The Revenue Estimating Conference is meeting at this hour to get more exact figures on what Louisiana is looking at budget wise when it comes to the deficit. The previous speculation on the current year shortfall had been $30 million, but staff determined today that it’s actually around $66 million. For the budget year that begins July 1st, the projected deficit is around $750 million dollars.

The total number of parishes that have been declared federal disaster areas has climbed to 23, after 16 more parishes were added to the list. Jeff Palermo has the story…:
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The National Weather Service is concerned about potential flooding along two major rivers in the northern half of the state. Hydrologist CS Ross says now all the rain they saw in northwest and northeast Louisiana has to go somewhere..:
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He says last week’s rain event produced almost 27 inches of rain near Monroe.

State officials are urging motorists traveling the state today to log on to 511la.org to check the status of road closures as many are under water and alternate routes need to be taken. I-10 at the Louisiana/Texas border is closed due to flooding on the Sabine River.

The Advocate reports that the West Feliciana Parish Coroner confirmed south Louisiana serial killer Derrick Todd Lee died of heart disease. Lee, who is linked to at least seven deaths, died January 21st after being taken off death row at Angola to be treated at a hospital, according to the Department of Corrections.