Gnats are overstaying their welcome this year as a result of the abnormally cooler temperature. Matt Doyle has more.

Cut 2 (30) I’m Matt Doyle”

First Assistant Kyle Ardoin will take over the agency that handles elections starting May 8^th . Ardoin is replacing Secretary of State Tom Schedler, who submitted his resignation papers in the wake of a sexual harassment scandal. Ardoin knows he’s been put in charge during a pivotal time for the department.

Cut 4  (10) “this state” 

The US House passed a bill that would allow Louisiana residents impacted by the 2016 floods to become eligible for grant money, even if they received low interest loans to help with their recovery. Baton Rouge US Representative Garret Graves, the bill’s sponsor says current recovery grant rules punish homeowners who didn’t want to wait for the feds to come through.

Cut 12 (09) “penalizing them”

Legislation to give voters an opportunity in November to decide if fantasy sports gambling should be legal in their parish is one step away from final passage. A Senate committee approved River Ridge Representative Kirk Talbot’s proposal.

If the legislation is approved, the gaming control board would regulate fantasy sports gambling. Talbot says another bill would be introduced next year to determine how it will be taxed

Cut 15 (09) “combination of the two”

A special election will be held in November as a result of Secretary of State Tom Schedler’s resignation. Jeff Palermo has more.

Cut 1 (31) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Cooler weather this year has extended the usually brief gnat season, making trips out to the river a bit unpleasant for some. If you’re looking to make an outdoors trip, LSU Ag Center entomologist Sebe Brown says understand these pests don’t work like mosquitos.

Cut 8 (08)  “every year”

The US House passed a bill that would allow Louisiana residents impacted by the 2016 floods to become eligible for grant money, even if they received low interest loans to help with their recovery. Baton Rouge US Representative Garret Graves, the bill’s sponsor, says this opens up recovery money to thousands.

Cut 11 (07) “a loan”

Legislation to give voters an opportunity in November to decide if fantasy sports gambling should be legal in their parish is one step away from final passage. A Senate committee approved River Ridge Representative Kirk Talbot’s proposal.

Cut 14 (12) “the site”

The Stephen Curry Show at Oracle Arena remains one of the most exciting spectacles in sports.

The two-time MVP, who hadn’t played since March 23 because of an MCL sprain in his left knee, electrified the sellout crowd of 19,586 by dropping in 28 points and grabbing seven rebounds in Tuesday’s 121-116 win over the New Orleans Pelicans in Game 2 of the Western Conference semifinals. The Warriors lead the series 2-0.

The Saints are reportedly signing former Ohio State quarterback J-T Barrett to a three-year deal. Despite putting up big numbers for the Buckeyes, Barrett was not drafted. Barrett threw for 104 touchdowns during his career to go along with 94-hundred passing yards. He also rushed for 32-hunders and 43 touchdowns. Barrett will get to learn from Drew Brees and he’s behind Tom Savage and Taysom Hill on the depth chart.

No midweek game for the LSU baseball team as they are going through final exam week. The Tigers will look to bounce back from a brutal stretch that saw them go 2-and-6 in their last eight games. The Tigers are 26-and-19 overall, 10-and-11 in the SEC. The latest NCAA Tournament projection from D-1 Baseball has LSU out of the field of 64. The Tigers can improve their RPI this weekend as they’ll host fourth ranked Arkansas.

ULM scored seven runs in the first inning and went on to beat Grambling 16-2. Senior Johnny Delacruz had four hits, including two doubles. Fellow Senior and former St. Frederick star Will Daniels drove in three runs.

McNeese fell behind 8-2 but came back to beat Houston Baptist 11-8 in a non-conference victory. The Cowboys tied the game with a five-run seventh inning and took the lead in the 8^th inning on Reid Bourque’s two-run single.

And Tulane upset 11^th ranked Southern Miss 10-7 in Hattiesburg. Kody Hoese homered twice.

Today’s game on the schedule is Nicholls at Prairie View.

A special election will be held in November as a result of Secretary of State Tom Schedler’s resignation. Jeff Palermo has more.

