As it stands now, TOPS students will have to pay 30-percent of their tuition next school year, unless more revenue is raised before June 30th. Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne says if students and families want it fully funded, get involved in the legislative process…
cut 11 (11) “…at risk”
A third special session for 2018 is expected this month to see if legislators can muster enough votes to approve a sales tax bill, so that TOPS and higher education is fully funded.

Livingston Parish deputies arrested 33-year-old Christopher Glenn of Denham Springs after he allegedly stabbed 44-year-old Tosha Smith multiple times…
cut 14 (05) “…in that incident’
That’s Livingston Parish Sheriff’s office spokesperson Lori Steel, who says another woman was also injured and several children were inside the home at the time of the attack in Denham Springs.

A south Louisiana man is under arrest after allegedly stalking an ex, and setting a series of fires aimed at harassment.

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Public school teachers in Monroe will receive a two-percent pay raise next school year, their first increase in ten years. Superintendent Brent Vidrine hopes the increase will boost morale.

There’s still a lot of hard feelings after the second special session ended on a contentious note, and legislators are now prepping for round three…
Cut 3 (31) “Im Matt Doyle”

20-year-old Stephon Perkins of Shreveport has been arrested after he allegedly tried to run over an officer during a pursuit that ended in Bossier City. Police say Perkins failed to stop during an attempted traffic stop and eventually crashed his vehicle into a patrol unit. A Shreveport office fired his weapon, striking Perkins in the elbow. No officers were injured.

A south Louisiana man has been arrested after he allegedly set three different fires during a three month period. State Fire Marshal office spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue says 35-year-old Austin Blake Ceasar set fire to his ex-girlfriend’s house, her father’s truck and her parents’ house…
cut 5 (12) “…garden hose”
Rodrigue says Ceasar harassed his ex-girlfriend and her family since the first fire in March, even though there there was an active protective order against him.

If you are looking to save on utility costs during this hot summer, Entergy Customer Service Manager Patrick Hamby recommends efficient lighting in your home….
cut 8 (07) “….traditional lighting”
Hamby says also suggests keeping the thermostat at 78-degrees.

The Edwards administration is sounding the alarm about the cuts that would need to be enforced, if the House does not pass a sales tax bill that generates 500 million dollars in revenue. Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne says the budget that passed the legislature calls for massive cuts to popular state programs, without the additional funding.

Cut 10 (08)   “housing.”

As of now TOPS is facing a 30-percent cut, higher ed would receive a 96-million dollar cut.

State Representative Malinda White of Bogalusa says she’s taking action by donating her per diem for the next special session. While refusing the check isn’t possible under the current system, she’s reinvesting the funds into her district, saying she will not let political agendas cost the taxpayers more than it has to.

Cut 6 (10) “…need to be upset about it.”

An Opelousas man is under arrest after allegedly setting a series of fires targeted at harassing his ex-girlfriend. 35-year-old Austin Ceasar was slapped with a series of Arson related charges after authorities found evidence that connected him to three fires dating back to March 9^th. State Fire Marshal Spokesperson Ashley Rodriquez says a neighbor caught him committing the first arson.

Cut 3 (12)   “that home.” 

Caesar is being held at the St. Landry Parish Jail after turning himself in on June 2nd^.

Livingston Parish deputies were informed about a domestic dispute and dispatched to a Denham Springs home around 1 am Tuesday morning.  Sheriff’s office spokesperson Lori Steel, says the results were a deadly tragedy witnessed by several children, but thankfully none of the kids were harmed.

Cut 16 (08) “…see often times.”

We’ve have yet to hear if Governor Edwards will veto the budget approved in the the second special session. Edwards is likely to call a third special session this year to see if legislators can approve a sales tax bill that would generate 500-million dollars, so that TOPS, higher ed, department of corrections and children and family services are fully funded. Shreveport Representative Alan Seabaugh says instead of a third special session, the governor could reduce state spending so TOPS is fully funded…
cut 13 (11) “…on Medicaid”

Meanwhile, Bogalusa Representative Malinda White says she will not accept her pay for a third special session….
cut 4 (10) “…most vulnerable children”
White’s donation is expected to be about 15-hundred dollars.

Livingston Parish deputies arrested 33-year-old Christopher Glenn of Denham Springs after he allegedly stabbed 44-year-old Tosha Smith multiple times…
cut 14 (05) “…in that incident’
That’s Livingston Parish Sheriff’s office spokesperson Lori Steel, who says another woman was also injured and several children were inside the home at the time of the attack in Denham Springs.

