A bill is moving closer to final legislative passage that would ensure that all TOPS students receive at least part of their scholarship, in the event the legislature cannot fully fund the program. Halen Doughty has more…

CUT 1 (30)  “I’m Halen Doughty”

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The price of oil hit 50-dollars a barrel for the first time since October. Emelie Gunn on what this means for the industry….

CUT 2 (31)  “I’m Emelie Gunn”

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The bill to ensure that all TOPS students get at least part of their scholarship award moves closer to final legislative passage. The legislation would go into effect if the legislature is not able to fully fund the popular scholarship program. Currently, 51-thousand students receive TOPS. Hammond Representative Chris Broadwater says without this bill 13-thousand students could lose their scholarships because of funding issues, which would be bad for the state’s economy…

CUT 3 (05)  “do it”

Broadwater says this bill is needed to make sure that all TOPS students have the opportunity to go to college. He says this could keep more Louisiana students in the state.

CUT 4 (09)  “at home”

Under current law, if TOPS is underfunded, students with the lowest GPA and ACT scores would be dropped from the program. Broadwater says a better route is if lawmakers decreased the amount of each award, instead of taking the entire award away from some students.

CUT 5 (12)  “this year”

The measure passed the House and now heads back to the Senate so changes made to the bill can be approved.

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Earlier this morning the price of oil rose above 50 dollars a barrel for the first time since October.  Executive Director at LSU’s Center for Energy Studies David Dismukes says this marks an important milestone and it might put an end to the job losses in this industry.

CUT 6 (10) “woods yet”

Crude oil was below 30 dollars a barrel earlier this year. Dismukes says the real challenge is to see if the increase is sustainable. He says the biggest catalyst for the uptick has been the recent fires in Canada.

CUT 7 (10) “to that”

Even with this increase, crude oil is still down 66-percent from the record high in July of 2008 where oil closed at $145 a barrel. Dismukes says with the higher prices, there’s less pressure for oil companies to make production caps or cuts. He says with oil trading at 50-dollars a barrel, it’ll be interesting to see if there will be an uptick in production…

CUT 8 (10) “the operators”

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A Senate-approved bill that would allow patients to see physical therapists without a doctor’s referral also has the support of the House as it nears final passage. West Monroe Representative Frank Hoffman opposes the legislation. He says patients should see a doctor before seeing physical therapists, because doctors have more medial training.

CUT 9 (08) “doctor’s training”

Under the current law, patients must get a diagnosis from a doctor before seeing a PT. Hoffman says if physical therapists missed something in a patient’s diagnosis, they could seriously hurt that person, even paralyze them.

cut 10 (05)  “real problem”

Ville Platte Representative Harvey LeBas is the House sponsor of the bill. He says Louisiana is one of only 7 states with this kind of law. He says because of this, PT grads are leaving Louisiana.

Cut 11 (07) “other states”

LeBas says physical therapists have the necessary training to see patients and take care of them.

cut 12 (08) “disease states”

The measure passed in the lower chamber on a 65-33 vote and heads back to the Senate for concurrence on House language.

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A report from the American Association of Zoos and Aquariums finds that the Baton Rouge Zoo is not at fault for the deaths of  two giraffes who died in March. Zoo director Phil Frost says he requested an audit by the association because the giraffe deaths that occurred during a severe thunderstorm were very unusual.

Cut 13 (10)  “do that”

Frost says he’s proud the report shows zoo staff were professional and kept a cool head even with the circumstances. He says the Baton Rouge Zoo wanted to be professional and open during this situation because the public has a connection with these animals.

cut 14 (10)  “that too”

18 animals have died in the last year at the Baton Rouge Zoo. Frost says they’re working on getting more giraffes to the zoo but it could take a while because it’s not an easy process…

cut 15 (10) “the year”

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Over 38 million Americans are expected to be traveling over the Memorial Day weekend. Emelie Gunn has more…

CUT 1 (27) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

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Louisiana is one of several states suing the Obama administration over the new transgender bathroom policy in public schools. Halen Doughty has more…

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Halen Doughty”

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 An LSU AgCenter scientist creates a nanosalt to reduce the sodium content in food. Jeff Palermo has more…

Cut 3 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

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Triple-A expects over 38 million Americans will travel over the Memorial Day weekend, the highest number of travelers since 2005. Spokesperson Don Redman says it’s due to low gas prices, which are currently around $2.10 a gallon for regular gasoline. He says these are the lowest gas prices we’ve seen in 11 years.

cut 4  (09)  “done before”

Redman says from January until now, Americans have saved about 18 billion dollars that would usually go into their gas tanks. He warns drivers to be careful because a lot of travelers will be on the road this holiday weekend.

Cut 5  (10)  “rush hours”

Redman also says over 2 million Americans will travel by plane this Memorial Day. He says the average price of a ticket for the top 40 domestic flight routes is 26 percent cheaper this holiday.

