One of the goals of the Landry administration in year two is making state government run more efficiently. Jonesboro Representative Jack McFarland, the chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, says one way to accomplish that is by reining in government contracts.

Cut 6 (08) “…our government’s budget.”

McFarland says more red tape placed on business and industry will also cost more money to enforce.

Thanks to a new initiative, Louisiana State Parks and cultural sites will become more accessible to foster families. State Parks Director Brandon Burris says eligible families will receive a DCRT Foster Caregiver annual day-use pass, granting free entry to Louisiana’s 21 state parks, 14 historic sites, and nine museums for the pass-holder and their guests.

Cut 9 (07)  “…Louisiana has to offer,”

Lowe’s Home Improvement donates 34-thousand, 10-year lithium battery smoke alarms to the State Fire Marshal’s Operation Save-A-Life program. Jeff Palermo has more.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Scary moments for a New Orleans tour group as its tour bus catches fire in the city’s Treme neighborhood. Two Canadian tourists say they were about 20 minutes into the tour when smoke started coming in from above the driver. The driver let everyone out at the I-10 underpass, just before the bus became engulfed in flames. Thankfully, no one was hurt.