New Orleans Congressman Cedric Richmond says it is time to ramp up security for federal lawmakers, after a shootout at a baseball park in Virginia left House Majority Whip Steve Scalise critically injured…:
Cut 13 (09) “that’s us”
Scalise had a security detail because he is the third highest ranking member of the US House, but other congressmen do not have such protection.

The House Majority Whip underwent another surgery on Thursday, and will remain in the hospital for some time, according to MedStar Washington Hospital. They say Scalise remains in critical condition, but has improved in the last 24 hours.

Lawmakers could be leaving the special session before the Monday deadline as the full Senate is set to vote on the House-approved $29 billion dollar spending plan this morning. If no changes are made to HB1 today, it will head to Governor John Bel Edwards, who supports the bill.

The LSU AgCenter selects a vendor for the medical marijuana program. AgCenter Chancellor Dr. Bill Richardson says the plan is to contract with a bio-pharmaceutical research company from Las Vegas called GB Sciences:
Cut 4 (08) “to work with”
He says this is the last major hurdle to getting the drug into the hands of those who need it, hopefully by early next year.

State Police say a trooper is under arrest for allegedly using excessive force when taking someone into custody in New Orleans. John Neal is accused of going too far when chasing after a fleeing suspect. LSP spokeswoman Melissa Matey…:
Cut 10 (08) “at that time”
Neal has been on forced leave since the February incident and is booked with on one count of simple battery.

Lawmakers are close to reaching a budget agreement, as the Senate Finance Committee approves the spending plan for next fiscal year just one day after House approval. The bill allocates one hundred percent of the available dollars, but instructs the administration to hold back $60 million in case of a shortfall. Jackson Representative Kenny Havard says no one got exactly what they wanted.

Cut 6 (07) “a shortfall”

House Republicans proposed withholding more money, while the Senate pushed to spend it all. Houma Representative Tanner Magee says while it isn’t perfect, this was the best compromise they could reach.

Cut 7 (10) “to do”

If the full Senate approves the plan tomorrow, it could be on the governor’s desk before the weekend.

Governor John Bel Edwards signs 10 criminal justice reform bills into law in the hopes of reducing the state’s prison population by 10 percent in 10 years. Edwards says Louisiana could finally lose the title of incarceration capital of the world.

Cut 14 (08) “something better”

The measures are designed to expand parole eligibility and reduce sentences for nonviolent offenders.

There’s still a lot of concern at the State Capitol about former state lawmaker and current US House Majority Whip Steve Scalise, who continues to recover from a gunshot wound to the hip. President Donald Trump says the Jefferson Parish congressman remains in critical condition.

Cut 10 (11) “of the way”

Scalise was one of five people wounded in a shootout at a Virginia ball park during practice for a charity baseball game.

President Donald Trump says wounded Congressman Steve Scalise of Louisiana is in trouble, but hopefully will be okay. The No. 3 GOP leader from Jefferson Parish is in critical condition after being shot in the hip. One of his procedures since was necessary to stop the bleeding, according to the hospital. LSU Health New Orleans trauma surgeon Dr. John Hunt says what that means is the patient lost a lot of blood…:
Cut 12 (10) “replete again”
The Advocate is reporting that doctors are still trying to locate the bullet.

State Police say a trooper is under arrest for allegedly using excessive force when taking someone into custody in New Orleans. They say Trooper John Neal is accused of kicking the suspect and bashing his head into a window while the suspect was handcuffed. Neal has been on forced leave since the February incident and is booked with on one count of simple battery.

The Senate Finance Committee approved the budget plan passed by the House on Wednesday, leaving the full Senate left to vote on it. The proposed $28 billion-plus operating budget will be reviewed by the Upper Chamber on Friday morning. Lawmakers have until Monday to pass a budget without forcing another special session.

Governor John Bel Edwards signed 10 bills into law today that will result in shorter sentences for many non-violent offenders and expanded rehabilitation programs. Edwards predicts the new sentencing laws will reduce the prison population by 10-percent and Louisiana will finally lose the title as the incarceration capital of the world…:
Cut 14 (08) “something better”
It’s estimated these new laws will save the state 262 million dollars over the next 10 years.

House Majority Whip Steve Scalise remains in critical condition. MedStar Washington Hospital says the gunshot wound to his left hip fractured bones, injured internal organs, and caused severe bleeding. MedStar confirmed the hospital passed through the pelvis, and LSU Health New Orleans trauma surgeon Dr. John Hunt says that could pose some problems:
Cut 11 (08) “an infection”
MedStar tweeted that Scalise has undergone two procedures, and will need more operations.

An agreement on the budget appears to be close at the Capitol with five days left in the special session. The House approved a spending plan yesterday which uses all of the money available, and Houma Representative Tanner Magee says it’s not perfect, but it is a compromise…:
Cut 7 (10) “to do”
The full Senate could pass the House approved budget on Friday.

The LSU Baseball team has landed in Omaha ahead of College World Series play that they begin with Florida State on Saturday night. If the Tigers win it all, it would be the school’s seventh national championship, but head Coach Paul Mainieri says they will take it one game at a time:
Cut 4 (09) “next one”
Mainieri has told his players it’s been a great season regardless of what happens in the CWS.

