The National Hurricane Center says Subtropical storm Alberto has formed in the Caribbean and the first advisory shows it will develop into a tropical storm later today. The current five-day forecast shows Alberto as a Tropical Storm on Monday morning and very close to the coast of southeastern Louisiana.

State troopers from Louisiana and Mississippi are working together to promote highway safety along I-55. Becca Dill has the story.
Voicer 2 (31) “I’m Becca Dill”

House GOP Caucus Chairman Lance Harris’ tax bill received approval from the House Ways and Means Committee. The proposal would retain one third of an expiring penny sales tax and eliminate some sales tax breaks. Governor Edwards supports retaining a higher percentage of the expiring one-cent sales tax, but Harris says his legislation is a good compromise
Cut 13 (10) “in cuts”
The short-term sales tax proposal would generate 366-million dollars for next year’s budget. That means state government would have to reduce spending by less than two-percent. A plan, Monroe Representative Marcus Hunter, disagrees with…
cut 15 (11) “…those cuts”
It’s unclear if this proposal has the 70 votes needed to get approval in the House.

A Republican tax proposal is the only bill to escape a House committee so far in this special session. Matt Doyle has more.
Cut 3 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

Louisiana State Police say they are working with Mississippi Highway Patrol to increase police presence along Interstate 55…
cut 11 (07) “…target that”
That’s Senior Trooper Dustin Dwight, who says law enforcement statewide will also watch for motorists not buckled up as part of the click it or ticket enforcement program.

The United Health Foundation’s Seniors report ranks Louisiana dead last in the nation for the quality of senior health. Dr. Rhonda Randall with the United Health Foundation says senior obesity rates play a major role in the poor ranking…
Cut 7 (10) “of seniors”
Louisiana seniors are also more at risk of social isolation, which means a high number of seniors living alone, in poverty or disabled and having a difficult time living independently.

The recreational red snapper season begins today and for the first time the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries will manage the harvest of the fish in state and federal waters…
cut 5 (08) “…like this”
LDWF’s Jason Adriance says the season will run seven days a week and it’s designed not exceed a 743-thousand pound harvest limit.

Governor John Bel Edwards has asked legislators to approve 648-million in taxes to replace one-point-four billion dollars in expiring sales taxes. Instead, the House Ways and Means committee has approved a short-term sales tax proposal that would generate 366-million dollars for next year’s budget. That means state government would have to reduce spending by less than two-percent. A plan, Monroe Representative Marcus Hunter, disagrees with…
cut 15 (11) “…those cuts”
It’s unclear if this proposal has the 70 votes needed to get approval in the House.

The National Hurricane Center says Invest 90 is getting better organized. It’s expected to move into the Gulf of Mexico late tonight and the expectation is high for the system to form into a depression by Saturday.

Louisiana Troopers are partnering with Mississippi Highway Patrol in a new highway safety initiative called “Line to Line.” Senior Trooper Dustin Dwight…
Cut 10 (12) “roadway”
Dwight says Toopers will watch for impaired, reckless and distracted driving.

The recreational red snapper season begins today and for the first time the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheies has management of the prized catch in both state and federal waters. L-D-W-F finfish program manager Jason Adriancce says they are asking anglers to participate in their data collection…
cut 6 (09) “…landings data”
To participate in electronic reporting go to rolp.wlf.la.gov to sign up.

House GOP Caucus Chairman Lance Harris’ tax bill received approval from the House Ways and Means Committee. The proposal would retain one third of an expiring penny sales tax and eliminate some sales tax breaks. Governor Edwards supports retaining a higher percentage of the expiring one-cent sales tax, but Harris says his legislation is a good compromise
Cut 13 (10) “in cuts”
The measure heading to the House floor does not address the entire budget deficit, so if it passes, cuts in state government will be needed.

If you are traveling on I-55 in Louisiana or Mississippi this Memorial Day weekend expect to see a higher police presence as the two states are partnering in an effort to catch drunk drivers or those driving recklessly. L-S-P senior trooper Dustin Dwight…
cut 12 (09) “….of driving”

The recreational Red Snapper season begins today in state waters and in federal waters just off of Louisaina’s coast. Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Finfish Program Manager Jason Adriance says that means…
Cut 4 (10) “commissioned sets”
There’s a two fish bag limit and 16 inch catch minimum in place. The season will run seven days a week until 743,000 pounds are harvested.

