A House committee approves several bills aimed at reducing the number of state government contracts. Jeff Palermo has the story…

CUT 2 (30)  “I’m Jeff Palermo”

There are 15 days left in the special legislative session that’s been called to address a 850 to 950 million dollar deficit this fiscal year. Governor John Bel Edwards has said it’ll take cuts to the budget and tax increases to close the gap. The House Ways and Means Committee is set to vote tomorrow on some of the governor’s tax proposals, including a one cent increase to the state’s sales tax.

More groups are coming forward expressing anger over the latest viral Crimestoppers video by Captain Clay Higgins with the Sheriff’s Office in St. Landry. The so called, “Cajun John Wayne” is coming under fire for some of the terminology he used to refer to the Gremlins Gang suspects. The ACLU of Louisiana also said that Higgins implies using the force of summary execution which is not the way we work in this country. St. Landry Parish Sheriff Bobby Guidroz says Acadiana is dealing with this gang that’s been terrorizing the area for a long time. He says they may have veered off point, but the message is pretty simple…:

Cut 11 (09) “watch for ya”

The International Energy Agency said today that oil prices should remain low through 2016. That’s good news for motorists, who are paying some of the lowest gas prices we’ve seen since 2004. But David Dismukes, executive director at the LSU Center for Energy Studies, says low gas prices are not helping Louisiana’s economy…

CUT 8 (06) “right now”

The House Appropriations Committee approved a series of bills today aimed at reducing or cutting down on number of state contracts, which supporters say will save the state some much needed dollars. Republican State Treasurer John Kennedy says there’s a 29-million dollar contract to help the state build a website for food stamp recipients. Other examples Kennedy named include contracts for tutoring students and providing adult education to prisoners. Kennedy says the governor should bring in his cabinet secretaries today and demand they cut at least 10-percent of their contracts

cut 14 (10)  “into place”

Kennedy says there are dozens if not hundreds of contracts that the state spends money on that are NOT needed. Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne says an examination of state contracts is underway and they plan to eliminate some of them in the coming weeks as part of their cost cutting plan

cut 15 (10) “do something” 

Tuesday could be a pivotal day in the special session that’s been called to eliminate a $900 million deficit this fiscal year. The House Ways and Means Committee is expected to vote on various proposals to increase taxes, including a measure that would increase the state sales tax from 4-cents to 5-cents. Jeremy Alford, publisher of la-politics-dot-com, says the sales tax bill is a key revenue raising measure that the Edwards administration is pushing for.

Cut 10 (05) “to do it”

Alford says many republicans could vote for an increase in the sales tax, but they want the governor to commit to some long-term spending cuts.

The committee has also heard bills that would increase taxes on cigarettes, alcohol, rental cars, phone lines, internet sales and hotels. Alford says the committee may vote on just a few of these proposed taxes.

cut 12 (08) “this huge gap”

Whatever tax measure pass out of the Ways and Means committee will go to the House floor, where it will need 70 votes for passage to the senate.

Oil prices will not rebound until next year, according to experts at the International Energy Agency. David Dismukes, Executive Director at the LSU Center for Energy Studies, says this is disappointing news to the oil industry, after hearing reports about a production freeze in the Middle East. But Dismukes doesn’t see a cutback in production by oil producing countries…

CUT 6 (10) “lower prices”

Today the price of US oil is trading around $30 a barrel.

The House Appropriations Committee approved a series of bills today aimed at reducing or cutting down on number of state contracts, which supporters say will save the state some much needed dollars. Republican State Treasurer John Kennedy says there are dozens if not hundreds of contracts that the state spends money on that are NOT needed

cut 13 (06)  “you throw up”

Some of the examples Kennedy named include contracts for tutoring students and providing adult education to prisoners.

A man who cops say was acting strange at a movie theater in Lafayette was issued a summons for disturbing the peace. Corporal Paul Mouton says during the film Deadpool, witnesses reported seeing 35-year-old Christopher Harmason of New Iberia walking up and down the aisles…:

CUT 3 (09)  “uncomfortable”

Mouton says Harmason was issued a misdemeanor summons and was told not to come back to the theater.

