Governor John Bel Edwards believes partisan politics were behind the harsh line of questioning by GOP legislators at a Congressional hearing on the response to last year’s historic flooding. The chairman of the panel called the governor clueless, another lawmaker wanted to know why he didn’t call an evacuation and there were also questions pertaining to the state’s process in hiring an administrator to oversee the upcoming housing recovery programs. Edwards says it’s not surprising Republicans went in for the attack…:
Cut 15 (10) “what they do”
Edwards comments were made on the Jim Engster Show.

The hurricane forecast team at Colorado State is calling for a slightly below-average 2017 Hurricane Season. The researchers are predicting 11 named storms, four hurricanes and two to reach major hurricane strength.

Budget hearings continue at the state capitol today and the Department of Corrections is providing lawmakers information on how they spend their money. There will be an attempt in the upcoming legislative session to reduce the state’s incarceration rate. Executive director of the Louisiana District Attorney’s Association, Pete Adams, says the focus should be on making sure non-violent offenders are not behind bars for a lengthy amount of time…
cut 5 (05) “….offenses”

U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy is behind legislation that seeks to address the growing obesity rate in America. Cassidy says the Treat and Reduce Obesity Act would make weight loss treatment more accessible to those on Medicare. He says the bill allows Medicare to cover the cost of new prescription drugs for chronic weigh management…:
Cut 7 (03) “their weight”
Cassidy says the bipartisan bill also makes weight loss counseling more available to Medicare recipients.