A bill to raise the salaries of state lawmakers is stopped short in the House Appropriations Committee. House and Senate members currently make a base of less than $17k. This bill would have made that around $40-thousand. Committee member and Ascension Parish Rep. Tony Bacala says he knew the pay was small when he signed up for the job…:

CUT 08  (11)        “…without some pain.”

The bill failed to pass committee by a 16-to-5 vote, meaning it is likely dead for this year.

Wildlife & Fisheries agents want to know who killed a Louisiana Black Bear in Lincoln Parish last week. LDWF Sgt. John Hattaway says the bears are no longer a protected species; not since 2016…:

CUT 10  (12)        “…attracts them.”

The Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Office says divers have found the body of 21-year-old Zachory Rice, who drowned after going swimming in the Cane River Sunday. Using sonar in the murky water, crews recovered his remains early this morning. An autopsy is pending,.

The pandemic caused many women to miss their annual mammograms and surgeons are seeing the fallout…:

CUT 01(31)      “…Brooke Thorington.”

The House Appropriations Committee has stopped an effort to increase the annual salaries of state lawmakers from $16,800 to around 39-thousand dollars. Gretna Representative Joe Marino says being a legislator is time-consuming and a higher salary would result in a larger pool of candidates wanting the job.

Cut 7 (12)  “…16-8″ 

The proposal was rejected on a 16-5 vote.

Legislation to establish a partnership with the Dolly Parton Imagination Library in Louisiana advances from House Appropriations. Bogalusa Representative Melinda White’s bill creates the Louisiana Imagination Library Program with dedicated funding for children up to age five to receive free books by mail.

Cut 12 (08) “…kindergarten.” 

The bill advances to the House floor.

Louisiana Wildlife is investigating the illegal killing of one of the state legacies – the Louisiana Black Bear – found in Lincoln Parish last week. LDWF Sgt. John Hattaway says agents and biologists responded to the call of a bear shot on Millie Road.

Cut 9 (09) “…the road.”

They are asking the public for any information about the incident.

During the pandemic, a gap in health insurance complicated matters for many and annual mammograms fell by the wayside. LSU Health New Orleans Surgical Oncologist Dr. Shawn McKinney says there are several programs that pay for mammograms, and she urges patients to never let finances be an obstacle. She says to always tell your healthcare provider about your family history.

Cut 5 (09) “…evaluated.”

McKinney says they are seeing more advanced stages of breast cancer since the pandemic.

A proposal to raise the salary of state lawmakers, starting with next term, was soundly defeated in the House Appropriations Committee.

Cut 2 (31)  “….I’m Jeff Palermo” 

Denham Springs police officer Corporal Shawn Kelly remains listed in critical condition at a Baton Rouge hospital after receiving multiple gunshots Thursday evening. Several blood drives have been held in his honor as he continues to fight for his life. Visit the Denham Springs Police Facebook page for blood drive and more info on a fundraiser to be held on Saturday for Officer Kelly.

The pandemic forced many women to delay or miss their annual mammograms and LSU Health New Orleans Surgical Oncologist Dr. Shawn McKinney says she, like other surgeons, is seeing more patients with advanced stages of breast cancer. Last week U.S. Preventive Services Task Force changed course and advises to begin screenings at 40 years of age instead of 50.

Cut 4 (06)  “…to help.” 

McKinney says never let finances be a hurdle for screenings because there are programs available. visit the Louisiana Breast and Cervical Health Program website at lbchp.org for more information.

The House Appropriations Committee has stopped an effort to increase the annual salaries of state lawmakers from $16,800 to around 39-thousand dollars. The panel rejected the proposal on a 16-5 vote. New Orleans Representative Jason Hughes voted against the bill…

Cut 6 (09)  “…goes on.” 

Hughes believes an independent commission should be established to determine the salary of legislators.

When the pandemic disrupted life as we know it, many women fell behind or missed their annual mammograms. LSU Health New Orleans Surgical Oncologist Dr. Shawn McKinney says she, like other surgeons, is seeing the repercussions with more patients who have advanced or later stages of breast cancer.

Cut 3 (10) “…advanced disease.”

Last week U.S. Preventive Services Task Force changed course and advises to begin screenings at 40 years of age instead of 50.

Louisiana lawmakers approved a state budget plan that erased a proposed $2,000 annual raise for public school teachers   – and instead put hundreds of millions of dollars towards paying down retirement debt. Representative Jack McFarland says this will allow schools to spend funds as they see fit which could include raises for educators.

Cut 10 (08) “…two for one.” 

Governor John Bel Edwards says he, along with the majority of those in the state, believes investments in education overall should be made while the funding is available.

Cut 13 (12) “…these investments.” 

Edwards says he will continue to work with the House on the budget acknowledging that if the Senate makes changes, then it will also have to be approved in the House.

If and how teachers will receive pay raises in Louisiana in the state’s budget remains to be seen after changes made by House Republicans. Brooke Thorington explains.

