The 2019 Senior Report is showing positive trends in health for many Louisiana residents 65 and over. Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 1 (33) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

Judges across the state could see an increase in their paycheck after the Senate overwhelming approved a pay raises for them. A plan that could give the state’s 372 judges annual pay hikes of 2.5% for the next five years was approved Thirty-Five to One.

Sen. Danny Martiny of Kenner sponsored the bill that would increase judicial salaries by 2.5-percent as early as July 1^st.

A fourth candidate has entered the Governor’s race in Louisiana, Independent Gary Landrieu, who is a cousin of former New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu, but he’s extremely conservative.

Landrieu says one of his first moves as governor would be to crackdown on undocumented immigrants by issuing an executive order…

Cut 7 (11) “…ICE.”

Today is Early Childhood Education Day at the Capitol, and proponents are hoping to convince lawmakers to fund tens of millions more into a program that subsidizes early childhood programs for working class families.

Louisiana Policy Institute for Children executive director Melanie Bronfin says it’s vital for a good foundation.

Cut 13 (11) “…stay behind.”

She says 80 percent of brain development occurs prior to age 3.

The 2019 Senior Report is showing positive trends in health for many Louisiana residents 65 and over. Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 1 (33) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

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 Gary Landrieu of the Landrieu family fame is running for governor as an Independent. Matt Doyle talked to the candidate…

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”  

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Advocates are at the Capitol today pushing lawmakers to pony up for more early childhood education funding. Matt Doyle has the story…

Cut 3 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

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A recent report from the United Health Foundation shows in the past six years, physical inactivity among those 65 and older has decreased by 18% in Louisiana.  United Healthcare Chief Medical Officer Dr. Rhonda Randall says the study indicates that now only 31.5% of that older group in Louisiana now say they are physically inactive.

Cut 4 (10) “… of daily living.”

Louisiana is not following national trends as many other states are flat or on the increase.

Randall says in Louisiana, hospice care use has increased by 20% over the past five years.  There are also more in home health workers.

Cut 5 (11) “…terrific to see.”

Randall notes that there is a 43% increase in depression over the last six years.  While the study doesn’t show the exact reason, there is a correlation of those seniors with chronic illnesses as well as there are many activities in a senior’s lifestyle that have shown links to increased depression.

Cut 6 (12) “…rates of depression.”

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The fall ballot will now feature a fourth name in the gubernatorial jungle primary, Independent Gary Landrieu, who is a cousin of former New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu but holds starkly conservative views.

Landrieu says one of his first moves as governor would be to crackdown on undocumented immigrants by issuing an executive order…

Cut 7 (11) “…ICE.”

Landrieu accused candidate and Congressman Ralph Abraham of being a “Republican in Name Only”, called the Governor “Dumbbell”, and Eddie Rispone “The God Father”.

The Independent says his legislative agenda would focus on repealing the .45 percent sales tax passed in last year’s session, building a new Mississippi River Bridge in Baton Rouge, TORT reform, eliminating traffic light cameras, and…

Cut 8 (08) “…choice”

Landrieu ran for Congress against Cedric Richmond as a Democrat in 2012, losing with 25 percent of the vote.

The candidate admits his politics deviate significantly from the rest of his family’s, and as an independent he is an underdog candidate. But he says despite his family’s association with Democratic politics, he can use the name recognition to his advantage…

Cut 9 (09) “…personality.″

Landrieu was booked with aggravated battery in 2012 after allegedly grabbing a woman by the hair, and dragging her several feet alongside his car as he drove away.

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House Republicans push to undo a seven-year sales tax rate put in place in 2018 was successful in advancement of a bill following a 12-5 favorable vote in the House Appropriations Committee. Alexandria Rep. Lance Harris’s bill looks to eliminate the .45% state sales tax over four years. Despite government growth, Harris believes the money is better in the hands of the tax payers.

Cut 10 (10) “…as they want.”

But the bill has seen opposition from the Edwards’ administration as the Governor’s Executive Council Matthew Block says the government needs the tax revenue as often many pressing issues are brought up only to be told the state doesn’t have the money to spend.

