It’s Memorial Day weekend, and Triple-A is projecting a busy one. Sean Richardson reports.

Cut 2 (29) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

On the heels of a 139-million-dollar increase in available funds for fiscal year 2026, an effort is now underway to restore 30-million dollars for high-dosage tutoring. Barry Erwin with Leaders for a Better Louisiana says it’s important for student success.

Cut 5 (07) “…those results continue.”

As LSU continues its march towards Omaha and the College World Series, two Louisiana teams will be competing in the NAIA World Series, which starts today in Lewiston, Idaho. The big story has been LSU Shreveport – 54 games, 54 wins. That’s the longest winning streak in all levels of college baseball among four-year schools. The Pilots take on Grand View, out of Iowa, at 11:30 this morning. Head Coach Brad Neffendorf says the way to beat them is not to worry about their opponent’s game, but rather to play their own game.

Cut 11 (07) “…done all year.”

Loyola New Orleans, meanwhile, is in the NAIA World Series for the first time in program history and is the eighth seed. They face Tennessee Wesleyan at three this afternoon, and Coach Jeremy Kennedy says his team will have its work cut out for itself.

Cut 12 (06) “…juggernaut as well.”

Memorial Day weekend is here! And more than 45-million Americans will be heading out of town. Don Redman with Triple-A says the vast majority will be traveling by car, with gas prices 45 cents cheaper than last year. He says, however, that gas prices alone usually don’t determine whether people travel.

Cut 9 (12)  “…industry this summer.”

Leaders for a Better Louisiana is looking to restore 30-million-dollars to fund high-dose tutoring after the discovery of an additional 139-million-dollars in available funds for next year’s budget. That’s a top priority for advocates like Chief Policy Officer Barry Erwin to maintain academic progress.

Cut 6 (10) “…a good investment.”

More good news in Louisiana education as the latest Reading Screener shows that grade-level reading proficiency among kids kindergarten through third grade increased by 17-percent. State Superintendent of Education Cade Brumley says this is further testament that the state’s reading strategy is working; and by staying the course, the state can continue to improve.

Cut 15 (16) “…the right direction.”

The number-one ranked LSU baseball team begins play tonight in the SEC Tournament as the Tigers will face 13th seeded Texas A&M. Right fielder Jake Brown says they’ve been waiting for this all year long.

Cut 19 (11) “…this year.”

On the heels of a 139-million-dollar increase in available funds for fiscal year 2026, an effort is now underway to restore 30-million dollars for high-dosage tutoring.  Colleen Crain has more.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

____________________________________________

Triple-A is projecting a busy travel weekend with more than 45-million Americans traveling domestically for Memorial Day. Sean Richardson reports.

Cut 2 (29) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

____________________________________________

LSU may be the talk of the college baseball world here in Louisiana, but they’re not the only ones playing for a championship. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 3 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

____________________________________________

Leaders for a Better Louisiana is looking to restore 30-million-dollars to fund high-dose tutoring after the discovery of an increase of 139-million-dollars in available funds for next year’s budget. Chief Policy Officer Barry Erwin says its crucial to restoring those funds for high-dosage tutoring, previously cut from the budget by the House.

Cut 4 (08) “…for our kids.”

Erwin questioned changing this effective strategy midstream, highlighting its importance for student success.

Cut 5 (07) “…those results continue.”

Lawmakers now face decisions on allocating extra revenue, with tutoring restoration being a top priority for advocates like Erwin to maintain academic progress.

Cut 6 (10) “…a good investment.”

______________________________________________________

Memorial Day weekend officially begins today, and Don Redman with Triple-A says more than 45-million Americans will be traveling domestically.

Cut 7 (06) “…traveling for the holidays.”

Triple-A says air travel had a slight two-percent increase from last year, but Redman says the big uptick was in the cruise industry.

Cut 8 (12) “…that’s very popular.”

Redman says the vast majority of people will be traveling by car, with gas prices 45 cents cheaper than last year. Redman says, however, that gas prices alone usually don’t determine whether people travel.

Cut 9 (12)  “…industry this summer.”

In the southern region alone, Triple-A projects nearly 10-million travelers, so drive safely and expect traffic.

