The state has its budget for the next fiscal year. Is the legislature pleased with the results? David Grubb has the answer…

Cut 1 (36) “…I’m David Grubb.”

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The author of a so-called “Don’t Say Gay” bill for Louisiana that was defeated in the legislature says she will bring the bill back until it passes. More from Kevin Gallagher…:

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.” 

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After a concealed carry bill was amended to allow teachers to carry a gun to school and serve as safety officers, a Louisiana teacher’s union voiced its concerns. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 3 (34) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

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Governor John Bel Edwards signed House Bill 1, the state’s budget for the next fiscal year, on Thursday. Appropriations Chair, Houma Representative Jerome Zeringue, says the budget is a good reflection of both the intent of the legislature and the governor’s priorities.

Cut 4 (12)  “…childhood education.”

The governor did exercise his line-item veto to reallocate $31-million from the Office of Tourism to fund merit-based pay raises for faculty in the state’s university, community, and technical college systems. Zeringue says the legislature takes no issue with those moves…

Cut 5 (11) “…restoring those dollars.”

The budget process moved surprisingly quickly during the session, atypical of previous years where some battles waged up until the final hours. Zeringue says that it took an unprecedented commitment from all branches to make it happen.

Cut 6 (12)  “…the Mississippi River.”

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A Louisiana House bill dubbed a “Don’t Say Gay” bill has failed to pass this year, but its author says she will bring it back next year. Last month, House Education Committee members voted in a bipartisan manner to end the bill’s progress. Bill author and Haughton Representative Dodie Horton says fellow Conservatives in the House moved the bill to a Committee of the Whole, meaning ALL members can debate and vote on it. However, she withdrew the bill from further consideration this year…:

Cut 7 (08) “…put the body through that.”

Horton says she will rewrite the bill to address some concerns that were voiced about it, and she will file the bill again next year. Many say the proposed legislation is a “solution seeking a problem”, but Horton says indoctrination of the very young to alternate lifestyles is very real…:

Cut 8 (10)  “…teaching a standard.”

Horton says her bill is NOT anti-gay, anti-trans, or anti-any other group. She says it’s about assuring inappropriate topics are not discussed with children during what is supposed to be educational classroom time…:

Cut 9 (10)  “…for the student.”

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After the concealed carry bill was amended to allow teachers to carry a firearm to school and serve as safety officers, the Louisiana Federation of Teachers issued a statement in strong opposition. LFT Legislative Director Cynthia Posey says while they are for measures to address the issue of school safety this is not the way to go about it.

Cut 10 (11) “…more than that.”

Posey says if the bill becomes law, it places a huge burden on those teachers who choose to bring a gun to campus, and it also requires them to complete training on their own time.

Cut  11 (11)  “…on them.” 

Posey says the legislation also places an emotional liability on instructors. She says it’s not fair to ask teachers in a moment of extreme distress to switch from the role of educator to becoming a professional law enforcement officer. And because often the suspect is a current or former student, she says it’s not fair to ask a teacher to possibly shoot someone they know.

Posey says the issue comes down to funding and they always say we put our money where our priorities are.

Cut 12 (06) “…in Louisiana.” 

The current legislative session ends on Monday.

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Governor John Bel Edwards says he will testify before the legislative oversite committee investigating the May 2019 death of motorist Ronald Greene while in state police custody. Edwards says he viewed Lt. John Clary’s body camera footage in the Fall of 2020 days before he arranged for Greene’s family to see it.

Cut 13 (16) “…August of 2019.”

Edwards says there has been much speculation about what he knew and when concerning Greene’s death. Edwards says the Greene family attorney also viewed the body camera video and took notes that referred specifically to the Clary video.

Cut 14 (08)  “…for that.”

The legislative oversite committee has heard testimony from state troopers and Ronald Greene’s mother Mona Hardin. Governor Edwards has been asked to answer questions and he says he plans to fully cooperate.

Cut 15 (09)  “…I testify.”

Edwards did mention a possible scheduling conflict with June 16^th, but he does plan to answer lawmakers’ questions.

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The Saints have wrapped up week two of OTAs and coach Dennis Allen is happy with what he’s seen so far. The offense has plenty of new personnel, so does that mean we’ll see a more aggressive Saints attack in 2022? Allen says you’ll have to wait and see.

Cut 16 (20)  “…do really well.”

One of the biggest additions to the Saints’ offense is former LSU star Jarvis Landry, who drew plenty of praise from Allen after his first few practices. Landry says he’s not quite where he wants to be, but he’s getting there.

