Governor John Bel Edwards today will reveal how he proposes to close a $304 million dollar budget deficit during the special session that begins a week from today. He wants to tap into the Rainy Day Fund, which would still leave $185 million to plug the entire hole. But the governor does want to protect certain sectors…:
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Edwards says he’ll also ask legislators to minimize cuts to higher ed.

For the past 7 years, Tulane medical students have been learning the ins and outs of healthy cooking as part of their curriculum, and now schools around the country are following suit. Dr. Tim Harlan, with the Goldring Center for Culinary Medicine, discusses the classes for med students:
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Tired of political rants on Facebook? Halen Doughty reports on how to get it out of your newsfeed…:
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According to reports, the 8-year-old niece of pop-star Britney Spears was in an ATV accident in Kentwood and is in critical condition. Sources say Jamie Lynn Spears’ daughter was riding the 4-wheeler while on a hunting trip, when it flipped — and she is now on life support at a nearby hospital.

A budget deficit eliminating special session begins next week. Jeff Palermo reports we are waiting to hear how the governor proposes to cover the midyear shortfall…:
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Many people complain about seeing too many political social media posts from their friends these days, but there’s a plugin for Facebook that filters those out. Matt Kruse (Krew-zee) developed the app Social Fixer. He says a lot of users don’t like to see political rants from friends and family members…:
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He says you can download the filter at SocialFixer.com.

Tulane University’s School of Medicine has become a model for new culinary medicine courses that are being taught around the country. Executive Director of the Goldring Center for Culinary Medicine, Dr. Tim Harlan, says other medical universities are following suit with the cooking classes for future doctors…:
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He says the idea for requiring culinary courses began seven years ago.

For the 5th time in as many weeks, Tiger Stadium was broken into and five juveniles were cited for unauthorized entry into a place of business, according to LSU officials. The teens were released after the Saturday incident. No damage was reported in the latest incident.

Governor John Bel Edwards has sent a letter to President Donald Trump seeking his support for an additional $2-billion in federal flood aid. State officials expect the first round of funds will get into the hands of low income flood victims by April or May.

Governor John Bel Edwards is expected to release a detailed plan today on how he would like lawmakers to address a 304-million dollar midyear budget deficit. Edwards says the plan will include cuts and money that’s available in the state’s savings account..:
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That would mean legislators will need to make 185-million dollars in cuts to eliminate the rest of the deficit.

Arraignment for the man accused of killing former-NFL player Joe McKnight is today. Legal analyst Chick Foret says 55-year-old Ronald Gasser will enter a plea of not guilty to a charge of second-degree murder. He says this is the first step in the criminal prosecution, and from here a hearing date and a trial date will be set…:
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Gasser’s attorneys sent a letter to the AP saying Gasser acted in self-defense.

Are you sick of seeing political posts on Facebook? There’s an app for that. Matt Kruse (Krew-zee) developed the app Social Fixer. He says right now it’s only available for desktop browsers, but he’s working to develop a mobile version. He says the plug in is easy to use once you download it at SocialFixer.com…:
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He says more and more Facebook users are downloading Social Fixer, as political discussions are becoming more heated on social media.

State Police confirm two people died in a crash on I-10 Sunday evening in Ascension Parish, and it’s believed alcohol is a factor in the crash. They say the wreck claimed the lives of 39-year-old Jeremy Jenkins of Baton Rouge, and 23-year-old Jared Cunningham of St. James. LSP says Cunningham, who is suspected of being impaired, lost control of his vehicle and ran off the road, flipping several times.

Governor John Bel Edwards has sent a letter to President Donald Trump seeking his support for an additional $2-billion in federal flood aid. Congress has already approved $1.6 billion in federal assistance, but Edwards says another $2-billion is needed for a full, robust recovery. State officials expect the first round of funds will get into the hands of low income flood victims by April or May.

A&E’s “Live PD” will feature the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office in two to three weeks. Spokesperson Capt. Daniel Seuzeneau says given the tensions rising between law enforcement and the public, they hope this show will give people a better idea of what deputies deal with every day.

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Seuzeneau says “Live PD” is similar to the reality show Cops, but this is live with an 8 minute delay.

