As Governor Landry promises he and the legislature will find a way to give teachers another two-thousand-dollar stipend, he also announced the formation of a bipartisan MFP permanent pay raise task force.  The Governor says while public school enrollment has gone down by 100-thousand over the last four decades, per-student spending has increased dramatically. All while teacher pay has not kept up with inflation.

Cut 6 (11) “…it for inflation.”

Applied Digital Corporation announced plans to build a massive A-I data center in the town of Boyce. The 3.6-billion-dollar artificial intelligence factory will bring with it 200 direct high-paying jobs.  Louisiana Central President and CEO Chris Massingill says this project has the potential to be one of the most transformational in the history of Rapides Parish.

Cut 12 (10) “…get to work.”

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The Louisiana House approves legislation that would prevent the public from seeing how much universities are paying college athletes. Joe Gallinaro explains.

Cut 2 (36) “…I’m Joe Gallinaro.” 

Pelicans new head coach Jamahl Mosley has officially been introduced.  The man who led the Orlando Magic to the playoffs over the last three seasons Mosley is known as a defensive minded coach and he talked about why it’s important.

Cut 16 (12) “…high level.”

Governor Landry says there’s no logical reason that teachers should not get a permanent pay increase. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Gov. Jeff Landry will discuss the Louisiana Fortify Homes Program and sign bills on this morning at the State Capitol.   The program allows eligible homeowners to apply for grants to cover costs for strengthening their roofs against hurricane-force winds.  That news conference is set for 9:30.

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A proposal to prevent the public from seeing the revenue share contracts between universities and their athletes was approved by the Senate by a  22-13 vote. Baton Rouge Senator Franklin Foil argued that if other SEC schools know how much LSU is giving to a particular player, it could give them too much bargaining power.  But, Norco Senator Gregory Miller says the state is losing sight of its priorities with this legislation.

Cut 8 (16) “…trying to protect.”

A 3.6-billion-dollar artificial intelligence factory is coming to Rapides Parish, as Applied Digital Corporation plans to build a massive A-I data center in the town of Boyce. The project will create more than one-thousand construction jobs, and the new campus will bring in 200 direct jobs once the facility is open.  Governor Jeff Landry…

Cut 11 (13) “…you very much.”

As Governor Landry announced that he and the legislature will find a way to give teachers another two-thousand-dollar stipend, he says there’s no logical reason not to find the money to permanently increase teacher pay in Louisiana. Landry teacher pay has failed to keep up with inflation, while over the past forty years per-student spending has steadily increased.

Cut 5 (15) “…dollars for students.”

Speaking of money, a proposal that would keep the public from seeing the revenue share contracts between universities and their athletes has been approved by the Senate. Baton Rouge Senator Franklin Foil says…

Cut 7 (09) “…are doing it.”

Several Senators spoke out against this legislation.

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A 3.6-billion-dollar AI data center will be built in Rapides Parish. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 3 (32) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

The Pelicans have officially introduced new head coach Jamahl Mosley. Mosley comes to New Orleans from Orlando, where he led the Magic to the playoffs in the last three seasons.  Mosley says he likes what he sees in his new team.

Cut 14 (09) “…says a lot.”

With just one week left in the legislative session, it seems there may be hope for finding money for teacher after all.  Here’s Andrew Greenstein.

Cut 3 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

A report from the Louisiana Illuminator says the Governor wants to issue an executive order to move 150 million dollars from general school district funding into teacher pay to avoid that pay cut.  Again, that news conference is set for this morning at 11:30.
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The two biggest pieces of legislation that have yet to receive final legislative approval at the capitol are a new congressional map and the budget. LaPolitics-dot-com publisher Jeremy 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.”

The SEC spring meetings get underway today in Destin, Florida and there will likely be lots of talk about expanding the College Football Playoff from 12 to 24 teams beginning in 2027.  The Big Ten, ACC and Big 12 want to see that happen.  And a CBS Sports survey shows SEC coaches and athletic directors are split on that.  USA Today national college football writer Matt Hayes…

Cut 8 (08) “…with the troops.”

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.”

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.”

The Louisiana Illuminator is reporting that Governor Landry wants to issue an executive order that would move 150 million dollars from general school district funding into teacher pay to avoid a pay cut.  There’s a news conference set for today at 11:30.

