Lawmakers are headed into a special session as there was no budget deal reached in time Thursday. The regular session had to end at 6pm, and the moments leading up to the inevitable sine die were tense and chaotic. The House wanted to withhold spending $100 million in case of a midyear shortfall, while the Senate only wanted to hold back $50 million to avoid deeper cuts to state agencies. Governor Edwards called what happened an epic failure by House Republicans.

As to what DID happen yesterday was final passage on a bill by Baton Rouge Senator Dan Claitor that makes murderers convicted as juveniles eligible for parole after 25 years. Crowley Representative John Stefanski says this puts Louisiana in line with federal law…:
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This was the last piece of Edwards’ criminal justice overhaul.

New Orleans is one of the top five cities for millennials to live, according to a report from Time Magazine. Jeff Palermo has more..:
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One person is dead after a wreck in Baton Rouge that was believed to have happened when two vehicles were drag racing. Officials say at least three people were taken to the hospital, one in critical condition who later died.

An 18-wheeler carrying mangoes lost its load after it overturned on I-10 east 2am Thursday between Gross Tete and Lobdell, and crews weren’t able to clean up the mess that closed the left lane and caused a traffic nightmare until late yesterday.