Legislators return to Baton Rouge today for a third special session that’s been called to address the fiscal cliff which arrives July 1st. Louisiana Association of Business and Industry President Stephen Waguespack says LABI supports a partial renewal of an expiring one-cent sales tax, even though they know businesses will pay 48-percent of what could be a 400 to 500-million dollar tax increase…
cut 7 (08) “…compromise there”

Last week’s announcement of the 2.3 million dollar return through the Unclaimed Property Program has gotten more people interested in the program’s potential returns. State Treasurer John Schroder says the recent claim has generated a lot of excitement and the calls keep coming in.
cut 9 (12) “was only 821”
Visit La-Treasury-dot-com to see if you are owed money.

State Police arrested a Denham Springs couple after they were found in Calcasieu Parish transporting 25 undocuments immigrants. State Police Sergeant James Anderson Stephanie and Nicholas Harris booked into the Calcasieu Correctional Center….
cut 14 (11) “…one fo the vehicles”
Anderson says this appears to be a case of human trafficking.

Five protesters were arrested in New Orleans today as US Attorney General Jeff Sessions spoke at the National Sheriff’s Association Convention in New Orleans. During his speech, Sessions said the United States will NOT encourage people to bring their children to the country illegally by giving them immunity in the process.

The third special session of the year kicks off today, with some legislators expected to go to battle for the last time this year over the state’s persistent budget issues under the specter of deep cuts to TOPS and other state services. Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne says passing the half penny sales tax renewal will be the focus, because it fully funds the government.
Cut 4 (11) “right now.”
The powerful lobbying group, the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry, says the third special session must end with a solution that solves the state’s budget problems. LABI President Stephen Waguespack… …
Cut 6 (12) “move on”
Governor Edwards is set to address both chambers of the legislature at 5 PM.
A Denham Springs couple is looking at 35 years in prison following two different traffic stops. State Police Sargeant James Anderson says during the stops on Interstate 10 in Calcascieu Parish, a total of 25 illegal aliens were discovered in the two vehicles.
Cut 12 (09) “…for 25 people.”
Troopers arrested 32 year old Stephanie Harris and 38 year old Nicholas Harris, in what Anderson says appears to be a case of human trafficking.

Three children at an outdoor party were struck by a fallen tree Sunday afternoon in Opelousas. That’s according to Mayor Reggie Tatum. The incident occurred around 5 P.M. in the 700 block of East South Street. All three kids were taken to the hospital. As of Sunday night, we’re told one child was transported to a hospital in Baton Rouge and is in critical condition.

Grambling State and head football coach Broderick Fobbs have agreed to a new four-year deal, worth one-point-two million dollars. Fobbs had just one year left on his contract and this new deal keeps him at Grambling through 2022.

The third special session of the year starts today, and lawmakers only have ten days to work out a deal to generate revenue to avoid steeps cuts to TOPS and other services. Matt Doyle has more.

Cut 1 (30)  I’m Matt Doyle“

So now the attention has been turned toward legislators whose votes can tip the scales to approving a definitive tax plan.  Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says there are many factors that play into the lawmakers’ decisions.

Cut 12 (07) “…rest of the year.”

Two high schoolers from Lake Charles want to bring delivery services to stadiums so that hot dog comes right to you in the stands. The idea from Malik Ellis and Alex Brown of LaGrange High School won the SEED Center Business Pitch Competition this year. SEED Center Business Incubator Executive Director Adrian Wallace saw the pitch.

Cut 13 (10)  “energetic” 

A Denham Springs couple is looking at 35 years in prison following two different traffic stops.  During the stops, a total of 25 illegal aliens were discovered in the two vehciles.  Troopers arrested 32 year old Stephanie Harris and 38 year old Nicholas Harris.  Each were charged with improper lane use, human trafficking, and human trafficking of a juvenile.  Bond for each was set at $376,000.

The half-cent sales tax came just 7 votes short of passage on the last night of the previous session, but 20 Republican legislators in the House are at odds with plan, and would prefer a third penny and 126 million dollars in across the board cuts. House Democratic Caucus Chairman Robert Johnson says after a hard fought battle to get the bipartisan budget, suggestions by Appropriation Chairman Cameron Henry that money be shuffled out of healthcare and state worker raises will not be entertained.
Cut 6 (11) “revenue measures.”

