Governor John Bel Edwards calls yesterday’s ending of the regular session an epic failure as lawmakers were unable to come to a compromise on the House and Senate versions of the spending plan for next fiscal year. The Governor supported the Senate version which he said fully funded TOPS and spared from cuts higher education, prisons and child welfare programs…:
Cut 16 (10) “that budget”
But House Republican leaders wanted to limit spending in the event of a midyear shortfall. The special session resumes Monday.

Both Eastbound lanes of I-10 will be closed between Sorrento and Gramercy from 9 tonight through Monday morning at the latest. DOTD spokesman Rodney Mallet says crews removed a ramp in March to take off for repair and now they’re putting it back, so use an alternate route if you’re going to New Orleans:
Cut 5 (09) “you’re going”

Juveniles serving life sentences for murder will soon be eligible for parole after 25 years. Halen Doughty has more…:
Cut 3 (30) “I’m Halen Doughty”

The Baton Rouge man accused of running over a 12-year-old boy in a police chase during a drug investigation is saying he’s not the one who hit the child. Joshual Hilton’s attorney issued a statement after new charges were announced against the suspect, saying the truth is that their client is innocent in the death of Sammy Lee. State Police say they stand by their charge of manslaughter.

Lawmakers are headed into a special session as there was no budget deal reached in time Thursday. The regular session had to end at 6pm, and the moments leading up to the inevitable sine die were tense and chaotic. The House wanted to withhold spending $100 million in case of a midyear shortfall, while the Senate only wanted to hold back $50 million to avoid deeper cuts to state agencies. Governor Edwards called what happened an epic failure by House Republicans.

As to what DID happen yesterday was final passage on a bill by Baton Rouge Senator Dan Claitor that makes murderers convicted as juveniles eligible for parole after 25 years. Crowley Representative John Stefanski says this puts Louisiana in line with federal law…:
Cut 12 (10) “have to do”
This was the last piece of Edwards’ criminal justice overhaul.

New Orleans is one of the top five cities for millennials to live, according to a report from Time Magazine. Jeff Palermo has more..:
Cut 2 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

One person is dead after a wreck in Baton Rouge that was believed to have happened when two vehicles were drag racing. Officials say at least three people were taken to the hospital, one in critical condition who later died.

An 18-wheeler carrying mangoes lost its load after it overturned on I-10 east 2am Thursday between Gross Tete and Lobdell, and crews weren’t able to clean up the mess that closed the left lane and caused a traffic nightmare until late yesterday.

Another special session has started at the State Capitol, after lawmakers failed to pass a budget for next fiscal year. Democratic Governor John Bel Edwards calls it an epic failure by House Republican leadership…:
Cut 13 (12) “special session”
The standoff ended up being over $50 million dollars in spending. That’s how much the Senate & Edwards agreed to hold back, but the House wanted to save $100 million in case of a midyear shortfall. House Appropriations Chair Cameron Henry…:
Cut 14 (11) “for that”
The House will begin holding meetings Monday. The Senate has to wait for the lower chamber so they return to the Capitol Wednesday.

A report from Time Magazine finds New Orleans is one of the top five metro areas in the country for millennials to live. Demographer Greg Rigamer says that’s the 25-34 age group…:”
Cut 7 (07) “positive draw”
The recent survey finds the city saw a nearly 9-percent increase in millennials from 2010 to 2015.

If you’re headed that way this weekend, know that I-10 East between the Sorrento and Gramercy exits will be closed for construction starting tonight at 9. DOTD spokesman Rodney Mallet says crews will install a repaired on-ramp bridge…:
Cut 4 (09) “back on”
It will re-open Monday morning at the latest.

Lawmakers are entering another special session because the legislature failed to pass a spending plan for next fiscal year during the regular session. Publisher of La-politics-dot-com, Jeremy Alford says House Republican leaders do not want to spend all of the dollars that are available.

