Governor Edwards has ruffled feathers with opponents by hosting a dinner for LSU freshmen football players at the mansion and filming a PSA with Drew Brees for veterans. But Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says it might not be politics driving these decisions. Brees has a history of supporting veterans, and Pinsonat says Edwards and coach Orgeron have a public friendship.

Cut 12 (09) “governor.”

A timeline for closing the Bonnet Carre Spillway has changed several times with the unpredictable forecast and now it looks like the flood-controlled structure is scheduled to close the second or third week of July. The U-S Army Corps of Engineers posted the update on Twitter Wednesday. But that could change depending on the National Weather Service forecast. The record opening on the spillway has been blamed for high mortality rates of dolphins, oysters and other aquatic life, plus algae blooms plaguing the Louisiana and Mississippi coasts.

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries say black bear sightings are on the rise in portions of Louisiana. Large carnivore program manager for LDWF Maria Davidson says one reason for the encounters, mother bears are forcing their cubs to start fending for themselves as she preps for another mating season.

Cut 4 (08) “…back into heat.”

Bass fishing has been accepted by the Louisiana High School Athletics Association as a trial sport, with 173 schools telling the organization that they’d like to see fishing made official. LHSAA Assistant Executive Director Adam MacDowell says prep-age fishing competition is already popular and this will give those kids a chance to use those skills while wearing school colors.
Cut 7 (10) “…opportunity.”

Governor Edwards hosted the LSU freshman football players for dinner at the mansion, and shot a PSA for veterans with Saints Quarterback Drew Brees, prompting opponents to say he’s politicizing Louisiana sports…

Cut 3 (31) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

U.S. House Minority Whip and Louisiana Congressmen Steve Scalise was the leadoff hitter in the Congressional Baseball game for Republicans’ last night. He scored his first run since returning to the field after narrowly surviving a mass shooting two years ago.

Black bear sightings have increased across the state. Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Large Carnivore program LDWF Maria Davidson says it’s mating season, mothers are forcing cubs to fend for themselves and adult males are on the prowl.

Cut 5 (08)“…their home range.”

Craft beer brewers across the state have seen things fizzle, despite the fact that six breweries have opened over the last year, five others have closed. Executive director of Louisiana’s Craft Brewer’s Guild Cary Koch says the three-tier system of having a brewer, distributor, and a retailer is cutting into the ability to stay afloat. Koch says of the outdated business models that brewers have to deal with makes it impossible for them to self-distribute their product.

Cut 15 (06) “…things to help.”

Three people are dead after what the East Baton Rouge Sheriff Department is calling a “crime of rage.” Sheriff Sid Gautreaux says they received a call from a 14-year old boy shortly before midnight that his mother’s ex-boyfriend was shooting at their home on Palmer Lane. The 14-year old was found hiding with this 12-year old brother behind the home. But the scene inside the home was much different three deceased victims that included the boy’s mother, her boyfriend and the boy’s great grandmother. The suspect is 48-year old Michael Wade, he was arrested after deputies were led on a chase that ended in the Shenandoah area.

Governor Edwards has been rubbing elbows with athletes in the state recently, hosting LSU freshmen football players at the mansion and filming a PSA with Drew Brees. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says typically Louisiana governors are hands off when it comes to LSU. It’s been nearly a century since we’ve seen a governor so publicly partner with the Tigers.

Cut 11 (10) “…distance.”

Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries say black bear sightings are on the rise in portions of Louisiana. Large carnivore program manager for LDWF Maria Davidson says one reason for the encounters, mother bears are forcing their cubs to start fending for themselves as she preps for another mating season.

Cut 4 (08) “…back into heat.”

Craft beer brewers across the state are seeing a slump in business. While six breweries may have opened over the last year, five others have closed. Executive director of Louisiana’s Craft Brewer’s Guild Cary Koch says the increased competition from neighboring states is a factor, saying many of those states have laws that have kept up with the changes in the industry.

Cut 14 (09) “…oldest craft breweries.”

This time of year means increased black bear encounters in areas of the state. Kevin Barnhart speaks with large carnivore program manager for LDWF Maria Davidson to find out why.

