All hope appears lost that the state legislature will pass any tax measures in this special session to address a nearly one-billion dollar shortfall. A sales tax bill that would provide nearly 300-million dollars in revenues was defeated soundly for a second time last night. Jeremy Alford, the publisher of LA-politics-dot-com, was there for the vote

Cut 12 (09) “70 vote”

A bill to prohibit convicted felons from running for office has been pre-filed for the regular session by Metairie senator Conrad Appel. It’s already been passed once, but as Michael Farrar reports it’s back again.

Cut 1 (28) “I’m Michael Farrar.”

Bestschools.org has ULM as the only Louisiana college to be ranked in the 100 Best Online Colleges, coming in at number 58. Online Programs coordinator Katie Dawson says the wide range of degrees they offer through the internet is a large reason they get high marks…

Cut 6 (08)  “doctoral programs.”

The Louisiana School Board Association is asking the state legislature for an increase of 70-million-dollars to provide better school security and increase safety measures. LSBA Executive Director Scott Richard says the increase would allow schools to put their local funds to better use…

Cut 9 (12)  “local funding.”

Authorities are investigating the finding of a severed head in Cameron Parish. Jeff Palermo has more…

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”.

A tax bill that might have helped reach a deal to avoid the state’s fiscal cliff missed passage by only three votes on Friday. House Representative Rob (SHAD-UH-WIN) Shadoin had asked his fellow lawmakers to put aside party politics and vote for the legislation…

Cut 13 (06) “her people”

The opportunity for legislators to avoid the fiscal cliff is getting tight. Wednesday is the last day of the special session.

February’s rainfall in North Louisiana set a record going back to the 1870’s. Shreveport National Weather Service forecaster Matthew Duplantis says it’s no wonder the lakes, rivers and creeks are at or above flood stage…

Cut 11 (10) “zero inches.”

Duplantis says there’s so much water now in the area, experts are concerned the over saturated ground won’t be able to handle any more

A movie filmed in Louisiana might just win Oscar gold on Sunday night. “Mudbound” was filmed in New Orleans and St. James parish. Music superstar Mary J. Blige has two nominations, one for best supporting actress in the film and also for original song for “Mighty River” for the movie.
Blige recently performed live in concert on Valentine’s day in Baton Rouge and was given the key to the city. The singer and actress has sold 75 million records and already has a Grammy award. “Mudbound” is also nominated for best adapted screenplay. The Academy Awards ceremony will air live on the ABC network this Sunday evening.

A new report finds the majority of Louisiana’s young people are un-fit for military service. The Pentagon reports that over 70 percent of Americans aged 17 to 24 cannot join the United States military. The percentage in Louisiana is 75 percent. Admiral David Callahan says there are many reasons.
Cut 3 (:14) “another 3rd.”

That Pentagon report estimates that nationwide 26 million young Americans would not meet the requirements to serve in the United States military.
Iberia parish Sheriff Louis Ackal says Courtland Hall was shot and killed by 26-year-old Akeam Daniels. The sheriff says it was a crime of passion…

Cut 6 (11) “month old.”

Akeam Daniels is described as a black male, five-foot-ten, 155-pounds, with black hair and brown eyes.

The challenge state lawmakers face will continue over the weekend. Partisan bickering is complicating efforts to address a one billion dollar fiscal shortfall. Emotions ran high on Friday and a vote to pass a budget bill fell just three votes short of passing. Shreveport Representative Alan Seabaugh an outspoken critic of higher taxes spoke out against the legislation. Seabaugh says Louisiana residents are already paying higher taxes, because the federal tax overhaul changed Louisiana’s witholding tables, which means the state is collecting more tax money from its citizens

Cut 15 (11) “be doing”

The legislation would have increased state revenues by an 79-million dollars according to projections. Seabaugh says the measure is bad tax policy….

Cut 16 (11) “thank you”

And the Pelicans put their seven game winning streak on the line tomorrow night at Dallas.

A report says 75 percent of Louisiana’s young people are un-fit to serve in the military. Jim Shannon has the reaction from a retired Louisiana Marine General.

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Jim Shannon”

An income tax bill described as the linchpin towards reaching an overall deal towards closing a looming a one-billion dollar budget shortfall failed on the House floor on Friday. Ruston Representative Rob (SHAD_UH_WIN) Shadoin asked his colleagues to put aside party politics and vote for the legislation…

Cut 13 (06) “her people”

Lawmakers are schedule to reconvene the session on Sunday afternoon with hopes of resolving the state budget gap before the special session ends on Wednesday.

Authorities charged a Baton Rouge man with 300 counts of pornography involving juveniles. Raekwon Donzelle Reed, age 24, was booked in parish prison after a search of his West Wendover Drive home found several phones. Those phones found had videos and images of juveniles in sexual acts. The Advocate reports that Reed admitted knowing there was child pornography on his account for a file sharing website.

