Many Americans are celebrating a day off with friends and family but many forget the true meaning of the Memorial Day Holiday. State Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Col. Joey Strickland says remembering those who lost their lives doesn’t have to be a big show, it can be a private moment.
Cut 6 (07) “our freedom”

11-thousand men and women from Louisiana made the ultimate sacrifice for the United States in all our wars.

The Center for Disease Control is warning the public about bacteria in public pools as the summer is in full swing. Michelle Hlvasa (Vah-sah) with the CDC says cryptospordium is causing a lot of outbreaks and is linked to swimming. She says there has been an increase in infections.
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The LSU Tigers are a number four national seed in the NCAA baseball tournament and will host Texas Southern to start of the Baton Rouge Regional at 2:30 at Alex Box Stadium on Friday. The other two in the Baton Rouge Regional are the number two seed, Southeastern Louisiana and the number three seed, the Rice Owls.

It’s possible a special legislative session could convene right after the current session ends.
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The state Department of Veteran’s Affairs reminds Louisianans to remember the real reason for Memorial Day. Don Molino has more…

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An Alabama man was killed in a skydiving accident in Slidell on Sunday. St. Tammany deputies say 53-year-old Benjamin Leroy Crowell was training another person when he lost consciousness shortly after jumping out of a airplane. Witnesses say the two men hit the ground hard. The trainee was airlifted to a hospital and his condition is not known.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are concerned about an increase in cryptosporidium in public swimming pools. It’s a parasite that can cause diarrhea. The CDC’s Michele Hlvasa (Vah-sah) says people get infected when they swallow dirty water…
cut 8 (08) “…well treated pools”
Hlvasa says to protect others from getting crypto, stay out of the pool if you’ve had diarrhea recently.

A bill awaiting the governor’s signature will give pet owners up to 30 days to claim their cats and dogs if they were lost during a natural disaster. Ag Commissioner Mike Strain says shelters will take ownership after the 30-day period…
cut 14 (08) “….those animals”
Strain says local laws allow shelters to take ownership after 10 days.

After winning its 12th SEC Tournament title yesterday, LSU finds out later this morning who they will host in this weekend’s Baton Rouge Regional. Tiger Rag Associate Editor James Moran says this Tigers team will be tough to beat in post season play….
cut 17 (11) “….all clyinders”
LSU will host a regional for a 25th time in program history.

Legislation awaiting the governor’s signature will provide more time for pet owners to claim their cats and dogs if they are sent to a shelter during a state of emergency. Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain says this new law will give pet owners more hope of finding their lost pets after natural disasters….
cut 15 (08) “….10 days’
This bill has been approved by the House and Senate.

It’s Memorial Day a day we honor the brave men and woman who made the ultimate sacrifice to serve and protect our country. State Veterans Affairs Secretary, Colonel Joey Strickland, says today is also about….
cut 5 (09) “…the fallen”

As people hit the pools to escape the summer heat, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warns the public about bacteria in public pools. Halen Doughty has more…
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Thousands are waking up this morning in the dark after severe storms knocked out power across north Louisiana. Entergy reports almost 10-thousand outages in northeast Louisiana. SWEPCO is reporting 25-thousand are without power along I-49 in northwest Louisiana. And State Police say one person was killed when a tree fell on a car in DeSoto Parish.

There’s a week and a half left in the regular session and there is a major disagreement between Governor John Bel Edwards and House Republicans over the proposed spending plan for next fiscal year. Publisher of La-politics-dot-com Jeremy Alford says the GOP-led House passed a budget that allocates 97.5-percent of available revenues and Democrats want to spend more….
cut 11 (09) “…and diming”
The Senate Finance committee has been examing the budget over the last couple of weeks and they are expected to make changes to it, before advancing the spending plan to the full senate.

Pet owners will soon have more time to claim their lost pets after a disaster. A bill awaiting the governor’s signature allows pet parents 30 days to claim their fur babies following a state of emergency. Ag Commissioner Mike Strain…
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Currently, local laws allow shelters to take ownership of animals 10 days following a disaster.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention say they’ve seen up uptick in a parasite called cryptosporidium in public swimming pools. Michele Hlvasa (Vah-sah) says to protect others from getting crypto, stay out of the pool if you’ve had diarrhea. She says you need to be diarrhea free for at least two weeks…
cut 9 (08) “….have stopped”
Crypto will cause diarrhea in people who ingest the infected water.

