According to LSU economist Dr. Jim Richardson, Louisiana could finish this fiscal year with a 200 million dollar deficit. Senate President John Alario says he hopes this bad news, which would likely put TOPS and healthcare on the chopping block, encourages legislators to approve additional revenue in this special session…:
CUT 7 (11) “a dilemma”
Governor John Bel Edwards says says lawmakers need to know that the days of kicking the can down the road are over. He says he’s offered plan after plan to help solve this crisis…:
Cut 13 (09) “do their work”
The special session must end next Thursday.

The assistant principal who was suspected in the death of the missing teacher, 40-year-old Lyntell Washington, has been charged in her death. Baton Rouge Police Cpl. L’Jean McKneely says Washington’s’ 3-year-old daughter was very helpful in this investigation. He says police confirmed that Washington and Robert Marks (who is married) had a romantic relationship, and he was the father of her unborn child…:
cut 10 (11) “her life”
Marks is charged with first degree murder and first degree feticide.

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries recovered the body of a 22-year-old Arnaudville man in the water in St. Landry Parish after a boating accident. LDWF spokesperson Adam Einck says Arron Baber and the driver of the boat were traveling on Bayou D’Arbonne when the vessel hit a railroad bridge piling…:
cut 15 (10) “the bank”
He says they don’t know yet if alcohol was a factor.

More charges have been filed in the death of 40-year-old Lyntell Washington, the Baton Rouge teacher whose body was discovered in a ditch in Iberville parish. Halen Doughty has more…:
CUT 1 (30) “I’m Halen Doughty”

Governor John Bel Edwards spoke with the media today and continued to express his frustration with lawmakers who refuse to raise revenue needed to fill the $600 million dollar shortfall. He says those same legislators who refuse to offer their own plan are just hoping money is going to show up…:
CUT 12 (06) “of action”
The fiscal year begins 2 weeks from today.

A fired Livingston Parish teacher is arrested amid allegations she had sex with one of the students in her science class. Walker Police say 33-year-old Lynsie Pendarvis was sent to jail after the 15-year-old told cops they had sex. Captain John sharp says it’s a shame someone who’s supposed to be protecting children turns out to be a predator…:
CUT 5 (11) “gonna happen”
Pendarvis was charged with felony carnal knowledge of a juvenile.

The funeral of the man with Lafayette ties who died in the tragic Orlando mass shooting at a gay club will be held in Weslaco, Texas today and tomorrow. 27-year-old Frank Escalante, who worked for Calvin Klein, has several close relatives in Acadiana. He was one of 49 gunned down in the Pulse nightclub Sunday.

The Baton Rouge Police Department has added charges against the man who is accused in the death of the pregnant teacher whose body was found this week in Iberville Parish. Spokesman L’Jean McKneely says 39-year-old Robert Marks is now booked with first degree murder and first degree feticide now that 40-year-old Lyntell Washignont was identified as the body….:
CUT 1 (10) “cell phones”
Marks was already charged with kidnapping and desertion of Washington’s child the night the teacher vanished.

For the 5th consecutive month, That Bayou State’s labor force has risen. The Louisiana Workforce Commission says the number of people employed in the state is up by 569 people from the prior month, with 21 fewer individuals unemployed but actively looking for a job. They say the unemployment rate was 6.3 percent, unchanged from both the previous month and prior year.

According to LSU economist Dr. Jim Richardson, Louisiana could finish this fiscal year with a 200 million dollar deficit. Senate President John Alario says Richardson informed him that corporate income taxes are way below what was projected. But he says there are some circumstances that could improve this…:
CUT 6 (08) “some improvement”
Alario says if the state finishes this fiscal year with a 200 million dollar deficit, programs that were going to be enhanced would greatly suffer.

A former Livingston Parish teacher has been arrested following allegations of an inappropriate relationship with a student at Walker Freshman High School. Walker Police Capt. John Sharp says 33-year-old Lynsie Pendarvis was arrested following an interview with the 15-year-old student who confirmed they had sex:
CUT 3 (10) “a juvenile” 2x

The governor and lawmakers have received more bad news about the budget. LSU economist Doctor Jim Richardson, who also serves on the Revenue Estimating Conference, says tax collections for this fiscal year have fallen below the state’s official forecast and the state could end up with a 200-million dollar shortfall for this fiscal year. Lower than expected corporate income and franchise taxes are to blame.

