During a legislative budget hearing, higher education leaders said the state’s colleges can’t take a $17 million dollar reduction in state funding as the governor is proposing. Louisiana Community and Technical College President Monty Sullivan says doing more with less is not possible at this point…:
CUT 10 (07) “to happen”
It’s too early in the session to tell if legislators can spend more on Louisiana colleges.

An anti-bullying measure is being proposed by a north Louisiana lawmaker. Shreveport senator and attorney John Milkovich says his bill requires that instances of bullying be reported to law enforcement within 24 hours….:
Cut 13 (10) “it’s real”
The bill will first be heard by the Senate education committee.

The food delivery app Waitr has expanded their ordering options to web browsers and restaurants are thrilled. Emelie Gunn has more:
Cut 1 (29) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

Gas prices keep rising the closer we get to the summer months. The average cost at the pump for a gallon of regular statewide is up a penny from the prior day to $2.21 — up a nickle from last week.

The group Truth in Politics seeks to tell Louisiana residents the truth about Governor John Bel Edwards’s tax plan. Executive Director Kelli Bottger says they are launching a digital ad campaign to keep lawmakers from raising taxes on businesses.

Cut 6 (11) “really want”

The Governor’s Office referred to TIP has a deep-pocketed special interest group.

The Louisiana Budget Project has also studied Governor Edwards’ tax plan and determined 95 percent of Louisiana taxpayers would receive a tax cut. Executive Director Jan Moller says only the top five-percent of wage earners would pay higher taxes.

Cut 12 (12) “next year” 2x

The Louisiana Budget Project is a left leaning non-profit.

College Choice ranks Louisiana Tech University’s elementary education program fourth in the nation and first in the state. Michelle Southern has more…

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Michelle Southern”

Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser has written a letter to President Trump asking him to protect Louisiana’s confederate monuments. The letter comes after the New Orleans City Council voted to remove the monuments in place around the city. Nungesser says the memorials have been in place for a hundred years, and if you try to erase history, it has a habit of repeating itself.

Waitr, the food delivery app, has expanded their ordering options to web browsers and restaurants are already benefiting. Emelie Gunn has more…

Cut 1 (29) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

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Higher Education leaders plead with legislators not to cut state funding to Louisiana colleges. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (31) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

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A Shreveport lawmaker is trying to tackle bullying in Louisiana with a bill to be heard in the Senate education committee. Halen Doughty has more…

Cut 3 (30) “I’m Halen Doughty”

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The on-demand food delivery app, Waitr, recently added a web ordering option and restaurants are already benefiting. Chief Marketing Officer for Waitr, Sonny Mayugba (My-ou-ba), says they received feedback from consumers and restaurants urging the company to develop Waitr-app-dot-com (waitrapp.com). He expects more restaurants will bring their businesses to the company.

Cut 4  (10) “business”

Waitr is currently available in the majority of the Bayou State, except for Alexandria, which is expected to be on board soon. Mayugba says the majority of people still browse the internet on the computer, not purely on mobile apps. He says their mission is to help restaurants feature their great food to a bigger market.

Cut 5  (10)  “ordering online”

Waitr was founded in Lake Charles in 2015 and over 2-thousand restaurants partner with the company. Mayugba says Waitr is a great platform for a customer but…

Cut 6 (09) “the consumers”

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ULM researchers are working to develop treatments for cancer and Alzheimer’s from a compound found in extra virgin olive oil. Dr. Amal Kaddoumi’s research focuses on Alzheimer’s, and Dr. Khalid El Sayed is researching cancer. El Sayed (El-sigh-ed) says in some early trials this compound actually worked better than chemo. Kaddoumi says she is also seeing good results from the initial tests.

Cut 7 (08)  “one mechanism”

Kaddoumi (Kuh-doo-me) says the compound oleocanthal (oh-lee-oh-can-thal) is effective at removing a particular protein that inhabits brain function. The research is funded through a $200-thousand grant from the state Board of Regents. She says with initial tests completed, the next step is testing on human patients.

Cut 8 (05) “clinical trial”

Kaddoumi says they believe this compound could one day be used to treat and even prevent Alzheimer’s and different types of cancer. El Sayed says with this grant, they hope to launch a ULM food or drink product that could help prevent these diseases.