Cut 6 (09)  “those prices”

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The nonprofit group Rebuild Louisiana is raising money that will go towards getting public support for Governor John Bel Edwards’ legislative agenda. It’s expected the governor will call a special session next month to address a 600-million dollar budget shortfall. Chairman of Rebuild Louisiana, Mary Olive Pierson says the group is raising money because there are plenty of what she calls “hard heads” in the legislature.

CUT 7 (09)  “really want” 

Several republican lawmakers have said a second special session should take place later in the year, after taxes were raised in the first special session. Pierson says Rebuild Louisiana is raising money through social media, direct mail, and every available outlet so they can spread their message through all popular mediums. She says one of their biggest concerns is the state budget. But she says they’re pushing for several issues.

Cut 8  (06)  “big ticket items” 

Pierson says they are concerned about some items that have already been defeated, such as equal pay for men and women. She says the fight isn’t over yet, because after this session, there will be another special session, and her organization will continue to push for their concerns.

Cut 9 (10)  “these issues”

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An LSU AgCenter scientist has discovered a new way to reduce the sodium content in food. Marvin Moncada developed nanosalt, which is salt in a powder form that is about one-thousand times smaller than kosher salt. Moncada says nanosalt is a natural alternative to reducing the amount of salt content in foods.

Cut 10 (08) “to cover”

Moncada says The CDC recommends individuals eat 23-hundred milligrams of sodium a day but most people in the US eat double the amount. He says they’re still in the lab stage but expects tests to be conducted with consumers shortly.

cut 11 (08) “the consumer”

Moncada says hopefully we can lower the cases of high blood pressure and cardiovascular diseases by reducing the sodium content in some foods.

cut 12 (08) “maybe fries”

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Louisiana has joined several states seeking to block the Obama administration’s transgender bathroom policy in public schools. The federal government says public schools must allow transgender students to use bathrooms consistent with their gender identity, or risk losing federal funding. Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry says the President does not have the legal authority to require children to share locker rooms and bathrooms with children of the opposite sex….

Cut 13 (06)  “that letter”

The lawsuit was filed in a federal courtroom in Texas. The White House has no comment on the suit. Landry says the federal government continues to direct education policy to the detriment of Louisiana students and he will not allow Washington wreak further havoc on our schools….

cut 14 (07)  “harmful policy”

Landry says if there are any attempts from the federal government to make good on their threats to withhold federal funding, the schools should contact his office so they can take legal action. He says Louisiana has joined 10 other states in an effort to get a judge to declare the directive unlawful…

Cut 15 (09) “federal courts”

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A report out of Tulane University says if cuts needs to be made to TOPS, it would be more beneficial to state if needs based students were protected first. Emelie Gunn has more…

CUT 1 (31) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

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New Orleans lost out to Atlanta, who is building a new stadium, to host Super Bowl 53 in 2019, and some are asking if it’s time for New Orleans to get a new stadium. Jeff Palermo has more…

Cut 2 (29) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

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In light of LSU’s Mike the Tiger’s recent cancer diagnosis, PETA sent a letter to the university calling for them to end the live mascot program, when Mike VI passes away. Halen Doughty has more…

Cut 3 (28) “I’m Halen Doughty”

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A report from the Tulane University Cowen Institute says if the legislature is forced to reduce state funding for TOPS cuts, they hope students most in need of financial assistance are protected first. Policy director Vincent Rossmeier says the program has increasingly awarded scholarships to students who are coming from families, who could otherwise afford college.

cut 4  (08)  “or more”

Rossmeier says TOPS is an excellent vehicle for students who can least afford to go to college to manage the costs. He says if legislators raise the academic requirements for students to achieve a TOPS scholarship, it will leave a lot of college worthy students with no way of paying for college.

Cut 5  (09)  “statewide”

The report also found raising the minimum GPA from 2.5 to 2.7 would reduce the eligibility of 22 percent of students in Louisiana. Rossmeier says TOPS was originally designed to help low-income students afford higher education, so the Cowen Institute favors need-based changes if cuts are made to the program…

Cut 6 (10)  “prosperity”

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The state Department of Children and Family Services says a Baton Rouge mother took the appropriate steps when she left her newborn baby at a fire station, instead of abandoning the child. Assistant Secretary of Child Welfare Program Rhenda Hodnett says the child was placed in the arms of a fireman and then transported to Woman’s Hospital for a checkup. She says the mother will face no charges.

CUT 7 (09)  “a child” 

Hodnett says newborns up to 60 days old can be relinquished in the hands an employee at an emergency care facility. She says hospitals, police stations, and child advocacy centers are examples of locations where a child can be handed over.

Cut 8  (06)  “Safe Haven law” 

Hodnett says the baby must be placed in the hands of an official, the newborn cannot be left on the door step or somewhere in the building. She says at that time, the mother is issued a card with a number to call if she wants to provide additional information.

Cut 9 (09)  “that child”

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After finishing second to Atlanta to host the Super Bowl in 2019, some are wondering if it’s time for a new stadium in order to attract another Super Bowl. This is the second straight time New Orleans has lost to a city that was in the process of building a new stadium. Former-governor Kathleen Blanco, who sits on the LSED board, which oversees the Dome, says Louisiana does not need to build a new stadium to host a Super Bowl.

