A proposal to allow local governments to set their own minimum wage fails in a House Committee 9-6. In 1997, Louisiana passed a preemption law overriding local wage requirements in favor of a statewide minimum. New Orleans Representative Royce Duplessis says he brought the bill because local voters know better than the state what their workers need to survive…
Cut 3 (09) “…economies.”
But the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry opposed the measure. LABI vice president of governmental relations Jim Patterson says the proposal would place an undue burden on many businesses.
Cut 4 (07) “…untenable”

Over in the House Ag committee, they did not take up a proposal to prohibit a person convicted of animal abuse from owning an animal.

Educators in Louisiana are celebrating a milestone. The high school graduation rate is the highest ever and the graduation rate for African American students has surpassed the national average. State Education Superintendent John White.
Cut 7 (11) “…rate.”
White also says the number of students qualifying for the TOPS scholarship program has increased by five-thousand since 2012.

A House approved bill by Belle Chase Representative Chris Leopold that would allow grocery and liquor stores to delivery factory sealed alcohol to a person’s home is headed to the Senate floor. New Orleans Senator Karen Carter Peterson asked about the chance of enabling an addiction.
Cut 12 (09) “…I mean really?”
Under the bill, the employee making the delivery would have the authority to determine if someone is already too drunk to be served.

The state Senate has approved a one-thousand dollar pay raise for teachers, plus 39-million dollars in block grant funding for public schools. The House has already said they support a 12-hundred dollar pay hike for teachers, but they do not support giving public schools additional dollars. New Orleans Senator JP Morrell says if you don’t increase funding for public schools teachers, then teachers will have to use more of their own money to pay for school supplies…
cut (09) “…to the classroom”
This dispute over education funding will likely not be settled until the final days of the legislative session, which ends June 6th.

A woman was fatally shot in the face early this morning in the nine-hundred block of Bourbon Street in New Orleans. Police have arrested 33-year-old Alexander Kirby in connection with the killing. He’s been charged with second-degree murder.

A House approved proposal to allow grocery and liquor stores to delver factory sealed alcohol to a person’s home is nearing final legislative passage. Lobbyist Alton Ashy the person making the delivery would have to be a store employee certified by ACT to very recipient’s age. Ashy that’s just one of many safe guards the legislation has…
cut 11 (09) “…all times”
The proposal heads to the Senate floor for more discussion.

The House Ag Committee was expected to hear a bill at this hour that would prohibit a person convicted of animal abuse from owning an animal. Humane Society of Louisiana Director Jeff Dorson says the legislation would create an animal abuser registry, similar to the state’s sex offender registry….
cut 4 (10) “….convicted animal abusers”
The author of the proposal is Amite Representative Robby Carter.

The Senate backs an education funding proposal that calls for a 1,000 dollar teacher pay raise and 39 million dollars in additional funds for public schools, setting the stage for a showdown with the House…
Cut 3 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

Rolling Stones announces that the legendary rock band will perform in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on July 14th. Rolling Stones had to cancel its Jazz Fest performance because frontman Mick Jagger needed medical treatment.

Louisiana’s high school graduation rate has hit a record high for the state at 81-percent. State Education Superintendent John White says the graduation rate for black students has surpassed the national average. And White says the number of students qualifying for the TOPS scholarship program has increased by five-thousand since 2012, which means more students are receiving an education beyond high school…
cut 9 (11) “…family”

Coming up in the next hour, the House Ag committee will consider a bill that would prohibit a person convicted of animal abuse from owning an animal. Humane Society of Louisiana Director Jeff Dorson says the legislation would create an animal abuser registery, so that pet stores, animal shelters and others can see if a person has animal abuse convictions in their history….
cut 6 (10) “…probably next session”

There are differing opinions on how to fund education in Louisiana among Lawmakers. The House wants to give teachers a thousand-two hundred dollar raise and the Senate wants only a thousand for teachers and five-hundred for support personnel. As for the remaining 39-million to go towards schools it was opposed by one Senator who thinks it should be spent elsewhere. Since Louisiana already has the highest per pupil spending of any southern state Metairie Senator Conard Appel voted against it

Cut 14 (11) “…at once”

A House approved bill by Belle Chase Representative Chris Leopold that would allow grocery and liquor stores to delivery factory sealed alcohol is on its way to the Senate floor. Drizly alcohol delivery spokesperson Alton Ashy…

Cut 10 (08) “…the entire transaction.”

Delivery would be prohibited on college campuses.

