The House Ways and Means committee meets this morning and we’ll see if the panel approves legislation to keep a portion of a one-cent sales tax that’s set to expire on June 30th. Houma Representative Beryl Amedee says she opposes any tax increases….
cut 13 (10) “….stay afloat”
The governor says about 650-million dollars in revenue is needed to prevent cuts to higher education, TOPS and other state services.

A state sales tax discount is in effect for hurricane supplies on Saturday and Sunday. Louisiana Department of Revenue spokesperson Byron Henderson says it’s a great opportunity to pick up some essentials…
cut 14 (09) “….sales tax”
Heavy rains are possible this weekend, because of a tropical disturbance that has a high chance of forming into a tropical depression in the southeastern Gulf of Mexico.

Despite higher gas prices, AAA estimates nearly 42-million Americans will travel this Memorial Day weekend. That’s a five-percent increase from last year and the highest number of travelers in more than a dozen years. AAA Spokesman Don Redman says about 37-million travelers will hit the road…
Cut 4 (12) “last year”
He says families are seeing some added incentives this summer with almost a 7% percent decrease in airfare prices, 11% in car rentals, and depending on the hotel, travelers could save about 14% compared to last year.

LSU football legend Billy Cannon has reached his final resting place. During a funeral service on the LSU campus, former Angola Warden Burl Cain spoke about the amount of respect Cannon had, as he ran the prison’s dental clinic. Cain says when Doctor Cannon suffered a stroke a few years ago, they wanted to make sure an ambulance got him to a hospital…
cut 8 (12) “…the road”

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

It’s the third day of the special session that’s been called to address the loss of over one-billion dollars in temporary sales taxes. Governor John Bel Edwards is urging the legislature to approve 650-million dollars to avoid going over the fiscal cliff. Bills dealing with a temporary one-cent sales tax are on the House Ways and Means agenda today.

LSU’s only Heisman winner, running back Billy Cannon, was laid to rest Wednesday, surrounded by friends, family, and fans. Cannon had a legendary football career and also spent a good portion of his life running the dental clinic at Angola. Warden Darrel Vannoy says after news got out that Cannon had died, the inmates took up a collection for his casket.
Cut 7 (11) “that man”
Cannon leaves behind his wife Dot Cannon and five children.

The National Hurricane Center says a tropical or subtropical depression is likely to form by Saturday night over the eastern or central Gulf of Mexico. The system will increase rain chances along the Gulf coast this weekend. 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”

The special session is back in action and lawmakers are struggling to find a compromise that will produce a passable budget. Matt Doyle has more.
Cut 3 (31) “I’m Matt Doyle”

The Louisiana National Guard has sent an aviation team to provide air support along the Texas-Mexico border. The military helicopter that the National Guard is providing has an infrared camera for night time operations and recording capabilities. Two pilots and one crew chief will work the 90-day deployment.
NOAA releases its predictions for the upcoming hurricane season today. 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 16 (12) “…picked clean”
The National Hurricane Center gives an area of low pressure over the Yucatan Peninsula an 80-percent chance of developing into a tropical depression in the southeastern Gulf of Mexico this weekend. Southeast Louisiana could see heavy rainfall.

Humorous stories were told at Wednesday’s funeral of LSU legend Billy Cannon. Former teammate and friend Jimmy Field said he once asked the Heisman Trophy winner if had butterflies before fielding a punt. Cannon didn’t even hesitate….
cut 9 (07) “…are full”
Cannon died Sunday morning at the age of 80.

The special session is off to a slow start as legislators struggle to find a fix to the 648-million dollar budget shortfall that could devastate healthcare and education. 1.4 billion dollars in sales taxes are set to expire, and Governor John Bel Edwards has called on legislators to renew a portion of that to fix state finances. Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne says that would save education and healthcare from deep cuts….
cut 10 (09) “….July 1”
Houma Representative Republican Beryl Amedee says the governor’s decision to veto the budget has caused chaos in the capitol, and threatens to throw a wrench in the legislative process.
Cut 12 (10) “seems irrational”
This special session is set to end June 4th.

LSU’s only Heisman winner, running back Billy Cannon was laid to rest yesterday. Michael Farrar has more.
Cut 2 (30) I’m Michael Farrar”

At the SEC Baseball tournament, LSU lost 4-3 to Florida and the Tigers will play South Carolina in an elimination game at 1:00 today.

The House Ways and Means committee held its first hearing of the special session and it became more of a gripe session. Republicans on the panel criticized the Edwards administration for vetoing a budget in the regular session, and expressed concerns about raising revenues, instead of finding savings. Democrats are also frustrated, New Roads Representative Major Thibaut.
Cut 12 (10) “it permanently”
No votes were taken today. The special session must end June 4th.

We are waiting to see what will happen with a tropical disturbance that’s expected to move into the Gulf of Mexico later this weekend and possibly dump several inches of rain on Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Florida….
cut 7 (07) “….that region”
The National Hurricane Center gives the system a medium chance of developing intoa tropical depression or storm.