Cut 12 (09) “do not”

Governor John Bel Edwards says it was a failure of leadership in the House that led to this unnecessary special session because lawmakers put partisan politics ahead of the people’s business. The governor says he will keep the legislature in Baton Rouge as long as it takes to pass a budget that fully funds state services. This is the fourth special session of Edwards term, and it must end by June 19.

The US Inspector General reviewed 225 cases of suspected Medicaid fraud in Louisiana, and the state had a 100% compliance rate. That’s according to Chief of Staff with the Louisiana Department of Health, Andrew Tuozzolo. He credits the use of state-of-the-art software to look for potentially fraudulent billing practices.

Cut 10 (10) “for that service”

Louisiana is one of only four states to pass this audit since 2014.

We can expect to see more mosquitos out and about after more than a week of continued rain. LSU AgCenter entomologist Kristen Healy says a lot of rainfall can lead to hatching of so-called flood water mosquitos.

Cut 6 (09) “for example”
 

Lawmakers failed to pass a spending plan for next fiscal year during the regular session. House Appropriations Chairman Cameron Henry expressed his disappointment in the final minutes of the session.

Cut 23 (06) “…for that”

The legislature convenes for a special session to pass a budget and address a looming fiscal cliff.

Louisiana has been recognized as one of the toughest states on fighting Medicaid fraud. Michelle Southern has more…

Cut 1 (29) “I’m Michelle Southern”

Governor Edwards signs a bill into law that allows gamblers to use $50 and $100 bills in video poker machines, instead of the current $20 limit. Video Poker Lobbyist Alton Ashy says the only reason for this measure is so a patron is not required to ask a cashier for smaller bills.

Cut 5 (08) “dollar bill”

Critics say upping the amount would increase the chances for an addiction.

We can expect to see more mosquitos out and about after more than a week of continued rain. LSU AgCenter entomologist Kristen Healy says more rain equals more mosquitos, and different types of mosquitos at that. She says a lot of rainfall can lead to hatching of so-called flood water mosquitos.

Cut 6 (09) “for example”

The 2017 legislative session ends today. Emelie Gunn looks at what they accomplished…
Voicer 5 (30) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

Legislators have yet to approve a budget for next fiscal year. Publisher of La-politics-dot-com, Jeremy Alford says House Republican leaders do not want to spend all of the dollars that are available.:
Cut 12 (09) “do not”
Lawmakers must complete their work by 6 PM.

The US Inspector General reviewed 225 cases of suspected Medicaid fraud in Louisiana, and the state had a 100% compliance rate. That’s according to Chief of Staff with the Louisiana Department of Health, Andrew Tuozzolo. He credits the use of state-of-the-art software to look for potentially fraudulent billing practices…:
Cut 10 (10) “for that service”
Louisiana is one of only four states to pass this audit since 2014.

We can expect to see more mosquitos out and about after more than a week of continued rain. LSU AgCenter entomologist Kristen Healy says a lot of rainfall can lead to hatching of so-called flood water mosquitos…:
Cut 6 (09) “for example”
Still she says it’s a good idea to protect yourself when outdoors.

Lawmakers have until 6:00 tonight to approve a spending plan for next fiscal year, or they’ll have to do it in a special session that would begin at 6:30. La-politics-dot-com publisher Jeremy Alford says legislators also must pass a bill that finances construction projects…
cut 14 (11) “…construction budget”

More mosquitos are possible as a result of all of the rain that has fallen across the state over the last week. LSU Ag Center Entomologist Kristen Healy says while we haven’t seen local transmission of the Zika Virus yet, that’s still a possibility….
cut 7 (110 “…as well”
Healy recommends taking the proper precautions from getting bitten by a mosquito.

Governor John Bel Edwards signed into law a measure to allow video poker machines to accept 100 dollar bills, up from the current law of only 20 dollars. Video Poker Lobbyist Alton Ashy says the main reason for the legislation is convenience…:
Cut 3 (10) “dollar bill”
Critics argued this could fuel gambling addiction.