Lawmakers are working on creating a statewide registry of animal abusers in Louisiana.  Humane Society of Louisiana Director Jeff Dorson says it would help them with repeat offender cases and it also bans animal ownership for anyone who appears on the registry in two different tiers.

Cut 5 (08) “…really important provisions.”

Educators in Louisiana are not only celebrating the end of the school year this month but they’ve reached a milestone.  Superintendent of Education John White says the state four-year graduation rate is now at 81-percent and the state also set a record for graduation rates for African American students.

Cut 8 (10) “…graduation.”

The graduation rate for African American students is now 78-percent.

In baseball LSU begins their last series of the regular season tonight against Auburn.

Louisiana meets a long held goal of obtaining a four-year high school graduation rate over 80 percent. Matt Doyle has more.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”  

A proposal to create a statewide animal abuser registry is scheduled to be heard in the House Ag committee today.  The registry would be similar to the sex offender database.  Humane Society of Louisiana Director Jeff Dorson says the effort has his organization’s approval.

Cut 4 (10) “… convicted animal abusers.”

If your name appears on the list you are banned from owning and purchasing an animal.

A House approved bill by Belle Chase Representative Chris Leopold that would allow grocery and liquor stores to delivery factory sealed alcohol is headed to the Senate.

Under the bill the employee making the delivery would also have the authority to determine if someone is already too drunk to be served. Senator Karen Carter Peterson asked about the chance of enabling an addiction.

Cut 12 (09) “…I mean really?”

The Rolling Stones announced their rescheduled date for New Orleans after they had to postpone the tour for lead singer Mick Jaggar’s heart surgery. The “No Filter” Tour is set to roll at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on July 14.

And Louisiana Native Britney Spears may be calling it quits as a performer. Rumors are circling that the entertainer may never tour again. Her manager Larry Rudolph told TMZ, he wants the singer to focus on her mental health instead of her career.   In baseball LSU begins their last series of the regular season tonight against Auburn.

Educators in Louisiana are celebrating a milestone. The high school graduation rate is one of the highest ever and also above the national average in African American graduation rates according to Superintendent of Education John White.

Cut 7 (11) “…rate.”

There are differing opinions in how much educators should receive in raises among lawmakers.

The Senate passed a 3.8 billion dollar measure for education that includes a 1,000 dollar teacher pay raise, a 500 dollar raise for support personnel and a 39 million dollar block grant to school districts.

Winnfield Senator Gerald Long supports the increase.

Cut 13 (12) “…do.”

However the House passed a one thousand-two-hundred dollar teacher pay raise and wants more money for early childhood education.

A House Bill aims to put convicted animal abusers on the map, or at least in a database similar to sex offenders.  Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 1 (29) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

The Senate passes a 3.8 billion dollar funding formula for public education that includes a 1,000 dollar teacher pay raise, a 500 dollar support personnel pay raise, and a 39 million dollar block grant to school districts. The MFP has the support of the Governor.

But, the House passed a 1,200 dollar teacher pay raise, and is resisting the 39 million dollar education funding increase in favor of more money for early childhood education. In a likely preview of the upcoming disagreement between the House and Senate, Metairie Senator Conrad Appel voted against the proposal…

Cut 14 (11) “…at once”

New Orleans Senator JP Morrell hit back at that argument…

Cut 15 (10) “priority.”

A House Bill aims to put convicted animal abusers on the map, or at least in a database similar to sex offenders.  Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 1 (29) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

A House approved bill by Belle Chase Representative Chris Leopold that would allow grocery and liquor stores to delivery of factory sealed alcohol is on its way to the Senate floor. Drizly alcohol delivery spokesperson Alton Ashy…

Cut 10 (08) “…the entire transaction.”

A House Bill aims to put convicted animal abusers on the map, or at least in a database similar to sex offenders.  Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 1 (29) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

_____________________________

Louisiana meets a long held goal of obtaining a four-year high school graduation rate over 80 percent. Matt Doyle has more.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”  

_______________________________________________

 The Senate backs education funding that includes a 1,000 dollar teacher pay raise and 39 million dollars in additional funds for public schools, setting the stage for a showdown with the House…

Cut 3 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

__________________________________

A proposal to create a statewide animal abuser registry is scheduled to be heard in the House Ag committee today.  The registry would be similar to the sex offender database.  Humane Society of Louisiana Director Jeff Dorson says the effort has his organization’s approval.

Cut 4 (10) “… convicted animal abusers.”

Amite Representative Robby Carter proposed the bill.  Dorson says it would help a group like the Humane Society who often works cases with repeat offender and adds the bill bans animal ownership for anyone who appears on the registry in two different tiers.

