A new website is offering a years’ worth of college courses for free, that transfer to major universities. Becca Dill has more.

Cut 2 (29) I’m Becca Dill”

There are indications from both the Governor and legislative leaders that this will be the final week of the regular session. The chambers have 120 hours to come to a resolution on gaming issues, unanimous juries, a 15 week abortion ban, and possibly a budget. LaPolitics.com Publisher Jeremy Alford says the budget battles will escalate after Senate Finance passed a spending plan quite different from the House.

Cut 4  (10) “on higher ed” 

A Senate Committee will review a controversial bill today that would renew the state’s contract with New Orleans Harrah’s Casino for another 30 years. The bill has received opposition from statewide leaders like U.S. Senator John Kennedy, who say Louisiana should hold out for a better deal, and legislators are concerned about a provision that calls for less legislative scrutiny over future contract renewals. says there’s also another concern.

Harrah’s officials say in exchange for a new 30-year contract, they will spend 350-million dollars on a new 340-room hotel, plus restaurants and a nightclub that would result in 500 full-time jobs. Political Analyst Clancy DuBos says that’s not the only bonuses.

Cut 11 (12) “guaranteed”

A constitutional amendment requiring unanimous jury verdicts in all felony trials is scheduled for a vote in the House today. Louisiana is one of two states that does not require unanimous jury decisions. Legal analyst Tim Meche says Louisiana’s outlier verdict system influences DAs to charge suspects with crimes that have longer sentences, just to have a better chance at conviction.

Cut 13 (10)  “the sentence” 

This could be the last week of the regular session as the governor will likely call for a special session to begin next week. Matt Doyle has more

Cut 1 (29) “I’m Matt Doyle”

Modern States Education Alliance is offering a “Freshman Year For Free” at their website which allows students to take CLEP eligible courses by nationally renowned professors, without paying thousands of dollars. Founder Steve Klinsky says the classes give credits that can be transferred to major colleges like LSU.

Cut 7 (09)  “CLEP Exam”

A Senate Committee will review a controversial bill today that would renew the state’s contract with New Orleans Harrah’s Casino for another 30 years. The bill has received opposition from statewide leaders like U.S. Senator John Kennedy, who say Louisiana should hold out for a better deal, and legislators are concerned about a provision that calls for less legislative scrutiny over future contract renewals. Political Analyst Clancy DuBos says there’s also another concern.

Cut 10 (07) “right now”

Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries enforcement agents are investigating a fatal single vessel boating incident involving a father and son in Ascension Parish.

A 20 foot aluminum vessel being operated by Patrick White, 53, of Sorrento, with Caleb White, 27, of Sorrento, as a passenger hit a bulkhead on the Amite River around 9 p.m. on May 12.  Patrick White sustained minor injuries whereas Caleb White sustained fatal injuries.

Pig guts

LSU got a much needed 7-3 victory on Sunday to keep hope alive they can make the NCAA Tournament. Daniel Cabrera drove in four runs and Nick Bush pitched six strong innings for his first win of the year. Coach Paul Mainieri says the sophomore left-hander has been money all season…

Cut 19 (12) ‘”….allyear”

The Tigers are 14-13 in the SEC heading into the final SEC series at Auburn.

Louisiana Tech clinched an impressive series victory over 9^th ranked Southern Miss by beating the Golden Eagles eight to three. Southern Miss had won 12 straight consecutive series over the Bulldogs, who yesterday got four runs driven in by Parker Bates and good pitching from Logan Bailey and David Leal.

The Ragin Cajuns lost their last two games to Texas State, but still hold a half-game lead over Little Rock for first place in the Sun Belt Western Division.

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Saints Coach Sean Payton says as of right now, they do not plan on signing a veteran running back with Mark Ingram set to miss the first four games because of violating the NFL’s policy on performance enhancing substances. But Payton says they will not close the door on possibly bringing back future Hall of Famer Adrian Peterson..

Cut 16 (19) “…great worker”

UL Lafayette and LSU with once again meet in an NCAA Softball Regional. The Tigers are the host school and they’ll play Fordham at 5:30 on Friday. The Cajuns and Houston are the other two teams in the regional at 3 PM. McNeese is heading to the College Station Regional, where they’ll compete against Baylor, Prairie View and host school Texas A-and-M.

A Senate committee will hear arguments on a bill that would extend Harrah’s contract today. Jim Shannon has the story.

