Its deadline day at the capitol, and lawmakers only have until the clock strikes midnight to reach an agreement on a budget and a sales tax bill to fund it, before the special session ends. The Senate sent an updated budget and tax bill to the House last night. Council for a Better Louisiana President Barry Erwin says he expects a deal to be cut before the end of the night.

Cut 3 (10)   “do things” 

The Senate’s budget and tax plan would raise a half penny sales tax to fully fund TOPS, higher ed, and healthcare, while the House would prefer a third penny sales tax and additional budget cuts. Erwin says the final compromise bill may not fully fund all programs, but it should come close.

Cut 4 (11) “fully funded”

Earlier today the House rejected senate budget amendments that would have fully funded TOPS higher ed and healthcare.

More Louisiana residents will have the ability to treat ailments with medical marijuana. Despite some early objections, the bill gathered surprsing bipartisan support in what was an otherwise contentious regular session. Gov. John Bel Edwards signed the bill which was authored by Baton Rouge Democrat Rep. Ted James.

Cut 7 (:12)  “…make life more enjoyable”

It adds glaucoma, PTSD, Parkinson’s and other ailments to list of illnesses eligible for medical marijuana.

With the expansion of medical marijuana, The Baton Rouge Democrat anticipates a bill in  2019 to potentially green light recreational use. He says he’s already heard from some of his colleagues across the isle that the legislation would get serious consideration from some Republican lawmakers who are interested in the fiscal benefits.

Cut 9 (:12)  “…pay down our debt.”

lawmakers have until midnight to solve the fiscal cliff and pass a budget and tax plan to fund the government next year.  Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

The LSU Baseball season has come to a close as the Tigers finished with a record of 39-27 after losing 12-0 to Oregon State last night. Tiger Rag Associate Editor, James Moran,

Cut 6 (14)  “lit up”

The pastor of St. Peter Church in St. Landry Parish has been accused of sexual abuse of a minor in an alleged incident that occurred several years ago. Michael Guidry has been a priest for nearly 50 years, while running St. Peter for the last nine. The Catholic Church was been hit with claims of widespread, and covered up cases of sexual abuse of minors over the last decade, specifically cases involving priests who’ve been moved to other diocese after allegations surfaced. Lafayette Bishop Doug Deshotel says Guidry’s past record is clean.

Cut 13 (07) “anywhere else” 

Three people are accused of a widespread livestock theft ring with quite the price tag. State Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain says the accused are husband and wife, Rickey and Wanda Thompson of Pitkin, along with their son Justin Thompson.

Cut 9 (08)  “…one million dollars”

Lawmakers have less than 9 hours to reach an agreement on a budget and a sales tax bill to fund it, before the special session ends. Council for a Better Louisiana President Barry Erwin says the final compromise bill may not fully fund all programs, but it should come close.

Cut 4 (11) “fully funded”

Earlier today the House has rejected budget amendments from the Senate that would fully fund higher ed, healthcare, and TOPS.

The LSU Baseball season has come to a close as the Tigers finished with a record of 39-27 after losing 12-0 to Oregon State last night. Tiger Rag Associate Editor, James Moran things could be looking up next year.

cut 8 (12) “around”

Three people are accused of a widespread livestock theft ring with quite the price tag. State Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain says the husband and wife, Rickey and Wanda Thompson of Pitkin, along with their son Justin Thompson, are accused of the thefts that occurred from August to October of 2017. Strain said businesses sustained significant financial losses due to the thefts.

Cut 10 (08) “….from livestock theft”

The pastor of St. Peter Church in St. Landry Parish has been accused of sexual abuse of a minor in an alleged incident that occurred several years ago. Michael Guidry has been a priest for nearly 50 years, while running St. Peter for the last nine. Lafayette Bishop Doug Deshotel says the abuse occurred in a very small church

After nearly two years of legislative indecision, and a looming governor’s race, now it’s deadline day at the capitol, and lawmakers only have until the special session ends at midnight to reach an agreement on a budget and a sales tax bill to fund it. Council for a Better Louisiana President Barry Erwin says the deal he sees being put into law won’t make everyone happy, but should give both sides a win they can take home.

Cut 5  (11) “in goverment”

The LSU Baseball season has come to a close as the Tigers finished with a record of 39-27 after losing 12-0 to Oregon State last night. Tiger Rag Associate Editor, James Moran, says the Tigers didn’t have enough healthy, quality arms to get past the Corvallis Regional.  Moran says they could have a better team next season, especially if a couple of their star players decide to stay at LSU

cut 8 (12) “around”

The three-day Major League Baseball draft begins today.

The pastor of St. Peter Church in Morrow has been accused of sexual abuse of a minor in an alleged incident that occurred several years ago. Michael Guidry has been a priest for nearly 50 years, while running St. Peter for the last nine. Lafayette Bishop Doug Deshotel says the priest has been placed on administrative leave pending an investigation by law enforcement.