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Kevin Barnhart.”

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Bass fishing has been OK’d as a trial sport for the Louisiana High School Athletics Association. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle.” 

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Governor Edwards hosted the LSU freshman football players for dinner at the mansion, and shot a PSA for veterans with Saints QB Drew Brees, prompting opponents to say he’s politicizing Louisiana sports…

Cut 3 (31) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

____________

Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries are receiving calls that black bear spottings are on the rise in portions of Louisiana.  Large carnivore program manager for LDWF Maria Davidson says several reasons contribute to the encounters, including mother bears forcing her young to scatter to start fending for themselves as she preps for another mating season.

Cut 4 (08) “…back into heat.”

In addition to the younger bears, Davidson says adult male bears are on the prowl as part of the mating season.

Cut 5 (08)“…their home range.”

Davidson says there are steps that can be taken to reduce the risk of encountering a bear around your home.

Cut 6 (11) “…of those things.”
 ________________________________________

Bass fishing has been accepted by the Louisiana High School Athletics Association as a trial sport, with 173 schools in Louisiana telling the organization that they’d like to see fishing made official.

LHSAA Assistant Executive Director Adam MacDowell says prep-age fishing competition is already popular in the state, and this will give those kids a chance to use those skills while wearing school colors.

Cut 7 (10) “…opportunity.”

Students who represent their schools will still be allowed to participate in club level competition, unlike sports like football or basketball.

The sport won’t feature one on one competitions between rival schools, but four large regional tournaments in March, and a two-day state championship event April 3^rd and 4^th next year. MacDowell lays down the rules…

Cut 8 (11) “…fishin.”

MacDowell says based on the initial, positive response from LHSAA schools, he expects the waters will be packed with students at the state tournaments next year.

Cut 9 (09) “…tournament”.

__________________________________

Governor Edwards has been making the rounds in the world of sports recently, hosting LSU freshmen football players at the mansion and filming a PSA with Drew Brees.

Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says in an election year, such public embrace of beloved sports heroes could be fodder for his Republican gubernatorial opponents.

Cut 10 (11) “…the other.”

The Brees PSA promotes the recently signed Veterans First Business Initiative, which offers assistance to veterans or their surviving families who are pursuing entrepreneurial dreams.

Pinsonat says typically Louisiana governors are hands off when it comes to LSU. Sure, they’ll root and cheer for the home team from a sweet suite, but it’s been nearly a century since we’ve seen a governor so publicly partner with the Tigers.

Cut 11 (10) “…distance.”

But it might not be cold politically calculus driving these decisions. Brees has a history of supporting veterans, and Pinsonat says Edwards and LSU coach Orgeron have a public friendship and openly support each other.

Cut 12 (09) “governor.”

The LSU freshman got a tour of the mansion and dinner with the Governor and his wife.

_________________

Craft beer brewers across the state are seeing a slump in business. While six breweries may have opened over the last year, five others have shut their doors. Executive director of Louisiana’s Craft Brewer’s Guild Cary Koch part of the reason for the plateau in the industry is antiquated state laws on the books.

Cut 13 (07) “…small business.”

Koch says the increased competition from neighboring states is also a factor, saying many of those states have laws that have kept up with the changes in the industry.

Cut 14 (09) “…oldest craft breweries.”

In Louisiana, the three-tier system of having a brewer, distributor, and a retailer is cutting into the ability to stay afloat. Koch says of the outdated business models that brewers have to deal with is the lack of the ability to self-distribute product.

Cut 15 (06) “…things to help.”

A report finds Louisiana has a four times higher rate of the use of solitary confinement for prisoners than the national average. Loyola Jesuit Social Research Institute Research Fellow Dr. Sue Weishar says the practice undermines the goal of rehabilitation because the intense mental and physical stress created by extended stays creates long term damage.

Cut 4 (09) “…entered.”

30 percent of respondents to the survey reported solitary confinement of more than five years.

