New Orleans has lost one of its most recognizable voices as six-time Grammy award winner and Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Dr. John has passed away from a heart attack. New Orleans actor Harry Shearer remembers Dr. John as one of the area’s legendary piano players.
Cut 3 (10) “…so gloriously.”

LSU will face Florida State tomorrow in Game one of their best of three Super Regional Series. Fighting Tigers center fielder Zach Watson swung a hot bat last weekend as he hit two home runs in the Regional. Watson says he likes the feel of postseason baseball…
cut 17 (13) “…Omaha”
First pitch tomorrow is at two PM. LSU announces Cole Henry will start in Game One, Landon Marceaux will take the mound on Game Two and if Game 3 is necessary on Monday, Eric Walker will start.

Governor Edwards put a cap on what may have been the least contentious legislative session of his four year tenure. Matt Doyle has more…
Voicer 1 (32) “I’m Matt Doyle”

House Republican Chairman Lance Harris says he’s glad the state passed the fetal hearbeat abortion bill, but his bill to lower the state sales tax rate in future years failed…
cut 12 (11) “…next year”

Governor John Bel Edwards says the budget approved by lawmakers on the final day of the legislative session is finally a spending plan that focuses on the things his administration wants to focus on. Edwards says the budget contains a one-thousand dollar teacher pay raise and more money for public education and pre-k education…
cut 8 (06) “…excellent”
Higher ed also received 47 million more dollars in this year’s budget than last year’s.

House Republican Chairman Lance Harris feels it was a good session. Harris is proud the legislature approved the controversial fetal heartbeat abortion ban, which has already been signed by Governor Edwards. But he says legislation targeting sky high auto insurance rates crashed and burned…
Cut 11 (10) “…in the country.”

The governor has signed a bill that allows Louisiana farmers to grow hemp, which can be used for grain, fiber, building materials and CBD oil. Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain says the parties involved will have to develop regulatory rules, which needs federal approval.
cut 14 (11) “….USDA”
Strain says if everything goes according to plan, Louisiana will join dozens of other states in growing hemp for the next planting season.

The Morganza Spillway in Pointe Coupee Parish will not open on Sunday as scheduled. And a new opening date has not been set. But Army Corps of Engineers spokesperson Rickey Boyett says the battle against high Mississippi River levels is still ongoing and they working 24-7, inspecting levees to make sure they are in good shape…
cut 6 (09) “…address any issues”

The 2019 Legislative session is in the books. House Republican Chairman Lance Harris says one of the more important pieces of legislation to pass was the controversial fetal heartbeat abortion ban, which has already been signed into law by Governor Edwards.
Cut 10 (09) “…thoughts and beliefs.”
However, Harris says he’s disappointed that legislation aimed at lowering auto insurance rates failed to pass.

Once again Governor John Bel Edwards could NOT get legislative support to raise the state’s minimum wage. Edwards says Lousiana remains one of the few states that still goes by the federal minimum wage…
cut 9 (10) “….for it”
Edwards backed a proposal to raise the minimum to nine dollars an hour.

Governor John Bel Edwards has signed legislation that allows Louisiana farmers to grow and process industrial hemp. There were concerns early in the process about a lack of research involving hemp growth. Ag Commissioner Mike Strain says because the plant is just now becoming legal, it may take a few years for our growers to get access to optimal varieties of the plant.
Cut 15 (10) “grow here”
All growers will have to be licensed and strict regulations sill need to be finalized.

The opening of the Morganza Spillway has been postponed indefinitely. Army Corps of Engineers spokesperson Ricky Boyett says the water levels on the Mississippi River are coming in lower than originally projected.
Cut 4 (10) “…on a daily basis.”
Boyett anticipates high water levels for at least the next month.

The 2019 Legislative session wrapped up yesterday at 6pm. Kevin Barnhart looks at what happened in the final moments before adjournment.
Voicer 2 (30) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart.”

New Orleans musical icon Doctor John has passed away at the age of 77. The six-time Grammy award winner and Rock and Roll Hall Famer died of an apparent heart attack. The song, Right Place, Wrong Time was a top 10 hit in 1973.

House Republican delegation chairman Lance Harris says the state legislature missed a chance in the 2019 session to pass legislation to reduce the state’s auto insurance rates…
cut 11 (10) “…in the country”
But opponents say that legislation would be more of a benefit for insurance companies than the policy holder.

Governor Edwards signs industrial hemp legalization into law, potentially clearing a path for the first crop in Louisiana to be planted next year. Ag Commissioner Mike Strain says if everything goes according to plan, Louisiana will join dozens of other states for the next planting season.
Cut 13 (10) “40 degrees.”
The feds are expected to release their requirements for hemp regulation later this year. Hemp can be used to make a variety of commercial and industrial products.

