Lawmakers are split on whether or not to tap into the state’s rainy day fund to close a $304 million budget gap. Lake Charles Representative Mark Abraham sits on the Appropriations Committee and says he’s still not sure if that’s the way to go.

Cut 3 (12) “rainy day fund”

The Edwards Administration will unveil its budget plan on Friday.

Former-Angola Warden Burl Cain defends himself amid allegations he misused public funds. A legislative audit says taxpayers footed the $27-thousand bill for appliances and TVs at Cain’s home on prison grounds. But he says he also spent his own money on the public home.

Cut 15 (09) “my pocket”

Cain made the comments during an interview with Talk 107.3 in Baton Rouge.

New Orleans officials proposed a plan to reduce crime on Bourbon Street, including requiring bars to close their doors at 3 a.m. but crime analyst Jeff Asher says last year only 20-percent of shootings in that area occurred between 3 and 7 a.m.

Cut 7 (11) “of crime”

Asher says improving police response time would be a better way to reduce crime.

The state Fire Marshal’s Office says a Covington man is dead after he set his house on fire during a dispute with his father. Deputy Chief Brant Thompson says Brandon Kellum’s father, Jamie Kellum, has burns to 85% of his body.

Cut 11 (10) “his body”

Thompson says alcohol is believed to be a factor.

The Louisiana Family Forum is once again searching for the state’s longest married couple as Valentine’s Day is approaching. Emelie Gunn has more…

CUT 1 (30) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

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President Trump has signed two orders moving forward with construction of the Keystone XL and Dakota Access Pipelines. Jeff Palermo has more on what this means for Louisiana….

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

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With budget problems still looming, state lawmakers are once again looking at possible changes to TOPS. Halen Doughty has more…

Cut 3 (28) “I’m Halen Doughty”

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Valentine’s Day is right around the corner and the Louisiana Family Forum is once again searching for the state’s longest married couple to share their love story. President Gene Mills urges anyone who knows a couple married for longer than 70 years to contact their office….

cut 4  (07) “unique way”

The Top 10 Longest Married Couples will be honored by receiving official recognition and will be entered into the Louisiana Family Forum’s “Marriage Hall of Fame.” Mills says for the past two years, Lawrence and Varrie Player of Benton, have received the honor as the state’s longest known married couple, at 82 years together.

Cut 5  (10)  “with that”

Mills says they honor these couples, who have shown that marriage can last a lifetime,  during the week leading up to Valentine’s Day. He says entries for couples married over 70 years must be submitted says to the Louisiana Family Forum at (800) 606-6470 by February 5th.

Cut 6 (06) “family member”

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Congressman Mike Johnson of Louisiana’s 4^th Congressional District has been appointed to two subcommittees of the House Judiciary Committee. The first is the Subcommittee on Immigration and Border Security. Johnson says this will be a high priority area under the new administration. He says President Trump has reaffirmed his commitment to building a wall along the southern border.

CUT 7 (07)  “border security”‘

Johnson says they aren’t sure what the plan to secure the borders will look like just yet. He says lawmakers are tossing ideas around, and they plan to consult with experts to see which ideas might work best.

Cut 8 (11) “illegal crossing”

Johnson has also been appointed to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, Homeland Security, and Investigations. He says continuing the fight against ISIS and other terrorist groups will be a key item on the committee’s agenda, especially as threats persist both at home and abroad.

Cut 9 (10)  “recognize that”

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President Donald Trump has signed two orders that moves forward with construction on the Keystone XL and Dakota Access Pipelines, so what does that mean for Louisiana? Acting President of the Louisiana Oil and Gas Association Gifford Briggs says this creates more hope of the construction of the Bayou Bridge Pipeline. But he says looking at a bigger picture, there is a renewed optimism within the industry under a Trump presidency…

Cut 10 (06) “that commitment”

The Keystone XL Pipeline would run from Canada to Texas and the Dakota Access Pipeline could span from North Dakota to Illinois. Briggs says Trump has made comments about reducing 75-percent of regulations on the oil and gas industry. He says this would open up a lot of opportunities for investment.

cut 11 (07) “lower cost”

Many people are concerned about the safety of using pipelines compared to other methods of transporting oil. But Briggs says everything they do is done in a manner that’s environmentally safe and responsible. He says right now we’re struggling with aging infrastructure…

cut 12 (09) “other systems”

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Lawmakers are once again proposing more changes to the TOPS scholarship program as budget problems continue to plague the state. State representative Franklin Foil says raising the requirements for TOPS could make the program more affordable. The GPA requirement is currently a 2.5, but he says it should be increased to a 3.0 over the next three years.

