State lawmakers say the budget shortfall for next fiscal year is already projected to be 713 million dollars. Director of the Louisiana Budget Project Jan Moller says this isn’t surprising…:
CUT 9 (10) “next legislature”
But he says we’re in better shape than we were a year ago, when the deficit reached 1.6 billion dollars.

State Police say a 7-year-old girl was killed in a Grant Parish crash. Master Trooper Scott Moreau says, 26-year-old Kristopher Silk of Pollock, was speeding when he crashed into the back of an 18-wheeler going in the same direction on Hwy 165. The 7 year old front seat passenger died in the crash. He says crashes like this are highly uncommon…:
CUT 7 (10) “speed limit”
The crash remains under investigation.

A truck driver is charged with forcible rape after the Plaqumines Parish Sheriff’s office learned of the alleged abduction of a 14-year-old girl. Commander Eric Becnel says 29-year-old Peter James Wilson III arranged to meet the young victim in Belle Chasse through a smartphone app last month. He says Wilson forced the girl to perform sex acts in the sleeper compartment of his truck..:
CUT 4 (08) “an investigation”
He says they were able to gather enough evidence against Wilson to make the arrest.

A survey from the LSU Public Policy Research Lab finds Louisiana residents are becoming more disgruntled over the direction the state is heading. Researchers say in January, 45% of the respondents said the state is moving in the wrong direction, but they asked that question again this summer and now the percentage is up to 59. They believe things will turn around once a new governor is sworn in.