The regular legislative session is at the halfway point, with issues like TOPS reform, gun control, and gambling expansion mostly dead, while new sexual harassment policies, tougher hazing laws, and medical marijuana expansions have received broad support. Political Analyst Bernie Pinsonat says the session has been bogged down by one issue.
Cut 6 (10) “gunna have”

A bill to make hazing a felony, which means harsher penalties for those convicted, moved a step closer to final passage, when it was approved by a Senate committee. The parents of LSU student Maxwell Gruver, who died in a suspected hazing incident were on hand to approve it…
cut 5 (11) “…saved Max’s”

Festival International begins tomorrow in Lafayette, a five-day music festival that features music groups from over 20 countries. The festival attracts 300-thousand people every year and has an estimated economic impact of 49-million dollars. Marketing director Carly Viator says there’s no other festival in Louisiana you can attend for free and hear music from across the globe.
cut 11 (11) “…this year”

84-year-old Arcadia Mayor Eugene Smith has passed away from complications related to a lung illness. Smith led the north Louisiana town for 16 years. Homer Representative Patrick Jefferson says Smith was a man of the people.
cut 30 (11) “was everywhere”

This week marks the halfway point of the regular session and once again legislation that would change the TOPS scholarship failed to advance very far. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says at this point legislators should just give up trying to change the popular program.
Cut 7 (11) “ever passed”
Legislation to make it more difficult to get the taxpayer funded scholarship was killed on the House floor last week.

The largest international music fest in the United States begins tomorrow in Lafayette as Festival International de Louisiane starts a five-day fun that features music from over 20 countries. Marketing director Carly Viator says its free to attend…
cut 9 (09) “….pretty cool”
Viator says to make things easier on fairgoers this year, they will issue electronic bracelts instead of selling tickets to buy drinks and merchandise.

The House-approved Max Gruver Act is sailing through the legislative process, passing out of a Senate committee without objection today. Jim Shannon has more.
Voicer 1 (:31) “I’m Jim Shannon”

LSU Head Football Coach Ed Orgeron said today on a Shreveport radio station that they’ll probably play two quarterbacks next season. Coach O says they will name a starter by the end of fall camp. The three QBs vying for an opportunity to start didn’t separate themselves during Spring practice.

The House approved Max Gruver Act moved a step closer to becoming law today when it passed out of a Senate panel. The proposal strengthens the criminal penalties for hazing. It’s named after the LSU student, who died last fall in a suspected hazing incident involving large amounts of alcohol. East Baton Rouge District Attorney Hillar Moore testifed in support….
cut 4 (06) “…it’s fair”
Currently, hazing is just a misdemeanor crime.

Leaders in St. James Parish are overjoyed about the announcement that a nine-point-four billion dollar chemical facility will be built near the Sunshine Bridge. St. James Parish President Timothy Roussell says the project means over a thousand jobs and the company building the complex, Formosa, is also known for its community involvement….
cut 11 (06) “…organiziations”
Construction is expected to begin next year.

Legislation that sought to raise the fees on certain hunting and fishing licenses failed to muster enough votes on the House floor. The vote on the bill was 54-27. It needs 70 votes to pass, because it’s a fee increase. The measure can be brought up again. Stonewall Representative Larry Bagley says the public is not opposing this legislation and hopes there’s another vote on the proposal
Cut 15 (09) “not citizens”
Supporters of the legislation say the fee increase is needed to help sustain the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries.

Governor John Bel Edwards and U-S Senators Bill Cassidy and John Kennedy will attend a state dinner tonight at the White House, where the president of France is a special guest.

Formosa Petrochemical Corporation has announced plans to build a 9.4 billion dollar facility in St. James Parish. Once the ten year project is completed, officials say it will employ 1,200 full time workers with an average pay of 84,500 dollars a year. St. James Parish President Timothy Roussell says it’s a big deal.
Cut 10 (08) “these jobs”
Construction is expected to begin next year.

The Bienville Parish town of Arcadia is mourning the death of Mayor Eugene Smith, who passed away at the age of 84. Homer Representative Patrick Jefferson says Smith was an excellent role model for other leaders, because he was great at networking….
cut 9 (11) “…Arcadia”
Smith was Arcadia’s mayor for nearly 16 years. He died from complications related to a lung illness.

Ed Raymond Veillon has been charged with first-degree murder and attempted first-degree murder in the shooting death of his 15-year-old son and the victim’s mother was also seriously wounded. St. Charles Parish Sheriff’s Corporal James Grimaldi…
cut 5 (10) “…of deputies”
The shooting happened Sunday night in the town of Paradi. A motive has not been given.