Cut 17 (15) “ …I’ll be ready.” 

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LSU opens NCAA Regional play tonight at 6 pm against Kennesaw State in Hattiesburg. The Tigers could be near or at full strength offensively with the potential returns of Jacob Berry and Cade Doughty, but LSU’s success will likely hinge on its pitching. Coach Jay Johnson says his guys are ready to go.

Cut 18 (17) “ …and execute.” 

Kennesaw State is led by first-year head coach Ryan Coe, who has the Owls back in the tournament for just the second time in program history. Coe says his team has overcome its deficiencies by being relentless.

Cut 19 (19) _“…we’re on here.” 

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The Ragin’ Cajuns have had a long way back since their last NCAA tournament appearance in 2016. The unexpected death of Tony Robichaux in 2019 was followed by a pandemic in 2020. And yet, here they are. Coach Matt Deggs says he couldn’t be more proud of the fight his team has shown and how it’s paid off.

Cut 20 (18) “ …for these guys.” 

Southern University gets a major boost in its efforts to save its campus from erosion. David Grubb has the details…

Cut 1 (36) “…I’m David Grubb.”

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Acadiana Congressman Clay Higgins introduces two bills intended to shore up security in schools. More from Kevin Gallagher…:

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.” 

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A bipartisan House committee wants to hear from Governor John Bel Edwards as they investigate the State Police Custody death of Ronald Greene. Kevin Gallagher has the story…

Cut 3 (32) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.” 

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Facing the potential of $43-million in damaged infrastructure, Southern University received some major help in its efforts to stop storm runoff from eroding the historic bluff adjacent to the university. Governor John Bel Edwards and leaders of the Southern system were on hand as Congressman Troy Carter announced a huge influx of grant dollars…

Cut 4 (11)  “…the Mississippi River.”

The $7.6 million in grant dollars comes from the USDA’s Emergency Watershed Protection Program. Carter says that because Southern is an agricultural college and 20 percent of the campus is used for training in that field, the Louisiana DOTD was able to successfully apply for the funds.

Cut 5 (12) “…across the country.”

The project will construct permanent erosion control measures to stabilize Southern’s ravine. Carter says he was unaware of just how dire the situation was until about a year ago when he was invited to a presentation at the campus conducted by retired U-S Army Gen. Russel Honore’…

Cut 6 (13)  “…the Mississippi River.”

These funds are coming to DOTD alongside the passage of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which will bring over $7 billion back to Louisiana. Over $2.3 billion has already been allocated to the state since the legislation was signed into law in November 2021.

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Louisiana District 3 Congressman Clay Higgins introduces legislation intended to make schools safer & more secure. Higgins says he is reintroducing two bills he filed in 2018 that failed to win final passage. Higgins says one is the School Watch And Tactics Act, also called the SWAT Act…:

Cut 7 (09) “…tactical skills.”

Higgins says the bill would assure that school resource and security officers possess the training and skills to face an active shooter situation. A second resurrected bill from Higgins  would require the federal departments of Education and Justice to determine how many schools even have security officers and how many need one…:

Cut 8 (12)  “…no data of that.”

Higgins says one bill won House passage in 2018, but failed in the Senate. The other did not pass in the House. Since then, he says, there have been too many more school shootings – including last week’s massacre in Uvalde, Texas. Higgins says members of Congress may feel differently now about taking action…:

Cut 9 (10)  “…these school shootings.”

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The special House committee looking into the circumstances of the State Police custody death of Ronald Greene has requested that Governor John Bel Edwards appear at their meeting on June 16th. Houma Representative Tanner Magee says it’s unclear when Edwards saw the police body camera video that shows troopers beating Greene before he died

Cut 10 (08) “…they say.”

Greene died in May of 2019 and a recent Associated Press Investigative Report says Edwards and his top lawyers saw the body-camera video of Greene’s violent arrest in October of 2020. But Magee says the district attorney who could move forward with criminal charges against the state troopers involved didn’t see the video until the spring of 2021…

Cut  11 (11)  “…bottom of it” 

Greene’s family was told he died in a car crash in Union Parish. But police body camera video shows Greene was beaten by troopers following a high speed chase. During Wednesday’s meeting, Magee read written testimony from Doctor Frank Peretti, a coroner in Arkansas who oversaw Green’s autopsy

Cut 12 (12) “..tree branches.” 

A special legislative committee has been holding hearings since March looking into a coverup. Magee hopes the meeting on June 16th featuring Governor Edwards will be the last one.

