Today the House Appropriations Committee approved $117 million dollars in cuts, which is $87 million more than suggested by the governor. The measure now heads to the House floor. Democratic Representative Walt Leger of New Orleans does not like this bill…:
CUT 11 (08) “unhappy”
But Appropriations Chairman, Representative Cameron Henry of Jefferson Parish, says this proposal has bi-partisan support. The vote was 14-9.

The two suspects accused in the robbery, kidnapping and brutal murders of an elderly Baton Rouge couple pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder charges in their first court appearance today. 42-year-old Ernesto Alonso and his cousin, 48-year-old Frank Garcia allegedly entered the home of Denis and Suzy Duplantier last year and beat them to death to get information needed to open a safe.

The National Weather Service confirms an EF2 tornado is the one responsible for ripping through the RV park in Convent Tuesday where two people lost their lives. Assumption Parish was also hit hard by a tornado. John Boudreaux, director of the Assumption office of emergency preparedness says a water tower on LA-1 totally collapsed….:
CUT 8 (07) “in the line”
Entergy reports that, statewide, about 17,500 customers in the effected areas remain without power.

Governor John Bel Edwards spoke at a rally on the steps of the state capitol today in which over a thousand students attended to protest proposed cuts to higher education. Edwards told the group he’s always stood with the students and he stands with them now…:
CUT 1 (11) “education”
Higher education could be on the chopping block in light of a massive budget deficit.