Governor John Bel Edwards proposed a budget today that calls for deep cuts in state funding for corrections, healthcare, and higher education including an 80 percent cut to TOPS. Matt Doyle was there…

Cut 1 (31) “I’m Matt Doyle”

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Crawfish survived last week’s cold snap, but it could mean a delay in the season. Michelle Southern reports…:

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Michelle Southern”

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Governor John Bel Edwards presented what he called his worst-case-scenario budget today, showcasing the impact what a billion dollar loss in state funding would have on state government, The loss is a result of expiring sales taxes. Edwards says he is constitutionally limited to cutting money from two areas…

Cut 3 (12) “an yes TOPs”

The governor is proposing an 80-percent cut in TOPS funding, unless legislators can agree on a long-term tax reform plan in a February special session.

Louisiana requires the governor submit a balanced budget that takes into account projected funding levels. Edwards proposed the budget, but says he doesn’t want it passed…

Cut 4  (09) “looks like” 

In response, the governor proposed a tax reform plan to cover 994-million dollars of the budget gap.

The GOP has indicated that they would approach the cliff by reducing spending, while the governor is seeking a revenue neutral tax reform plan. Edwards challenged legislative leaders to publicly present their plan…

Cut 5  (12)  “to cut”

The governor claims he has cut 600 million dollars in state general funds since he took office two years ago.

Slidell Senator Sharon Hewitt believes more cuts can be made to go along with any kind of tax reform plan…

Cut 6 (10)  “our expenses.”

Baton Rouge Representative Rick Edmonds says the governor’s budget is not factoring in federal tax reform money…

Cut 7 (08)  “of revenue”

Edmond says the state could have an additional 200 to 400 million dollars as a result.

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Gas prices are on the rise at a time of the year when prices traditionally go down.  Louisiana drivers are paying 2.36 a gallon for regular gasoline, while a month ago, prices were at 2.21 a gallon.   Triple A fuel analyst Don Redman says high gas prices at the start of the new year may lead to an increase in prices through 2018…

Cut 8 (04) “remainder of 2018.”

Redman says demand may have been down due to the winter weather, but prices remain high due to a growing economy…

Cut 9 (10) “grow significantly.”

Redman says another reason for the high prices is domestic oil output is surpassing OPEC producing nations…

Cut 10 (05) “at home.”

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A Business Development Advisors study shows military related spending in Louisiana accounts for $7.7 billion in economic output and 77-thousand military related jobs.  That includes the seven military bases and the Louisiana National Guard.  Louisiana Economic Development Secretary Don Pierson says there is a forgotten group that helps to add to the economy, 27-thousand military retirees…

Cut 11 (09) “our economy”

The Trump Administration has made it clear they want to make additions to the nation’s military.  Total military spending in Louisiana was 1.52 billion in 2016, the highest since 2012.  Pierson says building up the nation’s military could directly impact the state’s economy…

Cut 12 (13) “we can”

With so many military installations being trimmed down or closed altogether, Pierson says it’s important that communication remains open with Congress to keep the military installations in Louisiana operating…

Cut 13 (10) “strong”

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Crawfish season in Louisiana may be slightly delayed this year thanks to last week’s arctic blast, but the good news is that they did survive. Dr. Greg Lutz with the LSU Ag-Center says when it gets extremely cold, crawfish just sit there and can’t move even if they wanted to…:

Cut 14 (12) “walking into the traps”

The governor will reveal his “doomsday” budget today, Matt Doyle talked to political analyst Clancy Dubos about what that means…

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

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A 9.7 million dollar grant will fund the creation of an oil consortium at ULL. Jeff Palermo finds out what that could mean for the state…

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

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Emerge Louisiana choose 25 Democratic women that they will train to run for political office.  Kelley Ray talked with executive director Melanie Oubre.

Cut 3 (32) “I’m Kelley Ray.”

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Governor John Bel Edwards will unveil a budget today that will show the effects of one-billion dollars in cuts to state agencies. Reports say healthcare and education will be the hardest hit, with the possibility of a 100-percent cut in funding to TOPS. Political analyst Clancy Dubos says it’s not the budget the governor wants, but it’s the budget he is constitutionally required to present.

Cut 4  (09) “in it” 

The budget is the result of a billion dollar shortfall generated by the expiration of a one cent sales tax, passed two years ago.

So far, GOP legislative leaders and Democratic Governor John Bel Edwards have been unable to settle on a plan to address the fiscal cliff. Dubos says the political blowback for both could be severe if they fail to find a way forward.

