The Revenue Estimating Conference – the state panel that figures out how much money the state has, will have and will need – has upped the fiscal outlook for the current year by $350-million. Chief Legislative Economist Deborah Vivien says it’s due to better-than-expected tax collections. But, she says, she expects a drop next year…:

CUT 04(09)      “economic influences.”

Revenue estimates for the fiscal year that starts in July are also up; by $100-million.

Here’s another story on gasoline prices: the statewide average for regular gas has hit $4 again. There was a 14-cent jump in just 7 days. Louisiana AAA fuel expert Don Redman says that reflects a recent 10-percent jump in crude oil…:

CUT 09  (09)        “…production of crude…”

He says if you can budget for gasoline, budget for $4-a-gallon though the summer.

Pineville cops arrest a man today for yesterday’s shooting inside a Walgreen’s drug store. Two victims sustained minor injuries. 19-year-old Bryson Brosette is charged with attempted murder.

A Caddo Parish teen is under arrest for threatening to shoot up Donnie Bickham Middle School in Shreveport. The teen boy made the threats on social media Sunday. It didn’t take long to identify the culprit and round him up.

A state Wildlife & Fisheries agent is hailed as a hero, after rescuing 9 people from a sinking pleasure boat off the coast of Grand Isle Saturday. LDWF spokesman Adam Einck says one of them – a little girl – was trapped under the capsized boat, so Sgt Stephen Rhodes dove in..:

CUT 07  (11)        “…breathing again.”

The girl is going to be OK.