The Louisiana Attorney General’s office will argue in federal court in Lafayette today that President Biden’s executive order that prevents new oil and gas lease sales on public land should be lifted. Landry says the state is ready to make a strong argument the President is acting beyond the scope of his authority…
cut 11 (08) “….issues”
The Biden administration says it’s only a temporary pause as his administration reviews how oil and gas production is contributing to climate change.

The 2021 regular legislative session ends today. A session that saw a change in attitudes regarding marijuana. Council for a Better Louisiana President Barry Erwin says while legislation to legalize recreational marijuana use did not pass, legislators approved a bill that takes jail time away as a punishment for those caught with a small quantity of pot…
Cut 8 (06) “…anytime soon.”

Bobby Jindal turns 50 years old today. Erik Piccoli has more on the former governor who is keeping a low profile…
cut 1 (32) “….I’m Erik Piccoli”

Mike Noel has stepped down as Louisiana’s Gaming Control Board Chairman after spending less than one year on the job. Noel was set to be confirmed by the Louisiana Senate, but his resignation came right before he was set to appear before a Senate committee, where he would likely face questions about Ronald Greene’s death. Noel was the number two official in State Police when Green died in L-S-P custody.

The legislative session ends today and lawmakers are expected to pass a tax reform package that will lower individual income tax rates but eliminate the ability to deduct federal income taxes paid. Council for a Better Louisiana President Barry Erwin says the lower income tax rates could help attract businesses
Cut 7 (09) “…the country.”
The proposal will need voter approval in the fall.

For the first time in nearly 20 years, the Food and Drug Administration has approved a new medication to treat Alzheimer’s, a monthly intravenous treatment intended to slow cognitive decline in those with mild memory and thinking problems. But there are health experts who say it’s not effective. Doctor Jeffrey Keller at LSU’s Pennington Biomedical Research Center on why the FDA approved it…
cut 14 (08) “….to happen”

Former Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal turns 50 today. Jindal was elected as the state’s 55th governor when he was 36 and at the time he was a rising star within the Republican Party. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says Jindal seemed like someone who would dominate the political landscape in Louisiana for decades, but he’s kept a low profile since his second term ended in 2016…
cut 5 (12) “….boy of politics”

There are reports former Oregon State Coach Pat Casey is the leading candidate to become the new baseball coach at LSU. Casey is 62 and won three national championships with the Beavers. He retired in 2018.

Bobby Jindal turns 50 years old today. Erik Piccoli has more on the former governor who is keeping a low profile

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Erik Piccoli.”

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The 2021 legislative session comes to a close today and one good-government group says it was a productive two months at the state capitol. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.” 

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The first FDA approval in almost 20 years for an Alzheimer’s medication has many asking why when an advisory council advised against it. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 3 (30)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

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Today former governor, Congressman, and presidential candidate Boddy Jindal turns 50. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says the once superstar politician has faded from the limelight ever since his two terms as governor ended.

Cut 4 (08) “…to change Louisiana.”

Jindal served in the US House of Representatives between 2005 to 2008 and as governor from 2008 to 2016. During his second term as governor, Jindal focused on an unsuccessful run for the White House, which many Louisiana residents didn’t support. A UNO poll in 2015 put his approval rating at 20-percent.

Pinsonat says Jindal had a remarkable rise but more remarkable was his exit from politics.

Cut 5  (12) “…boy of politics.”

Jindal has stayed out of the public eye since he left the governor’s office in 2016. Pinsonat says considering his age, it’s still possible he could make a political return

Cut 6 (11) “…a factor in.”

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It’s the final day of the legislative session and state lawmakers are expected to pass a tax reform package that will result in lower individual income tax rates, but eliminate the ability to deduct federal income taxes paid. Council for a Better Louisiana President Barry Erwin says the lower income tax rates could help attract businesses

Cut 7 (09) “…the country.”

The House has approved the tax swap plan, the Senate is expected to do it today and then it will go before voters in the fall.

Erwin says the 2021 session will also be remembered for the change in attitudes regarding marijuana. Erwin says while legislation to legalize recreational marijuana did not pass, legislators approved a bill that takes jail time away as a punishment for those caught with a small quantity of pot…

Cut 8 (06) “…anytime soon.”

