Governor John Bel Edwards was a surprise visitor at today’s House Republican delegation retreat in New Orleans. Edwards says he spoke to legislators about the looming fiscal cliff as the state is facing a one-point-one billion dollar budget deficit. The governor says the state can make up that revenue by removing dozens of sales tax exemptions….
cut 9 (08) “…the problem”
Edwards says it’s his goal not to raise taxes, but some republican legislators say eliminating tax breaks is a tax increase.

The St. Landry Parish Sheriff’s Office is trying to figure out how two bodies ended up in Lake Dubbisson near Ville Platte. Sheriff Bobby Guidroz says they are working with Alexandria Police, because they believe 30-year-old Anthony Michael Murray of Rapides Parish kidnapped 21-year-old Lia Ali Kazan in a motel parking lot…
Cut 3 (05) “it together.”
Autopsies on the bodies will be conducted tomorrow.

The Assumption Parish Sheriff’s Office says they’ve arrested and fired one of their deputies after he allegedly wrecked his patrol car while driving intoxicated early this morning. Commander Lonny Cavalier says authorities responded to calls of a vehicle in a ditch and it turned out to be 22-year-old Deputy Joseph Edward Repp of Pierre Part.
Cut 11 (11) “careless operation”
Cavalier says Repp blew a .09 on the breath test, which is just above the legal limit.

A Boutte (Boo-tee) man says his dog saved his life from a house fire over the weekend. Calvin Baldwin says he was exhausted after coming home from the High School Football State Championship games in New Orleans and fell asleep on his couch.
Cut 6 (12) “the house”
He says the fired started as a result of an electrical spark.