Even with a looming $1.1 billion fiscal cliff looming next year, Republicans have pushed back against the idea of increasing taxes, and many opponents say government has grown too much. But Governor John Bel Edwards says that’s not the case at all. He says the state general fund portion of the budget has actually decreased over the years.

Cut 8 (11) “the government”

LSU Ag Center researchers have received a grant to study a type of small fly that transmits diseases to deer and cattle. Researcher Lane Foil says the conditions spread by these types of flies can lead to internal hemorrhaging that often kill deer.

Cut 12 (06) “after exposure”

The U.S. Department of Agriculture is providing $490,000 for the study.

As Michigan’s Department of Natural Resources worries about crawfish found in the state, Lafayette Travels heads up north today to teach the Wolverine State a thing or two about our beloved mudbugs. President and CEO Ben Berthelot says they will hold a one day festival called CrayDay this Saturday.

Cut 3 (11) “etouffee”

Berthelot says their plans to do a live boil were cut short as it is illegal to possess live crawfish in Michigan.

A 2-year-old child has died after being run over by a vehicle in Tangipahoa Parish. State Trooper Dustin Dwight says a choir group had just gotten out of church and were standing in the parking lot.

Cut 9 (11) “the roadway”

Kaleb Dyson of Kentwood was killed in the accident.

The Edwards administration has presented its first ideas for cuts in the current fiscal year, if the operating budget spends too much money. Michelle Southern reports…:

Cut 2 (25) “I’m Michelle Southern”

A 2-year-old was rushed to a Baton Rouge hospital after being hit by a vehicle in a car dealership parking lot. Authorities say both parties involved were customers at the dealership on Airline Highway. The child is reportedly in stable condition and is being evaluated for injuries.

Scientists with the LSU Ag Center have received a grant to study a type of small fly that causes bleeding in deer and cattle. Researcher Lane Foil says the study will look to identify exactly what type of flying insect is carrying the virus, and how it is able to persist between active transmission seasons…:

Cut 14 (11) “every setting”

The U.S. Department of Agriculture is providing $490,000 to researchers at the LSU AgCenter.

After months of investigating, charges have been filed in the case of an obstacle that collapsed at a Warrior Dash in October. According to the state fire marshal’s office, nearly two-dozen people were injured when the Diesel Dome collapsed at the St. Francisville event. Contractors who set up the obstacle were charged with negligent injury and operating without a license.

Governor John Bel Edwards said his talk with House Speaker Taylor Barras on Wednesday was a productive one. They are trying to come up with a plan to address a looming $1.1 billion budget gap next fiscal year. Edwards says it will take more cuts and more money to fill the budget hole.

Cut 7 (10) “balanced approach”

The U.S. Department of Agriculture awards a $490,000 grant to scientists with the LSU Ag Center to study a type of small fly that transmits diseases to deer and cattle. Researcher Lane Foil says these types of viruses limit the United States’ livestock exports.

Cut 13 (12) “population”

Louisianans are heading up to Michigan today to help with the state’s recent crawfish invasion. Emelie Gunn has more…

Cut 1 (29) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

Southern University is one step closer to getting medical marijuana into the hands of patients, as the school has narrowed down the list of potential growers to three finalists. The Medical Marijuana Review Committee will discuss the finalists in a private meeting before sending their selection to Southern’s Board of Supervisors for final approval.

The Edwards administration has presented its first ideas for cuts in the current fiscal year, if the operating budget spends too much money. Michelle Southern reports…:
Cut 2 (25) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

Authorities with the East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s Office report a child has been rushed to the hospital to be evaluated after being struck by a vehicle. The two-year-old was in the parking lot of Team Mazda on Airline Highway in Baton Rouge when hit. There is no word yet on the child’s condition.

A two-year-old in Tangipahoa Praish is dead after being run over by a vehicle, according to State Police. Trooper Dustin Dwight says Kaleb Dyson of Kentwood entered LA 20 when he was hit by a minivan. He says speed and impairment are not considered a factor but this is still a tragedy for everyone involved.

Cut 11 (06) “lifetime”

Lafayette Travel is heading up to Michigan today as the Wolverine State is seeing a huge unwanted influx of crawfish. President and CEO of Lafayette Travel Ben Berthelot says they are bringing a local Louisiana crawfisherman with them to teach residents how to successfully trap mudbugs. He says at their CrayDay festival on Saturday there will more than just education discussions.
Cut 5 (09) “some cake”
He encourages everyone to follow Lafayette Travel on social media to keep up with their Michigan adventures.

Budget talks are ongoing among legislative and business leaders in the state. Governor John Bel Edwards has met with business owners around the state, as well as House Speaker Taylor Barras, to find a way to fill a $1.1 billion budget gap when temporary taxes expire next year. Edwards called the meeting a good, frank exchange.

