New Louisiana Economic Development Secretary Don Pierson begins meeting with local economic development groups emphasizing small business success. Eric Gill reports…:
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Fire officials believe a wood burning stove caused a deadly fire in Ponchatoula over the weekend. They say it happened at a camp on the Tangipahoa River that had no electrical power and was only accessible by boat. 54-year-old Elizabeth Piner was able to flee on a vessel, but once the fire was extinguished, investigators located the body of her friend, 57-year-old Joel Hall.

LSU is reportedly set to release a budget cut plan today after receiving news from the Edwards administration it could be losing $65 million dollars as part of a $131 million dollar cut across higher ed institutions in Louisiana. Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne…:
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Dardenne says the governor is open to suggestions from others who have a different approach to the budget problems.

Govenor John Bel Edwards says one possible way to help with the state’s $750 million dollar mid-year deficit is to raise the cigarette tax. He sent out a proposal of a 22 cent increase, but Randy Hayden with Invest in a healthy Louisiana says that’s not enough. He says compared to our surrounding southern states, we still have very low taxes on tobacco products…:
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