Governor John Bel Edwards spoke as part of a Unified Command Group regarding the devastating weather and flooding in Louisiana. State Police Col Mike Edmonson says there are now three people who have died has a result of ignoring high water barricades in north Louisiana…:
CUT 1 (10) “don’t do it”
There are now 22 parishes declared by the governor in a state of emergency.

Jason Hansford, with the National Weather Service, says rainfall totals in Louisiana range from 11 to over 20 inches. He says the state could see up to 5 more inches of rain, but this massive storm should clear out by this weekend:
cut 10 (05) “this system”
The governor encourages people to log on to 511.la.org to get updated real time information on road closures.

Officials say Iberia Parish Sheriff Louis Ackal and Lieutenant Colonel Gerald Savoy were indicted Wednesday with civil rights violations arising out of the beatings of five pre-trial detainees at the Iberia Parish Jail on April 29, 2011. According to the federal indictment, Ackal and Savoy conspired with each other and with other officers to assault five inmates and that members of the conspiracy failed to intervene and stop the assaults.

Lawmakers ended the special session Wednesday without fully closing the budget gaps. Governor John Bel Edwards says they are still $30 million dollars in the hole this fiscal year, and $800 million for next. He says the legislature should have done better…:
CUT 2 (03) “of Louisiana”
Republicans say taxing people and businesses is not an easy thing to do.