Heading into next week’s special session many agencies across the state are facing budget cuts. District attorneys are not exempt and it looks like they could be quite steep to the tune of 82 percent if additional funding is not found. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Cut 1 (25) I’m Kevin Barnhart“

A test shows the presensce of E-coli bacteria in the city of Alexandria’s water system and residents are asked not to drink the water without boiling it first. The water main is being disinfected and Alexandria hopes tests over the next few hours will show the problem is resolved.

Tuition at schools within the Louisiana Community and Technical College System will not see an increase in tuition for the upcoming school year, despite the potential of higher education receiving a 96-million dollar cut. L-C-T-C-S President Monty Sullivan says while they will not raise tuition, there will be an impact if the cuts go through…
cut 8 (10) “…no doubt”
A special session to raise revenue begins Monday.

Father’s Day is this weekend and the National Retail Federation is expecting near record spending in honor of the holiday to the tune of $15.3 billion. NRF spokesperson Katherine Cullen says when it comes to gifts, it’s really looking promising for dads this year.
Cut 3 (09) “…in their lives.”
The survey indicated 43 percent of shoppers will be purchasing clothes, which just barely beats out gift cards at 42 percent.

Despite a budget that calls for deep cuts to higher ed, the Louisiana Community and Technical College System will not raise tuition or fees for the 2018-19 school year, continuing a two-year trend of keeping costs stable for students. LCTCS President Monty Sullivan says the state cannot continue to place the cost of education on the backs of students.
Cut 7 (09) “workforce”
Sullivan says more people educated and skilled, means more people working and contributing to the economy.

The St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s office has arrested three people for their role in a fatal hit-and-run that killed 43-year-old Leslie Matthews on Monday in Amelia. Deputies believe 40-year-old Kristie Blancard of Berwick hit Matthews and left the scene. Authorities say 47-year-old Johnny Giroir and 44-year-old Loe Vining had knowledge of the crash and helped Blanchard.

US Attorney David Joseph of the Western District of Louisiana has added a special prosecutor to handle violent crime cases in the Monroe area…
cut 14 (08) “…full time presence there”
Joseph says they are looking to prosecute those who are violating drug and gun laws in the hopes of reducing violent crime in the area.

Legislation approved in the regular session has created a new savings account program that resembles Louisiana START. Louisiana START allows families to begin saving for their child’s college education. Baton Rouge Representative Franklin Foil says there’s now Start K12, which allows families to save money for K-12 education expenses…
cut 12 (12) “…START account”
For more information contact the state’s office of student financial assistance.

Even though higher education is facing a potential massive budget cut, the Louisiana Community and Technical College System says they will not raise tuition rates or mandatory fees on students for the upcoming academic year. L-C-T-C-S President Monty Sullivan says it’s not fair for students, if tuition rates go up, because of a lack of state funding. Sullivan says it also doesn’t make sense why higher education is facing a 96-million dollar cut….
cut 9 (10) “…state government’
A cut to higher education could be avoided, if revenue is raised during next week’s special session.

Shreveport native and the longtime drummer for Elvis Presley, DJ Fontana has passed away at the age of 87. The Rock and Roll Hall of Famer met Presley on the Louisiana Hayride in the 1950s, which was based in Shreveport. He perfomed with Elvis through much of the 1960s.

Parents who are interested in saving up for their kids K through 12 education now have the option of a state backed, interest accruing, and federal tax free savings account as a result of a new state law. Baton Rouge Representative Franklin Foil authored the law.
Cut 10 (09) “the state.”
The program is called Start K12 and more information can be found with the state office of student financial assistance.

The western district of the US Attorneys Office has added three federal prosecutors, one specifically for the Monroe area. Kevin Barnhart has more…
cut 3 (27) “…Kevin Barnhart”

The executive director of the Louisiana District Attorneys Association is sounding the alarm over an 82-percent cut in state funding for D-As, if lawmakers do not raise more revenue in next week’s special session. Pete Adams says if the cuts go through, fewer cases will be prosecuted…
cut 5 (12) “…uptick in crime”
Adams says they are willing to actively lobby for a renewal of a portion of a temporary one-cent sales tax, so the cuts can be restored.

The US Attorney for Louisiana’s Western District, David Joseph, says his office has added three violent crime prosecutors to his staff because of an uptick in criminal indictments…
cut 15 (08) “….doing previously”
One of the prosecutors has been assigned specifically for the Monroe area.

