The 2023 legislative session will be remembered most for its final minutes of confusion over the state budget. But Council for a Better Louisiana President Barry Erwin says overall the session was productive. He says lawmakers funded projects with the extra $2-billion and also made a massive payment on the state’s retirement debt…:

CUT 04(11)      “…that’s good.”

Lawmen ask the public’s help in gathering information on the alleged sex crimes of well-known Baptist leader Darryl Stagg, of Pollock, who was arrested last week for numerous crimes against minors. Rapides Parish Sheriff Mark Wood says they’re building their case against Stagg and encourage any other victims to come forward…:

CUT 11(09)      “…for you.”

Contact the Grant Parish Sheriff’s Office, they are leading the multi-parish investigation.

Shreveport Police seek the public’s help in locating 22-year-old Nautica Byrd, after she was seen wildly firing a handgun during a Facebook Live broadcast. Byrd was arguing with another woman when the gunplay started. When located, she’ll be charged with Illegally Carrying and Discharging a Weapon.

Louisiana is in an early summer heat wave of record proportions this week. Entergy encourages customers to consider energy efficiency steps to lower usage and save on utility bills. Teiko Foxx has more.

Cut 1 (32)  “…I’m Teiko Foxx” 

After a well-known Louisiana Baptist leader, Daryl Stagg was arrested in Central Louisiana for a number of sex crimes last week, authorities are asking the public to contact them if they have any knowledge of the crimes. Grant Parish Sheriff Steven McCain says Stagg allegedly committed crimes in Grant, Union, and Rapides parishes and in the state of Wisconsin…:

Cut 10 (13) “…with us.”

Call GPSO with tips at 318-627-3261.

The 2023 legislative session is over. Council for a Better Louisiana President Barry Erwin believes lawmakers did well in spending surplus dollars…

Cut 5 (07)  “…retirement debt.
Some lawmakers are upset the budget was approved with just minutes to spare before a 6 PM deadline.

Some really hot weather arrives this week which will force your air conditioner to kick into full throttle. Entergy spokesperson David Freese says to try to keep your thermostat at 78 degrees because your bill goes up three percent for every degree below 78

Cut 6 (12)  “…the thermostat.” 
Speaking of hot…

LSU is back in the College World Series for the first time since 2017 after sweeping Kentucky in the Baton Rouge Super Regional. LSU pitcher Paul Skenes was the winning pitcher Saturday in the 14-0 shutout win. Skenes has been dominant all season long and is looking forward to his first experience in Omaha…

Cut 14 (08)  “…cool opportunity”

LSU will play the winner of tonight’s s game between Southern Miss and Tennessee, either Friday or Saturday in the opening round of the College World Series

The 2023 legislative session will be remembered most for its final minutes of confusion over the state budget. But Council for a Better Louisiana President Berry Erwin says overall the session was productive and he believes lawmakers dedicated the more than $2 billion of extra funding appropriately.

Cut 3 (12) “…pretty good.”

Among the points of contention was a $100 million cut from the Department of Health’s budget and a one-time pay bonus for teachers.

The House avoided a vote on a Senate resolution that would have funded the teacher pay raises of $2,000; electing instead to give them another one-time stipend. Louisiana Federation of Teachers Legislative Director Cynthia Posey hopes lawmakers will see things differently next year…:

Cut 9 (06)  “…and children first.”

LSU is back in the College World Series for the first time since 2017 aftersweeping Kentucky in the Baton Rouge Super Regional Series. Star center fielder Dylan Crews reached base seven times in the two games and had a two-run double last night…

Cut 12 (08) “…butts off” 

LSU will play the winner of today’s game between Southern Miss and Tennessee on either Friday or Saturday in the opening round of the College World Series.

A new study from Bankrate-dot-com says 66-percent of U-S adults have a negative view about tipping. Senior industry analyst Ted Rossman says gen zers and men tip the least of any demographic…

Cut 11 (12)  “…tip better”
Rossman says 41-percent of all U-S adults’ believes businesses should pay their workers better, rather than relying on customers tipping workers.

10:30

The Legislature has concluded its annual business, but without approving salary hikes for schoolteachers. Instead of permanent pay raises, they’ll receive one-time bonuses. Shreveport Representative Alan Seabaugh is among lawmakers unhappy with how things played out…:

Cut 3 (10) “…a joke.”

