Baton Rouge Representative Franklin Foil has filed a Constitutional Amendment which would give colleges control of raising their own fees. Currently the legislature has to approve a hike in education fees at public institutions. Foil says this would be an important step to managing the higher education budget crisis…

cut 10 (10) “any fees”

Foil says he hopes for favorable passage of this amendment in order to give our colleges more stability and control over their budgets.

A Republican lawmaker describes Governor Bobby Jindal’s budget proposal as “insane” in a letter to supporters. Monroe Representative Jay Morris says the Americans for Tax Reform has okayed the Jindal administration’s plan, but it’s not the best way to handle a one-point-six billion dollar shortfall next fiscal year…

cut 13 (09) “front of us”

Morris says it’s hard to say what the final budget will look like.

A new poll on Louisiana’s governor’s race shows Republican US Senator David Vitter leading with 35% followed by Democratic Amite Representative John Bel Edwards at 33%. The survey by Triumph Campaigns shows Lt. Governor Jay Dardenne third with 15% and Public Service Commissioner Scott Angelle with 7%. UL-Lafayette Political Science Professor Pearson Cross…

cut 7 (08) “vote totals”

Cross says Dardenne needs to find a way to get at least another 18% in order to get past Edwards and make it into the runoff which may be tough.

According to gasbuddy.com the current statewide average for a gallon of regular is $2.24 in the top 10 lowest in the nation. Senior Petroleum analyst Gregg Laskoski says the price at the pump has been rising since February and he expects that to continue..:
CUT 13 (05) “week or two”
Baton Rouge has the lowest national average gas price in the country at $2.15 according to Trilby Lundberg which monitors gas prices across the country.

$939 million dollars was given out to homeowners who didn’t comply with the rules of the Road Home program according to a state audit. Legislative auditor Daryl Purpera says it’s possible the federal government will ask the state to return the money that was not used appropriately, but he says the feds also understand the complexity of the program…:
CUT 4 (09) “the very beginning”
He says the program was set up after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita to help people reoccupy their homes but Purpera says there isn’t much documentation which proves people followed requirements or actually rebuilt their homes.

Central Casting Louisiana is looking for people with oil rig, merchant marine, and Coast Guard experience to work on the upcoming feature film, “Deepwater Horizon” . Eric Gill has more…:
CUT 2 (28) “reporting”

The New Orleans Saints have released linebacker Curtis Lofton. The move saves a reported $9.25 million dollars. Lofton was picked up by the Black and Gold as a free agent in 2012. The NFL salary cap deadline is tomorrow then teams will be able to sign free agents starting at 3pm.

A state audit looking at the “Road Home” program finds that $939 million was given out to homeowners who did not comply with the rules of the program. Eric Gill reports…
CUT 1 (31) “reporting”

This recent stretch of cold weather in Louisiana could have an adverse affect on the state’s wheat crop. LSU AgCenter officials report they won’t be able to have the damage amounts for about 10 days. Much of that will be determined on the severity and duration of the cold. The state’s wheat acreages are down about 10 thousand acres compared to last year.
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Central Casting Louisiana is looking for people with oil rig, merchant marine, and Coast Guard experience to work on the upcoming feature film, “Deepwater Horizon” starring Mark Wahlberg. Director of Casting, Adam Hochfeld (HOCK-feld) says they want to keep it real for that storyline…
CUT 6 (11) “in that tragedy”
You can email your information to deepwater-at-centralcasting-dot-com.

Trilby Lundberg, which monitors gas prices across the country says Baton Rouge has the lowest national average gas price in the country at $2.16 a gallon. Gas-buddy-dot-com’s Gregg Laskoski says Louisiana’s statewide average of $2.24 a gallon, ranks 7th in the top ten for lowest gas prices.
cut 12 (07) “state taxes”

Some problems have been revealed with the “Road Home” program. A state audit finds that $939 million was given out to homeowners who did not comply with the rules of the program following Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Legislative Auditor Daryl Purpera says this came with certain requirements and deadlines the recipients had to meet…
CUT 3 (11) “supposed to get”
He says that initial number of $939 million may be just the tip of the iceberg.

