The spending plan for next fiscal year got many changes in the Senate Finance Committee and the bill now goes to the full Senate. 48% of the TOPS scholarship was funded under the plan. Louisiana DHH undersecretary Jeff Reynolds says fully funding the waiver program, which was another change that was made, took away from funding the state’s safety net hospitals..:
Cut 6 (11) “the partnership“
The session must end Monday.

3 people and 1-year-old child died in fiery East Feliciana Parish head-on collision last night, according to State Police. They believe the vehicle with 1-year-old Hazel Temple inside was passing in a no passing zone on LA 67 north of Clinton, when he slammed head on into 24-year-old’s Jakyle Hall’s vehicle on top of a hill. The passing vehicle was driven by 22-year-old Brandon Temple. His other occupant was 19-year-old Holley Thomas. All died in the blaze.

Feral hogs are a big problem in Louisiana, so the LSU AgCenter is hosting a meeting today at their Dean Lee Research Center in Alexandria to give updates on latest research and new regulations that are being implemented. AgCenter area agent Donna Morgan says strides have been made to control the feral pig population…:
CUT 7 (13) “now offer”

The National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute says 271,000 adults are living with the condition in Louisiana. Director of the Division of Lung Diseases, Dr. James Kiley, says if you suffer with asthma, you should take notice of your symptoms, and see your physician for an appropriate diagnosis and treatment plan…:
cut 14 (09) “as directed”
New Orleans is one of the top ten most challenging places to live with asthma.

The four people who died in the fiery head-on East Feliciana Parish crash have been identified, and one of the victims was a 1 year old according to State Police. They say the child, Hazel Temple, 19-year-old Holley Thomas, 22-year-old Brandon Temple all of Denham Springs, along with 24-year-old Jakyle Hall all died. It is believed Brandon Temple tried to pass two vehicles when he slammed into Hall’s vehicle head on just north of Clinton — and both vehicles became fully engulfed in flames killing all occupants.

The full Senate is expected to debate the budget bill for next fiscal year on Wednesday. Under the Senate Finance committee’s version of the spending plan, all waiver programs that assist the elderly and families with developmentally disabled children are funded. Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne…:
CUT 5 (08) “have needs”
The session must end June 6th.

Five teams from Louisiana are in the NCAA Baseball Tournament. Jeff Palermo has the story…:
CUT 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

The measure that would prohibit state agencies from asking job applicants about their criminal history before the interview process is awaiting Governor Edwards’ signature. US Justice Action Network Executive Director Holly Harris says this will help felons get back to work and turn away from crime…
cut 11 (07) “taxpayer’s dime”

The Senate Finance Committee makes major changes to the state’s proposed 26-billion dollar spending plan for next fiscal year.
Cut 3 (31) “I’m Halen Doughty”

Four people died in a fiery head-on crash in East Feliciana Parish Monday, according to State Police. They say it happened on La. 67 north of Clinton. Details will be released later today.

The state Senate gave final legislative passage Monday to a bill that would raise the fine for texting while driving to $500, up from $175 on a first offense.

The National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute says New Orleans is one of the top ten most challenging places to live with asthma. Director of the Division of Lung Diseases, Dr. James Kiley, says in Louisiana, about 271,000 adults are living with asthma, which is inherited and also caused by environmental factors…:
Cut 13 (10) “pollen”
He says knowing your symptoms and getting treatment is important.

Feral hogs are a huge problem in Louisiana, and the LSU AgCenter is hosting a meeting today to give updates on the latest research and regulations being implemented. Area agent Donna Morgan says feral hogs are causing damage all over the place…:
CUT 9 (07) “golf courses”

As ESPN unveiled the 64 teams playing in this year’s NCAA baseball tournament, five teams from the Bayou State saw their names pop up on the screen. LSU, UL-Lafayette, Louisiana Tech, Southeastern and Tulane all made the tourney which begins Friday.

The Senate Finance Committee has made their changes to the proposed budget for next fiscal year and sent it to the Senate floor. Amendments made to the budget only fund 48% of the TOPS scholarship program. Ville Platte Senator Eric LaFleur says they hope to have more money to fund the program after the special session…:
cut 4 (08) “to TOPS”
The upper chamber is slated to take up the budget bill tomorrow. The regular session must end Monday.

