Governor John Bel Edwards re-election campaign announces he raised $3.6 million in campaign funds during his first year in office. According to finance reports, the governor ended 2016 with $3.2 million on hand. UL-Lafayette political science professor Pearson Cross says it’s an impressive haul for Edwards’ first year…:
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He says one of the major things working in Edwards favor is that despite a challenging first year in office, he remains popular.

The House Appropriates Committee is meeting again at this hour to work on budget legislation. Speaker Taylor Baras has a proposal that would take fees from certain agencies to put towards the deficit. But Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne calls the measure a cut to agencies and doesn’t see how it could work. The panel advanced the Rainy Day Fund measures on Wednesday.

Louisiana State Police is ramping up enforcement in New Orleans for 2017 Carnival season and this weekend’s NBA All-Star Game. Trooper Melissa Matey says LSP will send 165 troopers to the Crescent City. She says plain clothes troopers will also be along parade routes looking for individuals with illegal weapons…:
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She says they rely heavily on the public’s help and encourages folks to let an officer know if you see something suspicious.

the Natchez Democrat is reporting that, for the second time since December, the Police chief of Ferriday has been suspended. Mayor Sherrie Jacobs said the discipline of Arthur Lewis without pay for 30 days is related to administrative issues at the Ferriday Police Department. Jacobs had previous suspended Lewis in December after another incident within the department.