The Revenue Estimating Conference meets today to discuss the exact budget deficit the state faces. Emelie Gunn has more…:
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Multiple media outlets are reporting that officials confirm Louisiana serial killer Derrick Todd Lee died of heart disease. The Department of Corrections said Lee died on January 21 while being treated at a hospital.

In updated federal health insurance market place numbers, the Department of Health and Human Services reports 102,000 of the 214,000 Louisiana residents who signed up for Affordable Care Act plans for 2016, are new customers.

Sixteen more parishes were declared federal disaster areas, bringing the total number of parishes to receive federal aid to 23. Mike Steele with the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness says more parishes could be added to that list in the next few days. He says FEMA is proving to be a good partner…:
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In big flood news today, I-10 is closed at the Louisiana/Texas border due to flooding on the Sabine River.

Cleco customers could be getting free electricity this summer as the Pineville-based utility company announces that’s going to be a new part of their sale deal to Macquarie Infrastructure which state regulators turned down last month. Cleco President Darren Olagues (Oh-Leg-Ess) says if the Public Service Commission agrees, ratepayers will receive a $370 credit on their bill. He feels the PSC got false information when they voted no…:
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The total number of parishes that have been declared federal disaster areas has climbed to 23, after 16 more parishes were added to the list. Jeff Palermo has the story…:
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Both Texas and Louisiana transportation officials are reporting that I-10 is closed in both directions at the state line due to a swelling Sabine River. Sgt. James Anderson with State Police suggests a long haul alternate route if you’re heading to The Lone Star State today…:
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It’s expected we’ll get a better idea of the exact budget deficit facing the state at today’s Revenue Estimating Conference meeting. LSU Economist Dr. Jim Richardson serves on the panel and he says they’ll hear from the state’s fiscal office about how much was actually raised during the special session…:
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The meeting is set to begin at 10:30.

An Opelousas man was arrested for allegedly killing his mother’s dog because she refused to give him $4 for cigarettes. Corey Leger with the Opelousas police department, says Johnathan Williams is charged with aggravated cruelty to animals…:
cut 11 (05) “the dog”

Sixteen additional parishes have been declared federal disaster areas, bringing the total to 23.

Louisiana’s Health Department reports there’s been a fourth storm-related death, which occurred in Natchitoches Parish. The coroner reports three people were moving items from a flooded residence when the boat there were using began taking on water, and only two of the individuals were able to swim to safety.

Louisiana Supreme Court Justice Bernette Johnson wants to follow the lead of other states and decrease the incarceration rate in Louisiana. Emelie Gunn has more…

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Hundreds of Red Cross disaster workers have been assisting people affected by the flooding around the state. Nancy Malone with the Red Cross says they have 6 shelters in north Louisiana, three in southeast Louisiana and one in the Calcasieu area that are still open. She says hundreds of homes were either destroyed or received major damage.

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Malone says people can donate $10 to the Red Cross via cell phone by texting the word “REDCROSS” to 9-0-9-9-9.

Alexandria attorney Thomas Davenport is asking the Rapides Parish Police Jury to remove a Confederate monument outside of the Rapides Parish Courthouse. Davenport says it is saddening that of all the good things our state has done, this is what was chosen to be memorialized.

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The police jury has reviewed Davenport’s request, but is holding off on any action, until the state legislature acts on legislation dealing with the confederate monuments.

Sixteen more Louisiana parishes have been added to FEMA’s list of federal disaster areas bringing the total number of parishes to 23 that will be eligible for federal aid, like temporary housing, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property and money for home repairs. That request was granted after Governor John Bel Edwards asked the federal government to expand the federal disaster area.

The Red Cross has already been active throughout the state assisting people impacted by the flooding. Red Cross spokesperson Nancy Malone says hundreds of disaster workers are responding in and around Louisiana. She says over 200 people stayed overnight in the 14 Red Cross and community run shelters across Louisiana.

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Malone says people can make a $10 donation to the Red Cross by texting the word “REDCROSS” to 90999.

Officials in Livingston Parish have also been working around the clock dealing with flood waters and residents who were displaced from their homes. Sheriff Jason Ard says they saw high levels in Springfield, Holden and Denham Springs…:

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Ard says they’ve rescued over 100 people since the flood event started.

Louisiana has the highest incarceration rate in the country. Louisiana Supreme Court Chief Justice Bernette Johnson wants to reduce the number of low level inmates, which she says will save the state money. She says out greatest resource is out people, so the state needs to invest in programs to provide more job opportunities.

