As expected, the budget news learned Friday was not good. Jeff Palermo reports…:
CUT 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Asked who would be paying for his trip to Italy, Governor John Bel Edwards says taxpayers are only covering part of the expenses…:
Cut 9 (07) “are going”
Edwards is going to Rome to meet with the pope and also have discussions about the human trafficking epidemic.

The unseasonably warm January continues in Louisiana this weekend. State Climatologist Barry Keim…:
CUT 25 (03) “above normal”
He says the warmth will continue in the southern part of the state through most of the work week, but thunderstorms and slightly cooler air is going to bring down temperatures in northern parishes by Tuesday.

The entire New Orleans Fair Grounds race track is under a quarantine in an effort to stop the spread of an equine herpes virus. Ag Commissioner Mike Strain…:
Cut 10 (08) “under control”
Strain says nine of the two-thousand horses at the track are in isolation.

Nearly 10,000 people from 45 states and 7 countries are in Baton Rouge this weekend for the Louisiana Marathon. Spokesman Danny Bourgeois says this event has become so huge and the feedback from Louisianians there is inspiring…:
CUT 15 (07) “our race”
Events spanning three days lead up to the big marathon and half marathon tomorrow morning.

The state’s forecasting panel says Louisiana’s budget that ends June 30th contains a $313 million dollar hole, meaning it’s likely we’ll see the legislature go into a special session. House Speaker Taylor Barras agrees, but after the last two extraordinary sessions, the idea to raise more revenue isn’t a popular one…:
Cut 5 (06) “the gaps”
Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne says lawmakers all need to convene and decide where cuts need to be made and how best to spread them out…:
CUT 4 (10) “fiscal year”
Governor Edwards released a statement regarding the bad budget news. He says a special session will prevent deep budget cuts in the areas of higher education and health care. He plans to develop a plan with legislative leaders that solves this budget crisis.

State Senator Troy Brown of Assumption Parish has issued a statement in response for calls to him to resign over his two domestic violence related arrests, and recent “no contest” plea for alleged abuse against his wife. He says while he would respect the wishes of the Senate if they choose to expel him, legal action would follow. Brown apologized but said he doesn’t feel a misdemeanor warrants him being removed.

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

State legislators will likely be called into a special session next month to deal with a budget deficit. The Revenue Estimating Conference has determined the midyear shortfall is around 313-million dollars. Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne says legislative input will be needed to address a budget gap of that magnitude…:
Cut 3 (04) “as possible”
Governor Edwards can make cuts to the budget, but state law only allows in certain areas.

Meanwhile Edwards is headed to Italy where the topic will be the human trafficking epidemic. He’ll be joined by State. Police Colonel Mike Edmonson and a couple of lawmakers and they’ll meet with nuns who want to open a shelter for victims of sex trade…:
CUT 7 (10) “human trafficking”
The governor hopes to meet with the pope on Wednesday and he says he’s paying his own way, but taxpayer dollars will pay for his security.

LSU’s leading receiver this past season Malachi Dupre has decided to enter the NFL draft. Dupre struggled early on during the 2016 campaign and finished with 41 catches for 593 yards and three touchdowns. NFL draft analyst Mike Detillier believes he’ll be selected in either the second or third round. Dupre is the fourth Tiger to turn pro early.

Racing continues at the New Orleans Fair Grounds, 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.

And be careful on the roadways especially in south Louisiana where a dense fog adivsory is in effect until nine am Saturday.

State leaders heard grim budget news today, which likely means a special session next month. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Napoleonville Senator Troy Brown issued a statement saying he has no intention of leaving office, even as some state lawmakers are calling for his resignation after he was convicted for a second time on a charge of domestic abuse battery. Brown says expulsion is the most severe punishment available, calling it the political equivalent to execution.

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 accompany the governor on the trip, and they are also paying out of pocket. State dollars will only cover the cost for the governor’s security detail.