______________________________________________________

As LSU continues its march towards Omaha and the College World Series, two Louisiana teams will be competing in the NAIA World Series, which starts today in Lewiston, Idaho. The big story has been LSU Shreveport – 54 games, 54 wins. That’s the longest winning streak in all levels of college baseball among four-year schools. Head Coach Brad Neffendorf says it’s an incredible accomplishment, but the job is not done yet.

Cut 10 (06) “…and win one.”

The Pilots can take that first step towards their ultimate goal this morning by beating Grand View, out of Iowa. Coach Neffendorf says the way to beat them is not to worry about their opponent’s game, but rather to play their own game.

Cut 11 (07) “…done all year.”

LSU Shreveport is not the only Louisiana team playing in the World Series. Loyola New Orleans is the tournament’s eighth seed, and they face Tennessee Wesleyan at three this afternoon. Coach Jeremy Kennedy says his team will have its work cut out for itself.

Cut 12 (06) “…juggernaut as well.”

This is the first ever NAIA World Series appearance for the Wolfpack, and Coach Kennedy says the team has persevered all season long.

Cut 13 (07)  “…the job done.”

Like the big one in Omaha, the NAIA World Series is a double-elimination tournament. The champion will be crowned either on May 30th or May 31st.

______________________________________________________

More good news in Louisiana education as the school year wraps up. State Superintendent of Education Cade Brumley says the latest Reading Screener shows that grade-level reading proficiency among kids kindergarten through third grade increased by 17-percent.

Cut 14 (07) “…at 64-percent.”

Brumley says this is further testament that the state’s reading strategy is working; and by staying the course, the state can continue to improve.

Cut 15 (16) “…the right direction.”

Brumley says a great deal of the credit goes to the teachers.

Cut 16 (06) “…the great state”

___________________________________________

The media had a chance to watch the Saints OTA practice on Thursday and the first-string offensive line looked like this….first round pick Kelvin Banks at left tackle, Trevor Penning at left guard, Erik McCoy at center, Cesar Ruiz at right guard and last year’s starting left tackle, Taliese Fuaga playing right tackle. Coach Kellen Moore says it should be a seamless transition to Fuaga…

Cut 17 (20)  “…easy as it can be”

Saints quarterback Jake Haener will miss the rest of the OTA sessions after suffering an oblique strain.  ESPN’s Adam Schefter says the injury will sideline Haener for multiple weeks, but he should be available for the start of training camp. Moore was asked if the injury is a significant setback for Haener, who is competing for starting quarterback…

Cut 18 (17)  “…continue to build.”

_______________________________________________________

The number one ranked LSU baseball team begins play tonight in the SEC Tournament as the Tigers will face 13th seeded Texas A&M. Right fielder Jake Brown says they’ve been waiting all year for this event…

Cut 19 (11) “…this year”

LSU will need to win three games to win the SEC Tournament. Coach Jay Johnson wants to make it a memorable weekend…

Cut 20 (19) “…what’s ahead.”

Now that state lawmakers have discovered an additional 139-million dollars in available funds for the next fiscal year, there are calls to restore 30-million dollars for high-dosage tutoring that was previously cut from the budget. Barry Erwin is the chief policy officer for Leaders for a Better Louisiana.

Cut 4 (08) “…going for our kids.”

Erwin questioned changing this effective strategy midstream, highlighting its importance for student success.

Cut 5 (07) “…see those results continue.”

Lawmakers now face decisions on allocating extra revenue, with tutoring restoration being a top priority for advocates like Erwin to maintain academic progress.

Cut 6 (10) “…a good investment.”

High-dosage tutoring may be credited in part with a significant improvement in reading proficiency. In fact, State Superintendent of Education Cade Brumley says the latest Reading Screener shows that grade-level reading proficiency among kids kindergarten through third grade increased by 17-percent.

Cut 14 (07) “…at 64-percent.”

We now know the price tag for moving the University of New Orleans back to the LSU system from the U-L system – 80-million dollars over five years. Whether the legislature can come up with that money remains to be seen. New Orleans Democratic Senator Jimmy Harris’ bill to implement the move has made it through two Senate committees and is expected to come up for a vote in the full Senate next week.

The House has passed a resolution asking the SEC not to schedule LSU home football games before six p-m in the month of September. It comes after several fans were overcome by brutal afternoon heat in their game against UCLA last September 21st.

