While addressing investors and trade stakeholders in Japan this morning President Trump bragged about his administration’s reduction of regulations and how it has helped paved the way for the U-S to be a leader in energy production. He referred to a recent visit to Louisiana and the LNG plant in Cameron Parish.

Cut 21 (:16)  …being produced.

The President and First lady arrived in Tokyo this morning for a four day visit with Japanese leaders.

At the SEC Baseball Tournament, the 5th Seed LSU Tigers will take on the number 1 seed Vanderbilt Commodores this afternoon.  The Tigers have had a quite a roller-coaster ride at the tournament this year in Hoover, Alabama. They rebounded against Mississippi State last night 12-2 after losing one of the longest games in SEC Tournament and LSU history that ended after 17 innings at 3:03 Thursday morning against the Bulldogs. Today’s semi-final game is expected to start around 3:30.

25,000 acres of farmland could be destroyed if the Morganza Spillway is opened in Point Coupee Parish. Conner Ferrill has more.

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Connor Ferrill”

The Army Corps of Engineers is expected to make a decision on the spillway Tuesday.

A young bald eagle found soaked and dazed along a neighborhood street in Metairie where it hatched will be released Tuesday. The bird’s parents have nested in the neighborhood for few of years in a tall live oak.

A neighborhood resident brought the young eaglet to the Wildlife Hospital at LSU’s School of Veterinary Medicine on May 11^th . The eagle will be released in same neighborhood where is was found.

The President is Japan this weekend promoting trade with the U-S. In a speech during his state visit to Japan early this morning, President Trump touted his recent visit to the state.

Cut 20 (:16) … 20 years right.

The liquefied natural gas facility In Cameron Parish was a highlight of the President’s trip to the state last week.

An estimated 25,000 acres of farmland is expected to be destroyed if the decision is made to open the Morganza Spillway. LSU Ag Center county agent Mike Carriere (Carry-aye) says from the Mississippi along the levees has already brought standing water to fields…

Cut 7 (07) “…this year.”

The Army Corps of Engineers is expected to make a decision on the spillway Tuesday.

It’s Memorial Day Weekend and with a record numbers of cars expected to be on the road, State Police Spokesperson Taylor Scrantz is asking all motorists to drive with an abundance of caution, particularly in construction zones…

Cut 14 (11) “…Iberville Parish” 

At the legislature lawmakers are looking to ease routine traffic in near the state’s capitol. A proposal to add an HOV lane to a heavily traveled stretch of I-12 between Walker and the I-10/12 split in Baton Rouge heads to the Governor’s desk. Livingston Senator Dale Erdey (Err-dee) says this should shave time off the commute of everyone driving in and out of Baton Rouge from the east.

Cut 9 (10) “…right now”

Before any work can begin a study must be completed, and project approval by the feds, but Erdey says expect work to begin sometime in the fall.

In a speech during his state visit to Japan early this morning, President Trump touted his recent visit to Louisiana. Trump bragged about the advancements the state has made at the Cameron LNG export facility in Cameron Parish. The $10 Billion liquefied natural gas facility was a highlight of the President’s trip to the state last week. He encouraged leaders in Japan to make an investment in the Sempra project. The President and First Lady are in Japan as he negotiates a new bilateral trade agreement with Tokyo.

Its Memorial Day weekend, the unofficial start of summer. Your BBQ grill is not the only thing heating up this weekend. Temperatures across the state are expected to reach into the 90s. State Climatologist Barry Keim says not only has the summer heat returned, but we’ve hit a dry weather pattern

Cut 5 (10) “…next Thursday”

Keim also says we can also say goodbye for the time being to low temperatures in the low to mid-60s.

An estimated 25,000 acres of farmland is expected to be destroyed if the decision is made to open the Morganza Spillway in Pointe Coupee Parish. LSU Ag Center county agent Mike Carriere (Carry-aye) says it’s not welcome news that the Morganza could possibly open because it comes on the heels of a difficult planting season, because of wet conditions.…

Cut 8 (08) “…spillway”

Two Texas men are dead after trying to jump a compact car across the gap on a raised drawbridge in Louisiana

State Police say it happened shortly after 2 a.m. Friday at the Black Bayou Bridge about 6 miles south of Lake Charles. Investigators say the bridge was closed to traffic to allow a boat to pass through on the Intracoastal Waterway.

