Two more Disaster Recovery Centers opened today in Louisiana, one in Monroe and the other in Slidell. Mike Steele, with the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness, says flood survivors can find personnel from all of the agencies involved in disaster recovery at these centers. He says small business administrators are also on hand with information about low-interest loans available for flood victims…:
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He says these centers will be open from 8 to 6 Monday through Saturday, and noon to five on Sunday.

This morning north of Sulphur in Calcasieu Parish, one person was killed and another injured when a pickup truck traveled into the path of a commercial truck, according to State Police. They say 26-year-old Laura Lee Reeves of Lake Charles failed to yield to the commercial vehicle when the collision occurred. Reeves was not wearing a seat belt and was pronounced dead at the scene.

Two weeks after Louisiana’s major flooding event, much of Ouachita parish is still underwater. Neal Brown, Director of Ouachita Parish Homeland Security, says rivers and bayous throughout the parish are still cresting, which means the water has nowhere to go right now…:
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He says the bad news is that when the water does eventually go down, it will spell trouble for parishes south of Ouachita.

Lawmakers are expected to get involved in the LHSAA’s public versus private school split that’s impacted high school sports. River Ridge Representative Kirk Talbot says he has legislation which he hopes will lead to the end of the split and bring all schools back together for postseasons..:
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Schools around the state have been invited to join a new high school sports association that would NOT have a split playoff system.

The discussion over the use of medical marijuana is expected to occur during the legislative session. Legislation was passed last year to allow certain patients to use it, but it’s still not available in the Bayou State. State Senator Fred Mills says there are plenty of people who are waiting to get it…
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Mills says the department of agriculture and a couple of other other groups are still working on the details to make the drug available here.

The state legislature is also expected to address the growing playoff split with the Louisiana High School Atheltic Association. River Ridge Representative Kirk Talbot has a bill that would prevent a high school from receiving state funds, if they participate in an association with a split postseason…
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Talbot says the ultimate goal is to bring the LHSAA back together again.

The Senate Revenue and Fiscal Affairs Committee meets at noon today to begin going over the 400 or so different tax credits and deductions the state hands out to businesses and individuals. Chairman JP Morrell of New Orleans says the credits or exemptions that are deemed unnecessary will be removed in a potential second special session or during next year’s fiscal session…
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Morrell says it will take most of this session to go over the different tax credits.

State Health officials are gearing up for a potential outbreak of the Zika Virus, which is a mosquito borne disease which has been linked to birth defects in other countries. Dr. Frank Welch, with the state department of health says once the weather warms up, they’ll have to increase surveillance…
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A study from the National Center for Atmospheric Research finds New Orleans is at a high risk because of the high poverty rate and a lot of visitors from countries where Zika is prevalent.

Today, the Senate Revenue and Fiscal Affairs committee is set to begin reviewing certain tax expenditures. Chairman JP Morrell says there are some exemptions, exclusions, rebates and refunds the state provides businesses and individuals that are ridiculous. He says these need to be combed through…:
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He says Louisiana gives about 400 tax exemptions, costing the state over 8-billion dollars in revenue.

Southeast Louisiana is at a high risk of Zika — a virus that is spread by a certain mosquito. Dr. Frank Welch with DHH says New Orleans is particularly vulnerable because of the large number of visitors that come from countries where the infection is prevalent. He says different agencies are coming together to protect the state from an outbreak…:
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Expect the legislature to address the controversial split playoffs in high school athletics. Jeff Palermo has the story…:
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ESPN’s Jeff Goodman is reporting what many have been saying all along — LSU freshman star Ben Simmons will hire an agent and head to the pros. Numerous experts say Simmons will likely be taken in the first or second round of the June 23rd, NBA draft.

Baton Rouge Zoo officials say two of their four giraffes died over the weekend. They say one had been suffering a chronic illness and the other was knocked down by another giraffe in the barn stall.

Lawmakers are back at it today and in the Senate Revenue and Fiscal Affairs committee room, legislators will review hundreds of tax exemptions, exclusions, rebates and refunds provided by Louisiana to businesses and individuals. Chairman JP Morrell of New Orleans says some of these credits are ridiculous…:
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Morrell says the state cannot afford to give away money and the credits or exemptions that are deemed unnecessary.

