The LSU baseball team goes after its fourth straight victory tonight when they host Auburn for game two of their three-game set. Last night, Eric Walker was great on the mound the Tigers pounded out three home runs in a seven to one win over Auburn. Saul Garza cranked out his fifth home run of the season and the catcher also had three hits. First pitch tonight is at 7 at Alex Box Stadium.

After ending a 25-game losing streak to the Ragin Cajuns last night with a six to three win, ULM looks to make it two wins in a row over UL Lafayette tonight. Both teams are in the need of a win to clinch a spot in next week’s Sun Belt Tournament.

Southern University is one win away from reaching the SWAC Tournament championship game. The Jaguars ralled back from four runs down in the ninth inning to beat Texas Southern 10-to-9 last night. The Jags will play again tonight in New Orleans at Wesley Barrow Stadium. Grambling avoided elimination earlier today by beating Prairie View nine to eight and will play again today against Alabama State.

Louisiana Tech athletics director Tommy McClelland is asking for their fans to be patient as they decide on the future homes for the Bulldog baseball softball and soccer stadiums. Their facilities were destroyed by a tornado. McClelland says they are awaiting information from FEMA, the state government and insurance providers that will help them with the future of these programs. Donations can be made to the Athletics Disaster Relief Fund.

On the baseball diamond last night, Louisiana Tech blanked FIU three to nothing. Senior captain Matt Miller allowed five hits and came one out away from throwing a complete game shutout. The Illnois native struck out six. David Leal will start tonight’s game at 5 PM.

In the Southland, Preston Faulkner hit a two-out, three run homer in the eighth inning to give Southeastern Louisiana an eight to six win over Incarnate Word. The Lions will finish the series against U-I-W by playing a doubleheader today. S-L-U is chasing Sam Houston for first place. The Bearkats defeated Northwestern State 11 to 5.

The Louisiana House has approved legislation that would give the state’s legislative auditor access to income tax returns of Medicaid recipients. Democrats oppose the legislation, New Orleans Representative Gary Carter had this question for the bill’s author, Prairieville Representative Tony Bacala…
cut 5 (10) “….thank you”
The proposal heads to the Senate, where similiar efforts died in years past.

According to the governor’s office, the state’s not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate has hit an all-time low of three-point-five percent. Louisiana Workforce Commission Director Ava Dejoie says you thank job gains in education, healthcare and professional and business services…
cut 7 (08) “…shown significant increases”
The previous record for the unemployment rate was set in 2018.

There’s another chance for severe weather in Louisiana tomorrow, with an enhanced risk for northwest Louisiana and much of north, central and southwest Louisiana under a slight risk. Brandi Richardson with the National Weather Service says this latest storm system has the potential to produce more tornadoes…
cut 13 (11) “….time of year”
The chance of rain will be in the forecast through Tuesday.

There are theaters across the nation that will show Steel Magnolias this weekend to celebrate the legendary film’s 30th anniversary of when it was released. But none of the theaters in Natchitoches have the movie this weekend, but Kelli West with the Natchitoches Convention and Visitors Bureau says don’t worry, the actual 30-year annivesary is in November and they’ll show it then…
cut 16 (08) “…initial release”

Louisiana U-S Senator is the co-author of a bipartisan proposal that seeks to end the surprise medical bills some patients receive after their treatment. Cassidy says the legislation comes down to one principal…
cut 8 (09) “….into a practice”
Cassidy says the bill would ensure that patients owe no more than their in-network cost sharing in the case of a non-emergency service that is provided by an out-of-network at an in-network facility.

The Department of Children and Family Services are seeking families who are willing to raise teenagers who are in the foster care system.
cut 6 (10) “….to”
That’s D-C-F-S Secretary Marketa Garner Walters who says this is part of the department’s commitment to improve outcomes for youth in foster care by increasing permanency and connections before they transition to adulthood.

