Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne says new revenues, possibly from an additional one-cent increase to the state sales tax, are needed to solve this fiscal year’s 750-million dollar shortfall. It’s unclear if the Republican-controlled legislature is willing to go along with the governor’s revenue raising plans. Dardenne says they’ve been communicating with G-O-P legislators…

cut 9 (08) “from happening”

Governor John Bel Edwards will call a special session later this month where he’ll ask lawmakers to raise taxes.

The Attorney General’s Office says six more arrests have been made in the Lafayette D.A. bribery scandal. A-G Jeff Landry says none of those arrested are currently working in the D.A.’s office. He says the Attorney General’s Office is tired of public corruption…

cut 12 (07) “this state”

The U.S. Attorney’s Office has already convicted and sentenced 5 people in connection with this case.

The Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Office has made an arrest in the weekend stabbing death of 18-year-old Dylan Poche. They say 18-year-old Andrew Jacob Wallace was arrested after authorities discovered what they describe as a “critical piece of evidence” near the crime scene Monday afternoon. Wallace is being held at the Nachitoches Parish Detention Center on a count of second degree murder.

LSU researchers are studying body shapes to try to get a better idea of what types of clothing sizes would best fit individual consumers, especially those losing weight…

cut 3 (30) “I’m Michelle Southern”

Commissioner of administration Jay Dardenne says to avoid deep budget cuts to government services, the state will need to raise revenue…

cut 2 (30) “I’m Michelle Southern”

The fight over the removal of confederate statues in New Orleans is heading to the state’s highest court. President of the Monumental Task Force, Pierre McGraw, has filed paperwork with the Louisiana Supreme Court in an effort to keep the city of New Orleans from taking them down. The filing comes after an appeals court judge refused to issue a restraining order to stop their removal. McGraw has requested expedited consideration on the issue.

The Attorney General’s Office has announced six additional arrests in the Lafayette D.A. bribery scandal. The U.S. Attorney’s Office has already sentenced and convicted 5 people in connection with this case. State A-G Jeff Landry says the six people arrested here are some that have been prosecuted in the federal investigation and are now facing a variety of charges from the state…

cut 11 (08) “public bribery”

He says none of those arrested are currently working in the D.A.’s office.

An LSU Health Shreveport study shows that radiation is being over used to treat elderly woman with breast cancer. Lead researcher Dr. Quyen Chu hopes that by releasing this study, more doctors will start following what the guidelines call for. He says the reason radiation is still being used is likely because doctors are set in their ways in treating patients…

cut 6 (11) “come back”

He says radiation treatment can cause many different complications in patients.

Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne says new revenue is needed to solve this fiscal year’s 750-million dollar shortfall. Dardenne says they are proposing to use some one-time money, rainy day funds, and there are some proposed budget cuts, but he says additional revenue is also needed to avoid big cuts…

cut 8 (12) “that money”

He says just cutting the budget will not solve the budget crisis.

LSU researchers are trying to get a better idea of what types of clothing sizes would best fit individual consumers. Casey Stannard, with LSU Ag’s Department of Textiles, Apparel Design, and Merchandising, says they want to see a system where a customer could get a body scan and then purchase clothing based on the results…

cut 14 (08) “fit them”

She says they are using body scanning technology to learn about ways better-fitting clothing could be developed.

A new LSU Health Shreveport study finds radiation is being over used to treat elderly woman with breast cancer. Lead researcher Dr. Quyen Chu says radiation treatment can cause many different complications in patients…

cut 5 (11) “the heart”

Chu says their research shows that 2/3 of women age 70 or older with stage 1 breast cancer are still receiving radiation.

The Attorney General’s Office has announced six more arrests of people involved in the Lafayette D.A. bribery scandal. A-G Jeff Landry says the corrupt practices that were being dismissed in this office were ignored by the previous Attorney General, Buddy Caldwell. He says it’s disturbing that action wasn’t taken earlier…

cut 10 (10) “our act”

Landry says it’s a collaborative effort with federal authorities to clean up corruption in the state.

The Pelican’s seven game homestand came to a disappointing close last night with a 110-95 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies. The Grizzlies have won 10 of their last 12, with two of those wins coming against New Orleans. Anthony Davis and Norris Cole led all scorers with 23. Although the Pels fall to 18-29 on the season, they were 5-2 during this homestand and have won seven of their last 10. The Pelicans will return to the road tomorrow night to take on the San Antonio Spurs.

