The LSU Tigers are a number four national seed in the NCAA Tournament and they’ll start regional play this Friday at Alex Box Stadium against SWAC Tournament champion Texas Southern. Coach Paul Mainieri says he’s never placed much emphasis on the seeding
cut 29 (22) “….didn’t really matter”
The other two teams in the Baton Rouge regional are Southeastern Louisiana and Rice. The Lions are a two seed with a 36-20 record. The Owls received an automatic bid after winning the Conference USA Tournament.

The news was not good for Louisiana Tech, McNeese State and UL Lafayette. Those three teams failed to make the NCAA Tournament.

LSU softball is heading back to the Women’s College World Series after coming back from one game down to beat Florida State in consecutive games to win the super regional series over the Seminoles. It’s the third consecutive trip for the Tigers and the fourth with Head Coach Beth Torina at the helm…
cut 30 (11) “…get all of the credit”
LSU will play UCLA at 1:30 in Oklahoma City on Thursday.

Big news in the golf world as Tiger Woods was arrested in Florida on a DUI charge. The Palm County Sheriff’s office says golf’s former number one player in the world was booked into the county jail at around 7 AM. Police records indicate Woods was arrested in Jupiter.

And longtime Sports Illustrated writer Frank Deford has died at the age of 78. President Obama presented Deford with the National Humanities Medal in 2013.

Time is running out for lawmakers to implement meaningful tax reform this session, and party leaders meet today seeking a compromise. Halen Doughty has more…

Cut 1 (29) “I’m Halen Doughty”

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LSU is a number four national seed in the NCAA Tournament. Jeff Palermo has more on the Tigers…

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

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A measure to change the name of the Louisiana School for Math, Science and Arts in Natchitoches has sparked unexpected emotion. Emelie Gunn has more…

Cut 3 (31) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

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There’s 10 days left in the regular session and very little has been accomplished. Democratic Caucus Chairman Gene Reynolds of Minden says he’ll meet with Republican leaders to see what can be done in the final days. He says with only 41 votes in the House, it’s hard for Democrats to get anything through the process.

Cut 4  (10) “tax reform”

Governor John Bel Edwards and Democrats are pushing for tax reform, because 1.3 billion dollars in temporary sales taxes expire July 2018. But Republican House Appropriations Chairman Cameron Henry says Democrats haven’t presented a plan that the legislature and the public can get on board with…

Cut 5  (10)  “next step”

One possible solution to solving the fiscal cliff is to keep the extra penny that was added to the sales tax last year. But Reynolds doesn’t like that idea, which he says is being discussed by House members…

Cut 6 (08) “let’s fix it”

(It’s likely a special session will be needed to address the fiscal cliff.)

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A Senate committee will hear the so-called “sanctuary cities” bill today. The House-approved measure would prohibit cities that do not fully cooperate with immigration authorities from receiving certain state grants. Attorney General Jeff Landry supports the proposal and doesn’t understand why local governments would try to establish a sanctuary city…

Cut 7 (06)  “community safe”

It took two votes for this bill to pass the lower chamber. Opponents believe it would unfairly target Hispanics. Landry believes sanctuary cities allow violent criminals to stay in the United States….

Cut 8 (12) “additional crime”

New Orleans could be impacted by this legislation, if it becomes law. The NOPD has a policy that prohibits its officers from asking suspects about immigration status. Landry says once the bill becomes law, his office will determine which jurisdictions violate the state’s sanctuary cities policies…

Cut 9 (11)  “particular bill”

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A bill to change the name of the Louisiana School for Math, Science and Arts in Natchitoches has sparked a big discussion and will be heard in House Education on Wednesday. Delhi Senator Francis Thompson’s proposal would change the school’s name to Jimmy D. Long Sr. Louisiana School for Math, Science and the Arts. Thompson says Long helped open the school in 1983.

Cut 10 (07) “is due”

Long served as a state representative from 1968 to 2000. Thompson says this is not a name change, it’s a name addition. He says Jimmy Long was the most moral and hardworking legislator he’s ever worked with and was dedicated to creating the school.

Cut 11 (06) “recognition”

But many LSMSA alumni oppose the name change. Lorie Aguilera graduated in 2002 says it’s a much bigger deal than it sounds. She says the school would lose its identity, especially with prestigious colleges..

Cut 12 (12) “to leave”

Aguilera says Thompson did not ask if any facility or alumni supported the change. She says this would also be extremely expensive for LSMSA to reach out to parents and universities to alert them of the change.

