Governor John Bel Edwards signed a series of anti-hazing bills that he says will give Louisiana some of the stiffest hazing laws in the nation.
cut 10 (05) “….to follow”
The “Max Gruver Act” was inspired by the death of an LSU student who died in a suspected hazing incident. It calls for a sentence of up to five years in prison if a hazing incident resulted in death or a serious injury.

The Food and Drug administration has sent out a warning to consumers advising them that so-called sunscreen pills, don’t replace sunscreen lotion….
cut 9 (09) “….aging”
That’s Doctor Deidre Hooper, with LSU Health and co-founder of Audubon Dermatology. The F-D-A says their are companies marketing dietary supplements that claim they can protect you from harmful sun exposure.

Major delays are possible this weekend in Baton Rouge as an eastbound lane on the I-10 Mississippi River Bridge will be closed for repairs. Matt Doyle has more.
Cut 3 (30) “Im Matt Doyle”

The 2018 Atlantic Hurricane Season starts today, but we’ve already seen one named storm, so does that mean we’ll see a very active season like we did last year. State Climatologist Barry Keim says it doesn’t work like that…
cut 6 (06) “…may bring”
NOAA predicts 10 to 16 named storms this year and an average season sees 12 named storms.

The 2018 Atlantic Hurricane season officially starts today despite the fact that the Gulf Coast has already seen its first named storm of the year. NOAA projects 10 to 16 named storms, 5 to 9 hurricanes, and 1 to 4 major hurricanes. State Climatologist Barry Keim…
Cut 4 (09) “2018 season”
Last year’s historic hurricane season caused nearly 300 billion dollars in damage.

The F-D-A has sent warning letters to companies who claim you can take a pill to prevent sun burns. LSU Health and co-founder of the Audubon Dermatology in New Orleans, says these pills may contain antioxidants that can help repair skin damage, but the claims they can prevent a sun burn…
cut 8 (08) “…your skin”

Governor John Bel Edwards has signed several bills that strengthen Louisiana’s laws against hazing. Under the legislation, a person can be sentenced up to five years in prison if hazing results in death or a serious injury, also colleges are now required to teach students about the dangers of hazing and organiziations that knowingly allow hazing can face fines. Edwards says work on this issue must continue…
cut 12 (08) “…good progress”

And work continues this weekend on the I-10 Mississippi River Bridge in Baton Rouge. An eastbound lane will be closed from seven PM tonight until noon on Sunday. Department of Transportation spokesperson Rodney Mallett says plan accordingly…
cut 13 (12) “…190”

Governor John Bel Edwards signed into law a set of anti-hazing bills, including the Max Gruver Act, which now makes hazing a felony crime, instead of a misdemeanor. The govenror signed the bill with the parents of Maxwell Gruver behind him. The LSU student died in a suspected hazing incident nine months ago. Edwards thanked the Gruver family for their bravery in the face of a terrible tragedy….
cut 11 (10) “…appreciate it”
Another hurricane season officially begins today and NOAA predicts there is a 75-percent chance this will be a near or above normal hurricane season. State Climatologist Barry Keim says projections will trend towards busier seasons until there’s a noticeable change in the pattern…
cut 5 (06) :,,,,normal activitity”
NOAA’s projection is for 10-16 named storms, five to nine hurricanes and one to four major hurricanes.

The FDA has told several companies to stop claiming their sunscreen pills will protect consumers from the sun. Co-founder at Audubon Dermatology and LSU Health, Dr. Deirdre Hooper, says there is no dietary supplement that can prevent a sun burn.
Cut 7 (09) “the sun” (2x)
The FDA and Dr. Hooper emphasize the only way to protect yourself from sun exposure is to apply sunscreen.

LSU and Northwestern State baseball begin play today in the Corvallis Regional. The Tigers face San Diego State at 3 PM and Tiger Rag Associate Editor James Moran says its important for LSU to have a late lead, because the Aztecs have a lights out closer in Casey Schmitt…
cut 17 (06) “…30 minutes”
And at 9 PM the Demons will face Oregon State, who is 53-and-6 at home since the 2017 season.

Today marks the official start of the Atlantic Hurricane Season. Michael Farrar gives us a preview on what we can expect….
voicer 1 (30) “…Michael Farrar”

Governor John Bel Edwards signed a series of anti-hazing bills that he says will give Louisiana some of the stiffest hazing laws in the nation.
cut 10 (05) “….to follow”
The “Max Gruver Act” which was inspired by the death of an LSU student who died in a suspected hazing incident, makes hazing a felony crime.

The Caddo Parish Sheriff’s office arrested a young couple from central Louisiana who allegedly left their two small children in a vehicle with the air conditioning running, while they were inside the courthouse getting a marriage license. Twenty-three-year-old Courtney Carroll of Ball and 22-year-old Garrett Poole of Pollock were charged with child desertion.

