The special session begins today, giving lawmakers two weeks to solve the 648 million dollar budget shortfall that’s hamstrung the legislative season. Don Molino has more.

Cut 1 (31) “Im Don Molino“

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Congressman Clay Higgins’ school safety bill clears the House and heads to the Senate. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 2 (30) I’m Matt Doyle”

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A survey by the Louisiana Federation of Teachers shows a clear majority would support a statewide strike for better pay. Michael Farrar has more.

Cut 3 (30) “I’m Michael Farrar”

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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. A special session in February failed, and legislative attempts to craft a budget with 648 million in cuts were vetoed, but Governor Edwards says this will be different.

Cut 4  (12) “do better” 

The budget gap, known as the “fiscal cliff” is the result of sales taxes that are set to expire July 1^st.

Democrats and many Republicans agree that at least some of the expiring revenue will need to be replaced, and reports say a consensus may be growing around renewing half of the one penny sales tax that falls off in July. Edwards says it’s a compromise he may have to settle for.

Cut 5  (08)  “nothing else”

And GOP Chairman Lance Harris indicated that if Republicans do agree to renew any of the expiring taxes, it would most likely be some of that expiring penny.

Cut 6 (06) “are filed”

Harris believes Republicans will not push a final budget that resembles a spending plan similar to the one that passed the House that eliminated public-private partnership hospitals and Medicaid programs that pay for nursing homes for the elderly. He says Department of Health funding is not at risk, and chided the governor for sending eviction notice letters to patients whose housing was put at risk.

Cut 7 (09)  “cover that”

Many Democrats, specifically the black caucus, began the legislative season firmly stating that they would not support attempts to keep a portion of the expiring penny sales tax, because it unfairly targets the working class. But Baton Rouge Representative Ted James indicated that the caucus may be open keeping some of that penny if it means fully funding healthcare and higher ed.

Cut 8 (08)  “are funded”

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”

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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. Higgins says before a comprehensive plan can be created to address school safety, more information is needed.

Cut 11 (08) “across the country”

Higgins says he’s optimistic that the bill will make it to the president’s desk.

Cut 12 (10) “support”

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Overnight facilities at two Louisiana State Parks are reopening after they were damaged by the 2016 floods. Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser announced that portions of the Lake Fausse Pointe State Park near St. Martinville opened Monday and newly renovated cabins at Chemin-A-Haut State Park near Bastrop will open Friday

Cut 13 (12)  “have flooded” 

Along with park restorations, Nungesser says his office is focusing on partnerships to improve the parks and bring back lost revenue from the floods.

The U-S is once again reeling from another mass causality fatal shooting at a school. There were several bills in the regular session seeking to place restrictions on gun ownership, but none of them passed. New Orleans Senator Troy Carter says for any gun control legislation to gain traction, one organization in particular will have to get behind it….

cut 15 (11) “…lives”

Thibodaux native and former Baton Rouge resident Cynthia Tisdale was one of 10 people killed in the Friday Houston area school shooting.

Breaux Bridge Representative Mike Huval’s distracted driving bill found a surprising amount of success, but ultimately failed to cross the finish line. The bill would bar drivers from touching their phone while on the road. Huval says legislators just haven’t warmed up to the idea in the upper chamber.

Cut 10 (07) “you’re driving”

A Louisiana legend has passed away. LSU says Billy Cannon died peacefully Sunday at his St. Francisville home. Cannon led LSU to a national title in 1958 and won the school’s only Heisman Trophy in 1959. When LSU won the national title in 1958, they were picked to finish 8th in the 12 team SEC. But Cannon was so confident they would win the league, he bought a bunch of tickets for his family and friends before the season started…

Cut 5  (09) “be there”

Cannon had a fall from grace in the 1980s,  when he was convicted on counterfeiting charges and served two and a half years in prison. He says he came through the rough period a better person…

Cut 4 (11) “front page”

After his release from prison, Cannon became the Director of Dentistry at the State Penitentiary at Angola. He held that job until his retirement in January.

