The chief justice of Louisiana’s Supreme Court, Bernette Johnson, told lawmakers to look for ways to reduce the state’s incarceration rate, which is the highest in the country. Johnson, the state’s first black chief justice, says the US locks up more people than Iran, China and Germany….
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Johnson says South Carolina has passed legislation to significantly reduce the prison population while also reducing violent crimes, plus saving its state 350 million dollars. She says comprehensive solutions to over-incarceration should include changes to pre-trial services, like South Carolina and Kentucky have done….
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The Revenue Estimating Conference meets today to discuss the exact budget deficit the state faces. Emelie Gunn has more…
voicer 1 (24) “…reporting”

The House Governmental Affairs committee meets Wednesday where they’ll discuss legislation that would prohibit a convicted felon from holding an elected office or being appointed to office. It’s in response to a court ruling that removed a provision in Louisiana’s constitution that kept convicted felons from qualifying for an elected office.

Governor John Bel Edwards spent this afternoon away from the State Capitol. He was viewing flood damage and response efforts in St. Tammany Parish. 16 more parishes have been declared a federal disaster area, which makes residents in those areas eligible for government aid.-

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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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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Louisiana’s Health Department reports there’s been a fourth storm-related death. It happened in Nathitoches Parish. The cornoner reports three individuals were moving items from a flooded residence and the boat began to take on water and only two of the individuals were able to swim to safety.

The American Red Cross estimates 12-thousand people have been impacted by flooding in the state. Spokesperson Nancy Malone says the public can get involved with flood relief efforts by applying to become a member or by making donations…
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Malone says over a dozen shelters have been opened for those who can’t live in their flooded home.

A car sharing service called Zipcar has opened on LSU’s campus, which gives students the opportunity to rent vehicles by the hour, week or month. LSU’s director of parking and transportation services, Jeff Campbell, says says any service like this is a plus to LSU…
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Zipcar pays for your gas and insurance.

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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I-10 at the Louisiana-Texas border is expected to shutdown sometime today because of flood waters. Louisiana State Police Sergeant James Anderson says it’s the result of the historic flooding from the Sabine River…
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Anderson says once the interstate closes, motorists that need to travel into Texas today should use I-20.

For information on what roads are closed, state officials are encouraging residents to use the 5-1-1-l-a-dot-org website. Mike Steele, with the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness says motorists need to stay off flooded roads…
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In northwest Louisiana…Bossier Parish Sheriff Julian Whittington says several feet of water covers US Highway 71.

Governor John Bel Edwards says another special session could be needed to address next fiscal year’s $800 million dollar shortfall. Alexandria Representative Lance Harris is pushing lawmakers to approve long-term budget reforms to solve the state’s fiscal crisis…:
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Legislators must approve a balanced budget for next fiscal year by July 1st.

State lawmakers have approved several pro-life measures and they’ll be asked to vote on another one. West Monroe Representative Frank Hoffman has proposed a bill to increase the mandatory waiting period from 24 to 72 hours. Hoffman says he’s proud the legislature seeks to strengthen Louisiana’s pro-life status…
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The Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness expects several more parishes would be added to the 7 that have been declared federal disaster areas. Spokesman Mike Steele says the legwork to prepare additional areas for assessment has already begun. He says people who have sustained damage to their homes should register for federal assistance, even if they are not in one of the declared parishes…:
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I-10 at the Texas border will close this morning due to flooding from the Sabine River, according to the state Department of Transportation and Development. The official detour route is I-20. The I-10/I-59 in Slidell remains open, but state police say they are closely monitoring the Pearl River water line there. Many roads are closed throughout the state and you can visit 511la.org for a list.

In Central, Louisiana a levee at Bayou Darrow in Grant Parish has been breached due to extreme flooding after massive amounts of rainfall. Grant Parish Sheriff Steven McCain is concerned about people refusing to evacuate then law enforcement would have no way to reach them. He says if you have the opportunity to leave an area that has the potential to flood, please do…:
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He says the community of Georgetown is virtually an island.

The regular legislative session got underway Monday and lawmakers still face an $800 million dollar deficit for next fiscal year. Alexandria Representative Lance Harris, Head of the Republican Legislative Delegation, says balancing the budget will be a matter of prioritizing…:
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Tax matters can not be addressed in the regular session.

There are still several parishes throughout the state that remain under a flood warning from the National Weather Service. Water has started to recede from ares in south Bossier and on the Red River in north Louisiana. Officials are watching the Pearl River in southeast Louisiana, but say I-10 and I-59 in Slidell will remain open. But in southwest Louisiana, DOTD says they will close I-10 this morning along the Texas boarder due to flooding on the Sabine River.

Extreme flooding has caused a levee breach at Bayou Darrow in central Louisiana’s Grant Parish. Emelie Gunn has more…:
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Another special session could be needed following the 2016 regular session. Governor John Bel Edwards says lawmakers left an $800 million dollar hole for next fiscal year’s budget in the previous special session, and without that revenue, critical cuts will occur in vital services…:
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Edwards signed several revenue bills into law Monday including the one that raises the cigarette tax 22 cents to $1.08 per pack, and also the increased alcohol tax measure. Both go into effect April 1st.

It’s day two of the regular session and one of the bills lawmakers are set to look at within the next two a a half months would require a 72 hour waiting period before a woman can get an abortion, instead of one day. It’s West Monroe Representative Frank Hoffman’s proposal…:
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Hoffman is the chairman of the House Health and Welfare committee.