One month into office and Governor John Bel Edwards approval rating is  below 50-percent. Jeff Palermo has the story…

CUT 2 (29)  “I’m Jeff Palermo”

A Natchitoches man has set up a GoFundMe page to raise money for the state’s nearly $1 billion budget deficit. Eric Boleyn’s online donation page reads “Help Louisiana, Need $900 million.” The description explains that any donations will be put towards the crippling budget deficit the state is facing. The page has been shared by thousands of people and has brought in a total of $40 in the past four days.

Today is the third day of the special session that’s attempting to resolve the state’s $957 million deficit for this fiscal year. Barry Erwin, Head of the Council for a Better Louisiana, says lawmakers will make cuts to the budget in addition to generating new revenues. He says some revenue raising measures they are considering will not provide immediate solutions.

CUT 5 (07)  “years ago”

Erwin says legislators will be looking for both short-term and long-term solutions.

Former Saints safety Darren Sharper is facing charges for allegedly drugging and raping multiple women. Sharper has received a new plea hearing set for Thursday. Legal analyst Tim Meche says Sharper could possibly plead guilty without the guaranteed sentence he was hoping to get, or he could go to trial. Meche says things could get far worse for Sharper.

Cut 11 (09) “behavior”

Sharper’s new trial date is set for May 16^th.

It’s day three of the special session aimed at trying to resolve the state’s 850 to 950-million dollar shortfall for this fiscal year. Halen Doughty has an update…
voicer 1 (30) “…I’m Halen Doughty”

A proposal to use 128-million dollars in rainy day funds to fill the massive budget hole for this fiscal year was approved by the Senate finance committee. The panel also decided to redirect 200-million dollars in Gulf oil spill recovery money. Both bills head to the full senate for more discussion.

The House appropriations committee heard testimony today about the impact of proposed cuts to health care. Covington Representative John Schroeder was upset to hear about plans to close a pediatric health care program that helps several disabled children…
cut 30 (14) “…done our job”
Chief financial officer for DHH, Jeff Reynolds, says costs have escalated because the program has been abused by health care providers.

An independent poll from Southern Media and Opinion Research puts Governor John Bel Edwards approval rating at 42-percent. 25-percent disapprove of the governor’s first month in office, while 34-percent are undecided. Pollster Bernie Pinsonat…
cut 7 (12) “….difficult time”

A new poll conducted by Southern Media and Opinion Research shows Governor John Bel Edward has an approval rating of 42-percent. Pollster Bernie Pinsonat says to make matters worse for Governor Edwards, the statewide elected official with the highest approval rating is Treasurer John Kennedy, who is arguing against the tax increases that the governor is pushing for…

CUT 8 (10) “reduce spending”

Pinsonat says 25-percent respondents disapprove of Edwards performance so far.

It’s day three of the special session that’s attempting to resolve the state’s budget deficit. Barry Erwin, Head of the Council for a Better Louisiana, says this session may only provide short-term solutions for this fiscal year, which ends June 30. Erwin says the budget has been in trouble for several years and lawmakers should have addressed it sooner.

CUT 4 (08)  “started happening”

Former Saints safety Darren Sharper has received a new plea hearing set for Thursday, as he faces charges where he allegedly drugged and raped multiple women. Legal analyst Tim Meche says the original agreement Sharper accepted isn’t likely to be accepted by the two female Louisiana judges he’s in front of now, US District Judge Jane Triche Milazzo and state District Judge Karen Herman.

CUT 9 (11)  “longer sentence”

The new trial date is set for May 16^th.

A reward is now being offered for information about a birdhouse stolen from a residence in Lafourche Parish. Sergeant Brennan Matherne says regardless of the severity of the crime, he hopes this shows the public that anytime anything is stolen from your property, you should let authorities know about it…:

cut 13 (08)  “involved in”

The alleged incident took place the morning of February 8th in Gray.

