The Edwards administration has submitted a spending plan to lawmakers for next fiscal year that fully funds TOPS, gives public school teachers a raise and increases funding for social services, but it remains unclear if the funding is available. State economists project higher tax revenues than previously estimated, but Republican House Speaker Taylor Barras has blocked efforts to raise the income forecast. Barras says the economy is volatile and the Revenue Estimating Conference has been wrong before, so why not wait…
cut 10 (05) “…smaller and smaller”
Barras says he doesn’t want to appropriate money the state might not have.

Somebody missed out on a chance to claim a one million dollar Powerball prize. A ticket worth that amount from an August 26th drawing expired Thursday, with no one claiming the prize. Louisiana Lottery spokesperson Dustin Annison says the money will go into an unclaimed prize fund…
cut 13 (05) “….throughout the years”
The ticket was sold in New Oleans.

Officials have signed an agreement that sets into motion the construction of a $760 million flood protection project for the river parishes. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Cut 1 (31) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

Some strong thunderstorms are set to move through northwest Louisiana this morning. Most of the state from I-10 to the north is under a slight risk for thunderstorms. Northeast Louisiana is under an enhanced threat as damaging winds and tornadoes are possible later today.