A weeklong search for a suspected kidnapper has ended, as Lafayette authorities say Lawrence Michael Handley is in custody. Handley is accused of kidnapping a woman who was found in the back of a van in West Baton Rouge Parish. Two suspects evaded police and drowned in the Intracaostal Canal. Handley is charged with conspiracy to commit kidnapping, attempted and second degree kidnapping, and violation of a protective order.

The state’s budget deficit for next fiscal year has grown to $1.5 billion, up from $1.2 billion. Jonesboro Senator Jim Fannin questions why the deficit has been increased to one-point-five billion dollars, when legislators do not have to fund inflationary costs.

Cut 15 (11) “this year”

It will likely take a special session to address the fiscal cliff.

Louisiana Fosters is a new program that seeks to help connect foster parents with community resources. Department of Children and Family Services Secretary Marketa Garner Walters says these organizations can offer the kind of support her department cannot.

Cut 9 (08) “to be supported”

For more information, visit LouisianaFosters.La.gov.

It’s looking like a wet weekend in the Bayou State. But State Climatologist Barry Keim says the good news is the rain is cooling things off during one of the hottest months of the year.

Cut 4 (10) “creeping up”

Keim says fronts stalling along the coast are the cause of the continued rains.