Ochsner Health’s announcement that it’s laying off 770 employees sent a signal the healthcare industry is struggling. Louisiana Hospital Association President Paul Salles says hospitals nationwide are facing a tough operating environment largely driven by inflation
Cut 4 (08) “…of expenses.”
Salles says he would not be surprised to see other hospital systems also reduce their workforce.

There are four weeks left in the legislative session and it remains to be seen if public school teachers will get a raise. The Republican controlled House’s plan is to use state surplus dollars to pay off state retirement system debt and this will free up dollars for local school systems to fund the raises. Jonesboro Representative Jack McFarland…
cut 10 (08) “….two for one”
But Governor Edwards is pushing the Legislature to allocate the two-thousand dollar raise in the budget. We are still waiting for Senate Finance to provide its plan.

Today is the state income tax filing deadline. Kevin Gallagher reports on changes and new options for filers…:
Cut 1 (32) “I’m Kevin Gallagher.”