Calling it his worst-case-scenario budget, Governor John Bel Edwards released his financial plan today. The GOP has indicated that they would approach the one-billion-dollar fiscal cliff by reducing spending, while the governor is seeking a revenue neutral tax reform plan. Edwards challenged legislative leaders to publicly present their plan…

Cut 5  (12)  “to cut”

The governor claims he has cut 600 million dollars in state general funds since he took office two years ago. Baton Rouge Representative Rick Edmonds says the governor’s budget is off since he’s not factoring in federal tax reform money…

Cut 7 (08)  “of revenue”

Edmonds says the state could have an additional 200 to 400 million dollars as a result.

Gas prices are up and so is the economy.  Louisiana drivers are paying an average of 2.36 a gallon, up 15 cents from a month ago.  Triple A fuel analyst Don Redman says demand has slipped some with the unusual winter weather, but the robust economy is keeping prices elevated…

Cut 9 (10) “grow significantly.”

Redman says the high prices in a traditionally slow month for gas consumption could lead to higher prices throughout 2018.

There could be a delay in the crawfish season thanks to last week’s cold weather.  Most of the crawfish survived and Dr. Greg Lutz with the LSU Ag-Center says  they are hoping for is a long stretch of sunny, mild days so that the water in the ponds warms up…:

Cut 16  (04)  “pretty quickly”

Lutz says there should be enough time for crawfish to be available during Mardi Gras, just not as much as usual.

Governor John Bel Edwards proposed a budget today that calls for deep cuts in state funding for corrections, healthcare, and higher education including an 80 percent cut to TOPS. Matt Doyle was there…

Cut 1 (31) “I’m Matt Doyle”

House Majority Whip Steve Scalise returned to the Capitol following surgery related to a shooting which injured him last summer shattering bone and striking internal organs.  He says he feels great following the January 10^th procedure which was quote “very successful, but it took a long recovery.

Gas prices are on the rise at a time of the year when prices traditionally go down.  Louisiana drivers are paying 2.36 a gallon for regular gasoline, while a month ago, prices were at 2.21 a gallon.  Triple A fuel analyst Don Redman says another reason for the high prices is domestic oil output is surpassing OPEC producing nations…

Cut 10 (05) “at home.”

Prices could continue going up as oil is now past 60 dollars a barrel.

A Business Development Advisors study shows 77-thousand military jobs in Louisiana account for 7-point-7-billion-dollars in economic output.  Several military installations have been trimmed or closed completely across the U.S.  Louisiana Economic Development Secretary Don Pierson says it’s important that communication with Congress remains open to keep the state’s installations operating…

Cut 13 (10) “strong”

Governor John Bel Edwards presented a proposed spending plan to lawmakers today that reduces state funding for TOPS by 80-percent and slashes another 656-million dollars from the state health department’s budget. Edwards says the cuts are necessary, because the state is set lose about a billion dollars of revenue in July….
cut 3 (12) “….TOPS”
Edwards is considering a February special session so lawmakers can pass a tax reform plan to address the fiscal cliff. But Slidell Senator Sharon Hewitt says before raising taxes, the state should consider lowering state expenditures…
cut 6 (10) “…our expenses”
It’s unclear if a February special session will happen.

A study finds the military has an economic impact in Louisiana totalling over seven billion dollars. The Trump Administration has made it know they want to build up the nation’s military. State Economic Development Secretary Don Pierson says that would be huge for Louisiana….
cut 12 (13) “…we can”
Pierson says there’s 77-thousand military related jobs in the state.

LSU crawfish researcher Doctor Greg Lutz is hopeful last year’s deep freeze in south Louisiana will not have a huge impact on this year’s mudbug harvest…..
cut 15 (11) “…not right now”
Lutz says to help improve the crawfish supply for the days leading up to Mardi Gras a long stretch of sunny, mild days is needed to warm up the ponds.

Governor John Bel Edwards proposed a budget today that calls for deep cuts in state funding including an 80 percent reducing to TOPS…:
Cut 1 (31) “I’m Matt Doyle”

The Caddo Parish Sheriff’s office is trying to identify a man whose pajama-clad body was found on a road next to a bicycle, about 3:45 a.m. They say the man was wearing red pajama pants, a camouflage shirt and brown work boots. Anyone with information about the man is urged to contact the Caddo Sheriff’s Office.

