Parents may not be able to count on the TOPS scholarship in the future.
The state funded scholarship program has run into funding troubles as part of the budget crisis. Certified financial planner Anne Osestriecher says people should prepare for having to pay their own tuition…:
cut 4 (05) “can have”
She entourages parents to research scholarships as many go unclaimed every year because students don’t apply for them.

President Barack Obama is expected to nominate a successor to the late Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia, but Louisiana’s Republican US senators say the next President should select Scalia’s replacement. Senator David Vitter is a member of the judiciary committee…:
Cut 10 (10) “tug of war”
Republican Senator Bill Cassidy agrees.

A former department of children and family services case worker faces charges for claiming to check on foster care children while employed by the state, but didn’t. Emelie Gunn has more…:
Cut 2 (31) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

A man from Prairieville died after being hit by a vehicle in Ascension Parish. State Police say 34-year-old Brad Nickens was walking across the Black Bayou extension when, for unknown reasons, he walked into the path of a truck. He was pronounced dead at a local hospital.

Governor John Bel Edwards plans to fix the state budget by proposing roughly $160 million dollars in cuts. Michelle Southern has more…:
CUT 1 (29) “I’m Michelle Southern”

Severe storms moved across the state today causing some minor damage in Alexandria. Police say strong winds caused to damage to a car wash and a Pizza Hut, injuring two employees inside the restaurant. Authorities say the injuries were not serious. In parts of south Louisiana there were reports of hail.

A published report says Nicholls State could possibly close its doors for 12 days because of a lack of state funds. But Nicholls president, Doctor Bruce Murphy, says closing the campus for several days is the last option they would take. University of Louisiana System president, Doctor Dan Reneau says depending on how big the cuts are in state funding, mid-year closures could occur as some universities. But Appel warns higher ed leaders that these kinds of threats could become a “self fulfilling prophecy”…
cut 12 (10) “their problem”

The Edwards Administration began detailing today its tax proposals that will be debated during the special session. State Department of Revenue Secretary Kimberly Robinson says the additional penny on the state sales tax would only be temporary, until the deficit is resolved.
CUT 9 (10) “phasing out”

Today the Edwards Administration began detailing its tax proposals that will be debated during the special session. Governor Edwards recommends a combination of budget cuts and revenue raising actions as a way to solve the state’s budget deficit. State Department of Revenue Secretary Kimberly Robinson spoke to the House Ways and Means Committee about a proposed 1-cent state sales tax increase.

CUT 7 (09) “FY-17″

Robinson said the so-called “clean penny tax” would not apply to areas of exemption including groceries, residential utilities, prescription medications and gas.

As part of Governor Edwards plan to fix the state budget, he’s proposing roughly $160 million dollars in cuts. Edwards spoke with reporters following his opening remarks to lawmakers Sunday and said he’s leaving everything on the table…:

CUT 5 (07)  “as well”

The current budget deficit is $957 million.

Former state lawmaker Troy Hebert provided suggestions on how to control government spending in a letter to lawmakers.  Hebert says it is not fair to taxpayers for state workers to be paid for more work than they do. He believes using time clocks would resolve this issues.

cut 14 (07)  “day’s pay”

Hebert’s other suggestions include stopping across-the-board cuts and changing state supervisor-to-worker ratios.

A published report says Nicholls State is considering closing its doors for 12 days because of a lack of state funds. Metairie Senator Conrad Appel is upset to see a headline that Nicholls plans to close, when that’s not the case…

Cut 11 (12) “down schools”

Lawmakers have until March ninth to come up with a funding solution that would spare higher education from deep budget cuts.

Governor John Bel Edwards is proposing roughly $160 million dollars in cuts as part of his plan to fix the state’s budget deficit. Republican Representative Cameron Henry of Metairie says with a $957 million dollar shortfall legislators have to consider more ways to manage spending…:

CUT 3 (06)  “to do there”

Henry says GOP lawmakers will look at every way they can make cuts before anyone agrees to raise taxes.

State Department of Revenue Secretary Kimberly Robinson spoke to the House Ways and Means Committee about a proposed 1-cent state sales tax increase. The current state sales tax is 4%. Robinson says even with the proposed tax increase, the amount of taxes Louisiana citizens pay, is below average when compared to other states….

CUT 8 (08) “in general”

The tax increase, which would take effect by April 1, would generate an estimated $200 million for this fiscal year.

A published report says Nicholls State is considering a 12 day closure due to a lack of state funds. But Nicholls president, Doctor Bruce Murphy, says closing the campus for several days is the last option they would ever take. University of Louisiana System president, Doctor Dan Reneau, encouraged the Senate education committee to do what they can to keep college campuses open…

cut 10 (08)  “three weeks”

Lawmakers have until March ninth to come up with a funding solution that would spare higher education from deep budget cuts.

Former state lawmaker Troy Hebert provided other suggestions on how to control government spending in a letter to lawmakers. Hebert recommends putting GPS devices on state vehicles and requiring state employees, including college professors, to be on a time clock while at work.

cut 13 (05)  “needed services”

Hebert’s other suggestions include tying pay to performance and monitoring civil service actions and settlements.

