State lawmakers have learned the budget shortfall for the next fiscal year is already projected at 713 million dollars. Director of the Louisiana Budget Project Jan Moller says it’s not a surprise we’re looking at a big deficit but we’re in better shape than we were a year ago, when the deficit reached 1.6 billion dollars.
cut 9 (10) “…next legislature”
Moller says it’s good to see that the four gubernatorial candidate have acknowledged the state’s budget problems.

The Jindal administration had said that they would use the “Heritage Act” to prevent the removal of four confederate monuments in New Orleans. But the Baton Rouge Advocate reports there’s no such thing as the “Heritage Act” on the state’s books. It’s expected the New Orleans City Council will consider removing the monuments after the city’s landmark’s commission voted that the statues should be taken down.

Calcasieu Parish Sheriff Tony Mancuso says law enforcement was searching for a body under the I-10 bridge this week in Lake Charles. He says no human remains were found, but the search began after a credible informant told authorities that 35-year-old Gammion McCloud of Phoenix Arizona killed someone then tossed them over the bridge…:
CUT 12 (09) “informant”
McCloud is facing charges for rape in a separate case out of Calcasieu Parish.

State Police say a 7-year-old girl was killed in a Grant Parish crash. Trooper Scott Moreau says, 26-year-old Kristopher Silk of Pollock, was speeding when he crashed into the back of an 18-wheeler going in the same direction on Hwy 165. The 7 year old front seat passenger died in the crash..:
CUT 7 (10) “speed limit”
The crash remains under investigation.