A proposal to reduce the state sales tax rate from 4.45 to four-percent received a favorable vote in the House Appropriations Committee. Alexandria Representative Lance Harris bill looks to rollback the state sales tax rate over a four year period. Harris says it would cost the state 87-million dollars…
Cut 10 (10) “…as they want.”
The governor’s office opposes the measure, which heads to the House floor.

La Tech has an estimated five million dollars in uninsured damages and the total amount of damages is about 20-million dollars from last months’ EF-3 tornado. The school’s baseball, softball and soccer stadiums have to be rebuilt and there’s also damage to the university’s housing units. Governor Edwards says the rebuild will take awhile…
cut 4 (10) “….started today”
Edwards says his office is seeking federal government assistance to pay for the rebuild on the Tech campus and in Ruston.

Gary Landrieu of the Landrieu family fame is running for governor as an Independent. Matt Doyle spoke to the candidate…
cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

LSU has shut down the Pi Kappa Phi chapter on the Baton Rouge campus until May 2023, because of hazing allegations. It’s been reported LSU police has issued misdemeanor charges against three unidentified members of the fraternity. Pi Kappa Phi was also suspended in 2017 for a social event that allegedly violated the student conduct code.

The America’s Health Rankings Senior Report from the United Health Foundation has found that in the past six years, the percentage of senior citizens in Louisiana suffering from depression has increased 43-percent. Doctor Rhonda Randal with United HealthCare National Markets explains what might be leading to the increase….
cut 6 (12) “…rates of depression”

Governor John Bel Edwards is seeking federal assistance to help pay for the nearly six-million dollars in preliminary uninsured damages to Ruston from an EF-3 tornado. Edwards says unfortunately because of beaucratic rules, it might be awhile before the federal dollars arrive…
cut 3 (10) “…normal”
Louisiana Tech has an estimated five million dollars in uninsured damages and the total amount of damages is about 20-million dollars.
A proposal to roll back the state sales tax rate from 4.45-percent to four-percent is heading to the House floor after it received approval from the House Appropriations committee. But Executive counsel for the governor, Matthew Block, says reducing the state sales tax will result in less dollars for the state to pay for pressing needs…
cut 11 (09) “…about infrastucture”
With just over two weeks left in the session, this measure might not have enough time to get through the process.

Today is Early Childhood Education Day and advocates are using this day to push for 31-million dollars in additional funding to help reduce a wait list that has families on it, seeking funding to send their young children to child care. But the governor wants to spend an additional 39-million dollars on public schools. Louisiana Policy Institute for Children Melanie Bronfin says no successful educational program is successful without both…
cut 15 (07) “….those things”

Louisiana has its first American Idol winner…
voicer 1 (31) “….I’m Kevin Barnhart”

A bill to raise the legal age to smoke to 21-years-old received the approval of a House Committee today, but it has several exemptions. Military personnel and law enforcement would be exempted and current 18-year-olds would be granfathered in. Alexandria Representative Lance Harris…
cut 8 (08) “…deal with it”

Louisiana was slammed with another round of twisters yesterday that’s knocked out power to hundreds in Acadiana, damaged nearly 100 homes and businesses, and left three people with minor injuries. National Weather Service Lake Charles Meteorologist Andy Patrick says they identified six tornadoes that touched down during the severe weather event, all of them with winds around 100 miles per hour.
Cut 10 (10) “…EF 1.“
One of the E-F one twisters went right through downtown Ville Platte on Sunday morning. Mayor Jennifer Vidrine says it’s a miracle no one was killed, but she’s heard about some close calls…
cut 12 (08) “….their head”
Vidrine says they’ve been told by Cleco that power should be returned by the end of the day.

Northwest Louisiana is under a slight risk for severe weather tomorrow.

Over 500 customers are still without power in the Evangeline parish city of Ville Platte, which was rocked by a tornado on Sunday morning, leaving nearly 100 homes and businesses damaged. But Mayor Jennifer Vidrine says it could have been worse…
cut 11 (11) “…asleep”
National Weather Service Meterologist Andy Patrick says they believe it was an EF 1 tornado that cut right through the middle of town…
cut 9 (09) “….as well”
Patrick says as many as six tornadoes touched down during the severe weather event with winds around 100 miles per hour.

