Wounded Congressman Steve Scalise’s condition is improving, but remains in critical condition after multiple surgeries. Director of the Trauma Unit at MedStar Washington Hospital, Dr. Jake Sava, says when Scalise arrived after being shot, he was in imminent risk of death but now there is a good possibility he’ll have an excellent recovery…
cut 10 (04) “…run”
Sava says Scalise still faces more surgeries.

The Louisiana Legislature finally passed a budget for next fiscal year. Senate Finance Chairman Eric LaFleur calls it a smart and reasonable spending plan that adequately funds the state’s biggest priorities.
cut 3 (08) “…neglected”
With the passage of the budget, the special session ended Friday afternoon. But another special session could be called early next year to address the loss of over one-billion dollars in temporary taxes.

UL System President Dr. Jim Henderson calls this legislative session one of the most successful for higher ed in nearly a decade. He says he’s thrilled lawmakers approved a budget that fully funds TOPS, after failing to do so for the first time in the program’s history last academic year.
Cut 11 (09) “shouldn’t consider”
The spending plan is the first in nearly a decade that did not reduce funding to higher education.

Lots of people will grill for dad this Father’s Day weekend. Executive Vice President of the Louisiana Cattleman’s Association, Robert Joyner, says while the demand for beef is up, prices will still be affordable because of the large supply of cattle.
Cut 15 (08) “as numbers”
Joyner says beef is also a good source of iron and zinc.

Congressman Steve Scalise remains in critical condition, but his health continues to improve, as he recovers from a gunshot wound to the left hip. Director of the Trauma Unit at MedStar Washington Hospital, Dr. Jake Sava, says the bullet did substantial damage to Scalise’s bones, internal organs and blood vessels….
cut 9 (10) “…stabilizied”
Sava expects Scalise will be able to walk and run again.

The special session ended today as Louisiana legislators approved a budget that fully funds TOPS and does not reduce funding to the state’s public colleges. UL System President Doctor Jim Henderson says this was a successful session for higher ed….
cut 13 (09) “…we make”

Louisiana officials were in a federal courtroom today seeking to have a lawsuit thrown out that challenges recent laws that restrict abortions in the state. The laws extend waiting periods, ban certain procedures and restrict which doctors can perform abortions. Executive Director for the Louisiana Right to Life, Ben Clapper….
cut 8 (09) “….that goal”
But pro choice organiziations say the regulations interfere with the constitutional right that woman can terminate her pregnancy.

Many people will spend this weekend grilling with Dad for Father’s Day. Robert Joyner, executive vice president of the Louisiana Cattlemen’s Association, says…
cut 16 (09) ‘…biggest seller”
Joyner says prices will be affordable given the large supply of cattle.

Wounded Congressman Steve Scalise’s condition is improving, but remains in critical condition after multiple surgeries. Director of the Trauma Unit at MedStar Washington Hospital, Dr. Jake Sava, says when Scalise arrived after being shot, he was in imminent risk of death but now there is a good possibility he’ll have an excellent recovery…
cut 10 (04) “…run”
Sava says Scalise still faces more surgeries.

A federal judge heard arguments in Baton Rouge today regarding laws passed last year that restrict abortions in Louisiana. Attorney Zoe Levin with the Center for Reproductive Rights says the regulations interfere with a women’s access to safe and legal abortions…
cut 7 (09) “…to contract”
Louisiana officials are seeking to have the C-P-R’s lawsuit dismissed.

State lawmakers have passed a budget for next fiscal year and it led to high praise from University of Louisiana System President Jim Henderson..
voicer 2 (30) “…I’m Don Molino”

State Police released new information today into the fatal police shooting that happened in Baton Rouge on Tuesday night. Authorities say Jordan Frazier immediately exited the passenger side with a gun during a traffic stop, began to flee and turned pointing the gun towards the officer. The officer who fired the fatal shot has been identified as Yuseff Hamadeh, and he’s been with BRPD for a year.

Doctors remain encouraged over the progress Congressman Steve Scalise is making as he recovers from a gunshot wound to the left hip. Director of the Trauma Unit at MedStar Washington Hospital, Dr. Jake Sava, says the bullet did substantial damage to bones, internal organs and blood vessels.

Cut 9 (10) “get it”

Sava says there’s a good chance Scalise will have an excellent recovery.

The Senate approved the House’s version of the budget on a 26 to 9 vote. Slidell Senator Sharon Hewitt voted against the spending plan because it uses 100 percent of the available dollars. She would rather hold some back in case of a shortfall.

