Governor John Bel Edwards has issued the call for a third special session. It will begin June 18th and once again legislators will be asked to replace expiring sales taxes in an effort to avoid deep budget cuts. During the second special session that ended earlier this year, lawmakers approved a budget that contains over 500-million dollars. Governor John Bel Edwards announced he signed the spending plan, Deputy Chief of Staff Richard Carbo explains why….
cut 16 (07) “…to take”

The Louisiana Department of Corrections warns unless additional tax revenue is raised by June 30th, thousands of inmates will be released. Corrections Secretary Jimmy LeBlanc says his department is facing a nearly 63-million dollar reduction in state funding and it’s not like corrections can cut back on staff.
Cut 12 (08) “look at”

Louisiana has seen a 29 percent increase in the suicide rate since 1999. That’s according to a CDC report that revealed national suicide rates have skyrocketed over the last two decades. Louisiana Department of Health Suicide Prevention Coordinator Danita Leblanc says the state, and country, need to beef up their suicide detection efforts, increase the amount of mental health education, and expand mental health services, but that’s tough to do under a budget crunch.
Cut 6 (08) “to deliver”

Four West Monroe men have been arrested in connection with Wednesday night’s shooting death of 17 year old Hannah Crenshaw, who was shot in the front yard of her West Monroe home. Chris Williams, Jeterrius Patrick, Cortez Williams, all in their early 20s, and 35-year-old Paul Tillman, were charged with Criminal Conspiracy and 2nd Degree Murder. The Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s office says the investigation continues.