Numerous homes and cars in north Louisiana are dealing with flood water as the result of a colossal storm that has dumped over a half a foot of rain — with more on the way. Lt. Bill Davis, with the Bossier Parish Sheriff’s Office, says flood waters have kept them busy…:
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Glenn Springfield with the Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s Office says many residents in northeast Louisiana are also getting lots of rain…:
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The flood watches in effect in those areas will move into the central and southeast portions of the state tonight into tomorrow and through Saturday.

Lawmakers are in rush mode now at the Capitol as they are up against a 6pm deadline where the special session called to repair the state’s massive budget shortfall must end. Matters still on the table include hiking the sales tax a penny and removing exemptions — and for how long.

Employer confidence is not at its best as the National Federation of Independent Business says small business optimism has fallen to a 2-year low. State Director of the NFIB, Dawn Starns, says that trend is being seen in Louisiana as well, and when it comes to what’s going on at the Capitol, instead of increasing taxes on businesses and consumers, their members would like state government cut spending…:
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She says sales trends have declined and small business owners do not plan to increase hiring or spending as expectations for future conditions remained negative.

Meanwhile a measure to raise the state’s cigarette tax has been signed by Governor John Bel Edwards. So on April 1st, the tax on a pack of cigarettes will go from 86-cents to a $1.08 in Louisiana. The measure will provide an additional 11-million dollars in state revenues this fiscal year.

State lawmakers have a just a few hours left to address a massive budget shortfall, as the special legislative session ends tonight at 6 PM. Halen Doughty has more…
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A bill to increase the state’s cigarette tax has made it through the process and received the signature of Governor John Bel Edwards. So on April 1st, the tax on a pack of cigarettes will go from 86-cents to a $1.08. The measure will provide an additional 11-milion dollars in state revenues this fiscal year.

Governor John Bel Edwards has called on the Louisiana National Guard to help residents in northwest Louisiana who are trying to escape flood waters. Lt. Bill Davis, with the Bossier Parish Sheriff’s office, says they started evacuating people during the night…
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In Webster Parish, about 80 homes have been flooded and a nursing home near Minden had to be evacuated.

LSU Health Shreveport has received a 1.6 million dollar grant to research the connection between light alcohol consumption and ischemic strokes. Director of the Center for Cardiovascular Diseases and Sciences Dr. Chris Kevil ays a study a few years ago, called the French Paradox, found similar results….
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Kevil says the professor awarded the grant will attempt to define how light alcohol consumption actually protects from ischemic stroke.

As record rainfall continues to pound north Louisiana, several parishes have worked tirelessly to rescue people from vehicles and homes in flood stricken areas. Officials are asking the public in these areas to stay put as several inches of rain are still expected to fall. Donald Jones with the National Weather Service says there’s an area of low pressure just sitting there..:
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Flood warnings, watches and wind advisories are posted throughout the state.

The special legislative session must end at 6 so lawmakers will try to wrap up work today on revenue raising and budget cuts to close the massive budget deficit. Jeremy Alford with la-politics-dot-com says legislators are closing in on this year’s shortfall…:
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A 19-year-old died after being involved in a crash with a tow truck last night in Iberville Parish. State Police believe 19-year-old Orthello Batiste of White Castle ran a red light and was hit on the drivers side by an Advantage Towing truck. Batiste was pronounced dead at the scene, and a passenger in his vehicle who was not buckled up sustained serious injuries. The investigation is ongoing.

LSU Health Shreveport has received over a million dollars in grant money to research the connection between light alcohol consumption and strokes. Director of the Center for Cardiovascular Diseases and Sciences Dr. Chris Kevil says the researcher is attempting to figure out why light alcohol consumption lowers the incidence of ischemic stroke…:
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According to the National Stroke Association, it’s important to identify risk factors, reduce those risk factors, and learn to recognize the signs and symptoms of a stroke.

A ton of rain has already fallen in western Louisiana. Northwest and Northeast regions of the state are already dealing with flood stricken areas that have forced road closures and some evacuations. Jeff Palermo reports on the weather system moving in…:
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With less than 10 hours left in the special session, Jeremy Alford of LaPolitics.com says one of the ways lawmakers look to close the budget gap is not only to add a penny to the state sales tax, but remove several exemptions from the existing four cents…:
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The session must end at 6.

Cleco is asking the Public Service Commission for an immediate rehearing on the on a bid by Macquarie Investors to purchase the Pineville-based utility company. The PSC voted on February 24th against the sale, but lawyers for Cleco assert that the decision was procedurally flawed and wrongly decided on the merits of the transaction.