Cut 3 (30) “I’m Jim Shannon”

Students Graduating from LSU this morning were treated to a commencement speech by Alumnus U.S. Congressman Steve Scalise. Scalise spoke for about 45 minutes in front of 4000 graduating students. He spoke extensively about his journey following a nearly fatal shooting on a baseball diamond in Washington D.C. and the support he received from the University during his recovery.

He says he will forever be indebted to those who helped him during his rehabilitation.

Cut 5  (12) “my recovery”

Scalise is also scheduled to be the keynote speaker at the LSU law school graduation in June.

Modern States Education Alliance is offering a “Freshman Year For Free” at their website which allows students to take CLEP eligible courses by nationally renowned professors, without having to pick up thousands of dollars in student loans. Founder Steve Klinsky says the classes give credits that can be transferred to major colleges like LSU. Klinsky says his program is the “Netflix” of online college curriculum.

Cut 8 (11)  “you credit”

A Senate Committee will review a controversial bill that would renew Harrah’s Casino’s contract for another 30 years. The bill has received opposition from statewide leaders like Senator John Kennedy who say Louisiana should hold out for a better deal, and legislators concerned about a provision that would cut the capital out of future negotiations, but Political Analyst Clancy DuBos says he doesn’t see the bill passing in its current form, unless Harrahs is willing to put up more on its end of the bargain.

Cut 12 (12) “proposed”

Senate Finance approved a spending plan that cuts nearly 25 percent of the budget of many state agencies. Becca Dill has more.

Cut 2 (30) I’m Becca Dill”

Students Graduating from LSU this morning were treated to a commencement speech by Alumnus U.S. Congressman Steve Scalise. Scalise’s speech was full of funny stories as he described getting phone calls from leaders all over the world. He says he was truly humbled by the attention which inspired him.

Cut 4 (09) “back up”

A Senate Committee will review a controversial bill that would renew Harrah’s Casino’s contract for another 30 years. The bill has received opposition from statewide leaders like Senator John Kennedy who say Louisiana should hold out for a better deal, and legislators concerned about a provision that would cut the capital out of future negotiations. But many in New Orleans are hailing the bill, which would see the city take more control over future contract discussions, and calls on Harrahs to invest in a new Hotel. DuBos says that’s not the only bonuses for the Crescent City.

Cut 11 (12) “guaranteed”

A constitutional amendment requiring unanimous jury verdicts in all criminal trials will be taken up by the House today. Louisiana is one of two states that does not require unanimous jury decisions. Legal Analyst Tim Meche says Louisiana’s outlier verdict system influences DAs to charge suspects with crimes that have longer sentences, just to have a better chance at conviction.

The amendment would have to survive a popular vote before being put into law.

Meche says non unanimous jury requirements lead to more innocent people pleading guilty to crimes they did not commit.

Cut 14 (10) “much higher”

Reports say this will be the last week of the regular session as the Governor and other leaders are calling for a special session to begin Friday. Matt Doyle has more.

Cut 1 (31) “I’m Matt Doyle”

Modern States Education Alliance is offering a “Freshman Year For Free” at their website which allows students to take CLEP eligible courses by nationally renowned professors, without having to pick up thousands of dollars in student loans. Founder Steve Klinsky says the classes give credits that can be transferred to major colleges like LSU.

Cut 7 (09)  “CLEP Exam”

A Senate Committee will review a controversial bill that would renew Harrah’s Casino’s contract for another 30 years. The bill has received opposition from statewide leaders like Senator John Kennedy who say Louisiana should hold out for a better deal, and legislators concerned about a provision that would cut the capital out of future negotiations, but Political Analyst Clancy DuBos says there’s another concern.

Cut 10 (07) “right now”

A constitutional amendment requiring unanimous jury verdicts in all criminal trials will be taken up by the House today. Louisiana is one of two states that does not require unanimous jury decisions. Legal Analyst Tim Meche says Louisiana’s outlier verdict system influences DAs to charge suspects with crimes that have longer sentences, just to have a better chance at conviction.

Cut 13 (10)  “the sentence” 

There was more late game magic at Alex Box Stadium last night. Down 5-1 in the 8^th inning, the Tigers roared back for six runs highlighted by Beau Jordan’s second career grand slam to give LSU a 7-5 win. Todd Peterson pitched a perfect 9^th inning for his third save on the year. LSU has won four in a row and they are now 13-12 in the SEC. Game 2 is tonight at 7 PM.

