Shreveport and New Orleans rank in the top 10 fattest metro areas in the country, according to a new study from WalletHub. Shreveport came in number 2 and The Big Easy No. 5. WalletHub analyst Jill Gonzales says the study analyzed fat prevalence, weight-related medical problems, and a healthy environment. She says this isn’t good as health problems typically mean money problems..:
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Lafayette also ranked high on the list, coming in at number 17.

4 Fed Ex employees in Kenner are booked with theft charges for allegedly stealing more than $13,000 worth of electronics in the shipping department, according to cops. Kenner Police say an anonymous tip came in which resulted in the arrest of the four men from New Orleans each for theft of over $1500.

Gas prices in Louisiana are up almost a quarter from the prior month to a statewide average of about $1.80, according to AAA. Fuel analyst Don Redman says refineries are shutting down as they transition from the winter to summer blend gasoline, but we should start to see the price at the pump level off in a couple months…:
CUT 12 (09) “fairly soon”

The president isn’t the only one making a trip to Cuba this week as LSU coach Les Miles is also in the Pearl of the Antilles. Former Tiger baseball star Mikie Mahtook, who currently plays for Tampa Bay, tweeted that The Mad Hatter would be on hand to watch the Rays play the Cuban National Team. LSU Sports Information Director Michael Bonnette says this is Miles’ spring break trip…:
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The rare baseball game is scheduled for 1:50 this afternoon and will be televised on ESPN.

The state is handing out disaster food aid to flood victims. Assistant Secretary with the Department of Children and Family Services, Sammy Guillory, says many people in the Covington area are applying, but not so much in north Louisiana, where it’s rare for the state to provide disaster food stamps….
cut 4 (11) “….hurricanes”
Guillory recommends pre-registering for food assistance if you live in one of the 23 parishes that have been declared a federal disaster.

Louisiana voters are split over whether or not elected officials should compromise, according to a new LSU survey. LSU pollster, Doctor Michael Henderson, says this does not bode well for getting things done in the legislature…:
cut 7 (09) “…have become”
Henderson says with a Democratic governor and a Republican legislature, it’s likely state politicians will have a hard time coming to agreements.

Gas prices are going up in Louisiana. Halen Doughty has more…
voicer 2 (30) “…Halen Doughty”

Former NFL star and member of the Saints Super Bowl team, Darren Sharper, has reportedly pleaded guilty again to charges that he drugged and rapped women in four states. This time he’ll leave the length of his sentence up to a federal judge. Last month, US District Court Judge Jane Triche Milazzo, rejected a nine-year sentence for Sharper and said his sentence should range from 15 to 20 years.

Gas prices are climbing in Louisiana. The average price for a gallon of gas in the state has surpassed $1.80. AAA Spokesperson Don Redman says the transition from winter-grade to summer-grade gas means refineries have to shut down for a while. He says that, coupled with more people out on the road, keeps gas prices higher…:
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Redman says we should see a decline in gas prices by the time summer arrives.

Disaster Food Stamps are now being issued by the state for flood victims. DCFS Deputy Assistance Secretary Sammy Guillory recommends pre-registering for food assistance if you live in one of the 23 parishes that have been declared a federal disaster. He says the amount you’ll get depends on certain factors…:
Cut 5 (07) “from there”

Louisiana voters are split over whether or not elected officials should compromise, according to a new LSU survey. Doctor Michael Henderson, director of the LSU Public Policy Research Lab, says 87% of Louisiana Republicans have an unfavorable opinion of the Democratic Party in Louisiana, while 67% of Democrats in Louisiana have a negative opinion of the Republican Party. He says this could be why the two parties are having a hard time compromising…:
Cut 9 (10) “be able to”
He says 55-percent of Democrats would like their representatives to compromise, while 52% of Republicans want their elected officials to stand their ground.

Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne is urging legislators to do what they can, until the administration plugs in the 750-million dollar deficit into the budget for the budget year that begins July 1st…:
Cut 15 (09) “2016 year”

Would you like to see lawmakers compromise on matters in the session? Or hold their ground? An LSU Public Policy Research Lab survey finds voters are split almost even on the matter. Director Michael Henderson says with a Democratic governor and a Republican legislature, it’s likely state politicians will have a hard time coming to agreements. He says we’re starting to see Washington-style politics here in Louisiana…:
Cut 8 (10) “by the wayside “

Meanwhile Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne says it appears state agencies won’t have to resort to their “worst case scenario” plan for budget cuts in the fiscal year that begins July 1st. But he says delivery of services around the state will still be impacted”
Cut 14 (09) “government level”
He says some government agencies are looking at a 30-percent cut in state funding.

