The special session called to address the state’s budget crisis must end on Wednesday. Higher cigarette and alcohol taxes have advanced, and there are also measures on the table to raise the state sales tax. Governor John Bel Edwards is hopeful that the House approves legislation today that will call for businesses paying higher taxes…:
CUT 7 (07) “greater extent”
It’s estimated that lawmakers are about 150 to 200 million dollars short of what is needed to fill the budget hole for the fiscal year that ends June 30th.

New Orleans native Peyton Manning is announcing his retirement today after 18 seasons in the NFL and two Super Bowl championships. Nelson Stewart, Manning’s high school teammate and current head coach at Isidore Newman, says Manning’s Super Bowl 50 victory is a fitting way to end his NFL career…:
CUT 9 (05) “Hall of Fame career”
Manning holds over 20 NFL records, including career passing yards and passing touchdowns, most game-winning drives and most comeback wins.

Louisiana is bracing for a wet work week as the national weather service says another storm system is headed this way, expected to arrive tomorrow. Brandi Hughes, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Shreveport, says northwestern Louisiana may see up to 10 inches of rain. She says a low pressure system will push a lot of moisture into the state…:
CUT 4 (04) “as well”
A flash flood watch has been issued for 23 parishes, mostly on the western side of the state. The Storm Prediction Center has placed a portion of south LA under a “marginal risk” for severe weather tomorrow, and slight risk on Wednesday.

The state’s high court has overturned a 2002 conviction of a Louisiana death row inmate accused in the death of a 16-year-old pizza delivery driver near Baton Rouge. They said prosecutors didn’t turn over evidence in the case that would undermine the conviction of Michael Weary.