Consumers will soon be paying an extra penny of sales tax as the revenue raising bill was signed into law by Governor John Bel Edwards Thursday. But Treasurer for the Society of Louisiana CPAs Gina Rachel says this won’t make much of a dent in your day-to-day shopping bill…:
Cut 14 (06) “additional penny”
Medicine, gas and food for your home are excluded from the “clean” penny which begins April 1st.

A Bossier City lawmaker files a bill that wouldn’t require church leaders to take part in same sex weddings if it goes against their beliefs. Representative Mike Johnson says this legislation is needed to ensure protection from the government…:
Cut 8 (08) “belief”
He says this is aimed to prevent courts and public officials from trampling on the first amendment right of freedom of religion, like they’re seeing around the country.

New Orleans Senator Wesley Bishop is co-sponsoring a bill that would create a plan to better assist pregnant high school students. Halen Doughty has more..:
CUT 1 (31) “I’m Halen Doughty”

The swelling Red River is now causing problems in Avoyelles Parish in Central Louisiana as some residents are seeing several inches of water creeping up to their homes with more on the way. Grant Parish officials also report that they are facing the worst disaster ever. The historic crest is also flooding Rapides. The Red is set to top out Sunday at 40.5 feet.