A bill that would force a TOPS Opportunity or TOPS Performance recipient to repay their state funded scholarship makes it out of House Education. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (40) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

If this legislation becomes law, TOPS Opportunity and TOPS performance recipients would repay the scholarship dollars they have used, even though the scholarship money goes to the university not the student.

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Tax Day is here and hopefully you are ready. It can be a daunting task to gather documents and work through returns or get all the required information to a tax preparer on time. If you find yourself unprepared, CPA John Therio with Malcom Dienes in Metairie says you can file form 4868 for an extension.

Cut 4 (13) “…that extension.”

The average price of a new vehicle is now almost 50-thousand dollars.  That’s according to a report from the Associated Press. That’s up 30-percent since 2020. UNO economist Walter Lane says most of the vehicles that come off the assembly line have all the new technology designed to make you a safer driver

Cut 7 (13) “…the cars.”

Tax Day has arrived and Colleen Crain has some tips from a tax professional…

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

New vehicles now sell for an average of nearly 50-thousand dollars according to a report from the Associated Press. That’s up 30-percent in six years. UNO economist Walter Lane says that’s mostly due to advanced technology and tariffs.

Cut 8 (09) “…in the cars.”

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TOPS Opportunity and Performance award recipients would pay back their state-funded scholarship if they lost their scholarship under a bill that barely got out of the House Education Committee. Bossier City Representative Dennis Bamburg is the author of the bill…

Cut 10 (09) “…those dollars”

Executive director of the Taylor Foundation, James Caillier, testified against the legislation, telling lawmakers, a student who loses a merit scholarship should not be forced to pay it back

Cut 11 (14) “…a scholarship.”

If this legislation becomes law, TOPS Opportunity and TOPS performance recipients would repay the scholarship dollars they have used up, even though the scholarship money goes to the university not the student.

State education officials are raising the English language arts standards for Louisiana students.  Colleen Crain has the details.

Cut 3 (33) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

A lot happening behind the scenes at the University of New Orleans is preparing to move from the University of Louisiana System to the LSU System. As part of the move, University president Kathy Johnson says starting July 1^st, UNO will be known as LSU New Orleans…

Cut 4 (12) “…as well.”

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The House Appropriations Committee has approved an operating budget for next fiscal year. 47 billion dollars.  It includes an extra 30 million dollars for public schools and additional funding for K-through-12 public school tutoring services. House Appropriations Chairman Jack McFarland says an additional 50-million dollars will also go toward economic development projects to grow the state’s economy….

Cut 8 (12) “…community colleges.”

The document that finalized the Louisiana Purchase will be on display at the old State Capitol in Baton Rouge starting today.  Napoleon Bonaparte was the military dictator of France at the time and Secretary of State Nancy Landry says you can see his signature in person

Cut 15 (08) “…our history.”

The House Appropriations Committee approves a budget for next fiscal year with a priority on education initiative spending. Here’s Joe Gallinaro.

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Joe Gallinaro.”

It’s a big time of change at UNO as the school gets set to move to the LSU System, changing its name to LSU New Orleans.  The school is eliminating nineteen programs.  But University president Kathy Johnson  says the changes will actually strengthen academic opportunity.

Cut 5 (09) “…get jobs.”

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The Louisiana Department of Education is looking to make English language arts a focus in public schools to strengthen overall communication for students.  State Education Superintendent Cade Brumley says the focus will mean building stronger, independent readers and …

Cut 11 (07) “…important step.”

The revised standards will take effect in the 2027-28 school year.

A pretty cool piece of history will be on display at the old State Capitol beginning today.  It’s the document that finalized the Louisiana Purchase.  Secretary of State Nancy Landry says this remarkable piece of history is on loan from the National Archives in Washington D-C as part of America’s 250^th anniversary celebration…

Cut 13 (09)  “..to see.”
The document will be on display here through July 11^th.

Big changes at the University of New Orleans as the school gets set to move into the LSU System. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

The House Appropriations Committee has approved an operating budget of 47 billion dollars for next fiscal year. Even though it’s a standstill budget, areas of state government will see an increase in funding. House Appropriations Chairman Jack McFarland

Cut 7 (08) “…need to.”

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The Louisiana Department of Education says it’s strengthening English language arts in public schools to reinforce skills essential to help students read, write and communicate. State Education Superintendent Cade Brumley says the updated standards place a stronger emphasis on the science of reading so that students are confident, independent readers…

Cut 10 (08) “…along that path”

The revised standards, which will also include a focus on grammar, will take effect in the 2027-28 school year.

The document that finalized the Louisiana Purchase will be on display at the old State Capitol in Baton Rouge starting today. Secretary of State Nancy Landry says is called “Bought for a Song” and if you want to see it.

Cut 14 (08) “…the document.”

The exhibit will be on display through July 11^th.

Abita Brewing Company, a Louisiana success story, celebrates 40 years in business. Jeff Palermo has more…

Cut 3 (32) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

McNeese introduces its new Athletics Director today.   Bridget Martin takes over a program that’s seeing great success of late.  Martin has worked at McNeese since 1990, moved to administration in 2001 and promoted to Deputy AD in 2023.  She’s McNeese’s first female AD

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Governor Landry has established the Office of Rural Health Transformation and Sustainability. Health Secretary Bruce Greenstein (green-steen) says the goal is to make access to quality healthcare available to everyone in Louisiana and one of the key priorities of the new office is to expand the healthcare workforce in rural areas.

