

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A measure which would mean dramatic decreases in Louisiana’s tough pot possession penalties is headed to Governor Bobby Jindal’s desk. Metairie Representative Joe Lopinto says right now the sentence for one gram of marijuana and 60 pounds is the same which makes no sense…:

Cut 14 (08) “already”

The House voted 74-19 to approve amendments added to the bill on the Senate side. The proposed law would essentially end the possibility someone could be jailed 20 years for repeatedly getting arrested with only a small amount of marijuana. But Lopinto says the measure also increases penalties if you’re busted with a large amount of pot..:

Cut 15  (09)  “of marijuana”

Jindal has told reporters that he would sign this bill. HB 149 is a compromise between legislators who have tried to reform marijuana sentencing and law enforcement lobby groups. Lopinto says we have some of the harshest marijuana penalties in the country and this is a smart bill that cleans up the books…:

Cut 16  (08)  “make sense”

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The Houston Astros selected LSU shortstop Alex Bregman with the second overall pick in the Major League Baseball Draft. Bregman says it’s a dream come true to hear the MLB Commissioner call his name…

Cut 17 (16) ” grew up lovin” 

Bregman was taken after Arizona picked Vanderbilt shortstop Dansby Swanson with the number one overall selection. Bregman has been a star shortstop for the Tigers the last three seasons, but some major league scouts believe he’ll make a better second baseman in the pros. Bregman says he’s not sure about that

Cut 18 (15) “play shortstop’

Bregman and the Tigers will play their first game in the College World Series on Sunday afternoon. He says it’s been quite a week so far, winning a super regional on Sunday and getting drafted on Monday night

Cut 19 (13)  “really excited”

The Red River continues to cause flooding problems in the Shreveport area. Eric Gill reports…

CUT 1 (30) “I’m Eric Gill”

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The state senate approves legislation that prohibits State Police from using its own funds to provide security when Governor Bobby Jindal travels for campaign purposes. Jeff Palermo has the story…

CUT 2 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

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Officials with the National Weather Service say the Red River in Shreveport reached its crest, within an inch, this morning. Hydrologist C.S. Ross says the river was at 36.82 feet as of 8AM this morning. Ross says there is major flooding happening in the Caddo/Bossier area…

CUT 3 (07)  “backwater flooding”

He says the rising waters in the Red River is causing backwater flooding along tributaries in the area. Ross says the flooding in the Shreveport area is just the beginning…

CUT 4 (11)  “through next weekend”

This crest of the Red River in Shreveport is the highest since 1945. Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Cindy Chadwick says there are about 300 homes in Caddo Parish have been affected by flood waters…

CUT 5 (08)  “reach a home”

One of the homes that is flooded is the home of Caddo Parish Sheriff Steve Prater. She says about 30 roads are closed in the area due to flood waters. Chadwick says officials will continue their efforts to keep flood damage to a minimum…

CUT 6 (11)  “things like that”

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The LSU Tiger Baseball team is headed to Omaha to play in the College World Series for the 17th time and the first since 2013. The Tigers defeated UL-Lafayette on Sunday 6-3. After the game, Coach Paul Mainieri told the media that he got an email from the best friend of Lance Bergeron, one of the National Guardsmen who lost his life in the Blackhawk helicopter crash…:

CUT 7 (13) “perspective for me”

Mainieri says he wasn’t nervous at all about the game and that he told the players to forget about what the stakes are, and just go out there and play and have fun. He says thinking about the crash which claimed the lives of 4 Guardsmen and 7 Marines made him view the game in a different light…:

CUT 8 (09)  “irrelevant”

Mainieri says he mentioned to Athletic Director Joe Alleva that they’ve won 52 games this season but if they hadn’t won that 53rd game, the season would have felt unfulfilled in so many ways…:

CUT 9 (11)  “that’s where we belong”

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A state Senator tried to amend the controversial higher ecucation tax credit by renaming it the DUMB fund. Ville Platte Senator Eric LaFleur wanted to change the name of the SAVE act, which Governor Jindal is pushing in order to have a revenue neutral budget. LaFleur says the amendment is strictly technical and only describes the bill for what it is…

cut 10 (11) “the word ‘DUMB'” 

LaFleur’s amendment would change SAVE, “Students Assessment for a Valuable Education”, with DUMB, “Don’t Understand the Meaning of Bill”. Many lawmakers are not supportive of the SAVE act which they say is a budget gimmick and LaFleur’s amendment is evidence of legislators frustrations. SAVE act author, Mandeville Senator Jack Donahue, was not amused…

cut 11 (10)  “against it”

