Final legislative approval came on Monday for a measure to give a pay raise of $1000 to teachers, $500 to school support workers, and $39 million in block grant funding for school districts. President of the Louisiana Association of Educators Debbie Meaux says while it is a modest amount, teachers are ecstatic that lawmakers recognize the importance of the raise.

Cut 6 (10) “…southern regional average.”

A bill that would direct 700 million dollars in BP oil spill settlement money to road projects gains final passage. The legislation originally only addressed the LA 415 connector near I-10 and a stretch of highway on LA 1 that needed to be elevated, but was amended to a number of other projects. Houma Representative Tanner Magee says that stretch of LA 1 heading into Port Fourchon floods three days a year, costing incredible sums of money…

Cut 11 (08) “…road.”

An expecting mother is dead and her husband is under arrest charged with second-degree murder and first-degree feticide in Natchitoches Parish. Authorities received the call about the woman being unresponsive in a Clarence home and during the investigation, her husband arrived at the scene. Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Captain Tony Moran says he appeared nervous, so he was taken in for questioning.

Cut 12 (07)   “…wife by strangulation.”

25-year-old Christopher O’Neal Houston Jr. of Campti remains in police custody without bond for his role in the death of 22-year-old Elonzeya Teal-Houston, who was five months pregnant. 

President Donald Trump approves the state’s request for federal assistance to help rebuild public property and infrastructure from the EF-3 tornado that hit Ruston in April. Ruston Mayor Ronny Walker says this is huge for a city of their size…

Cut 3 (08) “…75-percent of that back.”

President Donald Trump has signed a federal disaster declaration that will help Ruston, Louisiana Tech, Morehouse and Union Parishes pay for damages done by tornado outbreak on April 25th. Ruston Mayor Ronny Walker says the declaration does not provide assistance for the hundreds of homes that sustained damage in the area, but he hopes that changes…
cut 4 (07) “…sanitary environment”
Walker says over five-hundred structures were damaged in Ruston and about one-hundred of them were totaled.

Public school teachers will see a one-thousand dollar increase in their pay on July 1st as a result of a resolution approved by the state legislature. The raise is the first for Louisiana teachers in ten years, but it does not bring their salary up to the Southern Regional Average. Louisiana Association of Educators President Debbie Meaux believes more money will come in time…
cut 8 (08) “…find that money”

Lawmakers gave final legislative approval today to a bill that redirects 700-million dollars in BP oil settlement money for road improvement projects around the state. Matt Doyle has more…
cut 2 (29) I’m Matt Doyle”

And the state legislature has given final approval to a bill that will create a new crime of harassment of a school or recreation athletic contest official. If someone is found guilty of threatening or injuring an official, he or she could receive up to 90 days in jail, along with mandatory counseling and community service work.

A bill that would direct 700 million dollars in BP oil spill settlement money to road projects gains final passage. Houma Representative Tanner Magee says the money will find it’s way to every corner of the state, and target projects with the greatest economic impacts.

Cut 9 (11) “….New Orleans”

Magee says when federal matching dollars are accounted for, the total investment could top a billion dollars.

Final legislative approval came on Monday for a measure to give a pay raise of $1000 to teachers, $500 to school support workers, and $39 million in block grant funding for school districts. President of the Louisiana Association of Educators Debbie Meaux applauds lawmakers on greenlighting the funding for school districts to help with resources in the classroom.

Cut 7 (10) “…to our children.”

The federal government agrees to pay 75-percent of the rebuilding costs incurred by local governments from the April 25th tornado that killed two people in Ruston. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Final legislative approval came on Monday for a measure to give a pay raise of $1000 to teachers, $500 to school support workers, and $39 million in block grant funding for school districts. President of the Louisiana Association of Educators Debbie Meaux says while it is a modest amount, teachers are ecstatic that law makers recognize the importance of the raise.

Cut 6 (10) “…southern regional average.”

The legislative instrument results in a $140 million increase to annual school spending. Law makers continue to work on the budget to fund the state this week.

