Teacher salaries reached the Southern regional average in 2007, but Louisiana has fallen behind, as educators receive on average 17-hundred dollars less. And with a one-billion-dollar shortfall, it’s unlikely extra money will go towards the 47-thousand public school teachers. Legislative Director for the Louisiana Federation of Teachers Cynthia Posey says the pay is leading to fewer teachers…

Cut 6  (07)  “a job.”

She hopes legislators can stabilize the budget to make more money available for teachers…

A bill to create a transparency tool called Louisiana Checkbook passed the House Appropriations committee, and may be considered on the House floor later this week. The program closely mirrors Ohiocheckbook.com, where Ohio residents are presented a detailed report about state expenses.

A Tangipahoa school board member is under fire after he shared a photo of a noose on Facebook. Jim Shannon has the story…

Cut 2 (31) “I’m Jim Shannon”.

Emile the crawfish will be allowed to live his life out peacefully thanks to Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser  who picked “Emile” to be pardoned for their “annual pardoning of the crawfish” in New Orleans today…

Cut 3 (11) “boiled alive.”

Louisiana Radio Network, I’m Matt Doyle

Tangipahoa Parish School Board member Mike Whitlow is facing heavy backlash for posting a picture of a noose on his public Facebook page. The picture had the caption: “If we want to make America great again, we will have to make evil people fear punishment again.” Tangipahoa Parish council member  Louis Joseph says it was a bad idea.

Cut 9 (09) “like that”

Whitlow says the post was not racially motivated, he says it was about criminal justice.

Attorney General Jeff Landry and Governor John Bel Edwards have agreed to coordinate efforts to bring litigation against opioid manufacturers, who they feel are responsible for the epidemic that’s claiming hundreds lives every year. The A-G’s Chief Deputy Bill Stiles says the state seeks damages for costs incurred within the Medicaid program.

Cut 14 (08) “the other”

LRN

After hitting the Southern regional average for teacher’s salaries back in 2007, Louisiana has fallen behind.   Kelley Ray has more…

Cut 1 (32) “I’m Kelley Ray.”

Legislators are at work today in Baton Rouge working out the details of a potential compromise that would solve the looming fiscal cliff. The Ways and Means committee heard a series of tax proposals that are a part of the governor’s reform package, and the appropriations committee advanced measures to establish a spending cap, and the Louisiana Checkbook transparency initiative that would create a website that displays every state agencies expenditures.

Louisiana Radio Network

After hitting the Southern U.S. average for teacher’s salaries back in 2007, Louisiana has fallen behind.  Teachers are now paid over 17-hundred-dollars less than other teachers in the region.  And as legislators begin a special session to come up with a one-billion-dollar shortfall, it’s unlikely any extra money will go towards the 47-thousand public school teachers.  Legislative and Political Director for the Louisiana Federation of Teachers Cynthia Posey says the state’s teachers are lured away by higher wages elsewhere…

Cut 6  (07)  “a job.”

Governor John Bel Edwards and Attorney General Jeff Landry have agreed to coordinate efforts in the State of Louisiana’s litigation against opioid manufacturers.

Under this agreement, the Attorney General’s office will take over primary responsibility for the suit filed by the Louisiana Department of Health in the 19th Judicial District Court. Furthermore, the AG’s office will lead the efforts with other state agencies and departments to pursue all claims Louisiana has as a result of the opioid crisis.

Several were in attendance to witness the proclamation setting Emile free in the annual pardoning of a crawfish. Representatives of the Louisiana Seafood Board and Department of Wildlife and Fisheries at the old U.S. Mint in New Orleans were on hand.  Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser says not everyone understands the event.  During a visit to the White House, he tried to explain it to Vice President Mike Pence…

Cut 4  (11) “for Thanksgiving.” 

Governor John Bel Edwards addressed the legislature, calling on the state’s governing body to put party politics aside. If no deal is struck, TOPS, higher Ed, and healthcare would see massive cuts. The governor called on lawmakers to adopt his plan that would reduce the state sales tax, and replace the funds by widening the tax base, removing certain business sales tax exemptions, and compressing income tax brackets.

Because the budget is a revenue issue, it must be addressed during a special session this year. Edwards says putting a deal off until a possible June special session would have major repercussions for higher ED in the 2018-2019 college academic year.

