Legislative leaders say they are putting together a tax reform plan that will be debated during the regular session that begins April 12th. Senate President Page Cortez says because of the complexity of the current tax structure, they want to bring stability, simplicity, and predictability to the state’s tax code.

Cut 3 (10)  “…we will be successful”  

The Workforce Commission reports the state unemployment system was bombarded with fraudulent applications last year, but most were rejected. 28,000 suspected cases of attempted fraud have been turned over to law enforcement. And it’s suspected an additional 60,000 could be fraud attempts. Assistant Secretary of Unemployment Insurance Robert Wooley says these applications have incomplete information, and…

Cut 5 (10)“…fraud.”

The Atlantic hurricane season officially starts June 1st, but a committee at the National Hurricane Center is looking at changing the start date to May 15th. State Climatologist Barry Keim says the two-week jumpstart might be justified.

Cut 7 (11)  “…six seasons.”

The Johnson and Johnson one dose COVID-19 vaccine has received emergency use authorization and doses should arrive in the state this week.  Tulane School of Medicine Professor Dr. Lisa Morici says data shows the J & J vaccine doesn’t have any of the severe allergic reactions shown with the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines.

Cut 13 (11) “…injection site.”

The J & J vaccine also doesn’t require deep cold storage making it ideal for rural transport.

State health officials expect to receive 38-thousand doses of the Johnson and Johnson COVID-19 vaccine this week after the Food and Drug Administration authorized the J-and-J one-shot dose for emergency approval. Tulane School of Medicine Professor Doctor Lisa Morici says the J-and-J vaccine doesn’t require extensive cold storage like the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines…

Cut 15 (09)“…is great.”

The Louisiana Workforce Commission reports the state unemployment system was bombarded with fraudulent applications last year, but most were rejected. The Workforce Commission has turned over 28,000 suspected cases of attempted unemployment insurance fraud to law enforcement. Secretary Ava Dejoie says those attempts failed.

Cut 4 (04)“…went off.”

Many teachers are scoffing at the Governor’s proposed 400-dollar teacher pay raise, calling it far too little.  Associated Professional Educators of Louisiana Director Dr. Keith Courville says the Governor needs to add an extra zero to that figure if he wants to rival the pay teachers can find in neighboring states.

Cut 10 (09) “…faculty.”

The National Hurricane Center is considering whether the start of the hurricane season should be moved up from June 1st to May 15th. A named storm has formed before June 1st in each of the last six years. State Climatologist Barry Keim questions is it because we detecting storms sooner or is climate responsible for the jumpstart.

Cut 8 (06) “…of it.”

The 2020 season began May 16^th when Arthur formed off the east coast of Florida.

The Johnson and Johnson vaccine arrives in the state this week. Brooke Thorington on what makes this vaccine different from the others…
cut 3 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington”

Today at 5 PM is the deadline for victims who were sexually abused by Catholic clergy to fill compensation claims against the Archdiocese of New Orleans. It was ten months ago today that the Archdiocese filed for chapter eleven bankruptcy protection. Victims are able to file their claims online.

The director of the Associated Professional Educators of Louisiana Keith Courville calls Governor Edwards’ proposed 400-dollar teacher salary hike a slap in the face of educators who have made great sacrifices during the COVID-19 pandemic…
cut 11 (09) “…this year”
The state legislature will have the ability to increase the raise proposal when they meet during the regular session that starts next month.

The National Hurricane Center is considering whether to move up the official start date of the hurricane season from June 1st to May 15th. State Climatologist Barry Keim says the hurricane season is tied to sea surface temperatures and when they become warm enough, they help produce tropical storms and hurricanes….
cut 9 (07) “…cycle”
Keim says a named tropical storm has formed before June 1st each of the last six years.

Many teachers are scoffing at Governor Edwards’ proposed 400 dollar teacher pay raise, calling it far too little. Associated Professional Educators of Louisiana Director Dr. Keith Courville says the governor needs to add an extra zero to that figure if he wants to rival the pay teachers receive in neighboring states.
Cut 10 (09) “…faculty.”
The state legislature can add to the teacher pay raise proposal when they discuss the budget during the regular session.

