Today, the Senate Revenue and Fiscal Affairs committee is set to begin reviewing certain tax expenditures. Chairman JP Morrell says there are some exemptions, exclusions, rebates and refunds the state provides businesses and individuals that are ridiculous. He says these need to be combed through…:
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He says Louisiana gives about 400 tax exemptions, costing the state over 8-billion dollars in revenue.

Southeast Louisiana is at a high risk of Zika — a virus that is spread by a certain mosquito. Dr. Frank Welch with DHH says New Orleans is particularly vulnerable because of the large number of visitors that come from countries where the infection is prevalent. He says different agencies are coming together to protect the state from an outbreak…:
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Expect the legislature to address the controversial split playoffs in high school athletics. Jeff Palermo has the story…:
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ESPN’s Jeff Goodman is reporting what many have been saying all along — LSU freshman star Ben Simmons will hire an agent and head to the pros. Numerous experts say Simmons will likely be taken in the first or second round of the June 23rd, NBA draft.

Baton Rouge Zoo officials say two of their four giraffes died over the weekend. They say one had been suffering a chronic illness and the other was knocked down by another giraffe in the barn stall.

Lawmakers are back at it today and in the Senate Revenue and Fiscal Affairs committee room, legislators will review hundreds of tax exemptions, exclusions, rebates and refunds provided by Louisiana to businesses and individuals. Chairman JP Morrell of New Orleans says some of these credits are ridiculous…:
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Morrell says the state cannot afford to give away money and the credits or exemptions that are deemed unnecessary.

The Department of Children and Family Services is opening disaster assistance locations today to help residents who were impacted by flooding. Officials have been working to make sure these spots are set to handle the thousands of people who have already pre-registered for DSNAP benefits. The program is only for those who need help buying food after the recent flood and who don’t already receive regular SNAP benefits and you can get details online at dcfs.la.gov.

Southeast Louisiana could be at an increased risk for the Zika virus, according to health officials. Emelie Gunn has more…:
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Lawmakers gave the green light to a medical marijuana bill last year, but you still can’t get it in Louisiana as participating agencies still work out how to make it happen. New Iberia Senator Fred Mills is trying to expand the legislation this year so that it would cover more illnesses. He says many Louisianians are waiting to get medical marijuana…:
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He says those people are even moving to other states where it’s legal.

The Senate Revenue and Fiscal Affairs Committee begins reviewing today the 400 tax exemptions given by the state to individuals and businesses. Halen Doughty has more…:
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Experts say southeast Louisiana is at a high risk of a Zika outbreak this summer. Dr. Frank Welch, with the Louisiana Department Health and Hospitals says state and local health officials are performing extensive surveillance…:
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It’s expected the legislature will get involved in the public versus private school split that’s impacted high school sports. River Ridge Representative Kirk Talbot has filed a bill that attempts to reverse the LHSAA’s decision to split its postseason in several sports. Talbot says the split is hurting high school athletics..:
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Schools around the state have been invited to join a new high school sports association that would NOT have a split playoff system.

Last year, the state legislature approved a bill that gives Louisiana residents legal access to medical marijuana, but it’s still not available in this state. The man who pushed for the legislation, St. Martin Parish Senator Fred Mills, says the department of agriculture along with a couple of other groups are still working on the details…:
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A Slidell Teacher has been arrested for allegedly having sexual contact with students. Emelie Gunn has more…
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A disaster recovery center opened today in Bossier City to help flood victims. It’s open seven days a week at the Bossier Parish Public Safety Complex on Shed Road. Several agencies are housed there to answer questions about disaster assistance and low-interest disaster loans.

The Red River is expected to crest Sunday night at a level that hasn’t been seen in over 30 years. Avoyelles Parish Director of Homeland Security Joey Frank says so far no homes have been flooded.
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Good news for motorists heading to Texas, Interstate 10 is now open in both directions at the Texas state line.