Cut 15 (10) “next fall.”

US Presidents pardon turkeys on Thanksgiving, Louisiana pardons a crawfish early in the crawfish season.  The crawfish will be allowed to live his life out peacefully.  Today’s event was sponsored by the Louisiana Seafood Promotion and Marketing Board and Zatarain’s.  Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says “Emile” is lucky to be picked for the “annual pardoning of the crawfish”…

Cut 3 (11) “boiled alive.”

North Louisiana Congressman Ralph Abraham made no bones about his intentions to take a hard look at running for GovernorAbraham took a swipe at his potential opponent while speaking to the Baton Rouge Press club.

Abraham says in the days of lightning fast social media Louisiana voters are less likely to consider where a candidate is from… and more likely to hear his message.

Cut 9 (08 )  “with us”

Evageline parish public schools are closed Today after multiple threats against area schools were made online. Six threats were reported and only one case has been resolved superintendent Darwin lazard said in a statement according to a katc-tv report.

Evageline parish public schools are closed Today after multiple threats against area schools were made online. Six threats were reported and only one case has been resolved superintendent Darwin lazard said in a statement according to a katc-tv report.

On Monday a 15 year old boy was arrested for allegedly making threats on social media to shoot students at an Evengeline Parish school. Ville Platte Police launched an investigation after residents reported seeing the threat on line.All parish schools will be searched to determine if any of the threats were credible.

A member of the Tangipahoa parish school board is under scrutiny after sharing a photo of a noose on facebook. Tangiopahoa school board member Mike Whitlow allegedly shared a picture of a noose on a Facebook message that read “if we want to make America great again we have to make evil people fear punishment again.”

Whitlow has deleted the post and apologized Tangipahoa parish council member Louis Joseph says he is offended by the post.

A female employee at False River Academy died Monday afternoon in a vehicle accident that occurred on the New Roads campus. 66 year old Edith Atkinson was killed when she was pinned between her husband’s truck and a school bus. Her 74 year old husband was driving the truck.

Will Wade’s LSU men’s basketball team is close to completing an astonishing turn around less than a year after the Tigers bottomed out at 10-21 last year. A win tonight versus Vanderbilt would give LSU 16 victories and guarantee a winning record for this season.  Wade says a big part of the turnaround is due to his team locking down the Pete Maravich Assembly Center.

Cut 17 (19) “playing well.”

A couple of interstate projects are slated for Lake Charles.  Kelley Ray has more…

Cut 1 (32) “I’m Kelley Ray.”

North Louisiana Congressman Ralph Abraham made no bones about his intentions to take a hard look at running for Governor. On the day when Governor John Bel Edwards took center stage at the capitol and opened the special legislative session, Abraham took a swipe at his potential opponent while speaking to the Baton Rouge Press club.

Saying Edwards position on how to pull the state out of the billion dollar deficit is proof positive Edwards is not being truthful.

Cut 8 (11) “with that”

Governor John Bel Edwards addressed the legislature, calling on the state’s governing body to put party politics aside to fix the impending fiscal cliff that triggers July 1st after a series of sales taxes expire. If no deal is struck, TOPS, higher Ed, and healthcare would see massive cuts.

The governor called on lawmakers to adopt his plan that would reduce the state sales tax, and replace the funds by widening the tax base, removing certain business sales tax exemptions, and compressing income tax brackets. Edwards says funding popular state programs should be every legislator’s objective.

Cut 14 (13) “critical priorities”

Will Wade’s LSU men’s basketball team is close to completing an astonishing turn around less than a year after the Tigers bottomed out at 10-21 last year. A win tonight versus Vanderbilt would give LSU 16 victories and guarantee a winning record for this season. Tip-off is set for 8 p.m. at the p-mac.

North Louisiana Congressman Ralph Abraham told the Baton Rouge Press Club he has yet to decide on whether he’ll run for governor in 2019, but he sounded like a candidate. Jeff Palermo has more…

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo.”

The State Transportation Department will begin work on the I-10 bridge in Lake Charles on March 3rd. DOTD spokesperson Rodney Mallett says they will replace the expansion joints on the bridge, initially closing one eastbound lane. Mallett says this work is part of a large scale job they plan to perform…

Cut 4  (10) “be redecked.” 

