US Senator John Kennedy says President Trump is getting involved in the duplication of benefits dispute that’s impacted about 62-hundred 2016 flood victims who are unable to get federal recovery grant dollars, because they received an SBA loan. Kennedy says he spoke with the President during a lunch meeting and saysif the President doesn’t get the answer he’s looking for, legal action is the next step.

Cut 16 (10) “…legislative intent”

The feds have awarded the Ports of New Orleans and Baton Rouge a 3.1 million dollar grant to get shipping containers off the roads and back onto the river. Congressman Garret Graves says securing the grant was a big win for a state that has five of the country’s top 15 ports, and handles nearly 25 percent of America’s waterborne commerce.

Cut 14 (10) “…cargo”

LSU President F. King Alexander says if sports betting is legalized in Louisiana, then LSU should get a cut of the revenue since a lot of the gambling will be on the Purple and Gold. Alexander says it’s only right that a portion of the revenue should return to some of the individuals who will be generating a lot of revenue for other people.

Cut 9 (12) “…about that”

When electric scooter companies Bird and Lime placed their electric scooters in Lafayette, there were no ordinances in place to govern their use on the city’s streets. Now a bill introduced by Lafayette Senator Page Cortez gives more clarity to regulation.

Cut 6 (09) “…deal with them”

The scooters would be able to be operated on roads which have a speed limit of 25 miles per hour or less. It would also require minors to wear a helmet while operating the scooters.

If Louisiana legalizes sports betting, then LSU wants in on the action. Jeff Palermo talked with school President F. King Alexander…

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

State Climatologist Barry Keim says there’s a big threat for severe weather on Saturday, especially for those in North Louisiana.
Cut 5 (10) “…thunderstorms.”

When electric scooter companies Bird and Lime placed their electric scooters in Lafayette, there were no ordinances in place to govern their use on the city’s streets. So Lafayette Senator Page Cortez has introduced a bill that provides regulations.  Cortez says the bill came from local government not knowing how to regulate because the scooter’s hybrid design didn’t fit the criteria of either a motorcycle or a bicycle.
Cut 7 (07) “…to call them.”
The feds have awarded the Ports of New Orleans and Baton Rouge a 3.1 million dollar grant to get shipping containers off the roads and back onto the river. Congressman Garret Graves says as the global market shifts to the use of 40-foot containers, ports that do not have the capability to process the steel boxes will fall behind their competitors.

Cut 13 (11) “…with them”

There’s a big threat for severe weather on Saturday. State Climatologist Barry Keim says ingredients are in place for numerous thunderstorms, some of them could produce a significant severe weather event
Cut 3 (10) “…severe tornadoes.”

LSU President F. King Alexander says if sports betting is legalized in Louisiana, then LSU should get a cut of the revenue since a lot of the gambling will be on the Purple and Gold. But Metairie Senator Danny Martiny says he’s committed to ensuring any revenue generated goes towards early childhood education subsidies for working and middle class families. Martiny added that people are lining up to get a slice of the revenue from business that may only be worth 20 to 50 million dollars.
Cut 11 (10) “…casinos.”

The feds have awarded the Ports of New Orleans and Baton Rouge a 3.1 million dollar grant to get shipping containers off the roads and back onto the river.Congressman Garret Graves says we’re seeing more 40-foot steel containers in shipping, and our ports just aren’t built to process enough of them, which means many of them end up on trucks…
Cut 12 (12) “…congestion”
The existing container on barge service moves about 16,800 40-foot equivalent units between Memphis/Baton Rouge and New Orleans.

When electric scooter companies Bird and Lime placed their electric scooters in Lafayette, there were no ordinances in place to govern their use on the city’s streets. So Lafayette Senator Page Cortez has introduced a bill that provides regulations.
Cut 8 (10) “…third party companies.”

LSU President F. King Alexander says if sports betting is legalized in Louisiana, then LSU should get a cut of the revenue since a lot of the gambling will be on the Purple and Gold.

Alexander says it’s only right that a portion of the revenue should return to some of the individuals who will be generating a lot of revenue for other people.

Cut 9 (12) “…about that”

But Metairie Senator Danny Martiny says he’s committed to ensuring any revenue generated goes towards early childhood education subsidies for working and middle-class families.

He says giving a cut to LSU because of their athletics opens up a nasty can of worms.

Cut 10 (06) “…I’m doing.”

