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.

The beaches are expected to be crowded a long the Gulf Coast this weekend, but will the weather cooperate. Forecasters continue to watch a tropical disturbance that has a chance of developing into a tropical depression or storm over the next 48 hours. Projected landfall is anywhere from southeast Louisiana to the Florida Gulf Coast. State Climatologist Barry Keim…
cut 11 (08) “…a prospect”

Many are heading out today for their Memorial Day weekend destination. AAA estimates a five-percent increase in the number of travelers nationwide, even though gas prices are about 50-cents higher this year. AAA spokesperson Don Redman says if gas prices keep going up, it could affect future summer travel plans….
cut 25 (12) “…less travel”

The Board of Regents has approved a license for a new medical school on the ULM campus. President Nick Bruno says its great news for northeast Louisiana and the entire state, because there’s a projected 19-percent shortfall in the number of physicians needed in the coming years…
cut 13 (08) “…needed physicians”

Governor John Bel Edwards invited Saints Owner Gayle Benson and others to the capitol this afternoon to celebrate the awarding of the Super Bowl to New Orleans in 2024. Edwards says the event is expected to have an economic impact around 500-million dollars and New Orleans getting a chance to host an 11th Super Bowl is a good sign…
cut 3 (10) “…want to be here”

Despite higher gas prices, AAA estimates nearly 42-million Americans will travel this Memorial Day weekend. Connor Ferrill has the story.
Voicer 1 (28) Connor Ferrill“

U-S government forecasters are predicting 10 to 16 named storms this year, which means we can expect an active hurricane season. NOAA’s lead hurricane forecaster, Doctor Gerry Bell, says a lot of factors went into their forecast, including the possibility of of a weak El Nino possibly developing…
cut 7 (08) “…a lot more hurricanes”

There’s now a 70-percent chance over the next 48 hours we can see our first tropical system of the year as an area of low pressure in the Western Caribbbean is becoming more defined as it makes its way into the Gulf of Mexico. State Climatologist Barry Keim on when it might reach the Gulf Coast…
cut 10 (12) “….Gulf Coast”
Keim says there are a couple of models that have the system heading towards southeast Louisiana.

The House Ways and Means committee rejected a bill that would renew half of a one-percent sales tax that’s set to expire June 30th. The measure, which would generate over 500-million dollars in revenue would also eliminate some sales tax exemptions for businesses. New Iberia Representative Terry Landry urged passage…
cut 3 (10) “…something done”

In the early stages of this special session, we are already seeing a resistance from Republican lawmakers to raise taxes to address a 648-million dollar revenue shortfall. Matt Doyle has the story…
voicer 3 (31) “….I’m Matt Doyle”

NOAA is calling for 10-16 named storms, five to nine hurricanes and one to four major hurricanes this year.

Procter and Gamble confirms an employee died at its manufacturing facility in Pineville. The company says the worker was on a forklift, but no other details have been released.

Many are heading out today for their Memorial Day weekend destination. AAA estimates a five-percent increase in the number of travelers nationwide, even though gas prices are about 50-cents higher this year. AAA spokesperson Don Redman says if gas prices keep going up, it could affect future summer travel plans….
cut 5 (12) “…less travel”

ULM has been approved for a new medical school in partnership with The Virginia College of Osteopathic Medicine, who was granted the license. A 100-thousand square foot facility will be built on the campus and classes are scheduled to begin in the fall of 2020. ULM President Nick Bruno says that means there will be more room for medical students to stay in Louisiana.
Cut 12 (08) “640 students”