Governor John Bel Edwards is broadcasting a rare address at 6:30 this evening to inform the public on exactly what Louisiana is facing. The budget deficit is $870 million dollars for this fiscal year, and about $2 billion for the next fiscal year, which begins July 1. Political pollster Ron Faucheux says, unlike Louisiana, other states typically struggle when gas prices are high…:

CUT 8 (09) “in the state”

State Treasurer John Kennedy will give the Republican response following Governor Edwards’ speech.

Louisiana State Police say they arrested 150 people while assisting the New Orleans Police Department during the two big weekends of the Mardi Gras season. Trooper Melissa Matey says the arrests led to 210 criminal charges and an additional 66 drug charges. She says narcotics agents were busy.

CUT 3 (10)  “illegally possessed”

Matey says they helped to recover 8 stolen vehicles during the two weekends of the carnival season, and LSP arrested multiple people on drug charges on Monday before Fat Tuesday.

Louisiana Researchers have played a role in detecting gravitational waves, which Albert Einstein predicted would occur in his general theory of relativity. LSU astronomy professor, Gabriela Gonzalez says two black holes colliding some one-point-three billion years ago created the gravitational wave that was detected in Livingston Parish and at another facility in Washington…

cut 10 (10)  away”

Gonzales says this type of discovery can help scientists learn more about how the universe works.

After an identity hearing in California today, a judged has ruled Frank Selas is former Monroe TV personality “Mr. Wonder,” who is accused of committing sex crimes in Louisiana in the 70s. Lt. Tommy Carnline with the Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Office says now the process of getting Selas back to Louisiana begins…

cut 15 (09)  “governor’s warrant”

Louisiana is in the midst of a financial crisis, but analysts say other states have been through this too. Michelle Southern reports…:

CUT 1 (29)  “I’m Michelle Southern”

Fresh off his primary win in New Hampshire, Republican Presidential Candidate Donald Trump will hold a rally tonight at the Baton Rouge River Center. The doors open tonight at 5pm, and the rally starts at 7. This event is free and open to the public. Analysists say the Trump campaign is working to gain support in southern states. The Louisiana Presidential Primary election is March 5^th.

Louisiana State Police is partnering with Blue Cross to help with the safe disposal of prescription medication. Trooper Michael Reichardt says in the front of the Troop F station in Monroe they’ve set out a box for people to safely discard old or unwanted medication. He says the abuse of prescription medication in teens has become a growing problem…

cut 12 (09) “age group”

Reichardt says drop boxes are outside of Troop E and F stations in Monroe and Alexandria.

Louisiana Researchers have played a role in detecting gravitational waves, which Albert Einstein predicted would occur as part of his general theory of relativity. An observatory in Livingston Parish observed the ripples in the fabric of spacetime on September 14^th.

Governor John Bel Edwards will address Louisiana citizens tonight to discuss the state’s historic budget deficit. This comes ahead of the special legislative session that begins Sunday, where lawmakers will have to come up with a plan to combat a budget deficit around 900-million dollars. UL Lafayette political science professor Pearson Cross…:
CUT 7 (08) “on them”
The address will air at 6:30 pm on television and radio stations.

Also tonight in Baton Rouge, Republican Presidential candidate Donald Trump will speak to supporters at a rally in Baton Rouge that’s set to begin at 7 PM. Political analyst John Couvillion explains why Trump is in Louisiana tonight, when the next primary is South Carolina…
cut 5 (09) “….be concluded”
Louisiana’s Presidential Primary is March 5th.

A lawmaker from Baton Rouge files legislation which seeks to allow Louisiana residents to possess a concealed handgun without a permit. Michelle Southern reports…
cut 2 (29) “….I’m Michelle Southern’

Burger King will add hot dogs to its menu later this month. LSU marketing professor Dan Rice says the fast food chain is looking to provide its customers with more variety and decided to offer a classic girlled hot dog and a chili cheese dog…
cut 14 (09) “…they did”

A special session to address the state’s budget crisis begins Sunday, and state lawmakers have already started filing bills. One of the first proposed bills would increase the state tax on a pack of cigarettes another 22-cents per pack. West Monroe Representative Frank Hoffman says he’ll push for the tax increase but it is still important to make cuts to the current budget.

CUT 5 (06) “across the state.”

Governor John Bel Edwards will address the people of Louisiana about the state’s budget deficit on Thursday. The address will air at 6:30 pm on all major television and radio stations. ULM Political Science professor Joshua Stockley says this kind of public address from a governor is rare.

CUT 9 (11) “the reforms”

Drive up ashes are becoming increasingly popular for people on Ash Wednesday. LSU Religious Studies professor Michael Pasquier says that some churches may have to accept that the members of the congregation have busy schedules.

CUT 13 (10) “day to day life”

Louisiana’s budget problems are still getting worse. The deficit for this fiscal year has increased from 750 million dollars to 870 million dollars, according to the Revenue Estimating Conference. The legislature’s chef economist Greg Albrect says the state’s tax collections are being impacted by the lagging economy.

