The Louisiana Oil and Gas Association is hailing a couple of significant wins in this year’s legislative session. Colleen Crain reports.

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

The LSU baseball team did not win last night, but they did not lose either. Their College World Series game against UCLA was suspended after the third inning because of severe weather with LSU leading five to three. The game will resume at 10 AM with UCLA trailing by two in the top of the fourth inning.

Legislation approved in the regular session will result in the Department of Children and Family Services no longer administering the food stamp program. Slidell Representative Stephanie Berault says that responsibility will shift to the Louisiana Workforce Commission and the state department of health. Berault says that’s because there’s an 80-percent overlap between Medicaid and SNAP benefits…

Cut 5 (06) “…little bit easier”

Berault says this also allows DCFS to focus more on child welfare cases.

Last fall LSU had the largest incoming class in the school’s history, with nearly eight-thousand first-year students. LSU interim president Matt Lee gives credit to the faculty and staff on the Baton Rouge campus for helping to attract students…

Cut 15 (07) “…from them”

Elsewhere in the system, LSU Alexandria’s enrollment has reached an all-time high and LSU Shreveport is also breaking enrollment records.

In the legislative session, lawmakers approved a bill dealing with legacy lawsuits, which are lawsuits against oil and gas companies alleging environmental damages. Louisiana Oil and Gas Association President Mike Moncla says the legislation approved is good for the industry…

Cut 8 (10) “…unlimited number”

The oil and gas industry says legacy lawsuits have held down production.

LSU’s vice president for agriculture and dean of its agriculture college is settling into his role as interim president of the university. Matt Lee is filling the role as LSU conducts a national search to replace former President William Tate. Lee says even though in transition, he assures that there’s stability and continuity at the university.

Cut 13 (10)  “…prior president.”

While Tate was president he set up five key areas of focus when it comes research. Those were agriculture, biomedical research, coastal research, cybersecurity and energy and Lee says the university continues to focus on those areas.

House Bill 624, passed unanimously by lawmakers, creates a “One Door” system to streamline Louisiana’s job training and public assistance programs.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

The alarm clock goes off early this morning for the LSU baseball team. They will return to Charles Schwab Field in Omaha this morning to resume their suspended game from last night. Lightning halted last night’s game after the third inning with LSU leading five to three thanks to a three-run blast from Jared Jones. The game against UCLA resumes at 10 AM.

House Bill 624, passed unanimously by lawmakers, creates a “One Door” system to streamline Louisiana’s job training and public assistance programs. Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

____________________________________________

The Louisiana Oil and Gas Association is hailing a couple of significant wins in this year’s legislative session. Colleen Crain reports.

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

____________________________________________

If you went to bed last night not knowing who won the LSU game – don’t worry, none of us know either. Andrew Greenstein reports that’s because the game’s not over yet.

Cut 3 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

____________________________________________

Lawmakers passed House Bill 624, creating a “One Door” system to streamline Louisiana’s job training and public assistance programs. Representative Stephanie Berault says the bill shifts benefit access to a single case-managed platform led by the Louisiana Workforce Commission.

Cut 4 (12) “…really well.”

Programs like SNAP and disability services will move from the Department of Children and Family Services to the Louisiana Department of Health. Beraut says that’s because those eligible for Medicaid and SNAP benefits have an 80-percent overlap.

Cut 5 (06) “…little bit easier.”

Online tools and coordinated services will help recipients access benefits and job training efficiently. Berault says training the workforce for high-demand, high-paying jobs is critical.

Cut 6 (11) “…on all sides.”

________________________________________________________

The Louisiana Oil and Gas Association says this year’s legislative session was a big one for the organization. President Mike Moncla says the session was highlighted by a six-point drop in the drop in the oil severance tax rate for all new drilling projects in the state, thanks to a bill by Monroe Representative Brett Geymann.

Cut 7 (07) “…excited about that.”

Moncla also praised legislation from Erath Representative Jacob Landry that will reform legacy lawsuits.

Cut 8 (11) “…an unlimited number.”

Moncla says while LOGA got some key wins in this session, the work is by no means done.

Cut 9 (14)  “…one after that.”

________________________________________________________

Ten people are arrested and more than one-million dollars worth of illegal vape products are seized in a statewide multi-agency vape crackdown. Ernest Legier, the commissioner of the Louisiana Office of Alcohol and Tobacco Control, says the operation involved 64 full-time employees, including 30 agents statewide.

Cut 10 (11) “…really, really hot.”

Legier says in addition to the ten arrests, his office has suspended the permits of six businesses – three in Shreveport, two in Lafayette and one in Baton Rouge.

Cut 11 (15) “…in this situation.”

Legier says the products seized include 34-thousand pens, pods and juices; 16-thousand CBD gummies, liquids and pre-rolled cigarettes and 65-hundred containers of nitrous oxide.

Cut 12 (15) “…in these locations.”

________________________________________________________

LSU’s vice president for agriculture and dean of its agriculture college is settling into his role as interim president of the university. Matt Lee is filling the role as LSU conducts a national search to replace former President William Tate. Lee says even though in transition, he assures that there’s stability and continuity at the university.