The crawfish season might be slightly delayed because of last week’s cold. Dr. Greg Lutz with the LSU Ag Center says mudbugs can’t move in frigid water, so the best thing for the harvest will be a long stretch of sunny, mild days so that the ponds warm up…:
Cut 16 (04) “pretty quickly”
He says crawfish will be around for Mardi Gras, but supply may be lower than normal affecting availability and price.

A recent study shows military related spending in Louisiana accounts for $7.7 billion in economic output, and 77-thousand jobs. That includes the seven military bases and the Louisiana National Guard. State Economic Development Secretary Don Pierson says there is a forgotten group that helps to add to the economy, 27-thousand military retirees…:
Cut 11 (09) “our economy”
Total military spending in Louisiana was 1.52 billion in 2016, the highest since 2012.

Governor John Bel Edwards presented his “dooms-day” budget to lawmakers this morning, which reflected what one-billion-dollars in cuts would look like. It includes an 80% reduction in TOPS funding, if lawmakers can’t agree on a long-term tax reform plan. Republican Slidell Senator Sharon Hewitt believes the administration can do better than these recommendations…:
Cut 6 (10) “our expenses”
Edwards challenged legislative leaders to publicly present a plan of their own…:
Cut 5 (12) “to cut”
The governor proposed a tax reform plan to cover 994-million dollars of the budget gap.

Crawfish season in Louisiana may be slightly delayed this year thanks to last week’s arctic blast, but the good news is that they did survive. Dr. Greg Lutz with the LSU Ag-Center says when it gets extremely cold, crawfish just sit there and can’t move even if they wanted to…:
CUT 12 (12) “walking into the traps”
Lutz says crawfish will be available for Mardi Gras, just not as plentiful and probably a little more expensive than normal.

Gas prices have seen a big jump throughout the nation and the state over the past few weeks. The current average in Louisiana is $2.36 a gallon, which is up 6 cents from the prior week.

Governor John Bel Edwards presented what he called his worst-case-scenario budget today, showcasing the impact a billion dollar loss in state funding would have on state government. The loss is a result of the impending expiration of a one cent sales tax this summer. Edwards says he is constitutionally limited to cutting money from two areas…:
Cut 3 (12) “and yes TOPS”
That is unless legislators can agree on a long-term tax reform plan in a February special session.

Gas prices are on the rise at a time of the year when they traditionally go down. Louisiana drivers are paying $2.36 a gallon for regular gasoline, while a month ago, prices were at 2.21. Triple A fuel analyst Don Redman says it’s not a good start to the year for crude…
Cut 8 (04) “remainder of 2018”

A 9.7 million dollar grant will fund the creation of an oil consortium at UL-Lafayette…:
Cut 2 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Have you already foiled your New Years resolution to become healthier? LSU Ag Center nutritional specialist Elizabeth Gollub says the key is to make small habit changes first…:
Cut 26 (12) “long haul”

Governor John Bel Edwards is presenting a budget today that shows the effects of one-billion dollars in cuts to state agencies. Healthcare will see a 660-million-dolar cut and there will be an 80-percent cut in funding to TOPS. Political analyst Clancy Dubos says it’s not the budget the governor wants, but it’s the budget he is constitutionally required to present.

Cut 4  (09) “in it” 

Edwards has said he would like to call a February special session to address the fiscal cliff.

25 Democratic women will be trained on how to run for political office.  Emerge Louisiana Executive director Melanie Oubre says with districts to be redrawn following the 2020 census, it’s a great time to have these women trained and ready to tackle the political scene…

Cut 14 (10) “Emerge Louisiana.”

A 9.7 million dollar grant was awarded to a UL Lafayette consortium to study the Tuscaloosa Marine Shale oil deposit that stretches across central Louisiana and the Florida parishes.  The consortium will be comprised of scientists, academics, and oil industry professionals from across the nation.  ULL Professor Mehdi Mokhtari (med-e mowk-tari) says this study could raise the prestige of the University of Louisiana system…

Cut 11 (12) “know universities.”