Cut 9 (11)  “prevention”

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Higher education leaders made their case during a legislative budget hearing to not cut state funding to public colleges. Governor John Bel Edwards proposed budget  calls for a 17-million dollar reduction in funding for campuses. Louisiana Community and Technical College President Monty Sullivan says their institutions can’t keep doing more with less….

Cut 10 (07) “to happen”

Since 2008, Louisiana has reduced state funding to its public colleges by 700-million dollars. President F King Alexander says the LSU School system is looking at its 17th cut in nine-and-a-half years…

Cut 11 (10) “student spending”

Alexander says despite their money troubles, LSU ranks 24th among flagship institutions for its graduation rate. TOPS is also not fully funded in the governor’s proposed budget. Alexander says students are accepting scholarships to out of state schools as a result…

Cut 12 (12) “of TOPS”

The hearing on finances for higher ed went on for hours, but it’s too early in the session to tell if legislators can spend more on Louisiana colleges.

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A north Louisiana lawmaker seeks to end bullying in Louisiana schools with a comprehensive bill waiting to be heard in this legislative session. Shreveport senator and attorney John Milkovich says his bill requires that instances of bullying be reported to law enforcement within 24 hours.

Cut 13 (10) “it’s real”

The bill also gives teachers the power take all steps necessary to prevent bullying and keep students safe, including using physical force. Milkovich says this would prevent teachers from being suspended for breaking up fights.

Cut 14 (12) “right thing”

Milkovich says students need a safe place to learn. He says that’s why his bill allows teachers to do whatever it takes to keep children safe on school campuses, even if that means taking a bully out of class.

Cut 15 (09) “police involved”

The bill will first be heard by the Senate education committee. A hearing date has not been scheduled.

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LSU returns to SEC play tonight as the Tigers host Ole Miss for the start of a three-game series. Who will start at first base? Regular starter Jake Slaughter has been struggling with the bat, so Coach Paul Mainieri might turn to Nick Coomes, who got the start there on Tuesday night and had two hits…

Cut 16 (17) “first base”

LSU has struggled to score runs lately, but Coomes has been able to supply some offense. In limited action this year, he’s hitting .364. The Baton Rouge native says he’s being an aggressive at the plate…

Cut 17 (12)  “staying aggressive”

Coomes says if he starts at first base tonight, he’ll be ready….

Cut 18 (09)    to me“

Higher education leaders made their case during a legislative budget hearing to not cut state funding to public colleges. Governor John Bel Edwards proposed budget calls for a 17-million dollar reduction in funding for campuses. Louisiana Community and Technical College President Monty Sullivan says their institutions can’t keep doing more with less….
cut 10 (07) “…to happen”

Since 2008, Louisiana has reduced state funding to its public colleges by 700-million dollars. President F King Alexander says the LSU School system is looking at its 17th cut in nine-and-a-half years…
cut 11 (10) “….student spent”
But Alexander says despite their money troubles, LSU ranks 24th among flagship insitutions for its graduation rate.
The Louisiana Budget Project studied Governor John Bel Edwards’ tax plan and determines 95-percent of Louisianans would receive a tax cut. But many legislators are skeptical and they are concerned about placing an additional tax on companies. Jan Moller with the Louisiana Budget Project says a lot of steps must occur before the tax reform package is approved….
cut 14 (11) “…can happen”
Truth in Politics is a new political group created to tell Louisiana residents the truth about Governor John Bel Edwards’s tax plan. TIP Executive Director Kelli Bottger say stheir biggest concern with Edwards’ proposal is higher taxes on businesses and they will used targeted ads to alert voters..
cut 7 (10) “…we receive”

A new political group is launching an ad campaign and they say they’ll get the truth out about Gov. Edwards’ tax plan. Jeff Palermo has more…

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

A Baton Rouge contractor has been indicted on 51 counts of fraud, theft and other charges in Livingston Parish today, shortly after pleading not guilty to 84 counts of contractor fraud in Ascension Parish. The judge ordered 39-year-old Matthew Morris to be held without bail. The charges come after Morris allegedly defrauded nearly 30 flood victims after the August flood.

