Governor Edwards, along with gubernatorial challengers Congressman Ralph Abraham and Baton Rouge Businessman Eddie Rispone spoke to those in attendance for the “Oil and Natural Gas Industry Day” event in Baton Rouge.  Each gave their case as to why voters should select them to lead the state.  Edwards says while there is still work to be done, the state is in a better position than what it was when he took office.

Cut 4 (10) “…the right direction.”

Abraham says if he is elected, he’d make more efforts to make Louisiana more business-friendly for the oil and natural gas industry.

Rispone touted his experience as a businessman instead of being a career politician as the reason he has the ability to lead Louisiana.

Cut 6 (12) “…our state forward”

A bill that would conceal the identities of companies that sell lethal injection drugs and equipment to Louisiana clears committee and is headed to the House floor.

Bill sponsor, Hammond Representative Nicky Muscarello, says this bill would incentivize companies to begin selling the state lethal injection components again…

Cut 13 (10) “…they expect.”

Over a dozen other states like Texas have similar laws.

Thousands of Louisianans with developmental disabilities will now be able to stay at home with their families after the Department of Health revamped a decades-old assistance waiting list.

Assistant Secretary for the Office for Citizens with Developmental Disabilities Julie Hagan says the new system prioritizes those in immediate need of help, rather than those who will need help in the future.

Cut 7 (10) “…offer first”

A bill that would conceal the identities of companies that sell lethal injection drugs and equipment to Louisiana clears committee and is headed to the House floor.

Loyola New Orleans race and racism researcher Dr. Nicholas Mitchell says covering up the names of companies and their products could result in a situation where the state is administering extremely painful injections, without public knowledge…

Cut 14 (07) “…torture”

The last state execution was in 2010.

A new report from the National Education Association, indicates the average teacher salary in Louisiana is $50,000, which is 11% less than the average salary in the state a decade ago when adjusted for inflation. Union President Lily Garcia says the salary trajectory is making many potential teachers choose other occupations.

Cut 10 (12) “…til you’re 42.”

Eddie Rispone, Congressman Ralph Abraham, and Governor John Bel Edwards stated their cases to the oil and gas industry as to why they should be selected to lead the state. Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Kevin Barnart”

Eddie Rispone, Congressman Ralph Abraham, and Governor John Bel Edwards stated their cases to the oil and gas industry as to why they should be selected to lead the state. Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Kevin Barnart”

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The largest professional union representing educators, the National Education Association, releases a report of the how Louisiana teacher pay stacks up compared to the rest of the country.  Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”  

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Legislation that would cover up the names of companies that sell the state chemicals and equipment used to administer the death penalty is headed to the House floor. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 3 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

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Governor Edwards, along with gubernatorial challengers Congressman Ralph Abraham and Baton Rouge Businessman Eddie Rispone spoke to those in attendance for the “Oil and Natural Gas Industry Day” event in Baton Rouge.  Each gave their case as to why voters should select them to lead the state.  Edwards says while there is still work to be done, the state is in a better position than what it was when he took office.

Cut 4 (10) “…the right direction.”

Abraham says if he is elected, he’d make more efforts to make Louisiana more business-friendly for the oil and natural gas industry.

Cut 5 (12) “…and corporate tax.”

Rispone touted his experience as a businessman instead of being a career politician as the reason he has the ability to lead Louisiana.

Cut 6 (12) “…our state forward”

_____________________

Thousands of Louisianans with developmental disabilities will now be able to stay at home with their families after the Department of Health revamped a decades-old assistance waiting list.

Assistant Secretary for the Office for Citizens with Developmental Disabilities Julie Hagan says they’ve adopted a “tiered system” that prioritizes those in immediate need of help, rather than those who will need help in the future.

Cut 7 (10) “…offer first”

Prior to the change a year ago, the wait list for assistance was 12-13 years long, and was operated on a first come first serve basis. Hagan says now they’ve cataloged all applicants into tiers based on how immediate their needs are.

Cut 8 (09) “…get those.”

The full wait list was 12,000 people long but included thousands who may not need help for several years. Hagan says they’ve kept families together by prioritizing those who were set to be separated from their loved ones.

Cut 9 (12) “…institution.″

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A new report from the National Education Association, the union representing over 3 million members across the country, indicates the average teacher salary in Louisiana is $50,000, which is 11% less than the average salary in the state a decade ago when adjusted for inflation. Union President Lily Garcia says the salary trajectory is making many potential teachers choose other occupations.