The state House has rejected a measure that would have increased some hunting and fishing licenses. The legislation would also consolidate the number of licenses from 117 to 35 and actually lower some fees. Erath Representative Blake Miguez says he’s fine with a consolidation of licenses, but his constitutions are not happy about a fee increase….
cut 14 (09) “…good government”
The vote was 54-27, but needs 70 votes to pass.

The Pelicans could find out tonight if they’ll face Golden State in the Western Conference semifinals. The Warriors can wrap up their series against San Antonio with a win tonight versus the Spurs.

And ESPN reports the Pelicans picked up the team option on Head Coach Alvin Gentry’s contract, so he’ll be back on the sidelines next season. Sources say the decision was made before sweeping the Trail Blazers.

A four-game losing streak has knocked LSU out of the top 25 in all four major polls for the first time since the start of the 2012 season. Tiger Rag Associate Editor James Moran says the bullpen needs to get back on the track….

Cut 18 (15) “….I think”

LSU hosts Lamar tonight.

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Louisiana Tech junior outfielder Mason Robinson was named Hitter of the Week in Conference USA. The Georgia native hit for the cycle in last week’s win over in-state foe UL-Lafayette. The Bulldogs, who have won five in a row, host the Cajuns tonight. Senior Kennon Fontenot has reached base in 21 straight games.

Elsewhere, McNeese, who has won five of its last six, is at ULM tonight. Cowboys outfielder Jake Cochran had three multi-hit games last week.

Northwestern State hosts Mississippi Valley State for a noon first pitch. Tulane takes on Texas Southern. Nicholls visits Southern and Grambling takes on Alcorn State.

Wide receiver Willie Snead is leaving the Saints for the Ravens. Baltimore offered the restricted free-agent a two-year deal and New Orleans decided not to match.

LSU safety Grant Delpit underwent surgery to repair a broken collarbone suffered in the spring game. Rehab time usually lasts six to eight weeks.

And LSU has reportedly offered four-star defensive lineman CamRon Jackson from Haynesville a scholarship. He’s a top 200-prospect in the Class of 2020.

A proposal to increase fees for hunting and fishing licenses failed to get the necessary 70 votes to pass the House. The legislation would raise an additional six-point-eight million dollars a year for Wildlife and Fisheries, who says the increase is necessary to help sustain the department for years to come. But Erath Representative Blake Miguez says if L-D-W-F needs more money, they can get it from the Conservation fund…
cut 13 (08) “…what happens”
The vote on the bill was 54-27. It needs 70 votes to pass, because it’s a fee increase. The measure can be brought up again. Stonewall Representative Larry Bagley says the public is not opposing this legislation and hopes there’s another vote on the proposal…
cut 15 (09) “…not citizens”

Huge economic development news as Formosa selects a site in St. James Parish near the Sunshine Bridge to build a nine-point-four billion dollar chemical manufacturing complex. State Economic Development Secretary Don Pierson says the 24-hundred acre site is branded as the Sunshine Project and it would create 12-hundred jobs…
cut 12 (07) “…globally”
Pierson says construction should begin next year.

84-year-old Arcadia Mayor Eugene Smith passed away yesterday from complications related to a lung illness. Smith sheparded the north Louisiana town for 16 years. Homer Representative Pat Jefferson, who was hired by Smith as the city’s first black attorney, says he was a man of the people.
cut 7 (11) “was everywhere”
Jefferson says Smith “mastered Baton Rouge”, and worked the rooms in the capital to get the best deal for his constituents and the surrounding areas.

Formosa chooses St. James Parish to build a nine-point-four billion dollar chemical complex that the governor’s office says will create 12-hundred jobs. State Economic Development Secretary Don Pierson says in order to secure the project, Louisiana offered a competitive incentive package that includes a 12-million dollar performance based grant….
cut 14 (10) “…we have won”
Construction is expected to begin next year.

The Senate Finance Committee has begun discussions regarding the House approved budget that calls for a 20-percent cut in TOPS and it will result in deep cuts to health care services. Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne asked the panel not to pass this budget and wait to approve a spending proposal when revenues can be raised in a special session…
cut 16 (08) “…wreak havoc”

US Senator John Kennedy is calling on major banks to reverse new policies that target companies that sell firearms. Matt Doyle has more.
Cut 2 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

The Louisiana Department of Health will offer free S-T-D testing and treatment at parish health units around the start starting tomorrow. Assistant State Health Office Doctor Parham Jaberi says go to L-D-H’s website to find out when the parish health unit in your area is participating….
cut 11 (10) “…needs”