The first bills that bring in revenue have been speeding through the Louisiana House much faster than originally thought. Lawmakers are trying to stave off cuts to higher ed and healthcare. Among the bills passed today, a 32-cent tax increase on a pack of cigarettes. The author of the measure is Bogalusa Representative Harold Ritchie and he says it will generate 68-million dollars that can go towards health care costs…:
CUT 13 (10) “where I want it”
The bill passed 77-27 and most of the bills are also passing by large margins.

The Terrebonne Parish Sheriff’s Office arrests a Thibodaux man who allegedly shot a four year old in the neck with a pellet gun after the child stuck his tongue out at him. They say 22-year-old Darrin Rideaux claimed he thought the weapon was not loaded. He is booked this morning on one count of negligent injuring. The child was treated and released.

Lt. Governor Jay Dardenne fired the first shot in the Louisiana Governor’s race. Dardenne called US Senator David Vitter an absentee Senator after he apparently missed a vote while drinking beer with New Jersey Governor Chris Christie in Baton Rouge. Political analyst Clancy Dubos says things are about to get rolling…:
CUT 7 (11) “at each other”

It didn’t take long for a team to pick up former Tiger La’el Collins as it’s reported the Cowboys get him on a 3 year $1.65 million dollar contract. The offensive lineman was never a suspect in the murder of his ex-girlfriend Brittney Mills who was murdered at 8 months pregnant on April 24th, but the case was enough to keep him from being drafted. Baton Rouge Police Corporal Don Coppola says they are still actively working on this investigation…:
CUT 11 (06) “violent crimes unit”