This just in to the LRN Newsroom – the Supreme Court has ruled Louisiana’s current congressional map unconstitutional, saying that it relied too much on race. The vote was six to three, right down ideological lines.

Construction officially begins today on the new two-point-three billion dollar I-10 Calcasieu River bridge that will be built right next to the existing bridge. Calcasieu Parish Police Jury President Brian Abshire says the bridge will be an economic boost for the City of Lake Charles.

Cut 6 (07) “…downtown Lake Charles.” 

Turner Industries announces plans to create one-thousand new jobs in Louisiana by building nuclear fabrication facilities in New Iberia and Port Allen. Economic Development Secretary Susan Bourgeois says it’s exciting to see a homegrown company meet the new demand.

Cut 9 (12)  “…state but others.”

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The House Education Committee approves legislation that would give public colleges the ability to raise tuition rates by up to ten percent for all graduate, professional and specialized programs and undergraduate programs identified as high-cost. The state’s four management boards currently have that authority. But the bill’s author, Ruston Representative Christopher Turner, says that authority should really reside with each public institution.

Cut 12 (12) “…with basic needs.”

Representative Josh Carlson asks why universities need to raise tuition when enrollment is dropping, a four-year degree is no longer a necessity to get a good-paying job, and the state has more public universities than it really needs.

Cut 13 (12) “…percent every year.”

The bill heads to the House floor for more discussion.