Residents living in central Louisiana are keeping a close eye on the Red River as its expected to crest at its highest level in over 30 years. Avoyelles Parish Director of Homeland Security Joey Frank says there is a low spot in the levee at Brouillette and they’re using large sandbags to raise it a foot and a half. He says they’ve also raised the Vick levee 18 inches….
cut 15 (07) “…Monday morning”
Officials are asking motorists not to drive around barricades that have closed off roads because of high water.

A man suspected of stealing a generator from a home drowned as he tried to flee from the scene. LaFourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre says 37-year-old Michael Gonzales dropped the generator in the driverway and ran from a home in Golden Meadow after he was spotted by the homeowner. A witness says he saw Gonzales jump into a bayou and his body was recovered later that day.

Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne says his office will announce next week how much of a cut higher education and health care will receive as a result of a 70-million dollar deficit for this fiscal year. Dardenne says unfortunately these two areas are on the chopping block, because cuts have already been made to other state agencies…
cut 11 (09) “…those out”
And Dardenne says public colleges have already received a 28-million dollar loss in funding this fiscal year, because the state ran out of money to pay for TOPS scholarships.

Baton Rouge Mayor Kip Holden says he is almost 100% sure he’ll run for the 2nd Congressional District seat in the fall. The seat is currently held by US Representative Cedric Richmond. Political analyst Clancy Dubos….
CUT 3 (05) “for Holden”
An official announcement from Holden is expected next month.