An area of low pressure is set to enter the Gulf of Mexico and is likely to turn into a Tropical Storm or Depression in the next 48 hours. That’s according to State Climatologist Barry Keim. But he adds that there is good news with this system…:
Cut 3 (10) “very closely”
He says we can definitely plan for a lot of rain starting tomorrow and continuing all day Wednesday into Thursday.

The Supreme Court struck down a law in North Carolina which bans sex offenders from using social media, a similar mandate Louisiana has. Justices say taking Twitter, Facebook and other popular accounts away all together would prevent the user from engaging in the legitimate exercise of First Amendment rights. The law in Louisiana specifically applies to people convicted of sex crimes with children. If convicted, the individual could be sentenced to up to 10 years in jail and to pay up to a $10,000 fine.

Governor John Bel Edwards says he may not issue the call for a special session where lawmakers could address a looming fiscal cliff in 2018. Edwards says House Republicans did not support any of the recommendations from the tax reform task force in the regular session, nor did they propose a plan of their own…:
Cut 6 (10) “call one”
If the call is issued, Edwards says he will look to House leadership to assure him that lawmakers have a plan they will support.

Bayou Teche Brewing has a newly expanded Arnaudville facility that President Karlos Knott says will help them further automate the process:
CUT 25 (09) “technological”
He says the smart brew house can produce up to 13 batches in just 24 hours.

The special session is over, but another is already looming in the future, as more than a billion in temporary taxes are set to expire next year. Jeremy Alford of LaPolitics.com says the legislature will face more difficult decisions.

Cut 4 (11) “two strategies”

It’s likely the governor will call another special session early next year.

The P.G.T. Beauregard monument could be rehomed in Beauregard Parish, as the parish police jury is seeking ownership of the equestrian statue. President Rusty Williamson says it’s unclear if or when they may get the statue because the removal of this monument is tied up in the courts.

Cut 15 (09) “in litigation”

Employment is picking up in Louisiana, as nonfarm jobs saw the biggest one month gain since 2011. Executive Director of the Louisiana Workforce Commission Ava Dejoie says they’ve seen an improvement in the state’s employment landscape over the past month.

Cut 10 (09) “Lafayette”

In May, nonfarm employment increased by more than 10-thousand jobs.

Bayou Teche Brewing is now home to a new smart brew house that’s the first of its kind in the country. President Karlos Knott says it’s exciting to be on the forefront, but also nerve-racking to be the Guinee pig. But he says there are hundreds of these in Europe, and the owners they talked to love them.

Cut 8 (09) “the same time”

The new brew house can produce up to 13 batches in just 24 hours.

Lawmakers will still be dealing with more money problems in 2018, as one-point-two billion dollars in temporary taxes will expire. Jeremy Alford with LaPolitics.com says the governor may propose ideas recommended by a task force that studied the state’s tax code, but that doesn’t mean the legislature will agree with those proposals..:
Cut 5 (08) “new revenue”

The economy in the state looks to be improving which could eventually help the fiscal woes. In May, non-farm employment increased by 10,500 jobs– the best one month gain since July of 2011. Executive Director of the Louisiana Workforce Commission, Ava Dejoie, says the industrial boom in Lake Charles has created an additional 16-hundred jobs in May, and flood recovery efforts are also producing jobs…:
Cut 12 (10) “home sector”

The National Hurricane Center says an area of low pressure near the east coast of the Yucatan Peninsula has an 80 percent chance of becoming a tropical depression or tropical storm in the next 48 hours, and a 90 percent chance over the next five days. Forecasters say, as a result, South Louisiana could see 8-plus inches of rain, and 25-mph winds.

The Bossier Parish Sheriff’s Office says a Springhill teen is charged with second degree murder for allegedly shooting another teen Sunday in Plain Dealing following an ongoing dispute. The suspect is identified as 19-year-old Phillip Woods, and the murdered victim is 16.

The Beauregard Parish Police Jury is interested in taking possession of the P.G.T. Beauregard statue which was removed in New Orleans. Police Jury President Rusty Williamson says there’s some push back against putting the statue at the courthouse, but there are other options…:
Cut 14 (09) “go there”
They believe it’s the right place for the monument, since the parish is named after the Confederate General.

