Governor John Bel Edwards is confident the legislature will approve his proposal for 39-million dollars in block grant funding that would go to Louisiana school districts. Edwards says public schools desperately need this additional cash…
cut 4 (12) “…in the other”
House Republicans have resisted Edwards proposal for additional funding for public schools, because they say Louisiana already spends the national average when it comes to per pupil funding. But Edwards says funding for Louisiana public schools has been stagnant for too long…
cut 6 (10) “…as result”
The Senate also seems to be in agreement with Edwards that public school funding needs to go up.

The House is expected to take up legislation today that would ban drivers from touching their cell phones while behind the wheel. Bill author, Breaux Bridge Representative Mike Huval says the proposal is a life saver, and a cost saver…
Cut 10 (11) “…accidents.”
Huval says Georgia recently passed a cellphone ban and the Peach State has seen a 15-percent reduction in commercial vehicle fatalities, and a four-percent reduction in all fatalities, which adds up to 50 lives saved due to the new law.

Also today, the House Ways and Means committee is expected to discuss a bill that will lower the state sales tax from 4.45 to four-percent. Haughton Representative Dodie Horton says the state shouldn’t have one of the highest sales tax rates in the country, when Louisiana is losing population…
Cut 13 (05) “…population.”
The Edwards administration is expected to oppose the measure.

LSU baseball has a season-high five-game losing streak after losing to Arkansas 11 to six last night. The Tigers had a 3-0 lead after two innings after Saul Garza hit a two-run homer. But LSU’s bats went away for several innings and Zack Hess couldn’t repeat the relief outing he had last week. Hess entered in the 5th inning with LSU leading 3-1 and he gave up three runs in two innings. Arkansas put the game out of the reach when they scored six runs in the eighth. LSU has allowed 56 runs in the last four games.

Southeastern Louisiana pitcher Corey Gaconi threw a complete game shutout as the Lions blanked Sam Houston State 3-0 to move into sole possession in the Southland Conference with five league games left. Gaconi allowed four hits and struck out six. Preston Faulkner’s home run off the foul pole in left field snapped a scoreless tie in the 7th inning.

The Cajuns opened their series with Georgia State by blanking the Panthers two-zip. Jack Burk threw five innings to get the win and Austin Perrin earned a four-inning save.

Troy thumped ULM 15-4. La Tech lost to Western Kentucky five to four. McNeese defeated Texas A-and-M Corpus Christi 5-2. Stephen F Austin knocked off Nicholls five to one and Northwestern State defeated Incarnate Word seven to six. J-P Lagreco hit two home runs and drove in five runs.

In college basketball, LSU and Louisiana Tech will play each other in an exhibition game at the Thomas Assembly Center in Ruston on November second. The game will benefit tornado relief efforts.

The NCAA Men’s Basketball Rules Committee has proposed moving the three point line back to the international basketball distance which is just beyond 22-feet. The current three-point line is just under 21 feet. Another panel still must approve it, but it could go into effect next season.

It’s Mother’s Day weekend and a report from Move-dot-org says Louisiana is the third least expensive state to be a new mom. Move.org says the average cost for childbirth and childcare costs in Louisiana is 12-thousand dollars and that’s cheaper than daycare costs alone in D-C, Massachusetts, New York and Connecticut…
cut 5 (07) “…doing so much”
The two states that rank ahead of Louisiana are Mississippi and Alabama for the cost of having a baby.

Senator John Kennedy is once again bringing legislation aimed at getting dead people off the social security rolls. The Senator says every year the federal government spends 144 billion dollars on improper payments, through Social security, Medicare, and other social programs.
Cut 9 (12) “…them“.
Kennedy cited a recent case of a New Orleans woman who was prosecuted for stealing 300,000 dollars of social security checks.

No action at the State Capitol today, but when lawmakers arrive on Monday, the House Ways and Means committee will discuss a bill that will lower the state sales tax from 4.45 to four-percent. The state sales tax was four percent for many years before Governor Edwards took office, and in his first year it jumped to five percent to cover a significant budget gap, before falling to 4.45 percent last year. Haughton Representative Dodie Horton supports the legislation…
Cut 13 (05) “…population.”
The Edwards administration is expected to oppose the measure.

So far it’s been a dry Friday afternoon for most of the state after a couple of bumpy days weather wise. Louisiana has seen it’s fair share of severe weather lately and Mike Steele with the governor’s office of homeland security and emergency preparedness says this pattern could continue…
cut 8 (09) “…future”
The National Weather Service says they’ve confirmed that eight tornadoes touched down in north Louisiana on Wednesday, one of them caused a lot of damage at Jimmie Davis State Park in Jackson.

House Ways and Means will hear a bill Monday that would repeal the .45 percent state sales tax levied in the last legislative session to plug a budget deficit. But Haughton Rep. Dodie Horton says the nearly half-a-cent sales tax is producing a surplus
Cut 12 (08) “…operate”
The Edwards administration is expected to oppose the measure.

Congressman Steve Scalise says he’s still struggling to forgive the man who shot him and four others as Republicans practiced for a charity baseball game in June 2017. A week ago today, Scalise traveled with the Vice President to Opelousas and said it was good to talk with one of the pastors who said he’s already forgiven the man charged with burning his church down. Scalise says his Catholic faith teaches forgiveness and he’s trying to get there.

