Thirty-nine pit bulls were scheduled to be euthanized today in Opelousas, but that will not happen because of an animal rescue group out of New Orleans. Jeff Palermo has the story…

CUT 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

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The first hearing on the expulsion of state Senator Troy Brown was held today. Michelle Southern reports…:

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Michelle Southern”

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Thirty-nine pit bulls that were scheduled to be euthanized today have been rescued. Stacey Alleman with St. Landry Parish Animal Control says they made a Facebook post hoping for a miracle, and they got one in Tia Torres of Pit Bulls and Parolees. She says all of the dogs were rescued by Torres, who is also the founder of Villalobos Rescue Center in New Orleans.

Cut 3 (11) “have sanctuary”

Alleman says the dogs will still be in their custody, but Torres is providing the resources and manpower it takes to care for these animals. She says as of yesterday, the national Humane Society has stepped up to help sponsor some of these dogs.

cut 4  (10) “the longevity”

Alleman says even when things were looking grim, the community never lost hope. She says just two years ago the shelter had to put down over 96-percent of the animals they rescued, but they’ve come a long way thanks to the power of social media.

Cut 5  (11)  “of Facebook”

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The debate continues at the state capitol on whether or not to tap into the rainy day fund to address a $304 million midyear budget deficit. House Appropriations Chairman Cameron Henry opposes the use of rainy day fund and continues to push for reductions in state spending.

Cut 6 (09) “they held back”

Henry says the governor is unwilling to back off his stance of using 119-million dollars from the rainy day fund. The Republican from Jefferson Parish says many House members can’t support the governor’s plan and they won’t be forced to vote on it.

CUT 7 (11)  “down the road”

The special session ends next Wednesday and Henry says there’s still enough time to pass a responsible budget deficit elimination plan. Henry says during the negotiations they continue to propose deeper cuts to the Louisiana Department of Health, but the governor says any additional cuts would impact patients, but Henry disagrees.

Cut 8 (09) “financially disasterous”

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The first hearing on state Senator Troy Brown’s expulsion or suspension from the Upper Chamber was heard today. Resolutions have been filed seeking to reprimand Brown for his domestic violence convictions. The Napoleonville lawmaker’s lawyer, Jill Craft, requested subpoenas of lawmakers’ texts and emails…:

Cut 9 (10)  “constitution provides”

Craft requested several subpoenas and documents for members of the legislature including their criminal history, but nearly everything was rejected. She says the Senate is trying to remove a member of the body based on their assessment of a misdemeanor, but Senator Dan Claitor says that’s not what this is about…:

Cut 10 (10) “go about it”

The hearing on the expulsion proposal is slated for Monday. Senator Karen Carter Peterson said she would only agree to subpoena documents, if a member of the legislature had a similar domestic violence conviction. But Craft told Peterson the Senate has no rules for standard…:

cut 11 (11) “all here”

Craft is trying to stop a legislative hearing on the matter saying it would violate Brown’s right to due process. But state Senator JP Morrell says members of the Senate make their own rules…:

cut 12 (07) “unbecoming a Senator”

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Triple-A released their annual worst drivers on the road report and what did it find? It confirmed what many people believe, millennials are the worst on the road and the survey finds they’re more reckless than teens. AAA Spokesperson Don Redman says drivers between the ages of 19 to 24 seem to be distracted behind the wheel….

Cut 13 (10) “30 days“

Redman says although those 19 to 24 are considered the worst drivers, older motorists also admitted to engaging in dangerous behavior while driving.

cut 14 (08) “behaviors”

The report also finds millennials are more likely than anyone else to go over the speed limit by 10 to 15 miles and be high on marijuana while driving. Redman says motorists aged 19 to 24 engage in higher risk behavior more than other age groups.

Cut 15 (09) “could’ve stopped”

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Severe weather is a possibility tonight in south Louisiana. Halen Doughty has more…

CUT 1 (30) “I’m Halen Doughty”

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The woman who accidentally uploaded a nude video to the Webster Parish Convention and Visitor’s Bureau Instagram account is taking legal action. Michelle Southern has more…

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Michelle Southern”

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Couples around the country and across the Bayou State celebrate their love this Valentine’s Day in a variety of ways. Offers.com analyzed gift related keywords based on the increase in February versus the rest of the year to determine the most popular Valentine’s Day items. Kerry Sherin with Offers.com says they took a look at what’s at the top of Louisianans’ wish lists.

Cut 3 (09) “Valentine’s Day”

Sherin says drop earrings and white gold chains for men rounded out the top five gifts. She says unlike the rest of the country, Louisianans want daisies for Valentine’s Day, instead of roses. She says we also have different taste in holiday candy.

cut 4  (08) “whatever it is”

Sherin says Louisianans won’t need to fight the crowds or make dinner reservations this year. She says like most of the country, a night at home will do in the Bayou State.

Cut 5  (09)  “and relax”

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South Louisiana could face the possibility of more severe weather this afternoon and into tonight. State climatologist Barry Keim says the radar shows a strong line of storms moving in from Texas.

Cut 6 (09) “more tornadoes”

Keim says the Storm Prediction Center has much of south Louisiana under a slight risk for severe weather, and central Louisiana is facing a marginal risk. He says this event doesn’t look quite as severe as what we saw last week, but as we saw then, things can change quickly.

CUT 7 (09)  “about this one”

Keim says once the storm pushes through, there will be a slight drop in temperatures, but nothing like the freeze we saw last month. He says despite it still technically being winter, the weather feels more like spring in the Bayou State.

Cut 8 (11) “are very spring-like”

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The former Executive Director of the Webster Parish Convention and Visitors Bureau is taking legal action after she was terminated Monday. The firing comes after 61-year-old Lynn Dorsey accidentally posted a risqué video to the CVB’s Instagram account. Dorsey’s attorney, Lydia Rhodes, says they plan to go to court and make a case for a breach of contract.

