The Louisiana Legislature is on its way to sending marijuana reform proposals to Governor Bobby Jindal who gives every indication he will sign them. Michelle Southern reports…

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The State Fire Marshal’s Office says three people are dead after a house fire Sunday morning in Monroe. They say two others were able to escape the blaze. Details of the fire are incomplete at this time. Investigators were told that burglar bars were installed on the home and that may have prevented the three victims from escaping the blaze. The investigation is ongoing.

The state Senate voted to increase the cigarette tax by 72 cents which would bring it up to $1.08 and match the Southern regional average. The bill is by Bogalusa Representative Harold Ritchie and was carried in the Upper Chamber by Bogolusa Senator Ben Nevers who says not only would this tax raise revenue, it would also go towards making Louisiana citizens healthier…

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It’s not likely the lower chamber will go along with what the Senate approved.

The legislative session ends Thursday and it looks like Louisiana businesses are the big losers. Legislators are scaling back of tax exemptions for businesses in trying to close a one-point-six billion dollar budget shortfall. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says legislators who voted to take away some of these tax exemptions, will not be endorsed of the Louisiana Association of Business Industry in the fall election…

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Lawmakers are trying to avoid drastic cuts to higher ed and health care.