The Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness is closely monitoring the chance of severe winter weather across portions of the state. According to the National Weather Service, showers will gradually increase across much of the area with a few thunderstorms possible through Saturday night as a cold front begins to approach the region from the north. A mixture of freezing rain and sleet appears probable Sunday night into Monday for central to norther parts of the state.

Public Service Commissioner Scott Angelle is the first 2015 gubernatorial candidate to begin advertising on television. LaPolitics.com was the first to deliver the report about the ads and publisher Jeremy Alford Friday is the first day Angelle’s spots starting airing as part of the $200,000 buy…:
CUT 9 (08) “quietly”
Alford says now we can expect to see gubernatorial ads non-stop between now and the fall.

The Legislative Budget Committee approved the Jindal’s Administration’s plan to cut $103 million dollars from this fiscal year’s budget. Baton Rouge Representative Patricia Smith expressed her frustration that the governor’s office only received a ten-thousand dollar cut in funding…:
CUT 12 (06) “by example”
Smith suggested Jindal should work without pay.

Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon encourages taxpayers to file for an insurance rebate available to any person who pays for a homeowners, renters or business property insurance policy. Donelon says eligible taxpayers should check the box on their returns for the Louisiana Citizens Property Insurance Assessment rebate…:
CUT 6 (12) “tax return”
He says if you have any questions you can visit the Department of Insurance’s website.

One-hundred-three million dollars worth of cuts was approved by the Legislative Joint Budget Committee today, but not without concerns and even criticisms being expressed. Commissioner of Administration Kristy Nichols pushed lawmakers to approve the governor’s plan, because if any proposed cuts are restored, it could lead to deeper cuts next fiscal year….
cut 15 (10) “higher education”

Here comes the cold weather. Again. And things could get especially dramatic with the possibility of winter precipitation for central and north Louisiana Sunday night and into Monday…
CUT 4 (07) Q; “gonna be”
That’s National Weather Service Office meteorologist Mario Valverde says there is a chance of snow Monday night for North Louisiana.
——————————————
In the Louisiana Governor’s race, the first TV ads started today, and they belong to Public Service Commissioner Scott Angelle. LaPolitics-dot-com was the first to reveal the report today, and publisher Jeremy Alford said the Angelle campaign kept things quiet about the media buy of $200 thousand dollars…
CUT 11 (11) Q: ‘was celebrating’
The Angelle campaign line is “workhorse; not a showhorse”

Following some recent bad economic business news for Pineville, there is good news to report, as a firm announces an opening that will create hundreds of jobs in Central Louisiana. The Town Talk is reporting the American Specialty Alloys company will build an aluminum alloy plant that is targeting to begin operations in 2016. That plant will be located on the former site of International Paper on Highway 165.

Today, the legislative budget committee approved a $103 million dollar cut this fiscal year’s budget, but not without many concerns being expressed. Crowley Representative Jack Montoucet, expressed concerns with cuts to the Department of Ag, which could result in fewer food inspectors…
cut 14 (10) “my concern”

Commissioner of Insurance Jim Donelon is reporting millions of dollars in rebates for homeowners, renters and businesses are going unclaimed. Donelon’s thinks the problem is just knowing about it…
CUT 8 (10) Q: ‘to access’
Donelon says you can also still claim the assessment, if you failed to do so from 2011 to 2014. for more information you can visit the department website.
————————
the National Weather Service is keeping an eye on the potential for winter precipitation in north Louisiana Sunday night and into Monday…:
CUT 1 (29) “reporting”

The State Bond Commission has given permission to Ragin Cajun Facilities to sell bonds to help upgrade the Cajundome in Lafayette. Officials say those upgrades are expected to cost around $16.7 million dollars. For basketball, the new improvements will increase seating from 11,200 seats up to 12 thousand.

With today’s legislative joint budget committee approval of the $103 million dollar cut to this year’s fiscal budget, there were several complaints being offered about how the governor handled things.
CUT 13 (11) Q: “six months”
That’s Baton Rouge Representative Patricia Smith.

