New fees for drivers of all-electric and hybrid vehicles are set to go into effect. David Grubb has more on what the state will do with this additional revenue…:

CUT 02(33)      “…David Grubb.”

Another bill passed in the closing hours of the session will allow students to substitute computer coding for a foreign language when applying for TOPS academic grants. The bill’s author says computer coding is more valuable to potential employers than knowing a foreign language.

State Education Superintendent Cade Brumley says the 2022 legislative session that ended yesterday was a good one for education, especially for teachers who are getting a 15-hundred dollar pay raise. Brumley says lawmakers also approved a bill requiring every student in high school to take geometry…:

CUT 05(11)      “…is geometry.”

Louisiana is receiving 176-million dollars to bring reliable internet service to rural areas. The governor’s office says it’s enough money to connect 88-thousand homes and businesses.  Louisiana Broadband and Connectivity director Veneeth Iyengar (Vuh-neeth Eye-IN-gar) says this money is coming from American Rescue Plan that was approved by Congress, and more money will be coming via infrastructure bill passed late last year…:

CUT 14(10)      “…affordable internet.”

A federal judge issues a June 20th deadline for lawmakers to submit a new Congressional Redistricting map, Governor Edwards says he’ll call for a special session. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Brooke Thorington”

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Edwards has also decided to allow a bill that will bar transgender athletes from competing in girls’ and women’s sports to become law without his signature. Edwards vetoed similar legislation last year but said it became obvious to him the bill would become law regardless of his actions.

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Another bill to pass the legislative session was HB 1031, which adds an annual fee of $110 for all-electric vehicles and a $60 fee for hybrid owners to help offset the losses from gas tax collections. Transportation Secretary Sean Wilson says the feedback that he’s gotten from drivers and the auto industry has been positive so far and that the fee system will continue to develop just as the technology and the marketplace for electric and hybrid vehicles does.

Cut 10 (12) ” …tweaked over time.”

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Louisiana is receiving 176-million dollars to bring reliable internet service to rural areas. Executive Director of Louisiana Broadband and Connectivity Veneeth Iyengar (Vuh-neeth Eye-IN-gar) says the money will go to the state’s new GUMBO program, a grant program for internet providers who want to bring broadband service to rural areas…

Cut 13 (12) “…internet service providers.”

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Governor Edwards is expected to call for a special session after a federal judge rejected the Congressional Redistricting Map the Legislature approved in February. Research Director with the Public Affairs Research Council Melinda Deslatte (Duh-Lot) says Monday’s judgment has Republicans who approved the map seeking alternatives.

Cut 7 (12) “…new map.” 

Louisiana is receiving 176-million dollars to bring reliable internet service to rural areas. The governor’s office says it’s enough money to connect 88-thousand homes and businesses with high-speed internet. Executive Director of Louisiana Broadband and Connectivity Veneeth Iyengar (Vuh-neeth Eye-IN-gar) says Louisiana is one of only four states to receive this money from the U-S Department of Treasury

Cut 12 (09) “…the most”  

One of the bills to pass the legislative session was the passage of HB 1031, which adds an annual fee of $110 for all-electric vehicles and a $60 fee for hybrid owners to help offset the losses from gas tax collections. Transportation Secretary Sean Wilson says the legislation is about making sure everyone who uses the roads helps maintain them.

Cut 9 (12) “…average driver pays.”

LSU Health New Orleans School of Nursing is ranked 10^th in the nation that’s according to the Nursing Schools Almanac. Demetrius Porche, Dean of the School of Nursing at LSU Health New Orleans credits the success of their students and the wide range of programs they offer for the ranking.

AM Cut 7 (12) “…of excellence.”

Governor Edwards is expecting to call for a special session after a federal judge rejected the Congressional Redistricting Map the legislature passed before the regular session. Research Director with the Public Affairs Research Council Melinda Deslatte (Duh-Lot) says the judge issued a June 20^th deadline for the new map that must have two majority-minority districts.

Cut 6  (06) “…different map.” 

State Education Superintendent Cade Brumley says the 2022 legislative session that ended yesterday was a good one for education. He says lawmakers approved legislation to address the teacher shortage by allowing any resident who has a Master’s Degree in a particular content to teach at a local school in that area of expertise…

Cut 4  (08) “…other professions.”