Cut 5 (08) “…really important provisions.”

Dorson says similar registries are being built in other states.

Cut 6 (10) “…probably next session.”

_____________________

Louisiana set new highs for Class of 18’ class size, number of students receiving TOPS, and is now above the national average in African American graduation rate according to the Louisiana Department of Education.

White says it’s the highest four-year graduation rate in state history at 81 percent.

Cut 7 (11) “…rate.”

40,124 students graduated in the 2018 class.

Superintendent of Education John White says it’s still far from perfect, but the 78 percent four-year-graduation rate for African Americans is worth celebrating…

Cut 8 (10) “…graduation.”

76 percent of economically disadvantaged students graduated in four years, along with 60 percent of disabled students, both a year-to-year increase.

Over 50 percent of the graduating class qualified for TOPS, and White says that comes out to 5,000 more kids getting the scholarship assistance than received it in 2012, giving Louisiana students access to vital higher education.

Cut 9 (11) “…family″

_____________________

A House approved bill by Belle Chase Representative Chris Leopold that would allow grocery and liquor stores to delivery of factory sealed alcohol is on its way to the Senate floor. Drizly alcohol delivery spokesperson Alton Ashy…

Cut 10 (08) “…the entire transaction.”

Delivery would be prohibited on college campuses.

The person making the delivery would have to be a store employee certified by ATC to verify the recipient’s age. Ashy says that is one of many safe guards put into effect.

Cut 11 (09) “…at all times.”

The employee making the delivery would also have the authority to determine if someone is already too drunk to be served. Senator Karen Carter Peterson asked about the chance of enabling an addiction.

Cut 12 (09) “…I mean really?”

______________________

The Senate passes a 3.8 billion dollar funding formula for public education that includes a 1,000 dollar teacher pay raise, a 500 dollar support personnel pay raise, and a 39 million dollar block grant to school districts.

Winnfield Senator Gerald Long says it’s important this proposal passes, because it’s a statement of intent that Louisiana understands how important education is.

Cut 13 (12) “…do.”

The MFP has the support of the Governor and teachers’ unions.

The House passed a 1,200 dollar teacher pay raise, but is resisting the 39 million dollar education funding increase in favor of more money for early childhood education. In a likely preview of the upcoming disagreement between the House and Senate, Metairie Senator Conrad Appel voted against the proposal…

Cut 14 (11) “…at once”

Appel says Louisiana has the highest per pupil spending of any southern state.

New Orleans Senator JP Morrell hit back at that argument, saying there’s not reason why the Legislature cannot address both adequate funding for schools, higher teacher salaries, and early childhood education credits.

Cut 15 (10) “priority.”

______________________

LSU hosts Auburn tonight to begin the final regular season series of the year. Coach Paul Mainieri is changing up his starting rotation again as Eric Walker will start tonight’s game

Cut 16  (20) “…right around the corner” 

Mainieri hinted Walker would also pitch next Wednesday or Thursday in the SEC Tournament, if LSU can win on Tuesday in a single elimination game.

For LSU to secure a spot as an NCAA Regional host, the Tigers are shooting for a fifth place finish in the overall SEC standings. They are currently in 6th place. Mainieri says he’s not talking with his team about postseason scenarios…

cut 17 (14)   “to be” 

Starting left fielder Daniel Cabrera is heating up with the weather. He’s hit five home runs in his last nine games. Mainieri says the sophomore has changed his approach at the plate….

5:30/8:30/Legislative PM newscast.
A bill establishing 18 as the legal age for marriage passed committee, where dramatic written testimony was heard from a woman who was pressured into a marriage with a much older man…

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”  

A bill to allow grocery and liquor stores to delivery alcohol is on its way to the house floor.  If advanced into law, stores would be able to hire its own drivers, not independent contractors, to make deliveries as long as the product comes in a factory sealed bottle and the recipient does not live on a college campus.  They would also be allowed to deny service to clients who have had too much to drink already.

The Louisiana House has approved legislation that would allow medical marijuana patients to use an inhaler to deliver the therapeutic cannabis into their system. Baton Rouge Representative Ted James says the proposal would also allow doctors who live out of state to prescribe medical marijuana to Louisiana patients…
cut 15 (12) “…medical examiners”
The measure faces more discussion in the Senate.

Louisiana’s version of the fetal heartbeat abortion ban bill has cleared another legislative hurdle. No one on the House Health and Welfare Committee objected to the measure. But Monroe Representative Katrina Jackson says if lawmakers support this bill, they should also support a measure to abolish the death penalty…

Cut 7 (12) “…of jail.”