House lawmakers return to the floor this afternoon at 1:30 with less than 12 hours to go in the special session. The magic number is $99 million at this point when it comes to rainy day dollars to be used for the $304 million dollar deficit. 70 votes are needed. The special session must end at midnight.

A survey from the National Retail Federation finds many consumers plan to put their tax refunds into savings rather than spend. Denham Springs financial planner Matt Kennedy says we’ve seen this trend over the past eight years ever since the 2008 stock market crash…:
Cut 6 (12) “our mind”
48-percent of Americans plan to put their money into savings, second only to last year’s record high of 49-percent.

Demarcus Cousins, aka Boogie, was officially introduced today as one of the newest members of the New Orleans Pelicans. The All-Star comes to The Big Easy from Sacramento and practiced with the Pels for the first time today. Cousins says he’s excited about the opportunity to hit the court with fellow All-Star Anthony Davis…:
CUT 9 (10) “is scary”
Cousins will suit up with the Pelicans for the first time tomorrow night against Houston in the Smoothie King Center.

Today is the final day of the special session and so far it appears lawmakers remain at a standstill over how much money to use from the Rainy Day Fund to put towards the $304 million dollar deficit. Democrats support the Senate bill that would use $99 million. This morning Franklin Democratic Representative Sam Jones asked Republican Speaker Taylor Baras on the House Floor the direct question…:
CUT 25 (11) “address that”
Shortly after the lower chamber took a recess, a mandatory meeting of the House Republican Delegation was called.

Powerball frenzy is in full swing today across the state as tonight’s jackpot soared to $403 million dollars. Lottery officials say Louisiana is due for a big winner as there hasn’t been one here since 2013. The chase value of the Wednesday drawing is $243 million dollars.

A study out of Tulane finds 17-hundred public school teachers have left their jobs in Louisiana because of a tougher tenure law that took effect two years ago. That’s a three-percent loss of the state’s teacher workforce. Co-author of the report is Nathan Barrett…:
Cut 3 (05) “leaving”
The 2012 law made student achievement a major part of the formula to earn tenure.

Smokers who work for the state could be paying more for health insurance soon under a plan by the Office of Group Benefits. Chief executive officer Tommy Teague says a charge like the 50 dollar a month extra if you smoke is already common in the private sector..:
CUT 8 (10) “to implement”
He says individuals who receive health insurance through the state would be required to self-report if they are a smoker.

Lawmakers have until midnight tonight to come to an agreement on how many rainy day dollars to use to address a $304 million midyear deficit. Jeff Palermo has more…
voicer 3 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

A study out of Tulane finds 17-hundred public school teachers have left their jobs in Louisiana because of a tougher tenure law which took effect two years ago. The report says many of the educators that left were close to retirement or worked in low-performing schools. Student achievement is now part of the formula to earn tenure.

Tonight’s Powerball jackpot has reached a whopping 403 million dollars, with a cash value of 244 million dollars. Louisiana Lottery Spokesperson Kimberly Chopin says this drawing is the 19th in the current run…:
Cut 4 (10) “Powerball frenzy”
She says this is the 10th largest Powerball jackpot ever.

There are plans to film a movie called “Cowboy and Indiana” in the Monroe area. Executive producer Rodney Ray it’s about a troubled bull rider named Tulsa who struggles with a pain pill addiction and finds himself charged with a DUI…
cut 10 (11) “…named Indiana”
Ray says they plan to begin filiming in late May and over one-thousand actors from all over the country have applied for roles in the film.

The question of how much of the state’s rainy day fund to use to help plug the $304 million dollar budget deficit remains on this final day of the special session. The House and Senate are still at odds and Jeremy Alford of LaPolitics.com remarks on what happens if lawmakers are still at a stalemate when the session ends at midnight…:
CUT 15 (10) “on their own”
Governor Edwards is slated to speak once the session adjourns.

Smokers who work for the state could be facing a $50 monthly surcharge on their health insurance under a plan by the Office of Group Benefits. OGB chief executive officer Tommy Teague says this is common in the private sector and could produce about $7.5 million dollars.:
Cut 9 (10) “increases”
Teague hopes these benefits will be in place by January 1st 2018.