Teachers also received a 15-hundred dollar pay raise.

Dr. Catherine O’Neal, chief medical officer at Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center in Baton Rouge, is the new chief medical adviser for the Southeastern Conference. She will be working to develop conference-wide standards of health. O’Neal says she hopes her efforts will have value beyond the field of play.

Cut  11 (12)  “…the college athlete.” 

LSU’s baseball season ended Monday with an 8-7 loss to Southern Miss in the final of the Hattiesburg Regional. After two nail-biting rallies in a row, Friday and Saturday the Tigers failed to advance in the regional. Here’s Tigers coach Jay Johnson…

Cut 16 (11)  “…lot to say.”

The LSU baseball season came to an end last night as the Tigers lost to Southern Miss eight to seven in the Hattiesburg Regional Championship game. Jay Johnson’s first season at LSU ends with a 40-22 record.

The 2022 legislative session also ended yesterday, but Governor John Bel Edwards says legislators will be back very soon. Brooke Thorington has more
Cut 1 (39) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Because of unprecedented surplus money, state lawmakers were able to dole out teacher pay raises, higher education received one of the largest investments in its history, early childhood funding was also a big winner, and a lot of money was spent on roads and bridges. House GOP delegation chairman Blake Miguez says that’s great, but he also wishes the Legislature could have done more to reduce the tax burden on residents…
cut 15 (14) “…that money”

LSU Health New Orleans School of Nursing is ranked as the 10th best nursing school by Nursing Schools Almanac. Demetrius Porche, Dean of the School of Nursing at LSU Health New Orleans credits the success of their students and the wide range of programs they offer for the ranking.
Cut 7 (12) “…of excellence.”
Among public nursing schools, the LSU Health New Orleans School of Nursing ranked 5th in the country.

Republican lawmakers are generally satisfied with what was accomplished in the Regular Legislative Session that wrapped up yesterday. House GOP Delegation chairman and Erath Representative Blake Miguez says the session was unusual in that billions of dollars in one-time federal money – from the pandemic and three hurricanes – were available…
Cut 13 (11) “…in the infrastructure.”
But lawmakers could return to the state capitol very soon as a federal judge in Baton Rouge has ruled the Legislature must re-draw a Congressional District map because it does not contain two majority-minority districts…
cut 6 (10) “….the district’
That’s Governor Edwards who says the judge has set a June 20th deadline for a new Congressional District map.

The LSU Health New Orleans School of Nursing Ranks as the tenth best nursing school in the country according to Nursing Schools Almanac. LSU Health New Orleans School of Nursing Dean Demetrius Porche gives credit to their qualified instructors who are making a difference in this high-demand profession…
cut 8(11) “….the discipline”
The same report ranks LSU Health New Orleans School of Nursing fifth-best in the country among public nursing schools.

The chief medical officer at Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center in Baton Rouge, Doctor Catherine O’ Neal is taking on the added task of chief medical adviser for the Southeastern Conference. The SEC says O’Neal is tasked with ensuring the physical and mental health, and holistic wellness of its student-athletes. O’Neal believes this comprehensive approach to health will provide a lasting impact.
Cut 12 (06) “…the whole person.”
Dr. O’Neal has practiced medicine for nearly 20 years, specializing in infectious disease research and treatment, and has been on the faculty at LSU medical school in New Orleans since 2009 and chief medical officer at the Lake since 2020

The 2022 regular legislative session came to a conclusion yesterday as state lawmakers completed a three-month-long law-making period by passing a budget that will dole teacher pay raises and spends hundreds of millions of dollars on infrastructure projects.

The head of the state House GOP delegation gives lawmakers overall high marks for their work. More from Kevin Gallagher….:
Cut 3 (31) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

And Edwards announced last night he’s letting the Fairness in Women’s Sports Act become law without his signature.

LSU Health New Orleans Nursing School is ranked as the tenth best by Nursing Schools Almanac. Schools were assessed on an institution’s academic prestige and perceived value. The breadth and depth of nursing programs offered and Students’ success on the National Council Licensure Examination of Registered Nurses…
cut 9 (07) “….97-percent”
That’s LSU Health New Orleans School of Nursing Dean Demetrius Porche.

