New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell is in Washington, DC, attending the annual Yale Mayor’s College Conference. It comes amid a city council-imposed travel ban, prohibiting all non-essential travel by city officials and employees through at least April amid a financial crisis. Mayor Cantrell’s office says the trip was scheduled well before the city council unanimously passed the travel ban. 

Early voting starts this Saturday in the state constitutional amendment election. You’ll be voting on four amendments, including Amendment 2, which for all intents and purposes rewrites Article 7 of the state constitution. Revenue Secretary Richard Nelson says the passing of Amendment 2 is necessary in order to achieve the objectives of the new tax law.

Cut 9 (09)  “…functions of government.”

Early voting runs through March 22nd, and Election Day is March 29th.

Be on the lookout for a work release inmate on the loose. The Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Office says 22-year-old Taegan Howarth walked off the job Friday evening after being terminated. Haworth is serving time for battery, along with drug and weapons charges. He was last seen in Convent wearing a yellow vest and a white hard hat.

Lake Charles is a basketball mecca this week, with two tournaments being held in the city. The Southland Conference men’s and women’s basketball championship tournaments started yesterday at McNeese’s Legacy Center, and the Boys’ Marsh Madness Basketball Championships get underway at the Burton Complex today. Eric Zartler, the executive director of the Lake Charles Regional Sports Authority, says it’s going to be a huge economic boost for the region.

Cut 13 (07)  “…three-million dollars.”

The Southland women’s championship will take place Wednesday, with the men’s championship the following night. The high school champions will be crowned Friday and Saturday.