The clean-up continues today in Ville Platte where an estimated 50 homes and businesses were damaged by a Sunday morning tornado. Three people suffered non-serious injuries. Over six-hundred Cleco customers are still without power.

Laine Hardy becomes the first Louisiana native to win American Idol. Judge Katy Perry says the Livingston Parish native will be one of the biggest stars on the planet.

The Louisiana Department of Education seeks advice on installing silent alarms in public schools. Connor Ferrill has the story.
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Connor Ferrill”

A House bill that would regulate fantasy sports gaming in Louisiana has an amendment that says fantasy sports contests are to be conducted in a venue where only those over the age of 21 are allowed. Fairness for Fantasy Sports Louisiana spokesperson Ryan Berni says that amendment subverts the inent of the 47 parishes that voted to authorize the activity…
cut 5 (07) “…for any medium”
But video poker lobbyist Alton Ashy says the amendment will help push more foot traffic into casinos. The bill will be heard on the House floor tomorrow.

For the second straight year, Louisiana state parks will partner with the state’s Workforce Commission to hire people with disabilities and special needs to fill jobs for the summer. Assistant Secretary for the Office of State Parks Brandon Burris says the idea came from Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser.
Cut 11 (11) “…the same time.”
For more information go to the Louisiana Rehabilitation Services webpage.

This is the Louisiana Radio Network Legislative Report for Monday May 20th, I’m Kevin Barnhart…
The Louisiana House has approved legislation that would give the state’s legislative auditor access to income tax returns of Medicaid recipients. Democrats oppose the legislation, New Orleans Representative Gary Carter had this question for the bill’s author, Prairieville Representative Tony Bacala…
cut 5 (10) “….thank you”
The proposal heads to the Senate, where similiar efforts died in years past.

The House Labor Committee advances a Senate-approved bill to address PTSD and mental health among firefighters and police, adding the mental illness to the list of injuries eligible for public employee benefits. A Jefferson Parish firefighter spoke at the House hearing, saying he did not catch the symptoms of PTSD early enough, even going as far to say the activity among lawmakers were triggering flashbacks.
Cut 11 (12)“…of body bags.”
The measure heads to the House floor for final legislative passage.

The House will hear a bill Tuesday that would restrict online fantasy sports playing to over-21 establishments. Matt Doyle has the story.
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

Lawmakers have a little over two weeks to complete their work as the regular session is set to end on Thursday, June 6th at 6 PM.

That’s your legislative report, I’m Kevin Barnhart on the Louisana Radio Network.

The House approves a bill allowing the Legislative Auditor access to the tax records of Medicaid recipients. The proposal sparked an intense floor debate between Republican Tony Bacala and Democrat Gary Carter, who says its unfair to the poor…

Cut 1 (28) “I’m Matt Doyle”

Another round of severe weather is on its way. North Louisiana has already experienced two tornado out breaks this Spring and Richardson this latest storm system has the potential to produce more twisters…

Cut 13 (11) “…time of year”

The House Labor Committee advances a Senate-approved bill to address PTSD and mental health among firefighters and police, adding the mental illness to the list of injuries eligible for public employee benefits.  A Jefferson Parish firefighter says he did not catch the symptoms early enough, even going as far to say the activity among lawmakers were triggering flashbacks.

Cut 11 (12)“…of body bags.”

Select movie theaters nationwide will show Steel Magnolias this weekend, as a way to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the movie’s release. The legendary film was shot in Natchitoches and Director of Marketing for the Natchitoches Convention and Visitors Bureau Kelli West says Steel Magnolias will also be shown in various theaters around the state. She says they’ll have a display at the Perkins Rowe theater in Baton Rouge…

Cut 15 (08) “…state”

The House voted 66-32 in favor of allowing the Legislative Auditor to access income tax records of Medicaid recipients, sparking a testy back and forth between bill author, Prairieville Representative Tony Bacala and New Orleans Representative Gary Carter, who voted against it.  Bacala says a recent audit discovered 1,672 people were enrolled in the program making six figures.  Carter accused Bacala of subjecting poor people to scrutiny he wouldn’t subject businesses too…

Cut 4 (14) “…gunna find” 

The state’s not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate is the lowest on record dating back to 1976.  The rate dropped to 3.5% in April in the numbers that come from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.  Workforce Commission Director Ava Dejoie says it is welcomed news for the state.

Cut 6 (08) “…a good sign.”

