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.
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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.

Researchers at LSU’s Pennington Biomedical Research Center are involved in a history discovery linking obesity to genetics. The study discovered 97 new gentic factors that contribute to obesity and 49 gentic markers that determine where fat is stored in the body. Doctor Mark Sarzynksi, says these results give them a better idea of where to target their next studies…
cut 4 (10) “….our body weight”

A civil lawsuit has been filed against Saints linebacker Junior Galette by a woman who claims Galette abused her sexually, mentally and physically and also drugged her. Legal analyst Doug Sunseri…
cut 9 (04) “…to manage”
But a criminal domestic violence charge that involes the same woman who filed the civil suit has reportedly been dismissed by Kenner authorities.

The former pastor of President Barack Obama, Reverend Jeremiah Wright, spoke to students at Southern University on Thursday telling the audience that you shouldn’t seek help from the government but instead from the Lord. Wright says for too many years, blacks have looked to government for help and that’s the wrong place…
cut 13 (12) “…wrong place”
Wright was Barack Obama’s minister until 2008 when controversial comments surfaced from a sermon he gave in 2003.

The Legislature’s joint budget committee meets today and they’ll get a chance to approve the Jindal administration’s plan to cut 103-million dollars from this year’s budget, which will lead to state worker layoffs and the reduction of museum hours.

With $3.5 million in the bank, Republican Senator David Vitter is leading all other candidates in cash on hand for this year’s governor’s race. Fellow Republican candidates Lt. Governor Jay Dardenne and Public Service Commissioner Scott Angelle have about one-and-a-half million each. Pinsonat says both Dardenne and Angelle are off to a good start…

cut 4 (10) “up with him”

Democratic State Representative John Bel Edwards reported $745,000.

In a recent CBS News Poll, 67-percent of Republican respondents said they did not know enough about Governor Bobby Jindal to consider him for the Republican presidential nomination. Political analyst Clancy Dubos says this is bad news for Jindal especially after the publicity he received after his stance on “No-Go Zones”…

cut 12 (10) “candidate for president”

The poll found that 18-percent of respondents would consider Jindal.

The Mandeville Police Department says a man is charged with his 8th DWI after he allegedly drove a car that didn’t belong to him drunk into another vehicle then fled the scene. Lt. Gerald Sticker says 48-year-old James Hittson took his friend’s 2006 Chevrolet Avalanche from an apartment where they were hanging out without her permission…

cut 9 (09) “damaged”

He says Hittson then threatened the owner of the vehicle who then called the cops.

The case of the man who was convicted of literally scaring a Lafayette woman to death after he broke into her home, then had the ruling overturned, will be reviewed by the Louisiana Supreme Court. A jury found 40-year-old Willie Robertson guilty in 2013 of causing 86-year-old Irene Schoofs heart attack which killed her. Legal analyst Tim Meche…

cut 6 (13) “affirm a conviction”

The death of the woman happened in 1999 but the case wasn’t prosecuted until 13 years later.

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. Sunseri says now Gallette will be asked about his personal behavior with this woman under oath…

cut 26 (09) “real big problem”

Gallette was booked with misdemeanor simple battery involving domestic abuse following an incident with this woman last month.

As part of a three-team trade, the Pelicans acquired Miami Heat point guard Norris Cole and sent John Salmons to the Phoenix Suns. Cole will be expected to bolster the Pels backcourt in the absence of Jrue Holiday. It is also reported that Anthony Davis could return to the Pelicans lineup for tomorrow’s game against Orlando after suffering a shoulder injury.

UL-Lafayette head football coach Mark Hudspeth has named Melvin Smith, who joined the staff last month, as the team’s new defensive coordinator. Smith replaces James Willis who accepted a coaching position with the New Orleans Saints.

Conference USA leader, Louisiana Tech, is on the road tonight to take on Charlotte. Tech beat Florida International 75-42 Saturday, forcing the Golden Panthers to commit 28 turnovers and shoot just 28-percent from the field. Bulldogs coach Mike White says his team has improved on defense during the course of the season..

cut 20 (17) “a process”

The Bulldogs are coming off their 20th win of the season.

The U-L Lafayette men’s basketball team hosts Texas State tonight at the Cajundome. Despite the Bobcats 11-13 overall record, Cajuns Head Coach Bob Marlin expects a good battle with the Bobcats…

cut 18 (13) “prepared for’

The Cajuns are 8-and-7 in the Sun Belt while Texas State has a 5-and-10 league record.