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.

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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.

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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.

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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…
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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.
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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.
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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.

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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.

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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.

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.

Numerous homes and cars in north Louisiana are dealing with flood water as the result of a colossal storm that has dumped over a half a foot of rain — with more on the way. Lt. Bill Davis, with the Bossier Parish Sheriff’s Office, says flood waters have kept them busy…:
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Glenn Springfield with the Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s Office says many residents in northeast Louisiana are also getting lots of rain…:
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The flood watches in effect in those areas will move into the central and southeast portions of the state tonight into tomorrow and through Saturday.

Lawmakers are in rush mode now at the Capitol as they are up against a 6pm deadline where the special session called to repair the state’s massive budget shortfall must end. Matters still on the table include hiking the sales tax a penny and removing exemptions — and for how long.

Employer confidence is not at its best as the National Federation of Independent Business says small business optimism has fallen to a 2-year low. State Director of the NFIB, Dawn Starns, says that trend is being seen in Louisiana as well, and when it comes to what’s going on at the Capitol, instead of increasing taxes on businesses and consumers, their members would like state government cut spending…:
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She says sales trends have declined and small business owners do not plan to increase hiring or spending as expectations for future conditions remained negative.

Meanwhile a measure to raise the state’s cigarette tax has been signed by Governor John Bel Edwards. So on April 1st, the tax on a pack of cigarettes will go from 86-cents to a $1.08 in Louisiana. The measure will provide an additional 11-million dollars in state revenues this fiscal year.

State lawmakers have a just a few hours left to address a massive budget shortfall, as the special legislative session ends tonight at 6 PM. Halen Doughty has more…
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A bill to increase the state’s cigarette tax has made it through the process and received the signature of Governor John Bel Edwards. So on April 1st, the tax on a pack of cigarettes will go from 86-cents to a $1.08. The measure will provide an additional 11-milion dollars in state revenues this fiscal year.

Governor John Bel Edwards has called on the Louisiana National Guard to help residents in northwest Louisiana who are trying to escape flood waters. Lt. Bill Davis, with the Bossier Parish Sheriff’s office, says they started evacuating people during the night…
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In Webster Parish, about 80 homes have been flooded and a nursing home near Minden had to be evacuated.

LSU Health Shreveport has received a 1.6 million dollar grant to research the connection between light alcohol consumption and ischemic strokes. Director of the Center for Cardiovascular Diseases and Sciences Dr. Chris Kevil ays a study a few years ago, called the French Paradox, found similar results….
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Kevil says the professor awarded the grant will attempt to define how light alcohol consumption actually protects from ischemic stroke.

As record rainfall continues to pound north Louisiana, several parishes have worked tirelessly to rescue people from vehicles and homes in flood stricken areas. Officials are asking the public in these areas to stay put as several inches of rain are still expected to fall. Donald Jones with the National Weather Service says there’s an area of low pressure just sitting there..:
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Flood warnings, watches and wind advisories are posted throughout the state.

The special legislative session must end at 6 so lawmakers will try to wrap up work today on revenue raising and budget cuts to close the massive budget deficit. Jeremy Alford with la-politics-dot-com says legislators are closing in on this year’s shortfall…:
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A 19-year-old died after being involved in a crash with a tow truck last night in Iberville Parish. State Police believe 19-year-old Orthello Batiste of White Castle ran a red light and was hit on the drivers side by an Advantage Towing truck. Batiste was pronounced dead at the scene, and a passenger in his vehicle who was not buckled up sustained serious injuries. The investigation is ongoing.

LSU Health Shreveport has received over a million dollars in grant money to research the connection between light alcohol consumption and strokes. Director of the Center for Cardiovascular Diseases and Sciences Dr. Chris Kevil says the researcher is attempting to figure out why light alcohol consumption lowers the incidence of ischemic stroke…:
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According to the National Stroke Association, it’s important to identify risk factors, reduce those risk factors, and learn to recognize the signs and symptoms of a stroke.