LaFleur did withdraw the amendment saying he proposed it with a tongue-in-cheek attitude. However, LaFleur says he will not vote for this piece of legislation…

cut 12 (09)  “behind the truth”

============================

The state senate approves legislation that  prohibits State Police from paying trooper security costs when Governor Bobby Jindal travels for campaign purposes. The head of the state democratic party, New Orleans Senator Karen Peterson, says State Police has spent over two-million dollars this year for Jindal’s trips…

cut 13 (10)  “that money”

Peterson’s amendment passed on a 29-5 vote. Metairie Senator Danny Martiny voted against it, because he doesn’t think the legislation will change anything, because a governor can always say they were attending to state business, even when traveling out of Louisiana

cut 14 (05) “circumvent it”

Peterson, who is a vocal critic of the Jindal administration, says during these tough budget times, State Police should not be using it’s own resources to support a governor’s presidential campaign

cut 15 (08) “state funds”

The Louisiana Legislature is on its way to sending marijuana reform proposals to Governor Bobby Jindal who gives every indication he will sign them. Michelle Southern reports…:

CUT 1 (31) “reporting”

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The legislative session ends Thursday and state capitol observers say it’s difficult to say what will happen with the budget. Scott Carwile has more…

Cut 2 (31) “reporting”

______________________________________

LSU defeated in-state rival UL Lafayette to punch their ticket to the College World Series. Jeff Palermo has more from Alex Box Stadium…

Cut 3 (27) “Palermo”

______________________________________

The Louisiana Legislature is on its way to sending marijuana reform proposals to Governor Bobby Jindal who gives every indication he will sign them. One bill drastically reduces the penalties for pot possession under 14 grams and another allows for the dispensing of medical marijuana. Kevin Caldwell with Common Sense Nola is pleased..:

cut 4  (08)  “this year”

Caldwell says he is pleased that the Sheriff’s Association and the DA’s were willing to at least talk about meeting halfway this session unlike in years past. He says the sentence reduction bills are very progressive…:

Cut 5  (10)  “great step”

Caldwell says he’s glad there will finally be a way people who take chemo, have cerebral palsy or glaucoma will be able to get edible or oil forms of marijuana…:

Cut 6 (10)  “dealt with”

______________________________________

The Louisiana House could vote on a resolution to hold a veto override session. Governor Jindal said he’ll veto revenue generating bills, if the legislature doesn’t pass a tax offset, so he can keep his “no tax” pledge. Alexandria Representative Lance Harris, chairs the House Republican Legislative Delegation, and he says there’s a desire in the House for an override session, if it gets to that point

CUT 7 (12)  “comes up”

Lawmakers have until 6 PM on Thursday to finish their legislative work and that includes approving a balanced budget for the fiscal year that starts July 1st. Harris it’s his hope lawmakers will not need to call for an override veto session

Cut 8  (10)  “next session” 

So far house members have yet to support a higher education tax credit that is needed to provide the offset Jindal needs to sign the hundreds of million of dollars in tax measures the legislature is poised to approve. Harris says legislators are hoping a budget solution  can be found…

Cut 9 (10)  “this session”

==========================================

With a few days left in the legislative session, it looks like Louisiana businesses are the big losers. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says business lobbyist groups are not happy the legislature is pushing to reduce hundreds of millions of dollars in tax credits and rebates many companies enjoy

Cut 10 (11) “from them”

Legislators are tyring to close a one-point-six billion dollar shortfall in order to pass a budget that doesn’t dramatically cut funding for higher education and health care. Pinsonat says the scaling back of tax exemptions for businesses was how much of the money was raised, which upsets the business community

cut 11 (08) “raging battle”

Pinsonat says legislators who voted to take away some of the tax exemptions from businesses, will not get the endorsement of the Louisiana Association of Business Industry in the fall election

cut 12 (10)   “or experience”

______________________________________

The state Senate voted to increase the cigarette tax by 72 cents which would bring it up to $1.08 and match the Southern regional average. Lawmakers are trying to raise revenue to plug the budget hole and prevent massive cuts to higher ed and health care. New Orleans Senator JP Morrell authored the amendment to raise the tax higher than the House approved 32 cent cigarette tax increase…:

Cut 13 (09)  “appropriate”

It’s not likely the lower chamber will go along with what the Senate approved. Gonzales Senator Jody Amedee voted against Morrell’s amendment…:

Cut 14 (10) “raise taxes”

The session ends Thursday. The bill is by Bogalusa Representative Harold Ritchie and was carried in the Upper Chamber by Bogolusa Senator Ben Nevers who says not only would this tax raise revenue, it would also go towards making Louisiana citizens healthier…:

Cut 15  (08)  “help them quit”

The LSU Tigers are headed back to the College World Series as they defeated UL Lafayette six to three to clinch a Super Regional series victory over the Ragin Cajuns. Alex Bregman’s two-run single in the 8th inning, in what was his final at-bat in Alex Box Stadium, was the key hit in the ballgame…

Cut 16  (16)  “any other way”

Jared Poche was the winning pitcher for LSU as he allowed one run in 7.2 innings pitched. Gunner Leger suffered the loss for the Cajuns, but Coach Tony Robichaux is proud of his freshman from Lake Charles

Cut 17 (13) ” opportunity tonight” 

The Ragin Cajuns season ends with a record of 42-23. Robichaux says it was a great ride to take a young team almost to Omaha

Cut 18 (10) “proud of em”‘

This is LSU’s 17th trip to the College World Series and first since 2013. Bregman says the Tigers can’t wait…

Cut 19 (07)  “on a mission”

Tickets to the LSU/UL-Lafayette Super Regional games this weekend are going for hundreds of dollars on the secondary market. Jeff Palermo reports…:

CUT 1 (30) “reporting”

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The latest forecast of the Red River has it now cresting in the Shreveport area at its highest level in 70 years. Eric Gill reports…

CUT 2 (30) “reporting”

===================

College Baseball fans in Louisiana are going nuts for tickets to the LSU/UL-Lafayette Super Regional this weekend at The Box. Seats are going for hundreds of dollars on secondary markets. Stubhub.com spokeswoman Allison Salcedo (Sal-Say-Doe) says the average price for Games 1 and 2 are around $195 which is huge for college baseball…:

CUT 3 (06)  “the matchup”

Standing room only tickets for the matchup went on sale Friday morning at 8am and were all gone in 5 minutes. They were $30 and included passes to all three games with each buyer able to get up to four tickets. Salcedo says you’ll have to dish out more than that for a series pass on their site…:

CUT 4 (03)  “$340”

A spokesman for LSU says this is one of the toughest tickets to get for a home event in the school’s history. Salcedo says typically the closer you get to first pitch the lower the price of the tickets go…:

CUT 5 (04)  “better deal”

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The latest forecast of the Red River has it now cresting in the Shreveport area at 36.5 feet on Sunday evening. Mike Steele, with the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness, says, at this point, only a handful of properties have taken in water and they hope the situation doesn’t get worse…

CUT 6 (11)  “bigger problems develop”

The projected crest in the Shreveport area would be the highest crest of the Red River in 70 years. Steele says equipment and approximately 175,000 sandbags have been delivered to the Shreveport area and officials are constantly monitoring conditions…

CUT 7 (10) “ready to roll”

He says areas in northwest Louisiana are currently in major flood stage, while the Alexandria area is in minor flood stage. Steele says people need to stay aware of what’s going on and gather emergency supplies in case you are forced to evacuate…

CUT 8 (09)  “and your family”

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Willie “Dynamite” Larkin is the new president at Grambling State University. The University of Louisiana system Board selected Larkin over Gilbert Rochon and three other candidates who were interviewed on Grambling’s campus this week. Larkin says the difficult selection process should benefit him when he takes over as Grambling’s president on July 1st….

CUT 9 (10)  “few months”

UL System president Sandra Woodley calls Larkin a strong leader who will move Grambling to the next level. During the selection process, Larkin was interviewed by faculty and staff and “Dynamite,” who is also a motivational speaker, scored well with those two groups

cut 10 (11) “hard at all” 

Larkin is currently the chief of staff in the Office of the President at Morgan State University. He says he’ll be a busy man leading up to his July first start date at Grambling

cut 11 (10)  “as well”

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Baton Rouge Food Blogger and lover of Louisiana cuisine, Jay Ducote, is competing on Season 11 of Food Network Star which premieres this Sunday. The hit reality competition show awards the winner with their own series on the Food Network. Ducote, who has also appeared on MasterChef and Cutthroat Kitchen, says being one of the 12 finalists on Food Network Star is a dream come true…:

cut 12 (10)  “Food Network Star”

