Governor John Bel Edwards is expected to call for a special legislative session very soon, possibly today. Jeremy Alford, with la-politics-dot-com, says Republicans in the legislature are pushing the governor to include in the call, opportunities where significant budget cuts can be made…

cut 5 (09) “as well”

Republican legislators have expressed interest in making cuts that go beyond what Governor Edwards has suggested.

The Republican Party of Louisiana has launched their “Red to the Roots” campaign to register new conservative voters across the state. Executive Director Jason Dore believes this effort will not only help the GOP in this year’s presidential and US Senate elections, but in future elections as well…

cut 8 (10) “for then”

He says the party will spend $2 million on the campaign.

The first Democrat has thrown her hat in the upcoming US Senate race and it’s New Orleans lawyer Caroline Fayard. Pollster Bernie Pinsonat says Fayard’s chances of winning would be increased if she’s the only major democrat in the race…

cut 14 (07) “for her”

Fayard unsuccessfully ran for Lt. Governor in 2010.

Everyone knows Mardi Gras festivities are huge in New Orleans, but southwest Louisiana has some great celebrations of their own. Meghan Hartman with the Lake Charles Southwest Convention and Visitors Bureau says Lake Charles has the second biggest Mardi Gras in the state. She says they’re proud of the fact their parades are family friendly…

cut 10 (10) “there’s parades”

Hartman says every year the festivities get bigger and bigger in southwest Louisiana.