The 2017 Legislative session is officially underway in Baton Rouge. Governor John Bel Edwards spoke to lawmakers in a joint session and outlined what he hopes to see accomplished over the next two months. He said among his proposals, he wants to model Louisiana’s sales tax structure utilizing best practices from other states. He urged lawmakers to take a serious look at what we can do to better invest in our state’s roads — Increase minimum wage and support equal pay. And work to reduce the state’s highest-in-the-world incarceration rate. He says the most important thing they all must do, is work together…:
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He said he hopes politics and partisanship don’t blur the path to the goal. The session must end by noon on June 8th.

Gas prices are on the rise as the summer driving season approaches. AAA Fuel Analyst Don Redman says the statewide average of $2.19 is about 7 cents higher than the prior week which is typical for this time of year.
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Gas prices are at their highest level since January.

The father of the 6-year-old autistic boy killed by a Marksville deputy marshal has been arrested for allegedly trying to strangle his girlfriend. Chief Deputy Steven Martel with the Avoyelles Sheriff’s Office says they received a call Saturday about a domestic dispute between 26-year-old Christopher Few and his girlfriend.
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Few is charged with domestic abuse battery.