The Revenue Estimating Conference is meeting at this hour to decide the size of the state’s midyear budget shortfall. So far a pretty picture is not being painted as lawmakers had hoped last month that tax collections would look better by now, but actually they look worse. Governor John Bel Edwards says whatever is determined today will decide whether another special session is needed. But But Appropriations Chairman Cameron Henry says there’s not an appetite at the Capitol to raise any more revenue, but they do have a plan…:
Cut 16 (08) “at this point”
Edwards estimates a shortfall greater than $300 million would require a special session to resolve.

4th District Congressman Mike Johnson has been invited by Congress to serve on another committee. Earlier this week Johnson was named to House Judiciary; today the US House of Representatives welcomed the Republican from Louisiana to the Natural Resources Committee.

The entire New Orleans Fair Grounds race track is under a quarantine in an effort to stop the spread of an equine herpes virus. Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain says this quarantine has been implemented out of an abundance of caution…:
Cut 10 (08) “under control”
He says nine horses of the two-thousand at the track are in isolation and three of them recently tested positive for the equine herpes virus.

The crawfish harvest is looking decent for 2017, but not as good as last year. LSU AgCenter Aquaculture Specialist Mark Shirley says it depends how the weather goes in the coming months…:
CUT 25 (11) “little bit more”
He says even though we aren’t seeing as great of a crop as last year, we’re still on par with the long term average.

At this hour the Revenue Estimating Conference is meeting and they’ll determine the size of the midyear budget shortfall. Governor John Bel Edwards says the size of the deficit will determine if a special session is needed…:
Cut 13 (12) “extremely painful”
But Appropriations Chairman Cameron Henry says if the deficit is not too large, he believes the governor can make the necessary budget cuts on his own…:
Cut 15 (11) “as well”

Later today, Governor Edwards along with a delegation from Louisiana that includes State Police Superintendent Colonel Mike Edmonson will travel to Italy to discuss human trafficking with the Hospitaler Sisters of Mercy, which has a shelter in Louisiana for juvenile victims of human trafficking.

In the past week, Louisiana has seen an increase in the number of flu cases. That’s according to Medical Director state of the Immunization Program Dr. Frank Welch who says four out of every 100 people who visit the doctor have the flu. He says if you got a flu shot, you should be protected…:
cut 4 (10) “this year”
Welch says it’s rare, but if you do contract the flu virus after getting a shot, it’s usually a very mild case.

A 44-year-old north Louisiana man is behind bars facing a murder charge after Shreveport police say he was responsible for the death of an 11-month-old boy. Corporal Marcus Hines says Frederick Clark was initally charged with second-degree curelty to a juvenile…
cut 10 (10) “…the child off”
That child, Mar’sharrd Ross, passed away earlier this week and the charges against Clark were upgraded to second-degree murder.

Could lawmakers be looking at another special session in 2017? We’ll learn more today as the Revenue Estimating Conference meets to give a closer look at what some say is expected to be a grim budget picture.

This morning Governor John Bel Edwards is on hand for a presentation of a donation by A&T in support of the Jobs for America’s Graduates program in Louisiana. It’s a non-profit initiative that officials say has helped more than a million people around the nation facing difficult challenges earn a high school or college degree.

Later, the governor along with St. Police Col Mike Edmonson will travel to Rome for conversations about the human trafficking epidemic, and personally meet on the matter with Pope Francis.

Despite crazy weather conditions, it looks to be about an average crawfish season. And prices are expending to go down as we get farther into the season depending on supply and demand…:
CUT 9 (08) “Louisiana crawfish”
That’s LSU AgCenter Aquaculture Specialist Mark Shirley.

The flu season is in full force as about 4% of folks going to the doctor right now are diagnosed with the virus. Dr. Frank Welch is not only recommending folks get the flu shot, but the elderly should also consider the pneumonia vaccine…:
CUT 6 (09) “shot”

A Shreveport man is still in jail amid accusations he caused the death of an 11-month old. Halen Doughty reports the latest:
Cut 2 (30) “I’m Halen Doughty”

The Revenue Estimating Conference meets today and is slated to reveal Louisiana’s budget picture; and that’ll likely tell us whether Governor John Bel Edwards will call another special session. The governor says if the shortfall is greater than $300 million, it’ll likely happen, even if lawmakers take $119 million from the rainy day fund…:
CUT 14 (09) “special session”
But Appropriations Chairman Cameron Henry says there’s not an appetite at the Capitol to raise any more revenue, but they do have a plan..:
Cut 16 (08) “at this point”
He is confident the governor can make the necessary budget cuts on his own.