Meteorologists are keeping an eye on the potential for winter precipitation in north Louisiana Sunday night and into Monday. Mario Valverde with the National Weather Service in Shreveport says that could lead to some problems
CUT 3 (09) “hazardous”
And he says on Monday some parts of the state will be lucky to barely get above freezing.
————————
Public Service Commissioner Scott Angelle is the first 2015 gubernatorial candidate to begin advertising on television. Here’s Michelle Southern with more…;
CUT 2 (30) “reporting”

A new Gallup survey shows Louisiana ranks among the top 5 states in the nation for church attendance. That survey reveals almost half of Louisianians say they attend church regularly. The top three state are Utah, Mississippi, along with Alabama who is tied with Louisiana at 46 percent.

The Legislative Budget Committee has been discussing the Jindal’s Admintrations plan to cut $103 million dollars from this fiscal year’s budget. Baton Rouge Representative Patricia Smith expressed her frustration that the governor’s office only received a ten-thousand dollar cut in funding…:
CUT 12 (06) “by example”
Smith suggested Jindal should work without pay.

Public Service Commissioner Scott Angelle is the first 2015 gubernatorial candidate to begin advertising on television. Jeremy Alford of LaPolitics.com says there are three commercials in rotation feature Angelle’s “Workhorse Not a Showhorse” line and in one of the ads he speaks in Cajun French…:
CUT 10 (09) “the spicket has been opened”
He says you can expect non-stop ads now through the fall.

North Louisiana is bracing for another winter weather event but the National Weather Service in Shreveport says this late-weekend freeze potential could be the worst of the season. Meteorologist Mario Valverde says cold air is going to be combined with some precipitation late Sunday night into Monday. As for snow he says there is a better chance for the white stuff on Monday night as the cold air builds deeper…:
CUT 5 (10) “the air gets”

The University of Louisiana System hopes it will name a new president at Grambling State in June. The Grambling presidential search committee is expected to meet next week and approve the timeline. Officials originally planned to name a new president in April, but concerns over deep cuts in state funding to Grambling has hampered search efforts.

Public Service Commissioner Scott Angelle is the first 2015 gubernatorial candidate to begin advertising on television. LaPolitics.com was the first to deliver the report about the ads and publisher Jeremy Alford says (today) Friday is the first day Angelle’s spots starting airing as part of the $200,000 buy…:
CUT 9 (08) “very quietly”
He says they put this together in secret during Mardi Gras while everyone else was out celebrating. Alford says now you can expect the ads to be non-stop through the fall.

State Police say a 35-year-old man from Hineston was killed late last night in Vernon Parish. They say Gregory Smith was traveling on roadway when he lost control, drove off the side and collided with a large tree. Smith was not wearing a seat belt and died at the scene.

This tax filing season Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon is encouraging taxpayers to file for an insurance rebate available to any person who pays for a homeowners, renters or business property insurance policy. He says unfortunately millions of dollars in rebates connected to this assessment are unclaimed every year and you can also still claim it, if you failed to do so from 2011 to 2014…:
CUT 7 (10) “refund for”
Donelon says if you have questions, go to the insurance department’s website or call 1-800-259-5300.

We continue to see gas prices steadily rise. The current statewide average for a gallon of regular is $2.12 which is 22 cents higher than this time last month.

Meteorologists are keeping an eye on the potential for winter precipitation in north Louisiana Sunday night and into Monday. Mario Valverde with the National Weather Service in Shreveport says cold is expected along with rain…:
CUT 3 (09) “hazardous”
He says this precipitation is likely to continue into Monday with many areas struggling to get much above freezing during the day down into central Louisiana.

Former Governor Edwin Edwards sys he’s gotten the go-ahead to take his real estate license test. He says this is something he’s wanted to do since he got out of prison…:
CUT 11 (11) “back burner”
Edwards says there is a major industrial boom coming along the I-10, I-12 corridors with developing communities from Lake Charles to Slidell and he’d like to take advantage of the opportunity to be involved in real estate.