Florida State has never won a national championship despite making 15 previous appearances in the C-W-S under their long time head coach Mike Martin. The Seminoles have won 12 of their 13 games.

President Donald Trump says Congressman Steve Scalise’s condition is more difficult than people first realized. The House Majority Whip from Louisiana was shot in the hip by a gunman outside of Washington yesterday, and remains in critical condition. The president says Scalise is in some trouble, but he’s a great fighter…:
Cut 10 (11) “of the way”
Scalise is expected to need additional surgeries.

Governor John Bel Edwards is at this hour signing a package of criminal justice reform bills which were a huge part of his legislative agenda in the regular session. The measures are aimed at reducing the state’s largest in the nation incarceration rate, and the governor says will produce a savings of approximately $262 million over the next 10 years.

Lawmakers are close to reaching a budget agreement with just five days left in the special session. The House approved a spending plan that appropriates all of the available dollars, something they would not agree to do during the regular session. Jackson Representative Kenny Havard says no one got everything they wanted in this deal…:
Cut 6 (07) “a shortfall”
The full Senate could pass the House approved budget on Friday.

The LSU baseball team will arrive in Omaha soon — the site of the College World Series. Head Coach Paul Mainieri says even though this team doesn’t have a lot of experience in the C-W-S, his players seem cool, calm and confident…:
Cut 3 (09) “be victorious”
The Tigers play Saturday night against Florida State.

Baton Rouge Congressman Garret Graves says the attack on House Majority Whip Steve Scalise of Louisiana and others is a sign of the turbulent times in our country. There’s been reports of congressional leaders receiving threats following the attack, suggesting that more may follow. Graves says he won’t let it interfere with his duties in Washington..:
Cut 12 (11) “to be fixed”
Scalise is in critical condition and will need more surgeries according to hospital officials.

A budget bill approved by the House uses all dollars forecast by the revenue estimating conference. New Orleans Representative Walt Leger says, despite opposition from some in the GOP, using all of the money is is the responsible way to fund state government:
Cut 16 (10) “of the state”
HB1 will likely be quickly approved in the Senate.

A new law that limits first time opioid prescriptions to a 7 day supply may not address Louisiana’s opioid epidemic as hoped. One provision allows patients to request their script only be partially filled, and they could get the rest later if needed. St. Tammany Coroner Charles Preston says he’s spoken to pharmacies say they cannot partially fill a prescription…:
Cut 8 (10) “additional prescription”
He hopes this law doesn’t cloud the importance of funding addiction treatment programs.

The LSU Tigers are off to Omaha. Pitcher Alex Lange will start versus Florida State on Saturday night. He was drafted by the Chicago Cubs in the first round earlier this week. But Lange is not worried about his pro career…:
Cut 18 (08) “Omaha now”
It’s LSU’s first trip to the College World Series since 2015.

Baton Rouge Congressman Garret Graves blames turbulent political times for the attack on House Majority Whip Steve Scalise. Halen Doughty has more…:
Cut 3 (28) “I’m Halen Doughty”

The hospital where Scalise is staying issued a statement saying the Republican Congressman remains in critical condition and will likely need several more surgeries.

The slain gunman, 66-year-old James T. Hodgkinson, who had a history of holding a grudge against the GOP, had apparently been living in a van for months and was frequently spotted at a YMCA near the site of the shooting.

Legislators have taken a significant step towards ending the budget impasse and the special session. On a 56-44 vote, the House approved a budget that allocates 100-percent of the available money. A large contingent of House Republicans like Prairieville Representative Tony Bacala did not want to spend all of the dollars forecast…:
Cut 13 (05) “need that money”
But others argued holding back $100 million would cause cuts to critical state services. The Senate is expected to quickly approve HB1.

Tulane researchers have found Louisiana is sinking at a rate of just over one third of an inch per year, which is 50-percent faster than what was estimated two years ago. Geology professor and co-author of the report, Tor Tornqvist, says this research should alarm those about future of Louisiana’s coastline…:
Cut 6 (11) “right now”

Congressman Steve Scalise of Louisiana remains in critical condition after being shot by a now-deceased man in the hip during baseball practice. The shooter is said to have been politically motivated and Baton Rouge Congressman Garret Graves says he has never seen things so divisive…:
Cut 11 (09) “right now”
Scalise is expected to need additional surgeries.

The House approved a budget plan Wednesday that allocates 100-percent of available money forecast . New Orleans Representative Walt Leger says if the state doesn’t use the dollars it has, cuts will occur to areas of the budget where they don’t need to be:
cut 15 (10) “budget”
Not all of the House GOP was happy about giving in, but on a narrow 56-44 vote the plan heads to the Senate where it will be quickly approved.

Tulane researchers discover Louisiana’s coast is sinking at a rate of one third inch per year, which is 50-percent faster than an earlier estimate…
Cut 1 (28) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

St. Tammany Coroner Charles Preston doesn’t think the new laws restricting opiod prescriptions will curb the addiction epidemic. He says less than one percent of those who are prescribed pain pills abuse drugs:
Cut 7 (10) “appropriately”
The new law limits first time prescriptions for acute pain to a 7-day supply.