The Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness urges residents to get a game plan as hurricane season begins today. Emelie Gunn has more…

CUT 1 (30) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

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A new poll from Southern Media and Opinion Research shows Governor’s John Bel Edwards approval and disapproval ratings have both gone up since February. Jeff Palermo has more…

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

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A three-day conference begins today in New Orleans that will address what’s being done to protect Louisiana’s coast, which is disappearing at a rate of 16 square miles a year. Halen Doughty has more…

Cut 3 (30) “I’m Halen Doughty”

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Today is the first day Louisianans can enroll in Medicaid under the newly expanded program. Governor John Bel Edwards and Department of Health and Hospitals Secretary Dr. Rebekah will attend an enrollment kick-off event this morning at University Medical center in New Orleans. Edwards says Louisiana is simply bringing federal tax dollars home to put them to work for the poor…:

cut 4  (10)  “in the first year”

Plans go into effect July 1st, and you can get more information online at healthy.la.gov. Edwards says “Healthy Louisiana” will bring insurance coverage to an estimated 375,000 working citizens in the state. He says that’s very important, but that’s not entirely what Medicaid expansion is all about…:

Cut 5  (07)  “health outcomes”

Edwards says with the $600 million dollar budget deficit for next fiscal year, this newly expanded program will be a significant money saver for the state. Dr. Gee says it’s vital that citizens of our state start doing things that improve their health like eating better and exercising, and this new program will be the extra factor and getting people on that path…:

Cut 6 (11) “the state have”

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Hurricane season begins today and the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness warns residents to be ready in case of a big storm. NOAA and the Colorado State forecast team predict a near-normal season with around 12 named storms. GOHSEP Director Jim Waskom reminds everyone that major hurricanes Andrew and Betsy hit during an average year, so it’s good to be prepared.

CUT 7 (09)  “disrupted” 

Waskom says make sure to make copies of important documents, have an evacuation plan and create a plan for your pet. He says state has been working hard since Hurricane Katrina to put the people of Louisiana’s minds at ease in the event of an emergency.

Cut 8  (09)  “state requirement” 

Waskom says a big concern going into this year’s hurricane season is the flooding the state has already seen this year, which has produced a lot of sediment in the rivers. He says this could create additional problems if we get a big storm this year.

Cut 9 (10)  “emergency officials”

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Governor John Bel Edwards’ approval and disapproval ratings have both gone up in the past few months, according to a new poll from Southern Media and Opinion Research. Pollster Bernie Pinsonat says that’s because 34% of respondents in a February poll either didn’t have an opinion or wouldn’t respond.

Cut 10 (11) “in February”

The poll shows Edwards approval rating at 50%, which is 9 points higher than it was in the last poll, but his disapproval rating of 40% is 15 points higher. The survey also asked residents about the upcoming special session that will seek to raise revenues to address a 600-million dollar shortfall. Pinsonat says based on the results Edwards’ disapproval rating could rise even more if additional taxes are raised.

cut 11 (11) “more taxes”

According to the poll, 63% of respondents, particularly Republicans, say there is too much spending in state government. Also, 57% of voters surveyed are opposed to raising more taxes.  Pinsonat says his poll also shows GOP lawmakers could be hesitant to raise taxes in the special session.

cut 12 (07) “additional taxes”

Republican respondents are 74% less likely to reelect their legislators if they vote to raise taxes.

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A three-day conference focused on restoring Louisiana’s disappearing coast begins today at the Ernest Morial Convention Center in New Orleans. Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana spokesperson Jimmy Frederick says this is the largest conference of its kind on the entire Gulf Coast. He says one-thousand scientists, engineers and policy makers are coming together to discuss strategies for protecting the state’s wetlands.

Cut 13 (09)  “as well”

Frederick says Louisiana is set to receive $6.8 billion for coastal restoration from the BP oil spill settlement. He says the state has to decide how to best use that money. Frederick says the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority has already agreed to use the Mississippi River to direct sediment to areas that can help rebuild the wetlands.

cut 14 (12)  “our nation”

Governor Edwards is expected to speak at the conference this morning. Frederick says Louisiana is losing 16 square miles a year on its coast, and we need to do everything we can to save it as 80% of all oil and gas that comes into the US from offshore comes through Louisiana.