If you are traveling through, Baton Rouge the eastbound lane on the I-10 Mississippi River bridge will be closed from 7 PM tonight until noon Sunday for emergency repairs. DOTD spokesperson Rodney Mallett…
cut 15 (09) “…of life”

An icon in the Louisiana culinary industry has passed away. Ella Brennan, the long-tiem proprietor of Commander’s Palace has died at the age of 92. Brennan also helped launch the careers of celebrity chefs Paul Prudhomme and Emeril Lagasse. Food critic Tom Fitzmorris says Brennnan had an eye for talent…
cut 14 (11) “…in general”
Brennan got her start in the restaurant business in the 1970s at the namesake restraunt Brennan’s, on Royal Street in the New Orleans French Quarter.

The governor signed into law what supporters say should help to reduce prescirption drug costs. New Iberia Senator Fred Mills says the legislation requires prescription benefit plans to inform consumers when they get rebates from drug manufacturers…
cut 11 (06) “…rebate share”

Tougher laws against bestiality has been signed into law. Becca Dill has more…

Cut 1 (27) “I’m Becca Dill”

As a result of low sales, Sears announces they are closing 72 stores nationwide. Two Louisiana stores are on the list, a K-Mart in Lake Charles and the Sears at the Alexandria mall.

Colorado State released a revised forecast today for the hurricane season which starts tomorrow. Their researchers are now calling for 14 named storms, which is just above average.

Ella Brennan, a Queen of New Orleans Cuisine, has passed away at the age of 92. As an influential member of the Brennan family, she helped shape and guide the New Orleans food scene in iconic restaurants like Commanders Palace. Food Critic Tom Fitzmorris says few people had her talent for turning restaurants into world famous culinary institutions.
Cut 12 (08) “to her”
Brennan sheparded some of New Orleans most iconic chefs, like Paul Prudomme and Emeril Lagasse through stints at Commanders and her other venues.

A tougher anti-bestiality law is in effect as a result of Governor John Bel Edwards’ signature. Louisiana Director of the Humane Society of the United States, Julia Breaux Melancon, says it contains a provision that many other states do not have…
cut 5 (05) “…happy about that”

The governor signs legislation by Senator Fred Mills that hopefully will bring down drug prices. Matt Doyle has the story.
Voicer 2 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle “

Sears is closing 72 stores nationwide and two of them will shut down in Louisiana, one in Lake Charles and the other in Alexandria.

I-10 East in Scott remains closed at this hour as a result of a fatal wreck. One person reportedly died in the multiple vehicle crash that involved an 18-wheeler. Police say a driver who crossed the median was killed.

The Senate Revenue and Fiscal Affairs committee made major changes to a sales tax renewal bill by removing more exemptions, which means businesses will be forced to pay more in sales taxes, while consumers would pay 4.3 percent state sales tax. The proposal would raise 642-million dollars, which covers the projected revenue shortfall, Alexandria Democrat Jay Luneau voted for it and criticized Republicans for proposing to reduce government spending, but not identifying what shouldn’t be funded…
cut 14 (08) “…from us”
A House Republican leader doesn’t think the lower chamber will agree to the senate changes.

Governor John Bel Edwards signs into law this afternoon legislation that give some convicted felons there voting rights back. Baton Rouge Representative Patricia Smith’s legislation was rejected in previous sessions, Edwards thanks her for her persistence…
cut 8 (09) “…thanked her”

Governor John Bel Edwards signs into law tougher penalties for those convicted of bestiality. At first there was some pushback on this legislation. Louisiana Director of the Humane Society of the UNited States, Julia Breaux Melancon, says much of the controversy came from misinformation of the bill’s goal…
cut 4 (10) “….supreme court”

The governor is signing legislation by New Iberia Senator Fred Mills that’s aimed at pushing down drug prices by requiring prescription benefit plans (that prescription card in your wallet) inform consumers when they get rebates from drug manufactures. Mills says before, your drug plan could hide those rebates, and pocket money that should have been going back to you, but now…
Cut 9 (10) “prescription drugs”

The House and the Senate disagree on how much revenue a sales tax bill should produce. Both versions would set the state sales tax at 4.3 percent, but the Senate version would remove several sales tax exemptions that currently benefit businesses. Lafayette Senator Gerald Boudreaux says he’s interested in producing enough revenue to avoid budget cuts…
cut 15 (11) “….600″
If the House and Senate can’t come together on a revenue generating measure, another special session will be needed after the current one expires June 4th.

Governor John Bel Edwards is busy signing bills from the regular session, including a new law that restores the voting rights for thousands of convicted felons…
cut 7 (08) “…pass it”
This new laws says if you’ve been out of prison for five years, but still on probation or parole, you can now vote.

Authorities one person was killed two others injured in a major crash involving an 18-wheeler on Interstate 10 west of Scott. I-10 eastbound is closed in the area.

Even though Corvallis is 24-hundred miles away from Baton Rouge, expect to see LSU fans at this weekend’s regional. Jeff Palermo has the story…
Voicer 2 (30) ” I’m Jeff Palermo”