The state’s budget deficit for fiscal year 2018, which begins next July, is up to one-point-five billion dollars. Most of the shortfall is due to the loss of temporary taxes. But rising costs and inflationary expenses also make up the budget gap. But Jonesboro Senator Jim Fannin questions why inflationary costs are included in the fiscal cliff deficit..:
Cut 13 (07) “scares everybody”
An agreement between the governor and legislators on how to close the budget gap has yet to be reached and it will likely take a special session to do so.

The Lafayette Police Department has made an arrest in the bizarre kidnapping incident last weekend. Lawrence Handley was apprehended at a Slidell hotel after an extensive manhunt. He was wanted in connection with the case of a woman who was abducted by two men who later drowned in West Baton Rouge when trying to evade police, who located the victim in a van the men were driving. Cops said the incident appears to have stemmed from an ongoing domestic dispute between Handley and the female victim.

First Lady Donna Edwards is teaming up with the Department of Children and Family Services to launch a new program supporting foster parents…:
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Halen Doughty”

The Department of Transportation says it’s been given the all clear to go ahead with the project to widen I-10 from Highland Road in Baton Rouge, to LA 73 in Ascension Parish. DOTD Secretary Shawn Wilson says it’s very exciting…:
Cut 7 (08) “on a regular basis”
Wilson says it will take around two and a half years to widen the interstate by one lane in each direction.