Juveniles tried and convicted as adults must be given a shot at parole, the US Supreme Court ruled today on a case out of Baton Rouge. When Henry Montgomery was 17, he killed an East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s deputy and has been at Angola since the 1963 murder. Legal analyst Dane Ciolino says the high court has consistently limited states ability to impose harsh sentences on juveniles…:
CUT 6 (10) “and unusual”
Montgomery believes his rehabilitation in prison should make him eligible for parole. The Louisiana Supreme Court rejected his claim, but the decision is now reversed.

Fire investigators believe faulty electrical wiring is what caused a blaze in West Monroe which left a family of four, including a pregnant woman, on life support. The State Fire Marshals office say the critical victims are a 26-year-old man, his 24-year-old pregnant wife, and their 5-year-old and 7 month old sons.

34-year-old Technical Sergeant Zechariah Casagranda has been identified as the Barksdale Air Force Base airman who was fatally stabbed in Bossier City. Police say Casagranda was killed during an incident over the weekend involving two groups of men outside a night club. Mark Natale with Bossier City PD says it began when the airman and suspect bumped into each other on the dance floor, but became physical when the club closed…:
CUT 3 (10) “stabbed the victim”
Casagranda died at a local hospital shortly after the incident.

The wife of the late New Orleans chef Paul Pruhomme has donated about 600 personal cookbooks to a museum in The Big Easy which is dedicated to southern cuisine. The Southern Food & Beverage Museum says the donation also includes Pruhomme’s wine and food documents and books on food science.

New Louisiana Economic Development Secretary Don Pierson begins meeting with local economic development groups emphasizing small business success. Eric Gill reports…:
CUT 1 (29) “I’m Eric Gill”

Fire officials believe a wood burning stove caused a deadly fire in Ponchatoula over the weekend. They say it happened at a camp on the Tangipahoa River that had no electrical power and was only accessible by boat. 54-year-old Elizabeth Piner was able to flee on a vessel, but once the fire was extinguished, investigators located the body of her friend, 57-year-old Joel Hall.

LSU is reportedly set to release a budget cut plan today after receiving news from the Edwards administration it could be losing $65 million dollars as part of a $131 million dollar cut across higher ed institutions in Louisiana. Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne…:
CUT 10 (09) “shortfall”
Dardenne says the governor is open to suggestions from others who have a different approach to the budget problems.

Govenor John Bel Edwards says one possible way to help with the state’s $750 million dollar mid-year deficit is to raise the cigarette tax. He sent out a proposal of a 22 cent increase, but Randy Hayden with Invest in a healthy Louisiana says that’s not enough. He says compared to our surrounding southern states, we still have very low taxes on tobacco products…:
Cut 8 (10) “on it”

Governor John Bel Edwards is proposing to raise the cigarette tax by 22 cents but one organization doesn’t think that’s enough. Emelie Gunn has more…

cut 2 (31) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

For the week ending January 16th, initial unemployment insurance claims in Louisiana dropped by over 700 claims. In figures released by the state labor department Friday, initial claims fell to 3,485 from 4,203 the week before. Continued unemployment claims rose by over 550 claims during the same time period.

The Edwards administration has told higher education leaders that a cut in state funding to public colleges and universities is likely this fiscal year because of the budget crisis. Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne says their goal is to come up with a plan that will not burden taxpayers but at the same time prevent drastic cuts in state funding…

cut 12 (08) “are provided”

Darden says higher ed could face a cut of up to $131 million.

New Louisiana Economic Development Secretary Don Pierson starts a statewide tour today, emphasizing small business growth. Pierson says economic development starts small and on the local level. He says LED stands ready to help small business flourish with 10 Small Business Development Centers throughout the state…

cut 6 (07) “these centers”

He says 97-percent of employers across Louisiana are small businesses.

The Edwards Administration has informed public universities in Louisiana that cuts are likely to come this fiscal year. Jeff Palermo has more…

cut 3 (29) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

The state Fire Marshal’s Office says a fire in West Monroe has critically injured a family of four, including a pregnant mother. 26-year-old Jeremiah Owojori and his 7-month old son were transported to an area hospital where they remain on life support. His pregnant wife, 24-year-old Ashley and their 5-year-old son were transported to LSU Medical Center in Shreveport where they remain in critical condition. Authorities suspect faulty wiring led to the fire. The investigation is ongoing.