Cut 2 (31)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

LDWF enforcement agents are looking for information about a Louisiana Black Bear that was found fatally wounded in Lincoln Parish on May 12. Anyone with information should call the Louisiana Operation Game Thief hotline at 800-442-2511.

Ochsner Health’s announcement to lay off nearly 800 employees in Louisiana and Mississippi highlights the grim reality that the healthcare system is facing financial challenges. Louisiana Hospital Association President and CEO Paul Salles says inflation has impacted the healthcare industry nationwide.

Cut 4 (08)  “…of expenses.”

Salles says regionally labor expenses have increased by over 25 percent and the cost of drugs and other supplies have increased by about 20 percent.

A $2.3 million study by LSU’s Pennington Biomedical Research Center will determine if altitude plays a role in weight loss.  Participants of the ‘Low Oxygen and Weight Status” study will sleep 8 hours a night in oxygen tents for a period of four months. Lead Researcher Claire Berryman says the controlled effects of oxygen may benefit people struggling with obesity.

Cut 15 (13)  “…weight status.”

The 2.3 million grant was funded by the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disease, a division of the National Institutes of Health.

House Republicans approve a budget for next fiscal year that does not contain funding for a two-thousand dollar teacher pay raise but instead pays off teachers’ retirement debt.  Representative Jack McFarland says the issue can be resolved if needed on the ballot.

Cut 12 (12)    “…for them.” 

Edwards says he, along with the majority of those in the state, believes investments in education overall should be made while the funding is available.

Cut 13 (12) “…these investments.” 

Edwards says he will continue to work with the House on the budget acknowledging that if the Senate makes changes, then it will also have to be approved in the House.

Today is the deadline for Louisianans to file their state income taxes. Deputy Secretary of Revenue Luke Morris says if you have not filed and feel you need an extension, you no longer have to file with the state to get one…:

Cut 7 (09) “…to file that form.”

You can file your state return electronically or by mail, but it must be postmarked “May 15.” You can pay online at “revenue.louisiana.gov/LaTAP”

Researchers at LSU’s Pennington Biomedical Research Center will conduct a $2.3 million study to determine if elevated oxygen levels help with weight loss. Lead Researcher Claire Berryman says the underlying goal of this study is to determine whether sleeping in a low-oxygen tent leads to increases in energy expenditure, decreases in appetite, and greater body weight loss.

Cut  16 (12)  “…more calories.” 

Participants will sleep in a tent with oxygen levels equivalent to 85 hundred feet. And will also follow a controlled diet for four months.

Louisiana Hospital Association CEO Paul Salles says inflation played a role in last week’s announcement that Ochsner is laying off 770 employees at it’s facilities in Louisiana and Mississippi. Salles says more hospital systems could do the same as hospitals do not have the ability to raise prices like other industries…
cut 5 (11) “….that quickly”

If you haven’t filed your state income taxes today is the deadline. Deputy Revenue Secretary Luke Morris says filers will receive an automatic six month extension if they don’t submit their returns, but you still have to pay what you think you may owe….
cut 9 (09) “…to take place”
You can pay online at revenue-dot-louisiana-dot-gov/LaTaP.

Does altitude play a role in weight loss? Researchers at the Pennington Biomedical Research Center are looking to answer these questions through a new study. Teiko Foxx has more.
Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Teiko Foxx.”

There are just four more regular season games left for the second ranked LSU baseball team and their bullpen is a mess. The Tigers blew a nine-run lead yesterday and lost to Mississippi State 14-13 in ten innings.

Meanwhile, LSU softball will host a regional this week, the second seed is the Lady Cajuns from U-L Lafayette.

Governor John Bel Edwards is urging the Louisiana Senate to provide teachers with a two-thousand dollar pay raise in the state budget…
cut 11 (09) “….to happen”
The Republican controlled House did not contain funding for teacher pay raises in its budget plan. Instead, the lower chamber proposes paying down teacher retirement debt, which would free up dollars for local school systems to provide funding for higher teacher salaries.

A bill waiting for a vote on the Senate floor would create a health care workforce fund. The Louisiana Hospital Association supports the legislation. President and CEO Paul Salles…
cut 6 (13) “…big difference”

Today is the deadline to file your 2022 state income taxes. Deputy Secretary of Revenue Luke Morris says if you have not filed and need an extension, you no longer have to file with the state to get one…:
Cut 7 (09) “…to file that form.”
But it’s not an extension to pay and you must send the Department of Revenue at least part of what you think you owe today.

LSU’s Pennington Biomedical Research Center is embarking on a $2.3 million study to determine if altitude plays a role in weight loss. Lead Researcher Claire Berryman says to determine whether low oxygen levels in the air can help obese individuals lose weight , they will have participants sleep in a tent with oxygen levels equivalent to 85-hundred feet…
Cut 14 (10) “…Aspen Colorado.”
Berryman says the study’s goal is to determine whether sleeping in low oxygen tent leads to increases in energy expenditure, decreases in appetite, and greater body weight loss.