The Atlantic Hurricane season begins today. Michael Farrar gives us a preview on what we can expect.

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Governor Edwards says Louisiana now has some of the toughest anti-hazing laws in the nation, inspired by the death of LSU student Maxwell Gruver. Jeff Palermo has the story.

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Major delays are expected this weekend in Baton Rouge as eastbound approach to the River Bridge gets shut down for repairs. Matt Doyle has more.

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The 2018 Atlantic Hurricane season officially starts today despite the fact that the Gulf Coast has already seen its first named storm of the year. NOAA projects 10 to 16 named storms, 5 to 9 hurricanes, and 1 to 4 major hurricanes. State Climatologist Barry Keim says that’s not too far off base for an average year.

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Much of the prediction is based on the fact that the last twenty years have been some of the most active storm seasons in recent history. Keim says projections will trend towards busier seasons until there’s a noticeable change in the pattern.

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Sub-Tropical Storm Alberto hit the Gulf Coast over the Memorial Day weekend, which has some folks worried that we could be in store for a busy year if its only May and we’re already getting named storms. Keim says it doesn’t work like that.

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Last year’s historic hurricane season claimed lives across the Gulf and caused nearly 300 billion dollars in damage.

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The FDA has told several companies to stop claiming that their sunscreen pills will protect consumers from the suns. Co-founder at Audubon Dermatology in New Orleans, Dr. Deirdre Hooper, says there is no dietary supplement that can prevent the sun’s harmful U-V rays.

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While these pills may contain antioxidants that can help repair skin damage, Dr. Hooper does not believe the claims…

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The FDA and Dr. Hooper emphasize the only way to protect yourself from sun exposure is to apply sunscreen…

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If you want to try one of these pills, Dr. Hooper suggests you should talk to a board-certified dermatologist or visit AAD.org, American Academy of Dermatology, for reliable information.

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Governor John Bel Edwards signed a series of anti-hazing bills Thursday that he says will give Louisiana some of the stiffest hazing laws in the nation. The legislation was inspired by the death of an LSU student in a hazing incident last year, and led to the creation of the “Max Gruver Act”. Edwards says he fully expects other states to adopt the same laws in coming years.

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Gruver’s parents led the charge on the new anti-hazing legislation, specifically Representative Nancy Landry’s bill that makes hazing a felony crime, with up to five years in prison, if convicted. Edwards thanked the Gruver’s for their bravery in the face of that terrible tragedy.

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Edwards says these laws won’t just crack down on Greek life, it protects students in all organizations on college campuses.

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A major road closure is expected for the Mississippi River Bridge in Port Allen/Baton Rouge, starting Friday night at 7pm and ending noon Sunday. The eastbound lane will be shut down for some repair work. It’s the second weekend for the repairs. DOTD Spokesperson Rodney Mallet says if you’ve got road plans that lead you through BR this weekend, plan accordingly.

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Mallet says this will likely mean some nasty traffic through most of the major throughways in Baton Rouge proper.

An icon in the Louisiana culinary industry has passed away. Ella Brennan, the long-tiem proprietor of Commander’s Palace has died at the age of 92. Brennan also helped launch the careers of celebrity chefs Paul Prudhomme and Emeril Lagasse. Food critic Tom Fitzmorris says Brennnan had an eye for talent…
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Brennan got her start in the restaurant business in the 1970s at the namesake restraunt Brennan’s, on Royal Street in the New Orleans French Quarter.

The governor signed into law what supporters say should help to reduce prescirption drug costs. New Iberia Senator Fred Mills says the legislation requires prescription benefit plans to inform consumers when they get rebates from drug manufacturers…
cut 11 (06) “…rebate share”

Tougher laws against bestiality has been signed into law. Becca Dill has more…

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As a result of low sales, Sears announces they are closing 72 stores nationwide. Two Louisiana stores are on the list, a K-Mart in Lake Charles and the Sears at the Alexandria mall.

Colorado State released a revised forecast today for the hurricane season which starts tomorrow. Their researchers are now calling for 14 named storms, which is just above average.

Ella Brennan, a Queen of New Orleans Cuisine, has passed away at the age of 92. As an influential member of the Brennan family, she helped shape and guide the New Orleans food scene in iconic restaurants like Commanders Palace. Food Critic Tom Fitzmorris says few people had her talent for turning restaurants into world famous culinary institutions.
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Brennan sheparded some of New Orleans most iconic chefs, like Paul Prudomme and Emeril Lagasse through stints at Commanders and her other venues.

