The special session came to an end with legislators unable to come to an agreement on how to generate revenues to address a looming one-billion dollar shortfall. The special session must end by midnight Wednesday night, but Jonesboro Representative Jack McFarland says it’s disappointing they couldn’t come to an agreement on a plan to address the fiscal cliff…

cut 5 (05) “…the public”

This is the 15th day of the special session and each state cost Louisiana 50 to 60-thousand dollars a day.

The rising Mississippi River has led to a recommendation by the U-S Army Corps of Engineers to open the Bonnet Carre Spillway to take the pressure off the New Orleans levee system. The spillway diverts river water into Lake Ponchartrain and Colonel Michael Clancy says it could see an extended tour of duty….

cut 14 (10) “….longer”

Cameron Parish authorities have new information on the severed head found in a ditch alongside Highway 27. Kelley Ray has more…

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Kelley Ray”.

Rayne Police say they plan on arresting several suspects involved in the shooting of an 11-year-old girl. The child was shot in the leg and was treated and released at a local hospital. Authorities say the girl was an innocent bystander in a gunfight involving multiple people on Sunday afternoon.

There’s a lot finger pointing going as the special session to address a billion dollar shortfall is close to collapsing. Democrats are crying foul on promises made and promises broken. Minden Representative Gene Reynolds is the chairman of the Democratic Caucus…
cut 4 (11) “…things changed”
But Republican House Speaker Taylor Barras says the governor was unwilling to pass any spending reduction measures and was insistent on just tax increases to replace the expiring sales taxes.

Parts of Louisiana could see some strong thunderstorms as a cold front invades the bayou. State Climatologist Barry Keim says expect the weather to take a turn this afternoon.
Cut 10 (08) “high winds.”
The strong storms will not reach south Louisiana until late tonight or early tomorrow morning.

The Corps of Engineers is recommending opening the Bonnet Carre Spillway just outside of New Orleans this Thursday as Mississippi River levels are expected to steadily rise after several weeks of intense rains in the Midwest. Colonel Michael Clancy says if the spillway is not opened, New Orleans could get swamped.
Cut 13 (10) “unnecessary risk”
The Bonnet Carre is expected to be operated at half capacity.

Cameron Sheriff Ron Johnson says investigators have determined a severed head found last week along Highway 27 is that of a woman between the ages of 25 and 40 years old. They also say there was no apparent trauma to the skull. It appears there was a lot of dental work that had been performed and Johnson hopes it will be easy for forensics at the LSU FACES lab to identify the victim through dental records…
Cut 8 (06) “this point.”

It’s possible the special session will conclude tonight without a resolution to the one-billion dollar shortfall that will hit the state on July 1st. House Democratic Caucus Chairman Gene Reynolds says the House could never get on the same page on how to increase revenues to make up the loss of a billion dollars in temporary sales taxes that will expire at the end of June…
cut 6 (10) “…plan together”
It’s possible another special session will occur before June 30th to address the fiscal cliff.

High temperatures are in the 70s today, but a strong cold front will bring our high temperatures back in the 60s. Low temperatures will be in the 30s Wednesday and Thursday for north Louisiana. State Climatologist Barry Keim…
cut 12 (10) “…time of air”

Cameron Parish authorities have new information on the severed head found in a ditch alongside Highway 27. Kelley Ray has more…
Voicer 2 (30) “I’m Kelley Ray”.

A man wanted for second-degree murder out of Iberia Parish has been arrested in Houston. Authorities say the U-S Marshal’s Violent Offender Task Force apprehended Akeam Daniels. He’s accused of fatally shooting 29-year-old Courtland Hall, who was dating the mother of his child. The incident resulted in an Ambert Alert involving their two month old child, but the infant was found unharmed.

The curtain has all but fallen on the special session with nothing happening. Jim Shannon has more.
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Jim Shannon”

In a statement, Republican House Speaker Taylor Barras blames the governor for failing to reach a compromise. Barras says Edwards’ solution was to raise 994-million dollars in taxes, instead of using a combination of spending reform measures and tax increases. The governor plans to have a press conference 30 minutes after the House adjourns later today.

The Cameron Parish Sheriff’s office released more information today on the severed head that was found on Highway 27, south of Hackberry. Initial forensics testing has determined it’ s a woman between the ages of 25 and 40 years old. The victim also had extensive dental work done. Sheriff Ron Johnson says they hope the LSU FACES lab can provide more clues…
cut 9 (09) “…are released”
The severed head was found by a road crew last week.

Temperatures are in the mid to upper 70s today, but a strong cold front will move through today bringing a marginal risk for severe weather. State Climatologist Barry Keim says once the cold front moves through, cooler air will move in….
cut 11 (12) “….south Louisiana”
The next chance for rain after today is Saturday.

The special session is all but over as far as lawmakers are concerned. Time limitations have eaten up any real possibility of banging out a deal to plug the nearly billion dollar budget hole that opens up July 1st. Representative Jack McFarland of Jonesboro
cut 3 (11) “….going on”
Democrats are crying foul on promises made and promises broken. Mindent Representative Gene Reynolds is the chairman of the Democratic Caucus….
cut 4 (11) “…things changed”
It is possible that legislators can vote to end the session tonight. The governor has called a press conference 30 minutes after the House adjourns.

The Cameron Parish Sheriff’s Office has released the preliminary findings in connection with a severed head found south of Hackberry on Highway 27 last week. Sheriff Ron Johnson says they know it’s a 25-50 year old female with dark colored hair, with no trauma to the skull. They believe it wasn’t in the marshy area very long…
Cut 7 (09) “the head.”
It appears there was a lot of dental work that had been performed and Johnson hopes it will be easy at the LSU FACES lab to identify the victim through dental records.

Site Selection magazine ranks Louisiana eighth on a per capita basis, among states with the most new and expanded facilities in 2017. It’s the ninth consecutive year Louisiana has landed in the top 10.

It’s possible the special session ends tonight with legislators unable to come to an agreement on how to generate revenues to address a looming one-billion dollar shortfall. The special session must end by midnight Wednesday night, but Jonesboro Representative Jack McFarland says it’s disappointing they couldn’t come to an agreement on a plan to address the fiscal cliff…
cut 5 (05) “…the public”

The Louisiana School Board Association was hoping the state legislature would have enough to provide public schools with a 2.75 percent increase in state funding. Scott Richard is the executive director of the L-S-B-A….
cut 11 (07) “…the state”
Richard says schools are seeking more money to provide better security and safety for the students.

A bill to prohibit convicted felons from running for office has been pre-filed for the regular session by Metairie senator Conrad Appel. It’s already been passed once, but as Michael Farrar reports it’s back again.
Cut 1 (28) “I’m Michael Farrar.”

The Cameron Parish Sheriff’s office has released more information about the severed head found on the shoulder of Highway 27, south of Hackberry. Based on forensic testing, it’s believed the victim is a white female between the ages of 25 and 50, with auburn or brown hair. The victim also had a lot of dental work done and not apparent trauma to the skull.