LSU hands out over four-thousand degrees today and tomorrow, so will these new grads find employment within state borders? Matt Doyle has more…
Voicer 3 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

At this hour much of the state is getting a break from the stormy weather, but more heavy rainfall is on the way. Mike Steele, with the governor’s office of homeland security and emergency preparedness, says when there is a downpour, stay off the roads…
cut 7 (07) “…the way”
Much of the state is under a flash flood watch until Saturday night.

For the third straight game, LSU allowed more than 10 runs in a contest and the Fighting Tigers now have a four game losing streak after losing 14-4 to Arkansas last night. Starter Ma’Khail Hilliard allowed six runs over three innings and Riggs Threadgill gave up another six runs in one inning. Eric Walker will try to get LSU back on track when he takes the ball tonight.

Because of all of the rain, the state baseball tournament in Sulphur has been postponed of Sunday. The LHSAA hopes to complete 12 games at McMurray Park on Mother’s Day. The finals would take place on Monday and Tuesday.

We’ll have at least two Game 7s in the NBA playoffs on Mother’s Day. Philadelphia versus Toronto and Portland versus Denver have been extended to seven games series. We could have a third Game 7, if Houston can beat Golden State tonight, who will be without Kevin Durant, because of a calf injury.

Louisiana Tech will conclude their home schedule this weekend by hosting Western Kentucky. The games will be played on ULM’s campus, because of damage done to J-C Love Field by an EF 3 tornado. Admission is free to all three contests and Tech will celebrate 12 seniors before Saturday’s game.

ULM is on the road for a series at Troy, while the Ragin Cajuns will host Georgia State. Both Louisiana schools need victories this weekend if they want to make the Sun Belt Tournament.

The Saints rookie camp begins today and the team has announced that its entire draft class has been signed, including second round pick Erik McCoy, who could be the team’s starting center in 2019.

Former Saints tight end Ben Watson’s retirement looks to be a short one as the veteran will reportedly sign with the Patriots. New England needs help at that position with the retirement of Rob Gronkowski. Watson caught 46 passes for the Saints last season. He’s a former first round pick of the Patriots.

At this hour we are seeing heavy rainfall across southeast and northeast Louisiana. Matt Doyle reports northwest Louisiana has already seen localized flooding…
voicer 2 (28) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

East Baton Rouge prosecutors believe a former LSU student charged in the hazing death of fraternity pledge Maxwell Gruver deleted hundreds of files from his cellphone before authorities could search it. The D-A’s office has requested that Google turnover all deleted data from Matthew Naquin’s phone.

Graduation ceremonies will take place on the LSU and Southern campuses over the next two days. Louisiana has seen 13 straight months of over-the-year job gains, according to the latest figures from the state Workforce Commission. But LSU Economist Loren Scott says it’s also tempting for new grads to look for work in Texas….
cut 15 (12) “…available”

For graduating high school seniors, the Louisiana Office of Student Financial Assistance is reminding students to create a LOSFA Student Hub account to monitor their TOPS award status and eligibility….
cut 6 (10) “…have a TOPS”
That’s Paula Smith, student financial aid administrator with LOSFA.

Governor John Bel Edwards says nine parishes across north Louisiana experienced wind damage Wednesday night and Thursday morning, with extensive damage to the Jimmie Davis Park in Jackson Parish. Edwards says the park is closed until further notice…
Cut 7 (09) “…road is impassable”
The National Weather Service says it was an EF-1 tornado that touched down just south of Jonesboro damaging over 100 homes.

Bossier Parish Sheriff deputies had to perform water rescues yesterday. Lt. Bill Davis…
cut 12 (10) “…badly”
Northwest Louisiana is drying out this morning. But roads are closed this morning in Acadiana because of high water.

LSU will hand out over four-thousand degrees today and tomorrow, so will these new grads find employment within state borders? Matt Doyle has more…
Cut 3 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry says his cyber crime unit assisted in the arrest of an illegal alien who allegedly distributed child pornography. Landry says Nery Wilfredo Lopez Alvarado illegally resided in Baton Rouge. The A-G says it’s another example of the national emergency taking place at the Southern border.

Much of Louisiana is under a flash flood watch as two to four inches of rain is expected to fall between today and tomorrow. Some areas could see higher amounts. And There’s a marginal risk of severe weather for central and south Louisiana. All of this is very concerning to Governor John Bel Edwards…
cut 9 (12) “…other structures”
Edwards says over 100 homes in Jackson Parish are reporting damage from an EF 1 tornado that touchdown south of Jonesboro.

LSU will award a record 4,000 plus degrees during graduation ceremonies today and tomorrow. So how does the job market look? LSU economist Dr. Loren Scott ….
cut 13 (10) “….good”

As we told you in the first segment, flash flooding is a real concern over the next couple of days. Matt Doyle reports northwest Louisiana has already seen localized flooding…
voicer 2 (28) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

East Baton Rouge prosecutors believe a former LSU student charged in the hazing death of fraternity pledge Maxwell Gruver deleted hundreds of files from his cellphone before authorities could search it. The D-A’s office has requested that Google turnover all deleted data from Matthew Naquin’s phone.