One month into office and Governor John Bel Edwards approval rating is below 50-percent. Jeff Palermo has the story…
CUT 2 (29) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

It’s the third day of the special session that’s trying to fix the state’s 957 million dollar budget deficit. President of the Council for a Better Louisiana Barry Erwin says legislators will be searching for both short long-term solutions….:
CUT 3 (05) “of time”

The session must end by March 9th.

Former Saints safety Darren Sharper has received a new plea hearing set for Thursday, as he faces charges where he allegedly drugged and raped multiple women. Legal analyst Tim Meche says the original agreement Sharper accepted isn’t likely to be accepted by the two female Louisiana judges he’s in front of now. Meche says Sharper’s attorneys didn’t realize who they were up against…
cut 10 (08) “jurisdiction”

The new trial date is set for May 16th.

A reward is being offered for information about whomever stole a birdhouse from a residence in Lafourche Parish. Sergeant Brennan Matherne says surveillance video shows an unknown female exit a vehicle from the passenger’s side, walk onto the victim’s property and take the birdhouse. He says this might not seem like a big deal…:
cut 12 (10) “stole something”

It’s day three of the special session aimed at trying to resolve the state’s $957 million shortfall for the fiscal year that ends June 30^th. Halen Doughty has an update…

CUT 1 (30)  “I’m Halen Doughty”

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One month into office and Governor John Bel Edwards approval rating is  below 50-percent. Jeff Palermo has the story…

CUT 2 (29)  “I’m Jeff Palermo”

===================

It’s day three of the special session that’s attempting to resolve the state’s $957 million deficit. Barry Erwin, Head of the Council for a Better Louisiana, says legislators will be looking for both short-term and long-term solutions. Erwin says he is unsure if lawmakers will be able to completely fix the budget problems in only three weeks.

CUT 3 (05)  “of time”

Erwin says this session may only provide short-term solutions for this fiscal year, which ends June 30. He says legislators know that some money will be coming in from BP and the rainy day fund, but it may not be enough. Erwin says the budget has been in trouble for several years and lawmakers should have addressed it sooner.

CUT 4 (08)  “started happening”

Erwin says lawmakers will make cuts to the budget in addition to generating new revenues. He says some revenue raising measures they are considering will not provide immediate solutions.

CUT 5 (07)  “years ago”

============================

A new poll gives Governor John Bel Edwards an approval rating of 42-percent. The survey was conducted by Southern Media and Opinion Research. Pollster Bernie Pinsonat says he hasn’t seen an approval rating that low for a new governor, since Edwin Edwards last term which started in 1992…

CUT 6 (06) “50s or 60s”

The survey was conducted earlier this month and paid for by subscribers. Pinsonat says 25-percent respondents disapprove of Edwards performance so far, while 34-percent are undecided

CUT 7 (12) “difficult time”

Pinsonat says to make matters worse for Governor Edwards, the statewide elected official with the highest approval rating is Treasurer John Kennedy, who is arguing against the tax increases that the governor is pushing for…

CUT 8 (10) “reduce spending”

============================

Former Saints safety Darren Sharper has received a new plea hearing set for Thursday, as he faces charges where he allegedly drugged and raped multiple women. Legal analyst Tim Meche says the original agreement Sharper accepted isn’t likely to be accepted by the two female Louisiana judges he’s in front of now, US District Judge Jane Triche Milazzo and state District Judge Karen Herman.

CUT 9 (11)  “longer sentence”

The new trial date is set for May 16^th. Meche says Sharper’s attorneys believed the Louisiana judges would go along with the nine year prison deal. He says they didn’t realize who they were up against…

cut 10 (08)  “jurisdiction”

Meche says Sharper could possibly plead guilty without a guaranteed sentence that he was hoping to get or go to trial. He says things could get far worse for Sharper.