President Donald Trump approves the state’s request for federal assistance to help rebuild public property and infrastructure from the EF-3 tornado that hit Ruston in April. Ruston Mayor Ronny Walker says over five-hundred structures were damaged in Ruston and about one-hundred of them were totaled. He says the other issue they are dealing with his fraudulent contractors…

Cut 5 (12) “…or what.”

With three days left in the legislative session, legislation that would give voters a chance to legalize sports betting is still alive. It’s been attached to the fantasy sports regulation bill. The combined measures received approval by the Senate on 24-13 vote on Monday. Spokesperson for Fairness for Fantasy Sports Ryan Berni is concerned about bundling the two…

cut 10 (06) “…of the voters.”

The two combine measures are up for a vote in the House.

The Senate amends a proposal to let medical marijuana patients use cannabis inhalers that results in the measure’s favorable passage.  New Orleans Senator JP Morrell spoke in favor of the bill, saying providing a remedy for debilitating issues when other drugs fail to help is the fair thing to do.

Cut 13 (11) “…suffer in silence.”

Following the 31-7 favorable vote, the bill is heading back to the House.

President Donald Trump approves the state’s request for federal assistance to help rebuild public property and infrastructure from the EF-3 tornado that hit Ruston in April. Ruston Mayor Ronny Walker says this is huge for a city of their size…
cut 3 (08) “…75-percent of that back”
Louisiana Tech suffered another nine-point-five million dollars in uninsured damages. For now, the declaration does not provide assistance for the 373 homes that sustained damage in Lincoln, Morehouse and Union parishes.

The state legislature has approved the legislative instrument that will give K-through-12 teachers a 1,000 dollar pay raise, support personnel a 500 dollar raise and public schools will receive an additional 39 million dollars in state aid. Denham Springs Representative Rogers Pope pushed for the measure’s passage on the House floor…
cut 5 08) “…support”
The passage marks a significant victory for Governor Edwards, who made teacher pay raises his top legislative priority.

The bill that establishes the regulatory framework for online fantasy sports contests to take place in Louisiana now has the bill to legalize sports betting attached to it. Kevin Barnhart reports both measures might not receive final passage before the legislative session ends Thursday night…
voicer 2 (28) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”

The dates and times have been set for LSU’s Super Regional Series against Florida State. The best out of three series will begin Saturday at Alex Box Stadium at 2 PM. Game Two is Sunday at five PM and if a Game Three is needed, it will begin at 7:30 on Monday.

For a second time, the U-S Army Corps of Engineers pushes back the opening of the Morganza Spillway in Pointe Coupee Parish. The original plan was to open the spillway last Sunday, but it was delayed until Thursday and now Corps spokesperson Ricky Boyette says Sunday June 9th is the day they plan to remove at least one bay on the structure. Boyette on the possibility they may not have to open the Morganza at all…
cut 9 (09) “…open”

A House vote is scheduled today on a bill that contains both fantasy sports tax regulation rules and a measure that would give voters a chance to legalize sports betting at casinos. Fairness for Fantasy sports spokesperson Ryan Berni says tying the two issues together could result in both proposals NOT passing. Berni hopes lawmakers remove sports betting from the Fantasy sports bill….
cut 12 (06) “…of the voters”

Lawmakers have approved the legislative instrument that gives teachers a one-thousand dollar pay raise and school support workers a five-hundred dollar increase in pay. Earlier in the session, the House desired to give educators a 12-hundred raise and Abita Springs Representative Scott Simon wishes they would have stuck that…
cut 6 (06) “…could have”

Following a 31-7 favorable vote in the Senate, a bill to allow medical marijuana patients to use cannabis inhalers is on the way back to the House for final legislative approval….
Cut 3 (31) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”

Teachers win their pay raise and the Governor gets his additional public education spending as the legislature celebrates a rare, bipartisan win…

Cut 1 (31) “I’m Matt Doyle”

An Albany teen is facing murder charges after stabbing his caretaker in Hammond early Sunday morning. Hammond police say 30-year old Cierra Miller of Hammond had multiple stab wounds in the neck and head and she died on the scene. The 13-year old male that Miller was taking care of is facing a second degree murder charge.