Will Wade will meet today with LSU and NCAA officials in the first official meeting between the groups since the basketball coach was suspended for alleged recruiting violations. Wade may not be forced to testify in the basketball corruption trial of a man he was reportedly caught on tape trying to bribe for recruitment.

Saturday’s stormy weather will result in cooler temperatures on Sunday with high temperatures in the 60s. But Keim says north Louisiana especially should be on the lookout for severe weather

Cut 5 (10) “…thunderstorms.”

When electric scooter companies Bird and Lime placed their electric scooters in Lafayette, there were no ordinances in place to govern their use on the city’s streets. Now a bill introduced by Lafayette Senator Page Cortez gives more clarity to regulation.

Cut 6 (09) “…deal with them”

The scooters would be able to be operated on roads which have a speed limit of 25 miles per hour or less. It would also require minors to wear a helmet while operating the scooters.

There’s a big threat for severe weather on Saturday. State Climatologist Barry Keim says Central Louisiana is under an enhanced threat for severe weather, while south Louisiana is under a slight risk, and flash flooding is also possible…
Cut 4 (10) “…severe weather.”
Will Wade will meet today with LSU and NCAA officials in the first official meeting between the groups since the basketball coach was suspended for alleged recruiting violations.
The meeting was confirmed by LSU senior associate athletic director Robert Munsen, and Tiger Rag assistant editor Tyler Nunez says the meeting could be the first step in getting Wade back in Purple and Gold.
Cut 7 (09) “…a week.”
Wade recently fired his attorney, and hired new representation who’s been working to facilitate the meeting. Previously Wade’s attorney had the suspended coach on a gag order.
___________________________________
A couple of Texans in Houston are now making crawfish flavored ice cream that seeks to replicate the taste of an old fashioned boil in a cold creamy package. Red Circle Ice Cream in Owner Nickey Ngo says when preparing the batch of craft ice cream, they go through the entire process of an actual crawfish boil to capture the true flavor.
Cut 11 (10) “…lick your lips.”
Ngo says there’s no actual chunks of mud bug crawling through the cream, because everything is strained out, and the texture feels just like regular ice cream.
The oft delayed billion dollar new Louis Armstrong International Airport Terminal is once again getting it’s opening date pushed back, this time all the way to fall. The city and the New Orleans Aviation Board said plainly, it’s just not ready yet and the delay will give authorities more time to do testing training, and installation. The terminal was originally set to open in early 2018.

Will Wade is meeting with LSU and NCAA officials today for the first time since he was suspended in the wake of a recruiting scandal FBI wiretap. Matt Doyle has more.

 Cut 1 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle.”

An arrest report shows 21-year-old Holden Matthews of Opelousas left behind a trail of evidence that led authorities to arrest him in connection with fires at three historically black Baptist churches in St. Landry Parish. The key piece of evidence was a red gas can found at one of the crime scenes.

There’s a big threat for severe weather on Saturday. State Climatologist Barry Keim says ingredients are in place for numerous thunderstorms, some of them could produce a significant severe weather event

Cut 3 (10) “…severe tornadoes.”

Central Louisiana is under an enhanced threat for severe weather, while south Louisiana is under a slight risk. Keim says flash flooding is also possible.

While crawfish is a sacred delicacy in the Bayou state, the idea of crawfish flavored ice cream might make the most authentic Cajuns wince. But that flavor has gained popularity on the internet and is see many people make the trip to visit Red Circle Ice Cream in Houston, TX. Owner Nickey Ngo says the curiosity has been strong among those that have heard about the frozen treat.

Cut 10 (09) “…on social media.”

Will Wade is meeting with LSU and NCAA officials today for the first time since he was suspended in the wake of a recruiting scandal FBI wiretap. Matt Doyle has more.

 Cut 1 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle.”

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You may have seen crawfish flavored ice cream on social media, but unlike somethings on your newsfeed, it’s real. Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”  

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On Thursday, Governor John Bel Edwards and Republican Candidate Congressman Ralph Abraham both made their case as to why they deserve to be Governor.  Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 3 (33) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

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A trial in the a fatal march hit and run of a Zachary Firefighter sparked an unusual incident as a state judge slammed a “disgraceful” defense lawyer in court and issued a warrant for him.

Lead attorney Martin Regan says the outburst and warrant was an outrageous response to an ongoing legal dispute in the trial.

Cut 4 (11) “…Mr. Harry.”

Regan says the DA had attempted to unconstitutionally force the defense to provide witnesses that could be used against them, and when they challenged that move, the judge lashed out.