NRG Stadium in Houston is hosting its second ever Super Bowl this weekend, so when will it be New Orleans’ turn to get the big game again? Jay Cicero with the Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation says the Super Bowl is already awarded through 2021. He says, if New Orleans is selected to bid to host an 11th time, they would next be eligible in 2023.

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Cicero says they will find out if New Orleans is invited to bid on 2023 this upcoming May.

A court settlement has been reached between Saints and Pelicans owner Tom Benson and his estranged heirs over removing the shares of the pro teams from trusts that were set up for Benson’s daughter and her two children. Details of the settlement have not been made public. Benson released a statement that says he’s pleased that this ordeal his behind them.

The man accused of killing former-NFL player Joe McKnight will have his arraignment on Monday. 55-year-old Ronald Gasser of Terrytown is expected to enter a plea of not guilty to second degree murder, as his attorneys assert Gasser fatally shot McKnight in self-defense because he feared for his life. A speedy trial is expected because Gasser has been behind bars since his December 5^th arrest.

The St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office will be featured on “Live PD” in the next few weeks. Spokesperson Capt. Daniel Seuzeneau says the show is similar to Cops, but it’s live with a few minutes delay. He says people are used to seeing lots of bad guys on the reality show, but he expects viewers will see plenty of the good guys too.

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He says the first show will air two to three weeks from now.

Governor John Bel Edwards has issued the call for the third special session of his term, as lawmakers are once again facing a midyear budget deficit. The session begins on Monday, February 13 and must end by midnight on February 22. The governor plans to use both rainy day dollars and budget cuts to resolve a $304-million deficit for this fiscal year.

Today is World Cancer Day, and Director of the Louisiana Cancer and Prevention Programs with LSU Health New Orleans, Donna Williams, says we’re already winning the fight against cancer. She says before the 1930s, cervical cancer was the number on killer of women in the US. But she says strides in the medical field have greatly reduced the risk for cervical cancer.

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She says lung cancer rates have also decreased as fewer people are smoking cigarettes.

Governor John Bel Edwards has sent a letter to President Donald Trump seeking his support for an additional two-billion dollars in federal flood aid. Congress has already approved one-point-six billion dollars in grant money, but Edwards says another two-billion is needed to rebuild homes, assist those who lived in apartments that are now flooded and provide protection from future flooding.

NRG Stadium in Houston is hosting its second ever Super Bowl this weekend, so when next will it be New Orleans turn to get the big game? Michelle Southern reports.

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The St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office will be featured on A&E’s “Live PD” in the coming weeks. Spokesperson Capt. Daniel Seuzeneau says it’s kind of like Cops, except live with an 8 minutes delay. He says the camera crews are professionals, and so are the officers.

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Seuzeneau says the first show will air two to three weeks from now.

Saturday is World Cancer Day. Director of the Louisiana Cancer and Prevention Programs with LSU Health New Orleans, Donna Williams, says the goal of World Cancer Day is to raise awareness about cancer prevention methods. She says they want to share a very important message.

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Williams says more than half of cancers can be detected early and cured.

Governor John Bel Edwards has issued the call for the third special session of his term, as lawmakers are once again facing a midyear budget deficit. Legislators will not be able to raise taxes, but they can propose to increase fees. The session begins on Monday, February 13 and must end by midnight on February 22.

Saturday is World Cancer Day, and people are raising awareness about how to reduce the risk for cancer. Jeff Palermo has more…

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A national shortage of paramedics is also affecting the Bayou State. Justin Cox with Acadian Ambulance says starting paramedics make about $42-thousand a year, and they’re offering signing bonuses for new hires to lure people to the industry.

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Cox says they’re also recruiting in high schools and offering to pay back tuition for people who come to work.

New Orleans has hosted 10 Super Bowls, but when will they get a chance to host another one. Jay Cicero, president of the greater New Orleans Sports Foundation, says the last two times they’ve bid to host the huge sporting event, they lost to cities who have a new or renovated stadiums.

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Cicero says they hope to learn in May that New Orleans will have a chance to bid for the Super Bowl in 2023.