Governor Edwards has signed legislation to create an office to advocate on behalf of children under the care of the Department of Children and Family Services and the Office of Juvenile Justice. Bill author Baton Rouge Senator Regina Barrow says the Office of State Child Ombudsman will be an independent office serving under the Legislative Auditor’s Office.

Cut 9 (07) “…intended it to be.”

The office is expected to go into effect in the fall.

Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser has been in the land down under for a little over a week to promote international travel to the Bayou State. Nungesser says the mission is to build relationships to get Aussies to see what we have to offer.

Cut 3 (13) “…we have.”

Nungesser will return on Saturday.

New legislation will require all Louisiana high school juniors and seniors to take and pass a financial literacy course. Bill author Tangipahoa Parish Rep. Nicholas Muscarello, says our state ranks dead last for financial literacy he hopes this will get young people educated on financial skills they’ll need as adults…

Cut 7 (10)  “…what that entails.” 

The law goes into effect for the 2024-25 school year.

It’s win or go home for the LSU Tigers as they face elimination at the College World Series after losing to Wake Forest three to two last night. LSU needs to beat Tennessee tonight to keep its season alive. First baseman Tre Morgan says they’ll be ready…

Cut 16 (16) “…together.”
First pitch is at 6 PM.

House Speaker Clay Schexnayder is receiving criticism for his handling of the budget bills approved with just minutes to spare before the legislative session had to adjourn at 6 PM on June 8th. Schexnayder is blaming some fellow Republicans who resisted raising the spending cap. He says a failed vote on a procedural move to consider raising the cap, delayed budget negotiations by three days….
cut 12 (07) “….dissect it”
A Senate committee is holding a hearing this morning that’s discussing the 100-million dollar cut to the Louisiana Department of Health.

Governor Edwards has signed into law a bill that will require all Louisiana high school juniors and seniors take and pass a financial literacy course. The bill was authored by Tangipahoa Parish Rep. Nicholas Muscarello, who says it’s a good step forward for kids, who are Louisiana’s future…:
Cut 6 (09) “…in financial litaracy.”
Louisiana will now become the 22nd state to institute such a financial literacy program for students.

Just under 55,000 SWEPCO customers in Louisiana are still without power after Thursday’s severe weather.
Cut 1 (27) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

The LSU baseball team is a loss away from seeing its season come to an end after losing a hard fought game to Wake Forest three to two last night. The Tigers had a chance to take the lead in the eighth inning, but Tre Morgan was thrown out at the plate and the momentum turned. Coach Jay Johnson…
cut 15 (09) “…go tomorrow’
LSU faces Tennessee tonight at 6 PM in an elimination game.

At this hour, the Senate Health and Welfare Committee is holding a meeting to discuss the 100-million dollar cut in state funding to the Louisiana Department of Health. Before leaving for an economic development trip to Europe, Governor John Bel Edwards threatened to use his line item veto power to restore the funding…
cut 9 (12) do that”

House Speaker Clay Schexnayder has taken criticism for the handling of the budget in the final days of the session. The 100-million dollar budget cut to L-D-H surprised many lawmakers. But Schexnayder rejects the idea legislative leaders kept others in the dark…
cut 11 (11) “…is crazy”

The Governor signs into law a bill requiring all high school kids to take and pass a financial literacy course. More from Kevin Gallagher…:
Cut 2 (31) “….I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

The LSU baseball team is on the brink of elimination from the College World Series after a hard fought three to two loss to Wake Forest last night. The Tigers failed to get a clutch hit in the eighth inning, while the Demon Deacons drove home the go ahead run in the eighth. The Tigers take on Tennessee tonight in an elimination game at 6 PM.

The Senate Health and Welfare Committee meets at this hour to discuss the 100-million dollar budget cut the Louisiana Department of Health suffered as lawmakers raced to approve a budget before the end of the legislative session. AARP Director of Advocacy Andrew Muhl is concerned what this might mean for a program that provides in home health care for seniors…
cut 8 (13) “….they’re waiting”

It’s win or go home for the LSU Tigers as they face elimination at the College World Series after losing to Wake Forest three to two last night. LSU needs to beat Tennessee tonight to keep its season alive. First baseman Tre Morgan says they’ll be ready…
cut 16 (12) “…together”
First pitch is at 6 PM.

