A proposal to raise the legal age to purchase cigarettes, dip, and vape products from 18 to 21 is defeated on the House floor 24-55. Matt Doyle has the story.
cut 2 (30) I’m Matt Doyle”

The Advocate reports a Facebook post claiming that former governor Kathleen Blanco had passed away is not true. The Advocate’s Tyler Bridges says he took a phone call from the state’s only female governor today and Blanco said reports of her early demise are greatly exaggerated. The 78-year-old is battling an incurable cancer.

Governor John Bel Edwards is discussing river flooding with his Unified Command Group this afternoon. Terrebonne Parish President Gordon Dove says they have several pumps working around the clock…
cut 5 (11) “….we can”
The Morganza Spillway in Pointe Coupee Parish might open in June to combat the rising Mississippi River.

NOAA predicts a near-normal hurricane season for 2019 as they estimate the total number of named storms will range from nine to 15, four to eight hurricanes and two to four major hurricanes. Lead hurricane season forecaster Gerry Bell says major hurricanes will not develop until August….
cut 8 (12) “….season”
The U-S was hit by two major storms last year, Michael and Florence.

Federal forecasters are predicting a slighter weaker hurricane season than last year. Connor Ferrill has the story.
Voicer 1 (31) “I’m Connor Ferrill”

The LSU baseball team is back at again in the SEC Tournament. Their game against Auburn this afternoon started about nine and a half hours after their previous contest ended. The Tigers lost a 17-inning affair with Mississippi State six to five. The game ended at 3:03 in the morning.

The US Army Corps of Engineers might open the gates on the Morganza Spillway in early June because the Mississippi River continues to rise. It would be the third time that the Morganza has ever been opened and first since 2011. Terrebonne Parish President Gordon Dove says just like in 2011, a barge will have to be installed in Bayou Chene to prevent backwater flooding in Terrebonne and several other parishes…
Cut 4 (08) “…anything”
Dove says they began preparing for possible flooding in February.

A Bossier City man is under arrest for allegedly engaging in sexual conversations with a minor in Wisconsin. Authorities say 49-year-old William Kramer allegedly offered to pay for the child’s plane ticket to Louisiana for sexual purposes. Louisiana State Police Trooper Brent Hardy says a further investigation revealed Kramer had engaged in sexual conversations online with multiple children….
cut 13 (09) “…a report”

NOAA predicts a near-normal 2019 hurricane season. US weather officials say that means between 9 to 15 named storms, 4 to 8 hurricanes and 2 to 4 major hurricanes. Lead hurricane season forecaster Gerry Bell says there are competing climate factors that led to their prediction…
Cut 6 (12) “…more activity”
Last year there were 15 named storms, highlighted by two major hurricanes, Florence and Michael.

There’s promising research out of Tulane and Southeast Louisiana Veterans Healthcare System with the development of a new pain pills. Senior Study author Dr. James Zadina says the new opioid they’ve developed and tested on animals has shown it can reduce addiction.
Cut 25 (07) “…to humans”
Zadina says the opioid they’ve developed also speeds up recovery, without increasing pan sensitivity.

For only the third time in history the US Army Corps of Engineers may have to open the Morganza Spillway in early June because of the rising Mississippi River. That means water will be released into the Atchalfalya Basin raising the concern for flooding in several parishes. Terrebonne Parish President Gordon Dove
Cut 3 (14) “…and all.”
The Morganza spillway was opened for the first time 1973 for 56 days and 55 days in 2011.

Some interesting news as the summer cranks up. The Water Quality and Health Council has found 51-percent of US adults admit to either swimming as a substitute to showering or using the pool to rinse off after exercise or yardwork. Public health expert Chris Wiant says that’s not good…
cut 28 (09) “…disinfectant”
A pre-swim shower helps remove dirt, perspiration, and personal care items like deodorant.

US Senator John Kennedy slams his Democratic colleagues in the other chamber who are contemplating whether to impeach President Donald Trump. Kennedy’s message on the Senate floor was direct
Cut 13 (04) “…off the pot”
The state’s junior senator made the statement shortly after a meeting between the president and Democrats ended before it ever really started. Kennedy says he hopes the House leadership and the Trump administration can sit down and talk constructively about how their behavior could impact important institutions in this country.

