A report from America’s Health Rankings says Louisiana seniors have the worst health outcomes in the nation. Michael Farrar has the story.

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State troopers from Louisiana and Mississippi are working together to promote highway safety. Becca Dill has the story.

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A tax plan to address the fiscal cliff that would require 126 million in cuts to balance the budget is the only bill to escape a House committee. Matt Doyle has the story.

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Red Snapper season is now underway, with a two fish bag limit and 16 inch catch minimum in place for anglers looking to head out on the waters. This season should be even more convenient than past years, as federal waters have been ceded to the state. Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Finfish Program Manager Jason Adriance says that means…

Cut 4  (10) “commissioned sets” 

The season will run seven days a week until 743,000 pounds are harvested.

Adriance says the expanded season and more open waters mean fishermen get more flexibility to pick and choose their times.

Cut 5  (08)  “like this”

And before you head out, LDWF is encouraging sportsmen to check into their new electronic reporting system on their recreational offshore permit page. Adriance says the new, voluntary program is in place to improve the quality of LDWF’s research and reporting.

Cut 6 (09) “landings data”

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An America’s Health Rankings has Louisiana ranked dead last in the nation for the quality of senior’s health. The report detailed the particularly perilous situation that many of Louisiana’s rural seniors find themselves in, relative to urban based elderly. Dr. Rhonda Randall with the United Health Foundation says senior obesity rates are up 26 percent in the last five years.

Cut 7 (10)  “of seniors”

Louisiana seniors were particularly vulnerable to social isolation, which isn’t just the distance from other people, but whether or not they have any routine social interaction. Randall says they’ve found states with the worst isolation tend to be the lowest rated in other categories as well.

Cut 8 (08)  “this year”

Randall says after identifying two major problem areas, social isolation and obesity, she hopes the report can spur people into action.

Cut 9 (08)  “as individuals”

In the six years the report has been released, Louisiana has never ranked higher than 47^th.

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Amidst increased Memorial Day weekend travel, Louisiana Troopers are partnering with Mississippi Highway Patrol in a new highway safety initiative called “Line to Line.” Trooper Dustin Dwight says the program is designed as a high-visibility.

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More troopers on the road will hopefully reduce the number of crashes and help respond time. Trooper Dwight says the goal of the program is to keep motorists safe during increased travel times.

Cut 11 (07) “target that”

Trooper Dwight advises drivers to remain vigilant on the road during peak holiday traffic.

Cut 12 (09) “of driving”

“Line to Line” will begin on Friday, May 25^th and last until Monday, May 28^th.

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House GOP Caucus Chairman Lance Harris’s tax bill passed House Ways and Means and is on it’s way to the floor. The proposal would retain one third of the expiring penny sales tax, as well as a few other sales tax breaks, and cut government spending by 126 million dollars. Harris says this is the compromise legislation that would get the votes needed to go into law.

Cut 13 (10)  “in cuts” 

Harris’s legislation would raise 366 million dollars in revenue.

Harris says the proposal does not fill the 648 million dollar budget gap that has brought legislators into the second special session of the year. The Alexandria Republican says it’s time to start cutting government spending.

House GOP Caucus Chairman Lance Harris’s tax bill passed House Ways and Means and is on it’s way to the floor. The proposal would retain one third of the expiring penny sales tax, as well as a few other sales tax breaks, and cut government spending by 126 million dollars. Harris says this is the compromise legislation that would get the votes needed to go into law.

Cut 13 (10)  “in cuts” 

Harris’s legislation would raise 366 million dollars in revenue.

Harris says the proposal does not fill the 648 million dollar budget gap that has brought legislators into the second special session of the year. The Alexandria Republican says it’s time to start cutting government spending.

Cut 14 (07) “a row”

Monroe Representative Democrat Marcus Hunter says Harris’s proposal has deep cuts that would damage the economy, and lead to mass layoffs of public sector workers.

Cut 15 (11) “those cuts”

House Republicans voted down the administration’s favored plan, New Iberia Representative Terry Landry’s tax bill, would have raised 543 million dollars.

Legislators celebrated the state’s capture of Super Bowl 58 at the capital, which will be held in New Orleans in 2024. Speaker Taylor Barras weighed in the on win, congratulating New Orleans on grabbing yet another major sporting event.

Cut 5  (10) “once again”

Virginia College of Osteopathic Medicine has been licensed for a medical school at ULM, which will lead to a privately funded, 100 thousand square foot facility. Don Molino has more.
Cut 2 (30) “I’m Don Molino “

And on Saturday and Sunday, consumers can receive a discount on state sales taxes when purchasing hurricane preparedness items. Department of Revenue spokesperson Byron Henderson…
cut 15 (06) “…instead of late”
Flashlights, generators and storm shutters are eligible for the sales tax break.

