Today is the one year anniversary of the shooting of US Representative Steve Scalise. Scalise was hit in the hip by a bullet from an assault rifle in a politically motivated shooting that targeted Republican legislators at a baseball field in Virginia. Scalise says his recovery was a tough journey, but he made it through with a lot of help.
Cut 4 (11) “really important.”
Scalise plans on playing second base tonight at the Congressional charity baseball game.

US Senator John Kennedy’s comments that Governor John Bel Edwards should resign, because of the state’s budget woes raised a lot of eye brows. ULM Political Science Professor Joshua Stockley says Kennedy’s attack was pure partisan politics…
cut 16 (11) “….responsible budget”
Analysts expect Kennedy will run against Edwards next year.

A bid to repair the I-210 bridge in Lake Charles has been submitted that claims the work can be done in 365 days. The 44.5 million dollar repair will address the 54-year-old bridge that is a vital transportion route. Transportation Secretary Shawn Wilson says their own estimations pegged the time at 17 months at best.
Cut 11 (11) “be safe”

A Shreveport craft beer’s popularity exceeds expectations. Kevin Barnhart has the story on this wildly sought-after 3-1-8 Golden Ale.
Cut 2 (29) ” I’m Kevin Barnhart”

One year ago today, Louisiana Congressman Steve Scalise was fighting for his life after he was shot on a baseball field in Alexandria, Virginia. A bullet went through his hip causing many internal injuries. Several surgeries later, Scalise will play in tonight’s congressional baseball game. While speaking at a Politico sponsored event, the Republican from Jefferson Parish says he was itching to get back during his recovery….
cut 5 (10) “….come back”
Scalise is expected to start at second base in tonight’s charity game.

Great Raft Brewing says their recently released 3-1-8 Golden Ale has exceeded expectations and now they are looking at expanding their brewery in Shreveport. Tasting room manager Bob Thames says it’s rewarding to have a brand that the area can call its own….
cut 9 (05) “….in everbody’s hands”

Good news for Lake Charles-area motorists. The state Department of Transportation says planned construction on the I-210 bridge might only take a year to compete. Earlier estimates had the timetable at three years. Transportation Secretary Shawn Wilson says a start date has yet to be determined and motorists will still be able to use the bridge once work begins…
cut 13 (09) “….between”
The bridge repair is expected to cost 44-million dollars.

A Morgan City bank teller has been arrested in California after she allegedly stole over 25-thousand dollars from her drawer at the bank. Thirty-seven-year-old Stephanie Williams was taken into custody in Long Beach, California.

Running back Mark Ingram has been with the Saints during their mandatory three-day mini-camp. It’s the first time Ingram has been with the team during the offseason as he skipped the O-T-As. Ingram says he wanted to work out on his own this year and spent time trying to get faster…
cut 18 (18) “….right now”
The Saints have reportedly signed another running back. It’s Terrance West, who started four games with the Ravens last year. He can provide the team with a little depth as Ingram has to sit out the first four games for violating the N-F-L’s P-E-D policy.

Back to the Saints mini-camp. Wide receiver Michael Thomas has been absent and Coach Sean Payton says its excused. Defensive end Cam Jordan has also been excused from mini-camp as he’s with his wife for the birth of their second child.

Three LSU Tigers will join coach Paul Mainieri on the USA Collegiate National Team. Outfielder Antoine Duplantis, right-handed pitcher Zack Hess and outfielder Zach Watson have been added to the USA Roster, which will be coached by Mainieri. The USA Baseball Collegiate National team will participate in three international freindship series summer,. starting with the Chinese Taipei International Friendship Series later this month in June. The US will also compete against Japan and Cuba.

Also, the scoreboard has been taken down at Alex Box Stadium. The LSU baseball twitter feed showed a picture with the scoreboard a skeleton of its former self. No word on what the new scoreboard will look like.

Two significant rule changes were announced today by the NCAA. Players will now be allowed to transfer to another school without permission from the school or coach they are leaving. It gives athletes more freedom on where they want to continue their college career.

And the NCAA will now allow division one college football players to play in up to four games and not use up a year of eligibility. It’s effective starting this season and it’s a move that Head Coach Ed Orgeron had previously said he was in favor of.

Legislators return to Baton Rouge next week to consider revenue raising measures that would go towards closing a large budget deficit. But House Appropriations Chairman Cameron Henry says there’s other ways they can reduce the deficit. He says taking away automatic pay raises for state workers is one possible solution….
cut 4 (09) “…next year”
Henry says he’ll bring the head of the Civil Service Board before the Appropriations Committee next week to talk about pay raises.

