Governor John Bel Edwards signs three bills designed to stop the growing opioid epidemic. Jeff Palermo has more…:
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Today the governor is slated to announce the permanent head of the Louisiana State Police. Sources say it will be Kevin Reeves, who has held the interim post since the retirement of Col. Mike Edmonson. Edwards will hold a news conference at 11am to name his appointment to lead the state’s top law enforcement agency.

A soldier from Louisiana was killed Sunday in Afghanistan, and he leaves behind a wife and 2 children. 23-year-old Sgt. Christopher P. Soderlund of Pineville died from his injuries after his unit was hit by enemy forces using a rocket-propelled grenade.

17-years ago was the last time the state legislature didn’t pass a budget in the regular session, and Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne was a Senator at the time. He says lawmakers were facing a similar problem then as they are today with temporary taxes set to expire in 2018…:
Cut 8 (08) “sound familiar”
He’s hoping lawmakers can get a spending plan for next fiscal year passed soon in the special session.

The NCAA announces LSU will play Florida State Saturday night at 7pm in the College World Series. The Tigers get the prime time spot following Cal. State-Fullerton vs. Oregon State at 2pm. The games will air on ESPN.

A new law signed by the Governor requires doctors issuing a first time pain pill prescriptions for outpatient use to limit the amount of the drug to a seven-day supply. New Orleans Representative Helena Moreno says this strikes a balance between preserving access, and reducing the number of opioids out there..:
Cut 5 (04) “to prevent”
Three bills were signed into law Monday aimed at combating the state’s opioid epidemic.

Baton Rouge Congressman Garret Graves files legislation aimed at providing financial relief to 2016 flood victims. Congress has appropriated $2 billion for flood recovery so far, and Governor Edwards is seeking an additional $1 billion in federal aid. But Graves says for many that still won’t be enough…:
Cut 12 (10) “as we can”

Recreational anglers in Louisiana would get an extended 27 day, weekends-only recreational red snapper season in federal waters this summer starting Saturday under a proposal approved by the Wildlife and Fisheries Commission. Assistant Secretary for LDWF Patrick Banks says this is a good compromise with the federal government..:
Cut 15 (08) “involved”
The order is pending approval and acceptance by the four other Gulf state’s fisheries directors and the U.S. Department of Commerce.

We now know the time LSU will open play in the College World Series. The Tigers will take on Florida State Saturday night at 7pm in Omaha. LSU is considered one of the heavy favorites to win the CWS, as they’ve won 16 in a row. Coach Paul Mainieri likes his team’s chances..:
Cut 16 (16) “as well”

Congressman Garret Graves of Baton Rouge files legislation to give flood victims a tax break…:
Cut 2 (30) “I’m Halen Doughty”

Ronald Gasser, the man accused of shooting former NFL player Joe McKnight in Jefferson Parish, is scheduled to go on trial August 7th. Gasser has pleaded not guilty to second degree murder in the December 1st apparent road rage incident.

The pairings and game times for the first two days of the College World Series have been announced. LSU will take on Florida in the second game in Omaha on Saturday at 7pm.

Prescriptions for highly addictive opioid drugs in Louisiana will be more difficult to obtain under bills signed into law by Governor John Bel Edwards. One will limit first-time prescriptions for acute pain to seven days, down from 30. State Department of Health Secretary Dr. Rebekah Gee believes this legislation will slow down opioid abuse in our state…:
Cut 6 (07) “we’ve made”
Another measure requires physicians to consult a statewide monitoring system before prescribing opioid drugs to patients, some of whom may be “doctor-shopping.”

The Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission approves a proposal to open the recreational red snapper fishing season in federal waters for the next 12 weekends as part of a compromise with the federal government and four other Gulf Coast states. Assistant Secretary for LDWF, Patrick Banks..:
Cut 13 (08) “located”
The agreement could begin this weekend.

Governor John Bel Edwards signed three bills aimed at helping the state’s growing opioid epidemic. One of new laws prohibits a doctor from prescribing more than a seven day supply of pain killers for a first time prescription. New Orleans Representative Helena Moreno is happy at least something came out of the regular session this year..:
Cut 4 (08) “this year”
She says this is a step in the right direction for saving lives.

