The state faces a 103 million dollar revenue shortfall for this fiscal year, and Governor Bobby Jindal announced today $61 million dollars in cuts, and 43 million in stopgap funds to close the budget deficit. Commissioner of Adminstration Kristy Nichols says their mid-year cuts will not lead to significant lay-offs, or cuts to critical health services or higher ed, but cuts to public colleges and health care are on the table for next fiscal year….

cut 14 (10)  “legislative session”

There’s big money in the power ball drawing for tomorrow night, but even if you don’t win the projected $380 million dollars, you can still become a  millionaire…

CUT 5 (11)  Q: “last three years”

That’s Louisiana Lottery Spokesperson Kimberly Chopin.

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With numerous Mardi Gras parades all across the state stepping off this weekend, The Office of Alcohol and Tobacco Control is telling bar owners and employees to help keep things safe, AND make sure not to sell to the underaged.

CUT 8 (11)  Q: ‘sell to them’

That’s ATC Commissioner Troy Hebert, who says they issued 69 citations last year.

Even though the price of gas is going back up, AAA says we are still paying more than a dollar a gallon less than we did at this time last year.  Right now, the state-wide average for a gallon of regular is $2.01.  And Fuel Analyst Don Redman says we could get as high as $2.75 a gallon for much of the remaining part of this year…

CUT 11 (07)  Q: ‘a gallon’