Cut 11 (09) “behavior”

============================

A reward is now being offered for information about whomever stole a birdhouse from a residence in Lafourche Parish. Sergeant Brennan Matherne says they have surveillance video which shows an unknown female exit a vehicle from the passenger’s side, walk onto the victim’s property and remove the birdhouse. He says this may not seem like a big deal…:

cut 12 (10) “stole something”

The alleged incident took place the morning of February 8th in Gray. Matherne says regardless of the severity of the crime, they hope this shows the public that anytime anything is stolen from your property, you should let authorities know about it…:

cut 13 (08)  “involved in”

The victim described the birdhouse as having a bronze colored “church-style” design with a decorative metal roof and white post. He says if you know something about this incident, please contact authorities…:

cut 14 (10)  “Bayou Region”

=================================================

A new poll gives Governor John Bel Edwards an approval rating of 42-percent. The survey was conducted by Southern Media and Opinion Research. Pollster Bernie Pinsonat says he hasn’t seen an approval rating that low for a new governor, since Edwin Edwards last term which started in 1992…

CUT 6 (06) “50s or 60s”

Pinsonat says 25-percent respondents disapprove of Edwards performance so far, while 34-percent are undecided. The survey was conducted earlier this month and paid for by subscribers.

It’s day three of the special session that’s attempting to resolve the state’s $957 million deficit. Head of the Council for a Better Louisiana, Barry Erwin says lawmakers will make cuts to the budget in addition to generating new revenues. He says some revenue raising measures they are considering will not provide immediate solutions.

CUT 5 (07)  “years ago”

Erwin says he is unsure if lawmakers will be able to completely fix the budget problems in only three weeks.

Former Saints safety Darren Sharper has received a new plea hearing set for Thursday, as he faces charges for allegedly drugging and raping multiple women. Legal analyst Tim Meche says Sharper already plead guilty in other jurisdictions. Meche says Sharper could plead guilty without a guaranteed sentence that he was hoping to get or go to trial. He says things could get far worse for Sharper.

Cut 11 (09) “behavior”

The new trial date is set for May 16^th.

A reward is now being offered for information about whomever stole a birdhouse from a residence in Lafourche Parish. The victim described the birdhouse as having a bronze colored “church-style” design with a decorative metal roof and white post. Sergeant Brennan Matherne says if you know something about this incident, please contact authorities…:

cut 14 (10)  “Bayou Region”

Today is the third day of the special session to address the state’s $957 million deficit. Head of the Council for a Better Louisiana Barry Erwin says this session may only provide short-term solutions for this fiscal year, which ends June 30. Erwin says the budget has been in trouble for several years and lawmakers should have addressed it sooner.

CUT 4 (08)  “started happening”

Erwin says legislators know some money will be coming in from BP and the rainy day fund, but it may not be enough.

Parents may not be able to count on the TOPS scholarship in the future.
The state funded scholarship program has run into funding troubles as part of the budget crisis. Certified financial planner Anne Osestriecher says people should prepare for having to pay their own tuition…:
cut 30 (05) “can have”
She encourages parents to research scholarships as many go unclaimed every year because students don’t apply for them.

Former Saints safety Darren Sharper faces charges for allegedly drugging and raping multiple women. Sharper has received a new plea hearing set for Thursday. Legal analyst Tim Meche says Sharper already plead guilty in other jurisdictions. He says the agreement Sharper accepted isn’t likely to be accepted by the two female Louisiana judges he’s in front of now, US District Judge Jane Triche Milazzo and state District Judge Karen Herman.

CUT 9 (11)  “longer sentence”

The new trial date is set for May 16^th.