Cut 10 (07) “that discussion”

Blanco says they are always looking at ways to keep the Mercedes-Benz Superdome up to date. She says football fans will enjoy the new high definition video board that will be in place for the upcoming season. She says keeping the 40-year-old building in top notch condition takes a lot of money.

cut 11 (12 “them updated”

The NFL has now awarded Super Bowls through 2021. Blanco remains optimistic that the Mercedes Benz Superdome will be able to host at least one more Super Bowl.

cut 12 (09) “right now”

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PETA has sent a letter to LSU calling for them to end the live mascot program once Mike VI passes away. Mike VI has been diagnosed with a rare and incurable form of cancer, meaning he might only live another year or two with treatment. Lewis Crary, a captive wildlife specialist with PETA, says wild animals are not meant to live in captivity on a college campus.

Cut 13 (10)  “each year”

Crary says if LSU genuinely cares about tigers, they can donate to big cat sanctuaries or conservation efforts. But he says locking up another tiger is not the way to promote team spirit.

cut 14 (11)  “human entertainment”

LSU issued a statement in response to the letter, saying this is not the time to discuss football or a new mascot. Mike’s attending vet Dr. David Baker says they’re just worried about Mike’s wellbeing.

Cut 15 (04) “treatment plan”

The Pastor Protection Act, which would allow clergy members to refuse to marry a same sex couple, failed to get enough votes to pass the Senate Judiciary Committee. Halen Doughty has more…

CUT 1 (30)  “I’m Halen Doughty”

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Legislation to withhold funding for construction projects in cities that don’t enforce federal immigration laws died in a Senate committee. Emelie Gunn has more…

CUT 2 (27)  “I’m Emelie Gunn”

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On a three-to-two vote a Senate committee voted against The Pastor Protection Act, which would have provided protection for religious organizations if they refuse to perform a same sex marriage. Bossier City Representative Mike Johnson says this bill is NOT as expansive as some of the religious freedom bills passed in other states.

CUT 3 (11)  “its scope”

But New Orleans Senator JP Morrell says pastors and clergy members are already protected under the Religious Freedom Protection Act. He says he doesn’t see a need for this bill.

CUT 4 (10)  “a problem”

But Johnson says religious freedom protection is becoming more and more narrow. He says the Obama Administration even said that each state will have to figure out how to balance protecting people’s rights once gay marriage was legalized.

CUT 5 (08)  “these issues”

This bill won easy approval in the House on an 80-18 vote, but New Orleans Senators Karen Peterson and Morrell fought against this legislation in Senate Judiciary B. It received opposition from LGBT groups and Morrell expressed their concerns during debate in committee today.

CUT 6 (09) “in law” 2x

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A House-approved bill that would punish so-called sanctuary cities by making it difficult for them to borrow money for construction projects was defeated in a Senate committee. The legislation was designed to force New Orleans and Lafayette to follow federal immigration laws. New Orleans Police Superintendent Michael Harrison spoke out against the bill…

CUT 7 (10) “sanctuary city”

Supporters of the legislation said this bill would help keep cities safe from illegal immigrants. Jefferson Parish Sheriff Newell Normand spoke out in opposition about the unintended consequences this measure brings to his community…

CUT 8 (08) “unsafe”

Normand says this Sanctuary City legislation is not needed and makes no sense…

CUT 9 (12) “by business”

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Governor John Bel Edwards and other state and local officials cut the ribbon today on the Curtis Coleman Memorial Bridge over the Red River in Rapides Parish. Rodney Mallet with the Department of Transportation says this new bridge will benefit all drivers in Cenla.

cut 10 (10)  “entire region”

Mallet says this bridge will be good for the region as it continues to grow because it connects Pineville and Alexandria and is also the cut through to I-49. He says a lot of time and money went into building the new US 71 bridge.

Cut 11 (09) “this bridge”

Mallet says all four lanes of the bridge are now open, which he says will benefit people cutting through from one highway to another. He says the old bridge, the OK Allen Bridge, was not up to date on its safety standards.

cut 12 (09) “central Louisiana”

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5th District Representative Ralph Abraham introduces legislation that seeks to combat what he says is an executive overreach on the issue of transgender bathrooms in public schools. President Obama issued a decree that public schools must let transgender students use the bathroom consistent with their gender identity, or risk losing federal funding. Abraham says the President can’t threaten to withhold money that is appropriated by Congress.

