Governor John Bel Edwards says colleges and and hospitals will close if lawmakers don’t approve higher taxes to plug the states $940 million dollar mid-yer deficit.Edwards even insinuated that college football won’t happen in the fall. After the governor’s televised address, State Treasurer John Kennedy provided the Republican Party’s response. He says there are plenty of areas the state can reduce spending…:
Cut 10 (09) “hurting anyone”

Meanwhile higher ed leaders were informed Thursday that TOPS payments were suspended effective immediately because of budget cut concerns. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says this will alarm many people…:
CUT 15 (10) “almost outrageous”
A special session to address the budget begins Sunday.

A couple in Jefferson Parish is under arrest for murder after a 14-year-old boy, the son of one of the suspects, was severely beaten and died, according to cops. The Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s office says the teen, Jalen Daniel, died Monday from injuries caused by head trauma. Investigators say they learned the two sons of Furnell Daniel were regularly beaten over poor grades. He and Terri Daniel were charged with second degree murder.

The giant contained burn chamber arrived in Camp Minden on Thursday and now the disposal of the M6 propellant process can begin. Jeff Palermo reports..:
CUT 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Governor John Bel Edwards said in his address to the state last night that crucial services are facing major cuts if lawmakers don’t agree to raise taxes. The Administration released a new estimate of the state’s budget deficit to about $950 million dollars. Edwards says he is proposing significant cuts to the budget, but it will also take from the legislature to raise revenue in order to stabilize the budget…:
Cut 8 (09) “state strong”
Republican State Treasurer John Kennedy called for more cuts and accused Edwards of using scare tactics.

The state office of financial assistance said Thursday that it was suspending TOPS payments effective immediately. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says he can’t see how the state doesn’t fulfill it’s promise that they would pay a student’s full tuition if they reached certain academic achievements…:
Cut 16 (08) “more explanation“

The state’s flu bug expert says Louisiana is in the middle of one of its slowest flu seasons ever. Emelie Gunn has the story…:
Cut 3 (31) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

Now that the giant burn chamber has arrived at Camp Minden, the process of disposing of the millions of pounds of M6 propellant can begin. Louisiana National Guard spokesman Col Pete Schneider says it will take about 4 days to get the massive structure installed…:
cut 4 (10) “operating”

Governor John Bel Edwards says colleges and hospitals will close and critical healthcare services will be eliminated if the state legislature does not approve higher taxes to help close a $940 million budget deficit this fiscal year. Edwards made the comments during a special address that was aired on TV and radio stations…:
CUT 7 (12) “as well”
After Edwards spoke, State Treasurer John Kennedy provided the Republican Party’s response. Kennedy says raising revenue is not the answer to the state’s budget problems…:
Cut 9 (07) “run deficits”
A special session to address the budget is scheduled to start on Sunday.

The Louisiana Office of Student Financial Assistance has notified colleges and universities that due to uncertainty over potential budget cuts they are holding off on making any TOPS payments. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says it would be a huge disaster for Louisiana if it’s unable to pay a TOPS recipients full tuition for this semester…:
Cut 14 (08) “being taken away”
A spokesperson for the office of student financial assistance says the suspension of TOPS payments to public colleges is just a precautionary measure.

Now that the giant burn chamber has arrived at Camp Minden, the process of disposing of the millions of pounds of M6 propellant can begin. Louisiana National Guard spokesman Col Pete Schneider says they expect it will take about 30-35 days to make sure everything is working properly…:
Cut 5 (04) “of the M6”
He says it will take about 4 days to get the massive structure installed.

In a special televised address, Governor John Bel Edwards said unless the legislature approves tax increases, colleges and hospitals will close. Halen Doughty reports…:
Cut 2 (31) “I’m Halen Doughty”

Republican Presidential candidate Donald Trump spoke to a reported 10,000 people during a rally Thursday night in Baton Rouge. Trump opened his comments claiming that 5,000 more were outside waiting to get into the River Center. Louisiana’s presidential primary will be held March 5th.

Louisiana is experiencing one of its slowest flu seasons in several years. That’s according to Dr. Frank Welch, an influenza expert with the state Department of Health and Hospitals…:
cut 11 (09) “flu-like illness”
He credits the warmer than normal winter.

