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. Chairman Eric Lafluer says the committee is well aware that the state cannot operate at these funding levels, and the budget is just a showcase of how impossible 648 million dollars of cuts would be.

Cut 7 (08)  “current laws”

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.

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.

Participants create a simulation sports team based on current membership of amateur or professional sports teams. Not which team would win or lose.

Cut 10 (13) “accrue points”

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”

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 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.

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”

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”

And a Gonzales man has been charged with cruelty to a juvenile after allegedly duck taping his 15-month-old child’s hands together and posting it on social media. David Williams is being held in an ascension parish jail on a 500,000 dollar bond.

Students Graduating from LSU this morning were treated to a commencement speech by Alumnus U.S. Congressman Steve Scalise.  He spoke extensively about his journey following a nearly fatal shooting on a baseball diamond in Washington D.C.  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.

Heart wrenching testimony was presented in favor of a bill that would make it illegal to touch your phone while driving. The bill passed Senate Transportation. Susan says her daughter died in front of her small children who had just been dropped off after she was hit pulling out of a driveway by a driver who was on his phone.

Cut 15 (10) “of her”

Sunday is Mother’s Day and the National Retail Federation anticipates that Americans will spend 23 billion dollars on mom. Becca Dill has more.

Cut 3 (31) “I’m Becca Dill”

The National Retail Federation anticipates an increase in spending for Mother’s Day.CEO of FUEL Partnerships, Erik Rosentrauch, says  that Mother’s Day is the third highest spending holiday behind Christmas and the Back-to-School season. The National Retail Federation estimates that Americans will spend an average 180 dollars per person.

Cut 12 (12) “4.4 billion dollars”

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, 7 seconds, revenue

Students Graduating from LSU this morning were treated to a commencement speech by Alumnus U.S. Congressman Steve Scalise.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.

Cut 3 (17) “really neat”

A petition is nearing 13,000 signatures that asks the state not to kick 37,000 Medicaid recipients off the program, and potentially out of nursing homes. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 1 (31) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

The National Retail Federation anticipates an increase in spending for Mother’s Day. A 20 year veteran of retail marketing and CEO of FUEL Partnerships, Erik Rosentrauch, says spending is expected to reach $23 billion in 2018, a 61% increase since 2009.

Cut 11 (04) “on her”

Students Graduating from LSU this morning were treated to a commencement speech by Alumnus U.S. Congressman Steve Scalise.  He spoke extensively about his journey following a nearly fatal shooting on a baseball diamond in Washington D.C.  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.

Heart wrenching testimony was presented in favor of a bill that would make it illegal to touch your phone while driving. The bill passed Senate Transportation. Susan says her daughter died in front of her small children who had just been dropped off after she was hit pulling out of a driveway by a driver who was on his phone.

Cut 15 (10) “of her”

Sunday is Mother’s Day and the National Retail Federation anticipates that Americans will spend 23 billion dollars on mom. Becca Dill has more.

Cut 3 (31) “I’m Becca Dill”

And a Gonzales man has been charged with cruelty to a juevenile after allegedly duck taping his 15-month-old childs hands together and posting it on social media. David Williams is being held in an ascension parish jail on a 500,000 dollar bond.

And now heres commodity prices.

U.S. Congressman Steve Scalise dropped on by the LSU commencement ceremony today. Scalise spoke for about 45 minutes in front of 4000 graduating students. He talked extensively about his journey following a nearly fatal shooting on a baseball diamond in Washington D.C., and of all of the support he received from the University during his recovery.

Cut 3 (17) “really neat”

Two Louisianans have put together a petition that’s gathered nearly 13,000 signatures asking to state not to remove the 37,000 Medicaid recipients from the program in light of letters sent out warning that budget cuts could eliminate their programs. One of the petition’s creators, social worker Andrea Centofanti says the letters are a blow to people who already have a lot to deal with.

Cut 4  (11) “eviction notice” 

The push to trigger a constitutional convention is picking up steam, as this year’s version of the bill gained a majority vote in the House, but not the two thirds needed for passage. But Monroe Representative Jay Morris says a constitutional convention is prone to be corrupted.

