Governor Landry says teachers will indeed be getting a stipend for next school year, one way or another. At a news conference this morning, Landry also announced the formation of a bipartisan MFP permanent pay raise task force.

Cut 10 (13) “…raise or not.” 

Senate President Cameron Henry says he and House Speaker Phillip DeVillier will introduce a Senate Concurrent Resolution to study and develop a new MFP formula.

At the SEC Spring Meetings, Commissioner Greg Sankey said the league will not take a firm stance this week on expanding the College Football Playoff from 12 to 24 teams. Sankey says his position has not wavered, in that he prefers an expansion to 16 teams and not 24 teams.

Cut 7 (12) “…moving forward.”

Which college campus in Louisiana is ranked the best? For the answer, here’s Joe Gallinaro.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Joe Gallinaro.”

We’re still awaiting additional details on a mass shooting in Thibodaux late Sunday night, in which seven people were shot outside a nightclub. None of their injuries are life-threatening. Several other people were injured as they were running from the scene. At this time, it’s unclear what, if anything, led to the shooting.

A news conference is getting underway in Baton Rouge, in which Governor Landry and legislative leaders are announcing a plan to extend a stipend to teachers. Lawmakers have been scrambling for ways to come up with the money following the failure of Amendment Three earlier this month.

All this comes as lawmakers work to cram in as many things as they can in the final week of the legislative session.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.” 

A bill that would make prostate cancer screening free for high-risk men is now awaiting Governor Landry’s signature. Alice Kline, the Louisiana government relations director at the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, says when prostate cancer is found earlier, it is much more treatable.

Cut 12 (07) “…will go down.”

Which college campus is ranked number one in Louisiana? According to the college search website Niche (“nish”), that honor goes to Southeastern Louisiana University. The website especially noted the quality and affordability of Southeastern’s on-campus dining. President Dr. William Wainwright says it’s an honor the entire school can be proud of.

Cut 3 (11) “…the appropriate technologies.”

Southeastern was also recognized for its housing, diversity and social scene.

One week to go in the legislative session. Jeff Palermo has more on what will likely be a busy final week.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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The SEC spring meetings kick off today, and doubling the size of the College Football Playoff will be a major topic. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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There may be hope for an extension of the teacher stipend after all. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 3 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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There’s one more week left in the legislative session. The two biggest pieces of legislation that have yet to receive final legislative approval are a new congressional map and the budget. LaPolitics-dot-com publisher Jeremy Alford says the Senate has had to make changes to the state’s spending plan.

Cut 4 (06) “…was supposed to.”

The full Senate is expected to vote on a budget proposal today, and the upper chamber will likely not go along with the governor’s request to double the funding for the state’s voucher program, known as LA GATOR.

Alford says, besides the budget and redistricting, there are several other pieces of legislation that lawmakers would like to send to the governor’s desk before the legislative session ends on June 1st.

Cut 5 (07) “…and tort reform.”

Teacher pay is also a big issue in the final days of the session. Educators could see their salaries reduced by two-thousand dollars because Constitutional Amendment 3 did not pass on May 16th. Alford says legislative leaders are not feeling pressure from the public to keep paying a two-thousand dollar stipend.

Cut 6 (08) “…in the legislature.”

But yesterday afternoon, Governor Landry announced an 11:30 a-m press conference with Senate President Cameron Henry and House Speaker Phillip DeVillier. The governor’s office says the press conference will discuss a teacher pay raise. Details are unknown.

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The future of the College Football Playoff will be one of the main topics as the SEC spring meetings get underway today in Destin, Florida. The Big Ten, ACC and Big 12 want the College Football Playoff expanded from 12 to 24 teams starting in 2027, but USA Today national college football writer Matt Hayes says SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey is only willing to expand to 16 teams.

Cut 7 (07) “…end of story.”

