For Memorial Day, Louisiana honors the over 11,000 service men and women who paid the ultimate sacrifice. Matt Doyle has more.
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The first major attempt to pass a tax bill to plug a portion of the state budget gap comes up a few votes short and the House is expected to try again today. Michael Farrar has more.
Cut 2 (30) ” I’m Michael Farrar”
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The nation observes its 47th federally recognized Memorial Day today. The tradition memorializes those who died while serving in the US Military. Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs spokesperson Alex Juan is asking people to keep in mind what that means for Gold Star Families who have lost a loved one in service to the country.
Hundreds of thousands of service men and women have died since 1776, and Juan says if you haven’t had a chance to honor one of them at a veteran’s cemetery, today is the day to do it.
Baton Rouge is hosting a large scale tribute this morning to the tens of thousands from Louisiana who have died serving in the armed forces. It’s called Hero Hump, a six mile ruck run from the LSU Memorial Tower to the Capital Gardens. Juan says it’s a great opportunity to honor the fallen.
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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention wants to remind folks who are gearing up for some summer pool time that if you’re not careful, you can pick up a pretty nasty bug from a pool that hasn’t been treated properly. Chief of the CDC Health Swimming Program Michele Hlavsa. (Hill-lav-sa)
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In particular, Hlavsa says there’s one spot that seems to be teeming with with nasty bacteria that could ruin a vacation, and that’s a hotel pool.
For those who have their own pools, Hlavsa says before bringing the family over for a summer swim and grill, you need to check your water and make sure it’s clean enough to swim in.
Cut 8 (12) “test strips”
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GOP House Caucus Chairman Lance Harris’ tax bill that would fill 360 of the state’s 648 million dollar budget shortfall is expected to come up for a vote today after falling seven votes short on Friday. The proposal would renew a third of the expiring penny sales tax, and eliminate some sales tax breaks. Political Analyst Bernie Pinsonat says the weekend gave lawmakers a chance to discuss options…
Pinsonat says Harris’ bill was a long shot to pass on Friday. He says at least now everyone knows where each legislator stands on this particular bill.
It won’t just be Republicans who are scrambling to build a consensus. The Democratic Black Caucus has been firmly against any renewal of the expiring penny sales tax. Pinsonat says to reach the 70 votes needed for any tax bill, the Black Caucus will have to be on board.
The House convenes at 2 PM.
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Northwestern State is heading to the NCAA Baseball Tournament for the fourth time in program history after the school won its first ever Southland Conference Tournament. The Demons beat UNO on Saturday night in Sugar Land, Texas to receive an automatic bid. Second-year head coach Bobby Barbier on the huge accomplishment…
David Fry hit a tie-breaking home run in the seventh-inning. Barbier says Fry has been their leader all season….
The LSU baseball team will also be in the NCAA Tournament as a result of its remarkable run in the SEC Tournament, which ended with a loss to Ole Miss in the championship game. Tiger Rag Associate Editor James Moran says LSU’s pitching was not very good in regular season conference play, but outside of Sunday, it was great in Hoover…
Even though the Tigers beat some of the best teams in the country in Hoover, Alabama, it’s not enough for LSU to host a regional, so they will be on the road next weekend. And Moran says they will be a very confident team…