A tougher anti-bestiality law is in effect as a result of Governor John Bel Edwards’ signature. Louisiana Director of the Humane Society of the United States, Julia Breaux Melancon, says it contains a provision that many other states do not have…
cut 5 (05) “…happy about that”

The governor signs legislation by Senator Fred Mills that hopefully will bring down drug prices. Matt Doyle has the story.
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Sears is closing 72 stores nationwide and two of them will shut down in Louisiana, one in Lake Charles and the other in Alexandria.

I-10 East in Scott remains closed at this hour as a result of a fatal wreck. One person reportedly died in the multiple vehicle crash that involved an 18-wheeler. Police say a driver who crossed the median was killed.

Tougher laws against bestiality has been signed into law. Becca Dill has more…

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The governor signs legislation by Senator Fred Mills that hopefully will bring down drug prices. Matt Doyle has the story.

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Governor John Bel Edwards holds a bill signing today for Baton Rouge Representative Patricia Smith’s legislation that restores voting rights to individuals who have served time on felony offenses, and have been out of prison for five years, but are still on parole or probation. Edwards says giving people back their rights reinvests them in their communities.

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Edwards says many convicted felons deserve a second shot at life.

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The bill took three tries to get enough votes to clear the House. Edwards celebrated Smith’s tenacity in fighting for bills that can be controversial, but that he believes are ultimately just.

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It’s estimated voting rights will be restored for 70,000 Louisianans.

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The governor is signing legislation by New Iberia Senator Fred Mills that’s aimed at pushing down drug prices by requiring prescription benefit plans (that prescription card in your wallet) inform consumers when they get rebates from drug manufactures. Mills says before, your drug plan could hide those rebates, and pocket money that should have been going back to you, but now…

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Many people don’t realize those rebates are the reason your insurance forces you to buy one pill over another for the same illness. Mills says if your benefit plans are getting savings by forcing you to buy certain drugs, they should pass those savings back to you.

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Mills says you should be asking whoever provides your prescription card if they’re passing those new savings on to you.

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Similar legislation has passed that would require benefit plans provide that information to the state, so the state can negotiate lower Medicaid prices.

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Ella Brennan, a Queen of New Orleans Cuisine, has passed away at the age of 92. As an influential member of the Brennan family, she helped shape and guide the New Orleans food scene in iconic restaurants like Commanders Palace. Food Critic Tom Fitzmorris says few people on earth had her same talent for turning restaurants into world famous culinary institutions.

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Fitzmorris says Brennan was a shrewd businesswoman who turned the infamous 1970s Brennan family fallout into an opportunity to make her own way in the restaurant industry. She started over with nothing but Commanders palace, which she turned into a New Orleans legend that specializes not just in award winning food, but spectacle.

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Brennan sheparded some of New Orleans most iconic chefs, like Paul Prudone and Emeril Lagasse through stints at Commanders and her other venues. Fitzmorris says she had an eye for talent.

Cut 14 (11)  “in general”

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The Senate Revenue and Fiscal Affairs committee made major changes to a sales tax renewal bill by removing more exemptions, which means businesses will be forced to pay more in sales taxes, while consumers would pay 4.3 percent state sales tax. The proposal would raise 642-million dollars, which covers the projected revenue shortfall, Alexandria Democrat Jay Luneau voted for it and criticized Republicans for proposing to reduce government spending, but not identifying what shouldn’t be funded…
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A House Republican leader doesn’t think the lower chamber will agree to the senate changes.

Governor John Bel Edwards signs into law this afternoon legislation that give some convicted felons there voting rights back. Baton Rouge Representative Patricia Smith’s legislation was rejected in previous sessions, Edwards thanks her for her persistence…
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Governor John Bel Edwards signs into law tougher penalties for those convicted of bestiality. At first there was some pushback on this legislation. Louisiana Director of the Humane Society of the UNited States, Julia Breaux Melancon, says much of the controversy came from misinformation of the bill’s goal…
cut 4 (10) “….supreme court”

The governor is signing legislation by New Iberia Senator Fred Mills that’s aimed at pushing down drug prices by requiring prescription benefit plans (that prescription card in your wallet) inform consumers when they get rebates from drug manufactures. Mills says before, your drug plan could hide those rebates, and pocket money that should have been going back to you, but now…
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The House and the Senate disagree on how much revenue a sales tax bill should produce. Both versions would set the state sales tax at 4.3 percent, but the Senate version would remove several sales tax exemptions that currently benefit businesses. Lafayette Senator Gerald Boudreaux says he’s interested in producing enough revenue to avoid budget cuts…
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If the House and Senate can’t come together on a revenue generating measure, another special session will be needed after the current one expires June 4th.

Governor John Bel Edwards is busy signing bills from the regular session, including a new law that restores the voting rights for thousands of convicted felons…
cut 7 (08) “…pass it”
This new laws says if you’ve been out of prison for five years, but still on probation or parole, you can now vote.

