Governor John Bel Edwards said in his address to the state last night that crucial services are facing major cuts if lawmakers don’t agree to raise taxes. The Administration released a new estimate of the state’s budget deficit to about $950 million dollars. Edwards says he is proposing significant cuts to the budget, but it will also take from the legislature to raise revenue in order to stabilize the budget…:
Cut 8 (09) “state strong”
Republican State Treasurer John Kennedy called for more cuts and accused Edwards of using scare tactics.

The state office of financial assistance said Thursday that it was suspending TOPS payments effective immediately. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says he can’t see how the state doesn’t fulfill it’s promise that they would pay a student’s full tuition if they reached certain academic achievements…:
Cut 16 (08) “more explanation“

The state’s flu bug expert says Louisiana is in the middle of one of its slowest flu seasons ever. Emelie Gunn has the story…:
Cut 3 (31) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

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 it will take about 4 days to get the massive structure installed…:
cut 4 (10) “operating”