State department heads will have to start making cuts to their respective agencies today as $277 million dollars has been carved from the state’s operating budget. Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne says these cuts are being made through attrition – by not hiring people are not filling already vacant positions…:
CUT 8 (10) “current fiscal year”
Dardenne says we’ll get the full budget picture when the Revenue Estimating Conference meets again on January 17th.

Beginning January 1, Amazon will charge sales taxes on purchases made by
Louisiana residents. Byron Henderson with the state Department of
Revenue says both state and local sales taxes will be added to purchase
totals…:
Cut 6 (07) “address”

A Livingston Parish man is charged with attempted murder following a
road rage incident, according to the Walker Police Department. Captain
John Sharp says 35-year-old Johnny Franz and 31-year-old Bradley Deville
got into a heated exchange over tailgating. He says the two stopped and
Franz invited Deville to get out of his car…:
CUT 3 (09) “man’s car”
Sharp says in addition to attempted murder, Deville is charged with illegal use of a firearm, and possession of an open container.

Thirteen parishes in north and central Louisiana have been declared a natural disaster area by the US Department of Agriculture because of
drought conditions during 2016. Ag Commissioner Mike Strain…:
cut 2 (07) “service agency”
For more information, farmers can contact their local parish FSA office.