Cut 13 (08) “be needed”

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With the growing popularity of organic foods, lawmakers are looking at how Louisiana could produce it’s own organic produce. The House will discuss a resolution this week that would connect the LSU and Southern Ag programs with the state to study cultivating organic products. The author is Marrero Representative Patrick Connick…:

Cut 14 (10) “the state”

Connick says there is a baker in New Orleans who makes bread and spends $100,000 a year on his organic ingredients. Connick said Graison Gill would like to be able to spend that money in Louisiana…:

Cut 15 (13) “others do”

Connick says Graison is just one of the examples that shows organic farming is an emerging industry…:

Cut 16 (10)  “the future”

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LSU baseball will begin NCAA Regional play  on Friday at Alex Box Stadium by hosting SWAC Tournament champion Texas Southern. The other two teams coming to Baton Rouge are Southeastern Louisiana and Rice. And if LSU wins the B-R Regional they’ll face the winner of Hattiesburg Regional, which features Southern Miss and Mississippi State. Tigers Coach Paul Mainieri says one game at a time…

Cut 17 (18)  “to Omaha”

The Tigers are seeded fourth nationally after winning the Southeastern Conference Tournament and sharing the SEC regular season title with Florida. They’ve won 11 in a row and Mainieri likes the mindset of his team…

Cut 18 (20)    “get it done”  

Mainieri says he has yet to decide who will be the starting pitcher on Friday in the regional opener against Texas Southern….

Cut 19 (18)   “Friday”

The state Department of Veteran’s Affairs reminds Louisianans to remember the real reason for the Memorial Day long weekend…
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Don Molino”

The LSU Tigers are a number four national seed in the NCAA Tournament and they’ll start regional play this Friday at Alex Box Stadium against SWAC Tournament champion Texas Southern. The other two teams in the Baton Rouge regional are Southeastern Louisiana and Rice. The Lions are a two seed with a 36-20 record. The Owls received an automatic bid after winning the Conference USA Tournament.

There’s a chance another special legislative session could begin 30 minutes after the current regular session ends on June 8th, according to Jeremy Alford of LaPolitics.com. Governor Edwards has struggled to reach a compromise with the GOP dominated House over budget issues and Alford says battle lines were drawn on the first day he took over as governor.
Cut 12 (10) “this term”

Pet owners will soon have more time to claim their lost pets after a natural disaster. A measure awaiting the governor’s signature gives pet parents 30 days to claim their animals following a state of emergency. Ag Commissioner Mike Strain…
Cut 13 (11) “an owner”
Currently, local laws only gives 10 days.

Two young adults are dead in separate incidents after heavy winds knocked down trees in DeSoto and Caldwell Parishes. 21-year-old Demontre Lewis was a backseat passenger of a truck when a falling tree hit the vehicle during a severe thunderstorm. An 18-year-old in Caldwell Parish was killed after a tree fell on his home.

It’s reported that an estimated 27-thousand people are without power after the severe weather.

The LSU Tigers are the number four seed in the NCAA baseball tournament and will open up the Baton Rouge Regional against Texas Southern at 2:30 p.m. at Alex Box Stadium on Friday. The number two seed, Southeastern Louisiana and number three seed Rice are the two other teams in the Baton Rouge Regional. McNeese, Louisiana Tech, and UL-Lafayette did not make the field of 64.

Americans around the country are celebrating a day off work for Memorial Day but it’s important to remember the real reason for the holiday. State Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Col. Joey Strickland asks Louisianans to take time to remember our fallen heroes today.
Cut 4 (08) “our people”
11-thousand Louisiana men and women have died the country in all wars.

The Centers for Disease Control warns the public about a germ causing infections in public pools. Michelle Hlvasa (Vah-sah) with the CDC reminds people to stay out of pools for at least two weeks after they’ve had diarrhea.
Cut 9 (08) “have stopped”
to learn more about healthy swimming, visit CDC.gov

Many Americans are celebrating a day off with friends and family but many forget the true meaning of the Memorial Day Holiday. State Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Col. Joey Strickland says remembering those who lost their lives doesn’t have to be a big show, it can be a private moment.
Cut 6 (07) “our freedom”

11-thousand men and women from Louisiana made the ultimate sacrifice for the United States in all our wars.

The Center for Disease Control is warning the public about bacteria in public pools as the summer is in full swing. Michelle Hlvasa (Vah-sah) with the CDC says cryptospordium is causing a lot of outbreaks and is linked to swimming. She says there has been an increase in infections.
Cut 7 (10) “outbreaks”

The LSU Tigers are a number four national seed in the NCAA baseball tournament and will host Texas Southern to start of the Baton Rouge Regional at 2:30 at Alex Box Stadium on Friday. The other two in the Baton Rouge Regional are the number two seed, Southeastern Louisiana and the number three seed, the Rice Owls.