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The Red Cross has been working around the clock assisting people across the state affected by the flooding. Nancy Malone with the Red Cross says over 200 people stayed overnight in the 14 Red Cross and community run shelters across the state. She says hundreds of homes were either destroyed or received major damage.

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She says people can donate $10 to the Red Cross via cell phone by texting the word “REDCROSS” to 9-0-9-9-9.

Officials in Livingston Parish have also been working non stop with flood waters and residents who were evacuated from their homes. Sheriff Jason Ard says they saw high levels in the Maurepas area, Springfield, Holden and Denham Springs. He says many people took on water in their homes and are struggling with nightmare cleanup and recovery…:
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He says they’ve rescued over 100 people since the flood event started.

Louisiana has the highest incarceration rate in the United States and Louisiana Supreme Court Chief Justice Bernette Johnson wants to reduce the number of low level inmates, which will save the state money. Johnson says our country locks up more people than Iran, China, and Germany.
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She says Louisiana spent over 600 million dollars in state corrections last fiscal year.

LSU is launching the car sharing service, Zipcar, to rent a vehicle by the hour, week, or month. Jeff Campbell, LSU’s Sr. Director of Parking and Transportation Services, says interested students or anyone in the area would pay a yearly membership fee and the cars are conveniently located around campus. He hopes this will increase international students at LSU.
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The Red Cross is helping thousands of people in Louisiana who have been impacted by the recent flooding. Halen Doughty has more…:
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Officials in Livingston Parish have also been working around the clock dealing with flood waters and residents who were displaced from their homes. Sheriff Jason Ard says they saw high levels in the Maurepas area, Springfield, Holden and Denham Springs…:
CUT 3 (10) “to seeing it”

Alexandria attorney Thomas Davenport is asking the Rapides Parish Police Jury to remove a Confederate monument outside of the Parish Courthouse. Davenport says the monument, which has been there for over 100 years, alters the perception of justice…:
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The police jury is holding off on any action until the state legislature acts on measures dealing with the confederate monuments.

Louisiana has the highest incarceration rate in the United States and Louisiana Supreme Court Chief Justice Bernette Johnson wants to reduce the number of low level inmates, which will save the state money. She says comprehensive solutions to the state’s over-incarceration should include changes to pre-trial services, like South Carolina and Kentucky have done…:
Cut 13 (08) “of it”
Johnson says Louisiana spent over 600 million dollars in state corrections last fiscal year.

The Red Cross has been active in and around the state assisting those affected by historic flooding. Louisiana Red Cross spokeswoman Nancy Malone says hundreds of disaster workers are responding throughout the state. She says more than 200 people stayed overnight in the 14 Red Cross and community run shelters…:
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She says anyone who would like to help out can visit red-cross-dot-org for details.

Governor John Bel Edwards has released a list of additional parishes he’s requesting the the federal government declare disaster areas so residents affected by the flood can get assistance. The newly requested parishes are Beauregard, Bienville, Caddo, Caldwell, DeSoto, LaSalle, Livingston, Madison, Natchitoches, St. Tammany, Tagnipahoa, Union, Vernon, Washington, West Carroll, and Winn. Already approved are Bossier, Claiborne, Grant, Morehouse, Ouachita, Richland, and Webster.

LSU is launching the car sharing service, Zipcar, so students without a vehicle can rent one by the hour, week, or month. Jeff Campbell, LSU’s Sr. Director of Parking and Transportation Services, says anyone interested would pay a yearly membership fee and find the vehicles conveniently located around campus….:
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He says you can sign up for Zipcar one their website or by downloading the smartphone app.

Former LSU football player Mo Claiborne released a statement today regarding the fact that his 2011 championship ring was being auctioned off on Ebay. He asserts the ring was taken from him without his knowledge and that he’d never sell any of his LSU memorabilia.

Louisiana is dealing with historic flooding and it’s causing several road closures and officials are keeping a close eye on the interstates. State Police say the I-10 at the Texas border could close at some point today due to the rising Sabine River. Sgt James Anderson says, in the event of the closure, motorists traveling to Texas today should make alternate plans…:
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Updated statewide road closures are listed on the State Police Facebook page.

Mike Steele with the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness advises residents to sign up for federal assistance if your home flooded, even if you’re not in one of the 7 declared disaster parishes…:
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You can apply at emergency-dot-la-dot-gov.

Lawmakers just came out of a special session, and Governor John Bel Edwards is already saying they might need another, as the state is still facing a huge budget shortfall. Jeff Palermo has the story…:
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Grant Parish Sheriff Steven McCain says a levee at Bayou Darrow breached due to flooding and the Louisiana National Guard is using super sack sand bags to plug up the hole..:
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