It’ll be a big day in the Senate Sunday as the upper chamber takes on sales tax and budget bills that could decide the fate of 648 million dollar fiscal cliff that threatens to wreck higher ed, TOPS, and healthcare. Political Analyst Bernie Pinsonat says the House won’t have much time to debate the budget and tax plans the Senate agrees too, with a Monday at midnight deadline approaching.

Cut 12 (09)   “question”

If the two chambers cannot agree on a budget and tax plan by 12PM Monday night, another special session will be called, costing tax payers tens of thousands of dollars a day.

Hurricane season has officially begun. The Bayou State may be relieved it has avoided tropical threat Alberto but Louisiana Homeland Security Mike Steele Steele encourages residents to visit getagameplan.org to help you get an idea of what kind of items you need in a supply kit…

cut 8 (09) “medical information”

Governor Edwards signed River Ridge Representative Kirk Talbot’s nursing home camera bill. The law allows families to place remotely accessible cameras in their loved ones nursing home rooms for monitoring. Talbot says it’s handy just for checking in to make sure your loved one is looking healthy and happy.

Cut 11 (10) “can do”

Talbot says before installing, you need any roommate’s legal consent.

It was a warmer than normal May and June is picking up right where May left off. State Climatologist Barry Keim says a hot start to the summer doesn’t mean we’ll see above-normal temperatures continue into July and August….

Cut 5  (08) “is different”

Governor Edwards says Louisiana now has some of the toughest anti-hazing laws in the nation, inspired by the death of LSU student Maxwell Gruver. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 2 (27) ”  I’m Jeff Palermo” 

Two newlyweds have been arrested after leaving their kids in the car while getting their marriage license at the Caddo Parish Courthouse. 23-year-old Courtney Carrol of Ball and 22-year-old Garret Poole of Pollock have been charged with child desertion after a courthouse employee found the children in the vehicle with the air conditioner on, and a door cracked open.

The 2018 Atlantic Hurricane season officially starts today despite the fact that the Gulf Coast has already seen its first named storm of the year. NOAA projects 10 to 16 named storms, 5 to 9 hurricanes, and 1 to 4 major hurricanes. State Climatologist Barry Keim says we’ve seen an uptick in storm activity since the 90s, and projections will trend towards busier seasons until there’s a noticeable change in the pattern.

Cut 5  (06)  “normal activity”

Last year’s historic hurricane season claimed lives across the Gulf and caused nearly 300 billion dollars in damage.

A major road closure is expected for the Mississippi River Bridge in Port Allen/Baton Rouge, starting Friday night at 7pm and ending noon Sunday. The eastbound lane will be shut down for some repair work. It’s the second weekend for the repairs. DOTD Spokesperson Rodney Mallet says if you’ve got road plans that lead you through BR this weekend, plan accordingly.

Cut 13 (12)  “1-90″ 

Governor John Bel Edwards holds a bill signing today for Baton Rouge Representative Patricia Smith’s legislation that restores voting rights to individuals who have served time on felony offenses, and have been out of prison for five years, but are still on parole or probation. Edwards says giving people back their rights reinvests them in their communities.

Cut 6 (09)  “of crime”

Edwards says many convicted felons deserve a second shot at life.

Cut 7 (08) “pass it”

Its estimated voting rights will be restored for 70,000 Louisianans.

The Governor also put into law the “Max Gruver Act” which tightens and strengthens Louisiana’s anti-hazing laws, making partic8ipating in a hazing event that leads to a death punishable by up to five years in prison.

An anti-bestiality law has been signed by Governor Edwards despite initial pushback by supporters of Louisiana’s unconstitutional anti-sodomy law. Louisiana  Director of the Humane Society of the United States, Julia Breaux Melancon, was surprised by the early objections, but the new law will strengthen prohibitions on bestiality and animal cruelty…

Cut 3 (12) “pedophilia”

The governor is signing legislation by New Iberia Senator Fred Mills that’s aimed at pushing down drug prices by requiring prescription benefit plans (that prescription card in your wallet) inform consumers when they get rebates from drug manufactures. Mills says before, your drug plan could hide those rebates, and pocket money that should have been going back to you, but now…

Cut 9 (10) “prescription drugs”

Similar legislation has passed that would require benefit plans provide that information to the state, so the state can negotiate lower Medicaid prices.