Cut 9 (07)  “working from”

Rhodes says that contract was through the end of this calendar year. Dorsey said in December when the nude video went live online that it was intended for her husband. Rhodes says they also have a few issues with the way the matter proceeded with the commission.

Cut 10 (10) “with Mrs. Dorsey”

Rhodes says Dorsey had been with the CVB for 12 years. She says they are looking at their legal options because the stakeholders in this incident are the people in the tourism industry, and they are the ones who will be impacted.

cut 11 (10) “that community”

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Two Florida residents have been arrested on multiple counts of fraud and theft after repeatedly swiping several access cards to purchase large amounts of gift cards at Lowe’s in Baton Rouge. Sgt. L’Jean McKneely says a retired police officer was at the store and noticed this common practice of fraud so he immediately contacted the authorities.

cut 12 (11) “of fraud”

McKneely says 36-year-old Jayson Carter and 17-year-old Mardashia Harris, both of Florida, were arrested. He says authorities believe the two are part of a ring…

Cut 13 (09) “possible ring“

McKneely says Carter and Harris were found with multiple cards with the same name…

cut 14 (10) “fake cards”

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A Benton couple has once again been honored as Louisiana’s longest known married couple. Don Molino has more…

Cut 1 (27) “I’m Don Molino” 

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Two state Senators file a resolution to expel Napoleonville Senator Troy Brown after being convicted of two separate domestic abuse charges. Halen Doughty has more…

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Halen Doughty”

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Governor Edwards kicked-off the special session by explaining to legislators why it’s important to use rainy day dollars to address a 304-million dollar budget deficit. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 3 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

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For the third straight year, a couple from Bossier Parish is known as the longest known married couple in the state. Louisiana Family Forum President Gene Mills says 103-year-old Lawrence Player and 97-year-old Varrie Player of Benton have been married for 82 years and they celebrated the terrific accomplishment this past weekend with a cake.

Cut 4  (10) “great grandchildren”

Mills says the Players were married on January 27, 1935 and they have no intention of slowing down. He says they shared some of their secrets for a long lasting marriage.

Cut 5  (09)  “by themselves”

Every year Louisiana Family Forum honors the top ten longest married couples in the state. Mills says Will Henry and Virginia Teasley of Bienville Parish are this year’s runners up, married for 80 years. He says Virginia is in hospice care, so on the way to Benton they stopped in to visit and deliver a king cake.

Cut 6 (11) “for a lifetime”

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A resolution has been filed for the special session that seeks to expel Napleonville Senator Troy Brown from the legislature, because of two recent domestic abuse convictions. Slidell Senator Sharon Hewitt filed the measure along with Baton Rouge Senator Dan Claitor. Hewitt says anytime an elected official breaks the law, it erodes the public’s trust in all elected leaders.

Cut 7 (08)  “Senator Brown”‘

Hewitt says it’s time that we raise the standards for what we expect from our elected officials. She says for too long we’ve been tolerant of elected leaders who’ve been guilty of corruption, scandal, and general disregard for the citizens they were chosen to represent.

Cut 8 (10) “elected leaders”

Claitor says the Louisiana Constitution allows the legislature to discipline members, and it happens in the form of a resolution. He expects the first hearing will occur within two or three days, and in a week the committee will have another hearing with evidence and testimony, before it goes to the floor.

Cut 9 (11)  “ought to go”

It will take 26 out of 39 votes to expel the senator. Brown issued a statement last month saying expulsion is the political equivalent to execution. He went on to say that only 8 states have ever expelled a Senator, and it was always over more serious matters.

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On the opening night of the special session, Governor John Bel Edwards laid out his reasons on why the state legislature should use 119-million dollars from the rainy day fund to address a 304-million dollar shortfall. Edwards says without using it, cuts will likely have to be made to higher education, public schools and social services like foster care

Cut 10 (06) “public service”

Edwards says the Rainy Day fund was tapped four times during former Governor Bobby Jindal’s administration. There’s concern by some lawmakers of draining the fund down to zero, but Edwards says that won’t happen thanks to BP settlement dollars

Cut 11 (09) “budget stabilization fund ”

There have been several Republican lawmakers who have advocated for more cuts to the budget. Edwards says if here’s there’s another option out there, let’s discuss it…

Cut 12 (11) “proposals”

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A new website seeks to reduce wasteful spending in state government. Covington Representative John Schroder launched StopLouisianaWaste.com to allow individuals to anonymously report state government waste.

Cut 13 (08) “the case”

Schroder says given the state’s budget problems, lawmakers have to make sure they’re spending every penny of taxpayer money wisely. He says he will personally investigate each incident and provide the information to the proper agency.

Cut 14 (06) “anonymously”

Schroder stresses that people can post to the website anonymously. He says he’s interested to see what people will say in private that they wouldn’t say in public.

Cut 15 (09) “to do”

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Quarterback Brandon Harris is looking for a new school. The one-time starting Q-B for the Tigers says he’s transferring and head coach Ed Orgeron will allow Harris to transfer to any school he chooses. Tiger Rag Associate Editor James Moran says this is not a surprise, since Danny Etling is the likely starting signal caller in 2017

Cut 16 (06) “next year”

Harris started the first two games of the 2016 season, but was benched during the Jacksonville State game. He appeared in just four games on the season and threw for only 139 yards after starting all 12 games in his sophomore campaign. Moran says if Harris wants to play, he needs to find another school…

Cut 17 (13)  “terribly surprising “

Moran says with Harris’ departure it opens the door for three other quarterbacks, who will compete in the spring, to battle for the number two spot in the depth chart….

Cut 18 (21) “make a case”