Could the future of the TOPS scholarship program be in jeopardy? Financial experts feel parents should be ready for anything. The state funded scholarship program has run into funding troubles as part of Louisiana’s budget crisis. Certified financial planner Anne Osestriecher says students should consider applying for other scholarships…:
CUT 5 (03) “for them”
She says many scholarships go unclaimed every year because students simply do not apply for them.

Louisiana’s Republican US senators say the next President should select the late Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia’s replacement — and not President Barack Obama. Republican Senator Bill Cassidy…:
CUT 12 (08) “president”
US Senator David Vitter, who sits on the judiciary committee which must vote on the President’s choice, says the Justice debate should be a part of the presidential election.

A former Department of Children and Family Services case worker is facing charges for allegeldy falsifying records regarding foster home visits. 49-year-old Kimberly Lee of Calhoun is looking at several criminal counts, including malfeasance in office. Inspector General Stephen Street says Lee admitted to falsifying reports…:
CUT 8 (10) “buzzwords”
According to a warrant, at least 20 times in 2013 and 2014, Lee covered up her failure to visit foster children.

The Edwards Administration has started detailing tax proposals that will be debated during the special session. After day two, about $60 million dollars in cuts have been made to help with the estimated more than $940 million hole in the budget that ends June 30th. $38 million was approved by the Joint Legislative Committee on the Budget Monday, adding to reductions already made by Governor John Bel Edwards.

After day two of the special legislative session, about $60 million dollars in cuts have been made to help with the estimated more than $940 million hole in the budget that ends June 30th. $38 million was approved by the Joint Legislative committee on the Budget Monday, adding to reductions already made by Governor John Bel Edwards.

TOPS has been called into question because of the state’s budget issues, and financial experts are urging parents to prepare in case the scholarship program isn’t funded moving forward. Certified financial planner Anne Osestriecher says students may also need to consider what they can do to help finance their education…:
Cut 6 (04) “always loans”
Osestriecher says community college and part-time jobs for students are things parents should think about as well.

Nola.com is reporting that a judge in New Orleans set a May 16th trial date for former Saints player Darren Sharper who is facing drug and rape conspiracy charges.

President Obama is expected to nominate a replacement for Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia, but Louisiana’s Republican Senators think we should wait. Jeff Palermo has more…:
Cut 3 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

The state Republican Party is trying to raise money to run a commercial that includes soundbites from Governor John Bel Edwards saying on the campaign trail that he wasn’t going to raise taxes. Louisiana Democratic Party executive director Stephen Handwerk says this is a dirty tactic and the GOP is trying to make cuts that aren’t possible…:
CUT 17 (03) “the bone”

The Republican Party is raising money to promote an ad that shows Governor John Bel Edwards saying on several occasions he would not raise taxes. The comments were taken when Edwards was running for governor. Louisiana Republican Party Executive Director Jason Dore…:
Cut 14 (05) “the opposite”
The 30 second ad, titled “Don’t Raise Taxes,” was released on Sunday. Louisiana Democratic Party executive director Stephen Handwerk is disappointed by the the GOP’s tactics…:
Cut 16 (05) “in Baton Rouge“
The Republican Party says their goal is to raise enough funds so they can air the spot on TV and radio stations.

The East Baton Rouge Parish Clerk of Court is coming under fire, after a recent audit reportedly showed the office spending an average of $102 daily on meals in restaurants. It says they used $25,590 in office expenses just on going out to eat in 2015.

Louisiana’s budget deficit has called into question the future of the TOPS scholarship program…:
CUT 1 (28) “I’m Halen Doughty”

A former Department of Children and Family Services case worker is facing several criminal charges for allegedly collecting money for visiting foster homes that she never visited. The suspect is 49-year-old Kimberly Lee of Calhoun. Inspector General Stephen Street says child welfare needs to be a top priority…:
CUT 9 (09) “accountable”

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 4 (05) “can have”
She entourages parents to research scholarships as many go unclaimed every year because students don’t apply for them.