The Atlantic Hurricane season begins today. Michael Farrar gives us a preview on what we can expect.

Cut 1 (30)  I”m Michael Farrar“

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Governor Edwards says Louisiana now has some of the toughest anti-hazing laws in the nation, inspired by the death of LSU student Maxwell Gruver. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 2 (27) ”  I’m Jeff Palermo” 

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Major delays are expected this weekend in Baton Rouge as eastbound approach to the River Bridge gets shut down for repairs. Matt Doyle has more.

Cut 3 (30) “Im Matt Doyle”

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The 2018 Atlantic Hurricane season officially starts today despite the fact that the Gulf Coast has already seen its first named storm of the year. NOAA projects 10 to 16 named storms, 5 to 9 hurricanes, and 1 to 4 major hurricanes. State Climatologist Barry Keim says that’s not too far off base for an average year.

Cut 4  (09) “2018 season” 

Much of the prediction is based on the fact that the last twenty years have been some of the most active storm seasons in recent history. Keim says projections will trend towards busier seasons until there’s a noticeable change in the pattern.

Cut 5  (06)  “normal activity”

Sub-Tropical Storm Alberto hit the Gulf Coast over the Memorial Day weekend, which has some folks worried that we could be in store for a busy year if its only May and we’re already getting named storms. Keim says it doesn’t work like that.

Cut 6 (06) “may bring”

Last year’s historic hurricane season claimed lives across the Gulf and caused nearly 300 billion dollars in damage.

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The FDA has told several companies to stop claiming that their sunscreen pills will protect consumers from the suns. Co-founder at Audubon Dermatology in New Orleans, Dr. Deirdre Hooper, says there is no dietary supplement that can prevent the sun’s harmful U-V rays.

Cut 7 (09)  “the sun” (2x)

While these pills may contain antioxidants that can help repair skin damage, Dr. Hooper does not believe the claims…

Cut 8 (08)  “your skin”

The FDA and Dr. Hooper emphasize the only way to protect yourself from sun exposure is to apply sunscreen…

Cut 9 (09)  “aging”

If you want to try one of these pills, Dr. Hooper suggests you should talk to a board-certified dermatologist or visit AAD.org, American Academy of Dermatology, for reliable information.

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Governor John Bel Edwards signed a series of anti-hazing bills Thursday that he says will give Louisiana some of the stiffest hazing laws in the nation. The legislation was inspired by the death of an LSU student in a hazing incident last year, and led to the creation of the “Max Gruver Act”. Edwards says he fully expects other states to adopt the same laws in coming years.

Cut 10 (05)   “to follow”

Gruver’s parents led the charge on the new anti-hazing legislation, specifically Representative Nancy Landry’s bill that makes hazing a felony crime, with up to five years in prison, if convicted. Edwards thanked the Gruver’s for their bravery in the face of that terrible tragedy.

Cut 11 (10) “appreciate it”

Edwards says these laws won’t just crack down on Greek life, it protects students in all organizations on college campuses.

Cut 12 (07) “of problems”

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A major road closure is expected for the Mississippi River Bridge in Port Allen/Baton Rouge, starting Friday night at 7pm and ending noon Sunday. The eastbound lane will be shut down for some repair work. It’s the second weekend for the repairs. DOTD Spokesperson Rodney Mallet says if you’ve got road plans that lead you through BR this weekend, plan accordingly.

Cut 13 (12)  “1-90” 

Mallet says this will likely mean some nasty traffic through most of the major throughways in Baton Rouge proper.

Tougher laws against bestiality has been signed into law. Becca Dill has more…

Cut 1 (27) “I’m Becca Dill”

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The governor signs legislation by Senator Fred Mills that hopefully will bring down drug prices. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle “

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Governor John Bel Edwards holds a bill signing today for Baton Rouge Representative Patricia Smith’s legislation that restores voting rights to individuals who have served time on felony offenses, and have been out of prison for five years, but are still on parole or probation. Edwards says giving people back their rights reinvests them in their communities.