SWEPCO says just under 55-thousand of its customers in Louisiana are still without power as a result of last week’s severe weather. Most of those power outages are in Caddo Parish. About 11-thousand customers are still without power in Bossier Parish. Bossier City spokesperson Louis Johnson says there were many trying to find a hotel room this past weekend, but that was not easy….
cut 6 (08) “…..and availability”

And we are watching Tropical Storm Bret in the central Atlantic. It has a chance to strengthen into a hurricane on Thursday as it approaches the Lesser Antilles. Assistant Director of the Office of the Preparedness in Natchitoches Parish Mary Jones says last week’s storms and hurricane season serve as a reminder to be prepared…
cut 14 (11) “….prepared for”
Southeast Louisiana is under a flash flood watch until 7 PM.

A tough loss for the LSU Tigers last night in the College World Series as Wake Forest rallied back from a two to nothing deficit to beat the Bayou Bengals three to two. LSU failed to score with a runner at third base and no outs in the eighth inning, while the Demon Deacons pushed a run across in the bottom of the eighth and held on for the one run win. Tigers Coach Jay Johnson…:

CUT 15(09)      “…go tomorrow”

LSU plays Tennessee again tonight at 6.

Crews are working tirelessly to restore power to about 50-thousand homes and businesses in northwest Louisiana; days after a severe thunderstorm system – with a tornado – tore through the area. The big problem, of course, is the HEAT. Bossier City spokesman Louis Johnson says cooling stations are set up for those with health issues…:

CUT 05(08)      “…the day.”

Some areas in Shreveport & Bossier may not get power back on for another three or more days.

The Louisiana Senate Health and Welfare Committee will meet today to discuss the $100 million cut to the Department of Health in the final hours of the legislative session. Teiko Foxx has the story…:

CUT 02(31)      “…Foxx.”

Governor John Bel Edwards has signed into law a bill that will require high schoolers to take and pass a one-unit financial literacy course in order to graduate and qualify for TOPS college grants. The course will teach stuff like why interest rates are important, the importance of good credit, avoiding predatory lending and more. It takes effect for the 2024-25 school year.

House Speaker Clay Schexnayder fires back at critics of his leadership in the recent session, and the handling of the state budget. More from Brooke Thorington…:

CUT 03(30)      “…Thorington.”

LSU slipped into the loser’s bracket in the College World Series in Omaha last night; losing 3-2 to Wake Forest. The Tigers must now play Tennessee again, in an elimination game tonight at 6. The Tigers must win their next three games in order to claim the championship for a 7^th time.

A force of about 3,000 workers are hard at work in northwestern Louisiana; restoring power for the over 50-thousand SWEPCO customers who’ve been without since last Thursday. It could be as late as the weekend before power is restored in the Shreveport area. Bossier City spokesman Louis Johnson says the storm was unprecedented, with straight-line winds of up to 90 miles per hour…:”

CUT 04(09)      “…one time.”

Johnson says they are hopeful the majority of residents will have power back on by Thursday.

About half of Natchitoches Parish lost power after straight-line winds and thunderstorms moved through the area Thursday.  Natchitoches Parish Office of Emergency Preparedness assistant director Mary Jones says only a handful of customers remain in the dark. She says the good news the power outages have not affected the water systems…:

CUT 13(10)      “…have power.”

A good reminder to get prepared for whatever hurricane season may throw our way.

Over 50,000 SWEPCO customers in Louisiana are still without power after Thursday’s severe weather. Brooke Thorington has more…:

CUT 01(27)      “…Thorington”

The LSU baseball team lost 3-2 to Wake Forest in their second College World Series game last night. The Tigers will now play in an elimination game – facing Tennessee again – tonight at 6. The Tigers will need to win three straight games in order to win the championship.

House Speaker Clay Schexnayder fires back at critics of his handling of last-minute state budget negotiations in the recent legislative session. The Ascension Parish representative has drawn fire for pushing through a budget bill in the closing minutes; one that lacked desired funding for teacher pay raises, the Department of Health and more. Schexnayder says he stands by what came out of the session…:

CUT 10(10)      “…projects in it.”

Schexnayder calls his naysayers at the Capitol “a small group of blockers, instead of helpers.”

