Tonight state lawmakers will convene for another special session to attempt to resolve a $304 million midyear budget deficit. ULM political science professor Dr. Joshua Stockley says one of the biggest battles will be whether or not to tap into the rainy day fund. He says if they don’t, tough decisions will have to be made..:
Cut 3 (08) “state services”
The special session begins tonight at 6:30 p.m. and must end by midnight on February 22.

A new website has launched that seeks to help Louisianans find jobs in the service industry. Wendy Waren with the Louisiana Restaurant Association says LouisianaHospitalityJobs.com is designed to meet the needs of the state’s ever-expanding hospitality sector…:
Cut 6 (09) “currently filled”
That site again is LouisianaHospitalityJobs.com.

Former Governor Kathleen Blanco on actress Annette Bening being cast to portray her in FX’s American Crime Story about Hurricane Katrina.
Cut 1 (32) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

38 children were on a bus in St. Helena Parish that crashed and overturned, sending 11 kids and the driver to the hospital with minor to moderate injuries, according to officials. They say the bus was making a legal turn when the vehicle was struck by a pickup trying to pass in a no-passing zone. The driver of the truck was cited for that and careless operation.

It’s been 6 months since The Great Flood of 2016, so how far have affected Louisiana communities come?
Voicer 3 (30) “I’m Michelle Southern”

Phillips 66 says the pipeline fire in St. Charles Parish is out. A missing worker that was at the scene when Thursday’s blast occurred is presumed dead. He’s been identified as Josh Helms. Phillips 66 says once the area is safe to access, the St. Charles Parish Coroner’s office will begin their investigation.

State lawmakers return to the capitoal tonight for the start of a special session to address a 304-million dollar budget deficit for this fiscal year. Governor John Bel Edwards recommends using 119-million dollars in rainy day dollars to cover up the revenue shortfall, but House Appropriations Chairman Cameron Henry supports more cuts to the budget, because the state faces another significant deficit next fiscal year…
cut 8 (11) “…reductions now”

Former Governor Kathleen Blanco is honored to hear Oscar nominated acctress Anette Bening will play her in the FX television series Katrina: American Crime Story. Blanco says she would be happy to sit down talk with Bening before filming stars…
cut 5 (07) “…each other”
The show is expected to air next year.

Should state senator Troy Brown be expelled from the Senate due to his two convictions related to domestic violence? State Senator Dan Claitor says he plans to bring a resolution to remove Brown from office as the special session gets underway tonight at 6:30. Brown has said he would fight any efforts to oust him with his attorney.

Lawmakers head back to the capitol for no more than 10 days to figure out what to do about the state’s $304 million dollar shortfall. The governor’s office wants to tap into the rainy day fund, but some lawmakers like Monroe Representative Jay Morris believe making cuts are the better option. He points to a specific Department of Health program on physical fitness and sports…:
CUT 10 (12) “and a like”
The special session must conclude business by midnight February 22nd.

The Great Flood of 2016 happened 6 months ago, and communities are still in recovery mode, but say progress has been made. Today St. Amant High students are back on their home campus after platooning with Dutchtown since August. Ascension Parish Public Schools Superintendent David Alexander says it was incredible to see how well everyone impacted handled the circumstances…:
Cut 15 (11) “back home”
According to FEMA, more than 4,000 manufactured housing units, or MHUs, are spread across East Baton Rouge, Livingston and Ascension Parishes.

It’s reported that emergency crews are working a crash involving a school bus in St. Helena Parish that sent 11 children to the hospital with minor to moderate injuries. They said the wreck caused the bus to overturn while 40 children were on board. This is a developing story.

A special session to address the state’s $304 million dollar budget deficit begins tonight, and Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne says they’ll push lawmakers to use money from the Rainy Day Fund. But he does know that could face push back…:
Cut 11 (11) “we’re facing”
Monroe Representative Jay Morris is in favor of cutting the budget deeper than what the governor proposes…:
Cut 9 (10) “year over year”
A two-thirds vote in both the House and Senate is required before money can be taken out of the Rainy Day Fund.

President Donald Trump Saturday approved a federal disaster declaration for Orleans and Livingston parishes, following last week’s tornado outbreak. Governor Edwards thanked the president for his quick assistance.

It’s hard to believe, but the Great Flood that hit South Louisiana in 2016 happened six months ago. So how are things doing now? In Lafayette Parish, hundreds of homes took on water in the town of Youngsville. Mayor Ken Ritter says he’s frustrated at the recovery effort because many of their residents don’t qualify for flood aid due to their income begin above moderate…:
Cut 16 (09) “be affected”
In Livingston Parish, officials feel it might be 3-5 years before they get back to a pre-flood state.

Annette Bening, left, will portray former Governor Kathleen Blanco in the miniseries Katrina: American Crime Story which will air next year. Blanco says anticipates one of the story lines will be how the White House did not immediately bring the resources needed to help the thousands that were impacted….:
Cut 6 (08) “government”
The script is based off a book by Doug Brinkley, The Great Deluge.

A 10-day special session begins tonight as Governor John Bel Edwards is asking lawmakers to use a combination of cuts and money from the rainy day fund to close a 304-million dollar midyear budget deficit. Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne says it’s their recommendation that legislators approve the use of 119-million dollars in rainy day dollars…:
Cut 7 (09) “be made”
Republican House Appropriations Chairman Cameron Henry proposes to cut more than what the governor recommends, because the state faces another significant deficit next fiscal year…:
Cut 8 (11) “reductions now”
The special session must conclude business by midnight February 22nd.

6 months ago, the worst disaster to strike the United States in over 4 years hit Louisiana; “The Great Flood of 2016.” So where do things stand now? Livingston Parish President Layton Ricks says many residents are back in their homes, but…:
Cut 12 (10) “back on track”
St. Amant High Students return to their home campus today after being displaced since August.

Former Governor Kathleen Blanco on actress Annette Bening being cast to portray her in FX’s American Crime Story about Hurricane Katrina.
Cut 1 (32) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

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…:
Cut 2 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

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…:
Cut 4 (11) “like that”
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…:
Cut 14 (10) “on a single site”

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…:
CUT 4 (08) “free event”
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
cut 11 (10) “correctly”
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…:
Cut 2 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

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…
cut 16 (05) “….season left’
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…:
CUT 1 (30) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

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…:
Cut 3 (08) “FAFSA”
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…:
CUT 13 (10) “any longer”
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 during a traffic stop on Interstate 10 where they discovered illegal equipment in the vehicle…:
Cut 9 (09) “gas machine”
Stassi says there is the potential 2 million dollars was illegally collected on the skimmers.

St. Charles Parish officials have lifted an evacuation order after a Thursday night Phillips 66 pipeline explosion. State Police Trooper Melissa Matey says there are still some closures on Highway 631 as the product continues to burn off…:
Cut 8 (09) “out there”
The large pipeline fire near Paradis injured six workers and left one unaccounted for.

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…:
cut 4 (08) “free event”
You can find more information about College Goal Sunday online at www.osfa.la.gov.

It’s a great 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 will only get better..:
cut 12 (08) “about everyday”
He says now is the time where you see a drop in the prices from the January high.