The revenue shortfall for next fiscal year has been lowered from 994 million dollars to 648-million dollars. The Revenue Estimating Conference confirmed that new budget deficit number after hearing the state has received an increase in personal income taxes, because of changes to federal tax laws. But state legislators are still faced with cutting 648-million dollars for the budget that begins July first. House Speaker Taylor Barras says a House vote on next year’s budget is expected next week…
cut 7 (07) “….next Thursday”
It’s unclear if the Senate will accept a budget that contains 648-million dollars in cuts. If they don’t, a special session would be necessary to raise revenues to cover up the budget gap.

A Shreveport police officer was shot in the wrist and another woman was seriously injured in a standoff today in the Caddo Heights neighborhood. Authorities say a man suspected in the shootings has surrendered and he was not injured. The officer who was shot is expected to be okay.
Legislation that would prohibit smoking inside bars and casinos statewide failed to get out of the House Health and Welfare Committee today. Jim Shannon has more..
Cut 2 (30) “I’m Jim Shannon”

A Lafayette family has come forward to claim its 56-million dollar Powerball jackpot prize. Louisiana Lottery spokesperson Kim Chopin says the mother of the family has been playing the lottery for years and their tax attorney says the family is deserving of their new found fortune…
cut 9 (08) “….their lives”