The western half of the state is under a heat advisory today as heat indices are expected to reach 105 to 110 degrees. There is a good chance we can see some cooling showers as most of the state is under a marginal threat for a severe thunderstorm. In fact we’ve already seen flood advisories posted for the New Orleans metro area.

According to LSU economist Dr. Jim Richardson, Louisiana could finish this fiscal year with a 200 million dollar deficit. Senate President John Alario says he hopes this bad news, which would likely put TOPS and healthcare on the chopping block even more, encourages legislators to approve additional revenue in this special session…:
CUT 7 (11) “a dilemma”
The full House and Senate will meet tomorrow night as the special session must conclude at midnight Thursday.

More charges have been added in the murder of the Baton Rouge pregnant teacher. Baton Rouge Police Cpl. L’Jean McKneely says evidence leads investigators to conclude 40-year-old Lyntell Washington was fatally shot by 39-year-old Robert Marks. He says Marks was the assistant principal where Washington was a teacher, and she was threatening to reveal their affair.
Cut 11 (08) “for him”
Marks has been charged with first-degree murder and first-degree feticide.

A fired Livingston Parish teacher is arrested amid allegations she had sex with one of the students in her science class. Walker Police Captain John Sharp says 33-year-old Lynsie Pendarvis was charged with felony carnal knowledge of a juvenile…
CUT 5 (11) “gonna happen”

Governor John Bel Edwards spoke with the media today and continued to express his frustration with lawmakers who refuse to raise revenue needed to fill the $600 million dollar shortfall. Michelle Southern reports…:

CUT 2 (30)  “I’m Michelle Southern”

Saints and Pelicans owner Tom Benson has reached a settlement with his heirs when it comes to future control of the professional franchises and his other business interests. The terms of the settlement will not be made public, but the NFL and the NBA have been provided details. Benson’s goal was to make sure his wife Gayle had control of the teams when he dies.

The governor and legislative leaders have been told the state may finish this fiscal year with a budget shortfall of up to 200-million dollars, because corporate income taxes are coming in way below projections. Senate President John Alario says they won’t know for sure the actual amount until later in the year, when expenditures and collections are tabulated…
cut 8 (08) “…this point”

So far, the House has only agreed to 220 million dollars in additional revenue through various bills that make tax changes.

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries recovered the body of a 22-year-old Arnaudville man in the water in St. Landry Parish after a boating accident. LDWF spokesperson Adam Einck says Arron Baber and the driver of the boat were traveling on Bayou D’Arbonne when the vessel hit a railroad bridge piling.

cut 15 (10) “the bank”

According to LSU economist Dr. Jim Richardson, Louisiana could finish this fiscal year with a 200 million dollar deficit. Senate President John Alario says Richardson informed him that corporate income taxes are way below what was projected. But he says there are some circumstances that could improve this…

CUT 6 (08) “some improvement”

So far, the House has only agreed to 220 million dollars in additional revenue.

The state House has decided to wait until Sunday night before voting on a tax bill backed by Governor John Bel Edwards that would temporarily reduce a deduction for those who itemize on their state returns. Edwards says lawmakers need to know that the days of kicking the can down the road are over. He says he’s offered plan after plan to help solve this crisis…:

Cut 13 (09)  “do their work”

A former Livingston Parish teacher has been arrested following allegations of an inappropriate relationship with a student at Walker Freshman High School. Walker Police Capt. John Sharp says 33-year-old Lynsie Pendarvis was staying in Hattiesburg, Mississippi when the warrant was issued.

CUT 4 (12)  “dollar bond”

Sharp says the juvenile was a student in Pendarvis’ science class.

Charges have been added in the murder of the Baton Rouge pregnant teacher whose body was discovered in Iberville Parish. Baton Rouge Police Cpl. L’Jean McKneely says based on the coroner’s report, blood inside her car and interviews conducted with people who knew the victim, investigators were able to conclude 40-year-old Lyntell Washington was fatally shot by 39-year-old Robert Marks.

CUT 9 (10) “unborn child”

Governor John Bel Edwards met with reporters today and continued to express his frustration with lawmakers who refuse to raise revenue needed to fill the $600 million dollar shortfall. He says those same legislators who refuse to offer their own plan are just hoping money is going to show up…:
CUT 12 (06) “of action”
So far, the Republican controlled House has agreed to tax changes that would raise revenue by 222-million dollars, but Edwards says more is needed to avoid making difficult cuts to education, health care services and the TOP scholarship program

Saints and Pelicans owner Tom Benson has reached a settlement involving his heirs when it comes to future control of the professional franchises and his other business interests. The terms of the settlement will not be made public, but the NFL and the NBA have been provided details. Benson’s goal was to make sure his wife Gayle had control of the teams when he dies, not his daughter and grandchildren.