The 2019 legislative session came to a close last night and Governor John Bel Edwards says it was a productive two months at the Capitol…
cut 1 (32) “….I’m Matt Doyle”

But the state legislature did not come through for Louisiana residents looking to play online fantasy sports contests for cash prizes. Despite public approval in 47 parishes last November, lawmakers did not pass a tax structure for the activity to take place in Louisiana.

The U-S Army of Corps of Engineers will not open the Morganza Spillway as previously scheduled and a new date on when the structure will open has not been set. Corps spokesman Rickey Boyett says the water level on the Mississippi River remains high, but they will not operate the Morganza unless the river level surpasses 62-feet at Red River Landing, which is north of the spillway….
cut 5 (05) “….Morganza control structure”

The governor has signed a bill that allows Louisiana farmers to grow hemp, which can be used for grain, fiber, building materials and CBD oil. Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain says the parties involved will have to develop regulatory rules, which needs federal approval.
cut 14 (11) “….USDA”
Strain says if everything goes according to plan, Louisiana will join dozens of other states in growing hemp for the next planting season

Governor Edwards celebrated the end of the first legislative season of his tenure to not feature special sessions and says the passage of most of his legislative agenda points the state in the right direction. Edwards says a 300-million-dollar surplus made for smoother sailing when crafting a budget, as opposed to the fiscal chaos in previous years…
Cut 7 (10) “…session.”
The budget approved by lawmakers funds a one-thousand dollar pay raise for public school teachers and additional 39-million dollars in block grant funding for public schools.

House Republican Chairman Lance Harris says he’s glad the state passed the fetal hearbeat abortion bill, but his bill to lower the state sales tax rate in future years failed…
cut 12 (11) “…next year”

Six-time grammy award winner and New Orleans music legend Doctor John has passed away at the age of 77. His publicist says the Rock and Roll Hall of Famer died of a heart attack.

Louisiana farmers could plant hemp as early as next year after a legalization effort is signed into law….
Voicer 3 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

The 2019 Legislative session wrapped up Thursday at 6pm. Kevin Barnhart looks at what happened in the final moments before adjournment.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart.” 

Governor Edwards signs industrial hemp legalization into law, potentially clearing a path for the first crop in Louisiana to be planted early next year. Ag Commissioner Mike Strain.

Cut 13 (10) “40 degrees.”

Edwards celebrated the end of the first legislative season of his tenure to not feature special sessions and says the passage of most of his legislative agenda points the state in the right direction. Edwards says the over 300-million-dollar surplus the state ran last year made for smoother sailing when crafting a budget, as opposed to previous years’ fiscal chaos…

Cut 7 (10) “…session.”

The Democrat touted the fact that that surplus was largely invested into education.

House Republican Chairman Lance Harris feels overall it’s been a great session.  Harris says among the most positive pieces of legislation was the controversial fetal heartbeat abortion ban, which has already been signed into law by Governor Edwards, but he bemoaned the fact that once again, legislation targeting the state’s sky high auto insurance rates crashed and burned…

Cut 11 (10) “…in the country.”

Governor Edwards put a cap on what may have been the least contentious legislative session of his four year tenure. Matt Doyle has more…

Cut 1 (32) “I’m Matt Doyle”

____________________________

The 2019 Legislative session wrapped up yesterday at 6pm. Kevin Barnhart looks at what happened in the final moments before adjournment.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart.” 

_______________________________________________

Louisiana farmers could be planting hemp by early next year after a legalization effort is signed into law. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

____________

The opening of the Morganza Spillway has been pushed back again, this time with no new date set. Army Corps of Engineers spokesperson Ricky Boyett says the river levels are coming in a little lower than originally projected.

Cut 4 (10) “…on a daily basis.”

Boyett says it is possible the opening will still have to take place depending on weather conditions producing a rain event that requires the operation. Officials are monitoring the levels on at the Red River Landing, which is north of the spillway, to make sure the river level does not surpass the 62-foot mark.

Cut 5 (05) “…Morganza control structure.”

Boyett says the Corps is working as a 24/7 operation inspecting the levee to make sure the structure is in good shape.

Cut 6 (09) “…address any issues.”

The postponement is good news for farmers whose crops would have been lost by spillway flooding. Nearly a third of the 112 square miles of the spillway is used as farmland.

 ________________________________________

Governor Edwards celebrated the end of the first legislative season of his tenure to not feature special sessions and says the passage of most of his legislative agenda points the state in the right direction.

Edwards says the over 300-million-dollar surplus the state ran last year made for smoother sailing when crafting a budget, as opposed to previous years’ fiscal chaos…

Cut 7 (10) “…session.”

Opponents say the surplus is evidence that the Legislature did not need to pass a .45 percent sales tax renewal last year.

The Governor took a victory lap on his flagship proposal to secure a 1,000 dollar teacher pay raise and 39 million in new K-12 spending. Opponents fought the 39 million, preferring to invest more in early childhood education, but Edwards says in the end they got the best of both worlds…

Cut 8 (06) “…excellent”

Higher ed also received 47.2 million more dollars in this year’s budget than last year’s.

