Governor John Bel Edwards has issued the call for the year’s third special session that will kick off June 18^th, at 4PM, and must wrap up by 6PM on June 27^th. The Governor also signed transparency legislation. One of the transparency bills is Louisiana Checkbook, which would create an online resource that allows Louisianans to drill deep into agency budgets, and track every expenditure.

Edwards also put pen to a legislatively passed budget that, if not funded, would result in a 30 percent cut to TOPS, a 96 million dollar reduction in higher ed, and cuts across the board to state agencies.

The Louisiana Department of Corrections is warning that unless additional tax revenue is raised by June 30th, thousands of inmates will be released. Corrections Secretary Jimmy LeBlanc:

Cut 13 (11) “four prisons” 

A CDC report reveals Louisiana has seen a massive spike in suicides since 1999. Connor Ferrill has more.

Cut 1 (28) “I’m Connor Ferrill”

Congressman Graves says Their close to passing the 2018  Water Resources and Development Act that would allow local governments to take over funds for the execution of protection projects from the Corps of Engineers. Congressman Graves says it’d be big for the state.

Cut 10 (10) “river region”

Louisiana has seen a 29 percent increase in the suicide rate since 1999, that according to a CDC report that revealed national suicide rates have skyrocketed over the last two decades. Louisiana Department of Health Suicide Prevention Coordinator Danita Leblanc says the state, and country, need to beef up their suicide detection efforts, increase the amount of mental health education, and expand mental health services, but that’s tough to do under a budget crunch.

Cut 6 (08)  “to deliver”

The Louisiana Department of Corrections is warning that unless additional tax revenue is raised by June 30th, thousands of inmates will be released. Corrections Secretary Jimmy LeBlanc says  they can’t absorb that kind of budget cut, because it’s not like corrections can cut back on staff.

Cut 12 (08)   “look at”

The current budget, without additional funds, would require a nearly 63-million dollar cut to corrections.

US Congressman Garret Graves says they’re one step closer to a massive reform of the way the feds handle flooding and hurricane protection projects. The 2018 Water Resources and Development Act would allow local governments to take over funds for the execution of protection projects from the Corps of Engineers. Graves says passing this bill would speed up construction of some desperately needed hurricane protection and coastal restoration plans.

Cut 10 (10) “river region”

Four people have been arrested in the shooting death of a 17 year old West Monroe girl. Hannah Crenshaw was shot in the front yard of her home Wednesday night. Chris Williams, Jeterrius Patrick, Cortez Williams, all in their early 20s, and 35-year-old Paul Tillman, all of West Monroe, were charged with Criminal Conspiracy and 2^nd Degree Murder.

The man in charge of the state’s prison system says over 10-thousand inmates could be released unless additional revenue is raised…
Cut 2 (30) “I’m I’m Jeff Palermo”

Louisiana’s suicide rate is up 29 percent since 1999 according to the CDC. Louisiana’s Suicide Prevention Coordinator Danita Leblanc says a disturbing statistic is contained in the report that looks at all 50 states.
Cut 5 (08) “mental illness”

A Sabine Parish pastor was killed while jogging after he was struck by a pickup truck driven by a teenager. Troopers responded to the crash Thursday morning on Highway 6. State Police Master Trooper Scott Moreau says a 17 year old male was behind the wheel of a Chevy pickup that struck 46-year-old Matthew Haggard….
Cut 3 (07) “…on the westbound shoulder”
Moreau says the driver from Many was charged with careless operation.

Baton Rouge Congressman Garret Graves says the House approved legislation that reforms how flooding and hurricane protection projects are completed. The 2018 Water Resources and Development Act would allow local governments to take over funds for the execution of protection projects from the Corps of Engineers. Graves says this could help knock out a 100 billion dollar backlog.
cut 8 (11) “for decades.”
The measure heads to the US Senate.

The Louisiana Department of Corrections is warning that unless additional tax revenue is raised by June 30th, thousands of inmates will be released. Those released would be non-sexual and nonviolent offenders. Corrections Secretary Jimmy LeBlanc says that’s because the department would have to cut payments to local sheriffs who house state prisoners…
Cut 11 (07) “with them”
Leblanc says his department is staring at 62-million dollar cut in state funding, if legislators are unable to raise revenue in a special session that’s expected to begin after Father’s Day.

A call for that special session is expected to be released today. The chairman of the House Republican delegation, Lance Harris, has asked the governor to allow for the filing of bills that will let legislators approve budget reform and cost savings measures.