A Kenner woman has filed a civil lawsuit against Saints linebacker Junior Gallette, claiming he was physically and emotionally abusive to her during their 2-year relationship. Eric Gill reports…:
CUT 2 (30) “reporting”

The Cajundome in Lafayette has gotten final approval from the State Bond Commission to begin renovations. Officials say the construction project, including the addition of lower-level seating inside, will cost about $16.7 million dollars. The roofing will be re-done and there were be major work done to bathrooms and concession stands.

Former Governor Edwin Edwards plans to seek his real estate license. Michelle Southern reports…
cut 3 (30) “…reporting’

The University of Louisiana System hopes it will name a new president at Grambling State in June. The Grambling presidential search committee is expected to meet next week and approve the timeline. Officials originally planned to name a new president in April, but concerns over deep cuts in state funding to Grambling has hampered search efforts.

The former pastor of President Barack Obama, Reverend Jeremiah Wright, told a large audience at Southern University that black people should look for assistance from the chuch and not government…
cut 15 (12) “…mass incarceration”
Wright was Barack Obama’s minister until 2008 when controversial comments surfaced from a sermon he gave in 2003.

The Saints Junior Galette faces a civil suit in which a 22-year-old woman claims the linebacker physically and emotionally abused her over a two year period. This woman was involved in an incident that led to a misdemeanor battery charge against Galette earlier this year. But the criminal charge has been dropped. Legal analyst Doug Sunseri says the civil suit will allow for an examination of the facts…
cut 8 (09) “….domestic abuse”

LSU’s Pennington Biomedical Research Center assists in the discovery of 97 new genetic factors that contribute to obesity. Doctor Mark Starzynksi says they’ve also found 49 genetic markers that determine where fat is stored and he says the next step is seeing how these markers are specifially related to obesity…
cut 6 (10) “….something like that”
Starzynski says this research should result in better ways to treat obesity.

Former Governor Edwin Edwards is seeking a real estate license. The 87-year-old is not interested in showing homes, but he would like to work with friends on developing property in south Louisiana…
cut 12 (04) “…for our joint benefit”
Edwards says getting a real estate license is something he’s thought about, since he was released from federal prison in 2011.

Religious leader, Reverend Jeremiah Wright visited Southern University’s campus, for a black history month program, where he told those in the audience that they should look to church, not government, when it comes assistance in their life. Wright was President Barack Obama’s minister until 2008, when controversial comments surfraced from a sermon he gave in 2003. Wright didn’t mention Mr. Obama during yesterday’s speech, but defended his work…
cut 14 (08) “….2008”

Action by the state bond commission allows for a plan to upgrade the Cajundome in Lafayette to move forward. The facility’s director Greg Davis says the 16-point-seven-million project includes the redesign of the lower seating level, which will allow for more seats. The bond commission gave approval to the selling of 20-million dollars in revenue bonds to fund the upgrade.

A global constorium, which includes LSU’s Pennington Biomedical Research Center, makes a historic discovery linking obesity to genetics. Eric Gill reports…
cut 1 (29) “….reporting”

Governor Bobby Jindal’s plan to close a 103-million dollar budget deficit for this fiscal year will go before lawmakers this morning. The legislature’s joint budget committee is expected to approve the plan, which would result in the lay off of 130 workers and the closure of three state historic sites.

A Kenner woman has filed a civil lawsuit against Saints linebacker Junior Gallette, claiming he was physically and emotionally abusive to her during their 2-year relationship. Legal analyst Doug Sunseri says this is not good for Gallette or the Saints as Gallette will be asked about his personal behavior with this woman under oath…
cut 7 (09) “…real big problem”
Galette’s attorney calls the lawsuit a “shakedown” and says it’s all lies.

Former Governor Edwin Edwards is seeking a real estate license. The Cajun Prince says with an 18-month old child and a young wife, he would like to make sure there is a nice nest egg left behind for them and plenty of money for son Eli to go to college…
cut 10 (11) “….to be that way”
Edwards plans to take a test to get his real estate license in the next few weeks.