State Treasurer John Fleming announced that approximately 143-thousand unclaimed property checks, totaling over 34-million dollars, will be mailed next Friday. This follows a data match with the Louisiana Department of Revenue with updated addresses.

Cut 7 (09) “…land next month.”

The Revenue Estimating Conference has recognized an additional 139-million-dollars in funding, which means the state will have more available dollars to plug into next fiscal year’s budget.  Louisiana Policy Institute for Children CEO Libbie Sonnier is urging legislators to use some of the additional revenue to increase funding for early childhood education…

Cut 4 (11) “…child care assistance.”

Livingston Parish once again teamed up with former Dateline NBC correspondent Chris Hansen in an online sex sting. This time, nine men were arrested, including two registered sex offenders and one man who brought a loaded gun to the sting house. Sheriff Jason Ard says the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force set up the operation in March and April, creating a fake social media profile.

Cut 13 (11)  “…an undercover deputy.”

A 15-year-old girl drowns in the Ouachita (wash-uh-TAW) River. The Monroe Police Department says the girl went swimming in the river with her friends when she failed to resurface shortly before seven last night. The department’s dive team responded and pulled her body out of the water. M-P-D is urging you to stay out of the Ouachita River at this time, because water levels are too high to make any activity in the water safe.

A Senate bill that would prohibit schools that receive state funding from serving ultra-processed foods at lunch is now heading to the House floor after no one voted against it in House Health and Welfare. This is part of the Make America Healthy Again initiative. Committee member and Slidell Representative Stephanie Berault (buh-RAHLT):

Cut 11 (11) “…have it now.”

During testimony of the bill, opposition came from those who do not like that artificial sweeteners would be banned from being served in school lunches. Lobbyist Alton Ashy represents the Calorie Control Council and he says artificial sweeteners can help with weight management

Cut 12 (13) “…in their diet.”

Louisiana is one of several states considering such legislation.

The Revenue Estimating Conference has recognized an additional 139-million dollars in funding, and some advocates are urging the legislature to use some of that additional money for early childhood initiatives. The House-approved  budget contains almost 78-million-dollars for the Child Care Assistance Program. Louisiana Policy Institute for Children CEO Libbie Sonnier says they would like to see funding return to the previous level.

Cut 5 (10) “…young children thrive.”

Livingston Parish once again teamed up with former Dateline NBC correspondent Chris Hansen in an online sex sting. This time, nine men were arrested, including two registered sex offenders and one man who brought a loaded gun to the sting house. Sheriff Jason Ard says this underscores the importance of monitoring your kids’ online activities at all times.

Cut 15 (11) “…prey right then.”

Early Childhood Education Advocates are urging the Louisiana Senate to spend more dollars on the Child Care Assistance Program. Sean Richardson reports the Louisiana House’s proposed budget keeps funding at the same level as this year…

Cut 1 (29) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

____________________________________________

Approximately 143-thousand unclaimed property checks, totaling over 34-million-dollars, will be mailed next Friday. Sean Richardson has more

Cut 2 (27) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

____________________________________________

A Senate bill heading to the House floor would prohibit schools that receive state funding from serving lunches with ultra-processed foods. Andrew Greenstein has more…

Cut 3 (32) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

____________________________________________

The Revenue Estimating Conference has recognized an additional 139-million-dollars in funding, which means the state will have more available dollars to plug into next fiscal year’s budget.  Louisiana Policy Institute for Children CEO Libbie Sonnier is urging legislators to use some of the additional revenue to increase funding for early childhood education…

Cut 4 (11) “…child care assistance.”

The Louisiana House approved a budget that contained nearly 78-million-dollars for the Child Care Assistance Program.  Sonnier says they would like to see funding return to the 2023-24 level, which was 87-million-dollars.

Cut 5 (08) “…young children thrive.”

Louisiana spends around one-percent of its state budget on early childhood education, and Sonnier says investing in early childhood education is a two generation approach with parents able to work and contribute to the state economy…

Cut 6 (12) “…learn and excel.”

______________________________________________________

State Treasurer John Fleming announced that approximately 143-thousand unclaimed property checks, totaling over 34-million dollars, will be mailed next Friday. This follows a data match with the Louisiana Department of Revenue with updated addresses.

Cut 7 (09) “…land next month.”

This is the largest batch of checks mailed since 2018, reaching residents in every parish. Fleming says 25-hundred claims exceed the automatic check limit will receive claim forms with instructions on how to complete the process.