Cut 1 (31) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

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Gnats are overstaying their welcome this year as a result of the abnormally cooler temperature. Matt Doyle has more.

Cut 2 (30) I’m Matt Doyle”

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A bill heading to the US Senate could help out thousands who were denied disaster relief funds after the 2016 floods. Michael Farrar has the story.

Cut 3 (30) “I’m Michael Farrar”

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First Assistant Kyle Ardoin will take over the agency that handles elections starting May 8^th . Ardoin is replacing Secretary of Secretary Tom Schedler, who submitted his resignation papers in the wake of a sexual harassment scandal. Ardoin knows he’s been put in charge during a pivotal time for the department.

Cut 4  (10) “this state” 

The resignation will trigger a fall special election for the position.

Ardoin says “At this moment I’m interested in running the office, not for the office.” He says it’s a department that means a lot to him.

Cut 5  (12)  “a child”

LaPolitics.com publisher Jeremey Alford says the statewide elected post opening gives lawmakers an opportunity to move up the ladder.

Cut 6 (11) “this fall”

Alford says expect some big names in the legislature to potentially throw their hat into the ring come fall.

Cut 7 (12)  “right now”

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Cooler weather this year has extended the usually brief gnat season, making trips out to the river a bit unpleasant for some. If you’re looking to make an outdoors trip, LSU Ag Center entomologist Sebe Brown says understand these pests don’t work like mosquitos.

Cut 8 (08)  “every year”

For those looking to brave gnat infested rivers, Brown has a non-scientific, but country tested protection plan.

Cut 9 (11)  “work well”

Brown says some folks might even find gnat bites are more of a problem than being swarmed by mosquitos.

Cut 10 (10) “coagulant”

Brown says as the temperature starts averaging 80 degrees, the gnats will go away, only to be replaced by mosquitos.

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The US House passed a bill that would allow Louisiana residents impacted by the 2016 floods to become eligible for grant money, even if they received low interest loans to help with their recovery. Baton Rouge US Representative Garret Graves, the bill’s sponsor, says this opens up recovery money to thousands.

Cut 11 (07) “a loan”

Graves says current recovery grant rules punish homeowners who didn’t want to wait for the feds to come through.

Cut 12 (09) “penalizing them”

Graves says they also managed to fix a few other issues from the 2016 flood with this legislation.

Cut 13 (11)  “of FEMA” 

The bill received near unanimous support in the House. Now they wait to see if the Senate approves.

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Louisiana Secretary of State Tom Schedler has submitted his resignation letter to the governor, in the wake of a sexual harassment scandal involving his former secretary, Dawn Ross. Ross’s attorney Jill Craft says the behavior should’ve never taken place, especially from someone entrusted with state authority.

Cut 15 (07) “higher standard”

In the letter, Schedler decries a “tabloid approach to an incredibly serious allegation”.

A House backed bill that would remove the requirement that florists be licensed was shot down in a Senate committee six to one. The bill was part of the governor’s licensing reform legislative agenda. Floral wholesaler Audrey Lemoine says removing license requirements would flood the marketplace with cut rate work from retailers.

Cut 10 (12) “anymore.”

U.S. Senator John Kennedy is asking the state legislature to hold off on voting a bill that extends Harrah’s New Orleans Casino’s contract with the state for 30 years. Kennedy says media reports that Harrah’s is considering selling the property so the state could unwittingly increase Harrah’s selling price by extending the contract. Kennedy sought the delay after a published report that indicated Harrah’s allegedly signed an agreement with another entity to purchase the casno, hotel and parking garage….

cut 8 (12) exchange commission”

And the Pelicans are looking to steal one away from the reigning champs as they take on Golden State in Oakland for game two of their playoff series. The Pels were run off the court in game one, as the Warrior offense blasted the outmatch New Orleans defense, and things wont get any easier as the Dubs say they’ll have MVP guard Stephen Curry back after an injury sidelined him five weeks ago. The game tips off at 9:30.

