Lawmakers have until Wednesday night to close a massive budget shortfall. Jeff Palermo gets an update from the governor….
voicer 1 (29) “…I’m Jeff Palermo”

The chairman of the House Approrpriations Committee, Cameron Henry, told nola-dot-com that there’s no reason for any more tax bills to be passed by the House. The republican from Jefferson Parish says the House has already approved enough legislation to address the 900-million dollar deficit this current budget year.

The legislature is trying to come up with a funding plan that will prevent significant cuts to public colleges. Higher ed Commissioner Joe Rallo says the talk of budget cuts is already having an impact, as professors are leaving Louisiana universities, and prospective educators are deciding to go elsewhere. He says if lawmakers fail to find funds, big cuts are coming…
cut 28 (09) “…in TOPS”
Higher ed leaders have been seen at the Capitol speaking with legislators.

Colfax Representative Terry Brown has filed legislation for the regular session that would require the governor to look over Louisiana’s contracts with the Saints and Pelicans and allow him to renegotiate to reduce state subsidies. Brown says in these tough budget times, state-funding for professional sports teams should be reduced…:
cut 30 (10) “water districts”
Brown says since 2002 the Saints and Pelicans have received about 369 million dollars from the state.

The special session called to address the state’s budget crisis must end on Wednesday. Higher cigarette and alcohol taxes have advanced, and there are also measures on the table to raise the state sales tax. Governor John Bel Edwards is hopeful that the House approves legislation today that will call for businesses paying higher taxes…:
CUT 7 (07) “greater extent”
It’s estimated that lawmakers are about 150 to 200 million dollars short of what is needed to fill the budget hole for the fiscal year that ends June 30th.

Louisiana is bracing for a wet work week, with the rain arriving tomorrow. Brandi Hughes, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Shreveport, says northwestern Louisiana may see up to 10 inches of rain. She says a low pressure system will push a lot of moisture into the state…:
CUT 4 (04) “as well”
The heaviest rain is expected to move into the area Wednesday and hang around until Friday.

The nation’s high court has overturned a 2002 conviction of a Louisiana death row inmate accused in the death of a 16-year-old pizza delivery driver whose body was found near Hammond in 1998. The nation’s highest court said prosecutors didn’t turn over evidence in the case that would undermine the conviction of Michael Weary. District Attorney Scott Perrilloux says they plan to re-try Weary…:
cut 12 (10) “…at this point”
Perilloux added that the victim’s mother is disappointed with today’s ruling.

New Orleans native Peyton Manning announced his retirement today after 18 seasons in the NFL and two Super Bowl championships. Nelson Stewart, Manning’s high school teammate and current head coach at Isidore Newman, says Manning’s Super Bowl 50 victory is a fitting way to end his football career…:
CUT 9 (05) “Hall of Fame career”
Manning holds over 20 NFL records.

With the special session set to end Wednesday night, lawmakers are scrambling to come up with a plan to address the state’s large budget deficit. There’s talk about increasing Louisiana’s four-cent sales tax by as much two-cents, but Governor John Bel Edwards says the tax burden should be spread out, impacting businesses too…:
CUT 6 (10) “as a whole”
Edwards does remain hopeful the House will send over some additional tax bills to the Senate by the end of today.

Expect a wet week in Louisiana as forecasters expect a system to move in that will soak The Bayou State. Brandi Hughes with the National Weather Service in Shreveport says the rain will move in tomorrow afternoon…:
CUT 3 (06) “work week”
A flash flood watch has been issued for 23 parishes, mostly on the western side of the state.

The US Supreme Court has reversed a 2002 murder conviction of a Louisiana death row inmate. Michael Weary was sentenced to die in the murder of a 16-year-old pizza delivery driver, whose body was found near Hammond in 1998. According to the ruling, prosecutors didn’t disclose evidence that could have helped Weary’s defense. District Attorney Scott Perrilloux says they never had some of the evidence referred to in today’s ruling…
cut 13 (07) “….physcially do not”
Perrilloux says they plan to re-try Weary as soon as possible.

New Orleans native Peyton Manning gave an emotional goodbye today as he retired from professional football. His high school teammate and current head coach at Isidore Newman High School, Nelson Stewart, says he hopes Manning can continue to be a part of the NFL, like as an owner or broadcaster…
cut 11 (10) “…for him”
Manning is a five-time NFL MVP and two Super Bowl titles with two different teams.

The clock is ticking on lawmakers who are trying to come up with a funding plan to close huge budget deficits this fiscal year and next. Governor John Bel Edwards says unfortunately tax increases are necessary to stablize the state’s budget and avoid deep cuts to higher ed and health care…
cut 8 (11) “….in our history”
Edwards says he wants to see businesses share in the increased tax burden.

