There is pushback to ending the regular session early so a constitutional convention can be held. A bill has been filed to begin the constitutional convention on May 20th, but the regular session is not scheduled to end until June 3rd. Senate President Cameron Henry says there are a lot of unknowns.

Cut 6  (10) “…the horse.” 

A bill that would provide thousands of dollars to a family to pay for private school tuition or other education expenses has passed the House Appropriations Committee. 14 other states have similar education savings accounts and bill author Julie Emerson says they’ve learned from other states’ mistakes and there are provisions in the proposed legislation that makes sure the dollars made available through the Gator Scholarship Program goes to education…

Cut 12 (08) “…implemented this” 

After last night’s season ending loss, LSU’s Angel Reese opens up about the hate she’s received since winning the national championship. Beau Gaspard has more…

Cut 2 (30)  “…I’m Beau Gaspard” 

The North Central Baptist Association paid for and constructed a new 20-foot by 30-foot pavilion at Jimmie Davis State Park in Jackson Parish. Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says its local partnerships that benefit state parks and the local community. He hopes community events attract Louisianans of all ages to state parks especially the youth.

Cut 5 (09)  “…great outdoors.”

Louisiana State police are investigating the death of a 20-year-old man shot by a Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s deputy in Ponchatoula Monday afternoon after police say, Warren Burton pointed a gun at the deputies who were at a residence to serve an order of protective custody. State Police says deputies tried to negotiate with Burton to put the firearm away when Burton pointed it at the deputies. Burton died on the scene. The investigation is ongoing.

A new 20-foot by 30-foot pavilion at Jimmie Davis State Park in Jackson Parish has opened. Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says the North Central Baptist Association paid for and constructed the new facility. The NCBA has used the smaller pavilion for other activities including summer day camps. Nungesser hopes this project sparks interest among other church organizations to partner with state parks.

Cut 4 (12) “…around Louisiana.” 

The idea of holding a constitutional convention before the current session ends isn’t gaining much traction among some lawmakers. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (33)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

The House Appropriations Committee has approved a proposal that would provide thousands of dollars to a family to pay for private school tuition or other education expenses. Fourteen other states have implemented education savings account programs like the one this bill proposes to create. Louisiana Federation of Teachers president Larry Carter says the E-S-A program in Arizona has turned out to be more costly than projected and there’s fraud too…

Cut 11 (10) “…beauty supplies”

The LSU Lady Tigers lost to Iowa last night 94 to 87. LSU’s Angel Reese had 20 points and 17 rebounds. After the game, Reese talked about what a difficult year it’s been.

Cut 15 (13)  “…every single time.”

This was likely Reese’s final game at LSU. She says she’ll decide on her future when she’s ready. Reese is expected to be a top ten pick in the WNBA draft.

Cut 13 (13) “..intentionally done.”

In a post on social media, Landry says he wants the Board of Regents to put a policy in place that requires student-athletes to be present for the national anthem or risk their athletic scholarship.

House Appropriations approves a proposal to provide thousands of dollars to families to pay for private school or other education expenses. There are concerns the Louisiana Gator Scholarship Program will result in students leaving high-performing schools for private schools, further lowering the amount of money public schools receive. Bill author Julie Emerson…

Cut 10 (10) “…paying to educate “

It’s estimated that once fully funded the program would cost the state $500-million annually.

There is pushback to ending the regular session early so a constitutional convention can be held. Senate President Cameron Henry says ending the current session early will be difficult because there are significant budget problems.

Cut 7 (07) “…we take.”  

Lawmakers will vote on a bill to decide if they will hold a convention this year.

The House Appropriations Committee has approved a proposal that would provide thousands of dollars to a family to pay for private school tuition or other education expenses.  Once the program gets fully implemented it will cost the state an estimated 500-million dollars annually. Stonewall Representative Larry Bagley is hearing concerns about taking money away from public schools…

Cut 9 (10) “…this bill” 

The measure passed on a 13 to 8 vote.

Franklinton Senator Beth Mizell has filed a bill that would mandate a five-day school week. Nine school systems have some or all their schools with four-day weeks. And supporters of a four-day week sayit helps with teacher recruitment. Mizell questions what happens if more schools go to a four-day week.

Cut 11 (11) “…teacher recruitment.”

After last night’s season ending loss, LSU’s Angel Reese opens up about the hate she’s received since winning the national championship. Beau Gaspard has more…

Cut 2 (30)  “…I’m Beau Gaspard” 

For only the fourth time ever Southern beat LSU in baseball 12-7 last night.

The LSU Lady Tigers NCAA tournament run has come to an end this season with their loss to the Iowa Hawkeyes last night 94 to 87. The game saw Iowa’s Catlin Clark score 41 points, 7 rebounds, and 12 assists and LSU’s Angel Reese score 20 rebounds, 4 assists, and 17 points. Reese says that she’s proud of how she has stayed strong while handling off the court issues after winning the national championship last season.

Cut 15 (12) “… single time.”

The game is likely to be Angel Reese’s last game as a Lady Tiger as she is predicted to be a top 10 pick in the WNBA Draft.

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And the New Orleans Pelicans lost to the Phoenix Suns last night 124 to 111. The game feature Phoenix’s star guard Devin Booker scoring 52 points for the second time this season against the Pelicans. New Orleans will host Orlando tomorrow at 7 pm.

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LSU Baseball is now on a 4 game losing streak after the Tigers were swept by Arkansas and lost to Southern last night 12 to 7. The game featured 11 hits given up by Tiger pitching and LSU Head Coach Jay Johson says that last night’s pitching was not up to the Purple and Gold standard.

Cut 21 (09) “…. at hard.”

LSU will host Vanderbilt this weekend.

