On the heels of a 139-million-dollar increase in available funds for fiscal year 2026, an effort is now underway to restore 30-million dollars for high-dosage tutoring.  Colleen Crain has more.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

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Triple-A is projecting a busy travel weekend with more than 45-million Americans traveling domestically for Memorial Day. Sean Richardson reports.

Cut 2 (29) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

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LSU may be the talk of the college baseball world here in Louisiana, but they’re not the only ones playing for a championship. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 3 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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Leaders for a Better Louisiana is looking to restore 30-million-dollars to fund high-dose tutoring after the discovery of an increase of 139-million-dollars in available funds for next year’s budget. Chief Policy Officer Barry Erwin says its crucial to restoring those funds for high-dosage tutoring, previously cut from the budget by the House.

Cut 4 (08) “…for our kids.”

Erwin questioned changing this effective strategy midstream, highlighting its importance for student success.

Cut 5 (07) “…those results continue.”

Lawmakers now face decisions on allocating extra revenue, with tutoring restoration being a top priority for advocates like Erwin to maintain academic progress.

Cut 6 (10) “…a good investment.”

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Memorial Day weekend officially begins today, and Don Redman with Triple-A says more than 45-million Americans will be traveling domestically.

Cut 7 (06) “…traveling for the holidays.”

Triple-A says air travel had a slight two-percent increase from last year, but Redman says the big uptick was in the cruise industry.

Cut 8 (12) “…that’s very popular.”

Redman says the vast majority of people will be traveling by car, with gas prices 45 cents cheaper than last year. Redman says, however, that gas prices alone usually don’t determine whether people travel.

Cut 9 (12)  “…industry this summer.”

In the southern region alone, Triple-A projects nearly 10-million travelers, so drive safely and expect traffic.

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As LSU continues its march towards Omaha and the College World Series, two Louisiana teams will be competing in the NAIA World Series, which starts today in Lewiston, Idaho. The big story has been LSU Shreveport – 54 games, 54 wins. That’s the longest winning streak in all levels of college baseball among four-year schools. Head Coach Brad Neffendorf says it’s an incredible accomplishment, but the job is not done yet.

Cut 10 (06) “…and win one.”

The Pilots can take that first step towards their ultimate goal this morning by beating Grand View, out of Iowa. Coach Neffendorf says the way to beat them is not to worry about their opponent’s game, but rather to play their own game.

Cut 11 (07) “…done all year.”

LSU Shreveport is not the only Louisiana team playing in the World Series. Loyola New Orleans is the tournament’s eighth seed, and they face Tennessee Wesleyan at three this afternoon. Coach Jeremy Kennedy says his team will have its work cut out for itself.

Cut 12 (06) “…juggernaut as well.”

This is the first ever NAIA World Series appearance for the Wolfpack, and Coach Kennedy says the team has persevered all season long.

Cut 13 (07)  “…the job done.”

Like the big one in Omaha, the NAIA World Series is a double-elimination tournament. The champion will be crowned either on May 30th or May 31st.

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More good news in Louisiana education as the school year wraps up. State Superintendent of Education Cade Brumley says the latest Reading Screener shows that grade-level reading proficiency among kids kindergarten through third grade increased by 17-percent.

Cut 14 (07) “…at 64-percent.”

Brumley says this is further testament that the state’s reading strategy is working; and by staying the course, the state can continue to improve.

Cut 15 (16) “…the right direction.”

Brumley says a great deal of the credit goes to the teachers.

Cut 16 (06) “…the great state”

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The media had a chance to watch the Saints OTA practice on Thursday and the first-string offensive line looked like this….first round pick Kelvin Banks at left tackle, Trevor Penning at left guard, Erik McCoy at center, Cesar Ruiz at right guard and last year’s starting left tackle, Taliese Fuaga playing right tackle. Coach Kellen Moore says it should be a seamless transition to Fuaga…

Cut 17 (20)  “…easy as it can be”

Saints quarterback Jake Haener will miss the rest of the OTA sessions after suffering an oblique strain.  ESPN’s Adam Schefter says the injury will sideline Haener for multiple weeks, but he should be available for the start of training camp. Moore was asked if the injury is a significant setback for Haener, who is competing for starting quarterback…

Cut 18 (17)  “…continue to build.”