Cut 15 (08) “be exposed to”

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LSU Baseball Coach Paul Mainieri is not ready to announce his starting rotation for this weekend’s Baton Rouge Regional and he’s also not sure who will be behind the plate. Mike Papierski and Jordan Romero have split time as the Tigers starting catcher and Mainieri says he’ll see how the next couple of days of practice will go…

Cut 16  (16)  “right-handed”

LSU will open the Baton Rouge Regional by taking on Utah Valley out of the Western Athletic Conference. Freshman right fielder Antoine Duplantis admits the don’t much about the Wolverines, but the coaching staff is providing the players a scouting report…

Cut 17 (14)  “really hard” 

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Louisiana Tech is gearing up for its first NCAA Tournament baseball game in 29 years. The Bulldogs will face Cal State Fullerton in the Starkville regional opener on Friday. Tech catcher Brent Diaz believes this is the start of something special for the Bulldogs baseball program…

Cut 18 (12) “one day”

Tech has won 40 games this year, while Cal State Fullerton is 35-and 16. Diaz says they know the Titans are a good ball club…

Cut 19 (14) “play ball”

Louisiana Tech has been scoring a bunch of runs lately, reaching double figures in the run column in five of their last eight games. Diaz hopes the bats stay hot in Starkville…

Cut 20 (07) “the time”

A bill to ensure that all TOPS recipients get part of their award is heading to the Governor’s desk. Halen Doughty has more…

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State Police say the summer of 2016 got off to a tragic start on Louisiana’s roadways as 9 fatal crashes resulted in the loss of 14 people over Memorial Day weekend. Michelle Southern reports…:

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Four people, including a one year old child, are dead after a fiery head-on Memorial Day crash in East Feliciana Parish. State Police Trooper Bryan Lee says two vehicles were involved in the incident which took place on LA 67, just north of Clinton…:

CUT 3 (12)  “after that crash”

Lee says 1-year-old Hazel Temple, 19-year-old Holley Thomas, 22-year-old Brandon Temple all of Denham Springs, along with 24-year-old Jakyle Hall all died. He says they believe Brandon Temple was passing two vehicles in a no passing zone when he approached the crest of the hill and slammed into Hall’s vehicle…:

CUT 4 (12)  “no passing zone”

Lee says the 19-year-old and 1 year old were in Temple’s vehicle, and Hall was the only occupant of the second vehicles. He says upon impact, both vehicles burst into flames which further hinders other aspects of the investigation…:

CUT 5 (08)  “of that crash”

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The bill to ensure that all TOPS scholarship recipients get at least part of their award has received final legislative passage. Jennings Senator Blade Morrish says the bill will only go into effect if the legislature cannot fully fund the program, which is a real possibility as TOPS is only funded at 48% under the current budget proposal. Morrish says who pays the remainder of the tuition would be at the discretion of the university.

CUT 6 (10) “the universities”

Over 50-thousand Louisiana students are eligible for a TOPS award, and it would take $294 million to cover all those scholarships. Morrish says under the current law if TOPS is underfunded, it becomes a needs/merit based hybrid. He says it isn’t fair to eliminate students with a 21 ACT score before those with a 32, because they both earned it.

CUT 7 (09) “of fairness”

TOPS is severely underfunded as the budget for next fiscal year stands now. Morrish says for now, the program is probably funded as much as it can be.

CUT 8 (09) “another story”

Lawmakers will begin the second special session of 2016 on Monday in an attempt to raise enough revenue to fully fund TOPS and other state services.

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Mike VI has made the first step in his treatment process, getting a CT scan to take images of the cancerous tumor threatening the life of LSU’s beloved mascot. Ginger Guttner with the LSU School of Veterinary Medicine says this scan will help Mike’s doctors decide how many radiation treatment sessions he will need.

CUT 9 (07) “Mike’s face”

Guttner says Mike recovered from the anesthesia much faster this time than he did when the vets made the heartbreaking discovery of the rare and incurable cancer. She says this will get Mike ready to undergo an innovative treatment that has never before been used on a tiger.

cut 10 (04)  “radiotherapy”

Guttner says Mike will be treated at the Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center in Baton Rouge, and the center will cover the cost of his treatment. But she says there will be other expenses associated with his care, and people can make donations.

Cut 11 (06) “information there”

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State Transportation Secretary Shawn Wilson says Louisiana may need to consider tolls as way to pay for major highway construction projects. He says the state cannot rely on federal money to cover the costs for big ticket items.

cut 12 (12) “that happen”

Wilson made the comments during a meeting of the House Transportation Committee as they were talking about a resolution that directs the state transportation department to conduct a study on feasibility of tolling highways and bridges. During the discussion, Wilson says tolls will only work on roads with heavy volume.

Cut 13 (11)  “for tolling”

The state is also facing a 13-billion dollar backlog on bridge and road repairs. Wilson says tolls could be an option to pay for a portion of a major highway project.

cut 14 (08)  “financial package”

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The number of traffic fatalities increased substantially from last year over the Memorial Day Weekend, according to State Police. Trooper Jesse LaGrange says they investigated 9 fatal wrecks, which resulted in 14 deaths. He says this is a sharp rise from last year’s 7 traffic related fatalities and it’s because of a lack of personal responsibility.

cut 15 (09) “this this”

LaGrange says over 100 suspected drunk drivers were arrested over the long weekend. He says there was a mixture of factors that led to the fatal crashes.

cut 16 (09) “St. Tammany Parish”

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