Will the House agree to a sales tax rate above four-percent in an effort to avoid significant cuts to state services. Connor Ferrill says we’ll find out today…

Cut 2 (31) ”  I’m Connor Ferrill” 

According to the latest data made public by the Advocate Newspaper,  Oklahoma incarcerates 719 people per 100-thousand residents, while Louisiana is at 712 inmates per 100-thousand citizens. When running for office, Edwards promised to reduce the state’s prison population and last year the legislature approved 10 criminal justice reform bills to jump-start the process.

Cut 10 (03) “…better direction.”

LSU’s Mike the Tiger has gone viral after a video was posted of him slowly stalking several guests visiting his habitat. The guests turned their backs to Mike which prompted him to approach the glass enclosure before pouncing against it. The spokesperson for the LSU School of Veterinarian Medicine, Ginger Guttner, asks Mike’s visitors to not turn their backs to him.

Cut 3 (08) “…looks like prey.”

The Mighty Lions of Lafayette High School are working out in their new weight room today, thanks to a generous donation by former NBA superstar Shaquille O’ Neal to help fund the project that cost a little more than $40,000. Football coach Rob Pool says he feels Shaq’s donation sparked other contributions to get the weight room put together.  Without it, it would have been another two years before they could have raised the necessary money.

Cut 7 (10)  “…helped as well.”

A vote on the House floor is expected today on three different sales tax bills that raise different amounts of money and they renew up to a half-cent of an expiring one-cent sales tax.  The fiscal cliff arrives on July 1st and this third special session must conclude Wednesday. Governor John Bel Edwards says its anxious times….

Cut 12 (07) “…the cliff”

Over a hundred students from around the state congregated at the state capital in an effort to let their voices be heard on the topic of funding for higher ed and TOPS.  Among them, Kayla English of Delgado Community College, says she has optimism for funding and hopes others will make their voices heard.

Cut 13 (09)  “…students like me.” 

The Louisiana Public Service Commission approves SWEPCO’s plan to use energy from a wind farm that’s under construction in Oklahoma. P-S-C member Foster Campbell says the Wind Catcher Energy Connection is clean energy that will produce long-term savings for SWEPCO’s Louisiana customers…
cut 9 (08) “…in Louisiana”
The lone no vote on the commission came from Craig Greene of Baton Rouge, who says SWEPCO is not short on power and the company can’t guarantee fuel savings.

U-S Representative Ralph Abraham is one of several co-sponsors on a bill that seeks to extend I-14 from Texas into central Louisiana and Mississippi. Abraham says there is money for the project, but it will also take state dollars to get it done…
cut 5 (11) “….finish line”
The I-14 extension bill is waiting for a hearing in a House committee.

The Louisiana Public Service Commission has approved the Wind Catcher plan from SWEPCO, saving customers billions over the next quarter century.  Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 1 (30)  I’m Kevin Barnhart“

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Will the House agree to a sales tax rate above four-percent in an effort to avoid significant cuts to state services. Connor Ferrill says we’ll find out today…

Cut 2 (31) ”  I’m Connor Ferrill” 

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Over a hundred students from around the state congregated at the state capital in an effort to let their voices be heard on the topic of funding for higher ed and TOPS. Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 3 (30) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

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US Representative Ralph Abraham of Richland Parish has cosponsored legislation to expand I-14 into Central Louisiana and Mississippi. I-14 currently ends a few miles west of Temple, Texas. Abraham says the legislation is waiting for a hearing in a House committee and it has the support of congressmen from Texas and Mississippi…

Cut 4  (08) “….into the economy”

Abraham says now there is money for the project but it will also take state dollars to get it done…

Cut 5  (11)  “…finish line”

Abraham believes he can get congressional approval for this project because of the expansion would provide bases like Fort Polk and Beauregard with quicker and easier access to the deployment port in Beaumont, Texas…

Cut 6 (10) “…ideal solution”

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The Louisiana Public Service Commission has approved the Wind Catcher plan from SWEPCO to purchase the nation’s largest wind-power project that is currently under construction in the Oklahoma panhandle.  North Louisiana Commissioner Foster Campbell led the argument in favor of proposed project.

Cut 7 (05)  “…wind is free.”