Cut 13 (09)  “the president”

Abraham says his bill clarifies the term “sex” to refer to a person’s biological sex, not their gender identity. He says a person’s gender shouldn’t be based on how they feel that day, and he says he’s tired of the President pushing his liberal agenda before he leaves office.

cut 14 (09)  “are concerned”

Abraham says the term “sex” has been widely interpreted to refer to biological sex for 40 years, and his bill reduces the ambiguity suddenly surrounding the word. He says he expects a positive response to the bill.

cut 15 (09) “to it”

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NAACP members in Tangipahoa Parish are calling for school Superintendent Mark Kolwe to resign after a black honor student was not allowed to walk in the graduation ceremony at Amite High School. Halen Doughty has more…

CUT 1 (29) “I’m Halen Doughty”

______________________________________

New Orleans sports officials present their pitch to the NFL owners in Charlotte today to host the 2019 Super Bowl. Emelie Gunn has more…

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

______________________________________

Governor John Bel Edwards has a full day of events in Alexandria today. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 3 (28) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

______________________________________________

Members of the Tangipahoa Parish Chapter of the NAACP are calling for the resignation of school Superintendent Mark Kolwe. This is because 4.0 African American student and athlete Andrew Jones was not allowed to walk at his graduation ceremony at Amite High School because of his facial hair. Tangipahoa NAACP President Patricia Morris says this has more to do with Jones’ race than his goatee.

cut 4  (08)  “about it”

Morris says this race war in the school district goes beyond just not letting a student walk at graduation. She also believes Jones was targeted because he was also the school’s valedictorian.

Cut 5  (10)  “the advantage”

Morris says Jones was told to shave his beard for the first time just before the ceremony, and when he refused, the school tried to take his awards.

Cut 6 (11)  “his cap”

Superintendent Kolwe has issued a statement saying it’s regrettable that any student, particularly an honor student, should not get to participate in the graduation ceremony. However, the statement says, Jones made that decision himself by failing to comply with the rules applicable to all other students and gave him multiple opportunities to shave before the ceremony started.   ___________________________________________________

New Orleans sports officials make their pitch to the NFL owners today to host the 2019 Super Bowl in the Louisiana Superdome. Atlanta, Miami, and Tampa are the other cities competing against the Big Easy. CBS Sports.com NFL Insider Jason La Canfora says the age of the Superdome hurts New Orleans’ bid….

CUT 7 (10)  “those teams” 

But La Canfora says New Orleans still has a fighting chance. He says even with the Superdome blackout in the 2013 Super Bowl, the city received outstanding reviews about the great atmosphere leading up to the game.

Cut 8  (09)  “destination spot” 

La Canfora says the fact that Saints owner Tom Benson is 88-years-old and this could be his last shot to host the Super Bowl in New Orleans also resonates with some of the NFL owners. He says the vote will be close….

Cut 9 (09)  “settle it”

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Legislation to require retail pet stores in the state to keep records and post breeders names along with licensing information now heads to the House floor for final legislative passage. Author of the bill, Metairie Sen. Danny Martiny, says this specifies where these animals come from and two other requirements.

Cut 10 (10) “is located”

State Director of the Human Society of the United States Julia Breaux says currently, if you purchase a dog or a cat from a pets store, you have no way of knowing where the animal originated from. She says the Department of Health and Hospitals is in support of the bill.

cut 11 (05) “pet stores”

Breaux says there are some exceptions in the legislation.

cut 12 (05) “pet stores”

_______________________________________________

The bill that increases the minimum age for strippers to 21-years-old heads to Governor John Bel Edwards’ desk to be signed into law after the Senate gave final approval. Lake Charles Sen. Ronnie Johns, says he’s authored the bill as a way to combat human trafficking and he’s been working with the Department of Children and Family Services on this issue…

Cut 13 (09)  “human trafficking”

This is the same legislation that received the joke amendment by Jackson Rep. Kenny Havard to cap the age of strippers to 28-years-old and weigh no more than 160 pounds. But there were no comments about that amendment when the Senate gave final approval. During the controversy, Johns has been focused on creating a more pro-active approach to human trafficking.

cut 14 (07)  “out there”

Havard has not apologized for proposing his controversial amendment. During work on the House floor on Monday, Havard took some ribbing from Lafayette Rep. Nancy Landry on one of his resolutions on overweight truck movement on state highways.

Cut 15 (07) “today”

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LSU freshman left-hander Jake Latz will start on the mound tonight for the Tigers when they take on Tennessee in the SEC Tournament. Latz has only appeared three games this season as he recovered from elbow surgery. But Coach Paul Mainieri says Latz pitched well on Saturday and hopes his arm troubles are behind him…

Cut 16  (05)  “this season”

Mainieri also had the option to use seven-game winner Alex Lange, who last pitched three innings on Thursday, because the game was halted because of severe weather. Mainieri says Lange will pitch Wednesday night against Florida, if the Tigers win tonight…

Cut 17 (08)  “rush him back” 

LSU enters the SEC Tournament with 11 victories in their last 12 games and they’ve put themselves in a position to possibly be a Top 8 National seed and host up until the College World Series. Mainieri says his team is worthy of Top 8 national seed consideration….

