State legislators can’t take a break from budget negotiations. They only have until midnight on Wednesday to figure out how to close a 304-million dollar midyear deficit. Baton Rouge Republican Representative Rick Edmonds does not support the Senate’s bill that uses 99-million dollars from the rainy day fund…
cut 13 (10) “….last resort”

Governor John Bel Edwards calls the use of 99-million dollars in rainy day money an acceptable compromise.

State Police is looking into a report by the Advocate newspaper that shows four state troopers made unnecessary stops to the Grand Canyon and Las Vegas while driving to a law enforcement conference in San Diego. L-S-P Superintendent, Colonel Mike Edmonson, says he’ll make sure this kind of behavior doesn’t happen again….
cut 8 (09) “…for it”

Do you feel politically stressed? A report from the American Psychological Association finds, no matter what party you are, anxiety over political matters is at an all time high. Michelle Many (Main-eee) with the LSU Health Sciences Center in New Orleans finds the principle factor in this deals with social relationships:
Cut 9 (11) “on the individual”

She says they mostly see that this is due to constant social and other media viewing, and the best way to calm do is to avoid that type of activity.

The search is ongoing for three escaped Avoyelles Parish inmates. Sheriff Doug Anderson says 31-year-old Blake Reine, 23-year-old Joseph James, and 22-year-old Andre Steward escaped from a detention center near Bunkie on Saturday night.
Cut 3 (11) “from there”

The House Democratic Caucus says they support the Senate’s plan to use 99-million dollars in rainy day money to address the state’s 304-million dollar midyear shortfall. Minden Representative Gene Reynolds is the chairman of that caucus….
cut 12 (09) “…just can’t
House Republicans are pushing a plan to use 75 million dollars in rainy day money.

Alleged misuse of State Police funds for a trip to a training conference in San Diego has led to an internal investigation…
Voicer 1 (30) “I’m Halen Doughty”

If Louisianans want better roads and bridges, the Department of Transportation will need an additional $700 million a year. That’s according to DOTD Secretary Shawn Wilson, who says Louisiana is one of only five states that hasn’t adjusted its transportation revenue stream in nearly 30 years. He says that’s why Louisiana’s roads are the 8th worst in the nation.
Cut 28 (11) “due to inflation”
Wilson says there is an appetite at the capitol to build new roads, but not to pay for them. There’s been talk of raising the gas tax by a few pennies, but Wilson says it wouldn’t be enough to cover the needs around the state…
Cut 29 (11) “manage expectations”
Funding for roads will be discussed during the regular session in April.

The clock is ticking on lawmakers finding a resolution to the state’s 304-million dollar midyear budget deficit. The battle is over the use of rainy day dollars. The House proposes using 75-million, while the senate and Governor John Bel Edwards prefers 99-million dollars. Baton Rouge Representative Rick Edmonds says Republicans believe they’ve already compromised enough and would rather use just 75-million dollars…
cut 15 (10) “…of corrections”
But Chairman of the House Democratic Caucus, Gene Reynolds, says the House Republicans plan to use only 75-million from the Rainy Day Fund is full of budget gimmicks…
cut 14 (10) “…the past”
The session must end by midnight on Wednesday.

Four troopers employed by State Police are under investigation for allegedly taking a side trip to the Grand Canyon and Las Vegas on the way to an approved event in San Diego. State Police Col Mike Edmonson is not happy…
CUT 7 (10) “that route also”
More people than ever are feeling politically stressed out. Michelle Southern explains.
Voicer 2 (31) “I’m Michelle Southern”

A survey from the American Psychological Association finds that stress caused by politics is at an all-time high and the stress level is being felt among Democrats and Republcians. Michelle Many, with LSU Health New Orleans, (Main-eee) says the best thing you can do is bring balance into your life…
cut 11 (08) “…news viewing”

State lawmakers can’t take a break from budget negoitiations. They have until midnight on Wednesday to reach a deal on how to close a 304-million dollar midyear deficit. Baton Rouge Republican Representative Rick Edmonds does not support the Senate’s bill that uses 99-million dollars from the rainy day fund…
cut 13 (10) “….last resort”
Governor John Bel Edwards calls the use of 99-million dollars in rainy day money an acceptable compromise.

