Governor John Bel Edwards is expected to call for a special legislative session very soon, possibly today. Jeremy Alford, with la-politics-dot-com, says Republicans in the legislature are pushing the governor to include in the call, opportunities where significant budget cuts can be made…

cut 5 (09) “as well”

Republican legislators have expressed interest in making cuts that go beyond what Governor Edwards has suggested.

The Republican Party of Louisiana has launched their “Red to the Roots” campaign to register new conservative voters across the state. Executive Director Jason Dore believes this effort will not only help the GOP in this year’s presidential and US Senate elections, but in future elections as well…

cut 8 (10) “for then”

He says the party will spend $2 million on the campaign.

The first Democrat has thrown her hat in the upcoming US Senate race and it’s New Orleans lawyer Caroline Fayard. Pollster Bernie Pinsonat says Fayard’s chances of winning would be increased if she’s the only major democrat in the race…

cut 14 (07) “for her”

Fayard unsuccessfully ran for Lt. Governor in 2010.

Everyone knows Mardi Gras festivities are huge in New Orleans, but southwest Louisiana has some great celebrations of their own. Meghan Hartman with the Lake Charles Southwest Convention and Visitors Bureau says Lake Charles has the second biggest Mardi Gras in the state. She says they’re proud of the fact their parades are family friendly…

cut 10 (10) “there’s parades”

Hartman says every year the festivities get bigger and bigger in southwest Louisiana.

We are expecting Governor John Bel Edwards will issue the call for a special legislative session very soon, possibly today. Jeremy Alford, with la-politics-dot-com, says the call outlines which tax measures the governor will ask legislators to vote on, to help close a 750-million dollar budget deficit for this fiscal year

cut 4 (10) “income tax brackets”

A three-and-a-half week special session is expected to start on February 14th.

Several republicans are running in Louisiana’s US Senate race and now we have our first Democrat. New Orleans lawyer Caroline Fayard, who unsuccessfully ran for Lt. Governor in 2010, has announced she’s looking to replace outgoing Senator David Vitter. Pollster Bernie Pinsonat says we’ll wait to see if other Democrats get in…

cut 13 (07) “just her”

It’s been rumored Public Service Commissioner Foster Campbell will also run for US Senate.

The Republican Party of Louisiana has launched their “Red to the Roots” campaign. The initiative is an effort to identify, engage, and register new conservative voters across Louisiana. Executive Director Jason Dore says although the number of Republicans registering to vote is increasing, they’re not comfortable with some recent trends in voter registration…

cut 7 (07) “for granted”

As of February 1st, there are 1.3 million registered Democratic voters in the state, 828,000 Republicans, and 756,000 Independent/Other Party voters.

Governor John Bel Edwards released a column today saying the budget does not need to be fixed by cutting higher ed and healthcare, but Republican House Appropriations Committee Chairman Cameron Henry says he want to look at reducing spending before raising taxes. He thinks Republican lawmakers are willing to work with Governor Edwards, but they need to know what the detailed budget plans are..:
cut 5 (05) “any steps”
He believes legislators will exhaust every measure possible to reduce the size of government before raising taxes.

Three Louisiana regions, New Orleans, Baton Rouge and Shreveport-Bossier, are in the Top 10 of the best places to live and work as a moviemaker. Executive Director of Louisiana’s Film Office Chris Stelly says there are many films and show projects going on right now in the state…:
CUT 11 (09) “in Shreveport”
He says the moviemaker.com ranking proves the film industry in Louisiana is alive and well.

The plea deal entered by former Saints star Darren Sharper in New Orleans to charges he drugged and raped women, is imploding according to a legal filing. Sharper pleaded guilty last year and agreed to a nine-year federal prison sentence in a so called “global deal.” Legal Analyst Tim Meche says it looks like the judge isn’t committing to the prison terms. He says this is bad for Sharper who has already admitted to being a serial rapist…:
CUT 8 (09) “good for him”
The joint motion by Sharper’s attorneys and the US Attorney asked the judge to postpone a March 7th trial date.

There were no signs of working smoke alarms in the home fire which investigators say claimed the life of a 6-year-old in Rapides Parish overnight. The State Fire Marshal’s Office says another child, aged 12, suffered significant burns in the blaze. The mother and another child were able to escape.

And today, New Orleans lawyer Caroline Fayard becomes the first Democrat to enter this year’s US Senate Race.

Governor John Bel Edwards says cuts to higher ed and health care are not solutions to the budget crisis. Eric Gill spoke with House Appropriations Chairman Cameron Henry to see what he thinks..:
CUT 1 (27) “I’m Eric Gill”

New Orleans lawyer Caroline Fayard announces her bid for this year’s US Senate race — becoming the first Democrat to do so. Fayard ran and did not beat Jay Dardenne in the lieutant governor’s election in 2010. Also running for the spot in the November 8th race are Republicans State Treasurer John Kennedy and US Representatives Charles Boustany and John Flemming and retired Air Force Col Rob Maness.

A 6-year-old child died in an overnight fire in Rapides Parish, according to the State Fire Marshal’s Office. They say the Jocelyn Ruiz perished in the Pineville blaze and a 12-year-old suffered significant burns. The mother and another child were not seriously injured. Investigators say there did not appear to be any functional smoke alarms in the home.

