Oil prices will not rebound this year, according to experts at the International Energy Agency. Halen Doughty reports…:
CUT 1 (30) “I’m Halen Doughty”

Starting tonight, the National Weather Service says the chance for severe storms will continue to increase throughout the day Tuesday and they are urging the public to be vigilant. A widespread, significant bout of weather will spread through the Gulf Coast tomorrow and tomorrow night. Meteorologists say tornadoes, damaging wind gusts and large hail are all possible threats from this system.

The House Appropriations Committee approved a series of bills today aimed at reducing or cutting down on a number of state contracts, which supporters say will save the state some much needed dollars. Republican State Treasurer John Kennedy says there are dozens if not hundreds of contracts that the state spends money on that are not needed…:
CUT 13 (06) “you throw up”
Some of the examples Kennedy named include contracts for tutoring students, a consulting contract to provide adult education to prisoners and a $29 million dollar contract to help the state build a website for food stamp recipients.

The teenager accused of shooting and killing three people at a club during a birthday party in East Baton Rouge Parish in March 2014, pleaded guilty today and will receive 40 years in jail. The murders happened when Nakeydran Williams of Baker was 16, but he was tried as an adult.

According to experts at the International Energy Agency, oil prices will not rebound until next year. David Dismukes, Executive Director at the LSU Center for Energy Studies, says despite reports of a possible production freeze in the middle east he doesn’t see a cutback in production by oil producing countries…:
CUT 6 (10) “lower prices”
Today the price of US oil is trading around $30 a barrel.

A man who cops say was acting strange at a movie theater in Lafayette was issued a summons for disturbing the peace. Corporal Paul Mouton says during the film Deadpool, witnesses reported seeing 35-year-old Christopher Harmason of New Iberia walking up and down the aisles…:
CUT 3 (09) “uncomfortable”
He says the man was cooperative when issued the summons and promised he wouldn’t come back.

The state Department of Corrections says they appreciate the suggestion by former Baywatch star Pamela Anderson that Louisiana can save money by serving inmates meatless meals — but the costs of damage to the facilities by prisoners who didn’t like the idea would likely surpass food savings. PETA spokesperson Dan Matthews says Louisiana taxpayers would save over $620,000 a year by offering vegan meals…:
Cut 15 (11) “in their life”
The DOC says they just went smoke free in 2015 and chaos would likely ensue if they also took away chicken, pork and beef this year.

Authorities are looking for a car after an elderly man was hit by multiple vehicles and killed while trying to walk across a busy Baton Rouge highway Friday night. State Police say two cars stopped after running over the 88-year-old, but a third did not. Anyone with information about the crash or the third vehicle to call Troop A.

Recent polls have shown the public is opposed to the legislature increasing taxes as a way of solving the state’s fiscal crisis. But Michael Henderson, Director of LSU’s Public Policy Research Lab, says voters also oppose cuts to education or transportation. He says that’s why some of the recent polls are not an accurate description of what the legislature is dealing with…
cut 12 (06) “imperfect picture”
He says the poll questions don’t take into account what could happen if certain taxes are not raised.

Early voting for the Louisiana Presidential Preference Primary is underway, and polls remain open until Saturday. Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders are battling for the Democratic nomination. Sanders’ supporter Gilda Reed, a psychology professor at UNO, says “The Bern” is capturing the hearts of everyday Americans and energizing the youth because of his progressive ideas…:
CUT 7 (07) “the long run”
Former US Senator Mary Landrieu supports Clinton.

Residents are being warned of a severe weather system that’s moving through the state and hitting hardest tomorrow. They say there’s a cold front that’s moving south bringing rain to North Louisiana, but as it develops below Alexandria tomorrow afternoon, the possibility for strong winds, large hail and an isolated tornado are projected.

The Department of Health and Hospitals has handed out two million dollars in loans to improve drinking water in Avoyelles Parish. Emelie Gunn has more…:
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An LSU pollster says lawmakers should take recent tax surveys showing the public is downright opposed to raising taxes, with a grain of salt. LSU Public Policy Polling Director Michael Henderson says the poll questions don’t take into account what could happen if certain taxes are not raised:
Cut 13 (08) “public wants”
Legislators have started arriving at the Capitol this morning to continue to tackle the state’s massive budget problems.

Presidential candidates are putting together support teams in Louisiana ahead of our March 5th primary. Former US Senator Mary Landrieu is publicly endorsing Hillary Clinton to be the Democratic nominee. She feels Senator Bernie Sanders doesn’t have what it takes to be Commander in Chief..:
CUT 5 (09) “us safe”
Sanders supporters say we need him as our president because he’s the only candidate offering solutions that will actually make a difference.

Pamela Anderson is offering advice she says would help with Louisiana’s budget problems. The former Baywatch star and honorary director of PETA suggests the state serve inmates a meat-free diet. PETA spokesperson Dan Matthews says not only would this save on freezer costs, but it would save on healthcare for inmates because they wouldn’t get sick as often…:
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Anderson says if Louisiana switched to meat-free meals in jail, she’d come inaugurate the program by helping cook and serve lunch to the inmates.