Nearly 10,000 people are expected to be in Baton Rouge this weekend for the state’s biggest running event of the year- The Louisiana Marathon. That’s according to spokesman Danny Bourgeois, who says over the last 5 years, they’ve seen runners attend from here and beyond.

Cut 13 (06) “very exciting”

The marathon kicks off at the state capitol, and the race is a qualifier for the Boston Marathon.

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.

A special session looks like it might happen again this year as the Revenue Estimating Conference projects the mid year deficit to be about $313 million dollars. Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne says lawmakers have to give input so any cuts can be spread around..:
CUT 4 (10) “fiscal year”
The governor says these projections highlight the need for comprehensive tax reform in the upcoming session.

Meanwhile Edwards is headed to Italy where the topic will be the human trafficking epidemic. He’ll be joined by State. Police COl Mike Edmonson, some lawmakers and the Hospitaler Sisters of Mercy who want to open a shelter for victims of sex trade…:
CUT 7 (10) “human trafficking”
They will meet with the pope on Wednesday.

Almost 10,000 people are expected to be in Baton Rouge this weekend for the biggest running event of the year in the state: The Louisiana Marathon. That’s according to spokesman Danny Bourgeois. He says over the last 5 years, they’ve seen runners attend from here and beyond.:
Cut 13 (06) “very exciting”
The Quarter Marathon & 5K takes place Saturday morning, then the big event and half marathon begin early Sunday.

A group of south Lafourche businessmen and former LSU and Tarpon football players announce they will hold a special day to honor Tiger coach Ed Orgeron on February 17th; so his home town can celebrate him being named the new leader of the Bayou Bengals. They event will be held at the Larose Civic Center. During the event, Coach O’s jersey from the 1977 State Champion SLHS football team will be retired.

State legislators will likely be called into a special session next month to deal with a budget deficit. The Revenue Estimating Conference has determined the midyear shortfall is around 313-million dollars. Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne says legislative input will be needed to address a budget gap of that magnitude…:
Cut 3 (04) “as possible”
Governor Edwards can make cuts to the budget, but state law only allows in certain areas.

The governor will be in Rome over the next few days with State Police Col Mike Edmonson and others where the topic will be the human trafficking epidemic. Louisiana has been recognized as the leading state in the fight against the crime. Edwards says Rome is leading the way putting an end to this illegal trade of humans, and they hope to learn new ways to assist victims…:
Cut 8 (09) “that lifestyle”
Edwards is also planning to meet with Pope Francis Wednesday.

Flu cases are on the rise as four out of every 100 people visiting the doctor in Louisiana is diagnosed with Influenza. Emelie Gunn has more.:
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The Revenue Estimating Conference is meeting at this hour to decide the size of the state’s midyear budget shortfall. So far a pretty picture is not being painted as lawmakers had hoped last month that tax collections would look better by now, but actually they look worse. Governor John Bel Edwards says whatever is determined today will decide whether another special session is needed. But But Appropriations Chairman Cameron Henry says there’s not an appetite at the Capitol to raise any more revenue, but they do have a plan…:
Cut 16 (08) “at this point”
Edwards estimates a shortfall greater than $300 million would require a special session to resolve.

4th District Congressman Mike Johnson has been invited by Congress to serve on another committee. Earlier this week Johnson was named to House Judiciary; today the US House of Representatives welcomed the Republican from Louisiana to the Natural Resources Committee.

The entire New Orleans Fair Grounds race track is under a quarantine in an effort to stop the spread of an equine herpes virus. Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain says this quarantine has been implemented out of an abundance of caution…:
Cut 10 (08) “under control”
He says nine horses of the two-thousand at the track are in isolation and three of them recently tested positive for the equine herpes virus.

The crawfish harvest is looking decent for 2017, but not as good as last year. LSU AgCenter Aquaculture Specialist Mark Shirley says it depends how the weather goes in the coming months…:
CUT 25 (11) “little bit more”
He says even though we aren’t seeing as great of a crop as last year, we’re still on par with the long term average.