The wind farm being built in Oklahoma requires no fuel to run and is projected to save SWEPCO customers billions of dollars over the life of the 25 year project. Campbell says it’s important for Louisiana residents to have more alternate energy options.

Cut 8 (09)  “…we have to diversify”

Campbell also says that customers are guaranteed cost savings with this clean energy option.

Cut 9 (08)  “…clean in Louisiana.”

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A vote on the House floor is expected today on three different sales tax bills that raise different amounts of money and they renew up to a half-cent of an expiring one-cent sales tax. Governor John Bel Edwards remains optimistic one of those bills will reach his desk, if not significant cuts will occur…

Cut 10 (11)   “…cut”

During his monthly call-in show, Edwards told listeners the discussions he’s having with lawmakers are different during this third special and better than they were before….

Cut 11 (10) “…conclusion too”

The fiscal cliff arrives on July 1st and this third special session must conclude Wednesday. It will take 70 votes on the House floor today for these sales tax bills to advance to the Senate. Edwards says its anxious times….

Cut 12 (07) “…the cliff”

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Over a hundred students from around the state congregated at the state capital in an effort to let their voices be heard on the topic of funding for higher ed and TOPS.  Among them, Kayla English of Delgado Community College, says she has optimism for funding and hopes others will make their voices heard.

Cut 13 (09)  “…students like me.” 

Another participant, LSU SGA president Stewart Locket says the lack of funding may have students finding they can’t complete what they started with their educational endeavors.

Three sales tax bills that raise revenue to different amounts are heading to the House floor for debate tomorrow after they received approval by the House Ways and Means. Baton Rouge Representative Paula Davis received the most support as it renews an expiring one-cent penny by four-tenths of a cent. She calls it a great compromise…

Cut 13 (12) “…this out” 
The other sales tax proposals to pass would renew a third of the expiring one-cent sales tax. Another measure renews half of the tax, but scale it down over time. Chairman Neil Abramson of New Orleans is optimistic the House can behind one of the bills…

Cut 15 (09) “…current situation.”

The separation of families coming into the United States illegally is causing a firestorm of controversy across the nation.  President Trump has signed an executive order to allow children to stay with parents attempting to cross the border unlawfully.  US Representative Ralph Abraham says he co-sponsored the Goodlatte-McCaul Bill.  While he believes it could solve many of the border issues, he feels that there may not be enough support to pass the bill.

Cut 10 (13) “…and for all.”

On his monthly call-in show, Governor Edwards says in no way does he support removing families from their children.

Cut 12 (12)   “…they are not criminals.”

With a week to go in the special session, the House Ways and Means committee approves three different sales tax bills. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo” 

A major employer near the town of Simsboro in Lincoln Parish is expected to lay off about 200 employees next month.  Ardagh Glass says the layoffs will take effect July 23rd.  Simsboro Mayor Sybil Foster says the move will hit the community hard.

Cut 3 (04) “…some effect of it.”

The separation of families coming into the United States illegally is causing a firestorm of controversy across the nation.  President Trump has signed an executive order to allow children to stay with parents attempting to cross the border unlawfully.  Governor John Bel Edwards announced today he’s not removing a three-member Louisiana National Guard air team from the Mexico border that assists with border patrol. On his monthly call-in show the governor says removing the team would risk the lives of law enforcement along the border.

Cut 11 (14) “…as a result of that”

A 59 year old man walked out of prison as a free man for the first time in his adult life after serving over 40 years for a murder in Monroe.  Gerald Manning was exonerated of his conviction in the 1977 death of Vonda Harris.  His attorney, Kristin Wenstrom, says he accepted an opportunity to speed up the process of his freedom.

Cut 6 (11)  “…walk out of prison.”

One of the top high school prospects in the country will decide today whether he’ll attend LSU, Florida or Texas. Cornerback Derek Stingley Junior of Dunham High School in Baton Rouge was recently ranked by Rivals.com as the nation’s top recruit for the Class of 2019. His father, Derek Stingley Senior explains why his son chose to announce his college commitment on social media, instead of having a big press conference.
Cut 9 (11) “…all that.”

