A rare televised address to the public by a Louisiana governor will air live tonight at 6:30pm. The Revenue Estimating Conference issued a projection Wednesday indicating the state is looking at about an $850 million dollar shortfall in the current year, and about $2 billion for the budget that begins July 1st. UL Lafayette political science professor Pearson Cross says Governor John Bel Edwards and lawmakers have a tough road ahead…:
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He says Governor Edwards will express to the public the dire budget situation.

A bill that would let Louisiana citizens conceal carry a gun without a permit is set to be taken up in the regular legislative session. Baton Rouge Representative Barry Ivey has brought similar legislation in the past that didn’t get much discussion, but he feels there’s a better shot this year..:
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The regular session begins in March.

New Orleans Pelicans owners Tom and Gayle Benson issued a statement in response to the death of the wife of former Pels coach Monty Williams. 44-year-old Ingrid Williams died after being involved in a car crash in Oklahoma City. The Bensons say Ingrid will be remembered as one of the most generous, kind and humble individuals they’ve ever known. Monty Williams was the coach of the Pelicans for five seasons. He and Ingrid have five children.

Authorities say a man in Jefferson Parish was killed and another injured after an ambulance on a mechanic’s rack fell on top of them. The investigation is ongoing.

Burger King announces they’ll add hot dogs to their menu starting February 23rd. Jeff Palermo has more…:
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Fresh off his primary win in New Hampshire, Republican Presidential Candidate Donald Trump will hold a rally tonight at the Baton Rouge River Center. Political Analyst John Couvillion says new life has been breathed into Trump’s campaign, but to get the nomination, he’ll need to outperform Texas Senator Ted Cruz in the southern states…:
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The Louisiana Presidential Primary election is March 5th.

The alleged former north Louisiana children’s television host known as Mr. Wonder is set to go before a judge in San Diego today claiming he is not the accused predator authorities here are seeking. The man cops identify as Frank Selas III is wanted on charges that he sexually abused children during a 1970s camping trip in Rapides Parish. The man arrested at his California home last month claims they’ve got the wrong guy.

A Baton Rouge lawmaker has filed a bill for the regular session that seeks to change the state constitution to allow Louisiana residents to possess a concealed handgun without needing a permit. Republican State Representative Barry Ivey says this law would apply only to non-felon residents…:
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The proposed constitutional amendment would need two-thirds approval in the House and Senate and a majority vote from the public.

Burger King announces they’ll add hot dogs to their menu starting February 23rd. LSU Marketing Professor Dan Rice says McDonald’s just went to all day breakfast and this is Burger King’s way of opening a new market…:
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Burger King partnered with Oscar Mayer to create the hot dog.

Governor John Bel Edwards will address Louisiana citizens tonight to discuss the state’s historic budget deficit. This comes ahead of the special legislative session that begins Sunday, where lawmakers will have to come up with a plan to combat an 870-million dollar budget deficit. UL Lafayette political science professor Pearson Cross says this kind of speech is extremely rare…:
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The address will be aired at 6:30 pm on major television and radio stations.

The wife of former New Orleans Pelicans coach Monty Williams died after being involved in a crash in Oklahoma City. Authorities say a woman crossed the center line of a road and struck the vehicle driven by 44-year-old Ingrid Williams. The driver of the other car was killed, and Williams succumbed to her injuries Wednesday evening. Monty Williams was the Pelicans head coach for five seasons, and currently serves as an assistant coach with the Oklahoma City Thunder. He an Ingrid Williams have five children.

Republican Presidential candidate Donald Trump will host a rally tonight at the Baton Rouge River Center. Emelie Gunn has more on why Trump is making an appearance in the Bayou State…:
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Authorities say a man in Jefferson Parish was killed and another injured after an ambulance on a mechanic’s rack fell on top of them. The incident happened Wednesday evening at a hospital in Marrero. The investigation is ongoing.

A special session to address the state’s budget crisis begins Sunday, and state lawmakers have already started filing bills. One of the first proposed bills would increase the state tax on a pack of cigarettes another 22-cents per pack. West Monroe Representative Frank Hoffman says he’ll push for the tax increase but it is still important to make cuts to the current budget.

