The House Ways and Means committee convenes today where they are expected to vote on bills that would raise revenue either by increasing income taxes on higher wage earners, keeping the state sales tax above four-cents or eliminating sales tax breaks for certain businesses. Baton Rouge Representative Barry Ivey doesn’t like that last idea…
cut 28 (08) “…other states”

The House Appropriations Committee approved legislation that creates a new website so the public can track how the state spends its money. House Speaker Taylor Barras says the Louisiana Checkbook would provide detailed information on individual state agencies’ budgets…
cut 15 (07) “….that system”
The measure heads to the House floor for further discussion.

A large part of the state is under a tornado watch until 5 PM. The watch box covers southwest, central and northeast Louisiana.

Auto rates conintues to rise as the state has approved double-digit hikes for at least six insurance companies, including State Farm. Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says rates go up faster in Louisiana, because the state’s legal climate leads to litigation a lot of times following accidents…
cut 12 (04) “….over accidents”
Donelon says Louisiana also has a lot of uninsured motorists and stolen vehicles.

The State Department of Education is launching the “Be Irreplaceable. Be a Teacher” campaign. Teacher of the Year Kim Eckert announced the 100-thousand-dollar campaign which is an effort to convince high school and college students to make a career in the teaching profession.
Cut 3 (07) “look like”
DOE will be looking to push the effort at attracting Generation Z of the advantages of teaching through television, radio and billboard ads and their website.

Tremont Waters scored 28 points last night as the LSU Tigers defeated Vanderbilt 88-78. Waters also had nine assists and set the school freshman record for assists in a season.

The LSU Tigers won their fifth straight game inside the Pete Maravich Assembly center as the Bayou Bengals beat Vanderbilt 88-78. The Tigers got a huge game from freshman point guard Tremont Waters who had 28 points. Wayde Sims added 16 points, while Aaron Epps added 15. LSU shot 63% from the field. They were 15-of-20 from the field in the 2nd half.

It looks like former LSU Tiger Jarvis Landry will have another season with the Miami Dolphins. The Fins placed the franchise tag on the wide receiver from Lutcher, which means he’ll get paid 16-million dollars in 2018, unless Landry and Miami can work out a long term deal. The team is using a non-exclusive tag, so another franchise can offer a contract to Landry, but they would owe Miami two first round picks if Landry left south Florida. The 25-year-old had 112 receptions last season to lead the NFL.

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LSU starting shortstop Josh Smith will miss the next four to six weeks becasue of a stress reaction in his back. Hal Hughes will replace Smith in the starting line-up. Coach Paul Mainieri also announced a change in the weekend rotation for the upcoming series against Texas, as Zack Hess will pitch Friday and Caleb Gilbert will move to Saturday…
cut 17 (19) “…Caleb on saturday”
LSU hosts UNO tonight. The Privateers lost to Jackson State 4-2 last night

Elsewhere, Louisiana Tech scored five runs in the 2nd inning and beat winless McNeese State 5-1. Left-hander David Leal pitched seven strong innings.

ULM downed Northwestern STate 11-6. Southeastern Louisiana downed Alcorn State 7-1. And Grambling swept a doubleheader from Wiley College.

State lawmakers have started the task of trying to close a one-billion dollar budget deficit. But there’s a divide in the legislature over how much to cut, compared to how much revenue should be raised to fill the budget hole. Governor Edwards has asked legislators to compromise over the next 17 days…
cut 30 (13) “…critical priorities”
The House Ways and Means committee heard various bills today that would raise revenue either by increasing income taxes on higher wage earners, keeping the state sales tax above four-cents or eliminating sales tax breaks for certain businesses. Baton Rouge Representative Barry Ivey doesn’t like that last idea…
cut 28 (08) “…other states”

A bill to create a transparency tool called Louisiana Checkbook passed the House Appropriations committee, and may be considered on the House floor later this week. The program closely mirrors Ohiocheckbook.com, where Ohio residents are presented a detailed report about state expenses.

After hitting the Southern regional average for teacher’s salaries back in 2007, Louisiana has fallen behind. Kelley Ray has more…
Voicer 1 (32) “I’m Kelley Ray.”