A Louisiana winter wonderland in June? That’s the scene in Downtown Lafayette as a holiday-themed independent film is in production in the area. The movie, entitled The Christmas Cupid, is seeing the production spending a total of four months in the state, including twelve days in Lafayette. Executive Director of Louisiana Entertainment Chris Stelly on the motion picture incentive program.
Cut 14 (10) “…state of Louisiana.”

A new world record may belong to a nursing home in Crowley. Elder Outreach and Team Mergist will attempt the world’s longest game of bingo with 24 hours of continuous play, starting today at Southwind Healthcare and Rehabilitation. How did this all come together? Michelle Veillon, marketing and design director of the nonprofit organization Elder Outreach, says The event does fall on Summer Solstice, which is the longest day of the year. Veillon says the event ties in with the significance on the day.
Cut 6 (13) “…the longest goodbye.”

The special session that started on Monday is off to a slow start as lawmakers made no votes yesterday. Hearings were held in the house tax and budget committee but no votes were taken. The committee will return this morning to consider legislation to fix nearly a billion dollars in temporary taxes which is scheduled to expire in two weeks.

A Louisiana winter wonderland in June? That’s the scene in Downtown Lafayette as a holiday-themed independent film is in production in the area. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Cut 3 (31) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

A new world record may belong to a nursing home in Crowley. Elder Outreach and Team Mergist will attempt the world’s longest game of bingo with 24 hours of continuous play, starting today at Southwind Healthcare and Rehabilitation. How did this all come together? Michelle Veillon, marketing and design director of the nonprofit organization Elder Outreach.
Cut 5 (08) “…for the 24 hours..”

One of the top high school prospects in the country will decide today whether he’ll attend LSU, Florida or Texas. Cornerback Derek Stingley Junior of Dunham High School in Baton Rouge was recently ranked by Rivals.com as the nation’s top recruit for the Class of 2019. His father, Derek Stingley Senior, says he wants his son to attend a college where he’ll be comfortable on the football field and off…
Cut 8 (11) “…those majors”

LSU Student Government hosts a rally at the State Capitol today to call for full funding of TOPS and higher education. If lawmakers do not act before the end of the fiscal year on June 30th, then students will face a 30% cut to TOPS and a $21 million dollar reduction in funding for LSU. LSU Student Government President Stewart Lockett.
Cut 12 (12) “…different stories”

The nation’s top cornerback in the country announces his college choice today. Michael Farrar has more on Dunham High School’s Derek Stingley Junior…
Cut 2 (30) ” I’m Michael Farrar”

A new world record may belong to a nursing home in Crowley. Elder Outreach and Team Mergist will attempt the world’s longest game of bingo with 24 hours of continuous play, starting today at Southwind Healthcare and Rehabilitation. How did this all come together? Michelle Veillon, marketing and design director of the nonprofit organization Elder Outreach, says this has been a decade in the making.
Cut 4 (09) “….ten years ago.”

LSU Student Government hosts a rally at the State Capitol today to call for full funding of TOPS and higher education. If lawmakers do not act before the end of the fiscal year on June 30th, then students will face a 30% cut to TOPS and a $21 million dollar reduction in funding for LSU.
LSU Student Government President Stewart Lockett says he’s frustrated about not knowing the fate of his University.
Cut 11 (11) “…faculty and staff”

A Louisiana winter wonderland in June? That’s the scene in Downtown Lafayette as a holiday-themed independent film is in production in the area. The movie, entitled The Christmas Cupid, is seeing the production spending a total of four months in the state, including twelve days in Lafayette. Executive Director of Louisiana Entertainment Chris Stelly says filming in the area presents a great opportunity for the community.
Cut 13 (11) “…real world experience.”

A new world record may belong to people of a nursing home in Crowley by the end of the week. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Cut 1 (30) I’m Kevin Barnhart“

One of the top high school prospects in the country will decide today whether he’ll attend LSU, Florida or Texas. Cornerback Derek Stingley Junior of Dunham High School in Baton Rouge was recently ranked by Rivals.com as the nation’s top recruit for the Class of 2019. His father, Derek Stingley Senior, calls his son a freakish athlete with a will to win
Cut 7 (11) “…that explosive.”

