Federal officials approve the state’s plan to use 438-million dollars to help some four-thousand residents rebuild from the March and August floods. But over 100-thousand homes were damaged and Julie Baxter Payer, with the governor’s office, says the state is awaiting federal approval to spend another one-point-two-billion dollars that was approved by Congress….
cut 5 (12) “…that are allowed”

A long debate is taking place in the House over proposed cuts to the budget to address a 304-million dollar midyear shortfall. Republicans are proposing deeper cuts than the governor has recommended. But Baton Rouge Representative Patricia Smith says the cuts being proposed will impact the public…
cut 8 (07) “….somebody needs’
The debate is expected to continue for the rest of the afternoon.

The Louisiana Office of Tourism launches a new social media campaign to get Louisianans to promote tourism. Lt Governor Billy Nungesser says the hashtag #OnlyInLouisiana allows residents to be tourism ambassadors for the Bayou State because no one can tell our story better than Louisianans.
cut 10 (12) “..their hometown”
Budget cuts are making it difficult to promote the state to potential visitors, so they need the public’s help.

It’s NBA All-Star Weekend in New Orleans. Jay Cicero, CEO and president of the Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation, says it’s another great opportunity to market the city and state….
cut 13 (12) “….New Orleans”
Cicero says the economic impact of hosting the All-Star game is around 100-million dollars.