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 with a rebounding economy, they won’t need to renew all of the expiring taxes.

Cut 15 (12) “talking about”

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

Louisiana high schools posted an all-time high of 78.1 percent of four year graduation for the class of 2017. 52 percent of students qualified for TOPS, and Louisiana Superintendent of Education John White says the program needs to be maintained.

Cut 10 (08) “better outcomes”

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. Hollis says even with this change to our recall laws, Louisiana still has a high standard when it comes to the process of removing an elected official.

Cut 5  (12) “registered voters”

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. The officer rescued the woman after fighting with the suspect in the middle of a road near Laurel and 4th. Baton Rouge Police spokesperson, Sergeant L’Jean McKneely…

Cut 13 (08) “wasn’t okay”

Raymond is charged with armed robbery, false imprisonment with a dangerous weapon, and battery of a police officer.

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…
Cut 14 (15) “that revenue”
Edwards says he supports renewing a portion of the expiring penny sales tax to close the budget gap.

While the legislature has struggled to fund state services, they are close to approving a bill that would ban bestiality. Lafayette Representative Jean-Paul Coussan says the legislation closes loopholes that allowed for those who abetted the abuse or profited from it to walk free…
cut 7 (08) “…current laws”

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.
Cut 1 (31) “I’m Jim Shannon”

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”

37,000 letters warning Medicaid patients that their programs could be canceled go out today. Jeff Palermo gets reaction from Republican legislators.

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

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 high schools posted an all-time high of 78.1 percent of four year graduation for the class of 2017. That’s an increase of eleven percent over the last ten years. Louisiana Superintendent of Education John White says it’s a 4,000 student increase over last year.

cut 8 (10) “thirty two”

37,000 letters go out today to recipients of four Medicaid programs that reads “Because of possible budget cuts, these programs may end as of July 1, 2018.” 20,000 of those recipients are nursing home residents who could be thrown out as a result. Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne says after multiple failed attempts to fund the programs, people need to start preparing for the worst.
Cut 4 (11) “be coming”
But many Republicans are balking at the release of those letters, saying they amount to a political stunt. Haughton Representative Dodie Horton, who voted for the House spending plan that included the Medicaid cuts, says the panic isn’t justified.
Cut 5 (08) “figure is”
Governor Edwards is in Lafayette today to tour a public-private hospital that has sent termination notices to employees because of state budget cuts.

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 diseases medical marijuana is eligible to treat, and the other would add autism patients. New Iberia Senator Fred Mills.
Cut 15 (07) “so critical”

A study for the Louisiana Chemical Association shows the industry is responsible for nearly 80-billion dollars in annual sales. But the industry is concerned about changes to a tax exemption program. Economist Doctor Loren Scott says I-TEP allows Lousiaina’s chemical industry compete with Texas…
cut 14 (09) “…sales tax system”

37,000 letters are being mailed out to recipients of four Medicaid programs that reads “Because of possible budget cuts, these programs may end as of July 1, 2018.” 20,000 of those recipients are nursing home residents who could be thrown out as a result. Metairie Senator Danny Martiny tried to douse some of the growing fires by letting the 37,000 letter recipients know that the Senate has no intention of passing a budget that cuts their programs.

Cut 8 (10)  “medical schools”

Western Global Airlines will invest three million dollars in a new facility in Shreveport, which could lead to 170 direct jobs. Louisiana Economic Development estimates that an additional 308 new jobs will be created by the facility run by the Florida based company. Secretary Don Pierson says the state will pitch in a million dollars in maintenance repair, because it’ll help put people back to work who lost their jobs when Continental Express Jet left the city.

Cut 11 (10) “the US”

Two medical marijuana bills passed the Senate with amendments and are headed to the House. One bill would add additional categories, such as PTSD to the already existing list diseases medical marijuana is eligible to treat, and the other would allow the treatment to be given to autism patients

Houma Senator Norby Chabert says allowing medical marijuana to be prescribed to more illnesses is a first step in combating the opioid crisis.

He closed with an impassioned plea to Senators who were on the fence.

Cut 17 (10)  “for it”

Governor John Bel Edwards will be holding a news conference this morning at 11 a.m. in Lafayette at the UHC Medical center. , the governor and other speakers will discuss the looming fiscal cliff and deep cuts to health care in the current budget bill passed by the House of Representatives, including the impact they will have on partner hospitals like UHC.

Two medical marijuana bills are getting closer to final passage. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 3 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

Western Global Airlines will invest three million dollars in a new facility in Shreveport, which could lead to 170 direct jobs. Louisiana Economic Development estimates that an additional 308 new jobs will be created by the facility run by the Florida based company. Secretary Don Pierson says there’s quite a few reasons why the shipping company, which conducts business with UPS and FedEx, chose the north Louisiana location.

Cut 10 (10) “the US”

37,000 letters are being mailed out to recipients of four Medicaid programs that reads “Because of possible budget cuts, these programs may end as of July 1, 2018.” 20,000 of those recipients are nursing home residents who could be thrown out as a result. Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne says after multiple failed attempts to fund the programs, people need to start preparing for the worst.