Shreveport National Weather Service forecaster Matthew Duplantis says there concerns about flooding in North Louisiana due to excessive rainfall. He says the rivers won’t have enough of a break before getting into the time of year when the most rain typically hits…

Cut 12 (06) “active weather.”

February’s rainfall in North Louisiana set a record going back to the 1870’s. Flood warnings remain in effect for the Mississippi river, the Ouachita river and Red Rivers until further notice.

The Louisiana House of Representatives will continue their struggle to avoid the tumbling off a fiscal cliff when they meet on Sunday afternoon at 5 pm. The weekend duty is a scramble to address a one billion dollar budget short fall. Failure to agree on a revenue solution will force severe budget cuts that could mean less money for TOPS, higher education, and hospitals. Shreveport Representative Barbara Norton made this plea during Friday’s session.

Cut 14 (09) “back home”

The special session ends on Wednesday.

Authorities are investigating the finding of a severed head in Cameron Parish. Jeff Palermo has more…

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”.

February’s rainfall in North Louisiana set a record going back to the 1870’s. Shreveport National Weather Service forecaster Matthew Duplantis says it’s no wonder the lakes, rivers and creeks are at or above flood stage…

Cut 11 (10) “zero inches.”

Duplantis says there’s so much water now in the area, experts are concerned the over saturated ground won’t be able to handle any more.

U.S. Senators Bill Cassidy and John Kennedy are among the lawmakers urging the Interior Department to expand offshore oil leasing in the Gulf of Mexico. A letter was drafted to the U.S. Interior Department Secretary Ryan Zinke to consider. The Outer Continental Shelf Draft Proposed Program plans leases from the 2019 to 2024.

The LSU baseball team dominated Toledo 8-1 last night meanwhile today the LSU men’s basketball team closes out its regular season as they host Mississippi State at noon.

The weekend is off to a good start for the LSU baseball team, who dominated Toledo 8-1 last night behind tremendous pitching from Zack Hess. The sophomore right-hander struck out a career-high 13 and did not walk a batter. Hunter Feduccia (fuh-DEW-shuh) hit a grand slam as the Tigers improved their record to 6-4. LSU faces Sacred Heart at the Box tonight as Caleb Gilbert looks for his first win of the season.

Big win for Louisiana Tech as the Bulldogs upset 10th ranked Texas A-and-M four to two in the Frisco College Classic. The Cajuns offensive problems continue as they lost 3-1 to Mississippi State. ULM edged Southern Illinois 5-4. Sacred Heart knocked off Southeastern Louisiana five to three, Ohio State doubled up Nicholls 6 to 3, Northwestern State edged Little Rock 6-5, and UTSA topped McNeese 1-0. Grambling crushed Prairie View 10-4.

The LSU men’s basketball team closes out its regular season at noon today as they host Mississippi State. The Bulldogs have won seven of their last ten as State has put themselves in position to receive an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament. The Tigers need to win in order to avoid having to play on the first day of the SEC Tournament. The Ragin Cajuns look to finish off the regular season with a perfect record at home as they host Arkansas Little-Rock. ULM needs a win to have a shot at getting a first round bye in the Sun Belt Tournament.

Nicholls and Southeastern Louisiana will play for the top seed in the Southland as the two teams will meet in Hammond. McNeese will host Lamar and a win for the Cowboys and they can lock up the final spot in the Southland Tournament.

And Grambling will win a SWAC title if they beat Alabama State. Louisiana Tech looks to end a three-game losing streak at Southern Miss. The Bulldogs are in 9th place in conference USA.
The Pelicans put their seven game winning streak on the line tomorrow night at Dallas.

An income tax bill that was designed to help close a one billion dollar shortfall failed in the House of Representatives. Shreveport Representative Alan Seabaugh an outspoken critic of higher taxes spoke out against the legislation. Seabaugh says Louisiana residents are already paying higher taxes, because the federal tax overhaul changed Louisiana’s witholding tables, which means the state is collecting more tax money from its citizens

Cut 15 (11) “be doing”

The legislation would have increased state revenues by an estimated 79-million dollars. Seabaugh says the measure is bad tax policy….

Cut 16  (11)  “thank you”

Legislators have less than a week to solve the budget shortfall. The special session ends March 7^th.

Having breaking a record for rainfall in Shreveport for the month of February, experts are concerned the over saturated ground won’t be able to handle any more. National Weather Service Forecaster Matthew Duplantis says the rivers won’t have enough of a break before getting into the time of year when the most rain typically falls…

Cut 12 (06) “active weather.”

Flood warnings remain in effect for the Mississippi, Ouachita and Red Rivers until further notice.

A Monroe woman who pleaded guilty to attempted first degree murder of Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Agent Tyler Wheeler was sentenced to a total of 120 years in prison. 32-year-old Amethyst Baird Rathore shot Wheeler during a traffic stop in Morehouse Parish last year leaving him for dead.   Rathore entered the guilty plea last October. There are three different sentences that will run concurrently.