State lawmakers return to the capitol tonight for a 10-day special session to eliminate a 304-million dollar budget deficit. Jeff Palermo has the story…:
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President Donald Trump has approved Governor John Bel Edwards’ request for a disaster declaration following the tornadoes that hit South Louisiana on February 7th. This means individual assistance will be available for Livingston and Orleans Parishes.

Former Governor Kathleen Blanco is honored to hear Oscar nominated actress Annette Bening has been cast to portray her in the upcoming FX television series, Katrina: American Crime Story. She says the show will explore the extreme poverty of New Orleans residents before and after the hurricane…:
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The next edition of American Crime Story is slated to air in 2018.

Nearly 2,000 students will return to their home campus at St. Amant High today, after being displaced by the August flood 6 months ago. Ascension Parish Public Schools Superintendent David Alexander says this is a major milestone in the road to recovery…:
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Governor John Bel Edwards has sent a 23 page letter to the White House asking for a federal disaster declaration for five parishes following Tuesday’s tornado outbreak. They are Orleans, Ascension, Livingston, Jefferson and St. James. The National Weather Service said that last week’s storm system was the first recorded as spawning two EF3 tornadoes in southeast Louisiana.

Officials in St. Charles Parish have still not identified the missing worker involved in the large Phillips 66 Pipeline explosion on Thursday; and the person remains unaccounted for. Todd Denton with Phillips 66 expressed his sorrow for the six workers…:
Cut 6 (12) “those impacted”
Phillips 66 issued a statement saying ongoing air monitoring of the area indicates no health impacts to the surrounding community.

Iberville Parish authorities have arrested a father and son from Florida who were running the largest gas skimmer operation in the state’s history. Sheriff Brett Stassi says they apprehended the duo during a traffic stop. Stassi says in their vehicle they found gas skimmers and equipment to make fake credit cards…
cut 10 (08) “….criminal families”
Skimmers are placed on card-readers at gas pumps and it gives crooks the ability to steal credit card numbers and PIN information.

Tomorrow is College Goal Sunday across the state, with events that lend a hand to students and families who are applying for financial aid. The Free Application for Federal Student Aid is a requirement to be considered for state and federal aid — and grants and loans. Louisiana Office of Student Financial Assistance Spokesperson Gus Wales says professional help will be offered tomorrow…:
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15 sites are hosting the events and you can get more information online at osfa.la.gov.

A father and son from Miami have been arrested by Iberville Sheriff Deputies for allegedly running a multi-state credit card theft scheme. Sheriff Brett Stassi says during a traffic stop on I-10, five card reading devices were confiscated, along with 80 fake credit cards. Stassi urges the public to alert a clerk if there’s something
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Stassi says there is the potential that 2 million dollars was illegally collected on the suspects’ skimmers.

Pop-star and Kentwood native Britney Spears is sending out thanks to those who sent out thoughts and prayers for her 8-year-old niece who was injured in a horrible ATV accident in Tangipahoa Parish, but has now been released from the hospital. On Twitter, Spears says prayers were answered for Maddie, and the family appreciates the support more than you’ll ever know.

It’s a delightful spring-like February weekend for a crawfish boil and there are plenty out there. Jeff Palermo reports…:
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The LSU men’s basketball team will try to snap their 10-game losing streak tonight when they host Arkansas. LSU President F King Alexander told the Jim Engster Show it’s been a tough season for the Tigers, but any decision on Coach Johnny Jones’ future will be made later this year…
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Tonight’s game against the Hogs will tip-off at 7:30 PM.

Governor John Bel Edwards has requested a presidential disaster deceleration following last week’s devastating tornado outbreak in south Louisiana. In a statement, the governor says 6 tornadoes were confirmed, including two EF3 systems which caused major damage across the region. If the request is granted, the state would receive federal aid for recovery efforts.

Deputies in Iberville Parish say they have made the largest gas pump skimmer arrest in the state’s history. Emelie Gunn has more…:
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It’s the time of year for high school seniors to begin filling out forms for financial aid for college, and tomorrow professional help with the applications is being offered throughout the state. Louisiana Office of Student Financial Assistance Spokesperson Gus Wales…:
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Students are encouraged to pre-register for the events at www.osfa.la.gov.

On this spring-like February weekend in Sportsman’s Paradise, many residents are gathering with family and friends to boil some crawfish. The good news, according to LSU AgCenter aquaculture specialist Mark Shirley, is that the prices for mudbugs are starting to come down from the January high…:
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He says it’s still too early to know if 2017 will break any records or be a standout year for mudbugs.

Iberville Parish authorities say they have made the biggest gas skimmer arrest in the state’s history. Sheriff Brett Stassi says deputies arrested Serafin Fuentes and his son, Juan, of Miami, Florida, during a traffic stop on Interstate 10 where they discovered illegal equipment in the vehicle…:
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Stassi says there is the potential that 2 million dollars was illegally collected on the Fuentes’ skimmers.

St. Charles Parish officials are allowing evacuated residents to return to their homes after a Thursday night Phillips 66 pipeline fire on a pipeline. State Police Trooper Melissa Matey says there are still some closures on Highway 631…:
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The large pipeline fire Thursday near Paradis injured six workers and left one unaccounted for.

