The Gator Scholarship Bill which will expand the state’s voucher program so more families can receive public dollars to pay for private school tuition is headed to the governor’s desk. .
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Saturday is the official start of what is expected to be a very busy hurricane season. National Hurricane Center Director Michael Brennan says…
Cut 6 (09) “…hurricane season. ”

Synthetic rubber manufacturer Denka Performance Elastomer says it will be forced to shut down its Reserve plant if EPA restrictions aren’t relaxed after the agency shortened Denka’s deadline to reduce emissions from 2 years to 90 days. Louisiana Chemical Association President Greg Bowser says that’s an impossible task.
Cut 3 (08) “…90 days (x2).”
The EPA says the 90-day rule is needed because Denka poses a quote-unquote “imminent and substantial danger” to nearby communities.

The 17th Annual Louisiana Seafood Cook-Off is tonight, and for the first time ever, it’s in Monroe instead of south Louisiana. Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser says the change in location is long overdue.
Cut 7 (09) “…Louisiana (x3).”
The cook-off gives 12 of the best chefs in the state one hour to prepare their best dish using Louisiana seafood for the chance to be crowned the King or Queen of Louisiana Seafood.

Former President Donald Trump was convicted on all 34 counts in his hush money case that involved Baton Rouge native and porn star Stormy Daniels who said the two had sex. A majority of Louisiana voters will likely vote for Trump in the November 5th election and LSU Political Science Professor Robert Hogan says yesterday’s historic verdict should not change that…
cut 15 (11) “…teflon like”

The hurricane season begins tomorrow and the long-range forecasts are calling for an extremely active season. Usually the peak of the season arrives around the middle of August and lasts into mid-September. LSU climatologist Barry Keim wouldn’t be surprised if the tropics ramp up earlier than normal this year as a result of the conditions…
Cut 4 (06) “…between there.”
NOAA forecasts 17 to 25 named storms this season. Of those, 8 to 13 are predicted to become hurricanes, and 4 to 7 to become major hurricanes.

The 17th Annual Louisiana Seafood Cook-Off is tonight in Monroe. Mel Bridges has more…
Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Mel Bridges.”

State Police is investigating an officer involved shooting that happened early this morning involving the Iowa Police Department. Very little information has been released, but no injuries reported.

Northwestern State President Doctor Marcus Jones is leaving for a high ranking position with the University of Louisiana system.

An E-S-A bill is headed to the governor’s desk. The legislation would expand the state’s current voucher program so families of higher income levels can receive public dollars to help pay for private school tuition. Council for a Better Lousiana President Barry Erwin says the program will be phased in slowly…
cut 11 (11) “…long runway”
Erwin says it remains to be seen how many families will be eligible and how much they will receive.

How many named storms will we see in the hurricane season that officially starts tomorrow? LSU Climatologist Barry Keim says an extremely active season is expected..
cut 5 (13) “….waves”
There were 20 named storms last year and experts say there’s a good chance we’ll see more storms this year.

The New Orleans Saints announce Beloved Quarterback Drew Brees will be inducted into the team’s Hall of Fame this year. Colleen Crain has more…
Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

Today is the start of the NCAA Baseball Regionals. The defending champion LSU Tigers will face Wofford at 11 AM in the Chapel Hill Regional. At noon today, Grambling makes its first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2010 when the Tigers take on Texas A-and-M. Also, U-L Lafayette faces Texas, Nicholls battles U-C Irvine and Tulane is at Oregon State.

The Gator Scholarship Bill which will expand the state’s voucher program so more families can receive public dollars to pay for private school tuition is headed to the governor’s desk. .
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Doctor Marcus Jones is stepping down as the president of Northwestern State. Jones says he’s leaving the school after 25 years to serve as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer for the University of Louisiana System. Jones says he’ll also serve as a senior advisor to President Rick Gallot.

A New York jury found former President Donald Trump guilty on all 34 charges of falsifying business records to pay adult film actress and Baton Rouge native Stormy Daniels to keep their relationship quiet so it wouldn’t influence the 2016 election. LSU political science professor Robert Hogan on how the historic verdict will impact the upcoming Presidential election…
Cut 13 (13) “…energize them.”
Legal expects say it’s likely Trump will avoid jail time. His sentencing is July 11th.

