The Storm Prediction Center is calling for an enhanced risk for severe weather across north Louisiana today. State Climatologist Barry Keim hopes this is not a repeat of the devasting flooding that occurred three weeks ago…
cut 6 (11) “….heavy rainfall”
A flash flood watch is in effect until seven PM for much of north Louisiana.

A House committee approves legislation that would require women seeking an abortion to wait at least 72 hours before the procedure can be done after their initital meeting with the doctor. Current law calls for a 24-hour waiting period. Deanna Wallace with Louisiana Right to Life supports this measure…
cut 8 (10) “….that child”
The bill heads to the House floor for more discussion.

A new poll paid for by Rebuild Louisiana, which is a group that supports Governor John Bel Edwards, finds strong support among voters for some of the governor’s core initatives in this legislative session. That includes an increase to the state’s minimum wage. But ULM Political science professor Joshua Stockley says the republican-controlled legislature has a different stance…
cut 14 (09) “….to doing”
So far, lawmakers have yet to discuss raising the mininum wage to above eight dollars an hour in this session.

In two days, a higher state tax on alcohol goes into effect. Executive director of the Beer Industry League of Louisiana, John Williams, says unfortunately someone will have to absorb these costs, either consumers or alcohol retailers…
cut 11 (05) “….obviously”
The new state tax is expected to provide the state with an additional five million dollars in revenues through June 30th.