Cut 6 (09)  “of crime”

Edwards says many convicted felons deserve a second shot at life.

Cut 7 (08)  “pass it”

The bill took three tries to get enough votes to clear the House. Edwards celebrated Smith’s tenacity in fighting for bills that can be controversial, but that he believes are ultimately just.

cut 8 (09) “thanked her”

It’s estimated voting rights will be restored for 70,000 Louisianans.

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The governor is signing legislation by New Iberia Senator Fred Mills that’s aimed at pushing down drug prices by requiring prescription benefit plans (that prescription card in your wallet) inform consumers when they get rebates from drug manufactures. Mills says before, your drug plan could hide those rebates, and pocket money that should have been going back to you, but now…

Cut 9 (10) “prescription drugs”

Many people don’t realize those rebates are the reason your insurance forces you to buy one pill over another for the same illness. Mills says if your benefit plans are getting savings by forcing you to buy certain drugs, they should pass those savings back to you.

Cut 10 (10) “go down”

Mills says you should be asking whoever provides your prescription card if they’re passing those new savings on to you.

Cut 11 (06) “rebate share”

Similar legislation has passed that would require benefit plans provide that information to the state, so the state can negotiate lower Medicaid prices.

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Ella Brennan, a Queen of New Orleans Cuisine, has passed away at the age of 92. As an influential member of the Brennan family, she helped shape and guide the New Orleans food scene in iconic restaurants like Commanders Palace. Food Critic Tom Fitzmorris says few people on earth had her same talent for turning restaurants into world famous culinary institutions.

Cut 12 (08)   “to her”

Fitzmorris says Brennan was a shrewd businesswoman who turned the infamous 1970s Brennan family fallout into an opportunity to make her own way in the restaurant industry. She started over with nothing but Commanders palace, which she turned into a New Orleans legend that specializes not just in award winning food, but spectacle.

Cut 13 (10) “was doing” d

Brennan sheparded some of New Orleans most iconic chefs, like Paul Prudone and Emeril Lagasse through stints at Commanders and her other venues. Fitzmorris says she had an eye for talent.

Cut 14 (11)  “in general”

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ator Bill Cassidy has a new proposal that he says will drive down healthcare prices. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 1 (30)  I”m Matt Doyle“

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Even though Corvallis is 24-hundred miles away from Baton Rouge, expect to see LSU fans at this weekend’s regional. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (30) ”  I’m Jeff Palermo” 

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It was a heated night in Senate Revenue as the committee made huge changes to GOP House Chairman Lance Harris’ tax bill. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 3 (30) “Im Matt Doyle”

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US Senator Bill Cassidy says just because last year’s Obamacare repeal failed, doesn’t mean he’s going to stop chasing healthcare reform. The Senator has released a plan he says will help expand access and drive down prices. Cassidy says the first step is enforcing price transparency for medical care providers.

Cut 4  (11) “place else” 

Cassidy says he was recently inspired by a Consumer Reports investigation that had secret shoppers call around for prescription prices, where they found a huge variation in cost.

Cut 5  (10)  “hundred dollars”

Cassidy is optimistic that they can make progress on healthcare reform, in light of the cooperation coming from a bipartisan healthcare panel that’s shown some progress. He says his proposal should have legs.

Cut 6 (09) “voting for”

The proposal also includes plans to allow insurers to tie prescription costs to international prices, seeks a reduction of hospital monopolies, and calls for an increase to subsidies to young people’s health insurance, as well as allowing employers to not provide health insurance to employees.

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Corvallis, Oregon, is nearly 2500 miles away from Baton Rouge, but you can still expect a good contingent of LSU Fans in attendance for this weekend’s NCAA Regional at Oregon State. Sean Fredenburg with the LSU Alumni Association Portland Chapter says the Fighting Tigers do not play often in the Pacific Northwest but when they do there’s a lot of Purple and Gold…

Cut 7 (8)  “out here”

Fredenburg says he hasn’t heard of any tailgate parties before the games but if there is a good number of Tiger fans in Corvallis they can make their presence known.