The “Ban the Box” bill, which would prohibit state agencies from asking job applicants about their criminal history before the interview process, is waiting on the governor’s desk to be signed. US Justice Action Network Executive Director Holly Harris says this breaks down barriers to employment for thousands of citizens with criminal records..:
Cut 10 (03) “crime free lives”
Governor Edwards is expected to sign the measure.

The LSU AgCenter hosts a meeting today to address the growing problem of feral hogs. Don Molino has more…:
Cut 2 (29) “I’m Don Molino”

The state Senate gave final legislative passage Monday to the REAL ID law, which in Louisiana would mean motorists would get to choose whether or not they want a license which meets federal standards. Governor Edwards is expected to sign the measure.

A week from today, the regular legislative session will come to a close, and just 30 minutes later, lawmakers will begin another special session. Communications Director for the Governor, Richard Carbo says legislators will address some of the unintended consequences of the last special session, like exemptions that should have been placed on the sales tax increase.

Cut 15 (09) “cleaned up”

This Memorial Day, Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary, Joey Strickland, encourages families to get together and remember those that gave their lives fighting for our freedom. He says no matter how people feel about the war, they should still honor our veterans. He says there’s plenty that people can do to salute veterans’ service.

Cut 5 (10) “our communities”

Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser hopes Louisiana will be a popular destination for travelers this summer. He says the soaring summer temperatures shouldn’t stop people from visiting our festivals and historic locations.

Cut 9 (10) “having fun”

2015 was another record-setting year for Louisiana tourism.

The Tin Roof Brewery of Baton Rouge will brew the official beer of LSU, with a little help from some LSU fans. Cofounder William McGehee says Tin Roof Brewery was selected to brew the LSU beer after a series of conversations with LSU officials.

Cut 12 (11) “we are”

LSU fans 21 and over can register to be on the tasting panel for the new brew at TinRoofBrewery.com

In honor of Memorial Day, Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Joey Strickland encourages families to take time during their family gatherings and remember those that have fought for our freedom.

Cut 6 (11) “of freedom”

Strickland says in the past year alone, 7 Louisiana troops have died.

A week from today, lawmakers will end the regular session and begin another special session in the same day. Communications Director for Governor Edwards Richard Carbo says the budget will be a big issue during this session, as lawmakers were unable to raise enough revenue in the last special session to close the budget deficit.

Cut 14 (11) “be priorities”

Carbo says legislators will look at responsible revenue raising measures to ensure that critical state services are fully funded.

LSU fans will help choose the taste of the official beer of LSU. Cofounder of Tin Roof Brewery William McGehee says people age 21 and over can register to be on the tasting panel that will select the LSU brew from 10 different test batches of lagers and ales.

Cut 10 (08) “we’ve done”

Registration to be on the panel continues through June 8 at TinRoofBrewery.com. McGehee says the new beer should be ready in time for the start of the 2016 LSU football season.

The LSU Tigers have received a national seed in the NCAA Baseball Tournament. The Tigers will host Utah Valley, Rice and Southeastern Louisiana in the Baton Rouge Regional this weekend. UL Lafayette will host Sam Houston State, Princeton and Arizona, while Louisiana Tech is heading to the regional in Starkville and Tulane will be at the Oxford Regional.

The regular legislative session will come to a close in just one week and on that same day, legislators will begin a special session to address a 600-million dollar revenue shortfall. Communications Director for Governor Edwards, Richard Carbo, says the state will look at responsible revenue raising measures to ensure TOPS, healthcare, K-12 education and higher ed are fully funded…

Cut 13 (06) “it out”

Carbo says they’ll also try to clean up the unintendenced consequences of the first special session, like collecting sales tax on Girl Scout cookies.

Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser is hopeful that tourists will choose the Bayou State as their summer vacation destination to visit one of the 400 festivals that will occur across the state during the summer months. He hopes the low gas prices will bring in more people from other states.