A CBS Sports survey shows SEC coaches and athletic directors are split on a 24-team college football playoff format. Georgia’s Kirby Smart and Tennessee’s Josh Heupel are two coaches who have publicly supported the idea of 24-team playoff. Kirby has said it would be good for the fans.

Hayes says on major issues, the SEC is usually 100-percent for it or against it, but Sankey might have a hard time getting unanimous support on this issue.

Cut 8 (08) “…with the troops.”

The Big Ten believes it has leverage, since teams from their league have won the last three national championships. But Hayes says the SEC can make the argument their league has the much higher TV viewership, and a 24-team playoff will only hurt the regular season.

Cut 9 (09)  “…chasm between them.”

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Men at high risk for prostate cancer will soon have far fewer barriers to get prostate cancer screenings. A bill that would eliminate cost sharing for prostate cancer screening for high-risk men is now awaiting Governor Landry’s signature after unanimously passing in both the House and the Senate. Alice Kline, the Louisiana government relations director at the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, says this will make it a lot easier for those men to get those life-saving screenings.

Cut 10 (11) “…with that screening.”

Kline says prostate cancer is a major concern among men, particularly over the age of 50.

Cut 11 (09) “…from the disease.”

Kline says when prostate cancer is found earlier, it is much more treatable.

Cut 12 (07) “…will go down.”

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There may be hope for an extension of the teacher stipend. Governor Landry and legislative leaders will be holding a news conference about a potential extension of the stipend, scheduled for 11:30 this morning. D’Shay Oaks, the president of the Louisiana Federation of Educators, says given how teachers have led student progress, the legislature should reward them accordingly.

Cut 13 (07)  “…the stipend statewide.”

Oaks says if the legislature does not come through, she hopes other entities will pick up the slack – especially since teachers are not employed by the state, but rather by their local school districts.

Cut 14 (11) “…local school districts.”

Oaks says taking away the stipend could have devastating effects for those teachers.

Cut 15 (10) “…from their family.”

The full Senate is expected to take up the budget today, during which they could rearrange some items to make room for an extension of the teacher stipend.

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A year after finishing with a losing record, U-L Lafayette is back in the NCAA Tournament for the fourth time in the last five years. The Cajuns secured their spot in a Regional by winning five games in six days, at two different ballparks, at the rain-soaked Sun Belt Tournament. Coach Matt Deggs says he’s been impressed with the determination of this team.

Cut 16 (13) “…that’s the expectation.”

U-L Lafayette is the three seed in the Starkville Regional and will play second-seeded Cincinnati Friday night. Mississippi State is the host school, and the Bulldogs face Lipscomb Friday afternoon. Deggs expects a lot of U-L fans in Starkville to cheer on the Cajuns.

Cut 17 (16) “…for a reason.”

Deggs says Mississippi State’s home ballpark is one of the best in college baseball.

Cut 18 (13) “…a great Regional.”

There’s one more week left in the legislative session. The two biggest pieces of legislation that have yet to receive final legislative approval are a new congressional map and the budget. LaPolitics-dot-com publisher Jeremy Alford says the Senate has had to make changes to the state’s spending plan.

Cut 4 (06) “…was supposed to.”

The full Senate is expected to vote on a budget proposal today, and the upper chamber will likely not go along with the governor’s request to double the funding for the state’s voucher program, known as LA GATOR.

Alford says besides the budget and redistricting, there are several other pieces of legislation that lawmakers would like to send to the governor’s desk before the legislative session must end on June 1st.

Cut 5 (07) “…and tort reform.”

Teacher pay is also a big issue in the final days of the session. Educators could see their salary reduced by two-thousand dollars because Constitutional Amendment 3 did not pass on May 16th. D’Shay Oaks, the president of the Louisiana Federation of Educators, says taking away that stipend could have devastating effects for those teachers.

Cut 15 (10) “…from their family.”

There may be hope. Governor Landry, Senate President Cameron Henry and House Speaker Phillip DeVillier will be holding a news conference about a potential teacher pay raise plan this morning.