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The number one ranked LSU baseball team begins play tonight in the SEC Tournament as the Tigers will face 13th seeded Texas A&M. Right fielder Jake Brown says they’ve been waiting all year for this event…

Cut 19 (11) “…this year”

LSU will need to win three games to win the SEC Tournament. Coach Jay Johnson wants to make it a memorable weekend…

Cut 20 (19) “…what’s ahead.”

Now that state lawmakers have discovered an additional 139-million dollars in available funds for the next fiscal year, there are calls to restore 30-million dollars for high-dosage tutoring that was previously cut from the budget. Barry Erwin is the chief policy officer for Leaders for a Better Louisiana.

Cut 4 (08) “…going for our kids.”

Erwin questioned changing this effective strategy midstream, highlighting its importance for student success.

Cut 5 (07) “…see those results continue.”

Lawmakers now face decisions on allocating extra revenue, with tutoring restoration being a top priority for advocates like Erwin to maintain academic progress.

Cut 6 (10) “…a good investment.”

High-dosage tutoring may be credited in part with a significant improvement in reading proficiency. In fact, State Superintendent of Education Cade Brumley says the latest Reading Screener shows that grade-level reading proficiency among kids kindergarten through third grade increased by 17-percent.

Cut 14 (07) “…at 64-percent.”

We now know the price tag for moving the University of New Orleans back to the LSU system from the U-L system – 80-million dollars over five years. Whether the legislature can come up with that money remains to be seen. New Orleans Democratic Senator Jimmy Harris’ bill to implement the move has made it through two Senate committees and is expected to come up for a vote in the full Senate next week.

The House has passed a resolution asking the SEC not to schedule LSU home football games before six p-m in the month of September. It comes after several fans were overcome by brutal afternoon heat in their game against UCLA last September 21st.

A former Secretary for the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is facing bribery and fraud charges. A five-count indictment was handed down against Jack Montoucet for allegedly receiving kickbacks in awarding a state contract to a business that provided online educational boating courses. Sportsman could take the courses to resolve citations issued by Wildlife and Fisheries.  Montoucet faces up to 20 years in prison and a one-million dollar fine. Two others have already pleaded guilty for their involvement.

Five of the ten escapees from the Orleans Parish jail remain on the run. Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill conducted a tour of the jail to see for herself what improvements are needed. Afterwards she said having the right locks and hinges on the doors is a top priority…

Cut 8 (11) “…want them to be.”

Get ready for another active hurricane season. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

If you’re into trivia games, this is your weekend. Trivia Nationals are being held at the Hyatt Regency New Orleans. Organizer Lee-Ann Whitlock says along with the trivia games, there will be a game show boot camp Saturday afternoon and an awards banquet Sunday night.

Cut 14 (07) “…for a weekend.”

It will cost you 275 dollars for all the games you wish to compete in during the event weekend. More information is available at trivia nationals-dot-org.

Attorney General Liz Murrill is looking into what contributed to last week’s jail break at the Orleans Parish Jail. She says a critical piece in preventing future escapes is making sure the Orleans Parish criminal justice system is moving cases through in an effective manner. She adds, housing inmates at a parish jail for several years is asking for trouble…

Cut 7 (11) “…doors”

Five of the ten inmates who escaped last week are still at large.

Get ready for another active hurricane season. NOAA is predicting an above-average season, with 13 to 19 named storms. Of them, they predict six to ten hurricanes, with three to five being major hurricanes – Category Three or higher. National Weather Service Director Ken Graham says even a storm that does not rise to the level of a major hurricane can still be very devastating.

Cut 3 (11) “…care the category.”

He says, start building your emergency kits now.

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, along with ten other Southeastern states launched the website, Gator-Wise-dot-org to educate the public on safely coexisting with alligators. LDWF Alligator Program Manager Jeb Linscombe says alligator attacks are rare here with fewer than 25 since the 1970’s but three to four thousand nuisance complaints are filed every year.

