The first named storm of the season has formed at the edge of the Caribbean Sea, and his name is Alberto. Alberto is expected to develop into a tropical storm, and could put Memorial Day weekend plans at risk for folks across the gulf coast. National Weather Service Slidell Forecaster Phil Grigsby says the five-day forecast shows Alberto could impact Louisiana
Cut 3 (07) “this Sunday”
Heavy rains are the biggest concern with Alberto.

LSU baseball fans are still buzzing over the two-run double hit by pitcher Todd Peterson to help the Tigers beat South Carolina six to four in 12 innings in last night’s SEC Tournament elimination. Peterson says he never hit in a competitive game in high school, but sounded like a hitter in the post game press conference….
cut 30 (14) “…happen again”
The Tigers play again tonight.

A report from America’s Health Rankings says Louisiana seniors have the worst health outcomes in the nation. Michael Farrar has the story.
Voicer 1 (29) I”m Michael Farrar“

Louisiana Troopers are partnering with Mississippi Highway Patrol in a new highway safety initiative called “Line to Line.” Senior Trooper Dustin Dwight…
Cut 10 (12) “roadway”

The National Hurricane Center says Subtropical storm Alberto has formed in the Caribbean and the first advisory shows it will develop into a tropical storm later today. The current five-day forecast shows Alberto as a Tropical Storm on Monday morning and very close to the coast of southeastern Louisiana.

State troopers from Louisiana and Mississippi are working together to promote highway safety along I-55. Becca Dill has the story.
Voicer 2 (31) “I’m Becca Dill”

House GOP Caucus Chairman Lance Harris’ tax bill received approval from the House Ways and Means Committee. The proposal would retain one third of an expiring penny sales tax and eliminate some sales tax breaks. Governor Edwards supports retaining a higher percentage of the expiring one-cent sales tax, but Harris says his legislation is a good compromise
Cut 13 (10) “in cuts”
The short-term sales tax proposal would generate 366-million dollars for next year’s budget. That means state government would have to reduce spending by less than two-percent. A plan, Monroe Representative Marcus Hunter, disagrees with…
cut 15 (11) “…those cuts”
It’s unclear if this proposal has the 70 votes needed to get approval in the House.

A Republican tax proposal is the only bill to escape a House committee so far in this special session. Matt Doyle has more.
Cut 3 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

Louisiana State Police say they are working with Mississippi Highway Patrol to increase police presence along Interstate 55…
cut 11 (07) “…target that”
That’s Senior Trooper Dustin Dwight, who says law enforcement statewide will also watch for motorists not buckled up as part of the click it or ticket enforcement program.

The United Health Foundation’s Seniors report ranks Louisiana dead last in the nation for the quality of senior health. Dr. Rhonda Randall with the United Health Foundation says senior obesity rates play a major role in the poor ranking…
Cut 7 (10) “of seniors”
Louisiana seniors are also more at risk of social isolation, which means a high number of seniors living alone, in poverty or disabled and having a difficult time living independently.

The recreational red snapper season begins today and for the first time the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries will manage the harvest of the fish in state and federal waters…
cut 5 (08) “…like this”
LDWF’s Jason Adriance says the season will run seven days a week and it’s designed not exceed a 743-thousand pound harvest limit.

Governor John Bel Edwards has asked legislators to approve 648-million in taxes to replace one-point-four billion dollars in expiring sales taxes. Instead, the House Ways and Means committee has approved a short-term sales tax proposal that would generate 366-million dollars for next year’s budget. That means state government would have to reduce spending by less than two-percent. A plan, Monroe Representative Marcus Hunter, disagrees with…
cut 15 (11) “…those cuts”
It’s unclear if this proposal has the 70 votes needed to get approval in the House.

The National Hurricane Center says Invest 90 is getting better organized. It’s expected to move into the Gulf of Mexico late tonight and the expectation is high for the system to form into a depression by Saturday.

Louisiana Troopers are partnering with Mississippi Highway Patrol in a new highway safety initiative called “Line to Line.” Senior Trooper Dustin Dwight…
Cut 10 (12) “roadway”
Dwight says Toopers will watch for impaired, reckless and distracted driving.