A statement from the governor’s executive counsel Matthew Block says they are confident that this testimony will demonstrate that neither the Governor nor anyone his staff had any role in any attempt to cover up the facts related to Mr. Greene’s death.

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The state Department of Insurance says nearly a dozen firms have decided to stop writing coverage in Louisiana; meaning the state-run insurer of last resort, Louisiana Citizens, will have to cover them. Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says this will grow the number of homes and businesses covered by the state significantly…:

Cut 13 (13) “…90-thousand policv range.”

Donelon says some companies simply decided covering Louisiana was too costly. Other actually became insolvent from paying out claims for the many hurricanes in recent years. He says about 30-thousand homes and businesses will have to resort to Louisiana Citizens Property Insurance. After Hurricane Katrina, Donelon worked to get Citizens’ customers back under less-expensive private coverage. He says he and DOI will do that again…:

Cut 14 (14)  “…property insurance business.”

Donelon has this advice for those who have had their property insurance canceled, non-renewed, or whose insurance company has gone out-of-business…:

Cut 15 (11)  “…their commercial property.”

The Department of Insurance website: “ldi.la.gov”

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The LSU Tigers have already packed up and made their way to Hattiesburg where they will begin play in the NCAA tournament on Friday against third-seeded Kennesaw State out of the Atlantic Sun Conference. Jay Johnson says there could be a lot of offense on display as LSU’s high-powered attack matches up with an Owls lineup that averages more than seven runs per game.

Cut 16 (13)  “…well to win.”

Expectations and pressure are always present when you represent LSU, from each member of the coaching staff down to the equipment managers. Johnson says his team wants to win every game they play, though he feels the pressure they put on themselves to succeed won’t be a negative this weekend.

Cut 17 (19) “ …the right way.” 

The last time Louisiana Tech met Dallas Baptist, the Bulldogs were beaten 7-4 at home. They’ll meet again on Friday in the first game of the Austin Regional with Tech coming in as the two seed. Coach Lane Burroughs says what happened in March won’t have much to do with Friday’s outcome…

Cut 18 (20) “ …finished.” 

U-L Lafayette makes its 17^th appearance in the NCAA tournament this weekend in the College Station Regional. The Ragin Cajuns will be joined in an impressive field by fifth-ranked Texas A&M, Oral Roberts, and their opening opponent, TCU. Pitcher Austin Perrin says the Cajuns can win if they play the game their way.

Cut 19 (11) _“…give them anything.” 

The Atlantic Hurricane Season begins today and emergency preparedness leaders say the time is now to get a plan in place. Brooke Thorington has more…

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

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After passing in the House and a Senate committee, a so-called Constitutional Carry bill gets re-assigned to a second committee hearing. Kevin Gallagher reports on what that may mean…:

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.” 

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For the second time in less than two weeks, a high school graduation is marred by gunfire. David Grubb has more…

Cut 3 (35) “…I’m David Grubb.” 

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Today marks the beginning of the Atlantic Hurricane Season and emergency preparedness leaders say there’s no better time than the present to begin preparations for the 2022 season. Communications Director at the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness Mike Steele…

Cut 4 (08)  “…be ready.”

The last two hurricane seasons have also been unique because of COVID, congregate shelters were not viable. However, this season Steele says the plan is to return to congregate shelters but if COVID cases increase that plan could be revised.

Steele encourages residents to take advantage of the blue skies to work out a plan long before a hurricane or tropical storm is headed their way.  And one of the best ways to be prepared is to visit GetAGamePlan-dot-org for a checklist.

Cut 5 (08) “…think of.”

Another item you want to check off your list is to review your hurricane insurance coverage and know what and what isn’t covered. Steele says that way you’ll know if you need to update your policy beforehand.

And after two devastating seasons in a row, Steele says thousands of residents in Lake Charles and southeastern Louisiana remain in temporary housing…

Cut 6 (12)  “…with you.”

Steele says if you have a loved one that would have difficulty evacuating it’s best to develop a plan well before a storm is on the horizon to assist them.

This is also a good time of year to check that your generator is in working order ahead of possible prolonged power outages.

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A bill to allow Louisianans to carry a concealed weapon without a permit hits a big snag on its course to final passage. The House-passed HB37 recently won approval in a Senate judiciary committee, but – instead of being scheduled for a Senate floor debate & vote – was re-committed to the Senate Revenue & Fiscal Affairs Committee last week. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says when this happens, it means someone wants to see the bill fail…:

Cut 7 (12) “…sent to the governor.”