Cut 11 (08) “…harvested or relocated.”

Linscombe says the initiative aims to foster realistic perceptions about alligators.

This is the weekend for trivia lovers. Trivia Nationals are being held at the Hyatt Regency New Orleans, just east of the Superdome. Organizer Lee-Ann Whitlock says there are many kinds of trivia competitions.

Cut 12 (09) “…puzzle-type activities.”

The cost to attend is 275 dollars for the entire weekend for all the games you wish to compete in. More information is at trivia nationals-dot-org.

A former Secretary for the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is facing bribery and fraud charges. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Working toward preventing another jail break, Attorney General Liz Murrill and state corrections officials toured the Orleans Parish Jail. Murrill plans to spend the next several weeks looking at how the facility can be made more secure, and she says that’s not allowing construction materials to be used as weapons…

Cut 6 (11) “…job done.”

She says a critical piece in preventing future escapes is making sure the Orleans Parish criminal justice system is moving cases through in an effective manner.

NOAA is predicting an above-average hurricane season, with 13 to 19 named storms with six to ten hurricanes, and three to five major hurricanes. National Weather Service Director Ken Graham on why so active this year.

Cut 5 (14) “…and they develop.”

Graham says storms can strengthen very rapidly, pointing out that all recent Category Five hurricanes were tropical storms 72 hours earlier.

There’s now a website to help you coexist with alligators. The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, in collaboration with ten other Southeastern states launched Gator-Wise-dot-org. LDWF Alligator Program Manager Jeb Linscombe says the website offers other practical tips

Cut 10 (14) “…to feed alligators.”

Get ready for another active hurricane season. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

A former Secretary for the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is facing bribery and fraud charges. A five-count indictment was handed down against Jack Montoucet for allegedly receiving kickbacks in awarding a state contract to a business that provided online educational boating courses. Montoucet faces up to 20 years in prison and a one-million dollar fine.

Five of the ten escapees from the Orleans Parish jail remain on the run this afternoon. Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill conducted a tour of the jail to see what improvements need to be made inside and afterwards she said having the right locks and hinges on the doors is a top priority…

Cut 8 (11) “….want them to be”

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF), in collaboration with ten other Southeastern states, has launched a website called Gator-Wise-dot-org to educate the public on safely coexisting with alligators. LDWF Alligator Program Manager Jeb Linscombe says the first tip is to be aware…

Cut 9 (11)  “…alligator in it..”

Linscombe says the website offers other practical tips, such as don’t harass an alligator, don’t put food scraps in water where there are alligators, and never feed them…

Federal forecasters are once again calling for an active hurricane season with the likelihood of 13 to 19 named storms, six to ten hurricanes and three to five major hurricanes. National Weather Service Director Ken Graham is urging Louisiana residents to get your emergency kit prepared now…

Cut 4 (10) “…put together”

Graham says warm sea surface temperatures are probably number one contributor to the active forecast.

Attorney General Liz Murrill is looking into what contributed into last week’s jail break at the Orleans Parish Jail. Murrill says a critical piece in preventing future escapes is making sure the Orleans Parish criminal justice system is moving cases through in an effective manner. She says housing inmates at a parish jail for several years is asking for trouble…

Cut 7 (11) “…doors”

Five of the ten inmates who escaped last week remain free.

Approximately 143-thousand unclaimed property checks, totaling over 34-million-dollars, will be mailed next Friday. Sean Richardson has more

Cut 2 (27) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

The Monroe Police Department reports a 15-year-old girl drowned last night while swimming with friends in the Ouachita River. Authorities are urging the public not to swim in the Ouachita River because water levels are high.

Lake Charles Police are trying to determine who fatally shot a 16-year-old girl at a graduation party early Tuesday morning. The victim has been identified as McKenzie Rideau from Lake Charles College Prep.