Last night in the SWAC, Mississippi Valley State topped Grambling 72-59. The Delta Devils’ Marcus Romain led all scorers with 25 off the bench. The Tigers were led by reserve Nigel Ribeiro who pumped in 14 in the losing effort. Ervin Mitchell and Deonte Hearns each scored 11 as Grambling drops to 6-15 overall and 3-6 in the SWAC. Big game for the Tigers Saturday afternoon as they welcome Southern to the Hobdy Assembly Center.

In the Southland Conference, Christavious Gill’s 17 points led UNO to a 74-53 win over Nicholls State. KC Caudill came off the bench to lead the Colonels with 11. The Privateers were able to hold Nicholls to less than 35-percent shooting from the field. UNO’s on a three game winning streak and will take on Central Arkansas Saturday. Nicholls have now lost seven in a row and will host McNeese State Saturday.

Southeastern Louisiana edged McNeese State 82-80. Joshua Filmore’s three pointer with nine seconds remaining put the Lions up for good. The Cowboy’s Jarren Greenwood’s career high 28 points led all scorers in the contest. Southeastern Louisiana hopes to keep the winning ways going Saturday when they play Abilene Christian Saturday.

Tonight, the LSU Tigers travel to face the Auburn Tigers in an SEC match-up. The Tigers are 13-8 on the season, while Auburn has a losing record. According ESPN’s Joe Lunardi, as it stands today, LSU would be a 10-seed in the NCAA Tournament.

Elsewhere, Central Arkansas is on the road to take on Northwestern State and UL-Lafayette hosts ULM.

Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne says new revenues, possibly from an additional one-cent increase to the state sales tax, are needed to stave off big cuts to public colleges and health care services. Dardenne says they are being honest with the public when they say, just cutting the budget will not solve this fiscal year’s 750-million dollar shortfall

cut 7 (11) “raise some revenue”

Governor John Bel Edwards will call a three-week long special session later this month and at that time, he’ll ask lawmakers to raise taxes.

A study out of LSU Health Shreveport finds radiation is being over used to treat elderly woman with breast cancer. Lead researcher Dr. Quyen Chu says woman 70 and older with stage 1 breast cancer shouldn’t be treated with radiation and should talk with doctors about taking another treatment route…

cut 4 (09) “you need”

LSU researchers are studying body shapes to try to get a better idea of what types of clothing sizes would best fit individual consumers, especially those losing weight. Casey Stannard, an assistant professor at LSU Ag’s Department of Textiles, Apparel Design and Merchandising, says there are a lot of misconceptions in the industry about the human form in general…

cut 13 (10) “design better”

They are looking for men and women who are losing weight to participate in this study and receive a 3D body scan with each 10 pounds of loss.

A report from the state inspector general and legislative auditor discovers former Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary David LaCerte mismanaged his department. LaCerte resigned suddenly during the investigation by Inspector General Stephen Street and Legislative Auditor Darryl Purpera. Street says they found improprieties at multiple Veterans homes across Louisiana…
CUT 3 (12) “from a patient”

Lacerte’s attorney, Jarrett Ambeau, says this is nothing more than a political attack by Purpera and Street because his client was pushing an agenda in favor of veterans.

Thibodaux Police have identified the two Napoleonville men who shot and injured each other during a parade on Sunday. They believe 20-year-old Ryan Harris got into an argument with 33-year-old Quincy Johnson, when Harris came back to the scene in body armor and shot Johnson in the chest. Johnson returned fire and struck Harris in the left side. The men are both in stable condition.

Democratic Governor John Bel Edwards attended a Republican legislative retreat today in Lafayette. GOP lawmakers met to discuss plans to deal with the state’s budget crisis. UL-Lafayette Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says this is interesting yet not shocking…
CUT 8 (06) “the help is”

Cross feels Republicans will be wary of Edwards’ proposals to fix the budget deficit, particularly those involving raising taxes.

