The budget plan approved by the House could cut 147-thousand dollars from the department of veteran’s affairs leading to the closure of two cemeteries in Leesville and Rayville. Department undersecretary Homer Rogers says over 340-thousand veterans currently live in Louisiana. He says taking this money away is disrespectful to our soldiers.
Cut 6 (08) “the line”

The Healthcare bill approved by the U.S. House still has a long way to go in the legislative process and the next step is to get approval from the Senate. In its current posture, the measure would freeze enrollment for Medicaid expansion, and people would be taken out of the program over time. But Senator Bill Cassidy says Medicaid expansion is expensive for the states.
Cut 9 (09) “a year”

Supporters of the plan say employers will be able to offer these people affordable insurance once better plans are available.

The second weekend of the New Orleans Jazz Fest  is underway. Michelle Southern reports fest goers are soaking up the music and beautiful weather….:
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A 51-year-old woman has been found guilty of stealing over 4 million dollars from an oil field company in Sulphur, while she was employed there. Elizabeth Istre was a former bookkeeper at the business and wrote herself mover than 800 checks since she began working at the company since 2004. She was found guilty of three counts of wire fraud.

The budget plan approved by the House could lead to the closure of state-funded veteran cemeteries in Leesville and Rayville. That’s according to the Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs Undersecretary Homer Rogers who says the proposed 147-thousand dollar cut in state funding means they will not be able to bury veterans at these cemeteries going forward…:
Cut 5 (09) “already interned”
Rogers hopes the Senate will restore the funding when they take up the budget in the coming weeks.

There was a small protest outside of Baton Rouge Police headquarters last night in response to the decision of the DOJ not to press charges against the cops in the Alton Sterling fatal shooting…:
CUT 26 (05) “no peace”
A few police officers were also there to make sure people stayed safe and followed the laws. Baton Rouge Police are hoping things remain peaceful heading into the weekend.

A Sulphur man is behind bars after threatening a driver on I-10 with a handgun. -Louisiana State Police Sgt. James Anderson says 24-year-old Matthew Savoie brandished his weapon at another motorist while driving down I-10 near Welsh…:
Cut 11 (09) “inside the vehicle”
He is booked with aggravated assault with a firearm and faces up to 10 years in prison.

The Breaux Bridge Crawfish Festival gets underway today — a celebration that draws nearly 30,000 people every year. Publicity Director Angelique Bernard says, in addition to a carnival, music and dancing, the food vendors prepare mudbugs anyway you can imagine…:
Cut 25 (09) “crawfish poboy”
Find out more at bbcrawfest.com.

The House approved budget plan could lead to the closure of two veteran cemeteries in Leesville and Rayville. Emelie Gunn has more…:
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

The healthcare bill approved by the US House still has a long way to go in the legislative process as it heads to Upper Chamber. Senator Bill Cassidy:
Cut 8 (07) “process works”
He believes that even though some things may change, key elements of the Healthcare Bill have support.

A Zachary man has been arrested after making threats against law enforcement on Facebook. The post referenced the DOJ’s decision not to bring forth charges against the officers involved in the Alton Sterling case, saying “It’s time Baton Rouge u didn’t learn from the police killing.” State Trooper Bryan Lee says this is something police take very seriously…:
Cut 4 (10) “the community”
The post said in part, “we will find the cops and execute them if we can’t find them we will kill one of there family members and start ambushing police officers n Baton Rouge.” Thomas is charged with terrorizing. He is being held in the East Baton Rouge Parish Prison on a $250,000 bond.

A bill to require businesses to guarantee equal pay has passed out of the Senate Labor committee despite opposition from the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry. LABI small business director Renee Amar says they have a problem the legislation fails to allow for salary differences given market changes…
cut 9 (05) “…defend themselves”
The measure is heading to the Senate floor. The senate approved an equal pay bill last year, but the proposal died in the House.

A Zachary man has been arrested after making threats against law enforcement on Facebook. The post referenced the DOJ’s decision not to bring forth charges against the officers involved in the Alton Sterling case, saying “It’s time Baton Rouge u didn’t learn from the police killing.” State Trooper Bryan Lee says State Police was informed about the post made by 38-year-old Thallemus Thomas.
Cut 3 (11) “under arrest”
Thomas is charged with terrorizing.

The full house has sent a 28-billion dollar spending plan for the next fiscal year to the Senate. The governor and democrats are not happy with it, because it appropriates 235-million dollars less than what the state treasury is expected to receive, which could mean deep cuts for the department of health. House Appropriations Chairman Cameron Henry says it will be up to agency heads to determine where the cuts would occur.
cut 15 (11) “…to you”
The House budget plan was approved on a vote of 63-to-40. It also fully funds TOPS and it will go before the Senate, where more changes are expected to be made.

Louisiana’s Congressional delegation voted along party lines for the American Health Care Act, which passed the house on a vote of 217-213. The state’s Republican U-S Representatives voted for the measure that would replace the Affordable Care Act. Democrat Cedric Richmond says the bill make its easier for insurance companies to deny basic coverage.

The healthcare plan to replace Obamacare is heading to the US Senate after getting approval from the US House. Congressman Ralph Abraham says the American Healthcare Act would freeze enrollment for Medicaid expansion, but they aren’t throwing anyone out of the expanded program, yet. He is confident workers will be able to afford insurance through their employers once better healthcare plans are available.