Ducote boasts his love of eating and drinking for a living while celebrating culinary culture around Louisiana and everywhere he travels. He says although he didn’t attend culinary school, he learned to cook throwing LSU tailgate parties…:

cut 13 (13)  “for LSU football”

The premiere Sunday will air at 8pm and a huge viewing party with Ducote is being held in Downtown Baton Rouge. Ducote couldn’t say much about what happens this season, but he can say that this first episode on Sunday will be the true first time all the contestants walk into the kitchen and meet each other. He says they introduce themselves first:

cut 14 (12) “Food Network fans”

Tickets to the Garth Brooks/Trisha Yearwood shows in New Orleans go on sale this morning at 10am. Michelle Southern reports…:

CUT 1 (31) “reporting”

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The legislative session ends in a week and lawmakers are struggling to send a revenue-neutral budget to Governor Bobby Jindal’s desk. Jeff Palermo has more…

Cut 2 (32) “reporting”

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Lafayette police arrest a woman for second-degree murder after the discovery of a baby’s body left in a box for 14 years. Scott Carwile has the story….

Cut 3 (30) “reporting”

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Tickets to the Garth Brooks/Trisha Yearwood shows in New Orleans go on sale this morning at 10am. The couple will be performing in Louisiana for the first time in 18 years on Friday July 10th and Saturday July 11th at the Smoothie King Center. General manager Alan Freeman says they expect tickets to go fast…:

cut 4  (10)  “the other cities”

The tickets, including fees, are $74.98 each and all seats are sold best available. Freeman says they’ll be drawing Garth fans from all over the Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama and western Florida…:

Cut 5  (10)  “for the city”

You can online buy tickets online at ticketmaster.com. Freeman says they will not be selling any tickets at their box office because Brooks is very particular about how he wants his shows sold..:

Cut 6 (10)  “will get his tickets”

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There’s a week left in the 2015 legislative session and there’s great uncertainty over whether the legislature can pass a budget that will NOT be vetoed by Governor Bobby Jindal. Jeremy Alford, with la-politics-dot-com, says the legislature is struggling with putting together a spending plan that’s revenue neutral, which the governor has requested

CUT 7 (06)  “modern times”

Alford says there’s been a big push back from lawmakers against a higher education tax credit that could be used as an offset to the hundreds of million dollars in revenue generating bills approved by the House. He says if Jindal does veto the budget, we could see an override veto session…

Cut 8  (08)  “veto override” 

Alford says even if the legislature sends Governor Jindal a revenue-neutral budget, it will likely contain tax increases to businesses in order to protect higher and health care from devastating cuts…

Cut 9 (08)  “five years”

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Lafayette Police arrested a woman for second-degree murder after the discovery of an infant’s body that had been in a box for 14 years in a storage unit. Fifty-seven-year-old Rebecca Landry was booked into Lafayette Parish Jail for the death of the child. Corporal Nicole Benoit says police were notified after a man who purchased the storage unit  discovered the body in a box.

Cut 10 (10) “infant”

Through their investigation, detectives have determined that the infant has been in the box since 2001. Benoit says Landry spoke with detectives, but the details of that conversation are private….

cut 11 (08) “murder”

Benoit says police were able to find and arrest Landry the same day they were called to the scene of investigation

cut 12 (07)   “with her”

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This is the third Louisiana Radio Network Gubernatorial Question of the Week. We asked, “As Governor, how would you reform the Medicaid program? Would you accept federal dollars so more uninsured people can receive coverage?” Democratic State Representative John Bel Edwards says in Louisiana, Medicaid expansion would benefit 290,000 working poor people…:

Cut 13 (09)  “into Louisiana”

US Senator David Vitter says the only way he’d consider accepting the federal dollars is if programs were reformed through a private coverage or some other model, ensure that it doesn’t lead to further cuts…:

Cut 14 (11) “receive help”

Lt. Governor Jay Dardenne says he would work to convince the federal government to change the rules so we can begin considering expanding Medicaid…:

Cut 15  (11)  “hospital system”

Public Service Commissioner Scott Angelle says he would like to expand coverage for working families, but do so in a way that does not burden tax payers with an entitlement…:

Cut 16  (12)  “for working families”

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Freshman Alex Lange will start on the mound for the LSU Tigers tomorrow night in game one of the super regional series against UL Lafayette. Lange is 11-0 with a 1.76 ERA. But LSU Coach Paul Mainieri will not be afraid to turn to his bullpen, even though they don’t have an established closer

Cut 17 (16) ” for us” 

