The House is expected to vote this afternoon on a proposal to raise hunting and fishing license fees in order to pay for state Wildlife and Fisheries expenses. Jeff Palermo has a preview…

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An LSU medical graduate has put out a new supplement that was tested at the Pennington Biomedical Research Center, aimed at improve gut health. Matt Doyle has more.

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A riverboat gambling bill is on deck for Senate consideration today. Michael Farrar has the story.

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A House floor vote is scheduled today on a proposal to raise the cost of a basic resident hunting and fishing license by a few dollars. Wildlife and Fisheries officials say the increase is needed to offset a 65-million dollar loss in state funding since 2009. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says the proposal is having a difficult time passing, because it needs 70 votes from the 105-member House

Cut 4  (04) “for something” 

Pinsonat says a special session is likely coming in which legislators will be asked to pass tax measures to replace expiring revenue, so jacking up the price for a hunting or fishing license is not something legislators are quick to endorse

Cut 5  (06)  “to government”

Pinsonat says lawmakers are facing re-election next year, so voting for a fee increase on a hobby many Louisiana residents enjoy is not a good idea for most legislators

Cut 6 (07) “is reluctant”

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A new supplement wrapped up testing at the Pennington Biomedical Research Center and claims it can help improve gut health that is lacking in most modern diets. “Biomebliss”, from LSU Medical School graduate and New Orleans Native Dr. Mark Heiman says there’s a lot of research showing Americans are lacking the proper bacteria in their stomachs.

Cut 7 (11)  “these mircronutrients”

Heiman says between processed foods and low carb diets, people are losing out on nutrients are that crucial to helping your body stay healthy, slim, and regular.

Cut 8 (12)  “GI microbiome.”

Heiman says Biomebliss is a prebiotic that feeds microorganisms in your gut that often starve when you try out a new, non-balanced diet plan.

Cut 9 (06)  “carbohydrate diet”

A report from 2015 studies of Biomebliss at Pennington is available, but the claims have not yet been reviewed by the FDA.

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A bill that would allow riverboat casinos to expand onto land is scheduled to be heard by the full Senate today, after being pulled from consideration last week. The bill would remove restrictions for Louisiana’s 15 floating gambling halls. Louisiana Casino Association Executive Director Wade Duty says more profitable casinos means more revenue for the state.

Cut 10 (08) “predictable jobs”

Duty says Louisiana is the only state that requires casinos be seaworthy, and that’s holding back the local industry.

Cut 11 (10) “the customer”

The bill’s sponsor, Lake Charles Senator Ronnie Johns, says the legislation is not an expansion of gaming, but Louisiana Family Forum President Gene Mills says that’s disingenuous.

Cut 12 (11) “of opportunity”

Mills, a conservative cultural values advocate, says allowing those casinos to expand would increase the number of gambling addicts, which currently numbers nearly 180,000 statewide.

Cut 13 (09)  “of Louisiana”

Another gambling bill, one that would allow Tangipahoa residents to vote on whether or not to accept a casino in Robert, is also expected to be discussed.

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The chairman of Senate Finance has no desire to approve the budget the House passed last Thursday. Ville Platte Senator Eric LaFleur says he can’t support a spending plan that would kick 46-thousand elderly and disabled people from nursing homes

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The Senate Education committee approved a measure that allows public school teachers to pray with students, if the child’s parents sign a permission slip. Jim Shannon has more.

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March Louisiana unemployment numbers had their biggest year to year drop in years. Matt Doyle has more.

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The Senate Education committee moved a measure that allows public school teachers to pray with students. The bill would further existing law that allows school employees to volunteer to supervise voluntary student-initiated, student-led prayer. Bossier City Senator Ryan Gatti.

Cut 3 (:12) “get sued”

Gatti says the improved legislation will make it easier for the kids to do what they want to.

Cut 4 (:08) “law suits”

The measure moves to the Senate floor. Metairie Senator Conrad Appel thinks the bill will only get the state sued and he voted against it.

Cut 5  (09) “nobody prayed”

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United States Senator John Kennedy is asking President Trump to put even higher tariffs on Chinese crawfish and shrimp. In a letter to the White House, Kennedy accused the Chinese of not trading fairly with the U-S.

Cut 6 (:10)  “is cheating”

Earlier this month, President Trump instructed the United States Trade Representative to consider whether 100-billion dollars in additional tariffs would be appropriate. Kennedy says he’s asked the Trump administration to give full consideration to the inclusion of Chinese crawfish and shrimp.

Cut 7 (07)  “their product”

He added that a higher tariff on Chinese crawfish and shrimp would help our seafood industry, which has a 2.4 billion dollar impact on Louisiana’s economy…

Cut 8 (:10) “cut rate prices”

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Unemployment is down to 4.4 percent in Louisiana, capping a three month run of strong jobs numbers. According to the March employment figures, 46-thousand people have joined the workforce over the last 12 months and state Workforce Commission Executive Director Ava Dejoie says that puts us number one in the nation for new jobs added.

