More freezing temperatures are expected across the state as we get into the weekend. A freeze warning has already been issued from 10PM tonight until 9AM Saturday for a large portion of southeast Louisiana. Phil Grigsby, with the National Weather Service in Slidell, predicts overnight lows in the area to be colder than last night…:
CUT 9 (09) “in southeast Louisiana”
Grigsby expects a harder freeze for north Louisiana and residents there should really tend to plants, pipes, and pets.

The state Revenue Estimating Conference is meeting today and they’ve cut income projection for the current fiscal year by $171 million dollars. This means budget cuts will be coming mid year. The state income forecast dropped $201 million dollars which is on top of an already projected $1.2 billion dollar budget shortfall.

The US House passed legislation today approving the controversial Keystone XL Pipeline. The bill was sponsored by Baton Rouge Congressman Bill Cassidy. House Republican whip, Metairie Congressman Steve Scalise says the pipeline is all about jobs and American energy security…:
CUT 15 (10) “that American needs”
The bill passed on a 252-161 vote and now heads to the Senate.

The move is viewed as an effort by Republicans to boost Cassidy’s chances in the Senate runoff election against Democratic Senator Mary Landrieu. The congressman is also getting some help tomorrow at a rally in Monroe featuring Duck Dynasty patriarch Phil Robertson and former Vice Presidential candidate Sarah Palin.