We could see another special session start 30 minutes after the current regular session ends on June 8th. That’s according to Jeremy Alford of LaPolitics.com who says the current fiscal session has bogged down over partisan politics.
Cut 10 (10) “reform bills”
Governor Edwards is also not pleased with the budget the House has approved.

LSU fans are happy today after watching the Tigers win their 12th SEC Tournament Baseball Championship yesterday with a four to two win over Arkansas. Tiger Rag Associate Editor James Moran says there’s no doubt LSU will be a national seed when the regional pairings are released at 11 AM….
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Regional play will begin Friday in Baton Rouge.

It’s important to remember the real reason for today’s Memorial Day holiday. State Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary, Col. Joey Strickland, asks Louisiana residents to take time to remember our fallen heroes.
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11-thousand men and women from Louisiana made the ultimate sacrifice for the United States in all wars.

With the summer in full swing, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warns the public about bacteria in public pools. Michelle Hlvasa (Vah-sah) with the CDC says there’s a germ called cryptosporidium that’s causing a lot of outbreaks linked to swimming…
cut 7 (10) “…of outbreaks”
Hlvasa says to protect others from getting crypto, stay out of the pool if you’ve had diarrhea recently.

Louisiana Economic Development has launched a business startup program for military veterans. Secretary Don Pierson says after learning LSU’s Baton Rouge campus was helping disabled veterans, LED created the Louisiana Veteran Entrepreneurship Program. He says many soldiers have a desire to start a small business after leaving active duty.

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For more information on the program call (225) 578-7555.

The Humane Society of Louisiana is asking for the public’s help in finding a man who threw a dog out of a moving vehicle in Marksville. A witness reported seeing a white male toss the dog out the window of a dark green Chevrolet last Sunday. Anyone with information on the incident is encouraged to call 1-888-6-HUMANE.

Today and tomorrow consumers can purchase hurricane preparedness supplies at a state sales tax discount. Jeff Palermo has more…

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Bayou Country Superfest ranks in the top 10 on Vivid Seat’s list of 2017 summer music festivals. This weekend’s festival in New Orleans came in at number 7 on the online ticket market place’s ranking, which is based on ticket sales. According to the site, Bayou Country Superfest’s $34 tickets are one of the least expensive of top festivals.

Louisiana Economic Development creates a business startup program for military veterans returning home from active duty. Don Molino has more…

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US Senator Bill Cassidy has filed a bill to help veterans pay reasonable costs of urgent care. The Veterans Emergency Room Relief Act would require the Department of Veterans Affairs to pay emergency room costs for military veterans. Congressman Clay Higgins of Louisiana’s third congressional district introduced companion legislation in the US House.

State Police arrest more than a dozen Acadiana residents as a result of an insurance fraud investigation. Master Trooper Brooks David says they received complaints last July about 16 individuals who were filing false insurance claims.

Cut 6 (08) “of claims”

David says 13 people have been arrested so far, and three suspects are still at large.

AAA projects nearly 40 million Americans will travel this Memorial Day weekend, and State Police are asking travelers to make safety a priority. Trooper Dustin Dwight advises drivers to take extreme caution on the roadways this holiday weekend.

Cut 9 (08) “car crashes”

Dwight says if you plan to drink, be sure to designate a sober driver.

Governor John Bel Edwards signs the first piece of legislation from the 2017 regular session. The measure by Leesville Representative Jason Armes establishes the Louisiana Military Medics and Corpsmen Pilot Program, which seeks to help veterans translate their military skills into civilian trades. The new law allows veterans with medical military certifications to work under the supervision of a licensed physician.

Louisiana Economic Development and other partners create a program to help veterans start their own business after leaving active duty. Secretary Don Pierson says the Louisiana Veteran Entrepreneurship Program is a great way to thank those who fight for our freedom.

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Pierson hopes this program will create 100 new jobs and generate $5 million in startup capital.

The Department of Health is facing a massive budget cut, and Secretary Rebekah Gee pleaded with the Senate Finance Committee to restore funding. But Mandeville Senator Jack Donahue says healthcare spending now accounts for nearly half of the state’s entire budget.

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Donahue says the health budget has grown more than a billion dollars since 2010.

Today and tomorrow Louisiana residents can buy hurricane preparedness items at a discounted sales tax rate. Department of Revenue spokesperson Byron Henderson says lawmakers approved this tax holiday to encourage families to prepare for the hurricane season.

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The full amount of any local sales tax still applies to purchases.

Health Secretary Rebekah Gee made her case to the Senate Finance Committee not to cut her budget. But Mandeville Senator Jack Donahue says Medicaid spending has increased 250-percent over the last decade and the state can’t afford it.

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But Gee says these cuts could lead to the loss of mental healthcare and pediatric programs.

With AAA projecting nearly 40 million Americans will hit the road this Memorial Day weekend, State Police urge drivers to use extreme caution. Trooper Dustin Dwight encourages people to designate a sober driver, avoid distractions, and always buckle up. He says motorists can expect to see more law enforcement on the highway this weekend.

Cut 10 (09) “impaired driving”

Louisiana Economic Development creates a business startup program for military veterans returning home from active duty. Don Molino has more…

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A note on a napkin saved a woman’s life in West Monroe. KARD reports a woman was being held hostage by her boyfriend at a motel. She reportedly convinced 30-year-old Dennis Griffin to take her to Chili’s. While returning from the bathroom, she passed a note to her server asking for help. West Monroe Police responded immediately.

