KAJN Jesus FM 102.9

THE LAFAYETTE CITY MARSHAL IS HOPING A JUDGE WILL ALLOW HIM TO GET OUT OF JAIL AND SERVE THE REMAINDER OF HIS 30 DAY SENTENCE IN HOUSE ARREST.  BRIAN POPE HAS BEEN IN THE LAFAYETTE PARISH CORRECTIONAL CENTER SINCE LAST WEDNESDAY AFTER JUDGE JULES EDWARDS REVOKED HIS PROBATION BECAUSE POPE HADN’T DONE ANY COMMUNITY SERVICE.  JOHN MOWELL WITH THE LAFAYETTE PARISH SHERIFF’S OFFICE SAYS POPE IS BEING KEPT SEPARATE FROM THE GENERAL POPULATION FOR HIS SAFETY.  MEANWHILE, FORMER U-S ATTORNEY DONALD W. WASHINGTON HAS BEEN APPOINTED TO SERVE AS TEMPORARY CITY MARSHAL WHILE POPE IS IN JAIL.

THE FINDINGS OF A PRELIMINARY FORENSIC INVESTIGATION OF A SEVERED HEAD FOUND IN CAMERON PARISH LAST THURSDAY HAS BEEN RELEASED.  THE BADLY DECOMPOSED HEAD WAS FOUND IN A BAG ALONG HIGHWAY 27 SOUTH OF HACKBERRY.  THE CORONER’S INVESTIGATION REVEALS THE HEAD LIKELY BELONGED TO A WOMAN BETWEEN THE AGES OF 25 AND 40, WHO HAD AUBURN OR BROWN HAIR.  THERE WAS NO TRAUMA TO THE SKULL AND SHE HAD EXTENSIVE DENTAL WORK.

A FORMER CITY JUDGE IN BREAUX BRIDGE WAS ARRESTED ON FRIDAY ON MULTIPLE CHARGES INCLUDING PROSTITUTION.  69-YEAR-OLD WALTER SOILEAU IS CURRENTLY A PRACTICING ATTORNEY.  HE ALSO FACES CHARGES OF LETTING PREMISES FOR PROSTITUTION, PANDERING AND OBSTRUCTION OF JUSTICE.  SOILEAU WAS BOOKED INTO THE LAFAYETTE PARISH CORRECTIONAL CENTER BUT HAS SINCE BEEN RELEASED ON BAIL.

Only two proposals reached the governor’s desk before Louisiana’s special session wrapped up early. Neither addresses the session’s aim of closing the budget gap.

The bills, given final passage Monday, would grant a disaster tax break to flood victims and boost a cell phone tax that pays for deaf services.  Gov. John Bel Edwards is expected to sign the bills into law.

Gov. Edwards and Louisiana legislative leaders are working on a plan to end the upcoming regular session early so they can have another tax debate.  That was the talk Monday as the special session flamed out with no deal to fill a looming budget gap on July 1.  Lawmakers can’t consider taxes in the upcoming regular session that begins next week. Few expect the Legislature to pass a budget with nearly $700 million in state financing cuts that are estimated to be needed.

AN ACADIANA HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT WAS ARRESTED YESTERDAY FOR BRINGING A GUN ON CAMPUS.  TWO STUDENTS NOTICED A GUN BOX IN A DUFFLE BAG IN A LOCKER ROOM ALONG WITH ROUNDS OF AMMUNITION INSIDE A MAGAZINE.  THE STUDENT WHO BROUGHT THE DUFFLE BAG TO SCHOOL WAS FOUND AND TAKEN TO THE SCOTT POLICE DEPARTMENT.  AFTER INTERVIEWING HIM, THEY DETERMINED THE STUDENT FORGOT HE HAD THE GUN BOX IN THE DUFFEL BAG AND DID NOT INTEND TO HARM HIMSELF OR ANYONE ON CAMPUS.

WATER SERVICE WAS RESTORED TO RESIDENTS IN IOWA LAST NIGHT AFTER A LARGE WATER MAIN BREAK.  A TELEPHONE OR CABLE COMPANY BORE A HOLE THROUGH AN EIGHT INCH WATER MAIN AT THE CORNER OF SOUTH KNAPP AVENUE AND WEST SECOND STREET.  A NEW PIPE WAS PUT IN AND SECURED.  RESIDENTS SOUTH OF THE RAILROAD TRACKS ARE UNDER A BOIL ADVISORY UNTIL THE WATER IS DEEMED SAFE FOR USE.

CROWLEY POLICE HAVE ARRESTED A MAN WHO CRASHED HIS VEHICLE INTO THE WAFFLE HOUSE AND THEN FLED THE SCENE.  JEFF HORCHAK HAS MORE.

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THE FOUNDER OF THE FOODNET FOOD BANK OF LAFAYETTE, MARCELLE CITRON, DIED SATURDAY NIGHT AT HER HOME SURROUNDED BY FAMILY.  CITRON, WHO WAS 91, FOUNDED FOODNET IN 1987 AFTER SEEING A NEED IN THE COMMUNITY AND RECEIVED THE LAFAYETTE CIVIC CUP, WHICH IS ONE OF THE MOST PRESTIGIOUS AWARDS IN ACADIANA.  CITRON WAS ALSO THE OWNER OF HUB CITY FORD, WHICH WAS STARTED BY HER FATHER.  FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS ARE PENDING.

THERE HAVE BEEN 48 THREATS IN CALCASIEU PARISH SINCE THE SCHOOL SHOOTING IN FLORIDA LAST MONTH.  A TOWN HALL MEETING WAS HELD IN SULPHUR OVER THE WEEKEND FOR PARENTS TO HEAR ABOUT SCHOOL SAFETY FROM REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE SULPHUR POLICE DEPARTMENT  AND THE CALCASIEU PARISH SHERIFF’S OFFICE.  THERE WAS DISCUSSION OF A NEW MOBILE RESPONSE TEAM  AND WHAT PARENTS AND SCHOOLS COULD DO TO PREVENT SHOOTINGS.  PARENTS SAID, AFTER THE MEETING, THEY PLANNED ON SCHEDULING ANOTHER MEETING WITH THE SCHOOL BOARD, ACCORDING TO KPLC TV.

