Legislators are working to fix Louisiana’s massive budget deficit, and only 8 days are left in the special legislative session. Ruston Representative Robert Shadoin says things are moving, but slowly. Shadoin says there will likely be some changes to the House’s approved budget cut bill because those cuts were deeper than expected. He says he didn’t want to vote for the increase in the sales tax but it had to be done…

cut 13 (10)  “higher education”

A Financial Aid Working Group met today to make a plan to ensure public high school students comply with a new policy requiring them to apply for financial aid to go to college. Ken Bradford, Assistant Superintendent at the Department of Education, says he is disappointed that only 44% of students are applying for any kind of financial aid….

CUT 9 (12) “graduating seniors” 

A Baton Rouge man has been arrested after an unrelated DNA test links him to a 1996 rape case. Baton Rouge Police Sgt. Don Coppola says 20 years ago, a 17-year-old girl was walking down the street and asked now 59-year-old Jerry Williams for a ride, where he then took her to his house and raped her. He says during the initial investigation, detectives had trouble re-contacting the victim so the case went unsolved…

CUT 6 (10) “1996″

A new report from Bankrate-dot-com says Louisiana is the 5^th worst state for retirement. Claes (Claus) Bell, a senior analyst at Bankrate, says they examined several key factors to determine the quality of life in retirement, including cost of living, taxes, and residents’ overall well-being.

CUT 3 (06)  “healthcare”

Bell says the crime rate is an important factor because elderly people are typically targets for crime.

With only 8 days left in the special legislative session, legislators are slowly working to fix Louisiana’s massive budget deficit. Ruston Representative Robert Shadoin says there will likely be some changes to the House’s budget cut bill because those cuts went deeper than anticipated. He says he didn’t want to vote for the sales tax increase but it had to be done…

cut 13 (10)  “higher education”

A Financial Aid Working Group is meeting today to create a plan to ensure public high school students comply with a new policy requiring them to apply for assistance to go to college. Department of Education’s Assistant Superintendent Ken Bradford says only 44% of students are applying for any kind of financial aid.  He says the group is also discussing how schools can be more helpful in getting financial aid for students.

Cut 11 (07) “in 2018″

A report from Bankrate-dot-com finds Louisiana is the 5th worst state for retirement.

CUT 1 (28)  “I’m Halen Doughty”

Baton Rouge Police have arrested a man after a DNA test linked in to a 20-year-old rape case. Sgt. Don Coppola says in 1996 a 17-year-old girl was walking down the street and asked now 59-year-old Jerry Williams for a ride, where he then took her to his house and raped her. He says during the initial investigation, detectives had trouble re-contacting the victim so the case went unsolved…

CUT 8 (08) “was found”

With just 8 days left in the special legislative session, lawmakers are slowly working to fix Louisiana’s massive budget deficit. Ruston Representative Robert Shadoin says things are moving, but sometimes it seems to be at a glacial pace. He believes in the coming days there will be increased communication between the Senate and the House on bills…:
cut 12 (09) “it done”
The $940 million dollar hole must be filled by July 1st.

A Baton Rouge man is facing rape charges after an unrelated December arrest lead to DNA being obtained which links him to a 1996 assault. Baton Rouge Police Sgt. Don Coppola says 59-year-old Jerry Williams was asked about the rape of a 17-year-old 20 years ago, but cops ran into a road block with the case…:
CUT 7 (10) “be served”

Multiple media outlets are reporting that the second suspect in the case of Marksville officers accused of shooting a vehicle occupied by a six year old boy who died, could be released on bond as soon as tomorrow. 31-year-old Derrick Stafford has been in jail since the November arrest, but officials say paperwork is being completed to meet a $1 million dollar property bond. The other officer, Norris Greenhouse Jr, was released on the same bond in November. The trial for Stafford is set for September; trial for Greenhouse is in November.

Education leaders are working on a plan to make sure more students apply for financial assistance to attend a two-year or four year college. Department of Education’s Assistant Superintendent Ken Bradford says only 44% of students are applying for any kind of financial aid, which is disappointing…:
CUT 9 (12) “graduating seniors”
He says, in two years, students will have to either fill out a financial aid form, apply for TOPS or opt out in order to graduate.