But many Republicans are balking at the release of those letters, saying they amount to a political stunt. Haughton Representative Dodie Horton, who voted for the House spending plan that included the Medicaid cuts, says the panic isn’t justified because the process isn’t over. She accused Governor John Bel Edwards of playing politics and using the letters as a scare tactic targeting the state’s most vulnerable.

Cut 6 (06) “one has”

Dardenne hit back at House Republicans who voted for the budget, yet criticized the mailing of the letters, saying this is what the deep budget cuts that fiscal hawks advocate for look like.

Cut 7 (10)  “dire consequences”

Louisiana Economic Development projects 475 direct and indirect jobs will be created from a new 3 million dollar facility in Shreveport. Matt Doyle has more.

Cut 2 (30) I’m Matt Doyle”

37,000 letters are being mailed out to recipients of four Medicaid programs that reads “Because of possible budget cuts, these programs may end as of July 1, 2018.” 20,000 of those recipients are nursing home residents who could be thrown out as a result. Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne says after multiple failed attempts to fund the programs, people need to start preparing for the worst.

Cut 4  (11) “be coming” 

Two medical marijuana bills passed the Senate with amendments and are headed to the House. One bill would add additional categories, such as PTSD to the already existing list diseases medical marijuana is eligible to treat, and the other would allow the treatment to be given to autism patients.

The bill allowing medical marijuana for autism patients passed 25 to nine.

Houma Senator Norby Chabert says allowing medical marijuana to be prescribed to more illnesses is a first step in combating the opioid crisis.

Cut 16 (10) “curtail that”

The Louisiana Chemical Association says it can remain a cornerstone of the state’s economy if it continues to have state support. President Greg Bowser says recent changes by the Edwards administration to the Industrial Tax Exemption Program has created uncertainty…

Cut 13 (08)  “are consistent” 

The NFL says Saints running back Mark Ingram has lost his appeal of a four-game suspension for violating the league’s policy on performance-enhancing substances. Ingram’s representative, David Jones, says they vigorously challenged the test results and they’ll consider their options once the arbitrator’s opinion is released next week. An NFL report says the Saints do not plan on signing a veteran running back, so that means Daniel Lasco, Jonathan Williams, Trey Edmunds and former Louisiana Tech star Boston Scott will get a chance to share carries with Rookie of the Year Alvin Kamara.

Ohio State grad transfer quarterback Joe Burrow will reportedly be on the LSU campus this weekend. Burrow is also expected to take a look at Cincinnati. The former four-star prospect can play immediately. He also two years of eligibility left.

And LSU has received a verbal pledge from a four-star offensive lineman from Michigan. Anthony Bradford is ranked among the top 30 offensive tackles in the Class of 2019.

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Last night in college baseball, a couple of blow outs. LSU thumped McNeese 13-3. Daniel Cabrera hit a three-run homer and drove in four runs. Nick Storz pitched two innings of scoreless relief in just his second appearance of the season. Tigers host Bama this weekend.

La Tech trounced Grambling 12-1. The Diamond Dogs have won 28 straight games over the Tigers. The Bulldogs begin a big three-game series on Friday versus 9^th ranked Southern Miss.

Nicholls scored six times in the third inning in an eight to four win over Southern. Sophomore catcher Dillon Belle hit a grand slam in that inning.

Adidas will be the official athletic footwear, apparel and accessory brand for Grambling State through the 2022-2023 season.

Owner Gayle Benson published a letter to the fans thanking them for their support of the Pelicans during the 2017-18 NBA season. Benson wrote the franchise was genuinely moved and inspired by the fans’ support. Benson added that she’s confident about the team’s direction and believes they are building a championship caliber team.

37,000 letters warning Medicaid patients that their programs could be canceled go out today. Jeff Palermo gets reaction from Republican legislators.

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Western Global Airlines will invest three million dollars in a new facility in Shreveport, which could lead to 170 direct jobs. Louisiana Economic Development estimates that an additional 308 new jobs will be created by the facility run by the Florida based company. Secretary Don Pierson says they’ll take over the former Continental Express Jet hangar.

Cut 9 (10)  “up there”

A study for the Louisiana Chemical Association shows the industry is responsible for nearly 80-billion dollars in annual sales and is the number one provider of jobs in Louisiana’s manufacturing sector. Economist, Doctor Loren Scott, says his research shows the chemical industry is extremely important to our economy

Cut 12 (10) “tax income”

Two medical marijuana bills passed the Senate with amendments and are headed to the House. One bill would add additional categories, such as PTSD to the already existing list diseases medical marijuana is eligible to treat, and the other would allow the treatment to be given to autism patients. New Iberia Senator Fred Mills says it’s a boon to families struggling with an autistic member.

Cut 15 (07) “so critical”

The bill allowing medical marijuana for autism patients passed 25 to nine.