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 is a member of the judiciary committee…:
Cut 10 (10) “tug of war”
Republican Senator Bill Cassidy agrees.

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”

A man from Prairieville died after being hit by a vehicle in Ascension Parish. State Police say 34-year-old Brad Nickens was walking across the Black Bayou extension when, for unknown reasons, he walked into the path of a truck. He was pronounced dead at a local hospital.

Governor John Bel Edwards plans to fix the state budget by proposing roughly $160 million dollars in cuts. Michelle Southern has more…:
CUT 1 (29) “I’m Michelle Southern”

Severe storms moved across the state today causing some minor damage in Alexandria. Police say strong winds caused to damage to a car wash and a Pizza Hut, injuring two employees inside the restaurant. Authorities say the injuries were not serious. In parts of south Louisiana there were reports of hail.

A published report says Nicholls State could possibly close its doors for 12 days because of a lack of state funds. But Nicholls president, Doctor Bruce Murphy, says closing the campus for several days is the last option they would take. University of Louisiana System president, Doctor Dan Reneau says depending on how big the cuts are in state funding, mid-year closures could occur as some universities. But Appel warns higher ed leaders that these kinds of threats could become a “self fulfilling prophecy”…
cut 12 (10) “their problem”

The Edwards Administration began detailing today its tax proposals that will be debated during the special session. State Department of Revenue Secretary Kimberly Robinson says the additional penny on the state sales tax would only be temporary, until the deficit is resolved.
CUT 9 (10) “phasing out”

Today the Edwards Administration began detailing its tax proposals that will be debated during the special session. Governor Edwards recommends a combination of budget cuts and revenue raising actions as a way to solve the state’s budget deficit. State Department of Revenue Secretary Kimberly Robinson spoke to the House Ways and Means Committee about a proposed 1-cent state sales tax increase.

CUT 7 (09) “FY-17″

Robinson said the so-called “clean penny tax” would not apply to areas of exemption including groceries, residential utilities, prescription medications and gas.

As part of Governor Edwards plan to fix the state budget, he’s proposing roughly $160 million dollars in cuts. Edwards spoke with reporters following his opening remarks to lawmakers Sunday and said he’s leaving everything on the table…:

CUT 5 (07)  “as well”

The current budget deficit is $957 million.

Former state lawmaker Troy Hebert provided suggestions on how to control government spending in a letter to lawmakers.  Hebert says it is not fair to taxpayers for state workers to be paid for more work than they do. He believes using time clocks would resolve this issues.

cut 14 (07)  “day’s pay”

Hebert’s other suggestions include stopping across-the-board cuts and changing state supervisor-to-worker ratios.

A published report says Nicholls State is considering closing its doors for 12 days because of a lack of state funds. Metairie Senator Conrad Appel is upset to see a headline that Nicholls plans to close, when that’s not the case…

Cut 11 (12) “down schools”

Lawmakers have until March ninth to come up with a funding solution that would spare higher education from deep budget cuts.

Governor John Bel Edwards is proposing roughly $160 million dollars in cuts as part of his plan to fix the state’s budget deficit. Republican Representative Cameron Henry of Metairie says with a $957 million dollar shortfall legislators have to consider more ways to manage spending…:

CUT 3 (06)  “to do there”

Henry says GOP lawmakers will look at every way they can make cuts before anyone agrees to raise taxes.

State Department of Revenue Secretary Kimberly Robinson spoke to the House Ways and Means Committee about a proposed 1-cent state sales tax increase. The current state sales tax is 4%. Robinson says even with the proposed tax increase, the amount of taxes Louisiana citizens pay, is below average when compared to other states….

CUT 8 (08) “in general”

The tax increase, which would take effect by April 1, would generate an estimated $200 million for this fiscal year.

A published report says Nicholls State is considering a 12 day closure due to a lack of state funds. But Nicholls president, Doctor Bruce Murphy, says closing the campus for several days is the last option they would ever take. University of Louisiana System president, Doctor Dan Reneau, encouraged the Senate education committee to do what they can to keep college campuses open…

cut 10 (08)  “three weeks”

Lawmakers have until March ninth to come up with a funding solution that would spare higher education from deep budget cuts.