The US Supreme Court has overturned the conviction of Michael Wearry, who was sentenced to death in the killing of a 16-year-old pizza delivery driver whose body was found near Hammond in 1998. The nation’s highest court said prosecutors failed to disclose evidence that could have helped his defense. District Attorney Scott Perrilloux says they plan to re-try Weary…
cut 14 (07) “…we can”

New Orleans native Peyton Manning announced his retirement from the NFL today. Halen Doughty has local reaction…
voicer 2 (30) “…reproting”

Several flash flood watches are already posted, set to go in effect tomorrow as a large weather system is expected to dump several inches of rain in Louisiana. Brandi Hughes, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service, says the rains won’t stop until this weekend…
cut 5 (06) “….heavy rain”

Lawmakers have until Wednesday night to close a massive budget shortfall. Jeff Palermo gets an update from the governor…:
CUT 1 (29) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Saying the state did not disclose evidence that could have helped his case, the Louisiana Supreme Court overturns a 2002 murder conviction of a death row inmate. Michael Wearry was found guilty of the murder of a 16-year-old pizza delivery driver in Baton Rouge in 1998, but the justices Monday said prosecutors should have turned over information casting doubt on the credibility of a person that testified against him.

Louisiana native Peyton Manning tearfully announced today that, after 18 years in the NFL, he’s decided to hang up his cleats. Nelson Stewart, Manning’s high school teammate and current head coach at Isidore Newman, says Manning helped evolve the NFL into the passing league it’s become…:
cut 10 (11) “for so long”
In his retirement speech, Manning said he wants to thank the people of New Orleans and south Louisiana because they support their own team, but they also support their own.

The famous Acadiana Billy’s Boudin & Cracklins establishment in Scott has been ordered by the US Department of Labor to pay back wages to employees who were never paid for overtime, according to officials. They found the food spot used cash payments and duplicate books to avoid having to pay its workers overtime. As a result of the investigation, the enterprise is paying $112,724 in back wages.

The special session called to address the state’s budget crisis must end on Wednesday. Higher cigarette and alcohol taxes have advanced, and there are also measures on the table to raise the state sales tax. Governor John Bel Edwards is hopeful that the House approves legislation today that will call for businesses paying higher taxes…:
CUT 7 (07) “greater extent”
It’s estimated that lawmakers are about 150 to 200 million dollars short of what is needed to fill the budget hole for the fiscal year that ends June 30th.

New Orleans native Peyton Manning is announcing his retirement today after 18 seasons in the NFL and two Super Bowl championships. Nelson Stewart, Manning’s high school teammate and current head coach at Isidore Newman, says Manning’s Super Bowl 50 victory is a fitting way to end his NFL career…:
CUT 9 (05) “Hall of Fame career”
Manning holds over 20 NFL records, including career passing yards and passing touchdowns, most game-winning drives and most comeback wins.

Louisiana is bracing for a wet work week as the national weather service says another storm system is headed this way, expected to arrive tomorrow. Brandi Hughes, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Shreveport, says northwestern Louisiana may see up to 10 inches of rain. She says a low pressure system will push a lot of moisture into the state…:
CUT 4 (04) “as well”
A flash flood watch has been issued for 23 parishes, mostly on the western side of the state. The Storm Prediction Center has placed a portion of south LA under a “marginal risk” for severe weather tomorrow, and slight risk on Wednesday.

The state’s high court has overturned a 2002 conviction of a Louisiana death row inmate accused in the death of a 16-year-old pizza delivery driver near Baton Rouge. They said prosecutors didn’t turn over evidence in the case that would undermine the conviction of Michael Weary.

With the special session set to end Wednesday night, lawmakers are scrambling to come up with a plan to address the state’s large budget deficit. There’s talk about increasing the Louisiana’s four-cent sales tax by as much two-cents, but Governor John Bel Edwards says the tax burden should be spread out, impacting businesses too…:
CUT 6 (10) “as a whole”
Edwards does remain hopeful the House will send over some additional tax bills to the Senate by the end of today.

Expect a wet week in Louisiana as forecasters expect a system to move in that will soak The Bayou State. Brandi Hughes with the National Weather Service in Shreveport says the rain will move in tomorrow afternoon…:
CUT 3 (06) “work week”
A flash flood watch has been issued for 23 parishes, mostly on the western side of the state.

The Board of Elementary and Secondary Education approves changes to the Common Core education standards for Louisiana. BESE president Jim Garvey says these new standards in English and math were reviewed and developed by committees that consists of about 100 teachers from around the state. He says they worked hard on creating more clarity about what was expected from educators and students…:
cut 12 (10) “be achieved”
He says the new standards will still uphold high learning expectations that help students move forward to better prepare for college and careers.

A 19-year-old from Natchitoches is under arrest for allegedly shooting his father severa times and killing him. Cops say 19-year-old Marlon Rachal II is charged with second degree murder in the death of 39-year-old Marlon Rachal Sr who suffered multiple gunshot wounds. Police did not release a motive for the shooting.