Legislation requiring restaurants to tell customers what country their shrimp or crawfish came from has received the backing of the Senate Health and Welfare Committee. The House has also voted for the proposal. LaRose Representative Truck Gisclair says the legislation has also been endorsed by several coastal parishes that rely on the fishing industry…
cut 12 (11) “…out there”
Gisclair says the Louisiana Restaurant Association’s concerns with the legislation have been addressed.

Tulane and Southeast Louisiana Veterans Healthcare System researchers believe they’ve made a breakthrough in the fight against the opioid. Tulane Doctor James Zadina says they’ve developed an opioid that speeds up recovery, without increasing pain sensitivity. Zadina says they’ve tested their new drug on rats and hope to begin human clinical trials soon…
cut 6 (09) “….in humans”

Here’s some interesting news as the summer cranks up. The Water Quality and Health Council has found 51-percent of US adults admit to either swimming as a substitute to showering or using the pool to rinse off after exercise or yardwork. Public health expert Chris Wiant says using a swimming pool as a communal bathtub raises the risk of waterborne illnesses…..
cut 8 (09) “…disinfectant”
A pre-swim shower helps remove dirt, perspiration, and personal care items like deodorant.

The full Senate approves legislation that would give voters a chance to declare that abortions are unconstitutional. Franklinton Senator Beth Mizell says voters would have a chance in October to add the anti-abortion language to the state constitution…
Cut 3 (09) “…in DC.”
Opponents say constitutions are meant to protect a persons right.

Legislation that would create a database of veteran-owned businesses to help consumers who may want to do business with them is one step closer to final legislative approval. Governor John Bel Edwards supports the legislation and he says safeguards are in place to prevent abuse of the program…
cut 9 (12) “….do this”
The Senate Commerce committee approved the House approved bill today and it heads to the full Senate.

An effort to give voters a chance to decide if the minimum wage should be raised to nine dollars an hour has died in the Louisiana Senate. New Orleans Senator Troy Carter says the 26 votes needed to send his proposal to the House are not there…
Cut 5 (08) “…do not have the votes”
It’s a legislative defeat for Governor John Bel Edwards who has backed legislation to increase the minimum wage, but the Republican controlled legislature does not support it.

The Louisiana House has passed the lethal injection secrecy bill. It would keep secret the drugs used to carry out a lethal injection in Louisiana. But opponents cried foul about the ethics of keeping contractual details away from taxpayers. Baton Rouge Representative Patricia Smith says if drug companies that make lethal serums are proud of their work, they should stand behind it.
Cut 15 (13) “use”
Despite the objection, the bill heads to the Senate for more discussion.

The LSU Tigers will get a chance to improve their resume to host an NCAA Regional when they face Mississippi State tonight in Hoover, Alabama. The Tigers took two of three from the Bulldogs during the regular season. Eric Walker will start on the mound for the Tigers and he pitched very well against the Bulldogs earlier this season. The game will start after 8 PM.

Louisiana Tech is in the loser’s bracket of the Conference USA Tournament after falling to Marshall six to four in 12 innings. The Ragin Cajuns also dropped a close game in the Sun Belt Tournament as Georgia Southern beat U-L Lafayette six to five. ULM will play top seeded Texas State tonight.

Southeastern Louisiana is in the loser’s bracket of the Southland tournament. Sixth seeded Stephen F Austin blanked Southeastern Louisiana five to nothing. Northwestern State was shutout as the Demons were downed by Central Arkansas two to nothing. McNeese will face U-I-W later tonight.

New Pelicans general manager Trajan Langdon has made his first comments to the media since his hiring. Langdon says the franchise is committed to a sustainable team building approach, even if it means the team misses out on the playoffs for a year or two.
cut 17 (20) “behind”
Langdon was previously the assistant general manager for Brooklyn and he was named the G-League Executive of the Year.

Some news out of the NFL today, Divisional playoff games on Sunday will be pushed back to two and 5:30 PM central time. Cleveland and Kansas City will host future drafts. New Orleans can’t host, mainly because the draft falls of Jazz Fest weekend. And starting in 2020, drills for the NFL combine will take place in the afternoon and during the prime-time so more people can watch live.