Former state lawmaker Troy Hebert provided other suggestions on how to control government spending in a letter to lawmakers. Hebert recommends putting GPS devices on state vehicles and requiring state employees, including college professors, to be on a time clock while at work.

cut 13 (05)  “needed services”

Hebert’s other suggestions include tying pay to performance and monitoring civil service actions and settlements.

Nicholls State President, Doctor Bruce Murphy, released a statement today that says the temporary closure of the Thibodaux campus is a possiblity, if sizable cuts to higher education are made. Murphy was forced to release a statement after it was published that Nicholls was planning to close its doors for 12 days, even under the best budget-cutting scenario. In the senate education committee meeting, Metairie Senator Conrad Appel expressed his frustration with the inital report…
cut 12 (10) “…there problem”

Today is the first full day of the special session that’s attempting to fix Louisiana’s budget crisis. Governor John Bel Edwards is optimstic lawmakers and his office can come up with a plan to make sure colleges or universities do not close…
cut 6 (13) “…to happen’
The special session ends March 9th.

The Edwards Administration began detailing today its tax proposals that will be debated during the special session. Governor Edwards is recommending a combination of budget cuts and revenue raising measures as a way to solve a $957 million deficit. Louisiana Department of Revenue Secretary Kimberly Robinson spoke to the House Ways and Means Committee about a proposed 1-cent state sales tax increase….:
CUT 7 (09) “FY-17″

So far many republican lawmakers have expressed their concerns about raising taxes in Louisiana. Former state lawmaker Troy Hebert believes looking at the work habits of state employees can help various agencies save money. Hebert says he learned this first hand when commissioner of alcohol and tobacco control…
cut 15 (06) “….an hour early”
At ATC, Hebert says he cut the number of employees in half, reduced the budget and increased services.

Governor John Bel Edwards has told lawmakers that the state cannon simply just make a series of budget cuts to make up for a 957-million dollar budget deficit this fiscal year. He says some tax increases are also needed. But Metairie Representative Cameron Henry says he’s concerned about increasing taxes….
cut 4 (09) “…concerned”

A one-cent increase to the state sales tax is one of the tax proposals that will be up for debate during the ongoing special session that must end March 9th. Louisiana Department of Revenue Secretary Kimberly Robinson says the additional penny would be temporary, until deficit is resolved…
cut 9 (10) “…phasing out”

Former state lawmaker and commissioner of alcohol, tobacco control, Troy Hebert, outlined 15 suggestions to resolve the state’s budget issues in a letter to lawmakers. Halen Doughty has the story…
voicer 2 (28) “….I’m Halen Doughty”

There’s been several reports of hail across the state, especially in southeast Louisiana as some strong storms are moving through. A tornado watch is in effect for much of the southern half of Louisiana. Strong winds caused damage to a Pizza Hut in Alexandria.

As part of Governor John Bel Edwards plan to fix the state budget, he’s proposing roughly $160 million dollars in cuts. Michelle Southern reports…:

CUT 1 (29)  “I’m Michelle Southern”

Three teens have been arrested in Tangipahoa parish for the shooting death of a 19-year-old. Gerrell Lee Jr. was shot while riding in a car near Hammond on February 9^th. Two 15-year-olds and one 16-year-old charged with murder are being held at the Florida Parish Detention Center. Authorities say no other details will be released until the investigation is complete.

A published report says Nicholls State is considering closing its doors for 12 days because of a lack of state funds.  Metairie Senator Conrad Appel is upset to see a headline that Nicholls plans to close, when that’s not the case…

Cut 11 (12) “down schools”

Lawmakers have until March ninth to come up with a funding solution that would spare higher education from deep budget cuts.

Former state lawmaker Troy Hebert recommends putting GPS devices on state vehicles and requiring state employees, including college professors, to be on a time clock while at work. Hebert says it is not fair to taxpayers for state workers to be paid for more work than they actually do. He believes using time clocks would resolve this issues.

cut 14 (07)  “day’s pay”