Leaders from both sides are pointing fingers after the special session crashed and burned after 15 days of failed negotiations, leaving the state with no certain path to solving the one billion dollar fiscal cliff. Republican Representative Cameron Henry says Democratic Governor John Bel Edwards was unable to rally his people.

Henry says the governor failed to communicate exactly what he wanted, or how large of a shortfall that needed to be made up…

Cut 14 (10) “shortfalls.”

But Edwards is placing the blame on House Speaker Taylor Barras.

Cut 15 (10) “of leadership”

The state legislature went home after spending 15 days in a special session and failing to find a solution for the one billion dollar fiscal cliff. Political analyst Clancy Dubos says legislators spent a lot of taxpayer money for very little return.

The session is expected to cost the state nearly a million dollars, 50-to-60-thousand dollars a day.

Despite early reports of House leadership and the governor having a framework for a deal, negotiations collapsed once the session started. DuBos says the same partisan divides that tanked the February special session still exist going forward.

Cut 5  (11)  “of uncertainty.”

A south Louisiana lawmaker thinks he has a solution for the state’s budget woes. It involves legalizing marijuana. Kelley Ray has more…

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Kelley Ray.”

Louisiana drivers are getting a bit of a break with falling gas prices over the last few weeks. The statewide average for regular unleaded gas is $2.33 a gallon, but Triple A’s Don Redman says drivers typically aren’t concerned as long as gas stays below $2.75 a gallon, which will translate to a lot of traveling this year…

Cut 12 (06) “this summer.”

This year’s post special session blame game is revving up after the legislature failed to solve the fiscal cliff. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 3 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

The state legislature went home after spending 15 days in a special session and failing to find a solution for the one billion dollar fiscal cliff. Political analyst Clancy Dubos says legislators spent a lot of taxpayer money for very little return.

Cut 4  (07) “… nothing.” 

Baton Rouge Representative Edmond Jordan is seeking to introduce a bill that would legalize the recreational use of marijuana and set up a way to tax the sale of cannabis.

Colorado, the first state to legalize marijuana, pulled in nearly 200-million-dollars in taxes, while Washington State is expected to bring in over 700-million-dollars between 2017 and 2019.  California could make upwards of 1.4-billion-dollars by 2021.  Jordan proposes a tax rate similar to cigarettes, which is $1.08 per pack.  Jordan says if Louisiana were to legalize pot, it wouldn’t give citizens the right to smoke it whenever they want to

Cut 8 (10) “manner possible.”

Louisiana drivers are getting a bit of a break with falling gas prices over the last few weeks. The statewide average for regular unleaded gas is $2.33 a gallon, but Triple A’s Don Redman says Earlier this year, the projection was for $3.00 a gallon in Louisiana, but Redman says the increase won’t be as much as first thought…

Cut 11 (10) “a gallon.”

Legislators waived the white flag on the special session. Matt Doyle looks at how much it cost taxpayers for lawmakers to do nothing towards fixing a one billion dollar shortfall…

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Louisiana drivers are getting a bit of a break with falling gas prices over the last few weeks. The statewide average for regular unleaded gas is $2.33 a gallon, but Triple A’s Don Redman says don’t get too comfortable with these lower prices as we move into the warmer months…

Cut 10 (10) “grade gasoline.”

Baton Rouge Representative Edmond Jordan is seeking to introduce a bill that would legalize the recreational use of marijuana and set up a way to tax the sale of cannabis. Jordan says this legislation could help with the state’s constant budget deficits…

Cut 7 (09)  “right now.”

Leaders from both sides are pointing fingers after the special session crashed and burned after 15 days of failed negotiations, leaving the state with no certain path to solving the one billion dollar fiscal cliff. Republican Representative Cameron Henry says Democratic Governor John Bel Edwards was unable to rally his side.

Cut 13 (11)  “black caucus”

The Pelicans put their eight-game winning streak on the line tonight when they visit the Los Angeles Clippers. New Orleans has put itself in position to host an NBA playoff series with this long winning streak. After being named the Western Conference Player of the Month, Anthony Davis was named Western Conference Player of the Week as he averaged 34 points a game in three contests.

LSU pitcher Zack Hess was named national player of the week by Collegiate Baseball. Hess struck out a career-high 13 hitters last Friday in a win over Toledo. The Tigers will host Southern University tonight.

Louisiana Tech’s Matt Miller has been named as the Conference USA Pitcher of the Week. Miller pitched seven strong innings and gave up just one unearned run on five hits in the Bulldogs four to two victory over nationally ranked Texas A-and-M. Tonight, the Bulldogs host Grambling State. 

Also tonight, Northwestern State is at 10th ranked Texas A-and-M. Southeastern hosts Toledo and Sacred Heart is at Nicholls.

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The NFL Network reports the Seahawks are not expected to re-sign tight end Jimmy Graham before free agency starts on March 14th. A source says the Saints would have some interest in bringing Graham back to New Orleans. The 31-year-old caught 10 touchdown passes last season.

NFL teams have been told the salary cap for next season will be 177-million dollars, a nine million dollar increase from the 2017 season. The Saints will reportedly have 30-million dollars in cap space, but that doesn’t include the signing of former Panthers safety Kurt Coleman.

At the NFL combine, former LSU cornerback Donte Jackson ran the 40 in 4.32 seconds. The 40 time record at the combine was set last year by John Ross. The eventual first round pick of the Bengals ran a 4.22.