Cut 10 (12) “…til you’re 42.”

The report indicates the state’s average teacher salary ranks 39^th compared to other states and is 4.5% less than the national average. Garcia says there is no shortage of certified teachers. The problem is making a living wage.

Cut 11 (12) “…do other work.”

Garcia recommends looking at similarly educated and experienced professionals and what their pay is compared to a teacher.

Cut 12 (07) “…go into education.”

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A bill that would conceal the identities of companies that sell lethal injection drugs and equipment to Louisiana clears committee and is headed to the House floor.

Bill sponsor, Hammond Representative Nicky Muscarello, says this bill would incentivize companies to begin selling the state lethal injection components again…

Cut 13 (10) “…they expect.”

Over a dozen other states like Texas have similar laws.

Loyola New Orleans race and racism researcher Dr. Nicholas Mitchell says covering up the names of companies and their products could result in a situation where the state is administering extremely painful injections, without public knowledge…

Cut 14 (07) “…torture”

Louisiana Conference of Catholic Bishops representative Rob Tasman says the state owes it to the taxpayers to be open and honest when dealing with a subject as sensitive as killing someone.

Cut 15 (12) “…standard.”

Muscarello agreed that the bill does promote government contracting secrecy, but says if it helps the state resume executions, it’s worth giving up a bit of transparency.

Cut 16  (09) “…are made” 

The state has not carried out an execution since 2010.

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Freshman right-hander Cole Henry is still not available to pitch this weekend because of a sore elbow. And Coach Paul Mainieri has decided to move former Friday night starter Zack Hess to the bullpen. Mainieri says Ma’Khail Hilliard will start on Friday when the Tigers begin their series against Ole Miss. Mainieri says they’ll miss Henry, but he has confidence in Hilliard…

 cut 17 (21)   “all year” 

Mainieri says they want Hess to let it loose when he comes out of the bullpen…

 cut 19 (23)   “professional baseball” 

A bill that would have required producers of “almond milk” to label their product something other than milk has had an amendment added that would only allow the law to go into effect if similar regulations are approved at the federal level. There were concerns that having different names for the same products across state lines would create confusions. Houma Senator Norby Chabert says you’d end up having almond milk called one thing in Louisiana…
Cut 10 (12) “…product”
On a narrow vote, the House Criminal Justice Committee approves a bill that expands the state’s stand your ground law to protect an individual who may have to use deadly force in churches. Houma Representative Beryl Amedee.
Cut 12 (10) “…to work.”
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A bill that would conceal the identities of companies that sell lethal injection drugs and equipment to Louisiana clears committee and is headed to the House floor. Louisiana Conference of Catholic Bishops representative Rob Tasman says the state owes it to the tax payers to be open and honest when dealing with a subject as sensitive as killing someone.
Cut 15 (12) “…standard.”
Bill sponsor, Hammond Representative Nicky Muscarello, agreed that the bill does promote goverment contracting secrecy, but says companies won’t sell the state the legally required lethal injection drugs without a gaurantee of secrecy…
Cut 16 (09) “…are made”
The state has not carried out an execution since 2010.

On a 24-to-15 vote, the Senate approves legislation that would allow for betting on college and professional sporting events at the state’s casinos and racetracks. The bill’s sponsor, Kenner Senator Danny Martiny, says if the bill doesn’t pass, sports betting will continue in Louisiana, so the state might as well regulate and tax it…
cut 30 (09) “…of it”

LSU baseball Coach Paul Mainieri said today that Cole Henry’s sore elbow will not allow him to pitch this weekend against Ole Miss. Even though Henry will not pitch, Mainieri has decided to move Zack Hess back to the bullpen. Mainieri wants Hess to let it loose when he comes out of the pen.

In action tonight….Southern hosts Nicholls, who has won four in a row. McNeese visits Southeastern in a nonconference match-up. C-S-T will televise the game which gets underway at 6 PM.

National signing day is months away, but LSU football currently has the number one rated class in 2020, according to 24-7 sports. The Tigers just landed a verbal pledge from the country’s number two inside linebacker, Virginia’s Antonie Sampah. 24-7 sports recruiting analyst Shea Dixon says expect more linebacker talent to come to Baton Rouge after Tampa Bay used the fifth overall pick to select Devin White…
cut 17 (09) “…in the draft”
The Saints have reportedly decided not to pick up the fifth-year option on cornerback Eli Apple. That means he’ll be a free agent after next season. Apple intercepted two passes for the Black and Gold after he was acquired in a trade last October.

