TOPS and Higher Education are facing cuts next fiscal year after a special session failed to address the loss of a billion dollars in expiring sales taxes. Higher Education Commissioner Joe Rallo says cuts to public colleges will hurt more than just students and faculty, it could cripple the state’s economy…
cut 9 (12) “…it deserves”

A Denham Springs man has been charged with a hate crime after he allegedly tried to steal an ATM from a conveinence store. Livingston Sheriff Jason Ard says the motive 27-year-old Chad Horsley gave is a little strange…
cut 15 (11) “…that nature”
Ard says Horsley also told those in the store he was an East Baton Rouge officer, but that is not true and they are not sure if he ever served in the military.

Governor Edwards is planning for another special session after legislators did not address the loss of a billion dollars in temporary sales taxes. Louisiana will receive an additional 300-million dollars in state tax revenues, because of changes made as a result of the federal tax overhaul. Edwards says even with the extra revenue, deep cuts will be needed and there will be more urgency to raise revenue in a special session that he hopes will begin in May…
cut 12 (11) “….this year”
But Kenner Representative Julie Stokes says the House is so divided that it will be difficult to agree on any significant tax reform policy…..
cut 6 (11) “…this situation”

Baton Rouge Representative Edmond Jordan is seeking to introduce a bill that would legalize the recreational use of marijuana and set up a way to tax the sale of cannabis. Jordan says this legislation could help with the state’s constant budget deficits…
Cut 7 (09) “right now.”
Washington State is expected to bring in over 700-million-dollars between 2017 and 2019.

The statewide average for unleaded gas is $2.33 a gallon, but Louisiana Triple A spokesperson Don Redman says the price at the pump will soon rise to about $2.50 as refinieries shift from a winter grade gasoline to summer. He says drivers typically aren’t concerned as long as gas stays below $2.75 a gallon…
Cut 12 (06) “this summer.”

With the special legislative session being a memory for some and a nightmare for others, lawmakers are looking ahead to the regular session that starts Monday. The question is how the legislature will react to a highly fractured body after the recent blood-bath. Baton Rouge Representative Barry Ivey.
Cut 3 (:11) “that we serve.”

Matt Doyle looks at how much it cost taxpayers for lawmakers to do nothing towards fixing a one billion dollar shortfall…
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

The Pelicans put their eight-game winning streak on the line tonight when they visit the Los Angeles Clippers. New Orleans has put itself in position to host an NBA playoff series with this long winning streak. After being named the Western Conference Player of the Month, Anthony Davis was named Western Conference Player of the Week as he averaged 34 points a game in three contests.

LSU pitcher Zack Hess was named national player of the week by Collegiate Baseball. Hess struck out a career-high 13 hitters last Friday in a win over Toledo. The Tigers will host Southern University tonight.

Louisiana Tech’s Matt Miller has been named as the Conference USA Pitcher of the Week. Miller pitched seven strong innings and gave up just one unearned run on five hits in the Bulldogs four to two victory over nationally ranked Texas A-and-M. Tonight, the Bulldogs host Grambling State. 

Also tonight, Northwestern State is at 10th ranked Texas A-and-M. Southeastern hosts Toledo and Sacred Heart is at Nicholls.

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The NFL Network reports the Seahawks are not expected to re-sign tight end Jimmy Graham before free agency starts on March 14th. A source says the Saints would have some interest in bringing Graham back to New Orleans. The 31-year-old caught 10 touchdown passes last season.

NFL teams have been told the salary cap for next season will be 177-million dollars, a nine million dollar increase from the 2017 season. The Saints will reportedly have 30-million dollars in cap space, but that doesn’t include the signing of former Panthers safety Kurt Coleman.

At the NFL combine, former LSU cornerback Donte Jackson ran the 40 in 4.32 seconds. The 40 time record at the combine was set last year by John Ross. The eventual first round pick of the Bengals ran a 4.22.

Nicholls Richie Riley has been named the Southland Conference Coach of the Year. Newcomer of the Year is Roddy Peters, defensive player of the year is Southeastern’s Marlain Veal. 

And in the Sun Belt, the Cajuns Bob Marlin has been named coach of the year. UL-Lafayette’s JaKeenan Gant is Defensive Player of the Year, while ULM’s Michael Ertel is the Freshman of the year.

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.