Governor John Bel Edwards says the state’s $70 million dollar budget holef for this fiscal year will be filled within the state Department of Health and Hospitals. Edwards says he could not in good conscious make any more reductions to higher ed…
cut 6 (12) “….in the contry”
But Edwards says more reductions to higher education could come next year as the state is staring at a 750-million dollar shortfall for the fiscal year that starts July 1st.

It’s a big weekend for crawfish. Louisiana Crawfish Farmers Association president David Savoy says there’s plenty of mudbugs to go around, but consumers are still paying the same prices for crawfish, even though production costs are down…
cut 4 (10) “…the same”
Savoy says crawfish farmers are also not seeing more money for their catch.

The state may have to give up control of its museums because of budget concerns. Halen Doughty has more…
voicer 2 (31) “..Halen Doughty”

Ag Commissioner Mike Strain is concerned about an increase in the termite population in areas that experienced flooding. Strain says once the water is gone, termites that remain tend to come back more prevalent than before…
cut 14 (07) “….to infest”
Strain says if you had a termiticide barrier around your house, flood waters most likely washed it away and the area needs to be retreated.

Governor John Bel Edwards says one state agency will aborsb 70-million dollars worth of cuts for this fiscal year to make up for a budget deficit….
voicer 1 (27) “….I’m Michelle Southern”

Authorities in Jefferson Parish are trying to determine why a 73-year-old man walked into the East Jefferson General Hospital and fatally shot 75-year-old Doctor Elbert Goodier. Authorities say the gunman, John Thomas of Kenner, left the hospital and shot himself at a nearby Wendy’s. Investigators have learned Thomas was a patient of Doctor Goodier.

Crawfish-lovers can expect to find a good batch of mudbugs this Easter weekend. That’s according to David Savoy, president of the Louisiana Crawfish Farmers Association, who says they should be able to meet the demand…
cut 3 (03) “…right time”
Savoy says while there’s plenty of mudbugs, the price for consumers is as high as last year, despite lower gas prices.

Budget constraints could result in Secretary of State Tom Schedler turning control of several state museums to local governments. Schedler says he’s already returned a few musuems back to local governments, like the Louisiana State Cotton Museum in Lake Providence. He says tough decisions are coming regarding the rest…
cut 10 (08) “….close some”
Schedler says one of the museums he may have to give up is the Chennault Aviation and Military Museum in Monroe.

Governor John Bel Edwards will describe at a 3 PM press conference the type of cuts the state will have to make to address a 70-million dollar budget gap for this fiscal year. Most of the cuts are expected to come in the areas of higher education and health care services.

An LSU survey finds Louisiana residents have mixed feelings about public schools in the state. Don Molino has more…
CUT 1 (30) “I’m Don Molino”

International Paper has donated $500-thousand to the Red Cross in response to the recent flooding in Louisiana. Red Cross spokesperson Nancy Malone says they are incredibly grateful for the company’s generosity. She says the Red Cross is continuing to work with families in need as they move into recovery….
cut 13 (10) “…relief items”
IP has nine facilities in Louisiana, employing two-thousand people.

A popular item in Easter Baskets this weekend will be Gold Brick Eggs and Heavenly Hash, which are made at Elmer’s Chocolate in Ponchatoula. Elmer’s CEO Rob Nelson is grateful that their candies have become an Easter tradition in the Gulf South…
cut 11 (06) “….to generation”
Nelson says the success of Heavenly Hash and Gold Brick Eggs has allowed them to expand their factory.

The state fire marshal’s office says three people were killed and three others were seriously injured in a house fire in Winnsboro. The three fatal victims are said to be a father and two sons. A mother and two other children were also injured. No other details have been released at this time.

A survey out of LSU finds 46-percent of Louisiana residents believe there’s too much of an emphasis on testing in public schools…
cut 8 (09) “….like half”
That’s Doctor Michael Henderson, director of the LSU Public Policy Research Lab. Henderson says 55-percent of the respondents favor the idea of using test scores to issue letter grades to public school districts.

Governor John Bel Edwards will announce how the state will cut 70-million dollars for this fiscal year’s budget during a press conference at 3 PM. Many of the cuts are expected to occur in health care and higher education.

The mayor of Donaldsonville has declared a state of emergency as a result of state health officials telling residents in the Ascension Parish town not to drink or cook with the water that comes out of their faucet. The no drink alert was issued after testing determined high levels of chlorine dioxide.

Elmer’s Chocolate, the Ponchatoula-based candy manufacturer, is enjoying another successful Easter. Halen Doughty has more…
Cut 2 (30) “I’m Halen Doughty”

Governor John Bel Edwards has scheduled a three PM press conference where he’ll announce budget cuts totaling 70-million dollars for the fiscal year that ends June 30th. The governor and his commissioner of administration Jay Dardenne have described the anticipated cuts to be painful.

International Paper has made a 500-thousand dollar donation to the Red Cross for flood relief. Emelie Gunn has more…
voicer 3 (31) “….I’m Emelie Gunn”

An LSU survey finds Louisiana residents are becoming more skeptical of Common Core. Dr. Michael Henderson, director of LSU’s public policy research lab, says support fell from 39-to-34-percent over the past year. Henderson says this is likely due to political tension surrounding the issue…
cut 7 (08) “…in their minds”
Henderson says when you describe the academic standards and take away the name “Common Core” support grows to 57-percent.

A bill to allow blaze pink to be worn while hunting in addition to hunter’s orange has been approved by a House Committee. Cole Garrett with the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries says they don’t have any issues with adding blaze pink.
cut 4 (09) “high vis”
The measure heads to the House floor for more discussion.

A new LSU study finds nearly one in four Louisiana residents believe limited funding and teacher pay are the biggest problems facing public schools. Doctor Michael Henderson, director of LSU’s public policy research lab, finds the results interesting, because the state legislature has focused its attention on other public education issues…
cut 9 (12) “…currently reflecting”
Henderson says the legislature has been more focused on charter schools, voucher programs and Common Core.

A bill moving through the legislative process would allow hunters to wear “blaze pink” instead of the traditional orange. Supporters say it could help to encourage more women to get involved in the outdoors. Oil City Representative Jim Morris…
cut 6 (06) “….favorable”
The measure heads to the House floor for more debate.

The American Red Cross announces they’ve received a half-million dollar donation from International Paper that will go towards flood relief efforts. Red Cross spokesperson Nancy Malone says they’ve had hundreds of volunteers serving meals, delivering supplies and giving emotional support…
cut 14 (10) “…do it”
I-P has nine facilities in Louisiana and employ two-thousand people.

Ponchatoula-based Elmer’s Chocolate says they’ve had another successful year producing the popular Gold Brick Eggs and Heavenly Hash Easter candies. Elmer’s CEO Rob Nelson says in the past, production continued all the way through Good Friday, but fortunately technology has improved….
cut 10 (09) “…good thing”
Nelson says the company produces about 12 million Gold Brick Eggs each year