Invest 90L, the low-pressure system in the west Caribbean that’s on its way to ruin gulf coast Memorial Day weekends, is starting to get a narrower prediction track, and more confidence that it will grow into a tropical depression or storm. State Climatologist Barry Keim says at this point, Louisiana should be spared the worst of it, but…
Cut 9 (07) “Louisiana.”
Nasty weather could start to pop up nearby as early as Saturday, but Keim says they expect the system to really hit starting next week.

Saints Owner Gayle Benson made an appearance at the state capitol today. She was invited by Governor John Bel Edwards to make an appearance to celebrate New Orleans winning bid for the Super Bowl in 2024. New Orleans will host a record tying 11th Super Bowl….
cut 4 (10) “…today”
No questions were asked, so we don’t know how Benson feels abut the NFL’s new controversial national anthem policy.

There’s now a 70-percent chance over the next 48 hours we can see our first tropical system of the year. Jeff Palermo has the story…
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The State Fire Marshal’s office is investigating a fatality that occurred this morning at the Proctor and Gamble Plant in Pineville. Officials say an explosion involving a fork truck claimed the life of the driver. The State Fire Marshal says the blaze is out and it did not spread beyond the equipment. The identity of the deceased individual has not been released.

NOAA says their forecast for the upcoming hurricane season calls for a near-normal or above normal hurricane season and that means anywhere between 10 and 16 named storms. The federal government’s lead forecaster, Doctor Gerry Bell, says the severity of Atlantic hurricane seasons have been increasing since 1995….
cut 8 (12) “….by a hurricane”

The University of Louisiana Monroe receives approval for an initial license with the Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine to build a medical school on the campus. President Nick Bruno says the process is not complete, but he’s optimistic they have right partner to build a 100-thousand square foot facility…
cut 14 (11) “…nationally”
They hope to have the school open in 2020.

The beaches are expected to be crowded a long the Gulf Coast this weekend, but will the weather cooperate. Forecasters continue to watch a tropical disturbance that has a chance of developing into a tropical depression or storm over the next 48 hours. Projected landfall is anywhere from southeast Louisiana to the Florida Gulf Coast. State Climatologist Barry Keim…
cut 11 (08) “…a prospect”

Many are heading out today for their Memorial Day weekend destination. AAA estimates a five-percent increase in the number of travelers nationwide, even though gas prices are about 50-cents higher this year. AAA spokesperson Don Redman says if gas prices keep going up, it could affect future summer travel plans….
cut 25 (12) “…less travel”

The Board of Regents has approved a license for a new medical school on the ULM campus. President Nick Bruno says its great news for northeast Louisiana and the entire state, because there’s a projected 19-percent shortfall in the number of physicians needed in the coming years…
cut 13 (08) “…needed physicians”

Governor John Bel Edwards invited Saints Owner Gayle Benson and others to the capitol this afternoon to celebrate the awarding of the Super Bowl to New Orleans in 2024. Edwards says the event is expected to have an economic impact around 500-million dollars and New Orleans getting a chance to host an 11th Super Bowl is a good sign…
cut 3 (10) “…want to be here”

Despite higher gas prices, AAA estimates nearly 42-million Americans will travel this Memorial Day weekend. Connor Ferrill has the story.
Voicer 1 (28) Connor Ferrill“

U-S government forecasters are predicting 10 to 16 named storms this year, which means we can expect an active hurricane season. NOAA’s lead hurricane forecaster, Doctor Gerry Bell, says a lot of factors went into their forecast, including the possibility of of a weak El Nino possibly developing…
cut 7 (08) “…a lot more hurricanes”

There’s now a 70-percent chance over the next 48 hours we can see our first tropical system of the year as an area of low pressure in the Western Caribbbean is becoming more defined as it makes its way into the Gulf of Mexico. State Climatologist Barry Keim on when it might reach the Gulf Coast…
cut 10 (12) “….Gulf Coast”
Keim says there are a couple of models that have the system heading towards southeast Louisiana.

The House Ways and Means committee rejected a bill that would renew half of a one-percent sales tax that’s set to expire June 30th. The measure, which would generate over 500-million dollars in revenue would also eliminate some sales tax exemptions for businesses. New Iberia Representative Terry Landry urged passage…
cut 3 (10) “…something done”

The 2018 Atlantic hurricane season should be an active one, according to NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center. Lead hurricane forecaster, Dr. Gerry Bell says there is a 75 percent chance that the upcoming season will be near- or above-normal.

