Momentum is building for a constitutional convention, as the bill gained more support in the House than it has in previous years. Matt Doyle has more.

Cut 2 (30) I’m Matt Doyle”

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”

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 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 that Mother’s Day is the third highest spending holiday behind Christmas and the Back-to-School season. People are projected to spend most of their money on flowers, dining, and jewelry. The National Retail Federation estimates that Americans will spend an average 180 dollars per person.

Cut 12 (12) “4.4 billion dollars”

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”

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”

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.

Pelicans General Manager Dell Demps says in a perfect world they would like to have DeMarcus Cousins and Rajon Rondo back next season. They are unrestricted free agents this summer. Cousins is rehabbing a torn achilles tendon, but Demps believes the talented big man can return next season and still play at a high level….

Cut 19 (19) “…DeMarcus”

Unrestricted free agents are not allowed to sign new deals until July 6^th.

The Saints have signed their six draft picks, including their first round draft pick Marcus Davenport to a four-year deal. Financial terms were not reported. A three-day rookie minicamp begins today for the Black and Gold. And running back Adrian Peterson says he’s open to a return to the Saints.

____________________________________________________________________________

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, but Coach Paul Mainieri says Bama is more than capable…

Cut 17 (15) “…for him”

The Tigers have won 15 of the last 19 games played between the two schools over the past six seasons.

Louisiana Tech is at 9^th ranked Southern Miss, who is 19-4 in Conference USA. The Bulldogs have 16 road wins, most in program history since 2016.

The Cajuns are at Texas State. UL Lafayette has won five straight conference series. After sweeping Georgia State last weekend, ULM hosts Troy.

The big series in the Southland…Southeastern at Central Arkansas and Nicholls is at UNO as those two teams battle for the final spot in the conference tournament.

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”

______________________________________

Momentum is building for a constitutional convention, as the bill gained more support in the House than it has in previous years. Matt Doyle has more.

Cut 2 (30) I’m Matt Doyle”

__________________________________.

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”

____________________________________________

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” 

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”

Centofanti says even the potential for a loss of coverage reflects very poorly on the state.

Cut 6 (06) “populations”

________________________________________

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”

Waguespack says our constitution is growing unwieldy after decades of add-ons that have restricted budget cuts to education and healthcare.

Cut 8 (08)  “80 times”

But Monroe Representative Jay Morris says a constitutional convention is prone to be corrupted by special interests pouring money into the delegate elections that would determine who actually writes the constitution.

Cut 9 (08)  “the election”

Morris says unless you’re willing to stand up and say what protected spending categories you’d like to see changed, there’s no point in holding the convention.

Cut 10 (07) “convention”

__________________________________

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. People are projected to spend most of their money on flowers, dining, and jewelry. The National Retail Federation estimates that Americans will spend an average 180 dollars per person.

Cut 12 (12) “4.4 billion dollars”

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” 

___________________________________________________

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.

Governor John Bel Edwards punched back against lawmakers who criticized his decision to mail nursing home eviction warnings resulting from a potential Medicaid cut, and who are stalling on approving the 648 million dollars in revenue needed to fund healthcare and TOPS. But Edwards says they do not need to renew all of the expiring taxes.
Cut 15 (12) “talking about”
Edwards says he supports renewing a portion of the expiring penny sales tax to close the budget gap.

Two bills that would make medical marijuana availbable to more diseases and disorders are close to final passage after receiving approval from the Senate. One bill would add intractable pain, PTSD and Parkinson’s to the already existing list of diseases medical marijuana is eligible to treat, and the other would add autism patients.

It will be easier to recall an elected official in Louisiana, if the Governor signs a bill into law that has cleared the legislature. A 31-1 senate vote sent HB 54 by Mandeville Representative Paul Hollis to the governor’s desk. The bill lowers the threshold on how many signatures are needed to have a recall election held.
Cut 3 (11) “and 1/3rd”
A similar bill failed to get legislative approval last year.

