An effort to move Louisiana to a centralized sales tax system is dead for the session. Lafayette Representative Josh Carlson brought his legislation up for discussion in the House Ways and Means Committee and made the argument that it is difficult for small business owners in particular, to deal with multiple tax collectors…

Cut 4 (10) “…efficiently.”

The House Civil Law Committee advances a bill that would require both people in an in-person conversation to know if they are being recorded. Metairie Representative Laurie Schlegel says there’s been a growing trend in which influencers wearing smart glasses approach women and record them without their knowledge, and those clips end up getting posted onto social media.

Cut 13 (11)  “…broadcast to millions.”

A Gretna representative’s bill seeking to make it easier to cancel unwanted subscriptions advances to the full House. Vincent Cox says he’s heard from many frustrated constituents on this issue, including some who just give up and end up paying the monthly subscription fee for something they don’t use.

Cut 10 (11) “…out of it.”

Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser opposes an effort to name a new I-10 Mississippi River bridge in the Baton Rouge area after President Trump. Nungesser says he has a problem with naming a public structure after a living person.

Cut 6 (12) “…in Baton Rouge.”

Nungesser spoke with Jim Engster on “Talk Louisiana” on WRKF in Baton Rouge.

Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser opposes an effort to name a new I-10 Mississippi River bridge in the Baton Rouge area after President Donald Trump. The bill working its way through the legislature was authored by Michael Echols. Nungesser believes it’s a way for him to get attention for his congressional campaign.

Cut 8 (10) “…be doing.”

A Gretna representative’s bill seeking to make it easier to cancel unwanted subscriptions advances to the full House. Vincent Cox’s “click to cancel” bill passed unanimously in the House Commerce Committee this morning. Cox says it’s often an unnecessarily tedious process to cancel subscriptions.

Cut 9 (10)  “…click to cancel.”

Cox says some people get so frustrated that they give up and just pay for the subscription.

Coming soon to LSU Alexandria – three-year bachelor’s degree programs. Liz Beard, the vice chancellor of academic affairs at LSU-A, says these new programs, which will initially be offered in two fields, still combine a comprehensive general education curriculum with a specialized curriculum like most other degree programs.

Cut 3 (11) “…or three years.”

Will Wade’s four-year exile from LSU is over, as he was re-introduced as the school’s men’s basketball coach. Wade was fired in 2022 for committing NCAA recruiting violations. He rebuilt his career by winning two Southland Conference Championships at McNeese and just took North Carolina State to the NCAA Tournament. Wade says he’s not looking back; he’s looking forward to winning a lot of games at LSU.

Cut 13 (10) “…(cheering)”

A bill aiming to make it easier to cancel unwanted subscriptions advances to the full House. During discussion in the House Commerce Committee, it was brought up that there could be issues with state-to-state reciprocity. Peter Robins-Brown, the executive director of Louisiana Progress, said he knows that can be tricky, but he hopes this bill can be one step towards more broad legislation.

Cut 11 (12) “…framework on this.”

Four years after telling him not to let the door hit him on the way out, LSU welcomes Will Wade back as men’s basketball coach with open arms. At a press conference at the P-MAC complete with pyrotechnics, Wade said he returned because of familiarity and his love for the state and LSU.

Cut 14 (09) “…every night.”

LSU-Alexandria will soon offer three-year bachelor’s degree programs. Joe Gallinaro reports.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Joe Gallinaro.”

Another earthquake rocks the region. The latest one happened last night in the Gulf of Mexico about 175 miles south-southeast of New Orleans. The U.S. Geological Survey says it registered a magnitude 3.9. It comes on the heels of several earthquakes in northeast Louisiana this month, including a magnitude 4.9 near Edgefield.

Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser disagrees with a plan to name a new Mississippi River bridge South of Baton Rouge area after President Donald Trump. Michael Echols, author of the House-approved bill awaiting debate in the Senate, says if Louisiana passes a law to name the bridge after the president, it raises the chances that the federal government will fully fund the bridge. Nungesser told Jim Engster on “Talk Louisiana” on WRKF that he does not like the idea…

Cut 7 (07) “…not in favor of it.”

