CLECO customers might be eligible for a discount on their utility bills during the hot summer months. David Grubb has more…:

CUT 02(35)      “…David Grubb.”

Police in Monroe seek a woman they say shoplifted from a local store, then fled police; causing a fatal traffic crash. MPD says Candace Gill ran a red light and crashed into another car; killing one and injuring three others. A warrant is out for her arrest.

Senator Bill Cassidy introduces a bill to reauthorize the bipartisan Mental Health Reform Act of 2016 that provides crucial programs to improve the nation’s mental health infrastructure. He and Connecticut Democrat Senator Chris Murphy pushed the bill through 6 years ago, which provides key services, especially for kids. Cassidy says re-funding the act is important, because services suffered during the COVID crisis…:

Cut 14  (10)      “…just a stretch.”

Optimism for an improving economy among small businesses continues to decline, according to the April survey by the National Federation of Independent Business. State NFIB director Dawn McVea says supply chain issues, fuel costs, and inflation continue to impede earnings among small business owners. She says 70-percent of independent businesses have had to raise prices…:

CUT 11(10)      “…on record.”

93-percent of those surveyed report few or no qualified job applicants.

Along with gasoline prices, the price of our utility bills is also rising to match the heat. Cleco wants to remind you of its Alternative Rate for Electricity discount program for eligible low-income families. Spokesperson Fran Phoenix says, if you meet the guidelines for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program or LIHEAP, you automatically qualify for these savings during the hottest months of the year…:

CUT 08(08)      “…that discount.”

Find out more at “lhc.la.gov”

Senator Bill Cassidy introduces a bill to reauthorize the bipartisan Mental Health Reform Act of 2016 that provides crucial programs. It provides mental health services for kids in schools, but also for those who find themselves in juvenile detention. He says some teens are denied services while they await sentencing…:

CUT 13(10)      “…might be.”

Louisiana is sort of flush with cash – revenue – right now, and the Louisiana House has up-voted a proposal to help the next legislature deal with the future loss of a temporary sales tax. Jeff Palermo has the story…:

CUT 01(32)      “…Jeff Palermo.”

New Orleans Police are seeking a woman they say stole food from a grocery store and used her toddler-aged child to shoplift as well. Store security video shows the woman and little girl carrying over $400 worth of meat without paying. Police say it’s sad they have to steal food, but she’s teaching the child criminal behavior.

A few years back, the Governor and state lawmakers plugged a big budget gap by passing a temporary sales tax hike; set to expire in 2025. It generates about $400-million a year for the state. The state House has passed a bill start phasing that tax increase out, starting next year. Bill sponsor Tony Bacala, of Prairieville, says better to start reducing the sales tax sooner, so budget planners face a soft landing instead of a fiscal cliff…:

CUT 05(08)      “…long term.”

Passed by a 67-to-40 vote, the bill heads now for the Senate.

Funeral services are today for East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s Deputy Sgt. Nick Tullier, who died after six years of struggling with injuries received when he was shot in an assassin’s attack in Baton Rouge in 2016. Tullier and two others were shot and wounded. Three other law officers were killed, as was the gunman.

Senator Bill Cassidy introduces a bill to reauthorize the bipartisan Mental Health Reform Act of 2016 that provides crucial programs to improve the nation’s mental health infrastructure. Cassidy says current legislation is set to expire in September and the new bill also focuses on mental health programs for children…:

CUT 12(11)      “…support children.”

Cassidy’s 2022 Reauthorization Act not only provides mental health services for kids in schools but also for those who find themselves in juvenile detention centers.

Optimism among small businesses continues to wane, according to the April survey by the National Federation of Independent Business. State NFIB director Dawn McVea says a net-negative 50-percent of owners feel the business environment for them will NOT improve, and record high inflation is why…:

CUT 10(07)      “operating right now.”

93-percent of those surveyed report few or no qualified job applicants.

Louisiana is experiencing good fiscal times now and the Louisiana House votes for a proposal to help the next legislature deal with the loss of temporary sales. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Jeff Palermo”

College athletes have been profiting off of their name, image, and likeness since July and now the NCAA says it’s beginning a crackdown on booster involvement. The new NIL guidelines attempt to stop boosters from being involved in recruiting and the NCAA says it will investigate those who violate the rules.

