Louisiana is facing yet another mid-year budget shortfall, this time $313 million dollars. Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne says they’ll have to look at cuts or revenue raising measures in a special session; and the picture of what could happen is grim..:
CUT 14 (12) “to accomplish”
A special session could happen next month.

Crowley Representative Jack Montoucet begins his duties today as the new Secretary of the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries. He says there are plans for how to deal with the controversial spending under former Secretary Robert Barham revealed in an audit…:
CUT 6 (08) “talked about”
He also says he plans to resolve issues with recreational fishermen over red snapper management; where former Secretary Charlie Melancon crashed.

The American Academy of Pediatrics has released new guidelines on kids’ media use. They say children 2-5 years shouldn’t be on TV, computers or tablets more than one hour per day. Ochsner Health Center Zachary Pediatrician Dr. Myriam Ortiz says parents of kids who are older than 6 should keep the media restrictions steady…:
Cut 8 (10) “type of media”
She says children younger than 18 months shouldn’t be exposed to digital media at all.

Three museums in Shreveport that were slated to be closed at the end of last year will still be around a few more weeks. State funding for the sites was supposed to be cut off December 31st due to budget constraints, but they’ve been grated approval to stay open through February. They are the Spring Street Museum; the Shreveport Water Works museum; and the Shreveport Railroad Museum.