Three sales tax bills got out of a House committee today and now head to the House floor for more discussion. The bill that receive the greatest support is a measure by Baton Rouge Representative Paula Davis, which would renew an expiring one-cent sales tax by four-tenths. Members of the legislative black caucus didn’t vote for it, because they want a sales tax bill that renews half of the expiring one cent sales tax. Davis is optimistic her legislation can get 70 votes for House approval….
cut 14 (07) “….right bill”
The full House is expected to vote on the revenue raising bills tomorrow. The special session ends a week from today.

Governor John Bel Edwards announced today he’s not removing a three-member Louisiana National Guard team from the Mexico border that’s assisting with border patrol. He says they will remain there until mid-July. The governor says they are not involved in the separating of families who enter the country illegally.

A 59 year old man walked out of prison as a free man for the first time in his adult life after serving over 40 years for a murder in Monroe. Gerald Manning was exonerated of his conviction in the 1977 death of Vonda Harris. His attorney, Kristin Wenstrom, says years of DNA testing contributed to ensuring that Manning could once again have his freedom….
cut 7 (10) “…by the perpetrator”
Manning plans to live with his mother in Monroe. A freedom fund and an Amazon wishlist have been set up for those that would like to help in his transition to the outside world.

A State Police trooper has been arrested on allegations that he raped a 16-year-old girl in New Orleans. Thirty-six-year-old Lander Journee was booked on third-degree rape and posted a 25-thousand dollar bond. He’s been placed on administrative leave.

Three sales tax bills made it out of the House Ways and Means Committee today, which would generate hundreds of million dollars, but the proposals do not completely close the 500-million dollar deficit. TOPS and higher ed are facing cuts as of July 1st and LSU student government president Stewart Lockett says college students will rally at the state capitol at 5:30 …
cut 12 (12) “…different stories”

President Trump now plans to sign an executive order to allow children to stay with parents attempting to cross the border unlawfully. US Representative Ralph Abraham says he supports President Trump’s efforts.
cut 9 (13) “…parents accompanying them.”

Ardagh Glass has notified the state that it’s planning to lay off just over 200 workers at its glass making facility in Lincoln Parish, because many of the companies they work with are using plastic containers instead. Simsboro Mayor Sybil Foster says the layoffs are an economic blow to her town…
cut 5 (07) “…reduced or what”
An estimated 450 people currently work at the facility.

59-year-old Gerald Manning is a free man today after spending 41 years in prison for the 1977 murder of Vonda Harris. Manning was just 17 years old at the time of the homicide and his attorney Kristen Wenstrom says recent DNA testing has exonerated him of the murder that even the victim’s family doesn’t think he committed…
cut 8 (13) “….the real perpetrator”
Manning plans to live with his mother in Monroe.

LSU Student Government hosts a rally at the State Capitol today to call on the state legislature to fully fund TOPS and higher education.
cut 10 (09) “….as a whole”
That’s LSU student government president Stewart Lockett who says if lawmakers do not act before the end of the fiscal year on June 30th, students will face a 30% cut to TOPS and a $21 million dollar reduction in funding for LSU.

A 59 year old man walked out of the state penitentiary as a free man for the first time in his adult life after serving over 40 years for a murder in Monroe. DNA testing helped exonerate Gerald Manning of his murder conviction in the 1977 death of Vonda Harris. His attorney, Kristin Wenstrom, says Manning then worked out a deal with the Ouachita Parish District Attorney’s office…
Cut 6 (11) “…walk out of prison.”
Manning plans to live with his mother in Monroe.

Governor John Bel Edwards says the National Guard air support team will remain at the Mexico border. In a statement released, the governor says the troops are not participation in the separation of families and he condems that policy. President Trump has signed an executive order to end family separations at the border.

A major employer in north Louisiana is set to lay off as many as 227 employees next month. Simsboro Mayor Sybil Foster says Ardagh Glass produces glass containers, but the companies they serve like Tabasco, Smucker’s and others are demanding other materials…
cut 4 (04) “…need for glass”
Around 450 people work at the plant, which received tax incentives during the Jindal administration to retain its workforce.

We should get a sense after today whether the third special session called by Governor John Bel Edwards will be successful. Votes on sales tax bills that would generate 500-million dollars in revenue will take place today. Also, the governor’s monthly call-in show is at 2 PM, where he’s expected to announce the future of Louisiana National Guard troops at the Mexico border.