Cut 11 (12) “canonical penalties”

Three people are accused of a widespread livestock theft ring with quite the price tag. State Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain says the husband and wife, Rickey and Wanda Thompson of Pitkin, along with their son Justin Thompson, are accused of the thefts that occurred from August to October of 2017.

Cut 9 (08)  “…one million dollars”

Ricky and Wanda Thompson have turned themselves in to the Allen Parish Jail, however Justin Thompson has yet to surrender to authorities.

Its deadline day at the capital, and lawmakers only have until the clock strikes 12PM to come to an agreement on a budget and a tax bill to fund it before the special session ends. The Senate sent an updated budget and tax bill to the House, where most of the discussions will take place today. Council for a Better Louisiana President Barry Erwin says he expects a deal to be cut before the end of the night.

Cut 3 (10)   “do things” 

The Senate’s budget and tax plan would raise a half penny sales tax to fully fund TOPS, higher ed, and healthcare, while the House would prefer a third penny sales tax and additional budget cuts.

The LSU Baseball season has come to a close as the Tigers finished with a record of 39-27 after losing 12-0 to Oregon State last night. Tiger Rag Associate Editor, James Moran, says Coach Paul Mainieri took them as far as they could go……

Cut 7 (12)  “not hosting”

Three people are accused of a widespread livestock theft ring with quite the price tag. State Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain says the husband and wife, Rickey and Wanda Thompson of Pitkin, along with their son Justin Thompson, are accused of the thefts that occurred from August to October of 2017. Strain says businesses sustained significant financial losses due to the thefts.

Cut 10 (08) “….from livestock theft

Ricky and Wanda Thompson have turned themselves in to the Allen Parish Jail, however Justin Thompson has yet to surrender to authorities.

Three of four inmates who escaped from the St. Marry Parish Prison have been captured with one still on the loose. 40 year old William deans was found in Morgan City, while 28 year old Jamie Scarborough and 18 year old Tanner Scarborough were apprehended in Picayune. 24 year old Elias Todd is still being sought. Four suspects have been arrested and charged with assisting escape.

The Senate has agreed to a budget and tax plan that would fully fund healthcare and higher ed. Matt Doyle has the story.
Cut 3 (30) “Im Matt Doyle”

The LSU baseball team’s season ended last night with a 12-0 loss to Oregon State. The Tigers who battled numerous injuries, mainly to their pitching staff, finished with a 39-27 record. It’s the first time they haven’t made it past Regionals since 2014. Northwestern State’s season also ended yesterday with a 9-5 loss to LSU.

The American Cancer Society has new guidelines recommending earlier screenings for colorectal cancer, bumping the previously recommended age from 50, down to 45. LSU Health New Orleans School of Public Health founding dean Dr. Elizabeth Fontham, says there’s been an alarming new trend…
Cut 7 (:12) “…at least fifty years old.”
Colorectal cancer is the fourth most commonly diagnosed cancer, and is the second leading cause of cancer deaths.

Entergy Louisiana agrees to purchase solar power from a yet to be constructed plant in West Baton Rouge Parish. Entergy Lousiaina CEO Phillip May says the purchasing plan is estimated to save 29-million dollars over the life of the 20 year agreement…
cut 12 (08) “…megawatt project”
The solar power plant is expected to be up and running by March 2020.

Now that Governor John Bel Edwards has signed into law a measure allowing riverboat casinos to come ashore, when will it happen? Matt Doyle has more…

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If you’re 45 and think you can wait until your 50’s to get a colorectal scan, a new report from LSU Health says you’re wrong. Kevin Barnhart has the story.

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The Senate has agreed to a budget and tax plan that would fully fund healthcare and higher ed. Matt Doyle has the story.

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Governor John Bel Edwards signed legislation allowing riverboat casinos to move up to 12-hundred feet onto land from their current berth space. Executive Director of the Louisiana Casino Association Wade Duty says riverboat casinos will not come ashore  immediately, as there’s some regulatory work to do and operators have to design and come up with financing…

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Lake Charles Senator Ronnie Johns, says the Shreveport-Bossier City market will benefit the most, because they face tough competition from Oklahoma, where Indian tribes are building huge casinos. Duty says this is the first major change in Louisiana since casino gambling was legalized in 1991…

Cut 5  (09)  “for the state”

Duty says the upcoming investments made by the casino industry will help the state’s bottom line…

Cut 6 (09) “increases concurrently”

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The American Cancer Society has new guidelines recommending earlier screenings for colorectal cancer, bumping the previously recommended age from 50, down to 45.  LSU Health New Orleans School of Public Health founding dean Dr. Elizabeth Fontham, says there’s been an alarming new trend…

Cut 7 (:12)  “…at least fifty years old.”