Cut 18 (10) “NCAA Tournament”

___________________________________________________________

Louisiana Tech will look to beat Rice for a fourth consecutive time when the two teams meet in the Conference USA Tournament on Wednesday morning in Hattiesburg. Bulldogs Coach Greg Goff doesn’t think what happened last week will have a bearing on what happens this week…

Cut 19 (15) “this tournament”

Louisiana Tech is seeking its first NCAA Tournament berth since 1987. The Bulldogs have won 10 of their last 12, since losing a tough heart breaking extra inning game to Texas San Antonio. Shortstop Chandler Hall says the team learned a tough lesson from that loss…

Cut 20 (14) “at today”

Many of Democratic Governor John Bel Edwards priorities in this legislative session never gained traction with a republican dominated legislature. Jeff Palermo has the story….

CUT 1 (30)  “I’m Jeff Palermo”

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Mike the Tiger, the beloved mascot of the LSU Fighting Tigers, has been diagnosed with a rare, life threatening form of cancer. Halen Doughty has more…

CUT 2 (28)  “I’m Halen Doughty”

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Governor John Bel Edwards legislative agenda for this regular session has NOT done well. A proposal to increase the state’s minimum wage has been bottled up in the Senate, an effort to require women and men receive equal pay for equal work was killed by a House committee.  Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says republicans in the legislature have no problem voting against these issues…

CUT 3 (10)  “crazy about”

The governor’s attempts to limit charter schools or vouchers has also fallen on deaf ears by a legislative body that has a republican majority. Pinsonat says Louisiana is a red state and there’s not much support for a higher minimum wage or fewer charter schools…

CUT 4 (06)  “with their base”

Pinsonat says Edwards’ inability to get a majority of his legislative agenda accomplished in the regular session, could hurt his efforts during an anticipated special session next month that would seek to raise revenue to address a 600-million dollar budget shortfall…

CUT 5 (08)  “by the legislature”

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LSU’s mascot, Mike the Tiger, has been diagnosed with a rare form of cancer, spindle cell sarcoma. Mike’s attending vet, Dr. David Baker, says they’ve discovered a tumor in the right side of Mike’s skull. Baker says because of the proximity to normal tissues in Mike’s head, the tumor is inoperable, and the condition is incurable. He says Mike will undergo radiation treatment, but there could be complications with the anesthesia.

CUT 6 (12) “episodes”

Mike will receive an innovative stereotactic radiotherapy treatment at the Mary Bird Perkins cancer treatment facility in Baton Rouge. Baker says this kind of treatment has never been done on a tiger before. He says the center will absorb much of the costs for the radiation treatment.

CUT 7 (10) “will be”

Doctors say the treatment should be able to prolong Mike’s life for another year or two. Baker says the logistics of transporting the tiger to the facility will be more time-consuming than the treatment itself. He says Mike doesn’t appear to be in any pain.

CUT 8 (09) “of greeting”

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The House Transportation Committee gave the green light today to a Senate approved measure that would make it the law for oncoming traffic to stop for a school bus on a two-lane road with a continuous turn left turn lane. Metairie Senator Danny Martiny says the rule would apply on roadways with that lane in the middle where you could either turn left or right…:

CUT 9 (09) “has to stop”

The measure passed without objection and now heads to the House floor. New Iberia Representative Terry Landry says this bill is needed because many motorists get confused about the law…:

cut 10 (09)  “those lanes”

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The victim in a Baton Rouge fatal shooting early this morning has been identified as 34-year-old Broderick Brooks, who was a school board member in East Feliciana Parish. Brooks had been a member of the school board for about five and a half years. Fellow school board member Beth Dawson says the news of Brooks’ death came as a shock to everyone.

Cut 11 (04) “many ways”

Brooks was reportedly found dead in the driver’s seat of his vehicle in north Baton Rouge with multiple gunshot wounds around 3:30 this morning. There are no known motives or suspects, and investigation is ongoing. Dawson says Brooks was very active in the school board and in the community.

cut 12 (06) “own church”

Brooks also worked as the community outreach director for RKM, a health clinic in Clinton, for seven years, and he previously served as editor of the Baker Observer, a newspaper that closed in 2009. Dawson says she’s known Brooks since he was in middle school. She says he has always been there when someone needed him.

Cut 13 (02)  “very much so”

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Lawmakers have just two weeks to go in the regular session, and they’re still dealing with budget problems. Jeff Palermo has more…

CUT 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

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New Orleans officials are in Charlotte for the NFL owners meetings, ready to make their presentation tomorrow to host the Super Bowl in 2019. Emelie Gunn has more…

Cut 2 (31) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

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A state legislator is launching an online campaign to raise awareness about gender inequality and sexism in Louisiana, using the hashtag #ItsNoJoke. Halen Doughty has more…

Cut 3 (30) “I’m Halen Doughty”

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Just two weeks are left in the regular session, and the budget is still the biggest issue for lawmakers. Jeremy Alford with LaPolitics.com says legislators are trying to fund priorities like TOPS and safety net hospitals with a $600 million budget shortfall.

cut 4  (08)  “gonna be”

Alford says legislators are working on funding all of the public-private hospitals that care for the poor, and parents of TOPS students are also paying close attention to the debate over the funding for the scholarship program.

