We are waiting to see if Governor John Bel Edwards will issue the call today for a special session to begin later this month so legislators can address the fiscal cliff. A one-cent sales tax is set to expire June 30th, which is a big reason why the state is facing a one-billion dollar shortfall in July. Jeremy Alford of La-politics-dot-com, says some republican legislators are interested in renewing at least a portion of that penny, but Democratic lawmakers oppose…
cut 9 (07) “…one penny”

State Police have charged a 27-year-old man from Avoyelles Parish with 80 counts of child pornography. Trooper Scott Moreau says their special victims unit began investigating Dustin Novo of Mansura in January and a search of his home was conducted…
cut 11 (05) “…child pornography”
His bond was set at 100-thousand dollars.
The carnival season ramps up this weekend with parades all across the state. Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says New Orleans is the focal point for Mardi Gras, but the entire state benefits from an influx of tourists who want to be a part of the celebration….
cut 3 (09) “….of the state”
Weather will be an issue for the parades that roll tomorrow as some areas of the state could see a couple of inches of rain.

Drax Biomass announces its moving its corporate headquarters from Atlanta to Monroe. Drax operates two wood pellet manufacturing faciliies and a shipping operation in Louisiana. Monroe Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Sue Nicholson says Drax joins CenturyLink as another big company with its headquarters in Monroe….
cut 15 (07) “…diversify”
Drax Biomass says they look forward to being closer to the forests they depend upon.