Governor John Bel Edwards calls for a higher state sales tax as one way to close a 750-million dollar shortfall for this fiscal year. Jeff Palermo has the story…

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New Orleans Police say a 3-year-old boy was shot and killed after his grandmother’s gun discharged while the two were sleeping. They say the grandmother works as a security guard and her gun was underneath a pillow on the bed. The child suffered a gunshot wound to the chest. He was rushed to a local hospital where he succumbed to his injuries. Authorities are questioning the 45-year-old woman. No charges have been filed at this time.

According to the personal finance website WalletHub, the total cost over a lifetime per smoker in Louisiana amounts to about $1.2 million dollars. Spokeswoman Jill Gonzalez says the out of pocket expense for a smoker in Louisiana who picks up a pack a day is about $1700 a year…

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The report shows it costs less to smoke in Louisiana than in any other state.

With Valentine’s Day approaching, the Louisiana Family Forum is searching for the state’s “Longest Married Couple” to share their story and commitment of marriage. President Gene Mills says it’s a great honor to meet these couples who have survived the test of time. He says it’s not every day you meet people together for 70 plus years…

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Mills says last year, Lawrence and Varrie Player of Benton were recognized as the longest known married couple in the state at 80 years together.