The 2023 legislative session will be remembered most for its final minutes of confusion over the state budget. But Council for a Better Louisiana President Berry Erwin says overall the session was productive and he believes lawmakers dedicated the more than $2 billion of extra funding appropriately.

Cut 3 (12) “…pretty good.”

Among the points of contention was a $100 million cut from the Department of Health’s budget and a one-time pay bonus for teachers.

The House avoided a vote on a Senate resolution that would have funded the teacher pay raises of $2,000; electing instead to give them another one-time stipend. Louisiana Federation of Teachers Legislative Director Cynthia Posey hopes lawmakers will see things differently next year…:

Cut 9 (06)  “…and children first.”

LSU is back in the College World Series for the first time since 2017 aftersweeping Kentucky in the Baton Rouge Super Regional Series. Star center fielder Dylan Crews reached base seven times in the two games and had a two-run double last night…

Cut 12 (08) “…butts off” 

LSU will play the winner of today’s game between Southern Miss and Tennessee on either Friday or Saturday in the opening round of the College World Series.

A new study from Bankrate-dot-com says 66-percent of U-S adults have a negative view about tipping. Senior industry analyst Ted Rossman says gen zers and men tip the least of any demographic…

Cut 11 (12)  “…tip better”
Rossman says 41-percent of all U-S adults’ believes businesses should pay their workers better, rather than relying on customers tipping workers.

In the final minutes of this year’s legislative session, lawmakers say they had less than 25 minutes to look over and vote for the next fiscal year’s budget. The final budget had a $100 million cut to the Department of Health and only one year appropriated for teacher pay raises. Alexandria Senator Jay Luneau says the most frustrating cut was to LDH.

Cut 5 (06)   “…in Louisiana.”

The final budget dedicated funding for $2,000 teacher pay raises but only for the next fiscal year.

The state legislature also avoided increasing teacher and school staff pay raises but decided to give one-time bonuses of $2000 per teacher, and $1000 for support workers instead. Louisiana Federation of Teachers Legislative Director Cynthia Posey…:

Cut 8 (12) “…in education period?’”

Posey says investing in teachers and schools is investing in kids and Louisiana’s future.

A new study by Bankrate.com shows 66% of people have a negative view of tipping. The study shows nearly one in three adults are annoyed by tip suggestions on screens. Senior Analyst Ted Rossman believes people are stingier when confronted with invitations to tip on the screen.

Cut 12 (13)    “…for it.” 

Rossman suggests tipping 20 percent as a standard practice.

The LSU Tigers are heading back to Omaha after taking down Kentucky eight to three last night to win the Baton Rouge Super Regional Series. Cade Beloso delivered a three-run homer in the third inning to snap a one-one tie…

Coach Jay Johnson is leading LSU to the College World Series in just his second season in Tiger Town…

Cut 15 (09)  “…so bad.”

The Tigers heading to the College World Series for the 19th time and they’ll play either Southern Miss or Tennessee in the opening round

Service employees are seeing smaller tips or no tips at all according to a new Bankrate.com survey that shows 66% of people have a negative view of tipping. Senior Analyst Ted Rossman points out that gratuities are declining while annoyance with the request of tips is on the rise.

Cut 10 (13) “…lot more.”

Rossman suggests tipping 20 percent as a standard practice.

LSU is heading back to Omaha as the Fighting Tigers topped Kentucky eight to three last night to win the Baton Rouge Super Regional Series which punched their ticket into the College World Series. Cade Beloso delivered a three-run homer in the third inning to snap a one-one tie…

Cut 13 (13) “…after that”  

LSU will play the winner of today’s game between Tennessee and Southern Miss in the opening round of the College World Series. The game is expected to take place on Saturday.

In the closing minutes of the legislative session, lawmakers expressed their frustration over last-minute changes to the budget. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (30)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

A 77-year-old Thibodaux man died after attempting to cross Highway 1 on a riding lawn mower in Lafourche Parish Friday morning. Larry Helm was attempting to cross LA Hwy 1 when he traveled into the path of a 2023 GMC 3500 traveling north. The driver of the GMC and their two passengers were properly restrained and suffered no injuries.

LSU fans are fired up this Monday morning after watching the Tigers punch their ticket to the College World Series with an eight to three win over Kentucky to complete a two game Super Regional Series sweep of the Wildcats.

Alex Box Stadium nearly came unglued in the ninth inning last night, when star center fielder Dylan Crews hit a screaming two run double in his final at bat at Alex Box Stadium. The two-time SEC player of the year admits he was nervous…
cut 16 (16) “…it was awesome”
LSU will play the winner of today’s game between Tennessee and Southern Miss in the opening round of the College World Series which begins Friday. LSU will play either Friday or Saturday.

State lawmakers failed to issue permanent pay raises for school teachers and staff in the legislative session that ended last week, and the state’s biggest teachers’ union is NOT happy…
Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

Alexandria Senator Jay Luneau is also disappointed with not passing a budget that contains a permanent teacher pay raise…
cut 6 (09) “….southern average”
Overall Luneau says the session went well and they were able to address several issues but it’s unfortunate how it ended with the budget.