A CDC report reveals Louisiana has seen a massive spike in suicides since 1999. Connor Ferrill has more.
Cut 1 (28) “I’m Connor Ferrill”

Baton Rouge Congressman Garret Graves is optimistic the Water Resources Development Act can help move along flood, hurricane and coastal projection projects. Graves says language in the bill gives state and local governments the opportunity build projects that are currently assigned to the Army Corps of Engineers…
cut 9 (08) “….more efficient”
Gaves says this legislation heading to the Senate can save millions of dollars and years of delays.

A new C-D-C report finds Louisiana’s suicide rate is up 29-percent since 1999. The national average is 25-percent during that time period. Louisiana Health Department Suicide Prevention Coordinator Danita Leblanc says the state needs to beef up its suicide detection efforts, because some troubled individuals are turing to the wrong health professionals…
cut 7 (10) “….to that”
The C-D-C report also found that 54-percent of suicide victims had no no previous mental health issues.

A 17-year-old from Many has been charged with careless operation in a fatal crash that killed a pastor from Sabine Parish. State Police Trooper Scott Moreau says 46-year-old Matthew Haggard was jogging on Highway 6 Thursday morning when the teen driver lost control and struck Haggard…
cut 4 (07) “…the scene”
Haggard leaves behind a wife and two sons.

The Louisiana health department announces plans to keep more people with serious mental illnesses out of state nursing homes. Executive counsel for the Department of Health, Stephen Russo, says the state is enhancing its mental health evaluations of nursing home patients and will find an approprirate home or a community-based setting, if needed. Russo says this will also help with the state’s budget situation…
cut 11 (06) “…nursing home setting”

The state wildlife and fisheries department has lifted a feeding ban in East Carroll, Madison and Tensas Parishes, because sampling tests did not detect chronic wasting disease among white-tailed deer. Extensive testing has been ongoing after a buck tested positive for C-W-D in Mississippi near the Missisippi River.

The US Justice Department reaches an agreement with Louisiana to help ensure people with serious mental illnesses are not living in a nursing home.
Cut 2 (30) ” I’m Matt Doyle”

Will we see the release of 10-thousand inmates after July 1st. State Corrections Secretary Jimmy LeBlanc says it will happen, unless the legislature replaces the some of the revenue lost when over a billion dollars in temporary sales taxes expire June 30th. Governor Edwards is expected to issue a call for another special session to give legislators another chance at passing tax bills before the end of the month.

A Sabine Parish pastor was killed while jogging after he was struck by a pickup truck driven by a teenager. Troopers responded to the crash just before 7 am on Thursday on Highway 6. State Police Master Trooper Scott Moreau says a 17 year old male was behind the wheel of the Chevy pickup that hit 46-year-old Matthew Haggard….
Cut 3 (07) “…on the westbound shoulder”
Moreau says the teen driver from Many was charged with careless operation.

It’s summer time and kids are out of school, but the state department of education says it’s important to make sure parents keep their children in engaged in learning. Assistant Superintendent Rebecca Kockler says find subjects that interest your child and participate in that learning…
cut 28 (12) “…what they are learning”
Kockler says there’s also a lot of good math programs on the internet that makes learning fun.

The summertime is here and while kids may be enjoying time away from the classroom, but as Kevin Barnhart explains, the experts say it’s an important time to make sure they stay engaged in learning.

Cut 3 (24) “Im Kevin Barnhart”

Governor John Bel Edwards indicated last night that he will be putting out the call for the third special session of the year today, and the 7^th of his administration, with the goal of raising revenue to head off a potential 30 percent reduction to TOPS and 96 million dollars in cuts to higher ed. The last session collapsed in the last moments as a tax bill that would have fully funded government, and reportedly had the votes for passage, was filibustered by an anti-tax legislator.

Researchers say the Gulf of Mexico “Dead Zone” off the Louisiana coast will grow to the size of Connecticut by the end of July, as part of its yearly expansion resulting from the tons of chemicals that ride down the Mississippi from Midwestern crop fields. The dead zone is an area with little oxygen, which drives away aquatic life. LSU Professor Dr. Eugene Turner says the size fluctuates, but has trended up over the years.

Cut 13 (10)  “temperature” 

Nicholls State is launching a new program, called CROWN, aimed at helping young black men stay at college, and finish their degree. After reviewing information from last year, the university discovered that only 53 percent of African American men returned after their freshman year. Education research indicates first generation students are a vulnerable population, and Chadwell says those students could use a helping hand.

Cut 6 (10) “…with their peers.”