THE FORMER POLICE CHIEF OF ESTHERWOOD WAS ARRESTED LAST WEEK IN ACADIA PARISH ON DRUG AND WEAPONS CHARGES.  JEFF HORCHAK REPORTS.

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Another debate over taxes, another rejected bill in the Louisiana House, with the special session edging toward failure.  For a second time, House lawmakers refused a sales tax bill that is considered a linchpin of any tax deal to help close a looming budget gap.  The vote seemed to suggest the budget-balancing special session likely won’t raise any money.  The session, which costs an estimated $50,000-$60,000 a day, must end Wednesday.

Police say a 17-year-old Louisiana boy has been charged in connection with the death of a woman.  According to a Lafayette police release, the teenager was arrested and charged with the second-degree murder of Marisha M. Felix.  The Advertiser reports that police began investigating the incident Thursday night when officers responded to shots fired and arrived to find a vehicle that had crashed with several bullet holes.  Inside they found Felix, who was pronounced dead at the scene.

THE STATE FIRE MARSHAL IS INVESTIGATING A FIRE THAT DESTROYED A MOSS BLUFF BUSINESS EARLY SATURDAY MORNING.  CAPTAIN ROBBY TRAHAN OF THE WARD ONE FIRE DEPARTMENT SAYS THEY RECEIVED A CALL AT ABOUT 3:12 A-M ABOUT A FIRE AT ANGELO’S AUTO SALES OFF OF HIGHWAY 171.  FIREFIGHTERS WENT INTO THE BUILDING TO PUT OUT THE FIRE WHEN IT STARTED TO COLLAPSE.  TRAHAN TELLS KPLC TV THE BUILDING IS A TOTAL LOSS.

A EUNICE WOMAN WAS KILLED IN A THREE VEHICLE ACCIDENT IN ST. LANDRY PARISH FRIDAY EVENING.  STATE POLICE SAYS THAT WHEN A VEHICLE ON L-A TEN SLOWED FOR AN UNKNOWN VEHICLE IN THE ROAD, A SECOND VEHICLE, WHICH WAS TRAVELING TOO CLOSE BEHIND, SWERVED INTO THE ONCOMING LANE, STRIKING A THIRD VEHICLE.  73-YEAR-OLD MARY CHAPMAN, WHO WAS A PASSENGER IN THE BACK SEAT, WAS KILLED, WHILE THE DRIVER AND ANOTHER PASSENGER SUSTAINED CRITICAL INJURIES.  THE DRIVER OF THE SECOND VEHICLE WAS CITED, BUT IMPAIRMENT IS NOT SUSPECTED AS A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT, WHICH HAPPENED AT AROUND SIX FRIDAY EVENING.

Louisiana’s agriculture hall of fame will have its first female member.  Margie Jenkins, an expert on cultivating landscaping plants, is among the 2018 inductees into the Louisiana Agriculture Hall of Distinction. The 96-year-old Jenkins has been prominent in Louisiana’s landscape and nursery business for six decades. In addition to plant varieties, she’s also knowledgeable about timber harvesting and dairy cattle and sheep ranching.

A WOMAN WAS FOUND DEAD INSIDE A VEHICLE WITH SEVERAL BULLET HOLES IN IT.  THE VEHICLE WAS AT THE HIMBOLA MANOR APARTMENTS IN LAFAYETTE.  24-YEAR-OLD MARISHA M. FELIX WAS PRONOUNCED DEAD AT THE SCENE LAST NIGHT.  ANYONE WITH INFORMATION IS ASKED TO CALL LAFAYETTE CRIME STOPPERS AT 232-TIPS.

TRASH PICKUP CREWS IN CAMERON PARISH FOUND A SEVERED HEAD IN A PLASTIC BAG ALONG HIGHWAY 27 ON MONDAY.  SHERIFF RON JOHNSON SAYS THERE WAS SO MUCH DECOMPOSITION, IT WAS DIFFICULT TO DETERMINE THE GENDER, AGE OR RACE.  THE HEAD HAS BEEN TAKEN TO THE CALCASIEU PARISH CORONER’S OFFICE FOR TESTING.  JOHNSON TELLS KPLC TV THAT THERE ARE NO MISSING PERSON’S CASES IN CAMERON PARISH, AND A SEARCH OF THE AREA PROVIDED LITTLE TO NO EVIDENCE.

AN AMBER ALERT HAS BEEN CANCELLED AFTER TWO-MONTH-OLD AMARI DANIELS AFTER SHE WAS FOUND SAFE EARLY THIS MORNING.  JEFF HORCHAK REPORTS.

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The Louisiana House isn’t giving up yet on reaching a tax agreement to help close a nearly $1 billion budget gap.  A day after lawmakers rejected a major sales tax bill, negotiations moved from the House floor to desks and side rooms. The House didn’t vote on any proposals yesterday, delaying all consideration of tax measures until today.  House Speaker Taylor Barras told lawmakers that he believes “there is some room” for talks to continue.

THE LAFAYETTE PARISH SCHOOL SYSTEM IS GOING TO ALLOW STUDENTS TO PEACEFULLY PARTICIPATE IN A NATIONAL SCHOOL WALKOUT ON MARCH 14^TH.  IT’S A COORDINATED NATIONAL WALKOUT TO PROTEST FEDERAL LAWMAKER’S RESPONSE TO MASS SHOOTINGS AND DEMAND MORE STRINGENT LEGISLATION.  THE WALKOUT IN LAFAYETTE WILL TAKE PLACE AT TEN A-M ON MARCH 14^TH AND LAST FOR 17 MINUTES, ONE MINUTE FOR EACH VICTIM IN THE SCHOOL SHOOTING THAT HAPPENED FEBRUARY 14^TH IN PARKLAND, FLORIDA.  PRINCIPALS AT SCHOOLS IN LAFAYETTE ARE REACHING OUT TO SCHOOLS AND FACULTY TO COORDINATE LOCAL PARTICIPATION.

LAKE CHARLES POLICE HAVE MADE AN ARREST IN A SHOOTING DEATH THAT HAPPENED EARLY YESTERDAY MORNING ON MEDORA STREET.  43-YEAR-OLD CHARLES RAY HENRY WAS THE VICTIM WHO DIED AFTER BEING TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL.  YESTERDAY EVENING THEY ARRESTED 27-YEAR-OLD FREDRICK FRANKLIN JUNIOR, WHO WAS TAKEN INTO CUSTODY WITHOUT INCIDENT.  HE HAS BEEN CHARGED WITH SECOND DEGREE MURDER AND NO BOND HAS YET BEEN SET.