Today Edwards, along with a delegation that includes State Police Superintendent Col. Mike Edmonson and state legislators, will travel to Italy to discuss human trafficking as Louisiana takes a leading role in fighting this epidemic.

Flu cases are on the rise as four out of every 100 people visiting the doctor in Louisiana is diagnosed with Influenza. Emelie Gunn has more:
CUT 1 (30) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

A Shreveport man is behind bars in connection with the death of an 11-month old. Corporal Marcus Hines says the suspect is 44-year-old Frederick Clark and he remains in jail on a hefty bond…:
Cut 12 (09) “the child died”
He says the child was allegedly in the care of Clark when the baby sustained fatal injuries.

The Revenue Estimating Conference meets today, and their findings could determine whether or not Governor John Bel Edwards will call another special session. Halen Doughty has more…:

Cut 3 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”
This morning the governor will join AT&T as they present a donation in support of the Jobs for America’s Graduates program in Louisiana.

Flood victims who are still living in hotels won’t have to move out until February 20th as FEMA has once again extended the deadline.

Even after a crazy year of weather in 2016, the crawfish crop seems to be doing just fine. LSU AgCenter Aquaculture Specialist Mark Shirley says the sizes of the mudbugs vary but the harvest is coming along fairly well. He says even though we aren’t seeing as great of a crop as last year, we’re still on par with the long term average…:
CUT 7 (07) “to enjoy”
Shirley says since it’s early in the season, the price for mudbugs will
but will drop later depending on supply and demand.

You’re likely starting to see more of your friends, family and co-workers coming down with the flu, as the state says every 100 people who visit the doctor have the virus. Immunization Medical Director Dr. Frank Welch says if higher risk people catch the flu, it could be dangerous.:
Cut 5 (10) “disability”
Welch those in their mid-20-year-olds are most frequently being diagnosed with the flu.

We’ll get better idea today whether or not Governor John Bel Edwards intends to call another special session to address looming budget shortfalls. The Revenue Estimating Conference meets today and the panel will determine the exact gravity of the situation. Edwards says the size of the deficit will determine if a special session is needed…:
Cut 13 (12) “extremely painful”
But Appropriations Chairman Cameron Henry says he is confident the governor can make the necessary budget cuts on his own…:
Cut 15 (11) “as well”

State Senator Troy Brown has said in the past he’d refuse to step down amid allegations he abused his wife in the second arrest in as many months on charges of domestic abuse; and subsequent no contest plea. The Senate itself can vote and decide whether or not to remove the Napoleonville lawmaker.

In the past week, Louisiana has seen an increase in the number of flu cases. That’s according to Medical Director state Immunization Program Dr. Frank Welch who says four out of every 100 people who visit the doctor have the flu. He says if you got the flu shot, you should be protected…:
cut 4 (10) “this year”
Welch says it’s rare, but if you do contract the flu virus after getting a shot, it’s usually a very mild case.

Six corrections officers at the prison in St. Gabriel have been placed on administrative leave by the Louisiana Department of Public Safety amid allegations of excessive forced used against an inmate. The St. Gabriel Police Department will investigate the case.

So what’s next for Napoleonville Senator Troy Brown now that he’s gotten jail time amid allegations he abused his wife? Michelle Southern reports…

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Michelle Southern”

A Shreveport man is behind bars facing a murder charge after police say an 11-year-old boy sustained fatal injuries in his care. Marcus Hines with Shreveport Police says 44-year-old Frederick Clark was caring for Mar’sharrd Ross when the child allegedly sustained injuries that caused him to quit breathing.

Louisiana has received 18-million dollars as part of a 4.3 billion dollar Volkswagen settlement in which the car maker admitted to cheating on air emissions tests. DEQ Secretary Chuck Brown says they may use that money to replace diesel engines in school buses with engines that burn cleaner fuels…

Cut 12 (12) “dollar range”

The money has to be used on an environmental friendly project.

During the governor’s monthly call-in show, John Bel Edwards received a couple of calls asking him not to raise taxes to solve the state’s budget problems. Edwards responded by saying he’s taking a balanced approach to resolving Louisiana’s fiscal issues…

Cut 9 (12) “pursuing both”

Another special session could be called next month to address a 300-million dollar shortfall for this fiscal year.