State Police has launched an investigation into the spending of four troopers who made stops at the Grand Canyon and Las Vegas while on their way to a training conference in San Diego. The story was first reported by the Advocate. State Police Superintendent Col. Mike Edmonson says this never should have happened…:
Cut 6 (11) “taken place”
He says the result of the investigation could result in disciplinary measures and changes to State Police travel policy.

The search is on for three Avoyelles Parish inmates who escaped from a detention center near Bunkie on Saturday night. Sheriff Doug Anderson says once apprehended, the inmates will face additional charges…
cut 4 (09) “…their capture”
Anderson says they believe Blake Reine, Joseph James and Andre Steward traveled south.

The House Democratic Caucus says they support the Senate’s plan to use 99-million dollars in rainy day dollars to address the state’s 304-million dollar shortfall. Minden Representative Gene Reynolds is the chairman of that caucus….
cut 12 (09) “…just can’t
House Republicans are pushing a plan to use 74.6 million dollars in rainy day money.

State Police is looking into a report by the Advocate newspaper that shows four state troopers made unnecessary stops to the Grand Canyon and Las Vegas while driving to a law enforcement conference in San Diego. L-S-P Superintendent, Colonel Mike Edmonson, says he’ll make sure this kind of behavior doesn’t happen again….
cut 8 (09) “…for it”
One of the troopers involved is Major Derrell Williams, who is the head of the State Police’s Internal Affairs Division.

More people than ever are feeling politically stressed out. Michelle Southern explains….
voicer 2 (31) “…I’m Michelle Southern”

It was apparently a popular weekend to escape from jail. Two brothers escaped from the Tangipahoa Parish Jail, but were caught this morning. Three escaped inmates from Avoyelles Parish are still on the loose, while a work release inmate from West Baton Rouge, who went missing on Valentine’s Day, was captured last night at a Mardi Gras parade in Metairie.

It appears as though 4 people employed by State Police took a side trip on the way to a business conference on the taxpayers dime. Col Mike Edmonson says the group was headed to an approved event in San Diego, but also made stops at the Grand Canyon and Las Vegas…:
CUT 7 (10) “that route also”
The story was first reported by the Advocate.

Both the House and Senate have backed their own version of the budget bill to close the $304 million dollar deficit, but still can’t agree. House Democrats have come out in support of the Senate’s bill that would use $99 million of the Rainy Day Fund, instead of the $75 million approved by the Lower Chamber. Republicans believe 99 is too high, though Democrats say the measure passed by the House uses budget gimmicks that do nothing.

A new poll from the American Psychological Association finds stress caused by politics at an all time high — and the it crosses party lines. Michelle Many (Main-eee) with the LSU Health Sciences Center in New Orleans feels there is a new focus media reports these days and what people are seeing all over social networks..:
Cut 10 (06) “interactions”
She says that’s why news viewing and social media should be done in moderation.

A 30-day closed season for crabbing begins today. Crustacean Program Manager for Marine Fisheries at LDWF Jeff Marx says the crab population is down in Louisiana, and they hope this ban will help that rebound…:
Cut 25 (11) “very high”
He says this 30-day ban will be implemented beginning the third Monday of every February through 2017.

Do you feel politically stressed? A new report by the American Psychological Association finds, no matter what party you are, anxiety over political matters is at an all time high. Michelle Many (Main-eee) with the LSU Health Sciences Center in New Orleans finds the principle factor in this deals with social relationships:
Cut 9 (11) “on the individual”
She says they mostly see that this is due to constant social and other media viewing, and the best way to calm do is to avoid that type of activity.