The Trump Administration recognizes Louisiana as one of the toughest states on fighting Medicaid fraud. Chief of Staff with the Louisiana Department of Health Andrew Tuozzolo says they’re doing everything they can to prevent, detect, and prosecute fraud. He says the US Inspector General reviewed 225 cases of suspected fraud in Louisiana…:
Cut 9 (09) “the referrals”
Louisiana was one of only four states to pass this audit since 2014.

Governor John Bel Edwards announces a news conference will be held this evening at 6:45 to discuss the legislative session. He’d previously said if lawmakers hadn’t reached a budget deal by 6 he’d call a special session to begin 30 minutes later. Jeremy Alford of LaPolitics.com says the legislature is ready to go home…:
Cut 13 (07) “tonight”
House Republican leaders do not want to spend all of the dollars that are available, but the governor and Senate do to avoid cuts.

Edwards signed into law a measure to allow video poker machines to accept 100 dollar bills, up from 20 dollars. Critics of the bill said it could fuel gambling addictions. But Video Poker Lobbyist Alton Ashy says there are no statistics to show that would be the case…:
Cut 4 (10) “gaming”
He says this legislation is about convenience.

More charges have been filed against the Baton Rouge man accused of running over and killing a 12-year-old boy during a police chase. State Police had already charged Joshual Hilton with manslaughter for running over the child, but BRPD has just released its report on the initial investigation of the suspect. Those findings lead to additional charges of obstruction and possession and distribution of drugs. Bond is now $307,500.

The Trump Administration recognizes Louisiana as one of the toughest states on fighting Medicaid fraud. Louisiana was one of only four states to pass this audit since 2014. Lawmakers have suggested Medicaid fraud was one culprit of the state’s budget problems. But Chief of Staff with the Louisiana Department of Health Andrew Tuozzolo says says there’s only around $50 million in fraudulent claims annually in a $10 billion program…:
Cut 11 (09) “in the program”

Budget negotiations are going down to the wire at the State Capitol as the House and Senate seek an agreement over how much money to spend. Publisher of La-politics-dot-com, Jeremy Alford says House Republican leaders do not want to spend all of the dollars that are available.:
Cut 12 (09) “do not”
Governor Edwards has called a news conference for 6:45, following the conclusion of the session.

The US Inspector General reviewed 225 cases of suspected Medicaid fraud in Louisiana, and the state had a 100% compliance rate. That’s according to Chief of Staff with the Louisiana Department of Health, Andrew Tuozzolo. He credits the use of state-of-the-art software to look for potentially fraudulent billing practices…:
Cut 10 (10) “for that service”

You’ll be able to use a $50 or $100 bill in video poker machines under a new law just signed by Governor Edwards. The current mandate is $20. Video Poker Lobbyist Alton Ashy says the only reason for this measure is so a patron is not required to ask a cashier for smaller bills…:
Cut 5 (08) “dollar bill”

After last week’s heavy rain, we could see an uptick in the mosquito population. Halen Doughty has more…:
Cut 2 (30) “I’m Halen Doughty”

The Trump Administration recognizes Louisiana as one of the toughest states on fighting Medicaid fraud. Chief of Staff with the Louisiana Department of Health Andrew Tuozzolo says they’re doing everything they can to prevent, detect, and prosecute fraud. He says the US Inspector General reviewed 225 cases of suspected fraud in Louisiana…:
Cut 9 (09) “the referrals”
Louisiana was one of only four states to pass this audit since 2014.

You’ve probably already noticed a huge influx of mosquitos outdoors which is to be expected with all the rain we’ve seen over the last several days. LSU AgCenter entomologist Kristen Healy recommends taking steps to protect themselves…:
Cut 8 (10) “own mosquitos”

If lawmakers reach an agreement on a budget today, TOPS is expected to be fully funded…:
Cut 25 (29) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

There were no jackpot winners in last night’s Powerball drawing which rises to an estimated $435 million dollars for Saturday.