A new poll gives Governor John Bel Edwards an approval rating of 42-percent. The survey was conducted by Southern Media and Opinion Research. Pollster Bernie Pinsonat says he hasn’t seen an approval rating that low for a new governor, since Edwin Edwards last term which started in 1992…

CUT 6 (06) “50s or 60s”

Pinsonat says 25-percent respondents disapprove of Edwards performance so far, while 34-percent are undecided. The survey was conducted earlier this month and paid for by subscribers.

It’s day three of the special session that’s attempting to resolve the state’s $957 million deficit. Head of the Council for a Better Louisiana, Barry Erwin says lawmakers will make cuts to the budget in addition to generating new revenues. He says some revenue raising measures they are considering will not provide immediate solutions.

CUT 5 (07)  “years ago”

Erwin says he is unsure if lawmakers will be able to completely fix the budget problems in only three weeks.

Former Saints safety Darren Sharper has received a new plea hearing set for Thursday, as he faces charges for allegedly drugging and raping multiple women. Legal analyst Tim Meche says Sharper already plead guilty in other jurisdictions. Meche says Sharper could plead guilty without a guaranteed sentence that he was hoping to get or go to trial. He says things could get far worse for Sharper.

Cut 11 (09) “behavior”

The new trial date is set for May 16^th.

A reward is now being offered for information about whomever stole a birdhouse from a residence in Lafourche Parish. The victim described the birdhouse as having a bronze colored “church-style” design with a decorative metal roof and white post. Sergeant Brennan Matherne says if you know something about this incident, please contact authorities…:

cut 14 (10)  “Bayou Region”

Today is the third day of the special session to address the state’s $957 million deficit. Head of the Council for a Better Louisiana Barry Erwin says this session may only provide short-term solutions for this fiscal year, which ends June 30. Erwin says the budget has been in trouble for several years and lawmakers should have addressed it sooner.

CUT 4 (08)  “started happening”

Erwin says legislators know some money will be coming in from BP and the rainy day fund, but it may not be enough.

Parents may not be able to count on the TOPS scholarship in the future.
The state funded scholarship program has run into funding troubles as part of the budget crisis. Certified financial planner Anne Osestriecher says people should prepare for having to pay their own tuition…:
cut 30 (05) “can have”
She encourages parents to research scholarships as many go unclaimed every year because students don’t apply for them.

Former Saints safety Darren Sharper faces charges for allegedly drugging and raping multiple women. Sharper has received a new plea hearing set for Thursday. Legal analyst Tim Meche says Sharper already plead guilty in other jurisdictions. He says the agreement Sharper accepted isn’t likely to be accepted by the two female Louisiana judges he’s in front of now, US District Judge Jane Triche Milazzo and state District Judge Karen Herman.

CUT 9 (11)  “longer sentence”

The new trial date is set for May 16^th.

A reward is being offered for information about a birdhouse stolen from a residence in Lafourche Parish. Sergeant Brennan Matherne says a surveillance video shows an unknown female exiting a vehicle from the passenger’s side, walking onto the victim’s property and removing the birdhouse.Matherne says regardless of the severity of the crime, he hope this shows the public that if anything is stolen from your property, you should let authorities know…:

cut 13 (08)  “involved in”

Lawmakers are on day three of the special session — trying to resolve the state’s $957 million shortfall for this financial year…:
CUT 1 (30) “I’m Halen Doughty”

Former Saints safety Darren Sharper has received a new plea hearing set for Thursday in the case alleging he drugged and raped women. Legal analyst Tim Meche says Sharper and his lawyers thought the 2015 global guilty plea deal in exchange for 9 years in jail would fly in New Orleans…:
CUT 10 (08) “jurisdiction”

The teacher from Plaquemine who allegedly got one of his students pregnant, pleaded no contest to sex crimes with juveniles Tuesday. Keavin Keith, once named Teacher of the Year in Iberville Parish, is facing charges of five counts of felony carnal knowledge and 30 counts of prohibited sexual conduct between an educator and a student.

A reward is now being offered for information about whomever stole a birdhouse from a residence in Lafourche Parish. Sergeant Brennan Matherne says they have surveillance video which shows an unknown female exit a vehicle from the passengers side, walk onto the victim’s property and remove the birdhouse. He says this may not seem like a big deal…:
CUT 12 (10) “stole something”
The alleged incident took place the morning of February 8th in Gray.

It’s day three of the special session that’s attempting to resolve the state’s $957 million deficit. Barry Erwin, Head of the Council for a Better Louisiana, says legislators will be looking for both short-term and long-term solutions….:
CUT 3 (05) “of time”
The session must end by March 9th, and tax increases couldn’t be considered in the regular session which begins in mid-March.

President Barack Obama is expected to nominate a successor to the late Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia, but Louisiana’s Republican US senators say the next President should select Scalia’s replacement. Senator David Vitter, who is a member of the judiciary committee, says they’ll vote on the President’s nomination in committee then it goes to the full Senate…:
CUT 11 (11) “American people”
US Senator Bill Cassidy agrees with Vitter.

A former department of children and family services case worker faces charges for claiming to check on foster care children while employed by the state, but didn’t. Emelie Gunn has more…:
Cut 2 (31) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

The Shreveport Times is reporting that there was another ATV crash at the Muddy Bottoms Park in Webster Parish which claimed the life of someone. They say 40-year-old Jill Thomas lost her life in the incident and another person was critically injured. The newspaper reports that Thomas’ death is the third at the ATV park since Labor Day last year when two people lost their lives in crashes.

