The Jindal administration is considering a 200 to 300 million dollar cut to higher education, but it faces opposition from legislative and university leaders. Scott Carwile has the story…

cut 2 (31) “reporting”

State Police say a Rosepine man is dead after a single vehicle accident in Calcasieu Parish. They say a pickup driven by 31-year-old Wayne Wiser ran off of LA 12 and then struck a concrete culvert and several trees. Wiser was pronounced dead at the scene. Four passengers in Wiser’s truck received minor to moderate injuries.

Today, the Transportation Funding Task Force will finalize their recommendations on improving the way the state funds highway improvements. Senate Transportation Committee Chairman, Robert Adley of Benton, says there has been discussion of raising the gas tax to better fund road improvements, but he doesn’t see that happening…

cut 6 (11) “at this point”

With this being Governor Jindal’s final year in office, it is not expected that we’ll see major changes to how the state funds roadway projects.

A major motion picture is set to be filmed exclusively in Louisiana about the Battle of New Orleans. The project will be based off a book by Ron Drez and Lt. Governor Jay Dardenne says the premise of that book is that the British were very committed to the Battle of New Orleans…

cut 15 (13) “200th anniversary”

Dardenne says this film will remind the country that America’s success as a nation was solidified 200 years ago in Chalmette.

House Speaker Chuck Kleckley says he’ll fight a Jindal Administration plan that would reduce funding for higher education by 200 to 300 million dollars. The administration is looking at ways to reduce funding as the result of an anticipated one-point-four billion dollar shortfall. Kleckley says he’ll look at other options, but cutting higher ed when the state needs to bolster its workforce is not the answer…

cut 8 (06) “would not support”

University of Louisiana System President Sandra Woodley is confident that the legislature will not let those cuts happen.

Today, the Transportation Funding Task Force meets at the Capitol where they’ll work out recommendations on improving the way the state funds highway improvements. Senate Transportation Committee Chairman, Robert Adley of Benton, is hopeful the task force will get behind his plan to ensure the state spends $70 million for roadway preservation…

cut 5 (12) “on right now”

Recommendations are due to the Legislature by January 15.

Lt. Governor Jay Dardenne announces a major motion picture is set to be filmed exclusively in Louisiana about the Battle of New Orleans. He says that battle shaped the future of America and saved New Orleans and Louisiana as a port to be controlled by the US instead of the British…

cut 14 (07) “look different”

The movie will be called, “Andrew Jackson – The Battle For New Orleans.”

Lynne Marino, the highly outspoken mother of serial killer victim Pam Kinamore, discloses that she has pancreatic cancer and hopes to see Derrick Todd Lee executed before she dies. Marino, who is 78, said when she was diagnosed with one of the worst forms of cancer, she had one thought…

cut 11 (11) “and to my family”

Lee was linked by DNA to the deaths of seven women in the Baton Rouge and Lafayette areas.

House Speaker Chuck Kleckley says he’ll fight any plan that would significantly reduce funding for higher education. A spokeswoman for the Jindal Administration says a 200 to 300 million dollar cut in funding to higher ed is being considered for the fiscal year budget that starts July 1st. But Kleckley says he’s not having any of it….

cut 7 (07) “generations”

The Jindal administration is looking at ways to reduce funding as the result of an anticipated one-point-four billion dollar shortfall.

The Transportation Funding Task Force meets today at the Capitol where they’ll finalize recommendations on improving the way the state funds highway improvements. Senate Transportation Committee Chairman, Robert Adley of Benton, says one item is at the top of everyone’s list…

cut 4 (10) “to be discussed”

There is currently a $12 billion backlog of road and bridge needs in the state.

Lt. Governor Jay Dardenne announces plans for a major motion picture set to be filmed exclusively in Louisiana about the Battle of New Orleans. The movie will be called, “Andrew Jackson – The Battle For New Orleans.” Dardenne says the project will be based off the book by Ron Drez “The War of 1812: Conflict and Deception” and will begin filming here soon…

cut 13 (12) “here in Louisiana”

Dardenne says the unpredictable victory at the battle is made for film as folks love rooting for the underdog.

Sad story out of Madison Parish. A grandmother in Tallulah died Friday afternoon trying to keep one of her grandsons from shooting another according to authorities. Cops say the woman apparently died of a heart attack when trying to defuse the dispute between cousins. One teen shot the other they say and he’s in custody while the other is in the hospital.

There’s a growing concern in northwest Louisiana over a plan to burn 15-million pounds of M6 propellant in steel trays at Camp Minden. Minden Mayor Tommy Davis says he and other local officials are worried about possible health effects…:
CUT 3 (10) “environmental impact”
The US E-P-A supports opening burning as the disposal method.

5th District newly elected Congressman Ralph Abraham joined the many Republicans in the US-House on Friday by voting to approve the TransCanada Corp. Keystone XL pipeline project. The President has promised to veto such a bill if it hits his desk. 6th District Congressman Garret Graves says having the actual Keystone Pipeline legislation in front of President Obahama may cause The White house to reconsider vetoing it, considering the amount of support…:
CUT 16 (09) “with Congress”
The Senate has enough votes to pass an identical bill and will take a test vote on Monday.

