The 2021 Atlantic Hurricane Season has started and NOAA expects we’ll get an above-average number of named storms this year. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 1 (29) “…I’m Matt Doyle.”

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The Shot for a Shot campaign kicks off today in hopes of increasing the state vaccine roll by ten thousand. Brooke Thorington pours out the details.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

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 A Port Allen Senator wants to take the roughly half point of sales tax that is set to expire in 2025 and extend it long term but dedicate it solely to infrastructure projects. Matt Doyle has more.

Cut 3 (29)  “…I’m Matt Doyle.”

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The 2021 Atlantic Hurricane Season begins today and NOAA is predicting we’re in for yet another above-average season.

Estimates are we’ll see 13 to 20 named storms, 6 to 10 hurricanes, and three to five major hurricanes. State Climatologist Barry Keim says that’s because there are low odds of an El Nino forming.

Cut 4 (10)”… to be weak.”

Keim also notes that what is considered an “average” number of named storms for a season was readjusted upward this year given the increased activity over the past 30 years.

Cut 5 (08)”…new normal.”

The average expected number of storms is updated every ten years based on the average number of named storms over the previous 30 year period.

Keim says it’s unlikely we’ll have another season like last year’s, but there’s still a pretty good chance that we see some dangerous storms in the Gulf.

Cut 6 (11)”…above average.”

The season runs through November 30^th.

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A bill to create a grant program for the $180-billion dollars in federal funds dedicated for broadband expansion in the state heads to the Senate floor today. Marksville Representative Daryl Deshotel says House Bill 648 establishes a structure in which unserved communities can apply for funding.

Cut 7 (12)  “…that grant.”

Deshotel says upon passage he hopes the Granting Unserved Municipalities Broadband Opportunities, also known as GUMBO, can get things kicked off as soon as it is signed by the governor.

Cut 8 (11) “…of next year.”

Deshotel says the state currently has about 1.2 million residents who do not have access to broadband.

Cut 9 (09) “…unacceptable.” 

The bill received unanimous passage in the House.

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The ‘Shot for a Shot’ month-long campaign kicks off today in Louisiana. It is a joint effort with the Louisiana Office of Alcohol and Tobacco Control and the Louisiana Restaurant Association to incentivize more residents to get vaccinated for COVID. ATC Commissioner Ernest Legier (Leh-jay) says you can get a free shot at participating bars or restaurants by showing proof you’ve been vaccinated in the last seven days.

Cut 10 (07) “…nonalcoholic beverage.”

Legier says ATC and the LRA came up with the campaign when the governor asked state agencies to submit ideas for vaccine incentives.  Legier says no public funds are being used and the LRA will reimburse participating member restaurants and bars at the end of the month. Legier says it’s a fun way to get more people vaccinated.

Cut 11 (08) “…before COVID.”

The program hopes to increase the state’s vaccination rate by 10,000 and Legier says this is the first of several vaccine incentive programs the state will be rolling out.

Cut 12 (06) “…near future.”

Customers can show proof of their completed vaccination regime through the LA Wallet app or with a state-issued vaccination card between June 1^st and June 30^th or until funds are exhausted.

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Senate Finance will take up legislation today that would turn point four five percent of the state’s sale tax that is expiring in 2025 into a long-term infrastructure-only dedication.

Port Allen Senator Rick Ward says by 2025 his proposal would generate 350 to 380 million dollars a year to build new infrastructure and repair our existing crumbling roads and bridges.

Cut 13 (10) “…infrastructure.”

If signed into law the bill would transition the sales tax money out of the general fund and into a dedicated infrastructure trust fund over a three-year period starting in 2022.

Ward says the legislation lays out some of the early “mega project” priorities that would be tackled should this proposal get approved.

Cut 14 (11) “…shore.”

Ward says there’s a lot of talk in the capitol about the importance of infrastructure and lawmakers need to start backing up that talk with action.

Cut 15 (05)“…be a priority.”

The bill would have to move fast as the session is set to end on June 10^th.

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Despite a 13-17 record in the SEC, LSU received an invite into the NCAA Tournament and will be the third seed in the Eugene Regional and will face Gonzaga on Friday night. There was some doubt that LSU would receive a Regional after losing to Georgia in its lone SEC Tournament game. LSU pitcher Landon Marceaux is excited their season continues…

Cut 16 (15) “…for sure.”

Oregon and Central Connecticut are the other two teams in the Regional. The Ducks are a 14-seed nationally. Coach Paul Mainieri believes his team can go on a run…

Cut 17 (23) “…this year.”

2018 was the last time LSU traveled for a Regional. They played in Corvallis, Oregon, and lost to the Oregon State Beavers twice to end their season. Senior pitcher Devin Fontenot remembers that trip…

Cut  18 (17)”…this regional.”

