07:30 Newscast, March 1st, 2016

There are just 8 days left in the special legislative session and things still appear to be moving along at a slow crawl. The debate over cuts vs. revenue is ongoing. Discussions about deep budget cuts to higher education could mean fewer students at LSU according to President F King Alexander…:
CUT 4 (07) “other universities”
Alexander stands by comments that LSU football is at risk.

Two LSU student protesters were escorted out of the state Capitol on Monday after releasing a bright orange banner that read, “Save Our Schools” over the rail of the Senate floor. They were immediately removed as demonstrations are prohibited in chambers.

The Secretary of State’s Office says nearly 100,000 ballots were cast during the early voting period for the March 5th Louisiana presidential primary. They say that’s more than twice than early voting numbers from 2012.

A bill has been filed for the regular session calling for a freeze on the state voucher program, which allows students in public schools with a C, D or F rating to attend private schools at the state’s expense. Baton Rouge Representative Patricia Smith says not awarding first time vouchers would save the state badly needed cash…:
Cut 13 (09) “ones out”
There are currently just over seven thousand students with vouchers in Louisiana.

Governor John Bel Edwards declares this week as Severe Weather Awareness Week in an effort to get families to create a game plan in the event of an emergency. Chris Guilbeau, Deputy Director with the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness, says this comes at a good time as 13 confirmed tornadoes touched down last week…:
Cut 10 (10) “their family”