Governor John Bel Edwards announced today the detailed plan to cut $70 million dollars from the current budget year that ends June 30th, and DHH is bearing all of them. Edwards said he could not in good conscious make any more reductions to higher ed…:
CUT 1 (12) “in the country”
He says DHH will reduce contracts between public-private hospitals, and cut efficiencies in the Medicaid program.

The Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness says so far over 12-thousand homes have received flood damage and 26 parishes are available for federal assistance. GOHSEP spokesperson Mike Steele recovery efforts are still underway and more severe weather is possible Easter Sunday..:
cut 12 (09) “cause problems”

Alto Congressman Ralph Abraham is traveling to Cuba in April to ensure Louisiana becomes a trading partner with the country, once Congress lifts the trade embargo. He expects the embargo with the island to be lifted by 2017. But he understands Cuba still has some significant human rights issues to fix…:
CUT 8 (11) “those changes”
He says we’re on the tip of the spear to be the first state to get our goods to Cuba in a big way.

The American Red Cross has received a 500-thousand dollar donation from International Paper that will go towards flood relief efforts. Red Cross spokesperson Nancy Malone says people who are in position to help, should consider making a donation…
cut 15 (09) “…with them”
I-P has nine facilities in Louisiana, employing two-thousand people.