The House Appropriations Committee approves a budget that fully funds TOPS. Baton Rouge representative Pat Smith says the amendment to fully fund TOPS means public colleges would receive a 22 million dollar cut in funding.

Cut 6 (:12)  “fully funded.”

Also included are steep cuts to healthcare, but More changes in the budget are expected when the bill hits the House Floor on Thursday.

Clean up is underway in Bossier Parish after some nasty weather trashed the northern part of the parish on Saturday. Bossier Sheriffs Officer Lt. Bill Davis says unfortunately, Carli Ortiz, an infant, passed away during the event.

Cut 8 (09) “the RV.”

State officials have talked about spending billions of dollars on redirecting sediment carried by the Mississippi River to rebuild the state’s vanishing coast. However, a study out of Tulane says the diversions will produce new land, but not fast enough. Lead author of the report Elizabeth Chamberlain says it’s important the river diversions are positioned in the right areas.

Cut 14 (10) “of marshes”

A bill that would require 18-wheelers to be in the right hand lane while traveling on interstates through Baton Rouge from 4 to 7 PM weekdays passed the House Transportation Committee. Baton Rouge Representative Steve Carter says its common sense to anyone who’s had to drive on the interstate during rush hour.

Cut 10 (07) “anywhere”

The House Appropriations Committee is meeting at this hour to approve a budget for next fiscal year. An amendment has been added to the proposed spending plan that would fully fund the TOPS scholarship, but that would mean less money for health care and public colleges and universities. Governor Edwards is pushing the legislature to end the regular session early, so a special session can begin in May to approve tax bills that can lead to more revenue and reduce the budget gap. Rep. Cameron Henry says it’s too early to tell whether the House believes another special session is needed

Cut 12 (08) “is generated”

Officials say a solider at Fort Polk died as a result of a gunshot wound on Thursday. 18-year-old Private Jacob S. Malcolm of West Virginia joined the army last year and was assigned to the tenth Mountain Division. The death is being investigated by the U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Command.

An LSU Public Policy Research Lab survey finds a majority of Louisiana residents support two of Governor John Bel Edwards’ major policy issues – criminal justice reform and Medicaid expansion. L-S-U’s Dr. Mike Henderson says since the approval ratings are high on these two major policy changes, it could help the governor get re-elected in 2019…

Cut 9 (07)  “of that.”

Many in Louisianans wait until the last minute to file their taxes. In fact, some 53-percent wait until the final day, which is tomorrow. The I-R-S says the average person will get a refund of over 31-hundred dollars. Offers-dot-com’s Carson Yarbrough says many are putting that refund to good use…

Cut 5  (12)  “everyday expenses.”

There is strong support from the public for two of Governor John Bel Edwards main policy issues. Kelley Ray has more…

Cut 1 (28) “I’m Kelley Ray.”

The House Appropriations Committee is expected to approve a budget today for next fiscal year that will contain 648-million dollars in cuts from the current fiscal year. Appropriations Chairman Cameron Henry….

Cut 11 (09) “we are”

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Tax day is tomorrow and a survey from offers.com finds most Louisianans wait until the very end to file. Some 53 percent wait until the day before or the final day to file. Offers-dot-com’s Carson Yarbrough says most people don’t want to pay their taxes and some say they would go to extreme measures to avoid doing so…

Cut 4  (10) “paying taxes.” 

State officials have talked about spending billions of dollars on redirecting sediment carried by the Mississippi River to rebuild the state’s vanishing coast. However, a study out of Tulane says the diversions will produce new land, but not fast enough. Lead author of the report Elizabeth Chamberlain

Cut 13 (05)  “right now”

A Tulane study finds Mississippi River diversions will produce new land, but not at the rate to keep up with the rising sea level. Jeff Palermo has the more…

Cut 3 (28) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Tax day is tomorrow and a survey from offers.com finds most Louisianans wait until the very end to file. Some 53 percent wait until the day before or the final day to file. Offers-dot-com’s Carson Yarbrough says … many taxpayers choose not to do their own taxes…

Cut 6 (12) “squared away.”

Filing date for state income tax returns is May 15.

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An LSU Public Policy Research Lab survey finds a majority of Louisiana residents support two of Governor John Bel Edwards’ major policy issues – criminal justice reform and Medicaid expansion. Of those surveyed, 61-percent say they support the sweeping changes made last year. LSU’s Dr. Mike Henderson says 69-percent of the respondents approve of Medicaid expansion, which took effect in June of 2016. Some 430-thousand Louisiana residents enrolled in the government funded health insurance. Henderson says those polled aren’t concerned about the costs…

Cut 8 (11)  “attractive idea.”