Colorectal cancer is the fourth most commonly diagnosed cancer, and is the second leading cause of cancer deaths.  There are six different tests that screen for the disease, but one everyone knows.

Cut 8 (:09)  “…missing anything visually.”

The American Cancer Society recommends the average adult undergo regular screening with any of the six testing options, with the hope more screenings would save lives.

Cut 9 (:09)  “…in to cancer”

A colonoscopy is recommended once every ten years.

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Entergy Louisiana is planning on purchasing solar power generated by a solar farm that’s set to be the largest such facility in the state. The facility by Eagle Solar Group will be based in West Baton Rouge Parish, and should be up and running by 2020. Entergy Louisiana CEO Phillip May says it’s a huge project and a 20 year agreement.

Cut 10 (08)   “homes”

The purchasing plan is estimated to save customers 29 million dollars over the life of the contract. May says it’s a great opportunity for customers, and expands Entergy’s diverse renewable energy portfolio, the he says is one of the most impressive in the nation.

Cut 11 (11) “Louisiana”

May says solar is beginning to become remarkable cost effective, depending on the area.

Cut 12 (08) “magawatt Project”

The project is pending regulatory approval by the Public Service Commission.

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The Senate passed a budget, and a tax bill to pay for it, that fully funds TOPS, higher ed, and healthcare. The tax bill raises 508 million dollars by renewing half of the expiring penny sales tax, and eliminating some business tax deductions. Ville Platte Senator Eric LaFleur says it’s a compromise that he hopes everyone can be content with.

Cut 13 (07)  “solid policy” 

Governor John Bel Edwards praised the legislation, saying “Louisiana has moved one step closer to avoiding catastrophic cuts.”

If adopted, the state sales tax would drop from the current five percent to 4.5 percent. LaFleur says late night talks with department heads led to tens of millions of dollars being freed up that could be passed back to taxpayers in tax breaks.

The Senate has a lot to tackle Sunday, with critical decisions needed on a series of sales tax and budget bills. Don Molino has the story.

Cut 2 (30) “I’m  Don Molino

It was a warmer than normal May and June is picking up right where May left off. State Climatologist Barry Keim says the thermostat will be turned up a few degrees this weekend

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Hurricane season has officially begun. The Bayou State may be relieved it has avoided tropical threat Alberto but the Spokesperson of the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness Mike Steele says now is the time to get a plan in place in case Louisiana is threatened by major hurricane …

Cut 6 (12)  “travel expenses”

Steele says if you don’t have flood insurance now is the time to get it.

Governor Edwards signed River Ridge Representative Kirk Talbot’s nursing home camera bill, as it breezed through the legislature. The law allows families to place remotely accessible cameras in their loved ones nursing home rooms for monitoring. Talbot says before you rush to grab that grandma cam, you need to talk to their roommate.

Cut 9 (07) “no issue”

The Senate has a lot to tackle Sunday, with critical decisions needed on a series of sales tax and budget bills. Don Molino has the story.

Cut 2 (30) “I’m  Don Molino

It was a warmer than normal May and June is picking up right where May left off. State Climatologist Barry Keim says last month was one of the hottest May’s on record….

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Keim says For this weekend, rain chances are higher on Sunday than Saturday.

Governor Edwards signed River Ridge Representative Kirk Talbot’s nursing home camera bill, as it breezed through the legislature. The law allows families to place remotely accessible cameras in their loved ones nursing home rooms for monitoring. Talbot says before you rush to grab that grandma cam, you need to talk to their roommate.

Cut 9 (07) “no issue”

Talbot says the cameras these days aren’t too pricey, but he does warn you’ll have to buy a cellular data plan because you can’t hook it up to the nursing homes Wi-Fi. The legislation was inspired by a nursing home incident where a family suspected that the staff was physically abusing their relative.

And a Winnfield family came home to a heck of a surprise, finding a giant black bear wandering their back yard with no apparent way out. Authorities believe the bear wandered into a tree and while climbing around got stuck in the fenced in yard. The bear was finally tranquilized after a few hours and safety removed.

The legislature is scrambling to find a solution to the impending 648 million dollar fiscal cliff, with the Senate planning to take on a series of tax and budget bills Sunday, leaving the House just one day to debate any Senate backed plans before June 4^th session deadline. A Senate revenue bill raises enough money to avoid cuts, but Political Analyst Pinsonat says several GOP Representatives have already said they will not vote for the Senate version…

Cut 13 (12) “can pass” 

Hurricane season has officially begun. Homeland Security Spokesperson Mike Steele says if you don’t have flood insurance now is the time to get it and also take a look at your homeowners insurance …

Cut 7 (08)  “may be”

The Governor signs legislation that allows families to put cameras in their relative’s nursing home rooms. Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

It was a warmer than normal May and June is picking up right where May left off. State Climatologist Barry Keim says the thermostat will be turned up a few degrees this weekend

Cut 3 (08) “110”