Another bill in committee would rename a section of a Louisiana Highway after a former president. Louisiana Highway 15 between South Second Street and U.S. Highway 165 in Monroe would become “President Barack Obama Highway” if Representative Pat Moore’s bill passes. HB 966 is scheduled for debate in the Transportation Committee today.

Will Wade is back and intends to quickly transform the LSU men’s basketball program into a winner. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

A Gretna representative wants to make it easier to cancel unwanted subscriptions Vincent Cox filed the “click to cancel” bill. He says he’s heard from many frustrated constituents on this issue, including some who just give up and pay the monthly fee for something they don’t use.

Cut 10 (11) “…out of it.”

The bill was unanimously approved this morning by the House Commerce Committee.

Former LSU Men’s Basketball Coach Will Wade is formally announced as the new head coach of LSU Men’s basketball. Wade had fans cheering and laughing at today’s press conference.

Cut 12 (12) “…make history.”

He said “We’re going to get this program back to the NCAA Tournament, back to the top of SEC in short order”

A Gretna representative’s bill seeking to make it easier to cancel unwanted subscriptions advances to the full House. Vincent Cox’s “click to cancel” bill passed unanimously in the House Commerce Committee this morning. Cox says it’s often an unnecessarily tedious process to cancel subscriptions.

Cut 9 (10)  “…click to cancel.”

A three-year accelerated bachelor’s degree program requiring 90 hours to complete is coming to LSU-Alexandria. The Board of Regents approved the specialized AccB degree programs for specialized workforce-focused degrees. Liz Beard, the vice chancellor of academic affairs at LSU-A, says these new programs, which will initially be offered in two fields, still combine a comprehensive general education curriculum with a specialized curriculum. She says the first two are in information technology and bioinformatics.

Cut 5 (13) “…well with that.”

If you dread waiting in line at the Office of Motor Vehicles, there’s welcome news. It appears online scheduling is helping. Today, the Office of Motor Vehicles booked its two millionth online appointment since they updated their scheduling platform in 2024. OMV Commissioner, Keith E. Neal, says booking an appointment eliminates wait times and allows customers choose times best for them. Customers can still walk-in but those with appointments will be assisted at their reserved time.

The Board of Regents approved the state’s first accelerated bachelor’s degree programs for specialized workforce-focused degrees. The AccB will require only 90 hours to complete rather than the 120 required for a traditional Bachelor of Arts or Science degree and will be offered at LSU-Alexandria. Liz Beard, the vice chancellor of academic affairs at LSU-A, says these accelerated degree programs are in high-demand fields.

Cut 4 (08) “…pharmaceuticals, biotech.”

Oysters, Shrimp, finfish, and crab from an oil spill area are showing clear says the Department of Health. These are the results of the initial testing done after Basin 12 was closed to oyster harvesting on March 14^th following an oil sheen was reported and a transfer hose rupture was discovered at the Louisiana Offshore Oil Platform. Samples were collected and tested to ensure there was no indication of petroleum contamination. These are preliminary findings and LDH will continue to assess sample results as they are received from the testing lab.

Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser opposes an effort to name a new I-10 Mississippi River bridge in the Baton Rouge area after President Donald Trump. Nungesser says he has a problem with naming a public structure after a living official…

Cut 6 (12) “…in Baton Rouge.”

Nungesser made this comment during an interview with Jim Engster on “Talk Louisiana” on WRKF in Baton Rouge.

Following LSU’s season-ending loss to Duke in the Sweet 16, Hall of Fame coach Kim Mulkey addressed a report that she is retiring. A social media post during the game reported that this was Mulkey’s last game. Mulkey shot the rumor

Cut 16 (16) “…on social media.”

Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser opposes an effort to name a new I-10 Mississippi River bridge in the Baton Rouge area after President Donald Trump. Nungesser says he has a problem with naming a public structure after a living official…

Cut 6 (12) “…in Baton Rouge”

Nungesser made those comments during an interview with Jim Engster on “Talk Louisiana” which can be heard on WRKF in Baton Rouge.

Monroe Representative Michael Echols is the author of that legislation, which has already received approval from the House and it is awaiting debate in the Senate.