In the budget, there’s money for teacher pay raises, TOPS is fully funded and there are also more dollars for Go Grants which will help students from moderate to low-income families attend college. Erwin says it’s the largest investment in higher education in more than a decade

Cut 9 (09) “…step forward.” 

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Attorney General Jeff Landry’s lawsuit against President Biden and other government officials will be heard at the Federal courthouse in Lafayette today. Landry says the Biden administration cannot legally halt all lease sales on public lands and it is impacting the cost of fuel.

Cut 10 (11) “…Americans.”

Louisiana along with 12 other states are suing the President for acting beyond the scope of his authority by directing government agencies to stop all lease sales for public lands thus halting all future oil and gas exploration.

Landry says he feels confident about the case.

Cut 11 (08) “…issues.”

Landry says while the administration might try to argue their actions are a temporary pause nothing suggests that the pause is only temporary. Having the case heard by a judge in an oil and gas state, Landry says is much more appropriate versus somewhere else.

Cut 12 (10) “…of Mexico.”

On Wednesday developer of the Keystone XL Pipeline announced the cancellation of the project to carry oil from Canada into the U-S due to the Biden administration’s withdrawal of their permit.

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The FDA approved the first new medication in almost 20 years for the treatment of Alzheimer’s. but Dr Jeffrey Keller with the LSU Pennington Biomedical Institute on Dementia Research and Prevention says Aducanumab (add-yoo-CAN-yoo-mab) was approved even though an advisory committee deemed otherwise.

Cut 13 (11) “…a treatment.”

Aducanumab (add-yoo-CAN-yoo-mab) is a monthly intravenous treatment intended to slow cognitive decline in those with mild memory and thinking problems.  Keller says the growing prevalence of Alzheimer’s put added pressure on the FDA to approve the drug.

Cut 14 (07) “…to happen.”

But Keller says there are several clinical trials that he believes will offer hope in the treatment of Alzheimer’s, some of those trials are underway at Pennington Biomedical.

Cut 15 (08)“…effective for.”

The list price for the medication is $56,000 annually and it is still to be determined if insurers will cover the drug.

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Louisiana Tech suffered an early exit from postseason play after failing to win the Ruston regional.  Even though the Bulldogs did not advance, Tech coach Lane Burroughs says it was good for his team to feel what it’s like to host in the postseason.

Cut 16 (14) “…taste of it.”

Burroughs says the fan support this season was great and he’s experienced first-hand what a good season can do for a smaller program.

Cut 17 (16) …part of that.” 

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The LSU baseball will make its second trip to Rocky Top when they face Tennessee in the super regionals. Game one is set for Saturday night in Knoxville. In late March, the Volunteers swept the Tigers, outscoring LSU by four runs. Coach Paul Mainieri says both teams benefited from that hard-fought series

Cut  18 (16)”..for us.”

LSU won four straight elimination games to advance to the super regionals and they won their first NCAA Regional on the road since 1989. Left fielder Gavin Dugas says his teammates understand the significance of the accomplishment….

Cut 19 (14) “…lives.” 

LSU has a 12-and-7 record on the road and they’ve won four road SEC series. Drew Bianco says they’ve nicknamed themselves the Road Dogs…

Cut 20 (27)  “…next weekend.” 

The legislative session ends on Thursday at 6 PM and state lawmakers are expected to pass a tax reform package that will result in lower individual income tax rates, but eliminate the ability to deduct federal income taxes paid. Council for a Better Louisiana President Barry Erwin says the lower income tax rates could help attract businesses
Cut 7 (09) “…the country.”
The House has approved the tax swap plan, still needs Senate approval and then it will go before voters in the fall.

A bill that raises the legal age to vape, smoke, or use any tobacco or nicotine product in Louisiana from 18 to 21 is headed to the governor’s desk. Louisiana Campaign for Tobacco-Free Living Associate Director Shawna Shields says the goal is to deter young people from smoking at a young age.
Cut 30 (10) “…and under”
Denham Springs Representative Buddy Mincey authored the legislation after local school officials told him about the rampant use of vaping on school campuses.