Cut 11 (09) “…about infrastructure.”

Block says prior to the tax rate change, a discussion needs to be had as to where to make cuts in the state’s spending to accommodate the change.

Cut 12 (11) “…discussion with you.”

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Today is Early Childhood Education Day at the Capitol, and proponents are hoping to convince lawmakers to pump tens of millions more into a program that subsidizes early childhood programs for working class families.

Louisiana Policy Institute for Children executive director Melanie Bronfin says giving kids a good educational foundation is vital to their academic future.

Cut 13 (11) “…stay behind.”

She says 80 percent of brain development occurs prior to age 3.

Bronfin has previously called for an immediate 80-million-dollar investment, with an additional 80 million over ten years to insure all children in Louisiana can have high quality early childhood education. She says the return on investment for that would be 13 percent for every dollar invested.

Cut 14 (08) “…graduate.”

15,000 kids are in the early childhood subsidy program, down from 39,000 in 2008, but bronfin estimates even more families would take interest if the program was funded.

The issue has become a flash point at the capital, as Governor Edwards calls for 39 million in new K-12 education funding, but many Republicans say that money should go towards early childhood education. Bronfin says no successful educational program is successful without both…

Cut 15 (07) “those things.”

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After missing the last month with an elbow injury, freshman right-hander Cole Henry will start tonight in LSU’s SEC Tournament game against South Carolina. Coach Paul Mainieri says looked good in his last bullpen session

Cut 16  (21) “…throw five innings”  

LSU has won a conference-high 12 tournament titles and the Tigers have won six of the past 11 SEC Tournament crowns. Pitcher Zack Hess says the team is looking forward to having more success in Hoover, Alabama

cut 17 (17)   “make a run” 

Aaron Fitt with D-1 baseball believes LSU needs to win a game or two to secure hosting an NCAA Regional…

The House Appropriations committee approves legislation that would raise the legal age to smoke from 18 to 21 years old. West Monroe Representative Frank Hoffman says his goal is to prevent young people from smoking, which he says will reduce health care costs for the state

Cut 6 (11) “…for many.”

The legislation will also prohibit the sale of vaping products to those under the age of 21. New Orleans vape shop owner Victoria Wood says it’s a bad bill, because there are no repercussions for those between 18 to 21 who try to purchase tobacco or vaping products…

Cut 7 (10) “…for it”

An effort to reverse the .45 percent sales tax passed last year to buoy the budget clears committee and is headed for the House floor, potentially setting up another fiscal showdown. The plan would phase the tax out over four years.

Legislation to raise the gas tax to fund infrastructure projects gets shelved due to a lack of support, prompting bill author, Baton Rouge Representative Steve Carter, to request the winner of the fall gubernatorial election call a special “infrastructure” session next year.

But Crowley Representative John Stefanski says his informal poll on support for any additional taxes indicated there is not much interest until the state government can prove it can handle it’s finances better.

Cut 14 (11) “…a tax” 

Carter was visibly frustrated at many of his colleague’s refusal to back the 300 million dollar proposal, saying it’s not right for the Legislature to keep kicking the can down the road.

Cut 15 (07) “…be bold”

Carter’s plan would have raised the gas tax six cents in the first year, and up to 18 cents over the next 12 years.

A proposal to raise the legal age to smoke from 18 to 21-years-old barely gets out of the House Appropriations Committee. Jeff Palermo has more…

cut 2 (31) I’m Jeff Palermo”  

An attempt to raise the gas tax to fund infrastructure projects gets shelved by bill author, Baton Rouge Representative Steve Carter. Carter was visibly frustrated at many of his colleague’s refusal to back the 300 million dollar proposal.

Cut 15 (07) “…be bold”

Ville Platte Mayor Jennifer Vidrine says the tornado that ripped through her town shocked the community, but she’s happy to announce that everyone appears to have come through with little to no bodily harm. Vidrine says most folks were fast asleep when the EF-1 tornado tore into town…

Cut 11 (11)“…asleep.”

Vidrine says over 100 building sustained damage in the event.