Southeastern Louisiana University has received the largest single donation in its history. Mike Rivault with SLU says Seth Ryan, a 1953 grad, donated $10 million to go towards scholarships for women majoring in STEM programs. He says in his honor, the university is going to rename the Biology Building on campus after Ryan’s wife.

Cut 11 (10) “receive scholarships”

He says Ryan wanted to provide opportunities for women because his wife was not able to attend college.

College Choice ranks Louisiana Tech’s elementary education program as the fourth best in the country. College of Education Dean Dr. Don Schillinger says if they can produce better teachers, it will have a lasting impact on elementary education in Louisiana.

Cut 4 (09) “of that”

He’s hopeful this ranking will attract more student to LA Tech.

The Louisiana Budget Project, says based on their research, 95-percent of Louisiana tax filers will pay less in taxes if Governor John Bel Edwards tax plan is adopted. L-B-P executive director Jan Moeller says the largest tax cut would go to those individuals earning between 36-and-56-thousand dollars a year…
cut 13 (10) “…gross receipts tax”
The governor’s tax plan also calls for the lowering of the sales tax rate, but taxing certain services that are not currently taxed. There’s also the proposed gross receipts tax, which would impact many businesses.

The man who New Orleans police say was behind the wheel when he plowed into a crowd of Mardi Gras parade goers pleaded not guilty in court today. 25-year-old Nielson Rizzuto is facing multiple counts for the February 25th incident.

Louisiana Tech’s elementary education program ranks fourth in the nation and first in the state, according to College Choice. College of Education Dean, Dr. Don Schillinger says Tech students are placed in schools in August and stay with a teaching mentor until graduation day…
cut 3 (10) “…student achievement”

 
Southeastern Louisiana University receives a $10 million bequest, the largest single donation in its history. School spokesperson Mike Rivault says Seth Ryan, a 1953 graduate, became an anonymous donor 15 years ago. He says Ryan donated much of his estate to the university when he passed away several weeks ago.
Cut 9 (10) “would be for”
Rivault says the donation will help pay for scholarships for females to attend school.

The Louisiana Budget Project has studied Governor John Bel Edwards’ tax plan and has determined 95-percent of Louisianans would receive a tax cut. LBP Executive Director Jan Moller says the top five-percent of wage earners would pay higher taxes…
cut 12 (12) “…next year” (2x)
.

A new political group called Truth in Politics is launching a digital ad campign to argue against the governor’s plan. TIP executive director Kelli Bottger says they are not offering an alternative tax plan, their goal is simply to tell the truth about the governor’s proposal to raise taxes on the rich and businesses…
cut 8 (09) “…higher taxes”
College Choice ranks Louisiana Tech University’s elementary education program fourth in the nation and first in the state. Michelle Southern has more…
Voicer 1 (30) “I’m Michelle Southern”

Three finalists have been named to become the next president at McNeese State. Two of them currently work for the school, Jeanne Daboval and Daryl Burckel.

And Southeastern Louisiana has received a 10-million dollar donation from a 1953 graduate that will pay for scholarships for women who want to enter the fields of science, technology, engineering and math.

A new political group is launching an ad campaign to get the word out about what they say is the truth out about Gov. Edwards’ tax plan. Jeff Palermo has more.:
Cut 2 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Southeastern Louisiana University receives a $10 million bequest, the largest single donation in its history. S-L-U spokesperson Mike Rivault now the university should be able to award up to 600 scholarships every year…:
Cut 10 (11) “or not”
The donor is the late Seth Ryan, a Class of 1953 graduate.

After a closure in Bossier City, Louisiana is now down to three abortion clinics in the state. They are located in Shreveport, New Orleans and Baton Rouge. New Orleans Abortion Fund Executive Director Amy Irvin says one less clinic in the state is not good…:
Cut 5 (10) “for women”
The Louisiana Right to Life is pleased to hear there is one less facility in Louisiana destroying the lives of innocent unborn babies.

Louisiana’s top highway safety official says distracted driving is becoming a “dangerous epidemic” in the state and will only get better when those behind the wheel modify their behaviors. Louisiana Highway Safety Commission Executive Director Katara Williams is reminding drivers to stay attentive to what is happening on the road, as April is National Distracted Driving Awareness Month. According to LHSC, 192 people were killed in Louisiana from 2011 to 2015 because of some distraction.