Attorney General Jeff Landry and Governor John Bel Edwards agree to allow the A-G’s office to take control of the state’s lawsuit against opioid manufacturers. The suit claims these drug makers are responsible for the costly battle against the epidemic. The A-G’s Chief Deputy Bill Stiles says opioid abuse has raised the cost for the state’s Medicaid program.
Cut 13 (10) “these prescriptions”

A Tangipahoa Parish School Board member Mike Whitlow is facing criticism for posting a picture of a noose on Facebook. Whitlow says the post was not racially motivated, and was only inspired by an article he read that called for stiffer prison sentences for violent offenders. He says he’s taken the appropriate steps to remedy the situation…
cut 11 (09) “…my intent”
The former Tangipahoa school superintendent believes Whitlow should resign.

New data is out that shows salaries for Louisiana public school teachers is 17-hundred dollars less than the Southern Regional Average. Legislative Director ofor the Louisiana Federation of Teachers Cynthia Posey says its disappointing to see this, when ten years ago, educators were paid about the same as other southern states…
cut 7 (09) “…to ask”
Posey hopes lawmakers can stabilize the budget, so more money can be available for teacher salaries.

A crawfish from the Atchafalaya Basin was pardoned during a ceremony at the old U.S. Mint in New Orleans were on hand. Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser says not everyone understands the event. During a recent visit to the White House, he tried to explain it to Vice President Mike Pence…
Cut 4 (11) “for Thanksgiving.”
Nungesser says the crawfish named Emile was released into Bayou Segnette State Park.

A Tangipahoa school board member is under fire after he shared a photo of a noose on Facebook. Jim Shannon has the story…
Voicer 2 (31) “I’m Jim Shannon”.

The House Ways and Means committee looked at various bills today that would make changes to the state’s tax code in an effort to reduce a billion dollar budget gap that starts July 1st. But it was clear during today’s discussion, many Republicans oppose tax increases, especially changes to the income tax brackets.

The state attorney general’s office has taken control of the state’s lawsuit against opioid manufacturers. There was a dispute between the governor and the A-G-‘s office on who should control the suit that accuses drug companies of making the opioid epidemic worse. Chief Deputy for the Attorney General, Bill Stiles, is optimistic the suit will be successful…
cut 15 (10) “…this epidemic”

Crawfish season is here, but one mudbug has received a pardon from Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser. The crawfish’s name is Emile and received the offical pardon during a unique ceremony at the old U-S Mint in New Orleans. Emilie was taken to a nearby State Park to burrow in the mud without fear. Nungesser hopes the rest of the crawfish can be caught, so the price at the market can go down…
cut 5 (08) “….price down”

Attorney General Jeff Landry and Governor John Bel Edwards have agreed to coordinate efforts to bring litigation against opioid manufacturers, who they feel are responsible for the epidemic that’s claiming hundreds of lives every year. The A-G’s Chief Deputy Bill Stiles says the state is seeking damages for costs incurred in the Medicaid program.
Cut 13 (10) “these prescriptions”
Latest data shows Louisiana public school teachers are making on average 17-hundred dollars less than the Southern Regional Average. Legislative Director for the Louisiana Federation of Teachers Cynthia Posey hopes lawmakers can pass stablize the budget in the ongoing special session, so more money can be available for teachers…
cut 8 (09) “…in Louisiana”

Tangipahoa Parish School board member Mike Whitlow is facing criticism for posting on facebook a picture of a noose that had the caption , if we want to make America Great again, we will have tomake evil people fear punishment again. Parish Council member Louis Joseph says Whitlow’s behavior is uncacceptable…
cut 10 (05) “…it’s reprehensible”
Joseph says Whitlow should step down. But Whitlow says negative reactions to his post are misplaced and he plans on staying on the school board…
cut 12 (08) “…on this”
Whitlow says he’s been upset by recent violent attacks on innocent Americans and he believes stronger sentences for violent offenders.

Schools in Evangeline Parish are closed today because of social media threats. Officials say the schools have been cleared of any threat. A 15-year-old was arrested arrested for an online threat.