Cut 8 (13)  “pretty amazing”  

Fredenburg says that the area provides good food and environment for any fans planning to make the trip, with perfect weather for baseball season

Cut 9 (8)  “it’s beautiful”

LSU will face San Diego State to begin the tournament on Friday at 3 P.M.

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A bill requiring public schools to display, and instruct students on the motto “In God We Trust” was signed by the governor after facing little opposition in the legislature. Baton Rouge Representative Regina Barrow says the country is facing a moral crisis related to taking god out of public schools.

Cut 10 (07)   “school system”

Barrow says she was inspired by the Governor’s prayer breakfast, and that the practice of praying starts off every meeting at the capital.

Cut 11 (07) “prayer”

The Democrat says religious education and the acknowledgement of god needs to be taking place in public schools, because many parents are choosing not to spread those teachings to their children when they get out of class.

Cut 12 (09) “at home”

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GOP House Chairman Lance Harris’ tax bill underwent huge changes in a Senate committee. The legislation would now renew one third of the expiring penny sales, but eliminate hundreds of millions in tax deductions that plug the full 648 million dollar budget gap. Harris says his original version that included 283 million in budget cuts was take it or leave it, and the committee decided to leave it.

Cut 13 (09)  “the bill” 

The Governor signed a series of bills that passed through the legislature and ended up on his desk, that cover a wide range from abortion, to fantasy sports. One of the issues the governor signed off on was Senator Neil Riser’s legislation that removes a training mandate that was passed in 2010, requiring anyone who brings a weapon into a church, mosque, synagogues or other religious building to take an additional eight hours of weapons training before entering the premises.

The governor also signed a 15 week abortion ban that closely mirrors an effort in Mississippi that is under a federal court challenge. The legislation flew through the legislature, and marks a notable separation between Edwards and the national Democratic Party. The legislation would only go into effect if Mississippi’s ban survive a court challenge.

And an expansion of the State’s earned income tax credit passed the senate and is on its way to the House. Bill Sponsor Senator JP Morell.

Cut 25

Online fantasy sports gaming will be on the ballot for parish approval in November after grabbing the governor’s signature. The legislation by River Ridge Representative Kirk Talbot breezed through the legislature this year after past attempts stalled out. Talbot says it just took some time to educate lawmakers about why fantasy sports is not the same as sports betting.

Cut 6 (07)  “consist of”

He says its closer to a game than gaming.

Cut 7 (06)  “of skill”

Talbot fully expects many parishes will approve the measure in fall. Once that happens, the state will go about putting together a framework to generate some revenue off of the games.

cut 8 (10) “the spring”

A 29-year-old man and his four-year-old daughter were killed in LaPlace last night. Jeff Palermo reports the St. John the Baptist Sheriff’s office believes it was a single gunman…

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

St. Tammany President Pat Brister sent a letter to the governor asking the state to expedite road expansion on I-12 in her parish after a crash led to four dead on Saturday. But State Transportation Secretary Shawn Wilson says they just don’t have the money right now.

Cut 10 (08) “things back”

The St. Landry Parish Sheriff’s office has charged two teens from the Opelousas area with aggravated kidnapping of a child and negligent homicide for their roles in the death of an 11-year-old girl in a car crash.  Sheriff Bobby Guidroz says 19-year-old Kelvin Monte and 17-year-old Jon’Torras Bryant picked up Bryla Bell from her home in Lawtell and were eventually stopped by Opelousas Police

Cut 12 (12)   “she crashed”

Online fantasy sports gaming will be on the ballot for parish approval in November after grabbing the governor’s signature. The legislation by River Ridge Representative Kirk Talbot breezed through the legislature this year after past attempts stalled out. Talbot says it just took some time to educate lawmakers about why fantasy sports is not the same as sports betting.

Cut 6 (07)  “consist of”

Talbot fully expects many parishes will approve the measure in fall.

