Governor John Bel Edwards revealed a “Doomsday” budget that calls for 76 million dollars in cuts for the Department of Corrections..:
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Retired State Police Superintendent Mike Edmondson’s attorney has responded to a legislative audit that found evidence of misconduct and tax evasion throughout his nine year tenure. The letter touted Edmonson’s character and leadership, but didn’t respond to most of the allegations of misconduct.

A Who’s Who among Louisiana’s political circle are in DC this week for Washington Mardi Gras. LAPolitics publisher Jeremy Alford says it’s one of the hottest tickets in town…:
Cut 10 (08) “empty handed”
Governor John Bel Edwards and other Louisiana politicians are in Washington to bring Mardi Gras festivities to the District.

The American Lung Association gives Louisiana an F in four key categories on its annual State Of Tobacco Control report. Regional Director of Health Promotion for ALA Amy Ellis hopes the legislature will step up and pass a law to strengthen the state’s existing smokefree air law…:
Cut 4 (11) “the state”
22.8 percent of Louisiana residents are current smokers, the 6th highest in the country.

The state keeps riding the wave of positive job news, as the latest unemployment rate dropped to 4.6 in December — the lowest in nearly a decade. Louisiana Workforce Commission Executive Director Ava Dejoie says many jobs were added in the leisure and hospitality industry…:
Cut 13 (10) “two-point-eight-percent”
Over 2.1 million Louisianans are currently working.

Governor John Bel Edwards’ worst-case-scenario budget calls for a 76 million dollar cut in state funding for the Department of Corrections. Secretary James Leblanc says the per diem cut to local sheriffs who house state inmates in particular is dangerous…:
Cut 7 (11) “state inmates”
He says the funding cuts will strain an already crumbling prison infrastructure.

Movers and shakers from across Louisiana are in DC for Washington Mardi Gras this week. Matt Doyle spoke with LAPolitcs about the annual tradition..:
Cut 2 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

Governor John Bel Edwards revealed a “Doomsday” budget that calls for 76 million dollars in cuts for the Department of Corrections. Jeff Palermo has more…

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

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Movers and shakers from across the bayou are headed to DC for Washington Mardi Gras this week. Matt Doyle talked to LAPolitcs about the annual tradition…

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

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The state’s unemployment rate has dropped again to level we haven’t seen in nearly ten years.  Kelley Ray has more…

Cut 3 (31) “I’m Kelley Ray.”

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The American Lung Association has released their “State of Tobacco Control” and shows Louisiana lags behind the nation in reducing tobacco use.  The report card gives the state “F”s in four out of five key categories.  Regional Director of Health Promotion for ALA Amy Ellis says it’s time for the state legislature to stand up and pass a law to strengthen the state’s existing smokefree air law…

Cut 4  (11) “the state.” 

The report finds Louisiana youth are emerging as one of the fastest growing tobacco users.  Ellis says the Tobacco 21 initiative, raising the legal age to purchase tobacco products from 18 to 21, has worked well in other state’s discouraging youth to start smoking and hopes to see it come to Louisiana…

Cut 5  (08)  “some lives.”

The report estimates that 72-hundred deaths in Louisiana are directly related to smoking with 23 percent of residents who regularly use tobacco, making it the 6^th highest in the country.  Ellis says the report card paints a grim picture of smoking habits in the state…

Cut 6 (11)  “Tobacco 21.”

One “B” was given for the Strength of Smokefree Workplace laws.  It’s against state law to smoke in most public places, but bars and casino’s still allow smoking in most of the state.

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Governor John Bel Edwards’ worst-case-scenario budget calls for a 76 million dollar cut in state funding for the Department of Corrections. The cuts are a combination of attrition, canceling of infrastructure repairs, and the lowering of per diems paid to local sheriffs who house state inmates.  Corrections Secretary James Leblanc says the per diem cut in particular is dangerous.

Cut 7 (11)  “state inmates”

Leblanc says state prisons are full, and if local sheriffs cannot afford to house them, it could lead to an inmate housing nightmare.

Cut 8 (09) “our department”

Leblanc says the state has not built a new prison since the late 80s. He says the funding cuts will strain an already crumbling prison infrastructure.

Cut 9 (11)  “about it”

Leblanc says the cuts could lead to unsafe conditions for both inmates and corrections officers.