The Republican Party of Louisiana is trying to raise money to run a commercial with statements Governor John Bel Edwards made during his campaign saying he wouldn’t raise taxes. Executive Director Jason Dore says says with oil prices falling and the state entering a recession, now is not the time to raise taxes on Louisiana residents…:
CUT 15 (04) “and businesses”
The 30 second ad, titled “Don’t Raise Taxes,” was released on Sunday. The state Democratic Party says this is a dirty tactic by the GOP, and the cuts they’d like to see to fill the state’s current year approximate $940 million dollar budget hole are not realistic.

The teacher out of Iberville Parish who is accused of having sex with students, has reportedly pleaded no contest to all charges this morning. Keavin Keith was indicted in 2015 on five counts of felony carnal knowledge and 30 counts of prohibited sexual conduct between an educator and a student. Authorities say Keith fathered a child with one of the students.

A former Department of Children and Family Services case worker is facing several criminal charges including malfeasance in office for allegedly falsifying reports indicating she’d checked on foster children when she hadn’t. Inspector General Stephen Street says the suspect is 49-year-old Kimberly Lee…:
CUT 7 (08) “occurred”
In a statement, DCFS says they have zero tolerance for any employee who puts children at risk or purposefully deceives the Department by falsifying documents.

Former Saints player Darren Sharper has reportedly got a new plea hearing set on the case alleging he drugged and raped several women. Sharper had entered a global plea deal in states last year admitting guilt in exchange for 9-years in prison, but new court filings lead experts to believe that deal is off. The new trial date is set for May 16th.

Could the future of the TOPS scholarship program be in jeopardy? Financial experts feel parents should be ready for anything. The state funded scholarship program has run into funding troubles as part of Louisiana’s budget crisis. Certified financial planner Anne Osestriecher says students should consider applying for other scholarships…:
CUT 5 (03) “for them”
She says many scholarships go unclaimed every year because students simply do not apply for them.

Louisiana’s Republican US senators say the next President should select the late Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia’s replacement — and not President Barack Obama. Republican Senator Bill Cassidy…:
CUT 12 (08) “president”
US Senator David Vitter, who sits on the judiciary committee which must vote on the President’s choice, says the Justice debate should be a part of the presidential election.

A former Department of Children and Family Services case worker is facing charges for allegeldy falsifying records regarding foster home visits. 49-year-old Kimberly Lee of Calhoun is looking at several criminal counts, including malfeasance in office. Inspector General Stephen Street says Lee admitted to falsifying reports…:
CUT 8 (10) “buzzwords”
According to a warrant, at least 20 times in 2013 and 2014, Lee covered up her failure to visit foster children.

The Edwards Administration has started detailing tax proposals that will be debated during the special session. After day two, about $60 million dollars in cuts have been made to help with the estimated more than $940 million hole in the budget that ends June 30th. $38 million was approved by the Joint Legislative Committee on the Budget Monday, adding to reductions already made by Governor John Bel Edwards.

After day two of the special legislative session, about $60 million dollars in cuts have been made to help with the estimated more than $940 million hole in the budget that ends June 30th. $38 million was approved by the Joint Legislative committee on the Budget Monday, adding to reductions already made by Governor John Bel Edwards.

TOPS has been called into question because of the state’s budget issues, and financial experts are urging parents to prepare in case the scholarship program isn’t funded moving forward. Certified financial planner Anne Osestriecher says students may also need to consider what they can do to help finance their education…:
Cut 6 (04) “always loans”
Osestriecher says community college and part-time jobs for students are things parents should think about as well.

Nola.com is reporting that a judge in New Orleans set a May 16th trial date for former Saints player Darren Sharper who is facing drug and rape conspiracy charges.

President Obama is expected to nominate a replacement for Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia, but Louisiana’s Republican Senators think we should wait. Jeff Palermo has more…:
Cut 3 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

The state Republican Party is trying to raise money to run a commercial that includes soundbites from Governor John Bel Edwards saying on the campaign trail that he wasn’t going to raise taxes. Louisiana Democratic Party executive director Stephen Handwerk says this is a dirty tactic and the GOP is trying to make cuts that aren’t possible…:
CUT 17 (03) “the bone”

The Republican Party is raising money to promote an ad that shows Governor John Bel Edwards saying on several occasions he would not raise taxes. The comments were taken when Edwards was running for governor. Louisiana Republican Party Executive Director Jason Dore…:
Cut 14 (05) “the opposite”
The 30 second ad, titled “Don’t Raise Taxes,” was released on Sunday. Louisiana Democratic Party executive director Stephen Handwerk is disappointed by the the GOP’s tactics…:
Cut 16 (05) “in Baton Rouge“
The Republican Party says their goal is to raise enough funds so they can air the spot on TV and radio stations.

The East Baton Rouge Parish Clerk of Court is coming under fire, after a recent audit reportedly showed the office spending an average of $102 daily on meals in restaurants. It says they used $25,590 in office expenses just on going out to eat in 2015.

Louisiana’s budget deficit has called into question the future of the TOPS scholarship program…:
CUT 1 (28) “I’m Halen Doughty”

A former Department of Children and Family Services case worker is facing several criminal charges for allegedly collecting money for visiting foster homes that she never visited. The suspect is 49-year-old Kimberly Lee of Calhoun. Inspector General Stephen Street says child welfare needs to be a top priority…:
CUT 9 (09) “accountable”