Cut 13 (10) “in the state”

The Baton Rouge Republican plans to file a bill for the regular legislative session to raise the GPA requirement for TOPS students. Foil says all options need to be considered, so lawmakers can keep the program intact for the future. He says his proposal would make the program more of a merit-based scholarship, like it was intended to be.

cut 14 (06) “college education”

Last year the state failed to fully fund the popular scholarship program and TOPS students at most public schools are paying a majority of their tuition this semester. Foil says raising the GPA will encourage high school students to perform better and make the program more cost effective for the state.

Cut 15 (10) “good grades”

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There’s a week to go before national signing day and the LSU Tigers are on the verge of signing a top five class. Rivals and 24–7 sports currently have Ed Orgeron’s first recruiting class ranked as the nation’s seventh best. But Shea Dixon with Geaux 24-7 says that ranking can go up, if LSU signs a few talented linebackers

Cut 16 (16) “down the stretch”

Dixon says linebacker is a piroirty for the Tigers coaching staff, because LSU has 20 commitments and only one of them is a linebacker, Patrick Queen from Livonia High School. He says LSU is also looking to sign a defensive lineman from northeast Louisiana…

Cut 17 (12)   “and Alabama”

Dixon says they will have to wait until national signing day on February first on five or six guys who could decide to play at LSU. He says with a week to go before signing day, this looks like a very good class for the Tigers new head coach…

Cut 18 (17) “top five”

The governor’s office will propose a 304-million dollar budget deficit reduction plan to legislators this week. Jeff Palermo spoke with two republican lawmakers about the state’s budget troubles…

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

The LDWF agent who was shot during a traffic stop in Morehouse Parish is making progress in his recovery. That’s according to a Facebook post from the Louisiana Wildlife Agents Association, which shows a picture of 25-year-old Tyler Wheeler sitting up in his hospital bed. Two Monroe residents are behind bars in connection with the shooting.

Former-Angola Warden Burl Cain responds to allegations by the legislative auditor’s office that he asked prison employees to work on his private home while on the clock. Cain told Talk 107.3 in Baton Rouge that some people did volunteer to help, not but while they were working.

Cut 14 (10) “took leave”

The audit alleges three employees worked on Cain’s home while getting paid by the state.

New Orleans officials propose a plan to combat crime on Bourbon Street, including establishing a new mobile booking unit for NOPD to use during big events. But crime analyst Jeff Asher says the unit would only be effective in one area during certain times.

Cut 8 (12) “citywide problem”

Asher says the best way to reduce crime is to increase the police force.

Former-Angola Warden Burl Cain defends himself amid allegations he used prison labor for work at his private residence. A legislative audit found at least three employees worked on Cain’s home while on the clock. Cain told Talk 107.3 in Baton Rouge that at times, employees would volunteer to help, but not while working.

Cut 14 (10) “took leave”

Lawmakers are struggling to come up with a plan for filling a $304 million budget hole without raising taxes. One option would be to broaden the base of the clean penny that was added to the sales tax last year, but Oil City Representative Jim Morris doesn’t want to put a bigger burden on taxpayers.

Cut 6 (12) “to consider it”

New Orleans officials plan to install more than 200 cameras around the city to try and reduce crime. But crime analyst Jeff Asher is skeptical. He says while the cameras might be effective, it will depend on NOPD’s ability to respond quickly.

Cut 9 (11) “about it”

Asher says the best way to reduce crime in the Crescent City is more uniformed officers.

A Covington man is dead after he lit his home on fire during a drunken dispute with his father. That’s according to Deputy Chief Brant Thompson with the state Fire Marshal’s Office, who says Brandon Kellum’s father, Jamie, has burns to 85% of his body.

Cut 11 (10) “his body”

Thompson says toxicology results are pending.

The governor’s office will propose a 304-million dollar budget deficit reduction plan to legislators this week. Jeff Palermo spoke with two republican lawmakers about the state’s budget troubles…:
CUT 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

A local Domino’s franchisee says a reward of up to $25,000 is being offered in the death of one of its pizza delivery drivers last night in New Orleans. NOPD says 49-year old Michael County, who had four children and three stepchildren, had just made a delivery when he was gunned down.

Former Angola Warden Burl Cain has responded to claims in a state legislative auditors report that say he may have illegally used public funds for personal reasons. Cain asserts prison workers who did renovations to his private home may not have filled out their time sheets properly…:
Cut 13 (09) “after your work day“
Cain’s comments were made during a live interview on Talk 107.3 in Baton Rouge.

A family fight apparently prompted a 28-year-old Covington-area man to douse the residence with gasoline which started a fire that killed him and critically injured his father. State Fire Marshal’s Office Deputy Chief Brant Thompson says Brandon Kellum’s brother heard a physical fight break out inside the house…:
cut 12 (11) “into flames”
Brandon Kellum died. The father has burns over 85% of his body.

