Even with a looming $1.1 billion fiscal cliff looming next year, Republicans have pushed back against the idea of increasing taxes, and many opponents say government has grown too much. But Governor John Bel Edwards says that’s not the case at all. He says the state general fund portion of the budget has actually decreased over the years.

Cut 8 (11) “the government”

LSU Ag Center researchers have received a grant to study a type of small fly that transmits diseases to deer and cattle. Researcher Lane Foil says the conditions spread by these types of flies can lead to internal hemorrhaging that often kill deer.

Cut 12 (06) “after exposure”

The U.S. Department of Agriculture is providing $490,000 for the study.

As Michigan’s Department of Natural Resources worries about crawfish found in the state, Lafayette Travels heads up north today to teach the Wolverine State a thing or two about our beloved mudbugs. President and CEO Ben Berthelot says they will hold a one day festival called CrayDay this Saturday.

Cut 3 (11) “etouffee”

Berthelot says their plans to do a live boil were cut short as it is illegal to possess live crawfish in Michigan.

A 2-year-old child has died after being run over by a vehicle in Tangipahoa Parish. State Trooper Dustin Dwight says a choir group had just gotten out of church and were standing in the parking lot.

Cut 9 (11) “the roadway”

Kaleb Dyson of Kentwood was killed in the accident.