The Revenue Estimating Conference meets today to size up the budget shortfall Louisiana faces this fiscal year and next. Council for a Better Louisiana President Barry Erwin says the falling oil prices aren’t the only reason we’re in this situation but the structure of the budget has never really been repaired since 2008-2009. He says we’ve just been borrowing money from ourselves over and over and then that ran out…

cut 6 (07) “for state government”

Erwin says it’s hard to predict how much will be cut this fiscal year.

State Treasurer John Kennedy appears to be considering a run in a few races in this year’s upcoming elections. It’s reported that he hired Virginia-based North Star Opinion Research to poll the races for governor, attorney general, and US Senate. Kennedy says he’s trying to weigh the advice he’s been given and think things through…

cut 9 (11) “work through”

He says he’ll make a decision about his political future soon.

The trial for a man accused of tying up and abandoning a baby pit-bull in October 2013 begins in Caddo District Court today, and many angry citizens are expected to be in attendance. Michelle Southern reports…

cut 3 (32) “reporting”

State Police say an Oak Grove man is dead after a single vehicle crash on I-20 in Richland Parish. They say 70-year-old Jerry Ratcliff was traveling west when, for unknown reasons, his truck traveled off the highway and struck a tree. Ratcliff, who was not wearing a seat belt, was pronounced dead at the scene.

The Revenue Estimating Conference meets today and will determine the budget shortfall the state is facing this fiscal year and next. Michelle Southern reports…

cut 1 (29) “reporting”

State Police say a Port Barre man is dead after a single vehicle accident over the weekend. Authorities say 28-year-old Lance Lomas was riding an ATV on the westbound shoulder of US 190 in St. Landry Parish when he veered right and drove the vehicle into a ditch which caused the ATV to flip. Lomas was thrown from the vehicle and suffered critical injuries. He was pronounced dead at a local hospital. Officials say impairment is a suspected factor in the crash.

Senate President John Alario is planning to meet with Governor Jindal this week to discuss how a potential budget cut of up to $380 million dollars to Louisiana’s public colleges can be reduced. Alario says one of the items of discussion that’s on the table is trying to increase revenue…

cut 15 (07) “tougher job”

Alario says that kind of cut would completely devastate higher education

A man accused of tying up and abandoning a baby pit-bull in October 2013 goes on trial in Caddo District Court today. According to authorities, when he was 4 months old, the dog, now known as Braveheart, was found chained inside a storage unit in Shreveport and it was believed he’d been there for several days as he was barely alive. Braveheart’s owner Bo Spataro says they are hoping 32-year-old Gabriel Lee gets the maximum sentence allowed…

cut 11 (08) “or ever again”

Lee is charged with cruelty to an animal.

Today, the Revenue Estimating Conference meets to determine the budget shortfall Louisiana faces this fiscal year and next. Council for a Better Louisiana President Barry Erwin says we already had a projected shortfall of $1.4 billion for next fiscal year but that will likely grow as oil prices keep plummeting…

cut 5 (10) “major part of those cuts”

He says it’s likely mid-year cuts will be needed to offset the deficit.

Senate President John Alario and Governor Bobby Jindal are scheduled to meet this week to discuss ways to reduce a potential $380 million budget cut to Louisiana’s public colleges. He says they need to put their heads together and try to figure out how to fix this problem..

cut 14 (04) “table”

Alario says one of the items of discussion that’s on the table is trying to increase revenue.

It looks like state Treasurer John Kennedy is testing the waters for a few races in this year’s upcoming elections. Kennedy says he’s had a number of different groups talk to him about serving in a different capacity…

cut 8 (10) “made one, yet”

It’s reported that Kennedy hired Virginia-based North Star Opinion Research to poll the races for governor, attorney general, and US Senate.

The trial for a man accused of tying up and abandoning a baby pit-bull in October 2013 begins in Caddo District Court today, and there are plenty of angry citizens expected to be in attendance. The dog is now known as Braveheart and he is owned by Bo Spataro who says 32-year-old Gabriel Lee, charged with cruelty to an animal, has shown zero remorse…

cut 10 (10) “it’s just a dog”

Spataro says they are hoping Lee gets the maximum sentence allowed.

The Revenue Estimating Conference meets today to determine the budget shortfall the state is faces this fiscal year and next. Council for a Better Louisiana President Barry Erwin says it’s likely the mid-year cuts will be needed to offset the deficit. He says a big reason for the shortfall, lower than expected oil prices…

cut 4 (10) “less revenue”

Erwin says it’s hard to predict how much will be cut this fiscal year.

It appears that state Treasurer John Kennedy is testing the waters for a few races in this year’s upcoming elections. It’s reported that Kennedy has hired Virginia-based North Star Opinion Research to poll the races for governor, attorney general, and US Senate. Kennedy says, at this time, he’s keeping his options open…

cut 7 (09) “best contribute”

The survey shows the Treasurer topping a possible attorney general’s race and the leading Republican in a US Senate race should David Vitter become governor.

