Governor John Bel Edwards disagrees with those who say he’s breaking a campaign promise by proposing to raise taxes to address Louisiana’s massive budget deficit. Edwards says during his campaign the state’s financial situation wasn’t as bad as it is now. He says next fiscal year’s 1.9 billion dollar shortfall does not have an additional dollar accounted for inflation or anything else…

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He says these proposals are not what he wanted, but they are necessary.

The Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals’ Own Your Own Health Challenge is underway through April 25th. Director of the Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports Rudy Macklin says one part of the challenge helps participants learn what questions to ask when visiting the doctor…

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The other part is an online physical activity and nutrition challenge.

Today begins American Heart Month and health experts are promoting initiatives in an effort to prevent one million heart attacks and strokes in the US. Tulane University School of Medicine Professor, Dr. Keith Ferdinand, advises patients to know their ABC’s when talking to healthcare providers…

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Ferdinand says heart disease is the number one killer of Louisiana residents and many of the deaths could be prevented through healthy living habits.

The presidential election season kicks off today with the Iowa Caucuses. On the Democratic side, ULM Political Science Professor Joshua Stockley says Hillary Clinton is in an unexpected dogfight with Bernie Sanders…

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Stockley does predict Clinton will pull out a close victory in Iowa. He says the Republican caucus will be a tight race between Donald Trump and Ted Cruz.