CUT 5 (06) “across the state.”

Governor John Bel Edwards will address the people of Louisiana about the state’s budget deficit on Thursday. The address will air at 6:30 pm on all major television and radio stations. ULM Political Science professor Joshua Stockley says this kind of public address from a governor is rare.

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Drive up ashes are becoming increasingly popular for people on Ash Wednesday. LSU Religious Studies professor Michael Pasquier says that some churches may have to accept that the members of the congregation have busy schedules.

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Louisiana’s budget problems are still getting worse. The deficit for this fiscal year has increased from 750 million dollars to 870 million dollars, according to the Revenue Estimating Conference. The legislature’s chef economist Greg Albrect says the state’s tax collections are being impacted by the lagging economy.

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Governor John Bel Edwards will give a special televised address to the people of Louisiana tomorrow night. Emelie Gunn has more on what the governor will say…

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Louisiana’s budget problems are getting worse. A special session that starts on Sunday and attempt to come up with a rebalanced budget that takes into account the huge shortfall. The administration’s chief economist Manfred Dix says the oil industry is not the only sector of our economy that’s struggling

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State lawmakers have started filing bills for the special session, and one of the first measures proposed would increase the state tax on a pack of cigarettes another 22-cents to $1.08 per pack. Last year lawmakers increased the tax on a pack of cigarettes by 50-cents. If the proposed bill passes, the tax will go into effect on April 1. West Monroe Representative Frank Hoffman says the state needs the additional money from the tax this year as Louisiana faces a huge deficit.

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Drive up ashes for people on this Ash Wednesday are becoming increasingly popular in our fast paced lives. LSU Religious Studies professor Michael Pasquier says, even though some people may be critical of the mobile ashing, this is something more churches are considering to cater to their members’ schedules…

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Governor John Bel Edwards will publicly address Louisiana residents about the state’s historic budget deficit. The Thursday night address will air at 6:30 on television and radio stations. ULM Political Science Professor Dr. Joshua Stockley says the governor is making an effort to restore the fiscal foundation of the state, without making major cuts to higher education and health care.

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Louisiana’s budget problems are getting worse. The Revenue Estimating Conference has revised the deficit for this fiscal year from 750-million to 870-million dollars. Low oil prices are to blame for the decline in revenue, but that’s not the only issue. The legislature’s chief economist Greg Albrecht says corporate tax collections are also weak…

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One of the first proposed bills for the special legislative session would raise the state tax on a pack of cigarettes to $1.08, an increase of 22-cents per pack. West Monroe Representative Frank Hoffman says this tax will generate more state revenue and could save money on long-term healthcare if the tax encourages people to quit smoking.

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Busy people looking to get their ashes on this Ash Wednesday now have a much faster option. Mobile ash distribution sites are becoming increasingly popular. LSU Religious Studies professor Michael Pasquier says that these drive up ashes are a response to fast-paced lifestyles…

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Louisiana’s budget problems are getting worse. The Revenue Estimating Conference has revised the deficit for this fiscal year from 750-million to 870-million dollars. The legislature’s chief economist Greg Albrecht says Louisiana’s lagging economy is impacting state tax collections…:
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The budget deficit for next fiscal year has swelled past two billion dollars.

It’s Ash Wednesday and many Christians will receive a cross on their forehead made of Ashes to mark the beginning of Lent. But instead of attending a service more churches are giving busy individuals the opportunity to receive their ashes in the parking lot….
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That’s LSU Religious Studies professor Michael Pasquier.

State lawmakers have started filing bills for the special session to address Louisiana’s current budget crisis. Halen Doughty reports…
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Governor John Bel Edwards will deliver a prepared speech tomorrow night that will be carried on TV and radio stations. ULM Political science professor Joshua Stockley says the governor will use this forum to tell voters difficult decisions will have to be made to solve the state’s budget problems…
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The governor’s address will take place at 6:30 tomorrow night.