Will the weather cooperate with the big Mardi Gras celebrations in south Louisiana this weekend?  Michael Farrar spoke with the National Weather Service…

Cut 1 (28) “I’m Michael Farrar.”

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Governor John Bel Edwards has set today as the deadline to call a February special session. Matt Doyle talked to LAPolitics.com about what the governor might do.

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Governor John Bel Edwards receives an invitation for a White House event to discuss President Donald Trump’s infrastructure plans. Jeff Palermo has story…

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Many Mardi Gras revelers will keep one eye on the parades and one eye on the skies as threatening weather may put a damper on their celebrations.  The National Weather Service says rain, heavy at times, is predicted for southeast Louisiana.  Danielle Manning with the National Weather Service in Slidell says Saturday and Sunday will be soggy…

Cut 4  (09) “at once.” 

The forecast may be a little better in Southwest Louisiana, where the front will move through causing greater rain chances earlier in the weekend.  Kent Kuyper from the Lake Charles office…

Cut 5  (06)  “are evolving.”

Temperatures in South Louisiana will be at or above normal, making it feel more like spring in some areas.  Manning says even though it will be warmer, the chances of severe weather are slim…

Cut 6 (10)  “weather risk..”

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Today is the deadline for Governor John Bel Edwards to call a February special session to address the looming one billion dollar budget hole resulting in the expiration of sales taxes. 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.

Cut 7 (09)  “the line.”

Because it’s a revenue issue, the fiscal cliff can only be addressed in a special session.

Reports indicate the house GOP caucus may be coming to consensus on a plan to address the budget gap. Alford says Republican leaders may propose renewing a one cent sales tax that’s set to expire June 30^th.

Cut 8 (07) “tax structures”

But Alford says that could be a tough sell, as Democratic lawmakers oppose any renewal of the penny tax.

Cut 9 (07)  “one penny”

According to the Tax Foundation, Louisiana’s combined state and local sales tax rate is the highest in the country.

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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 on a 100,000 dollar bond. State Police spokesperson Scott Moreau says deputies were tipped off about a month ago.

Cut 10 (07) “some information”

A warrant for Novo’s residence was served, and after a search of the premises, he was arrested and charged.

Cut 11 (05) “child pornography”

A Mandeville lawmaker has filed legislation to make it easier to recall elected officials..
Cut 2 (30) “I’m Don Molino”

House Republicans are looking at renewing at least some or all of the temporary one cent sales tax as a way to address a looming one billion dollar shortfall. Houma Representative Tanner Magee…
Cut 12 (07) “bit longer.”
But the governor says he will not support any plan that maintains the current sales tax rate, which is currently five-cents.

Law enforcement is preparing for the Mardi Gras weekend. An additional 165 state troopers are in New Orleans and they need the public’s help stop criminal behavior. L-S-P spokesperson Melissa Matey says you can report potential problems to a special phone app called “See Send…”
cut 8 (06) “…of lives”

The Humane Society of Louisiana has a facebook page where you can adopt horses that appear in Mardi Gras parades this week. H-S-L Director Jeff Dorson says 19 horses are up for adoption this year after 17 horses were adopted last year, keeping them from heading to a slaughter house…
cut 10 (12) “…tragic endings”
The facebook page is New Orleans Mardi Gras Horses Available for Adoption.

State police is adding extra troopers in New Orleans for the big Mardi Gras’ weekend. Kelley Ray spoke with Senior Trooper Melissa Matey…
Voicer 1 (31) “I’m Kelley Ray.”

Governor Edwards will be in Washington D-C on Lundi Gras for a White House event to discuss President Trump’s plans to improve infrastructure. Edwards, along with Transportation Secretary Shawn Wilson, will participate in a roundtable with federal, state and local leaders.

House Republicans are interested in extending all or some of the one-cent state sales tax that legislators approved in 2016. The revenue from that penny, which is set to expire at the end of June, would help prevent a billion dollar shortfall in July. But Democrat Ted James of Baton Rouge says he can’t support that tax policy….
cut 13 (12) “….we reneged”
We’ll find out tomorrow if Governor Edwards will call a special session to address the fiscal cliff.

Mandeville Representative Paul Hollis has filed legislation that would make it easier for voters to recall their elected officials. Currently, 33 percent of registered voters in districts with more than 100,000 voters must sign the recall petition before a special election is triggered. Hollis says his bill would cut that number down to 20 percent. If adopted, Hollis says it’ll still take a serious effort to unseat an official.
Cut 5 (04) “be imposible”
Hollis had a similar bill that failed in the legislature last year.

There is an expanded presence of state police troopers in New Orleans for Mardi Gras weekend. They have 165 troopers working the French Quarter and surrounding areas. Senior Trooper Melissa Matey says they will perform a variety of assignments…
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Last year, State Police confiscated dozens of firearms along parade routes.

House Republicans are interested in extending the temporary one-cent sales tax approved in 2016 past its June 30th expiration date. But Democratic Representative Ted James of Baton Rouge says he can’t vote for that proposal, becuase he says a high sales tax hits the poor the hardest…
cut 14 (07) “….in Louisiana”
Governor Edwards could issue the call for a special session devoted to tax reform tomorrow.

