The Legislative Black Caucus is not supporting Republican-backed tax reform bills unless state representative Ray Garofalo is removed as House Education Chair. During a contentious committee debate about banning divisive teaching on race, Garofalo said the state should teach “the good, the bad, the ugly” of slavery. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says that outraged Black lawmakers…
Cut 7 (08) “…apology.”
House Speaker Clay Schexnayder at the moment is keeping Garofalo as House Education Chair.

According to the Louisiana Policy Institute for Children, they found that over 75-percent of likely voters in Louisiana support taxes on sports betting to fund early care and education. Senator Rick Ward’s bill would deposit proceeds into the general fund, but L-P-I-C Director Doctor Libbie Sonnier says the money should be dedicated…
cut 12 (11) “….dedicated”
While the rest of the country is racing to file their taxes today, Louisiana is one of three states whose federal tax deadline is June 15th instead. Brooke Thorington explains.
Cut 1 (31) “…Brooke Thorington”

It was a classic SEC baseball game on Friday night at Alex Box Stadium and what made it better for Tiger fans is that LSU ended up on top. Landon Marceaux threw 6.1 innings of shutout baseball and the Tigers held on for a two to one win over Alabama Marceaux scattered 11 hits as the Crimson Tide left 11 runners on base. Gavin Dugas with a sacrifice fly and a Drew Bianco RBI double was all the offense the Tigers needed. Game two of the series is today at 2 PM.

UTSA scored three runs in the seventh and held on for a seven to five win over 14th ranked Louisiana Tech. Jonathan Fincher suffered his first loss of the season. But the Bulldogs are one of 20 teams that could host a Regional during the first weekend in June.

ULM knocked off sixth-ranked TCU four to three, even though the Horned Frogs scored three runs in the ninth. Catcher Logan Wurm drove in two runs and Cam Barlow five shutout innings for the win.

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It was a tough Friday night for Louisiana teams in the Southland as Texas A-and-M Corpus Christi swept a doubleheader from Southeastern Louisiana. Lamar blanked UNO six to nothing, Stephen F Austin knocked off Northwestern State 8 to 3 and McNeese blanked Nicholls seven to nothing. Bryson Hudgens threw six scoreless innings for his first win of the season.

The McNeese softball team is one win away from winning the Southland Confernece Tournament Championship and receiving an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. The Cowgirls beat STephen F Austin four to one yesterday in Hammond and they will play today at 1:30 against the winner of this morning’s game between Stephen F Austin and Central Arkansas.

U-L Lafayette is in the Sun Belt Softball tournament championship game. The Lady Cajuns edged Texas State four to three yesterday and at 2:30 today, they’ll play the winner of this morning’s game between Texas State and South Alabama.

The Louisiana House has approved the bill that would let St. Tammany Parish voters decide if they want a riverboat casino in Slidell. Opponents say it will result in increased human trafficking and immoral behavior. Covington Representative Mark Wright addressed those concerns…
Cut 8 (12) “…a vote”
The measure heads to the Senate, but an identical bill in the Senate has not received approval from the Senate Finance Committee.

Gas prices have increased nearly a dime in the last week to a statewide average of $2.72 for a regular gallon of gasoline. Triple-A spokesperson Don Redman says there’s enough gasoline to meet the increasing demand. He says a big issue at the moment is distribution…
Cut 10 (11) “..truck drivers.”

An LSU legend has retired from playing basketball. Brooke Thorington looks back at the career of future Naismith Basketball Hall of Famer Seimone Augustus…
cut 2 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington”

Former Lady Techster standout and current LSU women’s basketball coach Kim Mulkey will be enshrined into the Naismith Hall of Fame on Saturday. She’s the only person in college basketball history to win a national championship as a head coach, assistant coach, and as a player. The Tickfaw native also won a Gold Medal in 1984.

Legislation that would provide unemployed workers with a one-thousand dollar bonus if they were hired to a full-time job has received approval from the House Labor Committee. There is a catch, residents who receive the bonus would be ineligible from getting unemployment benefits for six months. Natchitoches Representative Kenny Cox…
cut 6 (07) “…problem”
House Republicans are pushing this legislation as a way to motivate people to return to the workforce.