HOMEOWNERS AND BUSINESSES IN VERMILLION PARISH COULD FACE FINES IF FIREFIGHTERS RESPOND TO TOO MANY FALSE ALARMS.  THE FINE ON A FOURTH FALSE ALARM WOULD BE ONE HUNDRED DOLLARS, 200 DOLLARS FOR A FIFTH ALARM, AND RISING FINES FOR ANY SUBSEQUENT ALARMS IN A ONE YEAR PERIOD.  THE PARISH POLICE JURY PASSED THE ORDINANCE IN RESPONSE TO COMPLAINTS FROM FIRE DEPARTMENTS.  MORE THAN HALF OF THE 564 FIRE CALLS IN THE PARISH WERE FALSE ALARMS IN 2016.

Louisiana lawmakers should require all state government agencies to have a policy banning sexual harassment that includes detailed procedures for reporting and investigating complaints and that requires annual anti-harassment training.  That’s the recommendation released Thursday from a task force convened by Gov. John Bel Edwards to review existing guidelines for dealing with sexual misconduct allegations.  The task force crafted a model policy.  Edwards is expected to push the legislation suggested.

YESTERDAY JUDGE JULES EDWARD REVOKED THE PROBATION OF LAFAYETTE CITY MARSHAL BRIAN POPE AND ORDERED HIM TO SERVE THREE WEEKS IN JAIL.  EDWARDS HAD PUT POPE ON PROBATION MARCH OF 2016 FOR VIOLATING LOUISIANA PUBLIC RECORD LAWS AND HE HAD TO DO COMMUNITY SERVICE.  EDWARDS REVOKED THE PROBATION BECAUSE POPE HAD NOT DONE ANY COMMUNITY SERVICE SINCE THEN.  POPE WAS TAKEN IN SHACKLES IMMEDIATELY TO THE LAFAYETTE PARISH CORRECTIONAL CENTER.

TWO COASTAL PROJECTS FOR CAMERON PARISH WERE APPROVED IN EARLY FEBRUARY.  THE FIRST WOULD USE DREDGED MATERIALS FROM THE CALCASIEU SHIP CHANNEL TO THE MARSH ON THE SABINE NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE, A PROJECT THAT WILL COST 28 MILLION DOLLARS AND IS EXPECTED TO RESTORE OVER 900 ACRES OF LAND.  THAT PROJECT IS EXPECTED TO TAKE A FEW YEARS TO COMPLETE BECAUSE THE U-S FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE HAS TO WAIT FOR THE MATERIAL FROM THE CALCASIEU SHIP CHANNEL TO BE DREDGED.  THE SECOND PROJECT, WHICH WILL COST 25-POINT-6 MILLION DOLLARS, WILL HELP RESTORE AREAS EAST OF CALCASIEU LAKE, WHICH IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN IN OCTOBER AND TAKE TWO YEARS TO COMPLETE.

A CROWLEY MAN HAS BEEN INDICTED IN THE SHOOTING DEATH OF A LAFAYETTE MAN ON MARCH 16^TH LAST YEAR.  26-YEAR-OLD JEANTRELL PIERSON FACES A CHARGE OF SECOND DEGREE MURDER.  HE IS ACCUSED OF SHOOTING 45-YEAR-OLD JOHN JONES ON HANSEL DRIVE IN LAFAYETTE AND THEN TAKING HIS CAR, WHICH WAS LATER FOUND ABANDONED IN A MOTEL PARKING LOT.  PIERSON WAS ALREADY IN JAIL IN DECEMBER ON A CHARGE OF TAKING CONTRABAND INTO A PENAL INSTITUTION WHEN HE WAS ARRESTED FOR THE MURDER.

Efforts to renew part of an expiring sales tax to help patch a nearly $1 billion budget hole have failed in the Louisiana House, as lawmakers seem unable to reach a compromise on taxes in the special session.  Only 38 House lawmakers on Wednesday night voted for the proposal by Republican Rep. Stephen Dwight. It needed 70 votes to pass.  The proposal would temporarily renew one-quarter of an expiring 1 percent sales tax and temporarily eliminate some sales tax breaks, to raise nearly $300 million a year.

TWO MEN ARE WANTED IN CONNECTION TO A SERIES OF VEHICLE BURGLARIES AND THE THEFT OF ONE VEHICLE IN SCOTT LAST MONTH.  JEFF HORCHAK HAS MORE.

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LAST WEEK THE LAKE CHARLES CITY COUNCIL APPROVED A RESOLUTION TO RAISE THE PARISH-WIDE HOTEL OCCUPANCY TAX BY ONE PERCENT.  THE RESOLUTION NOW MOVES TO THE STATE LEGISLATURE FOR APPROVAL BEFORE IT CAN GO INTO EFFECT.  MAYOR NIC HUNTER SAYS THE TAX IS NEEDED BECAUSE OF THE INFLUX OF HOTELS THAT HAVE BEEN GOING UP IN LAKE CHARLES.  HUNTER SAYS THE MONEY RAISED BY THE TAX WILL GO TOWARD IMPROVING INFRASTRUCTURE, BECAUSE THE NEW HOTELS HAVE CAUSED A STRAIN ON SEWER AND WATER.

SOUTH LOUISIANA PARISHES, ESPECIALLY THOSE ALONG THE ATCHAFALAYA BASIN, ARE KEEPING AN EYE ON RISING RIVER LEVELS.  HEAVY RAINS IN THE MIDWEST TO THE SOUTHERN PLAINS MEAN HIGHER WATER LEVELS COMING DOWN THE RED RIVER AND THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER.  IF THE RIVER LEVELS CONTINUE TO RISE, THE U-S ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS COULD OPEN GATES AT THE MORGANZA SPILLWAY INTO THE ATCHAFALAYA RIVER, WHICH COULD CAUSE FLOODING IN AREAS INCLUDING BUTTE LA ROSE AND KROTZ SPRINGS.  THE RIVERS COULD BEGIN TO CREST ON MARCH 18^TH.