Witnesses say the car’s passenger pushed the gate arm up and they drove their car up to the raised section. They backed up, then accelerated forward, trying to jump to the other side. The vehicle landed in the water and sank. Both men were pronounced dead on the scene.

The Louisiana Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority will begin installing a temporary barge flood gate on Bayou Chene Tuesday. Once the spillway is opened the water that flows down the Atchafalaya River will naturally flood Morgan City. But Chairman of the Coastal Protection Restoration Authority Board Chip Kline says by sinking the barge in Bayou Chene…

Cut 6 (08) “…backwater flooding.”

Officials say the installation of the barge would begin May 28th and any water flow from the spillway would not arrive in the area until two weeks after it is opened.

It’s Memorial Day weekend, the unofficial start of summer. State Climatologist Barry Keim says it took a little later this year, but hot and humid conditions have arrived for the holiday weekend

Cut 3 (11) “…the summer.”

Keim says we can also say goodbye for the time being to low temperatures in the low to mid-60s

A State Police trooper working an I-10 construction zone in East Baton Rouge is recovering from injuries after an alleged drunk driver slammed into the back of his vehicle. State Police spokesperson Taylor Scrantz says drivers need to respect trooper and worker safety if they see blue lights in a construction zone…

cut 12(12)   “…workers””

The Legislature passes a proposal to add an HOV lane to a 15 mile stretch of I12 between Walker and the 10/12 split in Baton Rouge. Matt Doyle talked to the bill’s author…

cut 2 (29) I’m Matt Doyle”  

An estimated 25,000 acres of farmland is expected to be destroyed if the decision is made to open the Morganza Spillway in Pointe Coupee Parish. LSU Ag Center county agent Mike Carriere (Carry-aye) says seepage from the Mississippi along the levees has already brought standing water to fields…

Cut 7 (07) “…this year.”

A State Police trooper working an I-10 construction zone in East Baton Rouge is recovering from injuries after an alleged drunk driver slammed into the back of his vehicle. With record numbers of cars expected to be on the road for the Memorial Day weekend, L-S-P spokesperson Taylor Scrantz is asking all motorists to drive with an abundance of caution, particularly in construction zones…

Cut 14 (11) “…Iberville Parish”

31-year-old Volha Tryshyna was charged with a DWI, Vehicular Negligent Injuring, and Careless Operation.

It’s Memorial Day weekend, the unofficial start of summer. State Climatologist Barry Keim says it took a little later this year, but hot and humid conditions have arrived for the holiday weekend

Cut 3 (11) “…the summer.”

A proposal to add an HOV lane to a heavily trafficked stretch of I-12 between Walker and the I-10/12 split in Baton Rouge heads to the Governor’s desk. Livingston Senator Dale Erdey (Err-dee) says I-12′s large shoulder lanes will be used to create the new lane, signage will be put up along the 15-mile stretch, and heat sensing cameras will be installed to prevent drivers from skirting the law by putting a dummy in the passenger seat…

Cut 11 (10)“ driver”

25,000 acres of farmland could be destroyed if the Morganza Spillway is opened in Point Coupee Parish…

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Connor Ferrill”

Governor Edwards also revealed today that the Louisiana Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority will begin the process of installing a temporary barge flood gate on Bayou Chene next Tuesday. The installation of that barge will reduce the amount of backwater system flooding as a result of the opening of the Morganza. The barge will be installed before the Morganza opens, and the waters from the Morganza opening may not hit the barge for another two weeks.

A proposal to add an HOV lane to a heavily trafficked stretch of I-12 between Walker and the I-10/12 split in Baton Rouge heads to the Governor’s desk. Livingston Senator Dale Erdey (Err-dee) says this should shave time off the commute of everyone driving in and out of Baton Rouge from the east.