Freshman Republican Hammond Representative Nicky Muscarello, one of the 20 House Republicans who voted against the half penny, but for the third penny, says the state can get by without the higher tax.
Cut 7 (11) “to be”

Two high schoolers from Lake Charles want to bring delivery services to stadiums so that hot dog comes right to you in the stands. The idea from Malik Ellis and Alex Brown of LaGrange High School won the SEED Center Business Pitch Competition this year. SEED Center Business Incubator Executive Director Adrian Wallace saw the pitch.
The potential app is called “Runner Eats” and would function similarly to Waitr.
Wallace says the key to their success was a highly developed business plan that would put many of the contestants on the businesses competition show Shark Tank to shame.
Ellis and Brown said they were proud to represent Lake Charles, and hope their idea could bring jobs to the area. Wallace says it might not be too long before that happens.
Cut 15 (08) “for it”

The number of people employed in Louisiana has reached its second highest level ever. Jeff Palermo has more…
Cut 3 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Eyes across the state are on the kick off of the third special session. Governor John Bel Edwards was 7 votes away from closing in on his wishes to renew a half-cent sales tax in the most recent special session, so now the attention has been turned toward legislators whose votes can tip the scales to approving a definitive tax plan. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says that even though the discussion has been focused on renewing a sales tax that is either a third of a penny or a half of a penny, there may be discussion of an amount somewhere in between the two amounts.
Cut 11 (10) “…cutting the budget”

The third special session of the year kicks off today, with some legislators expected to go to battle for the last time this year over the state’s persistent budget issues under the specter of deep cuts to TOPS and other state services. Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne says passing the half penny sales tax renewal will be the focus, because it fully funds the government.
If the legislature manages to pass a revenue bill, it will likely be a short term deal lasting at most 6 years. That means half a decade from now, the whole process will likely start again. Dardenne says he’s disappointed that it came down to another sales tax, instead of permanent structural tax reform.
Cut 9 (09) “years ahead.”

The half-cent sales tax came just 7 votes short of passage on the last night of the previous session, but 20 Republican legislators in the House are at odds with plan, and would prefer a third penny and 126 million dollars in across the board cuts. House Democratic Caucus Chairman Robert Johnson says Democrats won’t let that happen.
Cut 5 (08) “the board.”

Eyes across the state are on the kick off of the third special session as we may soon know a definitive sales tax plan. Kevin Barnhart has the story:
Cut 2 (30) ” I’m Kevin Barnhart”

The third special session of the year kicks off today, with some legislators expected to go to battle for the last time this year over the state’s persistent budget issues under the specter of deep cuts to TOPS and other state services. Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne says passing the half penny sales tax renewal will be the focus, because it fully funds the government.
Cut 4 (11) “right now.”

Two high schoolers from Lake Charles want to bring delivery services to stadiums so that hot dog comes right to you in the stands. The idea from Malik Ellis and Alex Brown of LaGrange High School won the SEED Center Business Pitch Competition this year. SEED Center Business Incubator Executive Director Adrian Wallace saw the pitch.
The potential app is called “Runner Eats” and would function similarly to Waitr.
Wallace says the key to their success was a highly developed business plan that would put many of the contestants on the businesses competition show Shark Tank to shame.
Cut 14 (09) “launched yet”

Three children at an outdoor party were struck by a fallen tree Sunday afternoon in Opelousas. That’s according to Mayor Reggie Tatum. The incident occurred around 5 P.M. in the 700 block of East South Street. All three kids were taken to the hospital. As of Sunday night, we’re told one child was transported to a hospital in Baton Rouge and is in critical condition.

For the second year in a row, Brooks Koepka is the champion at the US Open. He’s the first golfer to do it since Curtis Strange in 1989. Koepka entered the day in a four-way tie for first place and shot a 68 on Sunday to finish one-over par for the tournament. Tommy Fleetwood finished second, he fired a 63 on Sunday, which is a U-S Open single-round record.

Former University High of Baton Rouge golfer Park Reed finished with a 68 and four over for the tournament. Shreveport native and former LSU golfer Sam Burns finished in a tie for 41^st place, 14-over par. And LSU golfer Luis Gagne ended the tournament at 16-over par.

LSU signee Cade Beloso has been named Mr. Baseball in Louisiana. The former John Curtis star hit 13 home runs, with seven doubles, three triples and 37 runs driven in. He struck out just seven times in 121 plate appearances.

______________________________________________________________

Grambling State and head football coach Broderick Fobbs have agreed to a new four-year deal, worth one-point-two million dollars. Fobbs had just one year left on his contract and this new deal keeps him at Grambling through 2022. The former Grambling running back has led the G-Men to three straight SWAC Championship games, winning the title games in 2016 and 2017. They won the H-B-C-U National Championship in 2016.