The House Labor Committee advances a Senate-approved bill to address PTSD and mental health among firefighters and police, adding the mental illness to the list of injuries eligible for public employee benefits.  One Madison Parish firefighter  says that his PTSD was not caught early and now is disabling.

Cut 10 (12) “…keep me alive.“

Select movie theaters nationwide will show Steel Magnolias this weekend, as a way to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the movie’s release. The legendary film was shot in Natchitoches and Director of Marketing for the Natchitoches Convention and Visitors Bureau Kelli West says the film’s popularity continues to attract tourists…

Cut 14 (12) “…moments” 

The film will be shown by Fathom Events at select theaters Sunday through Wednesday.

At 3.5%, the state saw the lowest not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate on record in April. Jeff Palermo has the story.

cut 2 (30) I’m Jeff Palermo”  

Officials with the Barksdale Air Show are keeping a watchful eye on the weather as NW Louisiana is under an enhanced risk of severe weather this afternoon. Brandi Richardson with the National Weather Service…

cut 12(09)   “…some tornadoes””

The House voted 66-32 in favor of allowing the Legislative Auditor to access income tax records of Medicaid recipients, sparking a testy back and forth between bill author, Prairieville Representative Tony Bacala and New Orleans Representative Gary Carter, who voted against it.  Carter called the legislation an assault on working class Medicaid recipients…

Cut 3 (13) “…benefits.”

The bill heads to the Senate, where previous similar efforts have failed.

The House Labor Committee advances a Senate-approved bill to address PTSD and mental health among firefighters and police, adding the mental illness to the list of injuries eligible for public employee benefits.  One Madison Parish firefighter testified saying he has suffered from depression since 2014, adding he had suicidal thoughts while on leave for PTSD related to his job.

Cut 9 (08) “…was going on.”

The House approves a bill allowing the Legislative Auditor access to the tax records of Medicaid recipients. The proposal sparked an intense floor debate between Republican Tony Bacala and Democrat Gary Carter, who says it’s unfair to the poor…

Cut 1 (28) “I’m Matt Doyle”

Another round of severe weather is on its way. The Shreveport-Bossier area is under an enhanced risk. Brandi Richardson with the National Weather Service says North Louisiana has already experienced two tornado outbreaks this spring and this latest storm system has the potential to produce more twisters…

Cut 13 (11) “…time of year”

The House Labor Committee advances a Senate-approved bill to address PTSD and mental health among firefighters and police, adding the mental illness to the list of injuries eligible for public employee benefits. One Madison Parish firefighter says that his PTSD was not caught early and now is disabling.

Cut 10 (12) “…keep me alive.“

The state’s not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate is the lowest on record dating back to 1976. The rate dropped to 3.5% in April in the numbers that come from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Workforce Commission Director Ava Dejoie says he seasonally adjusted rate of unemployment is down as well.  That number has dropped to 4.5% in April.

Cut 8 (08) “…number as well.”

The previous low was eleven years ago in April 2008 at 3.6%.

The LSU baseball team goes after its fourth straight victory tonight when they host Auburn for game two of their three-game set. Last night, Eric Walker was great on the mound the Tigers pounded out three home runs in a seven to one win over Auburn. Saul Garza cranked out his fifth home run of the season and the catcher also had three hits. First pitch tonight is at 7 at Alex Box Stadium.

After ending a 25-game losing streak to the Ragin Cajuns last night with a six to three win, ULM looks to make it two wins in a row over UL Lafayette tonight. Both teams are in the need of a win to clinch a spot in next week’s Sun Belt Tournament.

Southern University is one win away from reaching the SWAC Tournament championship game. The Jaguars ralled back from four runs down in the ninth inning to beat Texas Southern 10-to-9 last night. The Jags will play again tonight in New Orleans at Wesley Barrow Stadium. Grambling avoided elimination earlier today by beating Prairie View nine to eight and will play again today against Alabama State.

Louisiana Tech athletics director Tommy McClelland is asking for their fans to be patient as they decide on the future homes for the Bulldog baseball softball and soccer stadiums. Their facilities were destroyed by a tornado. McClelland says they are awaiting information from FEMA, the state government and insurance providers that will help them with the future of these programs. Donations can be made to the Athletics Disaster Relief Fund.

On the baseball diamond last night, Louisiana Tech blanked FIU three to nothing. Senior captain Matt Miller allowed five hits and came one out away from throwing a complete game shutout. The Illnois native struck out six. David Leal will start tonight’s game at 5 PM.

