08:30 Newscast, January 31st, 2018

House Republicans have provided Governor John Bel Edwards with their ideas on how to reduce state spending…:
Cut 3 (31) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

If you’ve already set out ladders on public land in New Orleans as a Mardi Gras parade route placeholder, they are probably gone. City officials say it’s illegal to put out property more than 24 hours before a parade.

Gas prices keep rising. The statewide average stands at $2.43, up 6 cents from the prior week.

Could changes be coming to the popular TOPS scholarship program? A task force is slated to vote on a series of recommendations today they hope will bring long-term sustainability to TOPS. Jennings Senator Blade Morrish says under his proposal some students wouldn’t have their tuition fully covered:
Cut 7 (07) “and brightest”
Morrish proposes a 4,000 dollar stipend for TOPS recipients, those are incoming freshman that have a C average from high school.

Louisiana has been experiencing a horrendous flu season and today the state is offering free vaccinations for the virus. Baton Rouge Regional Health Director Dr. Marilyn Reynaud details those at higher risk of getting the flu
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Visit ldh.la.gov for participating health units offering free flu shots.