It looks like Louisiana’s economy is picking up as non-farm and private sector jobs are on the rise. Emelie Gunn has more…:
Cut 3 (31) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

As one special session just ended and a budget approved for next fiscal year, lawmakers are facing an even bigger problem in 2018 when 1.2 billion dollars in temporary taxes expire. Jeremy Alford with LaPolitics.com, says the easiest thing to do would be to keep the fifth sales tax penny on the books..:
Cut 6 (o8) “Louisiana legislature”

The Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness is urging the public to be aware of two areas of low pressure for possible tropical development. The National Hurricane Center expects a tropical cyclone to develop near the Yucatan or in the Gulf of Mexico early this week.

Bayou Teche Brewing has a newly expanded Arnaudville facility. President Karlos Knott says they added 50-percent more floor space, including new offices and an automated keg washing system. He says they’re excited about a new fully-automatic smart brew house…:
Cut 7 (08) “less energy”
He says the expansion was needed to increase sales of their year-round LA 31 brews and seasonal beers.

The Shreveport Police Department says they believe a man who died of an apparent suicide in Texas could be responsible for the shooting deaths of two people Sunday morning. They say the motive for the murders could be related to the fact that the female victim was engaged in a relationship with the man who supposedly shot and killed himself in Harrison County.

It took a special session to approve a budget for next fiscal year and lawmakers have bigger money problems in the very near future.
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

The National Hurricane Center says a disturbance off the Mexican Coast will likely develop into a depression or tropical storm in the Gulf of Mexico. An advisory says there is an 80% chance of formation in the next two days.

Congressman Steve Scalise’s Twitter account sent a Father’s Day wish Sunday. MedStar Hospital’s latest update indicated The House Majority Whip’s condition was upgraded from critical to serious.

The Beauregard Parish Police Jury has expressed interest in taking possession of the statue of the same name. It was one of four controversial confederate monuments taken down in New Orleans. Police Jury President Rusty Williamson says they should have it since the Parish is named after PGT Beauregard…:
Cut 13 (10) “get it”
But he says it’s unclear if or when they may get the statue, because the removal of this monument is tied up in the courts.

Louisiana’s economy appears to be improving as non-farm and private sector jobs are on the rise. Executive Director of the Louisiana Workforce Commission Ava Dejoie says our environment is tied to oil and gas, but the tide is turning…”
Cut 11 (10) “rebound”
Nonfarm employment increased by 10,500 jobs in May, the best one month gain since July of 2011.

Legislators struggled to approve a budget this year and the state’s financial woes will only look worse next year. That’s because one-point-two billion dollars in temporary taxes will expire in July 2018. Publisher of lapolitics.com, Jeremy Alford, says state lawmakers face more difficult decisions…:
Cut 4 (11) “two strategies”
It’s expected the governor will call a special session early next year so legislators can address the fiscal cliff.

Employment is on the rise in the Bayou State. In May, nonfarm employment increased by 10,500 jobs, the best one month gain since July of 2011. Executive Director of the Louisiana Workforce Commission Ava Dejoie says there’s been a noticeable improvement to the state’s employment landscape:
Cut 10 (09) “Lafayette”

Bayou Teche Brewing cuts the ribbon on the newly expanded brewery in Arnaudville. Halen Doughty has more…:

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Halen Doughty”

The National Hurricane Center says two tropical systems are forming in the Atlantic basin and could have the potential to become named storms in the next couple of days.

The University of Louisiana System President Jim Henderson calls this legislative session the most successful for higher ed in nearly a decade. Don Molino has more…
Cut 2 (30) “I’m Don Molino”

Louisiana’s economy is picking up as nonfarm and private sector jobs are improving. Over the month of May, nonfarm employment gained 10,500 jobs, the best one month gain since July of 2011. Private sector jobs increased by more than 9-thousand over the month. The Bayou State is among four other states with the largest percentage gains in jobs.

