It’s Memorial Day, a day to pay respects to those who’ve died while serving in the US military.  Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Joey Strickland says they will be holding ceremonies at the state’s five veterans’ cemeteries and honor the more than 8,800 veterans interred there….:

CUT 03(09)      “…be honored.”

Strickland is himself a veteran of the war in Vietnam.

Perhaps your Memorial Day plan includes a going out on the water? The Department of Wildlife & Fisheries urges you to remain safe and responsible, so nothing bad happens to you and yours today. LDWF’s Adam Einck says have life jackets available for every passenger in the boat…and be prepared for waterways to be crowded…:

CUT 06  (12)        “…waterways.”

Stay sober if you’re piloting. DWI laws for drivers also apply to boaters.

A tentative deal has been reached between House Republicans and the White House to raise the federal debt ceiling and avoid government default. At the center of the negotiations was Baton Rouge Congressman Garret Graves. LSU political science professor Robert Hogan says Graves has qualities that make his presence welcome at the negotiating table…and he obviously has the trust of House Speaker Kevin McCarthy…:

CUT 10(12)      “…are very high.”

Hogan expects we’ll ALL be seeing more of Graves on the national political stage.

During a gathering on Saturday, dozens of Louisiana churches were approved to disaffiliate from the United Methodist Church. Ninety-five churches in fact. The split is over same-sex marriages (which are legal in the U.S.) and LGBT people behind the pulpit. UMC Bishop Delores Williamston says they wish the departing churches (quote) “success in whatever God is calling them to do.”

One thing became apparent during the recent federal debt ceiling debate between Congress and the White House: Louisiana District 6 Congressman Garret Graves has emerged as a top negotiator in those budget talks. LSU political science professor Robert Hogan says he is somewhat surprised to see Graves in the middle of such critical negotiations, given his congressional background…:

CUT 09(08)      “…financial committee.”

Hogan says Graves is conservative enough for hard line GOP but many Democrats like him too, and he has the trust of House Speaker Kevin McCarthy. With Graves’ help, a tentative deal to avoid federal government default was reached over the weekend.

Memorial Day means cookouts and plenty of you will be grilling up delicious beef. John Thompson, with the Louisiana Beef Industry Council, beef is what’s for dinner today…:

CUT 12(06)      “…a bit more beef.”

The Coast Guard has called off the search for 18-year-old Cameron Robbins, the Baton Rouge teen who went overboard during a sunset cruise in the Bahamas last week. Robbins reportedly jumped over the rail into water less than 20-feet deep.

It’s Memorial Day and the Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs is holding ceremonies across the state at V.A. cemeteries. Brooke Thorington has more…:

CUT 01(31)      “…Thorington.”

It’s Memorial Day and the Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs is holding ceremonies across the state at V.A. cemeteries. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (31)  “…Brooke Thorington.”

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Right in the middle of negotiations in D.C. on raising the federal debt ceiling sits Louisiana District 6 Congressman Garret Graves. Is he the next power player on Capitol Hill? Kevin Gallagher reports…:

Cut 2 (31)  “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

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It’s Memorial Day, a day to pay respects to those who’ve died while serving in the US military.  Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Joey Strickland says they will be holding ceremonies at the state’s five veterans’ cemeteries and honor the more than 8,800 veterans interred there.

Cut 3 (09)  “….be honored.”

Strickland says he recently shared with a family member of a Vietnam vet his own experience at that time when so many were lost in battle.

Cut 4 (08)  “…in my arms.’”

While the holiday is often celebrated with cookouts and fireworks, Strickland reminds residents to take a moment during their gathering to say a prayer and remember the true meaning of the day.

Cut 5 (10)   “…ultimate sacrifice”

At the five veterans’ cemeteries in Louisiana, Strickland says they will also honor those who passed away after they completed their military service.

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Boating season is underway and the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries reminds boaters to be safe, responsible, and knowledgeable while on the water this summer. LDWF Spokesperson Adam Einck says boaters should expect waterways to be crowded today.

Cut 6 (12)  “…waterways.”

Einck says in 2022, Louisiana reported 29 boating fatalities of which 22 were not wearing a life jacket.

Cut 7 (13) “…that difference”

So far this year, there have been four boating fatalities.

Einck says alcohol use is one of the leading causes of boating crashes…

Cut 8 (13) “…buckled up.”

LDWF also wants to remind anybody born after Jan. 1, 1984 that they must take a NASBLA-approved boater safety education course. Since the course’s inception in 2003, over 140,000 boaters have been certified in Louisiana.

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One thing became apparent during the recent federal debt ceiling debate between Congress and the White House: Louisiana District 6 Congressman Garret Graves has emerged as a top negotiator in those budget talks. LSU political science professor Robert Hogan says he is somewhat surprised to see Graves in the middle of such critical negotiations, given his congressional background…:

Cut 9 (08)  “…financial committee.”

Graves has been involved in discussions on raising the federal debt ceiling, and whether to cut spending (as the GOP wants) or fund some white House and Democrat priorities. Hogan says the Baton Rouge congressman has qualities that make his presence welcome at the negotiating table…and he obviously has the trust of House speaker Kevin McCarthy…:

Cut 10 (12) “…are very high. ” 

Hogan characterizes Graves as legitimately conservative, but moderate enough for many Democrat members of Congress to feel comfortable with…:

Cut 11 (12)  “…party have said.”

Meanwhile Graves continues to negotiate, as a new deadline of June 5^th looms for resolving the issues of spending and raising the debt ceiling.

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The Memorial Day holiday means plenty of Louisianans will be firing up the grill today. John Thompson, with the Louisiana Beef Industry Council, says make room on your grill for what everybody wants: steaks, burgers and beef ribs…:

Cut 12 (06)    “…bit more beef.” 