Cut 8 (06) “low prices”

Five teams from Louisiana are in the NCAA Baseball Tournament. Jeff Palermo has the story…

CUT 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

According to organizers of the Bayou Country Superfest, attendance at the three-day country music festival dropped for the second straight year. 100-thousand people attended the seventh annual festival at LSU’s Tiger Stadium to see performances by country stars like Luke Bryan, Eric Church and Jason Aldean.

In just one week, the regular legislative session will wrap up, and 30 minutes later, lawmakers will begin another special session. Emelie Gunn has more…

Cut 2 (29) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

The LSU Tigers have received a national seed in the NCAA Baseball Tournament. The Tigers will host Utah Valley, Rice and Southeastern Louisiana in the Baton Rouge Regional this weekend. UL Lafayette will host Sam Houston State, Princeton and Arizona, while Louisiana Tech is heading to the regional in Starkville and Tulane will be at the Oxford Regional.

A Baton Rouge Brewer will brew an official LSU beer, with the help of some LSU fans. Cofounder of the Tin Roof Brewery William McGehee says registration to be on the panel that will select the new brew continues through June 8. He says the new beer will be ready in time for the start of the 2016 LSU football season.

Cut 11 (12) “big scale”

People 21 and older can register to be on the tasting panel at TinRoofBrewery.com.

Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser is hoping a lot of visitors will come to this Bayou State through the summer. He says this is the time to put our best foot forward, as over 400 festivals will occur throughout the state during the summer months. He says we have the best food, culture and history, but it’s our people that really set us apart from other states.

Cut 7 (06) “of year”

Eleven thousand american flags are on the State Capitol grounds on this Memorial Day to honor every Louisianian killed in military service since the American Revolution. State department of Veterans Affairs Secretary, Joey Strickland….
cut 4 (12) “…wars past”

According to oganizers of the Bayou Country Superfest, 100-thousand people attended the three-day country musical festival at LSU’s Tiger Stadium. That’s the second straight year there’s been an attendance drop.

The LSU Tigers are an eight national seed in the NCAA Baseball Tournament, which means they’ll host a Super Regional if they win this weekend’s regional at the Box. Rice, Southeastern Louisiana and Utah Valley are the other teams at the Baton Rouge Regional.

Memorial Day weekend is the official start to summer for many. Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser is hoping the summer travel season will be a good one for Louisiana. He says low gas prices and plenty of things to do should attract tourists to the Bayou State, despite the hot temperatures…
cut 9 (10) “…having fun”
Louisiana is coming off another record breaking year for tourism.

The official beer of LSU is close to becoming a reality. Tin Roof Brewery in Baton Rouge is registering people for a chance to be on a taste panel that will choose the official beer of LSU. Tin Roof co-owner William McGehee…
cut 12 (11) “…we are”
Adults can register at Tin Roof Beer’s website through June 8th. There will be two tasing panels in June and the LSU beer should be available for the start of football season.

Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Joey Strickland is asking residents to remember those who sacrificed their lives for our freedom on this Memorial Day…..
cut 6 (10) “…defense of freedom”
Strickland speaks at a Memorial Day event at Port Hudson National Cemetery in Zachary, while Governor John Bel Edwards will attend a Memorial Day Ceremony at the Northeast Louisiana Veterans Cemetery in Rayville.

On this Memorial Day, the statewide average price for a gallon of regular gasoline is $2.10, which is 38-cents lower than a year ago. Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser hopes these low gas prices will bring in tourists from surrounding states…
cut 8 (06) “….low prices”
If you’re traveling today, it will be sunny and hot and there is a chance for a pop up thunderstorm this afternoon.

The regular legislative session ends in one week, and the next special session will begin just 30 minutes later. Emelie Gunn has more…
voicer 3 (29) “….I’m Emelie Gunn”

The NCAA will release the regional pairings at 11 AM for the NCAA Baseball Tournament. We already know that LSU and UL Lafayette will host regionals. It’s expected that Tulane, Louisiana Tech and Southeastern Louisiana will also be in the 64-team field. There’s also anticipation the Tigers will be a top eight national seed.