With three days left in the session, legislation that would give voters a chance to legalize sports betting is still alive. It’s attached to the fantasy sports regulation bill. The combined measure was approved by the Senate on a 24-13 vote.  Spokesperson for Fairness for Fantasy Sports Ryan Berni is concerned about bundling the two…

cut 10 (06) “…of the voters.”

The two combine measures are up for a vote in the House.

The Senate amends a proposal to let medical marijuana patients use cannabis inhalers that results in the bill’s favorable passage. Houma Senator Norby Chabeart spoke in favor of the measure and said it’s wrong for those that have a difference of opinion to demonize the use of medical marijuana.

Cut 14 (07) “…in your state.”

Following the favorable 31-7, the bill heads back to the House.

The Corps of Engineers says they’re delaying the opening of the Morganza Spillway to Sunday, the second time the structure’s much talked about opening has been pushed back. Corps spokesperson Ricky Boyett says it’s due to recent reports that the river’s high-water mark will now be arriving three days later than expected.

Cut 7 (09) “…to do”

The spillway was originally scheduled to open June 2^nd.

The House votes unanimously to give K-12 teachers a 1,000 dollar pay raise, support personnel a 500 dollar raise, and approves 39 million dollars in new public-school funding. The passage marks a significant victory for Governor Edwards, who made this his number one priority this session, and teachers unions, who indicated they might strike if it didn’t pass. Denham Springs Representative Rodgers Pope…

Cut 5 (08) “…support.”

Legislation that would give voters a chance to legalize sports betting is still alive. It’s been attached to the fantasy sports regulation bill. The combined measures received approval by the Senate on 24-13 vote. Spokesperson for Fairness for Fantasy Sports Ryan Berni  says the two hobbies should not be linked because they are very different activities as fantasy sports sees participants usually competing with a much smaller wager with friends or in an online group with no house advantage.

Cut 11 (09) “…very different things.”

The Senate amends a proposal to let medical marijuana patients use cannabis inhalers which results in a favorable passage.

Winnfield Senator Gerald Long was on the opposing end of the measure, insisting that medical marijuana was paving a pathway to a slippery slope toward recreational marijuana.

Cut 15 (08) “…time closing it.” Following the 31-7 favorable vote, the bill is heading back to the House

The House votes unanimously to give K-12 teachers a 1,000 dollar pay raise, support personnel a 500 dollar pay raise, and approves 39 million dollars in new public-school funding. Monroe Representative Katrina Jackson says the state is long overdue for an increase in education spending.

Cut 4 (08) “…children.”

The pay raises plus additional funding will cost the state an extra 140 million dollars a year.

The Corps of Engineers says they’re delaying the opening of the Morganza Spillway to Sunday. Just outside the State Capitol building you can see the water pushing up close to the top of the levee system. Corps Spokesperson Ricky Boyett says the river level in Baton Rouge has been up and down but is projected to stay within safe levels through the end of the week.

Cut 8 (05) “rise”

Most recent reports indicate that the river’s high-water mark will be arriving three days later than previously thought.

The Senate amends a proposal to let medical marijuana patients use cannabis inhalers which results in a 31-7 favorable passage.  New Orleans Senator JP Morrell spoke in favor of the bill, saying providing a remedy for debilitating issues when other drugs fail to help is the fair thing to do.

Cut 13 (11) “…suffer in silence.”

The bill is now heading back to the House.

Gov. Edwards request for federal assistance has been approved by the President. The request was made for Lincoln, Morehouse and Union parishes after the destructive tornadoes in late April that killed two people and property damage estimated to more than 12-million dollars. Louisiana Tech University’s Campus also had major damage from a tornado. The funds will help pay for debris removal and restoring public infrastructure. The request for Individual Assistance for homeowners is still under review.

Teachers win their pay raise and the Governor gets his additional public education spending as the legislature celebrates a rare, bipartisan win…

Cut 1 (31) “I’m Matt Doyle”

____________________________

Fantasy sports regulation is now a package deal with sportsbooks in an effort to keep the latter alive in the session, but does it spell trouble for fantasy sports fans?  Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 2 (28) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart.” 