And at 1:30 this afternoon, one of the nation’s top high school products announces where he’ll attend college. Derek Stingley Junior from Dunham High School in Baton Rouge will make his decision known on Twitter at 1:30 PM. His Dad, Derek Stingley Senior, says his son wants a college where he’ll be comfortable on the football field and off…
cut 8 (08) “…these majors”
Stingley was recently ranked as the top prospect overall by Rivals-dot-com.

A Monroe man who spent 41 years in prison serving a life sentence for murder is now a free man. Kevin Barnhart has more…
voicer 1 (32) “…Kevin Barnhart”

A major employer near the town of Simsboro in Lincoln Parish is expected to lay off about 200 employees next month. Ardagh Glass says the layoffs will take effect July 23rd. Simsboro Mayor Sybil Foster says the move will hit the community hard.
Cut 3 (04) “…some effect of it.”
Ardagh Glass produces glass containers and many of the manufacturers they work with are switching to plastic.

It’s day three of the special session and it’s reached a critical stage. The House Ways and Means Committee meets at 11 this morning to vote on various sales tax proposals that would generate at least 500-million dollars and renew a half-cent of an expiring one-cent sales tax. It’s unclear if the votes are there for it to pass.

It’s also a big day for the LSU football program, as the nation’s top cornerback in the country announces his college choice today. Michael Farrar has more on Dunham High School’s Derek Stingley Junior…
voicer 2 (30) “…I’m Michael Farrar”

College students are set to rally at the State Capitol later today, demanding that the state legislature fully fund TOPS and higher education. LSU Student Government President Stewart Lockett says the uncertainity is really frustrating as a new school year is two months away…
cut 11 (11) “…faculty and staff’
Lockett encourages fellow college students to contact their local legislators and let them know you want TOPS and higher ed fully funded.

It’s Christmas time in downtown-Lafayette as a holiday-themed independent film is shooting. The movie is called The Christmas Cupid and Executive Director of Louisiana Entertainment Chris Stelly says with fake snow, holiday lights and Santa, it’s a festive atmopshre in Lafayette…
cut 15 (10) “…on the faces’
Stelly says the independent feature film is spending 300-thousand dollars in Louisiana, including 211-thousand dollars on state resident payroll.

One of the top high school prospects in the country will decide today whether he’ll attend LSU, Florida or Texas. Cornerback Derek Stingley Junior of Dunham High School in Baton Rouge was recently ranked by Rivals.com as the nation’s top recruit for the Class of 2019. His father, Derek Stingley Senior explains why his son chose to announce his college commitment on social media, instead of having a big press conference.
Cut 9 (11) “…all that.”

A Louisiana winter wonderland in June? That’s the scene in Downtown Lafayette as a holiday-themed independent film is in production in the area. The movie, entitled The Christmas Cupid, is seeing the production spending a total of four months in the state, including twelve days in Lafayette. Executive Director of Louisiana Entertainment Chris Stelly on the motion picture incentive program.
Cut 14 (10) “…state of Louisiana.”

A new world record may belong to a nursing home in Crowley. Elder Outreach and Team Mergist will attempt the world’s longest game of bingo with 24 hours of continuous play, starting today at Southwind Healthcare and Rehabilitation. How did this all come together? Michelle Veillon, marketing and design director of the nonprofit organization Elder Outreach, says The event does fall on Summer Solstice, which is the longest day of the year. Veillon says the event ties in with the significance on the day.
Cut 6 (13) “…the longest goodbye.”

The special session that started on Monday is off to a slow start as lawmakers made no votes yesterday. Hearings were held in the house tax and budget committee but no votes were taken. The committee will return this morning to consider legislation to fix nearly a billion dollars in temporary taxes which is scheduled to expire in two weeks.

A Louisiana winter wonderland in June? That’s the scene in Downtown Lafayette as a holiday-themed independent film is in production in the area. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Cut 3 (31) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

A new world record may belong to a nursing home in Crowley. Elder Outreach and Team Mergist will attempt the world’s longest game of bingo with 24 hours of continuous play, starting today at Southwind Healthcare and Rehabilitation. How did this all come together? Michelle Veillon, marketing and design director of the nonprofit organization Elder Outreach.
Cut 5 (08) “…for the 24 hours..”

