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 four-percent reduction in all fatalities, which adds up to 50 lives saved.

Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says the state welcomed 51-million visitors to the state in 2018 a nine percent increase over 2017. Nungesser says the continued growth in tourists has led to 26-hundred new tourism-related jobs…
cut 14 (09) “…in Louisiana”
The Senate Finance committee will begin dissecting today a proposed budget that’s been approved by the House. Lawmakers seem to be in agreement on a teacher pay raise. The House’s spending proposal would give teachers a 12-hundred dollars raise, 600-dollars more for school support workers, but they have shown no indication of approving an additional 39-million dollars in public school funding, which Governor Edwards is pushing for…
Cut 5 (09) “…in the Senate”
House Republicans have resisted Edwards proposal for additional funding for public schools, because they say Louisiana already spends the national average when it comes to per pupil funding.

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, 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 also 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.”
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.

Also today, the House Ways and Means committee is expected to discuss a bill that will lower the state sales tax from 4.45 to four-percent. Haughton Representative Dodie Horton says the state shouldn’t have one of the highest sales tax rates in the country, when Louisiana is losing population…
Cut 13 (05) “…population.”
The Edwards administration is expected to oppose the measure.

It is National Police Week and personal finance website WalletHub releases a report that ranks Louisiana as the worst state for police officers. Connor Ferrill has the story.

Cut 1 (29) “I’m Connor Ferrill”

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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”  

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A report shows Louisiana hit record numbers of tourism once again, with 51.3 million people checking out the Bayou State in 2018. Matt Doyle has more…

Cut 3 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

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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”

Lawmakers seem to be in agreement on a teacher pay raise. 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”

House Republicans have resisted 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 a result”

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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. 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 (12) “…assaulted.”

Louisiana has no required de-escalation training and Gonzalez says that is an issue for officer safety…

Cut 8 (12) “…police deaths”

Gonzales says Louisiana falls well below the average in officer income ranking 49^th…

Cut 9 (12) “…54,000″

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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.

The penalty for first time offenders is 100 dollars, or community service, under Louisiana’s proposed law. Huval says many of those who will be ticketed for the offense are teen drivers who are financially dependent on their parents, which is why they’ve added a non-financial penalty option.

Cut 11 (08) “…the law”

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.”

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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”

The state has now seen 13 straight months of over the year job gains, and 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”

The report, by DK Shifflet, 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.”

The New Orleans Fire Department is currently on the scene of a 5 alarm fire in the French Quarter near the intersection of Conti and Bourbon.  They got word of the blaze around 7 am.  Oceana Grill, the Copper Monkey Bar & Grill and Olde N’awlins Cookery, along with several other businesses have been impacted.  First responders have closed Conti Street from Dauphine to Royal Streets.  Bourbon Street has been closed from Bienville Street to Saint Louis Street. City officials have not given an estimated time for a reopening of those areas.   No reason for the cause of the fire has been released yet and no injuries have been reported.
Senator John Kennedy is once again bringing legislation aimed at getting dead people off the social security rolls. The Republican says every year the federal government spends 144 billion dollars on improper payments, through Social security, Medicare, and other social programs.
Cut 9 (12) “…them“.

According to research from Move.org, Louisiana is the third least expensive state to be a new mom. Move.org spokesperson Cosette Jarrett says their study factored the cost of childcare for the first year of a child’s life as well as the medical cost of delivery.

Cut 3 (10) “…in the nation.”

After a St. Landry pastor said he’d already forgiven the man accused of the church burnings, Rep Steve Scalise says he and the pastor discussed his feelings about his shooting that nearly cost him his life.  Scalise, the No. 2 House Republican leader, said Friday he still struggles to forgive the man who wounded him and four others two years ago during a baseball practice.
Governor has declared a state of emergency on Twitter around 5:30 p.m. on Friday. He says current forecasts predict anywhere from 4″ to 8″ of rain across the state today.

