Democratic Governor John Bel Edwards is not happy with the state legislature as the special session still ended ended with a $30 million dollar hole this budget year, and $800 million for next. He says another special session is possible in mid-June, but he wishes it was settled now…:
Cut 10 (08) “before them”
Republican House Speaker Taylor Barras says he’s disappointed too, but it’s not easy to vote on higher taxes on individuals and businesses.

Heavy rain is expected to move into central and southeast Louisiana over the next few days with totals by Saturday morning averaging 6-10 inches. State Climatologist Barry Keim says our biggest risk with this weather is flash flooding…:
cut 12 (10) “or two”
He says the worst of this to come is expected more in the southeastern part of the state.

The teddy bear will be officially removed from the endangered species list today . Robert Barham was the Secretary of LDWF who oversaw efforts to grow the black bear population…:
CUT 6 (03) “bear now”
He says at one time there were less than 100 black bears.

Louisiana uses the most demeaning language on social media than any other state in a study done by rental finder website Abodo. Spokesman Sam Radbil says they analyzed for negative language against a person’s race, gender, sexual orientation and weight…:
CUT 16 (04) “our study”
He says New Orleans also had the third highest use of anti-black slurs.

Gov. John Bel Edwards declared a state of emergency for several parishes in north Louisiana which continue to deal with flooding. The National Weather Service at Shreveport forecasts more rain for the region until at least Saturday. LDWF and the National Guard continue search and rescue. It’s reported that an elderly man drowned Wednesday trying to cross a flooded road in Bienville Parish.

Lawmakers failed to solve the state’s fiscal crisis as there’s still a deficit of 30-million dollars for this fiscal year and a 800-million dollar shortfall for next fiscal year. Jeff Palermo has the story…:
Cut 2 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Entergy last reported that about 7700 people were without power, with the bulk of those in Jefferson and Calcasieu parishes. The storm that is about to hit central and southeast Louisiana, prompted Governor John Bel Edwards to issue a state of emergency for several parishes in north Louisiana as they deal with flooding and, in some cases, mandatory evacuations. The National Guard and LDWF are conducting search and rescue missions.

The black bear will be formally removed from the endangered species list today during a news conference in Tensas parish. Robert Barham, former Secretary of the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries who oversaw efforts to grow the black bear population, says the animal was once on the brink of extinction…:
cut 4 (09) “at one time”
Barham says Louisiana now has at least two independent populations of the black bear that are viable enough to sustain themselves, which is why they are no longer endangered.

Louisiana uses the most “derogatory and prejudiced language” on social media, according to a study by the rental listing website Abodo. Spokesman Sam Radbil says they analyzed tweets that contained at least one derogatory word…:
Cut 14 (11) “tweets for”
He says one in 87 tweets in Louisiana were considered derogatory, putting us at No .1.

Despite a flurry of votes in the final minutes of the special session, including a bill that increases the state’s four-cent sales tax by a penny, Louisiana is still facing a 30-million dollar deficit for this fiscal year and a shortfall that could be as much as 800-million dollars next fiscal year. Democratic Governor John Bel Edwards says lawmakers could have done a better job…:
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Edwards says another special session is possible in mid-June.

Entergy reports about 5400 people statewide are without power this morning, including 3,000 in East Baton Rouge Parish. Heavy rainfall will continue to pound Louisiana into Saturday morning. State Climatologist Barry Keim says the northern part of the state was hit with thunderstorms and floods, but now the system should shift down into central and southern Louisiana today and Friday:
cut 11 (08) “the state”

Today the original teddy bear, Louisiana’s black bear, will be formally removed from the endangered species list during a press conference at the Tensas National Wildlife Refuge. Halen Doughty has the story…:
CUT 1 (31) “I’m Halen Doughty”

The special session to address the state’s 940-million budget deficit for this fiscal year has finally come to a close. Lawmakers have been working for several weeks on a combination of budget cuts and revenue raising measures. Jeff Palermo reports from the Capitol…

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Cleco has asked state regulators for another hearing on the utility company’s proposed sale to a foreign investment group for almost $5 billion. Public Service Commission chairman Clyde Holloway says he is not in favor of another hearing.

