The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act was approved by the Senate early this morning and has far reaching effects for Louisiana. U-S Senator Bill Cassidy says not only will it cut taxes, but it also creates nearly 100-million dollars in additional funding for coastal restoration projects in Louisiana…
Cut 5 (08) “coastal erosion”
The house has to re-vote on a few minor procedural issues the Senate made to the bill.

A River Ridge vet has been arrested for allegedly shooting and killing her neighbor’s dog, because of excessive barking. Jefferson Parish Sheriff Joe Lopinto says 35-year-old Kelly Folse is facing animal cruelty and also unrelated drug charges. He says this is a disturbing case…:
Cut 7 (06) “the top”
Folse has also been fired from her job at the vet hospital.

The future of two major safety-net hospitals in north Louisiana are close to being secured. Ochsner Health Systems signed a non-binding agreement to take control of the facilities from BRF. The hospitals in Shreveport and Monroe are set to enter into a public-private partnership between LSU and Ochsner, after years of criticism over BRF’s practices. Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne…:
Cut 11 (11) “north Louisiana”

According to a recent ULM economic impact study, commercial use of the Ouachita River produces billions in revenue and several thousand jobs in North Louisiana. Dr. Bob Eisenstadt of the ULM Center for Business and Economic Research says the nearly yearlong study revealed how important the river is…:
Cut 14 (11) “equivalent jobs”