We’re a week away from the swearing-in of Democrat John Bel Edwards as the state’s next governor. Jeff Palermo has the story…

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Monroe Police have arrested a man following a stabbing Sunday morning. They say 30-year-old Daniel Walters and another man were involved in a physical altercation when the stabbing occurred. Authorities say Walters admitted to fearing for his life when he pulled a pocket knife and stabbed the other man five times in self defense. The victim was transported to an area hospital for treatment of his injuries. Walters is charged with attempted second degree murder.

We learned last week that Louisiana is facing a $750 million deficit this fiscal year and another $1.9 billion next fiscal year. Council for a Better Louisiana President Barry Erwin says it seems almost inevitable that the legislature will have to raise some new revenues to tackle the deficit. Erwin says the legislature should take a broad-based approach in finding a permanent solution to the budget problems…

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He says lawmakers have a lot of options when it comes to raising revenues, like raising sales, income, gasoline, and “sin” taxes.

As river levels are expected to crest later this month at a historically high level for the winter months at Vicksburg and Natchez, the Corps of Engineers is scheduled to begin emergency operations on the Mississippi River. The Mississippi River reached an all-time high water level in 2011 and Fifth Louisiana Levee District President Reynold Minsky says they learned a lot from that event, which is helping them this time around…

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