With just one month left to go in the 2022 Legislative Session, what have lawmakers accomplished and what is left to do? Kevin Gallagher reports…:
Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”
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The full House has approved a measure that would require third-graders to pass a literacy test before advancing to the fourth grade. Jeff Palermo has the story…
Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”
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As college baseball’s regular season nears its end, some Louisiana teams are jockeying for postseason positions. David Grubb has the latest on who could be headed where…
Cut 3 (36) “…I’m David Grubb.”
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The 2022 legislative regular session ends one month from today. With just a few weeks left to go, what’s been accomplished? Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says a big achievement is lawmakers and the governor working in a bipartisan fashion to make optimal use of a huge budget surplus…:
Cut 4 (11) “…increases in taxes.”
The state budget comes in at over $38-billion, but fully funds higher education, TOPs grants and budgets teachers and school worker pay raises. A sticking point in the spending plan is setting aside $500-million in federal disaster and pandemic money to build a new Mississippi River bridge in Baton Rouge. Pinsonat says those opposed are mostly from poorer and more remote areas…:
Cut 5 (09) “…any kind of money.”
With a month to go, there are still some hot-button social issues to be decided; like expanding medical marijuana laws, cracking down on speeders using cameras and a controversial ban on transgender athletes competing in women’s sports. Pinsonat says the same bill passed last year and was vetoed by Governor Edwards. A veto override attempt failed. This year’s trans ban is headed for final passage, and Pinsonat says Edwards may want to consider doing something different…:
Cut 6 (09) “…it’s gonna hurt you.”
The legislature must adjourn by 6 pm on June 6th.
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Mother’s Day is Sunday, but while many families will celebrate with their loved ones, the Governor’s Office of Elderly Affairs is working to help those seniors who aren’t getting the care they deserve. Program manager Ebony Thomas-Phillips says all of us can play a role in ending elder abuse.
Cut 7 (11) “…us a call.”
Though her office receives more than five thousand calls annually about incidents of elder abuse, Thomas-Phillips says the problem is still underreported. Many people may not know how to identify an abused or neglected senior, because abuse takes different forms.
Cut 8 (10) “…sometimes abandonment.”
Thomas-Phillips says it doesn’t take much to be an elder advocate, just compassion and a phone call. All reports are anonymous and could make a major difference in someone’s life.
Cut 9 (11) “…do the rest.”
To report suspected abuse or neglect, call the EPS hotline at 833-577-6532 or 225-342-0144.
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The Louisiana House approves a bill that would keep third graders from advancing to the fourth grade if they perform well on a literacy test. Mandeville Representative Richard Nelson says his legislation is modeled after a similar law in Mississippi, which has helped boost reading proficiency…
Cut 10 (12) “…in Mississippi”
Nelson’s bill passed on an 83-12 vote. Black Democrats in the House make up all of the no votes. They expressed concern about holding a lot of students back. But Houma Representative Beryl Amedee says multiple efforts will be made to get a third grader’s reading to level where it should before it’s determined the student must repeat third grade
Cut 11 (08) “…will be receiving.”
Nelson says this legislation will help more than just students who struggle with reading
Cut 12 (12) “…because of this”
The measure heads to the Senate for more consideration.
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A recount of the recent mayoral election in Pineville confirms Rich Dupree will be the Rapides Parish city’s new leader, by a margin of only five votes. Dupree tells LRN the race, the results and the ensuing recount demand have made for a pretty wild ride…:
Cut 13 (11) “…like it did.”
Challenger James Rachal requested an official recount, because Dupree only won by five votes. Both men were there for the recount and Dupree’s election was confirmed. No stranger to Pineville city government, Dupree spent years as Chief of Staff to former Mayor Clarence Fields, whose retirement begins in June…:
Cut 14 (12) “…for our city.”
Dupree will take office July 1st. He says he’s excited for the future of Pineville and its many businesses and industries…:
Cut 15 (09) “…is strong.”
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D-1-baseball-dot-com has its latest projections of the 64-team NCAA tournament field. Included among them are four Louisiana schools, with D1 predicting that McNeese and Louisiana Tech joining LSU in Baton Rouge for an opening regional. The Tigers have made a climb in the rankings as of late, and managing editor Kendall Rogers says they’re in position to host for the 27th time in program history.
Cut 16 (14) “…they’re hosting.”
LSU’s offense has lived up to its billing this season, with the Tigers averaging almost eight runs per game. But Rogers says the key to their rise has been the improvement of the pitching staff. If they can get the consistency down the stretch, they could be a problem.
Cut 17 (16) “ …good enough.”
Louisiana Tech is looking to make it back to the postseason for the second consecutive season. At 32-15, the Bulldogs are in the RPI top 40. Rogers says Tech’s experienced roster makes them the type of team that no one will want to face in the postseason.
Cut 18 (15) “ …upward right now.”
Over in Lafayette, the Ragin Cajuns haven’t been to the tournament since 2015. D-1 has U-L 46th in the power rankings and heading to Hattiesburg for a regional. Their 25-17 record doesn’t jump off the page, but U-L has won 11 of its last 14 games, including six straight series in the Sun Belt.
Cut 19 (15) _“…some trouble.”
The field of 64 will be announced May 30.