State health secretary Rebekah Gee pleaded with lawmakers to restore funding for her department, which is facing a massive budget cut. She says without matched state dollars, we won’t be able to draw down federal funds. She adds that healthcare benefits the entire state.

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Gee says the budget reduction could lead to cuts in mental healthcare and pediatric programs.

Hurricane preparedness items can be purchased this weekend at a reduced sales tax rate. Eligible items include flashlights, batteries, portable generators and other emergency supplies. Department of Revenue spokesperson Byron Henderson…

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But Henderson says the full amount of any local sales tax applies to all purchases.

Louisiana Economic Development partners with other agencies to create the Louisiana Veteran Entrepreneurship Program. LED Secretary Don Pierson says the program is designed to help veterans start their own business once they leave active duty.

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The program offers an intensive boot camp at the outset and includes ongoing counseling by small business partners.

The Humane Society of Louisiana is seeking information on driver in Marksville who threw a dog out the window of a moving vehicle last Sunday afternoon. The man was driving a dark green Chevrolet. A witness took the dog to a local shelter, where a rescuer named her Penny. The Humane Society is also asking for donations towards Penny’s medical care, as she may need surgery on a fractured leg. Donations can be made at humane-la.gov.

There’s a new program from Louisiana Economic Development to help military veterans start a business after returning home. Secretary Don Pierson says the idea for the Louisiana Veteran Entrepreneurship Program came after hearing LSU’s Baton Rouge campus was helping disabled veterans in a similar way.

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There are plans to expand the program to other regions of the state.

Thirteen people have been arrested and three are still at large after an insurance fraud investigation by State Police. Master Trooper Brooks David says all 16 individuals were involved in a number of fictitious crashes.

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David says it’s possible more arrests could be made.

You can buy hurricane preparedness items at a discounted sales tax rate this weekend. Department of Revenue spokesperson Byron Henderson says the exemption applies to the first $15-hundred of the purchase price of each eligible item.

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For more information on what items are eligible, visit revenue.louisiana.gov.

State Police encourage drivers to make safety a priority this Memorial Day weekend. AAA projects nearly 40 million Americans will travel over the three-day weekend. Trooper Dustin Dwight says it’s imperative that you take extreme caution on the roadways.

Cut 9 (08) “car crashes”

Dwight encourages people to designate a driver if they plan to drink.

The state department of health is facing a massive budget reduction, and Secretary Rebekah Gee pleaded with lawmakers to restore funding for her department. But Mandeville Senator Jack Donahue says healthcare spending has increased by $1.4 billion since 2010.

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Donahue notes the health budget accounts for nearly half of the state’s entire budget.

State Police arrest 13 people in an insurance fraud scam. Master Trooper Brooks David says three suspects are still at large, and it’s possible more people may have been involved. He says these fraudulent claims can drive up premiums for everyone.

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The suspects were involved in at least 7 fictitious crashes.

On Saturday and Sunday consumers can purchase hurricane preparedness supplies at a state sales tax discount. Jeff Palermo has more…

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A note on a napkin saved a woman’s life in West Monroe. A woman was reportedly being held against her will at a motel, where her boyfriend was beating her. The victim convinced 30-year-old Dennis Griffin to take her to Chilli’s, where she passed a note to her server asking for help. West Monroe Police were on the scene in minutes and brought the woman to safety.

Republican Senators raised concerns about the state’s increased spending on health care while discussing budget needs with state health secretary Rebekah Gee. Mandeville Senator Jack Donahue says Medicaid spending has increased 250-percent over the last decade and the state can’t afford it…
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Gee reminded legislators about the benefits for the state when it comes to dollars spent on health care.

An insurance fraud investigation in the Acadiana area led to over a dozen arrests. State Police Trooper Brooks David says last July they received complaints about 16 individuals who were filing false insurance claims…
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David says there were at least seven phony crashes.

Louisiana Economic Development creates a business startup program for military veterans returning home from active duty. Don Molino has more…
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If you’re traveling on this Memorial Day weekend, State Police has this message for you…
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Trooper Dustin Dwight says there were six preventable fatal crashes last Memorial Day weekend.

State Police announce the arrest of 13 people in Acadiana for their alleged involvement in a fake crash scheme. Master Trooper Brooks David says they believe the group defrauded insurance compamies out of over 30-thousand dollars….
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The 13 arrested were booked into the Lafayette Parish Correctional Center and the search continues for three more suspects.

At the state capitol, the Senate Finance Committee heard from state Health Secretary Rebekah Gee. Several Republicans raised concerns about the state’s increased spending on health care, but Gee says healthcare funding benefits the state as a whole, not just her department….
cut 15 (09) “….ghose areas”
Gee raised concerns about proposed cuts to mental healthcare and pediatric programs.

Several state agencies have come together to create the Louisiana Veteran Entrepenurship Program which is designed to help veterans start their own business once they leave active duty….
cut 12 (11) “….own business”
That’s Louisiana Economic Development Secretary Don Pierson, who says the Louisiana Business and Technology Center at LSU Innovation Park will deliver the training. For application details call (225) 578-7555.

For those planning to travel on this Memorial Day Weekend, AAA says the statewide average for a gallon of regular gasoline is $2.15. About a nickel higher than a year ago. AAA is anticipating the busiest Memorial Day travel weekend since 2005.