More news out the New Orleans Saints front office, as the Black and Gold have reportedly released linebacker Curtis Lofton. The Saints picked up Lofton from Atlanta as a free agent in 2012. Multiple sources are confirming the release will save the Saints nine-point-two million dollars, as the salary cap deadline hits tomorrow.
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Lt. Governor Jay Dardenne says swimming pools at some north Louisiana state parks will be closed this summer because they don’t have enough money to open them. Dardenne oversees the office of state parks and says mid year budget cuts have caused the office to make significant reductions in spending…:
CUT 9 (08) “for this summer”
He says they aren’t sure about 2016 as of yet.

If you have any oil rig, merchant marine or Coast Guard experience, Central Casting Louisiana wants you to hear from you for possible placement in the new Mark Wahlberg movie, “Deepwater Horizon.” These are paid gigs with some other perks…
CUT 8 (10) Q: ‘A-list celebrities’
That’s Director of Casting, Adam Hochfeld (HOCK-feld), who says you can email your information and experience to deepwater-at-centralcasting-dot-com.

A state audit looking at the “Road Home” program following Hurricanes Katrina and Rita finds that $939 million was given out to homeowners who did not comply with the rules of the program. Legislative Auditor Daryl Purpera says, that amount is just what they have discovered so far…
cut 5 (10) Q: ‘costs out there”
He says the feds could ask for the money back, but it’s a very complex situation.

The state budget crisis will close four north Louisiana swimming pools this summer in four state parks. Lt. Governor Jay Dardenne says it applies to pools at Chemin-A-Haut, Lake Bistineau, Lake D’Arbonne and North Toledo Bend…
CUT 11 (09) Q: “to do that”
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Hollywood South is announcing more casting opportunties for an upcoming movie starrring Mark Wahlberg. Central Casting Louisiana is especially looking for people with oil rig experience for the upcoming film “Deepwater Horizon”….
CUT 7 (09) Q: “story of it”
That’s Director of Casting, Adam Hochfeld (HOCK-feld), who says the movie will be shot in New Orleans and is expected to begin in May.

If you ‘ve traveled on the road around the country, you probably already know that Louisiana has some of the lowest gas prices in the nation. In fact, Louisiana has the seventh lowest statewide average in the country, just behind Alabama and Mississippi….
cut 14 (10) “in the nation”
That’s Gas-buddy-dot-com’s Gregg Laskoski.

Louisiana is in the top 10 lowest states for what we pay at the pump according to gasbuddy.com. Senoir petroleum analyst Gregg Laskoski says the statewide average for a gallon of regular is $2.24. He says gas prices have been rising since the start of February and he expects that trend to continue…:
CUT 13 (05) “week or two”
Trilby Lundberg, which monitors gas prices across the country says Baton Rouge has the lowest national average gas price in the country at $2.16.

Swimming pools at Chemin-A-Haut (Sha-Min-A-Hoat), Lake Bistineau, Lake D’Arbonne and North Toledo Bend state parks will not open for summer 2015 due to budgetary constraints. Lt. Governor Jay Dardenne says if any of these closures affect people who made reservations at the parks for the summer expecting to have a pool, they will be taking cancellations…:
CUT 10 (07) “impacted”

Central Casting Louisiana is looking for people with oil rig, merchant marine, and Coast Guard experience to work on the upcoming feature film, “Deepwater Horizon”. Eric Gill has more…:
CUT 2 (28) “reporting”

In a poll released Monday, LSU is ranked No.1 in the Baseball America Magazine. The Tigers are 15-1 and are currently riding a 12-game win streak. LSU plays McNeese on Wednesday and a series against Ole Miss this weekend at The Box.

Trilby Lundberg, which monitors gas prices across the country, says Baton Rouge has the lowest national average gas price in the country at $2.16. Gas-buddy-dot-com’s Gregg Laskoski says Louisiana’s statewide average of $2.24 ranks in the top ten for lowest gas prices in the nation…:
CUT 12 (07) “state taxes”
The lowest statewide average in the country is Wyoming and South Carolina at $2.14 a gallon.

Central Louisiana Casting is looking for people who have actual oil rig experience for an upcoming film starring Mark Wahlberg about the Deepwater Horizon disaster. The Director of Casting is Adam Hochfeld (HOCK-feld)…:
CUT 6 (11) “in that tragedy”
He says if you’re interested in being a part of the film please submit pertinent information to: “deepwater@centralcasting.com.”