The Department of Children and Family Services is opening disaster assistance locations today to help residents who were impacted by flooding. Officials have been working to make sure these spots are set to handle the thousands of people who have already pre-registered for DSNAP benefits. The program is only for those who need help buying food after the recent flood and who don’t already receive regular SNAP benefits and you can get details online at dcfs.la.gov.

Southeast Louisiana could be at an increased risk for the Zika virus, according to health officials. Emelie Gunn has more…:
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Lawmakers gave the green light to a medical marijuana bill last year, but you still can’t get it in Louisiana as participating agencies still work out how to make it happen. New Iberia Senator Fred Mills is trying to expand the legislation this year so that it would cover more illnesses. He says many Louisianians are waiting to get medical marijuana…:
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He says those people are even moving to other states where it’s legal.

The Senate Revenue and Fiscal Affairs Committee begins reviewing today the 400 tax exemptions given by the state to individuals and businesses. Halen Doughty has more…:
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Experts say southeast Louisiana is at a high risk of a Zika outbreak this summer. Dr. Frank Welch, with the Louisiana Department Health and Hospitals says state and local health officials are performing extensive surveillance…:
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It’s expected the legislature will get involved in the public versus private school split that’s impacted high school sports. River Ridge Representative Kirk Talbot has filed a bill that attempts to reverse the LHSAA’s decision to split its postseason in several sports. Talbot says the split is hurting high school athletics..:
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Schools around the state have been invited to join a new high school sports association that would NOT have a split playoff system.

Last year, the state legislature approved a bill that gives Louisiana residents legal access to medical marijuana, but it’s still not available in this state. The man who pushed for the legislation, St. Martin Parish Senator Fred Mills, says the department of agriculture along with a couple of other groups are still working on the details…:
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A Slidell Teacher has been arrested for allegedly having sexual contact with students. Emelie Gunn has more…
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A disaster recovery center opened today in Bossier City to help flood victims. It’s open seven days a week at the Bossier Parish Public Safety Complex on Shed Road. Several agencies are housed there to answer questions about disaster assistance and low-interest disaster loans.

The Red River is expected to crest Sunday night at a level that hasn’t been seen in over 30 years. Avoyelles Parish Director of Homeland Security Joey Frank says so far no homes have been flooded.
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Good news for motorists heading to Texas, Interstate 10 is now open in both directions at the Texas state line.

All the flood waters and recent rainfall could lead to more mosquitoes and heath officials are urging folks to make sure they are taking precautions. Dr. Frank Welch with the Department of Health and Hospitals says this is typical for this time of year, but the flooding makes it worse…:
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Welch says people need to remove standing water around their home to help lower the mosquito population.

Residents living in central Louisiana are keeping a close eye on the Red River as its expected to crest at its highest level in over 30 years. Avoyelles Parish Director of Homeland Security Joey Frank says there is a low spot in the levee at Brouillette and they’re using large sandbags to raise it a foot and a half. He says they’ve also raised the Vick levee 18 inches….
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Officials are asking motorists not to drive around barricades that have closed off roads because of high water.

A man suspected of stealing a generator from a home drowned as he tried to flee from the scene. LaFourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre says 37-year-old Michael Gonzales dropped the generator in the driverway and ran from a home in Golden Meadow after he was spotted by the homeowner. A witness says he saw Gonzales jump into a bayou and his body was recovered later that day.

Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne says his office will announce next week how much of a cut higher education and health care will receive as a result of a 70-million dollar deficit for this fiscal year. Dardenne says unfortunately these two areas are on the chopping block, because cuts have already been made to other state agencies…
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And Dardenne says public colleges have already received a 28-million dollar loss in funding this fiscal year, because the state ran out of money to pay for TOPS scholarships.

Baton Rouge Mayor Kip Holden says he is almost 100% sure he’ll run for the 2nd Congressional District seat in the fall. The seat is currently held by US Representative Cedric Richmond. Political analyst Clancy Dubos….
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An official announcement from Holden is expected next month.