Tagged News

• Markel Lee's past involvement in Baton Rouge violence prevention program draws renewed attention Play Video

  April 27, 2026 7:33 PM

  BATON ROUGE — A program meant to prevent violence in Baton Rouge is now on hold following city-parish budget cuts, and questions are growing about what its loss could mean for the community. The Baton Rouge Community Street Team, once involving Markel Lee , who is now accused in... more »

• Louisiana cutting only one Medicaid contract after initially saying it'd end two, LDH confirms Play Video

  December 9, 2025 1:54 PM

  BATON ROUGE — Gov. Jeff Landry’s administration ended contracts with one of the six companies that provide Medicaid insurance in Louisiana after initially saying it would end contracts with two companies. Seth Gold, Louisiana’s Medicaid director, sent short letters last week to the CEOs of Aetna Better Health of... more »

• Trump administration cuts to the Upward Bound program will impact Baton Rouge students Play Video

  September 23, 2025 1:19 PM

  BATON ROUGE - In May, the Trump Administration proposed cutting $1.5 billion in funds for TRiO programs. TRiO is a federal initiative that's been around for more than 60 years, with one of its most popular programs being Upward Bound. The program provides certain categories of high school students... more »

• Federal Reserve leaves interest rates unchanged even as Trump demands cuts Play Video

  July 30, 2025 2:20 PM

  WASHINGTON (AP) — The Federal Reserve left its key short-term interest rate unchanged for the fifth time this year, brushing off repeated calls from President Donald Trump for a cut. The Fed’s decision Wednesday leaves its key short-term rate at about 4.3%, where it has stood after the central... more »

• Louisiana Primary Care Association voices concerns about Medicaid cuts at state capitol Play Video

  May 27, 2025 10:13 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Potential cuts to Medicaid, which could impact thousands of residents here in Louisiana, have prompted the Louisiana Primary Care Association to voice its concerns. The association says they went to the state capitol to advocate and remind many there of the potential effects those cuts could have... more »

• After House passes funding bill, Louisiana residents concerned about benefit programs amid budget cuts Play Video

  March 11, 2025 7:12 PM

  BATON ROUGE — On Tuesday, the House of Representatives passed a bill to fund the government through September, and it now moves to the Senate. Some people in Louisiana are concerned about cuts in federal funding to the state in the new budget, particularly Medicaid. In Congress, lawmakers... more »

• Landry lays out budget that he says will be $1 billion less than previous spending plan Play Video

  February 19, 2025 12:02 PM

  BATON ROUGE — Gov. Jeff Landry on Wednesday laid out his spending plan for the next fiscal year, saying it would decrease the size of Louisiana's state government by $1 billion. His announcement, included in a press release, was short on specifics but said Louisiana would save $11 million... more »

• What the Fed's rate cut could mean for you

  September 19, 2024 9:05 AM

  NEW YORK (AP) — The Federal Reserve has cut its benchmark interest rate from its 23-year high, with consequences for debt, savings, auto loans, mortgages and other forms of borrowing by consumers and businesses. On Wednesday, the Fed announced that it reduced its key rate by an unusually large... more »

• Many look for alternatives to EBR school cuts Play Video

  June 18, 2019 11:26 PM

  BATON ROUGE - The East Baton Rouge School Board could vote on $20-$30 million in cuts as soon as Thursday while parents and teachers are demanding another way. Years of flat state funding, dwindling tax collections in the district, and charter schools siphoning money have forced board members to make... more »

• State to send out eviction notices to 37,000 nursing home residents Play Video

  May 9, 2018 6:48 PM

  BATON ROUGE- With pending cuts looming, the Department of Health took an unprecedented move Wednesday when it said it would send out 37,000 notices to Medicaid enrollees in nursing homes. They are at risk of losing funding due to the state budget shortfall. Republicans called the move a political one... more »

• TOPS cuts may continue through next year Play Video

  February 23, 2017 6:55 PM

  BATON ROUGE – The Edwards' administration proposed a state budget Thursday that keeps the cuts to the TOPS scholarship program intact. In the proposal, students would only receive 70 percent of their scholarships beginning fall 2017. It's the same amount students are receiving this year after lawmakers cut the program... more »