Louisiana has produced the state’s first American Idol winner with Livingston Parish native Laine Hardy taking the top honors in the season 17 finale last night on ABC.  The eighteen year old’s mother, Cindy Hardy says she was in shock that her son won as all three finalists were incredible.  She says the family comes home tomorrow, but Laine will be staying in California for a few more weeks working on music.

Cut 5 (12) “…his own genre.”

Louisiana has its first American Idol winner…
voicer 1 (31) “….I’m Kevin Barnhart”

A bill to raise the legal age to smoke to 21-years-old received the approval of a House Committee today, but it has several exemptions. Military personnel and law enforcement would be exempted and current 18-year-olds would be granfathered in. Alexandria Representative Lance Harris…
cut 8 (08) “…deal with it”

Louisiana was slammed with another round of twisters yesterday that’s knocked out power to hundreds in Acadiana, damaged nearly 100 homes and businesses, and left three people with minor injuries. National Weather Service Lake Charles Meteorologist Andy Patrick says they identified six tornadoes that touched down during the severe weather event, all of them with winds around 100 miles per hour.
Cut 10 (10) “…EF 1.“
One of the E-F one twisters went right through downtown Ville Platte on Sunday morning. Mayor Jennifer Vidrine says it’s a miracle no one was killed, but she’s heard about some close calls…
cut 12 (08) “….their head”
Vidrine says they’ve been told by Cleco that power should be returned by the end of the day.

Northwest Louisiana is under a slight risk for severe weather tomorrow.

Over 500 customers are still without power in the Evangeline parish city of Ville Platte, which was rocked by a tornado on Sunday morning, leaving nearly 100 homes and businesses damaged. But Mayor Jennifer Vidrine says it could have been worse…
cut 11 (11) “…asleep”
National Weather Service Meterologist Andy Patrick says they believe it was an EF 1 tornado that cut right through the middle of town…
cut 9 (09) “….as well”
Patrick says as many as six tornadoes touched down during the severe weather event with winds around 100 miles per hour.

More severe weather is possible tomorrow as northwest Louisiana is under a slight threat.
Livingston Parish has produced the state’s first American Idol winner as Laine Hardy took the top honors in the season 17 finale last night on ABC. The eighteen-year old’s mother, Cindy Hardy, says in the hours since her son was crowned champion, his music is shooting up the charts.
Cut 3 (09) “…rock charts on iTunes.”
Hardy’s first single is entitled “Flame.”

A proposal to increase the legal smoking and vaping age from 18 to 21-years-old gets out of the House Appropriations Committee by one vote. New Orleans vape shop owner Victoria Wood says it’s a bad bill, because there are no repercussions for those between 18 to 21 who try to purchase tobacco or vaping products…
Cut 7 (10) “…for it”
The bill heads to the House floor for more discussion.

Louisiana now has its first American Idol winner.  Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 1 (31) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

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A proposal to raise the legal age to smoke from 18 to 21-years-old barely gets out of the House Appropriations Committee. Jeff Palermo has more…

cut 2 (31) I’m Jeff Palermo”  

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Louisiana has produced the state’s first American Idol winner with Livingston Parish native Laine Hardy taking the top honors in the season 17 finale last night on ABC.  The eighteen year old’s mother, Cindy Hardy says in the hours since being crowned champion, he’s seen an uptick in streams.

Cut 3 (09) “…rock charts on iTunes.”

This season marks Hardy’s second run on the TV show.

He returned to play guitar for a friend who was auditioning.  While he wasn’t trying to make it back on the show, both of them got offers to advance in the competition.  His mom says in the time since he was last on the show, he had been playing more gigs, working on his stage presence.

Cut 4 (10) “…tried back out.” 

Cindy Hardy says she was in shock that her son won as all three finalists were incredible.  She says the family comes home tomorrow, but Laine will be staying in California for a few more weeks working on music.

Cut 5 (12) “…his own genre.”

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The House Appropriations committee approves legislation that would raise the legal age to smoke from 18 to 21 years old. West Monroe Representative Frank Hoffman says his goal is to prevent young people from smoking, which he says will reduce health care costs for the state

Cut 6 (11) “…for many.”