The US Army Corps of Engineers closed the last open bays of the Bonnet Carre Spillway today. The spillway opened earlier this month to divert rising Mississippi River floodwaters from New Orleans. Spokesperson Ricky Boyette says about 290 of the 350 bays of the Bonnet Carre were opened during the operation. He says when they built this spillway, they built it right…
cut 16 (10) “original needles”

A report from the state inspector general and legislative auditor finds former Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary David LaCerte mismanaged his department. Eric Gill reports…:
CUT 1 (29) “I’m Eric Gill”

The final bays on the Bonnet Carre Spillway were closed Monday as the Mississippi River levels continue to fall. US Army Corps of Engineers Spokesman Ricky Boyett says the structure was operational for 22 days after the bays were opened January 10th, 2016…:
CUT 15 (07) “our peak”

A Texas man accused of raping a woman he met on Tinder in 2014 was acquitted today by an East Baton Rouge Parish jury. 24-year-old Jacob Witz, of Bellaire, Texas, was indicted on the charge in January 2015. If found guilty, he could have served up to 40 years in prison on the forcible rape charge.

Democratic Governor John Bel Edwards attends a Republican retreat today in Lafayatte in a gathering to discuss budget crisis plans, and some consider in a strange twist. UL-Lafayette Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says Edwards needs all the help he can get since the legislature is Republican-controlled. He says we’ll have to wait and see if Republicans are willing to work with the governor…:
CUT 10 (07) “come out”
He says some of the revenue committees are heavily stacked with Republican lawmakers, which will make Governor Edwards’ job much harder getting the legislation he wants passed.

An investigative report by the Legislative Auditor and Inspector General alleges former state Department of Veterans affairs secretary David LaCerte irresponsibly handled his agency. Investigators also say LaCerte’s military service record doesn’t match claims in his department biography. Lacerte’s attorney, Jarrett Ambeau, says it’s easy to find facts that prove his client was not misrepresenting his service…:
CUT 7 (09) “is inaccurate”
The report stated under LaCerte’s leadership, work and travel were improperly documented and authorities weren’t informed about potential crimes involving residents at three war veteran homes.

Impairment is suspected in a weekend head-on collision in Calcasieu Parish that police say claimed three lives. Cops say a car, driven by 22-year-old Alejandro Delgado of Sulphur, crossed the center line and collided with an SUV with two occupants inside. All three succumbed to their injuries. The investigation is ongoing.

Democratic Governor John Bel Edwards is meeting with Republicans today at a retreat in Lafayette during discussions over Louisiana’s budget woes, and potential fixes. UL-Lafayette Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says with a GOP controlled legislature, Edwards has no choice but to seek their support…:
CUT 9 (07) “very clearly”
He feels Republicans will be very wary of Edwards’ proposals to deal with the budget deficit, particularly those involving raising taxes.

A woman was rescued by Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s deputies after police say she jumped off the Huey P Long Bridge over the Mississippi River. Colonel John Fortunato says they found the woman stuck head first in a beam supporting the bridge and were able to pull her out. He says Deputies Jordan Burst and David Lowe were extremely heroic in their efforts..:
cut 13 (05) “over the water”
The woman sustained minor injuries and is receiving psychiatric care at a hospital.

In a bit of a strange twist, Democratic Governor John Bel Edwards is scheduled to attend a Republican legislative retreat today in Lafayette. Eric Gill reports…:
CUT 2 (28) “I’m Eric Gill”

Thibodaux Police identify the two Napoleonville men who shot and injured each other at a parade Sunday. They believe 20-year-old Ryan Harris got into an altercation with 33-year-old Quincy Johnson, when Harris returned to the scene in body armor and shot Johnson in the chest. Johnson returned fire and struck Harris in the left side. The men are listed in stable condition.

An investigative report was released Monday alleging widespread improprieties at the Department of Veterans Affairs under the leadership of former secretary David LaCerte. An audit found problems with hiring practices, mismanagement of federal funds and problems with reporting potential crimes. Inspector General Stephen Street says there are many who agree with the findings of the investigation…:
CUT 5 (07) “for itself, there”
Lacerte’s attorney, Jarrett Ambeau, says this is nothing but a political attack.

The US Army Corps of Engineers began closing the remaining open bays of the Bonnet Carre Spillway today. The spillway was opened to divert rising Mississippi River floodwaters from New Orleans. Spokesman Ricky Boyett says about 30 bays remained opened this morning…:
cut 14 (07) “flood event”
The structure has been operational for 22 days after the Corps began opening bays on January 10th for the 11th time since 1931.