Louisiana’s largest military base in Vernon Parish undergoes a name change today. Fort Polk will now be known as Fort Johnson in honor of World War one hero Sergeant William Johnson. Johnson served in an all-black National Guard Unit that was ordered into battle in France in 1918.

The Public Affairs Research Council says the 2023 legislative session had some good, bad and ugly…:
Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

In the chaotic final day of the 2023 legislative session 140 million dollars in funding was removed for the construction of a new Jimmie Davis Bridge over the Red River in Shreveport-Bossier. But Shreveport Representative Thomas Pressly says there’s enough funding to begin construction…
cut 15 (11) “…in next year”
Construction is set to start in early 2024.

The Louisiana Department of Education has a dashboard on its website louisiana-believes-dot-com that gives citizens an easier way to view K-through-12 academic progress. State Superintendent of Education Cade Brumley…
cut 8 (10) :,,,local communities”
The dashboard also provides a summary on how school systems have spent pandemic relief funds.

Waiting for the governor’s signature is a bill that will make the process of applying for expungement much easier and should be online in 18 months. Brooke Thorington has more…
cut 3 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington”

A well-known New Orleans chef, Demietriek Scott, was feared dead after he went missing for two weeks, but he surprised mourners outside of his home yesterday when he finally showed up alive and well. Scott’s family thought a body found in the Ninth Ward was his, but it turns out it’s not. Scott told WWL-TV he just needed a couple of weeks to himself.

Shreveport Representative Thomas Pressly is concerned after the Legislature approved a construction budget that reduced funding for a new four-lane Jimmie Davis Bridge by 140-million dollars. Pressly says there’s enough funding available to start the five-year, 362 million dollar project, but lawmakers will have to address the rest of the funding next year…
cut 14 (11) “….next session”
Some lawmakers believe the funding was removed because legislators in that area voted against raising the spending cap.

If you go to Louisiana-believes dot-com, the state department of education has produced a dashboard that gives the public the opportunity to see how academic goals are being achieved and financial data
cut 7 (08) “….the public”
The new dashboard is called EPIC which stands for Education Progress and Investment Charts.

The last-minute removal of funding for a new Jimmie Davis Bridge over the Red River in Shreveport-Bossier will NOT delay the start of construction. In the final moments of the legislative session, lawmakers removed $140-million for the Davis Bridge from HB2, the budget for annual state facilities and construction expenses. Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne says funding for the earliest phase of the project is secure, but House & Senate members must revisit the subject next spring…:
Cut 13 (09) “…4-to-5 year project.”

The Legislature passed a bill that New Orleans Senator Royce Duplessis says will streamline the process of getting a non-violent crime expunged. Duplessis says the legislation will benefit one-point-three million Louisiana citizens, but eligibility requirements will not change….
cut 11 (08) “….are eligible”
Duplessis says the goal is to get more people to work, reduce recidivism and improve quality of life.

Louisiana Department of Education is enhancing transparency and accountability by launching a new EPIC (Education Progress and Investment Charts) dashboard to allow citizens to view education outcomes and funding. Teiko Foxx has more…
Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Teiko Foxx.”

Authorities are asking for the public to contact them if they were sexually assaulted by 60-year-old Darryl Stagg, a well known Louisiana Baptist leader, who was arrested last week on several charges. Grant Parish Sheriff Steven McCain…
cut 9 (09) “…in jail”
The Grant Parish Sheriff’s Office is the lead agency, but Stagg also faces charges in Rapides and Union Parishes and a county in Wisconsin.

Some really hot weather arrives this week which will force your air conditioner to kick into full throttle. Entergy spokesperson David Freese says try to keep your thermostat at 78 degrees, because your bill goes up three-percent for every degree below 78
Cut 6 (12) “…the thermostat.”

The LSU Tigers are headed back to the College World Series for the 19th time. Jeff Palermo was at the Box for the celebration…
Cut 2 (30) “….I’m Jeff Palermo”

The 2023 legislative session is over. Council for a Better Louisiana President Barry Erwin believes lawmakers did well in spending surplus dollars…
cut 5 (07) “…retirement debt”
Some lawmakers are upset the budget was approved with just minutes to spare before a 6 PM deadline.

LSU fans are fired up this Monday morning after watching the Tigers punch their ticket to the College World Series with an eight to three win over Kentucky to complete a two game Super Regional Series sweep of the Wildcats.

Alex Box Stadium nearly came unglued in the ninth inning last night, when star center fielder Dylan Crews hit a screaming two run double in his final at bat at Alex Box Stadium. The two-time SEC player of the year admits he was nervous…
cut 16 (16) “…it was awesome”
LSU will play the winner of today’s game between Tennessee and Southern Miss in the opening round of the College World Series which begins Friday. LSU will play either Friday or Saturday.

State lawmakers failed to issue permanent pay raises for school teachers and staff in the legislative session that ended last week, and the state’s biggest teachers’ union is NOT happy…
Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

Alexandria Senator Jay Luneau is also disappointed with not passing a budget that contains a permanent teacher pay raise…
cut 6 (09) “….southern average”
Overall Luneau says the session went well and they were able to address several issues but it’s unfortunate how it ended with the budget.