As part of Governor John Bel Edwards plan to fix the state budget, he’s proposing roughly $160 million dollars in cuts. Michelle Southern reports…:

CUT 1 (29)  “I’m Michelle Southern”

Three teens have been arrested in Tangipahoa parish for the shooting death of a 19-year-old. Gerrell Lee Jr. was shot while riding in a car near Hammond on February 9^th. Two 15-year-olds and one 16-year-old charged with murder are being held at the Florida Parish Detention Center. Authorities say no other details will be released until the investigation is complete.

A published report says Nicholls State is considering closing its doors for 12 days because of a lack of state funds.  Metairie Senator Conrad Appel is upset to see a headline that Nicholls plans to close, when that’s not the case…

Cut 11 (12) “down schools”

Lawmakers have until March ninth to come up with a funding solution that would spare higher education from deep budget cuts.

Former state lawmaker Troy Hebert recommends putting GPS devices on state vehicles and requiring state employees, including college professors, to be on a time clock while at work. Hebert says it is not fair to taxpayers for state workers to be paid for more work than they actually do. He believes using time clocks would resolve this issues.

cut 14 (07)  “day’s pay”

Governor John Bel Edwards proposes $160 million dollars in cuts as part of the way to fill a $940 million dollar current year deficit. He says it’s impossible to operate on nothing…:
CUT 6 (13) “to happen”
GOP lawmakers say they’d like to see more cuts before raising taxes.

Department of Revenue Secretary Kimberly Robinson says even with the proposed one-cent sales tax increase, the amount of taxes Louisiana citizens pay is below average when compared to other states…:
CUT 8 (08) “in general”
The tax increase, which would take effect by April 1, would generate an estimated $200 million for this fiscal year.

Former state lawmaker Troy Hebert recommends putting GPS devices on state vehicles and requiring state employees, including college professors, to be on a time clock while at work. Hebert provided other suggestions on how to control government spending in a letter to lawmakers…:
cut 13 (05) “needed services”
Hebert’s other suggestions include tying pay to performance, monitoring civil service actions and settlements, stopping across-the-board cuts, and changing state supervisor-to-worker ratios.

A published report says Nicholls State is considering closing its doors for 12 days because of a lack of state funds. But Nicholls president, Doctor Bruce Murphy, says closing the campus for several days is the last option they would ever take. University of Louisiana System president, Doctor Dan Reneau, encouraged the Senate education committee to do what they can to keep college campuses open…:
cut 10 (08) “three weeks”
Lawmakers have until March ninth to come up with a funding solution that would spare higher education from deep budget cuts.

The Edwards Administration began detailing today its tax proposals that will be debated during the special session. Governor John Bel Edwards is recommending a combination of budget cuts and revenue raising measures as a way to solve a $940 million deficit. Louisiana Department of Revenue Secretary Kimberly Robinson spoke to the House Ways and Means Committee about a proposed 1-cent state sales tax increase….:
CUT 7 (09) “FY-17″
Republican Representative Cameron Henry of Metairie says GOP lawmakers will look at every way to cut before anyone agrees to raise taxes. He says Louisiana can not continue spending more money than it makes…:
CUT 4 (09) “concerned”
The 25 day long session began yesterday.

The National Weather Service has issued a tornado watch for most of central and south Louisiana until 6pm. Forecasters say showers and thunderstorms will become more numerous as a line moves across the state today. The fast moving system could produce hail, gusty winds and a possible tornado.

The Department of Health and Hospitals is telling citizens to be aware of the Zika virus situation, but not alarmed. State health director, Dr. Frank Welch, says pregnant women should take extra precautions…:
CUT 12 (07) “defects happen”
He says the Zika virus is carried by a mosquito that is currently not active in Louisiana. People travelling to the Caribbean, where the disease is prevalent, should also take extra precautions.

As part of Governor John Bel Edwards plan to fix the state budget, he’s proposing roughly $160 million dollars in cuts. Republican Representative Cameron Henry of Metairie says with a $940 million dollar deficit you have to look at more ways to manage spending…:
CUT 3 (06) “to do there”
Edwards spoke with reporters following his opening remarks to lawmakers Sunday and said he’s leaving everything on the table…:
CUT 5 (07) “as well”
The 25 day special session must end March 9th.

The National Weather Service has issued a tornado watch for a good portion of central and south Louisiana until 6 this evening. Forecasters say a cold front is approaching producing numerous showers and thunderstorms that could bring with it the possibility of large hail and damaging winds with an isolated tornado not being ruled out.

Baton Rouge Police identifies the two officers injured in a shooting over the weekend. They say Theodore Smith III and Sean Garic were shot in the line of duty on Saturday and sustained non-life threatening injuries. Authorities say the alleged gunman, 22-year-old Calvin Smith, later died at a hospital.

A state health director says Louisiana residents should use caution when it comes to the Zika Virus, but they should not be alarmed. Jeff Palermo has the story…:
Cut 2 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”