Opening arguments have concluded in Marksville in the Derrick Stafford trial. The former deputy marshal faces murder and attempted murder charges after he and another officer allegedly shot at a vehicle killing a 6-year-old boy and injuring his father. Loyola University Law Professor Dane Ciolino says the main issue is whether the shooting was justified..:
Cut 7 (05) “deadly force”
Governor John Bel Edwards is seeking to give the Louisiana tax system a facelift during the upcoming legislative session. Port Allen Senator Rick Ward supports the effort to repeal many business tax exemptions, so that large companies are paying taxes to the state, instead of getting a big refund.
Cut 14 (10) “pay something”
The idea will be discussed during the legislative session that begins three weeks from today.

U.S. Representative Garret Graves is frustrated over the length of time it’s taking when it comes to allocating federal flood relief dollars to homeowners who sustained damage. Graves says his anger is not about politics….
cut 13 (09) “…people are in”
A spokesperson for the governor’s office says they are still waiting for the federal government to release the flood aid to the state that was appropriated by Congress.

Spring is officially in the air, as the season kicked off at 5:29 this morning with the onset of the vernal equinox. State Climatologist Barry Keim says the Climate Prediction Center forecasts a hot and wet spring for Louisiana. He says that’s because of neutral conditions in the Pacific Ocean.
Cut 3 (10) “three months”