The state’s fiscal situation is worse than previously thought, according to Jay Dardenne, who is the budget architect for Governor-elect John Bel Edwards. Dardenne says the revenue shortfall for this fiscal year has grown to 750-million dollars, thanks to a drop in oil prices and a slump in corporate income taxes…

cut 12 (08) “calendar year”

Dardenne projects the budget shortfall for next fiscal year at 1-point-9 billion dollars, and everything is on the table to address this situation, including higher taxes.

A Labadieville teenager is charged with negligent homicide in an accidental shooting death. Assumption Parish Sheriff Mike Waguespak says their investigation determined that 18-year-old Jamal Starks was playing with a gun when it went off, striking 17-year-old Dronald Washington in the head. Waguespack says it is now up to a grand jury to determine how they will move forward with this case…

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Waguespack says this is a prime example of why no one should ever play with guns.

LSU running back Leonard Fournette rushed for 212 yards and scored five touchdowns in the Tigers 56-27 win over Texas Tech in last night’s Texas Bowl. Coach Les Miles hopes this victory over the Red Raiders is the sign of things to come in 2016…

cut 4 (12) “bountiful way”

The win gives LSU a 9-3 record for 2015.

Governor Bobby Jindal has issued a state of emergency due to the imminent threat of flooding along the Mississippi and Red Rivers. Heavy rainfall over the last 30 days has led to rapidly rising river levels on both waterways.