A special session will in fact take place next month so lawmakers can get together and decide how to close a $304 million dollar budget shortfall. Governor John Bel Edwards says he will not ask legislators to raise taxes, but he will recommend using 119-million dollars in money from the state’s rainy day fund in an effort to soften the cuts…:
cut 4 (09) “of Louisiana”
Edwards says he’ll present a budget slashing plan to the legislature by February sixth.

Louisiana is ranked as the third worst state in the country for online dating. Researcher for High-speed-internet Kaz Weida says part of the reason for the state’s high ranking, is Louisiana’s high crime rate….
cut 7 (08) “…a crime”
Washington D-C and Alaska were ranked ahead of Louisiana.

An Ascension Parish woman will spend five years in prison after pleading guility to driving while intoxicated with her 15-month old child on her lap. At the time of the arrest, deputies said Katherine Summerfield had a blood-alcohol level more than four times the legal limit to drive. Prosecutors say she was so drunk, authorities took her to the hospital.

The New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival announces the 2017 lineup and it includes Stevie Wonder, Tom Petty, Maroon 5, Snoop Dog, Dave Matthews and Harry Connick Jr. — just to name a few. Jazzfest producer Quint Davis says once again the event has something for everyone…:
cut 12 (09) “who’s an artist”
It all happens at the New Orleans Fairgrounds the last weekend in April and first weekend in May.