According to Jay Dardenne, the budget architect for Governor-elect John Bel Edwards, Louisiana’s revenue shortfall for this fiscal year has grown to $750 million, while next year’s budget is a projected $1.9 billion short. He says the state’s fiscal outlook is more dire than they thought and hard work is needed to resolve it…
cut 13 (12) “year to year”
A special legislative session is expected in February to address the state’s budget problems.

The imminent threat of flooding along the Mississippi and Red Rivers has led to Governor Bobby Jindal issuing a state of emergency. Flood warnings have been posted along those two rivers as it’s projected they’ll crest above flood stage in many areas next month. The Bonnet Carre Spillway in southeast Louisiana could be opened for the first time since 2011.

An Independence Police Officer is now behind bars after he allegedly used his position to steal currency from non-English speaking Hispanic males during traffic stops. State Police spokesperson Dustin Dwight says 25-year-old Laquinton Banks is facing several charges
cut 9 (10) “of impairment”
Banks served on the Independence Police Department for five months prior to his arrest.

The Assumption Parish Sheriff’s Office has charged a Labadieville teenager with negligent homicide in an accidental shooting death. Sheriff Mike Waguespak says 18-year-old Jamal Starks and several friends were playing with a handgun when it discharged, shooting 17-year-old Dronald Washington in the head. Waguespack says they originally investigated the incident as a self-inflicted shooting…
cut 6 (10) “next to him”
Bail for Starks has been set at $125,000.

There were 30-thousand fewer people working in Louisiana last month compared to the previous November. That’s according to the Louisiana Workforce Commission who says depressed oil prices are the reason for the job losses.

There’s also bad news about the state’s budget situation. Jay Dardenne, who is the state’s next Commissioner of Administration, says after examing the state’s finances, the budget shortfall for this fiscal year is 750-million dollars and one-point-nine billion dollars next fiscal year. Dardenne says tax increases could be needed, but they’ve yet come up with a budget plan to propose to lawmakers…
cut 14 (05) “….answers today”
Dardenne says a drop in oil prices and a slump in collections from sales and corporate income taxes have caused the budget holes to become larger.

LSU needs a new defensive coordinator again. Kevin Steele is leaving the Tigers for the same job at Auburn.

An Independence Police Officer has been arrested for stealing money from non-English speaking men during traffic stops. Emelie Gunn has more…
voicer 1 (27) “…reporting”

A Labadieville teenager is charged with negligent homicide in an accidental shooting death. Assumption Parish Sheriff Mike Waguespak says 18-year-old Jamal Starks was playing with a gun when it went off, striking 17-year-old Dronald Washington in the head. Waguespack says it is now up to a grand jury to determine how they will move forward with this case…
cut 7 (05) “all around”
Waguespack says this is a prime example of why no one should ever play with guns.

According to Jay Dardenne, the budget architect for Governor-elect John Bel Edwards, Louisiana’s revenue shortfall for this fiscal year has grown to $750 million, while next year’s budget is a projected $1.9 billion short. He says the state’s fiscal outlook is more dire than they thought and hard work is needed to resolve it…

cut 13 (12) “year to year”

Edwards plans to call a special legislative session to address the state’s budget problems.

Louisianians will still be able to use their valid state driver’s licence to fly commercially Friday, even though the state has yet to to comply with the federal Real ID law. Many are confused that the identification requirement would kick in for Louisiana January 1st, but the state received a yearlong extension to comply with Real ID Act in October. Without that extension, Louisiana resident would have needed a passport to fly domestically in the new year.

An Independence Police Officer is now behind bars after he allegedly used his position to steal currency from non-English speaking Hispanic males during traffic stops. State Police spokesperson Dustin Dwight says 25-year-old Laquinton Banks was arrested on felony charges of theft, malfeasance in office, and a hate crime. Dwight urges any other victims out there to contact Louisiana State Police…

cut 11 (08) “any allegation”

He says the investigation is on-going.

One question following LSU’s 56-27 win over Texas Tech in the Texas Bowl is, will Kevin Steele return as LSU’s defensive coordinator in 2016? There are reports he may take the same job at Auburn. Coach Les Miles is impressed with what Steele did last night as LSU’s defense produced six sacks…

cut 5 (08) “certain things”

It’s also being reported that LSU is working to keep Steele in Baton Rouge.

Louisiana’s budget problems are worse than previously thought. Jeff Palermo has the story…

cut 2 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

A Monroe man is under arrest after a hate crime sent one man to the hospital. The Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s Office says 23-year-old Tarus Williams went into a Richwood store and began harassing a store employee with racial slurs. When the employee attempted to get the suspect to leave the store, Williams smashed a glass bottle on his head. The victim was treated at a local hospital. Williams is charged with a hate crime and second degree battery.

