The final act of this year’s special session trilogy is less than a week away, with the administration and many legislators scrambling to find some extra cash for programs like TOPS, which is facing a 30 percent cut. House Appropriations Chairman Cameron Henry says the Department of Health is one place the state should look if it wants to plug the budget gaps.

Cut 3 (11) “they need”

The Metairie Republican says LDH has 110 million dollars in funded vacant positions, which are jobs that have money allocated, but are not currently filled. The Representative says it would take roughly 90 million dollars to fund the remainder of TOPS. Henry says the legislature could also consider taking away state workers’ pay raises to fill part of the budget gap.

Cut 4  (09) “next year”

The session starts Monday

US Senator John Kennedy’s call on a Lafayette radio station for Governor John Bel Edwards’ resignation came as a bit of a surprise. Kennedy is widely reported to be preparing a run for Governor next year, and this could be the first of many salvos between the two parties. ULM Political Science Professor Dr. Josh Stockley says calling for a resignation is usually reserved for major violations, not budget disputes.

Cut 14, 12 seconds, happened

Kennedy call for Edwards to step down, saying his lack of leadership has resulted in the ongoing budget crisis. Stockley says Kennedy bills himself as a bipartisan problem solver, but this attack was pure partisan politics.

Cut 16, 11 seconds, responsible budget

Running back Mark Ingram has been with the Saints during their mandatory three-day mini-camp. It’s the first time Ingram has been with the team during the offseason as he skipped the O-T-As. Ingram says he wanted to work out on his own this year and spent time trying to get faster…
cut 18 (18) “….right now”
The Saints have reportedly signed another running back. It’s Terrance West, who started four games with the Ravens last year. He can provide the team with a little depth as Ingram has to sit out the first four games for violating the N-F-L’s P-E-D policy.

Back to the Saints mini-camp. Wide receiver Michael Thomas has been absent and Coach Sean Payton says its excused. Defensive end Cam Jordan has also been excused from mini-camp as he’s with his wife for the birth of their second child.

Three LSU Tigers will join coach Paul Mainieri on the USA Collegiate National Team. Outfielder Antoine Duplantis, right-handed pitcher Zack Hess and outfielder Zach Watson have been added to the USA Roster, which will be coached by Mainieri. The USA Baseball Collegiate National team will participate in three international freindship series summer,. starting with the Chinese Taipei International Friendship Series later this month in June. The US will also compete against Japan and Cuba.

Also, the scoreboard has been taken down at Alex Box Stadium. The LSU baseball twitter feed showed a picture with the scoreboard a skeleton of its former self. No word on what the new scoreboard will look like.

Two significant rule changes were announced today by the NCAA. Players will now be allowed to transfer to another school without permission from the school or coach they are leaving. It gives athletes more freedom on where they want to continue their college career.

And the NCAA will now allow division one college football players to play in up to four games and not use up a year of eligibility. It’s effective starting this season and it’s a move that Head Coach Ed Orgeron had previously said he was in favor of.

House Appropriations Chairman Cameron Henry is looking at shuffling some budget money around to fill the TOPS gap. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

three out of four pediatricians are saying spankings are no longer recommended.  Tulane associate professor Catherine Taylor says there are increased risks in multiple unfavorable behaviors later in life.

Cut 7 (09)  “…risks are raised.”

The feds are pumping 40 million dollars into the state’s Childcare Assistance Program, that helps working and middle class parents pay for child care services. That means 4,000 more families will get help finding a safe environment for their pre-kindergarten age children while they’re at work. Louisiana Policy Institute for Children Executive Director Melanie Bronfin says that’s big for working parents.

Cut 9 (08)  “great need”

The program provides, on average, three to four thousand dollars in assistance. the average cost for childcare can run 6,000 dollars.

US Senator John Kennedy is weighing in on President Donald Trump’s historic summit meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. The Republican says if the talks do not lead to a firm commitment to allow inspectors to verify the 70-year-old regime’s nuclear and missile sites have been destroyed, then he hopes President Trump would respond accordingly.

Cut 14 (08)  “have tried”

The final act of this year’s special session trilogy is less than a week away, with the administration and many legislators scrambling to find some extra cash for programs like TOPS, which is facing a 30 percent cut. House Appropriations Chairman Cameron Henry says the Department of Health is one place the state should look if it wants to plug the budget gaps.