Senate President John Alario plans to meet with Governor Jindal this week to discuss ways to reduce a potential budget cut of up to $380 million dollars to Louisiana’s public colleges. He says that kind of cut would completely devastate higher education not only to the universities but to the children who are seeking it…

cut 13 (08) “shutting down”

Alario says he’s also heard that LSU’s Pennington Biomedical Research Center is in danger if this type of cut comes down. He says they need to put their heads together and try to figure out how to fix this problem.

Protesters are stationed outside the Pete Maravich Assembly Center for the Global Prayer Rally which just started at 10 am. The American Family Association, known for its opposition of gay rights, is putting on the event for the national day of prayer. Spokesman Doug Stringer says he’s aware of the protests…
cut 12 (09) “not about them”
Meanwhile, Peter Jenkins from “Organize, Reflect, Act”, says they’re not against a prayer rally; they just oppose the American Family Association.

The lawsuit filed by the daughter and grandkids of Saints and Pelicans owner Tom Benson, after he announced he is leaving the teams to his wife Gayle, is a hot topic. Many people are pointing to the big money…
CUT 11 (05) Q: “at stake here”
That’s LSU Health Sciences Center clinical psychologist Dr. Michelle Moore .
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Multiple sources have reported that employees of General Electric’s plant in Pineville have been told that the facility is closing with the manufacturing jobs transferring to Jacksonville, Florida. It’s been rough on Pineville in the past few years, as several facilities have closed…
CUT 8 (10) Q: ‘pretty soon’
That’s Pineville Mayor Clarence Fields, who says they haven’t gotten any official word from GE.

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries has issued several citations on a group of people for allegedly hunting ducks illegally over a sewer plant in Rayne in Acadia Parish, and leaving many of the ducks in the sewage pond…
CUT 5 (08) Q: “after you do shoot em”
That’s LDWF spokesman Adam Einck.

Getting underway today, there’s a Global prayer rally at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center, and protestors will be out in force against the American Family Association, who is putting on the event. Peter Jenkins is the organizer of “Organize, Reflect, Act,” says the sponsoring group has a history of making anti-gay remarks, but he points out it’s not just about a protest…
CUT 15 (07) Q: “in the communities”

Spokesman Doug Stringer calls the rally a call to prayer for a nation in crisis. Governor Bobby Jindal is scheduled to be one of many participants praying at the 6-hour event. Although hundreds of protesters are expected, Stringer says they won’t be distracted…
cut 13 (11) “of our nation”
The rally ends this afternoon at 4pm.
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The Tom Benson family feud was a hot topic yesterday for the board that oversees the Superdome and Smoothie King Center. Even though Saints and Pelicans officials say the day to day operations will not change, the family situation has…
CUT 1 (32) Q: “reporting”

Tonight the Mystic Krewe of Louisianians will be hosting their annual Mardi Gras ball in Washington DC. La-Politics-dot-com’s Jerermy Alford says it will be a “who’s who” of Louisiana Politics, including all of the candidates for Louisiana governor.

Protesters have gathered together outside the Pete Maravich Assembly Center today for the Global Prayer Rally…
CUT 2 (30) “reporting”

Cold temperatures in North and Central Louisiana caused some problems out on the road overnight and this morning. State Police Troop E, which covers Central Louisiana, are investigating several crashes because of icy conditions and freezing fog. Tonight will still be chilly, but dry.
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New Orleans Saints and Pelicans owner Tom Benson’s family dirty laundry is being aired after the announcement he’s leaving the franchises to his wife Gayle, instead of the kids. The former heirs are suing, saying that Benson is incapacitated…
CUT 9 (11) “over time”
That’s LSU Health Sciences Center Clinical Psychologist Dr. Michelle Moore who adds money is a big part of it.

After some tips and surveillance, the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries has issued several citations on a group of people for allegedly hunting ducks illegally over a sewer plant in Acadia Parish…
CUT 3 (10) “left the scene”
That’s LDWF spokesman Adam Einck.

Saints and Pelicans owner Tom Benson’s dirty laundry is being aired to fans as a day after he announces he’s decided to leave the franchises to his wife instead of his kids, the former heirs sue claiming it was a decision made out of incompetence. Dr. Michelle Moore is a clinical psychologist at the LSU Health Sciences Center. She says this family battle can be repaired with simple open communication among members…:
CUT 10 (09) “ugly words”
Benson says he intends to fight the suit every step of the way.

Governor Bobby Jindal announces the appointment of Chip Kline as the Chair of the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority. He will replace Jerome Zeringue who recently resigned. Kline currently serves as the Deputy Director for Coastal Activities in the Governor’s office.

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries has issued several citations on a group of people for allegedly hunting ducks illegally over a sewer plant in Acadia Parish. LDWF spokesman Adam Einck says it appears those committing violations were going to the Rayne sewer plant because they just wanted to hunt…:
CUT 4 (08) “any kind of way”
He says there were a number of violations that took place in this case but the biggest was wanton waste which means you don’t retrieve game that you harvest.

Multiple sources have reported that employees of General Electric’s plant in Pineville have been told that the facility is closing with the manufacturing jobs transferring to Jacksonville, Florida. The valve plant employs about 300 people. Pineville Mayor Clarence Fields says they haven’t gotten any official report from GE…:
CUT 6 (08) “flowed from”
Pineville has seen several facilities close in recent years, including Cotton Brothers Bakery and International Paper.