You can expect to see mid-year budget cuts in state government as a result of lower than anticipated revenues. The shortfall for this fiscal year ending June 30th is 171 million dollars and Jeremy Alford of LaPolitics.com says the budget picture will not get better anytime soon because economists from around the nation are predicting a recession in 2015…

cut 14 (10) “next Governor”

Alford says you can expect the budget situation to dominate the conversation for the next couple of years.

Even though the December runoffs are still ahead of us, a research firm has already polled voters on the 2015 ballot. Multi-Quest pollster John Scurich says, in the race for Governor, US Senator David Vitter looks to be in good shape, early on…

cut 11 (07) “that’s what he’s got”

Vitter leads the poll with 25.9 percent followed by Lt. Governor Jay Dardenne with 10.9 percent with 53% undecided.

It looks like more freezing temperatures are on the way for Louisiana. State Climatologist Barry Keim says two fronts are now affecting the state and he expects highs to only get up to around 50 degrees statewide today and temperatures to once again drop below freezing overnight…

cut 5 (08) “very cold air”

Freeze warnings are issued for portions of central and southwestern Louisiana tonight.

Entergy is launching new energy efficiency programs to help customers use less power and save money on their electricity bills. Entergy Solutions Program Manager Heather Leblanc says this program provides customers a variety of ways to cut energy use at their homes…

cut 7 (09) “your own home“

She says programs are also available for business owners.

Mid-year budget cuts are coming in state government as a result of lower than anticipated revenues. The shortfall for this fiscal year ending June 30th is 171 million dollars and Jeremy Alford of LaPolitics.com says higher education will likely take the brunt of these cuts…

cut 13 (11) “off the table”

Louisiana’s budget woes only get worse as the state spent $141 million more than it brought in last year, and next year’s shortfall is projected to be $1.4 billion.

It doesn’t look like Louisiana is out of the woods, yet, when it comes to freezing temperatures. State Climatologist Barry Keim says two fronts are now affecting Louisiana…

cut 4 (08) “we had yesterday”

Freeze warnings have already been issued for portions of central and southwestern Louisiana tonight.

It’s possible you haven’t thought about next year’s elections in Louisiana, but a research firm has already polled voters on the 2015 ballot. Multi-Quest pollster John Scurich says in the race for Governor, US Senator David Vitter leads with 25.9 percent followed by Lt. Governor Jay Dardenne with 10.9 percent. He says 53% are undecided

cut 10 (11) “ahead”

Scurich says most voters will likely become more involved in next year’s races after the first of the year.

Baton Rouge Police are investigating the Sunday morning shooting death of the quarterbacks coach at West St. John High School. Authorities say 27-year-old Juan Joseph was shot outside a nightclub in Baton Rouge during an argument.

Yesterday, the US House gave approval the controversial Keystone XL Pipeline in a bill that was sponsored by Baton Rouge Congressman Bill Cassidy. House Republican whip, Metairie Congressman Steve Scalise, says the Keystone Pipeline is an issue that brings people together…

cut 16 (11) “for our nation”

This move is viewed as an effort by Republicans to boost Cassidy’s chances in the Senate runoff election against Democratic Senator Mary Landrieu. Landrieu has pushed the Senate to vote on this issue next week.

Today marks the beginning of open enrollment for those seeking health insurance through the federal Affordable Care Act. Louisiana Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says an additional insurer will be selling plans on the federal Marketplace, giving many Louisiana residents up to six different insurance companies to choose from…

cut 7 (09) “64 parishes”

Black Friday is less than two weeks away and Best Buy, Walmart, and Target are a few of the stores that have already released their Black Friday sales ads. Assistant Professor of Marketing at LSU, Dan Rice, says this is a situation where one store releases their ad early and others follow suit…

cut 4 (11) “of your competitor”

He these stores want to get out there early to make sure somebody else doesn’t beat them to the punch.

In a bizarre story out of Hammond, the police department is looking for a black male who allegedly stole about $500 worth of perfume from a retail store. Lt. Vince Giannobile says one of their officers believes they know who the burglar is because he’s previously committed the same crime at the same store dressed as a woman…:

cut 14 (08) “before”

Giannobile says they have not publicly identified the suspect.