Echols also has a bill to that seeks to raise teacher pay to the regional average. Echols says the state would need to come up with somewhere between 200-million and 600-million dollars to accomplish this…

Cut 11 (08) “…that regional average.”

LSU-Alexandria will soon be offering three-year bachelor’s degree programs. Joe Gallinaro reports.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Joe Gallinaro.”

Coming up next hour, Will Wade will be re-introduced as the Tigers new men’s basketball coach. Wade returns to LSU after he was fired in March of 2022 for NCAA recruiting violations. But what was a violation back then, is now legal. Shortly after it was announced that Wade is coming back, the school received more than 600 requests for season tickets.

A state representative has a plan to boost teacher pay to the regional average. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Sad news to report…Rosa Smith, the wife of Naismith Hall of Fame high school basketball coach, Charles Smith, has passed away. The couple was married for more than 50 years and she was there for all of Coach Smith’s 11 state championships at Peabody High School.

Starting next fall, LSU-Alexandria will begin offering three-year accelerated bachelor’s degree in information technology and bioinformatics…

Cut 3 (10) “…three years”

Liz Beard, vice chancellor of academic affairs at LSU-A, says they picked these two majors because there’s a demand for workers in these two fields.

A huge come-from-behind win for the LSU baseball team yesterday at Alex Box Stadium. The Tigers got down seven to nothing in the third inning, but rallied to win 17-10.  Mandeville’s Seth Dardar hit a three-run home run in the sixth to give LSU the lead. Dardar flipped his bat way in the air and was fired up as he circled the bases…

Cut 14 (10) “…world to me”

LSU is now 4-and-5 in SEC play.

At the state capitol, the House Ways and Means Committee is debating a proposed constitutional amendment that would move Louisiana to a centralized sales tax collection system. Local governments are concerned such a change will result in fewer tax collections for parishes and cities. But Manish Batt, vice president of the state tax policy at the Tax Foundation, says because Louisiana’s sales tax system is one of the most complex in the country, state and local governments could be missing out on tax revenue…

Cut 6 (06) “…committee”

A state lawmaker wants to increase teacher pay and has a bill to do so. There’s also constitutional amendment three, which would result in a permanent pay raise by paying down teacher retirement debt. Monroe Representative Michael Echols…

Cut 12 (09) “…in teachers pay”

A new study from LSU’s Pennington Biomedical Research Center finds that Assumption Parish residents who didn’t graduate from high school are more than twice as likely to have blood pressure and high cholesterol. Doctor Stephanie Broyles with Pennington Biomedical says the big takeaway is that health is closely tied with one’s education level. Broyles says they will also release data out of Franklin Parish as well…

Cut 9 (07) “….in the U.S.”

Broyles these studies are to explore why people who live in rural areas suffer disproportionately from heart and lung disease, stroke, diabetes and obesity.

The LSU baseball team nearly gave Tiger fans a heart attack yesterday as Coach Jay Johnson’s fell behind seven to nothing in the third inning, only to come back and win 17 to 10 over Kentucky…

Cut 15 (14) “…made it happen”

Jon Pearson hit a grand slam and Seth Dardar’s three-run blast gave the Tigers the lead for good.

Monroe State Representative Michael Elchols is looking to increase teacher pay in Louisiana gradually until it reaches the regional average.  Echols says the state would need to come up with somewhere between 200-to 600-million dollars to make that happen and that would mean finding cost-cutting opportunities within the public sector, including the elimination of job positions.

Cut 11 (08) “…that regional average.”

Today the House Ways and Means Committee will discuss a proposed constitutional amendment that would allow the state to implement a centralized system for collecting local sales and use taxes. The Police Jury Association of Louisiana has concerns it would lead to lower sales tax revenue. Manish Batt (Bot), Vice President of State Tax Policy at the Tax Foundation, says a centralized sales tax system would still be best method for everyone

Cut 5 (09) “…the system.”

—————-
The LSU women’s basketball team’s season ended earlier than most had expected, but Kim Mulkey says her coaching career is not over. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 3 (34) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Big day for the LSU men’s basketball program as the introductory press conference for Will Wade is set for noon today at the P-Mac. The event is open to the public.  Doors are set to open at eleven this morning  and LSU fans are asked to enter the Maravich Center up the concourse ramps on the South side of the building.