Cut 8 (10) “…throughout the year.”

It’s all part of the state’s rural health transformation program, which is supported by more than 208-million dollars in federal funding.

A bill that would make it easier to cancel unwanted subscriptions will soon be heard by the full House. The author of House Bill 750, Vincent Cox of Gretna, says the goal is to make it just as easy to cancel a subscription as it is to sign up for one.  Cox says should his bill become law, it would make violations a civil matter and not a criminal matter, and damages would be nominal.

Cut 6 (09) “…500-dollar violation.”

Governor Landry establishes the Office of Rural Health Transformation and Sustainability within the Department of Health. Joe Gallinaro reports.

Cut 2 (XX) “…I’m Joe Gallinaro.”

A bill that would make it easier to cancel unwanted subscriptions will soon be heard by the full House. The author of House Bill 750, Vincent Cox of Gretna, says the goal is to make it just as easy to cancel a subscription as it is to sign up for one. Cox says he’s been in close contact with industry leaders to fine-tune the bill.

Cut 4 (09) “…soften their concerns.”

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She’s one of only four female Athletic Directors in history.  And today McNeese will officially introduce Bridget Martin as its new athletics director.  Martin served as the department’s Senior Woman Administrator and NCAA Compliance Director and in 2023,  was promoted to Deputy AD. She’s McNeese’s first female AD.

Cut 14 (15) “…to males.”

Abita Brewing Company, located 30 miles north of New Orleans, is celebrating its 40^th birthday this year. Abita President Troy Ashley says they are a great Louisiana growth story…

Cut 10 (12) “…the time”

The full state House will soon hear a bill that aims to make it easier for people in Louisiana to cancel their unwanted subscriptions. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

A two vehicle crash in Acadia Parish claimed the life of a teenager on an ATV over the weekend.  State police say it happened Saturday  as 17 year old Hayden Castille of Branch was headed north on LA Hwy 95 when an Audi Q7 head the ATV from behind throwing Castille from the ATV.  He sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene.

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Governor Landry establishes the Office of Rural Health Transformation and Sustainability. Health Secretary Bruce Greenstein (green-steen) says the goal is to make access to quality healthcare available to everyone, regardless of where in the state he or she lives.

Cut 7 (11) “…a rural area.”

McNeese will introduce Bridget Martin as its new athletics director today after serving as the interim A-D following the departure of Heath Schroyer to LSU. Martin is a native of Lake Arthur and she’s worked at McNeese since 1990 when she was hired as a women’s basketball coach….

Cut 13 (09)  “…as it is today.”

Martin has worked at McNeese since 1990, moved to administration in 2001 and promoted to Deputy AD in 2023.  She’s McNeese’s first female AD and only the fourth in women’s history.

Governor Landry establishes the Office of Rural Health Transformation and Sustainability. Health Secretary Bruce Greenstein (green-steen) says the goal is to make access to quality healthcare available to everyone, regardless of where in the state he or she lives.

Cut 7 (11) “…a rural area.”

Greenstein says one of the key priorities of the new office is to expand the healthcare workforce in rural areas and says this this new office goes beyond just the healthcare aspect.  It also addresses things to improve the overall health of people living in rural areas.

Cut 9 (08)  “…in our communities.”

It’s all part of the state’s rural health transformation program, which is supported by more than 208-million dollars in federal funding.

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A bill that would make it easier to cancel unwanted subscriptions will soon be heard by the full House. The author of House Bill 750, Vincent Cox of Gretna, says the goal is to make it just as easy to cancel a subscription as it is to sign up for one. Cox says he’s been in close contact with industry leaders to fine-tune the bill.

Cut 4 (09) “…soften their concerns.”

The Louisiana Senate approves legislation that would allow local governments to hold a vote to see if their residents want to have fluoride removed from their drinking water. Houma Republican Mike Fesi is the author of the bill; he says fluoride is bad for your body and your brain.

Cut 9 (11)  “…into the water.”

Cox says should his bill become law, it would make violations a civil matter and not a criminal matter, and damages would be nominal.

The Louisiana Senate approves legislation that would allow local governments to hold a vote to see if their residents want to have fluoride removed from their drinking water. Houma Republican Mike Fesi is the author of the bill; he says fluoride is bad for your body and your brain.

Cut 9 (11)  “…into the water.”

This is the time of year when birds pass through the Gulf Coast region for their annual migration up north…which is why  the Louisiana Wildlife Federation is urging you to turn off all unnecessary lights on your property at 11 p-m each night through May. Board member Charles Williams, who founded the Lights Out Louisiana initiative, says excessive lighting can be very harmful to migrating birds.

Cut 3 (13) “…into those buildings.”

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The LSU baseball program will receive more revenue sharing dollars to help the program keep winning championships. Joe Gallinaro has the story.

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Joe Gallinaro”

The Tigers lost to Ole Miss last night in in Oxford.  At the plate, LSU was two-for-11 with runners in scoring position. In other action, La Tech trounced Middle Tennessee eight to one.
And Johnny Jones is officially back at LSU. The DeRidder native, who was once a head coach for the Tigers, will be an assistant coach for the men’s basketball team for a second time.