State lawmakers have until 6pm to balance the budget and address the shortfalls as the special session ends…:
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As severe weather and rain moves into the state, the Bossier Parish Sheriff’s Office says first responders have been working overnight to rescue and evacuate people from homes and vehicles in flood-stricken areas. They say 30-40 homes in Haughton were evacuated, and some residents in Webster Parish are also being forced to leave due to high water. Flash flood warnings have been issued by the National Weather Service in Shreveport for parishes in northwest & northeast Louisiana until late this morning. Most of the state is under a flash flood watch.

Optimism among small businesses falls to a 2-year-low. That’s according to a report by the National Federation of Independent Business and state director Dawn Starns says, while there is no state specific data, Louisiana falls in line. She says proposed tax increases here are affecting businesses…:
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The report shows spending and hiring plans are both down.

LSU Health Shreveport receives a 1.6 million dollar grant to research the connection between alcohol consumption and ischemia, which is a lack of blood flow to the brain that often causes strokes. Director of the Center for Cardiovascular Diseases and Sciences Dr. Chris Kevil says drinking one to three alcoholic beverages a week could protect against strokes:
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He says ultimately, the goal is to create life-changing medication for patients.