A reward is being offered for information about a birdhouse stolen from a residence in Lafourche Parish. Sergeant Brennan Matherne says a surveillance video shows an unknown female exiting a vehicle from the passenger’s side, walking onto the victim’s property and removing the birdhouse.Matherne says regardless of the severity of the crime, he hope this shows the public that if anything is stolen from your property, you should let authorities know…:

cut 13 (08)  “involved in”

Lawmakers are on day three of the special session — trying to resolve the state’s $957 million shortfall for this financial year…:
CUT 1 (30) “I’m Halen Doughty”

Former Saints safety Darren Sharper has received a new plea hearing set for Thursday in the case alleging he drugged and raped women. Legal analyst Tim Meche says Sharper and his lawyers thought the 2015 global guilty plea deal in exchange for 9 years in jail would fly in New Orleans…:
CUT 10 (08) “jurisdiction”

The teacher from Plaquemine who allegedly got one of his students pregnant, pleaded no contest to sex crimes with juveniles Tuesday. Keavin Keith, once named Teacher of the Year in Iberville Parish, is facing charges of five counts of felony carnal knowledge and 30 counts of prohibited sexual conduct between an educator and a student.

A reward is now being offered for information about whomever stole a birdhouse from a residence in Lafourche Parish. Sergeant Brennan Matherne says they have surveillance video which shows an unknown female exit a vehicle from the passengers side, walk onto the victim’s property and remove the birdhouse. He says this may not seem like a big deal…:
CUT 12 (10) “stole something”
The alleged incident took place the morning of February 8th in Gray.

It’s day three of the special session that’s attempting to resolve the state’s $957 million deficit. Barry Erwin, Head of the Council for a Better Louisiana, says legislators will be looking for both short-term and long-term solutions….:
CUT 3 (05) “of time”
The session must end by March 9th, and tax increases couldn’t be considered in the regular session which begins in mid-March.

President Barack Obama is expected to nominate a successor to the late Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia, but Louisiana’s Republican US senators say the next President should select Scalia’s replacement. Senator David Vitter, who is a member of the judiciary committee, says they’ll vote on the President’s nomination in committee then it goes to the full Senate…:
CUT 11 (11) “American people”
US Senator Bill Cassidy agrees with Vitter.

A former department of children and family services case worker faces charges for claiming to check on foster care children while employed by the state, but didn’t. Emelie Gunn has more…:
Cut 2 (31) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

The Shreveport Times is reporting that there was another ATV crash at the Muddy Bottoms Park in Webster Parish which claimed the life of someone. They say 40-year-old Jill Thomas lost her life in the incident and another person was critically injured. The newspaper reports that Thomas’ death is the third at the ATV park since Labor Day last year when two people lost their lives in crashes.

The Republican Party of Louisiana is trying to raise money to run a commercial with statements Governor John Bel Edwards made during his campaign saying he wouldn’t raise taxes. Executive Director Jason Dore says says with oil prices falling and the state entering a recession, now is not the time to raise taxes on Louisiana residents…:
CUT 15 (04) “and businesses”
The 30 second ad, titled “Don’t Raise Taxes,” was released on Sunday. The state Democratic Party says this is a dirty tactic by the GOP, and the cuts they’d like to see to fill the state’s current year approximate $940 million dollar budget hole are not realistic.

The teacher out of Iberville Parish who is accused of having sex with students, has reportedly pleaded no contest to all charges this morning. Keavin Keith was indicted in 2015 on five counts of felony carnal knowledge and 30 counts of prohibited sexual conduct between an educator and a student. Authorities say Keith fathered a child with one of the students.

A former Department of Children and Family Services case worker is facing several criminal charges including malfeasance in office for allegedly falsifying reports indicating she’d checked on foster children when she hadn’t. Inspector General Stephen Street says the suspect is 49-year-old Kimberly Lee…:
CUT 7 (08) “occurred”
In a statement, DCFS says they have zero tolerance for any employee who puts children at risk or purposefully deceives the Department by falsifying documents.

Former Saints player Darren Sharper has reportedly got a new plea hearing set on the case alleging he drugged and raped several women. Sharper had entered a global plea deal in states last year admitting guilt in exchange for 9-years in prison, but new court filings lead experts to believe that deal is off. The new trial date is set for May 16th.