It’s mothers day weekend and The average cost of being a new mom in Louisiana is cheaper than all but two other states in the nation. Connor Ferrill has the story.

Cut 1 (32) “I’m Connor Ferrill”
In response to the wicked weather received in the state, the Governor has declared a state of emergency. He made the announcement on Twitter around 5:30 p.m. on Friday, May 10. He says current forecasts predict anywhere from 4″ to 8″ of rain across the state.

Senator John Kennedy is once again bringing legislation aimed at getting dead people off the social security rolls. Kennedy says his legislation would address the long running issue by tackling the two biggest drivers of fraud, starting with Social Security’s list of deceased citizens…
Cut 10 (12)“…agencies.”
The Republican says every year the federal government spends 144 billion dollars on improper payments.
House Ways and Means will hear a bill Monday that would repeal the .45 percent state sales tax levied in the last legislative session to plug a budget deficit. Removing that .45 percent sales tax would likely mean cuts to state services, but Haughton Representative Dodie Horton says Louisiana needs to learn to live within it’s means.
Cut 14 (12) “…done that”

It’s Mother’s Day weekend and a report from Move-dot-org says Louisiana is the third least expensive state to be a new mom. Move.org says the average cost for childbirth and childcare costs in Louisiana is 12-thousand dollars and that’s cheaper than daycare costs alone in D-C, Massachusetts, New York and Connecticut…
cut 5 (07) “…doing so much”
The two states that rank ahead of Louisiana are Mississippi and Alabama for the cost of having a baby.
No action at the State Capitol yesterday, but when lawmakers arrive on Monday, the House Ways and Means committee will discuss a bill that will lower the state sales tax from 4.45 to four-percent. The state sales tax was four percent for many years before Governor Edwards took office, and in his first year it jumped to five percent to cover a significant budget gap, before falling to 4.45 percent last year. Haughton Representative Dodie Horton supports the legislation…
Cut 13 (05) “…population.”
The Edwards administration is expected to oppose the measure.

Senator Kennedy is pushing to force the Social Security Administration to get more dead people off the rolls, to cut back on benefit fraud. Matt Doyle has more…

cut 2 (31) I’m Matt Doyle”  

LSU baseball has a season-high five-game losing streak after losing to Arkansas 11 to six last night. The Tigers had a 3-0 lead after two innings after Saul Garza hit a two-run homer. But LSU’s bats went away for several innings and Zack Hess couldn’t repeat the relief outing he had last week.

LSU baseball has a season-high five-game losing streak after losing to Arkansas 11 to six last night. The Tigers had a 3-0 lead after two innings after Saul Garza hit a two-run homer. But LSU’s bats went away for several innings and Zack Hess couldn’t repeat the relief outing he had last week. Hess entered in the 5th inning with LSU leading 3-1 and he gave up three runs in two innings. Arkansas put the game out of the reach when they scored six runs in the eighth. LSU has allowed 56 runs in the last four games.

Southeastern Louisiana pitcher Corey Gaconi threw a complete game shutout as the Lions blanked Sam Houston State 3-0 to move into sole possession in the Southland Conference with five league games left. Gaconi allowed four hits and struck out six. Preston Faulkner’s home run off the foul pole in left field snapped a scoreless tie in the 7th inning.

The Cajuns opened their series with Georgia State by blanking the Panthers two-zip. Jack Burk threw five innings to get the win and Austin Perrin earned a four-inning save.

Troy thumped ULM 15-4. La Tech lost to Western Kentucky five to four. McNeese defeated Texas A-and-M Corpus Christi 5-2. Stephen F Austin knocked off Nicholls five to one and Northwestern State defeated Incarnate Word seven to six. J-P Lagreco hit two home runs and drove in five runs.

In college basketball, LSU and Louisiana Tech will play each other in an exhibition game at the Thomas Assembly Center in Ruston on November second. The game will benefit tornado relief efforts.