It’s been 17 years since the legislature adjourned a regular session without passing a budget, until this year. Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne was there nearly two decades ago, and says it’s the same old song and dance…:
Cut 7 (09) “and universities”
Dardenne says it’s frustrating that we’re in that place again today, but he’s confident the budget issue will be resolved soon.

Baton Rouge Congressman Garret Graves files legislation aimed at providing financial relief to 2016 flood victims. Graves says even after Congress appropriated billions of dollars for flood recovery, there are thousands and thousands of flood victims who are far from whole following the floods…:
Cut 10 (08) “they still have”
He says his bill also provides some financial relief for extra costs associated with drawing from retirement savings prematurely.

We now know the time LSU will open play in the College World Series. The Tigers will take on Florida State Saturday night at 7pm in Omaha.

Democratic Caucus Chairman Gene Reynolds of Minden wants to see a more balanced representation on the Republican-dominated House Appropriations and Ways and Means Committees. He believes more Democrats or even moderate Republicans could change some of the voting patterns.

Cut 7 (08) “solve the problem”

Reynolds says currently these committees are not structured for success.

The LSU Tigers are Omaha bound, and they’ll take on Florida State in the opening round of the College World Series this weekend. LSU won 16 straight and scored 10 or more runs in half those games. Head Coach Paul Mainieri says his team can do more than just hit.

Cut 5 (08) “try and do”

This is the fifth time Mainieri has led the Tigers to Omaha.

Police say a Baton Rouge man fatally stabbed another man with a broken beer bottle after a verbal argument downtown. Sergeant Don Coppola says 59-year-old Elvis Graham turned himself into authorities today in connection with the death of 52-year-old Vinell Easley.

Cut 15 (09) “…Easley’s death”
Coppola says the stabbing took place on Saturday night in downtown Baton Rouge.

A Shreveport man in serious condition getting shot while driving on Interstate 20 this morning. Shreveport police corporal Marcus Hines says detectives are still searching for a shooter and a motive.

Cut 14 (10) “that experience”
Hines says 23-year-old Perdarius Marshall suffered a gunshot wound to the midsection.

Lawmakers are back at the state capitol trying to iron out a budget for next fiscal year. Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne went before the House Appropriations Committee and said he doesn’t understand why they didn’t support the Senate’s spending plan, which would not lead to cuts in many areas, like public colleges…
cut 11 (09) “….to cut em”
But Covington Representative John Schroder says needs and wants are not relevant, but this is about what the state can afford…:
Cut 10 (09) “money or not”
A budget must be approved before the special session ends, which is June 19th. The spending plan will be discussed on the House floor Wednesday.

The chair of the House Democratic caucus, Minden Representative Gene Reynolds, hopes lawmakers are able to get more accomplished in the special session than what they they did in the regular session…:
Cut 8 (07) “get this done”
Reynolds is hopeful more Democrats or moderate Republicans can get seats on the two money committees to help end the gridlock.

Governor John Bel Edwards signs three bills designed to stop the growing opioid epidemic. Jeff Palermo has more…
Voicer 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

The House Appropriations Committee has begun budget discussions in the special session, and the panel still plans to save some money for next fiscal year in case there’s a mid year shortfall. Denham Springs Representative Valarie Hodges says there is huge chance 100% of the estimated dollars won’t be there…
CUT 12 (09) “you have to cut back”
But the governor’s office says under the House plan higher ed wouldn’t be fully funded and other difficult cuts would be made.

After lawmakers failed to pass a budget or tax reform bills in the fiscal session, some blame the Republican-dominated money committees. Minden Representative Gene Reynolds says the House is about 60 percent Republican and 40 percent Democrat, and they’d like to see more balanced representation in Appropriations and Ways and Means…:
Cut 6 (08) “solve problems”
He hopes lawmakers can get more accomplished in the special session.

59-year-old Elvis Graham of Baton Rouge turned himself into authorities today on a second-degree murder charge in the death of 52-year-old Vinell Eisley…
cut 16 (10) “….took place”
That’s Baton Rouge Police Sergeant Don Coppola, who says the fatal stabbing happened near downtown Baton Rouge on Saturday night.

