Things are getting testy at the Capitol after the construction bill failed to pass out of the regular session. It’s being taken up again in the special session, but Marrero Representative Patrick Connick says it should have been done in the regular session…:
CUT 4 (11) “the Senate”
The four billion dollar construction financing plan was approved by the Ways and Means Committee today in the special session.

The family of slain Tulane graduate Thomas Rolfes held a news conference today to beg for information about the murder which happened a month ago today. There are no suspects in the 25-year-old’s murder. His fiance, Elizabeth Fried says Rolfes was a wonderful man who touched the lives of everyone he met…:
Cut 11 (09) “as my own”
There is a $30,000 reward.

The state Department of Environmental Quality has resumed mercury testing in public waterways after the program was halted in 2008 because of budget cuts. DEQ environmental scientist Al Hindrichs (HINE-drix) says they are testing for mercury in 36 sites in southwest Louisiana this year. He says if a waterway is found to have a high level of mercury, fish consumption advisories are posted at the locations…:
cut 12 (08) “small children”
He says there are currently 48 consumption advisories in place for 85 water bodies in Louisiana.

The Thibodaux Police Department says they’ve arrested a man on bank fraud charges for allegedly writing checks on an account that did not belong to him, and spelling the numbers wrong. They say 23-year-old Brandon Sims of Thibodaux was caught red handed, and police noticed that “fifty” was misspelled on the check and that actually contributed to an additional charge. Sims is being held on a $17,500 bond.

During a joint session of the legislature kicking off the special session, Governor John Bel Edwards called on lawmakers to raise enough revenue to reduce cuts to state services. Jeff Palermo has more…:
CUT 1 (29) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

A Baton Rouge man is behind bars for allegedly strangling his wife to death following an argument. The Sheriff’s Office says 42-year-old Donald Germany contacted family members and confessed to the crime. The East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s Office says 41-year-old Nichole Jones was pronounced dead at the scene after emergency workers tried to revive her.

It’s been one month today since a 25-year-old Tulane graduate was shot and killed in New Orleans while visiting to look for a good spot to get married, and authorities still do not have a suspect. The family held a Crimestoppers news conference today at the site where Thomas Rolfes was murdered. His fiance, Elizabeth Fried (freed), is pleading for answers…:
CUT 9 (10) “find closure”
The reward for information regarding Rolfes’ death is $30,000.

This afternoon at the Box, LSU and Rice will meet one more time to decide who will advance to the Super Regionals. The Tigers missed an opportunity to win the Baton Rouge Regional last night when the Bayou Bengals fell to Rice 10-6. First pitch is at 4 PM.

Governor John Bel Edwards addressed a joint session of the legislature this morning, calling on lawmakers to find the political courage to raise enough revenue during this special session to reduce cuts to state programs. Edwards says they cannot wait any longer to resolve the fiscal crisis…:
CUT 6 (12) “afford to wait”
Legislators have until midnight on June 23 to try and raise enough revenue to close a $600 million budget shortfall.

A West Monroe native and former astronaut is charged with murder following a crash that claimed the lives of two children in Alabama, according to authorities. They say 49-year-old James Halsell Jr. of Huntsville is suspected of being impaired and speeding when he collided with a vehicle with an 11-year-old and 13-year-old inside. The sisters were pronounced dead.

Several lawmakers are in a foul mood after failing to approve a construction budget. Ways and Means Chairman Neil Abramson says Senate changes to the spending plan made the bill unworkable and he didn’t bring it up for a vote in the regular session. Franklin Representative Sam Jones asked Abramson why not send the bill to a conference committee to resolve the issues…:
CUT 3 (12) “out of here”
The construction budget funds road projects, repairs to public buildings and improvement to state parks.

The LSU baseball team is hoping to get it together in the elimination game today today after a rough match-up last night against Rice in which the Tigers fell 10-6. They’ll face off again at 4pm to determine who will advance to the best of three NCAA Super Regionals.

A second special session is underway that’s been called to address a 600-million dollar revenue shortfall. Governor John Bel Edwards is asking legislators to raise revenues so the state can fully fund the TOPS program and hospitals that provide care for the poor and uninsured. Edwards is optimstic legislators can raise the necessary cash…
cut 10 (05) “…the future”
The governor’s call for the special session would allow legislators to reduce tax breaks for businesses and individuals, change individual income tax brackets and limit the itemized deductions taxpayers claim on their state returns.

But House Republican leaders, like Metairie Representative Cameron Henry, is skeptical on whether some of these proposals will actually generate the revenue that’s promised…
cut 5 (08) “…at this point”
The special session must end Thursday May 23rd at midnight.

UNO is in the process of building a new digital animation lab on campus. It’s big news because the US Bureau of Labor Statistics reports the number of jobs for multimedia arists and animators is growing substantially. UNO fine arts instructor Jeff Rinehart says increased demand is due to the growing need for animation in TV, movies and other multimedia projects…
cut 13 (03) “…like that”
Rinheart says the school has secured a 94-thousand dollar grant to help make the animation lab a reality.

