Despite higher gas prices, AAA estimates nearly 42-million Americans will travel this Memorial Day weekend. Connor Ferrill has the story.

Cut 1 (28)   Connor Ferrill“

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LSU’s only Heisman winner, running back Billy Cannon was laid to rest yesterday. Michael Farrar has more.

Cut 2 (30) I’m Michael Farrar”

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The special session is back in action and lawmakers struggling to find a compromise that will produce a passable budget. Matt Doyle has more.

Cut 3 (32) “I’m Matt Doyle”

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Despite higher gas prices, AAA estimates nearly 42-million Americans will travel this Memorial Day weekend. That’s a five-percent increase from last year and the highest number of travelers in more than a dozen years. AAA Spokesman Don Redman says about 37-million travelers will hit the road…

Cut 4  (12) “last year” 

Just over three-million people are expected to fly to their destination next weekend and travel by train, bus or cruise ships is up two-percent. He says families are seeing some added incentives this summer with almost a 7% percent decrease in airfare prices, 11% in car rentals, and depending on the hotel, travelers could save about 14% compared to last year. He says if gas prices continue to increase it could affect travel…

Cut 5  (12)  “less travel”

With the abundance of travelers this weekend, commuters normally taking the interstate can expect some delays today and tomorrow afternoon.

Cut 6 (13) “vacation”

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LSU’s only Heisman winner, running back Billy Cannon, was laid to rest Wednesday, surrounded by friends, family, and fans. Several people spoke and gave their best memories of one of the greatest athletes in Bayou State history. Angola Warden Darrel Vannoy says after news got out that Cannon had died, the inmates took up a collection for his casket.

Cut 7 (11)  “that man”

Former Angola Warden Burl Cain talked about the time Dr. Cannon, the head of  the State Penitentiary’s Dental Program, had a stroke. Cain says he called for an ambulance and only the best would do.

Cut 8 (12)  “the road”

Teammate and friend Jimmy Field says one time an LSU teammate asked Cannon if he was getting any butterflies during the run up to a punt return. Cannon didn’t even hesitate.

Cut 9 (07)  “are full”

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The special session is rolling along with legislators struggling to find a fix to the 648 million dollar budget shortfall that could devastate healthcare and education. One point four billion dollars in sales taxes are set to expire, and Governor John Bel Edwards has called on legislators to renew a portion of that to fix state finances. Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne says that would save education and healthcare from deep cuts.

Cut 10 (09)   “july 1”

The governor vetoed a budget passed at the end of the regular session that hacked higher ed and state agency budgets, and no budget bill has been filed for the special session. Dardenne says the clock is running down on an opportunity to save the budget.

Cut 11 (10) “address this”

Houma Representative Republican Beryl Amedee says the governor’s decision to veto the budget has caused chaos in the capitol, and threatens to throw a wrench in the legislative process.

Cut 12 (10) “seems irrational”

Amedee says she’s having a hard time justifying any renewal of the expiring taxes to plug the budget gaps while her home district is struggling economically.

Cut 13 (10)  “stay afloat” 

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The state will hold a sales tax holiday this Saturday and Sunday for storm supplies to help folks get a jump start on their hurricane preparedness. State taxes will be reduced from the usual 5 percent to 3 percent. Department of Revenue Spokesman Byron Henderson says it’s a great opportunity to pick up some essentials.

The House Ways and Means committee held its first hearing of the special session and it became more of a gripe session. Republicans on the panel criticized the Edwards administration for vetoing a budget in the regular session, and expressed concerns about raising revenues, instead of finding savings. Democrats are also frustrated, New Roads Representative Major Thibaut.

Cut 12 (10)   “it permanently”

The state is facing a 648 million dollar shortfall that could lead to mass reductions in healthcare services, higher education funding, and TOPS.

Oil City Representative Republican Jim Morris says leaning on taxes now means more taxes later.