Authorities are taking a look at an Iberia Parish railroad where five people died after getting stuck on the tracks in their vehicle. The Department of Transportation and Development says they are working to determine if additional traffic measures are needed. Spokesman Rodney Mallett says it’s a tragedy when an accident with a train occurs. He reminds drivers to always look out and listen when coming close to a train track…:
cut 13 (10) “be aware”
He says their study involves observing traffic volumes, the speed of vehicles crossing the tracks and additional reports.

Governor John Bel Edwards says cuts to higher ed and health care are not solutions to the budget crisis, but Republican House Appropriations Committee Chairman Cameron Henry says he’s more interested in where they can trim the fat, before raising taxes. He believes lawmakers will look at ways the state can reduce spending first…:
CUT 3 (06) “than we make”
Henry says nobody likes budget cuts, but unfortunately they are necessary.

New Orleans, Baton Rouge and Shreveport-Bossier are in the top 10 best places to live and work as a movie maker in 2016. That’s according to rankings on moviemaker.com. Executive Director of Louisiana’s Film Office Chris Stelly says these cities have great infrastructure and staging facilities…:
CUT 10 (11) “very easy”

The two men accused in the kidnapping and murder of a Baton Rouge couple have been indicted on two counts each of first degree murder. District Attorney Hillar Moore says the death penalty is now on the table. 42-year-old Ernesto Alonso and 48-year-old Frank Garcia allegedly robbed 71-year-old Denis Duplantier and his 70-year-old white Suzy, before taking them from their home and killing them in October of last year, according to authorities.

The Louisiana Department of Transportation is surveying an Iberia Parish railroad crossing where five people died right before Christmas. DOTD Spokesperson Rodney Mallett says gates were put up over 10 years ago and a “do not stop on tracks” sign is in place. He sys they are working to learn if additional traffic enhancements are needed…:
cut 12 (11) “these routes”
Mallett says on average there has been one crash per year at this railroad crossing intersection for the last four years.

Governor John Bel Edwards released a column today saying cuts to higher ed and health care are not solutions to the budget crisis; however, Republican House Appropriations Committee Chairman Cameron Henry says he’s more interested in where they can make cuts before raising taxes. Henry thinks Republican lawmakers are willing to work with Governor Edwards, but they need to know what the detailed budget plans are…

cut 5 (05) “any steps”

He believes legislators will exhaust every measure possible to reduce the size of government before raising taxes.

According to a legal filing this week, the plea deal entered by former Saints star Darren Sharper in New Orleans to charges he drugged and raped women, is imploding. Legal Analyst Tim Meche says the new filing suggests the judge in New Orleans wouldn’t accept the so called “global deal”. He says this is not good news for Sharper as he’s already admitted to being a serial rapist in multiple jurisdictions…

cut 7 (10) “thought he would get”

Governor John Bel Edwards announces he’s dropping the lawsuit filed by the Jindal Administration to end Common Core. Edwards says, since the process to develop and implement Louisiana’s own education standards is nearing completion, the case, which is pending on appeal before the US 5th Circuit Court of Appeals, uses money, time, and resources that do not benefit students. He says his administration will not continue to waste taxpayer money on lawyers and lawsuits.

Three Louisiana cities have been ranked in the top 10 for best places to live and work for filmmakers in 2016…

cut 2 (29) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

Governor John Bel Edwards released a column today outlining why he feels cuts to higher ed and healthcare are not the answer to the budget woes. But Republican House Appropriations Committee Chairman Cameron Henry says, in the face of the $750 million dollar shortfall, nobody likes cuts but unfortunately they’re necessary…:
CUT 4 (11) “looking at”
He believes legislators will look at cuts first and do what they can to reduce the size of government.

Authorities are taking a look at an Iberia Parish railroad where five people died after getting stuck on the tracks in their vehicle. The Department of Transportation and Development says the study will last a couple of months and they hope determine if additional measures need to be taken at the crossing. Trains have reportedly crashed into vehicles at that spot at least once a year for the last four years.

Three Louisiana cities are in the Top 10 of the best places to live and work as a movie maker in 2016. New Orleans ranks number two, Baton Rouge comes in at number three and Shreveport-Bossier is ranked ninth. Executive Director of Louisiana’s Film Office Chris Stelly says there was concern with recent changes to film tax credit program this industry would go downhill but that’s not the case…:
CUT 9 (10) “for you”

Governor John Bel Edwards says cuts to higher ed and health care are not solutions to the budget crisis. Eric Gill spoke with House Appropriations Chairman Cameron Henry to see what he thinks…:
CUT 1 (27) “I’m Eric Gill”

Edwards is traveling for events throughout North Louisiana today to discuss the impact of potential budget cuts on higher ed institutions. His stops include Grambling State, Louisiana Tech and the Monroe Chamber of Commerce’s annual meeting.

The plea deal entered by former Saints star Darren Sharper in New Orleans to charges he drugged and raped women, is imploding according to a legal filing this week. Sharper pleaded guilty last year and agreed to a nine-year federal prison sentence in a so called “global deal” to resolve all allegations in multiple states. Legal Analyst Tim Meche is not surprised.
CUT 6 (10) “firmed up”
He says, even though a written ruling has not been issued, the new filing suggests the judge in New Orleans wouldn’t accept the deal.

A Covington man is under arrest on stalking charges for allegedly walking into a business on three separate occasions and committing lewd acts in front of an employee — putting her in fear for her safety, according to Police Chief Tim Lentz. He said Frederick Mayeaux was identified by the victim in a photo lineup and was subsequently charged with misdemeanor stalking.