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.

TOPS will be cut by 30 percent without additional funds from a special session tax deal, and that could cost Louisiana students big. Matt Doyle has the story.
Cut 2 (32) ” I’m Matt Doyle”

Good news for low income parents who have been waiting to take advantage of a taxpayer funded Child Care Assistance Program. It is receiving an injection of federal funds, which will allow an additional four-thousand children under the age of four to join the program. About 15-thousand students are currently enrolled.

President Trump is back in the U-S after his histroic summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. Trump posted on Twitter today that there is no longer a Nuclear Threat from North Korea. Louisiana Congressman Ralph Abraham says current discussions could always go south, but as of now, it appears they are more advanced with North Korea than ever before…
cut 8 (08) “…his grandfather”

Rudy Guiliani is visiting Cajun country to raise money for US Congressman Clay Higgins primary challenger, Josh Guillory. 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”
Cross says Guillory is considered a more moderate Republican than Higgins.

In an interview with KPEL News-talk radio in Lafayette, U-S Senator John Kennedy calls Governor John Bel Edwards’ handling of the budget ineffective and he should step down and let Republican Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser handle it….
cut 5 (10) “…health care costs”
But the governor’s Deputy of Chief staff Richard Carbo points out that Kennedy hasn’t passed a single bill in the U-S Senate and he should be step down for being the most ineffective member of Congress.

Depending on your political views, you may consider President Donald Trump’s historic meeting with North Korea leader Kim Jong Un a success or you may question whether it will really lead to denuclearizing North Korea. Louisiana Congressman Ralph Abraham looks at it this way…
cut 7 (10) “…things go the wrong way”

Unless the state legislature approves additional revenue, TOPS will suffer a 30 percent reduction, a cost that will be passed right back to students and their families. Higher ed is also on the block for a substantial reduction, and Taylor Foundation Executive Director Dr. James Caillier says even if the state approves the funds, we’re already losing some of our highest performers who are tired of the uncertainty.
Cut 13 (11) “and brightest”
Callier says if an LSU student on TOPS is forced to pay for 30-percent of his or her’s tuition over four years, it would lead to a college debt of nearly 14-thousand dollars after graduation.

Small business optimism has reached its highest level in 34 years. That’s according to the National Federation of Independent Business, who surveys its members regularly. NFIB state director Dawn Starns credits federal tax reform legislation…
Cut 6 (11) “…at the end of the year.”
Starns says Louisiana small businesses are anxious to see what state legislators will do with the sales tax rate. Right now it’s set to go down from 5 to four percent on July 1st, but it’s possible legislators will renew a portion of the expiring one-cent sales tax to fill budget holes.

WWL-TV in New Orleans captured video of a cement truck in New Orleans getting stuck in a sinkhole in the French Quarter. That cement truck was apparently on the scene to fix the sink hole. Another truck was called in to pull the truck out of the hole.

Two Acadiana men have been arrested in connection with the death of a 19-year-old girl in St. Martinville. Simone Robin’s body was found in St. Landry Parish on Saturday, but Major Ginny Higgins, with the St. Martin Parish Sheriff’s office says…
cut 11 (06) “…several days”
Robin’s trailer was also set on fire Saturday. Brandon Boutte and Toby Boutte are the two men who have been arrested.

Those looking for straight flights to Orlando and Austin, Texas can find them at the Baton Rouge airport starting in September. Florida-based Via Airlines will provide that service. Airport spokesperson Jim Caldwell says it’s great news for those looking for direct flights to Disney World and it might also bring in some tourists from Texas….
cut 13 (10) “….bring people here”
The non-stop flights will start on September 13th