The Powerball jackpot has jumped up to 403 million dollars. Emelie Gunn has more…:
Cut 1 (27) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

A sentimental bull riding movie called “Cowboy and Indiana” is going to be filmed in northeast Louisiana. R-Squared Productions says Executive Producer Rodney Ray says it’s all taking place in Monroe..:
CUT 12 (10) “to our community”
You can get involved in production at www.r2films.net.

Midnight tonight the special session must end as lawmakers work on a fix to the $304 million dollar mid-year deficit and how much of the state’s savings to use to help. LaPolitics.com publisher Jeremy Alford says the House and Senate seem to be playing a game of chicken…:
CUT 14 (11) “or you don’t”
He says if the legislature doesn’t come up with something today, the governor could call them back for another special session, make cuts himself or deal with this in the April regular session.

$403 million dollars is what the Powerball jackpot has reached tonight. Louisiana Lottery spokeswoman Kimberly Chopin says the state hasn’t had a big winner since 2013, but lots of other prizes have been won here…:
Cut 5 (10) “winners”
Tonight’s drawing has a cash value of $244 million.

Tulane University has issued a report which says the state’s stricter teacher tenure law has led to 1,700 public school teachers’ resignation. A law took effect in 2012 which linked job security of teachers to annual ratings based on student achievement. Before teachers earned job protection under tenure. Since the law, teacher exits rose 3.7 percent according to the report.

A new movie is being filmed in Monroe that highlights the importance of mentorship and fatherhood. Halen Doughty has more…:
Cut 2 (30) “I’m Halen Doughty”.

Lawmakers have until midnight tonight to come to an agreement on how many rainy day dollars to use to address a $304 million midyear deficit. Jeff Palermo has more…:
Cut 3 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

The Powerball tonight is up to $403 million dollars. Louisiana Lottery spokeswoman Kimberly Chopin says the last time we had a big winner in state was May 2013…:
CUT 6 (12) “or more”

Smokers who work for the state could be paying more for health insurance soon under a plan by the Office of Group Benefits. Chief executive officer Tommy Teague says a charge like the 50 dollar a month extra if you smoke is already common in the private sector..:
CUT 8 (10) “to implement”
He says individuals who receive health insurance through the state would be required to self-report if they are a smoker.

A movie is being filmed in Monroe that highlights the importance of mentorship and fatherhood. Executive Producer Rodney Ray says “Cowboy & Indiana” follows a troubled bull rider chasing a million dollar bounty on a killer bull. Ray says the biggest challenge they face during production in northeast Louisiana is filming the bulls…:
Cut 11 (11) “a unique challenge”
To learn more about “Cowboy & Indiana” and find out how to get involved, visit r2films.net.

It’s the final day of the special session and the major sticking point is how much of the rainy day fund to tap to resolve a $304 million midyear deficit. Governor Edwards and the Senate propose using $99 million from the state’s savings account, but LaPolitics.com publisher Jeremy Alford says House Republicans want the Senate to pass a bill that frees up statutory dedications in future budgets…:
Cut 13 (09) “bend first”
The deadline to reach an agreement is midnight.

Tonight’s Powerball jackpot has reached a whopping 403 million dollars, with a cash value of 244 million dollars. Louisiana Lottery Spokesperson Kimberly Chopin says this drawing is the 19th in the current run…:
Cut 4 (10) “Powerball frenzy”
She says this is the 10th largest Powerball jackpot ever.

The state Office of Group Benefits is considering a 50 dollar a month surcharge on health insurance premiums for state employees who use tobacco products. OGB chief executive officer Tommy Teague says individuals who receive health insurance through the state would be required to self-report if they are a smoker…:
Cut 7 (09) “random basis”
The proposal would need to receive approval from a legislative oversight committee.

The LSU men’s  basketball team is making history again, but not in the direction they’d like. The Tigers dropped its 14th straight last night, tying a school record, to Auburn 95-78. The only other times LSU lost this many in a row were in the in back-to-back seasons, 1965-66 and 1966-67.