• Men broadcast kidnapping on Facebook, crash into vehicle, cut driver

  January 2, 2017 5:22 PM

  BATON ROUGE – The Baton Rouge Police Department arrested two men after they crashed into a vehicle, smashed it with a hammer and then cut the driver. Tony Green, 23, was arrested for attempted second degree murder, attempted simple kidnapping, aggravated damage to property, simple battery and two counts... more »

• Louisiana colleges spared some cuts for now

  December 15, 2016 4:45 PM

  BATON ROUGE- Louisiana colleges took a lighter hit to their budgets Thursday than state lawmakers had feared a month earlier. Members of the Joint Legislative Committee on the Budget recognized a $312 million mid-year budget cut at the capitol and higher education took a $12 million hit. In November,... more »

• State planning financial cuts to higher education, health care Play Video

  November 18, 2016 6:17 PM

  BATON ROUGE – The state is currently $300,000 million short and in order to fill the gap, the governor's office is proposing big cuts and, once again, higher education and health care may not be spared. Students at LSU are worried. "It will be more difficult to get... more »

• LSU President warns current students they could lose TOPS under governor's proposed cuts Play Video

  April 12, 2016 10:33 AM

  BATON ROUGE - Healthcare and TOPS took the brunt of the cuts in the governor's proposed budget cutbacks presented to the legislature Tuesday. Here's most the cuts that matter #lalege pic.twitter.com/EShyf63key — Mark Armstrong (@TV_MarkA) April 12, 2016 Governor John Bel Edwards and his budget advisers... more »

• House budget hearings begin with uncertainty about cuts

  March 21, 2016 5:59 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Lawmakers in the House have opened their hearings on next year's budget, while Gov. John Bel Edwards' administration is still working to cut another $70 million this year. Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne told the House Appropriations Committee the governor will unveil the reductions to rebalance this... more »

• Back in session: Higher education, healthcare could face cuts

  March 14, 2016 8:51 PM

  BATON ROUGE - The new legislative session began today, and Governor John Bel Edwards delivered grim news to lawmakers regarding the state budget in his opening address. Lawmakers didn't raise enough money in the special session to keep critical services from being cut. Under state law, they can't raise... more »

• Budget cuts might close special needs day care

  February 15, 2016 5:50 PM

  BATON ROUGE - A special needs day care might have to close their doors if the state cuts the budget. Pediatria employees care for special needs children with ventilators and feeding tubes on a daily basis. "This is one of the jewels that we truly have," State Rep.... more »

• PAR wants cuts before taxes Play Video

  February 2, 2016 6:56 PM

  BATON ROUGE - A "good government" group wants Louisiana's leaders to get control of spending before they raise taxes. The Public Affairs Research (PAR) Council released a report where it lists specific cuts. A few of the proposed measures include: - Control increased spending for state workers' health... more »

• Thousands of disabled children could lose health services Play Video

  January 28, 2016 6:46 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Kodi Wilson has a special way of talking to her son Braden. She runs her fingers through his blonde curls while he hums back at her. Braden can't talk or sit up or even grasp his mother's hand. He has a rare disorder known as Leigh's Disease... more »

• DHH says cuts could be 'catastrophic' to Medicaid patients Play Video

  January 27, 2016 4:35 PM

  BATON ROUGE - The Department of Health and Hospitals said on Wednesday that $131 million in cuts which could come from midyear budget negotiations could be "catastrophic" for those who rely on Medicaid. DHH Secretary Dr. Rebekah Gee said they submitted their plan Wednesday for how to spread the... more »

• Southern revises budget plans, says closures aren't in the picture Play Video

  January 26, 2016 11:55 AM

  BATON ROUGE - The morning after saying deep cuts to state funding could effectively close their doors, Southern University said that is not the case. SU Baton Rouge spokesperson Henry Tillman sent out a narrative Monday night which described the effects of a proposed 32 percent mid-year cut in... more »

• Experts expect cuts to state agencies before higher education

  November 3, 2015 7:46 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Cuts for higher education and health care could roll out in three weeks. Governor Jindal's administration has vowed to close the latest budget hole before leaving office in early January. Jindal's plan to plug last year's budget deficit and the mid-year budget deficit will be presented to... more »