At the College World Series, Arkansas scored eight runs in the sixth inning and beat the Longhorns 11-5 to advance to the winner’s bracket. The eleven runs are a program high for the Razorbacks in a College World Series game. Luke Bonfield homered, while Jared Gates and Heston Kjerstad each had three hits.

In action today, Oregon State faces Pac-12 foe Washington in an elimination game and Mississippi State looks to keep there mojo going when they take on North Carolina in a winner’s bracket.

And Houston Astros finished their road trip with a perfect 10-0 record with a 7-4 win over Kansas City.

The third special session of the year starts today, and lawmakers only have ten days to work out a deal to generate revenue to avoid steeps cuts to TOPS and other services. Matt Doyle has more.
Cut 1 (30) I’m Matt Doyle“

Two high schoolers from Lake Charles want to bring delivery services to stadiums so that hot dog comes right to you in the stands. The idea from Malik Ellis and Alex Brown of LaGrange High School won the SEED Center Business Pitch Competition this year. SEED Center Business Incubator Executive Director Adrian Wallace saw the pitch.
Cut 13 (10) “energetic”

Eyes across the state are on the kick off of the third special session. Governor John Bel Edwards was 7 votes away from closing in on his wishes to renew a half-cent sales tax in the most recent special session, so now the attention has been turned toward legislators whose votes can tip the scales to approving a definitive tax plan. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says there are many factors that play into the lawmakers’ decisions.
Cut 10 (10) “…do for them.”

Three children at an outdoor party were struck by a fallen tree Sunday afternoon in Opelousas. That’s according to Mayor Reggie Tatum. The incident occurred around 5 P.M. in the 700 block of East South Street. All three kids were taken to the hospital.

10:30 AM
A survey by the National Retail Federation indicates 43 percent of shoppers will be purchasing clothes, which just barely beats out gift cards at 42 percent.  NRF spokesperson Katherine Cullen says she expects plenty of shoppers will be spending money on experiences with dad.

Cut 5  (12) “…with their dad.”

NRF is expecting near record spending in honor of the holiday to the tune of $15.3 billion.

Louisiana officials back an effort to impose a five to ten cent inspection fee on all imported seafood.  During an appearance on Talk Louisiana, Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says past efforts and promises for help from the feds fell on deaf ears, but this time he’s expecting a better results, by bribing top officials from other states to support the move.

cut 8 (09) “help me”

US Senator John Kennedy says he’ll draft an inspection fee bill soon.

Louisiana could feel the pinch as President Donald Trump issued a new round of tariffs today on China, worth 40 to 55 billion dollars in new penalties, and the Chinese responded with a threat of 50 billion in retaliatory tariffs. The escalating trade dispute could damage the Bayou State economy that relies on shipping, but US Congressman Steve Scalise says the People’s Republic needs to be pushed to trade fairly.

Cut 12 (08)   “afford it”

June 15^th marks the beginning of open enrollment for the state’s Medicaid program known as Healthy Louisiana. Enrollment Services Manager Rebecca Harris says during this time window the over 1.5 million Louisiana residents on Medicaid have the opportunity to explore the five different coverage plans.

Cut 16  (12) “…their services are.”

The app is available for both Apple and Android devices. Open enrollment ends July 31^st.

Louisiana could feel the burn from an escalating trade dispute with China, but proponents say a message needs to be sent. Connor Ferrill has the story.

Cut 2 (29) “I’m Conner Ferrill” 

Father’s Day is this weekend and the National Retail Federation is expecting near record spending in honor of the holiday to the tune of $15.3 billion.  NRF spokesperson Katherine Cullen says when it comes to gifts, it’s really looking promising for dads this year.

Cut 3 (09) “…in their lives.”

Louisiana officials back an effort to impose a five to ten cent inspection fee on all imported seafood coming, in an effort to push back against lower quality, cheaper imported shrimp that’s hurting Louisiana shrimpers. Lt. Governor Nungesser says ingesting Asian imports that come from countries that allow excessive use of preservatives can put you in a real bind the next time you get an infection and have to take a trip to the hospital.

Cut 7 (07)  “as well.”

The US Senate approves legislation to honor former Saints standout and ALS advocate Steve Gleason with the Congressional Gold Medal which is the highest honor a citizen can receive from Congress. Gleason was diagnosed with ALS in 2011 and he quickly became an inspiration for those living with the fatal disease. Senator Bill Cassidy, one of the bill’s sponsors, says Gleason’s ‘No White Flags’ message has resulted in millions of dollars being raised to fight the disease…

Cut 10 (08) “cure for ALS”