Natchitoches has unveiled plans to improve its riverfront. Mayor Lee Posey says they want to improve handicap accessibility, install new bathrooms, double the size of the stage on the river and add new landscaping. He says the project will cost four-million dollars and the city and private agencies will split the costs…
cut 15 (10) “…electrical department”
Posey says the improved riverfront area should be ready by the Festival of Lights in 2017.

The second special session of 2016 is underway and lawmakers are looking at their options to raise enough revenue to reduce cuts to state programs, like TOPS and hospitals that provide care for the poor and uninsured. Personal and corporate income taxes are an option for raising revenue, but Appropriations Chairman Cameron Henry says he is not okay with raising anymore taxes…:
cut 4 (09) “do that”
Senate President John Alario believes the legislature needs to raise about $450 million to ensure that TOPS, higher ed and safety net hospitals are adequately funded…:
Cut 6 (09) “the budget”
Governor John Bel Edwards is set to address a joint session of the legislature at this hour.

Natchitoches has unveiled plans for a Riverfront Improvement Project. Jeff Palermo has more…:
Cut 2 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

The University of New Orleans will soon have a new digital animation lab on campus. UNO fine arts instructor Jeff Rinehart led the effort to secure a $94-thousand grant for the school’s new Innovation Lab. He says increased demand in this field is due to the growing need for animation in television, movies and other multimedia projects…:
Cut 13 (03) “like that”

This morning at 10am, Governor John Bel Edwards will be addressing a join session of the state legislature. This will kickoff the special session that was called to address a $600 million dollar revenue shortfall. Legislators have to pass a $4 billion construction budget that would pay for road work and improvements to public buildings and state parks. He isn’t happy the House failed to negotiate the construction spending plan during the regular session…:
Cut 9 (09) “the bill”
He says the budget passed in the regular session is in bad shape and revenues must be raised.

Plans have been unveiled for a Riverfront Improvement Project in Natchitoches. Mayor Lee Posey says says they hope to have everything ready in time for the Festival of Lights in November of 2017. He says there are lots of events on the riverbank, so this is a worthwhile project…:
Cut 16 (06) “really excited”

The University of New Orleans will soon have a new digital animation lab on campus. UNO fine arts instructor Jeff Rinehart led the effort to secure a $94-thousand grant for the school’s new Innovation Lab. He says the lab will be equipped with computers, a 3D printer, motion capture equipment, and the software students need to complete all kinds of digital media projects..:
cut 12 (10) “digital cameras”

Its win or go home for the LSU Baseball team today after losing to Rice 10-6 last night to force a winner take all matchup in the Baton Rouge Regional. Coach Paul Mainieri says they just didn’t have it yesterday…:
CUT 1 (09) “different story”
First pitch is 4pm.

The second special session is underway, and Governor John Bel Edwards is calling on legislators to fix the state’s budget problems. Halen Doughty has more…:
Cut 3 (29) “I’m Halen Doughty”

Senate President John Alario says he is not opposed to altering state income tax rates or removing exemptions, if it means all of the state’s priorities will be funded…:
CUT 7 (06) “it accomplished”
Lawmakers have also proposed reducing or eliminating some corporate tax exemptions.

The Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office says they are investigating the drowning death of a three year old in Terrytown. It’s reported it happened in a hot tub at an apartment complex.

The University of New Orleans will soon have a new digital animation lab on campus. UNO fine arts instructor Jeff Rinehart led the effort to secure a $94-thousand grant for the school’s new Innovation Lab, which will be open to all students working on digital media projects. Rinehart says the department is working toward creating a new media and animation degree…:
cut 11 (05) “digital animation”
Rinehart says the lab should be open to students by the 2017 spring semester.

The lineup has been unveiled for this year’s Voodoo Fest and features The Weekend, Arcade Fire and Tool. The VOODOO Music and Arts Experience will run Halloween weekend, October 28th thru October 30th.

Lawmakers are looking at their options to raise revenue to fill the budget holes, as the second special session of 2016 is currently underway. Halen Doughty has more…:
CUT 1 (31) “I’m Halen Doughty”

Governor Edwards is set to address a joint session of the state legislature at 10 this morning. Edwards says revenues need to be raised the budget that was passed in the regular session is in bad shape…:
Cut 8 (11) “172 million”

Plans have been unveiled for a Riverfront Improvement Project in Natchitoches. Mayor Lee Posey says the project will update some infrastructure along the river and improve handicap accessibility…:
cut 14 (11) “about this”
Posey says they hope to have everything ready by the beginning of next year so it can hopefully be done in time for the Festival of Lights in November of 2017.

A Baton Rouge man is behind bars for allegedly strangling his wife to death following an argument. The Sheriff’s Office says 42-year-old Donald Germany contacted family members and confessed to the crime.