CUT 6 (10) “state recession.”

Governor John Bel Edwards will give a special televised address to the people of Louisiana tomorrow night. Emelie Gunn has more on what the governor will say…

CUT 2 (31)  “I’m Emelie Gunn”

Louisiana’s budget problems are getting worse. A special session that starts on Sunday and attempt to come up with a rebalanced budget that takes into account the huge shortfall. The administration’s chief economist Manfred Dix says the oil industry is not the only sector of our economy that’s struggling

CUT 8 (07) “negative territory”

State lawmakers have started filing bills for the special session, and one of the first measures proposed would increase the state tax on a pack of cigarettes another 22-cents to $1.08 per pack. Last year lawmakers increased the tax on a pack of cigarettes by 50-cents. If the proposed bill passes, the tax will go into effect on April 1. West Monroe Representative Frank Hoffman says the state needs the additional money from the tax this year as Louisiana faces a huge deficit.

CUT 4 (05)  “as possible”

Drive up ashes for people on this Ash Wednesday are becoming increasingly popular in our fast paced lives. LSU Religious Studies professor Michael Pasquier says, even though some people may be critical of the mobile ashing, this is something more churches are considering to cater to their members’ schedules…

cut 14 (07)  “are making”

Governor John Bel Edwards will publicly address Louisiana residents about the state’s historic budget deficit. The Thursday night address will air at 6:30 on television and radio stations. ULM Political Science Professor Dr. Joshua Stockley says the governor is making an effort to restore the fiscal foundation of the state, without making major cuts to higher education and health care.

Cut 11 (10) “the state”

Louisiana’s budget problems are getting worse. The Revenue Estimating Conference has revised the deficit for this fiscal year from 750-million to 870-million dollars. Low oil prices are to blame for the decline in revenue, but that’s not the only issue. The legislature’s chief economist Greg Albrecht says corporate tax collections are also weak…

CUT 7 (08) “for the year”

One of the first proposed bills for the special legislative session would raise the state tax on a pack of cigarettes to $1.08, an increase of 22-cents per pack. West Monroe Representative Frank Hoffman says this tax will generate more state revenue and could save money on long-term healthcare if the tax encourages people to quit smoking.

CUT 3 (05)  “as well”

Busy people looking to get their ashes on this Ash Wednesday now have a much faster option. Mobile ash distribution sites are becoming increasingly popular. LSU Religious Studies professor Michael Pasquier says that these drive up ashes are a response to fast-paced lifestyles…

cut 12 (05) “the congregations”

Louisiana’s budget problems are getting worse. The Revenue Estimating Conference has revised the deficit for this fiscal year from 750-million to 870-million dollars. The legislature’s chief economist Greg Albrecht says Louisiana’s lagging economy is impacting state tax collections…:
CUT 6 (10) “state recession”
The budget deficit for next fiscal year has swelled past two billion dollars.

It’s Ash Wednesday and many Christians will receive a cross on their forehead made of Ashes to mark the beginning of Lent. But instead of attending a service more churches are giving busy individuals the opportunity to receive their ashes in the parking lot….
cut 13 (10) ‘day to day life”
That’s LSU Religious Studies professor Michael Pasquier.

State lawmakers have started filing bills for the special session to address Louisiana’s current budget crisis. Halen Doughty reports…
voicer 1 (29) “…I’m Halen Doughty”

Governor John Bel Edwards will deliver a prepared speech tomorrow night that will be carried on TV and radio stations. ULM Political science professor Joshua Stockley says the governor will use this forum to tell voters difficult decisions will have to be made to solve the state’s budget problems…
cut 10 (09) “…general public”
The governor’s address will take place at 6:30 tomorrow night.

It’s ash Wednesday as thousands of Christians around the state will mark the start of the 40-day Lenten season by receiving crosses of ash on their forehead to symbolize penance. Churches around the state are holding services and some have set up mobile ash distribution sites so people can get their ashes without attending mass.

The Lenten season is also a busy time of the year for the seafood industry and Halen Doughty reports this could be one of the best for crawfish in Louisiana…
voicer 1 (30) “….I’m Halen Doughty”

Bossier City Representative Mike Johnson is expected to formally announce he’s entering the race to represent Louisaina’s fourth congressional district. The republican gained name recognition for pushing a religious freedom bill in the legislature last year. Political analyst Elliot Stonecipher says Johnson will do well with voters in Bossier, but Caddo Parish is a different story…
cut 14 (09) “…from Caddo”
Stonecipher expects a lot of candidates to get in this race.

The website Roadsnacks has released its top ten most boring cities in Louisiana and Central, which is located in East Baton Rouge Parish, is number one. Roadsnacks spokesperson Nick James says they looked at city population to come up with their list…
cut 10 (10) “….older folks”
Rounding out the top ten were cities like Slidell, Zachary, Oakdale, Covington and Denham Springs.