All the flood waters and recent rainfall could lead to more mosquitoes and heath officials are urging folks to make sure they are taking precautions. Dr. Frank Welch with the Department of Health and Hospitals says this is typical for this time of year, but the flooding makes it worse…:
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Welch says people need to remove standing water around their home to help lower the mosquito population.

Residents living in central Louisiana are keeping a close eye on the Red River as its expected to crest at its highest level in over 30 years. Avoyelles Parish Director of Homeland Security Joey Frank says there is a low spot in the levee at Brouillette and they’re using large sandbags to raise it a foot and a half. He says they’ve also raised the Vick levee 18 inches….
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Officials are asking motorists not to drive around barricades that have closed off roads because of high water.

A man suspected of stealing a generator from a home drowned as he tried to flee from the scene. LaFourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre says 37-year-old Michael Gonzales dropped the generator in the driverway and ran from a home in Golden Meadow after he was spotted by the homeowner. A witness says he saw Gonzales jump into a bayou and his body was recovered later that day.

Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne says his office will announce next week how much of a cut higher education and health care will receive as a result of a 70-million dollar deficit for this fiscal year. Dardenne says unfortunately these two areas are on the chopping block, because cuts have already been made to other state agencies…
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And Dardenne says public colleges have already received a 28-million dollar loss in funding this fiscal year, because the state ran out of money to pay for TOPS scholarships.

Baton Rouge Mayor Kip Holden says he is almost 100% sure he’ll run for the 2nd Congressional District seat in the fall. The seat is currently held by US Representative Cedric Richmond. Political analyst Clancy Dubos….
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An official announcement from Holden is expected next month.

Good news for motorists that need to travel to Texas. I-10 is open in both directions as all lanes have been re-opened, after flood waters covered the interstate on the Texas side of the highway. And the state will begin distributing disaster food stamps next week. Flood victims are encouraged to register now at DCFS’ website. To see if you qualify call 1-888-LA-HELP-

Rapides and Avoyelles Parish are preparing to protect themselves from flooding as the Red River is expected to crest at a level that hasn’t been seen in more than 30 years. Rapides Parish Homeland Security Director Sonya Wiley-Gremillion urges residents in the most flood prone areas to take action now and don’t wait until it’s too late.
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The Red River is expected to crest at Sunday night at 39.5 feet.

Baton Rouge Mayor Kip Holden says he’s fairly certain he’ll run for the 2nd Congressional District seat. Holden would challenge US Representative and fellow Democrat Cedric Richmond. Political analyst Clancy Dubos says Holden ran a good campaign when he ran for Lt. Governor last year, but he did not raise a lot of campaign money…
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Holden plans to make an official announcement next month.

Slidell Police have arrested a girls basketball coach at Slidell High for allegedly having sexual relations with students. Police Chief Randy Smith says there were several students in which 35-year-old Raymond Winzy exhibited inappropriate behavior with…
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Smith says police searched Winzy’s home and classroom and found nude photos and videos on multiple electronic devices.

The extensive flooding in Louisiana is raising concerns for a boom in the mosquito population. Halen Doughty reports health officials are concerned about the diseases carried by these pesky insects….
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The latest estimate on the number of homes damaged by flooding is over 11-thousand. That’s according to the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness.And  I-10 is back open in both direction at the Louisiana-Texas state line.

A now EX-Slidell High school teacher and girls basketball coach has been arrested for allegedly having sex with several of his students and possessing pictures and videos of the acts. Slidell Police Chief Randy Smith says 34-year-old Raymond Winzy is accused of dirty talking to his students then asking for pictures then sex. He says anyone threatening or bullying victims will be arrested…:
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Winzy faces several charges.

Baton Rouge Mayor Kip Holden is seriously considering a campaign to run against Second District Congressman Cedric Richmond of New Orleans. Political analyst Clancy Dubos says the term limited mayor would present a challenge for Richmond…
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Holden plans to make an official announcement next month.