_______________________________________________

Following a 31-7 favorable vote in the Senate, a bill to allow medical marijuana patients to use cannabis inhalers is on the way back to the House. Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 3 (31) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”

____________

The House votes unanimously to give K-12 teachers a 1,000 dollar pay raise, support personnel a 500 dollar pay raise, and approves 39 million dollars in new public-school funding.

Monroe Representative Katrina Jackson says the state is long overdue for an increase in education spending.

Cut 4 (08) “…children.”

The pay raises plus additional funding will cost the state an extra 140 million dollars a year.

The passage marks a significant victory for Governor Edwards, who made this his number one priority this legislative session, and teacher’s unions, who indicated they might strike if it didn’t pass. Denham Springs Representative Rodgers Pope…

Cut 5 (08) “…support.”

There was some frustration from lawmakers who attempted to pass a 1,200 dollar pay raise earlier in the session. Abita Springs Representative Scott Simon says that extra 200 adds up…

Cut 6 (09) “…package.”

But unions opposed that effort, because it did not include the 39 million in additional funding, and may not have been a permanent raise.

________________________________________

The Corps of Engineers says they’re delaying the opening of the Morganza Spillway to Sunday, the second time the structure’s much talked about opening has been pushed back.

Corps spokesperson Ricky Boyett says it’s due to recent reports that the river’s high-water mark will be arriving three days later than previously thought.

Cut 7 (09) “…to do”

The spillway was originally scheduled to open June 2^nd.

Just outside the State Capitol building you can see the water pushing up close to the top of the levee system. Boyett says the river level in Baton Rouge has been up and down but is projected to stay within safe levels through the end of the week.

Cut 8 (05) “rise”

Boyett says their current projections still indicate the river is set to rise to unsafe levels, so expect the Morganza to open at some point even with the delays, but they won’t open the structure if it’s not absolutely necessary.

Cut 9 (09) “open.”

___________________________________________________

With three days left in the legislative session, legislation that would give voters a chance to legalize sports betting is still alive. It’s been attached to the fantasy sports regulation bill. The combined measures received approval by the Senate on 24-13 vote on Monday. Spokesperson for Fairness for Fantasy Sports Ryan Berni  is concerned about bundling the two…

cut 10 (06) “…of the voters.”

Berni says the two hobbies should not be linked as they are very much different activities as fantasy sports sees participants usually competing with a much smaller wager with friends or in an online group with no house advantage.

Cut 11 (09) “…very different things.”

Berni says he believes once the two hobbies are pursued in their own individual pieces of legislation, he foresees a path to victory for fantasy sports fans in Louisiana to be more likely.

Cut 12 (12) “of the voters.”

The two combine measures are up for a vote in the House.

____________________

The Senate amends a proposal to let medical marijuana patients use cannabis inhalers that results in the measure’s favorable passage.  New Orleans Senator JP Morrell spoke in favor of the bill, saying providing a remedy for debilitating issues when other drugs fail to help is the fair thing to do.

Cut 13 (11) “…suffer in silence.”

Houma Senator Norby Chebert spoke in favor of the measure and said it’s wrong for those that have a difference of opinion to demonize the use of medical marijuana.

Cut 14 (07) “…in your state.”

Winnfield Senator Gerald Long was on the opposing end of the measure, insisting that medical marijuana was paving a pathway to a slippery slope toward recreational marijuana.

Cut 15 (08) “…time closing it.”

Following the 31-7 favorable vote, the bill is heading back to the House.

_______________________________________

The LSU Tigers are two wins away from playing in the College World Series. The Bayou Bengals are playing their best baseball at the right time of the season and Tiger Rag Editor James Moran says there is a good reason why that is

Cut 16  (15) “…right now”  

Freshman pitchers Landon Marceaux and Cole Henry have battled arm injuries this season, but they are healthy now and pitched very well in the Regional. Moran says the pitching as a whole has been good

cut 17 (21) College World Series” 

The Tigers will face Florida State in the Super Regionals. The Seminoles looked impressive at the Athens Regional, beating Georgia twice by wide margins. Moran says the Seminoles are playing for their longtime head coach…