Some CLECO customers could be eligible for the Alternative Rate for Electricity discount program. Spokesperson Fran Phoenix the 25-percent discount is applied to the customer’s bills for July, August, and September. Customers must enroll before May 30 through their local community action agency.

Cut 7 (11) “…started breathing again.” 

For a list of those agencies visit the Louisiana Housing Corporation website, l-h-c-dot-la-dot-gov.

Optimism among small businesses continues to decline. According to the April survey by the NFIB, small business owners who are expecting better conditions over the next six months decreased by one point. State Director Dawn McVea says in their 48-year history of the survey…

Cut 9 (08) “…will improve.”

Today marks the three-year anniversary of Ronald Greene’s death. Still no charges against the State Troopers who were seen on body camera video beating Greene before he died. Kevin Gallagher has more…

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

—

The Louisiana House backs a proposal that will phase out a temporary sales tax that’s set to expire in 2025. Democrats are concerned the legislation will result in budget cuts. Shreveport Representative Sam Jenkins believes the Legislature should wait until next year’s fiscal session to discuss this temporary sales tax.

Cut 4 (09) “…be cut”

—

Gas prices are up, and with temperatures on the rise, utility bills will be soaring throughout the summer months. To help provide some relief, CLECO is spreading the word about its Cleco Alternative Rate for Electricity discount program for eligible low-income families. Here’s spokesperson Fran Phoenix…

Cut 6 (11) “…assistance program.”

If eligible, the discount is applied to the customer’s bills for July, August, and September. To find out if you qualify visit lhc-dot-la-dot-gov.

Today marks the third anniversary of the death of Ronald Greene. His death has put State Police under a microscope for a possible cover-up as Greene’s family was originally told he died in a crash, but body camera video shows he was involved in a violent encounter with State Troopers. Paramedic Cindy Ott described what she saw when she arrived on the scene…
cut 10 (09) “….his head”
A federal civil rights investigation is underway, but no charges have been handed down.

The Louisiana House backs a proposal that will phase out a temporary sales tax that’s set to expire in 2025. The tax generates over 400-million dollars in revenues a year and Prairieville Representative Tony Bacala’s bill will begin the phase-out in 2023 so the state doesn’t face a fiscal cliff in 2025…
cut 3 (11) “…appropriate word”
Democrats are concerned the legislation will result in budget cuts. The measure still needs Senate approval.

The state Supreme Court hears arguments today over pre-2019 non-unanimous jury verdicts, and whether those convicted should be eligible for a new trial…:
Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

Arguments are underway in a federal court in Baton Rouge as a coalition of civil rights groups seek to toss out the Congressional district map approved by Republican lawmakers in February. The plaintiffs say there should be a second majority-Black congressional district, but GOP legislators say the Black population is too spread out to have two majority-minority districts.

Today is the three-year anniversary of the death of Ronald Greene, a black motorist who led State Police on a high-speed chase. When the chase ended, body camera video shows State Troopers punching and tasing Greene, who later died in custody. Federal prosecutors have been looking into whether civil rights violations occurred and local district attorney John Belton says he plans to convene a grand jury once he receives investigative files from the U-S Attorney’s Office…
cut 11 (14) “….of Louisiana”
Belton says he’ll provide an update on the case to the Greene family at 1 PM today.

Also at one o’clock today, funeral services begin for East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s Deputy Nick Tullier, who died last week. Six years ago he was shot multiple times during an ambush on Baton Rouge law enforcement.

The Louisiana Supreme Court will hear arguments today over whether prisoners convicted by a non-unanimous verdict should get a new trial. The state’s highest court is looking at the case of Reginald Reddick, he was convicted in 1997 in Plaquemines Parish for murder on a 10-2 jury vote. Loyola University Law Professor Dane Ciolino says what the court decides will set a huge precedent…
cut 5 (08) “….requiring unanimity”
There are about 15-hundred inmates behind bars as a result of a non-unanimous jury verdict.

The CDC reports that the recent outbreak of bird flu seen in wild birds in 34 states, including Texas and Alabama, has not been detected in Louisiana. Department of Wildlife and Fisheries State Veterinarian Dr. Jim LaCour…
Cut 13 (11) “…it in Louisiana.”
At this time L-D-W-F says there is no reason for anyone to change or limit their outdoor or bird-related activities.