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For the first time in Louisiana Tech baseball history, the Bulldogs will host an NCAA Regional. La Tech will play host to Rider, North Carolina State, and Alabama in the Love Shack. Bulldogs Coach Lane Burroughs is glad they were awarded for their great season by getting an opportunity to host…

Cut 19 (16) “…still playing.” 

Tech won the Conference USA West but lost to Old Dominion in CUSA’s tournament championship game. Ruston hosted the tourney and Burroughs is excited for the opportunity to play a few more games at home after their fans showed up strong for the Conference USA Tournament

Cut 20 (20)  “…pulling us through.” 

Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Colonel Joey Strickland says today is a day to remember the tens of thousands of Louisianans who died while serving their country. There’s some debate as to what the current total of Louisianans who’ve died while in the military is, but ultimately…

Cut 14 (06) “…sacrifice.”

Hurricane season starts tomorrow and before this above-average season kicks off you need to make sure you either have flood insurance or make sure that your coverage has not lapsed. David Maurstad, the head of the National Flood Insurance Program with FEMA, says There’s no way to completely eliminate flood damage but a good policy can help with the recovery process.

Cut 10 (12) “…policy.”

Higher ed leaders are celebrating the 38-billion-dollar budget for next year that’s headed to the Governor’s desk. Contained within is a roughly two and a half percent average pay raise for higher ed faculty, and a few other items that UL System President Jim Henderson calls transformative…

Cut 4 (09)”…higher education”

TOPs is fully funded and Go Grants have also been expanded.

And it’s also been a good day for baseball fans to celebrate with four universities heading to the NCAA tournament. LSU, Southern, McNeese, and LA Tech will continue their season in the NCAA regionals. LSU will face Gonzaga in Eugene, Oregon. Southern will play Texas in the Austin regional, McNeese will play TCU in the Fort Worth regional, and the Bulldogs will play in the Ruston regional and face off with Rider University. North Carolina State and Alabama will be playing in the Ruston regional also.

UL System President Jim Henderson calls the budget for the fiscal year starting in July the biggest investment in higher education the state has seen in 13 years. The 38-billion-dollar spending plan is headed to the Governor’s desk. Henderson says it features a faculty pay raise that breaks down to about a two to two and a half percent increase.

Cut 3 (10)  “…for us.”

Hurricane season starts tomorrow, and Louisiana residents know all too well about storm preparedness.  David Maurstad, the head of the National Flood Insurance Program with FEMA, says every homeowner should have a flood insurance policy.

Cut 9 (13) “…you need.” 

It’s been a good day for baseball fans in the state with four Louisiana schools heading to the NCAA baseball tournament. LSU, Southern, McNeese, and LA Tech will continue their season in the NCAA regionals. LSU will face Gonzaga in Eugene, Oregon. Southern will play Texas in the Austin regional, McNeese will play TCU in the Fort Worth regional, and the Bulldogs will play in the Ruston regional and face off with Rider University. North Carolina State and Alabama will be playing in the Ruston regional also.

The highways and waterways are crowded this Memorial Day.  Sea Tow President Kristen Frohnhoefer (Frone – hoffer) says due to the recent flooding in Louisiana there’s more debris in the water this holiday. She recommends assigning someone to serve as a lookout when cruising.

Cut 8 (10) “…the water.”

She says there’s been an increase of new boaters since the pandemic, and they’ve seen an uptick in service calls to assist boaters.

Higher education officials are celebrating the 38-billion-dollar budget approved by the Legislature. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle.”

The LSU Tigers are in the NCAA Baseball Tournament, The Bayou Bengals will compete in the Eugene, Oregon Regional and take on Gonzaga. Louisiana Tech is hosting a regional for the first time in school history and the Bulldogs will host Rider University. The other two teams in the Ruston Regional are North Carolina State and Alabama.  McNeese is heading to the Fort Worth Regional and Southern to the Austin regional.

Not only are there more drivers on the road for Memorial Day this year, but according to a Sea Tow Services survey, 52-percent of the boaters say they plan to spend more time on the water this year compared to 2020. Sea Tow President Kristen Frohnhoefer (Frone – hoffer) says expect waterways to be crowded.

Cut 6 (11)”…with it.”

Frohnhoefer says a majority of their calls today will be for groundings and lack of fuel.

Hurricane season starts tomorrow, and Louisiana residents know all too well about storm preparedness.  David Maurstad, the head of the National Flood Insurance Program with FEMA

Louisiana residents experienced an unprecedented flood back in 2016 due to a variety of reasons and the NFIP policy protects from all types of flooding.