And former LSU Tiger Booger McFarland is moving up to the booth to join Joe Tessitore in the Monday Night Football booth on ESPN. That means the so called Booger Mobile is history, much to the delight of many fans.

A WWL-TV report says Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser has State Police troopers drive him everywhere he goes, but he still receives 84-hundred dollars in annual salary to drive a personal vehicle to work. The report also claims that his staffers were getting paid by taxpayers while work on his re-election campaign.  Nungesser is up for re-election this year, but no major challengers have surfaced. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says Nungesser has some explaining to do….

Cut 5 (07) “…for Nungesser”

Nungesser says he rides with troopers only part of the time.

A bill that would have required producers of “almond milk” to label their product something other than milk has had an amendment added that would only allow the law to go into effect if similar regulations are approved at the federal level.  Ag Commissioner Mike Strain says the legislation now represents a show of support for federal efforts.

Cut 9 (07) “…United States“.

Louisiana Tech has launched the school’s inaugural Giving Day. President of the Student Advancement team Maddie Patton says that donor can select if they want their money going toward the general school fund helping students attend Louisiana Tech through scholarships or toward fixing the damage from last week’s EF-3 tornado that impacted the Ruston area.

Cut 7 (10) “…and ladies soccer.”

To donate, visit LouisianaTechGivingDay.org.

On a narrow vote, the House Criminal Justice Committee approves a bill that expands the state’s stand your ground law to protect an individual who may have to use deadly force in churches. The measure passed on a nine to eight vote as Democrats on the panel voted against the legislation. Baton Rouge Representative Ted James has concerns about the bill…

Cut 13 (12) “…belong there”

A WWL-TV report says Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser has State Police troopers drive him everywhere he goes, but he still receives 84-hundred dollars in annual salary to drive a personal vehicle to work. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says says legislative auditor should look into this…
Cut 4 (12) “…him around”
The WWL-TV report also claims that his staffers were getting paid by taxpayers while work on his re-election campaign. The Lt. Governor says he rides with troopers only part of the time.
A bill that would have required producers of “almond milk” to label their product something other than milk has had an amendment added that would only allow the law to go into effect if similar regulations are approved at the federal level. Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain they look forward to the feds requiring almond milk to change it’s name.
Cut 11 (11) “…of age.”
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Storm weary Louisiana Tech is holding its first ever Giving Day today. Kevin Barnhart has more…
cut 2 (30) I’m Kevin Barnhart”
The USA Today Network is reporting that Vice President Mike Pence will visit St. Landry Parish Friday to meet with faith leaders of the three churches that burned down in an alleged case of racially motivated arson. 21-year-old Holden Matthews, the son of a St. Landry deputy, has been arrested in connection to the crimes, and two million dollars has been raised on a GoFundMe page for the recovery efforts.

A WWL-TV report says Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser has State Police troopers drive him everywhere he goes, but he still receives 84-hundred dollars in annual salary to drive a personal vehicle to work. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says the investigative report is not a good look for Nungesser…
Cut 3 (10) “…State Police ”
The Lt. Governor says he rides with troopers only part of the time.
A bill that would have required producers of “almond milk” to label their product something other than milk has had an amendment added that would only allow the law to go into effect if similar regulations are approved at the federal level.There were concerns that having different names for the same products across state lines would create confusion. Houma Senator Norby Chabert says you’d end up having almond milk called one thing in Louisiana…
Cut 10 (12) “…product”
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Louisiana Tech has launched the school’s inaugural Giving Day. Donor support makes it possible to help students attend Louisiana Tech through scholarships, plus it helps rebuilding portions of the school that were impacted by an EF-3 tornado last week. President of the Student Advancement team Maddie Patton says the donations have come in from around the country.
Cut 8 (09) “…have already given.”
On a narrow vote, the House Criminal Justice Committee approves a bill that expands the state’s stand your ground law to protect an individual who may have to use deadly force in churches. In Louisiana, people can bring a concealed weapon into a house of worship if the person or group in charge of the facility authorizes them to do so. An attorney for the firearm professionals of Louisiana explains why the legislation is needed…
Cut 14 (12) “…stop the attack.”
The measure heads to the House floor.