Calls for the resignation of Louisiana’s secretary of state continue to come in, after he was accused of sexually harassing an employee.  State Rep. Helena Moreno, leader of the Louisiana Legislative Women’s Caucus, said Secretary of State Tom Schedler should step down “to ensure the public’s trust” in the office.  Moreno, a New Orleans Democrat, issued her statement Wednesday, shortly after Gov. John Bel Edwards recommended that Schedler exit office.  Last week, a lawsuit filed against Schedler accused the Republican of sexually harassing an employee for years and punishing her after she rebuffed repeated advances.

A HEALTH CAREERS ACADEMY AT NORTHSIDE HIGH SCHOOL IN LAFAYETTE WILL CLOSE AFTER THIS SCHOOL YEAR.  LOW ENROLLMENT WAS CITED AS THE REASON WITH ONLY TWELVE STUDENTS IN THE PROGRAM THIS YEAR AND TEN APPLYING FOR NEXT YEAR’S PROGRAM.  CHIEF ACADEMIC OFFICER ANNETTE SAMEC SAYS THEY BELIEVE TRANSPORTATION IS A FACTOR IN THE LOW ENROLLMENT NUMBERS, WITH THE DISTRICT ELIMINATING DOOR TO DOOR BUS SERVICE FOR ACADEMY STUDENTS.  THOSE CURRENTLY IN THE NORTHSIDE PROGRAM CAN TRANSFER TO THE LAFAYETTE HIGH HEALTH ACADEMY IF THEY MEET ACADEMIC AND DISCIPLINE REQUIREMENTS.

A JEFF DAVIS PARISH SCHOOL BUS WAS STOLEN YESTERDAY AND LATER FOUND ABANDONED IN CROWLEY WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING.  JENNINGS POLICE CHIEF DANNY SIMS SAYS SURVEILLANCE VIDEO SHOWS A PERSON GETTING INTO A SCHOOL BUS IN THE JENNINGS HIGH SCHOOL PARKING LOT AT AROUND 3:30 YESTERDAY MORNING BUT IT WAS TOO FAR AWAY TO GET A DESCRIPTION OF THE SUSPECT.  SIMS SAYS THE SUSPECT MANAGED TO START THE BUS AND DRIVE AWAY.  THE BUS WAS FOUND IN THE 500 BLOCK OF SEVENTH STREET IN CROWLEY.

AN INDICTED GREMLIN GANG MEMBER WAS ARRESTED YESTERDAY FOR THE DECEMBER MURDER OF A EUNICE MAN.  JEFF HORCHAK HAS MORE.

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Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry has joined with 19 other states in filing a federal lawsuit seeking to block the federal Affordable Care Act.  The multi-state lawsuit was filed Monday in Texas, arguing the federal law’s individual mandate requiring people to buy health insurance is unconstitutional and the entire law should be deemed unenforceable.  Landry, a Republican, called the mandate “unlawful” in a statement Tuesday. His position is at odds with Democratic Gov. John Bel Edwards, a supporter of the federal health overhaul.

THE LAFAYETTE POLICE DEPARTMENT HELD A CHURCH SAFETY SUMMIT YESTERDAY AT THE CLIFTON CHENIER CENTER.  IT WAS OPEN TO ALL CHURCH LEADERS IN ACADIANA.  SOME OF THE ATTENDEES TOLD KLFY NEWS 10 THAT THEY NOW FEEL BETTER PREPARED SHOULD THEY FACE AN ATTACK, SUCH AS A MASS SHOOTING.  LIVING GLORY PASTOR CARL BENTON SAYS HE’S IMPLENTING A SECURITY TEAM AT HIS CHURCH SO THE CONGREGATION CAN FEEL IT CAN PUT ITS GUARD DOWN AND WORSHIP GOD.

SASOL HAS HIRED 550 SKILLED WORKERS TO HELP BUILD AN ELEVEN BILLION DOLLAR ETHANE CRACKER AND DERIVATIVES PLANT IN WESTLAKE, WHICH HAS PUT TO REST CONCERNS ABOUT FINDING ENOUGH SKILLED CRAFT WORKERS.  SPEAKING AT A STATEWIDE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT SUMMIT YESTERDAY AT THE LAUBERGE CASINO HOTEL, MICHAEL HAYES OF SASOL NORTH AMERICA SAYS IT HELPED THAT THERE WAS A DOWNTURN IN THE OIL INDUSTRY, HELPING THEM GET A LOT OF TALENTED INDIVIDUALS.  HE SAYS 80 PERCENT OF THE WORKFORCE IS FROM LOUISIANA, AND OF THE LOUISIANA WORKERS, 90 PERCENT ARE FROM THE SOUTHWEST PART OF THE STATE.  PHASED COMMISSIONING OF THE PLANT IS SET TO BEGIN THIS YEAR AND, BY 2019, SASOL WILL HAVE AN OVERALL EMPLOYMENT FORCE THAT EXCEEDS 1,150.

IOTA POLICE ARE STILL TRYING TO FIND A SUSPECT OR SUSPECTS IN A DECEMBER HOME BURGLARY IN WHICH FIREARMS WERE STOLEN.  POLICE SAY THAT BETWEEN DECEMBER SECOND AND THE NINTH, A HOME IN THE 600 BLOCK OF SOUTH FIFTH STREET WAS BROKEN INTO AND THREE FIREARMS WERE STOLEN, INCLUDING AN AR-15, AND SOME SILVER DOLLAR COINS WERE ALSO TAKEN.  ANYONE WITH INFORMATION IS URGED TO CALL CRIME STOPPERS OF ACADIA PARISH AT 789-TIPS.  UP TO A THOUSAND DOLLAR CASH REWARD IS BEING OFFERED.

Louisiana’s attorney general isn’t recommending prosecution of two former Wildlife and Fisheries workers accused of keeping state-owned equipment paid with oil spill recovery money.  A spokeswoman for Attorney General Jeff Landry said Tuesday the office isn’t suggesting Baton Rouge’s district attorney pursue charges against Eric Newman and Monique Savoy.  Ruth Wisher said Landry’s office “determined there is currently insufficient evidence for a successful prosecution.”  A June 2017 investigative report from the Legislative Auditor’s office said auditors looking for $55,000 in missing state-owned fishing equipment believe they found many of the items with Newman and Savoy.

