Big day today at the legislature as the House debates the state budget. Andrew Greenstein reports.
Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”
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Governor Jeff Landry’s push for a new law that would give the insurance commissioner more authority to reject excessive rates without actuarial data cleared another legislative hurdle. Jeff Palermo has the story…
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The House Criminal Justice Committee agrees with the Senate, kratom should be banned in Louisiana. Sean Richardson has the story…
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The Louisiana Department of Health gave updates on measles and whooping cough cases throughout the state. Secretary Bruce Greenstein (“green-steen”) says the state epidemiology team launched an investigation into potential measles exposures after the department confirmed two cases in the state.
Cut 4 (06) “…cases were identified.” (No new cases identified)
Greenstein says while they may have gotten the upper hand on measles, the same cannot be said for whooping cough.
Cut 5 (14) “…whole of 2024.” (170 whooping cough cases so far in 2025; 154 cases in all of 2024)
Greenstein says what’s especially concerning is that whooping cough is especially dangerous for infants who are too young to be fully vaccinated.
Cut 6 (12) “…help protect them.”
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The House will debate the state budget today. The biggest question going into the session is whether the legislature would be able to keep teacher pay at its current level in light of the failure of Amendment 2 at the ballot box in March. House Appropriations Chairman Jack McFarland says they were able to do just that.
Cut 7 (11) “…in recurring revenue.”
McFarland says the budget sacrifices state funding for high-dosage tutoring.
Cut 8 (09) “…dollars are recognized.”
Governor Landry is looking to put 94-million dollars into the LA GATOR scholarship program, and McFarland says the House was able to keep that intact.
Cut 9 (08) “…early childhood education.”
Whether the LA GATOR funding level remains intact in the Senate remains to be seen. Landry is expecting some pushback from Senators once the budget works its way into the upper chamber of the legislature. McFarland says the overall plan chops more than 100-million dollars off the budget, which he says is good because of a looming 86-million-dollar shortfall for the 2027 fiscal year.
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The Senate Insurance Committee approves legislation that would give the insurance commissioner more authority to reject rate increases without actuarial data. New Orleans Senator Royce Duplessis strongly supports the House-approved bill. Duplessis says drastic steps need to be taken to address the insurance crisis…
Cut 10 (07) “…need this authority”
The bill also has the support of Governor Jeff Landry. But Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple says his office already rejects rate increase proposals and the Executive Counsel for the Department of Insurance David Caldwell tried to make that point clear…
The meeting got contentious between Duplessis and Temple as the New Orleans Senator is frustrated Temple will not support this legislation
Temple says this proposed legislation would be over-regulation of the insurance industry and would keep companies from wanting to write policies in Louisiana.
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A bill to ban kratom continues to make its way through the legislative process. The House Criminal Justice Committee voted for the legislation that’s already been approved by the Senate. The committee heard tearful testimony from David Lubrano Senior, who told lawmakers his son took his own life after he could not get over his addiction to kratom…
The Mayo Clinic says kratom is an herbal extra that comes from tree in southeast Asia. It can be used a stimulant in low doses and as sedative at higher doses.
The bill’s author, Monroe Senator Jay Morris, says kratom use can lead to an elevated heart rate, seizures, psychosis, liver toxicity and even death. Lubrano says his son got hooked on kratom and decided to end his life…
But there are those who say kratom is a better alternative than opioids when it comes to managing pain…
This man testified how kratom taken in its pure form has improved his life after suffering traumatic injuries from a fall…
Opponents of the legislation are urging lawmakers to put more regulations on synthetic marijuana and allow people to buy and possess the pure form.
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Top ranked LSU baseball begins its final SEC series of the season tonight as the Tigers visit South Carolina. LSU has not named a starting pitcher for tonight, but plan to start Kade Anderson in game two on Friday and Anthony Eyanson on Saturday, allowing Anderson and Eyanson to pitch on regular rest. Eyanson has been terrific lately and Coach Jay Johnson says the right-hander has the qualities needed to be a great pitcher…
Cut 17 (22) “…physical ability”
The Gamecocks are 5-22 in the SEC and in 15th place. But Johnson sees talent on the South Carolina roster…
Cut 18 (18) “…another weekend.”
South Carolina has struggled under first year head coach Paul Mainieri. The former LSU coach who came out of retirement last year to take the job in Columbia has faith he can build another winning baseball program, but admits this weekend will not be easy…
Cut 19 (19) “…beat the Tigers”
First pitch tonight is at 6 p.m.