A bill that would make prostate cancer screening free for high-risk men is now awaiting Governor Landry’s signature. Alice Kline, the Louisiana government relations director at the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, says this will make it a lot easier for those men to get those life-saving screenings.

Cut 10 (11) “…with that screening.”

A bill to give the Republican and Democratic parties in Louisiana the option to exclude “no party” voters from their closed party primary elections is one Senate vote from landing on Governor Landry’s desk. Secretary of State Nancy Landry says while she does not have a position on this bill, she understands the logic behind it.

Cut 14 (12) “…party.”

Also one Senate vote from the governor’s desk – a bill that would designate Shreveport as the Stuffed Shrimp Capital of Louisiana. The bill’s author, Shreveport Representative Joy Walters, says the history of stuffed shrimp in Shreveport dates back to the 1950s and 60s…

Cut 8 (09) “…dish.”

Today is Memorial Day, a day when we pause to pay tribute to the men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice to defend our freedom. Louisiana Veterans Affairs Secretary Charlton Meginley says he recently spent time with Gold Star families in Louisiana at an event, in which three of them shared their heartbreaking stories.

Cut 4 (10) “…course their recovery.”

Willis Knighton Health in Shreveport is the first health organization in the region to offer a new non-invasive liver cancer treatment. Dr. Gazi Zibari, the director of the Willis Knighton Advanced Surgery Center, says this technology is currently approved for treatment of liver cancer, but it might not be too far in the future that it could be used to treat other forms of cancer.

Cut 11 (11) “…here to stay.”

“No Party” voters are allowed to vote in either the Republican or Democratic party primaries, but that might not be the case in the future. There’s a bill that’s close to final legislative passage that will allow each party to decide whether registered “No Party” voters can vote in their primaries. Baton Rouge Senator Regina Barrow opposes the idea…

Cut 12 (13) “…paying taxes.”

…but New Iberia Senator Blake Miguez does not.

Cut 13 (07)  “…primary system.”

According to Ballotpedia, the Republican Party in 23 states and the Democratic Party in 17 states shut “no party” voters out of their primaries. The current system caused a great deal of confusion at some polling places in the primaries earlier this month.

A bill that would designate Shreveport as the Stuffed Shrimp Capital of Louisiana is one Senate vote away from heading to Governor Landry’s desk. Houma Senator Mike Fesi supports the legislation as long as shrimp from the Gulf is used by restaurants in Shreveport.

Cut 7 (11) “…their menus”

Shreveport is also home to the first health organization in north Louisiana to offer a breakthrough liver cancer treatment. It was performed by Dr. Gazi Zibari, the director of the Willis Knighton Advanced Surgery Center. He says it’s a robotic histotripsy (HISS-to-trip-sy), which is a non-thermal, non-invasive ultrasound-based ablative therapy that destroys tissue through focused cavitation.

Cut 9 (09)  “…the tumor microenvironment.”

Today is Memorial Day, and Louisiana Veterans Affairs Secretary Charlton Meginley says it’s a day which people often get confused with other holidays geared towards the military.

Cut 3 (10) “…has cost us.”

Several events throughout the state marked the occasion, paying tribute to those who made the ultimate sacrifice in protecting our freedoms.

Willis Knighton Health in Shreveport is the first health organization in the region to offer a breakthrough liver cancer treatment. It was performed by Dr. Gazi Zibari, the director of the Willis Knighton Advanced Surgery Center. He says  this new technology allows for this treatment to be done on an outpatient basis – no need for the patient to be admitted for days.

Cut 10 (06) “…it’s ultrasound-focused.”

Dr. Zibari says trials are underway to use this technology for treatment of other forms of cancer.