TWO TEENS WERE ARRESTED IN LAFAYETTE FOR USING AN A-T-M SKIMMING DEVICE.  JEFF HORCHAK REPORTS.

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CITGO IS HOLDING ITS ANNUAL E-RECYCLE DAY IN LAKE CHARLES TO HELP RESIDENTS SAFELY DISPOSE OF UNWANTED ELECTRONICS.  IT WILL BE HELD AT THE MCNEESE COWBOY STADIUM PARKING LOT THIS SATURDAY MORNING FROM EIGHT TO ELEVEN.  THEY ARE ACCEPTING CONSUMER ELECTRONICS THAT CONTAIN HAZARDOUS MATERIAL SUCH AS COMPUTERS, TELEVISIONS, PHONES AND MORE.  THERE ARE SOME ITEMS THEY ARE NOT ACCEPTING LIKE LARGE APPLIANCES, MEDICAL EQUIPMENT, AND DEHUMIDIFIERS.

CROWLEY POLICE HAVE RELEASED THE IDENTITY OF A SUSPECT IN A DOUBLE STABBING THAT HAPPENED EARLY SATURDAY MORNING NEAR NORTH AVENUE B AND WEST FIFTH STREET.  MERVIN DUGAS OF RAYNE FACES TWO COUNTS OF ATTEMPTED FIRST DEGREE HOMOCIDE AND ONE COUNT OF HOME INVASION.  DUGAS HIMSELF WAS STABBED BY ONE OF THE VICTIMS AND IS CURRENTLY RECOVERING IN A HOSPITAL.  THE TWO VICTIMS WERE TREATED AND RELEASED OVER THE WEEKEND.

Gov. John Bel Edwards has declared a state of emergency in several Louisiana parishes amid mounting concerns about river flooding.  Edwards issued the emergency declaration on Monday for nine parishes including Avoyelles, Beauregard, and Rapides.  Louisiana’s top agriculture official is warning livestock and farm equipment owners in the northwest part of the state to be prepared for flooding.  Commissioner Mike Strain said in a statement that heavy rain forecast for Tuesday and Wednesday could lead to flooding along the Red River. Strain said flooding is expected to continue downriver to Alexandria on Thursday.

PEOPLE LIVING ALONG THE SABINE RIVER SHOULD PAY ATTENTION TO RIVER FORECASTS FOR ANY CHANGES.  THAT’S BECAUSE THE SABINE RIVER AUTHORITY HAS RAISED ALL ELEVEN GATES AT THE TOLEDO BEND RESERVOIR TO TWO FEET EACH.  THE SABINE RIVER IS EXPECTED TO CREST AT 35 FEET AT BON WEIR, ACROSS THE BORDER FROM MERRYVILLE, WHICH IS A MODERATE FLOOD STAGE.  IT’S EXPECTED TO CREST AT 26-AND-A-HALF FEET AT DEWEYVILLE ON THURSDAY, ACROSS THE BORDER FROM STARKS, WHICH IS ALSO MODERATE FLOOD STAGE.

THE FIRST PHASE OF THE LAFAYETTE PARISH MAGNET ACADEMY LOTTERY PROCESS IS COMPLETE.  JEFF HORCHAK HAS MORE.

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BURGLARS COMPLETELY EMPTIED THE CONTENTS OF A VILLE PLATTE BED AND BREAKFAST LAST WEEK.  POLICE CHIEF NEAL LARTIGUE SAYS THE BURGLARS ENTERED THE COTTAGE BED AND BREAKFAST SHORTLY AFTER ELEVEN LAST TUESDAY AND REMOVED EVERYTHING UNTIL THE EARLY MORNING HOURS OF WEDNESDAY.  POLICE HAVE IDENTIFIED A TRUCK THAT THEY BELIEVE MAY HAVE BEEN INVOLVED IN THE BURGLARY AND ARE STILL SEARCHING FOR THE CONTENTS, WHICH INCLUDES A NUMBER OF ANTIQUES.  ANYONE WITH INFORMATION CAN CALL THE VILLE PLATTE POLICE DEPARTMENT AT 363-13-13.

Gov. John Bel Edwards says he remains committed to reaching a tax deal with Louisiana lawmakers, even as disagreements have delayed House tax votes.  Votes scheduled for Monday on a package of tax bills were scrapped, with continued divides over which tax types should be used to help close a nearly $1 billion budget gap.  The Democratic governor said Republican House Speaker Taylor Barras failed to capitalize on the momentum of Sunday’s House committee action advancing the tax measures.  In a floor speech Monday, Barras suggested members of the Black Caucus threw a wrench in tax talks by reviving an income tax proposal that GOP lawmakers oppose.

Lafayette’s red light traffic cameras are gone for good, but they may be replaced with traffic cameras in select school zones.  The Advertiser reports the traffic cameras were unplugged in June, when the city’s contract with Redflex expired. Mayor-President Joel Robideaux said his administration was negotiating with American Traffic Solutions to take over the program. But Robideaux said this week the cameras will not be coming back. Instead, he is negotiating with ATS and Redflex to provide cameras in some school zones.

A PEDESTRIAN WAS STRUCK AND KILLED ON HIGHWAY 90 SATURDAY NIGHT EAST OF LAKE CHARLES.  STATE POLICE SAY 50-YEAR-OLD KELLY RAY WHITE WAS STANDING IN THE EASTBOUND LANE OF HIGHWAY 90 IN FRONT OF THE SUNRISE INN WHEN HE WAS HIT.  THE DRIVER OF THE VEHICLE THAT HIT HIM, 80-YEAR-OLD PAUL SIMIEN FROM IOWA WAS THE DRIVER AND WAS UNINJURED.  POLICE BELIEVE WHITE WAS IMPAIRED AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT AND WAS WEARING DARK COLORED CLOTHING WHEN HE WAS STANDING IN THE ROADWAY.

CROWLEY POLICE HAVE ARRESTED A MAN WHO RAN OVER GRAVES IN THE WOODLAWN CEMETARY, DAMAGING HEADSTONES AND GRAVE MARKERS.  POLICE FOUND A PIECE OF THE VEHICLE AND WERE ABLE TO IDENTIFY IT THROUGH THE HELP OF THE PATROL DIVISION.  THE MAN WILL NOT BE CHARGED FOR DAMAGES, BECAUSE THERE WAS NO SPECIFIC CRIMINAL INTENT.  POLICE CHIEF JIMMY BROUSSARD TELLS KLFY TV THAT THE MAN GOT MIXED UP ON THE ROADWAY, ENDING UP IN THE CEMETARY, AND THEN PANICKED AND FLED.

