Governor John Bel Edwards says there is no easy way to address the $940 million dollar current year shortfall, or the $2 billion dollar deficit for the budget year that begins July 1st. Last night Edwards told House and Senate members that some tax increases will be needed…:
Cut 13 (10) “so massive”
But Republican lawmakers have already said they are not on board with raising taxes. The special session must end March 9th.

Teachers unions are working together to prevent cuts to public school funding. Louisiana Association of Educators President Debbie Meaux says that’s why they joined forces with the Louisiana Federation of Teachers…:
CUT 9 (05) “our children”
She says the unions also want to make sure that the accountability and evaluation systems are in place for both students and teachers in Louisiana.

The Zika virus may be cause for caution but not alarm. State health officer Dr. Jimmy Guidry with DHH says when people are infected with the virus, the illness usually doesn’t last very long…:
CUT 11 (05) “five days”
Two Louisiana residents who recently traveled to the Caribbean, were recently diagnosed with the Zika virus, after complaining about a minor illness.

During testimony lawmakers learned under a worst case scenario that students must achieve at least a 28 on their ACT in order to receive the TOPS scholarship. Senate Education Chairman Blade Morrish says if the legislature elects to make dramatic changes to TOPS, they will likely not take effect immediately. He says that would be unfair to students who are already counting on the program….:
Cut 6 (10) “in high school”
Morrish has proposed bill to cap TOPS in the past, and he plans to propose bills on the TOPS issue in the upcoming regular session.

The special legislative session got underway Sunday and Governor John Bel Edwards told lawmakers it will take more than just cutting to repair the state’s budget and plug the $940 million dollar current year deficit. He says he doesn’t want partisan politics to get in the way of doing what’s right for the state…:
CUT 14 (12) (applause)
Many GOP lawmakers have already expressed reservations about raising taxes. Republican Bossier City Representative Mike Johnson wants to use this time to look at ways to reduce spending….:
Cut 16 (08) “uninformed“
The special session must conclude by March 9th.

The budget crisis in Louisiana has called into question the future of the TOPS scholarship program. Halen Doughty reports…:
CUT 1 (31) “I’m Halen Doughty”

Louisiana’s two largest public school teacher unions, the Louisiana Federation of Teachers and the Louisiana Association of Educators, announced they are teaming up in an effort to prevent cuts to public school funding. LAE President Debbie Meaux believes they can achieve powerful results by working together…:
CUT 7 (06) “of Louisiana”

Governor John Bel Edwards urges lawmakers to work with his administration on solving this fiscal year’s 940-million dollar budget deficit. Jeff Palermo has more…:

Cut 3 (31) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

The Ruston Daily Leader is reporting that the historic Wyly Tower of Learning at Louisiana Tech will be demolished due to infrastructural challenges, and replaced with a five story University Center. If all goes according to plan, the new project will begin before the summer of 2017.

Louisiana’s budget problems have raised concerns about the future of TOPS. The highly popular program has run into issues, as the state may not have enough money to fully pay a recipients scholarship. Senate Education Chairman Blade Morrish says the legislature will look at options to control TOPS spending during the regular legislative session…:
cut 4 (07) “on TOPS”
Governor John Bel Edwards has said that to restore TOPS and other government programs next year, lawmakers must agree to raise taxes.

The Zika virus may be cause for caution but not alarm. That’s according to state health director, Doctor Frank Welch, who says The Zika virus is transmitted by a certain kind of mosquito that is not active in Louisiana at this time. He says the mosquito borne disease is not harmful to most who get it…:
Cut 10 (07) “they’re sick”
People travelling to the Caribbean, where the disease is prevalent, should also take extra precautions.

Governor John Bel Edwards tells lawmakers that the state can’t cut its way out of its fiscal problems. That’s how a three and a half week long special session got underway last night as Edwards told House and Senate members that some tax increases will be needed to address a 940-million dollar budget deficit this fiscal year…:
Cut 13 (10) “so massive”
Republican West Monroe Senator Mike Walsworth is optimistic the GOP legislature can work with the Democratic Edwards administration on a solution to fixing the state’s budget problems…:
Cut 15 (10) “I believe”
The special session must conclude by March 9th.

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

Baton Rouge Police say a man who is suspected of shooting two officers has died. They say 22-year-old Calvin Smith was being treated at the same hospital as the two cops he allegedly shot. Authorities say BRPD was responding to a domestic disturbance when they encountered the suspect who fled before turning a rifle and shooting at the cops. The officers, who suffered non life threatening injuries, returned fire and struck Smith. The investigation is ongoing.

In a televised address Governor John Bel Edwards said there is a chance there will be no LSU football next fall unless legislators fix the state’s budget deficit. The state’s budget deficit is $940 million for this fiscal year, and almost $2 billion for the next fiscal year. Political analyst Clancy Dubos says this kind of scare tactic is common among government officials who seek to raise taxes.
CUT 7 (05) “everywhere”

Governor John Bel Edwards says TOPS students won’t get a tuition bill this semester, even with the money troubles the popular taxpayer funded program faces. Edwards says not enough money was appropriated for the TOPS program this year. He says they’re around 28-million dollars short and it will be up to each individual or college to pick up the rest of the costs.
cut 15 (04) “tuition bill”

Edwards says while TOPS students will have their scholarships fully paid for this year, next school year is a different story.

