Louisiana native Laine Hardy is on the door step of winning American Idol. Jeff Palermo has the story…
Cut 1 (28) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

President Donald Trump will be in Louisiana tomorrow to tour Sempra Energy’s Cameron LNG Export Facility in Cameron Parish. White House official says the trip will highlight the president’s efforts to create jobs in the energy industry. Following the trip to southwest Louisiana, the President will attend a big fundraiser in New Orleans.

And there’s a large cybersecurity summit in Shreveport that’s hosted by Governor John Bel Edwards.

A House Committee approves legislation to roll back the state sales tax from 4.45 percent to four-percent. Alexandria Representative Lance Harris says he authored the bill, because the state’s budget is growing and the average taxpayer is not seeing a benefit…
cut 14 (07) “…on everything”
The Edwards administration opposes the legislation. Revenue Secretary Kimberly Robinson says an improving economy is creating budget surpluses and rolling back the state sales tax will make it more difficult to fund state services.

Federal funds will help pay for research in Louisiana to see if there’s a link between blood sugar levels and mid-life brain health. Doctor Owen Carmichael with LSU’s Pennington Biomedical Research Center says the researchers will use MRI and PET scans to take measurements in the brain, looking for the earliest signs of Alzheimer’s.
Cut 7 (09) “…towards Alzheimer’s disease.”

A proposal to gradually return the state sales tax to four-percent, where it was for many years prior to the Edwards administration clears out of the House Ways and Means Committee. The current state sales tax rate is 4.45 percent, but Alexandria Representative Lance Harris says it’s helping to produce surpluses
Cut 12 (09) “…to them”
The state sales tax increased to five-percent in 2016 to to address a massive budget shortfall.
A case filed by Angola death row inmates that accused the facility of cruel and unusual punishment for it’s refusal to air condition their cells has been conditionally dismissed after the two sides came to an agreement to mitigate the effects of the heat without AC. Legal analyst Tim Meche says the implications of this case are clear.
Cut 10 (11)“…humane.”
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Senator Bill Cassidy has spoken with President Tump about his plan for ending surprise medical billing costs for patients. Cassidy pinpointed the surprise that many patients face when they receive treatment that supposedly is covered by their insurance and get stuck with a bill you might expect if you are uninsured.
Cut 4 (10) “…a bill”
A study in Louisiana looks for a connection between blood sugar levels early in life and mid-life brain health. A collection of scientists with LSU’s Pennington Biomedical Research Center, Tulane University and Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center are working on the research. Co-principal investigator Dr. Owen Carmichael says these results could lead to new blood sugar management guidelines for children.
Cut 8 (10) “…tightly low level.”
The study is called the Bogalusa Heart Study.

A federal judge conditionally dismisses a lawsuit filed by three Angola inmates who complained about excessive heat on death row. Matt Doyle has more……
cut 2 (28) I’m Matt Doyle”

One of the individuals who graduated from LSU this past weekend is a convicted murderer. 37-year-old Andrew Hundley was 15-years-old when he killed a 14-year-old in 1997 and sentenced to life in prison. But Hundley received a second chance at freedom when the Supreme Court made it unconstitutional to sentence juvenile defendants to a mandatory life sentence without parole.

Senator Bill Cassidy has spoken with President Tump about his plan for ending surprise medical billing costs for patients. Louisiana’s Senior Senator says he’s working on legislation and regulations that would require hospitals to be upfront with the total cost of treatments…
Cut 3 (11) “…over it.”
The Republican says he’s been inspired to take on his issue after repeatedly hearing about overcharging incidents from his constituents.

Federal funds will help pay for research in Louisiana to look and see if there’s a link between blood sugar levels and mid-life brain health. Doctor Owen Carmichael with LSU’s Pennington Biomedical Research Center says the researchers will use MRI and PET scans to take measurements in the brain, looking for the earliest signs of Alzheimer’s.
Cut 7 (09) “…towards Alzheimer’s disease.”
Carmichael says 200 people participated in the Bogalusa Heart Study in the 1970s as children and they will take part in this study.

