Reports on where the budget deficit numbers are have been somewhat inconsistent, but the Revenue Estimating Conference hopes to nail it down today. LSU Economist Dr. Jim Richardson is on the panel and says many speculate Louisiana is in the red $30 million for this budget year…:
CUT 5 (08) “carefully”
Richardson says we’re about 800 million dollars short for next fiscal year.

23 parishes are now declared federal disaster areas due to historic flooding. Mike Steele with the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness encourages residents affected by floods to sign up for assistance:
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The Sabine River is flooded and I-10 is closed in both directions at the Louisiana/Texas line.

Cleco has revised the terms of their proposed sale in the hopes of being granted a rehearing by the Public Service Commission. Halen Doughty has more…:
Cut 2 (30) “I’m Halen Doughty”

A man from Opelousas is under arrest for allegedly killing his mom’s dog with a brick because she didn’t give him $4 for cigarettes. Opelousas police Department spokesman Corey Leger says Johnathan Williams is the suspect in the death of the miniature collie…:
CUT 13 (04) “at this time”

The Revenue Estimating Conference meets today to discuss the exact budget deficit the state faces. Emelie Gunn has more…:
CUT 1 (25) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

Multiple media outlets are reporting that officials confirm Louisiana serial killer Derrick Todd Lee died of heart disease. The Department of Corrections said Lee died on January 21 while being treated at a hospital.

In updated federal health insurance market place numbers, the Department of Health and Human Services reports 102,000 of the 214,000 Louisiana residents who signed up for Affordable Care Act plans for 2016, are new customers.

Sixteen more parishes were declared federal disaster areas, bringing the total number of parishes to receive federal aid to 23. Mike Steele with the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness says more parishes could be added to that list in the next few days. He says FEMA is proving to be a good partner…:
Cut 14 (11) “we’re facing”
In big flood news today, I-10 is closed at the Louisiana/Texas border due to flooding on the Sabine River.

Cleco customers could be getting free electricity this summer as the Pineville-based utility company announces that’s going to be a new part of their sale deal to Macquarie Infrastructure which state regulators turned down last month. Cleco President Darren Olagues (Oh-Leg-Ess) says if the Public Service Commission agrees, ratepayers will receive a $370 credit on their bill. He feels the PSC got false information when they voted no…:
CUT 8 (05) “get corrected”

The total number of parishes that have been declared federal disaster areas has climbed to 23, after 16 more parishes were added to the list. Jeff Palermo has the story…:
Cut 3 (27) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Both Texas and Louisiana transportation officials are reporting that I-10 is closed in both directions at the state line due to a swelling Sabine River. Sgt. James Anderson with State Police suggests a long haul alternate route if you’re heading to The Lone Star State today…:
CUT 1 (07) “vice versa”

It’s expected we’ll get a better idea of the exact budget deficit facing the state at today’s Revenue Estimating Conference meeting. LSU Economist Dr. Jim Richardson serves on the panel and he says they’ll hear from the state’s fiscal office about how much was actually raised during the special session…:
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The meeting is set to begin at 10:30.

An Opelousas man was arrested for allegedly killing his mother’s dog because she refused to give him $4 for cigarettes. Corey Leger with the Opelousas police department, says Johnathan Williams is charged with aggravated cruelty to animals…:
cut 11 (05) “the dog”

Sixteen additional parishes have been declared federal disaster areas, bringing the total to 23.

Louisiana’s Health Department reports there’s been a fourth storm-related death, which occurred in Natchitoches Parish. The coroner reports three people were moving items from a flooded residence when the boat there were using began taking on water, and only two of the individuals were able to swim to safety.

Louisiana Supreme Court Justice Bernette Johnson wants to follow the lead of other states and decrease the incarceration rate in Louisiana. Emelie Gunn has more…

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Hundreds of Red Cross disaster workers have been assisting people affected by the flooding around the state. Nancy Malone with the Red Cross says they have 6 shelters in north Louisiana, three in southeast Louisiana and one in the Calcasieu area that are still open. She says hundreds of homes were either destroyed or received major damage.