A bill that would have allowed golf carts to cross LA 35 and other state highways within the town limits of Church Point is one of six the governor has vetoed from the 2019 legislative session. Rep. Phillip DeVillier says he was caught off guard by the veto and says the Governor had voted in favor of similar bills in other communities during his time as a lawmaker, but…

Cut 8 (09) “…to do something.”

The Louisiana Health Department announces they’ve reached a “subscrpition model” deal with Asegua Therapeutics that will result in the state treating an estimated 31-thousand people who have hepatitics C, which is an infectious liver disease. Health Secretary Rebekah Gee

Cut 9 (09) “to work.”

There are at least 39-thousand people in Louisiana’s Medicaid program and prison system who suffer from Hepatitis C, which kills more people than all other infectious diseases combined.

Newly minted Pelican Zion Williamson arrived in town to a housewarming gift of a framed, signed jersey from Saints QB Drew Brees, a note welcoming him to the city, and a challenge. Zion is probably the most nationally hyped athlete to ever play in New Orleans, and Brees welcomed the phenom by inviting him to become the new favored son of New Orleans sports…

Cut 12 (09)   “…do it.”

A new report indicates Louisiana prisons utilize solitary confinement four times more than the national average. Matt Doyle spoke with one of the authors…

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle.”

Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries are receiving calls that black bear spottings are on the rise in portions of Louisiana. Large carnivore program manager for LDWF Maria Davidson says several reasons contribute to the encounters, including mother bears forcing her young to scatter to start fending for themselves as she preps for another mating season. There may also be run ins with adult male bears looking for potential mates.

The Louisiana Health Department announces they’ve reached a “subscription model” deal with Asegua Therapeutics that will result in the state treating an estimated 31-thousand people who have hepatitics C, which is an infectious liver disease. Health Secretary Rebekah Geesays this innovative payment model cuts down on the cost of treating tens of thousands of individuals who have Hepatitis C.

Cut 11 (08) “liver cancer”

A bill that would have allowed golf carts to cross LA 35 and other state highways within the town limits of Church Point is one of six the governor has vetoed from the 2019 legislative session.  Rep. Phillip DeVillier says it’s a surprising veto because of the Governor’s favorable voting history for golf cart friendly communites, adding the town had a well thought out plan for permitting.

Cut 6 (10) “…around 5000 people.”

A report is out from Loyola, the ACLU, and Solitary Watch, showing Louisiana has a four times higher rate of the use of solitary confinement for prisoners than the national average. Loyola researcher Dr. Sue Weishar says over 500 prisoners in their survey reported solitary stays of more than a year, which she describes as torture.
Cut 3 (11) “…hopelessness”
The Department of Corrections responded, saying the use of solitary has declined in recent years following reforms.

Rep. Phillip DeVillier says he was caught off guard by the veto to his bill that would have allowed golf carts to cross LA 35 and other state highways within the town limits of Church Point, especially with Edwards’ voting in favor of similar bills in other communities during his time as a lawmaker.

Cut 7 (12) “…bit of respect.”

The Louisiana Health Department announces they’ve reached a “subscription model” deal with Asegua Therapeutics that will result in the state treating an estimated 31-thousand people who have hepatitis C, which is an infectious liver disease. Curing a person of Hepatitis C costs an estimated 24-thousand dollars per treatment, but Gee says under this deal, Louisiana will receive an unlimited supply of Hep C medication for five years at a cost of 58-million dollars a year
Cut 10 (08) “…this illness.”

Newly minted Pelican Zion Williamson arrived in town to a housewarming gift of a framed, signed jersey from Saints QB Drew Brees, a note welcoming him to the city, and a challenge for him to become the new favored son of New Orleans sports. The 6’7 280-pound power forward was visibly shocked and grinning ear to ear as he took in the moment, and celebrated the gift.
Cut 14 (11) “…sheesh” 

The Pelicans posted video of the moment on their twitter feed.

A report finds Louisiana has a four times higher rate of the use of solitary confinement for prisoners than the national average. Loyola Jesuit Social Research Institute Research Fellow Dr. Sue Weishar says the abnormally high rate of solitary use is the result of poor policy from the Department of Corrections, policy that leaves prisoners with mental trauma that will make them less likely to reintegrate once released.