It’s going to be a beautiful weekend to have a crawfish boil and the good news for restaurants, farmers and consumers is that the supply of mudbugs continues to be great for this time of year. LSU AgCenter aquaculture specialist Mark Shirley says the catch is only going to get better..:
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He says now is the time where you see the bigger drop in the prices from the January high.

LSU basketball will look to avoid its 11th straight defeat on Saturday when they host Arkansas at the Maravich Center. Coach Johnny Jones’ team is 9-14 overall, 1-and-10 in the SEC. During an appearance on the Jim Engster Show, LSU President F King Alexander was asked about whether a coaching change is needed..:
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During the 10-game losing streak, all but two of LSU’s defeats have been double digits.

Filling out financial aid forms can be confusing for students and parents, that’s why a free session to get professional help with the applications is being offered around the state on Sunday. Louisiana Office of Student Financial Assistance Spokesperson Gus Wales says this allows for a painless sign up process…:
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You can find more information about College Goal Sunday online at www.osfa.la.gov.

A Phillips 66 employee remains unaccounted for after a pipeline explosion that took place in St. Charles Parish on Thursday night. The company says six people were working at the site in Paradis when the blast occurred. Todd Denton with Phillips 66 expressed his sorrow for those involved at a news conference Friday morning…:
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The missing person has not been identified.

Are the state’s budget woes the fault of the Jindal Administration? A telephone poll of 900 Louisiana residents conducted by UNO finds 60% of those asked blame former Governor Bobby Jindal for the current fiscal mess. UNO political scientist Ed Chervenak says two-thirds of respondents say there is a need for a special legislative session:
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Lawmakers will tackle the $304 million dollar deficit begiining Monday.

Louisiana Tech announces that Bulldogs running back Jaqwis Dancy is cancer-free after several rounds of chemo. The school said in October that Dancy was diagnosed with stage 3 Hodgkin lymphoma, but received the good news this week that the treatment had worked.

This Sunday high school seniors have the opportunity to receive professional assistance in filling out their Free Application for Federal Student Aid or FAFSA. It’s called College Goal Sunday and it’s free and open to the public. Louisiana Office of Student Financial Assistance Spokesperson Gus Wales says any soon to be high school graduate can get help at 15 locations around the state…:
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Students are encouraged to pre-register at www.osfa.la.gov.

The Iberville Parish Sheriff’s Office says they’ve made what’s being called the largest arrest in gas pump skimming ever in Louisiana. They said 5 skimmers were found by deputies during a routine traffic stop. The Secret Service handles skimming investigations and said with the seizure of 5 skimmers, that’s equal to $2 million dollars.

A UNO survey finds most Louisiana residents blame former Governor Bobby Jindal for the state’s current budget problems. Jeff Palermo has the story…:
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More and more couples are moving away from traditional Valentine’s Day gifts, to more experience related ones. LSU Marketing Professor Dan Rice..:
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The National Retail Federation finds this Valentine’s Day consumers are expected to spend 18.2 billion dollars.

Lawmakers are slated to begin a special session on Monday to discuss how best to close a $304 million dollar budget shortfall; and a recent survey shows Louisianians surveyed blame the fiscal mess on former Governor Bobby Jindal. UNO political scientist Ed Chervenak says Governor John Bel Edwards continues to be popular with a 49 percent approval rating…:
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The telephone survey interviewed about nine-hundred Louisiana residents earlier this week.

U.S. Representative Clay Higgins urges new Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly to use social media as a way to vet immigrants. He says this can be accomplished by requiring a visa applicant to provide their social media usernames and passwords…:
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The Republican from St. Landry Parish made the comments during a Homeland Security Committee meeting.

39-percent of drivers in the U.S. have never shopped around to find cheaper auto insurance. That’s according to InsuranceQuotes.com. State Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says an easy way for drivers to save money on auto insurance is to increase your deductible or lower your coverage limits. He says this is considered self-insuring and taking as much risk as a motorist can reasonably afford…:
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He says there is a comparison rate guide on the department of insurance’s website to view different policies.

One worker is still missing and two others injured after an explosion and fire at the Phillips 66 pipeline in Paradis, according to the St. Charles Parish Sheriff’s Office. They said the fire could burn for hours or even days in the area about 30 miles west of New Orleans. The cause of the blast is under investigation.

Are the state’s budget woes the fault of the Jindal Administration? A telephone poll of 900 Louisiana residents conducted by UNO finds 60% of those asked blame former Governor Bobby Jindal for the current fiscal mess. UNO political scientist Ed Chervenak says two-thirds of respondents say there is a need for a special legislative session:
Cut 15 (10) “wants to do”

A recent survey by insurance Quotes finds 39-percent of motorists have never looked around for a cheaper policy. Don Molino has more…:
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A suggestion to use social media as a way to vet immigrants is being brought by Louisiana US Representative Clay Higgins. The Republican from St. Landry Parish said at a Homeland Security meeting that one way to prevent a possible terrorist from entering the US is to check out their Facebook Page…:
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Higgins says he is encouraged with the direction of the Homeland Security Department after hearing Secretary John Kelly speak.

Are you planning on getting your sweetheart anything for Valentine’s Day? The National Retail Federation says the number of couples who plan to celebrate Tuesday’s romantic holiday is down 10-percent from 2007, to just over half of us. But LSU Marketing Professor Dan Rice says it’s still a big day for retailers..:
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The NRF says consumers are expected to spend 18.2 billion dollars for Valentines this year.