Despite a flurry of votes in the final minutes of the special session, including a bill that increases the state’s four-cent sales tax by a penny, Louisiana is still facing a 30-million dollar deficit for this fiscal year and a shortfall that could be as much as 800-million dollars next fiscal year. Democratic Governor John Bel Edwards says lawmakers could have done a better job…:
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Edwards says another special session is possible in mid-June.

Entergy reports about 5400 people statewide are without power this morning, including 3,000 in East Baton Rouge Parish. Heavy rainfall will continue to pound Louisiana into Saturday morning. State Climatologist Barry Keim says the northern part of the state was hit with thunderstorms and floods, but now the system should shift down into central and southern Louisiana today and Friday:
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Today the original teddy bear, Louisiana’s black bear, will be formally removed from the endangered species list during a press conference at the Tensas National Wildlife Refuge. Halen Doughty has the story…:
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