The special session has come to an end and Governor Edwards has signed a spending plan for next fiscal year. Senate Finance Committee Chairman Eric LaFleur says for the first time in nearly 10 years, public colleges will not be cut.
Cut 4 (08) “not doing”
But Slidell Senator Sharon Hewitt voted against the budget because she would rather hold back a small portion in case of a mid-year shortfall.

It’s time to put some steaks on the grill for Dad as it’s Father’s Day weekend. Executive Vice President of the Louisiana Cattlemen’s Association Robert Joyner says while the demand for beef is up this weekend, prices will still be affordable given the large supply of cattle.
Cut 15 (08) “as numbers”

The full senate passed the budget bill on a 26 to 9 vote. Jeff Palermo has more on the state’s spending plan that was signed by the governor…
Cut 1 (29) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

LSU begins play in the College World Series tonight at 7 p.m. as they take on Florida State in the second game of the series. Coach Paul Mainieri wants his players to enjoy this experience. This is the 18th time the Tigers have been to Omaha for the CWS.

Louisiana officials were in a federal courtroom seeking to have a lawsuit thrown out that challenges recent laws that restrict abortions in the state. The laws extend waiting periods, ban certain procedures and restrict which doctors can perform abortions. Executive Director for the Louisiana Right to Life, Ben Clapper….
cut 8 (09) “….that goal”
But pro choice organizations say the regulations interfere with the constitutional right that woman can terminate her pregnancy.

UL System President Jim Henderson believes this was one of the most successful legislative sessions when it comes to higher education in nearly a decade. The House and Senate approved spending plan did not reduce funding to higher ed and Henderson says they’re grateful.
Cut 12 (12) “deserve it”

Doctors remain encouraged over the progress Jefferson Parish Congressman Steve Scalise has made over the last few days as he’s recovering from a gunshot wound to the hip. Director of Trauma at MedStar Washington Hospital Dr Jake Sava says Scalise has a long road ahead of him but is expected to be able to walk and even run again.
Cut 17 (12) “rehabilitation”

Attorney General Jeff Landry announces 51 people have been arrested on child exploitation charges under Operation Broken Heart. With the work of numerous police departments, sheriff’s officers and state and federal agencies these individuals from all around the state were arrested. The charges range from possession of child pornography to Solicitation of minor.

A federal judge heard arguments in Baton Rouge regarding laws passed last year that restrict abortions in Louisiana. Attorney Zoe Levine with the Center for Reproductive Rights says the regulations interfere with a women’s access to safe and legal abortions…
cut 7 (09) “…to contract”
Louisiana officials are seeking to have the C-P-R’s lawsuit dismissed.

It’s Father’s Day weekend and many families will be outside grilling with Dad. Executive Vice President of the Louisiana Cattlemen’s Association Robert Joyner recommends beef for the menu this Sunday as prices have been decliing over the past few years.
Cut 14 (08) “good year”

Wounded Congressman Steve Scalise’s condition is improving, but remains in critical condition after multiple surgeries. Director of the Trauma Unit at MedStar Washington Hospital, Dr. Jake Sava, says when Scalise arrived after being shot, he was in imminent risk of death but now there is a good possibility he’ll have an excellent recovery…
cut 10 (04) “…run”
Sava says Scalise still faces more surgeries.

The Louisiana Legislature finally passed a budget for next fiscal year. Senate Finance Chairman Eric LaFleur calls it a smart and reasonable spending plan that adequately funds the state’s biggest priorities.
cut 3 (08) “…neglected”
With the passage of the budget, the special session ended Friday afternoon. But another special session could be called early next year to address the loss of over one-billion dollars in temporary taxes.

UL System President Dr. Jim Henderson calls this legislative session one of the most successful for higher ed in nearly a decade. He says he’s thrilled lawmakers approved a budget that fully funds TOPS, after failing to do so for the first time in the program’s history last academic year.
Cut 11 (09) “shouldn’t consider”
The spending plan is the first in nearly a decade that did not reduce funding to higher education.

Lots of people will grill for dad this Father’s Day weekend. Executive Vice President of the Louisiana Cattleman’s Association, Robert Joyner, says while the demand for beef is up, prices will still be affordable because of the large supply of cattle.
Cut 15 (08) “as numbers”
Joyner says beef is also a good source of iron and zinc.