There are less than 12 hours left in the special legislative session, and lawmakers are still trying to address the state’s budget shortfall through a combination of budget cuts and tax increases. Jeremy Alford with la-politics-dot-com says taxes on cigarettes, alcohol, and car rentals are already approved, but more bills are still on the table…:
Cut 13 (06) “sales tax”
He says the current deficit for this fiscal year is $954 million, and next budget year’s shortfall is about $2 billion.

The Storm Prediction Center says much of Louisiana is under the threat for severe weather today. Donald Jones with the National Weather Service says the threat for severe weather includes rounds of heavy rainfall…:
CUT 7 (09) “of rain”
Most of the state is under a flash flood watch.

LSU Health Shreveport receives a 1.6 million dollar grant to research the connection between alcohol consumption and ischemic (is-scheme-mic) stroke. Emelie Gunn has more…:
CUT 1 (30) “I’m Emelie Gunn”