Senator Bill Cassidy has spoken with President Trump about his plan for ending surprise medical billing costs for patients. Louisiana’s Senior Senator says he’s been inspired to take on his issue after repeatedly hearing about overcharging incidents from his constituents.

Cut 5 (11) “…their hand.”

A long-running study is looking for a connection between blood sugar levels early in life and mid-life brain health.  The study is called the Bogalusa Heart Study and began in the 70s with about 200 child volunteers.  Co-principal investigator Dr. Owen Carmichael says now they will test those same volunteers now that they are in their 50s.

Cut 6 (11) “…is actually true.”

These results could lead to new blood sugar management guidelines for children.

A case filed by Angola inmates that accused the facility of cruel and unusual punishment for its refusal to use air conditioning in one section of the prison has been conditionally dismissed after the two sides came to an agreement.  Legal analyst Tim Meche says there will be no A/C, but the state has agreed to provide the inmates with “comfort” activities.

Cut 9 (11) “…water“.

A record breaking 51.3 million tourists visited Louisiana in 2018, a nine percent increase over 2017. The state has now seen 13 straight months of over the year job gains, and Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser says part of that trend includes the booming tourism industry, that added 2,600 jobs between 2017 and 2018.

Cut 14 (11) “…in Louisiana”

A record breaking 51.3 million tourists visited Louisiana in 2018, a nine percent increase over 2017. That’s according to Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser who says the “Feed Your Soul” slogan is making waves, and the state has three areas of focus for tourism that are paying off.
Cut 13 (10) “…is up”
The report, by DK Shifflet, says visitors in Louisiana spent nearly 19 billion dollars in 2018, a seven percent increase since 2017.
Senator Bill Cassidy has spoken with President Tump about his plan for ending surprise medical billing costs for patients. Cassidy pinpointed the surprise that many patients face when they receive treatment supposedly is covered by their insurance and get stuck with a bill you might expect if you are uninsured.
Cut 4 (10) “…a bill”
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Louisiana native Laine Hardy is on the door step of winning American Idol. Jeff Palermo has the story…
Cut 1 (28) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

The House is expected to take up legislation today that would ban drivers from touching their cell phones while behind the wheel. Bill author, Breaux Bridge Representative Mike Huval says the proposal is a life saver, and a cost saver…
Cut 10 (11) “…accidents.”
Huval says Georgia recently passed a cellphone ban and the Peach State has seen a 15-percent reduction in commercial vehicle fatalities, and a four-percent reduction in all fatalities, which adds up to 50 lives saved due to the new law.
Senator Bill Cassidy spoke with the President last week about his plan for ending surprise medical billing costs for patients. The Senator says he’s working out legislation and regulations that would require hospitals to be upfront with the total cost of treatments…
Cut 3, 11 seconds, over it
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National Police week kicks off and according to the personal finance website WalletHub Louisiana is ranked the worst state for police officers in 2019. WalletHub spokesperson Jill Gonzales says Louisiana falls well below the average in officer income ranking 49th…
Cut 9 (12) “…54,000″
A record breaking 51.3 million tourists visited Louisiana in 2018, a nine percent increase over 2017. That’s according to Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser who cited a report, by DK Shifflet, that says visitors in Louisiana spent nearly 19 billion dollars in 2018, a seven percent increase frin 2017. Nungesser says that’s a ton of money going back into the state and local budgets.
Cut 15 (12) “per household.”
Nungesser says the tourism industry added 2,600 jobs between 2017 and 2018, for a total of 237,200 jobs in the industry total.

A bill banning drivers from using handheld cellphones while driving is set for debate on the House floor today. Matt Doyle talked to the bill’s author…

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”  

A 16 year old girl is dead following a hit-and-run crash late Saturday night in Opelousas.  Authorities say the victim, identified as Princess Washington of Opelousas, was a passenger in a vehicle with her 18-year-old brother who survived the accident.  An active warrant for felony hit and run has been issued for Floydiece Washington, who authorities say has no relation to the victim.  Anyone with info on her whereabouts is encouraged to call 911 immediately.