Cut 5  (11)  “blame everybody”

Two years into Edwards’s term, the two sides have been unable to find much common ground on budget issues. Dubos says this is because both sides are jockeying for position with voters…

Cut 6 (07)  “took office”

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New Year’s resolutions are starting to fall by the wayside for many as day to day realities clash with their bold plans. LSU Ag Center nutritional specialist Elizabeth Gollub has a suggestion for those who are having a hard time maintaining their healthy habits…

Cut 7 (11)  “smaller steps.”

Many who start new diets plans can get frustrated with the changes and fall back on old habits with a binge. Gollub says one day of mistakes doesn’t mean you should abandon long-term healthy choices..

Cut 8 (12) “thing off.”

Gollub says the key to making a long term positive change is to start with a series of smaller healthy habits…

Cut 9 (12)  “long haul”

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A 9.7 million dollar grant was awarded to a UL Lafayette consortium to study the Tuscaloosa Marine Shale oil deposit that stretches across central Louisiana into the Florida parishes. A study from the 80s indicated that Louisiana could be sitting on nearly seven billion barrels of crude oil.  ULL Professor Mehdi Mokhtari (med-e mowk-tari) says the grant will help scientists unlock the shale’s potential…

Cut 10 (13) “sound way.”

The consortium will be comprised of scientists, academics, and oil industry professionals from across the nation. Moktari says the consortium could raise the prestige of the University of Louisiana system…

The below normal temperatures are about to leave the Bayou state.  Jeff Palermo spoke with state climatologist Barry Keim.

Cut 1 (31) “I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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There are more than 50 boil water advisories posted throughout the state. Michelle Southern finds how why this happens…:

Cut 2 (29) “I’m Michelle Southern.”

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The freezing grip from the polar vortex is about to loosen in Louisiana.  Forecasters say we have one more night of below freezing temperatures statewide and then a warm front begins to move in which will swing temperatures the other way.  State climatologist Barry Keim says this weekend will feel like paradise after nearly a month of below normal temperatures…

Cut 3 (06) “near 70.”

Keim says we haven’t seen haven’t such frigid temperatures in the last 20 years.  He says the bigger weather story is the winter precipitation in the span of six weeks…

Cut 4  (09) “coastal zone.” 

Keim says there’s one more day of extreme cold to go through before the temperatures start stabilizing, which will help defrost interstates and roads…

Cut 5  (11)  “was yesterday.”

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Water pressure has become a concern across Louisiana in the wake of the recent arctic blast, which has prompted some parishes to issue boil water advisories. So why does this happen? Louisiana Department of Health Chief Engineer Amanda Laughlin (Loff-Lin) says when a hard freeze event takes place, pipes burst and there are an extremely high number of line breaks:

Cut 6 (12)  “contamination event”

Laughlin says there are nearly 50 boil advisories posted in the state right now, and that number is expected to go up. She says if your house is under a boil water advisory, it’s important to follow the order because when pressure is low, bacteria could potentially enter the distribution system:

Cut 7 (07)  “things in”

Laughlin says the advisories are only a precaution in case something has entered the system that could potentially make you sick. She says it’s still okay to shower and bathe in the water, but any water you ingest should first be boiled…:

Cut 8 (10) “all of them do”

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An off-duty Alexandria police officer was killed in an accident in Grant Parish Wednesday.  53-year-old Sgt. Travis Lowe of Deville was southbound on Highway 167, when he lost control of his pickup truck and collided with a large tree.  Master State Police Trooper Scott Moreau says the frigid weather didn’t play a factor…

Cut 9 (09) “the crash.”

Moreau says they are puzzled as to why a police officer, who is concerned about safe driving, wouldn’t have his seat belt on when he was behind the wheel…

Cut 10 (08) “seat belt.”

Routine toxicology tests are pending and the crash remains under investigation.

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Residents in Louisiana were asked by their utility companies to conserve power for a time period Thursday morning as energy demand was getting close to being more than what the power grids could handle. Entergy spokeswoman Sheila Pounders says the Midcontinent Independent System Operator made the request since they manage supply and demand on the grid..:

Cut 11 (12) “weather”

Pounders says typically there is a huge spike in power usage about 8am every morning when people are getting to work, so they simply asked folks to refrain for a couple of hours. She says it is extremely unusual for demand to be greater than supply, but if electricity had exceeded available generation, MISO would ask utilities to reduce power…:

Cut 12 (08) “without any events”

Pounders says MISO doesn’t foresee any future demand that would exceed the supply over the next several days as temperatures rise…:

Cut 13 (11) “like this”

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Crowley Police says neighbors found a man frozen to death outside his home Wednesday morning. After paramedics arrived, the body of the 56-year-old man was sent for an autopsy.  Police Chief Jimmy Broussard says the death remains suspicious until the report is completed by the coroner…

Cut 14 (06) “weather related.”