A Financial Aid Working Group is meeting today to formulate a plan to develop ways public high school students can easily comply with a new policy requiring them to apply for assistance. Ken Bradford with the state Department of Education says only 44% of students are applying for financial aid available. He says they want families to know that scholarships are not the only option…:
cut 2 (07) “financial aid”
He says in two years students will be required to apply in order to graduate and they are working to identify ways to make compliance as easy as possible.

WAFB-TV is reporting that the second Marksville deputy who is accused of opening fire on a vehicle last November, killing a 6-year-old boy, is expected to bond out of jail, possibly as early as tomorrow. Derrick Stafford’s family is said to have secured enough property to post the $1 million dollar bond, which is what Norris Greenhouse Jr already did. They are both charged with one count of second-degree murder and one count of attempted second-degree murder.

Most folks who are retiring aren’t looking at Louisiana. Bankrate.com found Louisiana is the 5th worst state for retirement, mainly due to poor healthcare and a high crime rate. BankeRate spokesperson Claes (Claus) Bell says weather was also considered in their study…:
CUT 4 (04) “as well”
But he said high points in the report for Louisiana include low taxes and low cost of living.

Today is super Tuesday and many political pundits say candidates will still be working to garner support for Louisianians on the March 5th Presidential Primary after tonight. Republicans Donald Trump and Marco Rubio are planning rallies in Louisiana on Friday. Pollster John Couvillon of JMC Analytics says even though Trump has been leading, Rubio and Ted Cruz will still be contenders in the race…:
Cut 1 (06) “March 5th”
On the Democratic side, he feels if Hillary Clinton sweeps super Tuesday, it’s possible Bernie Sanders doesn’t stand a chance after tonight.

Only 44% of public high school students are applying for any kind of financial aid, eliminating themselves from consideration for potentially tens of millions of dollars for post secondary education and training. State Department of Education Assistant Superintendent Ken Bradford says Louisiana high school students will soon be required to apply in order to get a diploma…:
CUT 9 (07) “aid package”
He says financial aid leaders meeting today to develop a plan to get forms to schools.

A Baton Rouge man is facing rape charges after a DNA swab from an unrelated arrest linked him to a rape kit in a 1996 case. Baton Rouge Police Sgt. Don Coppola says 20 years ago, a 17-year-old claimed she was raped by Jerry Williams, who is now 59. Coppola says Williams initially denied the assault, but new DNA evidence told a different story…:
CUT 6 (07) “1996″

According to a new report from Bankrate-dot-com, Louisiana is the 5th worst state for retirement. Halen Doughty has the story…:
CUT 1 (28) “I’m Halen Doughty”

Republican Presidential candidates Donald Trump and US Senator Marco Rubio will hold campaign rallies in Louisiana on Friday, a day before Louisiana’s Presidential primary. Today is Super Tuesday and analysts say the GOP contest will still be very much alive after tonight..

The National Weather Service is calling on a marginal threat of severe weather this afternoon for some parts of the state as a cold front moves in — but nothing like what brought the 13 confirmed tornadoes that struck the south last week. Governor John Bel Edwards declares this week: Severe Weather Awareness week. GOHSEP spokesman Chris Guilbeau says encourages family to get a game plan:
CUT 10 (10) “their family”

Louisiana is the 5th worst state for retirement, according to a new report from Bankrate-dot-com. Claes (Claus) Bell, a senior analyst at Bankrate, says they examined several key factors to determine the quality of life in retirement, including cost of living, taxes, healthcare, crime, and residents’ overall well-being…:
CUT 3 (06) “healthcare”
He says Louisiana retirement highlights in their report include low tax rate and low cost of living.

More potential budget cuts to higher education could mean lower enrollment numbers at LSU. Halen Doughty reports…:
CUT 1 (32) “I’m Halen Doughty”

A bill has been filed for the regular session calling for a freeze on the state voucher program for students in low performing schools. Baton Rouge Representative Pat Smith says in these tough budget times, the program needs to be reevaluated…:
CUT 15 (05) “voucher program”
There are currently just over seven thousand students with vouchers in Louisiana.

