Governor John Bel Edwards presented what he called his worst-case-scenario budget today, showcasing the impact a billion dollar loss in state funding would have on state government. The loss is a result of the impending expiration of a one cent sales tax this summer. Edwards says he is constitutionally limited to cutting money from two areas…:
Cut 3 (12) “and yes TOPS”
That is unless legislators can agree on a long-term tax reform plan in a February special session.

Gas prices are on the rise at a time of the year when they traditionally go down. Louisiana drivers are paying $2.36 a gallon for regular gasoline, while a month ago, prices were at 2.21. Triple A fuel analyst Don Redman says it’s not a good start to the year for crude…
Cut 8 (04) “remainder of 2018”

A 9.7 million dollar grant will fund the creation of an oil consortium at UL-Lafayette…:
Cut 2 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Have you already foiled your New Years resolution to become healthier? LSU Ag Center nutritional specialist Elizabeth Gollub says the key is to make small habit changes first…:
Cut 26 (12) “long haul”

Governor John Bel Edwards is presenting a budget today that shows the effects of one-billion dollars in cuts to state agencies. Healthcare will see a 660-million-dolar cut and there will be an 80-percent cut in funding to TOPS. Political analyst Clancy Dubos says it’s not the budget the governor wants, but it’s the budget he is constitutionally required to present.

Cut 4  (09) “in it” 

Edwards has said he would like to call a February special session to address the fiscal cliff.

25 Democratic women will be trained on how to run for political office.  Emerge Louisiana Executive director Melanie Oubre says with districts to be redrawn following the 2020 census, it’s a great time to have these women trained and ready to tackle the political scene…

Cut 14 (10) “Emerge Louisiana.”

A 9.7 million dollar grant was awarded to a UL Lafayette consortium to study the Tuscaloosa Marine Shale oil deposit that stretches across central Louisiana and the Florida parishes.  The consortium will be comprised of scientists, academics, and oil industry professionals from across the nation.  ULL Professor Mehdi Mokhtari (med-e mowk-tari) says this study could raise the prestige of the University of Louisiana system…

Cut 11 (12) “know universities.”

Gas prices on the increase.  Louisiana’s average price is up to 2.36 a gallon, up six cents from a week ago and 15 cents from last month.    The cost at the beginning of 2017 was 2.17 a gallon.  Analysts say gas production remains strong at a time of the year when it normally is weak, which could lead to lower prices down the road.

Governor John Bel Edwards is at this hour presenting to lawmakers his worse-case budget proposal for next fiscal year. It will reflect cuts to fill the the one-billion-dollar gap created by a one cent sales tax that is expiring on June 30th, if lawmakers can’t come to an agreement on alternatives. Political Analysts Clancy Dubos says if GOP leaders and the governor can’t agree on how to settle this, it could be bad for both…:
Cut 5 (11) “blame everybody”
Reports say healthcare and education will be the hardest hit, with the possibility of a 100-percent cut in funding to TOPS.

The Ascension Parish Sheriff’s Office says multiple injuries have been reported after a school bus crash early this morning. They say the bus had about 20 students on board headed to Central Middle School in Gonzales. Two students were sent to the hospital, and so was the bus driver. The cause of the crash is being investigated.

A 9.7 million dollar grant was awarded to a UL Lafayette consortium to study the Tuscaloosa Marine Shale oil deposit that stretches across central Louisiana into the Florida parishes. UL-Lafayette Professor Mehdi Mokhtari (med-e mowk-tari) says unlocking the shale could be a big boost to the bayou state’s economy..:
Cut 12 (09) “the state”
A study from the 80s indicated that Louisiana could be sitting on nearly seven billion barrels of crude oil.

Emerge Louisiana chooses 25 Democratic women that will train on how to run for political office. Executive Director Melanie Oubre…:
Cut 13 (12) “legislative races”
She says the women will get 70 hours of in depth education over six months.

Governor John Bel Edwards will go before the Joint Legislative Budget Committee today to present his budget proposal for next fiscal year. He says it will outline what would happen if lawmakers don’t address the looming, billion-dollar fiscal cliff. Edwards and GOP leaders have been at odds on budget issues. Political Analyst Clandy Dubos says this is politics…:
Cut 6 (07) “took office”
The shortfall is due to a one cent sales tax expiring on June 30th.

Emerge Louisiana chooses 25 Democratic women that will train on how to run for political office. Executive Director Melanie Oubre says nine women have been enrolled in the class and plan to run for office again…:
Cut 15 (08) “winning office”
She says these women come from across the state and will get 70 hours of in depth education over six months.