Cut 5 (10) “…the most”

Corrections responded, saying 3.75 percent of prisoners are in “restrictive housing” at the moment.

The Louisiana Health Department announces they’ve reached a “subscrpition model” deal with Asegua Therapeutics that will result in the state treating an estimated 31-thousand people who have hepatitics C, which is an infectious liver disease. Health Secretary Rebekah Gee

Cut 9 (09) “to work.”

legislation allowing golf carts to cross state highways in the town of Church Point is among the first six bills from 2019 session to be vetoed by Gov. Edwards, catching the bill’s authored by surprise. Kevin Barnhart has the story.

cut 2 (31) I’m Kevin Barnhart”  

Beaches are shuttered along the Mississippi Gulf Coast as toxic algae blooms have popped up, likely as a result of the Bonnet Carrie Spillway’s opening. Beaches closed are in two of the state’s three coastal counties as a result of it. The blue-green water can cause rashes, diarrhea and vomiting in people who get to close to them.

A report is out from Loyola, the ACLU, and Solitary Watch, showing Louisiana has a four times higher rate of the use of solitary confinement for prisoners than the national average. Loyola Jesuit Social Research Institute Research Fellow Dr. Sue Weishar says the practice undermines the Department of Correction’s goal of rehabilitation, because the intense mental and physical stress created by extended stays creates long term damage.

Cut 4 (09) “…entered.”

Corrections responded saying the practice has declined in use over the last two years.

Newly drafted Pelican and Duke legend Zion Williamson arrived in New Orleans to a gift from one of the city’s favored sons, Saints QB Drew Brees. The moment was caught on camera as Zion walked into his hotel room to find a signed, framed jersey from Brees that came with a challenge…

Cut 12, 9 seconds, I’m ready

A bill that would have allowed golf carts to cross LA 35 and other state highways within the town limits of Church Point is now one of only six bills to be vetoed from the recent legislative session.  Rep. Phillip DeVillier says says he is disappointed Governor Edwards killed the bill as the safety concerns were addressed with local level regulation as drivers would be required to be 18, have a license, carry insurance on the golf cart, and the vehicle must be equipped with proper lighting.

Cut 7 (06) “…want it to pass.”

Over a dozen beaches in Mississippi have been shut down following a large scale toxic algae bloom. The bloom is poisonous to humans, and officials are asking visitors to stay off the sands.

A report is out from Loyola, the ACLU, and Solitary Watch, showing Louisiana has a four times higher rate of the use of solitary confinement for prisoners than the national average.  Loyola Jesuit Social Research Institute Research Fellow Dr. Sue Weishar says over 500 prisoners in their survey reported solitary stays of more than a year, which she describes as torture.
Cut 3 (11) “…hopelessness”
The Department of Corrections responded, saying 3.75 percent of prisoners are in “restrictive housing” at the moment, and the use of solitary has declined in recent years following reforms.

A bill that would have allowed golf carts to cross LA 35 and other state highways within the town limits of Church Point is now one of only six bills to be vetoed from the recent legislative session.  Rep. Phillip DeVillier says the town already had a well thought out plan for permitting put into place.
Cut 6 (09) “…piece of legislation.”

Senator Bill Cassidy says a proposal to end surprise medical billing, lower the cost of prescription drugs, increase transparency in the healthcare system, and secure a patient’s personal data will get a hearing in front of a Senate committee today. Cassidy says a second Senate committee hearing will take place in July.  If both committees pass the measure, it heads to the Senate floor.

Cut 5 (07)“…it into law.”
Cassidy says the Lower Health Care Costs Act of 2019 faces hurdles but has a good chance of reaching the President’s desk.

The Governor has signed into law a bill authored by Shreveport Representative Thomas Carmody allowing delivery services to bring low alcohol content adult beverages along with a food order to your front door.  Carmody says there is a catch, as only W-2 employees of delivery services can make the drop-offs, which disqualifies several popular services.

Cut 13 (08) “…has W-2 employees.”