State officials have talked about spending billions of dollars on redirecting sediment carried by the Mississippi River to rebuild the state’s vanishing coast. However, a study out of Tulane says the diversions will produce new land, but not fast enough. Lead author of the report Elizabeth Chamberlain

Chamberlain says Mississippi River is capable of building land, but those in charge of coastal policy and management will have to made difficult choices on where to locate these diversions

Cut 15 (09) “work there”

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The House Appropriations Committee is expected to send a proposed spending plan for next fiscal year to the full House today. Jeff Palermo has more…

Cut 2 (31) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Tax day is tomorrow and a survey from offers.com finds  most Louisianans wait until the very end to file. Some 53 percent wait until the day before or the final day to file. Offers-dot-com’s Carson Yarbrough says most people don’t want to pay their taxes and some say they would go to extreme measures to avoid doing so…According to the I-R-S, the average person who qualifies for a refund will get over 31-hundred-dollars. Yarbrough says the Louisiana taxpayers they spoke with will put that money to good use…

Cut 5  (12)  “everyday expenses.”

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An LSU Public Policy Research Lab survey finds a majority of Louisiana residents support two of Governor John Bel Edwards’ major policy issues – criminal justice reform and Medicaid expansion. Of those surveyed, 61-percent say they support the sweeping changes made last year. LSU’s Dr. Mike Henderson says there seems to be support on changing the state’s sentencing laws, because over half of the respondents believe the system is not fair, especially African-Americans…

Cut 7 (07)  “this year.”

State officials have talked about spending billions of dollars on redirecting sediment carried by the Mississippi River to rebuild the state’s vanishing coast. However, a study out of Tulane says the diversions will produce new land, but not fast enough. Lead author of the report Elizabeth Chamberlain says their findings doesn’t mean river diversions shouldn’t be utilized at all, but its important the river diversions are positioned in areas that have the greatest land building potential and

Cut 14 (10) “of marshes”

There is strong support from the public for two of Governor John Bel Edwards main policy issues. Kelley Ray has more…

Cut 1 (28) “I’m Kelley Ray.”

Tax day is tomorrow and a survey from offers.com finds  most Louisianans wait until the very end to file. Some 53 percent wait until the day before or the final day to file. Offers-dot-com’s Carson Yarbrough says most people don’t want to pay their taxes and some say they would go to extreme measures to avoid doing so…

Cut 4  (10) “paying taxes.” 

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The House Appropriations Committee is expected to approve a budget today for next fiscal year that will contain 648-million dollars in cuts from the current fiscal year. When the budget process started, lawmakers had a nearly billion dollar budget deficit, but an increase in tax collections has led to a much smaller fiscal cliff. Appropriations Chairman Cameron Henry says his committee wants to use that newly recognized revenue for TOPS

Cut 10 (10) “of TOPS”

State officials have talked about spending billions of dollars on redirecting sediment carried by the Mississippi River to rebuild the state’s vanishing coast. However, a study out of Tulane says the diversions will produce new land, but not fast enough. Lead author of the report Elizabeth Chamberlain

Cut 13 (05)  “right now”

Louisiana is bracing for the threat of severe weather today. Don Molino has more from the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness…

Cut 1 (27) “I’m Don Molino”

The House Judiciary Committee failed to advance a bill that would have created an oversight committee for the state’s 41 district attorneys. Nearly every one of the state’s D.A.’s were in attendance this morning as the panel debated the issue for two hours. Heated arguments between lawmakers and those in favor of the bill. Ruston Representative Rob Shadoin.

Cut 6 (07)  “alright.”

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Shreveport Police have a man in custody following Thursday’s domestic situation in which the victim, 27-year-old Rannita Williams, was shot and killed on Facebook live. The video shows the shadow of 36-year-old Johnathan Robinson pacing back and forth holding a gun in the video. Police Chief Alan Crump says it was a very tense situation…

Cut 9 (13) “scene in”

News release of a confirmed fatality of a young girl early Saturday morning when a large tree fell on the RV in which she was sleeping.  Bossier deputies and other first responders working numerous downed trees in the parish.