But it wasn’t all wins. Despite making it a campaign pledge in 2015, Edwards failed for the fourth year in a row to win a minimum wage increase, and Louisiana remains one of the few states at the 7.25 an hour federal minimum…

Cut 9 (10) “for it.”

Edwards backed a proposal to raise the minimum to nine dollars an hour.

___________________________________________________

The 2019 Legislative session is in the books. House Republican Chairman Lance Harris feels overall it’s been a great session.  Harris says among the most positive pieces of legislation was the controversial fetal heartbeat abortion ban, which has already been signed into law by Governor Edwards.

Cut 10 (09) “…thoughts and beliefs.”

However, Harris says there were some measures that for one reason or another didn’t make it through the session. Among them, the effort to save Louisiana drivers money on their auto insurance rates.

Cut 11 (10) “…in the country.”

Harris was in favor or making an effort to also save Louisiana taxpayers money by lowering the state’s sales tax rate. That effort ultimately failed this session.

Cut 12 (11) “…again next year.”

_________________

Governor Edwards signs industrial hemp legalization into law, potentially clearing a path for the first crop in Louisiana to be planted early next year.

Ag Commissioner Mike Strain says if everything goes according to plan, Louisiana will join dozens of other states for the next planting season.

Cut 13 (10) “40 degrees.”

The feds are expected to release their requirements for hemp regulation later this year.

Strain says even though there was an extensive discussion of what hemp legalization would look like in the legislature, parties involves will still have to sign off on a final plan before the feds can OK it.

Cut 14 (11) “…USDA.”

There were some concerns early in the process about a lack of research involving hemp growth in Louisiana. Strain says because the plant is just now becoming legal, it may take a few years for our growers to get access to optimal varieties of the plant.

Cut 15 (10) “grow here”

_______________________________________

LSU and Florida State will meet tomorrow in a best of three Super Regional Series. The winner will advance to the College World Series. The Seminoles shocked college baseball observers by easily winning the Athens Regional. Tigers Coach Paul Mainieri says F-S-U hit .375 and smacked 10 home runs during their three games at Georgia

Cut 16  (22) “…our hitters”  

LSU center fielder Zach Watson swung a hot bat last weekend as he hit two home runs. Watson says he likes the feel of postseason baseball…

cut 17 (13) “.Omaha” 

A political analyst says Governor Edwards is sitting pretty in the Governor’s race after racking up some big wins in the Legislative session…

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

Legislators have until 6 o’ clock tonight to finish their work for the 2019 session. They have to pass a budget, but there are no contentious battles there. There are still discussions occurring behind closed doors regarding fantasy sports tax and regulation bills and whether they should include sports betting legislation.

Many legislators were off to a late start this morning as south Louisiana was swamped today with a severe weather system creating localized flooding and even tornadoes. State climatologist Barry Keim says the system dumped dangerous amounts of water on some communities…

Cut 3 (11) “…region.”

37-year-old William Johnson died during the heavy rain event in Baton Rouge when his car flooded. Keim says the severe amount of rainfall was more than initially predicted, but this whole weather system has been unusual from the start.

Livingston Parish Sheriff’s spokesperson Lori Steele says teams are surveying the wind damage from what is believed to be a tornado outbreak in various areas of the parish.

Cut 10 (10) “…that’s near Taylor.”

Some areas that saw flooding in 2016 are also experiencing issues today.  Steele discourages residents from sightseeing as many roads are impassable due to water and fallen trees.

South Louisiana was swamped today with a severe weather system creating localized flooding and even tornadoes. State climatologist Barry Keim says the system dumped dangerous amounts of water on some communities…

Cut 3 (11) “…region.”

Severe weather impacting southeast Louisiana has produced road flooding and reports of a tornado outbreak.  East Baton Rouge Parish Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome says the flood waters resulted in one death, adding the heaviest rains came today during rush hour traffic.

Cut 9 (09) “….one hour timeframe.”

37-year-old William Johnson died in Baton Rouge when his car flooded today.

___________________________________________________

Political analyst Clancy DuBos says Governor Edwards has terrific momentum heading into the fall governor’s election after a successful legislative session. Dubos says the 1,000-dollar teacher pay raise, the 39 million in new education spending, and tens of millions of dollars in new infrastructure funds for New Orleans may win Edwards a second term.

Cut 6 (10) “…New Orleans”

New Orleans will get a 50-million-dollar funding injection, with an additional 27 million a year from redirected revenue generated by the hospitality industry.

Two of the biggest names in sports, Peyton Manning and Les Miles, are among the eleven that will be inducted this weekend into the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame in Natchitoches. Former LSU baseball coach and A-D  Skip Bertman hired Miles after Nick Saban left for the Miami Dolphins

Cut 12 (12)   “…antytime.”