The Senate Revenue & Fiscal Affairs will consider the bill this afternoon. Even if it passes, it has very little time left to be scheduled for floor debate, voted upon and sent back to the House for concurrence before the clock runs out on the session Monday evening. Pinsonat says this has happened before, when lawmakers didn’t feel a bill was “must pass” legislation…:

Cut 8 (15)  “…didn’t do as well.”

Oil City Representative Danny McCormick’s bill would make Concealed Carry Permits optional for adults with no criminal record. However, without a permit one would have no right to concealed carry in other states with whom Louisiana has reciprocity agreements. Pinsonat says lawmakers have their reasons for trying to let the clock run out on the legislation; some perhaps due to recent events in Texas…:

Cut 9 (10)  “…while in session.”

Pinsonat feels there is little will at the Capitol to override a veto of this particular bill, so letting it die is the likely strategy.

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One person was killed and two more injured after shots were fired following the graduation ceremonies of Morris Jeff Community School on the campus of Xavier University in New Orleans. The victim who died in the shooting was reportedly the grandmother of one of the graduates. The other two victims, both men, were taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. According to NOPD deputy superintendent Christopher Goodly, gunfire erupted after an altercation between two women.

Cut 10 (09) “…victims right now.”

This is the second shooting at a high school graduation in just the last two weeks, following one on the campus of Southeastern Louisiana University on May 19 that left four people injured. Goodly says the grounds around the graduation were well-secured by both NOPD and campus police.

Cut  11 (09)  “…perimeter security.” 

Police have detained multiple individuals for questioning but ask anyone with potentially helpful information to contact the NOPD homicide division at 504-658-5300 or leave an anonymous tip with Crimestoppers at 504-822-1111.

Cut 12 (10) “…successful resolution.” 

In response to the shooting, Governor John Bel Edwards issued his condolences for the victims and stated “In light of recent gun violence in Buffalo and Uvalde, gun safety discussions and action involving expanded background check and red flag laws are very much in order.”

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As the Russian invasion of Ukraine rages on New Orleans physician Dr. MarkAlain Dery (pronounced as Mark Allen Dairy) is serving as medical director to assist those in need of being medically evacuated from the war-torn country. Dery says he’s been in Ukraine for about three weeks now.

Cut 13 (12) “…Romania.”

And because more and more Ukraine citizens have become targets of Russian soldiers, Dery is also helping by instituting an education process for everyday healthcare providers and the best way they can treat civilians who are severely injured in the conflict.

Cut 14 (10)  “…we do.”

As the conflict continues Dery says there are more and more documented cases of Ukrainian civilians who are being attacked by Russian soldiers along with evidence of war crimes.

Dery says top US trauma physicians are assisting by helping train doctors and nurses in Ukraine on how to respond to injuries usually found on a battlefield.

Cut 15 (09)  “…are crushed.”

Dery says they are also training fire and police on how to treat injuries and creating short videos teaching civilians how to respond when someone is severely injured.

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LSU will make the 169-mile trip east and open play on Friday night against third-seeded Kennesaw State in the Hattiesburg Regional. The Owls, champions of the Atlantic Sun Conference, are 35-26 this season and are making only their second-ever NCAA tournament appearance. Despite that, Tigers coach Jay Johnson says KSU isn’t to be taken lightly…

Cut 16 (12)  “…to bring it.”

This will be the first-ever meeting between the two programs.

Lane Burroughs has done a great job of building the Louisiana Tech baseball program over six seasons, leading the Bulldogs to the NCAA tournament in each of the last two. Tech is talented, with two wins over LSU and the Conference-USA tournament championship as evidence. The Dogs’ greatest asset, according to Burroughs, might be their resiliency.

Cut 17 (12) “ …experience that.” 

Tech opens play in the Austin Regional against Dallas Baptist on Friday.

Southeastern Louisiana heads to the Auburn Regional as the fourth-seeded, meaning they will open play against the top-seeded Tigers. The Lions went 2-3 against SEC foes this season, earning wins over Arkansas and Ole Miss. Coach Matt Riser says that type of schedule in the regular season is what has them prepared for the postseason.

Cut 18 (19) “ …into words.” 

The U-L Ragin’ Cajuns are back in the tournament for the first time in six years and as a reward, they will take on second-seeded TCU on Friday night. U-L dropped 2 of 3 to the Horned Frogs last season and outfielder Tyler Robertson hasn’t forgotten.

Cut 19 (11) _“…give them anything.” 

The Cajuns may have gotten into the tournament by the skin of their teeth, but they plan on sticking around for a while. Senior pitcher Austin Perrin says he and his teammates have worked too hard to stop now.

Cut 20 (15) “ …get back to work.” 

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