The legislative instrument that will result in teachers getting an 800-dollar a year pay raise and school support workers seeing their salary go up 400-dollars has received final legislative approval. Jim Shannon has the story…
Cut 2 (30) …I’m Jim Shannon”

A heated discussion on the House floor led to two state representatives having to be separated. Shreveport Representative Alan Seabaugh told a Baton Rouge TV station he was explaining to Bogalusa Representative Malinda White why he was opposing her domestic violence bill when he says White threatened him. The House Speaker was to talk with both legislators about the incident.

Senator Bill Cassidy is calling for an end to enhanced federal unemployment benefits so more people will return to the workforce. The enhanced benefit is set to end in September, but several states including Mississippi have made a decision to no longer give out the extra 300-dollars. Cassidy believes Governor Edwards should do the same…

Cut 8 (8) “…let’s get back to work” 

Governor Edwards requested a study on the matter and will decide after he reviews the report.

In three weeks, landlords can file for the eviction of tenants who have failed to pay rent. As the deadline lingers New Orleans First City Clerk of Court, Austin Badon, says they expect to see an influx of abandoned rentals.

Cut 11 (07) “…go move.”

According to the Louisiana Fair Housing Action Center tenants are still responsible for the entirety of the rent owed and landlords can begin collecting rent on July 1^st.

Financial assistance is available to help pay late fees or past-due utility bills. Cleco spokesperson Fran Phoenix says residents in Caddo, Calcasieu, East Baton Rouge, Jefferson, Lafayette, Orleans and St. Tammany Parishes should contact their parish government about how to apply for this money.

Cut 14 (10) “….state program” 

Other parishes should go to L-A-State-rent-dot-com for assistance.

Parents in Louisiana can enroll their children in free 20-day-long virtual math courses that apply as credit toward their high school transcripts. Senior VP at K-12 Stride Darren Reed says two out of three parents are looking for summer learning opportunities and Stride offers 20-day Algebra one, two, and Geometry classes…

Cut 3 (8) “…suffered the most”

Those interested can visit k12.com to sign up.

The legislative instrument that will result in teachers getting an 800-dollar and school support workers 400-dollars has received final legislative approval.

Cut 2 (30) …I’m Jim Shannon”  

Two Louisiana State troopers were terminated on Friday, months after both were arrested and accused of using excessive force against Black suspects. Dakota DeMoss and George Harper had been on leave pending an internal investigation, DeMoss was also involved in the arrest of Ronald Greene, the black man who died while in police custody in 2019.

In three weeks, landlords can file for the eviction of tenants who have failed to pay rent. A moratorium on evictions began last year during the onset of the pandemic and has been extended numerous times. However New Orleans First City Clerk of Court, Austin Badon, who oversees evections says some landlords have seen their tenants who have failed to pay out at casinos and even driving new cars. He says property owners are fed up.

Cut 10 (03) “…to happen.”

According to the Louisiana Fair Housing Action Center tenants are still responsible for the entirety of the rent owed and landlords can begin collecting rent on July 1^st.

Cleco says assistance is available to help customers pay late fees or past-due utility bills. For more information go to L-A-State-rent-dot-com. Cleco spokesperson Fran Pheonix says the assistance is not exclusive to Cleco customers…

Cut 13 (08) “…water and gas.”

The money comes from the federal government’s emergency rental assistance program.

In three weeks, landlords can begin filing for the eviction of tenants for nonpayment. Brooke Thorington talks to the person in charge of evictions in the state’s largest city.
Cut 1 (31) “ …I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Meanwhile, Senator Bill Cassidy says it’s time to end the extra 300-dollars in federal money unemployed individuals are receiving. Cassidy says there are thousands who are not motivated to find a job because of the enhancement…
cut 8 (08) “….let’s get back to work”

K-12 Stride is offering free Algebra and geometry classes to help students catch up from the learning loss that occurred during the pandemic. Senior V-P at K-12 Stride Darren Reed says the 20-day virtual classes can also help students connect with industry experts…
cut 5 (12) “…high school”
Those interested can visit k12.com to sign up.

Cleco says assistance is available for those having trouble paying late fees or past-due and current utility bills. Cleco spokesperson Fran Pheonix says the money comes from the federal government’s emergency rental assistance program, which was designed to help those struggling to pay rent, but the program has been expanded….
cut 12 (12) “…in generaL
For more information go to L-A-State-rent-dot-com.