Cut 5  (06)  “doing that”

Alford says there are a lot of moving pieces to the budget problem, including an entirely separate budget bill requested for the Attorney General’s Office. Alford says lawmakers may not be able to address everything during this session.

Cut 6 (11)  “there about”

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New Orleans is seeking to host the Super Bowl in 2019 and those who will present a bid to the NFL owners on Tuesday are already in Charlotte putting the finishing touches on their presentation. New Orleans competition to host the 2019 Super Bowl is Atlanta, Miami and Tampa Bay. President and CEO of the Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation Jay Cicero says they go in as the underdogs.

CUT 7 (10)  “Super Bowl” 

The NFL will also award Super Bowl bids for 2020 and 2021 but New Orleans can’t host those years because the College Football National Championship has already been awarded to the Crescent City in 2020 and Mardi Gras falls during the Super Bowl weekend in 2021.  Cicero says while New Orleans doesn’t have a new stadium it’s still a great Super Bowl destination…

Cut 8  (10)  “Superdome” 

Cicero says the NFL can get everything they want by giving New Orleans the bid for 2019 and the newer stadiums the chance to host in the following years. He says they’ve worked hard with the Saints to improve their proposal after losing the 2018 bid to Minneapolis.

Cut 9 (07)  “maybe thinking”

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Health experts will share information about the Zika Virus with the public during a 5:30 PM meeting at LSU Health New Orleans Human Development Center. A panel of experts will discuss where the virus is, where it’s expected to go, and other important information. Dr. Robert Maupin with LSU Health New Orleans says the CDC has released a report showing the number of Zika cases in the US, but local transmission has yet to occur in the states.

Cut 10 (11) “mainland US”

Health leaders want people who live in the southeastern states to be as prepared as possible for a potential Zika outbreak. Maupin says the biggest risk for contracting the disease right now is still in countries where it is prevalent, such as South America and the Caribbean. He says once travelers return home they can spread the disease, and at the meeting they will address how to avoid spreading the virus.

cut 11 (10) “current evidence”

Maupin says most people with Zika do not show symptoms at all, but those that do will see symptoms similar to the flu. At tonight’s meeting, the panel will inform the public about testing recommendations and how to recognize Zika symptoms. He says pregnant women, in particular, need to take precautions to prevent getting the disease because it can lead to serious birth defects.

cut 12 (09) “birth defects”

Faculty experts at LSU Health New Orleans and state health secretary Dr. Rebekah Gee will be on the panel at the meeting, and they will provide essential information about the virus and share types of preparation that are underway at the state level.

_______________________________________________

Between one representative’s not-so-funny joke about strippers and the legislature shooting down a proposal to get equal pay for men and women, it hasn’t been a good week for women in Louisiana. One state lawmaker hopes to change that with a new campaign for women’s rights called “It’s No Joke.” New Orleans Representative Helena Moreno says she started this campaign to combat gender inequality.

Cut 13 (12)  “significant changes”

Moreno says she wants to work towards ending sexism and inequality. She says this online petition, using the hashtag #ItsNoJoke, is raising awareness about women’s issues. She hopes that once legislators hear from constituents about this, it could bring about real change.

cut 14 (11)  “for women”

Moreno says there are many feminist groups in the state, and she wants to bring them all together so real progress can be made towards equality. She says the campaign is not just for women. Supporters of women’s rights can also get involved.

Cut 15 (08) “and supporters”

More information about the #ItsNoJoke campaign is available at morenocampaign.com.

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The LSU Baseball team leaves for Hoover, Alabama today where they’ll play tomorrow night in the SEC Tournament against Tennessee. The Tigers nearly swept top ranked Florida over the weekend as they took two of three from the Gators. But it wasn’t enough to get a first round bye in the SEC Tourney. Coach Paul Mainieri is not disappointed…

Cut 16  (13)  “ashamed of”

It’s the first time LSU will have to play in the opening round of the SEC Tournament since it expanded in 2012. LSU has won the sEC Tournament five times under Mainieri and admits it will be more difficult this year, because they have to play on Tuesday….

Cut 17 (13)  “to do so” 

If the Tigers lose on Tuesday they are eliminated and then wait to see if they’ll host an NCAA regional.  If they win, then it’s a double elimination tournament until the semifinals on Saturday. Shortstop Kramer Robertson says they’ll try to stay in Hoover as long as they can…

Cut 18 (13) “win a championship”

he White House has announced that a new rule goes into effect December 1 that requires employers to pay workers who make less than $47-thousand a year over time if they work more than 40 hours a week. Jeff Palermo has more…

CUT 1 (31)  “I’m Jeff Palermo”

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Governor John Bel Edwards has signed two pro-life bills into law. Emelie Gunn has more…

CUT 2 (31)  “I’m Emelie Gunn”

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A new rule from the White House goes into effect on December 1 that would require employers to pay their workers overtime if they work more than 40 hours a week and make less than about $47-thousand a year. This would affect about 35% of salaried workers. LSU Economist Stephen Barnes says this will impact business owners more than anyone.