The second enrollment period to acquire health insurance through the Affordable Care Act begins today. Jeff Palermo has the story…

cut 2 (30) “reporting”

Shreveport Police are on the hunt for a home intruder who allegedly shot a three-year-old girl inside her home and then fled. Authorities have identified the victim as Paris Hill. Hill is hospitalized in critical condition with a gunshot wound to the head. Anyone with information on this shooting is urged to contact Crime Stoppers.

The Hammond Police Department says they are looking for a robber who allegedly stole a large amount of perfume from a retail store. Lt. Vince Giannobile says the incident took place this week at ULTA Beauty in the mall…

cut 12 (13) “$500″

Giannobile says one of their officers believes they know who the burglar is because he’s previously committed the same crime at the same store dressed as a woman.

There were cold temperatures across Louisiana this morning, but Phil Grigsby, with the National Weather Service in Slidell, says temperatures will rise a little over the weekend and bring some rain tomorrow. But he says this slight warming trend will not last very long. Grigsby says right after the rain moves through, another pretty strong cold front will follow…

cut 11 (09) “of the week“

Look for afternoon highs to approach 60 degrees in some areas of the state today.

The US House overwhelmingly passed legislation Friday approving the controversial Keystone XL Pipeline. House Republican whip, Metairie Congressman Steve Scalise, says the pipeline is all about jobs and American energy security…

cut 15 (10) “our economy needs”

The bill was sponsored by Baton Rouge Republican Congressman Bill Cassidy and passed on a 252 – 161 vote. Democratic Senator Mary Landrieu will attempt to get the Senate to pass a similar bill early next week.

Open enrollment begins today for those seeking health insurance through the federal Affordable Care Act. Louisiana Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says 101-thousand residents are insured through Obamacare and that will likely go up with this second enrollment period, because the penalty is higher this year for those who go uninsured…

cut 6 (11) “or two percent income”

Most of Louisiana woke up to another round of cold temperatures this morning, but Phil Grigsby, with the National Weather Service in Slidell, says temperatures will rise a little over the weekend. He says tomorrow could bring highs approaching 70 degrees in some areas along with some rainfall…

cut 10 (11) “rainfall for us”

Afternoon highs today are expected to be in the fifties, approaching sixty in some areas of the state.

We’re less than two weeks away from Black Friday and some retailers have already revealed their special deals. Assistant Professor of Marketing at LSU, Dan Rice, says these stores want to get into people’s minds early…

cut 3 (11) “that they remember”

Best Buy, Walmart, and Target are a few of the stores that have already released their Black Friday sales ads.

The US House voted overwhelmingly on Friday on legislation to authorize the construction of the Keystone X-L pipleine. House Majority Whip and Metairie Congressman Steve Scalise…
cut 16 (11) “…for our nation”
The bill passed by the House is sponsonored by Baton Rouge republican Congressman and US Senate candidate Bill Cassidy. Democratic Senator Mary Landrieu will attempt to get the Senate to pass a similar bill early next week.

Mid-year budget cuts are coming for state government. That’s because the Revenue Estimating Conference officially recognized on Friday a 171-million dollar shortfall for the current fiscal year. Falling oil prices and lower than expected growth in personal income taxes caused the shortfall.

And Saturday begins the second open enrollment period for those who are seeking to either buy or make changes to their health insurance policy through the Affordable Care Act.

High temperatures will get back into the 50s, 60s tomorrow across Louisiana. We could even see some 70-degree readings in south Louisiana on Sunday. But Phil Grigsby, with the National Weather Service, says cold weather will return Monday….
cut 11 (09) “….of the week”
There’s a good chance for rain on Sunday.

There’s a strange story out of Hammond. Police are looking for a black male who stole about 500-dollars worth of perfume from a beauty store inside the mall. Hammond Police Lt Vince Giannobile…
cut 13 (10) “…to be located”
Giannobile says they have not publicly identified the suspect, but it’s possible a cross-dresser is responsible, because the same crime occurred at the same store by a person dressed as a woman.

The Keystone XL Pipeline is one step closer to reality, as the House passed its approval today…
CUT 15 (10) Q: ‘our economy needs”
That’s House Republican whip, Metairie Congressman Steve Scalise.

