Lawmakers have until 6:00 tonight to approve a spending plan for next fiscal year, or they’ll have to do it in a special session that would begin at 6:30. La-politics-dot-com publisher Jeremy Alford says legislators also must pass a bill that finances construction projects…
cut 14 (11) “…construction budget”

More mosquitos are possible as a result of all of the rain that has fallen across the state over the last week. LSU Ag Center Entomologist Kristen Healy says while we haven’t seen local transmission of the Zika Virus yet, that’s still a possibility….
cut 7 (110 “…as well”
Healy recommends taking the proper precautions from getting bitten by a mosquito.

Governor John Bel Edwards signed into law a measure to allow video poker machines to accept 100 dollar bills, up from the current law of only 20 dollars. Video Poker Lobbyist Alton Ashy says the main reason for the legislation is convenience…:
Cut 3 (10) “dollar bill”
Critics argued this could fuel gambling addiction.

The Trump Administration recognizes Louisiana as one of the toughest states on fighting Medicaid fraud. Chief of Staff with the Louisiana Department of Health Andrew Tuozzolo says they’re doing everything they can to prevent, detect, and prosecute fraud. He says the US Inspector General reviewed 225 cases of suspected fraud in Louisiana…:
Cut 9 (09) “the referrals”
Louisiana was one of only four states to pass this audit since 2014.