A former teacher’s aide was acquitted of molestation of a juvenile by a St. Tammany Parish jury. Wendell Troullier was arrested in 2014 after a 10-year-old boy claimed he was inappropriately touched while at the man’s house. Defense attorney Robby Gill says Troullier was never arrested before this case and he maintained his innocence throughout, even during intense interrogation at police headquarters…

cut 14 (06) “period”

Troullier, who was employed by the St. Tammany Parish School System for 11 years, was fired following his arrest.

Governor John Bel Edwards has proposed a 22 cent hike in the cigarette tax to help with the state’s budget crisis. Consultant with the Invest in a Healthy Louisiana campaign Randy Hayden says right now it looks like this proposed tax could go up or down, depending on negotiations…

cut 9 (11) “health outcomes”

He says studies show cigarette tax increases start to impact health when they’re raised over a dollar.

The Edwards administration says a cut in state funding for higher education is likely this fiscal year. Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne says, unfortunately, this is just the reality of where we are as a state…

cut 11 (11) “next year”

He says at this point the cut could be as much as 131 million dollars.

Governor John Bel Edwards has suggested a 22 cent cigarette tax increase to help with the state’s budget deficit. Consultant with the Invest in a Healthy Louisiana campaign Randy Hayden says compared to our surrounding southern states, we still have very low taxes on tobacco products…

cut 8 (10) “on it”

The campaign suggests raising the cigarette tax another $1.25 per pack.

Today, new Louisiana Economic Development Secretary Don Pierson begins a statewide emphasizing small business success in the state. Pierson says the state’s current budget crisis will certainly be topic of discussion in how it could impact small business…

cut 5 (08) “point for us”

Pierson will visit 10 cities through February 5th.

A St. Tammany Parish jury acquits a former teacher’s aide of molestation of a juvenile. Wendell Troullier was arrested by Slidell Police in 2014 after a 10-year-old boy said Troullier touched him inappropriately while at the man’s house. Defense attorney Robby Gill says the lead detective said during the trial that they never took DNA from the child, which led to the jury finding Troullier not guilty…

cut 13 (12) “penetration”

Troullier was facing a minimum 25-year prison sentence if found guilty.

Governor John Bel Edwards has put out a variety of different proposals to help with the state’s budget deficit, one being increasing the cigarette tax by 22 cents. Consultant with the Invest in a Healthy Louisiana campaign Randy Hayden says his organization doesn’t think that’s enough. He says the campaign suggests raising the cigarette tax another $1.25 per pack…

cut 7 (10) “needs money”

Hayden says we had the third lowest cigarette tax in the country until Louisiana increased the tax 50 cents in 2015.

The Edwards administration has informed higher education leaders that a cut in state funding to public colleges and universities is likely this fiscal year. Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne says at this point it could be as much as 131 million dollars…

cut 10 (09) “shortfall”

New Louisiana Economic Development Secretary Don Pierson begins a statewide tour today, meeting with local economic development groups emphasizing small business success in the state. Pierson says Governor John Bel Edwards has made small business growth a priority of his administration. He says it’s important to learn the different economic development needs from each region of the state…

cut 4 (10) “southwest Louisiana”

Pierson will make stops today in Tallulah, Delhi, and Alexandria.

Governor John Bel Edwards administration has informed higher education leaders that a cut in state funding to public colleges and universities is likely this fiscal year. Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne says at this point it could be as much as 131 million dollars….
cut 10 (09) “…shortfall”
Dardenne says they’re still in the process of reviewing what’s going to be necessary in order to combine cuts with revenue measures in the hopes of softening the cuts. He says this is just the reality of where we are as a state.

If you’re doing some traveling this weekend, the statewide average price for a gallon of regular gasoline is $1.65. That’s six cents cheaper than a week ago.

Not as cold as yesterday, but still chilly today. That’s how your forecast looks for today. Freeze watches have been posted in southeast Louisiana from late tonight through tomorrow morning.

Louisianians are representing in our nation’s capital this week as the 68th annual Washington D.C. Mardi Gras is underway. LaPolitics.com publisher Jeremy Alford says there’s a lot of talk about the budget, but the snow is a major topic…:
Cut 11 (10) “fly out early”
He says for the first time in three years, Louisiana’s governor, John Bel Edwards, is attending.