One of the top high school prospects in the country will decide today whether he’ll attend LSU, Florida or Texas. Cornerback Derek Stingley Junior of Dunham High School in Baton Rouge was recently ranked by Rivals.com as the nation’s top recruit for the Class of 2019. His father, Derek Stingley Senior, says he wants his son to attend a college where he’ll be comfortable on the football field and off…
Cut 8 (11) “…those majors”

LSU Student Government hosts a rally at the State Capitol today to call for full funding of TOPS and higher education. If lawmakers do not act before the end of the fiscal year on June 30th, then students will face a 30% cut to TOPS and a $21 million dollar reduction in funding for LSU. LSU Student Government President Stewart Lockett.
Cut 12 (12) “…different stories”

The nation’s top cornerback in the country announces his college choice today. Michael Farrar has more on Dunham High School’s Derek Stingley Junior…
Cut 2 (30) ” I’m Michael Farrar”

A new world record may belong to a nursing home in Crowley. Elder Outreach and Team Mergist will attempt the world’s longest game of bingo with 24 hours of continuous play, starting today at Southwind Healthcare and Rehabilitation. How did this all come together? Michelle Veillon, marketing and design director of the nonprofit organization Elder Outreach, says this has been a decade in the making.
Cut 4 (09) “….ten years ago.”

LSU Student Government hosts a rally at the State Capitol today to call for full funding of TOPS and higher education. If lawmakers do not act before the end of the fiscal year on June 30th, then students will face a 30% cut to TOPS and a $21 million dollar reduction in funding for LSU.
LSU Student Government President Stewart Lockett says he’s frustrated about not knowing the fate of his University.
Cut 11 (11) “…faculty and staff”

A Louisiana winter wonderland in June? That’s the scene in Downtown Lafayette as a holiday-themed independent film is in production in the area. The movie, entitled The Christmas Cupid, is seeing the production spending a total of four months in the state, including twelve days in Lafayette. Executive Director of Louisiana Entertainment Chris Stelly says filming in the area presents a great opportunity for the community.
Cut 13 (11) “…real world experience.”

One of the top high school prospects in the country will decide today whether he’ll attend LSU, Florida or Texas. Cornerback Derek Stingley Junior of Dunham High School in Baton Rouge was recently ranked by Rivals.com as the nation’s top recruit for the Class of 2019. His father, Derek Stingley Senior, calls his son a freakish athlete with a will to win…

Cut 7 (11) “…that explosive”

Derek Stingley Junior will make his decision known on Twitter at 1:30.

When the Saints head to California to play the Los Angeles Chargers in a preseason game on August 25^th, they’ll first compete against the Chargers in a couple of practices. Since Sean Payton’s arrival in New Orleans, the Saints have routinely participated in joint training camp practices with other teams. Still no word on when training camp will start for the Black and Gold.

________________________________________________________________________________________________________

The Pelicans will need to hire a new assistant coach. Jamelle McMillan has left for an assistant job with the Phoenix Suns. The 29-year-old is considered an up and comer in the coaching ranks and his dad is current Indiana Pacers Head Coach Nate McMillan.

Anthony Davis has been elected into the Kentucky Athletics Hall of Fame. The NBA All-Star led the Wildcats to a national championship in 2012 and was a consensus national player of the year that season.

At the College World Series, it seems like there’s no stopping Mississippi State. The Bulldogs pounded North Carolina 12-2. They took a 4-1 lead in the 2^nd inning on a grand slam by freshman Jordan Westburg. The Texas native drove in seven runs for Mississippi State, who is now just one win away from reaching the championship series of the C-W-S.

And Florida avoided elimination by ending Texas’ season with a 6-1 win over the Longhorns. Jackson Kowar struck out a career-high 13 and Jonathan India hit a three-run homer.

A new world record may belong to people of a nursing home in Crowley by the end of the week. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Cut 1 (30) I’m Kevin Barnhart“

One of the top high school prospects in the country will decide today whether he’ll attend LSU, Florida or Texas. Cornerback Derek Stingley Junior of Dunham High School in Baton Rouge was recently ranked by Rivals.com as the nation’s top recruit for the Class of 2019. His father, Derek Stingley Senior, calls his son a freakish athlete with a will to win
Cut 7 (11) “…that explosive.”

LSU Student Government hosts a rally at the State Capitol today to call for full funding of TOPS and higher education. If lawmakers do not act before the end of the fiscal year on June 30th, then students will face a 30% cut to TOPS and a $21 million dollar reduction in funding for LSU. LSU Student Government President Stewart Lockett says they want to give students a voice about their future.
Cut 10 (09) “…as a whole”

The special session that started on Monday is off to a slow start as lawmakers made no votes yesterday. Hearings were held in the house tax and budget committee but no votes were taken. The committee will return this morning to consider legislation to fix nearly a billion dollars in temporary taxes which is scheduled to expire in two weeks.