Former Baton Rouge assistant principal Robert Marks is now facing charges of first-degree murder and first-degree feticide in the death of a 40-year-old pregnant woman, who taught at his school. Baton Rouge police corporal L’Jean McKneely says their investigation determined Marks was the father of the child…
cut 10 (11) “….her life”
Washington’s badly decomposed body was found in Iberville Parish earlier this week.

A former Livingston Parish teacher has been arrested following allegations of an inappropriate relationship with a student at Walker Freshman High School. Walker Police Capt. John Sharp says 33-year-old Lynsie Pendarvis was arrested following an interview with the 15-year-old student who confirmed they had sex:
CUT 3 (10) “a juvenile” 2x
Sharp says the juvenile was a student in Pendarvis’ science class.

The long dispute between Saints and Pelicans owner Tom Benson and his children and two grandchildren over the future of the professional franchises has come to an end. The Saints released a statement this afternoon saying the terms of the settlement have been reached and the NFL and the NBA are aware of the settlement terms and business will carry on as usual.

Governor Edwards spoke with the media today and continued to express his frustration with lawmakers who refuse to raise revenue needed to fill the $600 million dollar shortfall.
CUT 2 (30) “I’m Michelle Southern”

More charges have been added in the murder of the Baton Rouge pregnant teacher whose body was found in ditch in Iberville Parish. Baton Rouge Police Cpl. L’Jean McKneely says evidence leads investigators to conclude 40-year-old Lyntell Washington was fatally shot by 39-year-old Robert Marks. He says Marks was the assistant principle where Washington was a teacher, and she was threatening to reveal their affair.
Cut 11 (08) “for him”

A former Livingston Parish teacher has been arrested for allegedly having sexual relations with a student at Walker Freshman High School. Walker Police Capt. John Sharp says 33-year-old Lynsie Pendarvis was arrested after an interview with the 15-year-old student who confirmed they had engaged in a sexual relationship. He says Pendarvis was staying in Hattiesburg, Mississippi when the warrant was issued.
CUT 4 (12) “dollar bond”

The governor and legislative leaders have been told the state may finish this fiscal year with a budget shortfall of up to 200-million dollars, because corporate income taxes are coming in way below projections. Senate President John Alario says they won’t know for sure the actual amount until later in the year, when expenditures and collections are tabulated…
cut 8 (08) “…this point”
Governor John Bel Edwards told reporters that lawmakers should feel a sense of urgency to pass changes to the state’s tax code to generate money to help fill the budget holes. One reporter asked Edwards if he thinks he’s failed, because lawmakers continue to reject items on his agenda. Edwards believes the way he’s governing is what’s best for the state….
cut 14 (10) “…my style”
The special session comes to an end on Thursday.

Charges have been added in the murder of the Baton Rouge pregnant teacher whose body was discovered in Iberville Parish. Baton Rouge Police Cpl. L’Jean McKneely says based on the coroner’s report, blood inside her car and interviews conducted with people who knew the victim, investigators were able to conclude 40-year-old Lyntell Washington was fatally shot by 39-year-old Robert Marks…
cut 9 (10) “…unborn child”
The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries recovered the body of a 22-year-old Arnaudville man in the water in St. Landry Parish after a boating accident. Spokesperson Adam Einck says Arron Baber was a passenger on a boat that hit a railroad bridge piling and Baber ended up in the water where he died. He says they are not sure if impairment is a factor…
cut 16 (10) “…those results’

According to LSU economist Dr. Jim Richardson, Louisiana could finish this fiscal year with a 200 million dollar deficit. Senate President John Alario says he hopes this bad news, which would likely put TOPS and healthcare on the chopping block, encourages legislators to approve additional revenue in this special session…:
CUT 7 (11) “a dilemma”
Governor John Bel Edwards says says lawmakers need to know that the days of kicking the can down the road are over. He says he’s offered plan after plan to help solve this crisis…:
Cut 13 (09) “do their work”
The special session must end next Thursday.