Small business optimism has fallen to a 2-year low, according to the National Federation of Independent Business. State Director of the NFIB, Dawn Starns, says state specific data is not available, but Louisiana small businesses also lack optimism, especially with all of the money problems the state is facing.:
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The report also shows that sales trends have declined and small business owners do not plan to increase hiring or spending as expectations for future business conditions remained negative.

State lawmakers have until 6pm to balance the budget and address the shortfalls as the special session ends…:
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As severe weather and rain moves into the state, the Bossier Parish Sheriff’s Office says first responders have been working overnight to rescue and evacuate people from homes and vehicles in flood-stricken areas. They say 30-40 homes in Haughton were evacuated, and some residents in Webster Parish are also being forced to leave due to high water. Flash flood warnings have been issued by the National Weather Service in Shreveport for parishes in northwest & northeast Louisiana until late this morning. Most of the state is under a flash flood watch.

Optimism among small businesses falls to a 2-year-low. That’s according to a report by the National Federation of Independent Business and state director Dawn Starns says, while there is no state specific data, Louisiana falls in line. She says proposed tax increases here are affecting businesses…:
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The report shows spending and hiring plans are both down.

LSU Health Shreveport receives a 1.6 million dollar grant to research the connection between alcohol consumption and ischemia, which is a lack of blood flow to the brain that often causes strokes. Director of the Center for Cardiovascular Diseases and Sciences Dr. Chris Kevil says drinking one to three alcoholic beverages a week could protect against strokes:
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He says ultimately, the goal is to create life-changing medication for patients.

There are less than 12 hours left in the special legislative session, and lawmakers are still trying to address the state’s budget shortfall through a combination of budget cuts and tax increases. Jeremy Alford with la-politics-dot-com says taxes on cigarettes, alcohol, and car rentals are already approved, but more bills are still on the table…:
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He says the current deficit for this fiscal year is $954 million, and next budget year’s shortfall is about $2 billion.

The Storm Prediction Center says much of Louisiana is under the threat for severe weather today. Donald Jones with the National Weather Service says the threat for severe weather includes rounds of heavy rainfall…:
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Most of the state is under a flash flood watch.

LSU Health Shreveport receives a 1.6 million dollar grant to research the connection between alcohol consumption and ischemic (is-scheme-mic) stroke. Emelie Gunn has more…:
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Lawmakers have until 6 pm on Wednesday to figure out how to solve the state’s budget deficit. Emelie Gunn has more on what’s being proposed in the last days of the special session…

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St. Tammany parish sheriff’s detectives are investigating the death of a man from Abita Springs. Investigators say the case is still pending, including autopsy results, identification of the man and determination of the cause of death.

Residents of St. Joseph are petitioning the state government for better water. Garrett Boyte of St. Joseph says manganese is found in St. Joseph’s water at alarmingly high amounts and it has been linked to adverse health effects, especially for infants. Boyte met with Governor John Bel Edwards today and he says the governor is considering proposed legislation to fix Louisiana’s water problems.

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Boyte says 400 water systems in the state are facing similar issues.

Multiple flash flood watches are in effect as north and south Louisiana will see some heavy rainfall. CS Ross with the National Weather Service in Shreveport says we’ll see heavy downpours throughout the week. He says Louisiana will experience storms bringing in high winds and the chance of hail and tornadoes. Ross says there’s also the chance for severe weather moving into Louisiana from Texas.

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The special legislative session ends tomorrow at 6pm, and lawmakers are still trying to address the state’s huge fiscal deficit through a combination of budget cuts and tax increases. We’re waiting to see what legislation will come out. Jeremy Alford with la-politics-dot-com says the certainties in this session include taxes on cigarettes, alcohol, and car rentals, but he says more bills still have to be approved.

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In the House, there has been talk of increasing the state sales tax by more than a penny to increase revenue. Metairie Representative Cameron Henry supports the proposal….

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Democrats oppose this idea. Baton Rouge representative Ted James…

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Senate democrats, who believe businesses are not paying their fair share of taxes, took out some of their frustrations with the president of the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry Stephen Waguespack. Alexandria Senator Jay Luneau is one of those lawmakers who is not happy that LABI is pushing legislators to increase the state sales tax by more than a penny…

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Waguespack says businesses are already dealing with a horrible economic recession…
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A senate committee approved a bill today that would remove a four-cent sales tax that businesses currently do not have to pay. This is all part of the discussion over how the state should address a massive budget shortfall this fiscal year and next.