More groups are coming forward expressing anger over the latest viral Crimestoppers video by Captain Clay Higgins with the Sheriff’s Office in St. Landry. The so called, “Cajun John Wayne” is coming under fire for some of the terminology he used to refer to the Gremlins Gang suspects. National Action Now President Rev. Raymond Brown  feels Higgins’ video is a smack in the face to our criminal justice system. He says it sets a poor example to call people ugly names…:

cut 10 (10)  “maximum force”

Oil prices will not rebound this year, according to experts at the International Energy Agency. Halen Doughty reports…
CUT 1 (30) “I’m Halen Doughty”

There are 15 days left in the special legislative session that’s been called to address a 850 to 950 million dollar deficit this fiscal year. Governor John Bel Edwards has said it’ll take cuts to the budget and tax increases to close the gap. The House Ways and Means Committee is set to vote tomorrow on some of the governor’s tax proposals, including a one cent increase to the state’s sales tax.

The House Appropriations Committee approved multiple bills today in efforts to cut down on number of state contracts, which supporters say will save the state money. Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne says an examination of state contracts is ongoing and they plan to remove some of them in the coming weeks as part of their cost cutting plan.
cut 15 (10) “do something”

A man who cops say was acting strange at a Lafayette movie theater has been issued a summons for disturbing the peace. Corporal Paul Mouton says during a showing of Deadpool, witnesses reported seeing 35-year-old Christopher Harmason of New Iberia walking up and down the aisles. He says it doesn’t appear as though the man was an actual threat to anyone…:
CUT 4 (09) “within the complex”

Mouton says in addition to the summons, Harmason was told not to come back to the theater.

A House committee approves several bills aimed at reducing the number of state government contracts. Jeff Palermo has the story…
CUT 2 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Governor John Bel Edwards returns to Baton Rouge after attending the winter meeting of the National Governors Associations. Governors from around the country had a chance to ask President Barack Obama questions and what can be done to curb the rising number of heroin deaths.

The International Energy Agency said today that oil prices should remain low through 2016. That’s good news for motorists, who are paying some of the lowest gas prices we’ve seen since 2004. But David Dismukes, executive director at the LSU Center for Energy Studies, says low gas prices are not helping Louisiana’s economy…
CUT 8 (06) “right now”

St. Landry Sheriff Bobby Guidroz is asking Captain Clay Higgins to tone down in crime stopper videos. The latest one has received millions of views as Captain Higgins has a strong message for fugitives for the Gremlins Gang. But National Action Now says this latest video is racially tainted, which is why Guidroz says he’s getting more involved in future videos. The latest one has received millions of views as Captain Higgins has a strong message for fugitives of the Gremlins Gang. But National Action Now says this latest video is racially tainted, which is why Guidroz says he’s getting more involved in future videos…

cut 12 (07) “not saying”

National Action Now president, Reverend Raymond Brown, doesn’t like that Higgins called these individuals ugly names.

Oil prices will not rebound this year, according to experts at the International Energy Agency. Halen Doughty reports…:
CUT 1 (30) “I’m Halen Doughty”

Starting tonight, the National Weather Service says the chance for severe storms will continue to increase throughout the day Tuesday and they are urging the public to be vigilant. A widespread, significant bout of weather will spread through the Gulf Coast tomorrow and tomorrow night. Meteorologists say tornadoes, damaging wind gusts and large hail are all possible threats from this system.

The House Appropriations Committee approved a series of bills today aimed at reducing or cutting down on a number of state contracts, which supporters say will save the state some much needed dollars. Republican State Treasurer John Kennedy says there are dozens if not hundreds of contracts that the state spends money on that are not needed…:
CUT 13 (06) “you throw up”
Some of the examples Kennedy named include contracts for tutoring students, a consulting contract to provide adult education to prisoners and a $29 million dollar contract to help the state build a website for food stamp recipients.

The teenager accused of shooting and killing three people at a club during a birthday party in East Baton Rouge Parish in March 2014, pleaded guilty today and will receive 40 years in jail. The murders happened when Nakeydran Williams of Baker was 16, but he was tried as an adult.

According to experts at the International Energy Agency, oil prices will not rebound until next year. David Dismukes, Executive Director at the LSU Center for Energy Studies, says despite reports of a possible production freeze in the middle east he doesn’t see a cutback in production by oil producing countries…:
CUT 6 (10) “lower prices”
Today the price of US oil is trading around $30 a barrel.

A man who cops say was acting strange at a movie theater in Lafayette was issued a summons for disturbing the peace. Corporal Paul Mouton says during the film Deadpool, witnesses reported seeing 35-year-old Christopher Harmason of New Iberia walking up and down the aisles…:
CUT 3 (09) “uncomfortable”
He says the man was cooperative when issued the summons and promised he wouldn’t come back.

