08:30 Newscast, January 29th, 2018

It doesn’t seem like lawmakers and the governor are any closer to negotiating a budget agreement, even after the worst-case-scenario plan was unveiled a week ago. The governor is proposing a reduction in tax breaks for businesses, but House Republican Caucus Chairman Lance Harris of Alexandria says the GOP wants to see more cuts in state spending…:
Cut 15 (09) “taxpayers pockets”
A $1 billion budget gap looms on July 1.

The Trump administration says they will speed up the approval of a key coastal restoration project. Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana spokesperson Jimmy Frederick says they hope they can now break ground for the Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion by 2020….:
Cut 12 (09) “the approval”
The agreement would reduce the permitting process from five years to two.

Several large corporations have announced they’ll be implementing pay increases this year, and one retail giant is joining in…:
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

The Lost Bayou Ramblers of Lafayette took home their first Grammy Award on Sunday for their album “Kalenda,” which won the band a gramophone for Best Regional Roots Music Album. It was the second time the Louisiana Cajun band was nominated for a Grammy. The group had just announced earlier last week that they would be taking a break from writing and performing for a while.