The news keeps going downhill for the LSU basketball team. ESPN is reporting that Keith Hornsby could be out for the rest of the season due to a recurring hernia injury that’s already caused him to miss several games. He did not play in the second half of the brutal game against Tennessee which the Tigers lost 81-65. Essentially, in order to get into the NCAA tourney, LSU must win the rest of its games and all contests in the SEC tournament.

Recent polls have shown the public does not support increasing taxes as a way of solving the state’s budget deficit, but one pollster says these surveys might not tell the whole story. Jeff Palermo has the story…:
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It is expected the Ways and Means committee will vote on some of the governor’s tax proposals on Tuesday. There are bills to increase taxes on cigarettes and alcohol and measures to raise corporate and income tax rates.

The big question is whether lawmakers will go along with the Edwards’ proposal to hike the state sales tax by one penny, which is expected to generate over 200-million dollars in the final three months of this fiscal year.

Avoyelles Parish is going to see improvements in their water system with a project calling for new pump stations, a new ground water storage tank and a new well and chlorination facility. The Department of Health and Hospitals awarded a $2.1 million dollar grant to help ensure Avoyelles drinking water is safe. DHH State Health Officer Dr. Jimmy Guidry…:
CUT 9 (08) “in trouble”
He says Avoyelles Parish residents may notice a slight difference in the water but they can be sure that the change means the water is safe.

Two teenagers from Dequincy died following a head-on crash in Calcasieu Parish Sunday morning. State Police say a Chevy pickup driven by 18-year-old Charlee Smith passed another vehicle in a no passing zone and struck a Ford F-150 driven by 17-year-old Lauren Marie Leblanc head-on in the opposite lane of travel. Both Smith and Leblanc were pronounced dead at the scene. Witnesses reported Smith was speeding and driving erratically prior to the crash.

Early voting for the March 5th presidential primary got underway Saturday. Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders are battling for the Democratic nomination. Former US Senator Mary Landrieu says Clinton is the one with the skills to be an effective leader…:
CUT 4 (07) “Senator Sanders”
Sanders’ supporter Gilda Reed, a psychology professor at UNO, says she is “feeling the Bern…:
Cut 6 (08) “the status quo”
Early voting polls are open through Saturday from 8:30am-6pm.

In legislative news, It’s the second week of the special session called to stabilize Louisiana’s budget. Governor John Bel Edwards is asking legislators to increase taxes to address a 900-million dollar deficit that must be closed by June 30th. House Republicans oppose tax increases. It is expected the Ways and Means committee will vote on some of the governor’s tax proposals tomorrow.

The Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals has awarded a 2.1 million dollar loan to assist an Avoyelles Parish water system improve its drinking water. State Health Officer Dr. Jimmy Guidry says the money comes from the state‘s Drinking Water Revolving Loan Fund, which helps improve infrastructure to ensure drinking water stays safe…:
Cut 8 (10) “their system”
Guidry says during the improvement process, Avoyelles Parish residents might have to go on a water boil notice.

The the young age of 22, Pelicans star Anthony Davis has already made history after scoring a franchise record 59 points and 20 rebounds in New Orleans’ 111-106 victory over the Pistons last night. Over the last 20 years, only our own Shaq and Chris Webber had 50 or more points a game and 20 rebounds. In 1977 when Pistol Pete Maravich played for the New Orleans Jazz he recorded 68 points in a game against The Knicks.

Recent polls have shown the public is opposed to the legislature increasing taxes as a way of solving the state’s fiscal crisis. But Michael Henderson, Director of LSU’s Public Policy Research Lab, says these surveys might not tell the whole story, because the polls do not ask the respondents about potential consequences if revenues are not raised…:
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The House Ways and Means committee is expected to take up tax proposals starting tomorrow.

Former Baywatch star & honorary director of the People for the Ethical treatment of animals, Pamala Anderson, suggests the state can save money by serving vegan meals to prisoners. PETA spokesperson Dan Matthews says Anderson has visited other jails around the country that save hundreds of thousands of dollars by not serving meat:
Cut 14 (08) “with this proposal”

Louisiana’s presidential primary is March 5th. Both Hillary Clinton and Senator Bernie Sanders have strong Democratic support in the state.
CUT 1 (28) “I’m Halen Doughty”

The National Weather Service is asking Louisianians to be prepared for the possibility of severe weather tomorrow as a cold front moves in. The first of the storms will be seen today and increasing strength through Tuesday, in the afternoon and evening.

***affiliates, please note that the Ways and Means committee is expected to take up tax proposals TUESDAY. The report has been updated on the web***

It’s the second week of the special legislative session called to stabilize Louisiana’s budget and we’re still waiting for our first meaningful bill to get out of the House Ways and Means Committee. Governor John Bel Edwards is asking legislators to increase taxes to address a 900-million dollar deficit that must be closed by June 30th.

House Republicans oppose tax increases and they are looking for the Edwards administration to cut government spending over the long term.

It is expected the Ways and Means committee will vote on some of the governor’s tax proposals on Tuesday. There are bills to increase taxes on cigarettes and alcohol and measures to raise corporate and income tax rates.

The big question is whether lawmakers will go along with the Edwards’ proposal to hike the state sales tax by one penny, which is expected to generate over 200-million dollars in the final three months of this fiscal year.