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Cleco’s attorney says the commission’s vote was flawed because it wrongly decided on the merits of the transaction. Holloway says the commission and an administrative law judge has already heard enough testimony from the company.

Numerous homes in north Louisiana are under water as the result of a colossal storm that has dumped nearly a foot of rain. Bill Davis, with the Bossier Parish Sheriff’s Office, says as flood waters rose during the night, they began evacuating people….

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Ouachita parish is also getting hit hard by the storm. Glenn Springfield with the Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s Office says evacuations have been underway throughout the parish since last night.

Lawmakers are going down to the wire on agreeing to a plan that would stave off big cuts to higher education and healthcare. The special session called to address a 940-million dollar deficit this fiscal year and a 2-billion dollar deficit next fiscal year must end at 6pm. House Speaker Taylor Barras gave this pep talk to legislators earlier today.

Cut 8 (10) “…next year”

The negotiations have been taking place all day behind closed doors. There are three primary bills that legislators are trying to agree on. One of the bills is an increase to the four-cent sales tax. Another bill makes cuts to the current budget, and Jeremy Alford, with la-politic-dot-com, says the other proposal would take away a four-cent state sales tax exemption.

Cut 30 (08) “…those pennies”

Governor John Bel Edwards is set to hold a press conference shortly after the 6pm end to the special session.

Edwards has signed a bill into law that increases the tax on a pack of cigarettes by 22-cents. Beginning April 1^st the tax on a pack of cigarettes will be $1.08, which will generate 11-million dollars in revenue for the state this fiscal year. Consultant with the Invest in a Healthy Louisiana Campaign Randy Hayden says the legislature should’ve increased the tax on all tobacco products not just cigarettes. He says millions of dollars have been left on the table.

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Hayden says there was no possibility that the legislature could over tax cigarettes during this session. He says when states increase the cigarette tax they are increasing revenue, while decreasing health care costs in the future.

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Lawmakers have agreed to increase the alcohol tax as well.

We’re in the final countdown of the special session, which must end tonight at 6pm. House Speaker Taylor Barras urged members to come together on a deal to prevent big cuts to higher education and healthcare.

Cut 7 (10) “…leave here”

Barras says there are three bills that need to pass today, one dealing with budget cuts, another that would increase the state’s sales tax, and the other would alter tax exemptions.

Meanwhile in North Louisiana, roads are closed and homes are flooded as about a foot of rain has fallen in some areas along I-20. In Bossier parish, they are calling for a mandatory evacuation of 3,500 residents because of rising flood waters. In Ouachita parish, Glenn Springfield with the sheriff’s office says evacuations are also underway there.

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Several parishes have declared a state of emergency.

The governor has signed into law a bill to increase the tax on a pack of cigarettes from 86-cents to $1.08. But not everyone thinks this is enough. Emelie Gunn has more…

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St. Tammany parish sheriffs announced today that an arrest has been made in connection with the murder of James Hamilton. A 16-year-old juvenile has been arrested and charged with 2^nd degree murder. The juvenile was turned in by his grandmother and his attorney this afternoon. He is being booked into Calcasieu parish as a fugitive from St. Tammany.

There are only a few hours left in the special session called to address the state’s massive budget deficit and there is still no revenue deal in place. Speaker of the House Taylor Barras pleaded to lawmakers reach an agreement to prevent big cuts to higher education and healthcare. He urges his fellow House members to come together so they can explain to the people of Louisiana that they’ve accomplished what they were asked to do.
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Governor John Bel Edwards has signed into law the bill to increases the cigarette tax to $1.08 starting on April 1st. Consultant with the Invest in a Healthy Louisiana Campaign Randy Hayden says he was disappointed that the tax wasn’t increased more…
cut 10 (10) “health outcomes”

The bill to increase alcohol tax passed with a 71 to 23 vote in the House.

Numerous homes in north Louisiana have flooded as the result of a giant storm that has dumped nearly a half a foot of rain. Bill Davis, with the Bossier Parish Sheriff’s Office, says they began evacuating people as flood waters rose during the night.
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Louisiana State Police closed Interstate 20 in Gibsland and several northwest parishes have declared a state of emergency due to flooding.