Louisiana educators are considering a statewide walk-out according to the Louisiana Federation of Teachers. Fifty three percent of educators said low teacher salaries was their top concern in a survey released by the group today. The survey of just over 3 thousand, 8 hundred federation members was not scientific, however, within the survey 61 percent support a statewide strike.
LSU mourns the death of its only Heisman Trophy winner, Billy Cannon, who passed away on Sunday at the age of 80. Jeff Palermo has the story…
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Breaux Bridge Representative Mike Huval’s distracted driving bill found a surprising amount of success, but ultimately failed to cross the finish line. The bill would bar drivers from touching their phone while on the road. Huval says the surprising momentum the legislation gained indicates a growing interest in safer roads.

Cut 9 (09) “far also.”
Huval said he intends to reintroduce the bill next year.

The National Hurricane Center is watching a tropical disturbance that’s expected to move into the Gulf of Mexico this week. Forecasters only give the system a 20-percent chance of developing into a depression over the next five days. Danielle Manning in the National Weather Service office in Slidell says it’s still hard to figure out the track with this low pressure.
Cut 12 (11) “wet weekend”

Breaux Bridge Representative Mike Huval’s distracted driving bill found a surprising amount of success, but ultimately failed to cross the finish line. The bill would bar drivers from touching their phone while on the road. Huval says the surprising momentum the legislation gained indicates a growing interest in safer roads.

Cut 9 (09) “far also.”

The latest school shooting, this time at Santa Fe High School, has reignited the conversation around gun regulations. In response to the Parkland massacre, several bills were introduced in Louisiana that targeted firearms, but all were struck down. New Orleans Senator Troy Carter, who introduced several gun bills this year, says he hopes the legislature will come around on gun control.

Cut 13 (09)  “saving lives” 

He says despite a lack of support in the capital this year, he’ll be reintroducing the legislation next year.

LSU mourns the death of its only Heisman Trophy winner, Billy Cannon, who passed away on Sunday at the age of 80. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

And the Saints are the only bidder for the 2024 Super Bowl, and Gayle Benson will be in Atlanta Wednesday to make the pitch that could land the Big Easy it’s 11^th big game.

And now, here’s commodities.

New Orleans is the only city that has been invited to bid for the 2024 Super Bowl, potentially setting the stage for the Big Easy’s 11^th time hosting the big game. Saints Owner Gayle Benson will pitch NFL executives on hosting Super Bowl 58 on Wednesday. Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation President Jay Cicero says unlike past years, there’s no competing bids.

Cut 6 (09)  “city invite”

New Orleans’s last Super Bowl was in 2013, where the power went out and the Ravens won.

The latest school shooting, this time at Santa Fe High School, has reignited the conversation around gun regulations. New Orleans Senator Troy Carter introduced three gun control that failed to passed, and says despite a lack of support in the capital this year, he’ll be reintroducing them next year.

Cut 14 (10) “gun measures”

Summertime means more door to door sales, and that means more predatory home security sales practices. Don Molino has more.

Cut 2 (30) I’m Don Molino”

Iberia Bank, the largest financial company based in Louisiana, is shuttering 22 branch locations this year in the state, and 296 locations across the Southeast. Iberia recently acquired Gibraltar Bank and Trust for 223 million dollars, leading to further closures and the laying off of 124 Gibraltar employees.

The founder of the Cajun Navy 2016, Jon Bridgers of Walker, has been arrested on contractor fraud accusations. His lawyer Philip House says Bridgers insists it’s a contractual dispute wrought with miscommunication with a homeowner, who is rebuilding following the August flood of 2016…

Cut 5  (08) “refused it”

Bridgers was invited to Washington D.C. for President Donald Trump’s first State of the Union Address.

The on-line restaurant delivery service Waitr, which is based in Lake Charles, has been sold to a Texas Billionaire, in a deal worth 308 million dollars. Waitr was founded in 2015 and has grown to 30 metro areas from Texas to South Carolina. Chris Meaux the company’s founder will continue as chairman of the board of directors.

Cut 9 (08) “our business.”