Dr. Catherine O’Neal, chief medical officer at Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center in Baton Rouge, is the new chief medical adviser for the Southeastern Conference…
Cut 10 (12) “…conference standards.”
Dr. O’Neal says she will conduct educational sessions for coaches, and medical staff, and meet regularly with team doctors and trainers.

The 2022 regular legislative session ended Monday with 15-hundred dollar pay raises for teachers, historic investments in higher education, hundreds of millions of dollars for infrastructure improvements like a new Mississippi River Bridge in Baton Rouge, and coastal restoration projects. Governor John Bel Edwards says this was a great session for Louisiana…
cut 4 (09) “..world of difference”
And Edwards announced he will not veto the Fairness in Women’s Sports Act, instead, he’ll let the legislation become law without his signature. Erath Representative Blake Miguez, head of the House Republican Delegation, says this will help keep athletic competitions even….
cut 14 (11) “….extra support”
But legislators could return to the state capitol soon. A federal judge in Baton Rouge has ruled that legislators have to redraw a Congressional district map because it does not have two majority-minority districts. The ruling will be appealed.

LSU was on the wrong end of late-inning magic yesterday as its season ended with an 8-7 loss to Southern Miss in the championship game of the Hattiesburg Regional. Most Outstanding Player of the Regional Christopher Sargent scored the winning run in the ninth inning on a sacrifice fly as the Golden Eagles advanced to their first super regional.

The Southeastern Conference came calling to Baton Rouge during its search for a new chief medical adviser. David Grubb has more…
Cut 2 (36) “…I’m David Grubb.”

Republican members of the state House are generally satisfied with what was accomplished in the Regular Legislative Session that wrapped up Monday. House GOP Delegation chairman and Acadiana Representative Blake Miguez says the session was unusual in that there were billions of dollars in one-time federal money – from the pandemic and three hurricanes – that flowed into the state…:

AM Cut 13 (11) “…in the infrastructure.”

Robert E. Lee Day and Confederate Memorial Day will no longer be on the state’s calendar of official holidays after HB 248, received final legislative approval. Alexandria Senator Jay Luneau says we can remember the negative parts of history without celebrating them.

PM Cut 6 (09) “…our nation’s history.”
If Roe v Wade is overturned as expected this summer, Louisiana along with other states with trigger laws would automatically stop abortions. Senate Bill 342 only strengthens the current trigger laws and does not provide an exception for rape and incest. Governor Edwards, a pro-life Democrat would like to see an exception in the case of rape or incest and says he’s not alone.

PM Cut 5  (07) “…as well.”

The governor is expected to sign the legislation.

A bill to create the Office of Women’s Health in Louisiana is on its way to the Governor’s Desk. The bill passed unanimously but not without debate over Bossier City Representative Raymond Crews’ amendment excluding transgender women from receiving services from the office.

PM Cut 10 (11) ” …codified.” 

Confederate Memorial Day and Robert E. Lee Day will no longer be state holidays. A bill taking them off state books is headed for Governor Edwards’ desk and it’s highly unlikely he’d veto such an act. The bill started with New Orleans House member Matthew Willard. It passed in the House and, on the Senate floor, New Orleans Senator Joe Bouie said it’s a big step in dealing with a past that still haunts many minority Louisianans. Bouie says holidays are about unity and these two don’t meet that standard…:

CUT 08  (12)        “…of our citizens.”

State Police in Jeff Davis Parish say a 73-year-old man was struck and killed by a hit & run driver while riding his bike today along state highway 1126 near Jennings. Trooper Derek Senegal identifies the victim as Jerry Hughes, who died at the scene this morning…:

CUT 13  (10)        “…really unfortunate.”

The search is on for the white SUV and it’s driver.

A bill to forbid abortion in Louisiana SHOULD Roe versus Wade be overturned by the U.S. Supreme Court is awaiting the Governor’s signature…or veto. Mr. Edwards says the bill has no exceptions for rape or incest and that’s still a problem for him…:

CUT 04  (16)        “…should force that.”

Senate Bill 342 strengthens Louisiana’s existing “trigger law” that will take effect ONLY if the High Court tosses Roe out.

A Marksville cop is under arrest for alleged malfeasance in office and abuse of his power as a cop. State Police say 45-year-old Dana Adams is accused of sexually assaulting a woman while on duty. LSP’s investigation is ongoing.