Down 4-1. Louisiana Tech scored seven runs in the seventh inning to stun 9^th ranked Southern Miss as the Bulldogs pulled out off a 10-6 win over the Golden Eagles. Tech took advantage of five Southern Miss errors. Steele Netterville had a big day at the plate as he scored three times and had a three-run double in that seven-run, seventh inning.

Colten Scmidt improved to 7-0 on the year as the Cajuns defeated Texas State seven to four. With the win, UL Lafayette moves into first place in the Sun Belt West by a half a game over Little Rock.

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Southeastern Louisiana led 6-2 in the 6^th inning, but ended up losing to Central Arkansas seven to six. Ridge Heisler struck out nine as Northwestern State crushed Abilene Christian nine to one, Owen Magee hit for the cycle as UNO upended Nicholls 8-3 and McNeese thumped Prairie View A-and-M 12-7 as Joe Provenzano went 4-for-5.

At the state high school baseball playoffs in Sulphur, Claiborne Christian beat Grace Christian 2-to-1 to win the Division 5 state championship. That’s five state championships for the Warriors.

Harrisonburg won its first state title by beating Simpson 4-3 in the Class C title game.

Oak Hill held on to beat Zwolle 5-4 for the Class B title. Delta Charter and Merryville play at 2 this afternoon in the One-A title game.

In Four-A semifinals…Benton scored three runs on a wild pitch and defeated West Ouachita 6-5. The Tigers will take on DeRidder at 11:30 AM in the title game

Senate Finance approved a budget that cuts nearly 25 percent in funding from most state agencies, but restores much of the funding to healthcare, specifically public-private partnership hospitals, that was lacking in a House backed spending plan. But Metairie Senator Conrad Appel says that doesn’t mean these cuts will actually be enacted.

Cut 6 (07)  “revenue”

Students Graduating from LSU this morning were treated to a commencement speech by Alumnus U.S. Congressman Steve Scalise. Scalise’s speech was full of funny stories as he described getting phone calls from leaders all over the world. He says he was truly humbled by the attention which inspired him.

Cut 4 (09) “back up”

Scalise is also scheduled to be the keynote speaker at the LSU law school graduation in June.

Louisiana folks who want to engage in fantasy sports playing is one signature away from it. The Senate cleared a bill that gives voters in each parish the right to decide if they wish to move forward on fantasy sports playing. Lafayette Senator Page Cortez handled the legislation in the Senate, explaining to his colleagues that fantasy sports betting is not traditional sports gambling.

Cut 9 (09) “with that”

Governor John Bel Edwards endorsed a state-wide anti-cancer initiative called “Taking aim at Cancer in Louisiana.” The goal is to improve early detection, improving patient care and treatment, an ultimately improve patient out-comes.

Cut 12 (09)   “Better Strategies”

The United Health Foundation has provided 500-thousand in grant money to the Louisiana Cancer Research Center to develop a srategy to improve care.

Pelicans General Manager Dell Demps says in a perfect world they would like to have DeMarcus Cousins and Rajon Rondo back next season. hey are unrestricted free agents this summer. Rajon, who won an NBA title in Boston, showed why he’s so valuable in the playoffs as he played a big part in the sweep over the Trail Blazers. Coach Alvin Gentry says the 32-year-old was a great leader for them last season

Cut  20 (17)   “him back”

Rondo posted his best shooting percentage since his Boston days, at 47 percent, along with eight points and 8 assists per game, playing 26 minutes a game over the season. “Playoff Rondo” dropped 12 dimes a game on 33 minutes, the best assist numbers of his playoff career.

The LSU Tigers have a chance to build on their late season push to make the NCAA Tournament. After taking two of three from the best team in the SEC West, Arkansas, the Tigers host the worst team, Alabama. The Crimson Tide are 6-and-18 in league play.

And LSU will honor four seniors before Sunday’s home finale, including Austin Bain, who leads the SEC in doubles and has a 16-game hitting streak heading into tonight’s game. Not bad for a guy who pitched his first three seasons at LSU….

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And the saints have announced that they do not plan on bringing in a veteran running back to plug the whole created by pro bowl running back Mark Ingram’s 4 game PED suspension. That means more carries for Alvin Kamara, who only carried the ball an average of 8 times a game last season.