CUT 3 (10)  “fairly painful”

Critics says this is too drastic of a change for employers. Barnes says employees will be affected in a variety of ways depending on their pay scale and their work load.

CUT 4 (12)  “work done”

The new threshold will be updated every 3 years, and the Labor Department estimates this could result in an additional $12 billion in pay for workers over the next 10 years. Barnes says some workers may feel more pressure to get more work done in a 40 hour period. But he says for the most part, workers should enjoy this.

CUT 5 (09)  “about that”

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Authorities say someone crashed a stolen 18-wheeler in Caddo parish early this morning. Caddo Parish Sheriff Spokesperson Cindy Chadwick says they got a call around 6am from someone saying an 18-wheeler had overturned on I-49 North at Louisiana Highway Two.

CUT 6 (06) “its side”

Chadwick says the 18-wheeler was stolen from a truck stop in Texarkana, Arkansas, just before the crash, and the theft is still under investigation. She says the driver who stole the 18-wheeler has not been located.

CUT 7 (06) “as well”

Chadwick says she doesn’t understand why someone would steal an 18-wheeler because it would not be very low key.

CUT 8 (12) “no idea”

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Governor John Bel Edwards’ daughter Samantha is getting married tomorrow to Jonathan Ricau. The wedding ceremony will be in Amite at St. Helena Catholic Church and the reception will follow a few hours later at the Governor’s Mansion. Edwards says the planning is going well and Samantha is excited.

CUT 9 (07) “the aisle”

Samantha and Jonathan met in 2012 and both graduated from Southeastern Louisiana University. She is the oldest daughter of the governor and First Lady Donna. Edwards says it’s a miracle he gets to walk Samantha down the aisle.

cut 10 (09)  “might be”

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Governor John Bel Edwards has signed two pro-life bills into law, one measure increases the wait time for a woman to receive an abortion to 72 hours and the second requires doctors performing abortions to be board certified. Louisiana Right to Life Legislative Director Deanna Wallace says the legislation increasing wait time gives women more of a chance to reach out before being forced to have an abortion if they don’t want to have one.

Cut 11 (10) “unborn children”

Wallace says the bill  to require an abortionist to be board certified or under the direct supervision of a board certified physician is common sense legislation to protect the health and safety of women. She says currently all doctors that perform abortions in Louisiana are board certified, this just codifies that standard of care.

cut 12 (08) “that way”

Wallace says this truly is a victory for women in the state. She says she’s thankful Governor John Bel Edwards signed these two bills into law.

Cut 13 (06)  “against women”

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As we approach a big travel weekend, motorists can expect to see prices at the pump up more than 6 cents from the prior week. Senior Petroleum Analyst Gregg Laskoski from GasBuddy.com says they’ve got the current statewide average for a gallon of regular at about $2.06…:

cut 14 (07)  “Memorial Day weekend”

Laskoski says prices haven’t been this low since 2008. He says even though we’re seeing these increases, prices in Louisiana are still down almost 40 cents from this time last year…:

cut 15 (08) “this summer”

With many kids already out on summer vacations, Emelie Gunn spoke with a doctor on some tips to keep your children safe while in the water….

CUT 1 (30) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

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A bill that would allow universities to lower their out-of-state tuition to bring in more students from other states is nearing final passage. Jeff Palermo has more…

Cut 2 (31) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

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Jackson Representative Kenny Havard says he won’t apologize for his joke that strippers should be young and skinny. Halen Doughty has more…

Cut 3 (27) “I’m Halen Doughty”

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With summer vacation already underway for most schools, here’s a doctor that provides some tips to make sure your kids stay safe this break. Baton Rouge General family practitioner Dr. Kristen Ducote warns parents that drowning is the third leading cause of unintentional fatalities in kids 14 and under. She says it’s important to invest in swimming lessons for your children.

cut 4  (07)  “the water”

Ducote says kids should always wear a life jacket when out on the boat, jet skiing or even fishing. She says if you’re at the beach make sure your children are swimming with a buddy, never alone.

Cut 5  (07)  “and under”

Ducote says it’s important to always keep an eye out on your kids even if they’re swimming in shallow water. She also warns parents with Memorial Day coming up, stay sober when your children are around the water.

Cut 6 (08)  “been avoided”

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A bill is nearing final legislative passage that would allow universities to lower their out of state tuition in an effort to attract more students from neighboring states. There was concern about lowering tuition in light of the budget deficit. But Ruston Representative Robert Shadoin says bringing in more students could help curb those losses.

CUT 7 (08)  “we’re experiencing” 

Vice President for External Affairs for the University of Louisiana system Rachel Kincaid this would also help universities bring in more international students. She says it’s a good way for the state to bring in more money.

Cut 8  (08)  “resident students” 

The measure has passed the House and it cleared the Senate Education committee earlier this week. Metairie Senator Conrad Appel sits on that panel and says out of state students would not take precedence over in state students.

Cut 9 (06)  “Louisiana students”

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The American Sugar Cane League says the 2016 Louisiana sugar cane crop is showing great potential and could possibly surpass last year’s 1.4 million tons of raw sugar. Senior Agronomist Herman Waguespack says we had a mild winter and hopes hurricane season will be quite so it doesn’t disrupt the crops.

