Governor John Bel Edwards has called for a special session to start on February 19^th.  The 17-day special session is being called to address a one-billion-dollar fiscal cliff facing the state starting July 1^st when a one-cent sales tax drops off the books.  His plan calls for structural changes to the budget and tax policy. He is proposing to replace 994-million-dollars to keep TOPS and healthcare funded.  The GOP has said the Governor’s excessive spending needs to stop.

Attorney General Jeff Landry filed a lawsuit against the Corps of Engineers alleging that the Corps expanded the Intracoastal Waterway in Vermillion Parish beyond the borders set in a 1920s agreement. Landry says he’s seeking to force the Corps to roll back the waterway to the limits the state initially agreed to.

Cut 14 (11) “been lost”

A majority of Louisiana’s Congressional delegation voted against the spending bill that reopened the federal government after a brief shutdown…

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Don Molino”

The carnival season ramps up this weekend with parades all across the state. Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says New Orleans is the focal point for Mardi Gras, but the entire state benefits from an influx of tourists who want to be a part of the celebration….

Cut 3 (09) “of the state”

Congress approved a spending bill early Friday that reopened the federal government after a brief shutdown. The bill includes a substantial increase in defense and discretionary funding, including billions in additional disaster relief money, much of which should find its way back to 2016 Louisiana flood victims. Senator John Kennedy says despite voting against the bill, he sees some upside from the deal.

Cut 10 (10) “the waste.”

The spending bill includes a reported 165 billion dollar increase in military spending. North Louisiana Representative Ralph Abraham says that’s what got his vote.

Cut 11 (12) “the yes”

For many this is one of their favorite weekends of the year. Jeff Palermo has more on the Mardi Gras festivities….

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

A 14-year-old Shreveport boy is in serious condition after being shot in the neck last night.  Police say the teen was walking with his friend when a person in dark clothing started walking toward the pair and started firing a weapon.  The boy sustained injuries to his neck and a foot.  He is expected to recover.  There are no suspects at this time.

The Philadelphia 76ers never trailed en-route to a 100-82 drubbing of the Pelicans Friday night.  Anthony Davis led the Pels with 14 points only shooting 31 percent from the floor going 6 for 19 on the night.  New Orleans is now on a three game losing streak.  Next stop for the Pelicans is Brooklyn to take on the Nets tonight.

The Saints have announced they are raising ticket prices for next season. The NFL franchise has told their fans that 75-percent of the seats will see an increase of 10-percent or less and some seats could see even higher increases. The team says the extra revenue will be used to improve the fan experience inside the Mercedes Benz Superdome. The Saints also say it will put their ticket prices around the league average.

LSU baseball has been picked to finish fourth in the SEC West in a preseason poll of the coaches. Arkansas is the favorite to win the West, followed by Texas A-and-M and Ole Miss.

The LSU men’s basketball team is back home this afternoon to host the Ole Miss Rebels. Both teams are 4-7 in league play, but the Rebels have lost four in a row. Tigers Coach Will Wade says Ole Miss has good size and they are physical. He says the key is keeping them off the free throw line.

After losing their first Sun Belt game of the year, UL Lafayette is at Georgia Southern for a 4 PM tip. ULM visits Georgia State, who just beat the Cajuns. The Warhawks are coming off an overtime win over Georgia Southern.

Louisiana Tech has a tough matchup inside the Thomas Assembly Center tonight as they host Old Dominion. The Monarchs are 9-2 in Conference Play, while the Bulldogs are 6-and-6.

In the Southland, first place Nicholls State hosts Houston Baptist. Southeastern Louisiana, who is a half-game back of the Colonels is at McNeese State.

Grambling who has won eight in a row visits Prairie View A-and-M. Southern hosts SWAC leader Arkansas Pine Bluff.

The special session is set to go on February 19^th to take on the state’s one billion dollar budget gap that hits with temporary sales taxes expire on June 30^th.  Governor John Bel Edwards, along with the Senate President and House Speaker all say they wanted the session.  The governor favors a tax package that may raise taxes for businesses, and people with middle to upper incomes to avoid slashing TOPS, health care, and public safety programs.  But Republicans have other ideas like possibly renewing the one cent state sales tax.