The LSU Tigers are Omaha bound after taking down Kentucky last night eight to three to sweep the Baton Rouge Super Regional series. Cade Beloso hit a three run homer, Dylan Crews a two run-double, Riley Cooper was the winning pitcher and freshman Gavin Guidry struck out four in 2.2 innings to get the save. Coach Jay Johnson is leading his third different team to the College World Series, but this one means a lot….
cut 14 (14) “….pretty special”
LSU is heading to the College World Series for a 19th time and they’ll play either Southern Miss or Tennessee in the opening round on either Friday or Saturday.

101-million dollars for an improved basketball arena on the LSU campus is contained in the capital outlay budget lawmakers approved on the final day of the legislative session. LSU women’s basketball coach Kim Mulkey has said it’s time for a new arena. But even though the PMAC is listed on Louisiana’s construction budget, legislators still have to appropriate the funding.

At the close of the regular legislative session, some lawmakers say they had less than a half hour to review and vote on the state budget. The final budget had a $100 million cut to the Department of Health and a one-time two-thousand dollar teacher pay raise. Alexandria Senator Jay Luneau is not happy with the final outcome, but legislators do not have many options…
Cut 4 (08) “…either.’”
But House and Senate leaders say the budget contains historic investments in debt reduction, infrastructure, coastal restoration and ports.

A new study from Bankrate-dot-com says 66-percent of U-S adults have a negative view about tipping. Senior industry analyst Ted Rossman says gen zers and men tip the least of any demographic…
cut 11 (12) “….the bitter”
Rossman says 41-percent of all U-S adults’ believes businesses should pay their workers better, rather than relying on customers tipping workers.

LSU is headed to Omaha as the Fighting Tigers won the Baton Rouge Super Regional last night as they completed a two-game sweep of Kentucky with an eight to three victory. Coach Jay Johnson leads the Bayou Bengals to the College World Series in his second season in Tiger Town…
cut 15 (09) “….so bad”
LSU will play either Friday or Saturday in the opening round of the C-W-S.

Teachers are not happy with state lawmakers who concluded the regular session by passing a budget that provides a one-year bump in salary at two-thousand dollars. Louisiana Federation of Teachers Legislative Director Cynthia Posey says its disappointing the raises are not permanent…
Cut 7 (09) “…almost a crime.”
Posey says they’ll have to work with the next legislature to make the one-year salary hike permanent.

A new Bankrate.com survey finds 66% of U.S. adults have a negative view about tipping and are forking over gratuities in smaller amounts. Teiko Foxx has more.
Cut 3 (31) “….I’m Teiko Foxx.”

10:30

The Legislature has concluded its annual business, but without approving salary hikes for schoolteachers. Instead of permanent pay raises, they’ll receive one-time bonuses. Shreveport Representative Alan Seabaugh is among lawmakers unhappy with how things played out…:

Cut 3 (10) “…a joke.”

Another sticking point in the final budget deal is cutting $100-million from next year’s budget for the Department of Health, which could cost the state $400-million in matching federal dollars.

Governor Edwards says he’ll veto anti-LGBTQ bills, for example the one that bans transgender procedures for minors…:

Cut 7 (10)  “…have to do.” 

The big question is will lawmakers vote to return for a veto session.

State Climatologist Barry Keim says the anticipated Pacific El Nino has arrived. However, he says, an El Nino normally can quiet down hurricane season, but warm sea surface temperatures could counteract that…:

Cut 11 (12)  “…to average.”

Keim says be prepared to deal with possible impacts in Louisiana which normally come after mid-to-late August.

LSU and Kentucky meet for the second time this season, but this time the winner of the series advances to the College World Series. Coach Jay Johnson says weather delays are a concern for the day and they will not start a game unless they have a window to finish it…:

Cut 13 (09) “…on the line” 

First pitch is scheduled for 2 PM at the Box.

The final minutes of this year’s legislative session were hectic and chaotic, as lawmakers raced to make last-minute budget changes and vote them through. Some legislators were angry to see $100-million stripped from Department of Health spending because they say it will mean the loss of about $400-million in federal matching funds. House Speaker Clay Schexnayder says LDH asked House Appropriations for one sum and Senate Finance for another…:

Cut 5 (07)  “…each one.

Many are angry that teacher pay raises were shunted, offering only one-time bonuses instead.

Bills passed that some say target the LGBTQ community are destined to be vetoed by Governor Edwards, who calls the bills mean-spirited and wrong…:

Cut 6 (12)  “…for example.” 

An anticipated El Niño has shown up ahead of schedule which could help reduce hurricane activity. Teiko Foxx has more on what else it means for our weather…:

Cut 2 (31)  “….I’m Teiko Foxx. ”  

Governor John Bel Edwards and Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear have a gentlemen’s bet on this weekend’s NCAA baseball Super Regional between the Tigers and the UK Wildcats. If LSU wins, Beshear sends some Kentucky bourbon. If Kentucky wins, Edwards will send Beshear delicious Louisiana seafood. Game 1 is at 2 o’clock at the Box.