Governor John Bel Edwards is confident the legislature will approve his proposal for 39-million dollars in block grant funding that would go to Louisiana school districts. House Republicans propose a 12-hundred dollar raise for teachers, 600-dollars for school support workers, but they have shown no indication of approving the additional 39-million dollars in public school funding. But Edwards is confident he’ll be able to deliver more money to local school districts…

Cut 5 (09) “…in the Senate”

A record breaking 51.3 million tourists visited Louisiana in 2018, a nine percent increase over 2017. That’s according to Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser who says the “Feed Your Soul” slogan is making waves, and the state has ghree areas of focus for tourism that are paying off.

Cut 13 (10) “…is up”

So far during this legislative session, House Republicans have resisted Governor Edwards proposal for additional funding for public schools, because they say Louisiana already spends the national average when it comes to per pupil funding. But Edwards says funding for Louisiana public schools has been stagnant for too long…
cut 6 (10) “…as result”
The Senate seems to be in agreement with Edwards that public school funding needs to go up.

The House is expected to take up legislation today that would ban drivers from touching their cell phones while behind the wheel. Bill author, Breaux Bridge Representative Mike Huval says the proposal is a life saver, and a cost saver…
cut 10 (11) “…accidents.”
Opponents say why just signal out cell phones when it comes it distractions in a vehicle.

It is National Police Week and personal finance website WalletHub releases a report that ranks Louisiana as the worst state for police officers…
Cut 1 (27) “I’m Connor Ferrill”

Over four-thousand students were awarded undergraduate or graduate degrees from LSU this past weekend. One of them is a convicted murderer. 37-year-old Andrew Hundley was 15-years-old when he killed a 14-year-old in 1997 and sentenced to life in prison. But Hundley received a second chance at freedom when the Supreme Court made it unconstitutional to sentence juvenile defendants to a mandatory life sentence without parole.

At the Capitol today, the full House is expected to debate a bill that would prohibit drivers from using a hand held cellphone while behind the wheel. The proposed law calls a 100-dollar fine or community service for first time offenders. Breaux Bridge Representative Mike Huval says the community service punishment could be handed out to teen drivers…
cut 11 (08) “…the law”

Governor John Bel Edwards is confident the legislature will approve his proposal for 39-million dollars in block grant funding that would go to Louisiana school districts. Edwards says public schools desperately need this additional cash…
cut 4 (12) “…in the other”
House Republicans have resisted Edwards proposal for additional funding for public schools.

Louisiana set a record in 2018 for the number of tourists as 51-million people visited the Bayou State last year. The report, by DK Shifflet, says visitors in Louisiana spent nearly 19 billion dollars in 2018, a seven percent increase from 2017….
Cut 15 (09) “per household.”
Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says there’s been a total of 67-hundred new tourism-related jobs in Louisiana since 2016.

A report from the personal finance website Wallethub ranks Louisiana as the worst state for police officers. Wallethub analyst Jill Gonzales says Louisiana ranks 49th for median income and 50th in police deaths per one-thousand officers Gonzales says it appears Louisiana needs better de-escalation tactics…
cut 8 (12) “….police deaths”

When the full House convenes this afternoon, they will take up a bill to prohibit the use of hand held cell phones when behind the wheel. Breaux Bridge Representative Mike Huval has tried to get this bill to the governor’s desk for the last two years, but each time it’s stalled on the House floor. Huval says this time legislators have come to him to express support, after being educated about the effects of distracted driving.
Cut 12 (09) “…relatives.”

National Police week is this week and according to the personal finance website WalletHub, Louisiana is ranked the worst state for police officers. The Bayou State is ranked 47th in highest crime rate and WalletHub spokesperson Jill Gonzales says the high violent crime rate may be the reason Louisiana ranks 50th in police deaths…
Cut 7 (08) “…assaulted.”
Louisiana also ranks 49th for median income for law enforcement officers.

A report shows Louisiana hit record numbers for tourism once again, with 51-million people checking out the Bayou State in 2018. Matt Doyle has more…
Cut 3 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

Livingston parish native Laine Hardy has advanced to American Idol’s Top 3 A parade and concert in his honor is scheduled for tomorrow at the Livingston Parish Fairgrounds. Governor John Bel Edwards is expected to personally congratulate Hardy on Tuesday morning.