In the Southland, Preston Faulkner hit a two-out, three run homer in the eighth inning to give Southeastern Louisiana an eight to six win over Incarnate Word. The Lions will finish the series against U-I-W by playing a doubleheader today. S-L-U is chasing Sam Houston for first place. The Bearkats defeated Northwestern State 11 to 5.

The House voted 66-32 in favor of allowing the Legislative Auditor to access income tax records of Medicaid recipients, sparking a testy back and forth between bill author, Prairieville Representative Tony Bacala and New Orleans Representative Gary Carter, who voted against it.

Cut 3 (13) “…benefits.”

Other opponents of the legislation argue the proposal would result in the expulsion of tens of thousands of Medicaid recipients from the program who make just above the 16,764-dollar yearly limit.

Select movie theaters nationwide will show Steel Magnolias this weekend, as a way to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the movie’s release, a legendary film shot in Natchitoches. Director of Marketing for the Natchitoches Convention and Visitors Bureau Kelli West.

Cut 14 (12) “…moments” 

Another round of severe weather is on its way. Most of north, central and southwest Louisiana are under a slight risk for severe weather on Saturday and the Shreveport-Bossier area is under an enhanced risk. Brandi Richardson with the National Weather Service says we’ll see scattered storms during the day and stronger storms will move in later in the day

cut 12(09)   “…some tornadoes””

The state’s not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate is the lowest on record dating back to 1976.  The rate dropped to 3.5% in April in the numbers that come from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.  Workforce Commission Director Ava Dejoie says it is welcomed news for the state.

Cut 6 (08) “…a good sign.”

The area seeing the most growth is New Orleans with 1,600 jobs over the month, followed by Baton Rouge with 1,300. 

At 3.5%, the state saw the lowest not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate on record in April. Jeff Palermo has the story.

cut 2 (30) I’m Jeff Palermo”  

Two Eunice high school students were arrested for pouring degreaser into a teacher’s drink and bragging about it on Snapchat. Yesterday a the police were provided with a video recording showing a 17-year-old girl who goes to the school pouring “Krud Killer” into a teacher’s Styrofoam cup, prompting the girl’s arrest, and the arrest of the 17-year-old boy who allegedly filmed the incident. Police say both later admitted to the actions, and have been charged with a felony.

The House Labor Committee advances a Senate-approved bill to address PTSD and mental health among firefighters and police, adding the mental illness to the list of injuries eligible for public employee benefits.  A Jefferson Parish firefighter also spoke at the hearing, saying he did not catch the symptoms of PTSD early enough, even going as far to say the activity among lawmakers were triggering flashbacks.

Cut 11 (12)“…of body bags.”

Select movie theaters nationwide will show Steel Magnolias this weekend, as a way to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the movie’s release. The legendary film was shot in Natchitoches and Director of Marketing for the Natchitoches Convention and Visitors Bureau Kelli West says they’ll have a display at the Perkins Rowe theater in Baton Rouge…

Cut 15 (08) “…state”

The film will be shown by Fathom Events at select theaters Sunday through Wednesday.

The Louisiana House has approved legislation that would give the state’s legislative auditor access to income tax returns of Medicaid recipients. Democrats oppose the legislation, New Orleans Representative Gary Carter had this question for the bill’s author, Prairieville Representative Tony Bacala…
cut 5 (10) “….thank you”
The proposal heads to the Senate, where similiar efforts died in years past.

According to the governor’s office, the state’s not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate has hit an all-time low of three-point-five percent. Louisiana Workforce Commission Director Ava Dejoie says you thank job gains in education, healthcare and professional and business services…
cut 7 (08) “…shown significant increases”
The previous record for the unemployment rate was set in 2018.

There’s another chance for severe weather in Louisiana tomorrow, with an enhanced risk for northwest Louisiana and much of north, central and southwest Louisiana under a slight risk. Brandi Richardson with the National Weather Service says this latest storm system has the potential to produce more tornadoes…
cut 13 (11) “….time of year”
The chance of rain will be in the forecast through Tuesday.

There are theaters across the nation that will show Steel Magnolias this weekend to celebrate the legendary film’s 30th anniversary of when it was released. But none of the theaters in Natchitoches have the movie this weekend, but Kelli West with the Natchitoches Convention and Visitors Bureau says don’t worry, the actual 30-year annivesary is in November and they’ll show it then…
cut 16 (08) “…initial release”