Amid investigations into Louisiana State Police’s travel spending, Superintendent Col. Mike Edmonson announces his retirement, effective March 24. Edmonson says he wouldn’t have done anything differently because problems are always going to arise.

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Edmonson says he will work with the governor and his successor to make the transition as smooth as possible.

The state’s credit rating has been downgraded for the third time since February of last year. The dip comes as a result of continued financial uncertainty, and it will make it more expensive for the state to borrow money for highway construction. Governor Edwards says the downgrade demonstrates the need for structural tax reform in the regular session.

Four people are dead and another critically injured in Metairie, and police are still trying to piece together what happened. Police say three of the deceased victims and one wounded were found with gunshot wounds in an apartment, and another victim with a stab wound to the head was discovered in a different unit in the complex. Jefferson Parish Sheriff Newell Normand says it’s too early to speculate about what exactly happened.

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The victims are identified as Kyle Turner of Laplace, and John Henry, Rosemary Charles, and Harold Frisard of Metairie.

Bars on Bourbon Street will not have to close their doors at 3 am. The proposal has been tabled by New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu, but he still plans to tighten security in the city. French Quarter Business League president Alex Fein says they are encouraged by the other recommendations to make New Orleans safer.

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