Nicholls Richie Riley has been named the Southland Conference Coach of the Year. Newcomer of the Year is Roddy Peters, defensive player of the year is Southeastern’s Marlain Veal. 

And in the Sun Belt, the Cajuns Bob Marlin has been named coach of the year. UL-Lafayette’s JaKeenan Gant is Defensive Player of the Year, while ULM’s Michael Ertel is the Freshman of the year.

Governor John Bel Edwards was hopeful that legislators would find a way to come up with nearly one-billion-dollars to cover the loss of a one-cent sales tax on June 30^th. Today, he was sadly disappointed as both the House and Senate informed him they were at a stalemate and agreed to finalize the special session two days early. The Governor in a press conference was already hinting at another special session…

(CUT 26) (11) “the 4^th.”

Metairie Republican Representative Cameron Henry says the Governor called this special session without much forethought. Henry says to put the blame for this failure on the Democratic Party…

(CUT 28) (11) “black caucus.”

The Corps of Engineers is recommending opening the Bonnet Carre Spillway just outside of New Orleans this Thursday as Mississippi River levels are expected to steadily rise after several weeks of intense rains in the Midwest. Colonel Michael Clancy says the Mississippi is getting close to topping the New Orleans levee system.

Cut 15 (08) “designed for”

The river is currently at 14 feet. Once it reaches 15 feet, recreation and work near the levees will be restricted.

Another cold front will bring back cooler temperatures to Louisiana this week. Pierre C. Shadeaux, Louisiana’s rodent weather forecaster predicted an early end to winter back on ground hog day, but State Climatologist Barry Keim says the nutria’s prediction was premature.

Cut 12 (10) “of year.”

Temperatures will rebound somewhat by this coming weekend.

After over two weeks of bickering, name calling and passing the buck, The Louisiana legislature on both sides informed the Governor they were going home without a plan in place to raise taxes to bridge a one billion dollar budget deficit. New Orleans Democratic Representative Walt Leger says he is truly disappointed they couldn’t find a way to end the stalemate…

(CUT 29) (06) “consequences are.”

Governor Edwards has said if no compromise was found, TOPS education funding, health care and several other services would be drastically cut. Baton Rouge Democratic Representative Denise Marcelle said all this session did was cost a lot money…

(CUT 30) (09) “political games.”

The one-cent sales tax will fall off the books the end of June, causing the shortfall.

Now that it’s over, Metairie Republican Representative Cameron Henry says the Governor called this special session without much forethought and blames Edwards’ own party on not getting the budget gap fixed.

(CUT 28) (11) “black caucus.”

Political analyst Clancy Dubos says the same partisan divides that tanked the February Special Session will still exist going forward.

(CUT 27) (11) “of uncertainty.”

Once the regular session starts next Monday March 12^th, no tax bills will be able to be discussed. Governor John Bel Edwards is expected to speak on the failure of the special session later today.

The special session came to an end with legislators unable to come to an agreement on how to generate revenues to address a looming one-billion dollar shortfall. The special session must end by midnight Wednesday night, but Jonesboro Representative Jack McFarland says it’s disappointing they couldn’t come to an agreement on a plan to address the fiscal cliff…

cut 5 (05) “…the public”

This is the 15th day of the special session and each state cost Louisiana 50 to 60-thousand dollars a day.

The rising Mississippi River has led to a recommendation by the U-S Army Corps of Engineers to open the Bonnet Carre Spillway to take the pressure off the New Orleans levee system. The spillway diverts river water into Lake Ponchartrain and Colonel Michael Clancy says it could see an extended tour of duty….

cut 14 (10) “….longer”

Cameron Parish authorities have new information on the severed head found in a ditch alongside Highway 27. Kelley Ray has more…

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Kelley Ray”.

Rayne Police say they plan on arresting several suspects involved in the shooting of an 11-year-old girl. The child was shot in the leg and was treated and released at a local hospital. Authorities say the girl was an innocent bystander in a gunfight involving multiple people on Sunday afternoon.

There’s a lot finger pointing going as the special session to address a billion dollar shortfall is close to collapsing. Democrats are crying foul on promises made and promises broken. Minden Representative Gene Reynolds is the chairman of the Democratic Caucus…
cut 4 (11) “…things changed”
But Republican House Speaker Taylor Barras says the governor was unwilling to pass any spending reduction measures and was insistent on just tax increases to replace the expiring sales taxes.

Parts of Louisiana could see some strong thunderstorms as a cold front invades the bayou. State Climatologist Barry Keim says expect the weather to take a turn this afternoon.
Cut 10 (08) “high winds.”
The strong storms will not reach south Louisiana until late tonight or early tomorrow morning.

The Corps of Engineers is recommending opening the Bonnet Carre Spillway just outside of New Orleans this Thursday as Mississippi River levels are expected to steadily rise after several weeks of intense rains in the Midwest. Colonel Michael Clancy says if the spillway is not opened, New Orleans could get swamped.
Cut 13 (10) “unnecessary risk”
The Bonnet Carre is expected to be operated at half capacity.

Cameron Sheriff Ron Johnson says investigators have determined a severed head found last week along Highway 27 is that of a woman between the ages of 25 and 40 years old. They also say there was no apparent trauma to the skull. It appears there was a lot of dental work that had been performed and Johnson hopes it will be easy for forensics at the LSU FACES lab to identify the victim through dental records…
Cut 8 (06) “this point.”