Lawmakers in the Louisiana House have broken through their gridlock, reviving tax bills that had stalled the special session and averting collapse of talks to plug a nearly $1 billion budget gap.  The Ways and Means Committee advanced a sales tax bill favored by House GOP leaders and an income tax bill sought by Democrats. They are continuing work to broker a deal to lessen the shortfall.

It’s unclear if the measures can win support from the full House.

ACCORDING TO AT LEAST ONE LAFAYETTE PARISH RESIDENT, THE QUALITY OF GARBAGE SERVICES IN CERTAIN AREAS HAS DROPPED.  JEFF HORCHAK HAS MORE.

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A Lake Charles veterinarian and an Omaha, Nebraska-based pharmacy have been sentenced for selling an unapproved opioid drug 40 times more powerful than morphine for the purpose of improving the performance of race horses.  U.S. Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook, in a news release Friday, said 43-year-old Kyle James Hebert was sentenced to 15 months in prison for one count of conspiracy, two counts of receipt of adulterated or misbranded drug with the intent to defraud and mislead; and one count of misbranding a drug while held for sale with the intent to defraud and mislead. Hebert was also ordered to pay a $10,000 fine.

Kohll’s Pharmacy & Healthcare Inc. was sentenced to five years of corporate probation and ordered to pay a $200,000 fine in the case.

ON FRIDAY, A DRUG DEALER FROM BREAUX BRIDGE WAS SENTENCED TO 12 YEARS IN PRISON FOR HIS PART IN A DRUG RING.  32-YEAR-OLD DERWIN S. WILLIAMS PLEADED GUILTY IN OCTOBER TO CONSPIRACY TO DISTRIBUTE AND TO POSSESS WITH THE INTENT TO DISTRIBUTE CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES.  U-S ATTORNEY ALEXANDER C. VAN HOOK SAYS WILLIAMS AND 39-YEAR-OLD  ANTONIO BOYD OF PARKS TRAVELED TO CALIFORNIA TO PURCHASE LARGE QUANTITIES OF METH, WHICH THEY SHIPPED TO VARIOUS LOCATIONS IN LOUISIANA, INCLUDING ARNAUDVILLE AND BREAUX BRIDGE.  WILLIAMS WAS THE LAST OF SEVEN MEN WHO WERE INDICTED AND SENTENCED IN A DRUG TASK FORCE OPERATION KNOWN AS CAJUN COKE.

Louisiana Republicans have chosen their new chairman, a New Orleans businessman who will lead the party as it readies for a heated effort aimed at unseating Democratic Gov. John Bel Edwards in 2019.  Louis Gurvich was chosen for the two-year term Saturday by the party’s governing body. He defeated three other candidates.  He takes over from Roger Villere who served as chairman for 14 years, the longest tenure in the state party’s history.

THE HEAD FOOTBALL COACH AT ACADIANA HIGH HAS ANNOUNCED HIS RETIREMENT.  TED DAVIDSON WAS PROMOTED TO HEAD COACH IN 2004 AND TOOK THE PROGRAM TO FOUR STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS AND TWO STATE RUNNER-UP FINISHES.  HE TELLS THE ADVERTISER THAT, AFTER 42 YEARS IN COACHING, HE DOESN’T FEEL HE HAS THE “OOMPH”  THAT IT TAKES TO COACH, THOUGH HE STILL ENJOYS IT.  HE SAYS HE DOESN’T KNOW WHO WILL TAKE OVER BUT SEVERAL OF HIS STAFF MEMBERS ARE CAPABLE, AND THE BASIC STAFF WILL REMAIN.

THE ALLEN PARISH SHERIFF’S OFFICE HAS CLEARED AN OBERLIN HIGH  STUDENT, WHO WAS ACCUSED OF MAKING A THREAT TO BRING A GUN TO SCHOOL.  SHERIFF DOUG HEBERT SAYS THE STUDENT MADE A COMMENT ABOUT A SQUARE ROOT SYMBOL LOOKING LIKE A GUN AND GOSSIP ABOUT IT ON SOCIAL MEDIA TURNED INTO RUMOR ABOUT THE STUDENT BRINGING A GUN TO SCHOOL.  HE SAYS THEY SEARCHED THE STUDENT’S HOME AND FOUND NO GUNS.  FOR NOW THE STUDENT IS NOT ALLOWED ON CAMPUS AND IS AWAITING AN EXPULSION HEARING TO DETERMINE IF HE CAN COME BACK TO SCHOOL.

1. MARTIN PARISH SHERIFF’S DEPUTIES ARE INVESTIGATING A SCHOOL SHOOTING THREAT. JEFF HORCHAK HAS MORE.

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A HATHAWAY HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT HAS BEEN ARRESTED FOR MAKING THREATS ON SOCIAL MEDIA.  17-YEAR-OLD CHRISTOPHER SIMON MARSHALL IS ACCUSED OF WARNING STUDENTS ON THE SNAPCHAT APP TO NOT GO TO SCHOOL YESTERDAY.  THE JEFF DAVIS PARISH SHERIFF’S OFFICE SAYS HE MADE STATEMENTS THAT HE WAS GOING TO SHOOT UP THE SCHOOL.  JEFF DAVIS PARISH SCHOOL OFFICIALS WERE NOTIFIED AND CONTACTED THE SHERIFF’S OFFICE, WHO ARRESTED AND BOOKED MARSHALL INTO THE PARISH JAIL.

A lawsuit accuses Louisiana Secretary of State Tom Schedler of sexually harassing an employee and punishing her after she rebuffed his repeated advances.  The woman’s lawsuit, filed Thursday in a state court, claims Schedler frequently sent her love letters, sexually propositioned her and showed up at her doorstep with unwanted gifts, including sex tapes. It also claims Schedler enlisted help from state security personnel to report on her whereabouts.  Schedler, a 68-year-old Republican, said in a statement that he hadn’t seen the suit but believes in a “safe workplace, free from harassment.”

