Governor John Bel Edwards says colleges and hospitals will close and critical healthcare services will be eliminated if the state legislature does not approve higher taxes to help close a $940 million budget deficit this fiscal year. Edwards made the comments during a special address that was aired on TV and radio stations…:
CUT 7 (12) “as well”
After Edwards spoke, State Treasurer John Kennedy provided the Republican Party’s response. Kennedy says raising revenue is not the answer to the state’s budget problems…:
Cut 9 (07) “run deficits”
A special session to address the budget is scheduled to start on Sunday.

The Louisiana Office of Student Financial Assistance has notified colleges and universities that due to uncertainty over potential budget cuts they are holding off on making any TOPS payments. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says it would be a huge disaster for Louisiana if it’s unable to pay a TOPS recipients full tuition for this semester…:
Cut 14 (08) “being taken away”
A spokesperson for the office of student financial assistance says the suspension of TOPS payments to public colleges is just a precautionary measure.

Now that the giant burn chamber has arrived at Camp Minden, the process of disposing of the millions of pounds of M6 propellant can begin. Louisiana National Guard spokesman Col Pete Schneider says they expect it will take about 30-35 days to make sure everything is working properly…:
Cut 5 (04) “of the M6”
He says it will take about 4 days to get the massive structure installed.