LSU only scored four runs in the final two games of the Baton Rouge regional. Tigers center fielder Andrew Stevenson says they want to provide their pitchers with more run support…

Cut 18 (14) “we can do that”‘

UL Lafayette reached the Super Regionals last season, but lost to Ole Miss in the best of three series. Shortstop Blake Trahan says this super regional is a lot different than last year

Cut 19 (15)  “go fight”

Third baseman Tyler Girouard is one of a handful seniors on this squad. The former Teurlings Catholic star says there’s no bad blood between these two schools that are less than a hour apart…

Cut 20 (25)  “having fun”

The Louisiana National Guard says pilot error was the cause of the Black Hawk Helicopter crash which claimed the lives of four guardsman and 7 Marines in March. Michelle Southern reports..:

CUT 1 (30) “reporting”

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The rising waters of the Red River are causing some Caddo and Bossier Parish residents to be driven from their homes. Eric Gill reports…

CUT 2 (29) “reporting”

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The Louisiana National Guard says an investigation has determined the cause of the Black Hawk Helicopter crash which claimed the lives of four guardsman and 7 Marines in March was pilot error. Col Pete Schneider with LANG says spatial disorientation of both pilots caused them to lose control of the aircraft…:

CUT 3 (10)  “off of instruments”

Schneider says the thorough investigation was conducted jointly by LANG and US Special Operations Command. He says the spatial disorientation was due to the pilots failing to transition from visual flight procedures to instrument flight as a thick sea of fog rolled into the training area…:

CUT 4 (07)  “of the accident”

The accident occurred during a joint training mission. He says an 30% of all aviation accidents are caused by spatial disorientation and an important result of this investigation is to let everyone know what happened…:

CUT 5 (07)  “can be prevented again”

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The rising waters of the Red River are causing some Caddo and Bossier Parish residents to be driven from their homes. Floodwaters are approaching some neighborhoods and those residents are being encouraged to evacuate. Marty Mayeaux, with the National Weather Service in Shreveport, says the river is continuing to swell…

CUT 6 (07)  “Saturday evening”

The Red is now predicted to crest at 35.5 feet Saturday afternoon, possibly into Saturday evening. That will put the river at five-and-a-half feet over flood stage. Mayeaux says waters are now beginning to affect areas in Shreveport, itself…

CUT 7 (08) “entire area”

As of Thursday morning, the Red River was at 33.9 feet. NWS says this is the first time the river has reached flood stage in Shreveport in 25 years. Mayeaux says this flood event is something that should not be taken lightly…

CUT 8 (07)  “definitely significant”

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Officials with the “Hollywood South” movie industry are apprehensive about changes made by the Senate Finance Committee to a bill that reforms the film tax credit program. The committee lowered the cap for film tax credits from $200 million to $180 million. Louisiana film industry consultant, Sherri McConnell, says this causes concern about projects already in the pipeline, as well as the future growth of the industry…

CUT 9 (09)  “increased production”

She says a lowered tax credit cap will limit the ability for increased film production in the state. Lafayette Representative Joel Robideaux’s bill also featured a provision that would provide incentives to build an indigenous film industry in Louisiana. McConnell says that part of the measure was completely gutted…

cut 10 (11) “pay taxes here” 

McConnell says, at this point, this is not a very promising piece of legislation for the film industry on many levels. She says this bill was designed to grow Louisiana businesses and put Louisiana residents to work. McConnell says if lawmakers gain a better grasp of the measure’s intent, they will do the right thing…

cut 11 (07)  “more positive posture”

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The full House approves legislation that sets up rules and regulations for the dispensing of medical marijuana in Louisiana. New Orleans Representative Helena Moreno says under the proposed law, a patient who suffers from glaucoma, cancer or cerebral palsy will have the option of using medicinal marijuana in a pill form…

cut 12 (08)  “and need it”

The bill by state senator Fred Mills establishes where the medical marijuana will be dispensed and where it will be grown and who will handle the production of the medicine. But Leesville Representative James Armes expressed skeptism about the legislation…

cut 13 (08)  “enough”

Moreno added some more amendments to the bill, in an attempt to calm fears that the growing of medicial marijuana in Louisiana could lead to criminal activity or corruption. She made the case to the rest of the House that the bill has tight controls on it and it will be very beneficial…

cut 14 (10) “the option”

The vote was 70-29, Livingston Representative Sherman Mack voted against it, because he believes this legislation will open the door to Louisiana legalizing recreational marijuana…

cut 15 (10) “you’re doing”