First Lady Donna Edwards is teaming up with the Department of Children and Family Services to launch a new program supporting foster parents. Halen Doughty has more…
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Halen Doughty”
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Louisiana’s budget deficit for the fiscal year that starts next July is now up to one-point-five billion dollars. Jeff Palermo has the story…
Cut 2 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”
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It’s been a wet couple of weeks in the Bayou State, and State Climatologist Barry Keim says it’s not showing any signs of stopping. He says the wet pattern is caused by summer fronts crossing Louisiana and stalling along the coast. He says that’s what led to the downpour in New Orleans, and now there’s another front heading our way.
Cut 3 (10) “a few days”
Keim says we can expect to stay in a wet pattern at least through the weekend. But he says fortunately, the rain clouds are bringing down the soaring temperatures, and the wet ground is helping to cool things off during one of Louisiana’s hottest months of the year.
Cut 4 (10) “creeping up”
The downside, however, is that rain makes things even more muggy than usual. Keim says all that moisture in the air is pushing humidity levels way up. But at least it’s not as hot.
Cut 5 (10) “any day”
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The Department of Transportation says it’s been given the all clear to go ahead with the project to widen I-10 from Highland Road in Baton Rouge, to LA 73 in Ascension Parish. DOTD Secretary Shawn Wilson says motorists should start seeing activity before the end of the year…:
Cut 6 (04) “of 2018”
Wilson says it will take around two and a half years to widen the interstate by one lane in each direction. He says it’s very exciting that this major improvement to infrastructure is being made on such a heavily traveled thoroughfare…:
Cut 7 (08) “on a regular basis”
The $72 million project is being funded through a combination of state and federal dollars. The design-build process allows a designer and contractor to bid and collaborate on the project together, which results in quicker completion. Wilson wants the public to know that DOTD is committed to being as productive and innovative as possible…:
Cut 8 (08) “and paying attention”
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Louisiana foster parents can find support thanks to a new website launched by First Lady Donna Edwards. Louisiana-fosters-dot-la-dot-gov connects parents with businesses, church groups and nonprofits to help meet the child’s needs. Department of Children and Family Services Secretary Marketa Garner Walters says these groups can provide parents with assistance that DCFS can’t offer.
Cut 9 (08) “to be supported”
At any given time, there are about 4,300 children in foster care in Louisiana. DCFS served over 7,800 children during the 2017 fiscal year. Walters says it takes more than government to raise a child. That’s why this program gets the community involved to help.
Cut 10 (08) “little bit of respite”
First Lady Edwards says the program is all about meeting the immediate needs of these families and providing support services. Louisiana Fosters seeks to start new partnerships between community organizations and foster families.
Cut 11 (08) “come together”
Edwards says they’re looking for mentors who want to be involved in a foster child’s life, as well as organizations who can provide much needed supplies. She says 4-H is one organization that’s stepped up to the plate providing bags for when foster children are moved, and they’re asking more groups to make that commitment.
Cut 12 (10) “foster parents”
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The state’s budget deficit for fiscal year 2018, which begins next July, is up to one-point-five billion dollars. Most of the shortfall is due to the loss of temporary taxes. But rising costs and inflationary expenses also make up the budget gap. But Jonesboro Senator Jim Fannin questions why inflationary costs are included in the fiscal cliff deficit
Cut 13 (07) “scares everybody”
Fannin made his comments during Friday’s joint legislative budget committee. Barry Dusse, with the governor’s budget office, responded that inflationary dollars are added to the budget deficit projection, because state law requires them to do so…
Cut 14 (07) “look like”
The previous budget deficit estimate was one-point-two billion dollars. Fannin questions why the deficit has been increased to one-point-five billion dollars, when legislators do not have to fund inflationary costs …
Cut 15 (11) “this year”
(An agreement between the governor and legislators on how to close the budget gap has yet to be reached and it will likely take a special session to do so.)
Cut 16 (08) “to everybody”
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