LSU Student Government hosts a rally at the State Capitol today to call for full funding of TOPS and higher education. If lawmakers do not act before the end of the fiscal year on June 30th, then students will face a 30% cut to TOPS and a $21 million dollar reduction in funding for LSU. LSU Student Government President Stewart Lockett says they want to give students a voice about their future.
Cut 10 (09) “…as a whole”

The special session that started on Monday is off to a slow start as lawmakers made no votes yesterday. Hearings were held in the house tax and budget committee but no votes were taken. The committee will return this morning to consider legislation to fix nearly a billion dollars in temporary taxes which is scheduled to expire in two weeks.

A new world record may belong to people of a nursing home in Crowley by the end of the week.  Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 1 (30)  I’m Kevin Barnhart“

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The nation’s top cornerback in the country announces his college choice today. Michael Farrar has more on Dunham High School’s Derek Stingley Junior…

Cut 2 (30) ”  I’m Michael Farrar” 

____________________________________________________

A Louisiana winter wonderland in June?  That’s the scene in Downtown Lafayette as a holiday-themed independent film is in production in the area.  Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 3 (31) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

_______________________________________________

A new world record may belong to a nursing home in Crowley. Elder Outreach and Team Mergist will attempt the world’s longest game of bingo with 24 hours of continuous play, starting today at Southwind Healthcare and Rehabilitation.  How did this all come together?  Michelle Veillon, marketing and design director of the nonprofit organization Elder Outreach, says this has been a decade in the making.

Cut 4  (09) “….ten years ago.”

The game gets kicked off at 3 pm and will continue on through Thursday afternoon.  Veillon says some players may even attempt to go the distance.

Cut 5  (08)  “…for the 24 hours..”

The event does fall on Summer Solstice, which is the longest day of the year.  Veillon says the event ties in with the significance on the day.

Cut 6 (13) “…the longest goodbye.”

___________________________________________________

One of the top high school prospects in the country will decide today whether he’ll attend LSU, Florida or Texas. Cornerback Derek Stingley Junior of Dunham High School in Baton Rouge was recently ranked by Rivals.com as the nation’s top recruit for the Class of 2019. His father, Derek Stingley Senior, calls his son a freakish athlete with a will to win

Cut 7 (11)  “…that explosive.”

Derek Stingley Junior will make his decision known on Twitter at 1:30 and his post will include a video message. His Dad says he wants to attend a college where he’ll be comfortable on the football field and off…

Cut 8 (11)  “…those majors”

Derek Stingley Junior has been on LSU’s campus plenty of times and he also visited Texas and Florida outside of the football season, to get a better idea of what its like at those schools. His Dad explains why his son chose to announce his college commitment on social media, instead of having a big press conference with the hats of his favorite schools in front of him

Cut 9 (11)  “…all that.”

______________________________________________

LSU Student Government hosts a rally at the State Capitol today to call for full funding of TOPS and higher education. If lawmakers do not act before the end of the fiscal year on June 30^th, then students will face a 30% cut to TOPS and a $21 million dollar reduction in funding for LSU. LSU Student Government President Stewart Lockett says they want to give students a voice about their future.

Cut 10 (09)   “…as a whole”

There have been debates on funding since the beginning of the first special session in February and lawmakers recently came seven votes short of passing a sales tax bill that would have fully funded TOPS and higher education. Lockett expresses his frustration of not knowing the fate of his University.

Cut 11 (11) “…faculty and staff”

Lockett says their message for lawmakers is simple and that is to stabilize higher education and TOPS. All public university systems are looped into this rally and the turnout is expected to be high.

Cut 12 (12) “…different stories”

To learn more about potential cuts to TOPS and higher ed, visit www.lsu.edu/budget.

______________________________________________

A Louisiana winter wonderland in June?  That’s the scene in Downtown Lafayette as a holiday-themed independent film is in production in the area.  The movie, entitled The Christmas Cupid, is seeing the production spending a total of four months in the state, including twelve days in Lafayette.  Executive Director of Louisiana Entertainment Chris Stelly says filming in the area presents a great opportunity for the community.

Cut 13 (11)  “…real world experience.” 

The state has had a motion picture incentive program since 2002, one Stelly says other states have followed the model of.  In 2017, the program got an update.