Cut 8 (11) “…verifying their identity.”

Fleming says the blue colored checks, featuring the Treasury’s logo, are legitimate and urged recipients to cash them and no one can cash these checks or deposit them but you…

Cut 9 (08)  “…will claim it.”

You can visit L-A-Cash-Claim-dot-org to see if you have any unclaimed property.

______________________________________________________

A Senate bill that would prohibit schools that receive state funding from serving ultra-processed foods at lunch is now heading to the House floor after no one voted against the bill in House Health and Welfare. The bill’s author, Covington Senator Patrick McMath, says Louisiana is one of several states considering similar legislation and the goal is…

Cut 10 (10) “…alter the ingredients.”

The MAHA bill advanced to the House floor without objection. Committee member and Slidell Representative Stephanie Berault:

Cut 11 (11) “…have it now.”

McMath’s bill incentivizes food makers to eliminate toxins from school lunches. The legislation also requires a warning label on foods containing artificial colors, additives or banned chemicals. And it requires restaurants to notify customers if they cook or prepare foods using seed oils.

During testimony of the bill, opposition came from those who do not like that artificial sweeteners are banned from being served in school lunches. Lobbyist Alton Ashy represents the Calorie Control Council and he says artificial sweeteners can help with weight management

Cut 12 (13) “…in their diet.”

______________________________________________________

Livingston Parish once again teamed up with former Dateline NBC correspondent Chris Hansen in an online sex sting. This time, nine men were arrested, including two registered sex offenders and one man who brought a loaded gun to the sting house. Sheriff Jason Ard says the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force set up the operation in March and April, creating a fake social media profile.

Cut 13 (11)  “…an undercover deputy.”

Sheriff Ard reiterates that it’s always the suspect who initiates the conversation, and not the other way around.

Cut 14 (06) “…right through that.”

The conversation escalates to the point that the suspect is given an address to a house to meet up with who he thought was a 12-year-old girl or a 14-year-old boy. Also among the suspects are two foreign nationals – one who’s been studying at LSU for several years and one with ties to a human trafficking gang. Ard says this underscores the importance of monitoring your kids’ online activities at all times.

Cut 15 (11) “…prey right then.”

Some of the cases will be featured on “Takedown With Chris Hansen,” which is streaming on the TruBlu streaming network.

The Revenue Estimating Conference recognizes an additional 139-million-dollars in funding. Louisiana Policy Institute for Children CEO Libbie Sonnier is urging legislators to use some of that additional revenue to increase funding for early childhood education.

Cut 4 (12) “…child care assistance.”

A Senate bill that would prohibit schools that receive state funding from serving ultra-processed foods at lunch is now heading to the House floor after no one voted against it in House Health and Welfare. The bill’s author, Covington Senator Patrick McMath, says Louisiana is one of several states considering similar legislation and the goal is…

Cut 10 (10) “…alter the ingredients.”

Online sportsbooks could soon be paying additional state taxes if a certain bill makes it onto Governor Landry’s desk. Jeff Palermo reports.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Marrero Representative Kyle Green is arrested following a single-vehicle crash early Wednesday morning. State Police Trooper Jacob Pucheu (POO-show):

Cut 11 (10) “…with him, though.”

As the search for the five remaining Orleans Parish Jail escapees continues, calls grow for the sheriff to step down. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

___________________________________________________

Online sportsbooks could soon be paying additional state taxes if a certain bill makes it onto Governor Landry’s desk. Jeff Palermo reports.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

___________________________________________________

It’s been one year since construction began on a new 360-million-dollar Jimmie Davis Bridge in Bossier and Caddo parishes.  State Transportation spokesperson Erin Buchanan says the new four-lane bridge will replace the existing two-lane structure….

Cut 3 (08) “…in those areas.”

Construction of the bridge’s foundations is advancing, aided by two temporary trestle bridges. Buchanan says significant work is also underway to realign and widen LA 511, including a raised median to enhance traffic flow.

Cut 4 (08) “…things like that.”

Buchanan says the project is set to open in early to mid 2027 and will serve over 30-thousand vehicles daily.

Cut 5 (09) “…two years from now.”