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Governor John Bel Edwards, Louisiana’s Congressional delegation, state legislators, and lobbyists, are in DC this week for the annual Washington Mardi Gras. It’s a tradition that sees movers and shakers from the state throw a miniature Mardi Gras in the heart of the nation’s capital. LAPolitics publisher Jeremy Alford says it’s one of the hottest tickets in town.

Cut 10 (08) “empty handed.”

The events sees Louisiana politicians flood the capital to network and build a donor base for future elections. Alford says the epicenter is ten minutes down the road from the White House.

The ex-leader of State Police did not respond to the more serious allegations of misconduct in an audit produced by the state legislative auditor’s office. An attorney representing Mike Edmonson issued a response today that says he does not have the type of resources needed to respond to the allegations outlined. One accusation is using a state facility for housing and not reporting it on his taxes. Loyola University Law Professor Dane Ciolino says defending that accusation will be difficult…
cut 14 (07) “…case here”

A fire in Hammond claimed the life of a 60-year-old man living in a travel trailer. State Fire Marshal Butch Browning says it appears the victim used an outdoor cooking burner to heat the trailer. Browning says there were no smoke detectors either…:
cut 9 (07) “smoke alarms”
The victim’s name has not been released.
Deaf students have filed a discrimination suit against the Louisiana community college System, alleging they struggled in school because they couldn’t get interpreters and other accommodations for their disability. Plaintiffs’ attorney Andrew Bizer believes Delgado Community College violated the Americans with Disabilities Act…:
Cut 3 (08) “everybody else”
The System would not comment on the pending case but said they take the issue of accessibility for its students very seriously.

No running water in Tallulah because of a power failure at the town’s water treatment plant. The mayor says power has been restored, but more repairs are needed, so it will be until tomorrow before the plant is functioning again and water can start flowing in homes and businesses. In the meantime, Yvonne Lewis, with the city of Tallulah, is asking for help…
cut 8 (10) “…0694″

Retired State Police Superintendent Mike Edmondson’s attorney has responded to a legislative audit that found evidence of misconduct and tax evasion throughout his nine year tenure. The letter touted Edmonson’s character and leadership, but Loyola University Law Professor Dane Ciolino says there was one notable omission.

Cut 12 (07) “respond to them”

Talluah Mayor Paxton Branch says water service should be restored to the city by tomorrow.  Administrative Assistant to the Mayor Yvonne Lewis tells LRN what happened…

Cut 6 (11)  “storage tanks.”

Power has been restored but the water plant is still shut down.  City crews still need to repair the control panel and refill the water tanks.

Deaf students are suing the Louisiana Community College System, alleging a violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Matt Doyle talked to the plaintiff’s attorney Andrew Bizer…

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

A mother who was 16 years old at the time her 27-day old baby died was sentenced to 17 years of hard prison labor.  Donasty Cohen of Alexandria was convicted late last year in the death of her son Ashtyn Cohen.  Cohen was facing second degree murder charges.   The judge in sentencing Donasty prefaced her decision saying she didn’t take her decision lightly, but said an innocent baby died from severe abuse.

Retired State Police Col. Mike Edmondson’s attorney has responded to a legislative audit that alleges Edmondson abused his position. Jeff Palermo has more…

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo.”

A Lafayette tv station reports the person who fell off a Carnival Cruise Line near Mexico has been identified as 44-year-old Juwanna Brooks.  KLFY interviewed the mother Marilyn Winfrey who says the cruise was a Christmas gift from Brooks’ husband.  Mexican officials are still looking for Brooks but haven’t found any evidence since she fell off the cruise ship on Sunday.

There is still no water in Tallulah, but the Mayor says service should be operational by tomorrow. Entergy crews restored power in about 2 hours. Crews need to replace a control panel for the water plant before putting it back online.  School was in session today, but spokesperson Yvonne Lewis says they still need to fill the water tower, which could take up to ten more hours…

Cut 7 (09)  “or not.”

A mobile trailer fire in Hammond, on Gorman Road has claimed the life of one man. Preliminary findings from the state fire marshal’s office indicates the deadly blaze was a result of the resident using an outdoor cooking burner to heat the trailer.  State Fire Marshal Butch Browning says there’s a noticeable spike in fire fatalities in the last 30 days…

Cut 10 (12) “heating homes.”

An attorney representing Mike Edmonson, the former leader of State Police, did not address many of the allegations made against him in a response to a scathing audit released in December. The state audit claims Edmonson used his position of authority to violate state law. In the two-page response, Edmonson’s attorney said the retired superintendent does not have the type of resources to respond, because a draft report was released early.