Cut 11 (09) “better plans”

But Political blogger Lamar White opposes the plan. He says most people on Medicaid expansion would love to be able to afford insurance, but for many people with disabilities, purchasing private insurance just isn’t an option.

Cut 13 (07) “the reality”

A measure that guarantees equal pay in the workforce has passed out of the Senate Labor Committee. Jeff Palermo has more…

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The Crawfish Festival is underway in Breaux Bridge. Publicity Director Angelique Bernard says over 1,000 volunteer help put on the event, and there’s something for attendees of all ages.

Cut 6 (09) “the music, too”

The full House passed a budget plan on a 63 to 40 vote that the governor and Democrats do not like because it funds the Department of Health at 237 million dollars less than Governor John Bel Edwards proposed. Appropriations chairman Cameron Henry defended before the House why making these cuts is necessary even though difficult…:
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The governor says the plan endangers the health and welfare of the people of Louisiana.

A Zachary man has been arrested for allegedly making threats against law enforcement and their families, according to authorities. State Police reported 38 year old Thallemus Thomas made a post on social media that stated: “It’s time Baton Rogue u didn’t learn from the police killing..we will find the cops and execute them if we can’t find them, we will kill one of their family members.” Thomas was booked on charges of terrorizing.

A bill to require businesses in Louisiana to guarantee equal pay has passed out of the Senate Labor Committee and could receive a vote on the Senate floor next week. Louisiana Association of Business and Industry small business director Renee Amar spoke out against the legislation..:
Cut 8 (07) “contract”
New Orleans Senator JP Morrell authored an equal pay bill last year, but it failed to get past the House Labor committee.

The US House has passed its plan to repeal the Affordable Care Act, and the measure how heads to the US Senate. Congressman Ralph Abraham of Richland Parish says what this means better options for patients. But Political blogger Lamar White, who has CP and has been a long-time advocate for disability rights, says this plan is woefully underfunded, especially to cover people with pre-existing conditions….:
Cut 12 (11) “five years”

On mostly a party line vote, House lawmakers passed a GOP created budget for next year and it now heads to the Senate for consideration. Republicans want to reduce spending to avoid midyear cuts and fully fund TOPS, and under HB1 the Department of Health is funded 237 million dollars less than the governor proposed. Baton Rouge Representative Denise Marcelle says that’s her concern…:
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The Governor opposes the plan calling it a rush job by Republicans that endangers the health of people.

There was a small protest outside of Baton Rouge Police headquarters last night in response to the decision of the DOJ not to press charges against the cops in the Alton Sterling fatal shooting…:
CUT 26 (05) “no peace”
A few police officers were also there to make sure people stayed safe and followed the laws.

Republicans in the US House have passed their plan to replace the Affordable Care Act and it heads to Senate for approval…:
Cut 2 (30) “I’m Halen Doughty”

The Breaux Bridge Crawfish Festival gets underway today — a celebration that draws nearly 30,000 people every year. Publicity Director Angelique Bernard says, in addition to a carnival, music and dancing, the food vendors prepare mudbugs anyway you can imagine…:
Cut 5 (09) “crawfish poboy”
Find out more at bbcrawfest.com.

The full House passed a budget plan on a 63 to 40 vote that the governor and Democrats do not like because it funds the Department of Health at 237 million dollars less than John Bel Edwards proposed. Franklin Representative Sam Jones questioned Chairman Cameron Henry for not knowing where the cuts to LDH would be…:
Cut 14 (09) “the impact”
The budget advanced with TOPS still fully funded.

The US House has passed its plan to repeal the Affordable Care Act, and the measure how heads to the US Senate. Congressman Ralph Abraham of Richland Parish says this is a good day for patients across the nation..:
Cut 10 (09) “healthcare”
Democrats oppose the American Healthcare Act which they say is extremely underfunded especially for those with pre-existing conditions.

According to authorities, a 38-year-old Zachary man was booked for making threats against law enforcement on Facebook. State Police report the post indicated Baton Rouge should have learned from the police killings and “we will find cops and execute them and if we can’t find them we will kill one of their family members.” Thallemus Thomas was booked on charges of terrorizing. Apparently he indicated the post was made because he was upset about the Alton Sterling decision by the DOJ.

A measure that guarantees equal pay in the workforce has passed out of the Senate Labor Committee. Jeff Palermo has more…:
Cut 1 (29) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

The full House passed a budget plan on a 63 to 40 vote that would fund the Department of Health 237 million dollars less that the governor proposed. Emelie Gunn has more…:
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There was a small, mostly peaceful protest last night in Baton Rouge in response to the DOJ not handing down charges to the officers involved in the Alton Sterling shooting. Here’s how it sounded…:
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This occurred in front of the BRPD headquarters.

A bill to require businesses in Louisiana to guarantee equal pay has passed out of the Senate Labor Committee and could receive a vote on the Senate floor next week. New Orleans Senator JP Morrell says there’s safeguards in place that can prevent businesses from being sued..:
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The measures faces opposition from business groups.

If you love crawfish, then Breaux Bridge is the place to be this weekend for Crawfish Festival that begins today. Publicity Director Angelique Bernard
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Attendance fees are $5 on Friday and Sunday and $10 on Saturday.