Public school teachers in Monroe will receive a two-percent pay raise next school year, their first increase in ten years. Superintendent Brent Vidrine hopes the increase will boost morale. But President of the Monroe Federation of Teachers Sandie Lollie says a tw-percent increase is not a lot of money.

Bossier Parish Sheriff Julian Whittingon says eight-thousand tickets have been issued to drivers for allegedly driving uninsured cars and trucks. The parish installed license plate readers at dozens intersections last year and the citations cost guilty individuals 200-dollars.

One south Louisiana lawmaker plans to donate the pay she receives for an expected third special session. Kevin Barnhart has the details.
Cut 1 (29) I’m Kevin Barnhart“

Governor John Bel Edwards has yet to issue the call for a third special session. The previous two have failed to pass legislation that would generate revenue, but Shreveport Representative Alan Seabaugh believes a third special session is not needed…
cut 12 (06) “…enough money”

The State Fire Marshal’s office has arrested a man accused of setting fire to his ex-girlfriend’s house, her father’s truck and her parents house. Two of the fires were set in Ville Platte, the other in Opelousas. Authorities have been searching for 35-year-old Austin Blake Ceasar since the date of the first fire, which was March 9th. No one was injured in any of the fires.

20-year-old Stephon Perkins of Shreveport has been arrested after he allegedly tried to run over an officer during a pursuit that ended in Bossier City. Police say Perkins failed to stop during an attempted traffic stop and eventually crashed his vehicle into a patrol unit. A Shreveport office fired his weapon, striking Perkins in the elbow. No officers were injured.

Entergy is recommending you keep the thermostat at 78 degrees or higher in an effort to keep summer electricity bills from skyrocketing. Customer service manager Patrick Hamby says more tips can be found at entergy-dot-com-blackslash-save-money….
cut 9 (10) “…could accomplish”

As it stands now, TOPS students will have to pay 30-percent of their tuition next school year, unless more revenue is raised before June 30th. Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne says if students and families want it fully funded, get involved in the legislative process…
cut 11 (11) “…at risk”
A third special session for 2018 is expected this month to see if legislators can muster enough votes to approve a sales tax bill, so that TOPS and higher education is fully funded.

At least one state lawmaker says she will donate the per diem from a third special session to a worthy cause in her district. Bogalusa Representative Malinda White says her constituents are aggravated with the costs of the extra sessions…
cut 5 (09) “….services they want”
The donation she is making is an estimated 15-hundred dollars.

The Livingston Parish Sheriff’s office says a 44-year-old Denham Springs woman was fatally stabbed by 33-year-old Christopher Glenn in a domestic violence attack. Spokesperson Lori Steele says Tosha Smith was stabbed multiple times and another woman was also injured…
cut 15 (08) “…local hosptital”
Steele says multiple children were inside the Denham Springs home too.

Entergy has suggestions to keep electric bills down this summer. Becca Dill has the story.
Cut 2 (30) ” I’m Becca Dill”

There’s still a lot of hard feelings after the second special session ended on a contentious note, and legislators are now prepping for round three…
Cut 3 (31) “Im Matt Doyle”

The Livingston Sheriff’s office has arrested 33-year-old Christopher Glenn in the fatal stabbing of 44-year-old Tosha Smith. Sheriff’s office spokesperson Lori Steele says another woman was also injured in the domestic incident at a Denham Springs home and…
cut 16 (08) “…often times”

The reward has trippled to 15-thousand dollars for information that leads to an arrest and conviction in last week’s fatal shooting of 29-year-old Cameron Mack and his four-year-old daughter in LaPlace. Authorities believe it was a lone gunman, who fatally shot the two as they were walking up the stairs to their home.

We’ve already seen record high temperatures this summer, which has prompted Entergy to give advice on how to keep electric bills low, while still keeping cool. Customer service manager Patrick Hamby says proper attic insulation is the number one way to conserve energy and use the air conditioner wisely.
Cut 7 (12) “monthly bill”
Hamby also says L-E-D bulbs don’t give off as much heat and use less energy than ordinary bulbs.

Googling “how common is barium poisoning “on your phone might not be a good idea if you plan on poisoning someone. That information is in the warrant for 50-year-old Meshell Hale of Slaughter, who was arrested and charged with second degree murder in the 2015 poisoning death of a Damian Skipper. Baton Rouge Police Sergeant Don Coppola

Cut 13 (10) “were working” 

Other google searches documented in the warrant: “How bad does Barium Taste?“ and “heart stopping drugs.”, as well as details that Hale purchased 500 grams of barium with a PayPal account linked to her email account, your-secret-007 at yahoo dot com.