Another sticking point in the final budget deal is cutting $100-million from next year’s budget for the Department of Health, which could cost the state $400-million in matching federal dollars.

Governor Edwards says he’ll veto anti-LGBTQ bills, for example the one that bans transgender procedures for minors…:

Cut 7 (10)  “…have to do.” 

The big question is will lawmakers vote to return for a veto session.

State Climatologist Barry Keim says the anticipated Pacific El Nino has arrived. However, he says, an El Nino normally can quiet down hurricane season, but warm sea surface temperatures could counteract that…:

Cut 11 (12)  “…to average.”

Keim says be prepared to deal with possible impacts in Louisiana which normally come after mid-to-late August.

LSU and Kentucky meet for the second time this season, but this time the winner of the series advances to the College World Series. Coach Jay Johnson says weather delays are a concern for the day and they will not start a game unless they have a window to finish it…:

Cut 13 (09) “…on the line” 

First pitch is scheduled for 2 PM at the Box.

The final minutes of this year’s legislative session were hectic and chaotic, as lawmakers raced to make last-minute budget changes and vote them through. Some legislators were angry to see $100-million stripped from Department of Health spending because they say it will mean the loss of about $400-million in federal matching funds. House Speaker Clay Schexnayder says LDH asked House Appropriations for one sum and Senate Finance for another…:

Cut 5 (07)  “…each one.

Many are angry that teacher pay raises were shunted, offering only one-time bonuses instead.

Bills passed that some say target the LGBTQ community are destined to be vetoed by Governor Edwards, who calls the bills mean-spirited and wrong…:

Cut 6 (12)  “…for example.” 

An anticipated El Niño has shown up ahead of schedule which could help reduce hurricane activity. Teiko Foxx has more on what else it means for our weather…:

Cut 2 (31)  “….I’m Teiko Foxx. ”  

Governor John Bel Edwards and Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear have a gentlemen’s bet on this weekend’s NCAA baseball Super Regional between the Tigers and the UK Wildcats. If LSU wins, Beshear sends some Kentucky bourbon. If Kentucky wins, Edwards will send Beshear delicious Louisiana seafood. Game 1 is at 2 o’clock at the Box.

8:30

After 37 Federal indictments were issued against former President Donald Trump, southwest Louisiana Congressman Clay Higgins tweeted a cryptic statement. He said the arraignment quote “a perimeter probe from the oppressors” end quote. He also used language one could deem is a call for right-wing militia groups to mobilize at Trump’s arraignment in Miami on Tuesday.

An override veto session is possible after the Republican-controlled legislature approves three bills that target the LGBTQ community.

Cut 1 (31)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo” 

The final minutes of the legislative session were filled with chaos and confusion as lawmakers voted on the state’s $45-billion budget. Among the points of contention was the failure to make teacher pay raises permanent and gutting $100 million from the Department of Health. Some complained they were given no time to read last-minute changes. House Speaker Clay Schexnayder defended his actions; saying that’s not so…:

Cut 4 (09)  “…those bills.” 

The Governor is concerned about deep cuts to LDH spending, which may cost the state a lot in federal funds down the road.

El Nino is here. The warming of the Pacific Ocean can and often does lead to calmer and weaker tropical cyclones in our part of the world. State Climatologist Barry Keim says it also leads to warmer weather in general…:

Cut 10 (11) “…breaking temperatures.”

The regular legislative session is over, but lawmakers could return for a veto override session. Governor Edwards says he expects he’ll veto three bills that target LGBTQ lifestyles. Edwards on a bill to ban gender-affirming care for transgender minors…

Cut 7 (10)  “…have to do.” 

If vetoed, a veto session is automatically called, unless a majority of the House or Senate votes not to have a veto session.=

El Nino arrived early, and NOAA is predicting strong weather and record-hot temperatures worldwide over the next few months. State Climatologist Barry Keim says this is welcome news for Louisiana’s 2023 hurricane season.

Cut 9 (13) “…tropical season.”

