The carnival season ramps up this weekend with parades all across the state. Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says New Orleans is the focal point for Mardi Gras, but the entire state benefits from an influx of tourists who want to be a part of the celebration.
Some areas of the state tomorrow could see a couple of inches of rain.
Congress approved a spending bill that reopened the federal government after a brief shutdown over the night. Senator John Kennedy voted against the bill, saying the spending increases are not paid for.
Kennedy was joined in voting no by Senator Bill Cassidy, and Representatives Cedric Richmond, Mike Johnson, and Garret Graves. Representatives Ralph Abraham, Clay Higgins, and Steve Scalise voted yes.
Today is the deadline for Governor John Bel Edwards to call a February special session to address the fiscal cliff. The governor said he would not call the session without an agreement in principle on a fiscal cliff deal, but LAPoltics.com publisher Jeremy Alford says the governor is being pushed to call the session.
According to the Tax Foundation, Louisiana’s combined state and local sales tax rate is the highest in the country.
A 27-year-old Mansura man was arrested for distribution of child pornography on Wednesday. Dustin Novo is being held at the Avoyelles Parish Detention Center. State Police spokesperson Scott Moreau is encouraging anyone with information to report it authorities.