Lawmakers are working to craft a spending plan for next fiscal year in a special session that ends Monday. Governor John Bel Edwards says he’s confident a budget will be worked out, but lawmakers have already ensured there will be another special session because the House has made no effort to address the fiscal cliff in 2018…:
Cut 8 (09) “that task force”
The full House is expected to vote on a budget plan tomorrow.

Louisiana has a new State Police Col. Today the governor announced he’s given interim Superintendent Kevin Reeves the job permanently. Former Superintendent Col. Mike Edmonson announced his retirement amid an investigation into a travel scandal. Reeves says the findings of this matter will be released after the department finishes the disciplinary process. He says they are working to ensure this won’t happen again…:
Cut 14 (08) “traveling goes”

Louisiana ranks 48th in overall child well-being, according to the KIDS COUNT Data Book released by the Agenda for Children. KIDS COUNT Coordinator Theresa Falgoust says the Bayou State ranks 47th in education, which examined three and four year olds who don’t go to school, and 4th graders who are below proficient in reading…:
Cut 3 (10) “since 2009”
Falgoust says one of the positives in the report is that 96 percent of children now have health insurance.

Governor John Bel Edwards has announced the replacement for former Public Service Commissioner Scott Angelle on the LSU Board of Supervisors. In a statement, the governor says Mary Werner will take over the vacated seat for the remainder of the term representing the 3rd Congressional District. Angelle left his role as public service commissioner after he was named director of the U.S. Interior Department’s Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement.

Governor John Bel Edwards has named Col. Kevin Reeves the permanent superintendent of Louisiana State Police, as Reeves has served in the interim position since March. Reeves says it’s a compliment that Edwards respects his leadership. He says he is committed to the public.
Cut 13 (11) “priority”
Reeves began his career with State Police as a motorcycle trooper in 1990.

According to the KIDS COUNT Data Book released by the Agenda for Children, The Bayou State ranks 48th for overall child well-being. But KIDS COUNT Coordinator Theresa Falgoust says Louisiana has improved as well, as 96-percent of children now have health insurance and this could lead to better health outcomes for children.
Cut 5 (12) “babies”

The full House is expected to vote on a budget plan tomorrow as the clock is ticking for lawmakers to approve a budget. The two chambers argued during regular session over how much money to withhold from the budget to prevent a midyear shortfall. Edwards says if that money is not appropriated from the onset, it cannot be used later to fill a budget gap or address unforeseen needs.
Cut 7 (07) “last year”

DOTD has introduced Motorist Assistance Patrols to help with traffic flow as construction has begun on the widening of I-10 between I-49 and the Atchafalaya Basin. Deidrea Druilhet with DOTD says these trucks are able to remove stalled vehicles out of traffic lanes onto the shoulder. She reminds drivers to pay attention in construction zones as that’s where many wrecks tend to happen.
Cut 11 (08) “are reduced.”

The KIDS COUNT Data Book from the Agenda for Children ranks Louisiana 48th for overall child well-being. Halen Doughty has more…:
Cut 1 (31) “I’m Halen Doughty”

Governor John Bel Edwards has named Col. Kevin Reeves the permanent superintendent of Louisiana State Police. Reeves, who has served in the interim position since March, says the department is moving forward from the negatives…:
Cut 12 (09) “effectively”

Allen Parish Sheriff’s deputies have located the body of a 12-year-old who possibly drowned in the Calcasieu River Sunday evening. Authorities believe the child tried to swim across the river, went into distress and went under.

Construction has begun on the I-10 widening project between I-49 and the Atchafalaya Basin, so DOTD has introduced Motorist Assistance Patrols to the area to help with traffic flow. Deidrea Druilhet with DOTD says the map program trucks, which are already present in the Baton Rouge and New Orleans areas, serve many purposes…:
Cut 10 (08) “their car”
If you are ever on the road and need assistance dial *LSP.

The pairings and game times for the first two days of the College World Series have been announced. LSU will take on Florida in the second game in Omaha on Saturday at 7pm. The first game that day is scheduled to begin at 2pm, and will feature Cal St. Fullerton against No. 1 national seed Oregon St.

The clock is ticking on lawmakers to approve a budget before the special session ends on Monday. Governor John Bel Edwards says the spending plan approved by the Senate is a good starting point. He says unfortunately, the House did not vote on the budget last week, but he is optimistic HB1 can win passage this week…:
Cut 6 (10) “a majority”
The full House is expected to vote on a budget plan tomorrow.

In a national assessment of child-well being, which examined metrics such as poverty, education and health access, Louisiana was ranked 48th. KIDS COUNT Coordinator Theresa Falgoust says the Bayou State improved in 8 out of 16 measures…:
Cut 4 (09) “that measure”
But she says the number of child and teen deaths worsened, and the percentage of children living in poverty was up to 28 percent.

The Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission has voted for a proposal that could lead to red snapper fishing in federal waters for the next 12 weekends, beginning this Saturday. Emelie Gunn has more:
Cut 3 (30) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

Louisiana ranks 48th in overall child well-being, according to the KIDS COUNT Data Book released by the Agenda for Children. KIDS COUNT Coordinator Theresa Falgoust says the Bayou State ranks 47th in education, which examined three and four year olds who don’t go to school, and 4th graders who are below proficient in reading…:
Cut 3 (10) “since 2009”
Falgoust says one of the positives in the report is that 96 percent of children now have health insurance.

Governor John Bel Edwards has introduced interim State Police Superintendent Kevin Reeves to the position permanently. Reeves has already been serving in that role since the retirement of Col. Mike Edmonson earlier this year. Edwards says Reeves has done an excellent job at State Police and has won the praise of his colleagues and law enforcement across Louisiana.

Construction has begun on the I-10 widening project between I-49 and the Atchafalaya Basin, so DOTD has introduced Motorist Assistance Patrols to the area to help with traffic flow. Deidrea Druilhet with DOTD says with 60,000 drivers traveling that stretch daily, the department will have three map program trucks patrolling the area..:
Cut 9 (09) “region”
If you are ever on the road and need assistance dial *LSP.

The Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission approves a proposal to open the recreational red snapper fishing season in federal waters for the next 12 weekends as part of a compromise with the federal government and four other Gulf Coast states. Assistant Secretary for LDWF, Patrick Banks..:
Cut 13 (08) “located”
The agreement could begin this weekend.

A new law seeks to curb the state’s growing opioid epidemic. Governor Edwards signed the bill by New Orleans Representative Helena Moreno that limits first time opioid prescriptions to a 7-day supply. Moreno says she’s glad this legislation made it through the process.

Cut 4 (08) “this year”

Moreno says this is a step in the right direction toward savings lives.

It’s been 17 years since the legislature failed to approve a budget in the regular session, and Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne says we’re having many of the same discussions now. He says the one-penny sales tax enacted last year was supposed to be a bridge to fiscal reform, and lawmakers did not accomplish that in the fiscal session.

Cut 9 (10) “fiscal reform session”

A bill by Baton Rouge Congressman Garret Graves seeks to give flood victims some financial relief. Graves says his bill waives extra costs for those who had to withdraw from their retirement savings to rebuild.

Cut 11 (10) “additional penalty”

The bill would help victims of both the March and August floods, as well as those affected by the tornado outbreak in February.

Louisiana fishermen are pushing for a change in federal regulations to give them more access to fish in federal waters. Assistant Secretary with LDWF Patrick Banks says not many red snapper live in state waters.

Cut 14 (12) “red snapper”

A proposed change would end snapper fishing in state waters on weekdays.

Governor John Bel Edwards signs three bills designed to stop the growing opioid epidemic. Jeff Palermo has more…:
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Today the governor is slated to announce the permanent head of the Louisiana State Police. Sources say it will be Kevin Reeves, who has held the interim post since the retirement of Col. Mike Edmonson. Edwards will hold a news conference at 11am to name his appointment to lead the state’s top law enforcement agency.

A soldier from Louisiana was killed Sunday in Afghanistan, and he leaves behind a wife and 2 children. 23-year-old Sgt. Christopher P. Soderlund of Pineville died from his injuries after his unit was hit by enemy forces using a rocket-propelled grenade.

17-years ago was the last time the state legislature didn’t pass a budget in the regular session, and Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne was a Senator at the time. He says lawmakers were facing a similar problem then as they are today with temporary taxes set to expire in 2018…:
Cut 8 (08) “sound familiar”
He’s hoping lawmakers can get a spending plan for next fiscal year passed soon in the special session.

The NCAA announces LSU will play Florida State Saturday night at 7pm in the College World Series. The Tigers get the prime time spot following Cal. State-Fullerton vs. Oregon State at 2pm. The games will air on ESPN.

A new law signed by the Governor requires doctors issuing a first time pain pill prescriptions for outpatient use to limit the amount of the drug to a seven-day supply. New Orleans Representative Helena Moreno says this strikes a balance between preserving access, and reducing the number of opioids out there..:
Cut 5 (04) “to prevent”
Three bills were signed into law Monday aimed at combating the state’s opioid epidemic.

Baton Rouge Congressman Garret Graves files legislation aimed at providing financial relief to 2016 flood victims. Congress has appropriated $2 billion for flood recovery so far, and Governor Edwards is seeking an additional $1 billion in federal aid. But Graves says for many that still won’t be enough…:
Cut 12 (10) “as we can”

Recreational anglers in Louisiana would get an extended 27 day, weekends-only recreational red snapper season in federal waters this summer starting Saturday under a proposal approved by the Wildlife and Fisheries Commission. Assistant Secretary for LDWF Patrick Banks says this is a good compromise with the federal government..:
Cut 15 (08) “involved”
The order is pending approval and acceptance by the four other Gulf state’s fisheries directors and the U.S. Department of Commerce.

We now know the time LSU will open play in the College World Series. The Tigers will take on Florida State Saturday night at 7pm in Omaha. LSU is considered one of the heavy favorites to win the CWS, as they’ve won 16 in a row. Coach Paul Mainieri likes his team’s chances..:
Cut 16 (16) “as well”