Louisiana’s two-year schools will not raise tuition rates next academic year. Matt Doyle has the story.
Cut 2 (30) ” I’m Matt Doyle”

Governor Edwards will visit with the King and Queen of Spain today, who are in New Orleans to celebrate the city’s tricentennial. A ceremony will take place at 11:30 at Gallier Hall on St. Charles Avenue. King Felipe the Sixth and Queen Letizia will also visit an exhibit on the Spanish empire in the Americas at the Louisiana State Museum. They will also reportedly discuss ways to improve economic ties between Louisiana and Spain.

A third special session of 2018 begins on Monday, several state agencies and higher education are facing cuts, if more revenue is not raised. District attorneys are looking at an 82-percent cut in state funding, which is very concerning to Louisiana District Attorneys Association executive director Pete Adams…
cut 6 (09) “…this is just reality”
Adams says if the cuts go through, prosecutors will see salaries slashed, forcing many to find work elsewhere.

Tuition at schools within the Louisiana Community and Technical College System will not see an increase in tuition for the upcoming school year, despite the potential of higher education receiving a 96-million dollar cut. L-C-T-C-S President Monty Sullivan says while they will not raise tuition, there will be an impact to his system if the cuts go through…
cut 8 (10) “…no doubt”
A special session to raise revenue begins Monday.

Legislation approved in the regular session has created a new savings account program that resembles Louisiana START. Louisiana START allows families to begin saving for their child’s college education. Baton Rouge Representative Franklin Foil says there’s now Start K12, which allows families to save money for K-12 education expenses…
cut 12 (12) “…START account”
For more information contact the state’s office of student financial assistance.

US Attorney David Joseph who represents the Western District of Louisiana is pleased to announce his office has added two violent crime prosecutors…
cut 13 (11) “…cover the whole district”
Joseph says one of the prosecutors is from the state Attorney General’s office and that person will handle firearm and drug indictments in the Monroe area.

Heading into next week’s special session many agencies across the state are facing budget cuts. District attorneys are not exempt from these cutbacks, and it looks like they could be quite steep to the tune of 82 percent if additional funding is not found. Executive Director of the Louisiana District Attorneys Association Pete Adams says the financial slash will be overwhelming.
Cut 4 (06) “…such a drastic cut.”
Adams says if salaries get cut, D-As will see prosecutors leave their office.

Despite a budget that calls for deep cuts to higher ed, the Louisiana Community and Technical College System will not raise tuition or fees for the 2018-19 school year, continuing a two-year trend of keeping costs stable for students. LCTCS President Monty Sullivan says the state cannot continue to place the cost of education on the backs of students.
Cut 7 (09) “workforce”

The state has a new savings program that parents can use to help pay for K-through-12 tuition. It’s called Start K-12 and parents can direct their employer to desposit a share of their paycheck directly into the account. Baton Rouge Representative Franklin Foil says families are allowed to withdraw no more than 10-thousand dollars per tax year…
cut 11 (12) “…any taxes”
For more information contact the state’s office of student financial assistance.

Special night for US Representative Steve Scalise last night in the Congressional charity baseball game. On the one year anniversary of his shooting, he fieled a ground ball at second base and threw to first for the first out of the game.

Two Arkansas men who plead guilty to aggravated animal cruelty charges for slitting a dog’s throat and posting the video on Snapchat avoid jail time in Morehouse Parish. Judge Carl Sharp gave Boots Stanley and Stevan Sadler a suspended three-year prison sentence. Executive Director of the Humane Society of Louisiana Jeff Dorson can’t believe they are not going to jail..
cut 9 (11) “cruelty statutes”
Stanley and Sadler will be on three years probation and must perform 480 hours of community service and pay a five-thousand dollar fine.

Seventy-five-year-old Reverend Michael Guidry has turned himself in and allegedly confessed to the sexual abuse of molesting a 16-year-old boy several years ago. St. Landry Sheriff Sheriff Bobby Guidroz..
cut 3 (10) “….his attorney”
The Lafayette Diocese recently placed Guidry on administrative leave. He led St. Peter Church in Morrow.

Former Governor Bobby Jindal’s Commissioner of Administration is coming out in support of the half cent sales tax renewal. Jeff Palermo has the story.
Voicer 2 (27) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

A human finger was found in alligator snapping turtle that was being cleaned and St. Tammany Parish Sheriff deputies are trying to determine who the finger belongs too…
cut 8 (08) “…any luck”
That’s Captain Scott Lee, who says the turtle was caught on a trotline in a river in Western St. Tammany Parish.