Cut 5 (11) “the cycle”

The budget heads to the governor for his signature.

UL System President Dr. Jim Henderson calls this legislative session one of the most successful for higher ed in nearly a decade. He says he’s thrilled lawmakers approved a budget that fully funds TOPS, after failing to do so for the first time in the program’s history last academic year.

Cut 11 (09) “shouldn’t consider”

The spending plan is the first in nearly a decade that did not reduce funding to higher education.

Lots of people will be grilling for dad this Father’s Day weekend. Executive Vice President of the Louisiana Cattleman’s Association, Robert Joyner, says while the demand for beef is up, prices will still be affordable because of the large supply of cattle.

Cut 15 (08) “as numbers”

Joyner says beef is also a good source of iron and zinc.

The Louisiana Legislature finally passed a budget for next fiscal year. Senate Finance Chairman Eric LaFleur calls it a smart and reasonable spending plan that adequately funds the state’s biggest priorities.
cut 3 (08) “…neglected”
The Senate passed the budget on a 26-9 vote. Metairie Senator Conrad Appel also voted against it, because this budget plan does nothing to address the loss of over a billion dollars in temporary taxes next fiscal year.
Cut 6 (07) “handle”

Doctor Jack Sava at Medstar Washington Hospital says Congressman Steve Scalise remains in critical condition, but his condition has improved over the last 36 hours. Sava says Scalise will need additional operations and a timetable on when he’ll be discharged has not been established.

Higher education leaders are very pleased with the budget approved by legislators. UL System President, Doctor Jim Henderson says it’s the first time in nearly a decade the state is not reducing funding for public colleges….
cut 12 (12) “…students deservie”
But he says Louisiana remains the lowest funded higher education system among southern states.

Louisiana passed several laws last year that place restrictions on abortion procedures and hey were the subject of a federal hearing in Baton Rouge today. An attorney for the Center for Reproductive Rights, Zoe Levine, says getting an abortion is a core constitutional right…
cut 9 (10) “…of Louisiana”
The state is seeking to have portions of the lawsuit thrown out.

The full senate passed the budget bill on a 26 to 9 vote. Jeff Palermo has more on the state’s spending plan that heads to the governor’s desk…
Cut 1 (29) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

House Majority Whip Steve Scalise of Jefferson Parish continues to recover from a gunshot wound to the hip after he and four others were shot at a baseball practice on Wednesday morning. Scalise remains in critical condition after this third surgery but has improved over the last 24 hours according to MedStar Washington Hospital Center.

In federal court today, arguments were heard over state abortion laws passed last year. The laws extend waiting periods, ban certain procedures and restrict what doctors can perform abortions. Executive Director for the Louisiana Right to Life, Ben Clapper, defends the pro-life laws.
Cut 8 (09) “the goal”

But Attorney Zoe Levine says these restrictions put undue burdens on women’s access to abortion care.
Many families will be outside grilling steaks with Dad this weekend, as Father’s Day is Sunday. Executive Vice President of the Louisiana Cattlemen’s Association Robert Joyner says beef prices have been declining over the last few years and the beef industry has rebounded in a big way.
Cut 14 (08) “good year”

It’s likely the special session will come to an end today as legislators have approved a spending plan for next fiscal year. Most state agencies are not cut, TOPS is fully funded and 38-thousand state workers receive a 2-percent pay raise. Senate Finance Chairman Eric LaFleur says for the first time in nearly a decade, public colleges will not receive a cut…
cut 4 (08) “….not doing”
But Slidell Senator Sharon Hewitt voted against the budget, because it uses 100 percent of the money that’s available. She would rather hold back a small portion in case of a mid-year shortfall…
cut 5 (11) “…the cycle”
The governor is expected to sign this budget bill which goes into effect at the start of the new fiscal year on July 1st.

State Police say a trooper is under arrest for allegedly using excessive force when taking someone into custody in New Orleans. They say Trooper John Neal is accused of kicking the suspect and bashing his head into a window while the suspect was handcuffed. LSP spokeswoman Melissa Matey:
Cut 12 (09) “just that”
Neal was booked on one count of simple battery.

Baton Rouge Police announce officer Yuseff Hamadeh has been placed on paid administrative leave for a fatal shooting that occurred Tuesday night during a traffic stop. Authorities say 35-year-old Jordan Frazier was killed when he got of the vehicle holding a handgun.