The Louisiana House is scheduled on Monday to consider legislation that would ban the use of handheld cellphones while driving. The Legislature has considered this type of bill in the past, but Breaux Bridge Representative Mike Huval says there’s now ample evidence to support passing it.
Cut 7 (08) “…halfway.”
If approved, the handheld cell phone ban would go into effect on January 1st and fines would start at one hundred dollars.

The C-D-C says fully vaccinated individuals no longer need to wear face masks in most cases but will it entice more Louisianans to get vaccinated, one local health expert says probably not. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 3 (25) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

The Saints 2021 schedule came out this week and the Black and Gold’s first home game is September 12th against Green Bay. A team spokesperson says they plan on playing their games this season in front of a full stadium. Superdome Commission Chairman Kyle France told WWL-TV that they may require fans to show proof of vaccination in order to enter the dome.

A proposal is advancing in the House that would provide individuals who are unemployed with a one-thousand dollar check if they find a full-time job, but they wouldn’t be able to receive unemployment benefits for the next six months. Bossier City Representative Raymond Crews says another option is to cut off federal enhanced unemployment benefits…
cut 5 (11) “…valid alternative”
The legislation could be heard on the House floor next week.

The Louisiana House is set to debate on Monday a bill that would prohibit motorists that are behind the wheel from touching a handheld cell phone. Haughton Representative Dodie Horton supports the legislation…
cut 9 (09) “….hit”
The measure passed the House Transportation Committee unanimously this week.

The C-D-C says vaccinated people no longer need to wear a mask in most indoor settings. Tulane Epidemiologist Doctor Susan Hassig agrees with the new CDC recommendation and says it should also reassure individuals who are inoculated.
ct 14 (08) “…environment.”
Nearly 30-percent of Louisiana’s population is vaccinated.

It was social media where two women allegedly sold fraudulent Motor Vehicle Inspection stickers and it was also social media that helped them get caught. State Police Trooper Taylor Scrantz says they have charged Louvenia Allen of Baton Rouge and Yakeiva Hicks of New Orleans with forgery, computer fraud, and criminal conspiracy….
cut 10 (10) “…catch up”
Scrantz says the two sold the forged stickers under the screen names of “Kellz Goated” and “Big Kellz.”

The CDC says those who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19, no longer need to wear face masks or social distance in most situations. Tulane Epidemiologist Doctor Susan Hassig says the news comes following real-life evidence that shows the vaccines not only prevent serious illness, hospitalizations, and subsequent death…
Cut 13 (07) “…really important.”

The House Labor Committee approves legislation that would increase Louisiana unemployment benefits by 28-dollars a week and an amendment was added that would give out a 1,000 dollar bonus to individuals who get off unemployment and find a full-time job. There is a catch…
Cut 4 (11)“…24 weeks.”
That’s Monroe Representative Mike Echols who authored the amendment. The newly written bill heads to the House floor for more discussion.

The House Transportation Committee approved legislation this week that would bar the use of handheld cellphones while driving…
cut 2 (28) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

State Police announce the arrest of Louvenia Allen of Baton Rouge and Yakevia Hicks of New Orleans for distributing fraudulent Motor Vehicle Inspection Stickers. Trooper Taylor Scrantz says the fake stickers were sold under the screen names of “Kellz Goated” and “Big Kellz” and if you purchased stickers from them…
Cut 11 (06) “….three-hundred-dollars.

The federal government says if you are fully vaccinated, you no longer need to wear a mask. President Biden says get vaccinated or wear a mask until you do. Tulane epidemiologist Dr. Susan Hassig…
cut 15 (07) “>…for it”
Just less than 30-percent of Louisiana residents are fully vaccinated.

A bill that would ban the use of a handheld phone while driving is awaiting a vote on the floor of the Louisiana House. During testimony in House Transportation. Stop Distractions.org founder Jennifer Smith says Georgia passed a similar law in 2018 and saw immediate results as phone tracking data showed major decreases in distracted driving.
Cut 8 (07) “…was passed.”
The legislation is scheduled to be debated on the House floor on Monday.

A House committee advances unemployment insurance legislation that includes an amendment offering a “hiring bonus” for people who return to work. Matt Doyle has more…
cut 1 (28) “…reporting”

According to Triple-A, the statewide price for a gallon of regular gasoline is $2.72. That’s an eight-cent increase from last week.