________________________________________________

Five down, five to go – Five inmates who escaped from the Orleans Justice Center last Friday have been recaptured, and five remain on the loose. As the search for the remaining at-large escapees continues, Orleans Parish Sheriff Susan Hutson continues to come under fire – so much so that she has temporarily suspended her re-election bid. Hutson told the New Orleans City Council that the jailbreak is very troubling.

Cut 6 (09) “…urgency and transparency.”

But Sheriff Hutson deflected some of the blame, saying that the city has not provided her office the necessary resources to properly operate the jail and prevent incidents like this.

Cut 7 (14) “…match our needs”

A pair of House Democrats who represent New Orleans are calling for Hutson not only to drop her re-election bid, but also to step down immediately. Among them is Jason Hughes.

Cut 8 (08) “…down to leadership.”

Another House member feeling the same way is Aimee Adatto Freeman.

Cut 9 (10)  “…from these criminals.”

The total reward money for each remaining fugitive is 20-thousand dollars – 10-thousand from the FBI and the rest from ATF and Crime Stoppers.

________________________________________________

A state representative is charged with DWI and child endangerment after he was involved in a single vehicle wreck early this morning. Three children in the vehicle. State Police Trooper Jacob Pucheu (POO-show) says troopers arrested Marrero Democrat Kyle Green.

Cut 10 (07) “…placed under arrest.”

Troopers transported Green, who was uninjured in the crash, to the Jefferson Parish Correctional Center, where he refused to provide a breath sample. Trooper Pucheu says the crash happened at around 2:30 this morning on  U.S. 90-B in Jefferson Parish and the crash was minor in nature.

Cut 11 (10) “…with him, though.”

Pucheu says troopers at the scene noticed signs of impairment and conducted a series of field sobriety tests…

Cut 12 (08) “…injury or death.”

_______________________________________________________

Online sportsbooks could soon be paying additional state taxes if a certain bill makes it onto Governor Landry’s desk. Piper Hutchinson with the Louisiana Illuminator says 25-percent of that added revenue would go to a new college sports fund.

Cut 13 (06)  “…One athletic programs.”

The legislature is betting on that added revenue adding about two-million dollars to each Division One college’s athletic program. While that may be a drop in the bucket for LSU, that would mean the world to smaller schools like ULM. Hutchinson says Columbia Republican Representative Neil Riser’s bill originally called for the tax rate to increase to 32.5-percent. But then, the sports betting lobbyists got involved.

Cut 14 (09) “…their lobbying efforts.”

Fiscal analysts had said that the state would have been able to parlay the original rate hike into almost 200-million dollars in annual sports betting tax collections. But with the scaled-back rate, the revenue estimate is less clear. Hutchinson says the state has nothing to lose by raising the online sports betting tax rate.

Cut 15 (11) “…not the same.”

The bill passed the House and is now in the Senate, where Hutchinson expects it to pass. Governor Landry has come out in favor of it. The tax rate for brick-and-mortar sports betting in Louisiana would remain unchanged at ten-percent.

Orleans Parish Sheriff Susan Hutson says she takes full responsibility for last Friday’s jailbreak, in which ten inmates escaped. However, she also deflected some of the blame, telling the New Orleans City Council that the city has not provided her office the necessary resources to properly operate the jail and prevent incidents like this.

Cut 7 (14) “…match our needs”

Hutson has temporarily suspended her re-election campaign. But a growing number of state lawmakers, including Aimee Freeman, want her to end her bid altogether and step down immediately.

Cut 9 (10)  “…from these criminals.”

State Police, meanwhile, have arrested two women for allegedly helping some of the escapees following the jailbreak.

If you like to hop on your cell phone and bet on your favorite team, it could soon cost you more money to do so. The legislature is poised to increase the tax rate for online sports betting from 15-percent to 21.5-percent. Piper Hutchinson with the Louisiana Illuminator says 25-percent of that added revenue would go to a new college sports fund.

Cut 13 (06)  “…One athletic programs.”

The legislature is betting on that added revenue adding about two-million dollars to each Division One college’s athletic program.

Construction on the new 360-million-dollar Jimmie Davis Bridge along L-A 511 in Bossier and Caddo parishes has entered its second year. DOTD spokeswoman Erin Buchanan says work is also underway to realign and widen the roadway including a raised median to enhance traffic flow.

Cut 4 (08) “…things like that.”

The project is set to be completed in the middle of 2027.