A 9.7 million dollar grant will fund the creation of an oil consortium at UL-Lafayette. Jeff Palermo finds out what that could mean for the state…:
Cut 2 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

State Police say I-10 West could be closed for several hours between Baton Rouge and Lafayette due to an 18-wheeler crash and fire. They say it happened just past Whiskey Bay on the Atchafalaya Basin Bridge around 5am. I-10 West drivers are being diverted in West Baton Rouge Parish at the Lobdell exit to Us 190 West to I-49 South to Lafayette.

The governor will reveal his “doomsday” budget today, Matt Doyle spoke with political analyst Clancy Dubos about what that means…:
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

Gas prices have seen a huge jump throughout the nation and the state over the past few weeks. The current average in Louisiana is $2.36 a gallon, which is up 6 cents from the prior week…and 15 cents higher than a month ago, according to AAA. Analysts say the jump is due to higher crude oil costs.

A 9.7 million dollar grant was awarded to a UL Lafayette consortium to study the Tuscaloosa Marine Shale oil deposit that stretches across central Louisiana into the Florida parishes. ULL Professor Mehdi Mokhtari (med-e mowk-tari) says the grant will help scientists unlock the shale’s potential:
Cut 10 (13) “sound way”
A study from the 80s indicated that Louisiana could be sitting on nearly seven billion barrels of crude oil.

Have you already foiled your New Years resolution to become healthier? LSU Ag Center nutritional specialist Elizabeth Gollub says the key to making a long term positive change is to start with a series of smaller habits…:
Cut 9 (12) “long haul”

Governor John Bel Edwards will unveil a budget today that will show what one billion dollars in cuts to state agencies would look like. Reports say healthcare and education will be the hardest hit, with the possibility of total cut in funding to TOPS. Political analyst Clancy Dubos says this is the budget Edwards is constitutionally required to present…:
Cut 4 (09) “in it”
So far, GOP legislative leaders and Democratic Governor John Bel Edwards have been unable to settle on a plan to address the fiscal cliff.

New Year’s resolutions are starting to fall by the wayside for many as day to day realities clash with their bold plans. LSU Ag Center nutritional specialist Elizabeth Gollub has a suggestion…:
Cut 7 (11) “smaller steps”

Emerge Louisiana chooses 25 Democratic women to train to run for political office. Kelley Ray spoke with executive director Melanie Oubre:
Cut 3 (32) “I’m Kelley Ray”

The Louisiana Public Service Commission wants to know why utility customers were asked to conserve energy Thursday morning in the cold. Michelle Southern reports…:
Cut 1 (31) “I’m Michelle Southern”

Senator John Kennedy calls out the Democrats for the federal government shutdown, saying it an embarrassment to congress, democracy, the United States of America. A statement from Kennedy says, “I defy any Democrat to explain why it is so important to ask our military to sacrifice their pay, furloughs hundreds of thousands of workers, and reject a long term renewal of the Children’s Health Insurance Program.

A billion dollar state budget short fall may spell funding trouble for the TOPS program. Higher Education Commissioner Joe Rallo says time is critical since nationwide faculty recruitment is currently underway…
Cut 8 (11) “of state.”

A non-partisan group CrowdPac is concerned about the recent volatile actions of the Vermillion School board and wants to see changes. Controversy erupted after a school teacher was arrested at a school board meeting when she voiced concerns over a pay raise for the school superintendent. Crowdpac spokesperson Mason Harrison says…
Cut 14 (10) “help out.”

A seminar teaching the public how to run for school board offices is set for January 30th at the Sunbelt Lodge in Abbeville.

The Commissioner of Higher Education is worried about possible cuts to the TOPS program. Kelley Ray has a look at the far reaching repercussions…
Cut 2 (32) “I’m Kelley Ray.”

A mysterious package left at a Slidell Post Office caused police to block off the area for the bomb squad to respond. The package was dropped off around 4 pm and after approximately 4 and half hours later the Slidell Police department said the contents of the package was about seventy pounds of human feces. Authorities say the person being questioned is thought to have mental health problems.

Public Service Commissioner Chairman Eric Skrmetta says industrial customers were warned this week that their power could be turned off due to extremely cold weather. Industrial customers handle electrical flow to Louisiana households. He says this should not happen and it’s the Public Service Commission’s job to make sure that power is always there for consumers to use..:
Cut 4 (11) “to be taken”

Vermilion School Board President Anthony Fontana announced his resignation. This comes amid a school teacher’s arrest at a school board meeting two weeks ago when she voiced concerns over the Superintendent’s pay raise. Crowdpac spokesperson Mason Harrison says Fontana’s resignation is perfect timing for a seminar coming to Abbeville to teach citizens to how to run for a school board position…
Cut 12 (07) “do that.”