The recreational red snapper season begins today and for the first time the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheies has management of the prized catch in both state and federal waters. L-D-W-F finfish program manager Jason Adriancce says they are asking anglers to participate in their data collection…
cut 6 (09) “…landings data”
To participate in electronic reporting go to rolp.wlf.la.gov to sign up.

House GOP Caucus Chairman Lance Harris’ tax bill received approval from the House Ways and Means Committee. The proposal would retain one third of an expiring penny sales tax and eliminate some sales tax breaks. Governor Edwards supports retaining a higher percentage of the expiring one-cent sales tax, but Harris says his legislation is a good compromise
Cut 13 (10) “in cuts”
The measure heading to the House floor does not address the entire budget deficit, so if it passes, cuts in state government will be needed.

If you are traveling on I-55 in Louisiana or Mississippi this Memorial Day weekend expect to see a higher police presence as the two states are partnering in an effort to catch drunk drivers or those driving recklessly. L-S-P senior trooper Dustin Dwight…
cut 12 (09) “….of driving”

The recreational Red Snapper season begins today in state waters and in federal waters just off of Louisaina’s coast. Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Finfish Program Manager Jason Adriance says that means…
Cut 4 (10) “commissioned sets”
There’s a two fish bag limit and 16 inch catch minimum in place. The season will run seven days a week until 743,000 pounds are harvested.

Another great moment in LSU baseball history last night as pitcher Todd Peterson in his first at-bat in a game since middle school drilled a 1-2 pitch down the left field line for a two-run double, giving the Tigers a 6-4 win over South Carolina in 12 innings. Freshman Daniel Cabrerra couldn’t believe it….
cut 30 (12) “…by far”
LSU has another elimination game in the SEC Tournament tonight versus either Florida or Arkansas.

The first tax proposal of the special session is heading to the House floor as the Ways and Means committee approved a bill that keeps a third of an expiring one-cent sales tax on the books through 2023 and also some sales tax exemptions would be removed. It would produce 370-million dollars in revenue the state currently doesn’t have after July 1st, but that’s not enough to fill the entire 648-million dollar shortfall. Alexandria Representative Lance Harris says that’s okay, because the legislature can make cuts within the budget to close the rest of the deficit….
cut 14 (07) “…a row”
Monroe Representative Marcus Hunter came out strong against the bill. He says people deserve to know exactly where those 126-million dollars in cuts would land….
cut 16 (05) “….be released”
Further debate will continue on the House floor.

Louisiana is ranked as the least healthiest state in the nation for seniors according to the United Health Foundation America’s Health Rankings Senior Report…
cut 8 (08) “….this year”
That’s Doctor Rhonda Randall with the United Health Foundation, who says social isolation refers to the number of seniors who are living alone, in poverty or having a difficult time living independently.

The man killed in a fatal explosion at the Procter and Gamble plant in Pineville has been identified as 56-year-old Allen Kendrick of Jena. The State Fire Marshal’s office says Kendrick was operating a piece of equipment that exploded and caught fire early Thursday morning.

A report from America’s Health Rankings says Louisiana seniors have the worst health outcomes in the nation. Michael Farrar has the story.

Cut 1 (30)  I”m Michael Farrar“

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State troopers from Louisiana and Mississippi are working together to promote highway safety. Becca Dill has the story.

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Becca Dill”

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A tax plan to address the fiscal cliff that would require 126 million in cuts to balance the budget is the only bill to escape a House committee. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 3 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

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Red Snapper season is now underway, with a two fish bag limit and 16 inch catch minimum in place for anglers looking to head out on the waters. This season should be even more convenient than past years, as federal waters have been ceded to the state. Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Finfish Program Manager Jason Adriance says that means…

Cut 4  (10) “commissioned sets” 

The season will run seven days a week until 743,000 pounds are harvested.

Adriance says the expanded season and more open waters mean fishermen get more flexibility to pick and choose their times.

Cut 5  (08)  “like this”

And before you head out, LDWF is encouraging sportsmen to check into their new electronic reporting system on their recreational offshore permit page. Adriance says the new, voluntary program is in place to improve the quality of LDWF’s research and reporting.

Cut 6 (09) “landings data”

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An America’s Health Rankings has Louisiana ranked dead last in the nation for the quality of senior’s health. The report detailed the particularly perilous situation that many of Louisiana’s rural seniors find themselves in, relative to urban based elderly. Dr. Rhonda Randall with the United Health Foundation says senior obesity rates are up 26 percent in the last five years.