We could see another special session start 30 minutes after the current regular session ends on June 8th. That’s according to Jeremy Alford of LaPolitics.com who says the current fiscal session has bogged down over partisan politics.
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Governor Edwards is also not pleased with the budget the House has approved.

LSU fans are happy today after watching the Tigers win their 12th SEC Tournament Baseball Championship yesterday with a four to two win over Arkansas. Tiger Rag Associate Editor James Moran says there’s no doubt LSU will be a national seed when the regional pairings are released at 11 AM….
cut 16 (09) “…SEC co-champions”
Regional play will begin Friday in Baton Rouge.

It’s important to remember the real reason for today’s Memorial Day holiday. State Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary, Col. Joey Strickland, asks Louisiana residents to take time to remember our fallen heroes.
Cut 4 (08) “our people”
11-thousand men and women from Louisiana made the ultimate sacrifice for the United States in all wars.

With the summer in full swing, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warns the public about bacteria in public pools. Michelle Hlvasa (Vah-sah) with the CDC says there’s a germ called cryptosporidium that’s causing a lot of outbreaks linked to swimming…
cut 7 (10) “…of outbreaks”
Hlvasa says to protect others from getting crypto, stay out of the pool if you’ve had diarrhea recently.

Louisiana Economic Development has launched a business startup program for military veterans. Secretary Don Pierson says after learning LSU’s Baton Rouge campus was helping disabled veterans, LED created the Louisiana Veteran Entrepreneurship Program. He says many soldiers have a desire to start a small business after leaving active duty.

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For more information on the program call (225) 578-7555.

The Humane Society of Louisiana is asking for the public’s help in finding a man who threw a dog out of a moving vehicle in Marksville. A witness reported seeing a white male toss the dog out the window of a dark green Chevrolet last Sunday. Anyone with information on the incident is encouraged to call 1-888-6-HUMANE.

Today and tomorrow consumers can purchase hurricane preparedness supplies at a state sales tax discount. Jeff Palermo has more…

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Bayou Country Superfest ranks in the top 10 on Vivid Seat’s list of 2017 summer music festivals. This weekend’s festival in New Orleans came in at number 7 on the online ticket market place’s ranking, which is based on ticket sales. According to the site, Bayou Country Superfest’s $34 tickets are one of the least expensive of top festivals.

Louisiana Economic Development creates a business startup program for military veterans returning home from active duty. Don Molino has more…

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US Senator Bill Cassidy has filed a bill to help veterans pay reasonable costs of urgent care. The Veterans Emergency Room Relief Act would require the Department of Veterans Affairs to pay emergency room costs for military veterans. Congressman Clay Higgins of Louisiana’s third congressional district introduced companion legislation in the US House.

State Police arrest more than a dozen Acadiana residents as a result of an insurance fraud investigation. Master Trooper Brooks David says they received complaints last July about 16 individuals who were filing false insurance claims.

Cut 6 (08) “of claims”

David says 13 people have been arrested so far, and three suspects are still at large.

AAA projects nearly 40 million Americans will travel this Memorial Day weekend, and State Police are asking travelers to make safety a priority. Trooper Dustin Dwight advises drivers to take extreme caution on the roadways this holiday weekend.

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Dwight says if you plan to drink, be sure to designate a sober driver.

Governor John Bel Edwards signs the first piece of legislation from the 2017 regular session. The measure by Leesville Representative Jason Armes establishes the Louisiana Military Medics and Corpsmen Pilot Program, which seeks to help veterans translate their military skills into civilian trades. The new law allows veterans with medical military certifications to work under the supervision of a licensed physician.

Louisiana Economic Development and other partners create a program to help veterans start their own business after leaving active duty. Secretary Don Pierson says the Louisiana Veteran Entrepreneurship Program is a great way to thank those who fight for our freedom.

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Pierson hopes this program will create 100 new jobs and generate $5 million in startup capital.

The Department of Health is facing a massive budget cut, and Secretary Rebekah Gee pleaded with the Senate Finance Committee to restore funding. But Mandeville Senator Jack Donahue says healthcare spending now accounts for nearly half of the state’s entire budget.

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Donahue says the health budget has grown more than a billion dollars since 2010.

Today and tomorrow Louisiana residents can buy hurricane preparedness items at a discounted sales tax rate. Department of Revenue spokesperson Byron Henderson says lawmakers approved this tax holiday to encourage families to prepare for the hurricane season.

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The full amount of any local sales tax still applies to purchases.