Cut 13 (10) “been in”

Reports indicate that a consensus may be growing on plugging a portion of the budget shortfall by renewing half of the one penny sales tax that is set to expire. Baton Rouge Representative Ted James says the Edwards administration is not asking for an overall increase in taxes, because renewing just some of the expiring revenue would still be a tax cut relative to last year…

Cut 14 (09)  “a cut”

As a way to generate revenue, the Edwards administration is also propsing the elimination of ceratin sales tax breaks enjoyed by specific industries and buisinesses, known as “cleaning the penny”. Baton Rouge Representative Barry Ivey says he prefers spending reform as a way to address the fiscal cliff…

Cut 15 (14) “support”

A low pressure system near Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula could bring the Gulf Coast wet weather for the Memorial Day weekend. The disturbance has been given a medium chance of developing into at least a tropical depression in the central or eastern Gulf of Meci. State Climatologist Barry Keim  says at least there’s some good news.

cut 8 (09) “gain strength”

The House Ways and Means committee held its first hearing of the special session today. As a way to generate revenue, the Edwards administration is proposing to keep a portion of an expiring one-cent sales tax and also eliminate certain sales tax breaks that businesses enjoy. Baton Rouge Representative Barry Ivey says he prefers spending reform as a way to address the fiscal cliff…

Cut 15 (14) “support”

A Marshall Project report shows Louisiana saw its largest drop in prison population in a decade between 2016 and 2017. State Corrections Secretary Jimmy LeBlanc says  the good news is, a declining incarceration rate has not led to an increased crime rate in Louisiana.

Cut 10 (10) “thats important”

New Orleans will host the 2024 Super Bowl after being the only team invited to bid this year. Connor Ferrill has more.

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Connor Ferril”

New Orleans will host the 2024 Super Bowl after being the only team invited to bid this year. Connor Ferrill has more.

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Connor Ferril”

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Louisiana had it’s biggest drop in prison population in over a decade from 2016 to 2017. Jeff Palermo has more.

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo “

New Orleans officials say the last Super Bowl, in 2013, had a 480 million dollar economic impact, and Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation President Jay Cicero confirmed that the city and state had to provide an economic incentive package to seal the deal, but says we’ll easily make that money back.

Cut 4 (08) “with that”

Cicero says the NFL changed its bidding process after several years of embarrassing bids for leaders in traditionally successful Super Bowl cities.

Cut 5  (09) “elected officials”

The last time New Orleans hosted the Super Bowl, the power went out, leading to a massive comeback effort from the 49ers that almost toppled the eventual champion Baltimore Ravens.

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A low pressure system near Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula could bring the Gulf Coast wet weather for the Memorial Day weekend. The disturbance has been given a medium chance of developing into at least a tropical depression in the central or eastern Gulf of Meci. State Climatologist Barry Keim

Cut 6 (11)  “whole weekend”

The system is currently in the Caribbean Sea, and is on its way to the Gulf. Keim says we aren’t at risk for any heavy winds or dangerous storm surge, but there’s a good chance we could see a ton of rain.

Cut 7 (07)  “that region”

Despite the threat of a rained out Memorial Day weekend and the potential for a troubling amount of rain, Keim says at least there’s some good news.

cut 8 (09) “gain strength”

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A Marshall Project report shows Louisiana saw its largest drop in prison population in a decade between 2016 and 2017. The 1,943 person decrease is a 5.4 drop in the total population, one of the biggest drops in the nation. State Corrections Secretary Jimmy LeBlanc says it’s a testament to recent criminal justice reforms.

Cut 9 (09) “with it.”

In 2012 Louisiana was named the world’s “Prison Capital” after a report noted that the state has a higher percentage of incarcerated people than any other state, or country, including Iran, China, and Russia.

LeBlanc says the good news is, a declining incarceration rate has not led to an increased crime rate in Louisiana.

Cut 10 (10) “thats important”

While the crime rate has gone down at the same time the state has released more prisoners, the percentage of people who make return trips to prison, or the recidivism rate, has not changed. LeBlanc says the next phase of criminal justice reform includes a set of programs that aims to fix that.

Cut 11 (11) “St. Tammany”

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The House Ways and Means committee held its first hearing of the special session and it became more of a gripe session. Republicans on the panel criticized the Edwards administration for vetoing a budget in the regular session, and expressed concerns about raising revenues, instead of finding savings. Democrats are also frustrated, New Roads Representative Major Thibaut.

Cut 12 (10)   “it permanently”

The state is facing a 648 million dollar shortfall that could lead to mass reductions in healthcare services, higher education funding, and TOPS.

Oil City Representative Republican Jim Morris says he’s concerned that relying on taxes alone to plug the budget gap will just lead to further tax increases in the future if the budget balloons.