The Kenner Police Department says four men who worked for Fed Ex are under arrest accused of stealing electronics in the shipping center. They say 21-year-old Earl Jones, 25-year-old Joshua Davis, 20-year-old Daquan Thomas and 25-year-old Christopher Washington, all from New Orleans, are booked with theft over $1500. It’s estimated the loot stolen was worth over $13,000.

Disaster food assistance for residents impacted by extreme flooding is now being issued by the state. Emelie Gunn has more…:
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Jazz Fest organizers are announcing the cubes today with info on stages and times for each performer.

Louisiana has begun issuing disaster food aid to families who have been impacted by flooding. Sammy Guillory, Deputy Assistant Secretary with the Department of Children and Family Services, says approved flood victims that have a last name starting with with E through K, can get their emergency benefit card today. He encourages all flood victims to apply…:
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The food aid benefit cards are being distributed at 25 sites in parishes impacted by the floods.

You may notice gas prices have started to inch up. The current statewide average for a gallon of regular, according to AAA, is $1.80. Fuel analyst Don Redman says that’s a quarter higher than the prior month. He says those prices could continue to go up for a couple more months, as refineries shut down for annual maintenance…:
Cut 10 (06) “a gallon”

According to a recent LSU poll, Louisiana voters are split on whether or not they want their elected officials to compromise. Jeff Palermo has more..:
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The Governors Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness is urging those residents receiving aid due to damage from flooding, to make smart decisions with that money. They say more than $4.3 million dollars in individual assistance has already been passed out, and that’s meant to help flood victims pay for necessities needed to get back on their feet. If survivors use payments on anything else, they may have to repay the funds.

Gas prices are going up in Louisiana as refineries shut down for annual maintenance. Halen Doughty has more…:
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Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne told the House Appropriations Committee that despite the additional one-point-two billion dollars in taxes raised, some government agencies are still looking at a 30-percent cut in state funding for next fiscal year…:
Cut 13 (07) “throughout the year”
Louisiana voters are split over whether or not elected officials should compromise, according to a new LSU survey. Doctor Michael Henderson, director of the LSU Public Policy Research Lab, says 55-percent of Democrats would like their representatives to compromise, while 52% of Republicans want their elected officials to stand their ground. Henderson says this does not bode well for getting things done in the legislature…:

CUT 7 (09) “have become”

Henderson says with a Democratic governor and a Republican legislature, it’s likely state politicians will have a hard time coming to agreements.

Only 51% of LSU Health New Orleans medical graduate are staying in Louisiana for their residencies. Dr. Steve Nelson, Dean of the School of Medicine at LSU Health New Orleans, blames talk of budget cuts for the lower number. But, he says it is positive to see 50% of LSU Health New Orleans graduates are entering primary care in Louisiana.

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Forty percent of LSU Health Shreveport grads and only 10% of Tulane grads will take residencies in Louisiana.

Two of the three people struck by lightening at a music festival in Lafource parish have been treated and released. The third person, 28-year-old Jaqui Stavis and her black lab, were killed when the bolt of lightening struck the concert goers. State Climatologist Barry Keim says Louisiana is the second most lightening prone state in the country.

Parts of Ouachita parish are still underwater, as the Monroe area received over two feet of rain in the recent flooding event. Halen Doughty has more…
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Mike Steele, with the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness, says flood victims can receive assistance from various agencies at the disaster recovery centers in Monroe, Bossier City and Slidell. But he reminds residents you don’t have to visit one of these centers to register for financial assistance…
cut 5 (09) “…assistance”

The governor’s top budget advisor told the House Appropriations Committee despite the additional one-point-two billion dollars in taxes raised, some government agencies are looking at a 30-percent cut in state funding. Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne says painful cuts will need to occur for the fiscal year that starts July 1st…
cut 13 (07) “…throughout the state”
Dardenne says more details will be released later this week.

A senate commitee began an extensive review today of the various tax exemptions, rebates and refunds Louisiana gives to individuals and businesses. Chairman JP Morrell of New Orleans…
cut 30 (09) “…of it”
Louisiana has over 400 different tax breaks, costing the state over 8-billion dollars in revenue.

Louisiana voters are split over whether or not elected officials should compromise, according to a new LSU survey. Doctor Michael Henderson, director of the LSU Public Policy Research Lab, says 55-percent of Democrats would like their representatives to compromise, while 52% of Republicans want their elected officials to stand their ground. Henderson says this does not bode well for getting things done in the legislature.
CUT 27 (09) “have become”
Henderson says with a Democratic governor and a Republican legislature, it’s likely state politicians will have a hard time coming to agreements. He says we’re starting to see Washington-style politics here in Louisiana.
Cut 8 (10) “by the wayside “