There’s some rare good budget news from the state. Governor John Bel Edwards announced Louisiana has about a $143 million dollar surplus from last fiscal year, but that doesn’t mean the money woes are over. Edwards says they are limited with what they can do with the extra dollars:
CUT 7 (10) “debt”
But the state can not use the surplus to help close an anticipated one-billion dollar budget gap next fiscal year.

This is Louisiana Craft Brewers Week, designated to commemorate beers brewed right here in the state, and the people who make it possible. Cary Koch, Executive Director of the Louisiana Craft Brewers Guild, says in 2013, there were just 7 breweries that took part, and three brewpubs…:
Cut 9 (10) “this industry”
You can log on to la-beer.org to find a brewery near you.

A report by the Fordham Institute finds public school teachers are absent much more than charter school educators. Emelie Gunn gets reaction from a teacher’s union…:
Cut 25 (31) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

There is a tragic story out of Denham Springs. Police say a 5-year-old child was run over and killed as he was running around the front of an ice cream truck after making a purchase. The driver did not see the child and no charges are filed.