Four Louisiana cities rank in the top 20 least healthiest cities in the US, according to a study from 24/7 Wall Street. Hammond came in third on the list, Monroe ranked sixth, Shreveport-Bossier is ninth, and Alexandria came in at number 12. Bob Johannessen with the state Department of Health…
CUT 10 (12) “disappooitng”
Johannessen says they hope the expansion of the Medicaid program will boost the state’s health rankings.

The entire state is under a heat advisory once again today. Forecasters are predicting a heat index between 105 and 110 degrees.

Hugh Jackman and other movie stars have been filming Wolverine Three in Concordia Parish this week. Ferriday Mayor Gene Allen says the filming has been a boost for local business…
cut 8 (10) “…each day”
Ferriday was reportedly chosen for its beautiful countryside and abundant cornfields.

A study from 24/7 Wall Street shows Louisiana is home to four of the least healthy cities in the country. Hammond came in third on the list, Monroe ranked sixth, Shreveport-Bossier is ninth, and Alexandria came in at number 12. Bob Johannessen with DHH says Louisiana is ranked 42nd in the nation for lack of health insurance which causes people to let a problem fester…:
CUT 12 (07) “right time”
He hopes the newly expanded Medicaid program will improve health outcomes.

A heat advisory is in effect again today until 7pm. Temperatures throughout the region are expected to climb into the mid to upper 90s this afternoon, and combined with the high humidity, could bring the heat index anywhere from 105-110 degrees. Authorities are urging people to take extra precautions if you work or spend time outside. They say after today we should see some relief from the heat as a cold front pushes creates cloud cover and the chance for the typical afternoon scattered showers.

Filming for the new Wolverine movie has been underway this week in Ferriday. Halen Doughty has more…:
Cut 2 (28) “I’m Halen Doughty”

Fathers Day is this Sunday and the National Retail Federation says Americans will spend an average $126 on dad this year. Spokeswoman Ana Serafin-Smith says they’ve found more and more people are getting gifts for other family members too, not just their own Father…:
CUT 5 (10) “thank him”
She says it’s expected Americans will spend about 14 billion dollars this weekend.

Louisiana scores poorly on yet another national health survey list. According to 24/7 Wall Street, four cities in the state, Hammond, Monroe, Shreveport-Bossier and Alexandria, are in the top 20 least healthy cities in the nation. Bob Johannessen with DHH says the hope is that the expanded Medicaid program will help more people take action to become healthier…:
CUT 11 (08) “to receive”
The study shows Louisiana’s uninsured rate is currently about 13%.

The state House has decided to wait until Sunday night before voting on a tax bill that would temporarily reduce a tax deduction for those who itemize on their state income tax returns. A vote on the measure was scheduled for Thursday, but the author of the bill, Bogalusa Representative Malinda White, says the 53 votes are not there to get it passed. The measure has the backing of Governor John Bel Edwards.

Americans are expected to spend more than ever on Dad for Father’s Day this year. Emelie Gunn has more…:
CUT 1 (31) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

People in the Concordia Parish town of Ferriday are super pumped about the Wolverine movie that’s filming there this week. Mayor Gene Allen says he hopes this high profile movie draws more producers to bring their films to Louisiana:
CUT 9 (05) “our community”
He says the Marvel Comic film production has boosted local business tremendously.

A study from 24/7 Wall Street shows Louisiana is home to four of the least healthy cities in the country. Jeff Palermo has the story…:
Cut 3 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

The body found in Iberville Parish this week has been positively identified as that of the missing Baton Rouge Teacher of the Year, 40-year-old Lyntell Washington, according to authorities. Washington was reporting missing last Thursday when her 3-year-old was found wandering alone near her mother’s bloody vehicle. In connection, 39-year-old Robert Marks is in jail for kidnapping, but officials say he will now like face murder and feticide charges.

Dad is getting hooked up big time this year, as the National Retail Federation says the ole man is getting an average $126 dollar gift Sunday. NRF spokeswoman Ana Serafin Smith…:
CUT 6 (09) “memorable one”
She says they predict Americans will spend about 14 billion dollars on dad this weekend.

LSU Baseball coach Paul Maineri will not be going to Texas, after the Longhorns reportedly approached him about their opening. Maineri says Tiger Country is he and his family’s home and he intends to keep it that way for a long time. Texas is looking for a big time coach to replace the Augie Garrido, who is the winningest coach in college baseball history, but was relieved of his coaching duties after the Longhorns failed to make the NCAA Tournament. Tiger Rag Associate Editor James Moran says Mainieri has a good thing going at LSU and there’s really no reason to leave…:
cut 14 (07) “at LSU”