Assumption Parish Sheriff Mike Waguespak says 18-year-old Jamal Starks is charged with negligent homicide in an accidental shooting death earlier this month. Waguespack says Starks was playing with a handgun when it accidentally discharged, shooting 17-year-old Dronald Washington in the head. He says this is a prime example of why no one should ever play with guns…

cut 8 (06) “killed his friend”

Bail for Starks has been set at $125,000.

State Police says an Independence Police Officer is under arrest accused of using his position to steal money from non-English speaking Hispanic males during traffic stops. Spokesman Dustin Dwight says 25-year-old Laquinton Banks was arrested for three felony charges, theft, malfeasance in office and a hate crime…

cut 10 (06) “hate crime”

Dwight says the investigation is on-going.

The state’s fiscal situation is worse than previously thought, according to Jay Dardenne, who is the budget architect for Governor-elect John Bel Edwards. Dardenne says the revenue shortfall for this fiscal year has grown to 750-million dollars, thanks to a drop in oil prices and a slump in corporate income taxes…

cut 12 (08) “calendar year”

Dardenne projects the budget shortfall for next fiscal year at 1-point-9 billion dollars, and everything is on the table to address this situation, including higher taxes.

A Labadieville teenager is charged with negligent homicide in an accidental shooting death. Assumption Parish Sheriff Mike Waguespak says their investigation determined that 18-year-old Jamal Starks was playing with a gun when it went off, striking 17-year-old Dronald Washington in the head. Waguespack says it is now up to a grand jury to determine how they will move forward with this case…

cut 7 (05) “all around”

Waguespack says this is a prime example of why no one should ever play with guns.

LSU running back Leonard Fournette rushed for 212 yards and scored five touchdowns in the Tigers 56-27 win over Texas Tech in last night’s Texas Bowl. Coach Les Miles hopes this victory over the Red Raiders is the sign of things to come in 2016…

cut 4 (12) “bountiful way”

The win gives LSU a 9-3 record for 2015.

Governor Bobby Jindal has issued a state of emergency due to the imminent threat of flooding along the Mississippi and Red Rivers. Heavy rainfall over the last 30 days has led to rapidly rising river levels on both waterways.

The Assumption Parish Sheriff’s Office has charged a Labadieville teenager with negligent homicide in an accidental shooting death. Sheriff Mike Waguespak says 18-year-old Jamal Starks and several friends were playing with a handgun when it discharged, shooting 17-year-old Dronald Washington in the head. Waguespack says they originally investigated the incident as a self-inflicted shooting…

cut 6 (10) “next to him”

Bail for Starks has been set at $125,000.

An Independence Police Officer is now behind bars after he allegedly used his position to steal currency from non-English speaking Hispanic males during traffic stops. State Police spokesperson Dustin Dwight says 25-year-old Laquinton Banks is facing several charges

cut 9 (10) “of impairment”

Banks served on the Independence Police Department for five months prior to his arrest.

A report by the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund shows Louisiana had more law enforcement officers shot and killed in the line of duty this year than any other state in the nation. Chairman Craig Floyd says five officers were shot and murdered while on the job in 2015….

cut 10 (10) “officer died”

A total of 9 officers died in the line of duty this year, triple the number from 2014.

LSU running back Leonard Fournette put on an impressive performance in the Tigers 56-27 win over Texas Tech in the Texas Bowl. The sophomore from New Orleans rushed for 212 yards and scored five touchdowns. Coach Les Miles is not surprised by Fournette’s showing…

cut 3 (10) “special back”

Fournette finished 47 yards away from eclipsing 2,000 rushing yards on the season.

The Assumption Parish Sheriff’s Office has charged a Labadieville teenager with negligent homicide in an accidental shooting death. Sheriff Mike Waguespak says 18-year-old Jamal Starks and several friends were playing with a handgun when it discharged, shooting 17-year-old Dronald Washington in the head. Waguespack says they originally investigated the incident as a self-inflicted shooting…

cut 6 (10) “next to him”

Bail for Starks has been set at $125,000.

An Independence Police Officer is now behind bars after he allegedly used his position to steal currency from non-English speaking Hispanic males during traffic stops. State Police spokesperson Dustin Dwight says 25-year-old Laquinton Banks is facing several charges

cut 9 (10) “of impairment”

Banks served on the Independence Police Department for five months prior to his arrest.

A report by the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund shows Louisiana had more law enforcement officers shot and killed in the line of duty this year than any other state in the nation. Chairman Craig Floyd says five officers were shot and murdered while on the job in 2015….

cut 10 (10) “officer died”

A total of 9 officers died in the line of duty this year, triple the number from 2014.

LSU running back Leonard Fournette put on an impressive performance in the Tigers 56-27 win over Texas Tech in the Texas Bowl. The sophomore from New Orleans rushed for 212 yards and scored five touchdowns. Coach Les Miles is not surprised by Fournette’s showing…

cut 3 (10) “special back”

Fournette finished 47 yards away from eclipsing 2,000 rushing yards on the season.