Get ready for another active hurricane season. NOAA is predicting an above-average season, with 13 to 19 named storms. Of them, they predict six to ten hurricanes, with three to five being major hurricanes – Category Three or higher. National Weather Service Director Ken Graham says even a storm that does not rise to the level of a major hurricane can still be very devastating.

Cut 3 (11) “…care the category.”

The number of storms for an average season is 14 and last year there were 18 named storms.

Attorney General Liz Murrill, along with state corrections officials completed a tour of the Orleans Parish Jail as the state looks at how it can prevent another jail break. Murrill says her office will spend the next several weeks looking at how to make the facility more secure, but she pointed out a quick fix and that’s not allowing construction materials to be used as weapons…

Cut 6 (11) “…gets the job done”

Murrill says making sure they have the right locks and hinges on the doors is also a top priority.

A Senate bill that would prohibit schools that receive state funding from serving ultra-processed foods at lunch is now heading to the House floor after no one voted against the bill in House Health and Welfare. The bill’s author, Covington Senator Patrick McMath, says Louisiana is one of several states considering similar legislation and the goal is…

Cut 10 (10) “…alter the ingredients.”

McMath’s bill incentivizes food makers to eliminate toxins from school lunches. The legislation also requires a warning label on foods containing artificial colors, additives or banned chemicals. And it requires restaurants to notify customers if they cook or prepare foods using seed oils.

State lawmakers now have an additional 139-million dollars to spend next fiscal year. The Revenue Estimating Conference recognized the additional cash after hearing from economists who project the amount of revenue the state will collect after July 1^st.

State Treasurer John Fleming announced that approximately 143-thousand unclaimed property checks, totaling over 34-million dollars, will be mailed next Friday. This follows a data match with the Louisiana Department of Revenue with updated addresses.

Cut 7 (09) “…land next month.”

The Revenue Estimating Conference has recognized an additional 139-million-dollars in funding, which means the state will have more available dollars to plug into next fiscal year’s budget.  Louisiana Policy Institute for Children CEO Libbie Sonnier is urging legislators to use some of the additional revenue to increase funding for early childhood education…

Cut 4 (11) “…child care assistance.”

Livingston Parish once again teamed up with former Dateline NBC correspondent Chris Hansen in an online sex sting. This time, nine men were arrested, including two registered sex offenders and one man who brought a loaded gun to the sting house. Sheriff Jason Ard says the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force set up the operation in March and April, creating a fake social media profile.

Cut 13 (11)  “…an undercover deputy.”

A 15-year-old girl drowns in the Ouachita (wash-uh-TAW) River. The Monroe Police Department says the girl went swimming in the river with her friends when she failed to resurface shortly before seven last night. The department’s dive team responded and pulled her body out of the water. M-P-D is urging you to stay out of the Ouachita River at this time, because water levels are too high to make any activity in the water safe.

A Senate bill that would prohibit schools that receive state funding from serving ultra-processed foods at lunch is now heading to the House floor after no one voted against it in House Health and Welfare. This is part of the Make America Healthy Again initiative. Committee member and Slidell Representative Stephanie Berault (buh-RAHLT):

Cut 11 (11) “…have it now.”

During testimony of the bill, opposition came from those who do not like that artificial sweeteners would be banned from being served in school lunches. Lobbyist Alton Ashy represents the Calorie Control Council and he says artificial sweeteners can help with weight management

Cut 12 (13) “…in their diet.”

Louisiana is one of several states considering such legislation.

The Revenue Estimating Conference has recognized an additional 139-million dollars in funding, and some advocates are urging the legislature to use some of that additional money for early childhood initiatives. The House-approved  budget contains almost 78-million-dollars for the Child Care Assistance Program. Louisiana Policy Institute for Children CEO Libbie Sonnier says they would like to see funding return to the previous level.

Cut 5 (10) “…young children thrive.”

Livingston Parish once again teamed up with former Dateline NBC correspondent Chris Hansen in an online sex sting. This time, nine men were arrested, including two registered sex offenders and one man who brought a loaded gun to the sting house. Sheriff Jason Ard says this underscores the importance of monitoring your kids’ online activities at all times.

Cut 15 (11) “…prey right then.”