Attorney General Jeff Landry filed a lawsuit against the Corps of Engineers alleging that they expanded the Intracoastal Waterway in Vermillion Parish beyond what it agreed to in a 1920s agreement.  He’s seeking to force the Corps to roll back the waterway to the limits the state initially agreed to.

Cut 14  (11)”… been lost.”

Landry says the expansion contributed to the decline of Louisiana’s coastline.

Congress approved a spending bill that reopened the federal government after a brief shutdown over the night. Louisiana’s delegation voted three to five against accepting the budget deal. Senator John Kennedy voted against the bill, saying the spending increases are not paid for.

Cut 9 (10) “…new expenses.”

Representative Ralph Abraham voted ‘yes’ and is not happy about increasing the deficit, but he says the predictions for how much the debt will balloon may be overstated.

Cut 12 (11) “…long run”

But as Abraham sees it, the biggest benefit of the legislation is that it should give more federal funding for the United States’ military.

The carnival season ramps up this weekend with parades all across the state. Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says New Orleans is the focal point for Mardi Gras, but the entire state benefits from an influx of tourists who want to be a part of the celebration.

Cut 3 (09) “of the state”

Some areas of the state tomorrow could see a couple of inches of rain.

Congress approved a spending bill that reopened the federal government after a brief shutdown over the night. Senator John Kennedy voted against the bill, saying the spending increases are not paid for.

Cut 9 (10) “new expenses.”

Kennedy was joined in voting no by Senator Bill Cassidy, and Representatives Cedric Richmond, Mike Johnson, and Garret Graves. Representatives Ralph Abraham, Clay Higgins, and Steve Scalise voted yes.

Today is the deadline for Governor John Bel Edwards to call a February special session to address the fiscal cliff. The governor said he would not call the session without an agreement in principle on a fiscal cliff deal, but LAPoltics.com publisher Jeremy Alford says the governor is being pushed to call the session.

Cut 7 (09)  “the line.”

According to the Tax Foundation, Louisiana’s combined state and local sales tax rate is the highest in the country.

A 27-year-old Mansura man was arrested for distribution of child pornography on Wednesday. Dustin Novo is being held at the Avoyelles Parish Detention Center. State Police spokesperson Scott Moreau is encouraging anyone with information to report it authorities.

Cut 12 (08) “child pornography.”

The carnival season ramps up this weekend with parades all across the state. Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser plans to be in Washington DC on Fat Tuesday to promote the state’s new tourism slogan, “Louisiana: Feed Your Soul.” He says it’s his hope that it will be a safe Mardi Gras and he knows our state and local law enforcement is working hard to make sure it is…

Cut 5  (07)  “any incidents”

Weather will play a big part in the festivities this weekend.  Even though it will seem gloomy, above normal temperatures will remain, which State Climatologist Barry Keim says will help it to feel more like spring…

Cut 7 (07)  “overcast skies.”

The Iris parade in New Orleans has been moved to 10am and the Tucks parade will follow at 11am.

Drax Biomass is relocating its headquarters from Atlanta to Monroe.  Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Sue Nicholson says Monroe’s economy is booming, and having several colleges in the area, companies are provided with a highly educated pool of workers to choose from.

Cut 14 (05) “to grow”

A Monroe man was arrested after police found him climbing an electrical pole in his underwear.  23-year-old Ballard Rose told police he smelled gas in his apartment. He claimed he climbed the pole and was chewing grass to ground himself.  When police went to his residence, they found methamphetamine.   Rose was taken to the Ouachita Correctional Center.

Today is the deadline for Governor John Bel Edwards to call a February special session to address the looming one billion dollar budget hole resulting in the expiration of sales taxes.  Reports indicate the house GOP caucus may be coming to consensus on a plan to address the budget gap. LAPolitics.com publisher Jeremy Alford says Republican leaders may propose renewing a one cent sales tax that’s set to expire June 30^th.