Latest job numbers show that more Louisiana residents are employed than ever before. According to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics. Director of the Louisiana Workforce Commission, Ava Dejoie, says the leisure and hospitality industry, along with technology and construction helped New Orleans gain 29-hundred jobs in the past month. Houma’s job numbers remained steady over the last month, but she says there’s been a 500-percent job gain in that market over the year…

Cut 14 (11)  “energy sector”

The state’s unemployment rate fell nearly one-percent from April of 2017 to April 2018.

The Cincinnati Enquirer reports Joe Burrow, a graduate transfer quarterback from Ohio State, has chosen to continue his college career at LSU. Burrow will be eligible to play this season and he’ll have two years of eligibility left. That gives LSU four players who will compete to be the starting quarterback in the fall, unless one of them decides to transfer out.

The founder of the Cajun Navy 2016, Jon Bridgers of Walker, has been arrested on contractor fraud accusations. Bridgers was booked on one count of residential contractor fraud and released on a 10-thousand dollar bond. According to the arrest report, Bridgers agreed to repair a home in East Baton Rouge Parish in October 2016 for 47-thousand dollars, but never finished the work. His lawyer Philip House:

Cut 4 (11) “the issue”

The regular session is expected to end today with a special session set for Tuesday. Wage related bills, such as equal pay for women, pay secrecy, and a minimum wage hike all failed to pass the legislature. Political Analyst Bernie Pinsonat says proponents will have to wait a few years before having a realistic shot at passing these bills.

cut 8 (11)   “may pass”     

The on-line restaurant delivery service waitr, which is based in Lake Charles, has been sold to a Texas billionaire  Tilman Fertitta in a deal worth 308 million dollars. Jim Shannon has more.

Cut 2 (28)I’m Jim Shannon “

And two St. Martinville High School students are dead, along with another adult after a wreck on LA 96 near Capritto. 18-year-olds Kenneth Eaglin III and Dajanee Oliver as well as 37-year-old Latricia Savoy were named in the police report. Another 16-year-old is in critical condition. None of the students were wearing a seatbelt.

The regular session is expected to end today, with a special session set for next week. Matt Doyle looks at some of the legislative accomplishments of the spring.

Cut 1 (31) “I’m Matt Doyle”

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The on-line restaurant delivery service waitr, which is based in Lake Charles, has been sold to a Texas billionaire  Tilman Fertitta in a deal worth 308 million dollars. Jim Shannon has more.

Cut 2 (28)I’m Jim Shannon “

Cut 3 (10) “other issues”

Bridgers was booked on one count of residential contractor fraud and released on a 10-thousand dollar bond. According to the arrest report, Bridgers agreed to repair a home in East Baton Rouge Parish in October 2016 for 47-thousand dollars, but never finished the work. House says this is a miscommunication, not fraud

Cut 4 (11) “the issue”

Bridgers was invited to Washington D.C. for President Donald Trump’s first State of the Union Address. House says the dispute with the homeowner got out of hand.

Cut 5  (08) “refused it”

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The regular session is expected to end today with a special session set for Tuesday. One notable piece of legislation to pass, is a bill that allows riverboats to expand on land. Political Analyst Bernie Pinsonant says the chances of any further gaming legislation making headway next year, such as sports betting, is slim.

Cut 6 (09)  “the plauge”

The “Hail Mary” of the session, New Orleans Senator JP Morrell’s unanimous juries constitutional amendment, found surprising success and is on its way to the November ballot. The measure would require a unanimous jury verdict in criminal trials. Pinsonat says it’s success will hinge on who shows up to the ballot box in fall.

Cut 7 (08)  “it would fail”

Wage related bills, such as equal pay for women, pay secrecy, and a minimum wage hike all failed to pass the legislature. Pinsonat says proponents will have to wait a few years before having a realistic shot at passing these bills.

cut 8 (11)   “may pass”     

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The on-line restaurant delivery service Waitr, which is based in Lake Charles, has been sold to a Texas Billionaire, Tilman Fertitta, in a deal worth 308 million dollars. Waitr was founded in 2015 and has grown to 30 metro areas from Texas to South Carolina. Chris Meaux the company’s founder will continue as chairman of the board of directors.

