It appears as though 4 people employed by State Police took a side trip on the way to a business conference on the taxpayers dime. Col Mike Edmonson says the group was headed to an approved event in San Diego, but also made stops at the Grand Canyon and Las Vegas…:
CUT 7 (10) “that route also”
The story was first reported by the Advocate.

Both the House and Senate have backed their own version of the budget bill to close the $304 million dollar deficit, but still can’t agree. House Democrats have come out in support of the Senate’s bill that would use $99 million of the Rainy Day Fund, instead of the $75 million approved by the Lower Chamber. Republicans believe 99 is too high, though Democrats say the measure passed by the House uses budget gimmicks that do nothing.

A new poll from the American Psychological Association finds stress caused by politics at an all time high — and the it crosses party lines. Michelle Many (Main-eee) with the LSU Health Sciences Center in New Orleans feels there is a new focus media reports these days and what people are seeing all over social networks..:
Cut 10 (06) “interactions”
She says that’s why news viewing and social media should be done in moderation.

A 30-day closed season for crabbing begins today. Crustacean Program Manager for Marine Fisheries at LDWF Jeff Marx says the crab population is down in Louisiana, and they hope this ban will help that rebound…:
Cut 25 (11) “very high”
He says this 30-day ban will be implemented beginning the third Monday of every February through 2017.

Do you feel politically stressed? A new report by the American Psychological Association finds, no matter what party you are, anxiety over political matters is at an all time high. Michelle Many (Main-eee) with the LSU Health Sciences Center in New Orleans finds the principle factor in this deals with social relationships:
Cut 9 (11) “on the individual”
She says they mostly see that this is due to constant social and other media viewing, and the best way to calm do is to avoid that type of activity.

Three Avoyelles Parish inmates are still on the run. Sheriff Doug Anderson says 31-year-old Blake Reine, 23-year-old Joseph James, and 22-year-old Andre Steward escaped from a detention center near Bunkie on Saturday night…:
CUT 5 (09) “law enforcement agency”

Alleged misuse of State Police funds for a trip to a training conference in San Diego has led to an internal investigation into four troopers’ spending. Halen Doughty has more…:
CUT 1 (30) “I’m Halen Doughty”

The man who is accused of attacking a Baton Rouge Police officer before being evaded by a good Samaritan is currently on probation for a prior conviction, according to authorities. We’ll learn more about the heroic efforts of Vickie Williams-Tillman from the mayor at the officer himself later this afternoon.

State Police has launched an investigation into the spending of four troopers who made stops at the Grand Canyon and Las Vegas while on their way to a training conference in San Diego. The story was first reported by the Advocate. State Police Superintendent Col. Mike Edmonson says this never should have happened…:
Cut 6 (11) “taken place”
He says the result of the investigation could result in disciplinary measures and charges to State Police travel policy.

The Baton Rouge Police Department says they plan to recognize the woman who assisted one of their officers during an altercation with another person on Sunday. They said 56-year-old Vickie Williams-Tillman acted heroically when she jumped on the back of the attacker until more cops arrived. The mayor of Baton Rouge and the officer involved will tell the story at a 3:30pm news conference.

We still don’t know how much, if any, of the rainy day fund lawmakers will tap to close a $304 million deficit with three days to go in the special session…:
Cut 3 (29) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Commercial harvest of blue crabs in Louisiana and the use of traps is prohibited starting today for a 30 day period. Crustacean Program Manager for Marine Fisheries at LDWF Jeff Marx says the crab population is low and this will, in part, let them figure out what they can do to increase the numbers…:
CUT 12 (11) “left out there”

The state Department of Education has changed regulations for low income families to be eligible for federal childcare assistance. Emelie Gunn has more…:
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

A woman in Baton Rouge who assisted a police officer who was struggling with a suspect is being hailed a hero. BRPD says 56-year-old Vickie Williams-Tillman saw the confrontation, and jumped on the attacker’s back until more cops arrived. She later said that she did what God needed her to do.

UL-Lafayette is now offering in-state tuition to anyone with a parent who at least has an associate’s degree from any college in Louisiana. Vice President for Enrollment Management Dr. DeWayne Bowie says even though some alum leave Louisiana, their kids still consider this home…:
CUT 8 (10) “Louisiana school”
Visit registrar.louisiana.edu for more information.

A 30-day closed season on crabbing begins today. Crustacean Program Manager for Marine Fisheries at LDWF Jeff Marx says over fishing was threatening the crab population, and there is also a year round ban on harvesting immature female crabs..:
CUT 11 (12) “some of the fisherman”
For the 30 days from this point, any crab trap found in state waters will be presumed to be engaged in active fishing and considered illegal.