A Marshall Project report shows Louisiana saw its largest drop in prison population in a decade between 2016 and 2017. The 19-hundred person decrease is a five-percent drop in the total population, one of the biggest drops in the nation. State Corrections Secretary Jimmy LeBlanc says it’s a testament to recent criminal justice reforms.
Cut 9 (09) “with it.”

A big win for the Big Easy as the city has been awarded the 2024 Super Bowl. For years teams bid against each other, but the NFL changed the bidding process and the Saints were the only team invited to compete for Super Bowl 58. NFL owners unanimously chose New Orleans and Saints Owner Gayle Benson is glad they got it.
Cut 3 (10) “legacy alive”
New Orleans officials say the last Super Bowl in New Orleans, in 2013, had a 480-million dollar economic impact.

New Orleans will host the 2024 Super Bowl after being the only team invited to bid this year. Connor Ferrill has more.
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Connor Ferril”

The House Ways and Means committee began discussion on solving the fiscal cliff, which is a 648-million dollar revenue shortfall that threatens to cut state services. Republicans are not excited about passing tax bills, but Baton Rouge Representative Ted James says the Edwards administration is not asking for an overall increase in taxes…
cut 14 (09) “….a cut”
The special session must end June 4th.

The National Hurricane Center says a tropical depression could form this weekend over the eastern or central Gulf of Mexico. State Climatologist Barry Keim says…
cut 8 (09) “…gain strength’
Keim says we could see heavy rain from the Central to the Eastern Gulf Coast through the Memorial Day weekend.

A Marshall Project report says Louisiana’s prison population dropped five-percent from 2016-17, one of the largest drops in the country. State Corrections Secretary Jimmy LeBlanc says it’s a sign criminal justice reform measures are working, but the key is to make sure released inmates do not re-offend….
cut 11 (11) >…St. TammanY”

Forecasters continue to watch a low pressure system near Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula that could bring the Gulf Coast wet weather for the Memorial Day Holiday. Invest 90L is being given about a 60 percent chance of developing into at least a tropical depression in the central or eastern Gulf. State Climatologist Barry Keim
Cut 6 (11) “whole weekend”
Keim says there’s no anticipation of this storm developing into a hurricane.

A new report shows Louisiana’s prison population had one of the biggest declines in the nation at five percent from 2016-2017. State Department of Corrections Secretary Jimmy LeBlanc is proud to report that it has not led to an increase in crime…
cut 10 (10) “…that’s important”

New Orleans will host a record-tying 11th Super Bowl in 2024 after an unanimous vote by the N-F-L’s owners. The Big Easy was the only city asked to bid and Saints Owner Gayle Benson made the official presentation this morning. Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation President Jay Cicero says the NFL used to have multiple teams bidding for one Super Bowl, but they changed its bidding process, because…
cut 5 (09) “….elected officials”
2013 was the last time New Orleans hosted a Super Bowl and the economic impact that year was 480-million dollars.

With an 8-5 victory over Mississippi State last night, the LSU Tigers are now in the double elimination portion of the SEC Tournament. They’ll face top ranked Florida later today. Ma’Khail Hilliard starts on the mound for LSU.

Another special session is back on after a failed attempt in February to solve the fiscal cliff. Michael Farrar has more.
Cut 3 (32) “I’m Michael Farrar”

New Orleans will host the Super Bowl in 2024 for a record tying 11th time. NFL owners made the decision after hearing a presentation from Saints owner Gayle Benson.

LSU legendary football player Billy Cannon will be laid to rest today. A public vistiation begins at noon at the Maravich Center on the LSU campus.

An LSU Pennington Biomedical Research study finds improved blood pressure and blood sugar in individuals who eat all of their meals in a six-hour period and finish by mid-afternoon. Researchers found their fasting diet improved insulin sensitivity, but co-author of the report, Doctor Eric Ravussin says this type of dietary plan may not work for everyone, specifically those who engage in strenuous early morning activity.
cut 9 (08) “…fitting all”

Canadian tech giant C-G-I announces it will hire over 400 more workers in Lafayette by 2023, bringing C-G-I’s total employment to 900. State Economic Development Secretary Don Pierson says the jobs will be located at UL Lafayette’s Research Park facility….
cut 15 (11) ‘…the state”

Today is the first full day of the special session that’s been called to address the fiscal cliff and Republican House Speaker Taylor Barras says Governor John Bel Edwards’ scare tactics will not lead to new taxes….
cut 12 (11) “…heard taxes”
Over a billion dollars in temporary taxes are set to expire June 30th, Governor Edwards hopes legislators will approve legislation to replace about 650-million dollars in expiring taxes.

Meanwhile, Governor Edwards has a big economic development announcement involving a global technology firm in Lafayette…
cut 16 (19) “…2023”
C-G-I solves complex business and I-T challenges for clients.

A new study out of LSU’s Pennington Biomedical Research Center shows health benefits for people who only eat early in the day….
Cut 2 (30) I’m Matt Doyle”

Saints Owner Gayle Benson goes before the NFL owners today, asking them to approve New Orleans has a Super Bowl host site in 2024.

The National Hurricane Center says a sub-tropical or tropical depression could form this weekend over the eastern or central Gulf of Mexico. Forecasters say we could see heavy rain from the Central to the Eastern Gulf Coast through the Memorial Day weekend.