Deaf students have filed a lawsuit against Louisiana’s community college system allegeding they did not accomodiate for their disability by providing interpreters. Attorney Andrew Bizer says he hopes the suit will force the state to overhaul its treamtent of disabled students…
cut 5 (09) “…civil rights law”
A spokesperson for the community college system could not comment on pending litigation, but said they always do everything they can to provide proper access to their students.

There is no running water in Tallulah because of a power failure at the town’s water treatment plant. The mayor says power has been restored, but more repairs are needed, so it will be until tomorrow before the water plant is functioning again and water can start flowing again in homes and businesses. In the meantime, Yvonne Leiws, with the city of Tallulah, is asking for help…
cut 8 (10) “…0694”

Another person has died in a house fire in Louisiana. Officials say a mobile trailer ignited when the resident used an outdoor cooking burner to heat the trailer. State Fire Marshal Butch Browning says many of the deaths are related to people finding unconventional ways to keep warm….
cut 11 (08) “…around cooking”
Browning the home also did not have working smoke detectors.

Former State Police Col Mike Edmondon’s attorney has issued a response to the scathing audit which suggested his client abused taxpayer dollars while serving as the head of LSP. The response only addressed two of the auditors observations…one saying that Edmonson lived on State Police grounds because he was asked and expected to by the governor. The other that Edmonson didn’t approve all overtime for a side trip some troopers took.

Deaf students have filed a discrimination suit against the Louisiana Community College System, alleging Delgado Community College denied sign language interpreters and other accommodations. Plaintiffs’ attorney Andrew Bizer says the discrimination directly led to a loss of financial aid…:
Cut 4 (10) “the class”
The System would not comment on the pending case but said they take the issue of accessibility for its students very seriously.

A house fire in Hammond, on Gorman Road, claimed the life of one man. Fire Marshals preliminary findings indicate the blaze was a result of the resident using an outdoor cooking burner to heat the trailer. No smoke alarm was found, according to Fire Marshal Butch Browning…:
Cut 9 (07) “smoke alarms”
The man’s name has not yet been released.

A study from Pennington Biomedical Research finds walking just ten minutes a day brings great health benefits. Jeff Palermo spoke with Dr. Tim Church:
Cut 3 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Deaf students are suing the Louisiana Community College System, alleging a violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Matt Doyle talked to the plaintiffs’ attorney Andrew Bizer…:
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

The attorney for retired State Police Col Mike Edmonson has issued a response to claims that his client was wasteful with taxpayer dollars while he was serving as superintendent. In a letter, the attorney says Edmonson was told by governors to live on state police grounds; one of the questions raised in a scathing audit. The statement also says that Edmonson doesn’t have time or resources to respond to other observations made by the auditors.

Tallulah has been struggling with water issues and now an electrical failure has left the city without any water. Hard freezes hampered the system earlier this month, and Administrative Assistant to the Mayor Yvonne Lewis says they had just gotten the water back on Tuesday when…:
Cut 6 (11) “storage tanks”
There is no estimated time of restoration.

Some good news on the job front. Louisiana’s unemployment rate dropped to 4.6 percent in December. It’s been nearly ten years since the rate was that low.

Deaf students have filed a discrimination suit against the Louisiana community college System, alleging they struggled in school because they couldn’t get interpreters and other accommodations for their disability. Plaintiffs’ attorney Andrew Bizer believes Delgado Community College violated the Americans with Disabilities Act…:
Cut 3 (08) “everybody else”
The System would not comment on the pending case but said they take the issue of accessibility for its students very seriously.

Governor John Bel Edwards’ worst-case-scenario budget is making waves across the state. The plan comes as the result of the expiration of a billion dollars in sales taxes this summer, and Edwards says the revenue will need to be replaced to avoid the deep cuts. Republican State Treasurer John Schroder says people don’t want to pay more taxes…:
Cut 25 (10) “more money”
The state has until July 1st to address the fiscal cliff.

Louisiana has a new tourism slogan…:
Cut 2 (32) “I’m Kelley Ray”

The Causeway headed into New Orleans was closed by crews after a truck flew off the bridge overnight into Lake Pontchartrain. Officials say the Coast Guard, St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s deputies and the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office are searching with a boat and helicopter, but have thus far only been able to recover the truck, not the driver. More on this as it develops.