The legislation will also prohibit the sale of vaping products to those under the age of 21. New Orleans vape shop owner Victoria Wood says it’s a bad bill, because there are no repercussions for those between 18 to 21 who try to purchase tobacco or vaping products…

Cut 7 (10) “…for it”

This legislation heading to the House floor contains several exemptions. Military personnel, law enforcement and first responders between the ages of 18-21 would still be able purchase tobacco products. Alexandria Representative Lance Harris says the proposed law is too complicated

Cut 8 (08) “…deal with it”

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Louisiana was slammed with another round of twisters yesterday that’s knocked out power to hundreds in Acadiana, damaged dozens of homes and businesses, and left three people with minor injuries.

Nation Weather Service Lake Charles Meteorologist in Charge Andy Patrick says the most severe damage occurred in Ville Platte, where the twister cut right through the middle of town…

Cut 9 (09) “…as well”

Patrick says they’ve identified six tornadoes that touched down during the severe weather event so far, all of them having sustained winds of about 105 miles per hour.

Cut 10 (10) “…EF 1.“

Patrick says a large set of upper level disturbances has been contributing to the rash of tornadoes statewide.

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Ville Platte Mayor Jennifer Vidrine says the tornado that ripped through her town shocked the community, but she’s happy to announce that everyone appears to have come through with little to no bodily harm.

Vidrine says most folks were fast asleep when the EF-1 tornado tore into town…

Cut 11 (11)“…asleep.”

Vidrine says over 100 building sustained damage in the event.

The Mayor says while everyone managed to make it out without many scratches, she has heard of a few very close calls…

cut 12(08)   “…their head””

She says 95 percent of the town has power back, and they’re hoping to get the last five percent back up and running before nightfall.

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Legislation to raise the gas tax to fund infrastructure projects gets shelved due to a lack of support, prompting bill author, Baton Rouge Representative Steve Carter, to request the winner of the fall gubernatorial election call a special “infrastructure” session next year.

Carter says crumbling roads and bridges are some of the biggest threat facing the state.

Cut 13 (11) “…of us”

Carter’s plan would have raised the gas tax six cents in the first year, and up to 18 cents over the next 12 years.

But Crowley Representative John Stefanski says his informal poll on support for any additional taxes indicated there is not much interest until the state government can prove it can handle it’s finances better.

Cut 14 (11) “…a tax” 

Carter says there just wasn’t enough time left in the session to push the bill through the House and Senate.

Carter was visibly frustrated at many of his colleague’s refusal to back the 300 million dollar proposal, saying it’s not right for the Legislature to keep kicking the can down the road.

Cut 15 (07) “…be bold”

Livingston Parish has produced the state’s first American Idol winner with Laine Hardy taking the top honors last night.  The eighteen year old’s mother, Cindy Hardy says the family comes home tomorrow, but Laine will be staying in California for a few more weeks working on music.

Cut 5 (12) “…his own genre.”

Legislation to raise the gas tax to fund infrastructure projects gets shelved due to a lack of support, prompting bill author, Baton Rouge Representative Steve Carter, to request the winner of the fall gubernatorial election call a special “infrastructure” session next year.  But Crowley Representative John Stefanski says his informal poll on support for any additional taxes indicated there is not much interest until the state government can prove it can handle it’s finances better.

Cut 14 (11) “…a tax” 

A proposal to raise the legal age to smoke from 18 to 21-years-old barely gets out of the House Appropriations Committee. Jeff Palermo has more…

cut 2 (31) I’m Jeff Palermo”  

A teen driver is dead following a wreck near the St. Martin/Lafayette Parish on LA Hwy 96.  State police say 17-year-old Grace Gonsoulin, who attended Catholic High in New Iberia, was killed when her Honda Accord crossed the double yellow lines into the path of eastbound traffic, colliding with a Dodge Ram.  Despite being properly restrained, she died on the scene, while her two passengers, and the five people in the oncoming truck sustained moderate to serious injuries.