New Louisiana Economic Development Secretary Don Pierson begins meeting with local economic development groups emphasizing small business success. Eric Gill reports…:
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Fire officials believe a wood burning stove caused a deadly fire in Ponchatoula over the weekend. They say it happened at a camp on the Tangipahoa River that had no electrical power and was only accessible by boat. 54-year-old Elizabeth Piner was able to flee on a vessel, but once the fire was extinguished, investigators located the body of her friend, 57-year-old Joel Hall.

LSU is reportedly set to release a budget cut plan today after receiving news from the Edwards administration it could be losing $65 million dollars as part of a $131 million dollar cut across higher ed institutions in Louisiana. Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne…:
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Dardenne says the governor is open to suggestions from others who have a different approach to the budget problems.

Govenor John Bel Edwards says one possible way to help with the state’s $750 million dollar mid-year deficit is to raise the cigarette tax. He sent out a proposal of a 22 cent increase, but Randy Hayden with Invest in a healthy Louisiana says that’s not enough. He says compared to our surrounding southern states, we still have very low taxes on tobacco products…:
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Governor John Bel Edwards is proposing to raise the cigarette tax by 22 cents but one organization doesn’t think that’s enough. Emelie Gunn has more…

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For the week ending January 16th, initial unemployment insurance claims in Louisiana dropped by over 700 claims. In figures released by the state labor department Friday, initial claims fell to 3,485 from 4,203 the week before. Continued unemployment claims rose by over 550 claims during the same time period.

The Edwards administration has told higher education leaders that a cut in state funding to public colleges and universities is likely this fiscal year because of the budget crisis. Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne says their goal is to come up with a plan that will not burden taxpayers but at the same time prevent drastic cuts in state funding…

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Darden says higher ed could face a cut of up to $131 million.

New Louisiana Economic Development Secretary Don Pierson starts a statewide tour today, emphasizing small business growth. Pierson says economic development starts small and on the local level. He says LED stands ready to help small business flourish with 10 Small Business Development Centers throughout the state…

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He says 97-percent of employers across Louisiana are small businesses.

The Edwards Administration has informed public universities in Louisiana that cuts are likely to come this fiscal year. Jeff Palermo has more…

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The state Fire Marshal’s Office says a fire in West Monroe has critically injured a family of four, including a pregnant mother. 26-year-old Jeremiah Owojori and his 7-month old son were transported to an area hospital where they remain on life support. His pregnant wife, 24-year-old Ashley and their 5-year-old son were transported to LSU Medical Center in Shreveport where they remain in critical condition. Authorities suspect faulty wiring led to the fire. The investigation is ongoing.

A former teacher’s aide was acquitted of molestation of a juvenile by a St. Tammany Parish jury. Wendell Troullier was arrested in 2014 after a 10-year-old boy claimed he was inappropriately touched while at the man’s house. Defense attorney Robby Gill says Troullier was never arrested before this case and he maintained his innocence throughout, even during intense interrogation at police headquarters…

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Troullier, who was employed by the St. Tammany Parish School System for 11 years, was fired following his arrest.

Governor John Bel Edwards has proposed a 22 cent hike in the cigarette tax to help with the state’s budget crisis. Consultant with the Invest in a Healthy Louisiana campaign Randy Hayden says right now it looks like this proposed tax could go up or down, depending on negotiations…

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He says studies show cigarette tax increases start to impact health when they’re raised over a dollar.

The Edwards administration says a cut in state funding for higher education is likely this fiscal year. Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne says, unfortunately, this is just the reality of where we are as a state…

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He says at this point the cut could be as much as 131 million dollars.

Governor John Bel Edwards has suggested a 22 cent cigarette tax increase to help with the state’s budget deficit. Consultant with the Invest in a Healthy Louisiana campaign Randy Hayden says compared to our surrounding southern states, we still have very low taxes on tobacco products…

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The campaign suggests raising the cigarette tax another $1.25 per pack.

Today, new Louisiana Economic Development Secretary Don Pierson begins a statewide emphasizing small business success in the state. Pierson says the state’s current budget crisis will certainly be topic of discussion in how it could impact small business…

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Pierson will visit 10 cities through February 5th.

A St. Tammany Parish jury acquits a former teacher’s aide of molestation of a juvenile. Wendell Troullier was arrested by Slidell Police in 2014 after a 10-year-old boy said Troullier touched him inappropriately while at the man’s house. Defense attorney Robby Gill says the lead detective said during the trial that they never took DNA from the child, which led to the jury finding Troullier not guilty…

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Troullier was facing a minimum 25-year prison sentence if found guilty.

Governor John Bel Edwards has put out a variety of different proposals to help with the state’s budget deficit, one being increasing the cigarette tax by 22 cents. Consultant with the Invest in a Healthy Louisiana campaign Randy Hayden says his organization doesn’t think that’s enough. He says the campaign suggests raising the cigarette tax another $1.25 per pack…

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Hayden says we had the third lowest cigarette tax in the country until Louisiana increased the tax 50 cents in 2015.

The Edwards administration has informed higher education leaders that a cut in state funding to public colleges and universities is likely this fiscal year. Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne says at this point it could be as much as 131 million dollars…

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New Louisiana Economic Development Secretary Don Pierson begins a statewide tour today, meeting with local economic development groups emphasizing small business success in the state. Pierson says Governor John Bel Edwards has made small business growth a priority of his administration. He says it’s important to learn the different economic development needs from each region of the state…

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Pierson will make stops today in Tallulah, Delhi, and Alexandria.