Cut 6 (12) “this fiscal cliff”

A two-year-old has died after being hit by a vehicle in Tangipahoa Parish. State Trooper Dustin Dwight says that just as little Kaleb Dyson of Kentwood entered the westbound lane of LA 10, he was struck by a minivan.

Cut 10 (05) “set of circumstances”

Speed and impairment are not considered factors in the accident.

Scientists with the LSU Ag Center have received a $490,000 grant to study a type of small fly that causes bleeding in deer and cattle. Researcher Lane Foil says the conditions spread by these types of flies can lead to internal hemorrhaging that often kill deer…:

Cut 12 (06) “after exposure”

He says they are less dangerous to cattle, but still cause problems.

Lafayette Travel is heading to Michigan to show the northerners how to handle crawfish, after mudbugs were discovered in the Wolverine State. President and CEO Ben Berthelot says this is a great time for Lafayette to promote their great food and happy people.

Cut 4 (08) “big problem”

Plans for a crawfish boil were canned because it is illegal to possess live crawfish in Michigan.

Governor John Bel Edwards met with House Speaker Taylor Barras on Wednesday to continue budget talks and how to fill the $1.1 billion dollar gap next fiscal year. That’s when temporary taxes are slated to expire. He says the state general fund portion of the budget that comes from taxpayers has actually decreased over the years…:
Cut 8 (11) “the government”
Edwards says his office will continue to pursue a balanced approach to resolving the state’s fiscal woes.

There is a new Tiger on the campus of LSU, but he’s not Mike VII just yet. Officials with the university say 11-month old Harvey is currently in a night house where he will be monitored by veterinarians for at least a week while they determine if he’s healthy and a good fit for LSU.

State Police say a 2-year-old child has died after being run over by a vehicle in Tangipahoa Parish. Trooper Dustin Dwight says, around 8:30 last night, a large choir group from Mt. Canaan Missionary Baptist, had just gotten out of church and were standing in the parking lot…:
CUT 9 (11) “the roadway”
Dwight says that just as little Kaleb Dyson of Kentwood entered the westbound lane of LA 10, he was struck by a minivan and later died.

State Police has reportedly suspended a trooper for 14 weeks for being involved in a crash that claimed the life of a person in Pointe Coupee Parish in February. The report says Christopher Kelley was speeding in excess of 110 miles per hour when he slammed into a vehicle that was turning onto a highway. The suspension comes after a grand jury declined to charge the trooper with negligent homicide saying the crash happened because the other driver failed to yield.

Lafayette Travel heads up to Michigan today to help with the state’s recent crawfish invasion. Emelie Gunn has more…:
Cut 1 (29) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

Powerball’s jackpot reached an estimated $510 million early Thursday. The game’s website said no winning tickets matched all the numbers in Wednesday night’s drawing. The new jackpot’s cash value was roughly $324.2 million. The next drawing is scheduled for Saturday night.

Governor John Bel Edwards said his talk with House Speaker Taylor Barras on Wednesday was a productive one. They are trying to come up with a plan everyone can agree on for how to plug next year’s projected $1.1 billion dollar budget gap next fiscal year. Edwards says it will take more cuts and more money to fill the looming budget hole…:
Cut 7 (10) “balanced approach”
Edwards called the meeting with Barras a good, frank exchange.

The Tulane Basketball team is in Barcelona right now for some exhibition games, and have tweeted that they are all safe and accounted for after a van plowed into pedestrians. Police told local media outlets that there are fatalities and they believe the driver acted intentionally.

Governor John Bel Edwards met with House Speaker Taylor Barras on Wednesday to continue budget talks and how to fill the $1.1 billion dollar budget gap next fiscal year. That’s when temporary taxes are slated to expire. Edwards called the meeting a good, frank exchange…:
Cut 6 (12) “this fiscal cliff”
Edwards says his office will continue to pursue a balanced approach to resolving the state’s fiscal woes with a combination of cuts and new revenue.

State Police say a 2-year-old pedestrian was run over and killed in Tangipahoa Parish last night. They say a preliminary investigation found that little Kaleb Dyson was standing with a large group of choir members from the Mt. Canaan Missionary Baptist Church when he ran into the road. His mother tried to stop him, but it was too late and the toddler was run over and later died.

As Michigan’s Department of Natural Resources worried about Louisiana crawfish found in lakes and ponds around the state, Lafayette Travels heads up north today to teach the Wolverine State a thing or two about our beloved mudbugs. President and CEO of Lafayette Travel Ben Berthelot says they will hold a one day festival called CrayDay in Vicksburg on Saturday…
cut 3 (11) “etouffee”
He says the event will also feature informational sessions on setting traps for the crustaceans.

Council for a Better Louisiana President Barry Erwin says we now know that Superintendent of Education John White had no reason to worry about his job, though he clearly had opponents…:
Cut 10 (12) “but he works for BESE”
And BESE gave White a 3.0 rating out of 4 during his evaluation Wednesday.