Gas prices on the increase.  Louisiana’s average price is up to 2.36 a gallon, up six cents from a week ago and 15 cents from last month.    The cost at the beginning of 2017 was 2.17 a gallon.  Analysts say gas production remains strong at a time of the year when it normally is weak, which could lead to lower prices down the road.

Governor John Bel Edwards is at this hour presenting to lawmakers his worse-case budget proposal for next fiscal year. It will reflect cuts to fill the the one-billion-dollar gap created by a one cent sales tax that is expiring on June 30th, if lawmakers can’t come to an agreement on alternatives. Political Analysts Clancy Dubos says if GOP leaders and the governor can’t agree on how to settle this, it could be bad for both…:
Cut 5 (11) “blame everybody”
Reports say healthcare and education will be the hardest hit, with the possibility of a 100-percent cut in funding to TOPS.

The Ascension Parish Sheriff’s Office says multiple injuries have been reported after a school bus crash early this morning. They say the bus had about 20 students on board headed to Central Middle School in Gonzales. Two students were sent to the hospital, and so was the bus driver. The cause of the crash is being investigated.

A 9.7 million dollar grant was awarded to a UL Lafayette consortium to study the Tuscaloosa Marine Shale oil deposit that stretches across central Louisiana into the Florida parishes. UL-Lafayette Professor Mehdi Mokhtari (med-e mowk-tari) says unlocking the shale could be a big boost to the bayou state’s economy..:
Cut 12 (09) “the state”
A study from the 80s indicated that Louisiana could be sitting on nearly seven billion barrels of crude oil.

Emerge Louisiana chooses 25 Democratic women that will train on how to run for political office. Executive Director Melanie Oubre…:
Cut 13 (12) “legislative races”
She says the women will get 70 hours of in depth education over six months.

Governor John Bel Edwards will go before the Joint Legislative Budget Committee today to present his budget proposal for next fiscal year. He says it will outline what would happen if lawmakers don’t address the looming, billion-dollar fiscal cliff. Edwards and GOP leaders have been at odds on budget issues. Political Analyst Clandy Dubos says this is politics…:
Cut 6 (07) “took office”
The shortfall is due to a one cent sales tax expiring on June 30th.

Emerge Louisiana chooses 25 Democratic women that will train on how to run for political office. Executive Director Melanie Oubre says nine women have been enrolled in the class and plan to run for office again…:
Cut 15 (08) “winning office”
She says these women come from across the state and will get 70 hours of in depth education over six months.

A 9.7 million dollar grant will fund the creation of an oil consortium at UL-Lafayette. Jeff Palermo finds out what that could mean for the state…:
Cut 2 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

State Police say I-10 West could be closed for several hours between Baton Rouge and Lafayette due to an 18-wheeler crash and fire. They say it happened just past Whiskey Bay on the Atchafalaya Basin Bridge around 5am. I-10 West drivers are being diverted in West Baton Rouge Parish at the Lobdell exit to Us 190 West to I-49 South to Lafayette.

The governor will reveal his “doomsday” budget today, Matt Doyle spoke with political analyst Clancy Dubos about what that means…:
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

Gas prices have seen a huge jump throughout the nation and the state over the past few weeks. The current average in Louisiana is $2.36 a gallon, which is up 6 cents from the prior week…and 15 cents higher than a month ago, according to AAA. Analysts say the jump is due to higher crude oil costs.

A 9.7 million dollar grant was awarded to a UL Lafayette consortium to study the Tuscaloosa Marine Shale oil deposit that stretches across central Louisiana into the Florida parishes. ULL Professor Mehdi Mokhtari (med-e mowk-tari) says the grant will help scientists unlock the shale’s potential:
Cut 10 (13) “sound way”
A study from the 80s indicated that Louisiana could be sitting on nearly seven billion barrels of crude oil.

Have you already foiled your New Years resolution to become healthier? LSU Ag Center nutritional specialist Elizabeth Gollub says the key to making a long term positive change is to start with a series of smaller habits…:
Cut 9 (12) “long haul”