With a new fiscal year set to begin on Saturday, state lawmakers finally agreed on a sales tax plan that prevents Louisiana from going over the fiscal cliff, which would have resulted in deep cuts to colleges, TOPS and public safety programs. Governor John Bel Edwards says he will sign the measure that renews .45 percent of an expiring one-cent sales tax…

cut 16 (12) “…divides us”

Summer is back with a vengeance as State Climatologist Barry Keim tells us we can expect higher than normal temperatures through the week due to a high pressure system in the Gulf of Mexico which will see higher humidity levels and reduced cloud cover.

cut 9 (12)  “…between 100 to 110.”

The budget approved last night in the legislature OK’d four million dollars to get a new juvenile justice facility up and running in Bunkie. Once fully funded at 12 million dollars, the site will host 72 beds, and utilize the Missouri Model that emphasizes rehabilitation methods to deal with young offenders. Office of Juvenile Justice Deputy Secretary Dr. James Bueche says it provides relief to an overburdened system.

Cut 3 (12) “those facilities.”

The facility will house juvenile offenders who have been classified as a threat to the community, and thus are not eligible for community based rehabilitation.