A SCOTT MAN HAS BEEN BOOKED ON CHILD PORNOGRAPHY CHARGES.  24-YEAR-OLD LARRY GUIDRY FACES 500 COUNTS OF POSSESSON OF PORNOGRAPHY DEPICTING CHILDREN YOUNGER THAN 13.  HE WAS ARRESTED AND BOOKED INTO THE LAFAYETTE PARISH CORRECTIONAL CENTER AFTER AN INVESTIGATION INVOLVING MULTIPLE AGENCIES INCLUDING SCOTT POLICE AND THE LAFAYETTE PARISH SHERIFF’S OFFICE.  GUIDRY WAS RELEASED AFTER POSTING A 40 THOUSAND DOLLAR BOND.

THE FORMER SPOKESPERSON FOR THE ACADIA PARISH SHERIFF’S OFFICE, MAXINE TRAHAN, HAS PLEADED NO CONTEST TO FELONY THEFT AND EXPLOITATION OF THE INFIRM.  TRAHAN WAS ACCUSED OF STEALING MORE THAN 46 THOUSAND DOLLARS FROM AN 80-YEAR-OLD DUSON WOMAN, FOR WHOM SHE WAS CARING.  A NO CONTEST PLEA IS NOT AN ADMISSION OF GUILT BUT AN ACKNOWLEDGEMENT THAT THE PROSECUTION HAS ENOUGH EVIDENCE TO CONVICT HER.  HER JAIL SENTENCE WAS SUSPENDED AND SHE’LL BE ON PROBATION FOR THREE YEARS AND HAVE TO MAKE RESTITUTION.

Louisiana’s special session is careening off course, with tax proposals stalled and House Republican leaders unable to corral enough GOP votes to move legislation they want in exchange for tax votes.  Lawmakers continued Thursday to pull bills from consideration, leaving nearly every major bill halted.  The inaction raised questions about whether the budget-balancing session would produce anything and if the fractious House was so divided that gridlock was all it could achieve.  Republican House Speaker Taylor Barras doesn’t seem to have enough GOP support to move proposals he backs.

A DUSON MAN WAS ARRESTED AFTER POLICE FOUND DRUGS AND FIREARMS IN HIS HOME.  JEFF HORCHAK REPORTS.

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IT’S BEEN MORE THAN A DECADE SINCE THE LAKE CHARLES CITY COUNCIL MADE PLANS TO EXTEND ENTERPRISE BOULEVARD TO HIGHWAY 171 TO PROMOTE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN NORTH LAKE CHARLES, BUT IT HAS STILL NOT BEEN COMPLETED.  LAST NIGHT COUNCIL MEMBER MARY MORRIS SUGGESTED ANOTHER PLAN TO GET THINGS ROLLING, WHICH WOULD HAVE INCLUDED WIDENING FITZENREITER ROAD AND MAKING IMPROVEMENTS TO MARTIN LUTHER KING HIGHWAY TO GOOS BOULEVARD.  BUT SINCE THE CITY ONLY HAD HALF THE FUNDS FOR THE PROJECT, MORRIS WITHDREW THE PROPOSAL, BUT SAID SHE’LL CONTINUE TO WORK TO FIND WAYS TO COMPLETE THE ENTERPRISE PROJECT.  MEANWHILE, MORRIS SAYS SHE WANTS TO TAKE THE MONEY ALLOCATED FOR THE PROJECT AND USE IT FOR OTHER PROJECTS THAT WOULD BENEFIT NORTH LAKE CHARLES RESIDENTS.

A former Louisiana law enforcement officer has pleaded guilty to assaulting an inmate at the Iberia Parish Jail.  U.S. Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook, in a news release, says 38-year-old former Sgt. David Prejean (PRAY-jawn) entered the plea Wednesday. Federal authorities say Prejean ordered his K-9 officer to bite the inmate and he struck the man — all without justification — on Dec. 6, 2012 during a shakedown at the jail.  Authorities say Prejean’s “unlawful use of force” resulted in an injury to the inmate.

Efforts to broker a tax compromise in the Louisiana Legislature have faltered, with lawmakers unable to cobble together enough votes to start moving any major tax bills. Disagreements threaten to crater the special session aimed at closing a massive budget gap.  The House Ways and Means Committee stalled all big-ticket tax proposals Wednesday, with Republicans and Democrats at odds over how to close a $994 million shortfall in the financial year that begins July 1.  The gap is caused by the expiration of temporary taxes passed in 2016.

A federal judge has ordered the state of Louisiana to pay more than $150,000 in fees and costs to attorneys for a man who successfully challenged a law that prevented him and other foreign-born U.S. citizens from getting married.  U.S. District Judge Ivan Lemelle’s order Wednesday comes more than six months after he permanently blocked the marriage law.  The Indonesia-born Viet Anh Vo of  Lafayette sued in 2016 after he and his U.S.-born fiancee had their application for a marriage license rejected by court clerks in three parishes. The law blocked Vo from getting a license because he couldn’t produce a birth certificate.

THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION AND DEVELOPMENT ANNOUNCED THAT CONSTRUCTION WORK ON THE I-TEN BRIDGE IN LAKE CHARLES IS SCHEDULED TO BEGIN ON SATURDAY, MARCH THIRD.  C-E-C INCORPORATED OF LAFAYETTE WILL BE REPLACING EXPANSION JOINTS ON THE BRIDGE.  THE WORK WAS MADE NECESSARY BECAUSE OF AN INCREASED TRAFFIC LOAD THAT IS ANTICIPATED WHEN A REDECKING PROJECT ON THE I-210 BRIDGE BEGINS.  THE I-TEN BRIDGE PROJECT, WHICH COSTS EIGHT-POINT-5 MILLION DOLLARS, IS EXPECTED TO LAST ABOUT FOUR MONTHS.

A FIVE-YEAR-OLD, WHO ATTENDS CECILIA PRIMARY SCHOOL, BROUGHT AN UNLOADED PELLET GUN IN HIS BOOK BAG ONTO THE SCHOOL BUS YESTERDAY MORNING.  SUPERINTENDENT DR. LOTTIE BEEBE SAYS THE BUS DRIVER CONFISCATED THE GUN AND REPORTED THE INCIDENT TO THE PRINCIPAL.  SHE SAYS THE STUDENT WAS INTENDING TO BRING THE GUN TO SCHOOL AT THE REQUEST OF ANOTHER STUDENT.  BEEBE TELLS KLFY TV THEY ARE TAKING ALL INCIDENTS SERIOUSLY.