Cut 9 (08) “our business.”

Meaux says the added infusion of cash will help the company grow.

Cut 10 (07) “in louisiana”

Last year an investment group lead by Saints QB Drew Brees pumped 10 million into the company. This buy out will, according to Meaux will also make the company prosper.

Cut 11 (11) “accurately”

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Latest job numbers show that more Louisiana residents are employed than ever before. According to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics, just over two-million people were employed last month, an increase of 47-thousand from the previous April.  Executive Director of the Louisiana Workforce Commission, Ava Dejoie, says certain sectors of Louisiana’s economy continue to do well

Cut 12 (05)   “as well”

The state’s unemployment rate fell nearly one-percent from April of 2017 to April 2018. Dejoie says education and health services added  78-hundred jobs for the year, while leisure and hospitality gained 67-hundred jobs..

Cut 13 (08) “economic development”

Dejoie says the leisure and hospitality industry, along with technology and construction helped New Orleans gain 29-hundred jobs in the past month. Houma’s job numbers remained steady over the last month, but she says there’s been a 500-percent job gain in that market over the year…

Cut 14 (11)  “energy sector”

The founder of the Cajun Navy 2016, Jon Bridgers of Walker, has been arrested on contractor fraud accusations. His lawyer Philip House says Bridgers insists it’s a contractual dispute involving rebuilding following the August flood of 2016. House says the dispute with the homeowner got out of hand.

Cut 5  (12) “refused it”

The regular session is expected to end today with a special session set for Tuesday. The “Hail Mary” of the session, New Orleans Senator JP Morrell’s unanimous juries constitutional amendment, found surprising success and is on its way to the November ballot. The measure would require a unanimous jury verdict in criminal trials. Political Analyst Pinsonat says its success will hinge on who shows up to the ballot box in fall.

Cut 7 (08)  “it would fail”

The on-line restaurant delivery service waitr, which is based in Lake Charles, has been sold to a Texas billionaire Tilman Fertitta in a deal worth 308 million dollars. Jim Shannon has more.

Cut 2 (28)I’m Jim Shannon “

Two St. Martinville High students and one parent were killed, and another student is in critical condition in a car crash this morning. The incident occurred on Hwy 96. The highway was shut down for a period and reopened at 10am. The incident is still under investigation and no official press release has been sent out by Louisiana State Police.

If you are traveling east on Interstate 10 this weekend and crossing the Mississippi River in Baton Rouge, be prepared for some roadwork. The Department of Transportation will close the eastbound inside lane at seven o’clock tonight until noon on Sunday. The westbound inside lane will also be closed for about 12 hours starting tonight at 9:30. DOTD spokesperson Rodney Mallett says they are trying to get the word out for the thousands travelers who will use the bridge this weekend.

Cut 6 (08) “lit up”

A new jet airplane  interior modification plant is coming to Chennault International Airport in Lake Charles. Citadel Completions announced the company will make a nearly 180-million dollar investment in a plant that will customize Jet airplanes of any size. Don Pierson is the Secretary of Louisiana Economic Development. The average salary will be around 80 thousand dollars a year. Citadel is already hiring as they plan to employ 250 workers.

Cut 9 (09)  “resume there”

The governor has called for a special session next week to replace expiring sales tax revenues at the heart of the budget struggle. Appropriations Chairman Cameron Henry says Republicans are potentially open to revenue proposals, but they’re back from the voters over the weekend.

Cut 12 (12) “some revenue”

The Louisiana Department of Child and Family Services kicked off a new Foster Parent Recruitment Campaign as part of Foster Care Month, an annual push to increase awareness of the importance of the foster care system. Child Welfare Manager Christy Tate says the campaign is built around a message of teamwork. Tate says foster parents aren’t just crucial to DCFS and the children in the system, but to parents who are trying to get back on their feet and reunite with their family.

Cut 15 (09) “temporarily”

Those interested in volunteering can visit DCFC’s website for more information on foster care opportunities.