Cut 9 (08) “with Alabama “

One of Louisiana’s oil beds, Lafayette, is starting to recover jobs lost from last year’s oil bust. Dejoie says rising prices at the pump are paying dividends for the area.

Cut 10 (07) “more stable.”

Healthcare and construction drove much of the job gains, but Dejoie says one high paying sector in particular is starting to show some explosive growth.

Cut 11 (10) “particular careers.”

Dejoie encourages anyone looking to take advantage of the rosier labor market to visit www.laworks.net for job listings and training opportunities.

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The Pelicans are on the verge of a series sweep after crushing the Trailblazers in game three 119-102. The Pels have been prolific, with an average margin of victory in the series of 9.3 points a game. Super Star Center Anthony Davis, who’s averaging nearly 28 points a game in the series, says the key to moving on is to continue to play suffocating defense.

Cut 12 (06)   “whole playoffs”

Power Forward Nicola Mirotic, who was obtained at the trade deadline after the team lost Demarcus Cousins for the year, dropped 30 on Portland last night. Mirotic says last night’s big win gives the team the momentum it needs to close out game four.

Cut 13 (10) “better job too.”

Head coach Alvin Gentry says a bit reason for the blowout win was a raucous fan base that was locked in.

Cut 14 (08)  “on Saturday”

Saturday’s game tips off at 4pm.

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Super Bowl wining head coach of the Eagles, Doug Pederson, is back in bayou to help ULM kick off the new football season. ULM Director of Marketing and Communications Julia Letlow says the former Warhawk QB is ready to help improve season-ticket sales and raise money…

Cut 15 (08) “our program.”

Letlow says it’s a chance for fans to get to know the highly regarded NFL coach.

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The “2018 Kickoff with Doug Pederson” is Saturday night in Fant-Ewing Coliseum.

The remains of a North Louisiana Korean War vet are being returned home after 68 years. Matt Doyle has more.

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The Louisiana Department of Corrections is rolling back a policy that allowed state prisons to bar inmates from talking to the media. Michael Farrar has more.

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The House passed a budget that maintains higher ed spending, and funds TOPS at 80 percent, but slashes healthcare. Jeff Palermo has more.

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A ceremony is being held today for a Korean War Veteran from Faraday whose remains are being returned home after 68 years. 19-year-old Sergeant Lester Walker was deployed to Korea with an anti-air craft weapons battalion. Congressman Ralph Abraham says he was lost during the first months of the war.

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36,914 American Servicemen and women were lost in the conflict that is often referred to as the “Forgotten War”, due its lack of recognition. Abraham says those sacrifices need to be remembered.

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2.5 million people are suspected to have lost their lives during the three year war.

Abraham says hundreds lined the runway as Walker was returned home, in a show of solidarity with all gold star families. Abraham says it’s been cathartic for the north Louisiana community.

Cut 6 (08) “situation.”

An armistice was signed in 1953, but the war is technically still ongoing.

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A seven year old policy barring inmates from talking to the media about their cases has been lifted by the Louisiana Department of Corrections after a challenge from the ACLU. ACLU Staff Attorney Bruce Hamilton says the gag order was a gross violation of inmates civil rights.

Cut 7 (09)  “constitutional rights”

The suit was brought on behalf of Darold Hines, an Angola Inmate, who was denied the right to speak to LSU reporters who were investigating his case. Hamilton says just because they are prisoners, doesn’t mean they don’t have rights.

Cut 8 (08)  “as well.”

Hamilton says the justice system isn’t perfect, which is why inmates need the right to tell their stories to the media.

Cut 9 (06)  “of committing”

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The House narrowly passed a budget that would fund TOPS at 80% and maintain higher ed funding, but would implement deep cuts in healthcare funding, potentially ending public-private partnership hospitals that care for the poor. House Appropriations Chairman Republican Cameron Henry says the state cannot afford to maintain its current healthcare spending.

Cut 10 (08) “attain it”

The proposed spending plan goes to the Senate Finance Committee who will meet Sunday. It’s possible the Senate may not even vote on a budget.

House GOP Chairman Lance Harris says the budget is the best they could do with the funds they have available.

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House Democrats nearly unanimously voted against the budget. New Orleans Representative Gary Carter says if passed, the spending plan would kill people.

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House Democratic Chairman Robert Johnson went after legislators who voted yea on the proposed budget.

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Governor John Bel Edwards has announced that if the spending plan reaches his desk, he will not sign it, and reports indicate that legislators are planning on beginning a special session mid-May to attempt to pass a budget that replaces the 663 million dollars in funds that are not present in this spending plan.

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Governor John Bel Edwards says the proposed budget that was approved by the House is a non-starter, and if it reaches his desk, he’s not signing it. The budget maintains higher ed, and funds TOPS at 80 percent, but includes steep cuts to healthcare that could shutter public-private hospitals that care for the poor. Edwards says it’s a budget unworthy of the people of Louisiana.

Hess says there are several factors on why they haven’t played well on the road…

Cut 20 (17) “go around”