Cut 13 (10) “been in”

Baton Rouge Representative Ted James says the Edwards administration is not asking for an overall increase in taxes…

Cut 14 (09)  “a cut”

As a way to generate revenue, the Edwards administration is proposing to keep a portion of an expiring one-cent sales tax and also eliminate certain sales tax breaks that businesses enjoy. Baton Rouge Representative Barry Ivey says he prefers spending reform as a way to address the fiscal cliff…

Cut 15 (14) “support”

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Louisiana had it’s biggest drop in prison population in over a decade from 2016 to 2017. Jeff Palermo has more.

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo “

A low pressure system near Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula could bring the Gulf Coast wet weather for the Memorial Day weekend. State Climatologist Barry Keim.

Cut 6 (11)  “whole weekend”

A big win for the Big Easy as the city has been awarded the 2024 Super Bowl. New Orleans officials say the last Super Bowl, in 2013, had a 480 million dollar economic impact, and Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation President Jay Cicero confirmed that the city and state had to provide an economic incentive package to seal the deal.

Cut 4 (08) “with that”

The House Ways and Means committee held its first hearing of the special session and it became more of a gripe session. Republicans on the panel criticized the Edwards administration for vetoing a budget in the regular session, and expressed concerns about raising revenues, instead of finding savings. Oil City Representative Republican Jim Morris says he’s concerned that relying on taxes alone to plug the budget gap will just lead to further tax increases in the future if the budget balloons.

Cut 13 (10) “been in”

A big win for the Big Easy as the city has been awarded the 2024 Super Bowl. New Orleans officials say the last Super Bowl, in 2013, had a 480 million dollar economic impact, and Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation President Jay Cicero confirmed that the city and state had to provide an economic incentive package to seal the deal.

Cut 4 (10) “five days”

A Marshall Project report shows Louisiana saw its largest drop in prison population in a decade between 2016 and 2017. The 1,943 person decrease is a 5.4 drop in the total population, one of the biggest drops in the nation. State Corrections Secretary Jimmy LeBlanc says it’s a testament to recent criminal justice reforms.

Cut 9 (09) “with it.”

In 2012 Louisiana was named the world’s “Prison Capital”.

Vacation once held the luxury of being offline, but more workers are admitting they cannot stop checking into the office. A recent study by staffing firm Accountemps reports that 56-percent of vacationing workers check in with the office. Spokesperson Carrie Lewis advises we set our own limits.

Cut 6 (10) “set limits”

Speaker Taylor Barras ripped into the Governor for holding his special session opening speech at ULL, calling it a political stunt. Barras accused the Governor of resisting bipartisan offers, and being personally responsible for legislative gridlock of the regular session. He went after the governor, who he says is trying to scare Louisianans into higher taxes, with a little one liner.

Cut 12 (11) “heard taxes”

The session is set to run until June 4^th.

A big win for the Big Easy as the city has been awarded the 2024 Super Bowl. For years teams have been required to big against each other each year for the honor, but the NFL made a big change this time when New Orleans was the only city that was invited to compete for the league’s biggest economic gift. Saints owner Gayle Benson says Tom would have been proud.

Cut 3, 10 seconds, legacy alive

The special session is underway and lawmakers can now replace one-point-four-billion dollars in sales taxes that are set to expire June 30th. Those expiring sales taxes are at the heart of the impending fiscal cliff that threatens to wreck healthcare and higher ed. But LaPolitics.com Publisher Jeremy Alford says don’t expect a deal to be reached any time soon.

Cut 10 (11)   “possibility”

Reports say a consensus is building around a compromise plan to renew a portion of the one cent sales tax that was raised two years ago to plug the last fiscal cliff.

CGI, an international tech company, has announced a big expansion, bringing 400 new jobs to the Lafayette area as part of its IT Center of Excellence. Another Lafayette Parish site will add an additional 100 jobs, bringing the company’s total to 900 employees in Acadiana. Louisiana Secretary of Economic Development Don Pierson says the expansion comes down to ULL’s partnership with the company.

Cut 14 (08) “paying jobs”

Vacation once held the luxury of being offline, but more workers are admitting they cannot stop checking into the office. A recent study by staffing firm Accountemps reports that 56-percent of vacationing workers check in with the office.  Spokesperson Carrie Lewis says 70-percent of respondents ages 18-34 will keep in touch with work, while only 39-percent of 55 and older respondents staying plugged in.