A state audit looking at the “Road Home” program finds that $939 million was given out to homeowners who did not comply with the rules of the program. Eric Gill reports…:
CUT 1 (31) “reporting”

The LSU Tigers won all three of its baseball games in Houston this past weekend and they are now ranked number one by Baseball America.

A recent audit of the Road Home program revealed more than $930 million dollars was paid to homeowners who didn’t meet the requirements. Legislative Audiotor Daryl Purpera says the federal Road Home program was designed to help people reoccupy their homes after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita…:
CUT 3 (09) “beginning”
He says a large portion of the documentation doesn’t prove individuals actually rebuilt their homes or got certain insurance they were required to get.

Baton Rouge Representative Dalton Honore will file a bill for the upcoming legislative session that seeks to let citizens vote on whether or not marijuana should be legal in Louisiana for recreational use. Honore says he hopes other lawmakers will get on board with letting people decide…:
cut 14 (08) “people vote for it”
The legislative session begins April 13th.

Lt. Governor Jay Dardenne says swimming pools at some north Louisiana state parks will be closed this summer because they don’t have enough money to open them. Dardenne oversees the office of state parks and says mid year budget cuts have caused the office to make significant reductions in spending…:
CUT 9 (08) “for this summer”
He says these closures do not impact the wave pool at Bayou Segnette (Sin-yet) State Park in Westwego or water playgrounds at other parks and beach swimming will still be available.

The Caddo Parish Sheriff’s office is warning citizens about a scam which claims to raise money for fallen law enforcement officers. A caller says they are someone from the Department of Safety and they’re collecting money for cops who have died in the line of duty. They say that’s a scam and you should contact law enforcement if you question a caller’s legitimacy.

A state audit looking at the Road Home program finds that $939 million was given out to homeowners who did not comply with the rules of the program. Legislative Auditor Daryl Purpera says this came with certain requirements and deadlines the recipients had to meet. He says the federal government requires a review to make sure the rules were met..:
CUT 3 (11) “supposed to get”
Road Home was designed to get money to people quickly to help them recover from disastrous storms.

How would you feel about pot being legal in Louisiana for recreational use? Baton Rouge Representative Dalton Honore says he’s bringing a bill to the legislature this upcoming session that, if passed, would put the question on a ballot next year. He says citizens should be able to vote on the recreational pot law…:
CUT 13 (09) “with the legislators”

State Police are urging folks not to drive fatigued if you’re sleepy due to the time change. Eric Gill reports…:
CUT 1 (28) “reporting”

The East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s office say a mother is under arrest accused of using a stun gun on her 13-year-old and daughter and beating another 12 year old with a boot until it broke. They say the motive for the attack is unknown. 42-year-old Janice Collins was booked into prison on two counts of cruelty to juveniles and was releases Sunday after posting $20,000 bail.

Baton Rouge Representative Dalton Honore will file a bill for the upcoming legislative session seeking to let citizens vote on the legalization of marijuana for recreational use in Louisiana. Honore says regardless of how lawmakers feel about the recreational use of marijuana, they should at least allow the issue to be put on a ballot…

cut 15 (08) “in 2016″

Honore is also bringing back his medical marijuana bill which failed last year.

State Police say, although we lost an hour of sleep with the beginning of Daylight Saving Time over the weekend, that’s no excuse to drive fatigued. Sgt. Nick Manale says sleepy driving can be as dangerous as impaired or distracted driving…

cut 6 (10) “avoiding crashes”

Manale suggests pulling over and getting a breath of fresh air, stepping out of the car, or getting something to drink as ways you can revive yourself if you begin to feel fatigued behind the wheel.

Lafayette has been named as one of the top 20 hardest working cities in the US by the personal finance site badcredit-dot-org. Michelle Southern reports…

cut 2 (30) “reporting”

State Police say a weekend crash in Marrero claimed the life of a woman and left a man injured. They say 52-year-old Shelia Haggarty lost control of her vehicle and ran off the roadway. As the vehicle traveled into a parking lot, 24-year-old Tabatha Thiobodaux and 24-year-old David Jeblonski were struck. Both were transported to a local hospital where Thiobodaux was pronounced dead. The investigation is ongoing.