ON JANUARY FIRST, THE FEDERAL TAX ON UTILITIES DROPPED BY 14 PERCENT, BUT PRIVATE COMPANIES IN LOUISIANA CONTINUED TO COLLECT AT THE OLD 35 PERCENT RATE.  YESTERDAY, THE PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION UNANIMOUSLY DEMANDED THAT THE COMPANIES RETURN THE EXTRA COLLECTED TAXES TO THEIR CUSTOMERS.  INTERIM PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION SECRETARY BRANDON FREY TELLS THE ADVOCATE THAT THERE’S A LOT OF MONEY OUT THERE IN SAVINGS.  THE COMMISSION ORDERED ITS STAFF AND COMPANY OFFICIALS TO FIND A WAY BY MARCH 21^ST TO GIVE THE SAVINGS FROM THE CUT BACK TO CUSTOMERS.

LAFAYETTE CITY MARSHAL BRIAN POPE’S REQUEST FOR A CHANGE OF VENUE IN HIS PREJURY MALFEASANCE TRIAL HAS BEEN PUSHED BACK.  JEFF HORCHAK HAS MORE.

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DANIEL KIGHT OF VINTON WAS FOUND GUILTY OF SECOND DEGRE MURDER IN A LAKE CHARLES COURTROOM.  KIGHT HAD STABBED DAVID SCASINO MORE THAN FIFTY TIMES IN 2014, BUT CLAIMED HE WAS NOT GUILTY BY REASON OF INSANITY.  JUDGE ROBERT WYATT DID NOT AGREE THAT HE WAS INCAPABLE OF DISTINGUISHING RIGHT FROM WRONG AND FOUND HIM GUILTY ON THE MURDER CHARGE, WHICH CARRIES A MANDATORY LIFE PRISON SENTENCE.  PROSECUTOR CHARLES ROBINSON SAYS KIGHT COMMITTED THE MURDER BECAUSE SCASINO HAD ACCUSED HIM OF CHILD MOLESTATION.

THIS WEEK THE IBERIA PARISH SCHOOL BOARD IS INTERVIEWING SIX CANDIDATES TO BECOME THE NEXT SUPERINTENDENT.  SCHOOL BOARD PRESIDENT DALE DUGAS TELLS KLFY TV THAT THEY ARE EXCITED BECAUSE THEY HAVE SIX VERY SOLID CANDIDATES.  THE BOARD IS EXPECTED TO ANNOUNCE IN TWO WEEKS WHO WILL BE THE NEW SUPERINTENDENT.  THE CURRENT SUPERINTENDENT, DALE HENDERSON, HAD PREVIOUSLY ANNOUNCED HE WOULD BE RETIRING THIS SUMMER AFTER ELEVEN YEARS IN THE POSITION.

Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards has hired a new deputy chief of staff, three months after the previous jobholder resigned amid sexual harassment allegations.

The Democratic governor announced Tuesday that Adren Wilson will work as deputy chief of staff for programs and planning, filling the position Johnny Anderson left in November.  Anderson was accused of sexual harassment, 11 years after several women made similar accusations when Anderson worked for Gov. Kathleen Blanco and was a university system board chairman. Anderson denies wrongdoing in both sets of claims.

LAST NIGHT THE LAFAYETTE CONSOLIDATED COUNCIL TOOK A STEP TOWARD INSTALLING SPEED CAMERAS IN SCHOOL ZONES.  THEY APPROVED A RESOLUTION, MEANING THEY SUPPORT THE IDEA.  NEXT THEY HAVE TO FIND A VENDOR AND WORK OUT TERMS WITH THEM.  IF THAT HAPPENS, THE COUNCIL WILL HAVE TO APPROVE ANOTHER RESOLUTION ON HOW THE LAFAYETTE CONSOLIDATED GOVERNMENT WILL HANDLE THE PROGRAM AND A TIMELINE FOR IMPLEMENTATION.

AN OAKDALE MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENT WILL BE EXPELLED AFTER MAKING A THREAT TO HARM STUDENTS.  OAKDALE POLICE CHIEF JOSEPH LOCKETT SENIOR SAYS THE STUDENT TOLD ANOTHER STUDENT THAT SOMEONE WAS GOING TO COME AND KILL A LOT OF PEOPLE AT THE SCHOOL AND THE THREAT WAS REPORTED TO A TEACHER, WHO TOOK APPROPRIATE ACTION.  THE STUDENT WHO MADE THE THREAT HAS APPEARED BEFORE A JUDGE AND IS BEING HELD AT THE OAKDALE POLICE DEPARTMENT.  LOCKETT HAS ASKED PARENTS TO TALK TO THEIR CHILDREN ABOUT THE SERIOUSNESS OF MAKING THREATS.

A MAN, WHO WAS FACING FEDERAL CHARGES OF CHILD PORNOGRAPHY, HAS DIED AFTER BEING TRANSPORTED TO A LOCAL HOSPITAL FROM THE ST. MARTIN PARISH JAIL.  THE U-S MARSHAL’S OFFICE IS INVESTIGATING THE DEATH OF 34-YEAR-OLD MICAH SORBET BECAUSE HE WAS A FEDERAL PRISONER IN THE CUSTODY OF THE ST. MARTIN PARISH JAIL.  A SPOKESMAN FOR THE U-S MARSHAL’S OFFICE SAYS NO FOUL PLAY IS SUSPECTED BUT THEY ARE AWAITING THE RESULTS OF AN AUTOPSY.  SORBET, WHO WAS ARRESTED ON CHILD PORNOGRAPHY CHARGES BY FEDERAL AGENTS IN DECEMBER, HAD A CARDIAC ARREST IN THE JAIL AND DIED SIX DAYS LATER IN THE HOSPITAL.

With a nearly $1 billion budget gap only months away, lawmakers appear far from agreement about what taxes they might support to fill the hole.  Dividing lines were evident Tuesday as the House Ways and Means Committee started sifting through tax bills on the second day of a special session.  Gov. John Bel Edwards called the 17-day session to replace expiring temporary taxes that are causing the shortfall for the financial year starting July 1.  The Ways and Means Committee is expected to start voting on proposals today.