The Revenue Estimating Conference is meeting at this hour to get more exact figures on what Louisiana is looking at budget wise when it comes to the deficit. The previous speculation on the current year shortfall had been $30 million, but staff determined today that it’s actually around $66 million. For the budget year that begins July 1st, the projected deficit is around $750 million dollars.

The total number of parishes that have been declared federal disaster areas has climbed to 23, after 16 more parishes were added to the list. Jeff Palermo has the story…:
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The National Weather Service is concerned about potential flooding along two major rivers in the northern half of the state. Hydrologist CS Ross says now all the rain they saw in northwest and northeast Louisiana has to go somewhere..:
CUT 3 (07) “Ouachita River”
He says last week’s rain event produced almost 27 inches of rain near Monroe.

State officials are urging motorists traveling the state today to log on to 511la.org to check the status of road closures as many are under water and alternate routes need to be taken. I-10 at the Louisiana/Texas border is closed due to flooding on the Sabine River.

The Advocate reports that the West Feliciana Parish Coroner confirmed south Louisiana serial killer Derrick Todd Lee died of heart disease. Lee, who is linked to at least seven deaths, died January 21st after being taken off death row at Angola to be treated at a hospital, according to the Department of Corrections.

The Revenue Estimating Conference is meeting in this hour to discuss the exact budget deficit the state faces. Emelie Gunn has more…

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Sixteen more parishes have been declared federal disaster areas, bringing the total number of parishes to receive federal aid to 23. Mike Steele with the Governor’s Office of Emergency Preparedness says more parishes could be added to that list. He says FEMA is proving to be a good partner…

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Cleco has made changes to the terms of their proposed sale to a foreign investment group. Cleco president Darren Olagues says the new terms will benefit customers, employees and retirees more. Logan Atkinson-Burke, with the Alliance for Affordable Energy, says their alliance is concerned about how much money the company will pocket from taxes if the deal passes. She says they do not expect the PSC to change their “no” vote from the previous hearing.

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An Opelousas man was arrested after allegedly killing his mother’s dog when she refused to give him $4 for a pack of cigarettes. Corey Leger with the Opelousas police department, says Johnathan Williams was not as his residence when the complaint was issued, but officers found him at a Dollar General two hours later.

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The state should get a better idea of the exact budget deficit during today’s Revenue Estimating Conference meeting. LSU Economist Dr. Jim Richardson serves on the panel and he says most people believe there is a $30 million dollar deficit for this fiscal year, and $800 million for next…:
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Richardson says they’re required to give their best estimate of how much was raised for this year and next year because budgets must be made based on those revenue estimates.

Interstate 10 at the Sabine River, near the Texas State Line, is closed to traffic in the east and westbound directions due to flooding. State Police says currently the primary re-route will be I-49 North to US 190 West if you’re headed to The Lone Star State today. 23 parishes are now federally declared disaster areas and officials are urging those affected by floods to sign up for aid online at emergency.la.gov.

Cleco says they’ve made changes to their proposed sale of the Pineville-based utility company that would benefit customers and employees. Cleco President Darren Olagues says if the Public Service Commission reserves its turn down, ratepayers will receive a $370 credit on their bill. He also says the workforce would be assured for at least 10 years…:
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Logan Atkinson-Burke, with the Alliance for Affordable Energy, says this revised proposal is still not in the interest of ratepayers, because Cleco already has one of the highest rates…:
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A major owner of casinos in Louisiana, Pinnacle Entertainment, says a deal is in place to sell the company’s real estate assets. Stockholders agreed to sell 14 of its 15 properties to Gaming and Leisure Properties Inc, then lease back the casinos. Pinnacle owns L’Auberge in Baton Rouge and Lake Charles and Boomtown in New Orleans and Bossier City. The gaming board would still need to approve the deal.

Reports on where the budget deficit numbers are have been somewhat inconsistent, but the Revenue Estimating Conference hopes to nail it down today. LSU Economist Dr. Jim Richardson is on the panel and says many speculate Louisiana is in the red $30 million for this budget year…:
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Richardson says we’re about 800 million dollars short for next fiscal year.

23 parishes are now declared federal disaster areas due to historic flooding. Mike Steele with the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness encourages residents affected by floods to sign up for assistance:
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The Sabine River is flooded and I-10 is closed in both directions at the Louisiana/Texas line.