The 68th D.C. Mardi Gras is underway in our nation’s capital, and it’s a snowy one. LaPolitics.com publisher Jeremy Alford is there, and says Governor John Bel Edwards and other Louisiana politicians are using this opportunity to get a lot of work done…:
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But he says the number 1 topic in D.C. is something Louisianians don’t normally discuss, the snow and flight numbers and departure times.

A man from Zachary is under arrest for allegedly shooting his dog multiple times when the pet wouldn’t cooperate during a bath. The East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s Office said the roommate and wife of 51-year-old Brian Keith Blair tried to talk him out of it, but deputies found nin .22 caliber casings and were forced to euthanize the pet at the scene. Blair is booked on animal creulty charges and illegal use of a weapon.

It was another big day on the recruiting front for the Fighting Tigers as five-star defensive tackle Rashard Lawrence of Neville High School announced he plans to attend LSU. Tiger Rag Associate Editor James Moran says the Monroe product is six-foot-three, 309-pounds and looks like a can’t miss prospect…:
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Lawrence chose LSU over Ohio State.

Public colleges in Louisiana have been told that they could be facing a $131 million dollar cut across the board in the remaining 5 months of the current fiscal year, without legislative intervention. The Edwards Administration says its making tough choices in filling the state’s $750 million dollar budget shortfall. LSU President F. King Alexander says $65 million would go to LSU.

The family of the man who died on New Years after being run over in New Orleans and dragged through the French Quarter for 6 miles, is desperate to find out who is responsible. Josh Woodruff was hailing an Uber around 3am January 1st when he was struck by a four door black sedan and dragged away, according to investigators. Karen Woodruff is Josh’s mom…:
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At this time the vehicle has not been found and no arrests have been made. There is a $10,000 reward.

LSU President F King Alexander says they are expecting another round of cuts, but that Governor John Bel Edwards remains committed to prioritizing higher education. Alexander says, in the face of a $750 million dollar budget shortfall in the current fiscal year, LSU will take a $65 million dollar cut out of the $131 million for higher ed across the board, without legislative intervention.

The subject of who makes the best King cake comes up every Mardi Gras season, and now there’s a platform which allows enthusiasts to review and rate their favorite. Erica Sweeny is the spokesperson for the site, KingCakeSnob.com. She says a fun, healthy rivalry goes on among bakeries, and Louisiana residents swearing by their favorite King Cake…:
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The good news keeps rolling in for the LSU football team as another major player commits to becoming a Tiger. Five-star defensive tackle Rashard Lawrence of Neville High School says he plans to attend LSU. He is ranked by ESPN as the nation’s sixth best defensive tackle in the country. Tiger Rag Associate Editor James Moran says the LSU coaches have done an excellent job this year of keeping in-state talent in Louisiana…:
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The 68th D.C Mardi Gras takes place this weekend in our nation’s capital and a “Who’s Who” of Louisiana politics will be in attendance, weather permitting. Eric Gill reports…:
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LSU President F. King Alexander says the cuts coming to higher ed will be catastrophic. It’s in reaction to a letter from the Edwards Administration indicating $131 million dollars could be taken from Louisiana’s colleges and universities, including $65 million from LSU, if the legislature doesn’t’ come up with other ways to plug the $750 million dollar mid-year deficit.

The family of Josh Woodruff, who was struck and dragged by a hit & run vehicle a suspected 30 minutes on New Years in New Orleans, is pleading for the public to come forward with information on the driver. A $10,000 reward is on the table. Karen Woodruff is Josh’s mom. During a Friday news conference she read a text they got from Josh New Years night…:
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A $10,000 reward is being offered for information on this hit and run.

The Shreveport Police Department says a $5,000 reward is now being offered for information in the search for the two endangered boys taken by force by their mother and a man wanted in connection with a pair of bank robberies. They say 2-year-old Elijah Wong and 7-year-old Donnie Simmons are believed to be in imminent danger. They are seeking to apprehend Keith Rogers and the boy’s mother, Antionette Wong. Anyone with information on the whereabouts of these four is urged to contact authorities.

Louisianians are representing in our nation’s capital this week as the 68th annual Washington D.C. Mardi Gras is underway. LaPolitics.com publisher Jeremy Alford says there’s a lot of talk about the budget, but the snow is a major topic…:
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He says for the first time in three years, Louisiana’s governor is attending.

The family of the man dragged by a hit & run car for 6 miles in the French Quarter on New Years is pleading for answers. Josh Woodruff’s dad, Mark, says somebody must have seen something…:
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There is a $10,000 reward for information.

The good recruiting news keeps rolling in for LSU as they get another major commitment. Five-star defensive tackle Rashard Lawrence of Neville chose to be a Tiger today, a day after LSU got a commitment from John Curtis offensive lineman Willie Allen. Tiger Rag Associate Editor James Moran says the Tigers are now in excellent position to have the number one recruiting class in the nation…:
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February 3rd is signing day.

Do you have a favorite king cake that you swear by? Now there’s a website where you can rate and judge yours against other bakeries. Erica Sweeney is the spokesperson for the site, KingCakeSnob.com. She says you vote on a variety of characteristics of the king cake and the results are updated as each user submits a review…:
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