Cut 11 (07) “…policy.”

Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Colonel Joey Strickland says today is a day to remember the tens of thousands of Louisianans who died while serving their country. There’s some debate as to what the current total of Louisianans who’ve died while in the military is, but ultimately…

Cut 14 (06) “…sacrifice.”

Higher Ed leaders cheered last week’s passage of the 38 billion dollar state spending plan for the fiscal year starting in July. UL System President Jim Henderson says the faculty pay raises and general formula increase is the biggest investment in higher ed in 13 years, but despite the big increase we still haven’t made up for the steep budget cuts enacted during the Jindal Administration.

Cut 5 (06)”…Legislators.”

Previously up to 70 percent of college budgets were state-funded, now 75 percent of college budgets are sustained by student tuition and fees.

If you’re thinking of taking the boat out today as a novice helmsman Sea Tow President Kristen Frohnhoefer (Frone – hoffer) says make sure you are properly trained before leaving the dock. Frohnhoefer (Frone – hoffer) says new navigators are 142-percent more likely to need ungrounding services.

Cut 7 (11)  “…courteous boater.”

Hurricane season starts tomorrow and before this above average season kicks off you need to make sure you either have flood insurance, or make sure that your coverage has not lapsed. David Maurstad, the head of the National Flood Insurance Program with FEMA, says There’s no way to completely eliminate flood damage but a good policy can help with the recovery process.

Cut 10 (12) “…policy.”

Higher ed leaders are celebrating the 38 billion dollar budget for next year that’s headed to the Governor’s desk. Contained within is a roughly two and a half percent average pay raise for higher ed faculty, and a few other items that UL System President Jim Henderson calls transformative…

Cut 4 (09)”…higher education”

TOPs is fully funded and Go Grants have also been expanded.

Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Colonel Joey Strickland asks you to take a moment out of your day today to pay respects to those who died serving the United States. He says Memorial Day is most importantly about those who fell but is also an opportunity to remember those who are still serving, like our National Guardsmen who are overseas…

Cut 13 (07) “…are”

Hurricane season starts tomorrow so check your flood insurance renewal status.

If you’re hitting the waterways you are not alone on this Memorial Day. A boat towing company says to expect a jump in the number of boaters and new navigators. Brooke Thorington has more…

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

We’ll find out whether or not LSU makes it into the NCAA tournament today at 11 AM. The team had a disappointing 13 and 17 SEC record but their chances could be buoyed by coach Paul Mainieri’s retirement announcement. In other college baseball news Tech will be hosting a regional.

Americans observe Memorial Day today, remembering those who died serving our country. Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Colonel Joey Strickland says today is partially about remembering those who have served in the military, but…

Cut 12 (12) “…forgotten”

UL System President Jim Henderson calls the budget for the fiscal year starting in July the biggest investment in higher education the state has seen in 13 years. The 38 billion dollar spending plan is headed to the Governor’s desk. Henderson says it features a faculty pay raise that breaks down to about a two to two and a half percent increase.

Cut 3 (10)  “…for us.”

Henderson says this raise gets faculty a quarter of the way to the southern regional average.

Not only are there more drivers on the road for Memorial Day this year, but according to a Sea Tow Services survey, 52-percent of the boaters say they plan to spend more time on the water this year compared to 2020. Sea Tow President Kristen Frohnhoefer (Frone – hoffer) says expect waterways to be crowded.

Cut 6 (11)”…with it.”

Hurricane season starts tomorrow and Louisiana residents know all too well about storm preparedness.  David Maurstad, the head of the National Flood Insurance Program with FEMA, says every homeowner should have a flood insurance policy

Cut 9 (13) “…you need.” 

There are less than two weeks to go in the legislative session and lawmakers have already approved a record 38 billion dollar spending plan for the fiscal year starting in July. Senate President Page Cortez highlights a few of the major investments thanks to federal coronavirus aid…
Cut 23 (11)“..lines”

Also included was an 800 dollar teacher pay raise and a roughly two and a half percent higher education faculty pay raise.

U-L System President Jim Henderson says faculty at their schools are still about 8,000 to 10,000 dollars a year behind the southern regional average and this increase gets them about a quarter of the way there. Henderson says the budget fully funds TOPS and even increases the size of the Go Grant program.
Cut 4 (09)”…educators”
Despite the big increase in higher ed investment this year, Henderson says the state still hasn’t made up for the steep budget cuts enacted during the Jindal Administration.
Cut 5 (06)”…Legislators.”
A House committee has rejected an effort to give 1,500 Louisiana inmates convicted on non-unanimous verdicts another chance at another trial. Matt Doyle has the story.
Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Matt Doyle.”