LSU is back in the College World Series for an 18th time in program history. Jeff Palermo has more from their senior shortstop…:
Voicer 1 (31) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

House Appropriations began discussing a 28-billion dollar budget proposal today, and once again it’s the committee’s plan to hold back $206 million dollars in spending to avoid a midyear shortfall. But Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne says if all of the money isn’t appropriated, it won’t be available in the event of a shortfall…:
Cut 9 (11) “with a crisis”
But Covington Representative John Schroder says needs and wants are not relevant, but this is about what the state can afford…:
Cut 10 (09) “money or not”
Legislators must pass a budget before the special session ends, which is June 19th. The spending plan will be discussed on the House floor on Wednesday.

Nothing was done in the regular session to implement tax reform, and Democrats blame the Republican-dominated House Appropriations and Ways and Means Committees. Michelle Southern has more…
Voicer 2 (30) “I’m Michelle Southern”

A Shreveport man is in serious condition after he was shot while driving on Interstate 20 this morning . Shreveport Police Corporal Marcus Hines says another vehicle on the roadway shot multiple rounds into a car driven by 23-year-old Perdarius Marshall…:
Cut 13 (07) “remains”
Hines says detectives are still searching for a suspect.

Lawmakers are back at the state capitol trying to iron out a budget for next fiscal year. Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne went before the House Appropriations Committee this morning and told House members he doesn’t understand why they didn’t support the Senate’s spending plan, which would not lead to cuts in many areas, like public colleges…
cut 11 (09) “….to cut em”

Meanwhile, the chairman of the House Democratic Caucus would like to see changes when it comes to who sits on the House Appropriations and Ways and Means committees. Minden Representative Gene Reynolds says more moderate Republicans on those two panels could change some voting patterns….
cut 7 (08) “…solve the problems”
Reynolds is upset the regular session did not result in a budget or tax reform.

Investigators say a 59-year-old Baton Rouge man fatally stabbed another man with a broken beer bottle after a verbal argument. Baton Rouge Police Sergeant Don Coppola says Elvis Graham turned himself into authorities today in connection with the death of 52-year-old Vinell Easley…
cut 15 (09) “…Easley’s death”
Coppola says the homicide took place near downtown Baton Rouge on Saturday night.

Twenty-three-year-old Perdarius Marshall of Shreveport in serious condition after he was shot while driving on Interstate 20 near the Common Street overpass this morning. Shreveport police corporal Marcus Hines says detectives are still searching for a shooter and a motive…
cut 14 (10) “…that experience”
Hines says Marshall suffered a gunshot wound to the midsection.

The House Appropriations Committee has begun budget discussions for the special session, and still plans to save some money for next fiscal year in case there’s a mid year shortfall. Denham Springs Representative Valarie Hodges says there is huge chance that 100% of the dollars won’t be there, and it’s not that they WANT to cut…:
CUT 12 (09) “you have to cut back”
But the governor’s office says under the House plan higher ed wouldn’t be fully funded and vital services would be put at risk.

Amid this budget mess, Democratic Minden Representative Gene Reynolds believes currently these committees are Republican heavy and not structured for success, but instead for for turmoil. He hopes lawmakers are able to get more accomplished in the special than they did in the regular session…:
Cut 8 (07) “get this done”

The LSU baseball team is headed to Omaha after sweeping Mississippi State in the Baton Rouge Regional. It’s the fifth time Coach Paul Mainieri has led LSU to the College World Series…:
Cut 4 (07) “make you proud”
The Tigers will play Florida State in the opening round.

AAA reports that almost every state has seen a drop in the price at the pump over the last week. The current statewide average for a gallon of regular is $2.13 which is three cents lower than the prior week.

A Shreveport man is in serious condition after he was shot while driving on Interstate 20 this morning near the Common Street overpass. Shreveport Police Corporal Marcus Hines says another vehicle on the roadway shot multiple rounds into a car driven by 23-year-old Perdarius Marshall…:
Cut 13 (07) “remains”
Hines says detectives are still searching for a shooter and motive.