Beef prices are up considerably over the past several months, but Thompson says market conditions make the price increases unavoidable for cattlemen…:

Cut 13 (07) “…for our calves.”  

Thompson says the U.S. beef cattle herd is the smallest it has been in decades, and that is also driving market prices. However, he says you should be able to find quality cuts for your Memorial Day cookout with ease…:

Cut 14 (03)  “…in the stores.”

Ground beef is an average $4.89 a pound…brisket over $15.00 a pound…ribeyes are averaging over $18.00 a pound.

State lawmakers have approved the 2023 coastal master plan, which is the state’s vision for the long-term sustainability of south Louisiana. Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority chairman Chip Kline says the plan was developed utilizing the best available science and engineering, as well as public input..:

CUT 09(10)      “…master plan”

Kline says one-point-six billion dollars will be used to fund 147 projects across the coast.

St Martin Parish state Senator Fred Mills answers criticism for his against-party-lines vote that killed a bill banning transgender medical procedures for minors. Those would include surgeries and hormonal treatments. He says the bill is needlessly harsh on doctors who may perform such treatments..:

CUT 04(05)      “…like that.”

He considers the bill government overreach.

A bill that would punish bar owners who serve booze to minors, and that minor then goes and gets hurt or hurts someone else, deadlocked in a House Committee…which likely kills its forward progress. This despite an impassioned pleas from Ashley Baustert, mother of 19-year-old LSU coed Madison Brooks – who died in January after being overserved in a Baton Rouge bar…:

CUT 07(11)      “…in place.”

Brooks was allegedly raped, then left on the side of a dark highway…where she was hit by a traffic and killed. The bill deadlocked with a 6-6 vote. It could be re-visited, but with 2 weeks remaining in the session that seems unlikely.

Monday is Memorial Day. Once called Decoration Day, it was originally intended as a day to tidy up and decorate the graves of those who died in foreign wars. As you enjoy the day, remember: it’s not about thanking those serving, or those who served and came home. It’s about those who did not come home alive.

Legislation in response to the death of 19-year-old LSU student Madison Brooks fails to get out of the House Judiciary Committee. The Senate approved bill would hold bars liable if an underage person consumes alcohol at their establishment and then injures themselves or others. Shreveport Representative Alan Seabaugh voted against the measure because it protects a person who breaks the law…:

CUT 06(13)      “…with that.”

Madison Brooks’ mother testified; begging the committee to pass the bill, but the vote deadlocked on a 6-6 vote. It can be brought up again, but with so little time left in the session that seems unlikely.

President Biden greeted the National Champ LSU Lady Tigers yesterday. He kids head coach Kim Mulkey about this being her 5^th White House visit…:

CUT 12(12)      (laughter)

St. Martin Parish Senator Fred Mills received widespread criticism from members of his own party, when he voted against a bill to ban gender transition procedures for minors. Brooke Thorington has more…:

CUT 01(33)      “…Thorington.”

The family of the woman who died of hypothermia after getting locked in the freezer of a New Iberia Arby’s restaurant where she worked is suing the parent company, Turbo Restaurants Inc. Lawyers for Nguyet Le’s relatives say the lock/latch on the walk-in freezer had been broken for months and no one took the time to get it fixed. So far no comment from Arby’s or Turbo.

State Senator Fred Mills answers back to criticism he’s taking for voting to kill a bill that would have banned gender reassignment procedures for minors in Louisiana. The bill had passed the full House, but the St. Martin Parish Republican senator’s “no” vote in the Senate Health & Welfare Committee this week ended its momentum. Mills, who is a pharmacist, says the legislation restricted a physician from prescribing certain FDA-approved hormonal medications…:

CUT 03(09)      “…to me.”

He says he voted his conscience; not his party. Some GOP members are seeking to call the bill out of committee for a floor vote anyway.

DOTD says they will invest a little over $110-million in repairs and improvements to Interstate 20 in parts of Shreveport and Bossier City. The project will repave all lanes from Industrial drive to Benton Road; including the on and off ramps. Work should get underway late this fall.

A Senate-approved bill in response to the death of LSU student Madison Brooks in January fails to get approval from the House Judiciary Committee. Jeff Palermo has more…:

CUT 02(36)      “…Palermo.”

Louisiana lawmakers have reached a tentative agreement to give public school teachers and other school staff a $2,000 and $1,000 annual raise. The budget bill came out of the House with NO pay raises included. This is seen by many as a big win for educators and staff. The raises will be amended into the budget bill in the Senate.

Republican Senator Fred Mills from St. Martin Parish says he has no regrets about voting against a bill to ban gender-affirming care for transgender youth despite the criticism he’s receiving from conservatives. The pharmacist says the legislation restricted a physician from prescribing certain FDA-approved hormonal medications.

Cut 3 (09) “…to me.”
The bill failed in Senate Health and Welfare when Mills sided with Democrats on the committee and voted against the bill to break a tie.

State lawmakers have approved the 2023 coastal master plan, which is the state’s vision for the long-term sustainability of south Louisiana. Chairman of the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority, Chip Kline, says the plan was developed utilizing the best available science and engineering, as well as public input…:

CUT 09(10)      “…master plan.”

Legislation in response to the death of 19-year-old LSU student Madison Brooks fails to get out of the House Judiciary Committee. The Senate-approved bill would hold bars liable if an underage person consumes alcohol at their establishment and then injures themselves or others. Shreveport Representative Alan Seabaugh voted against the measure because it protects a person who breaks the law…:

CUT 06  (13)        “…with that.”

Brooks’ mother, pleaded with the committee to pass the bill…:

CUT 07  (11)        “…in place.”

House Judiciary deadlocked with a 6 to 6 vote. The panel could still take up the measure again. But with less than two weeks left in the session that seems unlikely.