The Department of Transportation is warning motorists heading east on Interstate 10 this weekend, a lane will be closed on the Mississippi River Bridge in Baton Rouge.  Jeff Palermo has more.

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo “

______________________________________

A new jet airplane interior modification plant is coming to Chennault International Airport in Lake Charles. Jeff Palermo reports it means another 250 direct jobs for the area.

Cut 2 (27) I’m Jeff Palermo”

__________________________________.

All eyes are on the governor to see whether or not he signs a budget backed by the legislature that enforces deep cuts on education. Matt Doyle has more.

Cut 3 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

____________________________________________

If you are traveling east on Interstate 10 this weekend and crossing the Mississippi River in Baton Rouge, be prepared for some roadwork. The Department of Transportation will close the eastbound inside lane at seven o’clock tonight until noon on Sunday. The westbound inside lane will also be closed for about 12 hours starting tonight at 9:30. DOTD spokesperson Rodney Mallett

Cut 4  (10) “River Bridge” 

The 50 year old plus bridge is in dire need of replacing some on-ramp concrete.

Cut 5  (12)  “incident”

Mallett says they are trying to get the word out for the thousands travelers who will use the bridge this weekend.

Cut 6 (08) “lit up”

_______________________________________________________

A new jet airplane  interior modification plant is coming to Chennault International Airport in Lake Charles. Citadel Completions announced the company will make a nearly 180-million dollar investment in a plant that will customize Jet airplanes of any size. Don Pierson is the Secretary of Louisiana Economic Development.

Cut 7 (09)  “related jobs”

In addition to Jet interior modifications Citadel will provide maintenance, repair, and overhaul services.

Cut 8 (10)  “big aircraft”

The average salary will be around 80 thousand dollars a year. Citadel is already hiring as they plan to employ 250 workers.

Cut 9 (09)  “resume there”

____________________________________________________

The Legislature passed a budget that fully funds the Department of Health, but reduces nine state agencies budgets by 24 percent, slashes higher ed spending, and cuts TOPS to 70 percent coverage. The jury is still out on whether the governor will veto the plan, but if he approves the plan, but if he authorizes it House Appropriations Chairman Cameron Henry says it won’t be “imaginary”.

Cut 10 (11) “is law”

Democrats have raged against the budget, calling it immoral, and calling on lawmakers to reject any budget until a special session arrives that can plug a 648 million dollar shortfall. But Henry says the state has to work with the money it has available, and prioritize.

Cut 11 (08) “priority”

The governor has called for a special session next week to replace expiring sales tax revenues at the heart of the budget struggle. Henry says Republicans are potentially open to revenue proposals, but they’re back from the voters over the weekend.

Cut 12 (12) “some revenue”

____________________________________________

The Louisiana Department of Child and Family Services kicked off a new Foster Parent Recruitment Campaign as part of Foster Care Month, an annual push to increase awareness of the importance of the foster care system. Child Welfare Manager Christy Tate says the campaign is built around a message of teamwork.

Cut 13 (08)  “team approach” 

7,868 children were a part of DCFS’s foster care program last year, with only 2,250 certified foster homes available. Tate says they need more eligible families to participate.