Cleco is asking state regulators for an additional hearing on the proposed sale to Macquarie Infrasturcture and Real Assets for $5 billion. Public Service Commission chairman Clyde Holloway doesn’t agree with another hearing. He says he has suspicions about the future of the company and its customers.
cut 15 (07) “very much”

He says he is concerned about a tax scheme related to the deal that would allow the investors to pocket taxes collected from the monthly rates.

Today is the last day of the special session called to tackle the state’s massive budget deficit. Speaker of the House Taylor Barras urged House members to come together on a deal to prevent big cuts to higher education and healthcare. He says this won’t be easy but they must take action.
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Governor John Bel Edwards has signed into law the bill that raises the cigarette tax from 86-cents to $1.08. Consultant with the Invest in a Healthy Louisiana Campaign Randy Hayden says the legislature should’ve increased the tax on all tobacco products not only on cigarettes and millions of dollars have been left on the table.
Cut 11 (10) “opportunity”

 
Multiple homes in north Louisiana are under water after a huge storm has dumped more than half a foot of rain. Glenn Springfield with the Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s Office says evacuations are ongoing throughout the parish. Many roads have been closed because of high waters. And he says it doesn’t look like the storm is letting up anytime soon.
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Springfield says people should avoid driving today if possible.

Cleco has asked state regulators for another hearing on the company’s proposed sale to a foreign investment group for nearly $5 billion. Public Service Commission chairman Clyde Holloway says he isn’t in favor of another hearing. He says the commission and an administrative law judge have already heard enough testimony from the company.
cut 14 (06) “my ratepayers”

Cleco’s attorney says the commission’s vote was flawed because it wrongly decided on the merits of the transaction.

Governor John Bel Edwards has signed the bill that increases the cigarette tax. Beginning April 1^st the tax on a pack of cigarettes will be 22-cents higher, which will generate 11-million dollars in revenue for the state this fiscal year. Consultant with the Invest in a Healthy Louisiana Campaign Randy Hayden says there was no possibility that the legislature could over tax cigarettes during this session. He says when states increase the cigarette tax they are increasing revenue, while decreasing health care costs in the future.

cut 12 (10) “wayside”

Only a few hours remain in the special session called to address the state’s massive budget deficit.  Speaker of the House Taylor Barras urged House members to come together on a deal to prevent big cuts to higher education and healthcare.

CUT 7 (10) “leave here”

Cleco has asked state regulators for another hearing on the utility company’s proposed sale to a foreign investment group for almost $5 billion. Public Service Commission chairman Clyde Holloway says he is not in favor of another hearing.

Cut 13 (04)  “the rehearing”

Cleco’s attorney says the commission’s vote was flawed because it wrongly decided on the merits of the transaction. Holloway says they have already heard enough testimony from Cleco.

A massive storm is sweeping across Louisiana today pouring over half a foot of rain into the northern part of the state. Bill Davis, with the Bossier Parish Sheriff’s Office, says as flood waters rose during the night, they began evacuating people. Davis says schools and government offices are closed today. He says the sheriff’s office has teamed up with the Wildlife and Fisheries office to use their boats for rescues.

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A torrential downpour is flooding northern Louisiana as the storm has already dumped half a foot of water, and officials say it isn’t over yet. Halen Doughty has more…:
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Negotiations about ways to repair Louisiana’s budget are underway as lawmakers have until 6pm today before the special legislative session must end. House Speaker Taylor Barras urged his colleagues to reach an agreement to balance this and next fiscal year’s finances without making deep cuts.

Governor John Bel Edwards has signed into law the bill that increases the cigarette tax. Beginning April 1st the tax on a pack of cigarettes will be $1.08 rather than 86-cents. Consultant with the Invest in a Healthy Louisiana Campaign Randy Hayden says he was disappointed that the tax wasn’t increased more…:
cut 10 (10) “health outcomes”
The cigarette tax hike will generate 11-million dollars in revenue for the state this fiscal year.

Gas prices jumped 2 cents today to $1.62 according to Triple AAA as the market begins to level off. The cost at the pump for a gallon of regular is up almost a nickle from the same time last month.