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…:
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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:
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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…:
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Republicans say taxing people and businesses is not an easy thing to do.

As north Louisiana continues to deal with devastating flooding, the governor issues a state of emergency for 16 parishes in the area. In Bienville Parish, Sheriff John Ballance says the flood waters turned fatal in a small community just east of Lukcy. He says they received a call about a vehicle stuck in the water on a bridge over Saline Creek…:
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He says the man who died is identified as 63-year-old Jerry Garrett of Friendship. His wife was the woman rescued. DeSoto Sheriff Rodney Arbuckle says several emergency shelters have been set up throughout the parish as evacuations are ongoing….:
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The storm is bearing down on central and south Louisiana now as forecasters say up to 10 inches are possible through Saturday.

Lawmakers failed to solve the state’s fiscal crisis as there’s still a deficit of 30-million dollars for this fiscal year and a 800-million dollar for next. Jeff Palermo has the story…:
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Gonzales District Fire Chief Kristopher Johnson is under arrest and charged with pornography involving juveniles, according to the Ascension Parish Sheriff’s Office. Johnson is being held on $600,000 bond after authorities say they searched his home and obtained a warrant for his arrest. He has been placed on administrative leave.

Despite passing several bills that raise taxes, including a penny increase to the state’s sales tax, the state is looking at a 30-million dollar shortfall for this fiscal year and as large as an 800-million dollar shortfall for next fiscal year. Republican House Speaker Taylor Barras…
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Governor Edwards says there’s a chance we could need another special session.

The governor has declared a state of emergency for 16 parishes as an enormous storm is terrorizing north Louisiana. US Representative Ralph Abraham says hes seen over a hundred homes flooded and one person lost their life so far. He says they are getting an unbelievable amount of rain….
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Abraham says he’s talked with FEMA about federal aid for flood victims.

Iberia Parish Sheriff Louis Ackal and one of his top lieutenants have been indicted on civil rights violations for their alleged involvement in the beatings of five jail inmates. The indictment claims Ackal directed officers to beat the inmates in the jail’s chapel in 2011. Eight former employees of the sheriff’s office have already pleaded guilty to related federal charges.

Today the Louisiana black bear is formally removed from the endangered species list. Halen Doughty has the story…
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Heavy rainfall is likely to continue for the rest of the week throughout the state. Emelie Gunn has more on what we can expect…:
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House Speaker Taylor Barras says he’s just as disappointed as the governor that the special session ended with a $30 million dollar shortfall still around for this fiscal year, and $800 million for next. But Barras says raising taxes on people and businesses is not easy…:
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Senate President John Alario said it was the worst closing to a session he’s ever seen.

A man from Shreveport is behind bars cops say is accused of being responsible for the death of an 18 month old child. They say a hospital reported the toddler, Kayden Stanley, died from what appeared to be injuries sustained from the intentional use of force. Shreveport PD say the investigation and evidence led to the arrest of the boyfriend of the child’s mother, 22-year-old Jonathan Turk. He is charged with second degree murder.

After many years of effort by the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, the Louisiana Black Bear will be officially removed from the endangered species list today. Former LDWF Secretary Robert Barham says Louisiana now has at least two independent populations of the black bear that are viable enough to sustain themselves, which is why they are no longer endangered…:
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Democratic Governor John Bel Edwards is not happy with the state legislature as the special session still ended ended with a $30 million dollar hole this budget year, and $800 million for next. He says another special session is possible in mid-June, but he wishes it was settled now…:
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Republican House Speaker Taylor Barras says he’s disappointed too, but it’s not easy to vote on higher taxes on individuals and businesses.

Heavy rain is expected to move into central and southeast Louisiana over the next few days with totals by Saturday morning averaging 6-10 inches. State Climatologist Barry Keim says our biggest risk with this weather is flash flooding…:
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He says the worst of this to come is expected more in the southeastern part of the state.

The teddy bear will be officially removed from the endangered species list today . Robert Barham was the Secretary of LDWF who oversaw efforts to grow the black bear population…:
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He says at one time there were less than 100 black bears.

Louisiana uses the most demeaning language on social media than any other state in a study done by rental finder website Abodo. Spokesman Sam Radbil says they analyzed for negative language against a person’s race, gender, sexual orientation and weight…:
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He says New Orleans also had the third highest use of anti-black slurs.

Gov. John Bel Edwards declared a state of emergency for several parishes in north Louisiana which continue to deal with flooding. The National Weather Service at Shreveport forecasts more rain for the region until at least Saturday. LDWF and the National Guard continue search and rescue. It’s reported that an elderly man drowned Wednesday trying to cross a flooded road in Bienville Parish.

Lawmakers failed to solve the state’s fiscal crisis as there’s still a deficit of 30-million dollars for this fiscal year and a 800-million dollar shortfall for next fiscal year. Jeff Palermo has the story…:
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Entergy last reported that about 7700 people were without power, with the bulk of those in Jefferson and Calcasieu parishes. The storm that is about to hit central and southeast Louisiana, prompted Governor John Bel Edwards to issue a state of emergency for several parishes in north Louisiana as they deal with flooding and, in some cases, mandatory evacuations. The National Guard and LDWF are conducting search and rescue missions.

The black bear will be formally removed from the endangered species list today during a news conference in Tensas parish. Robert Barham, former Secretary of the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries who oversaw efforts to grow the black bear population, says the animal was once on the brink of extinction…:
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Barham says Louisiana now has at least two independent populations of the black bear that are viable enough to sustain themselves, which is why they are no longer endangered.

Louisiana uses the most “derogatory and prejudiced language” on social media, according to a study by the rental listing website Abodo. Spokesman Sam Radbil says they analyzed tweets that contained at least one derogatory word…:
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He says one in 87 tweets in Louisiana were considered derogatory, putting us at No .1.

Despite a flurry of votes in the final minutes of the special session, including a bill that increases the state’s four-cent sales tax by a penny, Louisiana is still facing a 30-million dollar deficit for this fiscal year and a shortfall that could be as much as 800-million dollars next fiscal year. Democratic Governor John Bel Edwards says lawmakers could have done a better job…:
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Edwards says another special session is possible in mid-June.

Entergy reports about 5400 people statewide are without power this morning, including 3,000 in East Baton Rouge Parish. Heavy rainfall will continue to pound Louisiana into Saturday morning. State Climatologist Barry Keim says the northern part of the state was hit with thunderstorms and floods, but now the system should shift down into central and southern Louisiana today and Friday:
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Today the original teddy bear, Louisiana’s black bear, will be formally removed from the endangered species list during a press conference at the Tensas National Wildlife Refuge. Halen Doughty has the story…:
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