Cut 7 (10)  “of seniors”

Louisiana seniors were particularly vulnerable to social isolation, which isn’t just the distance from other people, but whether or not they have any routine social interaction. Randall says they’ve found states with the worst isolation tend to be the lowest rated in other categories as well.

Cut 8 (08)  “this year”

Randall says after identifying two major problem areas, social isolation and obesity, she hopes the report can spur people into action.

Cut 9 (08)  “as individuals”

In the six years the report has been released, Louisiana has never ranked higher than 47^th.

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Amidst increased Memorial Day weekend travel, Louisiana Troopers are partnering with Mississippi Highway Patrol in a new highway safety initiative called “Line to Line.” Trooper Dustin Dwight says the program is designed as a high-visibility.

Cut 10 (12)   “roadway”

More troopers on the road will hopefully reduce the number of crashes and help respond time. Trooper Dwight says the goal of the program is to keep motorists safe during increased travel times.

Cut 11 (07) “target that”

Trooper Dwight advises drivers to remain vigilant on the road during peak holiday traffic.

Cut 12 (09) “of driving”

“Line to Line” will begin on Friday, May 25^th and last until Monday, May 28^th.

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House GOP Caucus Chairman Lance Harris’s tax bill passed House Ways and Means and is on it’s way to the floor. The proposal would retain one third of the expiring penny sales tax, as well as a few other sales tax breaks, and cut government spending by 126 million dollars. Harris says this is the compromise legislation that would get the votes needed to go into law.

Cut 13 (10)  “in cuts” 

Harris’s legislation would raise 366 million dollars in revenue.

Harris says the proposal does not fill the 648 million dollar budget gap that has brought legislators into the second special session of the year. The Alexandria Republican says it’s time to start cutting government spending.

House GOP Caucus Chairman Lance Harris’s tax bill passed House Ways and Means and is on it’s way to the floor. The proposal would retain one third of the expiring penny sales tax, as well as a few other sales tax breaks, and cut government spending by 126 million dollars. Harris says this is the compromise legislation that would get the votes needed to go into law.

Cut 13 (10)  “in cuts” 

Harris’s legislation would raise 366 million dollars in revenue.

Harris says the proposal does not fill the 648 million dollar budget gap that has brought legislators into the second special session of the year. The Alexandria Republican says it’s time to start cutting government spending.

Cut 14 (07) “a row”

Monroe Representative Democrat Marcus Hunter says Harris’s proposal has deep cuts that would damage the economy, and lead to mass layoffs of public sector workers.

Cut 15 (11) “those cuts”

House Republicans voted down the administration’s favored plan, New Iberia Representative Terry Landry’s tax bill, would have raised 543 million dollars.

Legislators celebrated the state’s capture of Super Bowl 58 at the capital, which will be held in New Orleans in 2024. Speaker Taylor Barras weighed in the on win, congratulating New Orleans on grabbing yet another major sporting event.

Cut 5  (10) “once again”

Virginia College of Osteopathic Medicine has been licensed for a medical school at ULM, which will lead to a privately funded, 100 thousand square foot facility. Don Molino has more.
Cut 2 (30) “I’m Don Molino “

And on Saturday and Sunday, consumers can receive a discount on state sales taxes when purchasing hurricane preparedness items. Department of Revenue spokesperson Byron Henderson…
cut 15 (06) “…instead of late”
Flashlights, generators and storm shutters are eligible for the sales tax break.

Invest 90L, the low-pressure system in the west Caribbean that’s on its way to ruin gulf coast Memorial Day weekends, is starting to get a narrower prediction track, and more confidence that it will grow into a tropical depression or storm. State Climatologist Barry Keim says at this point, Louisiana should be spared the worst of it, but…
Cut 9 (07) “Louisiana.”
Nasty weather could start to pop up nearby as early as Saturday, but Keim says they expect the system to really hit starting next week.

Saints Owner Gayle Benson made an appearance at the state capitol today. She was invited by Governor John Bel Edwards to make an appearance to celebrate New Orleans winning bid for the Super Bowl in 2024. New Orleans will host a record tying 11th Super Bowl….
cut 4 (10) “…today”
No questions were asked, so we don’t know how Benson feels abut the NFL’s new controversial national anthem policy.