District Judge Beau Higginbotham held Regan in contempt of court, and Regan says it was retribution for sending sending one of his colleagues in his stead. Regan says he’s never seen a judge lash out because the defense utilized more than one lawyer.

Cut 5 (09) “…case.”

District Judge Beau Higginbotham says the outburst was promoted by the “disgraceful” handling of the case, and what he said was defense co-counsel Harry Ward ineffective and unprepared representation.

Regan plans to appeal his 100 dollar fine and contempt of court charge, and says if the judge had a disagreement, this was no way to handle it.

Cut 6 (06) “…this matter”

Regan’s client is 33-year-old Jermaine Franklin Jr., who is facing manslaughter charges.

___________________________________________________

Will Wade will meet today with LSU and NCAA officials in the first official meeting between the groups since the basketball coach was suspended for alleged recruiting violations.

Tiger Rag associate editor Tyler Nunez says the meeting could be the first step in getting Wade back in Purple and Gold.

Cut 7 (09) “…a week.”

Wade recently fired his attorney, and hired new representation who’s been working to facilitate the meeting. Previously Wade’s attorney had the suspended coach on a gag order.

This rapid change of events comes on the heels of reports that Wade may not be forced to testify in the basketball corruption trial of a man he was reportedly caught on tape trying to bribe for recruit. Nunez says that’s good news for the coach.

Cut 8 (09) “…happen.”

Nunez says isn’t wasn’t long ago that he and most other Tiger analysts considered Wade a dead man walking, but the school signaled they might not be done with the young coach after refusing to fire him after the Tiger’s NCAA tournament exit.

Cut 9 (11) “…there.″

The meeting was confirmed by LSU senior associate athletic director Robert Munsen.

__________________________

While crawfish is a sacred delicacy in the Bayou state, the idea of crawfish flavored ice cream might make the most authentic Cajuns wince. But that flavor has gained popularity on the internet and is see many people make the trip to visit Red Circle Ice Cream in Houston, TX. Owner Nickey Ngo says the curiosity has been strong among those that have heard about the frozen treat.

Cut 10 (09) “…on social media.”

Ngo says when preparing the batch of craft ice cream, they go through the entire process of an actual crawfish boil to capture the true flavor.

Cut 11 (10) “…lick your lips.”

If the idea of biting into ice cream with chunks of mud bug meat is unappetizing, Ngo says you do not have to worry about that because they strain everything out, so it’s the creamy texture you would be used to in a more traditional ice cream flavor.

Ngo says the gimmick of having unique flavors something the shop does often as they’ve have Hot Cheetos flavored as well as barbeque flavored ice creams in the past.

Cut 12 (10) “…flavored ice cream.″

________________________

At a forum in Baton Rouge on Thursday, Governor John Bel Edwards and Republican Candidate Congressman Ralph Abraham both made their case as to why they deserve to be in the Governor’s mansion. Edwards cited that voters know that the state is in a better position today than it was when he took office following the 2015 election.

Cut 13 (09) “…kids on TOPS.”

Abraham brushed off the claims of Edwards by saying he’s grown government and increased taxes to achieve the surplus but isn’t seeing much else that has been done with the extra tax money.

Cut 14 (09) “…over and over again.”

Abraham highlighted the dropping population in Louisiana, but the Governor says the way to combat that is to invest in education, which will lead decision makers with businesses to invest in Louisiana to create the opportunity for people to stay.

Cut 15 (12) “…in higher education.”

Abraham says he is for smaller government and that over taxation and regulation is leading many businesses to look elsewhere.

Cut 16  (12) “…want to read.” 

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After scoring just two runs in a loss to Southern on Tuesday, the 8th ranked LSU baseball team begins a weekend series with Missouri tonight. Mizzou has the top ERA in the SEC. Right fielder Antoine Duplantis says they have swung the bats well in SEC play and he hopes that continues in the Show Me State…

 cut 17 (17)   “..this weekend” 

Cut 18 (19)  get to see more” 

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La Tech begins a huge series at Florida Atlantic tonight. The Owls are in first place in Conference USA with a 11-and-1 record. Tech is 8-and-4 and they’ve lost just one league game since they were swept by Southern Miss in the opening weekend of conference play. Bulldogs Coach Lane Burroughs credits good starting pitching…

Cut 19 (17)       “came out” 

Tech has won eight in a row and Burroughs is looking forward to see how his team plays against the best team in Conference USA…

