LRN News | LRN PM Newscall June 19th

There are over two thousand nursing programs throughout the United States, but only one can be ranked number one. Kevin Barnhart tells us who.

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

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The curtain call of the crawfish season is approaching. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

There are over two thousand nursing programs throughout the United States, but only one can be ranked number one. That distinction now belongs to Louisiana Tech University’s Division of Nursing. The National Council of State Boards of Nursing ranks programs based on the rate at which graduates pass the licensing exam. Chair of the Division of Nursing at Louisiana Tech, Dr. Donna Hood credits the latest accolade to the determination of both the faculty and students.

Cut 3 (08) “…of this program.”

The escalating trade war with China is not good news for Louisiana’s Agriculture Industry. Ag Commissioner Mike Strain says the Bayou State has the largest trade surplus with China

Cut 6 (10) “to China”

Soybeans are among the hundreds of U.S. products China has singled out for tariffs. Strain says 60-percent of the soybeans that the United States exports goes to China. He says Louisiana has also done a lot of work to open up China to rice, beef and poultry exports…

Cut 7 (10) “52-percent”

President Trump initially proposed tariffs on 50-billion dollars in Chinese imports, because of an estimated 375-billion dollar trade deficit with China. And now the Trump administration is looking at imposing tariffs on another 200-billion dollars worth of Chinese goods as the trade dispute worsens. Strain says despite the negative impact to Louisiana, he understands the President’s position…

cut 8 (08) “other priorities”

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The curtain call of crawfish season is approaching throughout the state of Louisiana. David Savoy with the Louisiana Crawfish Farmers Association says there is still activity with harvesting at this time, but most of the crawfish may not be finding their way into boiling pots this year.

cut 9 (07) “…for next year.”

This season got off to a late start due to the cold weather the state received this past winter. Savoy says things are starting to slow down a bit with the production of crawfish.

Cut 10 (07) “…losing their water”

For those that may have noticed smaller than normal mudbugs this year, it was because the harvesting began a little early in the developmental process of the crawfish.

Cut 11 (12) “…pretty darn good.”

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A House committee heard testimony on tax bills during the first full day of the latest special session, but took no votes. That frustrated at least one lawmaker, Jackson Representative Kenny Havard, who has authored a bill to renew a portion of the one-cent sales tax that expires June 30th

Cut 12 (05) “…thank you.”

Havard’s legislation would generate 507-million dollars and prevent cuts to college campuses, TOPS and public safety programs. Some Republicans would prefer to renew less than half of a penny, but Havard says if the state is going to raise taxes after July 1st, he’d rather raise enough, so no cuts are made…

Cut 13 (05) “…at us.”

Meanwhile in House Appropriations, panel members questioned Louisiana Health Department’s budget which Prairieville Representative Tony Bacala has grown 56-percent over a 10-year period

Cut 14 (05) “control this.”

Many Republicans say the governor’s decision to expand the Medicaid program in 2016 is costing the state way too much money. But state Health Secretary Rebekah Gee says Medicaid has led to better health care for the state’s working poor, which is a cost savings

Cut 15 (07) “….too late.”

The state health department is not slated for any cuts next fiscal year.

Cut 16 (12) “…their services are.”