It’s possible a special legislative session could convene right after the current session ends.
Cut 3 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

The state Department of Veteran’s Affairs reminds Louisianans to remember the real reason for Memorial Day. Don Molino has more…

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Don Molino”

An Alabama man was killed in a skydiving accident in Slidell on Sunday. St. Tammany deputies say 53-year-old Benjamin Leroy Crowell was training another person when he lost consciousness shortly after jumping out of a airplane. Witnesses say the two men hit the ground hard. The trainee was airlifted to a hospital and his condition is not known.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are concerned about an increase in cryptosporidium in public swimming pools. It’s a parasite that can cause diarrhea. The CDC’s Michele Hlvasa (Vah-sah) says people get infected when they swallow dirty water…
cut 8 (08) “…well treated pools”
Hlvasa says to protect others from getting crypto, stay out of the pool if you’ve had diarrhea recently.

A bill awaiting the governor’s signature will give pet owners up to 30 days to claim their cats and dogs if they were lost during a natural disaster. Ag Commissioner Mike Strain says shelters will take ownership after the 30-day period…
cut 14 (08) “….those animals”
Strain says local laws allow shelters to take ownership after 10 days.

After winning its 12th SEC Tournament title yesterday, LSU finds out later this morning who they will host in this weekend’s Baton Rouge Regional. Tiger Rag Associate Editor James Moran says this Tigers team will be tough to beat in post season play….
cut 17 (11) “….all clyinders”
LSU will host a regional for a 25th time in program history.

Legislation awaiting the governor’s signature will provide more time for pet owners to claim their cats and dogs if they are sent to a shelter during a state of emergency. Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain says this new law will give pet owners more hope of finding their lost pets after natural disasters….
cut 15 (08) “….10 days’
This bill has been approved by the House and Senate.

It’s Memorial Day a day we honor the brave men and woman who made the ultimate sacrifice to serve and protect our country. State Veterans Affairs Secretary, Colonel Joey Strickland, says today is also about….
cut 5 (09) “…the fallen”

As people hit the pools to escape the summer heat, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warns the public about bacteria in public pools. Halen Doughty has more…
Voicer 2 (30) “I’m Halen Doughty”

Thousands are waking up this morning in the dark after severe storms knocked out power across north Louisiana. Entergy reports almost 10-thousand outages in northeast Louisiana. SWEPCO is reporting 25-thousand are without power along I-49 in northwest Louisiana. And State Police say one person was killed when a tree fell on a car in DeSoto Parish.

There’s a week and a half left in the regular session and there is a major disagreement between Governor John Bel Edwards and House Republicans over the proposed spending plan for next fiscal year. Publisher of La-politics-dot-com Jeremy Alford says the GOP-led House passed a budget that allocates 97.5-percent of available revenues and Democrats want to spend more….
cut 11 (09) “…and diming”
The Senate Finance committee has been examing the budget over the last couple of weeks and they are expected to make changes to it, before advancing the spending plan to the full senate.

Pet owners will soon have more time to claim their lost pets after a disaster. A bill awaiting the governor’s signature allows pet parents 30 days to claim their fur babies following a state of emergency. Ag Commissioner Mike Strain…
Cut 13 (11) “an owner”
Currently, local laws allow shelters to take ownership of animals 10 days following a disaster.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention say they’ve seen up uptick in a parasite called cryptosporidium in public swimming pools. Michele Hlvasa (Vah-sah) says to protect others from getting crypto, stay out of the pool if you’ve had diarrhea. She says you need to be diarrhea free for at least two weeks…
cut 9 (08) “….have stopped”
Crypto will cause diarrhea in people who ingest the infected water.

We could see another special session start 30 minutes after the current regular session ends on June 8th. That’s according to Jeremy Alford of LaPolitics.com who says the current fiscal session has bogged down over partisan politics.
Cut 10 (10) “reform bills”
Governor Edwards is also not pleased with the budget the House has approved.

LSU fans are happy today after watching the Tigers win their 12th SEC Tournament Baseball Championship yesterday with a four to two win over Arkansas. Tiger Rag Associate Editor James Moran says there’s no doubt LSU will be a national seed when the regional pairings are released at 11 AM….
cut 16 (09) “…SEC co-champions”
Regional play will begin Friday in Baton Rouge.

It’s important to remember the real reason for today’s Memorial Day holiday. State Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary, Col. Joey Strickland, asks Louisiana residents to take time to remember our fallen heroes.
Cut 4 (08) “our people”
11-thousand men and women from Louisiana made the ultimate sacrifice for the United States in all wars.

With the summer in full swing, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warns the public about bacteria in public pools. Michelle Hlvasa (Vah-sah) with the CDC says there’s a germ called cryptosporidium that’s causing a lot of outbreaks linked to swimming…
cut 7 (10) “…of outbreaks”
Hlvasa says to protect others from getting crypto, stay out of the pool if you’ve had diarrhea recently.