Cut 3 (11) “they need”

The session starts Monday

US Senator John Kennedy is weighing in on President Donald Trump’s historic summit meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. Kennedy says past threats were laughed off, and with Trump, threats of military action are taken seriously.

Cut 13 (11) “in Syria.” 

Bashar Al Assad is the current President of Syria, who has sustained his military rule through nearly a decade of civil war.

40 million dollars in federal money is being sent to the state to help more parents pay for childcare. Connor Ferrill has more.

Cut 2 (31) “I’m Connor Ferrill” 

Three out of four pediatricians say is not the way to handle an unruly kid. Tulane associate professor Catherine Taylor says that the widely accepted punishment can have a negative outcome.

Cut 6 (07)  “…than good for kids.”

Legislators return to Baton Rouge next week to consider revenue raising measures that would go towards closing a large budget deficit. But House Appropriations Chairman Cameron Henry says there’s other ways they can reduce the deficit. He says taking away automatic pay raises for state workers is one possible solution….
cut 4 (09) “…next year”
Henry says he’ll bring the head of the Civil Service Board before the Appropriations Committee next week to talk about pay raises.

US Senator John Kennedy is weighing in on President Donald Trump’s historic summit meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. He says it took a certain kind of person to break through the Hermit kingdom’s tough outer shell, after decades of failed attempts.
Cut 12 (09) “baby step.”
President Trump tweeted out this morning that North Korea is no longer nuclear threat.

After years of cuts, the taxpayer Childcare Assistance Program is getting some much needed federal funding, which will allow four-thousand more low-income families receive financial assistance for pre-k education. Currently enrollment is at 15-thousand children, but Louisiana Policy Institute for Children Executive Director Melanine Bronfin says at one time, enrollment was much higher….
cut 11 (12) “…years ago”
Go to the state department of education’s website for more information on the program.

A potentially deadly brain-eating amoeba has been found in Terrebonne Parish. The Terrebonne Consolidated Waterworks District issued a notification to residents in Pointe-aux-Chenes and they have taken steps to kill the organism in the water system. Officials says they will test the water in two weeks to make sure its eradicated.

The executive director of the Patrick Taylor Foundation says the uncertainty of TOPS funding could sway some college students to get their education out of state. Doctor James Caillier says that’s not good news for our economy when our best students are going elsewhere….
cut 15 (09) “…brain drain”
Lawmakers return to Baton Rouge next week to see if they can come up with a way to fully fund TOPS. House Appropriations Chairman Cameron Henry says if extra revenues are needed, he’d like to see a gradual phase out of any sales tax bill approved in the upcoming special session…
cut 5 (09) “…dollar amount”
Legislation are expected to debate renewing a portion of an expiring one-cent sales tax.

Good news for low income parents waiting to take advantage of a taxpayer funded Child Care Assistance Program. Because of an increase in federal funding, an additional four-thousand children under the age of four can join the program. Louisiana Policy Institute for Children Executive Director Melanie Bronfin says helping working families figure out what to do with their children is not only good for the kids, but great for the economy.
Cut 9 (08) “great need”
About 15-thousand students are currently enrolled.

A study involving Tulane researchers finds three out of four pediatricians do not approve of hitting children for corrective purposes, because it can lead to more harm than good. Tulane associate professor Catherine Taylor says while spankings are not recommended, discpline is still crucial…
cut 8 (09) “…has been”
Taylor says talk with your pediatrician on what are the best disciplinary actions for your child.

The feds are pumping 40 million dollars into the state’s Childcare Assistance Program, that helps working and middle class parents pay for child care services. That means 4,000 more families will get help finding a safe environment for their pre-kindergarten age children while they’re at work. Louisiana Policy Institute for Children Executive Director Melanie Bronfin says that’s big for working parents.

Cut 9 (08)  “great need”

It’s a disciplinary action that has been around for years, but now a study involving Tulane University researchers finds that about three out of four pediatricians are saying spankings are no longer recommended.  So what ill effect can spankings have with kids?  Tulane associate professor Catherine Taylor says there are increased risks in multiple unfavorable behaviors later in life.

Cut 7 (09)  “…risks are raised.”