Cut 8 (07) “tax structures”

A 27-year-old Mansura man was arrested for distribution of child pornography on Wednesday. Dustin Novo is being held on a 100,000 dollar bond.  State Police spokesperson Scott Moreau says is encouraging anyone with information about possible cases of child pornography to report it to authorities.

Cut 12 (08) “child pornography.”

Wet weather will be a part of the final weekend of Mardi Gras.  While southeast Louisiana will see a heavy amount of rain, the forecast may be a little better in Southwest Louisiana, where the front will move through causing greater rain chances earlier in the weekend.  Kent Kuyper from the National Weather Service Lake Charles office…

Cut 5  (06)  “are evolving.”

It will be a warm weekend however.

Drax Biomass is relocating its headquarters from Atlanta to Monroe.  Governor John Bel Edwards calls it another big win for Louisiana’s economy. Drax operates two wood pellet manufacturing facilities and a shipping operation in Louisiana. Monroe Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Sue Nicholson says Drax joins CenturyLink as another large company operating in the area…

Cut 15 (07) “and diversify”

Many Mardi Gras revelers will keep one eye on the parades and one eye on the skies as threatening weather may put a damper on their celebrations.  Danielle Manning with the National Weather Service in Slidell says Saturday and Sunday will be soggy…

Cut 4  (09) “at once.” 

Drax Biomass is relocating its headquarters from Atlanta to Monroe, in what Governor John Bel Edwards is hailing as another big win for Louisiana’s economy. Drax already operates two wood pellet manufacturing facilities and a shipping operation in the state. Monroe Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Sue Nicholson says that means 150 good paying jobs are on the way.

Cut 13 (09)  “management professionals”

Governor John Bel Edwards has set today as the deadline to call a February special session. Matt Doyle talked to LAPolitics.com about what the governor might do.

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle.”

A Texas prisoner has confessed to three New Orleans murders.  48-year-old Joseph Brandt confessed to killing the women in 2007 and 2008.  Brandt is serving time on a burglary charge in the Lone Star state.  He agreed to a deal that will spare him the death penalty.    After giving detailed confessions, a judge set his total bail at three-million-dollars.

Governor John Bel Edwards receives an invitation for a White House event to discuss President Donald Trump’s infrastructure plans. Jeff Palermo has story…

Cut 3 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

A man killed in a stabbing has been identified as a Baton Rouge Marine stationed in California.  21-year-old Dominique Clement was stabbed and killed Monday. The Twentynine Palms Marine Base confirmed Clement was stationed there at the base for two and a half years after a boot camp.

Drax Biomass is relocating its headquarters from Atlanta to Monroe.  Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Sue Nicholson says Monroe’s economy is booming, and having several colleges in the area, companies are provided with a highly educated pool of workers to choose from.

Cut 14 (05) “to grow”

Drax joins CenturyLink as another big company with a headquarters in Monroe.

It’s the big carnival weekend as Mardi Gras celebrates the final weekend for the year.  Temperatures in South Louisiana will be at or above normal, making it feel more like spring in some areas, but it will be soggy as heavy rainfall is expected.   National Weather Service forecaster Danielle Manning says even though it will be warmer, the chances of severe weather are slim…

Cut 6 (10)  “weather risk..”

Today is the deadline for Governor John Bel Edwards to call a February special session to address the looming one billion dollar budget hole resulting in the expiration of sales taxes. The governor said he would not call the session without an agreement in principle on a fiscal cliff deal, but LAPolitics.com publisher Jeremy Alford says the governor is being pushed to call the session.

Cut 7 (09)  “the line.”

Because it’s a revenue issue, the fiscal cliff can only be addressed in a special session.

A 27-year-old Mansura man was arrested for distribution of child pornography on Wednesday. Dustin Novo is being held at the Avoyelles Parish Detention Center on a 100,000 dollar bond. State Police spokesperson Scott Moreau says deputies were tipped off about a month ago.

Cut 10 (07) “some information”

A warrant for Novo’s residence was served, and after a search of the premises, he was arrested and charged.

Will the weather cooperate with the big Mardi Gras celebrations in south Louisiana this weekend?  Michael Farrar spoke with the National Weather Service…

Cut 1 (28) “I’m Michael Farrar.”