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The Ragin Cajuns baseball team now owns the nation’s longest win streak at 11 games after they swept Texas State this weekend. UL-Lafayette got off to a slow start this season after going 9 and 8, but have seemingly found their footing after starting SunBelt play with an 8 and 1 record. The Ragin Cajuns will host Nicholls tonight at 6 pm as they try to improve their win streak to 12 games.

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And in more baseball across the state today, Grambling will host Northwestern tonight at 6 pm, Southeastern will host Southern Miss tonight at 6 pm, McNeese will host Alcorn state in a two game midweek series with first pitch tonight at 6 pm, and Louisiana Tech will host Little Rock tonight at 6pm.

The LSU women’s basketball team’s season ended last night as the Lady Tigers lost to Iowa. Following the game, LSU All-American Angel Reese opened up about the abuse she’s received through social media…
cut 15 (13) “…every single time”
Reese says the hate messages began after they won the national championship last year.

Governor Landry is displeased the LSU Lady Tigers were not on the court for the national anthem prior to the game against Iowa. Landry says he respects coach Kim Mulkey, but there should be a deep respect for those who serve to protect and unite us under one flag. Mulkey says she didn’t know when the anthem was played….
Cut 13 (13) “..intentionally done.”
Landry says student athletes should lose their scholarship if they are not present for the national anthem.

There is pushback to ending the regular session early so a constitutional convention can be held. A bill has been filed to begin the constitutional convention on May 20th, but the regular session is not scheduled to end until June 3rd. Senate President Cameron Henry says there are a lot of unknowns on how this will work…
cut 6 (10) “…before the horse”
Henry says Governor Jeff Landry wants a streamlined state constitution that can be approved by voters in November.

A new 20-foot by 30-foot pavilion at Jimmie Davis State Park in Jackson Parish has opened. Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says the North Central Baptist Association paid for and constructed the new facility.
Cut 3 (08) “…church services.”
The pavilion accommodates around 50 people.

After losing to the Lady Tigers last year in the national championship game, Caitlin Clark and the Iowa Hawkeyes got the best of the LSU Lady Tigers last night in a rematch. Jeff Palermo has a recap…

Cut 3 (31) “…I’m Jeff Palermo”

There’s more controversy with the LSU women’s basketball team. It was noted that the Lady Tigers and coaches were not present during the national anthem before the game started. Coach Kim Mulkey says the team has a pre-game routine and she did not know when the anthem would be played. She says it was not intentional.

The Louisiana Gator Scholarship Program bill goes before House Appropriations today. The proposed legislation would give tax dollars directly to families, allowing them to use the money for private school tuition, online learning, and tutoring. Public Affairs Research Council President Steven Procopio estimates it will eventually cost $520 million annually.

 Cut 7 (08) “…up too.”

Procopio says lawmakers need to consider a temporary sales tax that will expire in 2025, which is estimated to create a $400 to $500 million fiscal cliff as they consider funding the ESA program.

Franklinton Senator Beth Mizell has filed a bill that would mandate a five-day school week. Mizell says she is listening to opposition to her bill and considering amending the bill. She says one option is to mandate schools provide additional assistance to struggling students on non-class days. The second option…

Cut 12 (10) “…(x2) school week.” 

The bill is scheduled to be heard in Senate Education.

The Louisiana Gator Scholarship Program bill, also known as Education Savings Accounts, goes before House Appropriations today. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

April is National Distracted Driving Awareness Month, and the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission has launched the “Buckle Up, Phone Down,” campaign. Spokesperson Greg Fisher says almost a third of drivers in Louisiana engage in some sort of distracted driving, so he’s urging motorists to make a pledge…

Cut 6 (07) “…phone down.”

The LSU lady tigers will not repeat as National champs after losing to Iowa last night 94 to 87 last night. Caitlin Clark was sensational, scoring 41 points. LSU’s Angel Reese had 20 points and 17 rebounds. This past year hasn’t been easy for Reese whose faced a lot of negativity. After last night’s loss, she addressed what it’s been like for her.

Cut 15 (13)  “…every single time.”

This was likely Reese’s final game at LSU. She says she’ll make a decision on her future when she’s ready. Reese is expected to be a top ten pick in the WNBA draft.

Louisiana State Police are investigating a deadly officer involved shooting involving a Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s deputy yesterday. Troopers say the sheriff’s office requested their assistance after the shooting on Madison Land in Ponchatoula. Troopes say one person was shot and died on the scene. No deputies were injured, but the incident remains under investigation this morning.

Caitlin Clark and the Iowa Hawkeyes got the best of the LSU Lady Tigers last night in a rematch of last year’s national championship game. Jeff Palermo has a recap…

Cut 3 (31) “…I’m Jeff Palermo”
Ten former students who sued LSU over alleged mishandling of sexual assault and domestic violence complaints against football players and others have settled their case with the university. The lawsuit centered on federal Title IX laws which ban gender-based discrimination, harassment or violence. The terms of the settlement have not been disclosed.

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A south Louisiana lawmaker believes students should attend school five days a week. Nine school systems in Louisiana have some or all their schools with four-day weeks. Franklinton Senator Beth Mizell has filed a bill that would mandate a five-day school week because she’s concerned about children at home without adult supervision one day a week.

Cut 10 (09) “…the homes.”
It will go before House Appropriations today…It’s The Louisiana Gator Scholarship Program bill that some estimate could eventually cost the state $520 million dollars a year. While the program has plenty of Republican support, Public Affairs Research Council President Steven Procopio says lawmakers need to consider a temporary sales tax that will expire in 2025, which is estimated to create a $400 to $500 million fiscal cliff.

Cut 8 (09) “…bill is.”