Cut 9 (08)  “the election”

The National Retail Federation anticipates an increase in spending for Mother’s Day.CEO of FUEL Partnerships, Erik Rosentrauch, says  that Mother’s Day is the third highest spending holiday behind Christmas and the Back-to-School season. The National Retail Federation estimates that Americans will spend an average 180 dollars per person.

Cut 12 (12) “4.4 billion dollars”

The push to trigger a constitutional convention is picking up steam, as this year’s version of the bill gained a majority vote in the House, but not the two thirds needed for passage. The convention is aimed at rewriting the rules on Louisiana’s finances. President of the Louisiana Association of Business and industry Stephen Waguespack says it puts voters in control of what is “protected” spending.

Cut 7 (11)  “themselves”

Two Louisianans have put together a petition that’s gathered nearly 13,000 signatures asking to state not to remove the 37,000 Medicaid recipients from the program in light of letters sent out warning that budget cuts could eliminate their programs. One of the petition’s creators, social worker Andrea Centofanti says even the potential for a loss of coverage reflects very poorly on the state.

Cut 6 (06) “populations”

The National Retail Federation anticipates an increase in spending for Mother’s Day. A 20 year veteran of retail marketing and CEO of FUEL Partnerships, Erik Rosentrauch, says spending is expected to reach $23 billion in 2018, a 61% increase since 2009. People between the ages 35-44 are projected to spend the most, averaging $224. Rosentrauch recommends experiential gifts, like sending mom out for a spa day or a concert. He says experiential gifts last longer than material items, allowing the family to continually celebrate their mothers.

Cut 13 (08)  “happiness value” 

Lsu Alumnus and House Majority Whip Steve Scalise will deliver the keynote address at LSU’S 295^th Commencement today. He will also deliver the keynote address to the law center’s commencement ceremony on June 1^st.

A petition is nearing 13,000 signatures that asks the state not to kick 37,000 Medicaid recipients off the program, and potentially out of nursing homes. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 1 (31) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

The push to trigger a constitutional convention is picking up steam, as this year’s version of the bill gained a majority vote in the House, but not the two thirds needed for passage. The convention is aimed at rewriting the rules on Louisiana’s finances. President of the Louisiana Association of Business and industry Stephen Waguespack:

Cut 8 (08)  “80 times”

Heart wrenching testimony was presented in favor of a bill that would make it illegal to touch your phone while driving. The bill passed Senate Transportation. Gabrielle from East Baton Rouge Parish says she was hit by a truck on I-10 that was going 75 miles per hour, and the driver didn’t react until a half a second before impact because they were on their phone.

Cut 14 (11) “do that”

The National Retail Federation anticipates an increase in spending for Mother’s Day. A 20 year veteran of retail marketing and CEO of FUEL Partnerships, Erik Rosentrauch, says spending is expected to reach $23 billion in 2018, a 61% increase since 2009. People between the ages 35-44 are projected to spend the most, averaging $224.

Cut 11 (04) “on her”

Rosentrauch says that Mother’s Day is the third highest spending holiday behind Christmas and the Back-to-School season.

Sunday is Mother’s Day and the National Retail Federation anticipates that Americans will spend 23 billion dollars on mom. Becca Dill has more.

Cut 3 (31) “I’m Becca Dill”

Heart wrenching testimony was presented in favor of a bill that would make it illegal to touch your phone while driving. And a New Iberia woman told the panel how she received a call while in Puerto Rico, preparing for her wedding, that her father had been hit by a man who was on his phone while behind the wheel.

Cut 16 (11) “paying attention”

Two Louisianans have put together a petition that’s gathered nearly 13,000 signatures asking to state not to remove the 37,000 Medicaid recipients from the program in light of letters sent out warning that budget cuts could eliminate their programs. One of the petition’s creators, social worker Andrea Centofanti says the letters are a blow to people who already have a lot to deal with. Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne says the letters were mailed to seniors to encourage them to get a head start on trying to qualify for other programs in the event their coverage is canceled, but Centofanti says many of those patients don’t qualify for anything else.

Cut 5  (08)  “sometimes”

Lsu Alumnus and House Majority Whip Steve Scalise will deliver the keynote address at LSU’S 295^th Commencement today. He will also deliver the keynote address to the law center’s commencement ceremony on June 1^st.