Governor John Bel Edwards addressed the legislature, calling on the state’s governing body to put party politics aside to fix the impending fiscal cliff that triggers July 1st after a series of sales taxes expire. If no deal is struck, TOPS, higher Ed, and healthcare would see massive cuts. Edwards says it’s time to put party aside for the future of the state.

Cut 13 (11)  “with me”

Three teens were arrested in connection with two alleged social media threats made against Tangipahoa Parish Schools. Sheriff Daniel Edwards says a 17-year-old female and a minor are charged in spreading a post that said, “Don’t go to school Monday.  A school shooting is going to happen and they are warning everyone.”

Edwards says 18-year-old Troy Webber of Amite was arrested in separate incident after he allegedly threatening to shoot students and teachers at school Monday…

Cut 11 (13) “as well.”

Will Wade’s LSU men’s basketball team is close to completing an astonishing turn around less than a year after the Tigers bottomed out at 10-21 last year. A win tonight versus Vanderbilt would give LSU 16 victories and guarantee a winning record for this season.

Cut 16 (15) “months ago.”

The tigers host Vanderbilt tonight at the P-mack. Tipoff is set for 8 p.m.

The lady Tigers basketball team is ranked 24^th in the Associated Press poll. That’s the first time in the top 25 in 4 years. Coach Nikki Fargas says she appreciates the recognition but they realize they have a lot of hard work to do.

After losing the opening series to Notre Dame, LSU fell in all four major polls. They are ranked anywhere from 15th by Collegiate Baseball Newspaper to 23rd by D-1-baseball-dot-com. The Fighting Irish outplayed LSU during the weekend handing the Tigers their first opening weekend series loss since 1999 against Texas. Coach Paul Mainieri says this is just the start of a long season….

cut 20 (13) “….this weekend”
LSU will host UNO Wednesday and then the Longhorns come to the Box for a weekend three game series.

McNeese takes on Louisiana Tech; Northwestern is at ULM; Jackson State is at UNO and Alcorn is at Southeastern tonight.

Governor John Bel Edwards addressed the legislature on the first day of the special session.  Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 3 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle.”

North Louisiana Congressman Ralph Abraham made no bones about his intentions to take a hard look at running for Governor. On the day when Governor John Bel Edwards took center stage at the capitol and opened the special legislative session, Abraham took a swipe at his potential opponent while speaking to the Baton Rouge Press club.

Cut 7 (09)  “lack of trust”

Three teens were arrested in connection with two alleged social media threats made against Tangipahoa Parish Schools. Sheriff Daniel Edwards says a 17-year-old female and a minor are charged in spreading a post that said, “Don’t go to school Monday.  A school shooting is going to happen and they are warning everyone.” Edwards says that resulted in his deputies sweeping the school before allowing students on campus…

Cut 10 (08) “the night.”

A female employee at False River Academy died Monday afternoon in a vehicle accident that occurred on the New Roads campus. 66 year old Edith Atkinson was killed when she was pinned between her husband’s truck and a school bus. Her 74 year old husband was driving the truck.

Governor John Bel Edwards is laying laying out his plan for tackling the fiscal cliff at the capitol. The cliff is the result of the expiration of sales taxes in July. Political pollster Bernie Pinsonat says Edwards might renew portion of that penny, but he’ll have to agree on spending reforms

Cut 13 (07) “for cuts”

LSU president F. King Alexander is calling on legislators to find a budget solution that funds higher ed and TOPS by the end of the February special session.

Cut 21 (10) “difficult position”

Alexander says there was a noticeable impact the last time the state failed to properly fund TOPS in a timely manner. He says if lawmakers wait until June to solve the one billion dollar fiscal cliff, the damage will already have been done for the 2018-2019 school year.

The Senate Democratic Caucus offers a solution on solving the one-billion dollar shortfall. Troy Carter, who is a state senator from New Orleans, says the Democratic plan would replace the money lost from the expiring penny sales tax by expanding the tax base and compressing bracket. He says the changing of income tax brackets would not mean a huge increase in taxes for higher income wage earners.

Cut 7 (10)  “richest of the rich”

But Director for the Louisiana Chapter of Americans for Prosperity, John Kay, says the Senate Democratic Caucus proposal would raise income taxes on the middle class by 50-percent…

 Cut 8 (09) “they need.”

Kay doesn’t see how this tax plan will get the 70 votes needed in the House,