Not much action at the State Capitol today as House members put off for another day votes on bills that would increase taxes on alcohol and cigarettes. A senate committee has also decided to wait until Thursday to approve its version of a budget cutting plan. Lawmakers have until March ninth to agree on a plan to close a 940-million dollar deficit for this fiscal year.

According to Bankrate-dot-com, Louisiana is the fifth worst state in the country for retirees. Bankrate’s Senior Analyst Claes Bell says the state’s high crime rate and poor healthcare quality are to blame. But Bell says the news isn’t all bad. He says retirees who live on an fixed income may find Louisiana a good state to spend their golden years…
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Bankrate ranked Wyoming as the best state for retirment and New York as the worst.

Education leaders are working on a plan to make sure more students apply for financial assistance to attend college. Michelle Southern has the story…
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The second former Marksville officer who is accused in the fatal shooting of a six-year-old boy could be released on bond as early as tomorrow. The attorney for 31-year-old Derrick Stafford says the paperwork is ready to be filed for Stafford to gain his release on a one-million dollar property bond. The other officer involved in the shooting, Norris Greenhouse Junior, was released on a one million dollar bond in November.