It’s expected Governor John Bel Edwards will call a special session to address a budget shortfall that’s been projected to be at 313-million dollars. Edwards says a special session is needed to avoid major cuts to health care and higher education. We asked House Speaker Taylor Barras if there was an appeitte to raise taxes again to address the shortfall…
cut 5 (06) “…the gaps”
The special session is expected to take place next month.

State Senator Troy Brown of Ascension Parish said today that he will not resign even though he was convicted for a second time this week on a domestic abuse charge. There has been talk among senators to seek Brown’s expulsion from the upper camber. But in Brown’s statement, he believes that would be an excessive punishment and that only eight states have ever expelled a senator.

Governor John Bel Edwards travels to Rome to discuss ways to combat human trafficking with the Hospitaler Sisters of Mercy. Emelie Gunn has more…
Voicer 2 (28) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

Thousands of long-distance runners are in Baton Rouge this weekend for the Louisiana Marathon….
cut 15 (07) “…our race”
That’s the marathon’s marketing director Danny Bourgeois, who says the Louisiana Marathon begins Sunday at 7 AM near the State Capitol. There’s a 5 K race and a marathon for kids tomorrow.

A special session is likely next next month, now that the Revenue Estimating Conference has determined the state’s budget shortfall is 313-million dollars. The deficit is the result of lagging tax collections. Economists say the state has been losing jobs monthly since August 2015. House Speaker Taylor Barras says unfortunately, state agencies are in for another round of painful cuts, because the revenue picture is not getting better….
cut 6 (05) “…as a result”
Barras says they also intend to use money from the rainy day fund to also close the budget gap.

State Senator Troy Brown issues a statement that says he will not resign as a result of his recent domestic abuse convictions. There has been talk among senate members about expelling Brown. The lawmaker from Ascension Parish believes that would be a severe punishment, but he’ll respect their wishes.

Long distance runners from across the state and around the state have converged on Baton Rouge for this weekend’s Louisiana marathon. Spokesperson Danny Bourgeois says the course takes runners through downtown, along the Mississippi River, through the LSU campus and historic neighborhoods…
cut 14 (10) “…laught”
Bourgeois says the race is a qualifer from the prestigous Boston Marathon.

Racing will continue at the New Orleans Fair Grounds this weekend, even though the entire track is under a quarantine in an effort to stop the spread of an equine herpes virus. Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain says horses in barns not exposed can keep racing, while exposed horses under quarantine are monitored for at least two weeks…
cut 11 (04) “…with these horses”
A two-year-old thoroughbred gelding was humanely eutanized right after Christmas, because of the virus.

State leaders heard grim budget news today, which likely means a special sesssion next month. Jeff Palermo has the story…
voicer 1 (30) “…I’m Jeff Palermo”

And earlier this afternoon Governor Edwards released a statement regarding the bad budget news. Edwards says a special session will prevent deep budget cuts in the areas of higher education and health care. The governor says he’ll develop a plan with legislative leaders that solves this budget crisis in a responsible way.

Governor John Bel Edwards leaves today for a weeklong trip to Italy where he’ll meet with experts on how to combat human trafficking and he’s also hoping to visit with the Pope. The governor says he will pay out of pocket for himself and his wife to travel to Rome…
cut 9 (07) “….are going”
State Police Superintendent Mike Edmonson and a couple of lawmakers will accompy the governor on the trip.

Three more horses at the New Orleans Fair Grounds have tested positive for the equine herpes virus and so the entire race track is under a quarantine. Ag Commissioner Mike Strain says nine horses have been put in isolation and an infectius disease specialist from Kentucky has been called in to contain the spread of the virus…
cut 12 (10) “….to horses”
He says horses in barns not exposed can keep racing.

At this hour the Revenue Estimating Conference is meeting and they’ll determine the size of the midyear budget shortfall. Governor John Bel Edwards says the size of the deficit will determine if a special session is needed…:
Cut 13 (12) “extremely painful”
But Appropriations Chairman Cameron Henry says if the deficit is not too large, he believes the governor can make the necessary budget cuts on his own…:
Cut 15 (11) “as well”

Later today, Governor Edwards along with a delegation from Louisiana that includes State Police Superintendent Colonel Mike Edmonson will travel to Italy to discuss human trafficking with the Hospitaler Sisters of Mercy, which has a shelter in Louisiana for juvenile victims of human trafficking.

In the past week, Louisiana has seen an increase in the number of flu cases. That’s according to Medical Director state of the Immunization Program Dr. Frank Welch who says four out of every 100 people who visit the doctor have the flu. He says if you got a flu shot, you should be protected…:
cut 4 (10) “this year”
Welch says it’s rare, but if you do contract the flu virus after getting a shot, it’s usually a very mild case.

A 44-year-old north Louisiana man is behind bars facing a murder charge after Shreveport police say he was responsible for the death of an 11-month-old boy. Corporal Marcus Hines says Frederick Clark was initally charged with second-degree curelty to a juvenile…
cut 10 (10) “…the child off”
That child, Mar’sharrd Ross, passed away earlier this week and the charges against Clark were upgraded to second-degree murder.

Some state lawmakers are calling for Napoleonville Senator Troy Brown to resign immediately after he entered a plea of no contest to domestic violence charges. Senate President John Alario says the Senate has the power to remove Brown from office…:
Cut 13 (07) “would decide”
Brown has said he has no plans to resign.

During his monthly call-in radio show, Governor John Bel Edwards defends himself amid questions about whether he’s pushing higher taxes to solve the state’s budget problems. Edwards says while lawmakers raised $1.5 billion in taxes during last year’s sessions, they also cut $850 million from the state budget…:
CUT 7 (09) “to do it”
Edwards adds more cuts are coming and possibly another special session to resolve a looming $300 million shortfall.

A public hearing is slated for tonight in Baton Rouge to discuss the proposed Bayou Bridge Pipeline which would go through 11 South Louisiana parishes…
CUT 1 (31) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

A state judge has denied bond for the two individuals arrested in connection with the shooting of state Wildlife and Fisheries Agent Tyler Wheeler. The judge says Amethyst Baird and Jeremy Gullette are a risk to flee and both pose an imminent danger to the community. Wheeler was shot five times last weekend and at last report was responding well to treatment.

So what’s next for Napoleonville Senator Troy Brown now that he’s received a 30-day sentence for abusing his wife? Michelle Southern reports.
Voicer 2 (30) “I’m Michelle Southern”

The Director of the Louisiana State Police Commission has resigned. Cathy Derbonne submitted her resignation this morning amid speculation she may get fired because of controversial political contributions made by former board emmbers. Derbonne served at that post for eight years.

Louisiana will receive about $18 million as a result of a $4.3 billion Volkswagen settlement, after the company pleaded guilty to cheating on air emissions tests. Department of Environmental Quality Secretary Chuck Brown says the money has to be used a certain way..:
Cut 10 (11) “tugs and ferries”
Brown says he’s leaning towards replacing diesel engines in school buses with engines that burn cleaner fuel.

A public hearing takes place tonight regarding a proposed pipeline that would be built across south Louisiana. Environmental groups oppose it, but acting president for the Louisiana Oil and Gas Association Gifford Briggs says pipelines are safe and create jobs….
cut 4 (10) “…gas industry”
The US Army Corps of Engineers will determine if the project goes forward.