The police officer who shot and killed Alton Sterling during a struggle has appealed his firing. Attorney John McLindon filed the appeal o a local civil service board on behalf of Blane Salamoni who shot Sterling nearly two years ago. McLindon says Salamoni wants to clear his name

Cut 12 (:12)   “being fired”

The police officer who shot and killed Alton Sterling during a struggle has appealed his firing. Attorney John McLindon filed the appeal o a local civil service board on behalf of Blane Salamoni who shot Sterling nearly two years ago.

Baton Rouge Police Chief Murphy Paul said two weeks ago that Salamoni was fired because he violated policies on use of force and command of temper. By getting the termination thrown out, it opens up the opportunity for Salamoni to become a police officer again in another jurisdiction.  McLindon says he’s heard from police officers around the country that Salamoni’s firing was unjust

Cut 14 (11)   “done this”

News release of a confirmed fatality of a young girl early Saturday morning when a large tree fell on the RV in which she was sleeping.  Bossier deputies and other first responders working numerous downed trees in the parish.

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Shreveport Police have a man in custody following Thursday’s domestic situation in which the victim, 27-year-old Rannita Williams, was shot and killed on Facebook live. The video shows the shadow of 36-year-old Johnathan Robinson pacing back and forth holding a gun in the video. Police Chief Alan Crump says it was a very tense situation…Crump has been criticized about the amount of officers that responded. He said the dangerous situation made it necessary to show up in force…

Cut 11 (11) “was necessary.”

One officer, Cpl. Robert Entrekin sustained non-life threatening injuries to his wrist.

The House Judiciary Committee failed to advance a bill that would have created an oversight committee for the state’s 41 district attorneys. Sarah Mojoula testified on behalf of the Southern Poverty Law Center expressed support for the legislation, because it would make sure there wouldn’t be any misconduct.

Cut 8 (09) “public defenders.”

The bill is done for this session.

There is strong support from the public for two of Governor Edwards main policy issues. Kelley Ray has more…

Cut 1 (31) “I’m Kelley Ray.”

The state has activated its Crisis Action Team, because of the threat of severe weather today and tomorrow. Northwest Louisiana is under a tornado watch until 10 PM tonight. GOHSEP spokesman Mike Steele says the eastern portion of the state could see as much as 6 inches between now and tomorrow night…

Cut 3 (06) “heavy rains”

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Shreveport Police have a man in custody following Thursday’s domestic situation in which the victim, 27-year-old Rannita Williams, was shot and killed on Facebook live. The video shows the shadow of 36-year-old Johnathan Robinson pacing back and forth holding a gun in the video. Police Chief Alan Crump says Robinson is facing second-degree-murder and felon in possession of a firearm charges. After Robinson was put in custody at the Shreveport city jail, Crump says he became violent again, breaking a water pipe, flooding his  jail cell…

Cut 10 (11) “subdue him.”

The police officer who shot and killed Alton Sterling during a struggle has appealed his firing. Attorney John McLindon filed the appeal a local civil service board on behalf of Blane Salamoni who shot Sterling nearly two years ago

Baton Rouge Police Chief Murphy Paul said two weeks ago that Salamoni was fired because he violated policies on use of force and command of temper. McLindon anticipates a hearing on the appeal this summer

Cut 13 (11) “tell the whole story”

Louisiana is bracing for the threat of severe weather today. Don Molino has more from the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness…

Cut 1 (27) “I’m Don Molino”

The House Judiciary Committee failed to advance a bill that would have created an oversight committee for the state’s 41 district attorneys. Nearly every one of the state’s D.A.’s were in attendance this morning as the panel debated the issue for two hours. Heated arguments between lawmakers and those in favor of the bill. Ruston Representative Rob Shadoin.

Cut 6 (07)  “alright.”

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Shreveport Police have a man in custody following Thursday’s domestic situation in which the victim, 27-year-old Rannita Williams, was shot and killed on Facebook live. The video shows the shadow of 36-year-old Johnathan Robinson pacing back and forth holding a gun in the video. Police Chief Alan Crump says it was a very tense situation…

Cut 9 (13) “scene in”

News release of a confirmed fatality of a young girl early Saturday morning when a large tree fell on the RV in which she was sleeping.  Bossier deputies and other first responders working numerous downed trees in the parish.

The police officer who shot and killed Alton Sterling during a struggle has appealed his firing. Attorney John McLindon filed the appeal o a local civil service board on behalf of Blane Salamoni who shot Sterling nearly two years ago. McLindon says Salamoni wants to clear his name

Cut 12 (:12)   “being fired”