Senate Committee on Health and Welfare will meet today to discuss what impact a $100-million reduction in funding will have on the Louisiana Department of Health. The reduction occurred as the House and Senate dickered in the final hours of the legislative session. Governor John Bel Edwards says revenue was available, so many lawmakers were blindsided by the cut…:

CUT 07(13)      “…of Health.”

Tropical Storm Bret has formed in the Atlantic. State Climatologist Barry Keim says it is a bit too early to tell if Louisiana will be in the system’s path…:

Cut 10 (12)  “…this thing.”

Behind Bret is another system with a 40-percent chance of developing into a cyclone in the next 48 hours.

There are still more than 60-thousand customers in northwestern Louisiana waiting for the power to come back on, after a severe storm, WITH a confirmed EF-1 tornado that tore through the area Thursday night. Foster Campbell is the Public Service Commissioner for the region. He says crews are working as hard as they can in this heat to restore power…:

Cut 5 (13)  “…North Louisiana”

LSU is leading the College World Series Jell-O shot challenge in Omaha with 21,435 shots slurped down.  And it’s not just for the $5 Jell-O shots that fans are visiting Rocco’s Pizza for, Manager Pat McEvoy says having your photo taken with the board is also a rite of passage.

Cut 7 (06)  “…the board.” 

You can follow along on Twitter and CWS Jell-O Shot Challenge. And on the diamond, LSU plays Wake Forest tonight.

A native of Marksville has been crowned as Miss Louisiana 2023. Makenzie Scroggs was selected from a pool of 27 women and the Northwestern State student earns a ten-thousand-dollar scholarship.  Scroggs says she’s excited to wear the crown…

Cut  14 (12)  “…to open”

Efforts continue in northwest Louisiana to restore power to over 100-thousand homes and businesses; hit hard by a severe storm and an imbedded EF-12 tornado tore through last Thursday. Caddo Parish Public Service Commissioner Foster Campbell says crews are clearing downed trees and the destruction is shocking…:

CUT 04  (13)        “…get out.”

Some Shreveport customers may not have power back on until Saturday.

Here we go! Tropical Storm Bret has now formed out in the mid-Atlantic; still days from any possible Gulf Coast impact. State Climatologist Barry Keim says there are definite signs it could become a hurricane within a few days…:

CUT 09  (09)        “…continue to blossom”

It will be another several days before we know if Bret threatens the Gulf Coast.

An Ascension Parish man is in jail in New Jersey; accused of traveling there for a sexual rendezvous with an underage girl. Police say 34-year-old Spencer Caudle, of Prairieville, went there in late May to meet the 14-year-old girl, then traveled there again last Friday, where he was arrested on numerous charges. It’s unknown if Caudle has had bail set, or has secured legal representation.

Congratulation to your new Miss Louisiana for 2023, Markville’s Makenzie Scroggs. She says she hopes to become the first Miss Louisiana to be crowned Miss America. Makenzie says if there is a key to her success it is confidence…:

CUT 13  (13)        “…mental health.”

Scroggs says she is thrilled to represent Louisiana for the next year. Is addition to the title and the crown, she also gets a $10-thiousand scholarship.

Crews are still working as quickly as possible in this heat to restore power to tens of thousands of homes and businesses in northwestern Louisiana, after a confirmed EF-1 tornado within a strong storm system hit transmission and distributions stations last Thursday. Here’s Caddo Parish Public Service Commissioner Foster Campbell…:

CUT 03  (12)        “…it’s unbelievable.”

Over 100-thousand customers still are without power; most of them in Caddo and Bossier.

Speaking of storms, Tropical Depression 3 has formed in the Atlantic, with conditions favorable for it to become Tropical Storm Bret by this evening. State Climatologist Barry Keim says Number Three is but one a several tropical waves that are developing…:

CUT 11  (13)        “…season progresses.”

He says it’s still too early to predict if the system threatens Louisiana.

State Police are investigating an officer-involved fatal shooting Sunday morning in Pineville. The yet-unnamed man was shot by Alexandria cops. He died as a result. No police were injured. LSP investigates all officer-involved shootings.

It likely comes as no surprise that LSU is leading the College World Series Jell-O Shot Challenge in Omaha. Brooke Thorington has more…:

CUT 02(32)      “…Thorington.”