A merger between the state’s affiliates of the Susan G. Komen breast cancer organization result in one statewide affiliate. What does that mean for the fight against the disease? Kevin Barnhart has the story.
cut 3 (30) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

The Social Security Administration says the top baby boy name in 2018 in Louisiana was Noah, followed by Lian, Elijah, James and William. The top girls name in Louisiana last year was Ava, followed by Olivia, Emma, Amelia and Harper. Nationally, Liam was the most popular boy name, while Emma was the top girl name.

US Senator Bill Cassidy is among a bipartisan group of Senators that has filed legislation to protect patients from surprise medical bills. Cassidy believes the measure is a good fit for insurers and caregivers while also addressing constituents concerns….
cut 9 (05) “….that sweet spot”
The bill would require that a patient is only required to pay the in network cost-sharing amount for an emergency, even if they are treated by an out-of-network facility or an out-of-network provider.

The Department of Children and Family Services has launched a campaign to recruit foster parents for teenagers. Some families might be intimidated to take in someone who’s going through the often turbulent and hormone driven teenage years, but DCFS Secretary Marketa Garner Walters says it’s certainly not the most difficult period of a kid’s life.
Cut 5 (11) “…fast”
Teens account for about 20-percent of the kids under the state’ care, but fewer than five-percent are placed in non-relative foster homes.

Louisiana lawmakers are moving closer to approving a ban on nearly all abortions in Louisiana. The proposal would ban abortions when a fetal heartbeat is detected. Governor Edwards says he’ll sign that legislation when it reaches his desk, but he also points out that abortions would automatically be prohibited in Louisiana if Roe versus Wade gets overturned…
cut 11 (07) “….now”
Louisiana’s fetal hearbeat abortion ban is awaiting House approval, before it reaches the governor’s desk.

The Louisiana affiliates of the Susan G. Komen breast cancer organization have unified to become a single, statewide affiliate. Executive Director of Komen Louisiana, Angela Miller, says the organization has a hefty goal of cutting in half the number of breast cancer deaths in Louisiana by 2026.
Cut 13 (10) “…to the decision.”
To reach the goal, Komen’s will work to ensure breast cancer patients receive the treatment they need to beat the disease.

The Department of Children and Family Services is asking for more households to open their doors to teen foster kids as part of National Foster Care Month. DCFS Secretary Marketa Garner Walters says they have a difficult time finding foster homes for teens…
Cut 4 (09) “… teens.”
If you’re interested in becoming a foster parent go to Louisiana-fosters-dot-la-dot-gov.

A proposal to ban abortions when a fetal heartbeat is detected is getting close to reaching Governor John Bel Edwards’ desk. The pro-life Democrat believes this is a bill that Louisiana voters support…
cut 12 (09) “…any different”
Several pro choice demonstrators were arrested at the capitol earlier this week after they poured fake blood on the floors outside of the House and Senate chambers.

A bipartisan group of US Senators, including Louisiana’s Bill Cassidy, is working to combat surprise medical billing. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Voicer 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

The U-S Senate has confirmed Wendy Vitter as a federal judge in Louisiana’s Eastern District which covers 13-parishes in southeast Louisiana. The Senate voted 52-45 to give the wife of former US Senator David Vitter a lifetime job. Democrats voiced concerns about her anti-abortion record.

Governor Edwards addressed the growing controversy in Alabama surrounding the state’s passing of a bill that almost completely bans abortions. Edwards has historically supported pro-life legislation, and a fetal heartbeat abortion ban bill is currently working its way through the Legislature. During a gathering with reporters, he reiterated his support for that legislation.
Cut 10 (12) “…consistent”

Local affiliates of the Susan G. Komen breast cancer organization have officially joined together to form a new statewide affiliate called Susan G Komen Louisiana. Executive director Angela Miller says the merger will help the group reduce the current number of breast cancer deaths by 50-percent by 2026…
cut 14 (07) “…our state”
To reach the goal, Komen’s will work to ensure breast cancer patients receive the treatment they need to beat the disease.

20 percent of kids in the foster care system are teens, but only 5 percent of homes are requesting teenagers. Matt Doyle talked with the DCFS Secretary about their push to change that.
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”