Governor John Bel Edwards has declared a state of emergency for 7 parishes that sustained damage as a result of Tuesday’s severe weather outbreak. St. John the Baptist, St. James and Assumption were some of the hardest hit parishes. Assumption Emergency Preparedness Director John Boudreaux says crews from the state are assessing damage from the storm.
Two people were killed when a tornado hit an RV park in Convent.
About 2 thousand college students were on the steps of the state capitol this afternoon expressing their frustrations over budget cuts. Higher education could be on the chopping block in light of a massive budget deficit. Governor John Bel Edwards spoke to the crowd and said to the students that they all have to work together to make their voices heard, because that’s the way things are going to get done:
The House Appropriations Committee approved a bill that would cut 117 million dollars from this fiscal year’s budget, which is 87 million dollars more than what Governor John Bel Edwards recommended. Baton Rouge Representative Patricia Smith agrees with the governor that these cuts are way too deep.
Smith was particularly upset over a $44 million cut to K through 12 public education.
State Police are investigating a deadly shooting in Baton Rouge involving several East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s deputies. Deputies were reportedly responding to a domestic disturbance. Sheriff Sid Gautraux said it’s possible the man involved was trying to commit suicide by cop when he tried ramming the deputies with his vehicle. Troop A spokesman Bryan Lee says troopers were asked to investigate, as is typical protocol with officer involved shootings…:
Lee says witnesses reported that the subject had been threatening to kill himself all day.