Money news from the Louisiana Lottery: Tonight’s Powerball jackpot is a big one at $162 million dollars. That’s a cash value of $105.5 Million. Nobody hit Mega Millions in last night’s drawing so that prize now goes to $246 million for the next drawing on Tuesday.

The latest fund raising totals from Republican Public Service Commissioner Scott Angelle shows he is a serious candidate for governor. Eric Gill has more…:
CUT 2 (31) “reporting”

BP can’t get out of having to dish out federal penalties for the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico in 2010 based on a ruling by an appeals court Friday. The oil giant was trying to blame another company’s failed equipment. A trial is set for later this month to determine Clean Water Act penalties.

The Bossier City Police Department says a 25-year-old Shreveport woman is booked with negligent homicide in the death of her son who was killed in a crash she was involved in. Spokesman Mark Natale says Quirtisha Allen was arrested Thursday in connection with the September 2014 incident…:
CUT 9 (10) “in the crash”
Natale says as a result of a three month investigation, Allen was charged in the incident.

Here on the 10th of January we’re still seeing gas prices drop. The American Automobile Association says we’re now at $1.98 for a gallon of regular in Louisiana on average which is down 2 cents from yesterday.

Shaquille O’Neal was in Lafayette yesterday at the Courthouse to be sworn in as a deputy city marshal. The Clerk of Court said it was the coolest swearing in he’s ever done.

As expected, the newly sworn-in Republican controlled US House passed the Keystone Pipeline bill yesterday. 6th District Republican Congressman Garret Graves says he’s happy about this despite the threat of a presidential veto…:
CUT 14 (07) “have indicated”
The Senate has enough votes to pass an identical bill which will get a test vote Monday.

Cold enough for you? Well this weather makes us higher risk for getting a cold according to a new Yale University Study. Fred Lopez is an Infectious Diseases specialist at the LSU New Orleans School of Medicine. He says they are finding validity to the fact that the lower the temperature outside, the more likely a cold virus is going to thrive…:
CUT 12 (07) “colder temperatures”
He says the best way to avoid getting sick is to keep your nose warm and wash your hands regularly.

House Speaker Chuck Kleckley says he’ll fight any plan that would significantly reduce funding for higher education. A spokeswoman for the Jindal Administration says a 200 to 300 million dollar cut in funding to higher ed is being considered for the fiscal year budget that starts July 1st. Kleckley says that would devastate higher ed.

Concerns are mounting over a US Environmental Protection Agency plan to perform an open tray burn in northwest Louisiana as a way to dispose 15-million pounds of M-6 propellant. Jeff Palermo has more…:
CUT 1 (31) “reporting”

Saints Quarterback Drew Brees has been added to the 2015 Pro Bowl roster. Brees will replace Steelers Q-B Ben Roethlisberger. For Brees, this is his ninth pro bowl selection. Brees threw for 4,952 yards and 33 touchdowns this past season.

In LSU news…there was a report former Saints defensive coordinator and Illinois and Florida head coach Ron Zook is a candidate to be LSU’s next defensive coordinator. But the Baton Rouge Advocate reports that’s not going to happen.

Former Warhawks Quarterback Cody Wells is back at ULM as he’s been named the’s school’s inside wide receivers coach. Head Coach Todd Berry has also announced that Mario Price will coach the running backs and also assume the role of recruiting coordinator.

Former Auburn and Mississippi State assistant Melvin Smith has been named co-defensive coordinator and assistant head coach for the Ragin Cajuns.

Tyreke Evans picked up 21 points and 10 rebounds and the New Orleans Pelicans beat the Memphis Grizzlies 106-95 on Friday night. This is the second straight loss for the Grizzlies and the Pels have snapped their two-game losing streak. Anthony Davis had 20 points, nine rebounds and three blocks.

A highly ranked and recruited prep basketball star, Craig Victor, will transfer to LSU from Airzona. He’s six-foot-nine and he’ll be eligible to play in a game after the fall semester of 2015. Victor averaged 14 points and 11 rebounds at St Aug in New Orleans.

The LSU men’s basketball team will host Georgia tonight in its SEC home opener. The Tigers lost in overtime to Missouri on Thursday. Also on Saturday, Louisiana Tech takes a three-game winning streak to Texas San Antonio. U-L-M goes after its third straight victory when it visits Texas State.

There’s a growing concern in northwest Louisiana over a plan to burn 15-million pounds of M6 propellant in steel trays at Camp Minden. Minden Mayor Tommy Davis says they’re worried about possible health effects…:
CUT 3 (10) “environmental impact”
The explosive propellant once belonged to Explo Systems, who went bankrupt which is why it’s in bunkers at Camp Minden. It’s deteriorating so there is a worry it could explode if not disposed of soon.

A spokeswoman for the Jindal Administration says a 200 to 300 million dollar cut in funding to higher ed is being considered for the fiscal year budget that starts July 1st. The UL-System says they are confident the legislature would never allow such a cut in funding to happen.

The latest fund raising totals from Republican Public Service Commissioner Scott Angelle shows he is a serious candidate for governor. Eric Gill has more…:
CUT 2 (31) “reporting”

Shaquille O’Neal caused a fun ruckous Friday morning at the Lafayette Parish Courthouse as he was sworn in as a deputy city marshal. Clerk of Court Louis Perret called the swearing of Shaq the coolest he’s ever done. The former LSU basketball standout was on TNT Thursday night then drove all the way here from Miami.