—

The final act of this year’s special session trilogy is less than a week away, with the administration and many legislators scrambling to find some extra cash for programs like TOPS, which is facing a 30 percent cut. House Appropriations Chairman Cameron Henry says the Department of Health is one place the state should be looking if it wants to plug the budget gaps.

Cut 3 (11) “they need”

The Metairie Republican says LDH has 110 million dollars in funded vacant positions, which are jobs that have money allocated, but are not currently filled. The Representative says it would take roughly 90 million dollars to fund the remainder of TOPS.

Here’s a look at your commodities…

In an interview with KPEL radio in Lafayette, U-S Senator John Kennedy says Governor John Bel Edwards’ should step down and let Republican Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser handle the state’s budget problems….
cut 30 (08) “…health care costs”
Edwards’ Deputy of Chief staff Richard Carbo says Kennedy’s absurity knows no limits.

House Appropriations Chairman Cameron Henry is looking at shuffling money around in the budget to fill the TOPS gap….
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Rudy Guiliani is visiting Cajun country to raise money for Lafayette attorney Josh Guillory, who is challenging fellow Republican and US Representative Clay Higgins this fall. The former New York City Mayor, and adviser to the President, will attend a fundraiser for Guillory on June 25th in Lafayette. UL Lafayette Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says it’s a bit surprising.
Cut 10 (11) “to figure”
The general election is in November.

It’s a disciplinary action that has been around for years, but now a study involving Tulane University researchers finds that about three out of four pediatricians are saying spankings are no longer recommended. Tulane associate professor Catherine Taylor says that the wide accepted punishment can have a negative outcome on a child.
Cut 6 (07) “…than good for kids.”
Taylor says spankings can raise the risk for mental and physical problems.

US Senator John Kennedy is calling on Governor John Bel Edwards to step down due to his handling of the state’s fiscal cliff. Kennedy, who is reportedly readying up a run for the Governor’s Mansion, says the legislature’s inability to find a long term solution to the budget crisis come down to a lack of leadership from Edwards. The Republican called for the Lt. Governor to take over the state.

Cut 4  (06) “at it.”

The eyes of the world are on the recent meeting between President Trump and North Korean Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un. US Congressman Ralph Abraham says he’s got faith in President Trump’s ability to strike up an effective deal with Kim Jong Un.

Cut 9 (12)  “,,,to seeing what happens”

President Trump has released a statement saying there is no longer a nuclear threat from North Korea.

Rudy Guiliani is visiting Cajun country to raise money for US Congressman Clay Higgins primary challenger, Josh Guillory. UL Lafayette Political Science Professor Pearrson Cross says with Higgins being a loyal Trump booster, this could just be another example of the Trump Administration’s tendency to lack a unified political agenda.

Cut 11 (10) “coherent message”

Unless the Legislature approves additional revenue, TOPS will suffer a 30 percent reduction, a cost that will be passed right back to students and their families. Executive Director Dr. James Caillier says even if the state approves the funds, we’re already losing some of our highest performers.

Cut 13 (11)  “and brightest” 

That 30 percent reduction would result in the average LSU student with TOPS graduating nearly 14,000 dollars more in debt.

US Senator John Kennedy is calling on Governor John Bel Edwards to step down due to his handling of the state’s fiscal cliff. The governor supports a half penny sales tax that would fully fund government, while some House Republicans favor a third penny sales tax that would require 126 million in cuts. Kennedy says Edwards was negligent to reject the House Republican’s offer.

Cut 6 (09) “you want.”

Edwards’ Spokesperson Richard Carbo says “Sen. Kennedy’s absurdity knows no limits.”

Unless the Legislature approves additional revenue, TOPS will suffer a 30 percent reduction.  Taylor Foundation Executive Director Dr. James Caillier says if we fail to sure up TOPS, the state will bleed its best talents.

Cut 15 (09) “brain drain”

Presidential confidant Rudy Guiliani will be in Lafayette to raise money for US Congressman Clay Higgins primary opponent. Becca Dill has the story.

Cut 3 (33) “I’m Becca Dill”

A third man has been arrested in the death of a St. Martinville teenager whose body was found on a St. Landry Parish levee over the weekend. 62-year-old Donald Boutte of Breaux Bridge, and grandfather of one of two men who were previously arrested in connection to the death, was charged with Obstruction of Justice and Accessory After the Fact to Second Degree Murder.