The Edwards administration will unveil a proposal Friday on how to close a 304-million dollar budget deficit for this fiscal year. Lawmakers are split on whether or not to tap into the state’s rainy day fund. Lake Charles Representative Mark Abraham sits on the Appropriations Committee…:
Cut 3 (12) “rainy day fund”
Oil City Representative Jim Morris is not in favor of using the rainy day fund to ease some of the cuts to state agencies, saying it’s never a good idea to spend money you don’t have…:
Cut 5 (09) “that’s going to work”
The budget re-balancing plan will hinge on the governor’s plan to call a mid-February special legislative session.

Bourbon Street is known for being party central, and unfortunately also a hotspot for crime. Emelie Gunn has more on the Crescent City’s plan to cut down crime…:
Cut 3 (28) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

Freshman 4th District U.S. Rep. Mike Johnson of Benton was named to both the Subcommittee on Immigration and Border Security and Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, Homeland Security, and Investigations. This would put Johnson on the forefront of the lines when it comes to policy concerning building a wall on the southern US border. Johnson says these are both going to be very active areas under the Trump administration and he looks forward to doing what is best to protect families in Louisiana and across the nation.

New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu, Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards, and a host of other officials announced new public safety measures for the city. Landrieu says they considered closing Bourbon Street bars down at 2 a.m….:
Cut 13 (10) “their door”
Other safety measures include new crime cameras in several neighborhoods and a program to monitor the images those cameras capture.

Congressman Garret Graves has been named the Chairman of House Water Resources Subcommittee — a panel with jurisdiction over the Army Corp of Engineers, EPA, and other issues that greatly effect Louisiana. The Baton Rouge Republican says he will use this position to push for the construction of flood control projects….:
Cut 15 (09) “disaster occurs”

US Senator John Kennedy says a big reason why Louisiana’s budget is such a mess is because of the amount of money taxpayers are spending on Medicaid. He says even though the Department of Health budget keeps going up, health outcomes aren’t getting better. But LDH Secretary Dr. Rebekah Gee says you can’t improve health if people don’t have access to care…:
CUT 10 (10) “health outcomes”
Kennedy says it’s time to get Louisiana’s Medicaid costs under control and for Gee to do her job.

Cops in New Orleans want to know who killed a pizza delivery driver in Algiers and why. They say it happened Monday evening and claimed the life of a 49-year-old man who worked for Dominos. Anyone with information on the incident is urged to contact authorities.

The LSU Police Department looking for answers yet again about another burglary at Tiger Stadium. It’s the third break-in in less than a month, but cops don’t believe the cases are connected. Each time only minor damage was reported.

Bourbon Street is known for being party central, and unfortunately also a hotspot for crime. Emelie Gunn has more on the Crescent City’s plan to cut down crime…:
Cut 3 (28) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

CC’s Coffee House is planning to triple its number of locations across Louisiana. The company says it plans to have 50 new sites by the end of the year. Director of licensing expansion with CC’s, Mark Verges, says this is a thrilling time…:
CUT 25 (07) “this brand”

US Senator John Kennedy wants Louisiana Department of Health Secretary Dr. Rebekah Gee to reduce state spending on Medicaid. Kennedy says Medicaid accounts for 41% of this year’s budget, which is why TOPS and other things have been cut…
CUT 7 (10) “to do”
Gee says the facts in Kennedy’s letter are just plain wrong and that Medicaid expansion is actually saving the state money…:
Cut 9 (12) “state programs”
Kennedy’s recommendation to the legislature is to decide how much the state can afford to spend on Medicaid, then ask Gee to work with that.

The Monroe Fire Department announces the hiring of its first female captain. Firefighter Sabrina January was appointed to the position Monday; a level of leadership she says it took 16 years to reach.

US Senator John Kennedy has written a letter calling for the Louisiana Department of Health and Secretary Dr. Rebekah Gee to do their job. Halen Doughty has more…:
Cut 2 (27) “I’m Halen Doughty”

Congressman Garret Graves has been named the Chairman of House Water Resources Subcommittee. The Baton Rouge Republican says he’ll be in position to speak up for Louisiana during times of natural or man-made disasters…:
cut 14 (09) “their policies”

New Orleans is planning to put new crime prevention measures in place. Mayor Mitch Landrieu says many changes will be coming to Bourbon Street like closing off vehicle traffic during busy times and more…:
CUT 12 (07) “better lighting”
He says there will also be new regulations for bars, including closing their doors, but not closing for business, every morning at 3:00 a.m.

CC’s Coffee House is expanding, with plans to have 50 locations open by the end of 2017. Director of licensing expansion with CC’s, Mark Verges, says the company takes pride in what they do…:
cut 4 (09) “that experience”
There are currently 33 stores, mostly in Baton Rouge, New Orleans, and Lafayette and the plan is to triple the number of shops in three to five years.

The LSU Police Department is yet again investigating a burglary at Tiger Stadium. It’s the third break-in in less than a month.