Today is the final day of the legislative session and lawmakers have until 6 PM to approve a budget for next fiscal year and pass revenue generating bills that would avoid large cuts to higher education and health care. The SAVE tax credit could be used to offset tax increases and satisfy Governor Jindal’s demand for a revenue neutral budget. But House members call the legislation a sham. Senate Finance Chairman Jack Donahue hopes the House changes its stance…

cut 17 (11) ” to do”

The Ascension Parish Sheriff’s office says 4 people described as gangsters have been arrested in the brutal murder of a 15-year-old Brandon Augusta. Sheriff Jeff Wiley says several weapons of opportunity were used in the killing on the bank of the Mississippi River…

cut 14 (08) “his body was violated”

18-year-old Tyrell Williams, 21-year-old Marcus Ester and two juveniles are charged with 1st degree murder in Augusta’s death.

The Abbeville Police Department says 8 people are under arrest who were allegedly involved in a cockfighting ring. Detective LeLand Laseter says they got a call in mid-May from a concerned citizen who reported they’d seen roosters fighting at a residence in the city. He says cops responded and observed from a distance…

cut 10 (09) “betting on the fight”

Laseter says more arrests are expected.

The rising waters of the Red River have raised concerns that could lead to a higher number of mosquitoes this summer. LSU AgCenter Entomologist Kristin Healy says the mosquitoes the area will see from the floods will likely not be the “house mosquito” that transmits the West Nile Virus…

cut 8 (08) “bite humans”

Healy says personal protection is always important to prevent mosquito bites.