Political Analyst Roy Fletcher says the House’s rejection of a Senate backed tax plan means he’s going to have to consider taking a

Cut 7 (11)  “the governor”

The proposed cuts to public colleges and TOPS has higher education leaders concerned  Kevin Barnhart has more on this story.

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

Louisiana Budget Project Executive Director Jan Moller says it’s not just college students who will bear the brunt of the cuts.

Cut 9 (13)  “completely unessecary”

A Senate backed tax bill that renewed half of the expiring penny sales tax, and fully funded higher ed, healthcare, and TOPS failed 64-40.

One south Louisiana lawmaker plans to donate her pay for an expected third special session back into their community.  Kevin Barnhart has the details.

Cut 1 (29)  I’m Kevin Barnhart“

_____________________________________________________

Entergy has some suggestions for keeping those electric bills down this summer. Becca Dill has the story.

Cut 2 (30) ”  I’m Becca Dill” 

_______________________________________________.

There’s still a lot of hard feelings after the special session ended on a contentious note, and legislators are now prepping for round three this year. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 3 (31) “Im Matt Doyle”

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With the second extra legislative session of this year ending in a partisan gridlock, and a third coming up, State Representative Malinda White of Bogalusa says she’s taking action by donating her pay from an expected third special session to a worthy cause in District 75.

Cut 4  (10) “…our most lovable children.” 

A third special session would cost at least 50-thousand dollars a day.

By failing once again to pass a solution to fund the budget, White says that her constituents are aggravated with the costs and delays caused by the extra sessions.

Cut 5  (09)  “…services that they want”

While refusing the check isn’t possible under the current system, she’s reinvesting the funds into her district, saying she will not let political agendas cost the taxpayers more than it has to.

Cut 6 (10) “…need to be upset about it.”

The donation she is making is estimated to be about $1500.

__________________________________________________

We’ve already seen record high temperatures this summer, which has prompted Entergy to give advice on how to keep electric bills low, while still keeping cool. Customer service manager Patrick Hamby says insulation is the number one preventative for keeping energy costs low, but there are several solutions to do right away.

Cut 7 (12)  “monthly bill”

Hamby says it’s important to keep the heat out by closing drapes and blinds in addition to efficient lighting.

Cut 8 (07)  “traditional lighting.”

While costs vary for each household, Hamby provides online resources to calculate your home’s energy cost.

Cut 9 (10)  “could accomplish.”
By implementing these energy saving techniques, Hamby says you can stay cool and keep energy bills low.

___________________________________________________

The Edwards administration is sounding the alarm about the cuts that would need to be enforced, if the House does not pass a sales tax bill that generates 500 million dollars in revenue. Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne says the budget that passed the legislature calls for massive cuts to popular state programs, without the additional funding.

Cut 10 (08)   “housing.”

As of now TOPS is facing a 30-percent cut, higher ed would receive a 96-million dollar cut. The governor supports a Senate approved plan that failed to  in the House that would renew half of the expiring penny sales tax.

With TOPS in particular at risk of a substantial cut, Dardenne says it’s time for those who want to protect the scholarship program to get active.

Cut 11 (11) “at risk.”

A block of anti-tax House Republicans rejected two tax plans, one that would raise half a penny and fully fund the government, and another that renews a third of a penny and would require 126 million in additional budget cuts.

Shreveport Representative Alan Seabaugh’s polarizing decision to purposely “run the clock out” by filibustering at the end of the night before a final tax vote all but guaranteed the governor will call for another special session. He says he shut down the session because the state has the cash to fund priorities, and doesn’t need to renew any of the 1.4 billion in expiring taxes that drop off June 30^th.

Cut 12 (06) “enough money.”

Seabuagh, whose being hailed by fiscal conservatives for putting the breaks on a session ending tax vote, says the Governor’s decision to expand Medicaid in the state is strangling the budget, and is directly responsible for the cuts that could be made to higher education and TOPS.

Cut 13 (11)  “on Medicaid” 

The governor has not announced the start date for a third special session, but it will occur before the end of the month, because the new budget year begins July 1st.

__________________________________

Livingston Parish deputies were informed about a domestic dispute and dispatched to a Denham Springs home around 1 am Tuesday morning.  Sheriff’s office spokesperson Lori Steel, says the results were a deadly tragedy witnessed by several children.