Three Avoyelles Parish inmates are still on the run. Sheriff Doug Anderson says 31-year-old Blake Reine, 23-year-old Joseph James, and 22-year-old Andre Steward escaped from a detention center near Bunkie on Saturday night…:
CUT 5 (09) “law enforcement agency”

Alleged misuse of State Police funds for a trip to a training conference in San Diego has led to an internal investigation into four troopers’ spending. Halen Doughty has more…:
CUT 1 (30) “I’m Halen Doughty”

The man who is accused of attacking a Baton Rouge Police officer before being evaded by a good Samaritan is currently on probation for a prior conviction, according to authorities. We’ll learn more about the heroic efforts of Vickie Williams-Tillman from the mayor at the officer himself later this afternoon.

State Police has launched an investigation into the spending of four troopers who made stops at the Grand Canyon and Las Vegas while on their way to a training conference in San Diego. The story was first reported by the Advocate. State Police Superintendent Col. Mike Edmonson says this never should have happened…:
Cut 6 (11) “taken place”
He says the result of the investigation could result in disciplinary measures and charges to State Police travel policy.

The Baton Rouge Police Department says they plan to recognize the woman who assisted one of their officers during an altercation with another person on Sunday. They said 56-year-old Vickie Williams-Tillman acted heroically when she jumped on the back of the attacker until more cops arrived. The mayor of Baton Rouge and the officer involved will tell the story at a 3:30pm news conference.

We still don’t know how much, if any, of the rainy day fund lawmakers will tap to close a $304 million deficit with three days to go in the special session…:
Cut 3 (29) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Commercial harvest of blue crabs in Louisiana and the use of traps is prohibited starting today for a 30 day period. Crustacean Program Manager for Marine Fisheries at LDWF Jeff Marx says the crab population is low and this will, in part, let them figure out what they can do to increase the numbers…:
CUT 12 (11) “left out there”

The state senate has approved a budget cut bill that calls for the use of 99-million dollars in rainy day money to help fill a 304-million dollar budget deficit. It takes a two-thirds vote to use rainy day money and Senate Finance Chairman Eric LaFleur says the votes are not there to use the 119-million dollars Governor John Bel Edwards prefers…
cut 14 (10) “…the 119”
There are some lawmakers who do not want to use any rainy day dollars.

A 30-day closed season for crabbing begins today. Jeff Marx with wildlife and fisheries says the crab population is down in Louisiana, and they hope this ban will help it rebound…:
Cut 10 (11) “very high”

The search is ongoing for three escaped Avoyelles Parish inmates. Sheriff Doug Anderson says 31-year-old Blake Reine, 23-year-old Joseph James, and 22-year-old Andre Steward escaped from a detention center near Bunkie on Saturday night.
Cut 3 (11) “from there”
Anderson says they are also trying to determine if someone helped them escape.

The University of Louisiana at Lafayette has expanded it’s Louisiana Legacy Scholarship. Vice President for Enrollment Management Doctor DeWayne Bowie (BOO-ee) says the scholarship will now cover out of state fees for any student who had a parent that graduated from any state university. Bowie says they want to show these students what their school has to offer…
cut 9 (07) “….worldwide”
The Louisiana Legacy Scholarship has an annual value of 13-thousand dollars.

The state Department of Education has changed regulations for low income families to be eligible for federal childcare assistance. Emelie Gunn has more…:
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

A woman in Baton Rouge who assisted a police officer who was struggling with a suspect is being hailed a hero. BRPD says 56-year-old Vickie Williams-Tillman saw the confrontation, and jumped on the attacker’s back until more cops arrived. She later said that she did what God needed her to do.

UL-Lafayette is now offering in-state tuition to anyone with a parent who at least has an associate’s degree from any college in Louisiana. Vice President for Enrollment Management Dr. DeWayne Bowie says even though some alum leave Louisiana, their kids still consider this home…:
CUT 8 (10) “Louisiana school”
Visit registrar.louisiana.edu for more information.

A 30-day closed season on crabbing begins today. Crustacean Program Manager for Marine Fisheries at LDWF Jeff Marx says over fishing was threatening the crab population, and there is also a year round ban on harvesting immature female crabs..:
CUT 11 (12) “some of the fisherman”
For the 30 days from this point, any crab trap found in state waters will be presumed to be engaged in active fishing and considered illegal.