The Johnson and Johnson one-dose COVID-19 vaccine will arrive in the state this week. Tulane School of Medicine Professor Dr. Lisa Morici says the J & J vaccine has a 66-percent efficacy rate and is safe to use…
Cut 13 (11) “…injection site.”

The Atlantic hurricane season officially starts June 1st, but a committee at the National Hurricane Center is looking at changing the start date to May 15th. State Climatologist Barry Keim says the two-week jumpstart might be justified.
Cut 7 (11) “…six seasons.”
The record-breaking 2020 season saw its first named storm on May 16th when tropical storm Arthur formed east of Florida.

We are approaching the one-year anniversary of when COVID restrictions went into place, which resulted in thousands of people out of work. Louisiana Workforce Commission Secretary Ava Dejoie told the Joint Legislative Budget Committee that her agency handed out eight billion dollars in federal and state unemployment benefits in 2020…
cut 6 (07) “….2019”
The current modified phase two order expires Wednesday and there’s a chance some of the restrictions will be loosened.

A third COVID-19 vaccine will become available in Louisiana this week as an estimated 38-thousand Johnson and Johnson vaccines will arrive. Tulane School of Medicine Professor Doctor Lisa Morici says The J-and-J vaccine has an efficacy rate of 66-percent, which is not as high as the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines….
cut 14 (11) “…deaths”

Governor John Bel Edwards has proposed a 400-dollar pay raise for teachers in his budget for next fiscal year. But Associated Professional Educators of Louisiana Director Keith Courville says that’s far too little to help the state hit the southern regional average for teachers’ pay…
cut 12 (09) “….wrong”
The average teacher salary in Louisiana is about four-thousand dollars less than the Southern Regional Average.

Lousiana Senator Bill Cassidy said on C-N-N’s Face the Nation that it’s not a good idea for the Republican party to idolize former President Donald Trump or put one person on a pedestal. Meanwhile, Trump called the seven Republicans who voted to impeach him, grandstanders.

The National Hurricane Center is discussing whether to move the Atlantic hurricane season up by two weeks to May 15th. Brooke Thorington has more
Cut 1 (31) “…Brooke Thorington.”

State health officials expect to receive 38-thousand doses of the Johnson and Johnson COVID-19 vaccine this week after the Food and Drug Administration authorized the J-and-J one-shot dose for emergency approval. Tulane School of Medicine Professor Doctor Lisa Morici says the J-and-J vaccine doesn’t require extensive cold storage like the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines…
cut 15 (09) “…..is great”

The National Hurricane Center is considering whether the start of the hurricane season should be moved up from June 1st to May 15th. A named storm has formed before June 1st in each of the last six years. State Climatologist Barry Keim says are we detecting storms sooner or is the climate responsible for the earlier start???
cut 8 (06) “….of it”

Governor John Bel Edwards’ proposed 400 dollar K-12 teacher pay raise has some teacher advocates crying foul. Matt Doyle has the story.
Cut 2 (29) “…I’m Matt Doyle.”

State lawmakers will have the opportunity to add to the teacher pay increase as they debate the budget during the regular session.

Louisiana State Police are seeking to identify victims in St. Tammany Parish after the arrest of 28-year old Joseph William Haidler of Mandeville was extradited back from the Virgin Islands last July. LSP says Haidler used the social media app Snapchat to lure young girls for sexually explicit content. They are asking victims to come forward, visit LSP’s facebook page for photos of the suspect.

State officials say there is a critical need for blood donations due to supply disruptions caused by last week’s winter storms. Governor John Bel Edwards asks if you have a regularly scheduled blood donation appointment to see if you are able to move it up to this weekend.

Cut 4 (10) “…right now” 

You can call 2-1-1 to be directed to a donation center near you.

The Governor’s 36-billion-dollar spending plan for the next fiscal year is about 186 million dollars bigger than last year and the bulk of that spending increase comes on the education side. The budget plan will be debated by the Legislature in April. Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne hopes these proposals won’t be rolled back…

Cut 8 (12) “…investments.” (reduce)

A Central Louisiana lawmaker wants the Department of Education to use part of a billion-dollar federal grant to help construct broadband internet infrastructure in the state. Avoyelles State Representative Darryl Deshotel says the CARES funding is designated to be used for COVID-related expenses and students need internet access as soon as possible.

Cut 10 (11) “…future.”