Another great moment in LSU baseball history last night as pitcher Todd Peterson in his first at-bat in a game since middle school drilled a 1-2 pitch down the left field line for a two-run double, giving the Tigers a 6-4 win over South Carolina in 12 innings. Freshman Daniel Cabrerra couldn’t believe it….
cut 30 (12) “…by far”
LSU has another elimination game in the SEC Tournament tonight versus either Florida or Arkansas.

The first tax proposal of the special session is heading to the House floor as the Ways and Means committee approved a bill that keeps a third of an expiring one-cent sales tax on the books through 2023 and also some sales tax exemptions would be removed. It would produce 370-million dollars in revenue the state currently doesn’t have after July 1st, but that’s not enough to fill the entire 648-million dollar shortfall. Alexandria Representative Lance Harris says that’s okay, because the legislature can make cuts within the budget to close the rest of the deficit….
cut 14 (07) “…a row”
Monroe Representative Marcus Hunter came out strong against the bill. He says people deserve to know exactly where those 126-million dollars in cuts would land….
cut 16 (05) “….be released”
Further debate will continue on the House floor.

Louisiana is ranked as the least healthiest state in the nation for seniors according to the United Health Foundation America’s Health Rankings Senior Report…
cut 8 (08) “….this year”
That’s Doctor Rhonda Randall with the United Health Foundation, who says social isolation refers to the number of seniors who are living alone, in poverty or having a difficult time living independently.

The man killed in a fatal explosion at the Procter and Gamble plant in Pineville has been identified as 56-year-old Allen Kendrick of Jena. The State Fire Marshal’s office says Kendrick was operating a piece of equipment that exploded and caught fire early Thursday morning.

Virginia College of Osteopathic Medicine has been licensed for a medical school at ULM, which will lead to a privately funded, 100 thousand square foot facility. Don Molino has more.
Cut 2 (30) “I’m Don Molino “

And on Saturday and Sunday, consumers can receive a discount on state sales taxes when purchasing hurricane preparedness items. Department of Revenue spokesperson Byron Henderson…
cut 15 (06) “…instead of late”
Flashlights, generators and storm shutters are eligible for the sales tax break.

Invest 90L, the low-pressure system in the west Caribbean that’s on its way to ruin gulf coast Memorial Day weekends, is starting to get a narrower prediction track, and more confidence that it will grow into a tropical depression or storm. State Climatologist Barry Keim says at this point, Louisiana should be spared the worst of it, but…
Cut 9 (07) “Louisiana.”
Nasty weather could start to pop up nearby as early as Saturday, but Keim says they expect the system to really hit starting next week.

Saints Owner Gayle Benson made an appearance at the state capitol today. She was invited by Governor John Bel Edwards to make an appearance to celebrate New Orleans winning bid for the Super Bowl in 2024. New Orleans will host a record tying 11th Super Bowl….
cut 4 (10) “…today”
No questions were asked, so we don’t know how Benson feels abut the NFL’s new controversial national anthem policy.

There’s now a 70-percent chance over the next 48 hours we can see our first tropical system of the year. Jeff Palermo has the story…
Cut 1 (28) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

The State Fire Marshal’s office is investigating a fatality that occurred this morning at the Proctor and Gamble Plant in Pineville. Officials say an explosion involving a fork truck claimed the life of the driver. The State Fire Marshal says the blaze is out and it did not spread beyond the equipment. The identity of the deceased individual has not been released.

NOAA says their forecast for the upcoming hurricane season calls for a near-normal or above normal hurricane season and that means anywhere between 10 and 16 named storms. The federal government’s lead forecaster, Doctor Gerry Bell, says the severity of Atlantic hurricane seasons have been increasing since 1995….
cut 8 (12) “….by a hurricane”

The University of Louisiana Monroe receives approval for an initial license with the Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine to build a medical school on the campus. President Nick Bruno says the process is not complete, but he’s optimistic they have right partner to build a 100-thousand square foot facility…
cut 14 (11) “…nationally”
They hope to have the school open in 2020.