US Senator John Kennedy is weighing in on President Donald Trump’s historic summit meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. He says it took a certain kind of person to break through the Hermit kingdom’s tough outer shell, after decades of failed attempts.
Cut 12 (09) “baby step.”
President Trump tweeted out this morning that North Korea is no longer nuclear threat.

After years of cuts, the taxpayer Childcare Assistance Program is getting some much needed federal funding, which will allow four-thousand more low-income families receive financial assistance for pre-k education. Currently enrollment is at 15-thousand children, but Louisiana Policy Institute for Children Executive Director Melanine Bronfin says at one time, enrollment was much higher….
cut 11 (12) “…years ago”
Go to the state department of education’s website for more information on the program.

A potentially deadly brain-eating amoeba has been found in Terrebonne Parish. The Terrebonne Consolidated Waterworks District issued a notification to residents in Pointe-aux-Chenes and they have taken steps to kill the organism in the water system. Officials says they will test the water in two weeks to make sure its eradicated.

The executive director of the Patrick Taylor Foundation says the uncertainty of TOPS funding could sway some college students to get their education out of state. Doctor James Caillier says that’s not good news for our economy when our best students are going elsewhere….
cut 15 (09) “…brain drain”
Lawmakers return to Baton Rouge next week to see if they can come up with a way to fully fund TOPS. House Appropriations Chairman Cameron Henry says if extra revenues are needed, he’d like to see a gradual phase out of any sales tax bill approved in the upcoming special session…
cut 5 (09) “…dollar amount”
Legislation are expected to debate renewing a portion of an expiring one-cent sales tax.

Good news for low income parents waiting to take advantage of a taxpayer funded Child Care Assistance Program. Because of an increase in federal funding, an additional four-thousand children under the age of four can join the program. Louisiana Policy Institute for Children Executive Director Melanie Bronfin says helping working families figure out what to do with their children is not only good for the kids, but great for the economy.
Cut 9 (08) “great need”
About 15-thousand students are currently enrolled.

A study involving Tulane researchers finds three out of four pediatricians do not approve of hitting children for corrective purposes, because it can lead to more harm than good. Tulane associate professor Catherine Taylor says while spankings are not recommended, discpline is still crucial…
cut 8 (09) “…has been”
Taylor says talk with your pediatrician on what are the best disciplinary actions for your child.

In an interview with KPEL radio in Lafayette, U-S Senator John Kennedy says Governor John Bel Edwards’ should step down and let Republican Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser handle the state’s budget problems….
cut 30 (08) “…health care costs”
Edwards’ Deputy of Chief staff Richard Carbo says Kennedy’s absurity knows no limits.

House Appropriations Chairman Cameron Henry is looking at shuffling money around in the budget to fill the TOPS gap….
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Rudy Guiliani is visiting Cajun country to raise money for Lafayette attorney Josh Guillory, who is challenging fellow Republican and US Representative Clay Higgins this fall. The former New York City Mayor, and adviser to the President, will attend a fundraiser for Guillory on June 25th in Lafayette. UL Lafayette Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says it’s a bit surprising.
Cut 10 (11) “to figure”
The general election is in November.

It’s a disciplinary action that has been around for years, but now a study involving Tulane University researchers finds that about three out of four pediatricians are saying spankings are no longer recommended. Tulane associate professor Catherine Taylor says that the wide accepted punishment can have a negative outcome on a child.
Cut 6 (07) “…than good for kids.”
Taylor says spankings can raise the risk for mental and physical problems.

US Senator John Kennedy said on a Lafayette Radio station that Governor John Bel Edwards should resign. Matt Doyle has more…
Voicer 1 (30) I’m Matt Doyle“

Meanwhile in an event hosted by Politico, House Majority Whip Steve Scalise says he will not run for governor in 2019. Scalise is a candidate to become the next Speaker of the House. And tomorrow, marks the one-year anniversary of the shooting of the Republican Congressman from Jefferson Parish.

As it stands now, TOPS students will have to pay 30-percent of their tuition next school year, unless legislators are able to raise revenues to reduce the state’s large budget deficit. Taylor Foundation executive director Doctor James Caillier is concerned some TOPS students will be unable to afford college, if their tuition is not paid for….
cut 14 (11) “…this point”

Former New York Mayor Rudy Guiliani will be in Lafayette later this month to help Republican Josh Guillory raise cash as the Lafayette lawyer is challenging U-S Representative Clay Higgins in the November election…
cut 12 (10) “…campaign”
That’s UL Lafayette Political Science Professor Pearson Cross.