LSU President F. King Alexander says even though it’s not a popular suggestion that Tiger football could be in jeopardy this fall because of potential cuts to higher ed, he says it’s very real.The TOPS Scholarship Program is only funded at 25% for the next school year and some students may have to rethink their education plans. Alexander says LSU ranks 46th in the nation for how much they invest in each student…:
Cut 6 (09) “selling point”
Meanwhile lawmakers are still working out ways to compromise on ways to close the current year shortfall as 8 days remain in the special session.

It’s Super Tuesday and some analysts say that Louisiana’s March 5th Presidential Primary could have an impact on the nominations, especially on the Republican side. There’s certainly a lot of interest as the Secretary of State’s Office reports nearly 100,000 ballots were cast during the early voting period.

A Baton Rouge lawmaker has filed a bill for the regular session that will prevent new students from participating in the state’s voucher program. Jeff Palermo has more…:
Cut 3 (27) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

This is Severe Weather Awareness Week — an effort to encourage Louisiana families to prepare now for an emergency, even though danger is not imminent. Chris Guilbeau, Deputy Director with the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness, says it’s a good idea to down the app Alert FM…:
CUT 12 (09) “that app”

Today is Super Tuesday which means several states will be voting for their party’s favorite candidate in the upcoming presidential election. Louisiana’s primary is March 5th and many voters here are wondering if our ballots will even matter. Pollster John Couvillon of JMC Analytics says Louisiana will absolutely be getting attention after today…:
CUT 8 (06) “March 5th”
He says Marco Rubio and Ted Cruz are still strong contenders for the GOP nomination, but it’s possible the Democratic candidate will be locked in after tonight.

The state House put on hold the alcohol and cigarette tax bills until today saying they want to see what the Senate does with the measure that calls for more than $100 million dollars in cuts to the current year budget. On cuts to higher ed, LSU President F King Alexander says even though some brush the notion off as ridiculous, football is most certainly feeling the impacts of all this…:
CUT 5 (07) “to LSU”

Governor John Bel Edwards announces this week is Severe Weather Awareness Week to get the public to create a game plan for emergencies. Emelie Gunn has more…:
Cut 2 (29) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

DNA from a Baton Rouge man who was arrested in December on an unrelated matter ended up facing second-degree rape charges after it matched that of a teenage girl’s rape kit taken 20 years ago. Authorities say 59-year-old Jerry Williams denied the crime in 1996, but the DNA taken last year told a different story, according to the Baton Rouge Police Department. An arrest warrant was issued for Williams who was booked into Parish Prison on $80,000 bond.

There are just 8 days left in the special legislative session and things still appear to be moving along at a slow crawl. The debate over cuts vs. revenue is ongoing. Discussions about deep budget cuts to higher education could mean fewer students at LSU according to President F King Alexander…:
CUT 4 (07) “other universities”
Alexander stands by comments that LSU football is at risk.

Two LSU student protesters were escorted out of the state Capitol on Monday after releasing a bright orange banner that read, “Save Our Schools” over the rail of the Senate floor. They were immediately removed as demonstrations are prohibited in chambers.

The Secretary of State’s Office says nearly 100,000 ballots were cast during the early voting period for the March 5th Louisiana presidential primary. They say that’s more than twice than early voting numbers from 2012.

A bill has been filed for the regular session calling for a freeze on the state voucher program, which allows students in public schools with a C, D or F rating to attend private schools at the state’s expense. Baton Rouge Representative Patricia Smith says not awarding first time vouchers would save the state badly needed cash…:
Cut 13 (09) “ones out”
There are currently just over seven thousand students with vouchers in Louisiana.

Governor John Bel Edwards declares this week as Severe Weather Awareness Week in an effort to get families to create a game plan in the event of an emergency. Chris Guilbeau, Deputy Director with the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness, says this comes at a good time as 13 confirmed tornadoes touched down last week…:
Cut 10 (10) “their family”