The NCAA Men’s Basketball Rules Committee has proposed moving the three point line back to the international basketball distance which is just beyond 22-feet. The current three-point line is just under 21 feet. Another panel still must approve it, but it could go into effect next season.

Senator John Kennedy is once again bringing legislation aimed at getting dead people off the social security rolls. The republican cited a case from last year in Louisiana where an instance of Social Security fraud by a relative cost the taxpayers hundreds of thousands of dollars…

Cut 11 (11)   “…cashing them.”

House Ways and Means will hear a bill Monday that would repeal the .45 percent state sales tax levied in the last legislative session to plug a budget deficit. The state sales tax was four percent for many years before Governor Edwards took office, and in his first year it jumped to five percent to cover a significant budget gap, before falling to 4.45 percent last year. But Haughton Representative Dodie Horton says census figures show our population is declining…

Cut 13 (05) “…population.”

According to research from Move.org, Louisiana is the third least expensive state to be a new mom. Move.org spokesperson Cosette Jarrett says their study factored the cost of childcare for the first year of a child’s life as well as the medical cost of delivery.

Cut 3 (10) “…in the nation.”

The only other states with lower costs are Mississippi and Alabama.

Flash flood watches are in effect across Louisiana through Saturday as another two to four inches of rain is expected. Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness spokesperson Mike Steele says if at all possible, reschedule your plans for the next two days.

Cut 7 (07) “…the way.”

The same system has already caused localized flooding in the northwestern portions of the state.

Senator Kennedy is pushing to force the Social Security Administration to get more dead people off the rolls, to cut back on benefit fraud. Matt Doyle has more…

cut 2 (31) I’m Matt Doyle”

Police say 49-year-old Ronald Greene, of West Monroe, is dead after a high-speed chase that started in Ouachita Parish and ended with a crash in Union Parish. According to Louisiana State Police, the chase began around midnight Friday, May 10, near the University of Louisiana at Monroe.

Authorities say state troopers tried to pull Greene over but he sped away. After he crashed, troopers say they tried to take him into custody, but he became combative. A struggle ensued, and he was then handcuffed.

Police say when EMS arrived on the scene, he became unresponsive and died on the way to the hospital.

Police say toxicology tests and an autopsy are being performed. The results are pending.

House Ways and Means will hear a bill Monday that would repeal the .45 percent state sales tax levied in the last legislative session to plug a budget deficit. But Haughton Representative Dodie Horton says the nearly half-a-cent sales tax is producing a surplus…

Cut 12 (08) “…operate”

The bill is authored by Alexandria Representative Lance Harris.

Flash flood watches are in effect across Louisiana through Saturday as another two to four inches of rain is expected. Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness spokesperson Mike Steele says keep a close eye on the roads, and do not attempt to cross flooded streets…

Cut 6 (06) “…drown”

The same system has already caused localized flooding in the northwestern portions of the state, flooding the required rescue operations.

Senator John Kennedy is once again bringing legislation aimed at getting dead people off the social security rolls. Kennedy says his legislation would address the long running issue by tackling the two biggest drivers of fraud, starting with Social Security’s list of deceased citizens…
Cut 10 (12)“…agencies.”
The Republican says every year the federal government spends 144 billion dollars on improper payments.
House Ways and Means will hear a bill Monday that would repeal the .45 percent state sales tax levied in the last legislative session to plug a budget deficit. Removing that .45 percent sales tax would likely mean cuts to state services, but Haughton Representative Dodie Horton says Louisiana needs to learn to live within it’s means.
Cut 14 (12) “…done that”
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The average cost of being a new mom in Louisiana is cheaper than all but two other states in the nation. Connor Ferrill has the story.
Cut 1 (32) “I’m Connor Ferrill”
The Corps of Engineers has decided to move their scheduled opening of the Bonnet Carre Spillway up to today as the state faces a torrent of rain that could swell the Mississippi River ahead of schedule. This marks the second time this year the spillway has opened to relieve pressure on New Orleans levees, the first time the spillway has opened twice in one year.