Cut 6 (09)  “average season”

The NOAA says the severity Atlantic hurricane seasons have been steadily increasing since 1995.

Invest 90L, the low-pressure system in the west Caribbean that’s on its way to ruin gulf coast Memorial Day weekends, is starting to get a narrower prediction track, and more confidence that it will grow into a tropical depression or storm. State Climatologist Barry Keim says at this point, Louisiana should be spared the worst of it, but…

Cut 9 (07) “Louisiana.”

Its expected to hit between Sunday and Tuesday.

Virginia College of Osteopathic Medicine has been licensed for a medical school at ULM, which will lead to a privately funded, 100 thousand square foot facility. Don Molino has more.

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One man is dead after a forklift incident at the Proctor and Gamble manufacturing facility. The accident occurred early this morning at the Alexandria based location. An investigation is underway.

And heres commodities

In the early stages of this special session, we are already seeing a resistance from Republican lawmakers to raise taxes to address a 648-million dollar revenue shortfall. Matt Doyle has the story…
voicer 3 (31) “….I’m Matt Doyle”

NOAA is calling for 10-16 named storms, five to nine hurricanes and one to four major hurricanes this year.

Procter and Gamble confirms an employee died at its manufacturing facility in Pineville. The company says the worker was on a forklift, but no other details have been released.

Many are heading out today for their Memorial Day weekend destination. AAA estimates a five-percent increase in the number of travelers nationwide, even though gas prices are about 50-cents higher this year. AAA spokesperson Don Redman says if gas prices keep going up, it could affect future summer travel plans….
cut 5 (12) “…less travel”

ULM has been approved for a new medical school in partnership with The Virginia College of Osteopathic Medicine, who was granted the license. A 100-thousand square foot facility will be built on the campus and classes are scheduled to begin in the fall of 2020. ULM President Nick Bruno says that means there will be more room for medical students to stay in Louisiana.
Cut 12 (08) “640 students”

House Ways and means will begin discussing potential fixes to the 648 million dollar budget shortfall that involve potentially renewing a portion of the one point four billion in expiring sales taxes, or tax reform that would generate new revenue. It’s the first public heavy lifting of the special session, and Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne says time is running out to find a fix.

Cut 11 (10) “address this”

Despite higher gas prices, AAA estimates nearly 42-million Americans will travel this Memorial Day weekend. That’s a five-percent increase from last year. AAA Spokesman Don Redman says with the abundance of travelers this weekend, commuters normally taking the interstate can expect some delays today and tomorrow afternoon.

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LSU’s only Heisman winner, running back Billy Cannon was laid to rest yesterday. Michael Farrar has more.

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The Louisiana Air National Guard sent an aviation team to the US-Mexico border in Texas to provide air support to ongoing Border Patrol actions. One LUH-72 Lakota, along with two pilots and one crew chief will be equipped with an infrared camera and recording capabilities. The team has been approved for an initial 90 day deployment.

The House Ways and Means committee meets this morning and we’ll see if the panel approves legislation to keep a portion of a one-cent sales tax that’s set to expire on June 30th. Houma Representative Beryl Amedee says she opposes any tax increases….
cut 13 (10) “….stay afloat”
The governor says about 650-million dollars in revenue is needed to prevent cuts to higher education, TOPS and other state services.

A state sales tax discount is in effect for hurricane supplies on Saturday and Sunday. Louisiana Department of Revenue spokesperson Byron Henderson says it’s a great opportunity to pick up some essentials…
cut 14 (09) “….sales tax”
Heavy rains are possible this weekend, because of a tropical disturbance that has a high chance of forming into a tropical depression in the southeastern Gulf of Mexico.

Despite higher gas prices, AAA estimates nearly 42-million Americans will travel this Memorial Day weekend. That’s a five-percent increase from last year and the highest number of travelers in more than a dozen years. AAA Spokesman Don Redman says about 37-million travelers will hit the road…
Cut 4 (12) “last year”
He says families are seeing some added incentives this summer with almost a 7% percent decrease in airfare prices, 11% in car rentals, and depending on the hotel, travelers could save about 14% compared to last year.

LSU football legend Billy Cannon has reached his final resting place. During a funeral service on the LSU campus, former Angola Warden Burl Cain spoke about the amount of respect Cannon had, as he ran the prison’s dental clinic. Cain says when Doctor Cannon suffered a stroke a few years ago, they wanted to make sure an ambulance got him to a hospital…
cut 8 (12) “…the road”