The tax on cigarettes legislation has been sent to a conference committee to work out the differences between the House and Senate. The House version is an increase of 68 cents, while the Senate amended the bill up to $1.08 a pack. Monroe representative Jay Morris agrees on the need for a tax…
CUT 10 (08) Q: “good tax policy”

A Baton Rouge federal judge has ordered the unconditional release of 68-year-old Albert Woodfox, the last member of the Angola 3. He’s spent over 40 years in solitary for the 1972 killing of an Angola prison guard. Amnesty International’s Jasmine Heiss…
CUT 3 (07) “to do so”
The 5th Circuit Court Court of appeals has granted a stay requested by Attorney General Buddy Caldwell, that will keep Woodfox in jail for at least the next couple of days.
==========================
The Red River has finally hit its crest of 37 feet, causing widespread flooding in Northwest Louisiana. Over 300 structures and nearly 40 roads have been affected so far, and now areas downriver are preparing for their turn…
CUT 7 (11) Q: “Louisiana”
That’s National Weather Service Hydrologist CS Ross.

An Alexandria Tattoo shop shooting has left a man dead, and the other facing murder charges. Alexandria Police Lt. Bruce Fairbanks says when officers where called they found 42 year-old John Williams shot and unresponsive. Forty-three year-old Damien Boyd of Alexandria was arrested…
CUT 14 (09) Q: ‘at this time’