Mandeville Representative Paul Hollis has filed legislation that would make it easier for voters to recall their elected officials. Hollis says Louisiana makes it very difficult to recall a politician in a densely populated district.
Cut 3 (11) “its impossible”
Currently, 33 percent of registered voters in districts with more than 100,000 voters must sign the recall petition before a special election is triggered. Hollis’ bill would lower that number to 20 percent.

The Humane Society of Louisiana is working to help in the adoption of 19 horses that will participate in Mardi Gras parades. HSL Director Jeff Dorson…
Cut 9 (10) “for Adoption.”
Dorson says the program started last year to ensure that none of the horses used in the parade would be sold for slaughter.

House Republicans are expressing interest in extending all or some of the one-cent state sales tax that legislators approved in 2016. The revenue from that penny, which is set to expire at the end of June, would help prevent a billion dollar shortfall in July. But Democrat Ted James of Baton Rouge says he can’t support that tax policy….
cut 13 (12) “….we reneged”
Democratic Governor John Bel Edwards is also NOT in support of renewing the temporary sales tax, because he says a higher sales tax hurts the poor more than middle and upper income earners. But Houma Republican Tanner Magee disagrees…
cut 15 (09) “…sales tax”

Mandeville Representative Paul Hollis is bringing back his recall reform bill for the upcoming regular session. The legislation reduces the percentage of registered voters needed to recall an elected official. He says the measure was inspired by a failed recall effort in St. Tammany…
cut 4 (10) “…get close”
Hollis’ bill passed the House last year, but died in a Senate committee.

The Humane Society of Louisiana has a facebook page where you can adopt 19 horses that will participate in Mardi Gras parades. Director Jeff Dorson says the facebook page is New Orleans Mardi Gras Horses Available for Adoption…
cut 11 (10) “…and photo”
Dorson says 17 horses were adopted lat year, instead of sold for slaughter.

House Republicans are looking at renewing at least some or all of the temporary one cent sales tax as a way to address a looming one billion dollar shortfall. Houma Representative Tanner Mcgee…
Cut 12 (07) “bit longer.”
But the governor says he will not support any plan that maintains the current sales tax rate, which is currently five-cents.

The Humane Society of Louisiana has a facebook page where you can adopt a horse that will participate in Mardi Gras parades this week. H-S-L Director Jeff Dorson says 19 horses are up for adoption this year after 17 horses were adopted last year instead of heading to a slaughter house…
cut 10 (12) “…tragic endings”
The facebook page is New Orleans Mardi Gras Horses Available for Adoption.

A Mandeville lawmaker has filed legislation to make it easier to recall elected officials…
Voicer 2 (30) “I’m Don Molino.”

State Police has brought in an additional 165 State Troopers for this weekend’s big Mardi Gras celebrations in New Orleans. Last year, L-S-P confiscated dozens of weapons and Senior Trooper Melissa Matey says it’s something they will look out for again…
cut 7 (10) “…quarter area”

Mandeville Representative Paul Hollis has filed legislation again this year to make it easier to recall elected officials. Hollis says in jurisdictions with over a thousand people, it takes 33-percent of the registered voters to sign a petition for a recall election to happen…
cut 3 (11) “….it’s impossible”
Hollis’ proposal will lower the signature requirement to 20-percent in large cities and parishes. His recall reform bill will be heard in next month’s regular session.

Law enforcement is preparing for the Mardi Gras weekend. An additional 165 state troopers are in New Orleans and they need the public’s help stop criminal behavior. L-S-P spokesperson Melissa Matey says you can report potential problems to a special phone app called “See Send…”
cut 8 (06) “…of lives”

The AP is reporting Governor Edwards is flexible on most tax ideas to close a $1 billion budget gap and stave off deep cuts to services. But he opposes extending the temporary one cent sales tax which expires at the end of June. But one republican lawmaker says most residents don’t even notice the extra penny on the state sales tax.

The Humane Society of Louisiana has set up a facebook page for those who would like to adopt one of 19 horsts that will participate in Mardi Gras parades. Director Jeff Dorson says the facebook page is New Orleans Mardi Gras Horses Available for Adoption…
cut 11 (10) “…and photo”
Dorson says the program started last year to ensure that none of the horses used in the parades would be sold for slaughter.

There will be an expanded presence of state police troopers in New Orleans as Mardi Gras ramps up for the final weekend. They have committed 165 troopers to working the French Quarter and the metro area. Senior Trooper Melissa Matey says they will perform a variety of assignments…
Cut 6 (11) “New Orleans.”
Last year, State Police and New Orleans Police confiscated dozens of firearms along parade routes.

LSU had the 15th ranked recruiting class this year, according to 247sports.com, its lowest ranking since 2005. Top cornerback Patrick Surtain Jr. who flipped from the Bayou Bengals to Alabama, because as he put it “They win championships.” LSU Head coach Ed Orgeron…
cut 13 (12) “…at LSU’

A Rapides Parish child day care center is shut down after children are seen wandering outside the facility. Jeff Palermo has more.
Cut 2 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Even though Valentine’s Day falls on Ash Wednesday, it’s still the second busiest day to dine out. Erika Burns with the Louisiana Restaurant Association says get your reservations now…
cut 9 (12) “…a restaurant”