Cut 10 (08) “somewhat”

Waguespack says farmers worried their rutted fields from the massive rainfall last winter would cause root damage to the crops. He says Louisiana is now one of only three states that produce sugar, including Florida and Texas, Hawaii has closed its last sugar mill. He says the Bayou State is the second biggest producer of sugar cane in the country.

cut 11 (05) “in production”

Last year, 380-thousand acres of Louisiana sugar cane was harvested producing an economic impact of 2 billion dollars. Waguespack still remains hopeful for a similar season even after the recent downpours this spring put farmers behind in field work.

cut 12 (06) “we have”

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Jackson Representative Kenny Havard is not sorry for his amendment intended as a joke that said strippers in Louisiana must be young and less than 160 pounds. The amendment which was attached to a bill that raises the age of exotic dancers to 21 has received national attention. Havard spoke with reporters after adjournment and says he regrets if he offended anyone, but….

Cut 13 (07)  “politically incorrect”

Havard’s remarks have been called sexist, disrespectful and disgusting. He defended his joke by saying that it didn’t mention female strippers specifically.

cut 14 (08)  “160 pounds”

House speaker Taylor Barras of New Iberia spoke on the House floor about the incident. He says it seems ridiculous that he has to ask elected state officials to be respectful.

Cut 15 (12) “to determine”

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Attorney General Jeff Landry is telling public schools they do not have to comply with President Obama’s transgender bathroom mandate. Emelie Gunn has more…

CUT 1 (29)  “I’m Emelie Gunn”

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More lawmakers and even the governor are still talking about the stripper age/weight requirement “joke” amendment. Michelle Southern reports…:

CUT 2 (30)  “I’m Michelle Southern”

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Attorney General Jeff Landry believes President Obama’s mandate to allow transgender individuals to use the restroom of their gender identity is unlawful. Landry says the President’s threat of defunding schools that don’t comply jeopardizes student safety and creates a public education crisis.

CUT 3 (10)  “o.1%”

Landry says the president doesn’t have the authority to force students to share restrooms with members of the opposite sex. He says his message to public schools is they do not have to follow through with the mandate.

CUT 4 (08)  “immediately”

Landry says he’ll defend the schools, if the federal government rakes action against them for failing to follow this order. He says we’re supposed to be ruled by the majority, not the minority.

CUT 5 (10)  “complete overreach”

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Governor John Bel Edwards has signed a bill into law that allows patients with a wider variety of medical conditions to receive medical marijuana once it becomes available in Louisiana. Edwards says this is an issue that should stay between doctors and their patients.

CUT 6 (11) “medicinal marijuana”

Sheriffs and district attorneys opposed the legislation over concerns about “creep”. But Edwards says this is not a gateway to the legalization of recreational marijuana. He also says he does not want this bill to be an ever expanding list of diseases for which medical cannabis can be prescribed.

CUT 7 (08) “out there”

People diagnosed with things like cancer, AIDS, and seizure disorders will soon be able to get medical marijuana in Louisiana. The legislation also attempts to speed up the process of getting medical cannabis in the hands of patients. The state is still seeking a grower for the drug. Edwards says signing this bill is one of this easiest decisions he’s made during this session, but also one of the most important.

CUT 8 (10) “of Louisiana”

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More lawmakers and even the governor are still talking about the stripper age/weight requirement “joke” amendment that ended up hitting the House Floor Wednesday. The change was added to a human trafficking bill stating strippers should be no younger than 21, but Jackson Representative Kenny Havard ending up withdrawing. New Orleans Sen. Karen Peterson says Havard should apologize:

CUT 9 (12) “consequences”

The story is making national headlines and sparking outrage from people across the country. Peterson says this is embarrassing and Havard should realize how many people he’s hurt and offended…:

cut 10 (09)  “I made a mistake”

The amendment suggested strippers should be young and skinny.  Governor Edwards said he knows this was intended as a joke, but it was in bad taste…:

Cut 11 (06) “unfortunate incident”

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A Senate-approved bill seeking equal pay for men and women who perform the same job failed to make it out of the House Labor Committee. Shreveport Representative Alan Seabaugh voted against it because he says there is already a law on the books that prevents pay discrimination based on gender.

cut 12 (04) “this bill”

But Baton Rouge Representative Ted James says there is still a gender pay gap. He says no one would say that women are less capable of performing these jobs, so there’s only one other reason for the wage gap.

Cut 13 (07)  “against women”

Louisiana has the biggest pay gap in the nation. New Orleans Representative Helena Moreno says this wage discrimination is hurting women in Louisiana.

cut 14 (09)  “and women”

Vermillion Parish Representative Blake Miguez voted against the legislation. He says it interferes with how companies conduct their business.

cut 15 (08) “his employment”

Governor John Bel Edwards supports this proposal, and it is a significant defeat for his legislative agenda. The measure failed on a 10-5 vote.

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