The final hour of the legislative session was chaotic and filled with grumbling as lawmakers rushed to approve a budget. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (37)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

5:30 (17) 8:30 (20)

The U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling in favor of Black voters in Alabama’s congressional districts map case has advocates in Louisiana who believe the state should have two Black-majority congressional districts. Urban League of Louisiana Vice President of Policy Tyrone Walker…

Cut 5 (06)   “…in Louisiana.”

Slidell Republican Sharon Hewitt is quoted in The Advocate that it’s not a final ruling regarding the congressional maps in Louisiana.”

Waiting for the governor’s signature is a bill that would phase out the corporate franchise tax. Tax expert Jason Decuir says it’s a tax that business lobbyists have tried to do away with for years…

Cut 12 (10) “…being taxed” 

The Legislative Fiscal Office says phasing out the tax would cost the state up to 163 million dollars per year over the four-year phase-out.

Upon the final passage of legislation requiring “In God, We Trust” signs in Louisiana classrooms, a political activist who donated signs in Texas is making the same offer in Louisiana. Signs from Artist Activist Chaz Stevens have a variety of options, they can be in Arabic, Spanish, and even have rainbow-colored backgrounds.

Cut 24 satanic edition. :05

DEQ declares an ozone air quality action day for people sensitive to the health effects of air pollutants in Baton Rouge, New Orleans, Lake Charles, and Monroe. Air Planning and Assessment Division Administrator Jason Meyers the warning in Monroe is due to the Canadian Wildfires. He says to pay attention to how your body responds.

Cut 8 (09)  “… their activities.” 

Lawmakers have sent a bill to the governor that phases out the corporate franchise tax. Some call it the worst tax in Louisiana because of how it hampers companies that have headquarters outside of the state. Tax consultant Jason Decuir says the phase-out only happens if certain conditions are met.

Cut 13 (12) “…25 percent.” 

The Legislative Fiscal Office says phasing out the tax would cost the state up to 163 million dollars per year over the four-year phase-out.

The U-S Supreme Court has ruled Alabama is violating the Voting Rights Act by only having one majority-minority Congressional district. Louisiana’s Congressional District map is also facing a legal challenge, so based on the Alabama ruling, Louisiana may have to redraw its map with a second majority-minority district because more than 30 percent of the state’s population is Black.

Upon the final passage of legislation requiring “In God, We Trust” signs in Louisiana classrooms, a political activist who donated signs in Texas is making the same offer in Louisiana. Artist Activist Chaz Stevens is offering options in French, Mandarin, and more…

Cut 10 (10) “…with them.”

To donate to defer the costs of the signs or to view them visit chazstevens-dot-store.

DEQ declares an ozone air quality action day for people sensitive to health effects of air pollutants in Baton Rouge, New Orleans, Lake Charles, and Monroe. Air Planning and Assessment Division Administrator Jason Meyers says elevated ozone paired with smoke from Canadian wildfires is responsible. He says some activities should be limited to after-daylight hours…

Cut 7 (13)  “…small engine.” 

Waiting for the governor’s signature is a bill that would phase out the corporate franchise tax. Tax expert Jason Decuir says it’s a tax that business lobbyists have tried to do away with for years…

Cut 12 (10) “…being taxed” 

The Legislative Fiscal Office says phasing out the tax would cost the state up to 163 million dollars per year over the four-year phase-out.

The US Supreme Court ruled in favor of Black voters over majority-Black congressional districts in Alabama, which means Alabama will have to create another majority-Black congressional district. A similar case against Louisiana’s congressional maps was pending the ruling in Alabama. The ruling was a surprise in which Chief Justice John Roberts and Justice Brett Kavanaugh ruled with the court’s three liberal judges.

Since the final passage of legislation requiring “In God, We Trust” signs in Louisiana classrooms, artist activist Chaz Stevens has a variety of options for the signs to be donated, options in Arabic, Spanish, and even rainbow-colored backgrounds. You can view the signs at chazstevens-dot-store.

Cut 11 (10)  “…in this case.”

Stevens says he’ll send 2,500 signs to Louisiana.

Wildlife officials have confirmed two Northern Snakehead fish, native to Asia, were spotted in a video taken in Old River in Concordia Parish. Aquatic Invasive Species Coordinator Rob Bourgeois says they can grow up to 3 feet in length and they’re safe to eat.

Cut 5 (07)  “…there too.

He says fishers are asked not to return the species to water because they are an invasive species.