Governor John Bel Edwards says cuts to higher ed and health care are not solutions to the budget crisis. Eric Gill spoke with House Appropriations Chairman Cameron Henry to see what he thinks..:
CUT 1 (27) “I’m Eric Gill”

New Orleans lawyer Caroline Fayard announces her bid for this year’s US Senate race — becoming the first Democrat to do so. Fayard ran and did not beat Jay Dardenne in the lieutant governor’s election in 2010. Also running for the spot in the November 8th race are Republicans State Treasurer John Kennedy and US Representatives Charles Boustany and John Flemming and retired Air Force Col Rob Maness.

A 6-year-old child died in an overnight fire in Rapides Parish, according to the State Fire Marshal’s Office. They say the Jocelyn Ruiz perished in the Pineville blaze and a 12-year-old suffered significant burns. The mother and another child were not seriously injured. Investigators say there did not appear to be any functional smoke alarms in the home.

Authorities are taking a look at an Iberia Parish railroad where five people died after getting stuck on the tracks in their vehicle. The Department of Transportation and Development says they are working to determine if additional traffic measures are needed. Spokesman Rodney Mallett says it’s a tragedy when an accident with a train occurs. He reminds drivers to always look out and listen when coming close to a train track…:
cut 13 (10) “be aware”
He says their study involves observing traffic volumes, the speed of vehicles crossing the tracks and additional reports.