The Americans for Prosperity releases a poll that finds a majority of Louisiana residents oppose Governor John Bel Edwards’ proposals to increase sales and personal income taxes to combat the state’s budget deficit. A-F-P state director Phillip Joffrion says these increases are disrespectful to the people of Louisiana.
CUT 9 (08) “their means”

Joffrion says the sales tax increase would put Louisiana at the highest combined local and state sales tax in the country.

The Governor’s Executive Budget for the 2016-2017 fiscal year will be presented to lawmakers Saturday. The economic forecast estimates next year’s deficit is around $2 billion dollars. Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne says they aren’t going to sugarcoat the facts..:
CUT 3 (06) “completely recovered”

The Americans for Prosperity releases a poll that shows a majority of Louisiana residents oppose Governor John Bel Edwards’ proposals to increase sales and personal income taxes to address the state’s budget deficit. AFP state director Phillip Joffrion says the sales tax increase would put Louisiana at the highest combined local and state sales tax in the country. He says these increases are disrespectful to the people of Louisiana…:
CUT 9 (08) “their means”

TOPS payments will resume next week, according to LOSFA. They say individual campuses will be responsible for absorbing 20 percent of the costs that LOSFA doesn’t have in their appropriation for the program. That reverses an earlier announcement the agency made Thursday that placed a temporary halt on the payments. Further implications for TOPS will depend largely on the outcome of the upcoming special legislative sessions concerning the state budget crisis.

The state’s flu bug expert says Louisiana is in the middle of one of its slowest flu seasons ever. Emelie Gunn has the story…:
Cut 3 (18) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

In a special televised address Governor John Bel Edwards said there is a possibility there will be no LSU football next fall unless legislators resolve the state’s budget deficit. Political analyst Clancy Dubos does not think Edwards wants to make these cuts, but the governor’s hands are tied unless taxes are raised…:
CUT 6 (04) “at that”

Governor John Bel Edwards said in his state address last night that LSU could receive more cuts, which would put next fall’s football season in jeopardy. Jeff Palermo reports…:
CUT 2 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne says when next fiscal year’s budget is presented tomorrow, lawmakers aren’t going to like what they hear. He says this is not the budget they want…:
CUT 4 (10) “a reality”
The budget for 2016-2017 is a projected $2 billion dollars.

You can thank the mild temperatures for helping to keep folks from getting sick this flu season. Department of Health and Hospitals Dr. Jimmy Guidry still advises people to get the vaccinated so that the number of cases stays down…:
CUT 13 (08) “flu shot”
He says this slow season comes in stark contrast to last year’s, which exerts said was one of the worst.

The state office of financial assistance said Thursday that it was suspending TOPS payments effective immediately. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says he can’t see how the state doesn’t fulfill it’s promise that they would pay a student’s full tuition if they reached certain academic achievements…:
Cut 16 (08) “more explanation“
A spokesperson for the office of student financial assistance says the suspension of TOPS payments to public colleges is just a precautionary measure.

The Governor’s Executive Budget for the 2016-2017 fiscal year will be presented to lawmakers Saturday. The adopted economic forecast projects the next deficit is around $2 billion dollars. Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne says they don’t plan to sugarcoat the facts..:
CUT 3 (09) “doomsday scenario”

Governor John Bel Edwards says raising taxes is needed to fix the current deficit: CUT 1 (31) “I’m Halen Doughty”

Louisiana is experiencing one of its slowest flu seasons in several years. DHH health officer Dr. Jimmy Guidry says the virus can be unpredictable, but these mild temperatures are likely going to keep the number of cases down…:
CUT 12 (09) “a lot better”
Flu season in Louisiana typically peaks in late February or early March.

The state Office of Student Financial Assistance has notified colleges and universities that due to uncertainty over potential budget cuts they are holding off on making any TOPS payments. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says it would be a huge disaster for Louisiana if it’s unable to pay a TOPS recipients full tuition for this semester…:
Cut 14 (08) “being taken away”
The state says the suspension of TOPS payments to public colleges is just a precautionary measure.

Governor John Bel Edwards says colleges and and hospitals will close if lawmakers don’t approve higher taxes to plug the states $940 million dollar mid-yer deficit.Edwards even insinuated that college football won’t happen in the fall. After the governor’s televised address, State Treasurer John Kennedy provided the Republican Party’s response. He says there are plenty of areas the state can reduce spending…:
Cut 10 (09) “hurting anyone”

Meanwhile higher ed leaders were informed Thursday that TOPS payments were suspended effective immediately because of budget cut concerns. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says this will alarm many people…:
CUT 15 (10) “almost outrageous”
A special session to address the budget begins Sunday.

A couple in Jefferson Parish is under arrest for murder after a 14-year-old boy, the son of one of the suspects, was severely beaten and died, according to cops. The Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s office says the teen, Jalen Daniel, died Monday from injuries caused by head trauma. Investigators say they learned the two sons of Furnell Daniel were regularly beaten over poor grades. He and Terri Daniel were charged with second degree murder.

The giant contained burn chamber arrived in Camp Minden on Thursday and now the disposal of the M6 propellant process can begin. Jeff Palermo reports..:
CUT 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”