Cut 9 (10) “…right now”

Before any work can begin a study must be completed, and the project OK’d by the feds, but Erdey says expect work to begin sometime in the fall.

A State Police trooper working an I-10 construction zone in East Baton Rouge is recovering from injuries after an alleged drunk driver slammed into the back of his vehicle. L-S-P spokesperson Taylor Scrantz says despite the nasty wreck, a full recovery is expected.

Cut 13 (08) “…in time”

31-year-old Volha Tryshyna was charged.

Early this morning two Texas men, 23 and 32 years old, died after attempting to jump an open drawbridge in Calcasieu Parish. The pontoon bridge was closed to traffic to allow a boat to pass through. According to a witness the passenger got out of the car and pushed the gate arm up. The two then reversed the car, accelerated toward the ramp to jump the Black Bayou Bridge and became airborne. They landed in the water sank to the bottom and were both pronounced dead at the scene.

The Legislature passes a proposal to add an HOV lane to a 15 mile stretch of I12 between Walker and the 10/12 split in Baton Rouge. Matt Doyle talked to the bill’s author…

Cut 2 (29) I’m Matt Doyle”

An estimated 25,000 acres of farmland is expected to be destroyed if the decision is made to open the Morganza Spillway in Pointe Coupee Parish. LSU Ag Center county agent Mike Carriere (Carry-aye) says news that the Morganza could possibly open soon comes on the heels of a difficult planting season, because of wet conditions…

Cut 8 (08) “…spillway”

It’s Memorial Day weekend, the unofficial start of summer. State Climatologist Barry Keim says we can also say goodbye for the time being to low temperatures in the low to mid-60s.

Cut 4 (12) “…to stay”

An estimated 25,000 acres of farmland is expected to be destroyed if the decision is made to open the Morganza Spillway in Pointe Coupee Parish. LSU Ag Center county agent Mike Carriere (Carry-aye) says farmers who own property that could soon be swamped by diverted Mississippi River water will take a bath financially..

Cut 6 (11) “…spillway”

A proposal to add an HOV lane to a heavily trafficked stretch of I-12 between Walker and the I-10/12 split heads to the Governor’s desk. Livingston Senator Dale Erdey (Err-dee) says this should shave time off the commute of everyone driving in and out of Baton Rouge from the east.

Cut 9 (10) “…right now”

Work is expected to begin in fall.

 ______________________

The roads will be stuffed with drivers this weekend as AAA estimates 3.9 million drivers head out on vacation across the Gulf South for the Memorial Day weekend…

Cut 3 (31) “…I’m Connor Ferrill”

The House votes 73-21 to phase out the .45 percent sales tax levied in last year’s session to plug a 300 million dollar-budget deficit as some lawmakers cry foul over Louisiana’s budget surplus this year. House Republican Chairman Lance Harris says there was a lot of fear-mongering about fiscal cliffs, only for the state to end up running a 316-million-dollar surplus…

Cut 4 (10) “… reason why.”

But opponents are sounding the alarm, saying the call to cut taxes during a surplus is reminiscent of the Governor Jindal years where a two-billion-dollar surplus prompted the state to slash tax rates, leading to fiscal chaos and budget cuts.

Legislation that would abolish the death penalty was shelved after it was taken up on the House floor amid little enthusiasm for the change from a clear majority of the lower chamber. 

Legislation that would have increased the legal age to purchase cigarettes, dip, and vape products to 21 dies on the House floor amid concerns the bill infringes on individual liberties of adults. Bill author, West Monroe Representative Frank Hoffman, argued the bill could save lives…

Cut 9 (09) “…lives”

The proposal was met with stiff opposition from Alexandria Representative, Lance Harris, who grilled Hoffman on why 18-year-olds can buy a house, get a tattoo, or make any number of other crucial life decisions, but not be allowed to smoke.

A bill requiring restaurants to inform customers the country of origin of their  shrimp and crawfish is advancing at the state capitol. Louisiana Restaurant Association lobbyist Eldon Rogillo says they had some concerns, but he’s worked with the bill’s author, LaRose Representative Truck Gisclair

Cut 10 (12) “…some compromise.”