Governor John Bel Edwards has offered several options to the state legislature to address the state’s budget crisis, including a one cent sales tax increase. House Majority Leader, Republican Lance Harris of Alexandria, says the delegation is still studying the governor’s plan. He says House Republicans will work on their own plan to deal with the fiscal mess in the coming weeks…:
CUT 3 (08) “matches up”
Harris says he appreciates the governor being so candid about the budget numbers.

The New Orleans Police Department arrests the grandmother of a 3-year-old who was killed after a gun discharged from under a pillow while he was sleeping. Cops say 42-year-old Deonca Kennedy claimed she sleeps with the weapon and it went off striking the child in the chest early this morning. An NOPD news release indicates Kennedy was not cooperative with investigators and she was subsequently charged with Negligent Homicide, Second Degree Cruelty to a Juvenile and Child Desertion.

Slidell Police say a man was killed this morning after being struck by a train. Authorities say the unidentified victim was walking along the railroad traks when he was struck by a southbound freight train. The man was pronounced dead at the scene. The police investigation is in its initial stages.

A cop who worked with the St. John the Baptist Parish Sheriff’s Office is facing charges and was fired from his job for allegedly using a department fuel card on a non-police vehicle. 32-year-old Keith Carroll of LaPlace was charged with theft under $750 and malfeasance in office.

According to the personal finance website WalletHub, it costs less to smoke in Louisiana than in any other state. The report, The True Cost of Smoking By State, finds one resident in Louisiana spends about $24,000 a year in smoking-related costs. WalletHub spokeswoman Jill Gonzalez says it’s based on societal and economic factors…:
cut 7 (05) “on cigarettes”