The state Senate on Sunday passed a budget proposal that would use $99 million dollars of the Rainy Day Fund, about $24 million more than the House proposed. Lawmakers have three days to fill a $304 million dollar deficit. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says, based on his polls, the public supports the Republicans’ effort to cut back on state spending…:
Cut 15 (10) “pay a price”
The Legislature has until Wednesday at midnight to come up with a plan.

The state Department of Education is letting more people be eligible for a program which provides federal funds so low income families can pay for daycare while they work or go to school. Early Childhood Assistant Superintendent Jenna Conway says they are also raising the bar for childcare programs in the state…:
CUT 6 (10) “and grow”

UL Lafayette announces the expansion of their Louisiana Legacy Scholarship. Halen Doughty has more…:
Cut 2 (29) “I’m Halen Doughty”

There were no winners in the Powerball drawing Saturday night which means the jackpot grows to $403 million for Wednesday.

New Orleans Pelicans star Anthony Davis is the talk of the sports world today as he shattered an All-Star record on his home court last night by scoring a whopping 52 points in the game to help the West beat the East 192-182. He earned the All-Star MVP honor when he broke the previous record of 42 points.

We still don’t know how much, if any, of the rainy day fund lawmakers will tap to close a $304 million deficit with three days to go in the special session with three days to go …:
Cut 3 (29) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

The requirements have been lowered to a program that provides federal funds so low income families can pay for child care while going to work or school. Assistant Superintendent of Early Childhood Jenna Conway..:
cUT 5 (11) “and thrive”
It’s called the Child Care Assistance Program.

The University of Louisiana at Lafayette announces the expansion of their Louisiana Legacy Scholarship. Vice President for Enrollment Management Dr. DeWayne Bowie (BOO-ee) says the scholarship covers out of state fees for students with ties to Louisiana..:
Cut 7 (09) “huge savings”

Commercial harvest of blue crabs in Louisiana and the use of traps is prohibited starting today for a 30 day period. Crustacean Program Manager for Marine Fisheries at LDWF Jeff Marx says the crab population is low and this will, in part, let them figure out what they can do to increase the numbers…:
CUT 12 (11) “left out there”
He says this is one of the slower periods in the year for crabbing, which is why they chose this time to implement the ban.

There’s three days left in the special session and the big argument continues to be over how much money to use from the rainy day fund to address the $304 million budget shortfall. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says the governor wants to use $119 million, but House Republicans only support using 75-million in the savings account dollars, and make more cuts…:
CUT 13 (10) “next year”
The Senate yesterday passed a budget bill that uses $99 million of the Rainy Day Fund.

The state Department of Education has changed requirements for the Child Care Assistance Program, which provides federal funds so low income families can pay for child care while going to work or school. Assistant Superintendent of Early Childhood Jenna Conway:
Cut 4 (10) “in class”
The work requirement was previously 30 hours.

A 30-day closed season for crabbing begins today. Crustacean Program Manager for Marine Fisheries at LDWF Jeff Marx says the crab population is down in Louisiana, and they hope this ban will help that rebound…:
Cut 10 (11) “very high”
He says this 30-day ban will be implemented beginning the third Monday of every February through 2017.

An inmate who walked off a job site last week was located Saturday at a parade in Metairie, and a deputy has been suspended in connection with the escape, according to the West Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s Office. They say 24-year-old Mertis Wade, on work release for a simple robbery charge, was arrested at the Krewe of Caesars parade.

The US Department of Housing and Urban Development approved Louisiana’s plan for spending the first 438 million dollars for flood recovery. The governor’s Deputy Chief of Staff Julie Baxter Payer says most of the money will go to low income families who are elderly or disabled but another 1.2 billion dollars was approved to go to other affected homeowners. She says they gathered public input on the plan and submitted it to HUD…
Cut 5 (12) “that are allowed”

The Louisiana House approved a measure that would reduce state spending but 115 million dollars over the next four months. House Appropriations Chairman Cameron Henry says economic downturn has led to lower tax revenues for the state and agencies must make the cuts to reflect what the state can afford…
Cut 9 (12) “never”

But Governor Edwards is concerned about cuts to prisons and healthcare.

The Louisiana Office of Tourism is encouraging Louisianans to use the hashtag #OnlyInLouisiana to promote tourism. Don Molino has more…
Cut 2 (30) “I’m Don Molino”

The Department of Children and Family Services is allowing hot food to be bought with SNAP and Disaster food assistance in the seven parishes that were hit hard by tornadoes last week. Affected individuals can buy hot food until March 31st. Hot food is typically not allowed to be purchased with these state food assistance cards.