More severe weather is possible tomorrow as northwest Louisiana is under a slight threat.
Livingston Parish has produced the state’s first American Idol winner as Laine Hardy took the top honors in the season 17 finale last night on ABC. The eighteen-year old’s mother, Cindy Hardy, says in the hours since her son was crowned champion, his music is shooting up the charts.
Cut 3 (09) “…rock charts on iTunes.”
Hardy’s first single is entitled “Flame.”

A proposal to increase the legal smoking and vaping age from 18 to 21-years-old gets out of the House Appropriations Committee by one vote. New Orleans vape shop owner Victoria Wood says it’s a bad bill, because there are no repercussions for those between 18 to 21 who try to purchase tobacco or vaping products…
Cut 7 (10) “…for it”
The bill heads to the House floor for more discussion.

Hundreds of people remain without power in Acadiana and three people are recovering from minor injuries after an EF-1 tornado cut through Ville Platte yesterday morning. Officials say over 50 homes and businesses were damaged.

One person was killed and four others are suffering from gunshot wounds from a shootout that occurred in Alexandria in the early morning hours. Authorities responded to the scene in the 19-hundred block of Bacon Street and found one man dead.

The state department of education is collecting information on silent alarm systems. Assistant superintendent of Education Erin Bendzily…
cut 9 (08) “…system leaders’
Bendzily says they will talk with school leaders, emergency response experts and national organizations focused on school safety so that local education leaders can determine if the installation and use of silent alarms is feasible.

Louisiana state parks are helping those with disabilities and special needs gain employment this summer. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Voicer 3 (30) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

And the 2019 American Idol winner is….
cut 30
That’s right Laine Hardy is the first person from Louisiana to win the popular signing competition on ABC television. The Livingston Parish’s first single is entitled “Flame.”

The National Weather Service says an EF-1 torando with estimated winds of 90 miles per hour that went through downtown Ville Platte on Sunday morning. Governor Edwards says at least 50 homes and businesses were damaged by strong winds…
cut 25 (12) “…weather related’
The National Weather Service says there was also an EF-0 tornado that touched down south of Mamou.

The Louisiana Department of Education is on a fact finding mission regarding the use of silent alarm systems as part of an effort to enhance school safety. Assistant Superintendent of Education Erin Bendzily says she’s a mother of a 10-year-old son and understands the importance…
cut 10 (12) “….critical”
Bendzily says they are studying the feasibility and cost of installing silent alarms.

The online fantasy sports regulatory bill has an amendment on it that stipulates you can only play, if you’re at over 21-year-old only establishments like video poker parlors, bars, or casinos. Video poker lobbyist Alton Ashy advocated for the amendment and says legalizing the activity without restrictions provides no benefits to Louisiana businesses.
Cut 4 (09) “… of Louisiana.”
But Fairness for Fantasy Sports Louisiana spokesperson Ryan Berni says the requirement is so unfeasible that it raises questions as to whether the amendment is just a bad faith effort to kill the activity, or cripple it in favor of local gaming…
Cut 7 (08) “…fantasy sports.”
The legislation will be discussed on the House floor Tuesday.

The bill that sets up the regulation for fantasy sports gaming in Louisiana says the online games can only be played at over 21-year-old establishments. Video poker lobbyist Alton Ashy says this provision can help push more foot traffic into highly taxed casinos…
cut 6 (10) “…fantasy sports”
But advocates for fantasy sports wants the over 21-year-old venue provision stripped from the bill that’s awaiting a vote on the House floor.

A bill to legalize recreational use of marijuana is still alive in the legislative session and is awaiting a hearing in the House Criminal Justice Committee. Baton Rouge Representative Ted James is one of the supporters because he says a well regulated program is the best step forward…
cut 15 (11) “…program”
Under the proposal, it would be the state department of ag that would hand out permits to up to 15 companies who grow the marijuana that would be sold to those over 21-years-old.

The Louisiana Department of Education is requesting feedback on silent alarms in public schools. The Louisiana Legislature has requested that D-O-E look to see how viable and cost-effective the safety measure would be. State Education Assistant Superintendent Erin Bendzily says…
Cut 8 (12) “…technology.”
Bendzily says they plan to get input from school leaders, emergency response experts and national organizations focused on school safety.

The Office of State Parks is looking to hire people with disabilities and special needs to work at their sites during the summer. Assistant Secretary for the Office of State Parks Brandon Burris says there’s a place on the Louisiana Workforce Commission’s website to apply…
cut 13 (08) “….how to apply”
Last year, nine special needs individuals were hired.