The state Department of Corrections says they appreciate the suggestion by former Baywatch star Pamela Anderson that Louisiana can save money by serving inmates meatless meals — but the costs of damage to the facilities by prisoners who didn’t like the idea would likely surpass food savings. PETA spokesperson Dan Matthews says Louisiana taxpayers would save over $620,000 a year by offering vegan meals…:
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The DOC says they just went smoke free in 2015 and chaos would likely ensue if they also took away chicken, pork and beef this year.

Authorities are looking for a car after an elderly man was hit by multiple vehicles and killed while trying to walk across a busy Baton Rouge highway Friday night. State Police say two cars stopped after running over the 88-year-old, but a third did not. Anyone with information about the crash or the third vehicle to call Troop A.

Recent polls have shown the public is opposed to the legislature increasing taxes as a way of solving the state’s fiscal crisis. But Michael Henderson, Director of LSU’s Public Policy Research Lab, says voters also oppose cuts to education or transportation. He says that’s why some of the recent polls are not an accurate description of what the legislature is dealing with…
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He says the poll questions don’t take into account what could happen if certain taxes are not raised.

Early voting for the Louisiana Presidential Preference Primary is underway, and polls remain open until Saturday. Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders are battling for the Democratic nomination. Sanders’ supporter Gilda Reed, a psychology professor at UNO, says “The Bern” is capturing the hearts of everyday Americans and energizing the youth because of his progressive ideas…:
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Former US Senator Mary Landrieu supports Clinton.

Residents are being warned of a severe weather system that’s moving through the state and hitting hardest tomorrow. They say there’s a cold front that’s moving south bringing rain to North Louisiana, but as it develops below Alexandria tomorrow afternoon, the possibility for strong winds, large hail and an isolated tornado are projected.

The Department of Health and Hospitals has handed out two million dollars in loans to improve drinking water in Avoyelles Parish. Emelie Gunn has more…:
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An LSU pollster says lawmakers should take recent tax surveys showing the public is downright opposed to raising taxes, with a grain of salt. LSU Public Policy Polling Director Michael Henderson says the poll questions don’t take into account what could happen if certain taxes are not raised:
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Legislators have started arriving at the Capitol this morning to continue to tackle the state’s massive budget problems.

Presidential candidates are putting together support teams in Louisiana ahead of our March 5th primary. Former US Senator Mary Landrieu is publicly endorsing Hillary Clinton to be the Democratic nominee. She feels Senator Bernie Sanders doesn’t have what it takes to be Commander in Chief..:
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Sanders supporters say we need him as our president because he’s the only candidate offering solutions that will actually make a difference.

Pamela Anderson is offering advice she says would help with Louisiana’s budget problems. The former Baywatch star and honorary director of PETA suggests the state serve inmates a meat-free diet. PETA spokesperson Dan Matthews says not only would this save on freezer costs, but it would save on healthcare for inmates because they wouldn’t get sick as often…:
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Anderson says if Louisiana switched to meat-free meals in jail, she’d come inaugurate the program by helping cook and serve lunch to the inmates.

The news keeps going downhill for the LSU basketball team. ESPN is reporting that Keith Hornsby could be out for the rest of the season due to a recurring hernia injury that’s already caused him to miss several games. He did not play in the second half of the brutal game against Tennessee which the Tigers lost 81-65. Essentially, in order to get into the NCAA tourney, LSU must win the rest of its games and all contests in the SEC tournament.

Recent polls have shown the public does not support increasing taxes as a way of solving the state’s budget deficit, but one pollster says these surveys might not tell the whole story. Jeff Palermo has the story…:
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It is expected the Ways and Means committee will vote on some of the governor’s tax proposals on Tuesday. There are bills to increase taxes on cigarettes and alcohol and measures to raise corporate and income tax rates.

The big question is whether lawmakers will go along with the Edwards’ proposal to hike the state sales tax by one penny, which is expected to generate over 200-million dollars in the final three months of this fiscal year.

Avoyelles Parish is going to see improvements in their water system with a project calling for new pump stations, a new ground water storage tank and a new well and chlorination facility. The Department of Health and Hospitals awarded a $2.1 million dollar grant to help ensure Avoyelles drinking water is safe. DHH State Health Officer Dr. Jimmy Guidry…:
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He says Avoyelles Parish residents may notice a slight difference in the water but they can be sure that the change means the water is safe.

Two teenagers from Dequincy died following a head-on crash in Calcasieu Parish Sunday morning. State Police say a Chevy pickup driven by 18-year-old Charlee Smith passed another vehicle in a no passing zone and struck a Ford F-150 driven by 17-year-old Lauren Marie Leblanc head-on in the opposite lane of travel. Both Smith and Leblanc were pronounced dead at the scene. Witnesses reported Smith was speeding and driving erratically prior to the crash.