Black Friday is still two weeks away, and some retailers can’t wait-literally. Many have already revealed their Black Friday prices, in hopes of creating more traffic and sales. Assistant Professor of Marketing at LSU, Dan Rice, says there is a strong consumer perception about that day after Thanksgiving…
CUT 5 (08) Q: “lots of products”
So a good rule of thumb is to keep your eyes open.

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The second enrollment period to acquire health insurance through the Affordable Care Act begins Saturday. Jeff Palermo with that story…

CUT 2 (30) “reporting”

Shreveport Police are feverishly on the hunt for a home intruder who allegedly shot a three year-old toddler inside her home in the 27 hundred block of Devaughn Street, and then fled. The child is in critical condition with a gunshot wound to the head. Anyone with information on this shooting is asked to call Crimestoppers.

The Department of Health and Human Services estimates an eight-percent rate increase on the most popular plans of Obamacare, which begins open enrollment tomorrow. Commissioner of Insurance Jim Donelon says you could be eligible for federal assistance, if you do purchase a policy through the federal marketplace…
CUT 8 (10) “subsidy”
Over 100,000 Louisiana residents are currently insured thought the Affordable Care Act.

The US House has passed legislation approving the Keystone XL Pipeline. The bill was sponsored by Baton Rouge Congressman Bill Cassidy, aand passed today on a 252 – 161 vote. Democratic Senator Mary Landrieu has pushed the Senate to vote on this issue next week.

————————————-
Louisiana had some cold temperatures last night, and we’re expecting another chilly night with a hard freeze expected in North Louisiana, with some moderating temperatures during the day tomorrow. As for Sunday…

CUT 10 (11) Q: “rainfall for us”

That’s Phil Grigsby from the National Weather Service Office in Slidell.
Even though Black Friday is two weeks away, many retailers are releasing their special prices early to get a jump start on some top -of-mind awareness…
CUT 4 (11) Q: “of your competitor”
That’s Assistant Professor of Marketing at LSU, Dan Rice.

Today it’s official. The Keystone XL Pipeline is a go in the House…
CUT 16 (11) Q: “for our nation”
That’s House Republican whip, Metairie Congressman Steve Scalise. Senator Mary Landrieu says she will push the Senate to vote on the issue nerxt week.

A cross-dressed burgular has hit ULTA Beauty store in Hammond, where he allegedly stole a large amount of perfume in the mall. When the suspect was spotted, he ran off, and now Hammond Police are on the hunt…
CUT 14 (08) Q: “before”
That’s Hammond Police Lt. Vince Giannobile.
=======================

At the Revenue Estimating Conference today, the State of Louisiana announced revenues would not be as high as expected, and Jindal Adminstration will have to reduce spending by $171 million dollars for the remainder of the fiscal year. This means there will have to be budget cuts in place by mid-year in 2015.
We’re two weeks away from the Black Friday shopping frenzy and some retailers have already revealed their special deals. Eric Gill has more…

CUT 1 (28) “reporting”

More freezing temperatures are expected across the state as we get into the weekend. A freeze warning has already been issued from 10PM tonight until 9AM Saturday for a large portion of southeast Louisiana. Phil Grigsby, with the National Weather Service in Slidell, predicts overnight lows in the area to be colder than last night…:
CUT 9 (09) “in southeast Louisiana”
Grigsby expects a harder freeze for north Louisiana and residents there should really tend to plants, pipes, and pets.

The state Revenue Estimating Conference is meeting today and they’ve cut income projection for the current fiscal year by $171 million dollars. This means budget cuts will be coming mid year. The state income forecast dropped $201 million dollars which is on top of an already projected $1.2 billion dollar budget shortfall.

The US House passed legislation today approving the controversial Keystone XL Pipeline. The bill was sponsored by Baton Rouge Congressman Bill Cassidy. House Republican whip, Metairie Congressman Steve Scalise says the pipeline is all about jobs and American energy security…:
CUT 15 (10) “that American needs”
The bill passed on a 252-161 vote and now heads to the Senate.

The move is viewed as an effort by Republicans to boost Cassidy’s chances in the Senate runoff election against Democratic Senator Mary Landrieu. The congressman is also getting some help tomorrow at a rally in Monroe featuring Duck Dynasty patriarch Phil Robertson and former Vice Presidential candidate Sarah Palin.