All TOPS payments were stopped effectively immediately Thursday due to the state’s budget crisis. Universities were notified by email about the suspension of students’ award money saying more details would be provided as information becomes available.

Louisiana based GLO airlines announces its adding seasonal nonstop flights from New Orleans to Destin. The service will be offered beginning March 25th.

The State Department of Health and Hospitals is investigating two possible Zika cases in Louisiana. Dr. Frank Welch, with the Louisiana Office of Public Health, says at this point, Louisiana residents shouldn’t be concerned about getting the Zika Virus, because local transmission is very unlikely at this time.

CUT 4 (08)  “right now”

Louisiana Researchers have played a role in detecting gravitational waves, which Albert Einstein predicted would occur as part of his general theory of relativity. LSU astronomy professor, Gabriela Gonzalez, saystwo black holes colliding some one-point-three billion years ago created the gravitational wave that was detected in Livingston Parish and at another facility in Washington…

cut 10 (10)  away”

State Police is partnering with Blue Cross to help with the safe disposal of prescription medication in central and northwest Louisiana. Trooper Michael Reichardt says in the front of the Troop F station in Monroe they’ve set out a box similar to a mail box for people to safely discard old or unwanted medication. He says the abuse of prescription medication in teens has become a growing problem…

cut 12 (09) “age group”

Reichardt says the normal methods of flushing old prescriptions down the toilet or throwing them in the trash are still effective. He says this is just an additional option of getting rid of the medications.

The Louisiana Office of Student Assistance has told universities that they are halting TOPS payments because of current concerns with the state budget. An official says the email was sent out as a precautionary measure until more is learned about potential budget cuts. If funding is insufficient, students may have to pay back their tuition.

Democratic Governor John Bel Edwards will deliver a televised speech tonight about the state’s budget crisis with a response from Republican State Treasurer John Kennedy. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (28) “I’m Jeff Palermo.”

The Louisiana Office of Student Assistance has told universities that they are halting TOPS payments because of current concerns with the state budget. An official says the email was sent out as a precautionary measure until more is learned about potential budget cuts. If funding is insufficient, students may have to pay back their tuition.

After an identity case in California, a judge has ruled that Frank Selas is former Monroe TV personality “Mr. Wonderful.” Selas is accused of committing sex crimes in Louisiana in the 70s. Lt. Tmy Carnline with the Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Office says now the process of getting Selas back to Louisiana begins.

Cut 15  (09) “governor’s warrant.”

The State Department of Health and Hospitals is investigating two possible Zika cases in Louisiana. Dr. Frank Welch, with the Louisiana Office of Public Health, says officials learned of these cases when the patients went to the doctor because they were feeling ill after returning from the Caribbean, where the disease is prevalent.

Cut 3 (06) “completely recovered.”

Neither of the patients required hospitalization.

Louisiana is in some major financial trouble right now, but analysts say we aren’t the first or last state to see issues like this. Ron Faucheux of the Clarus Research Group says most states have improved their fiscal situation since the the Great Recession in 2008 and 2009…:
CUT 6 (09) “have rebounded”
A special session starts on Sunday where state lawmakers will try come up a plan to cover up the state’s massive budget shortfall.

Louisiana Researchers have played a role in detecting gravitational waves, which Albert Einstein predicted would occur as part of his general theory of relativity. LSU physics professor, Gabriela Gonzalez, says their observatory in Livingston Parish saw the ripples in the fabric of space time on September 14th…:
CUT 9 (09) “black holes”
Gonzales says this kind of information can help scientists understand the universe.

The state department is investigating two possible cases of the Zika Virus in Louisiana. Doctor Frank Welch with the office of public health says both patients were mildly ill and recently came back from Carribbean where the mosquito borne virus is prevalent. Welch says there’s possibility we could see Zika transmitted in Louisiana later this year…
cut 5 (08) “….be prepared”

After an identity hearing in California today, a judged has ruled Frank Selas is former Monroe TV personality “Mr. Wonder,” who is accused of committing sex crimes in Louisiana in the 70s. Lt. Tommy Carnline with the Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Office says now the process of getting Selas back to Louisiana begins…
cut 15 (09) “governor’s warrant”
Selas is wanted in Louisiana on two counts of obscene behavior with a juvenile.