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Busy week for Governor Landry as he has plans for another news conference today where he’s set to announce a major economic development project in Central Louisiana.  That’s set  for this afternoon at two at England Airpark Community Center in Alexandria.

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.”

It will likely be a busy final week of the legislative session.  Jeff Palermo has details on why. .

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

There may be hope for an extension of the teacher pay stipend. Governor Landry and legislative leaders will be holding a news conference later this morning. According to the Louisiana Illuminator the Governor wants to issue an executive order to move 150 million from general school district funding into teacher pay to avoid a pay cut.  That news conference is set for 11:30.

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Men at high risk for prostate cancer will soon have fewer barriers to getting screened for it.  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 prostate cancer is a major concern among men, particularly over the age of 50.

Cut 11 (09) “…from the disease.”

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.”

It will be a wet Memorial Day weekend as the state is stuck in a rainy weather pattern that will stick around into next week. Chanelle Stigger, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Lake Charles, says we are looking at some impressive rain totals for the next week.

Cut 9 (08)  “…next seven days.”

Memorial Day weekend means one thing on the roadways in Louisiana—It’s Click It Or Ticket time! Greg Fischer with the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission says law enforcement is putting an extra emphasis on looking for people not wearing their seatbelts from now through June 1st.

Cut 6 (13) “…wearing their seatbelts.”

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

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

If you’re looking for a way to celebrate Memorial Day or graduation, it’s a good time for crawfish.  Laney King, co-founder of The Crawfish App…

Cut 3 (07) “…in the season.”

It’ll be a wet Memorial Day weekend as the state is stuck in a rainy weather pattern that will stick around into next week.  . Chanelle Stigger, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Lake Charles, says rain chances are higher on Saturday and Sunday and they drop off for Monday. 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.”

Law enforcement in Louisiana will be putting an extra emphasis on looking for people not wearing their seatbelts through June 1^st as Click It or Ticket gets underway. According to Triple-A, more than 39-million people will be hitting the road this holiday weekend.  Greg Fischer with the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission…

Cut 8 (10) “…not buckled up.”

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The McNeese State family will be remembering a coaching legend today as they pay their final respects to Bobby Keasler, who guided McNeese to four Southland Conference championships from 1991 to 1997.  McNeese Sports Information Director Matthew Bonnette  says Keasler’s death is a tremendous loss for the entire state.

Cut 14 (07) “…fantastic human being.”

Keasler died earlier this month at the ago of 80.

If you’ve got an envie for crawfish, this Memorial Day weekend is a good time to get you some.  That’s according to the co-found of the crawfish app Lanie King.  King says besides Memorial Day and graduations, there’s another big reason you should treat yourself to those tiny tasty crustaceans this weekend.

Cut 4 (10) “…prices are right.”

If you’re looking to satisfy your craving for crawfish this Memorial Day weekend, it’s the perfect weekend.  Here’s Andrew Greenstein.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

It’s also Click It Or Ticket time as law enforcement will be focused on those not wearing their seatbelts now through June 1^st. Greg Fischer with the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission says if avoiding the 50-dollar ticket isn’t enough doesn’t make you wear your seatbelt, surviving a crash should be.

Cut 7 (09) “…a serious crash.”

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This Memorial Day weekend’s going to be a wet one as Louisiana continues to be stuck in this rainy weather pattern. 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.”

A memorial service happens today 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.”

It will be a wet Memorial Day weekend as the state is stuck in a rainy weather pattern that will stick around into next week. Chanelle Stigger, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Lake Charles, says we are looking at some impressive rain totals for the next week.

Cut 9 (08)  “…next seven days.”

Memorial Day weekend means one thing on the roadways in Louisiana—It’s Click It Or Ticket time! Greg Fischer with the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission says law enforcement is putting an extra emphasis on looking for people not wearing their seatbelts from now through June 1st.

Cut 6 (13) “…wearing their seatbelts.”

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

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

If you’re looking for a way to celebrate Memorial Day or graduation, it’s a good time for crawfish.  Laney King, co-founder of The Crawfish App…

Cut 3 (07) “…in the season.”