A tornado watch is in effect for 37 parishes spanning central to southeast Louisiana until 2 this afternoon. The National Weather Service says conditions are favorable for the development of thunderstorms capable of producing tornadoes.

A New Orleans lawmaker is going to try out equal pay legislation once again for the upcoming session. Last year, Senator JP Morrell heavily amended the measure which cleared the upper chamber but died in the House. He says the 2017 bill is exactly the way it left the Senate and includes language that covers both men and women in equal pay…:
CUT 5 (10) “be paid equally”
Senate Bill 2 would also give an employer 60 days to either refute an unequal pay allegation or to start paying the employee fairly.

Today Governor John Bel Edwards will deliver remarks at the Louisiana Municipal Association in Baton Rouge, then later before the state Rice Council in Jennings.

Governor Edwards has revealed his plans to present to lawmakers next week during the special session on dealing with a $304 million dollar midyear shortfall. Spokesman Richard Carbo says the proposal includes using the Rainy Day Fund…;
CUT 15 (10) “the budget”
The plan also includes cuts, the largest to the Department of Health.

The Louisiana Department of Education will host a public meeting tonight in Shreveport to discuss recommendations for the Caddo Parish School Board to improve long-struggling schools in the city. State Superintendent John White encourages the public to attend…:

cut 12 (09) “communities first”
He says a plan dealing with the future of these schools will be presented to BESE next month. The meeting takes place from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Peaceful Rest Missionary Baptist Church in Shreveport.