The Louisiana Seafood Cookoff is tonight in Monroe on the ULM campus. Twelve chefs from around the state will compete for the title of King or Queen of Louisiana Seafood. Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says the cooking begins at 6:30 at the Bayou Pointe Event Center…
cut 9 (02) “…excited”
The winner will represent Louisiana in the Great American Seafood Cook-Off in New Orleans in August.

A bill that creates the Gator Scholarship Program is headed to the governor’s desk. It will expand the state’s current voucher program, which allows parents to use public dollars to pay for private school tuition. The governor wants the Education Savings Account available for families of all income levels. But Council a Better Louisiana President Barry Erwin says under the bill headed to the governor’s desk, BESE will determine eligibility and how much money a family will receive and is the program resulting in students getting a better education…
cut 12 (08) “…the kids”

The hurricane season begins tomorrow and experts say the conditions are right for a season where we see 20 plus named storms. LSU Climatologist Barry Keim says the sea surface temperatures are warm enough to start producing storms now…
cut 6 (09) “….even worse”

LSU Political Science Professor Robert Hogan says yesterday’s historic verdict that found former President Donald Trump guilty of all 34 counts in his hush money case will not change the views of hardcore Republican and Democratic voters…
cut 14 (09) “….by that”
Sentencing for Trump is scheduled for July 11th, days before the Republican National Convention.

Tonight is the Louisiana Seafood Cookoff in Monroe as 12 chefs from around the state will battle for a chance to be crowned the King or Queen of Louisiana Seafood. Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says the winner sees a bump in business at their restaurant…
cut 8 (07) “…special dishes”
The event will take place at the Bayou Pointe Event Center on the ULM Campus. The cooking starts at 6:30.

The Gator Scholarship Program, an expanded use of the school voucher program received final passage in the Senate Thursday. Council for a Better Louisiana President Barry Erwin says while passage is a win for the governor, a watered-down version of the original bill is what he’ll have the opportunity to sign.
Cut 10 (11) “…a bit.”
The legislation calls for a study to take place over the next several months and BESE will use the results of that study to develop rules and regulations for the voucher program.

Former President Donald Trump was convicted on all 34 counts in his hush money case that involved Baton Rouge native and porn star Stormy Daniels who said the two had sex. A majority of Louisiana voters will likely vote for Trump in the NOvember 5th election and LSU Political Science Professor Robert Hogan says yesterday’s historic verdict should not change that…
cut 15 (11) “…teflon like”

The 17th Annual Louisiana Seafood Cook-Off is tonight in Monroe. Mel Bridges has more…
Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Mel Bridges.”

The Gator Scholarship Program, an expanded use of the school voucher program received final passage in the Senate Thursday. Council for a Better Louisiana President Barry Erwin says while passage is a win for the governor, a watered-down version of the original bill is what he’ll have the opportunity to sign.

Cut 10 (12) “…a bit.”

Erwin says the Education Savings Account bill still offers opportunities for families to use tax dollars to pay for private school, but the program will be phased in slower than originally intended.

Cut 11 (11) “…long runway.”

In the final version of the legislation, Erwin says the amount of money each family could potentially receive remains to be determined. BESE will oversee the program.

A bill headed to the Governor’s desk will eliminate the requirement to give 16- and 17-year-old employees at least a 20-minute break when they work at least five hours. Denham Springs Representative Roger Wilder says this legislation is less red tape for employers hiring minors which makes the hiring process more productive.

PM Cut 4 (13) “…with paperwork.” 

With the session scheduled to wrap up on Monday, there are several bills still trying to make it across the finish line. And one is to eliminate the 30-year statute of limitations where one can be prosecuted for child molestation. Representative Tim Kerner hopes the bill, which passed unanimously in the House, will reach the governor’s desk.

Cut 24  (09) “…out there (x2).”

The Senate is expected to take up the state budget Friday and the session must end by 6pm Monday June 3^rd.