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Malone says people can donate $10 to the Red Cross via cell phone by texting the word “REDCROSS” to 9-0-9-9-9.

Alexandria attorney Thomas Davenport is asking the Rapides Parish Police Jury to remove a Confederate monument outside of the Rapides Parish Courthouse. Davenport says it is saddening that of all the good things our state has done, this is what was chosen to be memorialized.

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The police jury has reviewed Davenport’s request, but is holding off on any action, until the state legislature acts on legislation dealing with the confederate monuments.

The chief justice of Louisiana’s Supreme Court, Bernette Johnson, told lawmakers to look for ways to reduce the state’s incarceration rate, which is the highest in the country. Johnson, the state’s first black chief justice, says the US locks up more people than Iran, China and Germany….
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Johnson says South Carolina has passed legislation to significantly reduce the prison population while also reducing violent crimes, plus saving its state 350 million dollars. She says comprehensive solutions to over-incarceration should include changes to pre-trial services, like South Carolina and Kentucky have done….
cut 13 (08) “…of it”

The Revenue Estimating Conference meets today to discuss the exact budget deficit the state faces. Emelie Gunn has more…
voicer 1 (24) “…reporting”

The House Governmental Affairs committee meets Wednesday where they’ll discuss legislation that would prohibit a convicted felon from holding an elected office or being appointed to office. It’s in response to a court ruling that removed a provision in Louisiana’s constitution that kept convicted felons from qualifying for an elected office.

Governor John Bel Edwards spent this afternoon away from the State Capitol. He was viewing flood damage and response efforts in St. Tammany Parish. 16 more parishes have been declared a federal disaster area, which makes residents in those areas eligible for government aid.-

Sixteen more Louisiana parishes have been added to FEMA’s list of federal disaster areas bringing the total number of parishes to 23 that will be eligible for federal aid, like temporary housing, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property and money for home repairs. That request was granted after Governor John Bel Edwards asked the federal government to expand the federal disaster area.

The Red Cross has already been active throughout the state assisting people impacted by the flooding. Red Cross spokesperson Nancy Malone says hundreds of disaster workers are responding in and around Louisiana. She says over 200 people stayed overnight in the 14 Red Cross and community run shelters across Louisiana.

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Malone says people can make a $10 donation to the Red Cross by texting the word “REDCROSS” to 90999.

Officials in Livingston Parish have also been working around the clock dealing with flood waters and residents who were displaced from their homes. Sheriff Jason Ard says they saw high levels in Springfield, Holden and Denham Springs…:

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Ard says they’ve rescued over 100 people since the flood event started.

Louisiana has the highest incarceration rate in the country. Louisiana Supreme Court Chief Justice Bernette Johnson wants to reduce the number of low level inmates, which she says will save the state money. She says out greatest resource is out people, so the state needs to invest in programs to provide more job opportunities.

Cut 12 (09) “connection there”

Louisiana Supreme Court Justice Bernette Johnson wants to follow the lead of other states and decrease the incarceration rate in Louisiana. Emelie Gunn has more…
voicer 2 (28) “….I’m Emelie Gunn”

Louisiana’s Health Department reports there’s been a fourth storm-related death. It happened in Nathitoches Parish. The cornoner reports three individuals were moving items from a flooded residence and the boat began to take on water and only two of the individuals were able to swim to safety.

The American Red Cross estimates 12-thousand people have been impacted by flooding in the state. Spokesperson Nancy Malone says the public can get involved with flood relief efforts by applying to become a member or by making donations…
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Malone says over a dozen shelters have been opened for those who can’t live in their flooded home.

A car sharing service called Zipcar has opened on LSU’s campus, which gives students the opportunity to rent vehicles by the hour, week or month. LSU’s director of parking and transportation services, Jeff Campbell, says says any service like this is a plus to LSU…
cut 7 (09) “…green initatives”
Zipcar pays for your gas and insurance.