Cleco has revised the terms of their proposed sale in the hopes of being granted a rehearing by the Public Service Commission. Halen Doughty has more…:
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A man from Opelousas is under arrest for allegedly killing his mom’s dog with a brick because she didn’t give him $4 for cigarettes. Opelousas police Department spokesman Corey Leger says Johnathan Williams is the suspect in the death of the miniature collie…:
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The Revenue Estimating Conference meets today to discuss the exact budget deficit the state faces. Emelie Gunn has more…:
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Multiple media outlets are reporting that officials confirm Louisiana serial killer Derrick Todd Lee died of heart disease. The Department of Corrections said Lee died on January 21 while being treated at a hospital.

In updated federal health insurance market place numbers, the Department of Health and Human Services reports 102,000 of the 214,000 Louisiana residents who signed up for Affordable Care Act plans for 2016, are new customers.

Sixteen more parishes were declared federal disaster areas, bringing the total number of parishes to receive federal aid to 23. Mike Steele with the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness says more parishes could be added to that list in the next few days. He says FEMA is proving to be a good partner…:
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In big flood news today, I-10 is closed at the Louisiana/Texas border due to flooding on the Sabine River.

Cleco customers could be getting free electricity this summer as the Pineville-based utility company announces that’s going to be a new part of their sale deal to Macquarie Infrastructure which state regulators turned down last month. Cleco President Darren Olagues (Oh-Leg-Ess) says if the Public Service Commission agrees, ratepayers will receive a $370 credit on their bill. He feels the PSC got false information when they voted no…:
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The total number of parishes that have been declared federal disaster areas has climbed to 23, after 16 more parishes were added to the list. Jeff Palermo has the story…:
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Both Texas and Louisiana transportation officials are reporting that I-10 is closed in both directions at the state line due to a swelling Sabine River. Sgt. James Anderson with State Police suggests a long haul alternate route if you’re heading to The Lone Star State today…:
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It’s expected we’ll get a better idea of the exact budget deficit facing the state at today’s Revenue Estimating Conference meeting. LSU Economist Dr. Jim Richardson serves on the panel and he says they’ll hear from the state’s fiscal office about how much was actually raised during the special session…:
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The meeting is set to begin at 10:30.

An Opelousas man was arrested for allegedly killing his mother’s dog because she refused to give him $4 for cigarettes. Corey Leger with the Opelousas police department, says Johnathan Williams is charged with aggravated cruelty to animals…:
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Sixteen additional parishes have been declared federal disaster areas, bringing the total to 23.

Louisiana’s Health Department reports there’s been a fourth storm-related death, which occurred in Natchitoches Parish. The coroner reports three people were moving items from a flooded residence when the boat there were using began taking on water, and only two of the individuals were able to swim to safety.

Louisiana Supreme Court Justice Bernette Johnson wants to follow the lead of other states and decrease the incarceration rate in Louisiana. Emelie Gunn has more…

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Hundreds of Red Cross disaster workers have been assisting people affected by the flooding around the state. Nancy Malone with the Red Cross says they have 6 shelters in north Louisiana, three in southeast Louisiana and one in the Calcasieu area that are still open. She says hundreds of homes were either destroyed or received major damage.

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Malone says people can donate $10 to the Red Cross via cell phone by texting the word “REDCROSS” to 9-0-9-9-9.

Alexandria attorney Thomas Davenport is asking the Rapides Parish Police Jury to remove a Confederate monument outside of the Rapides Parish Courthouse. Davenport says it is saddening that of all the good things our state has done, this is what was chosen to be memorialized.

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The police jury has reviewed Davenport’s request, but is holding off on any action, until the state legislature acts on legislation dealing with the confederate monuments.

The chief justice of Louisiana’s Supreme Court, Bernette Johnson, told lawmakers to look for ways to reduce the state’s incarceration rate, which is the highest in the country. Johnson, the state’s first black chief justice, says the US locks up more people than Iran, China and Germany….
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Johnson says South Carolina has passed legislation to significantly reduce the prison population while also reducing violent crimes, plus saving its state 350 million dollars. She says comprehensive solutions to over-incarceration should include changes to pre-trial services, like South Carolina and Kentucky have done….
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The Revenue Estimating Conference meets today to discuss the exact budget deficit the state faces. Emelie Gunn has more…
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The House Governmental Affairs committee meets Wednesday where they’ll discuss legislation that would prohibit a convicted felon from holding an elected office or being appointed to office. It’s in response to a court ruling that removed a provision in Louisiana’s constitution that kept convicted felons from qualifying for an elected office.

Governor John Bel Edwards spent this afternoon away from the State Capitol. He was viewing flood damage and response efforts in St. Tammany Parish. 16 more parishes have been declared a federal disaster area, which makes residents in those areas eligible for government aid.-