Do you have a favorite king cake that you swear by? Now there’s a website where you can rate and judge yours against other bakeries. Erica Sweeney is the spokesperson for the site, KingCakeSnob.com. She says you vote on a variety of characteristics of the king cake and the results are updated as each user submits a review…:
CUT 5 (10) “the best looking king cake”

Higher education leaders have been told to start preparing for the possibility of midyear budget cuts, because the state is facing a massive shortfall this fiscal year. The LSU system has been told by the Edwards administration that a cut of 131-million dollars is possible, while the UL system faces 38-million dollars in mid-year cuts.

The 68th D.C Mardi Gras is taking place this weekend in Washington, D.C. LaPolitics-dot-com publisher Jeremy Alford says this year’s event gives political pundits the opportunity to begin handicapping Louisiana’s upcoming US Senate election…
cut 10 (08) “up here”

Officials at Louis Armstrong say 2015 was a record year as 10-point-six million passengers flew out of the New Orleans airport, a nine-percent increase over the previous year.

There’s a new website that seeks to settle the score on who makes the best king cake. Emelie Gunn reports…
cut 1 (29) “…reporting”

LSU football fans are anxious for the start of the 2016 season as the Tigers will have 19 scholarship seniors on the team. Several of them had an opportunity to enter the NFL draft and Coach Les Miles is happy to see them stay…
cut 30 (13) “….of the people”
The season opener is September 3rd against Wisconsin.

Higher education is bracing for mid-year budget cuts as a result of a 750-million dollar budget shortfall the state is facing this fiscal year. For the LSU system, a cut in state funding of a 131-million dollars is possible.

An 82-year-old and an 83-year-old were killed in a head-on crash on LA 25 in Covington last night. State Police says one of the victims, Edith Brown of Mandeville crossed the centerline and slammed into a vehicle driven by Joseph Cyprian of Folsom, killing them both.

A family from Omaha hopes someone will come forward and identify the driver of a vehicle in a hit and run that claimed the life of Josh Woodruff, whose body was dragged through the New Orleans French Quarter early New Year’s Day. Karen Woodruff says her 28-year-old son sent a heartfelt text message before he was killed..
cut 14 (10) “…for 2016”

The 68th DC Mardi Gras takes place this weekend in our nation’s captial and a “Who’s Who” of Louisiana politics are in attendance. Eric Gill has more..
cut 2 (31) “….I’m Eric Gill”

A 60-year-old man from St. Tammany Parish won a one-million dollar Powerball prize. Charles Schwetizer the Second matched all five white ball numbers on the January 13th drawing. That was the day when the grand prize was one-point-five billion dollars. Schweitzer received 700-thousand dollars after federal and state taxes were withheld.

The 68th D.C. Mardi Gras is underway in our nation’s capital, and it’s a snowy one. LaPolitics.com publisher Jeremy Alford is there, and says Governor John Bel Edwards and other Louisiana politicians are using this opportunity to get a lot of work done…:
CUT 9 (11) “health care policy”
But he says the number 1 topic in D.C. is something Louisianians don’t normally discuss, the snow and flight numbers and departure times.

A man from Zachary is under arrest for allegedly shooting his dog multiple times when the pet wouldn’t cooperate during a bath. The East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s Office said the roommate and wife of 51-year-old Brian Keith Blair tried to talk him out of it, but deputies found nin .22 caliber casings and were forced to euthanize the pet at the scene. Blair is booked on animal creulty charges and illegal use of a weapon.

It was another big day on the recruiting front for the Fighting Tigers as five-star defensive tackle Rashard Lawrence of Neville High School announced he plans to attend LSU. Tiger Rag Associate Editor James Moran says the Monroe product is six-foot-three, 309-pounds and looks like a can’t miss prospect…:
cut 7 (12) “rush the quarterback”
Lawrence chose LSU over Ohio State.

Public colleges in Louisiana have been told that they could be facing a $131 million dollar cut across the board in the remaining 5 months of the current fiscal year, without legislative intervention. The Edwards Administration says its making tough choices in filling the state’s $750 million dollar budget shortfall. LSU President F. King Alexander says $65 million would go to LSU.