Cut 5  (12)  “habit”

A 26-year-old Monroe Police Officer died in a traffic accident yesterday. Ayrian Williams was an LSU grad and New Orleans native who worked at the Southern Campus Police Department before taking a job with Monroe in November of 2017. Police Chief Eugene Ellis says the officer had a great reputation in the department after just half a year on the force, and had the talent to work anywhere, but chose to make Monroe her home.

Cut 7 (09)  “police department”

The Louisiana Federation of Teachers released a survey of its members that shows 61-percent of them support a statewide walkout or strike, because of low teacher pay. Louisiana Federation of Teachers President Larry Carter says average teacher salaries in Louisiana have been below the Southern average since the 2012-13 school year…

cut 18 (06) “….low pay”

Governor Edwards speaks today at UL Lafayette breaking special session tradition of opening the proceedings by talking in the House chamber. The Governor is calling on the legislature to replace expiring sales taxes to avoid 638 million dollars in budget cuts. University of Lafayette Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says Edwards is hoping to draw attention to the importance to higher ed.

Cut 9 (09) “chopping block.”

This will be the 9^th special session since governor Edwards took office in 2016, when temporary sales taxes that are set to expire in July were raised to address the last fiscal cliff. Cross says the Governor will most likely have to settle for a compromise built around renewing half of the one penny sales tax that is set to expire.

And a low pressure system that could ruin Memorial Day beach vacations across the gulf coast is starting to get the attention of the National Hurricane Center. The system has been named Invest 90L. Current forecasts show it staying east of Louisiana.

A survey from the Louisiana Federation of Teachers indicates that 61 percent of union members support a statewide walkout or strike to accomplish their goals of better school funding and pay raises. The survey was inspired by a series of successful teacher’s strikes in other states. LFT president Larry Carter says they’re ready to send a message to the legislature.

Cut 16 (09) “organized resistance”

53 percent of teachers surveyed say teacher pay is the most important issue facing schools, and 3,800 teachers responded to the voluntary survey.

A 26-year-old Monroe Police Officer died in a traffic accident yesterday. Ayrian Williams was an LSU grad and New Orleans native who joined the force in November of 2017. Police Chief Eugene Ellis says Williams was on the clock when the accident occurred.

Cut 6 (09)  “large tree”

A low pressure system has been tagged by the National Hurricane Center for additional research, under the name Invest 90L. The system is currently in the Caribbean Sea, and is on track to hit somewhere along the Gulf Coast during memorial weekend. National Weather Service Slidell Meteorologist Danielle Manning says as of now, it appears Louisiana should dodge the worst of it.

Cut 3 (07) “of Louisiana”

But Manning warns the system has the potential of developing into at least a tropical depression

US Representative Clay Higgins’ bill that would require the US to collect information on how many school resource officers are in place in schools passed the House and is on its way to the Senate. The North Louisianan Congressman says before a comprehensive plan can be created to address school safety, more information is needed.

Cut 11 (08) “across the country”

A survey from the Louisiana Federation of Teachers indicates that 61 percent of union members support a statewide walkout or strike to accomplish their goals of better school funding and pay raises. The survey was inspired by a series of successful teacher’s strikes in other states. LFT president Larry Carter says teacher pay has stagnated since 2012, and is now clearly below the regional average.

Cut 17 (12)  “same period”

3,800 teachers responded to the survey

And a low pressure system in the gulf heading for the coast this Memorial Day weekend is picking up steam, and is now tagged for investigation by the National Hurricane Center. That means additional computer models will be simulated to provide a clearer picture on just how strong, and where the system may hit. Current, incomplete models indicate that it could land anywhere from New Orleans to Miami.

The special session kicks off today, giving legislators two weeks to come to an agreement on how to handle a 648 million dollar budget shortfall that threatens to potentially devastate healthcare and higher education. Baton Rouge Representative Ted James says he’s open to compromise plans, but will not support any budget that resembles those passed by the Louisiana House and Senate that either slashed healthcare or gutted higher ed and TOPS.

Cut 9 (10)  “do that”

US Representative Clay Higgins’ bill that would require the US to collect information on how many school resource officers are in place in schools passed the House and is on its way to the Senate. The North Louisianan Congressman says after the Parkland school shooting, he realized DC was lacking critical information on school safety.

Cut 10 (12)   “in america”

The bill is one of two pieces of legislation aimed at improving school safety, the other being an attempt to establish national standards and best practices for responding to school shootings