A 29-year-old man and his four-year-old daughter were killed in LaPlace last night. Jeff Palermo reports the St. John the Baptist Sheriff’s office believes it was a single gunman…

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Online fantasy sports gaming will be on the ballot for parish approval in November after grabbing the governor’s signature. River Ridge Representative Kirk Talbot says after a few failed attempts, it just took some time to educate lawmakers about why fantasy sports is not the same as sports betting.

Cut 6, 7 seconds, consist of

Two protesters were issued summons for disturbing the peace after interrupting a budget meeting at the State Capitol yesterday. The individuals are from the group called the Poor People’s Campaign and they are calling the proposed budget immoral, because it doesn’t reflect the needs of the people. Abita Springs Republican Scott Simon tried to defend the legislature’s actions….

cut 12 (09) “…so big”

That’s when several protesters started chanting “we want a moral budget’….

cut 13 (07) “…reflect it”

here’s commodities

New Orleans is hosting over 7,000 teachers this week for a yearly development conference. Becca Dill has the story.

Cut 1 (30)  I”m Becca Dill“

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The Governor’s veto of a bill by Senator Danny Martiny will allow local governments require developers build affordable housing. Matt Doyle has more.

Cut 2 (32) ”  I’m Matt Doyle” 

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House appropriations passes four bills on the House Floor. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 3 (30) “Im Matt Doyle”

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Louisiana is kicking off its 6^th Annual Teacher Leader Summit in New Orleans today. The conference is expected to be attended by 7,000 teachers from districts across the state. The summit even has its own app, to help teachers plot their way through the dozens of lectures and workshops. Superintendent of Academic Content Rebecca Kockler says it’s a reinforcement of educational basics.

Cut 4  (10) “and writing” 

World renowned researchers and speakers will be in attendance, keeping Bayou State teachers up to date on the latest in educational science. Kockler says some of that new research will help reinvent the way we teach children to read.

Cut 5  (10)  “every day”

This year’s conference will have a focus on how to improve outcomes for students who are struggling the most. Kockler says they’ll be showing teachers how to pick the best books for their class.

Cut 6 (12) “of that”

The conference will run throughout the week at the Morial Convention Center.

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Governor Edwards weekend veto of a bill will give local governments the ability to require real estate developers set aside a certain portion of their units for affordable housing, to combat ballooning rent prices. Greater New Orleans Fair Housing Action Center Executive Director Cashauna Hill says it’s a big win for a working class that’s being squeezed by higher rent.

Cut 7 (12)  “affordable units”

Hill says New Orleans pumped millions of dollars into incentivizing developer created affordable housing units after Hurricane Katrina, but the policy had a short shelf life, and once it expired many residents were pushed out in favor of more expensive units.

Cut 8 (10)  “so much”  

Concerns were also raised about the nature of the bill. Hill says local zoning ordinances should be left to the cities, and not controlled by state government.

Cut 9 (10)  “they serve”

Senator Dany Martiny, the bill’s sponsor, argued that cities should not be allowed to dictate what developers build, and that rent prices should be left up to the market.

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After several days of inaction, The Appropriations Committee passed four budget bills to the House floor for consideration. The proposed spending plan from Representative Cameron Henry would fund TOPS at 80 percent, and cut higher education by 26 million dollars. Baton Rouge Representative Patricia Smith says funding TOPS while slashing higher ed just doesn’t make sense.

Cut 10 (10)   “you want”

Prior to that, the Appropriations committee was the scene of some tense moments as Poor People’s Campaign Advocates testified to the panel, accusing legislators of adopting immoral budgets that target societies most vulnerable.

Cut 11 (15) “a budget”

Abita Springs Representative Scott Simon took offense to the accusation that the budgets being passed on, that include deep cuts, are immoral. He says the people whose services are getting cut are not actually poor.

Cut 12 (09) “so big”

That commentary from the St. Tammany Republican sparked a intense reaction from several in attendance, who temporarily shut down the meeting and had to be dragged out, chanting “we want a moral budget!”

Cut 13 (07)  “reflect it”