Legislation is nearing final passage that would allow political parties to decide if they want “No Party” voters to vote in their primaries. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

The Ragin Cajuns are the lone representative from Louisiana to make the 64-team NCAA baseball tournament. U-L Lafayette is headed to the Starkville Regional. The Cajuns are the three-seed in the Regional and will play Cincinnati on Friday night at 6 p-m. The Cajuns are one of five Sun Belt teams in the NCAA baseball tournament.

“No Party” voters are allowed to vote in either the Republican or Democratic party primaries, but that might not be the case in the future. There’s a bill that’s close to final legislative passage that will allow each party to decide whether registered “No Party” voters can vote in their primaries. Baton Rouge Senator Regina Barrow opposes the idea…

Cut 12 (13) “…paying taxes.”

…but New Iberia Senator Blake Miguez does not.

Cut 13 (07)  “…primary system.”

According to Ballotpedia, the Republican Party in 23 states and the Democratic Party in 17 states shut “no party” voters out of their primaries. Secretary of State Nancy Landry says while she does not have a position on this bill, she understands the logic behind it.

Cut 14 (12) “…party”

Landry says her office needs some type of resolution before the 2028 Presidential primary, because the state does not want different types of primaries on a single ballot.

A bill that would designate Shreveport as the Stuffed Shrimp Capital of Louisiana is one Senate vote away from landing on Governor Landry’s desk. The bill’s author, Shreveport Representative Joy Walters, was asked in Senate Governmental Affairs how you cook stuffed shrimp.

Cut 6 (12) “…deep fried.”

Walters says two popular restaurants in Shreveport are known for their stuffed shrimp – Eddie’s Seafood and Soulfood, and Orlandeaux’s Café.

When you’re enjoying this holiday weekend, make sure you bring your umbrella, because it’s going to be a wet one. In fact, some areas could see as much as 15 inches of rain over the next seven days! Chanelle Stigger, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Lake Charles, says a stationary frontal system over the Southern Plains is helping to produce all of this rain.

Cut 10 (11) “…continuation of moisture”

On the roadways, Memorial Day weekend can only mean one thing – Click It Or Ticket! Greg Fischer with the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission says statistics show that not wearing your seatbelt has deadly consequences.

Cut 8 (10) “…not buckled up.”

If you get pulled over for not wearing your seatbelt, the consequence is a 50-dollar fine.

A memorial service takes place Saturday in Lake Charles for hall of fame football coach Bobby Keasler. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Louisiana Tech has played its last Conference USA game ever – a 6-0 loss to Liberty in the conference baseball tournament. Tech finished with a 33-25 record, and Coach Lane Burroughs says they have to be better as the Dogs move to the Sun Belt next year.

This Memorial Day weekend is going to be a wet one. Chanelle Stigger, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Lake Charles, says rain chances are higher tomorrow and Sunday, and they drop off for Monday – just in time for your backyard barbecue. She says the clouds and rain will ultimately make it more comfortable to be outside once it does dry out.

Cut 11 (08) “…actually near average.”

If you’re looking for a way to celebrate Memorial Day or graduation, how about with one of Louisiana’s most famous delicacies? Laney King, the co-founder of The Crawfish App, says crawfish prices this holiday weekend are averaging $2.99 a pound for live crawfish and $5.50 a pound for boiled crawfish.

Cut 3 (07) “…in the season.”

King says get them while you can – this is likely the last weekend you’ll be able to enjoy crawfish this year.

Memorial Day weekend means another Click It Or Ticket enforcement operation on Louisiana’s roadways. Greg Fischer with the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission says if avoiding the 50-dollar ticket isn’t enough of an incentive for you to wear your seatbelt, being able to survive a crash should be.

Cut 7 (09) “…a serious crash.”

A memorial service takes place tomorrow for a McNeese State legend. Family, former players, friends, and Cowboy fans will pay their final respects to Bobby Keasler, who died earlier this month at the age of 80. McNeese Sports Information Director Matthew Bonnette says Keasler turned the McNeese football program into a winner after some lean years.

Cut 12 (12) “…what he’s done.”