A bill strengthening laws against animal sexual abuse passed the House unanimously and heads back to the Senate for final passage. Conservative Christian groups oppose it, because they say it could undermine Louisiana’s unconstitutional anti-sodomy law. Lafayette Representative Jean-Paul Coussan weighed in, with commentary from Baton Rouge Representative Barry Ivey.
Cut 6 (08) “the state”

52 percent of the high school class of 2017 qualified for TOPS this year, a nearly 1,000 student increase over the class of 2016.  Louisiana Superintendent of Education John White says TOPS needs to be maintained, even with its large price tag.

Cut 10 (08) “better outcomes”

Governor John Bel Edwards punched back against lawmakers who criticized his decision to mail nursing home eviction warnings resulting from a potential Medicaid cut, and who are stalling on approving the 648 million dollars in revenue needed to fund healthcare and TOPS. Governor Edwards:

Cut 14 (15)  “that revenue”

Edwards says he now supports renewing a portion of the expiring penny sales tax to close the budget gap.

It will be easier to recall an elected official in Louisiana, if the Governor signs a bill into law that has cleared the legislature. A 31-1 senate vote sent HB 54 by Mandeville  Representative Paul Hollis to the governor’s desk.  The bill lowers the threshold on how many signatures are needed to have a recall election held.

Cut 3 (11) “and 1/3rd”

An off-duty Slidell police officer, Dennis Neyland, aided the release of a kidnapped 83-year-old woman in Downtown Baton Rouge on Wednesday afternoon. Baton Rouge Police spokesperson, Sergeant L’Jean McKneely  that after the victim withdrew a reported 800 dollars in cash from the ATM, she refused to follow Raymond’s commands to move the vehicle…

Cut 13 (08) “wasn’t okay”

The Baton Rouge Police arrived to arrest Raymond on armed robbery, false imprisonment with a dangerous weapon, and battery of a police officer..

Governor John Bel Edwards was at University Hospital and Clinics in Lafayette. It’s a public-private partner hospital that sent warning notices to employees that they could be laid off after July 1st because of cuts in health care funding. Edwards says legislators need to pass revenue bills in a special session to avoid hospital closures…
cut 16 (12) “…million dollars”
Edwards says renewing a portion of an expiring one-cent sales tax will help fill the budget hole.

An off-duty Slidell Police officer helped out an 83-year-old Baton Rouge woman, who was kidnapped…
cut 12 (08) “…money”
McKneely says officer Dennis Neyland saw the woman was in distress and ended up fighting off the suspect, 42-year-old Tamikia Raymond, who was arrested.

The state posted all time highs in the numbers of students who graduated high school in four years, and the number of students who qualified for TOPS. Matt Doyle has more.
Cut 1 (31) “I’m Matt Doyle”

The legislature has passed a bill that lowers the number of signatures needed for a recall vote of an elected official to occur. Mandeville Representative Paul Hollis says it’s still difficult, but now doable…
cut 4 (12) “…real time accountability”

Governor John Bel Edwards is pushing back against legislators who criticized his decision to mail eviction warnings to Medicaid patients who’s programs could be canceled under a House backed budget. Jeff Palermo has more.
Cut 2 (32) I’m Jeff Palermo”

Louisiana public schools could soon be required to display “In God We Trust” in their building as a result of legislation that’s close to final legislative passage. The bill would also require schools to teach students about the slogan. It would go into effect with the 2019-2020 school year.

A bill strengthening laws against animal sexual abuse passed the House unanimously and heads back to the Senate for final passage. Conservative Christian groups oppose it, because they say it could undermine Louisiana’s unconstitutional anti-sodomy law. Lafayette Representative Jean-Paul Coussan weighed in, with commentary from Baton Rouge Representative Barry Ivey.
Cut 6 (08) “the state”

Louisiana’s four-year high school graduation rate has reached an all-time high of 78-percent. The rate has increased 11-percent over the last decade, but Superintendent of Education Johh White warns the percentage could drop next year, because of tougher academic requirements…
cut 9 (09) “….this requirpment”
The national high school graduation rate was 84-percent for the class of 2016.