Cut 13 (10)  “…prior president.”

Lee says there is real clarity in the five focal areas that include agriculture, biomedical research, coastal research, defense and cybersecurity, and energy.

Cut 14 (10) “…differentiator for us.”

Lee says that as an institution of higher education, student success is always at the forefront of everything they do, and a key factor in that is largely driven by the quality of facilities.

Cut 15 (08) “…be more restrictive.”

Lee has held several key leadership roles at LSU, including interim executive vice president and provost.

Before the legislative session ended, lawmakers approved a 46-billion dollar budget for the next fiscal year. The biggest battle was over funding for L-A GATOR, the state’s new voucher program. Public Affairs Research Council of Louisiana president Steven Procopio says lawmakers left out 50-million dollars that Governor Landry requested for the program.

Cut 13 (09)  “…private schools”

Louisiana’s House Democratic caucus is reflecting on the just-completed session. Chairman Matthew Willard says despite being greatly outnumbered, Democrats had some significant wins this session, including helping defeat a bill targeting teachers unions.

Cut 4 (11) “…the teacher unions.”

Willard says Democrats also helped defeat a bill that targeted DEI efforts.

Lawmakers have approved a plan that would create a one stop shop for Louisiana residents to access most of the state’s benefit programs. Sean Richardson has more the Louisiana Workforce Commission will oversee those programs.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

I bet LSU is glad they didn’t have to face Gage Wood on Saturday! With Arkansas’ backs to the wall after losing to the Tigers Saturday, Wood went out and threw the third no-hitter in College World Series history this afternoon, stifling the bats of upstart Murray State in a three-to-nothing win.

Evangelist Jimmy Swaggart is fighting for his life after suffering a heart attack at his home yesterday. The 90-year-old from Ferriday is in intensive care at a Baton Rouge hospital; and his son says barring a miracle, his time will be short. Spokeswoman Megan Kelly says Reverend Swaggart is now in God’s hands…

Cut 7 (09) “…for healing.”

Lawmakers passed a 46-billion dollar state operating budget for the next fiscal year that begins July first. The biggest battle was over funding for L-A GATOR, the state’s new voucher program.  President of the Public Affairs Research Council, Steven Procopio says lawmakers left out 50-million dollars that Governor Landry requested for L-A GATOR.

Cut 13 (09)  “…private schools”

House Democrats are reflecting on the just-completed legislative session. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

State lawmakers have approved legislation to support a “One Door” approach for access to most state-provided assistance. Mandeville Representative Kim Carver says Louisiana Works will be the agency to access but the Department of Health would manage SNAP processing, leaving DCFS to focus on child welfare.

Cut 11 (12) “…benefits that they need.”

A traffic stop in Lafayette led to the seizure of over two million dollars work of cocaine Friday. Lafayette Police Narcotics Division stopped a driver on I-10 and questioned him. Their interview with an alert by a K-9 officer led them to search the vehicle where they found over twenty-one thousand grams of cocaine. The driver, 52-year-old Sergio Garcia from Cypress, Texas was arrested and is being held on one count of possession with intent to distribute a Schedule II narcotic.

Louisiana’s House Democratic caucus is pondering its perceived wins in the just completed legislative session. Chairman Matthew Willard says they were greatly outnumbered, but they were able to help defeat bills that targeted diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives in state government and at public colleges and universities.

Cut 3 (16) “…and what’s right.”

Lawmakers approved a 46-billion-dollar budget and Governor Landry says the session resulted in the largest tort reform effort in the state’s history, holding both trial lawyers and insurance companies accountable. Public Affairs Research Council of Louisiana president, Steven Procopio says the verdict is still out on whether changes will reduce insurance rates.

Cut 14 (09) “…to that.”

Lawmakers have approved legislation creating a “One Door” approach to access most state-provided assistance. Mandeville Representative Kim Carver says the Louisiana Workforce Commission, which will be renamed Louisiana Works would become the main public-facing agency for access to assistance.

Cut 10 (11) “…of work.”

He says the overhaul will improve service delivery, reduce duplication, and help more residents re-enter the workforce.

State lawmakers have approved legislation to support a “One Door” approach, where Louisianians can access most state-provided assistance. Mandeville Representative Kim Carver says one of the biggest changes is that Department of Children and Family Services will no longer administer the food stamp program or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families funds.

Cut 9 (09)  …child welfare system.”

Most programs will now be accessed through Louisiana Works.

Before the legislative session ended, lawmakers approved a 46-billion-dollar budget for the fiscal year that begins July first. Public Affairs Research Council of Louisiana, president, Steven Procopio calls it a prudent budget.

Cut 12 (10) “…standstill budget.”

The biggest battle was over funding for L-A GATOR, the state’s new voucher program.

House Democrats are reflecting on the just-completed legislative session. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Evangelist Jimmy Swaggart is hospitalized, and his son Pastor Donnie Swaggart says without a miracle, his father’s time will be short. The 90-year-old from Ferriday is in intensive care at a Baton Rouge hospital after suffering a heart attack at his home Sunday. Spokesperson Megan Kelly…

Cut 6 (09) “…absolutely anything.”