Authorities one person was killed two others injured in a major crash involving an 18-wheeler on Interstate 10 west of Scott. I-10 eastbound is closed in the area.

Even though Corvallis is 24-hundred miles away from Baton Rouge, expect to see LSU fans at this weekend’s regional. Jeff Palermo has the story…
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It was a heated night in Senate Revenue as the committee made huge changes to GOP House Chairman Lance Harris’ tax bill. Matt Doyle has the story.
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A bill requiring public schools to display, and instruct students on the motto “In God We Trust” was signed by the governor after facing little opposition in the legislature. Baton Rouge Senator Regina Barrow on why she filed the bill….
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Governor John Bel Edwards will hold a bill signing ceremony this afternoon for legislation that restores voting rights to individuals who have served time on felony offenses, and have been out of prison for five years, but are still on parole or probation. Edwards says giving people back their rights reinvests them in their communities.
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Voting Rights Advocates Voice of the Experienced estimate this will restore rights to 70,000 Louisianans.

An anti-bestiality law has been signed by Governor Edwards despite initial pushback by supporters of Louisiana’s unconstitutional anti-sodomy law. Louisiana Director of the Humane Society of the United States, Julia Breaux Melancon, was surprised by the early objections to the legislation. She says the new law will strengthen prohibitions on bestiality and animal cruelty…
cut 3 (12) “…pedohilia”

A Senate committee made major changes to GOP House Chairman Lance Harris’ sales tax bill, so the proposed legislation would raise enough revenue to fill a projected budget shortfall for next fiscal year. The panel removed more sales tax exemptions for businesses, but Harris doesn’t see the Senate version passing the House…
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The revised sales tax bill would produce an extra 300-million dollars. The special session is set to end June 4th and if a sales tax plan is not done, another special session will likely take place.

New Orleans actor John Goodman declines to comment when asked about the cancellation of the TV sitcom “Roseanne.” ET found Goodman at an auto repair shop in New Orleans and he said he’d rather say nothing than to cause more trouble. A racist tweet sent by Roseanne Barr forced ABC to take the popular show off the air.

Starting with the 2019-20 school year, public schools will be required to display the motto “In God We Trust” and the schools will have also have to teach students about the motto. Baton Rouge Senator Regina Barrow says she doesn’t see the new law infringing upon someone’s religious opinion and it is a motto in which this country was founded on…
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The legislation is not expected to cost schools that much money, because they could display the motto on paper.

A Senate committee approves a sales tax bill that would generate 300-million dollars more in state revenues than what the House approved. The author of the legislation, Alexandria Republican Lance Harris, predicts the House will not go a long with the Senate changes. The special session ends June 4th and it remains to be seen if the two chambers can agree on a sales tax plan that would address a 648-million dollar shortfall.

Starting with the 2019-20 school year, Louisiana public schools will be required to display the motto “In God We Trust” in their buildings. Baton Rouge Senator Regina Barrow says the nation was built on a Christian foundation and students need to know that….
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Barrow says the law also requires instruction about the national motto.

US Senator Bill Cassidy says just because last year’s Obamacare repeal failed, doesn’t mean he will stop chasing healthcare reform. The Senator has released a plan, he says will help expand access and drive down prices. Cassidy says the first step is enforcing price transparency for medical care providers.
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Despite the 24-hundred mile distance from Baton Rouge, die-hard LSU baseball fans will make the trip to Oregon for the Corvallis Regional. Sean Fredenburn with the LSU Alumni Association Portland chapter says if there is a good number of Tiger fans in Corvallis they can make their presence known.
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The Senate Revenue and Fiscal Affairs Committee has made significant changes to a House approved tax plan so that it will generate even more revenue than what the lower chamber wanted. Lafayette Senator Gerald Boudreaux echoed the thoughts of many of the committee members, they want to produce enough revenue to avoid budget cuts…
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The projected shortfall for July 1st is 648 million dollars. The House approved a tax plan that generates close to 400-million dollars and House Republican Caucus Chairman Lance Harris predicts the votes are not there in the lower chamber to approve the Senate’s plan.

Sears announces its closing 72 stores nationwide, because of dismal sales. No word on what will happen with the 33 Sears stores in Louisiana.

Health care reform has taken a back seat to other issues in Washington D-C, but Louisiana Republican Senator Bill Cassidy says he continues to look at his colleagues on what can be done to lower health care costs…
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Corvallis, Oregon, is nearly 2500 miles away from Baton Rouge, but you can still expect a good contingent of LSU Fans at this weekend’s NCAA Regional at Oregon State. Sean Fredenburg with the LSU Alumni Association Portland Chapter says…
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