Cut 20 (20) “…quality opponent”

Republican state lawmakers grilled the Department of Health about irregularities in the Medicaid expansion population, but it appears the policy is popular as 73 percent of Louisianans support the expansion according to the fourth installment of the 2019 Louisiana Survey.
Manship School Dean Martin Johnson says before you preface the question with any background information about costs, the policy has bipartisan backing.
Cut 12 (07) “…expansion”
The survey also found 74 percent of Louisianans support protections for pre-existing conditions in health insurance.
The survey shows support for the expansion increases even further when respondents were informed about how many people were covered by it, but Johnson says GOP support begins to collapse when the cost of the program is mentioned, something gubernatorial candidates are sure to notice…
Cut 13 (12) “…counting on”
_______________________________________
The Revenue Estimating Conference’s updated revenue forecast gives lawmakers 110 million dollars extra to spend for this fiscal year, and 119 million dollars more for the next fiscal year.
Everyone at the Capitol appears ready to back a 1,000 dollar teacher pay raise, and 500 dollar support personnel pay raise, which could eat up most of these newly surplus funds. Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne says if the raise passes, funds will be tight.
Cut 11 (10) “…today.”
The forecast showed a 308 million dollar budget surplus from the fiscal year ending on June 30th.
The governor was away from the capitol addressing the arrest of 21-year-old Holden Matthews in the St. Landry Church arsons. The governor says the crime was shocking, and almost impossible to comprehend.
Cut 6 (12) “…evil acts”

A forgotten gas can appears to be the link that led investigators to the alleged St. Landry Church arsonist. Court documents show the can was left behind at one of the arsons, and was eventually traced by to an Opelousas Walmart, where it was sold to a 21-year-old Holden Matthews, the son of a St. Landry Parish Sheriff’s deputy, just hours before the first fire. State Fire Marshal Butch Browning says a motive has not been determined yet, but…
Cut 8 (10) “…church burnings.”
The first church to burn down was the St. Mary Bapstist Church in Port Barre on March 26. Two more churches were torched in early April in Opelousas.
LSU football has received a verbal pledge from four-star cornerback Lorando Johnson from Lancaster High School in Texas. 24-7 sports reports Johnson is rated as the nation’s 11th best corner in the country.
_________________________
The Revenue Estimating Conference’s updated revenue forecast gives lawmakers 119 million dollars more for the next fiscal year, roughly enough to pay for a sought after 1,000 dollar teacher pay raise. Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne says there wouldn’t be much cash left over after the pay hike.
Cut 11 (10) “…today.”
73 percent of Louisianans support Governor Edwards’ Medicaid expansion according to the fourth installment of the 2019 Louisiana Survey, but 55 percent of respondents said they were “unsure” whether the state had expanded Medicaid, with only 35 percent correctly saying that it had. Manship School Dean Martin Johnson.
Cut 14 (07) “…we do”
The expansion’s popularity has risen four percent in the three years since the survey began tracking it’s approval rating.

According to court documents an Opelousas man arrested for burning down three historical black churches was caught after a gas can that was left at the scene of one of the arsons was traced backed to a sale at a Opelousas Walmart, and a debit card belonging to 21-year-old Holden Matthews. Governor John Bel Edwards congratulates law enforcement for their swift work on the case.
Cut 6 (12) “…evil acts”
The time stamp on the gas can receipt was less than 3 hours before the first church fire was reported.
Walmart is investing an estimated $73 million into remodeling 15 stores in Louisiana. Walmart spokesperson Anne Hatfield says among the innovations, Walmart is adding autonomous shelf scanning to help with inventory, grocery pickup and delivery, and Walmart Pickup Towers.
Cut 4 (08) “…on walmart.com.”
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The Revenue Estimating Conference’s updated revenue forecast gives lawmakers 110 million dollars extra to spend for this fiscal year, and 119 million dollars more for the next fiscal year. The legislature can now go about crafting a budget, knowing exactly how much money they can spend, something they couldn’t do previously. Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne says he’s disappointed the final numbers came out lower than expected, but it’s better than nothing.
Cut 10 (09) “…forecast.”
73 percent of Louisianans support Governor Edwards’ Medicaid expansion according to the fourth installment of the 2019 Louisiana Survey. Manship School Dean Martin Johnson says GOP support begins to collapse when the cost of the program is mentioned, something gubernatorial candidates are sure to notice…
Cut 13 (12) “…counting on”