Louisiana Secretary of State Tom Schedler has submitted his resignation letter to the governor, in the wake of a sexual harassment scandal involving his former secretary, Dawn Ross. Schedler refutes many of the allegations, but Ross’s attorney Jill Craft says his resignation sends a clear signal to other would be harassers.
Cut 13 (08) “stop period”
Schedler’s resignation is effective next Tuesday and a special election for his office will take place this fall.

A House backed bill that would remove the requirement that florists be licensed was shot down in a Senate committee six to one. The bill was part of the governor’s licensing reform legislative agenda. Annie Taylor, a licensed florist in Scott, says floral work is more dangerous than you think…
Cut 9 (13) “to you”
Supporters say the licensing requirement keeps some from earning a living as a florist.

A Senate committee was set to discuss a bill today that sought to extend Harrah’s New Orleans casino contract with the state for another 30 years, but debate on the legislation has been delayed. The delay comes two days after a published report that says Harrah’s is considering selling the property. US Senator John Kennedy says there is now rush to renew the contract….
cut 7 (08) “…God’s sake”
Harrah’s is seeking a new contract as they have plans to upgrade the land-based casino.

Legislation to give voters an opportunity in November to decide if fantasy sports gambling should be legal in their parish is one step away from final passage. A Senate committee approved River Ridge Representative Kirk Talbot’s proposal on a six to one vote…
cut 14 (12) “…the site”
Online fantasy sports gambling is legal in 19 states.

Secretary of State Tom Schedler notified the governor today that he will resign, effective May 8th. Schedler is facing a lawsuit from an employee, who claims the statewide elected official sexually harassed her for a number of years. In a letter to John Bel Edwards, Schedler decries a “tabloid approach to an incredibly serious allegation”. In March, Schedler described the lawsuit as “unfair”, but the accuser’s attorney, Jill Craft disagrees.

Cut 14 (13) “about it”
Once Schedler’s resignation is effective, First Assistant Kyle Ardoin will run the department until a special election is held this fall.

The Sabine Parish Coroner’s office says 35-year-old Jessie Clavier of Many was crushed by a six-thousand pound aluminum boat. Clavier was performing maintenance on the boat while it was hoisted in the air by a trackhoe when the boat fell on him.

Louisiana will continue to remain the only state that requires its retail florists to be licensed, despite the efforts of Carencro Representative Julie Emerson….
cut 12 (07) “…as well”
But the Senate Ag Committee voted against the House-approved bill on six to one vote as they are concerned this could result in unqualified florists.

The former Baton Rouge police officer involved in the fatal shooting of Alton Sterling now faces a battery charge for allegedly slapping a handcuffed man during another arrest a month before the shooting of Sterling. Attorney John McLindon believes the battery charge is a ploy to embarass his client, Blane Salamoni…
cut 5 (09) “….my guess”
Salamoni has been fired from the force for his conduct during the Sterling shooting. He is appealing his dismissal.

Embattled Secretary of State Tom Schedler, who is facing a sexual harassment lawsuit, submits his resignation to the governor. Matt Doyle has more…
Voicer 2 (29) I’m Matt Doyle”

Former Baton Rouge police officer Blane Salamoni, who was involved in the fatal shooting of Alton Sterling, is now facing a battery charge from a separate arrest that took place one month before the shooting. Salamoni’s attorney John Mclindon was asked about possible jail time for his client.
Cut 3 (07) “traditionally”
The Baton Rouge Police Department says body camera video shows Salamoni slapped a handcuffed man in the head in June of 2016.

U.S. Senator John Kennedy is asking the state legislature to hold off on voting for a bill that extends Harrah’s New Orleans Casino’s contract with the state for 30 years. Kennedy says there are media reports that Harrah’s might sell the property and the selling price could dramatically increase if the contract with the state is extended…
Cut 6 (12) “to me”
A vote on the House approved bill was expected in a Senate committee today, but discussion on the measure was postponed.

Carencro Representative Julie Emerson has been pushing to end Louisiana’s licensing requirement for retail florists…
cut 11 (08) “…can do”
But her House-approved bill was defeated in the Senate Ag Committee on a six to one vote over concerns that unqualified individuals could be in charge of arranging flowers.