A new report indicates abortions in the US have dropped to the lowest level since 1974, and Louisiana saw an 18-percent decline between 2011 and 2014. Guttmacher Institute researcher Rachel Jones says women are using better birth control methods, and other states have reduced access to abortions…:
CUT 11 (08) “in abortions”
She says in Louisiana, 29 percent of clinics closed during the study period.

Police in Kenner say a man is under arrest amid allegations he murdered and dismembered a roommate who was dating his ex girlfriend. They say the victim, 27-year-old Ivis Alexis Portales-Lara, went missing in November; and a month later only his arm was found off I-10 in St. John Parish. 44-year-old Viusqui Perez-Espinosa, who is from Cuba, is charged with second degree murder and obstruction of justice. More information is slated to be released during a 3pm news conference.

Several Republican in the state House say it would be a bad idea to use the Rainy Day Fund to reduce the state’s 313 million dollar mid-year budget deficit. Alexandria Representative Lance Harris, who chairs the House Republican Delegation, says the state has to stop dipping into the Rainy Day Fund every time it has budget troubles…:
Cut 6 (07) “problem”
But Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne says using the Rainy Day fund is necessary to soften cuts critical services like higher education and healthcare…:
CUT 7 (10) “very painful”
The governor’s special session is expected to begin in mid-February and conclude by the end of the month.