The assistant principal who was suspected in the death of the missing teacher, 40-year-old Lyntell Washington, has been charged in her death. Baton Rouge Police Cpl. L’Jean McKneely says Washington’s’ 3-year-old daughter was very helpful in this investigation. He says police confirmed that Washington and Robert Marks (who is married) had a romantic relationship, and he was the father of her unborn child…:
cut 10 (11) “her life”
Marks is charged with first degree murder and first degree feticide.

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries recovered the body of a 22-year-old Arnaudville man in the water in St. Landry Parish after a boating accident. LDWF spokesperson Adam Einck says Arron Baber and the driver of the boat were traveling on Bayou D’Arbonne when the vessel hit a railroad bridge piling…:
cut 15 (10) “the bank”
He says they don’t know yet if alcohol was a factor.

More charges have been filed in the death of 40-year-old Lyntell Washington, the Baton Rouge teacher whose body was discovered in a ditch in Iberville parish. Halen Doughty has more…:
CUT 1 (30) “I’m Halen Doughty”

Governor John Bel Edwards spoke with the media today and continued to express his frustration with lawmakers who refuse to raise revenue needed to fill the $600 million dollar shortfall. He says those same legislators who refuse to offer their own plan are just hoping money is going to show up…:
CUT 12 (06) “of action”
The fiscal year begins 2 weeks from today.

A fired Livingston Parish teacher is arrested amid allegations she had sex with one of the students in her science class. Walker Police say 33-year-old Lynsie Pendarvis was sent to jail after the 15-year-old told cops they had sex. Captain John sharp says it’s a shame someone who’s supposed to be protecting children turns out to be a predator…:
CUT 5 (11) “gonna happen”
Pendarvis was charged with felony carnal knowledge of a juvenile.

The funeral of the man with Lafayette ties who died in the tragic Orlando mass shooting at a gay club will be held in Weslaco, Texas today and tomorrow. 27-year-old Frank Escalante, who worked for Calvin Klein, has several close relatives in Acadiana. He was one of 49 gunned down in the Pulse nightclub Sunday.

The Baton Rouge Police Department has added charges against the man who is accused in the death of the pregnant teacher whose body was found this week in Iberville Parish. Spokesman L’Jean McKneely says 39-year-old Robert Marks is now booked with first degree murder and first degree feticide now that 40-year-old Lyntell Washignont was identified as the body….:
CUT 1 (10) “cell phones”
Marks was already charged with kidnapping and desertion of Washington’s child the night the teacher vanished.

For the 5th consecutive month, That Bayou State’s labor force has risen. The Louisiana Workforce Commission says the number of people employed in the state is up by 569 people from the prior month, with 21 fewer individuals unemployed but actively looking for a job. They say the unemployment rate was 6.3 percent, unchanged from both the previous month and prior year.

According to LSU economist Dr. Jim Richardson, Louisiana could finish this fiscal year with a 200 million dollar deficit. Senate President John Alario says Richardson informed him that corporate income taxes are way below what was projected. But he says there are some circumstances that could improve this…:
CUT 6 (08) “some improvement”
Alario says if the state finishes this fiscal year with a 200 million dollar deficit, programs that were going to be enhanced would greatly suffer.

A former Livingston Parish teacher has been arrested following allegations of an inappropriate relationship with a student at Walker Freshman High School. Walker Police Capt. John Sharp says 33-year-old Lynsie Pendarvis was arrested following an interview with the 15-year-old student who confirmed they had sex:
CUT 3 (10) “a juvenile” 2x

The governor and lawmakers have received more bad news about the budget. LSU economist Doctor Jim Richardson, who also serves on the Revenue Estimating Conference, says tax collections for this fiscal year have fallen below the state’s official forecast and the state could end up with a 200-million dollar shortfall for this fiscal year. Lower than expected corporate income and franchise taxes are to blame.

Four Louisiana cities rank in the top 20 least healthiest cities in the US, according to a study from 24/7 Wall Street. Hammond came in third on the list, Monroe ranked sixth, Shreveport-Bossier is ninth, and Alexandria came in at number 12. Bob Johannessen with the state Department of Health…
CUT 10 (12) “disappooitng”
Johannessen says they hope the expansion of the Medicaid program will boost the state’s health rankings.

The entire state is under a heat advisory once again today. Forecasters are predicting a heat index between 105 and 110 degrees.

Hugh Jackman and other movie stars have been filming Wolverine Three in Concordia Parish this week. Ferriday Mayor Gene Allen says the filming has been a boost for local business…
cut 8 (10) “…each day”
Ferriday was reportedly chosen for its beautiful countryside and abundant cornfields.